- What is your name /business name?
Lisa Cooper – KBC PR and Marketing
- What does the business do and who are your customers?
We are a UK based travel marketing, PR and representation company. In short, we have overseas customer destinations that we represent in the UK. We do this by talking to tour operators, we have marketing activities and PR activities. Pretty much if you see anything in a brochure, a paper, in a newsletter or on social media in relation to the destinations we represent, we have usually had a hand in it.
Our clients include Destination British Colombia, Travel Alberta, the state of Utah, The Great American West states which include Idaho, Wyoming, the state of Minnesota and New York State. We also do the PR for Vancouver and Whistler, Rocky Mountaineer and The Florida Keys. Our niche tends to be the road less travelled. We want to pick out places and show people what they don’t know, not what they already know.
- What’s the history of the business & what’s your role within it?
KBC has been running for 25 years now. It was owned by a lady called Kate Burgess-Craddy. Lynn, (the finance director) David, (the PR director) and I (the trade director) all bought into the business in 2019- which was somewhat unfortunate timing! However, the good news story is that we survived that, we came out the other side! We are also proud to say that throughout that terrible time we managed to keep all our clients (bar one, a hotel chain in the US that didn’t make it).
- How long have you had a private office here and why were you looking for a space like Freshmill?
We were originally based in Uckfield in an office that we co-owned but we were finding it really difficult to recruit. It was a bit out of the way. We looked to move and chose a location where we could recruit from down in Brighton and up in London. So then someone suggested serviced offices and that was a great idea. Just the opportunity to see other people makes such a difference. We thought it was good for the staff to mingle with others you know, standing by the coffee machine with someone to chat to is really nice. We have been here a year now.
- Why does Freshmill work well for you and your business?
Freshmill works particularly well for us because of its location, We have now got people coming up from Brighton, a couple of girls coming down from London, David comes from East Croydon. Some come over from Dorking, Worthing and Tonbridge. And then I come from Haywards Heath, it wasn’t planned I promise!! We have also adopted a hybrid approach. What we learnt in Covid is that people can be trusted, but also that people need company.
Having the office as a hub for us is really great. The set up we have also works fantastically. Zoe has been really accommodating working on different office spaces for our needs and it has kind of been tailored for us which is great.
- What is the most important lesson you have gained from your career so far?
Patience is a very valuable lesson. As a youngster I was not very patient but the work that I do at times requires patience and I’ve had to learn it over the years.
Reframing is also really important. Having to reframe an approach because you get stuck on a path that isn’t working is crucial. I have really had to take this on board since becoming a business owner.
Finally, I firmly believe one should trust in the universe. Things happen for a reason. You may not be able to see it immediately, but perhaps six months down the line you will understand the lesson you learned from a specific event.
Patience, being able to reframe and trusting in the universe.
- Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?
To be running a continually successful company that keeps up with trends and changes, maintaining a good, satisfied client base, with a happy and fulfilled team.
- What advice would you give your younger self just starting out?
Calm down and take your time. Believe in yourself and that things will happen. Don’t try and rush the process.
Don’t give too much credence to ‘the old boys club’. There are many, shall we say, ‘older gentlemen’ still running things and getting their way. Frustratingly, it is the nature of business. But don’t let them get in your way. Learn how to navigate around them. Be smart, and you can get things done.
- What is your favourite quote/mantra?
‘If you stay on the merry-go-round nothing is going to change’, and that leads me onto my second favourite which is, ‘The only constant is change’.
People like what they like and know what they know! But change is unavoidable so if you can learn to accept it, welcome it even, life is much easier!
- If you could, who would you switch places with for the day, and why?
I would quite like to swap places with a professional dancer, like one of the strictly dancers. I love dancing, but I would love to ‘really’ be able to dance. To have that skill and that talent, just for one day, would be amazing.