August Talk with Jodie Fraser

It’s the first week of August – the month of holidays, summer fun and time off for many people. How are small business owners coping with the month often known as ‘silly season’?

Today we're talking to Jodie Fraser, Managing Director of Fraser Allen Estate Management.
They are an award-winning residential block management company, predominately based in Cheltenham, Bristol and Bromsgrove.

How is August looking in your business? Does this month hold any special significance in your business? Anniversary, milestone, accreditation, new premises? New staff?
Fraser Allen Estate Management will be 6 years old on 2nd August, and despite a few bumps in the road, I am really proud of the company’s success. 

What are your personal plans for this month? Can you give us a ‘tip’ for places to visit during this summer month?
August is also my 5-year wedding anniversary, so I am looking forward to a trip away to celebrate.  After so many travel restrictions the past few years, this will be a welcomed break.

August 20 is World Photo Day – can you share a photo which means something to you this year so far?
Back in March, I was lucky enough to be able to do a sky dive over The Palm in Dubai.  It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s significant to me because I realised that I really can do anything that I set my mind to.

Did you know August 21 is World Entrepreneurs Day? What does this word mean to you and do you apply it to yourself?
Being an entrepreneur is widely considered to be someone who starts their own business.  However, I see it as someone who can take their knowledge and talents and make something new out of it.  I took my knowledge of the industry and applied kindness and empathy to create my business. 

An entrepreneur learns from their mistakes and from everything around them and make every new experience, good or bad, an opportunity for growth. 

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too? Who has gone the extra mile for you recently? 
I would personally like to give a shout out to my coach Taz Thornton who has been a lifeline for me professionally and personally for the past 6 months. She takes time to understand what I need, even when it may sound irrational, and she helps me through everything bit by bit.  I can’t thank you enough. 

We are in a cost-of-living crisis at the moment? Is that impacting you at all in life or business? Do you have any money-saving tips you can share?
I think it is impacting everyone in various ways. For the business, it is impacting leaseholders who are struggling to pay their service charge.  On top of this, the cost of materials is rising as well as electricity prices.  The electricity price rises are a particular concern as residents must pay the electricity costs on their flat as well as the communal costs within their service charge.  It’s really having a knock-on effect to everyone.  As a company, we have started to work with a broker who can find and place electricity contracts at the best rates possible, so we try and help as much as possible with costs. 

Have you got any events planned for the autumn you’d like to shout about – either that you are running or attending?
We are pleased to announce that we are the headline sponsor for the Charity Dinner on behalf of The Hollie Gazzard Trust as well as working with the Trust to continue to raise awareness of domestic abuse. 

The Hollie Gazzard Trust is a small local charity which not only serves the local community but is having reach worldwide. Domestic abuse, stalking and knife crime are big societal issues that hides below the surface. This makes for uncomfortable conversations and so have been ignored, which allows the issue to continue to breed. More open discussions are needed, more education is required, and the laws need to be developed so much further than what is currently in place.

The Trust is all about creating positive change in this field, and we’re privileged to be involved.

Have you got any services or special offers you’d like to mention?  
If you would like to make a donation to The Hollie Gazzard Trust, you can do so here – www.holliegazzard.enthuse.com/pf/fraser-allen-estate-management

And finally, August 16 is National Tell a Joke Day? Can you tell us a joke and raise a laugh?
Did you hear about the guy who invented the knock-knock joke?
He won the “no-bell” prize.

For more information visit https://www.fraserallenem.co.uk/