International Women’s Day 2022
For International Women’s Day this year, we wanted to highlight some of the women who, across our range of projects in the South East and East of England, inspire us with their skill and motivation in business.
The last few years have been challenging for all, and especially across the business landscape – from navigating lockdowns, a declining high street, and an uncertain job market, women in business across the UK have persevered and adapted to becoming entrepreneurs, bringing innovative and creative business ideas to an everchanging market.
Fiona Allman-Treen, FAT Promotions
Hastings entrepreneur Fiona Allman-Treen founded Web Development agency FAT Promotions Ltd twenty one years ago - and the Company has seen great changes over that time; from ever-shifting market forces, recessions, technology advances, global pandemics – yet they’re still going strong with an impressive portfolio of clients both here in the UK and on a global platform. The Company has recently been shortlisted for Digital Business of the Year 2022 award by the Federation of Small Business and, with future developments already underway for a subscription-based volunteer management system for charities (including a free version for micro charities just starting out), the future is certainly looking bright for these trailblazers of online innovation.
“It was always a dream to run my own business.
I saw an advert in my local Hastings Observer newspaper for a 3 day Business Start-up course run by local group 1066 Enterprise (now known as the Let’s Do Business Group) and went along.
I’ve never forgotten the way the business owners on my original start-up course shared so much of what they know, and I’ve continued to pay that forward over my years in business, through giving free talks, mock interviews and work placements to members of the local community who have the same dream I had all those years ago.
To anyone considering taking this big leap I say go for it – stay true to your values, never doubt yourself and get all the help and support that’s out there. You’ll never regret it.”
Rachel Stone, ActionCoach
After she needed to change direction to become the main financial provider in her household due to her husband becoming seriously ill, Rachel Stone decided to build on her previous experience in the electronics industry as a commercial buyer and a retail manager for Safeways PLC by studying for her Business Degree and PGCE, all while raising 2 children, working part-time and supporting her husband.
She went on to teach Business Studies at all levels and age groups, whilst progressing quickly to Senior Manager roles, but it was always her ambition to apply her business knowledge and experience in the real business world. In 2012 she qualified as a Business Coach in her spare time and began working with business owners. She was driven by her purpose to ensure that businesses would thrive to ensure great working experiences for young people and helping to create good jobs locally.
“I set up my own business in 2012 and thoroughly enjoyed that project. The feelings of 'wanting to make an impact' and 'being in charge of my own destiny' were very rewarding. For me it has always been about wanting to make an impact in the world in a small way. My desire is that all business owners can be their best and helping them to create businesses which gives them a great life, plus enables the people in their teams to go home at the end of each day saying "I had a successful day today and enjoyed my work" This is all about building great businesses and great leaders. I love that about my work.”
Take Good Care – Barbara Rowe
Barbara Rowe is the Founder of Take Good Care, a Wellness Lifestyle brand with sustainability at its core. When Barbara went from running a hectic Diversity Training business to doing nothing during the 2020 Lockdown, she realised how burnt out she was. With more time to focus on self-care Barbara set out to remind us that making conscious deliberate choices about the way we live, and shop has a positive social, environmental, and human impact on the planet. She also believes that “doing something is better than doing nothing”. An active campaigner and supporter of numerous good causes, she was shortlisted in 2016 by the National Diversity Awards board in recognition of her achievements in the category of Positive role model for Race Faith and Religion. Today, she operates her business Take Good Care out of Newhaven Enterprise Centre!
“In April 2020 coronavirus was spreading throughout the UK and along with many others I became more aware of the importance of taking good care of my health and wellbeing. I had spent the last 14 years running a busy training company and was suffering from burnout. We live in an age where many of us are weaving self care into our daily lives without even realising it and I was one of those people…. Finding good ethical products was time-consuming and meant shopping around on different websites. I thought how wonderfully simple it would be if there was one central place from which I could purchase all my favourite ethical self care products, and with that, “Take Good Care” was born!”
Lisa Young, Business Manager and Start-up Coach for Let’s Do Business Group
Prior to joining Let’s Do Business Group as a Business Manager and Start-up Coach, Lisa had a varied career – ranging from working in business banking, to coaching and mentoring. She utilises her 30 years of experience to help ambitious entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams of owning their own business, through interactive workshops and providing support with business loan applications. With our other coach Helena Joyce, she co-hosts the Her Biz Women’s Start up Programme on behalf of Let’s Do Business Group and NatWest, which is specifically geared towards supporting women in East Sussex and Kent in starting their own business.
“Through the Her Biz programme we have provided many aspiring female founders with the tools to turn their idea for a new business into reality. What I have enjoyed the most over the past few years is seeing the confidence that these women gain and hearing that they have successfully launched their business. Her Biz really does give everyone the support and encouragement needed and we have a great community of women who continue to champion each other.”
Emma Pearce, Pearce Marketing Consultants
Emma Pearce set up Pearce Marketing Consultants in 2008, where she’s been able to offer SMEs in East Sussex an affordable and flexible outsourced marketing service. Prior to Pearce Marketing, she’d spent 14 years working in commercial marketing positions in the UK and overseas for large, international corporates.
Now, with more than a decade helping a diverse range of SMEs, Emma and her team at Pearce Marketing Consultants have plenty of strategic and tactical marketing experience to support their clients, whether they’re B2B or B2C companies!
“I didn't intend to set up a marketing agency, but with redundancy in the 2008 recession and a 9 month old baby, here I am 14 years later!
My wonderful small team and I enjoy incredibly varied projects with businesses in all sectors, and the pace of change in technology means there is never a dull moment!
We offer flexible, targeted and measurable marketing support - giving Directors confidence in their marketing. From marketing strategy and customer research to digital and traditional marketing, plus training, we love helping businesses bloom.
Anni Sanders, from Focus SB
Anni Sanders has recently completed her Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship at Focus SB in Hastings. Despite the challenges for businesses and apprentices caused by the pandemic, as well as manufacturing and engineering often being a male dominated industry, Anni has been able to thrive at Focus SB since enrolling in September 2020, becoming one to watch and being fast on her way to a managerial role.
“When I left school this year I applied for the apprenticeship - I am so happy that I have completed my apprenticeship, it was an enjoyable but a challenging experience at times, especially during the COVID period, but luckily I had the support of all my wonderful colleagues, so I would like to thank them for helping me.”
