Debra Mann is moving on.
I suppose it’s been a difficult time and some really hard decisions had to be made.
Firstly, Maria my partner went off sick in February, although she said she can still help out, on days of events, she made the decision it was just too much to work full time. And although I have had a couple of people working, doing the sales, unfortunately these people have not worked out.
Therefore, over the last few months, I have been doing nearly everything and I know, those of you who work “in” their business, know what I mean and it has been tough on me as well.
So when I got speaking with HANDD regarding a marketing position based in Pangbourne, it seemed a great opportunity to concentrate on what I am best at Marketing, rather than everything else we do when running a small business.
This then presented me with an the opportunity to speak with some key people about someone developing Variety Events and Keeping Business Local.
I am not saying it’s been an easy decision, because it hasn’t, this was my baby and I had to let it go. The new owner will be announced in the next couple of weeks, but my feeling is, they will take this baby and show it how to run!
I am now in the process of transferring everything over to the new owner, and so I had to postpone the Newbury event as we just couldn’t get everything ready in time.
The new date will be October 27th, at Newbury College and the line-up hopefully will remain the same, but we will get this up on the website by the end of July.
I will be announcing everything shortly and I will still be on @KeepingBizLocal for the next couple of weeks, but we will be changing everything over to the new owner and so there is still a lot to be done.
In the meantime, I really want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the last couple of years and I look forward to your continued support with Keeping Business Local and Variety Events. And I know the new owners will really develop this business as I felt, it has the potential to do.
Caroline Rolfe - Willow Park, 
Amanda Hill 9:07 am on July 17, 2011 Permalink |
Good luck… I am sure it will be a great move for you.
Nigel Morgan - Morgan PR 9:10 am on July 17, 2011 Permalink |
Congratulations on your news Debra and while I am sad you will no longer be at the helm of Keeping Business Local, I will of course continue to support it. It has brought Morgan PR tremendous opportunities as a speaker on public relations and social media and helped The Social Media Guys flourish.
The marketplace is tough out there and Keeping Business Local has triumped in adversity where others have simple whithered and died, or rather rebranded and pretended nothing was wrong! So you are handing a formidable baton on to the new owner!
PicklesGirls 9:47 am on July 17, 2011 Permalink |
Debra, many best wishes for your new opportunity. I think everyone understands that one must do whatever they can to survive in today’s economic climate. Running your own business is a 24 hour operation. I feel I actually do very little of what I set out to do (actually create products), and more time doing admin, website updates, social media, etc.! Congratulations on your new role!
Keeping Business Local 10:07 am on July 17, 2011 Permalink |
Thanks everyone for your kind words and I will be keeping an eye of what is going on locally. My new role is looking after Marketing UK wide and Singapore so a big job to do but definitely a challenge, thank you for your continued support and I hope this isn’t the last time I see you all.
Bill Dent - Willow Park 4:10 pm on July 18, 2011 Permalink |
Hi Debra
Tough call to make, but well done making it!
Look forward to attending further Keeping Business Local events, “under new ownership.”
And to hearing great things from Pangbourne!
Best
Bill
Diksha 11:59 am on July 19, 2011 Permalink |
Debra – go with an open heart and mind and the Universe will support you. Bless you and good luck!
Caroline Rolfe - Willow Park 1:49 pm on July 19, 2011 Permalink |
Hi Debra,
I also wanted to add my very best wishes for your new role and am sure you will make it a wonderful success!
I will look forward to hearing about continued events through Keeping Business Local and Variety Events.
With very best wishes.
Caroline
Malcolm 4:25 pm on July 27, 2011 Permalink |
Hi Debra
Best of luck and stay in touch.
Malcolm