6 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Victoria Sheppard founded Queens of Mayfair with her sister Grace in 2020 with the coffee shop quickly being recognised as one of the finest in the world. Victoria’s background in hospitality marketing and PR meant she had an established background in this sector. Victoria had previously worked with the likes of Fortnum & Mason and Michelin star restaurants. Victoria has won awards for Top 30 under 30 in Media by The Mail on Sunday and Media Week and Top Hospitality Marketing by Just Eat & Coca Cola. Queens of Mayfair made it into the coveted Top 100 Wine Restaurants in London within its first year of trading.
What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?
Have a plan and know your market and demographic. Having contacts in your chosen industry is key, so be prepared to have a lot of meetings to meet new peers if you don’t already have them. Conceiving USPs for your business is also important to create marketing interests and give consumers a reason to visit or purchase. What have you got that’s going to draw them to you rather than a competitor? For Queens it was having the finest quality coffee and food items for a casual lunch in Mayfair. We know there are no “grab and go” type establishments offering really tasty food in close proximity.
What are your top 5 tips for entrepreneurial success?
1. Think about your brand – branding is becoming more prevalent than ever with people wanting to consume through imagery and video content. Having creative branding is key. We worked with our friend Lisa Tse on branding for Queens. The Q is actually the shape of a coffee cup!
2. Look after your little black book – you never know when one of your suppliers or customers can lead to saving the day or a big break.
3. Have a plan – are you looking to take your business global? Sell out? Pass it on through generations?
4. Collaboration – who’s clientele end brand ethos is similar to yours? Can you dip into each other’s client pool?
5. Reputation – make a good impression first time and be consistent. When you employ staff are you instilling your businesses values in their training and development? At Queens we encourage a welcoming and relaxed approach- guests feel comfortable in their yoga gear just as much as their black tie wear, stopping for a glass of champagne on their way to an event.
Who are the 5 women who inspire you most?
1. Mum – a supportive ear and business brain
2. The Queen – decorum, duty
3. Lady Bamford – diverse business empire with fantastic high quality products
4. Grace – my sister – we have had to inspire each other during the last 12 months
5. My working mother friends – the last 12 months especially so have been the biggest balancing act ever seen.
What is your favourite inspirational saying?
Keep calm and carry on – though I don’t want the merchandise!
Worrying doesn’t change anything and carry on forward calmly in the direction you believe in.
Website & Socials
@queensofmayfair insta
@queensvictorias insta
