A bit about me, married to Frank for 11 years, 3 cats, 2 tropical fish tanks and like living next to my river... when I am here...Too much energy, loads of ideas and love learning as well as teaching..
At 17 I was taken on by Kelvin McKenzie as a journalist for News International (The Sun) and seconded to a press agency in York. I have always loved to write and still do as I find it comes very easily to me. I moved from the north to London to live with my mum and with computer and shorthand skills was lucky enough to work for many brand names in various roles in marketing and business including Merrill Lynch and Energis. I met my husband 20 years ago when he was an Estate Agent (not your typical white socks brigade) and went to work for a rival firm as I could see I would be very good at it (I was the top selling agent for 2 years on the trot for the company. He is now a Director at their Chartered Surveyors). I think I was so successful because I wanted to know what they needed and did my best to find it for them.
I was asked to help organise a friend's wedding and she also wanted balloons so I went on a course, which I loved. I have always been arty and kept up my interest in gardening and design which were useful when I opened a party and floristry shop for 5 years. Retail is an interesting way to learn customer sevice and marketing skills on the job.. I have been involved in many events large and small and have been involved from conception to completion to just supplying party products.
Clients have included live television for Philip Schofield on GMTV, a balloon release in front of HRH The Queen, The Ministry of Sound Corona DJ of the Year, TNG, Ford, Mercedes, Virgin Bride (our very first retail client), Confetti.co.uk, Tesco, Asda, B&Q, Sainsburys, myriad hotel groups, corporate companies, charities, personal parties and celebrations all over the UK.
I have always enjoyed passing on my knowledge and started teaching balloons at Southgate College about 12 years ago. I wanted my students to have the very best training and studied teacher training. I have taught for major manufactuers as well as privately and love bringing people in to a new, fun business all over the UK. Thank goodness for the lunatic woman (sorry ladies) who couln't drive her husband's car and bunny hopped it straight through the window... I had already learned lessons in being held up and kicked to the ground by people on drugs so it is no surprise my shop is now a police station but do still miss some of the wonderful people, although many still ring me. I teach all over the UK and Ireland on a regular basis in balloons as well as marketing.
I was also tempted back in to the property world and had to brand, run, grow and market a business on a shoestring just before the proeprty bubble burst whilst running my party business, and still manage a few... so if anyone needs a decent AST Contract that is OFT compliant or just help in this direction please feel free to ask, I am ARLA trained.
I still keep my writing skills fresh by helping a local design company, especially when they have tight deadlines, and can come up with fun, clean copy on most subjects including a product for Elton John's charity and various other websites from property to handbags.
Whilst ill a few years ago I curled up next to the radiator and played with the website I built some years ago when it started to become necessary to have an online presence. This resulted in achieving over 50% of the first 5 pages of google coming back to one of my sites for the key words I chose. it is actually quite simple to work out. The same things also work when selling on some online sites one of which was too successful and I had to take it down before It killed me packing up to 100 orders a day...
We are currently selling a small number of items under another brand name to help with the costs of exhibiting at the largest trade show in Europe, The Spring Fair 7th - 11th February 2010. We are putting together the line-up of speakers and writing some new short seminars just for the show. Watch out for the online promotion and marketing which will include the ebullient Brad Burton. Together with 2 other related industry professionals we are promoting our industry and others and are delighted to have the backing and assistance of Emap who are using our independent status to promote the Party Section Move to Hall 5.
I intend launching this soon with a network of mums working from home all over the country earning money from home.. this is a taster of some of the product lines...
A Charity Golf Event I organised on behalf Bob Champion's Charity
Having been in this industry so long I can normally source just about anything party wise or tell you if a certain license exists for a themed event. I have a long list of tried and tested ideas for charity events if you need some fun fund raising ideas. We can also make your event the most talked about for all the right reasons, don't forget you only have one chance at creating a fabulous first impression...
You may also hear my voice on a few voiceovers or on telephone asnwering services for companies... and I have been on television a few times... I have been approached to front a QVC promotion for a products in the New Year so watch this space..
I love a challenge and learning new things... sometimes it takes a while... but I usually get there.
Don't forget... things come in Cans - I have never seen a can't on a supermarket shelf....
If you really want something reach for the stars and you will have a much better chance or success...
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