On Thursday 4th October Cumbrian business leaders gathered at the AW Jenkinson Suite, Penrith Rugby Club to help Samantha Gargett celebrate the launch of her new business, Samantha Gargett Consultancy Ltd, the first division of which will trade as Elton Business Support. The event was officially opened and supported by Sue Howorth of the Family Business Network.
During the launch Samantha outlined the services that she will offer throughout Cumbria, Northumbria and Lancashire, which include: Outside looking in business reviews, customer and employee perception audits and on the job staff training. Specialist HR support will also be offered by Sue Kaveney of Kaveney HR Solutions who is working with Samantha as a preferred partner. She also discussed details of her 2018 “Elton Elf” Christmas fundraiser for Eden Valley Hospice and CFM Cash for Kids and was joined by some of the businesses who will be taking part for a group photoshoot with the famous Elf!
The launch highlight was an insight interview conducted by Sue Howorth with Justine Carruthers, founder and managing Director of Penrith based Traybakes. Justine shared both the highs and lows of her business journey and offered delegates some samples of her delicious Chocolate Brownie and Peppermint Crunch Traybakes, much to the delight of everyone who attended. Delegates were each handed goodie bags containing Traybakes All Butter Flapjack and Coffee courtesy of John Watt to take home with them.
Samantha also invited secondary school students Tasha Armstrong and her own daughter Tasha Gargett to her launch. Tasha Armstrong showcased her homemade chocolate fudge whilst Tasha Gargett welcomed delegates and spoke at the event. Samantha said: “I feel it is so important for young people to be given the opportunity to network with business leaders, this helps them gain the confidence and knowledge to interact in this type of arena. I would urge more businesses to give young people the chance to be involved in their events and for schools to make it easier for young people to engage in this way.
“I am overwhelmed at the amount of people who took the time to attend my business launch. I feel this is testament to the support businesses from our region show one another. Both Elton Finance and my new venture Elton Business Support are small family businesses, yet we have been welcomed into the business community by both small, medium and large companies alike and for that I am very grateful.”
Samantha was joined at the launch by her parents Jennifer and George Bell of Elton Finance. Winners of the 2018 Cumbrian Family Business Awards, Penrith based Elton Finance was launched by George almost 30 years ago, Jennifer and Samantha then joined him around 6 years ago to oversee marketing and compliance. Samantha will remain in her role as Director within her family business alongside her new venture.