Style, Skills & Silver – getting to know Michelle Spiller

Today we’re getting to know Michelle Spiller, Hiho’s Countess of Contentment. Michelle is a complete star and does so much for our lovely customers, from helping with special orders to working on design, offering advice on the phone to helping with the lovely images you see on the website too! She’ll be at Style, Skills & Silver on Thursday, so we wanted you to get to know her a bit better first! 

What do you particularly enjoy about your work?

I enjoy the variety of roles that I play and that no two days are the same, which I just love, one day I can be planning what were ordering in stock wise, the next day working on the website and looking after the customers or photography, just so mixed and of course seeing all the jewellery arriving into the office, that’s pretty exciting.  Especially seeing the new pieces that we have designed and developed and then seeing them come to life as physical pieces – that’s pretty cool seeing the end product and even better seeing the lovely customers wearing it and the reactions we get about the jewellery. I still love being out and about and spotting our jewellery on everyone. 

What’s your superpower? 

I don’t think I have one, wish I did though. I know its not a superpower, but I would love a Pensieve (as per the Harry Potter films), so I can take out all my memories and store them forever in Jars and pop back and replay them when I wanted and also to be able to empty my brain before I go to bed, that would just be amazing.  Do struggle to switch my brain off.

What’s something you’re not so good at?

Figures/maths -  anything number related – just don’t like them and I don’t think they like me.

What are you looking forward to learning/seeing at SSS?

I am looking forward to meeting everyone, meeting up with our lovely customers and ambassadors and getting lots of feedback on Hiho, getting new tips and skills with the photography. It's going to be an exciting day. 

One think we might not know about you?

I was a good shooter, might still be, just haven’t had chance to do it for ages. With range shooting I have my cadet marksman and can get a grouping of rounds to the size of a 2p. 

What are you most proud of?

Finally learning how to drive, you probably all think its not a biggy and it probably isn’t to most people, but for me it was and I was a very late learner, learning and passing in my 30’s. I didn’t need to drive when I was younger and I didn’t have that teenager, I want to drive and go places, but I finally did it, never thought I would.

Any advice for anyone coming to SSS?

Just be yourself, we're a friendly bunch and we're all there to meet each other and learn lots from our lovely team of ambassadors and to share our rangle of knowledge together and if you have a memory like mine, don’t forget your note pad and pen, to jot it all down.

Tea or coffee?

Neither – I only drink water or Squash, it has to be really cold for me to have a tea and even then I would prefer a hot chocolate.

Favourite cake?

I love all cake, who doesn’t  – but if I had to choose, I would say lemon drizzle or chocolate fudge cake.

Something you can’t live without?

My husband/my family – they pick me up when I need it, they have my back and I have theirs, they are there when I need them and vice versa and without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. 

Filter or no filter?

No filter

Have you thought about what you’re wearing for the event? Any hints or tips for anyone attending?

I have started to think about this, I lack confidence in how I look and worry what people think of me a lot (too much), so I have started trying on the outfits in the mirror. But I’ve decided I’m just going to wear something smart/casual, something that I will be comfortable in for the day and something that’s me, oh and lots of jewellery…