fantheglorywithtori.com Interview

1. Can you introduce yourself and fantheglorywithtori.com?

Greetings to you all, I’m Victoria Ajoku: Master of Arts, Maker of Fans and the Founder of ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’, a small, unique business that offers ‘in person’ and ‘online’ Fan Making Workshops (as fun and therapeutic ‘experiences’) as well as bespoke fan related accessories via the ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ Online Boutique.

2. How was fantheglorywithtori.com born? How did you start?

Created in 2019 (on my Birthday) from my love for the history, piratically, and beauty of fans combined with the fact that the craft is officially listed by the ‘Heritage Craft Association’ of Great Britain as a ‘Critically Endangered Craft’ in the UK. ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ provides bespoke hand made fan related fashion accessories. I also trade via market stalls and festivals around the UK. This ‘one of a kind’ business delivers a service for learning Fan Making itself and is an antidote for helping to ‘revive’ this art form: ‘freeing’ the concept towards new, diverse audiences for people of all backgrounds, ages, abilities and walks of life.

3. What makes fantheglorywithtori.com different? Can you explain your products with details?

The types of fans I teach in my workshops are mostly ‘vegan’ in materials. Additionally, l am producing and selling vegan hand-fans too (I’m hoping to expand this essential trend of vegan fans). This all contributes in shaping ‘Fan The Glory with Tori’ to be a very distinctive brand. The accessories are hand made (to suit the needs and price ranges of a wide range of people) and includes men’s ties, bow ties, to ladies earrings, necklaces and much more. The Online Boutique will always include some sort of fan design or fan shape items, assuring that everything pertains to ‘the fan’ in a variety of styles to compliment both teenagers and the seniors of societies. The Online Boutique has expanded to now include fan-designed greeting cards and fan designed fabric face-masks. So far, those based in the UK, can learn how to make folding fans (through 'in-person' classes, or) right in the comfort of your home via the online fan making workshop experience, called ‘fan-in ‘sessions (contact: [email protected]). All materials are included and will be sent out to you. This service will soon be available for those who reside outside of the UK.

4. What reactions do you get from your clients? Do they love your products?

Clients appreciate how ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ produces, teaches and sells vegan fans! Feedback I received is that the company holds a unique selling point, that’s highly important in regards to the morals and values of thousands of people as well as helping to save our planet. Furthermore, 'Fan The Glory With Tori' powerfully and positively contributes to the high street, (town center, shopping parade and market) by providing traditional and trendy handmade hand-held fans, with a stunning collection, some of which are vegan in material. Producing vegan fans are significantly important, as there’s a limited offer of vegan fans available to purchase online and in person. The fan related accessories I make and sell are bespoke and niche which people really love and state that after the COVID-19 pandemic era; customers are now, more than ever, looking to purchase an extra special gift (that cant be easily accessed via franchised stores) to honor friends, colleagues and loved ones, for this reason they come to 'Fan The Glory With Tori 'to fulfill this need. On top of this, clients are always pleased to learn that all the proceeds of purchasing from 'Fan The Glory With Tori' go towards helping revive the craft in the UK.

5. What are the advantages of fantheglorywithtori.com?

At ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ items can be made to suit your collective or individual tastes. Clients have the privilege of ordering commissioned fans to be made to commemorate any occasion your celebrating, from weddings, birthdays, engagements, baby showers anniversaries, graduations and christenings to name a few. ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ also offers commissioned fans for other businesses; charities, organizations and societies who wish to highlight their own branding through my vegan fans! The Fan Making Workshops are also available to book as a ‘Corporate Group’ for colleagues in your work place who wish to purchase a session as a ‘team bonding experience’. Corporate classes can be tailored as ‘in -person (if your based in the UK) experiences’ or as an online one too. When collaborating, purchasing or learning with ‘Fan The Glory with Tori’, you become part of the wonderful journey and community of people, contributing to help prevent this ‘heritage craft’ of becoming completely extinct in the UK. This gives yourself and your work place a huge boost of social value. ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ seeks to decrease the sense of ‘elitism’ (that has encompassed this ancient art form for centuries) by amalgamating traditional ‘high-fashion’ and ‘high-end’ hand-held folding fans (fan making workshops and fan accessories) into the hands of everyday, working class people, this then enables the concept of ‘The Fan’ to become relatable, accessible and a huge advantage for all. You can now follow 'Fan The Glory With Tori' on YouTube. Please subscribe, like, share the videos and of course turn the notification bell on. I look forward to entertaining, serving and connecting with you. Victoria Ajoku: Sole Proprietor of 'Fan The Glory With Tori'.