This is a story about…
Female Entrepreneur: Gaby Jesson
Location: UK
Company: Radiator PR
Industry: PR
She started her business because of: “A passion for sports & youth marketing and wanting to avoid the depressing prospect of working with another “big consumer pr agency” in London.”
Tell us about your business…
Radiator is a creative communications agency dedicated to building brands and helping them sell in the fields of youth, style, fitness, sport and entertainment.
Our clients include Coca Cola, Thomas Cook, Fat Face, Swatch and smaller owner-led brands such as Salt Rock and Venture Xtreme.
The “mother ship” is Radiator and we also own a sister Company called Incubator which looks after small, emerging companies and brands on a cost effective basis.
We have recently also re-launched our celebrity seeding division called Affiliator and our UK-wide youth panel called Radar.
Radiator is part of a pan-European network of like-minded marketing & pr agencies, so we tap into their knowledge and expertise on a regular basis!
What is a day in the life of you like?
It’s so varied and that’s why I have always loved this career.
But Mondays (today) are really all about planning – whether that’s planning with our account teams on their client focus areas or catching up with clients to update on progress and opportunities.
This week I also have meetings with journalists, an interview day with a famous tennis player, a new business pitch meeting and at some point I need to do my credit card statements and get my hair cut!
What have been your biggest challenges so far with running your business?
Mmmmm – it’s probably more about what we didn’t expect to have to deal with in terms of time!
I would say…financial planning (and understanding) and being inadvertent “mums” to younger staff with personal problems.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Just got better at dealing with these things over time and experience really.
What have you found to be the most effective way to get new clients?
Word of Mouth is our number one new business route, closely followed by networking through our links of contacts and past clients.
Past clients in new roles is probably the most flattering form of new business.
What advice would you give to other business owners?
There is so much, but I would say always keep positive – there is always a solution (!) and make sure you take time out away from the business to think and rest!!!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Sense of humour and having a great business partner!
What’s your favourite quote?
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff!
Who inspires you?
Any risk takers!
Do you have a business philosophy?
Yes – be in there for the long term (if you enjoy it). Don’t think about making a quick buck overnight – get the Company right first.
Get in touch:
Website: www.radiatorpr.com
Twitter Name: radiatorpr
Facebook Fanpage: facebook.com/radiatorpr
