Chat from the Chair – A spring clean

How was your January? Maybe, like me, you have done a bit of wardrobe and garage cleansing. January is often a good time to do a bit of wardrobe cleansing, with new jumpers and socks from Christmas, and then, as you put the bags in the garage, you realise that it needs a cleanse too. It’s quite refreshing once you have done it.

I must admit that when I first looked at the things dumped in the garage, it was a little daunting. I then remembered an adage I often share with coaching clients: “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is one bite at a time. Now it is just a metaphor, and no elephants were harmed in it, and we need to protect that beautiful species. I hope you get the idea from the adage, though, that we tackle seemingly impossible jobs, one bit at a time.

So, with my garage, I set out to do just 15 minutes a day. Now, in reality, that sometimes became 30 minutes, and my son joined me for a big clear-up, but what happened is that before long, we could see the floor! It is still a work in progress, but we now have some tidy shelves, organisation and lots thrown out. Of course, there were some tough decisions, things that had held value once, maybe even some memories. But they no longer served a purpose, and they needed to be recycled or given away to a new home.

You know by now that these stories are a metaphor to help us with life and business.

Business – where am I now?

When I set my business up, it was as a training company focusing on leadership and communication skills. I knew my market and had the equipment and a website to meet that need. In time, one-to-one coaching was added to the portfolio. Then came Covid, and like lots of businesses, I pivoted, and the focus since then has been one-to-one coaching, and online coaching is 80% of what we do. So, recently, I have been looking at resources and things we do to promote the business to work out what is needed now. As part of that, it is about clearing out things no longer needed, a bit like the garage clear-up.

What about you? Where is your business now? Who are your ideal clients now? What marketing is needed to match the now? What needs updating on your website to match the now?

Expert Help

The good thing about being part of the Stowmarket Chamber is that we have businesses that can help you with the changes. Just like my son helping me with specific parts of the garage, we can get expert help in areas where we need it.

Websites: Spi-Des-ign; Syrinx Systems; Magellan Design; 101 Websites and Apps;
Photography: Penny Morgan; Ginger Bee; Wandering River Photography and Video Production
Marketing: Little Piggy Marketing; Morr Marketing; Your Telemarketing; Project Support
Coaching to help you gain clarity: Jane Reason; Everyday Leader
Recruitment to meet your current need: A&S Recruitment; Michelle Denny; Prime Appointments; Netbox;
HR, Onboarding new staff: Moss HR; Pineapple HR
Virtual Assistant: Tracey Wilmshurst Virtual Services
Storage of some items not needed: Secure Stores Nationwide; Squab Storage
Printing (paper/banners etc): Gipping Press
New office furniture: Select Office Furniture
New carpets: Pure Flooring; Archway
Cleaning: Vivo Clean

Just take a look at our membership page https://stowmarketchamber.co.uk/members-directory/ and make time to chat to people in the area that you want a tidy up.

MSBE

We also have the Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition on 25th March, when there will be lots of businesses you can chat to about areas you want to tidy up to be relevant for now. Book a ticket to attend if you are not already attending.

For the Future

So, what is stopping you? Just take 15 mins a day to do some planning of what needs updating. You’ll soon create that list and have a plan to work on. Do chat to us if you need any help.

I’m always happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your wish lists) to [email protected]

Dates for your diary:

Please check the website in case of any last-minute changes.

Breakfast Networking	Coffee Morning
The Mix Stowmarket, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket IP14 1BB	The Pain Relief Clinic, The Green Room 1 Old Tannery Square Stowmarket IP14 1FA
Friday, 20 February 2026	Friday, 6 March 2026
7:15 am to 9:00 am	10:00 am to 12:00 pm

For more information, contact Keely Taylor by email: [email protected].