THERE IS ALWAYS something to write about for Forres business woman Claire Doughty as she guides local businesses through the PR minefield.
Now, however, Claire is perhaps in the unusual position of writing about herself – as she has been shortlisted for two awards from the Moray Business Women’s Club.
If that is not enough, she has recently qualified to offer aerial photography and filming services as a commercial drone pilot!
Claire’s Forres-based firm Chit Chat PR & Digital has added the new services to the growing number of services they can offer local businesses – and that underlines just why she is being considered as Business Woman of the Year and the Most Enterprising Business at the club.
She said: “The drone qualification came at just the right time – adding this to our already wide range of publicity and marketing options isn’t just great for the business, it means we can offer a more cohesive service.
“This, and the combination of other services we offer, is probably what made my application stand out. It shows we are not resting on our laurels and we are always looking at new ways of developing the business.
“I’ve always wanted Chit Chat to be a one-stop-shop, and when people started asking us for aerial filming and photography, we knew what we had to do, and it was just the ticket for us to be able to enter the most enterprising category too.
“I am delighted to be up for two awards. Chit Chat has been operating for almost two years and being shortlisted is testament to the hard work that has been put in during that time.”
Operating drones commercially requires training for theory and practical examinations. The qualified pilot then has to apply for permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Claire’s fellow director Marc Hindley will oversee drone operations – he qualified as a drone pilot on October 1 and is awaiting his permission from the CAA to operate commercially.
Marc said: “This is an exciting time for Chit Chat PR & Digital. I am delighted that Claire has been nominated for the two awards.
“She is truly dedicated to our clients and the business itself and is always looking for new ways to develop what we offer. We are responding to the demands of our customers and this is taking us to new heights… literally.”
The Moray Business Women’s Awards take place on November 12 at the Eight Acres Hotel in Elgin.
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