Jeweller joins up with drinks company for Valentine prize

A HITCHIN-based jewellery designer has teamed up with an exclusive drinks maker for a romantic competition ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Alyssa Smith

Firefly Natural Drinks has been working with Alyssa Smith for its latest flavour ‘Love Potion’, which is on limited release from this month.

To support the drink’s launch, Firefly will be celebrating a ‘month of love’ in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, with a competition hosted through social media websites Twitter and Facebook.

One of the exclusive prizes is a bespoke silver necklace designed and made by Alyssa.

The 25-year-old jeweller has a celebrity following which includes Caroline Flack and Suzi Perry.

The collaboration is a natural one, as Alyssa as she is one of a new generation of entrepreneurs who have built up their business largely through promoting and marketing themselves through social media.

Alyssa met the owner of FireFly at an entrepreneur festival in Sheffield last year, where she was speaking in her role as resident entrepreneur at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at North Herts College.

Alyssa says: "It's all about making opportunities for yourself and putting your company out there. I don't wait for things to come to me.

"When I met Marcus from Firefly, I was so excited because I am a huge fan of his company, especially the pretty packaging they use, and asked him straight away if he would like to collaborate with me.

"I feel so honoured that they chose me as their premium brand to partner with this year!"

Successes keep coming for Alyssa, who has also collaborated with brands including Pink Lady Apples and Sweet Eve Strawberries.

She was recently shortlisted as ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’ and also won Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis's 'small business Sunday' award.

Despite her national success, Alyssa is hoping North Herts residents have a go at entering the competition, as she says she would like it if a local person won.

"It's really easy to enter, you don't even have to buy the 'Love Potion' drink, just look me up on Twitter," she said.

"My address is @AlyssaJewellery – follow me and @FireflyTonics for information on how to WIN the gorgeous necklace

"If you're not on Twitter, set yourself up an account, it's really easy and free and I'd love as many local people as possible to take part and spread the word!"

The competition opens on February 8. To find out more information about Alyssa's free giveaway with Firefly visit her website www.alyssasmith.co.uk.