Two local success stories in one!
Despite the gloomy economic conditions of the last year, two local companies have been able to report continued growth, and are working together successfully.
Lymington-based citruspr has grown since its formation in 2003 as a specialist P. R. company in the travel and tourism sector with a team of four creative staff, and within the last two months has been appointed by a hotel group in New York and a travel company in Crete. Founder Jenevora Swann and her co-director Fergus Dunipace are hoping to expand further in 2011, and have engaged the services of Mentor-net mentor Emma Lacey, Director of Southampton-based Torque Training, to assist them with their planning. As Jenevora explains: “I was attracted to the Mentor-net Programme by the fact that I could gain professional advice and have someone like Emma to act as a ‘sounding-board’ as we develop our plans to continue to grow citruspr. It is ideal as Emma understands the PR business and can advise from personal experience.” Jenevora appreciates Emma’s involvement, and the constructive challenges which form part of the mentor’s armoury in assisting clients. She commented: “Emma is encouraging us to think more strategically about growing our business, advising us to look ahead financially and at our staffing to ensure we are always working effectively and efficiently both for ourselves and our clients. citruspr has an exciting future ahead and Emma’s business skills and advice are already proving invaluable to us.” In November 2010, citruspr became the 100th client of Mentor-net, which has been trading for just 13 months in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and which offers its service to business owners and directors at nominal fee rates through a team of 50 volunteer mentors. Emma and her colleagues are trained in the delivery of mentor support and receive ongoing development to allow them to address a range of business issues. Emma, who had her own mentor about 10 years ago as she was starting to build her business, originally heard about Mentor-net from a local business newsletter. Emma commented: “ I found my mentor’s advice and guidance invaluable and I feel privileged in being able to offer my experience to other companies and put something back in the way my mentor did a decade ago. I enjoy meeting with Jenevora and Fergus regularly, particularly as we are usually joined by their dog Molly (!), and I am able to offer them words of advice, encouragement and also challenge decisions about to be made.” For both citruspr and Mentor-net, 2011 promises to be another year of growth and success. ENDS Words: 430
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