It didn’t take lock-down for me to realise what an inspiring group of London based business men and women I know, but the impact on everyone’s working lives at these Corona times has certainly made me think more closely about the impact to independent businesses.
I’ve had much empathy for all, especially the newer start ups who haven’t the existing funds or customer base to pull through. Overall though, what I have really loved reading about and being encouraged by is peoples creativity and determination at this time, having to swiftly change their business model to match these changing times.
Here are a group of successful women business owners who are rightfully not only surviving, but thriving right now! I hope you find each one as motivating and inspiring as I do, and also simply enjoy taking a closer look at local Londoners lives in these unusual times.
Louise- journalist and award winning blogger
1) Can you tell us a bit about your business/blog/yourself, and where in London you are? Any random fact about your area you’d like to share, that bring people to it?
I am a Danish Journalist/ Lifestyle blogger based in Kensington. I moved to London 4 years ago, when I met my French husband. We now have a 2 year old daughter, Clara, who is the light in our lives. I love that we are an “international” family, as I feel, it makes us more curious about our new amazing city and all the wonderful things it has to offer
2) How have you had to adapt your business in these Corona times, and what are you currently offering?
It has been difficult, as I am a full-time blogger. A lot have changed since the lock-down started. I usually take my family on press trips within and outside UK. That is obviously not happening for the time being. I do try to focus on home activities for parents/children (educational toys, online music classes, daily walks, keeping Clara entertained etc). Also I spend some time getting in touch with brands, PR Companies, Travel agents etc for upcoming collaborations as well as helping out with charity cases/ events/ donations.
3) What the future holds for your blog/business?
We have a few press trips in autumn, that I am very much looking forward to. Especially our Mediterranean cruise with P&O Cruises and a week in Corfu with Agni Travel. Also I work with The Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall – There are a few operas and ballets that I would like to review! Going back to being an “active” Ambassador for Family Member’s Club Maggie and Rose again.
4) What are the top 3 positives that you’ve taken away from these Corona times that you’re hoping to take forward?
That my husband and I have proved, that it is possible to be together 24/7 with a toddler without getting a divorce (haha). How much I love and miss my family in Denmark, and that toilet paper is more valuable than a designer bag! 😉
5) What you look forward to MOST about getting back to when lock-down is over, favourite London haunts or places or a routine you miss??
Going on a romantic date with my husband. Taking my friends to a classic Afternoon Tea experience. Seeing London buzzing and full of life again. The nurseries will reopen – Clara misses her friends so much and I miss my “Mum-time”. My mother coming over to visit from Denmark.
6) Where can we find you online?
Website: https://louiseloveslondon.com
Instagram: @lululoveslondon
Keeley – award winning ex professional dancer and self love coach
1) Can you tell us a bit about your business/blog/yourself, and where in London you are? Any random fact about your area you’d like to share that bring people to it?
I class myself as a self love and relationship coach. I come from an ex-professional dancer background, and my focus is to empower and inspire and support women to love themselves, build confidence within and have healthy loving relationships with themselves, so they can have them with others. I do this through my 1-2-1 coaching programme, but also my Sass and Soul sessions which are empowering dance classes for women. These are for women of all ages and sizes, non professional: the focus is helping them connect to their bodies, tune in, feel fabulous and build confidence.
I’m based in North London, in Finchley. I’m not far from Hampstead Heath which is absolutely incredible. It’s the mos amazing green space, so its lovely to be able to go round there on a nice day.
2) How have you had to adapt your business in these Corona times, and what are you currently offering?
It’s been tricky as I had events planned, so what I have had to do with the beauty of zoom and online technology is take my classes online, so I’m still teaching classes. It’s also given me more time to focus on my You Tube channel, something I am really trying to push out there now, which is one silver lining.
I’ve been creating dance tutorials so people can access my YouTube channel and simply learn to dance, wherever they are, however long it takes, as that tutorial is there for them in their own time, and offering my classes via Zoom.
Basically, lots of space to create which is a good thing.
3) What the future holds for your blog/business?
Really trying to focus on the You Tube channel to get more known for what I do, get a mix on my channel of these dance tutorials and different tips and videos about self love and relationships.
I am also hoping to go back and resume my qualification as a therapist, so I’ve been apply for college/university for September, and planning for once we are out of this holding more events. I’d started doing more Sass and Soul sessions where we have both coaching and dance combined in one event.
Course and a group coaching course as well- lots of ideas, just having the time to put them into fruition!
4) What are the top 3 positives that you’ve taken away from these Corona times that you’re hoping to take forward?
Space to create in my business, to get creative. When you are trying to keep doing and stay on top this week, sometimes you feel you haven’t had the space to play around, so I’ve definitely had that. It’s also given taken away the pressure, I feel like I’ve been able to relax more and enjoy being home. and switching off. When you own your own business and it’s all on you, you constantly feel like I do that you’ve got to be doing all the time. So having this time at home where I haven’t had any work and I cant go out has meant the pressure is off me to keep having to do stuff.
Lastly I think the beauty of connection. I’ve really missed friends, my community, the people I teach. so I think it’s really given me an appreciation and a sense of gratitude for human connection and I k now I can’t wait to get out see my friends, hugs my family and be surrounded by the energy of others.
5) What you look forward to MOST about getting back to when lock-down is over, favourite London haunts or places or a routine you miss??
Getting back into a flow, enjoying summer and enjoying the different energy in the air that’s there when summer comes, and just finding that human connection again. Being able to see my community in real person.
6) Where can we find you online?
Web: http://www.keeleydann.com
Instagram: @ keeley_dann
Jo – Social Media Consultancy Expert
1) Can you tell us a bit about your business/blog/yourself, and where in London you are? Any random fact about your area you’d like to share that bring people to it?
Hi, I’m Jo Michaels. I’m a Social Media Coach and a founder of Beyond Social Buzz, a digital marketing consultancy based in Muswell Hill that helps startups and small and medium businesses convert followers into customers.
Muswell Hill is a leafy North London suburb with a number of beautiful, ancient woods. This includes Highgate Woods (with a lovely café!), Parkland Walk, Alexandra Park and Cherry Tree Woods.
2) How have you had to adapt your business in these Corona times, and what are you currently offering?
Most of my work, prior to lock-down, was offered face to face, but now all my clients consultations and social media training for business is run via zoom. It took some adjusting but there are definitely some silver linings.
Lock-down has kept me busy so far with online social media training and social media strategy projects for clients. It seems that many businesses (even those who are not trading at the moment) are using this tricky time to refocus and find the best way to maintain connection with their customers.
3) What does the future hold for your business?
I’ve always been interested in the link between social media/technology and our wellbeing/pyschology, hence I started additional qualifications and I will be looking into different ways of how the two can can be combined and packaged.
4) What are the top 3 positives that you’ve taken away from these Corona times that you’re hoping to take forward?
Committing to sharing regular videos on my social media channels. Practicing gratitude each morning after walking up. Being less wasteful, especially with food.
5) What you look forward to most about seeing/doing again when lock-down is over?
I miss driving to Forty Hill with the family during the weekends. It’s a gorgeous Jacobean House in an idyllic setting (also with a lovely café and farm- see https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/page/about/)
6) Where can we find you online?
Website: https://beyondsocialbuzz.co.uk
Instagram: beyondsocialbuzz
Twitter: @beyondsocialbuzz
Facebook: @beyondsocialbuzz
I really hope you’ve enjoyed this article and are motivated to check Louise, Keeley and Jo and the amazing work offer online! Please let me know if you’ve any comments or questions, I’d love to hear them.
For now, stay safe, and do enjoy London in the sun!
x
Loving Living London 