digitalbeans launches YourLocal.Delivery

by Stuart

Free website to support local businesses in Kent stay in business

digitalbeans, a leading digital agency based in Canterbury, has launched YourLocal.Delivery, a free website solution which will help local businesses in Kent who are impacted by the Covid-19 situation and unable to service their customers. This free of charge service from digitalbeans will allow restaurants, toy shops, art shops, garden centres, small convenience stores and those on Kent’s high-streets to launch their own online store, by signing up to the free website solution. 

YourLocal.Delivery is a swift solution for many local businesses who would not have been able to set up their own online service in such a short space of time. The bespoke free-of-charge package includes a branded web page, individual to each company, so they can continue to take orders, online payments and display listings of an unlimited amount of product/menu items. Each website will be created manually by a member of the digitalbeans, who are kindly giving up their time to support this service.

Once local businesses have set up their profile online, they will need to share the link with its local community, accept the order and then offer a click and collect or delivery option to the customer. Thanks to Spark Film Production, also based in Canterbury, each business will have the opportunity to receive a free marketing package which includes eye-catching visuals to promote their new online store.

The agency recommends that all Kent businesses, that are keen to use this service, are following the government requirements for food/product delivery and social distancing to ensure they are qualified to carry out this service to the local community. 

Piperis Filippaios, Managing Director of digitalbeans, says “The coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt life as we know it and for our high-street and local eateries, business is far from normal. A number of local businesses are starting to shift to digital solutions in an attempt to continue to serve their customers, including personal delivery services. Unfortunately, many are having to pay extensive fees to companies as they do not have an efficient online platform to host such a service. We have launched YourLocal.Delivery to help and encourage local businesses to continue during these uncertain times by getting online. YouLocal.Delivery will give local businesses the opportunity to continue selling products to the local community with ease and enable them to survive during this difficult time.”

Piperis Filippaios

More about digitalbeans HERE

Business of the Month

by Stuart

Abbott Media – Ben Abbott

Hey – my name is Ben Abbott and I run a creative marketing agency called Abbott Media (I know… original right?) we specialise in helping businesses to increase their revenue through innovative marketing strategies and consistent social media content. To put it simply, we help you make more money.

My business started when I was in my last job, I started getting the itch to do my own thing and within a month I had a business plan put together and I was raring to go! I decided to hand in my notice December 2017 and I launched Maximum Media (now Abbott Media) back in January 2018, after noticing a large gap in the marketing industry for the use of podcasting and marketing techniques that focus on return on investment rather than likes. But aside from that, I’m really passionate about marketing and I love what I do. It’s what keeps me going in the tougher times!  

What’s been my biggest success/proudest moment to date? Making it to 2 years trading, this is when sadly most start-up businesses have failed, and I can see why! I should celebrate this stuff more really, but even with the struggles you get. 2 years is a win!

My biggest challenge has been CASHFLOW! I’m sure every young business has the same problem, it’s something that you have to look after. I’ve learned to manage it by implementing a better process but it takes time. 

My plans for the future? To grow the business and work with larger companies, but also to help the small business community too. I’m really excited about a new Marketing Mentorship for small businesses that we will be launching shortly, it provides support and training consistently, on a monthly basis without the cost of actually employing an agency for your business.

My top tips for other young business owners

Whenever you are having a moment that feels like you want to give up, remember why it was you started in the first place to refocus you and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It can seem daunting and even embarrassing sometimes, but it’s key to growing as a business owner.

Oh, and before I forget (again) celebrate every win. Running a new business is hard at any age and sometimes we get so focused on where we want to be we forget to celebrate the wins along the way! I have only just started to do this, it will make you put the losses into perspective and keep you pushing for success!

Find out more about Ben’s business by having a look at his website.

https://www.abbottmedia.co.uk/

Business of the Month

by Stuart

Pretty Please by Katie – Katie Hawkins

Hi I’m Katie from Pretty Please by Katie, and it’s my job to transform women from their everyday self into the most beautiful of brides. I provide bespoke hair and make-up services on their wedding morning, which means they can rest assured, not only look amazing, but they get to feel it too!

Quote “I don’t need to make you look ‘different’ to make you look and feel like ‘a bride’. Together we simply create the very best version of you for your big day so that you can not only look amazing but feel it too. “

Many years ago, when I was first asked if I did wedding hair, I had no idea where this journey would take me! Now, several years later I can proudly say that I’ve styled hundreds of brides, countless bridesmaids and lots of excited mums! Being a wedding hair and make-up artist means that it’s my job to make my clients look and feel beautiful, so that they know as they step down that aisle they are stepping out as the very best version of themselves.

I often tell people ‘I don’t go to work; I go to weddings!’ and that’s so true. I take great pride in my work; I love what I do, and it really is something special to be asked to share that wedding morning.

Wedding hair and make-up is all about the detail. I really believe that on the big day it’s the little things that matter, and it’s only right that I put as much love and care into everything I do as my clients have into the preparations of the whole wedding day.

As well as being a wedding hair and make-up artist I’m also wife and mummy. We live in the beautiful Kent Countryside with our cute white fluffy dog and our very cute five year old daughter. When I’m not playing with peoples hair or trying to recruit people to let me decorate their faces with all the new make-up I like to buy, then you’ll find me walking the dog at the beach or hiding away somewhere in a coffee shop.

My top tip for other business owners is ‘don’t forget to clap for yourself!’. Sometimes we get so caught up in what other people are doing or what we think we should be doing, and we don’t stop to look back and congratulate ourselves on just how well we have done and just how far we have come. Be proud of yourself! Business is hard and in a world where it’s so easy to be impressed by someone else or something you see on social media , don’t forget to stop and take a moment to appreciate all the things that YOU have achieved no matter how small they might be. It’s the little things that make a big difference. You got this!!!

To find our more about Katies business and follow, see below

www.prettypleasebykatie.co.uk

www.facebook.com/prettypleasebykatie

www.instagram.com/prettypleasebykatie

Awards Evening and Reception

by Stuart

KF Celebrating the successes of 2019

2019 was a big year for the Kent Foundation, new services have been launched, and the number of businesses who accessed support through our mentoring program nearly doubled to 160 businesses. We are very proud of the achievements we have made, but more importantly, we are proud to be a part of the achievements made by young entrepreneurs and business owners in Kent. This is why we want to publicly celebrate with them, and recognise their achievements.

Young Entrepreneurs and business owners, Mentors, Trustees and the staff team gathered for our annual Kent Foundation Awards hosted by Ann Allen MBE, Chairman of Kent County Council at County Hall on 22 January.  We were overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of nominations this year and delighted to make awards to such worthy winners.  The room was buzzing with conversation before and after the awards ceremony and we managed to only overrun by nearly an hour!

It was a pleasure for everyone there to see the recognition given to both Kent Foundation Members and Volunteers. So much has been achieved in 2019 by the businesses that were nominated, and, through the support and appreciation of their Kent Foundation Business Mentors.

Finally, a big thank you to Kent County Council, and in particular Cllr. Ann Allen MBE for hosting this event. It has become a highlight in our calendar, and it would not be possible without your support.

Business of the Month

by Stuart

Optimum Performance – Jamie Bird

The Kent Foundation has got to know Jamie really well over the last year, and I am sure many of you will of met him at our Kent Foundation events, and a few networking groups too. To see his business journey first hand has been a privilege, and what he has achieved with the business has demonstrated to us how much it means to him, and ultimately providing a great service for his clients.

I’m Jamie, a sports performance and injury specialist personal trainer and my business is Optimum Performance. I work with athletes of all abilities who are aspiring to get to the next level.

Optimum Performance is still very much a new business. I say new because for the past two years we have been trading as ‘Bird Fitness’, a personal training company. To keep it short, most of our client base had goals surrounding either recovery from an injury or improving their performance in sports. So, the rebrand came about naturally and here we are today.

Optimum Performance is more than just personal training. In all cases we try to work with other experts to create a complete training programme that’s going to, firstly, excel our client forward and, secondly, complement any additional training that coaches, physios or massage therapists bring to our attention. We have created our OP Model and use this to train our athletes. This is what separates us from our competitors, a training model designed specifically for athletes.

On a personal level, there is nothing better than seeing someone succeed and knowing that you were a part of their journey, a part of a team that have helped them move forward. Our most recent success story is a competitive golf player Mark. He had great success in the US Pro-am Pebble Beach tour, coming 2nd in both his individual and team event. Check out his testimonial on our website.

I want athletes to have access to the best physical training that they can, to help with injury recovery, as well as keep injury away. Working with athletes there is a commitment level that is already firmly embedded; they want the best and will work very hard to achieve it. Looking to the future I aim for Optimum Performance to be the go-to place for sport performance and injury recovery.

Running the business at the start was quite challenging, as I had lots of ideas. The excitement and reality of being your own boss is very rewarding. If I was asked for some advice I would 100% recommend a mentor as an extra set of eyes that have the best intentions to help you succeed. Someone with the experience to be able to talk things through. I feel the Kent Foundation has greatly helped me gain clarity.

If you’d like to find out a bit more about us, check out our website www.myopfitness.com or socials @myopfitness – we’d love to hear from you and build some connections. 

Business of the Month

by Stuart

H&BAI – Sam Davey

The Kent Foundation likes nothing more than when a young person following in the footsteps of their Family. Sam Davey is one of them! Growing up in a family of business people it was inevitable he was going to take his own step into business at some point.

Sam Davey – From a very young age I have been surrounded by ironmongery and its many topics! Growing up the only boy in my family with a Granddad, 3 Uncles and a Dad that are all involved in the family business, Hinges & Brackets ironmongery stores. I was quizzed on a pretty much daily basis. So it was only right that I did my share by becoming Ashford’s Saturday boy when I started secondary school in 2005. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunities and guidance to try new things, and explore paths in the industry that most don’t get to. I believe with my lifelong involvement in the industry and the guidance from my relatives and colleagues, I am the perfect product for my environment. My abilities come from knowing how to tackle jobs and projects with a personal service that the internet can never beat.

I started my own company H&B Architectural Ironmongers Ltd in 2018 with a strong idea of what I want to provide, and what I want to achieve, satisfied customers is my business strategy. Two major factors in achieving that are service and products. I’ve always been a “proper ironmongery” nerd and thrive when I work independently. Coming from a retail perspective I could see that purely having a retail premises was not enough in a changing market. I supply good quality locks, doors and window fittings and uniquely I provide a fix and install service. With the ever-changing retail market in a state of flux worldwide and the continuous flood of information available on the web.  A new strategy is needed from most modern businesses that wish to keep up. What I believe is needed is an innovative new approach to the way we do business, combining old fashioned personal service and hands on experience that builds trust and relationships with the help and efficiency of the web to communicate and relay important information and ideas.

With deep knowledge and understanding of this industry I have gained expertise in the products that I favour to specify. I always recommend the best product for the situation depending on many factors that become vital; Quality, Design, Price, Lead time, Mechanical function, Finish Quality, Product guarantee, Product support and recognition.

Some quick fire questions from The Kent Foundation

What’s been your biggest success/proudest moment to date? My biggest success so far has been designing and supplying high end British made bespoke brass ironmongery for Rochester Brewery development.

What’s been your biggest challenge? Gaining and maintaining cash flow.

What are your plans for the future? I aim to continue growing and developing my business as the market determines.

I do want to give credit to, Stuart and my business mentor Bryan for making me confident enough to realise I can do it, and do it well! Meeting the Kent Foundation has given me the confidence to believe I can achieve everything I want to in and out of work. This last year, I built a business, bought my first house, got engaged. A helpful pat on the back has sent me into a sprint.

My business tip for other young people in business is find your passion, then look for the opportunities within it, stay committed, and focus on your own vision and dream.

Find out more about Sam’s business here