Vlasta Vanek is the owner of Bullarum, a 100-year-old family company from Prague in the Czech Republic that designs, manufactures and markets hand-made glass decorations. Mr Vanek, 39, from the Czech Republic, has lived in the UAE for 18 years and is trying to bring consumers back to traditional Christmas decorations made by hand and with love. His workshop is based in the mountains of Bohemia.
6am
Hearing a rattle by the door, I am forced to get up and walk my ever-energetic Labrador. This is the best natural wake-up call anyone can have. On the way back I pick up The National from my front porch, and once inside I eat a bowl of granola and yoghurt while reading the news. I love the nostalgic feel of reading a real newspaper instead of using a tablet.
8am
Time to let technology in. While I drink freshly made coffee I check forex market news and forecasts. Exchange rates play a significant role in my business, since everything we do is sourced in Europe. After replying to some of the emails that came in overnight from my colleagues in the United States I find a little time to think about new display concepts for our ornaments. Summer months are one of our busiest times, when we have our winter collection designed and made. I recently gave our painter instructions for a new sample and I can’t wait to see how my idea will turn out. Our heritage collection contains more than 5,000 different ornaments and we pick a handful of them each year for our collection. Sometimes we change only a colour tone and it always amazes me how this can transform the whole ornament.
10am
It’s time for my daily video conference with our workshop in the Czech Republic. We are a small family business. In total we have 19 employees, three in Dubai and 16 in the Czech Republic – six painters, four glassblowers, one driver, one accountant and one workshop manager. It makes me smile every time we use modern technology in such a traditional business that has been around for almost 100 years. That’s probably the only technological advantage we use. These calls can take up to two hours discussing colours, shapes and glitter shades. I had to instruct one of our artists that the UAE has no pyramids and that it would not be appropriate to have them painted on our line of products.
1pm
I have a quick lunch (fresh baguette and French cheese with a strawberry smoothie) before checking the forex market again and having a quick chat with my colleague Helen about the sales events, markets and functions that we will be attending in the autumn and winter months. This year we will have our collection at Galleries Lafayette at The Dubai Mall, most of the Hallmark Stores, Artistique Shop in Dubai Investment Park and Ace Stores in the UAE. Plus we make direct sales online and at various Christmas markets and we have regular private customers from the past – some of whom booked custom-designed collections in April. I am then suddenly called to run to the printing press to inspect the first packaging samples for our 2014 collection.
2pm
After driving across town I meet the printer, where I was thrilled that the colour came out perfectly and exactly as I planned. It’s going to look great with our signature red ribbon. I’m very excited about the quality of our boxes for our product.
4pm
I have meetings with big retailers to finalise their Christmas line up. It’s often 45°C and we are stuck in a room with bad air conditioning surrounded by Christmas baubles, animal-shaped ornaments and our beautiful little snowmen. At least our snowmen don’t melt in this heat. Our clients love our new collection of baubles, which represent life in the UAE, including one that signifies oil and gold. I am confident this will be a hit this season. The pieces generally range from Dh30 to Dh100 per ornament. Custom-made items that are one-off can go up to Dh400.
6pm
I am welcomed home by my dog and cat. It always amazes me what a great pair they are, supporting each other while I am gone. My relaxation comes from taking the dog for a long walk and playing ball with him (weather permitting) in the park.
8pm
Time to take it easy and crash out in front of the television. My favourite shows are usually US dramas such as True Blood. Still, my mind is preoccupied with planning for next year’s budget. I know my dreams will be filled with reindeers and Christmas elves, since it’s Christmas every day for me.
ascott@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter