Let's Celebrate Local

By Jodie Fraser, managing director of Fraser Allen Estate Management, Management of residential blocks of flats. Jodie's business celebrates its fourth anniversary this month.

How are you feeling about your business?  

I’m feeling really positive and feel that the uneasiness I felt over the past few months is starting to subside.  We are celebrating our 4th birthday this month and we’re so grateful to still be trading, especially after the recent pandemic.      

How are you feeling about business in general? 

I think business in general is changing. We’re all adapting to the new normal but I think that there are a number of positives that have come out of this situation within the working world.  

We’ve learnt to be more flexible, less commuting and working from home. So many business have adapted exceptionally well, not only to continue trading, but to help their customers.  

I’ve noticed how businesses are going out of their way to help people more and that is the sort of thing that you remember.

Tell us three ways in which you now apply this phrase to your business and/or life ‘buy local supply local’. 

1. We have always been really proud to support local contractors for the maintenance requirements for our developments.

2. We manage developments local to our offices to provide a more hands on approach.  

3. We prefer to use local suppliers for our business needs – for example, our web designer (Kate Hayden Design), printing (Sprint Print), legal support (Hughes Paddison Solicitors) 

Find Kate Hayden Design on Facebook.

https://www.sprint-print.co.uk

https://www.hughes-paddison.co.uk

What has changed for you positively as a result of lockdown? 

Proving how adaptable the business can be and how I feel I can deal with any challenge.  

Tell us what, for you, makes a ‘good’ local business.  

A business that will go out their way to help.  I have recently come across a business who couldn’t help one of my clients, but they put her in touch with someone who could help her and really went above and beyond the call of duty.  

My client was so happy and told me about it when I saw her.  This business left a positive lasting impression on her.  

Can you name a local business which you support around food & drink? 

Daisy’s Coffee Shop in Winterbourne, Bristol  - http://www.daisyscoffeeshop.co.uk

Can you name a local business which you support around health, wellbeing or fitness? 

Georgina Evans of Let It Flow Yoga - https://letitflowyoga.com

Can you shout out to  three businesses which have helped you? 

1. Kate Hayden Design 

2. Sprint Print 

3. Dependable Limited – They are based in Chippenham and have been fantastic to us during lockdown and have enabled us to continue providing a great level of service to our clients.  

Can you name anyone in business who has really had your back over the months? 

Ben Head from Dependable Limited.  Although I have only worked directly with Ben for the past few years, he’s been really supportive and helpful regarding any business concerns I had or simply to help me resolve a client’s issue or a repair at a development. 

Can you name on person in your life who has really helped you during this time? 

My husband James.  I have had moments over the past few months where I have felt really overwhelmed but he has always been there to help me through it and to  look at any problems with a clear and logical perspective.  

What are your business plans for Q4? 

We would love to take on more developments to manage, but in general we plan to continue providing a high level of customer service to our existing clients.  

And Finally...

When you support local small businesses you are not just supporting someone’s livelihood, you are supporting their dreams.  

For more information visit www.fraserallenem.co.uk