Bodhi Babes Wonder Women - Helen Ruff, Doily Days

Meet our #BBWW

Helen Ruff

Editor of 'Doily Days Loves Weddings' & event stylist. How cool is this vintage style babe!

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think I wanted to be an interior designer… I used to rearrange my bedroom regularly (and my Jason Donovan posters were displayed in quite spectacular fashion).

What do you do now? For work? For fun?

I run Doily Days (www.doilydays.co.uk). It’s a wedding business I started in 2009. I’ve done various things in the wedding industry including vintage crockery hire, transport, event management, hen parties but the main thing I concentrate on now is my wedding magazine. I put together each issue by confirming advertising and gathering content. The magazine comes out twice a year and is available for free at wedding fairs.

For fun… I find my work fun! I’ve very lucky to have a career that stemmed from a passion, Doily Days is an extension of my personality. When I’m not working I like throwing dinner parties, going to festivals, searching for bargains at car boot sales, long walks and drinking cocktails!

How did you get into your area of expertise?

In 2004 I started working for a hen and stag party company (Redseven in Brighton). My degree was in Tourism Management and this role encompassed travel and events (we were sending groups all over Europe). I got more involved in the events side of things. On leaving the company in 2007 I completed a journalism qualification at the Argus in Brighton and I then went to work for a Moroccan Events company in Lewes. In this role I learnt a lot about how a small business worked and I set up Doily Days in 2009.

What obstacles have you faced in following your dreams and how have you overcome them?

Finance was the main issue. It’s hard following your dreams when you’ve got rent and bills to pay! I was working full time in pubs and restaurants from 2009-2012. I was getting up early, working all day and then doing an evening shift. It was hard but it meant I had money coming in while I built my business. I reduced my hours to part time in 2012 and I only stopped waitressing last year!

What’s the best part of what you do?

Finding out about quirky small businesses and meeting the people behind them. I love going to wedding fairs in the Spring and Autumn. I know a lot of people in the industry now, it’s like one big party! Oh… and talking of parties, I hold two industry parties a year in Brighton. They’re great fun, a chance to dress up and let our hair down.

What advice do you have for other women who might want to follow suit?

Think long and hard about what you really want to do. I believe you’ll only be truly successful if you have a real passion for your business. If you’ve got an idea, just do it! Don’t lose confidence. Everyone has to start somewhere, so start with a phone call, an email… whatever it may be, and just build on it. I’m also a firm believer in networking and building as many contacts as possible. This has really helped my business. It’s not what you know but who you know!

What’s your morning routine? Keep it clean ;-)

Let’s start by saying – I’m not a routine person! I’ve tried so many times but my days tend to be random. I don’t get up at a set time, I’ll allow myself a lie in if I’ve had a late night… but then again sometimes I’ll be up, working on my laptop (in bed!), at 6am. I’ve beat myself up about my lack of routine in the past but I guess that’s the beauty of working for yourself.

I get up, have breakfast, check my emails, make a to-do list (I’m a massive list person)… what I do in a day really depends on the time of year and what’s happening at the time.

3 things that are on your ‘to do’ list today?

• Work on the wedding fair I’m organising next month

• Write an article for an online wedding magazine

• Deliver boxes of magazines for a wedding fair this weekend

What are you working on at the moment? Next project?

I’m launching a mobile bar so I’m working on getting my personal alcohol license, buying fridges, getting a bar designed etc. It’s a retro themed bar called ‘Doily’s Mini Bar’. I have already had the walls of the ‘set’ made. They’re freestanding walls covered with original vintage wallpaper. I hang antlers from the wall, vintage flying ducks and old, framed record covers. I also have a 1950s ‘boat’ cocktail bar that I picked up in an antique shop that was closing down. This is what the bar is themed around, it’s styled up with props such as Babycham, pineapple ice bucket, umbrellas, cocktail cherries etc. It’s all very kitsch and the staff will all wear tabards, headscarves and pink lipstick! The logo has been designed already and I’m delighted with it.

One woman you admire and why?

I really admire Sarah Beeney! I’m just in total awe that she can do so much when she has so many children! She’s so driven but so down to earth and she seems really happy… I loved watching the series where she and her husband were restoring Rise Hall in Yorkshire to run as a wedding venue. Her husband is a total dreamboat!

Three wishes?

• I wish I had more willpower when it comes to exercise, dieting and steering clear of white wine!

• I wish I was more confident with public speaking

• I wish there were more hours in the day!

Who do you turn to for advice?

My beautiful mother passed away last year but she was the one I would always turn to for advice; whether it was personal or to do with the business. She may not have necessarily known the answer but she was always interested, always listened and told me what she thought. I miss her so much.

Who do you turn to for a shoulder to cry on?

My sister. We’re been through a lot together and we’re very close.

Favourite book?

Kate Morton. The Secret Keeper.

Favourite movie?

500 Days of Summer

Favourite childhood game?

Monopoly

Fantasy career? Why?

Writing for a magazine IS my fantasy career! But in my fantasy it would be a lot more glamorous! More ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ – New York loft apartment, amazing wardrobe, shoes, hair, make-up, parties…

Words for Monday motivation?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined.

#FeelGoodFriday song?

Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams Come True

Favourite quote?

“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” – William Morris

Thank you so mush Helen! Good luck with everything- I look forward to visiting Doily's Mini Bar. Sounds fab!

x Louise

#wedding #doilydays #interview #wonderwoman #women #vintagefair #vintage