Monday, May 25

The right decision was made!

Well, given that it's only been 24 hours since we officially said we're coming back the feedback and response has been amazing!  I woke up this morning to an email request to speak at a national conference on citizen led change projects which is exactly what we hope the Hippos can do.  We want to bring back the fun, the family and the support that goes with working in the creative industries.  We are passionate about sharing what we know so that others can get involved too and discover their hidden talents.

It is with a sad heart that we had to close the previous chapter, but for whatever reason (and quite sure we could analyse it till the cows come home) but it happened.  We need to take the good bits, learn from the things that didn't quite work and move forward to the next chapter now.  Going over why things didn't work isn't always helpful as it is incredibly easy to create a blame culture which we don't want to do.

As always I have many cunning plans on the go, and this week will hopefully see one of them come to light.  If it does come off in the way we hope then there will be something amazing to share later in the year.  Oh, and when we do finally get a base there is going to be one heck of a party!!

I am so excited to be a Hippo again, it feels like my whole identity has resurfaced - which for some will seem slightly scary as I bounce around the place again so apologies in advance to the sensible among you!

see you all soon, Hippo xx

Saturday, May 23

We're coming back!!

Apologies for the absence, we tried something else and bits worked but other bits didn't.  However, if you don't try something new you can't possibly hope to grow and learn from these experiences so although the end result wasn't what I had hoped for the journey was worth it.  But, the upshot is that I intend bringing the Hippos back in the way they were first intended.

We're going to start small again and make sure we are standing then toddling then walking before we even consider finding our running shoes.  As those of you that know me personally, patience is not my strong point!! The other difference this time is that there are several people that also miss being a Hippo and the values we hold so this time I've got support and help from the outset.  Business is a pretty lonely place on your own but with others prepared to throw jaffa cakes at you and go oiii Ange you're being stupid and then we all giggle and go oh yeah see your point, well that makes it much more bearable.  I have learnt that although I can make the practical, legal and economic decisions quite easily on my own I need the bounce for creative processes and especially when I go 'I have a cunning plan .....' and need someone to bounce off.  That's where two other wonderful ladies come in (and not just to scoff the jaffa cakes, saying that before they run off with the cash & carry card!).

And I miss chuntering on the blog, so apologies to all those that thought great she's stopped annoying us - Hippo's back, and with lots of ideas to make the world a more interesting place.

Can't wait to tell you all the other updates once the journey begins in earnest, see you all soon

Hippo x