8 Cheshire women in business who can help make your daily life just a little bit easier
RACHEL FLETCHER
Head of Crime and Regulatory, Slater Heelis
What's special about your business?
Dealing with people. The favourite part of being a solicitor is the client contact. People come to me when they are in a vulnerable position and I enjoy helping them through what is always a difficult time in their lives; whether they are looking at losing their driving licence or their liberty, I am passionate about defending my clients and ensuring the best outcome for their case.
What's your best piece of business advice and the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Two pieces of advice that were given to me when I was a trainee: Don't chase money, chase success. Don't concern yourself with the competition. Two pieces of advice I'd give: We're all entitled to one mistake, admit it, learn from it and move on. Know more than your opponent.
What do you love about your job?
It's never boring. I'm intrigued by the human psyche and looking at their behaviour. If I wasn't a lawyer, I'd be a criminologist!
86 Deansgate, Manchester, 0161 969 3131, slaterheelis.co.uk/crime
JAN CHILLERY
Insolvency Partner Aaron & Partners LLP
What do you love about your job?
For almost twenty years I've helped people who face personal or company insolvency. What I love best is being able to use my knowledge to make a significant positive change to their lives. I've had meetings with tearful directors who haven't been able to sleep because of the worry of not paying their staff, knowing how much their staff depend on them. I can give them the tools to manage the situation so that the problems are reduced. Often I can give them options they didn't know about. Even if I can't, I help them think clearly and see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's a wonderful thing to do.
If you could go back and tell your 13-year-old self something, what would it be?
I'd tell the 13-year-old me to be passionate about what you choose to do in life. Only if you're passionate about it will you spend the time needed to be a real expert. Regularly lift your sights and plan where you're going and the steps you need to get there.
How do you unwind?
My 12-year-old daughter and I go horse riding together regularly. We both love it and last month we had the "best ride ever" with Quantock Trekking near Taunton. Spending time with her fills me with happiness and reminds me how lucky I am.
Grosvenor Court, Foregate Street Chester, Cheshire CH1 1HG 01244 405441/07912 781629, aaronandpartners.com
SARAH HOGAN
Owner/Chartered Financial Planner, KBA FS Ltd
What's special about your business?
We originated as a family firm that has grown to 20 staff and three offices in the last few years including Leigh, Lancashire, Nantwich, Cheshire and Bishopsgate London. In Financial Planning 90% of the population are men but we are not only led by a woman - we have 50% male and female advisers which is very rare. We specialise in business owners, estate planning but we also have a division that specialises in working with people after the loss of a loved one or throughout a divorce. We won Top Financial Adviser North West and Team Leader of the Year UK at the 2019 Women in Financial Advice Awards.
What's your best piece of business advice?
Don't give up. Failure is only Failure if you Fail to try again.
If you could go back and tell your 13 year-old self something, what would it be?
There will be good times and harder times in your life but always remember everything is just a phase, it won't go on forever. Enjoy the good times and in the bad times, dust yourself off and keep your head high. If you dip your head too low, your tiara will fall off.
21 High Street, Nantwich, CH5 5AH 01270 696293, Kbafinancial.com
ALISON BRENNAN
Partner DTM Legal LLP
What's special about your business?
We have grown alongside many of our clients' businesses and so understand the challenges they face. We have a lot of talented people working for us and deliver first class advice, but equally we don't take ourselves too seriously and, I hope, are far from your stereotypical bunch of lawyers!
What do you love about your job?
The opportunity to get to know and understand many different types of businesses and to be a trusted adviser and friend to my clients as their businesses develop. For many people the thought of wading through a complicated contract is terrifying and so the fact that it's something I actually enjoy and am happy to do for my clients is an added bonus.
How do you unwind?
When I'm not acting as a chauffeur ferrying my children to all their many activities I enjoy a bit of swim, bike, run action with Chester Tri, and find exercise is definitely the best way to unwind and recharge (it also means I'm allowed to eat cake and drink wine, which are two of my other favourite pastimes!)
Archway House, Station Road, Chester CH1 3DR 01244 354800, dtmlegal.com
ANNE WOOLLEY
Counsellor Libertas Therapy
What's special about your business?
At Libertas Therapy, we strive to diminish the stresses and strains of everyday life. When our clients walk through the door, we try to offer an ambience of peace in what can feel like a chaotic world. Whether our client is having a session for counselling or an aromatherapy massage, our ethos is to offer a tailored approach. There is a synergy between the physical and emotional well being and we try to meet the needs of both.
What do you love about your job?
I feel like I have the best job in the world! As a counsellor, I get to watch people's journeys and I am blessed to work with some amazingly talented and compassionate people who care about each other and their clients. I feel like coming into work is a pleasure, never a chore.
What would you go back and tell your 13-year-old self?
I would say, 'don't worry so much!' Learn to enjoy and appreciate the small things in life and finally, find something you really enjoy doing, because you spend a long time doing it!!
Banksia House, Mill Lane Lymm, Cheshire WA13 9SG 01925 758971 libertastherapy.co.uk
VICTORIA MALTBY AND GEMMA CAREY
Co-founders and Directors, Philosophy PR
What's special about your business?
Our wide ranging experience and the fact that we've worked together for more than 15 years. Also, the way that we approach each brief, offering an individual service that is thoughtfully considered and carefully planned to ensure maximum results. We really care about the end result and our client's happiness with the overall success of a campaign.
What do you love about your job?
Definitely working for ourselves and our lovely portfolio of clients who are just fantastic. We have wonderful working relationships with all of our clients who are now friends. Every day is different, fast-paced and with fresh challenges, but it really is a pleasure to work in partnership with our clients while also developing our business which is going from strength-to-strength.
What keeps you focused?
As busy working mums of young children, the ability to combine a fulfilling career while still being fully involved in our children's lives keeps us extremely focused. Being our own bosses means that we can work hard but flexibly to deliver an exceptional job for clients and be there when it matters for the children. Maintaining a good work life balance is important to us.
Based in Cheadle Hulme and Timperley: Victoria: 07944 150043, Gemma: 07944 150051 Philosophypr.co.uk
SIMONE BERISFORD-INCE
Managing Director, Molly Maid Cheshire & High Peak
What's special about your business?
We are the largest Domestic Cleaning Company in the area and have been operating for nearly 19 years. The Molly Maid brand is known for 'Quality, Service and Value'. We are a professional organisation and invest heavily in recruiting and training high quality staff. We pay good wages, so staff are loyal and hard working. We send the same two maids each time, ensuring customers have continuity and reliability. We provide all cleaning equipment and environmentally friendly products and our staff are all uniformed, insured and bonded.
What do you love about your job?
I love the difference we make to people's lives. It might be an elderly couple, struggling to cope with illness or Alzheimer's, or a younger, busier household where quality time is at a premium. In all cases, we help relieve life's stresses and leave behind a beautifully clean, shiny home, providing our customers with peace of mind.
What keeps you focused?
Ensuring that our customers get the best possible service and that our staff are properly remunerated, so that they can support their families.
95 Town Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire WA16 7HH 01565 889900, mollymaid.co.uk
KAREN ALICE PERRY
Founder & Managing Director, Alice Chilton In Home Care Services & Alice Chilton Cleaning
What's your best piece of business advice?
The principles I have applied throughout my career are 'lead by example': by doing so you show what is possible and, more importantly, you earn trust. Also, 'surround yourself with great people', never be afraid of the skills and knowledge of others, don't see an individual threat, focus on collective success.
If you could go back and tell your 13 year-old self something, what would it be?
Make no apologies for who you are, or your ambition, it has taken me a long time to be comfortable with this. I wish I'd had the confidence to embrace this when I was younger.
How do you unwind?
When I've got a lot on my mind and difficult decisions to make, the only way for me to truly unwind is to have 'headspace'. That means escaping to somewhere I feel free; the countryside, The Lakes or a beach. When I can see for miles; have an open sky above me, and peace, that's when clarity comes - and with it calmness.
29 The Paddock, Handforth, Cheshire, SK9 3HQ 01625 526850, alicechilton.com / alicechiltoncleaning.co.uk
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