Meet Cay Moore

April 11, 2011 in Events, Professional Services, Serial Entrepreneur

Owner
Cay Moore Events Management & Cay Moore Associates

Founded in 2010, Cay Moore Events provides an events management service and Cay Moore Associates provides business support to sole traders and small and medium sized companies.

Based in Mitcham, Surrey, the businesses operate as two distinct and dynamic entities whose ethos reflect the characteristics of owner Cay Moore – professional, innovative, forward thinking and reliable.

Recent commissions include virtual legal assistance to a US based corporation; production of a UK fundraising event and full-service wedding co-ordination.

Why did you decide to start your businesses?
The ideas for both businesses were formed a while back, but were always put on the back-burner in favour of the overriding need to have a secure, paid salary in order to maintain a young family.

Both businesses were formed in the autumn of 2010. The timing was right, as the opportunity arose out of a redundancy situation. I decided that rather than seeking employment, I would harness the depth and breadth of skills and experiences that I have acquired over the years and set up my own business.

I spent a year between August 2009 and October 2010 acquiring new skills in areas that I knew would enable me to provide top of the range services.

What was your career path prior to starting your first business?
I take a very proactive and robust approach to my learning and development, and I encourage my children to do the same. I never tire of learning new things. Consequently, my career path has been wide and varied.

I have professional qualifications from the Royal Society of Arts and the Pitman’s Institute, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and the Institute of Legal Executives. More recently, I have added qualifications in floral and balloon decorations and a Diploma in Events Management.

Over the years I have worked as a Personal Assistant, Executive Officer, Office Manager, Project Administrator, and in my last role as a Legal Services Officer.

Did you always know that you would start your own business?
Although I have enjoyed all the previous roles that my career path opened up to me, I always felt and still feel as though my destiny is yet to be fulfilled. Perhaps that’s what gives me this drive and energy.

Throughout my career, regardless of the job titles I have held, I always assumed more responsibility than the job was intended for. Looking back now I can see that my career path equipped me for the position I now find myself in as Owner of Cay Moore Associates and Cay Moore Events Management.

In terms of the Event Management business, several years ago when I got married, I planned my entire wedding all by myself. The thing that stood out for me the most about that experience was not how exhausting and stressful some days were, but how fragmented the services that I needed to organise my wedding were.

For example, I wanted a combination of flowers, for elegance, and balloons, for impact, for my wedding decoration, but was surprised to find that I could not get one provider who could provide me with both services. It was very frustrating as I ended up dealing with far more suppliers than I cared to. I remember thinking then that one day I wanted to provide a comprehensive event planning service. And here we are – Cay Moore Events is equipped to plan your entire event from the one source.

Tell me more about the services you offer at both companies, can you share some examples of recent projects you’ve undertaken?
Cay Moore Associates and Cay Moore Events are both dynamic companies that are still evolving. Our ethos is to provide a service that is professional and reliable at all times. To this end I am very proud that the majority of my contracts have been obtained through word of mouth.

Cay Moore Associates provides business support to sole traders and small and medium sized businesses to enable them to escalate their growth. Recent examples include helping a small private limited company to re-establish as a sole trader after being struck off by companies house for non-compliance and losing their focus a bit.

We’ve also helped a home-based hairdressing outfit to set up systems for client care management and providing them with publicity materials for the business.

Cay Moore Events provide an events management service that enables clients to have their ‘best event’ by taking away the stress that comes with planning an event, so they can really enjoy their day. Recent examples include a fundraising event for a local association that I support and complete planning and co-ordination of a wedding

What are you working on at the moment and can you describe your typical working day?
I am currently working on several projects. On the support services side of the business, I am revamping the systems and processes for a medium-sized enterprise and already we have seen a real step change in productivity for the business.

I am also providing virtual legal assistance to a US based corporation involved in a litigation case here in the UK. The case is due to be heard in the County Court in August 2011. One of my associates will be providing the representation in the County Court.

On the events planning front, I have a fundraising event that I am co-ordinating in April, a wedding booked for September, and I am currently in discussion with a prospective client regarding project management for a two day exhibition scheduled for January 2012.

In addition to these long term projects, I have requests for individual pieces of work, ranging from a floral display for a church, to producing marketing and publicity materials for individuals and small businesses.

On a more personal level, I am developing and documenting the blueprint for my business. This is the definitive document that will actually record all the systems and processes that underpin my business. This will enable me to delegate without fear, allowing me more time to work on the business and not in the business.

I would not say I have a typical working day, as the beauty of running two somewhat complementary, yet distinct, businesses is that no two days are the same. However, there are certain activities that typify my day; for example, each weekday involves getting up about 7:30am with an invigorating shower. I have a bowl of Weetabix, a strong cup of milky, decaffeinated coffee and two small pitta breads toasted and sprinkled with mixed chilli, garlic and black pepper – weird I know, but it works for me! By 9:30am I set about checking my emails, and making any phone calls that I need to make.

Some days I may have initial client meetings or else I might have networking events or one day training events to attend. My day will continue until about 4pm when I ensure that I am home for my family so I can catch up on their day.

I will very often do some more work from 8pm – 11pm and then wind down between 11pm and midnight by watching a pre-recorded programme, reading a book or listening to some music.

What have been the highlights of running your own businesses?
There have been several highlights, such as learning new creative skills including floral and balloon decorating; networking and meeting some fabulous human beings; getting up each day, knowing that I have a variety of activities to complete. The freedom that being my own boss affords me is also extremely empowering.

What is the hardest part of running your own businesses?
It sometimes gets very lonely. There are times when no one gets it but you, not your husband, not your family, not your friends, and perhaps not even your mentor, although I don’t yet have a mentor. These times are really hard, because then you have to dig deep within and convince yourself that yes, I really want to do this!

Are there any business resources you’ve found to be indispensable?
I have tapped into many business resources on my journey to setting up my businesses and each has been very beneficial to me along the way. But there are a few that I will single out for special mention:

Firstly, Business Link, for the excellent and up to date information on their website. Also South London Biz; The Generator in Mitcham, Surrey and The Merton Chamber of Commerce who collaborate and deliver excellent training, workshops and networking opportunities for businesses based in the borough. I could not have got so far, so quickly, without them.

My local Job Centre Plus has been helpful, in particular my adviser Yvonne Belardini who was a constant source of support to me, steering me in the right direction for relevant courses and listening to my verbal business plans!

Finally, the excellent marketing company Maverick Marketing Consultancy, headed by Andrew Ludlam, who in the last few months have been supporting me in devising a marketing strategy for my businesses.

How do you maintain a work/life balance while running your businesses?
As a sole trader you have to resign yourself to working long hours. Once you have set your working hours you then formulate a timetable that straddles your business and personal life and stick to it. So I have my hours each day that I dedicate to work. I have my family time, I have my networking time, and I have my friends’ time. Some weeks if I am really busy then I touch base with friends via social network. I am very lucky that I have very understanding and supportive friends.

You must also factor in some me time, which for me can be as simple as spending a couple hours on my own in McDonalds having some burger and chips and cappuccino and just watching the world walk by. In fact a lot of my creative moments have come from sitting in McDonalds, looking out the window at the world passing by! Why McDonalds? Because as long as you are nursing your cappuccino, no one hassles you to leave!

What has been your proudest business moment so far?
My proudest business moment has to be getting the recent contract for my overseas client. That came about because he was sitting in on a meeting between myself and another client who was a friend of his, and liked the way that I managed the meeting and the high level of professionalism that I displayed.

There is great scope for an on-going contract to provide him with business support services, so that really brings me pleasure.

What, or who, inspires and motivates you?
Being the best me motivates me. This principle I got from my mom who once said to me “whatever you are doing, do it to the best of your ability, even if it is a job photocopying, make sure that it is the best photocopying anyone has ever seen!”

My inspiration also comes first from my mom, who is strong and fiercely independent, and my father who now deceased, instilled confidence and a “nothing but the best” attitude in me from a very early age.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting a professional services business?
First of all, know your strengths and your weaknesses and play to your strengths. Do at least one thing each day that will take you nearer to your goal. Be nice and helpful to everyone you meet. And finally, remember that the dream is yours, don’t let anyone convince you that it can’t be a reality.

Fast forward five years, where do you think your business will be in 2016?
In five years time I would have set up my unique business centre. I don’t want to give too much away, but the model will be different to any business centre you currently know. So watch this space!

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For more information on Cay Moore Associates and Cay Moore Events Management visit www.caymooreassociates.com and www.caymooreeventsmanagement.co.uk

You can also find the companies on LinkedIn, Twitter – @Cay_Moore and @CayMooreEvents and Facebook – www.facebook.com/pages/Cay-Moore-Associates/161041913916809 and www.facebook.com/pages/Cay-Moore-Events-Management/178493705513346

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Cay Moore was interviewed by Octavia Goredema, founder of the Twenty Ten Club.

The Twenty Ten Club is an award-winning networking organisation for Black female entrepreneurs. You can also find Twenty Ten Club on Twitter and Facebook.