From a Suitcase at Heathrow to a Sanctuary in Wimbledon
Maybe We Found Love Right Where We Are: A Seven-Year Journey from a Suitcase at Heathrow to a Sanctuary in Wimbledon
By Cherry Drmic
If you spot a woman stepping out with purpose through Wimbledon Village in a pair of bright red shoes, there is a good chance it’s me. To passers-by, they are just a bold fashion statement. But to me, they are armour. They are a reminder of the advice my godmother gave me years ago: “Višnja, when things get tough, slap on your red lipstick, pop on your red heels, and conquer the world!”And believe me, things have been tough. But here in Wimbledon, they have also been magnificent.
Seven years ago, at the age of 50, I landed at Heathrow. I stood in the immigration queue, terrified, clutching a handbag that contained my three essentials: a dictionary, a bit of make-up, and a framed photo of my three daughters. In that queue, surrounded by strangers, I overheard a young man playing an Ed Sheeran song to his girlfriend. One line struck me like lightning: “Maybe we found love right where we are.” In that instant, it became my quiet seven-year mission.
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From Interior Designer to Student of British Life
I arrived in the UK as an experienced interior designer by profession. Yet, I had no command of the language and a fierce hunger to truly understand the land I had adored from afar. I didn’t just want to live here; I wanted to belong. So, I made a conscious choice. I chose to retrain as a Live-in Carer. For me, this wasn’t just a job; it was my university. I wanted to learn more than just vocabulary; I wanted to absorb the culture, the traditions, and the true character of this nation. I immersed myself in the lives of the families I cared for, listening to their stories to understand what makes this country so special.
I showed my profound respect for this country the best way I knew how: through hard work, by paying my taxes diligently, and by volunteering over 1,500 hours. In return, I received unlimited trust and support from strangers who became friends.
Success Built on Empathy in Merton
Eventually, having mastered the language and the culture, I traded my carer’s tunic for a business suit. Fate, it seems, has a sense of direction, because my first major corporate role brought me right here to Merton.
I could not have chosen a better place to learn the British culture of business. The result? In a single year, the clients I supported generated £960,000 in revenue for a British company. But that number confirmed something far more important than sales targets: it proved that with the right people, you do the right business.
The British Spirit
The more I discovered about this country, the more I felt I belonged. It was as if I was stepping into the dreams I had as a young girl in the former Yugoslavia. I admired the centuries-old democracy, the respect for women, and the dignity afforded to the elderly. I even fell in love with the British tendency to be critical. I realized it wasn’t negativity; it was ambition in disguise. It is a collective belief that things can and should be better, a standard that pushes you to constantly improve. I was “infected” by this spirit—not a sickness you treat at the doctor’s, but a vitality that makes you feel stronger, making you believe that anything is possible if you want it enough.
The Missing Piece
Despite the corporate success and my love for this mindset, something was missing. Walking these streets, I noticed a silent epidemic: loneliness. It doesn’t discriminate. I realized that while I was good at generating profit, my heart was set on generating connection.
First, I turned to writing. I began penning my memoir, Foreign or Citizen, asking myself deep questions and searching for answers about identity and belonging. One answer rang louder than the rest: I wanted to contribute more. I wanted to give this country more than it had given me, simply because it deserves it. It is worth the effort. And so, from that deep desire to give back, the idea for my new business was born.
Bringing the ‘Kindness Economy’ to Wimbledon
Inspired by retail expert Mary Portas and her philosophy of the ‘Kindness Economy’, I decided to leave my corporate career to build Cherry’s Festive Corner. Launching next summer in Wimbledon, this won’t be just a shop. It is designed as a Kindness Hub. Yes, we will offer sustainable celebrations—biodegradable balloon décor and carbon-neutral floral arrangements because we must protect this planet. But the beating heart of the business will be Cherry’s Whisper Café.
This will be a designated ‘Warm Hub’ where conversation is on the menu, and no one needs to sit alone. We will host Eco-Craft Workshops where generations can mix and share skills. But we will go deeper. We will run sessions on the value of volunteering, on how to approach homelessness with dignity, and ensure active inclusion for people with disabilities. It is about creating a space where everyone has a seat at the table.
And because I can never forget the feeling of financial fear, I have pledged a share of every profit to Crisis, to help those without a roof over their heads.
Foreign or Citizen?
This transition from corporate manager to local founder is the subject of my upcoming memoir, Foreign or Citizen. It explores the question: After seven years of contribution, have I earned my place? The answer I have found in Wimbledon is “Yes.” I am currently running a Crowdfunder campaign to help open the doors of the Hub. The response from local residents has been overwhelming. It turns out, hope is contagious.
A Message to Wimbledon
I am writing this for any woman reading Time & Leisure who feels her best days are behind her. Maybe you are 50, 60, or 70. Maybe you think it’s too late to start a business or wear bright red shoes. Please, take it from the woman who arrived with nothing but a photo and a song lyric in her heart: Your age is your asset. Your experience is your superpower.
And get ready. We are preparing a special ‘Red Shoe’ event this coming February to celebrate this spirit. So, dig those heels out of the wardrobe. Bring your partner—perhaps gift him a red pocket square for his suit—and await our invitation.
Ed Sheeran’s words taught me that love and belonging are found right where we are. For me, that place is Wimbledon. And I can’t wait to welcome you all—starting with our Red Shoe gathering this February.
Cherry Drmic is the founder of Cherry’s Festive Corner, opening soon in Wimbledon. You can support her Crowdfunder campaign and read her full story here
