Red Lodge-based Handy Marketing Company wins 'Best SME Marketing Consultancy' in East Anglia
A self-starting businesswoman was expecting a normal day in her job as a marketing consultant when she was surprised with news that her young company had won a major award.
Clair Bryant was last week pleasantly shocked to discover The Handy Marketing Company had won ‘Best SME Marketing Consultancy’ in the East Anglia category at the SME (Small Medium Enterprise) News Awards for 2021. Red Lodge-based Clair only founded the consultancy 11 months ago and had not even known she was nominated.
She said: “Out the blue, I received an email telling me I had been nominated and asked if I would submit some supporting documents for a judging panel to review. I didn’t think much of it because of the business only being 11 months old.
“But to my shock, a few weeks later, I was told I had won this brilliant award.”
She added: “I have no idea who nominated me, but I am delighted that someone felt that impressed they went out their way to show their support. I want to say thank you to my secret nominator.”
Clair previously attended County Upper school in Bury St Edmunds and then West Suffolk College in the town, training as a graphic designer before taking on a career in senior marketing roles. She had worked for brands including Mott McDonalds, Newmarket Racecourses, and Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group. But it her life changed in May last year when she found herself out of work after being made redundant during the first lockdown.
“Like many people, I was sadly being made redundant for the second time in the early part of 2020 and therefore knowing many businesses were facing uncertainty, I thought it was now or never to set myself up as a consultancy to support local businesses with their marketing requirements.”
Clair is currently working on her own for the project and has been able to use her marketing experience.
She added: “I’ve had such an enjoyable first year of business, people have been so supportive and welcoming, locally I have quite a few clients and it’s been a pleasure to be able to bring value to them.
“From manufacturers, retail and leisure, through to influencers, aviation and IT, I have such a wide range of clients I am really enjoying the variety and bringing results to each of them.”
And while this first award came as a surprise, the next one might not.
“I feel so honoured to receive this award after only 11 months of trading,” Clair said. “I hope it’s a reflection of what’s to come.”
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