Chelsie is the newest team member at Cottam and leads our marketing activities.
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Can you describe your role…
As Marketing Manager, I am responsible for creating and implementing a marketing strategy which supports the objectives of the wider business. I also work with the Sales team to develop an understanding of our product and communicate our product offering to customers.
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You’re our newest member of the Cottam team, having joined in October. How are you settling in?
I think there is a great team feeling at Cottam. All my colleagues have been keen to support me since I started working here, even with things that aren’t part of their job role.
I’ve been able to play around with new ideas that can help us communicate better with our customers and I’m excited to help Cottam reach new markets. Working at Cottam is quite different from anything I’ve done in the past, I’m quickly developing a wealth of knowledge and I truly believe there is a brush for everything!
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What would be your dream job if you didn’t work at Cottam?
My absolute dream job would be to be an entrepreneur working in the property industry, to buy houses and do them up nicely! I love being creative. I think there’s some similarities to working in marketing as well – I love planning and designing, and I feel at a loose end if I don’t have a project on the go, whether that’s travelling, buying my first home or planning my wedding.
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If you could visit any fictional place, which one would it be?
I’d love to visit Hogwarts and Diagon Alley (from the Harry Potter series). I’m obsessed with the Harry Potter movies – my partner and I have a marathon of the films every Christmas, they’re so magical. I still remember seeing the first film and talking about it with my friends at primary school, which brings back nice memories.
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What’s your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement has to be my little bakery I set up during lockdown. I have always loved to bake; my nana taught me, and it has always been something we’ve done together, so during lockdown I gained my Level 2 Hygiene Certificate and set up Rise & Tyne Cakery.
Rise & Tyne was born on Instagram and grew 100% organically, gaining nearly 2000 followers in the year it was running it. I (with the help of my nana, of course) baked everything from cookies and cakes, to graze boxes and festive hampers. There was barely a day went past where I wasn’t baking or fulfilling someone’s order. My bakes were posted up and down the country and stocked in local farm shops and coffee roasters – it was hard to believe how much the business took off!
However, working full time whilst also managing Rise & Tyne started to become a bit tricky. The business was outgrowing my home kitchen, and when I was offered a job I couldn’t refuse in my trained discipline of marketing, I decided it was best to close the business. It was a good decision to leave on a high – I’ve hung up my oven gloves the time being, though I still enjoy baking for fun.
I still do get the odd hint from family and friends for a box of cookies, so now and again R&T bakes make an appearance. I’m not sure I will ever be able to let go of it completely.
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Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter?
My favourite season is Autumn. It’s a beautiful time of year when the leaves are all changing colour. I like that I can get wrapped up in jumpers and scarves, but it’s also not too cold. Carving pumpkins is also very fun!
