Commissioning editor, Dee Blick catches up with Sussex businesswoman, Hollie James.
When you meet Hollie James, what immediately strikes you is the warmth and positivity which she exudes, in abundance and without fail. Then, be prepared for the questions which can come thick and fast. Hollie’s natural curiosity should not be underestimated nor undervalued. It is a high-value currency, especially if you rely on networking to grow your business. How many times have you attended a networking event where the person you were hoping to strike up a conversation with was more intent on broadcasting their achievements ad nauseam, than committing to a two-way dialogue? And so, you leave that sinking ship despair that either you are boring or the other person was tone deaf. An engaging and positive conversation, however, is always on the cards when you chat to Hollie. And she’s a great listener. It’s little wonder Hollie is one of the rising stars at Utility Warehouse (UW), a business she runs alongside her longstanding business, Hollie’s Beauty Treatments. Given she is also an inveterate networker, it won’t surprise you that she recently started a networking group with two friends, something we covered in last month’s business pages.
So, who is Hollie? I caught up with her to find out more.
You’re one of the most warm and vibrant women I know. How much of this is nature, how much nurture?
Ahh thank you, Dee! Both my parents are warm and personable and they like people. I was always around adults growing up, and I’ve always been fascinated by people. I love deep connection and vibing with positive souls. I love the Maya Angelou quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I think it’s important that we all try and leave a room lighter than it was when we walked in.
Like me, you are also open about having anxiety. When did this start and what are your coping strategies when it looks set to make an appearance?
I’ve had anxiety since I was just five, after experiencing a couple of epileptic fits. Fortunately, I overcame epilepsy. My childhood, however, was marked by anxiety. As I began to establish control over my life, everything became a little easier. Being self-employed has really helped me. I truly believe that we must adapt our lives to our specific needs and wants. I also have a massive support system with fellow business owners, and they help me so much. Su Winsbury, Holly Stone Hypnotherapy and Claire Fairlie are always there for me when the wobbles occur. There are many other special people I would love to mention, but they know who they are.
You run two successful businesses, tell me about both
I’ve had my own beauty business since leaving college. My dad always advised me to do something that I love and, the money would follow. And to do something that could fit around anxiety and future children. I fell in love with beauty therapy because I really love looking after people. It gives me so much joy. Being my own boss means everything to me. Just before the pandemic, I decided to work for myself full-time. The timing wasn’t great! Having no money coming in, and no government support really woke me up to how financially vulnerable many of us can be and often through no fault of our own. I found UW three years ago through a friend. It has profoundly changed my life for the better. I love helping others, so helping people to save money during a financial crisis is incredibly rewarding. I love the community, the confidence, and the resilience that UW has given me, not to mention the passive income. We all deserve financial freedom, and knowing I am buying back my time every month, well, it’s just magical.
How do you juggle running two quite different businesses? Are you ever conflicted?
They both work together and smoothly so. The common theme for me is people. Connecting, nurturing, and helping people. I love that I can be giving a massage to a client, one hour, then the next I’m in a person’s living room, cuddling their dog, and showing them a simpler way to pay for their bills. It’s a real honour and an absolute privilege.
Tell me a well-known person you would love to meet and why
I just love Robbie Williams! I found his honesty and vulnerability in his film “Better Man,” totally inspiring. The scenes where he shares his mental health struggles, I really related to. It’s epic to see a man being so open. It also helps that he is gorgeous.
Who are the people that inspire you to dig deep and deliver?
I love making my dad proud. As a business owner, he inspires me to reach similar goals for my family. My friends at UW also inspire me. I love leading by example and this alone drives me to achieve. My mentors and the people in our business are incredibly inspiring because they demonstrate through actions and accomplishments what is possible.
If you could write your script for the next year, what would it look like?
Self-care, lots of fun and continuing to help many lovely people!
Tell me about your French Bulldog…
Milo is our fur baby! We absolutely adore him. His funny little ways, the noises he makes, and his personality, bring us so much joy!
Could you share a motivational quote that helps you to aim for the stars
‘Do today what others won’t, so you can have tomorrow what others can’t.’ This helps to nudge me out of my comfort zone every day, so I can lead an extraordinary life with my family both now and in the future.
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