Reflecting on 2024: Celebrating Triumphs, Community, and Cocorose Moments

Hello Cocorosers 💗 

As we near the close of 2024, I’ve taken a moment to sit down and reflect on this past year; the triumphs, the tears, and everything else in between. It’s been quite the journey. Interestingly, I re-read my 2023 Highlights the other day and I could have copied and pasted the exact same sentiment for 2024. Although, if I thought last year was a roller coaster... phew! This year has been even more so. Exciting and challenging at the same time, our route journeyed has been filled with new product launches, industry wins and hearing your joyous Cocorose stories. We remain humbled by your support and loyalty and continue to be inspired by connection, perseverance and creativity – all of which have helped to shape our 2024. 

Here are just some of our highlights. 

 

Celebrating Excellence  

We’ve celebrated a remarkable year of excellence, earning prestigious awards that recognise our contribution to innovation, sustainability and customer focus as well as our commitment and passion for entrepreneurship and small business. I also love how this year brought with it opportunities to connect with influential leaders, change-makers and fellow entrepreneurs. 

Being named in the F:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 2024, which honours one hundred inspiring female entrepreneurs across the UK, was a humbling and very proud moment and we celebrated with a wonderful lunch at the House of Lords on none other than International Women’s Day. 

Following that, we won the FSB’s Regional (London) Micro Business Award and picked up a Gold and Silver at the national Best Businesswomen Awards for Best Customer Service and Most Inspiring Business Woman, respectively. We were also finalists in the Drapers Footwear Awards and The Hustle Awards. 

As an independently owned business for the past 17 years, 2024 has opened up different opportunities to explore growth. We won a coveted place on Innovate UK's Invest-Ability Training Programme to help navigate the path to external finance and we are continuing to investigate these routes of growth. 

 

In the Spotlight  

We are thrilled to have featured in a number of media pieces, including profile interviews in City's Ambition AM and the Evening Standard's Scale Up Standard. 

Our side hustle to full-time hustle story was spotlighted in Small Business Britain x eBay’s latest campaign; we shared our journey in a compelling video and were invited to be interviewed on a panel event, which highlighted the challenges and triumphs of running a small business, with emphasis on starting as a side hustle. We reminisced about why we started Cocorose and our mission to bring meaningful and unique footwear to the world. 

I had the honour of speaking at a few events, including the FSB North London Networking Event, where I shared my insights on Small Business Longevity, and to a group of footwear start-ups, where I shared tips and advice on starting and growing a footwear brand. These opportunities enabled me to amplify our voice and strengthen our connection to the small business community whilst hopefully inspiring others and fellow entrepreneurs along the way. 

Small Business Saturday UK has become a regular fixture in the calendar, in the lead up to Christmas. I really enjoyed being a part of this year's campaign which, again, highlighted the importance of shopping from independent brands. 

 

Gathered Moments 

At the heart of Cocorose is the importance of gathered moments; creating meaningful experiences and engaging on a deeper level to build connections and a stronger community. 

We have been supporting purposeful causes such as The Honeypot Children’s Charity for some years now and this year, gathered to celebrate the inaugural Honeypot Patrons Club Reception, of which we are a proud member.  

We celebrated our 17th birthday this year - a special moment – and a journey that we shared with Small Business Britain, Square and Clearpay, who profiled us as a case study for the Female Entrepreneurship: Moving Forward Report. We headed to the House of Lords to celebrate the launch, followed by a roundtable discussion at Allbright.  

We were also a sponsor for Brand You Showtime which was a wonderful gathering of female entrepreneurs (and many customers!) for a day of coming together to discuss personal brand, PR and marketing. 

 

New Launches 

We marked 2024 with a series of new product launches, focusing on intention and care and emphasising quality over quantity. Thoughtfully designed to reflect our dedication to craftsmanship and slow fashion rather than succumbing to the fast fashion cycle, our considered launches uphold our ethos of sustainability whilst offering products that are created to be highly versatile and worn time and again. 

Among our new product highlights was the introduction of Kew 2.0, a reimagined take on our plant-based vegan trainers, crafted with innovation and sustainability at its core. 

A personal favourite of mine was the launch of our Hoxton Studs – five models that lend the classic trainer a feminine and punchy edge. 

We launched the Hoxton Rose Gold Rainbow trainer; a meaningful addition as part of our Honeypot Collection, where every purchase contributes to supporting young carers and vulnerable children through The Honeypot Children’s Charity. 

But it wasn’t just trainers that we launched. The trusted ballet flat has been making its fashion comeback for some time now and we launched a collection of leather flats, including our popular Harrow Silver Leopard and Harrow Black with Glitter Cap ballet flats and Clapham ballet loafers. Incredibly versatile, stylish and, very importantly, comfortable, ensuring that every step you take feels as great as it looks. 

 

Celebrating YOU 

And finally, You and our incredible Cocorose community are at the centre of everything we do. Your stories, photos and heartfelt reviews throughout the year have filled our hearts with happy-dance joy. 

We love seeing how our designs fit seamlessly into your lives, adding comfort and sparkle to every step, whether pairing your Cocorose trainers with everyday outfits, or making holiday adventures more comfortable with your ballet flats. Every single message reminds us why we do what we do. 

I’ve also had the pleasure of being able to meet with many more of you this year, for coffee or at events. Meeting you is definitely a huge highlight for me and I plan to do more meet-ups next year!  

 

As we close the chapter on 2024, my heart is full of gratitude and excitement. This year has been testament to the strength of dreams, grit and community. Every step we’ve taken, every award we’ve celebrated, every new design we’ve launched... this has been made possible because of you. 

We can’t thank you enough for being part of our journey and for making 2024. 

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about what 2025 has in store—new designs, exciting collaborations and even more opportunities to connect with you. Together, we’ll continue to create shoes that bring delight, comfort and style to your everyday lives. 

Thank you for making this year so special and for being part of the Cocorose family. Here’s to a bright and beautiful New Year filled with love, laughter, and, of course, fabulous shoes. 

 

With love and gratitude, 
Janan & Team Cocorose