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10:43 AM 29th December 2021
business

10 In 10: Kate Chandan

 
Kate Chandan, co-founder of Blonde Brown Recruitment, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as we give her just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

Kate Chandan
Kate Chandan
What does a typical working day for you involve?

My day can vary so much but at least twice a week myself and Co-founder, Charlotte Watson, will work together – I love those days as we achieve an incredible amount and sharing ideas is always helpful. Other than that, I’m usually working from home and spend a significant amount of time on phone calls - either interviewing candidates or discussing the recruitment needs of clients. I’m often on Teams networking and meeting new people which is great - as a business owner and being self employed it’s a wonderful way to stay connected. There are some fantastic networking organisations across Yorkshire – one that I have joined recently is the Federation of Small Businesses – the networking groups are fantastic and you have access to so many areas of expertise from legal advice, to HR issues – it’s invaluable.

What makes your company so special?

Being an independent business means that we can be really flexible in our approach. We care about our candidates and want to place them with clients where they can build a long-term career and really flourish and be excited about going to work. From a client’s point of view, we really immerse ourselves in the culture to truly understand what they are looking for. We care and happiness is paramount to us.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

Do what you say you are going to do; be open, transparent and honest; never over-promise; and always strive to do your best.

Do you dress up or down for work?

If I am out seeing clients I will always make sure I look smart as I believe appearance is important and creates a lasting impression. I usually wear a dress with boots.

If I’m having a work from home day, which many of us still are, then it’s comfort all the way - joggers and a hoodie. Unless of course, I am on teams then I will always revert to my smart work wear.

What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t worry about things you can’t influence.

If you are just starting out in your career believe in yourself – you can do anything you want to do, and it is totally OK to change direction and try something different. Be bold – go for it – you only have one life so do everything you want to do. It is never too late to try something different and retrain.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire Venue for an event or team away day?

Rudding Park – it’s a fantastic location with stunning food and the added benefit of the spa. I have attended a few social events at Rudding Park and an away day when I worked in the corporate world – I love the fact it’s so easy to get to but equally when you arrive you are so far away from everything and the scenery is amazing so you can just switch off and focus on what you need to for the day.

How do you prefer to travel for business?

The train is my favourite way to travel as it allows you to catch up with work without getting distracted and if you’re returning home following a particularly long day you can relax and unwind too with a cup of tea and a newspaper or good book.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?

There’s only one place for me - the Yorkshire Dales! I absolutely love it there - as soon as I arrive I just feel an instant sense of calm as it’s so tranquil and picturesque. I particularly enjoy a long walk around Bolton Abbey then lunch at the Red Lion in Burnsall.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

Betty’s is a winner for me as I love afternoon tea! There’s little wonder that whenever you pass, regardless of the time of day, there are queues outside. The traditional setting is really special and the staff are all very friendly, attentive and happy – the customer service is exemplary. Everyone should try one of the legendary Fat Rascals!

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you are away?

The countryside – I love the rolling green hills and the stunning scenery.