Hi, I’m Candice

I am a business support professional offering a wide range of services from admin to business strategy.

About me

My career spans 30 years working in the media, arts, charity and education sectors. I began my journey in commercial film sound post production as a coordinator, working my way up to Head of Sound for post production houses working on projects such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Mission Impossible. I then moved to the other side of the filming process working as a Studio Manager for 3 Mills Studios in London, managing films including Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Danny Boyle’s Sunshine and TV shows such as Bad Girls as well as commercials and music videos through the Studio end to end. 

After leaving London I remained at 3 Mills as a Studio Consultant. Whilst consulting, I became Business Development Director for EduCare driving commercial sales and building relationships within the education and charity sectors; developing and delivering online learning programmes on duty of care issues such as Safeguarding and Health and Safety. From there, I continued working in training and education working for local college networks as Head of Management Information Systems, as well as being a Business Entrepreneur Coach for Apprentices starting up their own businesses after leaving college.  In 2020 during lockdown I was drawn back into the media working for Through the I media agency as their Head of Operations, managing film production and operations for online content for virtual events, online commercials and PR campaigns.

When the world opened up again I decided it was time to get back out there and so I pursued a life long dream of working in theatre management and leadership as Head of Planning and Operations - Creative Learning and Engagement for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  During my time in this role I also became an Access Leader within their inclusion networks. 

Which leads me here….

In our current economic climate I have seen many organisations, particularly those within the creative industries struggle to survive due to increasing costs and overheads as well funding cuts. This got my brain whirring as it always does when I see a problem. Solution focused I wanted to help. Then a seed of an idea grew. The more I talked to colleagues, friends, networks, the more I realised that I could offer the kind of support businesses, charities and other settings need without the overheads. I could offer a flexible approach to engagement, supporting the variable needs of individuals and organisations. How to market it, or describe it - Business Support by Candice, simple, you get my experience and services at a rate you can afford and as flexibly as you need.

Oh, and did I mention I am a life long learner.  I have a BA Hons in Theatre, Film and Television and a Masters degree in Media Arts, and then over the last 20 years I have qualified in Business Leadership and Management (L5 CIM Cert), Business Performance Coaching L4, Amplify project management training, Life Skills Coaching Advanced L4, Mindfulness Teach the Teacher Cert and I am currently studying somatic therapy and body heal coaching to support wellness wherever I go. I take the stress out of stressful situations. I am also an Access Leadership Advocate and can help you make your organisation more accessible whether that is via documents, visuals or processes.

So let’s get going…

My Approach

Collaborative and Supportive Style

My business approach is collaborative with no task too big or small, delivered to you on time, with a smile. As a qualified business performance and life skills coach I bring a solutions focused, efficient, friendly, flexible approach to my work. Whether you want me to work with you on business plans, strategy, marketing, development, people and performance, budgets, reporting, project management, coordination or admin I will always bring the best version of myself and work to meet the needs and style of your own business.

Let’s get down to business…

Services bespoke to you

  • Admin

    Document Preparation and Management: drafting, designing, editing, and systematically organising business documents for easy access and clarity.

    Data Entry and Database Management: ensuring accurate input, updating, and maintenance of all business-related data.

    Correspondence Handling: managing emails, phone calls, and postal communications promptly and professionally.

    Customer Service Support: acting as first point contact, managing client inquiries and fostering positive relationships.

    Copy creation: drafting copy for communication, marketing and websites.

    CRM and shared space management: ensuring digital housekeeping is managed and maintained.

    Not on the list above - just ask.

  • Executive Assistant

    Diary management: experienced in Trello, Asana, Teams, Google, MS, Monday, Slack, AirTable and Notion, different system, no problem.

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    Travel and accommodation management: (home and international).

    First line correspondence: professional response and first impression to meet your style.

    Meeting preparation and post meeting follow up: minutes, actions and diary.

    Presentation drafting: experience in MS, Google, Teams and other design applications, designed in line with your brand.

    Reports: experience in Excel, Google Docs, creating and running reports import/export from bespoke applications.

    Contracting: original drafting, processing, negotiation.

    Admin: whatever you need, however you want it delivered.

  • Project Support and Project Management

    Whether you want me to design project templates or project manage end to end, I will work with you or your team to deliver outstanding projects using tools such as:

    ARCIs / GANTs / Live Project Timelines.

    Manage projects through systems: such as Teams, Slack, Notion, Trello, Asana, Monday, Airtable and so on - or if you prefer; a simple excel or shared Google planner.

    Risk registers: no stone unturned.

    Project management skills include:

    Professional communication with key stakeholders.

    Meeting deadlines.

    Adjusting / flex to deliver milestones.

    KPI and strategy alignment.

    Outcome reporting and evaluation at end point assessment.

  • Business Operations

    As an operations expert I can examine systems and processes, develop new efficient ways of working, design templates and systems and guide you operationally every step of the way through:

    Risk assessments: keep you and your team safe.

    Risk Registers: prevent single points of failure.

    Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs): everyone understands.

    GDPR and Data agreements - best practice and policies.

    Contracts and statements of work (SoWs): gain agreement.

    Policies and procedures: everyone’s responsibility.

    Sustainability plans: financial and environmental, grow, nurture, flourish.

    Inclusion plans: equity for all.

    Data, Evaluation, Reporting: make informed plans and choices.

    Systems management: CRMs / Webpage and Digital Tools management / user guides / FAQS).

  • Business Planning and Strategy

    Whether you are a start-up, sole trader or established business I can support you in:

    Long range business planning: know your product, brand and your market, lay out strategy to get to where you want to be, build in flex and milestones along the way, measure success.

    Annual short business planning: adjust and flex with the economic and social climate. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) setting and monitoring.

    Financial planning: money in, money out, profit and loss, capex, overheads, resources, ebbs and flows, recovery plans, reserves, fundraising, budgets, let’s talk money.

    People planning: working with freelancers, payroll, benefits, resource flex, sourcing the best team.

    Brand identity and development: what do you want your clients and customers to KNOW, FEEL and DO.

    Change management plans: how to work through change and challenge.

    Recovery planning: need to make changes fast?: quick win goal setting.

    Creative design: logo, branding and website design and copy.

    Communicating your brand and your unique selling points (USPs): why you?

    Sales and Marketing: the how.

    Identifying audiences and customers: market research, feedback, surveys, demographics, trends, purchase patterns.

  • Budgets and Finance

    Lets talk money. Without financial planning, management, adjustments and reserves a business, whether freelancer, sole trader or SME, financial planning and management is essential to success. Whatever your personal or business financial goals may be, money matters! I can help you with:

    Budget Planning: map out your annual predicted income, overheads and expenditure, examine your profit and loss (P&L).

    Budget phasing: map your monthly predicted income, overheads and expenditure, examine your profit and loss (P&L).

    Management accounts preparation: easy read monthly financial reports.

    Budget management: maintaining budgets and financial data entry, alerting you to income and expenditure updates that need attention.

    Budget design and training: templates, systems and how to use them.

    Finance admin processing: expenses, receipt management, data entry.

    CAPEX (Capital Expenditure): priority planning.

    *please note I am not a qualified financial adviser or accountant, my financial management experience is as a Business Director and Operations Professional having managed budgets for a number of organisations.

  • People Performance

    Combining business performance coaching, life coaching and well-being I can work with individuals or teams looking at people performance including:

    Team work and team dynamics: improving relationships and working together to achieve team goals. Examining dynamics and how skillsets can complement and improve project success with the right team in place.

    Individual performance and development needs: including confidence building, stress management, sales techniques, communication skills, project management skills and goal setting.

    Access and Inclusion: supporting those with access needs including Easy Read documents, physical access support requirements, access to work applications, accessible visuals, and settings, accessible interviews and meetings, body doubling, setting up an inclusion network.

    1:1 and team Coaching: see coaching sections.

    *I am not an HR qualified professional, People Performance is a management tool developed from 30 years of successfully managing and developing individuals and teams.

  • Business Performance Coaching

    Business Performance Coaching is specific Coaching working on goal setting and milestone planning to reach super objectives, including:

    Change management: strategy for change and how to make change to become a SMART goal orientated business, where every minute and £ spent has value, without compromising psychological safety of your colleagues and team. Bring them on the journey with you.

    Leadership development: what is the difference between a leader and a manager. How can you lead and ensure psychological safety is at the core of your style.

    Managing people: how to be the manager that your direct reports will aspire to be themselves one day.

    Sales target setting and planning: understanding your market place and customers. Planning for the unknowns.

    Business planning and milestone timelines: understand the importance of checking in and building in flex and course resetting when things go wrong.

    Marketing and Comms plans: milestone campaign planning and result KPIs.

    Infrastructure and operational processes: to improve staff and business performance.

  • Event Management

    I will understand the purpose and desired outcome of the event, working with key stakeholders to deliver results. My areas of expertise include:

    Project management: end to end.

    Sourcing: venues, accommodation, travel, catering and materials.

    Sourcing and managing crews: event coordinators, AV teams, camera and sound crews, photography, sound bite recordists, live broadcast teams, streaming teams, lighting, staging, stage crew.

    Sourcing and negotiating fees: contracts and terms for comperes, key note speakers, performers, live producers and directors.

    Producing: voice overs, ADR, filmed content for projection, lighting and sound designers.

    Sourcing and managing: event stands, get ins/get outs, equipment, display boards, accessories and merchandise/goodie bags.

    Registration / VIP guest management: ensure we know how many people, who, when and where and that all guests are welcomed and supported.

    Venue flow: walking and sales flow and on the day schedules.

    Health and Safety: risk assessments, risk registers, safeguarding.

    Data and evaluation: the results!

  • On the Day Support

    With years of experience on the ground I can offer you on the day support including:

    Event Management: see section.

    Event Coordination: stress free support.

    Event Helper: whatever you need on the day.

    Compère: representing you and your brand.

    Set up / set down: drill, broom, trolley, bin bag…

    Location support or producer for: Filming, recording, on set, studio, photo shoots, on stage, whatever you need I will be in my element.

    Stage management: live events, shows, festivals, exhibitions.

    Company management: ensuring your artists, speakers, and crew have a single point of contact on the day.

    Virtual event: live feed support.

    *I hold an enhanced DBS certificate I am trained in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. I am also a certified first aider as well as a paediatric first aider.

  • Well-being

    Stress is one of the main causes of staff sickness absence or reasons for leaving an organisation. We all need to have healthy levels of stress so that our bodies and minds are performing to the best of our ability. I am currently studying somatic therapy and body heal coaching; examining the body’s long and short term responses to stress. I am a qualified Mindfulness Teacher as well as a qualified and experienced Life Coach as well as being an Access and Inclusion Advocate. I can help you create:

    Personal well-being plans - Working with you creating a tailor made well-being plan; set your own goals, boundaries and wellness actions to maintain healthy stress levels and fend off feelings of overwhelm.

    Personal work based well-being plans: Creating a well-being plan to discuss with your line manager to help you feel supported at work and optimise your performance.

    Employer well-being plan service: I can help you create well-being plans for your organisation and for your team as individuals to use in 1:1s, annual reviews supporting you and your direct reports understand how to optimise performance and keep your team well.

    Mindfulness: I am a certified Mindfulness Teacher, I can come to your work place, school, community setting and deliver Mindfulness sessions. I can also deliver 1:1 mindfulness sessions. Mindfulness can also support weight loss, stress management and other needs.

  • Life Coaching

    Life Coaching offers you person centred support, goal setting and achievement plans for all aspects and changes in your life, including:

    Career changes / development: stuck in a rut, want that promotion, need to develop skills? Coaching can help you get where you want to be.

    Work challenges: how to manage challenging situations, people and environments to support you at work.

    Goal setting and achievement: whatever your goal I will support you in achieving it (within the realms of reality!)

    Personal relationships: different to counselling, coaching helps you make change in how you respond to others, helps you examine your behaviours and habits and your own approach to personal relationships and gives you techniques to support you through stressful times and breakdowns in communication.

    Body heal / body confidence: learn to embrace yourself for being the unique and wonderful person that you are. *please note body heal and body confidence coaching is not suitable for those with eating disorders.

    Stress Management: breath work, S.T.O.P approach, meditation, mindfulness, exercise, life balance, sleep relaxation techniques, I have a whole toolkit for you.

    Burn out and overwhelm: lets get you back to you.

    Peri-menopause / Menopause: techniques to help manage symptoms, menopause and the work-place and how to finally feel like you again.

    Fertility treatment support: relaxation and stress management techniques, mindfulness to centre yourself, handling the ups and downs, managing feelings around others who are pregnant.

What Clients are Saying

Candice worked with me on implementing long term business strategy. Being able to outsource locally has been invaluable as a small business owner.

Luisa Sidoli - Owner Tatu Couture

My business has ebbs and flows and Candice has offered me flexible support for whatever business needs I have at the time, this is incredible for a small business such as mine to be financially sustainable.

Emma Buffone, Hatha Yoga Instructor

I have worked with Candice for many years supporting me with business operations, project management and event management. Candice is friendly, flexible, professional and great fun to work with. She always brings her focus and energy to all I have asked her to do. You will wonder how you managed without her!

Scott Jackson - Thira Consulting

Candice supported me through my early career within theatre administration and then provided coaching for me to develop my skills to advance my career. I am now working for the Company Management department at the RSC and feeling proud of my work. Candice worked with me on skill set development and helped me build my confidence to take that next step in my arts career. Candice is wonderful and kind. I would recommend her to anyone interested in personal development in a heartbeat

Aoife O’Rourke - Company and Stage Management Coordinator

Get in Touch!

Want to know more? Feeling this could be perfect for you? Press below and I will be in touch.

Contact me via email

FAQ

  • At the start. Let’s chat and see how I can be of help.

    • Admin - £145 per day or £19 per hour

    • Executive Assistant - £175 per day or £25 per hour

    • Business Operations - £250 per day or £33 per hour

    • Business Planningand Strategy - £500 per day or £75 per hour

    • Budget / Finance - price on brief

    • Projects and Event Management - price on brief

    • On the day event support - £145 or £19 per hour plus travel / accommodation

    • People Performance - price on brief

    • Business Performance Coaching - £75 per hour

    • Life Coaching - £50 per hour (or £45 per hour for block of 4 sessions)

    • Well-being plans - £55 per person

    • Need a more bespoke rate to suit your circumstances - drop me a line and we can have a chat

    Payment terms: payment within 30 days of delivery, or as agreed in a contractual payment plan. Please support the freelance community by paying on time, we have bills to pay too!

    Please allow time to set me up as a supplier within your finance system and allow time to complete IR35 checks. Can you tell I have many years of working with freelance communities?

  • I am your flexible support, you can hire me project by project, part time freelance, by the day, by the hour, on retainer. Whatever you need I am here.

    When we have agreed the what, when and how, we can produce a contract or service agreement together with a payment plan and agreed timeline.

  • Yes I do. Over the years I have developed amazing working relationships with:

    • actors

    • artists

    • auctioneers

    • bid writers

    • brand managers

    • directors

    • camera operators

    • copywriters

    • curators

    • designers

    • IT specialists

    • location managers

    • fundraisers

    • marketing professionals

    • media trainers

    • photographers

    • podcasters

    • PR specialists

    • sales professionals

    • scenic artists

    • SEND specialist facilitators

    • sound technicians

    • theatre makers

    • voice coaches

    • voice over artists

    • voice over producers

    • web designers

    • workshop facilitators

    • writers

    the list goes on. I am happy to give you non commissioned recommendations to keep our freelance communities alive: the rest is up to you.