Boxed Out PR: Hayley Smith

Name: Hayley Smith
Age: 25
Company: Boxed Out PR
Staff numbers: 1
Location: Essex
Date launched: 30/04/2013
Tell us what your business does:Where did the idea for your business come from?
I have been working in PR and marketing since graduating in 2010, and I have become passionate about business development strategies and corporate citizenship. I believe that it is extremely important to develop business opportunities between charities, small businesses and the local community. I wanted my company to integrate the multiple benefits of community engagement and small business involvement to generate a social and economic benefit to society.
How did you know there was a market for it?
No one is offering tailored PR and marketing strategies that provide the business development strategies that Boxed Out PR are implementing. Corporate citizenship is high on the agenda for many companies and organisations, however, through market research, I discovered that not many companies were implementing it effectively. I created Boxed Out PR to promote these strategies and to use them to benefit my clients and their business.
What were you doing before starting up?
I come from an extensive PR and marketing background, working within various sectors and for various companies and organisations. I was made redundant from my last position, and I felt that starting a business was the best option as I had been thinking about doing it for a while.
Have you always wanted to run your own business?
It is always something that I have thought about, but has only been at the forefront of my mind for the past year. When I was made redundant, I felt it was now or never, and decided to take the risk.
How did you raise the money?
Personal funds. I run the business from home so the overheads are low.
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Funding has been difficult. Though I use personal funds, it can be difficult.

I try to keep overheads as low as possible, and I have developed a robust business plan, which means so far I haven’t had any unexpected costs.
Describe your business model and how you make money:
Boxed Out PR offers substantial and established PR and marketing services to clients including social media, event planning, media relations and celebrity endorsements, which are charged at an agreed monthly fee. We also have a Boxed Out Arts division, which was developed to promote unsigned talent.
What was your first big breakthrough?
My biggest breakthrough to date was signing Kevin Healey, an anti-bullying for autism campaigner.

Kevin hired Boxed Out PR to develop and expand his campaign globally. Through this work, I have gained referrals, celebrity support and further clients.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Have a thorough, robust business plan and believe in what you are striving to do. There will be highs and lows, but if you have these two aspects firmly concreted, nothing will be unexpected or too disheartening. Celebrate your positive outcomes, but always remember there is more work to do.
Where do you want to be in five years’ time?
I want to be on the top 150 PR companies list, in my own office, with a small team of dedicated employees and a strong list of clients. I also want to be pushing the boundaries of PR and marketing and to have developed a training and networking division.