Inksplott: Hi Kate, thank you for being interviewed for Inksplott. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your business?
Kate: Hello! I’m Kate Thomas. I live locally with my husband and two daughters (aged 4 and 2). I run my own business helping people (residential and businesses) to reduce their outgoings.
Inksplott: How did you get into this? Can you please tell us a little about the history of your business?
Kate: I work in partnership with a British company called the Utility Warehouse Discount Club. Operating for almost 20 years, it is a steadily growing business and trades on the London Stock Exchange as Telecom Plus. The company is unique as it doesn’t advertise nationally, instead it passes those savings onto its customers and relies on word of mouth recommendation. It has been recommended as a ‘best buy’ in Which? Magazine in every survey for phone, broadband, gas and electricity since 2008.
Inksplott: How did you get into it?
Kate: A few years ago I was working fulltime with a very young child and I decided something had to change. I was already a happy customer with the Utility Warehouse and saw the opportunity of recommending the savings to others as an excellent, risk free, business opportunity. It allows me to be my own boss and work as much and when I wish. This has enabled me to readdress my work-life balance so I no longer fit my family around my work, instead I work flexibly around my young family. This has been an important lifestyle choice for me.
I now work closely with many other people, from a wide range of backgrounds, who also want to be able to make lifestyle choices of their own or have a ‘plan B’. They build their Utility Warehouse businesses just by working a few hours in the nooks and crannies of their week. This is great fun and a great learning opportunity too!
Inksplott: And how come the business is in Splott?
Kate: I work the business from home, which is in Courtney Road, Splott! As well as being passionate about my business I am also passionate about local community. Therefore this is a great opportunity for me to work within the community to show people this great opportunity to save and/or make money.
Inksplott: What’s your speciality?
Kate: I help people save money every month with guaranteed savings on their essential services and shopping.
Some benefits of the Discount Club are:
– Everything is on one convenient monthly bill – helps with budgeting
– FREE LED lightbulbs for your whole house (with a lifetime guarantee)
– Cashback on your shopping, petrol, holidays, eating out and a lot more
– Money off restaurants, cinema and days out
I provide a personal experience, most of my business is through referrals so it is about being known, liked and trusted by the people I’m helping. I give an individual face-to-face service to all of my customers while being supported by a successful national people focused company.
Inksplott: What’s your best story since setting up the business?
Kate: I had a really good feeling when a single mother with an 8 year old son saved over £900 a year on her bills. It meant she was able to take her son on their first holiday together. That’s when I know I have made a difference – just by helping people benefit by redirecting their spend.
Inksplott: Tell us a secret or something about Splott that we won’t know.
Kate: Splott community is the best kept secret in Cardiff, it’s a great place to live with great people!
Inksplott: Any exciting plans or events on the horizon?
Kate: I’m looking forward to the Splott Community Summer Fete on August 7th this year. I will be there with a free prize draw stall to ‘Win a Mini or £10,000’, so please feel free to pop over to say hello and enter the draw!
Inksplott: That’s great – thank you so much for the interview!
People can contact Kate by calling/texting on 07826855708 or visiting her website at www.katethomas.club
If you are a local business owner and would like to be profiled on Inksplott, contact lynne.thomas@incsblot.co.uk