Breaking: Death of talented figure in major Knaresborough business who always set standards high

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Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowObituary: Carol Rees – May 7, 1970 – September 10, 2024Carol Rees, the highly respected PR director of Allott and Associates, one of the UK’s leading independent business to business PR and marketing agencies, has died unexpectedly while on holiday.After attending King James School Knaresborough and Harrogate College, Carol worked for a number of PR and marketing agencies including Quest Public Relations Ltd, before joining Allott and Associates in 2012 as a Senior Account Manager, later to be promoted to PR Director in December 2013.She is credited with developing the business and setting the grammatical and editorial standards that all staff are now required to follow.Carol Rees, PR director of Allott and Associates of Knaresborough, was an accomplished writer with a flair for disseminating complex information. (Picture contributed)Renowned for her hard work, modesty and client focussed writing skills, she was born in May 1970 and was educated locally, initially at King James School, Knaresborough, and then Harrogate College where she studied graphic art.During her career with Allott and Associates, she represented a number of leading accounts based in the UK, mainland Europe and as far afield as Australia.Carol was a talented writer and won a number of awards for clients.Carol also had an eye for drawing and was a gifted sketcher especially of animals, which she found relaxing.An accomplished writer with a flair for disseminating complex information, Carol specialised in business-to-business, technical accounts.She worked on a number of household name clients in food, energy, manufacturing, processing, packaging, construction, IT and professional services sectors.In her spare time, Carol was an avid tennis player and played for a number of teams including Knaresborough King James, Harrogate Spa and Harlow Hill Tennis Clubs.When she could no longer play due to a knee injury, she took responsibility for organising the catering and fixtures for a number of the local clubs.Carol died last month during a holiday.Allott and Associates’, managing director Mike Lewis said: “Carol will be very sadly missed by colleagues and clients, she was always full of enthusiasm and had a smile that could light up even the dullest of days.”Philip and Sandra Allott, the founders of Allott and Associates, who sold the business to Break Out Media in May 2023, added: “Carol joined us in 2012 and would always go the extra mile to accommodate overseas meetings, and where needed client-imposed deadlines. Carol set a very high professional standard and took a pride in helping everyone, we will all greatly miss her.”Continue Reading

Candidates differ on how to boost business in Port Hawkesbury

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Business growth is emerging as a key topic for the candidates running for Port Hawkesbury town council in the Oct. 19 municipal election, but they’re taking different approaches on how to bring more jobs to the town.The latest roundtable for CBC’s Cape Breton Information Morning series featured three of the seven people vying for four council seats. They presented a variety of strategies, from attracting large industries to assisting small businesses, as well as collaborating with nearby municipalities and economic development groups. With a population of 3,000, Port Hawkesbury is known as a bedroom community for heavy industries located in nearby Point Tupper, including two companies now pursuing green hydrogen and renewable energy development.Incumbent Mark MacIver, who oversees a municipal committee for the industrial park the town shares with Richmond County, feels a collaborative approach can strengthen the town’s hand in industrial growth.”If there’s something coming to this area that we can speak on together, it’s a stronger voice going to the provincial government or Ottawa,” said MacIver, who has sat on town council for a combined 20 years. ‘We don’t want to stifle business’First-time Port Hawkesbury council candidates Donald MacDonald and Todd Barrett come at the issue from different backgrounds. MacDonald, the town’s volunteer fire chief, is now retired but still offers consulting services in the Strait area, while Barrett operates a Hyundai dealership in Port Hawkesbury Business Park. “Running a business for the past 23 years gives me good strength, not just in handling the financials, but also working with people,” Barrett said. “We don’t want to stifle business — we want to help business to grow. That attracts more people to the area, plus it creates more employment for the area, and that’s [helpful] for people who want to move here and to stay here.”Economic roundtable pitched MacDonald sits on the town’s economic development and housing committee. He pitched partnerships with Richmond County, the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Breton Partnership, which has an economic development officer who oversees the town and the county. “I feel we’ve got to … have a roundtable discussion on bringing business to the community,” MacDonald said. “What do we do? Is it TV advertising? Is it a brochure? Do we bring people to these areas and show them what we have, or have them visit us? Or do we put together some kind of proposal so they can look at us?” Rezoning arises as business-friendly possibilityMacIver and Barrett both suggested that changes to Port Hawkesbury’s land-use bylaws and zoning strategies could also result in a friendlier business climate. Meanwhile, MacDonald spoke of his own business background as an example of the versatility needed to attract a wide array of companies to the region.”I’ve owned and operated my own business … I’ve worked with union and non-union contracts, and with some major companies,” MacDonald said. “I’ve seen a lot.”Also running for Port Hawkesbury town council are incumbent Blaine MacQuarrie, second-time candidate Paula Hart, and first-time candidates Iaian Langley and Michael Currie. They were featured in a previous candidate roundtable for the Information Morning series.Brenda Chisholm-Beaton is seeking her third term as the town’s mayor. Her challengers are paper mill union president Archie MacLachlan, who ran against Chisholm-Beaton in 2020, and current town councillor Jason Aucoin. MORE TOP STORIES

Bulldogs head of medical sets up own sports rehab business

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Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe head of medical at Batley Bulldogs has “taken the leap” to set up her own sports rehabilitation business to help and treat people in North Kirklees and beyond.Return to You has been established by Ally Briggs, who has been looking after the Bulldogs’ physical well-being since 2016.But going solo in the physiotherapy world has always been a dream for the 28-year-old, who also works for the NHS with Connect Health.“It’s always where I’ve wanted to be,” she told the Reporter Series. “It’s just been about finding the cash flow and the right places. I have started to take the leap and hope to develop it into my own clinical space at some point, hopefully in a gym setting, and build it from there.Return to You has been established by Ally Briggs, who has been looking after the Bulldogs’ physical well-being since 2016.“You’ve got to start somewhere. I had been putting it off for a while just because it’s a scary thing to do. But I’ve decided to take the leap now and take advantage of the off-season to put some attention into this business and see how it grows from there.”Explaining her background and why she wanted to set up her own business, she said:“I enjoy my work at Batley Bulldogs and with Connect Health. But I feel with all the pressures from an NHS point of view, it’s so difficult to give patients the time and consistency they need.Read More‘They have done the hard work’ – Mark Moxon wants his Batley Bulldogs players to…Return to You has been established by Ally Briggs (right), who has been looking after the Bulldogs’ physical well-being since 2016.“We have so many pressures to see people in a short space of time. I feel like the NHS gets a lot of criticism from a physio point of view particularly. There’s a lot of exercises on a sheet and people are then told to go away.“I would much rather help people in an individualised way. I am hoping to develop something in the same area but more focussed on that individualised approach as it’s not a one-size-fits-all.“Sometimes people need a little bit more support and a bit more input than what the NHS can offer.”The Leeds-based University of Bradford graduate has a current working office at the Bulldogs’ Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, but also has the capacity to visit clients across Batley, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton and the rest of North Kirklees and beyond.She said: “It will depend on the person’s needs and me having a consultation with the person to decide what will work best for them. Whether that’s over the phone, in person, at their house or at the club. “I have worked with lots of different people over the years. People who have had strokes, hip replacements, knee replacements, as well as the sporting things.“It’s not just for a specific injury, it’s open to anybody. I can also refer people to other therapists if appropriate.”Thanking the Bulldogs for their support with her new venture, Ally added:“The club has been fantastic, they always have been. From Kevin (Nicholas, chairman) and the management to the players and staff. I can’t fault their support.“I started eight years ago as a student and I have never really left. I keep joking I am two years off my own testimonial!“It’s a home from home.”Batley head coach Mark Moxon told the Reporter Series: “Ally’s very good and organised and does a lot more than physiotherapy. She looks after the lads and is a mental health first aider as well.“She is a great club woman as well as a good physio that all the lads respect. And that’s important because if the physio doesn’t have their respect, they won’t go and see them.“There haven’t been any times this season where I have felt under-resourced numbers-wise, which is credit to Ally and Mark Barlow. They have done a great job this year and that shouldn’t go unnoticed.”For more information about Return to You – Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation visit the Facebook page.Continue Reading

Hogan opened Maryland for business as governor | GUEST COMMENTARY

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The month before Maryland’s gubernatorial election in 2014, polls indicated the Republican nominee Larry Hogan would lose to Democrat Anthony Brown by double digits — Hogan won by 5 points! One of the greatest eight-year periods of economic growth for Maryland was soon underway. I want to share some of my memories of working alongside “the Gov” and an incredible group of cabinet secretaries. We had a “playbook” and, as the Gov often said, “We did exactly what we said we were going to do” — and it worked!Two weeks after the election, I got a call from the late Jim Brady, a close friend and Hogan’s campaign chair in 2014. Jim, who was always to the point, said, “Have you ever thought about being secretary of commerce? The governor and I think you could be pretty good at it.” I responded, “Jim, that wasn’t on my radar screen.” Two weeks later, I met with Hogan at his transition office in Annapolis and said yes to the opportunity. He said, “Mike, we ran on ‘Change Maryland.’ The previous administration had 43 tax and fee increases, more people were leaving our state than moving in and our economy is stagnant.” I gave him a copy of my favorite book, “The Little Engine That Could,” the second greatest book ever written, instilling positivity and resilience —“I think I can, I think I can.” As I walked out of his office, he said to me, “We will open Maryland for business.”We had our work cut out for us. Maryland was ranked 49th overall for economic growth. The Hogan administration inherited a $5.1 billion structural deficit and, eight years later when he handed the keys to Gov. Wes Moore, there was a surplus of $5 billion. With the current administration’s commitment to the unfunded $30 billion Blueprint for Maryland Education and the Red Line, also unfunded and a multibillion-dollar investment, the future deficits will be staggering.When the Gov came into office, he immediately put the brakes on new taxes and at the same time eliminated many wasteful and unnecessary regulations — considering there are over 10,000 regulations in Maryland government, he had plenty to choose from. In the early part of my first year, I read an article that said there were over 500,000 businesses in Maryland — from a three-employee ice cream shop in Cumberland to Marriott and McCormick. What they all had in common was they were our “customers.” The light bulb was totally illuminated. Hogan created a “culture of yes” and we ran all over the state asking everyone, “How can we help you?” The Gov often said that if Maryland were to grow, all 23 counties and Baltimore City needed to be successful. Hogan never lost sight of that and from Garrett to Worcester County we did all we could to help them achieve their potential.The Hogan administration also created a commerce sub-cabinet composed of the departments that touched “customers” the most – Planning, Housing and Community Development, Environment, Transportation, Labor and Commerce. As a team, we agreed on three priorities — workforce development, job creation and customer service. In less than six months, the governor stood in front of a packed room on the second floor of the State House and outlined the Maryland government’s “Customer Service Promise.” We could not find another state with anything like it. The stars aligned for us. Maryland saw soaring job growth and was on the radar of companies looking to grow and expand. Confidence is a critical factor for where companies choose to locate, and Governor Hogan made them believe that Maryland would be a great state for their business.Larry Hogan, the Gov, will be an outstanding U.S. senator for Maryland. He loves Maryland and has consistently led with common sense, and what he believes is best for the greater good of the many. He will be a strong, fiercely independent leader of the highest character. Thanks, Gov, for the opportunity to be on your team. We really did open Maryland for business.Mike Gill ([email protected]) was twice secretary of commerce during the Hogan administration and also served twice on the Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland. He is currently chairman of Evergreen Advisors.

How To Now Get Nearly Unlimited Funding To Build Your Small Business Empire

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The Small Business Administration has removed the $5 million per borrower cap on its popular 7(a) loan guarantee program. But to take advantage of the change, you’ll need to diversify.By Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes Staff

The golden ticket to buy a small business has always been a Small Business Administration 7(a) loan. But thanks to a recent and overlooked rule change, it just got even better, giving ambitious entrepreneurs a chance to build a diversified collection of small businesses–their own baby Berkshire Hathaways.

The 7(a) program was established in the same law that created the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1953. The SBA provides a 75% guarantee on these loans, reducing the risk for lenders and thereby encouraging them to fund small businesses. The money can be used for working capital, equipment, real estate, or even to buy a business.

Business buyers love the SBA 7(a) program not only because it makes more loans available, but also because of its forgiving collateral requirements. Most of the time, a personal guarantee from the buyer is enough. Even better, borrowers often don’t need to put much, if any, money down. Repayment terms can stretch up to 25 years, making it a more affordable option than a standard bank loan that typically maxes out at just 10 years. The program has been a clear success. In fiscal 2024, 70,242 loans were approved, totaling $31.1 billion, with an average loan size of $443,097.

Now, the total volume of loans issued could skyrocket. That’s because in May 2023, the SBA significantly modifed the $5 million cap on total loan guarantees per business owner. Previously, borrowers were limited to $5 million in SBA-backed loans, whether for a single business or spread across multiple ventures. But the agency revamped this “affiliation rule” to allow borrowers to take out up to $5 million per business, as long as each business falls into a different subsector of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). With 96 subsectors available, this change opens the door for business owners with good credit and strong track records to expand their reach and diversify.

According to an SBA official, the change was made to “reflect the Small Business Act’s definition of a small business, which states in part that a small business is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation.” Before this rule change, the SBA treated any businesses with common ownership as part of the same “field of operation,” regardless of industry. For example, if someone owned a dry cleaner, a restaurant, and a dental office, they were all grouped together to determine the total loan size, according to the SBA official.
The change may have brought the SBA’s lending criteria better into line with the Small Business Act, but it was still a dramatic move given that the SBA had been grouping businesses with common ownership together for seven decades.
The timing of this adjustment leaves some speculating as to why. One lender suggests this could be partly about optics. Ray Drew, managing director of Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based Truliant Federal Credit Union and host of The Art of SBA Lending podcast, notes that the SBA has been pushing lenders to issue smaller loans in an effort to drive business creation in underserved communities. (The average loan size has dropped 18% since fiscal 2022.) Meanwhile, the $5 million loan cap hasn’t changed since October 2010, when Congress increased it from $2 million in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. (If it had been adjusted for inflation, that $5 million cap would be $7.2 million now.)
But the SBA hasn’t asked Congress to raise the cap. “In D.C., so much focus is on the small-dollar loan,” Drew, 35, says. “I think they don’t want to be seen as helping the bigger guy.” So changing the way the affiliation rule works, he suggests, could be seen as a clever workaround–a way to funnel more dollars to successful entrepreneurs, without disturbing the optics of helping the little guy.
An SBA official insists that’s not the case. The rule change followed over a decade of talks with borrowers and lenders. What the agency learned was that the old policy was “too cumbersome, confusing, and subjective,’’ the official explains. The new rule simplifies the definition of affiliation while maintaining “protections to ensure large businesses cannot pursue SBA loans.”
The change caught small business lenders and funding search agents by surprise–so much so, that at first they weren’t sure it was for real or how it would work. Truliant’s Ray Drew, for his part, didn’t really believe it until he got a loan approved for one of his clients that pushed that borrower over the old $5 million cap.
“I heard about it, but in the SBA business, you hear about a lot of things,” says Stephen Speer, the founder of eCommerce Lending, an online business acquisition advisor. “We’ve heard about mermaids and unicorns our whole lives, but we’ve never seen one. I was skeptical for sure.”
Speer, a 30 year veteran of the small business industry, says he has a client who only a few months ago closed a $3.8 million loan to acquire a retail flooring tile business. A month after closing that deal, the same client wanted to borrow another $3.4 million through the 7(a) program to purchase an online skin care company. He says he reached out to nine other lending partners to get the deal done, but only Drew said it was possible. “Ray [Drew] took the bull by the horns and ran the additional loan,” Speer says. “My client now has $7.2 million in SBA financing on two separate loans.”
Speer, like others in the small business community, is pleased with the rule change. He notes that more people are looking to buy rather than start businesses, and there’s a growing trend of buyers interested in acquiring multiple businesses. While he, along with others, would eventually like to see the $5 million loan cap raised, he views this change as a positive step that’s come at the right time. As Speer puts it, “you have all these businesses owned by 70-year-olds who aren’t passing them on to their kids, they’re looking to sell.”
That’s not to say everyone thinks the changes are perfect. Eric Pacifici, the founder of SMB Law Group—which has advised on more than $1 billion in small business deals since its founding in 2022—points out the odd incentive structure created by the rule. “It pushes people to diversify,” Pacifici says, adding that diversification, which is a staple of successful investing, might not be the best approach when it comes to actually running multiple small businesses. That said, he’s had many clients inquire about the new rule with some already closing deals.
Just because borrowers can now exceed the cap doesn’t mean banks will hand out million dollar loans to just anyone, cautions Truliant’s Drew. To qualify for more than $5 million in total financing, potential borrowers will need excellent credit and a proven track record of success. After all, the banks still retain 25% of the risk on these loans.
“If you want to go out and get five $5 million loans from the SBA, you better be really strong financially,” says Drew. “The average Joe isn’t going to get approved for all of that.”

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