Testimonials
Proud Ride Classic
I've been a member of ESTA since its inception about a year ago. Since then I've seen it grow and acquire stature and reach, partly through judicious use of social media and through a regular programme of face-to-face meetings in Lancaster. As the membership has grown I've found ESTA has evolved into what I hoped it would be: a network that brings tangible gains to my business, whilst at the same time being a community of people who have a vision beyond the traditional bottom line. I feel comfortable enjoying the material and practical benefits that flow from ESTA membership when I know that they are free from ethical compromises. Three very tangible examples arising directly from the ESTA network to date have been:
I've been a member of ESTA since its inception about a year ago. Since then I've seen it grow and acquire stature and reach, partly through judicious use of social media and through a regular programme of face-to-face meetings in Lancaster. As the membership has grown I've found ESTA has evolved into what I hoped it would be: a network that brings tangible gains to my business, whilst at the same time being a community of people who have a vision beyond the traditional bottom line. I feel comfortable enjoying the material and practical benefits that flow from ESTA membership when I know that they are free from ethical compromises. Three very tangible examples arising directly from the ESTA network to date have been:
- Meeting and commissioning from Jane's Social Media http://www.janessocialmedia.co.uk/ my company's launch into social media, which entailed personal professional development in new skills and knowledge. It has been crucial in establishing my company's presence in the marketplace.
- Meeting and commissioning from BackRoom SAM http://www.backroomsam.co.uk/ several key administrative and marketing projects. All have been essential to the structuring and publicising of my business.
- Meeting and forming a marketing associateship with Esme Ethical, http://www.ouresme.com/. This informal agreement is set to provide an all-important occasional shop window for my product and thereby to increase my early sales.
- My confidence and commitment was, or will be, strengthened by knowing that ethicality lies at the heart of these companies' values. I find that such positive role modelling enhances my readiness to learn and to be socialised into entrepreneurship.
- I believe that the informal yet respectful atmosphere at ESTA gatherings, with a sense of a shared philosophy through commitment to the Quadruple Bottom Line, encourages trusting and fair business collaborations that are both enjoyable and profitable.
- Richard Gibbens
- Owner
- http://www.proudtorideclassic.co.uk/
Back Room Sam
Since I joined ESTA a year ago, I have benefited from the expansion and diversity of my business contact network. I find the networking sessions informal and friendly, and I have received a number of referrals and recommendations from other ESTA members.
Being with ESTA is like having your own personal directory of local trusted traders to hand-either for referrals or to use yourself (I have used a number of ESTA members recently, and will be setting up an affiliate page on my website).
I have found that being an ESTA member has helped me to broaden my business knowledge base by sharing ideas with my peers, this has helped in a number of ways:
increasing my understanding of customer expectations/needs
helping me with marketing ideas/skills
increasing my understanding of the importance of using social media platforms, and how to use them effectively
given me a platform where I can cascade my ideas to other ESTA members and external organisations (both private and third sector)
My main concern is that ESTA seems to lack any real clarity or sense of direction as it has grown in size, and would benefit greatly from unifying its methods of communicating with its members (one size fits all).
I think I am an ethical trader because:
I use local services where possible
I use branded products from reputable companies
Waste products are 100% recyclable/re-usable
I use public transport or car share whenever possible
I belong to ESTA-therefore I observe a specific code of practice (four bottom lines)
Being an ESTA member has also identified my inability to speak confidently to large groups of my peers, something which will need to be addressed if I am to be more successful in business in the future. I am sure that being a member of ESTA will help to increase my confidence.
Since I joined ESTA a year ago, I have benefited from the expansion and diversity of my business contact network. I find the networking sessions informal and friendly, and I have received a number of referrals and recommendations from other ESTA members.
Being with ESTA is like having your own personal directory of local trusted traders to hand-either for referrals or to use yourself (I have used a number of ESTA members recently, and will be setting up an affiliate page on my website).
I have found that being an ESTA member has helped me to broaden my business knowledge base by sharing ideas with my peers, this has helped in a number of ways:
increasing my understanding of customer expectations/needs
helping me with marketing ideas/skills
increasing my understanding of the importance of using social media platforms, and how to use them effectively
given me a platform where I can cascade my ideas to other ESTA members and external organisations (both private and third sector)
My main concern is that ESTA seems to lack any real clarity or sense of direction as it has grown in size, and would benefit greatly from unifying its methods of communicating with its members (one size fits all).
I think I am an ethical trader because:
I use local services where possible
I use branded products from reputable companies
Waste products are 100% recyclable/re-usable
I use public transport or car share whenever possible
I belong to ESTA-therefore I observe a specific code of practice (four bottom lines)
Being an ESTA member has also identified my inability to speak confidently to large groups of my peers, something which will need to be addressed if I am to be more successful in business in the future. I am sure that being a member of ESTA will help to increase my confidence.