This webshop fulfills a life-long ambition to be an independent retailer.

Aged twelve, my first taste of retail management! Running the WH Smith bookstall, platform 6, on Barking Station ... which I did evenings and week-ends for six years until I left school.

After three years at Swansea University and a degree in English Literature, I landed my first professional job. The Souk, 477, Oxford Street ... straight in as manager of thirty staff...very busy bazaar-style boutique, selling kaftans, sheepskin coats, hippy sandals and jewellery.

So lucky to gain experience in one of the world's top shopping streets, when it was a fun time!

Then, variously, was sales manager for a leather bag importer, handbag buyer for Clarks Shoes, managed the largest DIY store in the UK, and became Buying/Marketing Director of Lanca Group PLC.

But the itch to run my own show had to reckoned with.

London International Imports Ltd sounds grand... it was just me... and in 1991 I started designing my own ranges, buying in the Far East, India and Italy, and selling to clients like River Island, C & A, and Salisburys. But like any business, it often seemed I was working very hard for the bank!

In 2002, with encouragement from my sons, I discovered computers and the internet, and could see the possibilities of webshops.

We now have three separate mail order sites.  Our aim is to offer high quality products, at the best price, delivered promptly. There's great support from our factories and importers, with whom we share our design experience, market knowledge and a mutual desire to give our customers top quality and service.

I say "our" and "we", as happily my wife Carol has joined the business. Without her support it couldn't have happened. Also our son Andy, is a director too, and makes all aspects of operations much more efficient.

We operate from our office in Surrey, and our suppliers deliver from their warehouses in various UK locations. As there are none of the usual heavy overheads associated with High Street retailing, our prices are genuinely great value by comparison.

The best bit of the business has been watching it grow, and the many kind comments from customers. Our testimonial section is possibly the longest you've ever seen, but every one is too valuable to part with.

And I must say thanks to some fine businessmen, and colleagues:
Albert Hedges of WH Smith.
C. Robert Clothier, Bible Lands Society.
Shulman Livesey and Ted Withers, Gerard Shops Within Shops Ltd.
Ron Stark, Clarks Shoes.

Hopefully, their standards have become mine.

Joss Ollett.
0208 404 6451

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