My Buzz

Ten years after founding Explore Buxton with my brother and business partner Will Francis, I could never have imagined we'd be where are now with the business. After a very challenging period during the pandemic, we're now as a busy as ever and it's great to be back. We published our printed 2023 Visitor Guide recently which is great for visitors and promotes not only things to do but promotes local businesses in Buxton. We've just been awarded the Local Tourism Guide of the Year 2023 by SME News which is is great! We're hoping to be at the conference in 2024, so we'll maybe see you there :-)

My Bio

Having moved back to my home town of Buxton in 2008, following 12 years in Nottingham working in various sales positions and then in the public sector, I decided I need to pursue my passion - a career in tourism. I'd noticed changes in Buxton across the town in general and the University of Derby Buxton campus was here, having opened in 2006.

I had no idea what to do for a job at this stage but did have a few ideas floating around in the very back of my mind. I needed to find out more so I attended public meetings about The Crescent and became involved in different local community groups. I also participated in a tourism planning consultation with the local council and it was at one of these meetings that I met a mature student from the University, studying Tourism Management. This chance meeting was a stroke of fate and she encouraged to enquire about a degree. I did just that, attended an open day and my journey in tourism began. I graduated in 2012 with a First Class Honours degree in Tourism Management which I was very proud of. During my studies I noticed the lack of information online about Buxton. On nights out (yes, I did have the occasional 'student night out'!) or finding things to do, it felt disjointed and I couldn't believe there was no one central online place for a town like Buxton, that attracted so many visitors. Buxton was changing at fast pace - new, upmarket bars and shops were beginning to appear. Pubs were getting makeovers going for a gastro feel. In 2012, The Crescent development gained traction with more funding and it looked like it was finally going to happen. There was a definite buzz about the town and I could see the huge potential with a really decent online resource. I wanted to be part of the 'new Buxton' that was emerging. The increase in visitors needed to be catered for; after considerable time being glued to a computer in my bedroom at my parents house, explorebuxton.co.uk was born along with an accompanying Facebook page.

Over the course of a few months I must have visited every pub and bar, restaurant, café and almost every independent shop in Buxton to ask owners what they thought of my concept and to discuss their own ideas. The feedback was overwhelmingly supportive.

The Facebook audience grew quickly and gave us a much needed place for people to share personal experiences of Buxton. I wanted to create an all-in-one hub for Buxton with the website - a really good what's on/things to do resource with interesting and engaging content about our lovely Victorian spa town; I think we've really achieved that. With a large audience every month of over 25,000+ unique visitors, we have become the leading online presence for Buxton and forged partnerships with various local and regional businesses. We offer affordable advertising packages in various forms - Full Page Features, Display Advertising and Premium Listings. As a small business, I know only too well that promotion and marketing can be expensive and I was keen to offer affordable advertising that works.

My brother and business partner, Will Francis has played a fundamental part in the founding of and growth of Explore Buxton - he's the tech guy and the man of all knowledge and helps when something breaks (!) Having run his own digital marketing agency and worked in digital marketing for many years, I definitely could not have done this without him...

So, ten years on from creating Explore Buxton, our town continues to transform with even more new businesses - an exploding array of new independent shops, more upmarket bars and restaurants and the Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel is now open - which has been great for Buxton.

You can find out more about Explore Buxton here:
explorebuxton.co.uk
Or, you’re on Facebook – stop by and say hello and give us a ‘Like’:
facebook.com/explorebuxton

My Business Tips

Don’t give up at the first hurdle! Building a successful business isn’t easy and it comes with challenges for everyone and it's hard work. If you're having a tough day, Just grab a cup of tea, take five minutes away from your computer and think about something else. Your hurdle will seem a little smaller when you step back into the office.

Keep up the momentum and don’t stop updating your social media channels – a break for two weeks isn’t on. Get someone to cover for you if you go away. You’re soon forgotten in the digital world.

Be obsessively organised - use a diary and plan out pockets of time for the week ahead and try to stick to it - unless something urgent comes up. Planning out your time effectively can give you lots more time...

You're onto something and your product or business idea seems to popular? Be nice to people and smile...no matter how good your product is, people sell to people :)

My Latest Offers

15% off any advertising for other #sbs winners. We offer a range of packages including display advertising, featured editorial content and Business Listings. For our latest 2023/24 media pack, email me at jen@explorebuxton.co.uk