Meet Kerry Herriott of Charlie & Carter this weeks Woman in Business Interview
Tell us about your business.
Charlie & Carter are the first UK social selling business that offers Vintage Tea & Shopping Parties in your own home.
Charlie & Carter is a business built by a woman for woman to enable them to become entrepreneurs in their own right using our products and the training we provide it enables them to take charge and be in control of their own future.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I have always had a burning desire to work for myself and create my own opportunities, I always knew I would run my own business just wasn’t sure what! Since I was very small my grandfather would wake me up early on a Sunday morning and off we would go to car boot fairs, thrift shops and this is where my love of vintage grew from, so it made perfect sense to be in a business that I love and there was a gap in the market, so I went for it!!
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
I don’t have a particular influence I have a few, non of my immediate family are entrepreneurs so in my family I’m a little bit if an anomaly, I always strived to be the best and felt that being an entrepreneur would satisfied that need.
There are many influences in particular Karen Brady is one after accomplishing something so massive at such a young age and also bringing up a family I find amazing
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
My greatest achievement to date is starting a previous business from nothing and eventually franchising it across the UK, which eventually led to it being sold and it’s still massively successful today.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Being consistent is the key , I’ve seen so many people start something and give up at the first hurdle , being in business is a lifestyle choice and I believe if you have the drive and determination it will happen for you, another piece of advice to always think outside the box!
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
The most effective is building relationships and networking, I try to ensure our ideas stay fresh and exciting and believe that by looking after my home advisors they too will also enjoy working with CC and promote and talk about our business organically , I also use traditional methods of advertising always exhausting the FREE ones first!!
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
You can’t take anything for granted as soon as you relax there’s always someone or another business ready to take your place, be fresh, stand out and be different and as a small business owner you can keep the personal touch.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
I use an amazing lady called Nicola for admin she runs her own business called NBS admin assist and is really professional and helpful as a small business it’s vital to support each other – http://www.nbsadminassist.co.uk/
Do you have any new projects coming up (or have you just completed a big project ~ reached a milestone, etc.)?
We are still looking for more vintage home advisors across the UK and are focusing on this until the new year, we want to establish ourselves as the number one social selling business within the Vintage & Retro community and are looking forward to growing the CC family as the year draws to a close.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
My son who’s 7 is a budding golf pro so we’ve been told so most of our spare time is spent on the golf course watching him! I also am a mum to a 13 year old who although she thinks she’s too cool to spend time with her mum we regularly enjoy theatre trips and hope to get to see Matilda in the west end!!
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
To ensure we have recruited more home advisors across the UK and to take on further permanent staff to help with the growth of the business
You want to write a book on “how to be a mum and run a successful business”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m a great believer in what will be will be and believe that if you see an opportunity take it and hold onto it with both hands, you never know where it will lead you x
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
www.twitter.com/CVintageLiving
www.facebook.com/charliecartergifts
Website: www.charliecarterliving.com
