PROFESSIONAL JEWELLER HOT 100: 2010 Retail Stars

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Jo and Paul Henderson, co-owners, Wave Jewellery With less than a decade of retailing behind them, husband and wife duo Paul and Jo Henderson have come a long way in a short time. Already featured in Vogue, Italian Vogue, The Times and GQ to name but a few their eye for elegance and the world's finest diamonds has earned them an enviable reputation across the UK and beyond. The Hendersons' Wave boutique empire started out from humble beginnings in the picturesque Lake District market town of Kendal. That first store still stands today, although it is now joined by six sibling stores, including one in London's Knightsbridge and a recently re-launched store in Manchester. The past 12 months' economic downturn hasn't seemed to have affected their business although Jo explains that they've had to slow down on buying. She says: There are so many things out there but you have to be more selective. It's not that we've struggled but you have to be a lot more sensible and a lot less impulsive. On the flipside of that we've been able to negotiate the lease of our new Manchester store in that time and that's a huge positive. The economic climate makes you think more clearly. This is a sentiment echoed by her husband Paul. He adds: We're focusing on making our business very strong and developing our brand this year. We're bringing in new products and an in-house designer. They both agree that their greatest memories are of the openings of their shops. That's when it all comes together. When the first customers come through the door of a new store, getting feedback from them and the excitement of a new store is the when we're most proud,

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