Charlotte Boulton is the founder of jewellery brand Stanley & Maud.
ONE | What have been your biggest career HURRAH moments so far?
I feel like there’s been lots but the most recent YAY GO ME moment was celebrating my NINTH business birthday in January. Every milestone birthday makes me giddy but being so far in now with a business which started out as an accident just feels amazing but if I had to have to choose a single ‘pinch me’ moment it was when I knew my jewellery was being worn on the front page of a book. In 2017, so only two years after I set up STANLEY AND MAUD, I got a DM from Candice Brown (Great British Bake Off Winner) telling me to look at the cover release of her first cook book and I honestly can’t explain those feelings, it just felt very big and very special and having that book alongside my own cookbooks at home with that connection is just magic.
TWO | If you could give 3 pieces of advice to yourself ten years ago - what would you say?
This is such a good question!!!
1. PEOPLE BELIEVE IN YOU SO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
2. When shit things happen don’t dwell…take everything as either a win or a lesson.
3. Trust yourself and your capabilities.
THREE| You’re granted 1 wish for the day – what would it be?
For more wishes ;)
That not being possible I’d like the ability to see myself/my life outside of my own body for the day so I can take lessons and learn to appreciate moments more sometimes I know I don’t soak in enough of the moments I’m present in.
FOUR | Which living person do you most admire?
I don’t know if I can single out a specific person if I’m honest I have huge admirability for 'the everyday grafters’. I get a buzz from seeing people feeling content, succeeding and working hard, making positive changes, sharing knowledge and lessons and doing good kind stuff without return.
FIVE | What's your most treasured possession?
I’m a really sentimental person but weirdly not many attachments to anything particular. Most of my jewellery collection has meaning and been made at certain points in my life to symbolise moments, feelings and achievements etc but otherwise I don’t know if I’d run into a burning building to save anything specific. I do have a soft spot for handwritten letters and photos though...photos being my main one so can I say my phone?! hahaha!
SIX | What do you value most highly in friendship?
Authenticity. I have quite a small circle in my personal life and ensure that those ‘in’ are the kind that ‘give me a warm tummy’ when I’m around them and in return I hope they feel ‘warm and full’ when they’ve been with me. I give my time and my true self to those I’m at ease with. I’m a firm believer in personal boundaries and I’m the same with my socials I surround myself with accounts that bring joy, knowledge and positivity.
SEVEN | Where would you most like to live?
I REALLY WANT TO MOVE TO HARROGATE. I don’t know why (well I do it’s stunning) but I’m a woman obsessed…I’m manifesting a life with a town apartment overlooking Valley Gardens whilst I drink tea and eat biscuits on my balcony and then take our dog for a walk and we'll do lunching and rosé and lots of country walks with nice towns and cities close by and our children will come and visit with their dogs or children and we’ll all do lunches. I feel like its quite central and I never know if I prefer the city or the country and B isn’t really a city kind of guy so I think this will be a nice happy balance but I don’t know if we’ll leave Lincolnshire as most of our family is here but I can dream! (or I can holiday home!!!)
EIGHT | What's your biggest indulgence?
I love saving for something special for ‘milestones’ but that not being very often I love investing in ‘good time together’ I want good food, I want good wine and lots of laughing and if it’s not food it’s skincare.
NINE | What does your dream scenario day look like?
WAKE UP (there’s sunshine)
TEA, TOAST AND ORANGE JUICE
SUNNY DOG WALK (with snacks)
CITY STROLLING
LUNCH
CITY SHOPPING
AFTERNOON PIT STOP (insert chardonnay here)
A FANCY BATH
Followed by either a nice dinner out or a nice dinner in with cosy pjs.
Bed by 11.30 at the latest hahaha.
TEN | What’s your favourite biscuit?This changes on a weekly basis.
(this question was made for me right!?)
A RICH TEA FINGER BISCUIT.
(double dunk for 2 seconds…thank me later.)
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