by Kerry Ferguson | Jan 11, 2022 | News
Last week, although we were closed to clients, we were having a week dedicated just to the business itself. It deserves some TLC, and it’s easy to just go with the flow over the course of a year and forget to update websites, or work on your business.
So, a whole week dedicated to the business and our goals for the future. I thought, why not post on my own website my goals for 2022, as some form of holding myself to account? I’d love to know what your goals are too!
- Write that book! In 2021, I really wanted to write a business related book. There’s lots around in English, but definitely room in the market for ones in Welsh.
- Launch our online courses – this is a business related goal, but one I really do personally want to acheive as well. Again, I think there’s so much room for Welsh courses online, and it’s something I want to help lead the way on.
- Gardening. In 2020, I took on some small amount of gardening. During lockdown 2 at the start of 2021, we completely renovated our garden so that we could grow more (3 beds and lots of pots). This year, I’ve got plenty of books, a journal and a LOT more pots, planters and one extra bed. So, onto the gardening this year, and then the pickling.
- Exercise. In 2021, I signed up to Bethan Davies fitness, and the group PT went very well for me for the first 4 months of the year. It then got busy, and I know I let the excuses dominate. However, by the end of 2021 I was feeling completely gutted that I’d thrown away 4 months of hard work, and was basically back at square 1. So, this year, I am going to focus on myself more – my body, the food I eat and the exercise I undertake. It’s a slow burner, but I have to stay committed this time.
I might add to this … we’ll see! Let me know your goals 🙂
by Kerry Ferguson | Dec 22, 2021 | News
Do you ever sit down and wonder – what have I actually done this year? It’s been another weird one hasn’t it, with Covid still dominating every day. Our office chatter often ends up with us wondering where the year has gone, how has it gone so fast? But then, remember we were basically in lockdown until April weren’t we?
Aside from Covid cancelling a couple of breaks away, and reducing the amount of time we can see family – it hasn’t really had an affect on our ‘office life’. With the huge move to virtual in 2020, most of our clients and events seem quite settled to have everything on Zoom or Teams. I for one definitely find Zoom calls more efficient than the travelling time I was spending in 2019, as well as saving on petrol costs too of course.
By autumn 2021, I was beginning to feel a bit stuck in the same Covid rut, I have to admit. I think many of us are the same to be honest. At the start of the year I’d written down some goals, and in August realised I hadn’t even started to look at them. Cue some panic during late summer and autumn, wondering where the year has gone and what have I achieved. But, it’s been a busy year and I’ve found it more important than ever this year to reflect on what we’ve done. It’s so easy to forget, and not pat yourself on the back. For myself as well, I’ve definitely felt a lot more anxious this year about the general day-to-day, so looking back, and having some time to reflect, is definitely worthwhile.
Things I wanted to do… but didn’t: write a book, launch online courses, launch a website academy. Still, there’s 2022 right!
Digital Women Awards: I was genuinly shocked to have been shortlisted for two awards at the Digital Women Awards 2021 – Role Model of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year. Not only that, but I was listed as one of the 40 Digital Women to Watch in 2021 too. Now that was definitely something on my bucket list!
Becoming an Aberystwyth Town Council Councillor: this wasn’t on my list of things to do for a while, but I was approached by a few different people when some seats came up for co-option. It was something I had planned to do later on in my 30s to be honest, but why pass on the opportunity? Also, being a Town Councillor linked in quite well to other community things I do. It’s been a big learning curve, the councillors have been very supportive and I’ve enjoyed the difference I’ve managed to make to my local community. Next year, it’s elections – so there will be plenty of campaigning before May! I’ve yet to decide if I’ll go for County Councillor or not…
Aberystwyth University Tutor: My first interview in years, and potentially, my first ever ‘real’ interview too, to apply to become a Tutor with the Lifelong Learning department at Aberystwyth University. They offer a range of short, online courses for anyone to purchase, and when I applied I thought it would be a great opportunity to showcase the expertise we have.
Facebook Blueprint Community Manager: a tough exam, but I was absolutely delighted to pass my Facebook Blueprint Community Manager exam this year. I’ve got 2 Blueprint badges now, and just need to plan and work on the next one.
Ardal Aberystwyth Rotary: I was asked to join a new Rotary club that was being set up in Aberystwyth, and before long, was putting my name in to be the first Llywydd (President). As a new club, we did feel it was important to emphasize that it was open to women, all ages – and well, basically just to everyone. Gone are the days of old-fashioned Rotary clubs! It’s been such fun since we began meeting in the summer, and we’ve already supported some great events. Our official charter arrived 1st December 2021. I can feel 2022 will be an exciting year.
Forward Ladies Awards: you may have read some blogs of mine talking about the Forward Ladies Awards in 2018. Honestly, they have been such an important part of my journey, so it was a delight to be shortlisted again this year! No Award on the night, but being listed against some fantastic women once again was an honour.
Gwe Cambrian Web: I can’t do a reflection on the year without quickly mentioning the business! In January 2021 we took on our first ever full time member of staff! We are since a team of 3 with Catrin onboard since June, and we are advertising for 2 full time positions. Hopefully this time next year, we’ll be a strong team of 5! We also took a huge office move in November as well, moving from our place on Bridge Street in Aberystwyth to above Nationwide on the main street. A much larger space for us to grow into, and we’ll also be able to open up our hot desks again in the new year as well. Finally, we smashed our record of website launches, from 26 in 2020, to 44 this year. Lots of hard work from the team, I’m so proud!
Holidays: Despite Covid, we’ve had 3 fantastic holidays to Scotland, and also explored county Durham as well. It’s important to me to take time away from work and also from Aberystwyth. Exploring parts of the UK was something we did pre-Covid, and although I miss going abroad and discovering new cultures, I’ve enjoyed discovering a lot more of Scotland.
When I started thinking about reflecting back on the year, I found myself feeling a tad deflated I’ll be honest. It’s been a hard year. I have found myself being quite anxious, I’ve dropped a few balls along the way and felt overwhelmed at times. But then I look back on what I have achieved and I know I can feel proud about the year. I’m looking forward to some time off over Christmas, to allow my brain to have a bit of a clear out. I’ve already got my Forward Ladies Goal Setting book, and I’m already feeling those first tinges of excitement for a new year.
What on earth can 2022 have in store? Aside from a few Scottish holidays…
by Kerry Ferguson | Dec 10, 2021 | News
You may have seen that I’m a tutor for Aberystwyth University’s Lifelong Learning department, and in January I’ve got two Welsh language courses launching with them:
Marchnata ar y Cyfryngau Cymdeithasol: a social media marketing course, we’ll be looking at setting social media goals, creating a strategy, and how to use each platform. Of course, there’s a fair bit more along the way but that’s the nutshell.
Find out more here.
Creu Podlediadau: creating podcasts – this was a popular course I ran in English during the autumn 2021, and it’ll be back in Welsh for January. Taking you right from the acorn of an idea, to producing your own podcast by the end of the 10 week course.
Find out more here.
by Kerry Ferguson | Oct 22, 2021 | News
I’m really delighted to have been shortlisted for the Forward Ladies National Awards (Female Entrepreneur Category) this year. I was last involved in the Forward Ladies in 2018 – which feels like an absolutely age ago – when I won the Regional Final for Young Entrepreneur for Wales, North West & Northern Ireland. It was a fantastic journey for me and 2018 a pivotal year in my career I believe.
The awards this year are a little different, thanks to Covid – there was a live judging however it wasn’t the usual full on networking day that I experienced in 2018! I’ve been following the Forward Ladies work now over the past year or so and I’ve taken so much away from their membership already.
Good luck to everyone involved in the awards ceremony at the end of November – and fantastic job to everyone for being shortlisted!
by Kerry Ferguson | Sep 3, 2021 | News
I’m really pleased to be tutoring at Aberystwyth University over the coming term, as part of the Lifelong Learning department. For 2021/2022, I will be teaching three courses, one alongside fellow digital marketer Lucy Kemish from LK Digital Marketing.
This year I’ll be teaching Creating Podcasts, Enterprise: You Can Do It and a Welsh language course, Marchnata ar y Cyfryngau Cymdeithasol.
All of the courses are online, and self paced (although yes, there is homework). I spent plenty of time over the summer lesson planning and pre-recording my lectures into short, digestable lessons.
I am hoping for 2022 onwards to also teach more modules with Aberystwyth University, keep your eye out for information on that.
The Lifelong Learning department at Aberystwyth also teach a range of courses within humanities, languages, art and design, science and history. Visit their website to find out more.
by Kerry Ferguson | Mar 10, 2021 | News
I had a few things on my bucket list for 2021, and I definitely wasn’t expecting anything like this! Absolutely chuffed to have been named as one of the 40 Digital Women to Watch in 2021 at the Digital Women Shortlist Awards on International Women’s Day.
I was also lucky to be shortlisted on two other awards too – Role Model of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year – absolutely astonished!
To see the whole shortlist, visit this webpage on the Digital Women website: https://digitalwomen.live/learn/digital-women-awards-2021-shortlists
I would like to wish everyone who was shortlisted the very best of luck and to those that had applied/been nominated and weren’t listed – GO FOR IT AGAIN. Honestly, please don’t feel put down, go for it again!
