A daily commute to Oxford was really not part of my plans, particularly after I had spent years sharing the highs and lows with Witney small businesses in my role as business manager for a bank.

The importance of building customer relationships and knowing your local community (along with my daughter setting her heart on Wood Green) was incredibly important to me. At the same time, the Social Media accounts I was managing for a local football club were flying: tournament entries were double previous years and professionals were telling me how well run it was! If Twitter and Facebook could help a village sports club that much, what value could it add to a business?

My love for chatting to all kinds of small businesses meant I knew that many owners didn’t have the time, knowledge or interest to Tweet or Facebook so I signed up for an intensive social media course, typed my resignation email and pressed send! Eek!

That course was tough. There is absolutely tons to learn if you want to ‘do’ Social Media properly, but I grew to love Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest as well as Twitter and really see the benefit for businesses. A photography course with the wonderful Vine House Studios added some pizzaz to my images. My daughter rolls her eyes when I SnapChat or Instagram, my partners son (bit younger, obviously!) enjoys sharing YouTube best practice and chatting about the best video editing apps.

I love the unique blend of independent shops in Witney and the determination of local businesses to source locally if possible. I set up the Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts Wow Witney to share my interest and encourage locals and visitors to think of Witney first. It really has been so much fun! I have met some fantastic new people and reacquainted with others and I have been offered lots of cake (as you know there are lots of talented cake makers and wonderful coffee shops in Witney)! Best of all, people tell me what a difference Wow Witney is making to their business or event.

What next? I am passionate about seeing Witney thrive, and would like to see my new business Blossom Social Media continue to thrive too. Whatever happens, I have learnt a new, in demand, skill ….at my time of life! Who’d have thought it!