2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the Wiltshire Business Awards. It also marks my fifth year in business as an entrepreneur with my company, Visually Explained. Thus, it’s extra special that 2019 sees me a finalist in two categories:
- Visually Explained: Micro Business of the Year. Sponsored by The Enterprise Network (TEN)
- As myself, Yola O’Hara: Business Person of the Year. Sponsored by RSM.
Creating my business from scratch, I have, over the last four years, developed it to a point where I’ve moved it from a home office to serviced business offices. I’ve also taken on a freelance content writer and doubled my turnover.
I have a clear vision for the future of my business and the experiences I gained in an extensive corporate career, combined with my academic background, place me in a perfect position to bring that vision to life.
Polish born, I graduated from the Warsaw School of Economics then gained a post-graduate qualification in logistics. I worked in logistics, for a range of global companies, until I took a career break to raise twin boys.
On returning to work I took a role researching for a supply chain company before moving into data visualisation. The experience I gained in that graphic design-based role inspired me to take the plunge and enter the entrepreneur’s world with Visually Explained.
From that germ of an idea, I’ve grown the business to where it is today. Having identified a growing need for social media outsourcing, training and social media audits we revamped our website to better reflect our new direction and our services.
We provide a great service in an area that many businesses find daunting and confusing at best – and, frankly, worrying at worst. Which is why it’s great that, in 2019, we’ve entered into a partnership with the digital marketing agency Total Guide To … In conjunction with them, we’re offering LinkedIn training and social media training both for beginners and advanced users. The training demonstrates how to familiarise oneself with the platform’s interfaces, where to find content and what processes to follow to avoid social media frustration. We also look at automation and where to find and how to read analytics.
Giving Something Back: keep on running
As a business owner, I’m a firm believer in giving something back and using what you have to help others. To that end completed two 10km runs in 2018, to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
This year, I’m going even further in the literal and figurative sense, in running two half marathons for The Children’s Hospice South West.
Using our business skills to give something back, we give pro-bono support to other non-profit causes such as STOIC Recovery from Addiction and the British Police Symphony Orchestra.
We work too with Swindon’s New College in two ways. In the first instance by taking students into the business to give them valuable work experience in the real world. And in the second, by talking about entrepreneurship at their business study classes. I work also with BCS – British Computer Society. I talk to their Young Professionals Group on how to use LinkedIn in an effective way to engage with recruiters when seeking / changing jobs.
Our portfolio of services, consultancy, training – either retained or pay-as-you-go – is an innovative approach offering something for every business. I love delivering presentations and have joined Swindon Speakers’ Club to hone my skills. Educating people in the importance of social media for their businesses gives me a big buzz.
Should have an interest in either having me speak at your event or using any of our services get in touch now.