David's AW News: The Longest Day, Father's Day & A Suitcase Full of Soap

Greetings from Spain

Last week I was telling you that summer was gathering pace. Well... this week it officially arrives. It's midsummer today is day 13 of our Midsummer madness promo.

The Summer Solstice is upon us. The longest day of the year. Football. San Juan beach parties here in Spain. And somehow, as often happens at Ancient Wisdom, lots of other things seem to be happening all at once. Big news from our corner of the world... Coco has arrived in Spain. Quite a journey too. Yiwu to Beijing to Munich to Malaga. Air China with Lufthansa codes on the European leg. She tells me they flew over Russia, and her rather futuristic new Huawei foldable phone seemed keen to confirm it by greeting her with a "Welcome to Russia" message mid-flight. The phone itself is fascinating - one of those China-first gadgets that makes you realise the future sometimes arrives there before we ever see it in Europe.

And speaking of arrivals... Tomas has just landed in Malaga too.

This time of year has quietly become an Ancient Wisdom tradition. Both Coco and Tomas celebrate birthdays around now, so whenever possible we gather part of the team together here in Spain. A little work, a little planning, some good food, plenty of ideas and usually just enough chaos to make things interesting.

The timing couldn't be better because we're already planning the next wave of sourcing adventures.

Coco is particularly keen that we visit China's famous Crystal City. Apparently if you are in the crystal business, this is a place you simply have to see. Knowing us, this will probably involve several flights, a road trip, a wrong turn somewhere, and hopefully a few exciting discoveries along the way.

Meanwhile, something else has caught my attention.

More and more of Coco's family and friends are asking her to bring Spanish olive oil soaps back to China. Every year the requests seem to grow. At this rate she may need a suitcase dedicated entirely to soap. An elderly woman in Coco's hometown was given a slice of the Donkey Milk soap (from Coco's mum) and claims her lifelong skin condition has been cured! Looking at the enthusiasm, perhaps they are onto something. (See Olive Oil Soaps).

Back in Malaga I was trying to show Coco the famous purple Jacaranda trees. Sadly we were a week or two too late. The blossom is mostly gone now, with only a few last splashes of purple hanging on before summer takes over completely.

Talking of summer...

Our Midsummer Madness promotion is sizzling along nicely. Like a beach barbecue with someone constantly adding more charcoal, it seems to be gathering momentum every day. The deals have become slightly more enthusiastic than originally planned... but then again, it is Midsummer Madness.

It's all about Love Magic!

If you missed last week's newsletter, you can catch up and see how all this seasonal chaos started.

And now we head towards the big.. BIG.. week.

The Summer Solstice.

Football fever.

San Juan bonfires lighting up the beaches across Spain.

Perhaps even a new star rising in Makersfield.

Whatever you're doing, I hope your shops are buzzing and fizzing, your customers are smiling, and a little bit of midsummer magic finds its way into your business.

The deals continue... but not forever.

So grab them while they are hot.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, good trading, and all the warmth, light and opportunity that summer brings.

Peace, Love & Midsummer Magic, and Happy and Chilled week to all!

David