Kenilworth's newest digital marketing business LoudLocal has just moved into its first office as it continues to support the next wave of start up businesses.

LoudLocal, which itself only began trading in April 2021, was launched to help companies get off the ground and support established small and medium sized businesses.

Run by engaged couple Leon Hidderley and Priya Pandit, LoudLocal was conceived during the pandemic as the two saw how businesses were struggling to cope.

Having only been trading for six months they have moved into their own premises on Queen's Road, a full two years before they had expected to.

Getting off the ground

Both Leon and Priya, who worked in marketing and project management, were made redundant during the first lockdown and found it difficult to find employment in a struggling industry.

"It started to knock our confidence and we were wondering whether there was something wrong with us," said Priya.

"Then we decided to go in together and pool our talents."

As much as LoudLocal is a business, it was set up with the idea of helping others achieve their goals.

"We didn't just want to start a business to just make money, it wasn't about that, it was about the time that we are in and about helping local businesses in that area," said Priya.

"LoudLocal is more about helping local businesses and start ups.

"Over the pandemic the ones that have survived are the ones that are able to adapt and change and have been agile to do that, but the ones that haven't made it are the ones that weren't able to adapt."

After just six months LoudLocal now works with over 40 small businesses, helping them with all aspects of their branding and marketing.

Leon added: "We have the knowledge and experience; people have been very surprised about our range of experiences being such a small business.

"We do everything, from websites to social media management."

Helping others

As well as going "above and beyond" for their clients, LoudLocal was started with the ambition not just to support clients, but the wider community.

LoudLocal is already in talks with Kenilworth-based charities to offer its services for free, and Priya has taken on a role at the Kenilworth Chamber of Trade to get involved in local business.

The company is also about to hire its first members of staff through the government's Kickstart scheme - having not intended to expand for at least another two years.

But the early success of LoudLocal has allowed it to expand far faster than expected.

"That's one of the reason we are in the office, we are at the stage now where we can support people who are in need of work," said Leon.

"When we were younger we didn't have typical upbringings, we have both spent many years finding it very difficult to move forward in life having not gone down the typical route of just going to school and on to university."

LoudLocal is also booked to go into a local school and a children's home to run workshops with the children.

Priya added: "We are trying to do different things to help local businesses, local communities and the younger generations."

Flexibility

With two young children of their own, Priya and Leon said they recognise the importance of being flexible for their customers who are likely to be starting their new businesses around other commitments.

As well as covering all areas of digital marketing, Loud Local also aims to give an approachable, and transparent service to its clients.

"Our aim is to help businesses develop and grow, so we are open, transparent and approachable," said Priya.

Leon added: "We are accessible, not using acronyms or jargon. And we listen to the businesses and are able to give suggestions that would be best for them."

To find out more follow this link to the LoudLocal website.