Pursuing Dreams, Embracing Change
Meet our powerhouse Operations Assistant, Alison Chandler! She’s proving that no matter how tough life gets, new beginnings and brighter days are always within reach when you bring passion and tenacity to the table. In this edition of Meet the Team, we’re diving into Alison’s story and discovering why she’s the perfect fit for The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd.
This is a journey of pursuing dreams, embracing change, and making your younger self proud!
Courageous Mum Of 4
As a mum of four and a widow who tragically lost her husband over 10 years ago, Alison made the courageous decision to move from Oxfordshire to Cardiff with her family in search of a fresh start—and more than a decade later, she has never looked back.
Her journey after tragedy eventually brought her to us, where her spirit shines through in her new role. Alison oversees bookings for meeting rooms, tending to the presentation of our flexible office spaces, and ensuring the requirements of conference attendees are met. Additionally, she assists our Centre Manager Emma, with various tasks to ensure the smooth running of daily operations, from invoicing our business tenants and responding to queries to tackling a host of administrative tasks.
Meeting Up at Mel’s Café
As part of our Meet The Team tradition, we sat down with Alison at The Business Centre’s local popular food spot, Mel’s Café, to learn more about her and why she wanted to join our team:
“Choosing The Business Centre as my place to grow in my career was an easy decision. From the moment I interviewed with James and Emma, I felt an immediate sense of ease from their warm and welcoming personalities.
“I was thrilled to see that this energy is shared by the entire staff, who made me feel incredibly welcome from my first day. They have been extremely supportive, and together, we are working to ensure that my role as the Operations Assistant is both impactful and effective.”
Organisation, Order, & Out of the Ordinary
Alison shares that she loves helping people and admits she’s a bit of a perfectionist with a penchant for keeping things tidy and finding an unusual enjoyment in updating the filing system.
“Sadly, what most people find tedious and boring, is something I really enjoy,” Alison laughs. “I really love ticking boxes and this position allows me to indulge this side of me.”
Raising Money for Welsh Veterans
Alison joined our company at the perfect time to participate in the cherished tradition of giving back at Mel’s Café through the annual Barry Bake Off. This beloved event draws people from all over the community, competing to create the most delicious cakes.
The Barry Bake Off has become synonymous with fun and generosity at Mel’s Café, where not only cakes but also raffle tickets are sold to raise funds for charities like Macmillan Cancer Support and Group 617, a charity dedicated to supporting our Welsh veterans.
“I was super excited to be a part of this incredible charity fundraising event, where I was one of the judges tasked with the decadent job of tasting all the incredible cakes and deciding on the winner.
“It was so kind to be offered the opportunity to be a judge for the bake off. It went so well.”
The Barry Bake Off, organised by Mel of Mel’s Café and Russell of Group 617, managed to raise an impressive £754!
A Perfect Fit
Alison comes to us with a rich background in customer service, childminding, supporting vulnerable adults and dementia patients, and working for the NHS in a doctor’s surgery in Cardiff.
Her wide and varied experience showcases her adaptability and ability to handle the unexpected, making her an invaluable asset. She consistently places the needs of people above all else, demonstrating her commitment to care and support. These qualities make her the perfect fit as our Operations Assistant.
Taking Breaks at the Beach
On weekends and days off, Alison simply loves spending time at the beach.
“I still get excited by the beach even after all these years living closer to the coast, but I’ve taken a break since the new addition to my family arrived: my new miniature dachshund puppy named Audrey!
“She is only 9 weeks old, but when she is older, we’re definitely going to have some beach adventures together!”
Embracing Life’s Twists, Turns, Tragedies, & Triumphs
Alison’s story shows that life doesn’t follow a straight path. Life’s journey includes many pauses, redirections, and even complete changes to new destinations. Not only did she learn to live with loss while still taking care of her family and growing her career, but she was even able to achieve a dream of her younger self.
Seven years ago, Alison resumed her tertiary education, which she had initially put on hold years before. She boldly returned to studying Psychology and finally earned her Foundation Degree!
At The Business Centre, we admire those who persist in pursuing their dreams!
Meet the Team: Building Trust in the People Behind The Business Centre
We create these insightful Meet the Team blogs so you can get to know the people behind our team better. Why? Because when you choose our services—whether it’s our flexible serviced offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices, or facilities like our meeting rooms—you’ll know the dedicated individuals handling everything. Their stories might even resonate with yours. Through these stories, we hope to build your trust, showing that we are here for you, dedicated and determined to meet your goals. If you’re interested in our flexible office space or require the expertise of Alison to plan, organise, and manage your conference, give us a call at 0800 634 9920 or email us at [email protected].
The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd, leaders in managed office space Barry for over a decade!