08/07/2026
Failure!!
It’s a word I’ve struggled with over the last 12 months. During that time, I’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to close two businesses: Laughing Lamb Comedy and Flock2 Artisan Crafts & Farmers Market.
Thankfully, neither business closed owing anyone money, and I’m incredibly proud of that. But that hasn’t stopped me feeling like I’ve failed.
The hardest part hasn’t been closing the businesses. It’s been feeling like I’ve let people down. The traders who believed in me. The performers who trusted me. The customers who supported me. My family and friends who encouraged me. And, perhaps most of all, myself.
I’ve replayed every decision over and over in my head. Was it the marketing? The pricing? The venue? The business model? Could I have worked harder? Could I have done more?
The truth is, I don’t believe those things were the reason.
I’ve come to realise that a small business can only survive if enough people choose to support it. I can pour my heart, time, energy and money into building something I believe in, but if enough people don’t walk through the door, buy a ticket or visit a market, eventually the numbers simply don’t add up.
I’m not blaming anyone. I know everyone has their own financial pressures and priorities. But I do hope this reminds people just how important their support is. Every purchase, every ticket, every visit, every share on social media and every recommendation really does make a difference. Sometimes, it can be the difference between a business surviving or closing its doors.
Despite everything, I don’t regret trying.
Those businesses gave me the opportunity to bring people together, support local performers, independent makers and small businesses, and meet some truly incredible people. I’m proud of what they achieved, even if they didn’t last as long as I’d hoped.
If you supported either Laughing Lamb Comedy or Flock2 Artisan Crafts & Farmers Market, thank you. You were part of their story, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
I’ve realised that closing a business doesn’t define me. It doesn’t erase the passion, hard work and determination that went into building it.
I’m still here. I’m still passionate about supporting local businesses, farmers, makers and British wool through Flock & Skein, and I still believe independent businesses are worth fighting for.
Maybe failure isn’t about closing a business.
Maybe the only real failure would have been never having the courage to try in the first place.
