Let's Celebrate Local!

By Danielle Holmes, co-director of Black Nova Designs Ltd which offers full IT solutions, to personal and business users, from simple laptop repairs through to full e-commerce website designs. The one stop shop, based in Calne, Wiltshire, a team which prides itself on making your hardware and website work for you.

How are you feeling about your business?  

August is very often our quietest time of year; I think the sunshine and holidays can outweigh the need to be indoors on laptops and computers. 

The business is so far on track with regards to development and client work, we have a very positive outlook for this year’s goals and achievements so far.

We are very proud to have been able to continue supporting all current and new clients with all their requirements – especially with the increased need for good wifi for Zoom calls etc. 

How are you feeling about business in general? 

Whilst anyone in the IT and technology industry have been very fortunate throughout 2020, there is an overall uneasy feel about the future of some small businesses, sadly.  

Tell us how you now apply this phrase to your business and/or life ‘buy local supply local’. 

1.    Local business has always been a core value to us, and will continue to be. 

2.    Working with local clients and suppliers provides us with an invaluable bond and network within our local area.

3.    We have built stronger bonds with other small local businesses to provide more opportunities for success together as a team.

What has changed for you positively as a result of lockdown? 

An uplift in understanding the critical role technology plays in almost all businesses - and the need for it to be responsive, reliable and safe. 

Our team are passionate about helping to create a wider knowledge of what is needed daily and to ensure everything works reliably for all clients no matter how small their requirements.

As a business we actually hired more staff to ensure the high levels of customer service were kept up, as we saw a huge increase in daily enquiries and opportunities to help a wider audience. 

What makes a good local business?

Honesty, realistic time frames, reliable and good connections locally. Trading in an ethical way is a big one for us, as the IT industry is not regulated and therefore often comes under scrutiny when comes to costs and understanding - any business should do some due diligence around which provider they use and their reputation. 

Can you name a local business which you support around food & drink? 

During lockdown we have supported many local establishments to update website copy, notices, bookings and even helped with wifi and guest wifi installations into pub gardens to ensure full reliable signal from the bar to the end of the garden. 

Two local clients who have worked really hard to ensure they can serve customers are the Somerford Arms and the Three Crowns Brinkworth. Both pubs have been able to logistically and safely open with distancing and open gardens where necessary. 

https://www.threecrownsbrinkworth.co.uk/

https://www.somerfordarms.com/

Can you shout out to any local customers you'd like to celebrate? 

1.    Hayley Hanson's new website, a great development to get live over the last few months - https://www.hayleyhanson.co.uk/

2.    Simply Soph, for her positivity and social media posts over lock down = https://www.simplysophbeauty.co.uk/

3.    Farm Consultancy Group for their new business and continued support https://fcgagric.com/

Can you shout out to any local suppliers you wish to celebrate? 

1.    Fiona Scott for the new power hours and monthly heads up on upcoming opportunities - https://www.fionascottmediaconsultancy.co.uk/

2.    Merlin Equine Services – absolutely incredible support, and services provided going above and beyond expectations  - http://www.merlinequineservices.co.uk/house-cleaning/

3.    KeyFlow Feeds, always keeping our ponies hydrated and in top condition nutritionally regardless of the worlds other issues  https://keyflowfeeds.com/

Can you name someone who has had your back during lockdown? 

Tara Best, our business coach has been at the end of the phone. On the good days and the bad she has been there. Keeping us accountable, ensuring we celebrate any success, helping our team mindset to ensure even on the most stressful days we can see the silver lining. 

Ensuring our vision, our customer journey and our mission statement is always at the heart of everything we do. Tara is there for us as a business any time of the day for advice, support. I would recommend her as a coach to anyone

https://www.tarapunterpr.co.uk/

Can you name one person in your life who has really helped you during this time? 

There are a combination of extraordinary teams and people who have made these past few months a lot easier. We couldn’t name just one, as we are very grateful for the support team, we have around us. 

What are your business plans for Q4? 

Continue to support as many clients we can, now we have two new staff members who will help us provide a great service at the same affordable price as before. 

Any special offers you’d like to mention? 

Offering Website hosting for £84 per year, free SSL and free transfer from cpanel and no hidden fees. 

For more information check out https://www.blacknovadesigns.co.uk/web-hosting/ or call on 01793 210045