About Us
The story so far…
Hi Ho Silver was born from a chance meeting on a ferry around the islands off Thailand. Brother and sister, Andrew and Caroline, were on a round-the-world trip and, having spent the last two months travelling in India and trekking in northern Thailand, were heading to the islands to relax and to do some diving. They sat on a sack of potatoes next to a really chatty American man named Willy and over the next few days (and several bottles of Mekong whisky, very hot tom yum soup and some beautiful dives) they made a real friend for life.
Returning from their travels, Caroline joined Selfridges' Management Training Scheme in London, and following his agricultural degree, Andrew went into the meat industry working for an innovative on-line auctioneer. Three years later, Caroline decided to hand in her notice and move back home to the countryside. She started a craft business selling hand-painted silk ties and mugs as well as pictures. At about the same time, Caroline moved in with Andrew and they saw the potential for running their own business together.
While all this was going on, Willy had started a business selling Mexican jewellery in the US and offered Andrew and Caroline the chance to bring the idea over to the UK.
Caroline jumped at the chance of going on an exploratory trip to the US to see what was involved and Andrew went on holiday to Mexico. Whilst he was away, Andrew handed in his notice, and as soon as Caroline was back from the US they started planning for their first show. The first show went well and paid for the next show, and so the story started...
Within four years, Hi Ho Silver were doing two hundred shows a year trying to find the shows that no one else would think of doing, like Henley Regatta, Cartier Polo, Glorious Goodwood and Gay Pride, many of which are still part of our show circuit today. Lyme Regis, the first shop, came about in 1999, as Andrew lived next door to the previous tenant and it seemed the logical next step. Disaster struck in 2001 when Foot and Mouth wiped out all the summer shows until October.
They quickly decided another shop would keep them busy until October, so the second shop opened in Honiton, selling not only jewellery but also aluminium housewares that can still be seen in the shops today. The pair soon started using their experience gained during their travels to source unique and beautiful items from across the globe. They now design a great range of their own as well as sourcing items by other talented designers around the world.
Hi Ho Silver now has fourteen shops predominantly based in the South West but spreading across the UK fast. Along the way, there were many crises and triumphs including two weddings and three kids (Andrew has two boys and Caroline has a little girl). It remains a family-run business, but with the growth comes a much more serious side to the business – nearly seventy people are reliant on Hi Ho Silver. The realisation that they needed to be a bit more “grown up” about how things were done (whilst retaining their desire to let their hair down occasionally!), led them to appoint a new director, Emma, to help them develop over the next few years.A full business review was undertaken and part of the plan for growth was to take the business online.
The Hi Ho Silver online shop was launched in May 2007, www.hihosilver.co.uk, giving a much wider audience the chance to enjoy the products.
The Hi Ho team always likes to do things differently, so take a look; it's so much more than just a jewellery shop. Online, there's the chance to shop, a blog, a customer gallery and Sophie Silver – the Hi Ho brand champion. Over the years, Hi Ho Silver has developed into a great business; we've got a fabulous team of employees all working hard to bring great products and great service to our customers.
Hi Ho Silver (Jewellery) Ltd
Registered office: King Lear's HouseForde Abbey
Chard
Somerset TA20 4LP
Tel: 01460 221006
Fax: 01460 220970
Email: info@hihosilver.co.uk
Web: www.hihosilver.co.uk
Company Registration no: 5042138
