Sometimes when I (unwittingly) check my screen time, I’m reminded of that Black Mirror episode where everyone has a star rating that their life literally depends on it. Scary, huh? Then I think of what social media does for my small business and I can’t help but be grateful.
But here’s my definition of ‘social media’: it’s you, and me (and not a bot) at the other end of our chat, as most of you already know. Well, except for those two days last December when I had a major breakdown (you read that right) and we had to get a ticketing software to make sure no messages were missed, although that only made it feel like more work so that was the end of that. I went back to good old hand-typed DMs almost immediately!
When people ask how I spend a week, sometimes more, in Jaipur for work, away from my family, I think of the evenings I spend in the garden or the terrace of my lovely hotel, listening to music with a bottle of wine, and a very entertaining audience before me: all of you. I know how it sounds (bleak, yes), but I swear it’s quite the opposite! You are keeping me company without even knowing it, and when I look back on those evenings, it feels like we shared a glass of wine, some interesting stories, more than interesting feelings, and it definitely didn't feel lonely or homesick.Â
I’ve had long chats with many of you, and have come to know some of you over time - quite well, actually. Every time I run the Travelling Dukaan, looking at a piece, I know if Lotus will love that or if it's totally Kavya's style. I spot something vintage and know Huma will be a fan and Nisha won’t pass up on it. I see a particular cut, and know Rakhi or Sujata will definitely get their hands on it, and I’m already wondering how Amrita or Ankita will carry it off.
In other, more mellifluous words, it really does almost feel like I’m shopping for friends, if you know what I mean. Weird? Maybe. But it’s like I’m witnessing the collective journey of beautiful, jewellery-loving women who’d probably get along like a house on fire if they were all put in a room together - or let’s say, for the sake of mellifluousness - if we were to meet one evening on a lawn, wearing white, sipping wine to the sound of Ghulam Ali Ghazals, in Jaipur, perhaps? A lady can dream.Â
Anyway, this is the brand ethos that I know I want to continue and hope to figure out how, as the animal grows. I want to keep these amazing, supportive women close to me. I want to know their opinions, ask how they feel, check to see how they’re doing, learn their personal style, and listen to any issue that needs my attention. The good, the bad and the ugly. Some days are harder to keep in touch than others, and I might not respond to every message, but I really do try my best.Â
In fact, I’d attribute the growth of my little business to all you women who inspire me every day and keep me going, and I want Anu Merton the brand, to give back to this great community of women some others may call ‘social media’.Â
