Publisher Lorraine Dixon tells unLTD how Open Narrative products help ‘inspire people to record their life as they live, feel and see it’
Tell us about your business – sell yourself!
Open Narrative creates and publishes beautiful products to inspire people to record their life as they live it, feel it and see it through the medium of journals, diaries and games.
Our products have been created to help people be joyful beings who walk lightly on the planet. All our products are produced and printed in the UK using the most sustainable and environmentally friendly resources available so we can keep our carbon footprint to a minimum.
Currently we have Being Me – a five-year diary filled with 365 different questions which give each day a different focus – and Reflections, a communication tool with a wide range of applications. Both aim to help people take a few minutes to reflect and to encourage self-care and good good habits.
There is also an exciting new project for 2020 – details to follow on that one!
What gave you the idea for your business?
I am Sheffield born and bred but have travelled to Africa, Asia and Australia as well as living in Italy. I have worked in a number of roles from recruitment and mental health nursing to education and catering – I also used to work alongside my husband when we owned Dino’s on London Road in Sheffield.
I also spent 6 years as a lecturer and manager of Adult Education at Chesterfield College. In 2011 I set up my coaching and education consultancy, Chiave Training and in 2017 the company changed name to Open Narrative, and I published Being Me Diary. I had considered going down the traditional publishing route, but I couldn’t find an organisation that did what I wanted to do so that’s when I began the next stage of my career as a publisher (although I can still be spotted helping my husband out at his latest venture La Baracca on Abbeydale Road!)
Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?
Currently, I reach my customers either at pop-up events or online. I do like to speak with people on a face-to-face basis and explain what we do at Open Narrative. This year I am also beginning my journey into the retail market and will be exhibiting at the 2020 London Stationery Show to see what the level of interest is.
How can people get in touch with you?
Contact me via the website, www.opennarrative.co.uk, and on Instagram and Facebook @opennarrative
