“Just start. My business is online and the website went live with just one listing. It really has changed so much, but it was important to me to get it out there and out on the search engines.” – Emma Kisby

Founder@ Interview

Interview with Emma Kisby

“Just start. My business is online and the website went live with just one listing. It really has changed so much, but it was important to me to get it out there and out on the search engines. Everything else followed later. I’ll never reach perfection – and I have to just accept that, as long as I keep working hard..” – Emma Kisby

Today we feature Emma Kisby, the founder at Face2Face Direct. We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.

Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?

I’m Emma Kisby and I’m a blogger from Maidenhead, Berkshire. I own a family blog, but a couple of years ago I decided that I wanted to create a service for my local area – so I set up Face2Face Direct. It’s a business directory but with a bit of a difference.

I have combined my passion for blogging by showcasing local businesses with a blog post about their services. They also include an interview and most have a video – all to find out more about the face behind the business!

A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?

I actually had quite a different role, as I was an Area Trainer for a large healthcare company. Blogging was something I did mainly as a hobby, but after I had my second child I went part time in my training role.

That gave me more time to focus on the blog and the social media. I also had more time to think about what I really wanted to do – and create something that no-one else had done before.

I liked the idea of having a magazine style website, and supporting local businesses at the same time.

I was out Paddleboarding with a friend. She owns a local Paddleboarding company and wanted me to film her for social media. Afterwards I told her what I wanted to do – and she came up with an idea to have a directory with videos.

As a blogger, I hadn’t considered including videos – but it works. If a business has a video then it can go on their listing. If they don’t, then I can create something simple for them. But it’s optional.

And in addition to the directory, I wanted to add in local events with a ‘what’s on’ guide. That came in a while later – but it’s a nice way for readers to find out what is happening in the area.

Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?

I’m based at my home in Maidenhead. The directory actually grew throughout lockdown (I offered a free year, to help to support small businesses) so I got used to reaching out via social media and email etc. It took a while, but once people got to know who I was they came on board.
A lot goes into each listing, but that’s what I enjoy.

I will ask them a few questions which are bespoke to them, and that forms the Q&A. I then do a bit of research and write a post which explains what they do, what they offer and it includes their contact details and links.
I always make sure they are happy with what has been written before it goes live. I shall then include a few of their images and the video or slideshow will sit underneath.

When I’m not adding listings to the directory, I’m adding local events. If any of the businesses which have listings have something coming up, then I include it on the ‘What’s Happening’ page. Or I will add community events such as seasonal activities.

What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?

I’ve had loads of support. My husband Darrel supported me when I decided to give up my job and focus on Face2Face Direct. And my friend Tara who owns the Paddleboarding business has been great.

She gets me to make her little videos for her own socials and always refers new businesses to me.
It’s been tough though.

I’ve had to get myself out there (and I’m quite the introvert – so it hasn’t come naturally!) But in order for people to use the directory and check out the listings, I’ve had to try different ways. Not just organically but by networking, setting up a Facebook group and using social media.
And it’s not a directory that people are expecting, so it’s been really important that it’s clear and easy to use.

It’s changed and evolved so much since I set it up. I started with just a few listings, but now I’m finding out what people want and how they can be helped. It’s still small, but more people are using it now and they are seeing that I’m someone with a love for writing and who wants to support others.

Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?

I’ve had to realise that although it’s easy to do free things for others, I am also running a business. You have to think differently, and that’s been a challenge for me. It was also a slow start – mainly down to my own insecurities. I designed my website myself, and I’m constantly learning.

But I had to believe in it (or how is anyone else going to?) and I pushed to get businesses on there (and there are some real gems). And kept marketing the directory.

I do think I should had grown it quicker than I did. But I have to remind myself that I was homeschooling as well throughout lockdown. The events page couldn’t had grown like it is now, because everything was online. I would change my money mindset though – and be more business focussed.

People want to know instantly where to find something. That’s why Facebook works. People go into groups and ask simple things for a quick answer. I don’t want to rely on social media, but I do utilise it to drive traffic to Face2Face Direct.
Having the What’s Happening page/guide is great. I’ve written seasonal posts that are so helpful. And also posts about toddler groups, community events and workshops. I post in local groups once I’ve written them – and that’s been great. It also brings people to my social media pages.
Consistency is very important.
When I started the directory, I truly believed everyone would think it would be a great idea. People want to trust you, and they want to see other people cheering you on too.

If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

I’ve been lucky that I’ve had loads of support. But I do think I should had gone into it with a slightly different mindset. I’ve learned along the way – and it’s good to learn. It’s good to make mistakes if you’re going to learn from them.

But my confidence held me back a lot, so it was hard to reach out to others, or even tell people in person what I do!

There will always be times when I think I should go back to an employed job. But I soon remember why I set this up. It can get stressful – but look what I have created!

We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?

My website is a WordPress website with the Divi theme – which is great for doing exactly what I need. The theme has its quirks, but for building pages and creating categories, it’s great. I can customise pages how I want – which is quite different to my family lifestyle blog, which has a different theme altogether.

I use Canva daily – for everything! I cam resize images for the website and for socials, and I can create posts with it. I also love how the phone app links to the desktop version, so images are saved in both places.

Being creative, I make videos for my socials as well. I use Kinemaster – which is a really simple video editing app with a ton of features. I can knock up a little promo vid for Instagram in the evening in front of the TV – I love it! I upload videos to YouTube so I’m not embedding video into my website – and it’s a great platform. Video is big and so is YouTube.

The next thing I want to do is start a Podcast. I am just exploring that. I’d love to interview local business owners, especially those on the directory – to find out even more about them. Watch this space!

What do you know now that you wished you had known before?

People want to know instantly where to find something. That’s why Facebook works. People go into groups and ask simple things for a quick answer. I don’t want to rely on social media, but I do utilise it to drive traffic to Face2Face Direct.

Having the What’s Happening page/guide is great. I’ve written seasonal posts that are so helpful. And also posts about toddler groups, community events and workshops. I post in local groups once I’ve written them – and that’s been great. It also brings people to my social media pages.
Consistency is very important.

When I started the directory, I truly believed everyone would think it would be a great idea. People want to trust you, and they want to see other people cheering you on too.

What has been your greatest or proudest achievement or moment?

Just setting it up and seeing it grow. All the content on there is what I’ve created. I’ll always pick holes in it, and change how the home page looks or alter bits here and there – but that’s what I’ve built. I have to be proud of that.

What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?

Face2Face Direct was originally going to be called Face2Face Maidenhead – with the idea that there would be a Face2Face ‘Reading’ Face2Face ‘Oxford’ etc etc. It would be a franchise.

That’s not in the immediate future though. I want to grow it – and start reviewing businesses and adding on sponsored posts.

I’d like to go out and see what they are all about and so them a write up – it’s something I do already with my Family and Lifestyle blog, so I have experience with working with brands.

But keep it local – that’s what Face2Face Direct is all about.

To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?

Just start. My business is online and the website went live with just one listing. It really has changed so much, but it was important to me to get it out there and out on the search engines.

Everything else followed later.

I’ll never reach perfection – and I have to just accept that, as long as I keep working hard.

“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and Face2Face Direct”

To learn more about Face2Face Direct Visit face2facedirect.com

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