Member Article

Warwickshire media entrepreneur motoring to success after feeling 'lost'

A Warwickshire media entrepreneur is accelerating towards success after admitting feeling ‘lost’ before accessing business support.

Kenilworth-based Faye Hatton founded Straw Hat Communications in 2020 after taking a break from her successful automotive and motorsport PR career, where she’d worked for some of the leading brands on the planet.

After having three children, she launched the communications business to fit around her family. Although the company enjoyed early success providing copywriting services to small clients, Faye sensed the potential to do better if she specialised her offering.

She was referred by a contact to the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and accessed support through the Accelerated Growth programme, which forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

That led to one-to-one coaching from business adviser Sarah Humphreys, which has transformed the business and Faye’s thinking.

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!

“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.”

Between 2020 and 2022, Straw Hat’s turnover steadily increased and continues to land new work, with plenty more in the pipeline.

“Sarah helped me discover certain character traits – such as warmth, energy and ambition – that I now use to sell myself and the business,” Faye added.

“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.”

Sarah urged other businesses in the region to make the most of the help on offer. She 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.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .