Your Total Guide To Business

May Talk with Katharine Skellon

The end of May is fast coming around and plans are afoot everywhere for the upcoming Platinum Jubilee where we celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Each week we speak to business owners to find out how things are going for them. Today we're talking to Katharine Skellon who is a freelance journalist and co-owner of Sudol Media Services, based in Monmouthshire, South Wales.

May is the last month of Spring – how has Spring been for you so far in your business?
Spring is the season of new beginnings which has motivated our clients to boost their businesses. One client has focussed on giving their website a makeover, whilst another in hospitality has been very busy with the start of the wedding season and expanding their accommodation collection.

Have you got any milestones coming up?
We don’t have any milestones coming up but last month marked my two-year anniversary since joining my husband in the business. Looking ahead, we are looking forward to attending our first in-person networking event at the end of the month.

This has been a challenging time for some businesses – with issues around supply chains and cost of living rises – how are you facing that as a business or as a consumer?
It is a really challenging time for many businesses, particularly for our hospitality clients. The industry is struggling to replace staff and is facing increasing costs of food and drink. As consumers we have seen the energy bills soar and costs of fuel rise.

Do you have any money-saving tips or hacks you could share?
Writing a weekly food menu is one of my top money-saving tips, as well as swapping buying branded products for own-brand alternatives. I’ve also started growing my own herbs in the garden as I noticed how much I was spending on fresh herbs each week.

Do you have any plans for the Queen’s Jubilee at home, in your community or in your business?
We are going to a Jubilee Street Party in Raglan, Monmouthshire on June 5. Organised by Raglan Festival, it will be a wonderful way to celebrate such an historic occasion. The whole community will come together to mark the event and enjoy a day of entertainment from local musicians, choirs, schoolchildren and entertainers. I’m excited to see the popular Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band perform on stage in the evening.

Have you ever met the Queen?
I haven’t met the Queen but I was privileged to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2017, which she hosted with the late Duke of Edinburgh. She has a wonderful presence, an incredible eye for fashion and an aura that is just magic.

What do you think of our Queen?
As our country’s longest-serving monarch, she’s steadfast, constant and dutiful. To me, she is an incredible role model and has given the UK stability during her extraordinary reign.

Did you know May is National Walking Month – it’s also one of the most beneficial exercises – do you walk at all?
Yes, even more so since lockdown when we could only go out for walks. A walk and fresh air makes you feel healthier, happier and calmer.

Where is your favourite place to walk?
We are lucky to live on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and are spoilt for beautiful walks around the Monmouthshire countryside. We have the Blorenge and Sugarloaf Mountains on our doorstep. We live alongside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal so that’s where we tend to walk when we can.

What’s your one top business tip to help others be positive about their business at this time?
Set achievable goals and practice self-care. It’s important to take care of your mental and physical wellbeing to help you stay focused, stress-free and to avoid burn out.

Tell us all one thing which we won’t know about you:
I once interviewed a newly-elected Mayor with bird droppings in my hair. I had been waiting for her outside the entrance to the Town Hall, which is a notorious resting place for pigeons. She sat through a two-hour interview with a straight face and I didn’t notice it stuck to my hair until I got back to the office!

And here's another:
Whilst on work experience at a teen magazine in London as a 17 year-old I was asked to take part in a photo-shoot. After the feature appeared in the magazine the images were used on a stationary range in WH Smiths. It was quite strange seeing my friends at sixth-form college with me on a folder, pencil tin or notebook.