2022 – what a year it has been!!! I’m not sure if it’s my age or just how life is now but time seems to just whizz by at high speed!! But I think most people feel the same. This is something that I reflected on in a book I wrote (more about that later) where I said….. “Life is busy, and we can
easily get swept away in the busyness of life, until it is too late.” I was referring to taking time to speak with our elders, to ask questions while we can, because a time comes when it will be too late to talk. But the same sentiment can apply to friends, family, work colleagues, etc.
2022 was another exceptionally busy year for me and my business and I have received incredible support from so many this year, for which I am very appreciative.
People often ask, what do you do?
Marketing consultancy. I work with small and medium size businesses to prepare marketing strategies. My work centers around getting the basics right first, truly understanding who their
customers are and what their needs are. Then delivering a clear message to those target audiences through the right channels. For me, the magic happens when I meet with clients, we talk through their business ideas and what they want to achieve, then I help them to finding solutions to achieve those goals.
Mentoring, since 2020, mentoring has been a massive part of the work I do. I get to work with business owners and managers across Ireland, from various sectors either in large
multinationals, SMEs or solopreneurs. Ilove the variety of this work; each client brings something different, so I never get bored.
Training, years back, in a previous role, I would have delivered a lotof training. But when I set up my ownbusiness, training became less in demand. But in 2021 and 2022 I found myself back training groups on differentaspects of marketing. This is something I hope to expand on in 2023.
The last few years has brought about some great collaborations for me. Together with other marketing experts, we have had the opportunity to tender and deliver larger programmes, as well as the delivery of feasibility and business plans for businesses.
In 2022, either through direct contracts or 1-2-1 mentoring, I worked with over 50 business owners and managers!! This work is all about getting the best results for my clients, often promotion of my own business falls down, such as activity on social media, writing blogs, etc. When I receive such lovely feedback and referrals from clients, often verbal and some online, then I can say, ok, I must be doing something right. Here is some lovely reviews I received lately.
"I’ve been working with Sandra over the last few months and Ihave genuinely been overwhelmed by her encouragement, guidance, support and knowledge. I felt that she really cared and went out of her way to help me get my business up and running." SineadBrennan
"Sandra has been mentoring me for the last 3 months and it hasbeen invaluable to me and my business. She has helped me to plan out my short medium and long term plans and break them down into realistic, manageable goals. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with Sandra in the future." Sean Power
"Mentoring with Sandra was an excellent experience. She is veryexperienced in business and offered great guidance and encouragement during the process. I feel more focused and positive for the year ahead and beyond. Thank you, Sandra. Highly recommend!" LindaWalsh
There were lots of highlights in 2022.
I was asked to join Sean Mahon and The Southern Star team to work as the awards coordinator for their West Cork Farming Awards and West Cork Business and Tourism Awards. Pre covid I would have done a lot of work in event management, so I didn’t hesitate in saying yes to this opportunity and I’m glad I did. I have really enjoyed working onboth projects. The farming awards tookplace in October, and it was a great success. I’m very much looking forward to The Business awards, which will take place in February 2023.
In 2022, I stepped back from my role as PRO with the Network Ireland West Cork branch, I had a lot of work on and I was a tad too stretched but you know what, I missed my connections with the network. I’m delighted to say I’m back on the 2023 committee and will be working closely with new president Anne Marie Kingston as branch secretary.
Zoom will continue to play a major part in my business going forward. Zoom has allowed me to connect with so many people and has opened up many opportunities. But one thing I am looking forward to in 2023,is getting back to networking. Being self-employed and working from home, can be isolating at times and I’ve missed the buzz I get from attending events. In October, I attended the National Women’s Enterprise Day in Killarney run by the Local Enterprise Office. What anatmosphere to have 200+ businesswomen together in one room. I was also invited to attend the SFA annual lunch at The Mansion House in Dublin in November. This was a great networking opportunity and Ienjoyed getting out of the office, to head to the big smoke for a day.
But the biggest highlight and biggest challenge in 2022 was becoming an author!! Yes I wrote a book! What a mad notion to get, as if Iactually had time to write a book but I’ve done it and I’m really pleased with the result and I’m especially pleased with the feedback from people who have read it. I wrote a book called SPINS, which tells the story of my parents, Sonny & Mary Maybury, who were among the major early entrepreneurs in West Cork. I will share more about this experience in a future blog or newsletter.
Lots of exciting projects in the pipeline for the new year, not just for my business but for my clients too. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings.
Happy New Year and thanks again for all your support !!
Sandra