After months of trying to manage moving chairs from here and there in my little car, last week I finally waved goodbye to my trusty old Peugeot and welcomed my Citroen Berlingo van! Yes, I’m now officially a white van driver, and it’s just so much fun!
I’d been wanting (and really needing a van for months), but kept putting it on hold. I had to keep waiting until I really couldn’t manage in my car anymore… and I also got busy enough in order for me to financially support a van! It was a big step for me to get this van, and its a statement to me, as much as to everyone else – that I am serious about moving forward in my business with Florrie+Bill! It shows my commitment and its the next step in the chain of events for what I want to achieve.
The Citroen Berlingo was the only van I had wanted. I had never been to see it, only looking at them online. I’m a sucker for something that has to look good, and with its refined lines and sleek body styling – the Berlingo had stolen my heart. It was pretty lucky then, that when I found one at my local garage and took it for a test drive, that it exceeded my expectations!… (phew!). It actually drives and feels like a car, its really quiet although its a diesel – and there is plenty of room in the cabin. My van had to have dual passenger seats to allow for me to put Stanley’s car seat in, and although the middle seat isn’t full width, its comfortable enough (for a small person like me 5’2″) on both short and long journeys. There is an array of useful pockets and storage compartments, but the interior remains uncluttered and roomy. The only downside is there is no vanity mirror on the visors…. so I may have to stick something on there myself! The actual van loading space is smaller than I had initially thought, but it is adequate enough for my needs at present. My van had been ply lined so its clean, and easy to load and unload. Overall I am in LOVE with my Berlingo!
We took a family day out up North on Sunday to do my first #FlorrieandBillTravels (I’ve hash-tagged that over on Instagram) chair collection. I’d managed to source some chairs all within a 5 hour round road trip. We set off early on Sunday morning (husband, baby and dog included) and had a fantastic drive up to Doncaster, Leeds and Lincoln. It was such a great feeling to be in control of collecting my own chairs – and meeting such lovely people. To me, its part of the whole story and why I so badly want to rescue and restore old chairs.
Heres a picture of my little boy Stanley enjoying ‘lunch on the go’ in the back of the van!
Most excitingly for me, is that I’ll also be able to deliver my chairs to their new owners once restored. That means of course I’ll be able to meet the new owners in person and see for myself where my chairs are starting their new lease of life! I’m also planning on buying and collecting chairs in those delivery areas too, as it makes economical sense to not return home with an empty van.
On top of collections and deliveries I’ll also be able to transport chairs between home, my storage facility and to the upholsterers and french polishers without ever having to a) remove a baby seat b) have a meltdown because something doesn’t fit and c) make several journeys.
I really am having a proud moment this week. It’s a personal achievement to work your way up to something you really want and need. I am hoping that with having my new van now, especially with it bearing my logos, that my business will continue to steadily grow. And then, who knows… I may have to get a bigger van :)
Are you a lady business owner who also drives a van? If so, I would love to hear your van related business stories! Drop me a line at amy@florrieandbill.com
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