We’ve got two things on our agenda today… singing along to Pharrell Williams’ Happy and reminiscing about some of the best moments in studio history as it’s International Day of Happiness!
Do you celebrate?
They say it’s important to celebrate the little victories and of course the big ones. But do you find time to congratulate yourself when you achieve your goals or do you straight away delve into a new set of goals to achieve? We understand wins can get overlooked and often forgotten… Feel inspired today and reminisce!
thestudio’s top 10 happiest moments so far…
1. 2nd first… It’s normal to sound off starting with one, thestudio with all its quirks started with two! Way back when, we were only able to offer events space on our 2nd floor. Creating some ruckus, bull dosing into the first floor, we were able to increase our meeting room spaces and offer you a brand-new floor to experience!
2. Cowley Manor will always have firm place in studio’s history, aside from being the location of the first group away day, it’s here thestudio ethos was born! Through team building activities, we defined the kind of company we were and how we would make decisions… Customer first it is 😀
3. Baby steps… wise Confucius once said – “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Experience teaches us one thing, that we only ever truly fail when we give up trying. It was a momentous time when thestudio blew out its 3rd birthday candles… apparently this is the bench mark that an astounding 75% of new companies fail to make!
4. The Directors’ trip jet setting off to the beautiful Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Keen advocates of “if you want a new idea change the view”. And a follow up trip to Iceland sharing an elongated hot pool under a starlit sky, a perfect setting for the Northern lights and for sharing and planning big dreams.
5. Winning the pinnacle of awards “Best Independent UK venue in 2017” what an accolade, ticking every box in our company vision, where we strive for our customers to say “why would be go anywhere else!”
6. thestudio first ever profitable year independently in 2009, it felt like a massive feat!
7. There’s no feeling that quite compared to opening our 2nd venue in Manchester’s glorious Northern Quarter.
8. “Come with me, And you’ll be, In a world of, Pure imagination” Did you get the Golden Ticket? That’s right, one of our happiest memories was when we held the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed party. With a cluster of family, friends and special guests, it was the first time Nigel (thestudio’s co-founder) showed them what we did. To say the least, they were blown away and to top it off, it was a brilliant party night with new, past and current studio team members.
9. In 2016 the team ticked one off the bucket list… expanding into another country! Opening thestudioglasgow was an amazing achievement and added another member to our family. We’re feeling more like a seasoned business with 4 venues now.
10. A happy team is a productive team! Undoubtedly some of our happiest times are when we’re whisked away to a team weekend. Usually full of fun activities and packed full of friendly competition, they’re a great chance to catch up with each other.
Remember, remember…
Remember all your achievements and good times today, after all, it’s International Day of Happiness! Wishing you a lot more memorable days and achievements to come.
It’s no doubt we like to feel good. Afloat with warm fuzzy feelings, our moral compass points us to do what we feel is right and encourages us to go above and beyond. Kindness is a definite strength, having the courage to dish out positive reinforcement or offer a helping hand are admirable traits! That’s why we just had to shout about Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Conferencing and kindness…
Forget the add ons, don’t you just love it when a venue or hotel just puts that little extra effort in to make you feel welcome and appreciated? Whether it’s a complimentary map of the city, on the house welcome drinks or a treat on your pillow, it’s totally brilliant to feel thought about. Here at thestudio we have TNT’s. Tiny noticeable things which make a positive explosive impact! We’re always thinking of ingenious ways to make our guests feel more at home. Just remember, if it’s raining and you need some cover, help yourself to a studio brolly!
Check out the teams most memorable random acts of kindness experiences:
Prabjot: Philpotts! Even if it’s been months they always remember my breakfast order!
Jyoti: I’m a fiend for Fuel drinks, the team there know my order so as so as they see me coming they get a making! I don’t have to wait long for my drink and always have a friendly catch up while I’m there.
Katie: Our team member Karolina! She always surprises us with gifts from cute personalised Christmas cards to chocolate treats, she’s bursting full of random acts of kindness. Lovely lady!
Brighten someone’s day today with a random act of kindness and if you can think of anything that would make your stay at thestudio even better, we’re always open for suggestions…
Born from the ingenious imagination of A.A. Milne, today we’ll be celebrating and drawing attention to an unforgettable children’s classic: Winnie the Pooh.
What’s Winnie the Pooh got to do with thestudio?
The question is why would a meetings and events space celebrate such a day? This cheeky chap shares some brilliant wisdoms. Exercising mindfulness whilst indulging in honey, this little bear is nothing short of a role model. With all of his little quirky insights, thestudio can’t help but be drawn in by his whimsical view on life.
It’s no wonder as we’re inspirational quote fanatics! It’s always a pleasure to welcome familiar and new faces through all our doors across the country. If we’ve been fortunate to host one of your events, you’ll have definitely noticed our colourful design features and, of course, our room name inspired quotes!
Pooh Proofs…
A couple fun facts that you might not have known about this honey loving furry mammal:
1. Winnie is based on an actual bear who was bought by a soldier in the First World War who was later rehomed to London Zoo
2. Christopher Robin is based on A.A. Milne’s son
3. Some of Pooh’s friends are based off Christopher’s actual teddy collection and can be found in New York Public Library
4. Hundred Acre Wood is a real place known as Ashdown Forest in East Sussex
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Quotes on us…
Help us celebrate today by tweeting us @studiovenues your favourite Winnie the Pooh quote, you never know, it might end up in one of our future venues!
With the flurries of new year’s resolutions coming in faster than UK’s snow spells, 2018 will no doubt be full of fantastic opportunities to make your wishes come true. With foresight taking centre stage, we’d like to celebrate your dreams!
I have a dream…
Martin Luther King’s timeless speech undeniably influenced change, he dreamt of a future full of equality and freedom, a future which he pursued to create a reality. Today, take inspiration from people who chase their callings. Aspiring to go after your dreams, no matter how big or small, can be illusive. It’s easy to only see the successful iceberg tip whilst overlooking what lies beneath, this perception is perfectly demonstrated by
Stephen McCraniein’s famous quote:
“the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”
One thing’s for sure, with a bit of elbow grease and perseverance, dreams can come true!
Burning with passion…
Ever notice how hours can fly by when you’re immersed in something you really enjoy? It’s because you’re no longer a serial clock watcher! When we’re bored, we become insanely aware of how slow time passes. Most of our lives are spent at work, time that would be best spent doing something we love. Unsurprisingly a lot of thestudio team had a background or interest in events before getting to join the family, as you could’ve guessed we love what we do!
Grab the bull by its horns…
We encourage risk takers, free thinkers and game changers. It’s why thestudio venues are designed with all the quirks. We want to offer you a fresh environment, laden with the inspiration to get your 2018 goals ticked off. Whilst we look to the year ahead, we wish you the very best of luck in making your dream come true.
When is it Christmas?
Do you feel like there’s a defining moment where a light bulb pings and you come to the realisation that Christmas is here again? Was it the arrival of the jolly German Markets, the iconic Coca Cola commercial announcing ‘holidays are coming!’ or maybe just the cold weather coupled with the long nights? In the run up to the magical 25th December, there’s always that one thing which makes you take a deep breath in and release with the thought Christmas is here!
Thankfully for many of us, the grand entrance of festivities usually stirs up fond memories of warm evenings in spent cradling a cup of hot chocolate, a furry companion cosied up by the fire, being surrounded by family and friends topped off with feeling uncomfortably full. Unfortunately our reality is a dream for some.
Spare a thought…
Homelessness is a huge problem in the UK and regrettably for some, it can mean spending Christmas sleeping rough, without food or company.
Luckily Crisis do amazing work in leading those experiencing homelessness into a better life. By offering guidance to poverty sufferers, Crisis provides the support they need to empower themselves to create a positive change.
A helping hand…
Sometimes all you need is a little pick me up. That’s why here @thestudio we’re happy to welcome back and support Crisis with their Crisis @ Christmas campaign! Joining forces with volunteers, they’ll be holding health checks, mindfulness, creative and hair/beauty sessions. We’ll be hosting
For more information on their work this winter please click here.
Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and new year from thestudio.
Welcome…
Everyone loves feeling a part of something, having a sense of belonging and being accounted for. Life’s much more fun when everyone’s included, it’s why our meat-free buffet options are gluten free, dairy free and of course vegan friendly! #worldveganday
Unlimited vegan options…
On a health kick? Wave goodbye to boring celery sticks and hello to mouth-watering vegan dishes like chickpea and spinach masala with pilau rice or sweet & sour tofu served with stir fried veggies and rice noodles. Who ever said a plant based diet had to be boring? (Watch this space, we’ll be releasing thestudio cookbook this winter which includes some great vegan dishes! Talking about vegan dishes… click here for a surprise recipe!)
Food for thought…
Did you know veganism is more than a plant based diet? It’s a lifestyle! Their ethos of avoiding animal products for moral/health reasons influences all types of products they use from shower gel to floor cleaner, even clothing. Learn more about veganism click here… and the benefits click here…
Insider view…
One of the studio team undertook a short stint of veganism, check out her experience:
“One of my good friends is vegan and she was a real hard-core meat eater. Admittedly I didn’t eat much meat or dairy so taking on a vegan week challenge seemed achievable! It went swimmingly and I haven’t eaten meat since, a few months now, I can’t say I miss it that much, well, that is until the aroma of a bacon sandwich in the morning!”
Foodie to foodie…
Here at thestudio, we see being a foodie as a super power to make any food spectacular, enjoyable and memorable. Whether the dish is vegan or otherwise, we’ll definitely put our heart and soul into it!
Not to be confused with The Ting Tings, The Ting Thing is a prolific Birmingham based blogger! Her work encompasses topics like beauty, fashion, food and travel. So if you’re looking for some inspiration, her lifestyle blog is definitely worth a gander.
thestudio & The Ting Thing…
If you’re new to us, we’re a meetings and events venue who harness their core value of customer first in everything we do. We have 4 venues throughout the UK, with our HQ based in the heart of Birmingham’s bustling city centre.
Today, we’re happily welcoming The Ting Thing though our doors and many other Birmingham-based bloggers! In this exciting event, they’ll be looking to collaborate works, swap ideas and create something nothing short of brilliant.
If this sounds right up your street and you’d like to find out more about Birmingham Blogger UK please click here.
From thestudio…
Wishing everyone a fabulous blog together day!
In our fast paced world it’s good to slow down and place importance on that fabled ‘me’ time. Undoubtedly it’s why apps such as Headspace are such a hit! It can be difficult to set aside time to gather ourselves, so let’s draw inspiration from nature… the mascot for being seamlessly chilled, today we celebrate International Sloth Day!
Did you know…
One of our team members has travelled to the land of these strange but endearing creatures? Check out what she had to say about her experience:
“Eye opening. That would be the best way I could describe my trip. I’ve never travelled solo let alone with a group of strangers! So whilst putting my people skills to the ultimate test, I thought it would be a bright idea to challenge my fears and take part in Indiana Jones type activities like waterfall rappelling, rainforest trekking, white water rafting and riding an ATV though jungle rivers. Yes I survived!
For me, travel is the door to learning more about yourself but you can only go through it if you’re open to new experiences and stepping out of the cosy comfort zone.
Not many people can say they’ve had the pleasure of meeting a sloth in the wild, but thankfully I can. So I knew we just had to celebrate International Sloth Day! (Jyoti even has a mouse mat proclaiming ‘my patronus is a sloth’!)
Costa Rican life is very serene, they constantly pursue efforts which enrich the lives of every living being there. They live by a saying called “Pura Vida” which means pure life, to live a full life, simply put “It is a perspective to life that evokes a spirit that is carefree, laid back and optimistic.”
Just like the sloth, the people there take time to slow down and appreciate their surroundings. Costa Rica doesn’t even have an army… so you can imagine how peaceful of a people they are!”
One two toed step…
We at thestudio promote a healthy work life balance and encourage the team to take on new experiences. We’re strong believers that a change of scene can do you the world of good. So today, celebrate International Sloth Day and take a breather!
What’s your favourite human quality?
Laughter. Funny people definitely leave a lasting impression on us. You might be a hard-core Seth Rogan fan or love to nestle down and stick on Mrs. Doubtfire, one thing’s for sure, everyone loves a good old giggle! Throughout time people have been admired for their talents to influence and shape the world we live in. But what do iconic greats like Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein have in common? Introducing thestudio’s favourite human quality: compassion.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”― Aesop
World Humanitarian Day…
Today we recognise and thank the efforts of those who risk their lives in the hope of improving someone else’s. Find out more about the #NotATarget campaign by clicking here.
Small Victories…
It’s great to celebrate the small victories and the little things you can do to make a difference. That’s why thestudio are teaming up with Foodinate – a multi award winning “meal-for-meal” initiative tackling food poverty in local communities. So when you’re booking a delicious Foodinate Fancy Tea, for your guests, you’ll also be providing the same amount of hot meals for your local community! You and your guests can enjoy a variety of fondant fancies, fresh lemon slices, chocolate tea cakes and Foodinate cupcakes… Compassion and kindness never tasted so good! Curious to find out more? Check out Foodinate’s website by clicking here.
We’re also working with Lets Feed Brum, have a little read of how to help the homeless in Birmingham.
From all of us @thestudio, have a brilliant weekend!
Find out why we’re bouncing off the walls…
In 2015, we welcomed a new addition to thestudio family in Leeds. Perched on the 8th floor on Riverside West, overlooking both city and country views, thestudioleeds offers a bright, quirky alternative events venue. A place to soak in the Yorkshire views and escape from the norm. We’ve got some brilliant news we’d love to share with you!
Bigger is better…
Remember, remember this September. Imagine that your favourite cake just got a whole new layer, with the same deliciousness as the others! Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to thestudioleeds. We’re happy to announce the introduction of a whole new floor. With a mixture of spaces perfect for small to medium events, they’ll be ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll by this September!
Venues under the hammer…
If we’ve been lucky enough to have you as guests at any of our venues, you might have noticed that we’re really into food. That’s why thestudiobirmingham’s kitchen is getting a revamp! So we can create and make even more delicious dishes for you and your guests.
Look forward to welcoming you!
