Website design company, Gift of the Gab

Hannah Jones talks to us about her web site design company, Present of the Gab, and the way she obtained the enterprise to the place it’s in the present day.

Inform us a bit about what you are promoting?

Present of the Gab was based in 2017 off the again of labor I had finished for our household enterprise. Utilizing social media, I grew our household groundworks enterprise (JG Jones Groundwork Companies) vastly, ultimately constructing my very first web site for them and implementing search engine optimisation, and the outcomes have been fabulous! One other native firm – Okay&R Decorators – approached me enquiring as to who had finished our social media and web site and once I advised them it was me, they instantly employed me to do theirs and so Present of the Gab was born.

What’s your background?

I skilled to be a bookkeeper and labored in varied positions earlier than having my first youngster at 22, adopted by one other three over the following ten years. Throughout my ‘at residence mum’ time I saved the groundworks firm updated, enterprise all of the accounts and admin earlier than beginning on the advertising talked about above. All my web site design and related providers are utterly self-taught utilizing good previous Google primarily. I like studying and nonetheless have a lot to analysis and implement.

How do you unfold the phrase about what you are promoting?

I very hardly ever promote Present of the Gab – my purchasers do that for me! I’ve grown from West Sussex to overlaying your complete UK together with Scotland by just about phrase of mouth solely! Social media is highly effective and the assorted enterprise teams nice in permitting individuals to ‘tag’ me and my enterprise.

How has enterprise been throughout Covid-19?

When the pandemic hit, I’ve to confess I used to be scared. My enterprise is taken into account a luxurious and I instantly misplaced purchasers – notably within the leisure business and I additionally had work put again, a few of which I’m nonetheless ready for. Clearly, this brought about monetary difficulties, nevertheless, with so many small companies unable to open I began getting enquiries for e-commerce websites pouring in and so one other journey began.

As soon as the lockdown got here to an finish, individuals began desirous to push themselves once more and so work returned to regular, after which second lockdown hit. I used to be not solely working lengthy hours but in addition chargeable for the 2 youngest and their schoolwork – a schoolteacher I’m completely not and the blokes who educate deserve medals!

Issues appear to be lastly levelling out. The leisure business is selecting up and needing me once more so that’s all good. I class myself as extraordinarily fortunate to have survived, many didn’t. I did try to assist people who needed to put their companies on maintain by stopping their cost plans and giving them free internet hosting.

What’s the toughest half about working a enterprise?

Guilt! I used to be a full-time mum to my older ladies and loved the time to have the ability to be there, do issues, take them locations and do the house responsibilities to point out residence requirements. The 2 youngest haven’t been so lucky – though clearly I strive my finest, my home is now actually no present residence and I’m immensely grateful for the Xbox and different know-how!

What’s been the largest problem you’ve confronted up to now?

On daily basis is a problem. I hardly say no and so instantly should push myself to be taught. This may be very demanding however so rewarding as soon as I crack one thing.

Have you ever had any monetary help?

I’ve by no means utilized for any monetary help. I make money working from home so have minimal overheads that means. I didn’t want plenty of cash to start out up. I continued utilizing the identical laptop computer as I all the time had after which regularly constructed as much as some fairly superior computer systems.

What’s been one of the best choice you’ve made up to now?

I don’t know if I’ve truly made one! I take issues daily, have a superb group behind me who brainstorm with me and have perhaps but to make it! Maybe at some point I’ll float the enterprise for thousands and thousands and to migrate to the Maldives? Now that will be a call!

Should you might change one factor, what wouldn’t it be?

Hmm, perhaps being too comfortable? I’m simply sweettalked and it may be to my very own monetary detriment – I really want to man up however I’m not that kind of particular person!

What’s been your proudest achievement up to now?

Wow, I’ve so many proud moments. Most likely the largest is a praise from my fantastic husband, now enterprise accomplice. Initially he was sceptical as to how lengthy the Gab would final. I’ve been identified to dip out and in of many tasks and, though he has all the time supported me, I did really feel like he was ready for me to present in (not least all of the occasions I used to be a blubbering wreck as a result of I’d had a nasty day or one thing was mistaken or quite a few different causes). One morning I obtained to my desk to discover a pink put up it notice telling me how very proud he’s of me. Meaning every little thing and is a really proud second. The notice nonetheless resides on my discover board!

What are your hopes and goals for the enterprise?

Clearly, I’d like to proceed to develop, I’d love to have the ability to enhance productiveness, perhaps win some awards? That might be superb.

I’m so privileged to have a supporting husband, group, household and mates plus a terrific consumer base who’re all rooting for me. Be careful world!