Charlotte Nichols of Pay-as-Hugo.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Charlotte Nichols and I am the managing director of award-winning PR agency Harvey & Hugo, and Pay-as-Hugo, our little sister brand, which specialises in fixed-fee, contract free PR, content marketing and social media, for brands in a hurry.
Our snacksize Pay-as-Hugo services are all shoppable via our e-commerce website.
What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?
That they will be a flash in the pan. I was told so many times that my PR business wouldn’t last long, but here we are 13 years later.
If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. There are a lot of things I’ve stressed about over the years that really don’t matter now.
Now when I hit a problem, I ask myself, will it matter a year from now?
What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?
With the launch of Pay-as-Hugo, I used my creativity to adapt a standard service into a new method of delivery.
Now any business can purchase whichever PR and marketing services they need online via our e-commerce website.
What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?
Plan what you’re doing the next day, the night before Get up early to get a start on the day Don’t give up
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
Harvey & Hugo – my two border terriers inspired the name and personality of the business Pay-as-Hugo was inspired by Hugo’s fun-loving, happy-go-lucky nature
My parents also inspire me through their love, hard work and dedication when they worked in their own business
Where do you see your business in five years?
As a thriving online services business well known across the country. I have ambitions for Pay-as-Hugo to become the Amazon of online services.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?
The biggest challenge will be to change the attitudes around purchasing services online, but I really believe that this is the future.
Talk to us about your biggest success story so far?
Breaking into the Top 50 Northern PR agencies in 2021 was a huge achievement for the company and came as a wonderful surprise.
How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?
We do lots of content marketing to drive traffic to our website, as well as digital advertising and in-person networking at events.
What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?
Don’t not start something because it will take time to establish, as the time will pass anyway. Just go for it.
And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?
I want to raise two happy young girls alongside a flourishing business delivering a high quality service which makes a real difference to our clients.
Follow Pay-as-Hugo on Twitter or Linkedin.
