We think it’s more important than ever to stay connected and stay in touch. That’s why we launched our new,’ Ten Minutes With,’ series to give businesses the opportunity to do just that.
We want to know how you’re coping, how you’ve adapted and if you’ve got any advice for other businesses.
This week we’re talking to Kate Hewitt from Staffordshire Moorlands based creative agency Yellow Circle.
How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
In no particular order:
- Strong willed
- Tenacious
- Loyal
- Creative
- Determined
Tell us about your business?
My business partner Ian and I launched the company in 2007 over the coffee table and we’ve gone from strength to strength ever-since. We’re a full design and creative agency based in DaisyBank Cheadle and we offer a range of services including:
- Design (including brochures, publications, signage and vehicle livery)
- Branding
- Social media management support
- Digital marketing and marketing campaigns
- Website design and management
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
We’ve got a wide variety of clients from antique firms to lawyers, from Sussex up to Scotland but the majority are in the Staffordshire area.
What did you do before launching your business?
What didn’t I do is probably a better question! I’ve had an eclectic range of jobs shall we say? Over the years I’ve worked in every kind of role and in every kind of company you can imagine. I’ve worked in blue chip corporates and stock-rooms, sold Kirby hoovers, been a supervisor at Royal Doulton and a lithographer. I’ve had jobs at Ravel, Dolcis, Top Man, Top Shop, Vision Express and Jessops.
The variety of roles I’ve had and the industries I’ve worked in has really helped me understand how people tick and what a vital role customer service has to play, which has undoubtedly helped at Yellow Circle.
Why do you do what you do?
We believe that businesses should have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd on-line and we love being able to help our clients do that. Reputation is everything and the first place your potential clients will look is on line, so you have to get your on-line presence right.
One of our SEO clients recently picked up a £50,000 contract because they’d found him on Google – there’s no better job satisfaction than that for us.
What advice do you have for companies during this time?
I think that those that are standing still now and aren’t doing anything to prepare for the new kind of normal may struggle.
Many companies, understandably are watching every penny and marketing is often the thing that gets cut first but there are things you can do yourselves that won’t cost anything other than your time.
Now’s the time to look at how healthy your website is – is it up to date, are your contact details are the same? If the last blog you published was 2017, get a new one written and published as that will help drive traffic to your site.
We’ve launched a new service called: “Operation Day after Tomorrow,’ to help companies prepare now so they’re ready to hit the ground running with their digital marketing. It’s a monthly package that will support companies with help and advice on their website, SEO, pay per click and campaigns etc.
To find out more about: ’Operation Day after Tomorrow,’ go to: https://www.yellowcircle.co.uk/op-day-after-tomorrow/
How are you coping in lockdown?
Just before the lockdown we were doing renovation on our house and had the entire roof removed. It was the month where there were terrible storms and then because of the lockdown, work had to stop. A project that should have taken a month, took three which meant I was living with my-laws, thankfully, we get on great. It wasn’t the best of timing but we’re back home now with some work to do but we’ve just had Sky back which is a blessing!
We’ve had to furlough staff, which for a close-knit team has been really tough but I’m hoping we’ll have the them all back together very soon.
Work’s continued and we’ve been giving a lot of support and advice to our clients as well as doing lots of planning.
Have you learnt anything about yourself?
I’m not very good at being forced to do anything so I thought I would struggle with the situation. I haven’t though so I think I’m more resilient than I thought.
Are you going to do anything differently after lockdown has been lifted?
I will appreciate my family, my friends and our Yellow Circle Team more.
It’s been tough that we’ve had to furlough staff , however, I have to say they’ve been brilliant – very supportive, very co-operative and I’m really looking forward to seeing them face to face and saying thank you.
Our clients have shown real loyalty. They’ve continued to support us and paid invoices on time when we know how hard things have been.
I’m definitely very appreciative and I’ll never forget how everyone has supported each other.
What are your plans for the future?
Personally, it will be getting the house straight after all the building work we’ve had done, as well as having a new bathroom fitted.
Professionally I want to continue adapting the business to reflect the changing world we’re living in. We’ll be looking to deliver some training courses, we had planned to do face to face, on-line and long-term the plan to grow continues.
And finally, if you were down to your last fifty quid what would you spend it on?
I’m going to sound corny but I’d spend it on my wife Nat. £49 would go on some weird and wonderful tool – because she’s always got a project on the go and the £1 would go on a Sunflower, just to be romantic!
If you’d like to be one of our, ‘Ten Minutes With,’ interviewees please drop us a line at hello@legspr.agency and we’ll grab a cuppa over Zoom.
