Portsmouth mum gives up job and starts own business before launching podcast with Gail Porter as first guest

The 30-year-old, who had always wanted to run her own business, decided to take the plunge and set up LinkedIn marketing business Mad as a Box of Frogs Limited in 2019 to offer her more flexibility and earn more money.

The Stamshaw resident, who quit her job as a sales representative, has gone on to enjoy success after working with businesses such as BrewDog, The Rowen Group and City Tool Hire where she has delivered content plans and training.

Buoyed by how well things have gone with Mad as a Box of Frogs, Charlotte decided to launch a fun YouTube channel to offer inspiration, tips and some light relief during lockdown.

Charlotte has joined forces with copywriter co-host Claire Parsons to bring CCTV – Charlotte and Claire TV – to people’s rooms with a variety of big name guests on their fortnightly podcast on a Monday night.

‘Claire and I have never actually met in person, we met on LinkedIn. We thought it was a great idea and decided to go for it,’ Charlotte said.

‘Now is the perfect time while everyone is working from home. We thought we'd produce a show to keep people entertained in lockdown.

‘We decided to launch our podcast to shine a light on people excelling in their fields and get some truly valuable business insights.

‘It is very exciting and I think it will open doors and show how high achievers get to where they are.’

The first guest to appear on the show was celebrity TV presenter and model Gail Porter, who felt compelled to take part after being contacted by fan Charlotte. ‘I sent her a voice note on LinkedIn,’ Charlotte said.

‘It was brilliant when she responded and said she was happy to take part. The show went really well and it was good to get her insight.’

Other guests lined up include Orlaith McAllister, a Big Brother contestant turned personal trainer; Scott Ashley, personal trainer to the rich and famous; and Katherine Jones, founder of Social Nation and Think Wine.

Carrie Rose, who has grown multi-million pound business Rise at Seven, which she started in lockdown; Niamh MacAuley, video producer at Purple Dot Productions; and Christopher Foster, founder of SPh2ONGE are also on the list.

‘We’ve got some amazing guests and I’m confident we will be able to grow it over the coming months,’ Charlotte said.

‘It takes a lot of organising and research – you can’t just get people on you know nothing about.’

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Despite sometimes working long hours and having to deal with the ups and down of running her own business, Charlotte is enjoying every moment.

‘I lost three customers during the first lockdown as marketing is always the first thing businesses stop during difficult times,’ she said.

‘But I’ve since got new customers from all over the UK and in China and Bulgaria. It’s really exciting.’

To watch the first show with Gail Porter and subscribe go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRK2Q3EB3Ls

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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