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Biography
Claire Raikes describes herself as a coach, communicator and entrepreneur. She coaches, writes, creates and speaks to empower adults and teenagers across 2 core areas: Online Marketing and Wellbeing.
Before switching to online business, Claire spent over 10 years creating and delivering experiential and integrated marketing campaigns for blue chip brands.
Her entrepreneurial bent was obvious early on; in her first agency job, she rose from Junior Account Manager to Board Director (Client Services) in just 4 years. Turnover increased from £250k to £6.5m over the same period. She went on to set up a number of rival companies, including a couple of her own, both of which achieved 'second year' turnovers in excess of £1m. Key clients over the years include Birds Eye Walls, Muller Dairy, Nestle (UK), Royal Opera House, Van den Bergh Foods, Master Foods and Fox's Biscuits.
But the 'work hard, play hard' lifestyle caught up and when the business hit financial difficulties, she decided to bow out gracefully and take a sabbatical. Fuelled by her interest in personal development, she retrained as a coach. Around the same time, Claire became ill with a life-threatening digestive condition. It was nearly 2 years before she became well again simply by overhauling her diet and lifestyle choices.
These days, Claire focusses on business blogging and podcasting, creating blog marketing blueprints and blogsites for companies and brands who wish to enter the blogosphere safely and effectively.
She is also a certified NLP Practitioner with over 16 years of practical NLP application.
In her free time, Claire can be found seeking new experiences: over the years, she has raced motorcycles, walked on hot coals, got booted out of drama school, delivered motivational talks in a second language, exhibited a painting at Dulwich Museum, paraglided off Mount Babadag, broadcast on the BBC’s World Service and been a saucy centrefold! After 18 years based in London's Battersea, Claire has returned 'home' to Wales and currently lives in Cardiff.
