The nursery company has been awarded Outstanding Ability in Response to Covid-19 from the Direct Commerce Association.
Hippychick has been recognised for the way in which it responded to the pandemic, being awarded Outstanding Ability in Response to Covid-19 from the Direct Commerce Association at its 2021 awards.
Hippychick beat off competitors to win the award by demonstrating its ability to think quickly and to adapt its business to meet the needs of its customers.
Julia Minchin, founder and co-md, swung into action in March 2020 with a skeleton staff and minus the support of her husband and co-md, Jeremy Minchin, who was forced to shield for the duration of the first lockdown.
“Our office staff were reduced overnight from 18 to 5. Some of the team we had to furlough, others worked from home. But everyone, particularly those who were able to come to work, were incredible, having to learn brand new skills within hours,” Julia explained. “Lockdown forced us to change the focus of our business, as our primary customers suddenly had to assume the mantle of educators, as well as parents.
“This meant that there was huge demand for our educational toy ranges. The five of us who were in the office had to work in the warehouse almost exclusively for weeks, picking and packing sometimes 600 orders per day. At times I was working 18-hour days to ensure orders got out of the door.”
Julia continued: “But the whole team also did everything they could to help – even those on furlough who made unbelievably generous gestures such as delivering pizzas to us to keep us going when we were still working at 8pm at night.”
Julia was delighted to accept the award on behalf of Team Hippychick.
She continued: “Though we always knew we had a great team, you never really know how far they are prepared to go until something like this happens. And did they step up to the plate, every single one of them. This award is a tribute to each and every one of them.”
