When did you launch your agency and what were your reasons for going it alone?
I launched Little Fish Event Management in June 2014. My very first full-time job was at the tender age of 16 as an apprentice for an event organiser in 2000, and since then I have caught the event bug.
I chose to go it alone after I had my daughter Molly in October 2013. I had always wanted to run my own business, and events are the one thing I have done all my professional life and the one thing I knew I could offer as a professional, outsourced service. The stars aligned, the time felt right and I just went for it.
Which campaigns have been your favourites to work on this year and why?
My biggest campaign was marketing my own business. Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to do my own launch event, which would have been awesome. But as I had no investment to start the business, I had to rely on my brand and marketing skills to get my company out there.
Client-wise, my highlight has to be working for the Skills Funding Agency. They were my very first client. It was spooky as it was to support the organisation of two regional apprenticeship awards, as undertaking an apprenticeship was where I first found events. I am so passionate about the scheme anyway, but to work on those events as my very first client was just amazing and I felt so proud.
How successfully did your agency trade in its first year?
Little Fish has surpassed the forecast I outlined in my business plan. My mission now is to grow the business and I have signed up to a mentor scheme to help with creating and managing a growth plan.
What were the biggest challenges of the year?
Launching the business and gaining clients has been the biggest challenge. What is an event management agency without any events to manage? I have had to be a marketer, a businesswoman, a saleswoman and an event manager, but I actually love it.
What have you coming up in the new year?
This coming year is the year to prove that Little Fish is the agency of choice. We have done so well to win the clients and the events we have but now we have to focus on delivering professional, expert, amazing events which go above and beyond the expectations of our clients. The new year is the time to impress, build Little Fish’s event portfolio, case studies, testimonials and photo galleries and of course hopefully gain a few new clients along the way.
What are your long-term goals, targets or strategies for the agency?
Event management is a long-standing historic service and I feel it is time for a refresh. I want to make outsourcing event support more affordable, accessible and transparent. Events will always be an important aspect of any marketing strategy, however times have changed and event management as an outsourced service needs to change with it.
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