Straw Hat shines with help from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber
Warwickshire-based Straw Hat Communications is finding new success following business support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Faye Hatton, from Kenilworth, founded Straw Hat in 2020 after calling a hiatus on her automotive and motorsport PR career, which had seen her work for some of the leading global brands.
With three children, she launched the communications business to be able to work flexibly while caring for her family. Despite early success offering copywriting services to small clients, Faye wondered if specialising her offering would take her to new heights.
Following a referral to the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, she accessed support through the Accelerated Growth programme. This led to one-to-one coaching from business adviser Sarah Humphreys and a subsequent transformation in the business.
Faye said: “Put simply, the Chamber business support played a pivotal role in my business.
“Up to working with the Chamber, I had a gut instinct that I was heading down the wrong track. Business was growing and was working around my family but I knew I could have greater earning potential and job satisfaction with some clarity around the services I offered. I was lost.
“Thanks to Sarah and the Chamber, I discovered I wanted to return to the world of cars. Sarah asked about what I used to. I answered with a smile on my face and passion in my heart. It was a lightbulb moment. There were happy tears!
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“Instead of general copywriting work, I now specialise in PR for automotive and motorsport brands. It’s the type of work I love and makes the most of my experience and skillset.”
“Sarah helped me discover certain character traits – such as warmth, energy and ambition – that I now use to sell myself and the business,”
“I also benefitted from Sarah’s perspective as someone who has run a business as the parent of young children. She’s been there. She’s juggled work with the school run. She’s plonked the kids in front of the TV for an hour to get something done.
“The fact she understood me from the perspective of a business coach and woman was incredibly powerful. I’d urge business owners to contact the Chamber for help because it can be a game changer, just like it was for me.”
Between 2020 and 2022, Straw Hat’s turnover steadily increased and continues to land new work, with plenty more in the pipeline.
Sarah said: “It’s great to see the difference Chamber support has had for Faye and I am so pleased to see how empowered and driven she is.
“In many ways, Faye had all the answers but I just asked the right questions to help her get the business to where she wants it to be.
“All the challenges that Faye has identified will resonate with many business owners – especially parents – and I’d urge others to get in touch to find out how we can help.”
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