A Letter... from Me to You

 

I wanted to say thank you for your patience as we've negotiated this unusual 6 months (total 24 months) with covid. Re-launching Ollie and Max online during a pandemic, lockdowns, global freight delays, family-life including relocating to the country has been in theory practical but in reality tough. You have shown kindness and compassion when so many hurdles have been thrown our way and yours. With all good intentions and hard work we have kept it on track most of the time but sometimes we have really struggled. With the complications of a pandemic the simplest things sometimes are a mountain.

We have also had wonderful conversations with you, the solidarity we’ve shared and the calls we've had have made the unusual circumstances we all find ourselves in happier. There have been sleepless nights also and I thank you for your kindness when orders have been freight delayed, emails have been late or we’ve just simply made a mistake in the overwhelm. 

 

For all of us the juggle of life has continued. As a mother to a young child this has perhaps been the toughest juggle- work and family. Phone in one hand, laptop on the knee whilst I tie school ribbons; replacing family dinners with food on-the-go; an endless to-do list even though I've been up since 5.30am. Chasing, worrying, second guessing;  problem solving, innovating and fighting on. It’s been challenging. However with all of this I have had you, a wonderful community of women side by side me and I want to thank you for the solidarity you have shown.

 

Last August 2021 when Ollie and Max re-launched online we tried to do things differently thinking this would be exciting for our customers. However being more like a bigger business, more product focused, big marketing slogans- is not us. We are a business that is personal, we speak to you on the phone for 30 mins swapping stories and laughing... because we love to. I design clothes so you can enjoy them. You enjoy our clothes because they are for women like you. 

There is a story to our business. Humanity behind it. We are part of a community. 

   So we are going back to what we do best. Sharing this journey with you.

We've been hit hard by the pandemic. As my mother keeps saying “We all come from tough stock”. Whilst this drought is a different form to what my grandfather and father tackled so many of us come from that same tough stock and we too will get through it.

 

As a small business the conversation with you is what helps us survive. To be on this road with you as our mates, talking to you as a friend asking for advice is what I am doing now- anything you can tell me that we can change, do better, what you want to hear from us, see us do... if you have a few minutes to drop me a line I would thrilled to hear it. Times are a little confusing for even the best of us right now and hearing from you will give me some clarity. My email is sam@ollieandmax.com.au.   

Thank you for persisting with us through these tough times. 

Thank you for staying on this journey with us for 16 years. 

Thank you for being you!

Cheers

Sam Burns

Founder

Ollie and Max Australia