Karen Lambert is the founder and Chief Happy at Lancashire-based marketing company Happy Creative. Since 2005 Karen and her colleagues have been helping businesses raise their profile, generate leads and attract new customers.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
Happy Creative helps businesses build their brands, raise awareness and generate leads, and we do that the Happy way. I use my 30+ years of marketing expertise and 17 years as a small business owner to help companies achieve more with their marketing. Myself, as Chief Happy, and my team, are helping hundreds and hundreds of companies improve their marketing throughout the UK and beyond.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
I had the opportunity to create something of my own, with my signature, my values and my vision. So I did. I had a very clear vision of how I wanted Happy Creative to be perceived, how I wanted it to behave, and of how I wanted people to feel when they came into contact with the business. That feeling is happiness. A happy, motivated team producing their best will deliver results for customers, which generally makes them happy, which in turn is rewarding for the team and makes them happy too. It’s a neat circle.
I am really proud of what myself and The Happies have created together.
What are the key successes?
I would say that our key successes are …
Clocking up 17 years in business – surviving a recession and a global pandemic!
Creating a highly respected brand and culture
Being a Real Living Wage Employer
Giving back – our purpose is “Spreading Happiness” We gift our time, money and skills to benefit others
What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?
Self belief … can I actually do this? Am I doing the right things? What else should I be doing? It’s a little like “Imposter Syndrome” where you doubt your abilities and feel a little like a fraud.
Growing pains; strong growth spurts come with their own challenges; recruiting new staff, balancing workloads, keeping everyone happy.
Global pandemic; something we’re all dealing with
In terms of overcoming these challenges, I have a wonderful coach and I am a member of Vistage, the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organisation for small to midsize business leaders.
What are your plans now/for the future?
Our goal is to continue to spread happiness; we believe in a kindness economy, where people and planet are as important as profit. The wellbeing of our society matters to us. We have a strong sense of purpose and are actively supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically supporting Goal 2: Zero Hunger and Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. We’re looking forward to celebrating our 18th Birthday next year, what a key milestone that will be!
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Firstly, I think it’s worth being realistic and sharing that it isn’t always easy. When you bring a business and brand into the world, it becomes a real living thing … you have ultimate responsibility for it, you’re its guardian and keeper, and it naturally always occupies a place in your mind (and your heart).
If that inspires you and you have something you believe in, go for it #noregrets.
Can you share you top tips for entrepreneurial success?
My 3 top tips would be:
Be clear on what you stand for … your values, and how you help. Position your offer in the eyes of a customer. Ask “what will the outcome be for the customer as a result of working with you? Better sales? More efficient? Less downtime? Look younger?”
Build an authentic brand … Always be true to who you are. Create a culture to be proud of.
Surround yourself with wonderful people. Inside and outside of the business. People who inspire you, people who challenge you, people who will hold you accountable and equally tell you when you’re doing great.
Who are the 5 people who inspire you the most and why?
Oooh that’s tough; so many people inspire me. In every day life from those who are dealing with their own challenges to those who can enthral an audience.
The common qualities are: humility, courage, and taking action even when it’s tough. I am currently listening to Dr Rangan Chatterjee (Feel Better, Live More), Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes (The High Performance Podcast), Sean Dyche (Burnley Football Club Manager) and reading Gabrielle Bernstein (author & speaker) Paula Reid (author, speaker and South Pole conqueror).
What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?
Always believe something wonderful is about to happen
Happiness is when what you say, what you do and what you think are all aligned
Shine bright like a diamond
Choose your reaction
Be kind whenever possible, it’s always possible
What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?
https://www.facebook.com/HappyCreative1
https://www.linkedin.com/company/happy-creative-limited
https://www.instagram.com/happycreativehq/
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