Assist Focus
Catch Design Management.
I have over a decade of experience running my own design and marketing business, which helps me to understand what small businesses need to market themselves where budgets can be an issue.
I have worked in PR, design and marketing my entire career, both in public and private sector. I set up my own business 14 years ago and have never looked back!
I have worked with large corporate clients like The Environment Agency and British Waterways and Forestry Commission, as well as numerous District and County Councils and National Park Authorities.
But more recently I have found working with small businesses so rewarding also, providing a one to one contact to bring solutions to the table. Particularly social media training for businesses is becoming a large part of my business having secured a place on University of Coventry’s Digital Advantage framework for the second year running, supporting small businesses in North Yorkshire in 1-2-1 and workshop training on a range of digital services. A great way to continue to share my continued learning with businesses.
I am also proud to have set up a local award-winning networking group in Stokesley called ‘Thirsty Thursday’, which is supporting local businesses both big and small to work together as a local business community. Now in our 6th year.
I am also proud to be a founding member of the national organisation of Digital Women and the Social Media Managers organisation showcasing services and continued learning for all digital services. I am often asked to speak at their events.
Working with key decision makers on the development of businesses and how women’s roles are developed. The social media world is quite male orientated from a professional capacity but there is a very strong underbelly of women coming through the ranks who have repositioned themselves and retained to come through as strong community of single person businesses who I believe are a huge positive for all industry sectors.
Assist is a great place to meet, connect and collaborate with businesswomen from across the Tees Valley. It's welcoming and informal atmosphere for networking, combined with the diverse range of business topics it addresses on behalf of its members is both interesting and informative. This winning combination means i learn something new each time i attend and its why i keep coming back.
Carol Kerr
Business Consultant
Since joining Assist I have been invited to events including Hidden Women of Teesside, where I had the chance to network with local business women and build contacts. I felt very welcomed and part of something supportive of where I'm at today and what I'm trying to achieve. I now have an experienced mentor for the next year to help me focus and build my dreams. Lastly I was invited to the Assist Christmas meal which was amazing as being self-employed and a small grassroots organisation, it can get lonely so I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with other women feeling the same way and trying to achieve great things.
Annalice Argyle – Trac UK (Teesside)
Independent Recovery Advocates and Consultants & Lobster Recovery
ASSIST is just the most wonderful organisation. Filled with decent, powerful, creative, useful, intelligent and interesting people. And, the networking meetings smell so much better than normal ones :)
Jackie Dack of TEAL
Personal Performance Coach
Having struggled for a while to find a womens network in Teesside, i stumbled across of the Assist events by chance. How happy i am that i did. Ann and the team make the networking fun and relevant, informative and comfortable. I've made several really good business connections, but mostly i've met some great women who i know i could turn to for advice, or even just to meet for a coffee. We all face the same issues within business and personally and the Assist meet's allow collaboration, suggestion, support and smiles. Thank you Assist x
Katie Kendall – Hays Recruitment
Manager
