Working with Facebook Groups for great PR and Brand Awareness...

“We call it Mum to Mum Face…that look you get when there’s been a post to the group, and you know you’re not going to get anything else done for the next hour, because of all the tags and referrals that will be coming through!”

Roxanne and Karl Bergman are living the dream. They both decided to pursue their passions, and create their own businesses, doing what they love at www.roxpixphotography.com & www.kombatprinciple.co.uk.

They were some of the first people to use Mum to Mum to advertise and promote what they offer to the community of Milton Keynes; and it’s been so successful for them, that they don’t need to advertise anywhere else.

Roxanne owns RoxPix Photography. She offers natural, relaxed family photo sessions as well as formal collections of wedding photos. A couple of years ago, she decided to offer seasonal “mini-shoots” – short photo sessions for all the family, or just the kids, in beautiful, local outdoor settings (apart from the Christmas one, which is done with a backdrop and festive props). It’s a 15 minute session, with a choice of 10 edited digital photos afterwards – all for ￡35. She posted on the group, and waited to see what the interest would be.

“It was incredible,” says Rox. “The post had only been there for a couple of minutes, and the replies started coming in. Within an hour, I had 35 enquiries about booking a slot. I do four of these seasonal shoots a year, and they all fill up within hours of me posting about them on Mum to Mum.”

Once new customers have experienced her shoots, and hung her beautiful images on the wall, they often return for longer photoshoots, or to book Rox for occasions – and she’s also got an offer listed with the Mum to Mum VIP Card scheme. “There are some families I have been photographing for years – and it’s the most amazing feeling to go into someone’s house, and see a photo that I have taken up on their wall. That’s what I love – creating stunning images for people that capture single a moment of their life, that they can treasure and remember for many years to come.”

Her husband, Karl, has also realised his dream – heading his own martial arts school, the Kombat Principle Institute of Martial Arts. It started as a few classes per week, alongside his full time job, and held in a martial arts venue that has since closed; so Karl moved the sessions to the function room of the Wolverton Working Men’s Club in 2017. He started advertising on Mum to Mum that summer. “It was slow at first, but as one or two more students joined, whose parents had heard about me through the group, it picked up pace fast.

“Someone asks for a recommendation for martial arts groups in MK – and that can be several times a week,” says Karl. “Parents of my students recommend me, tag me, and that’s it – I’m busy responding with links and replies for the rest of the evening!”

Karl now has over 10 regular students in the Warrior Tots class (ages 3-5 and over 20 at the Juniors session (age 6-13) – and this year he secured permanent, dedicated space in the club to house his own dojo, or martial arts training facility. He’s adding more classes for adults, alongside the women’s self-defence class, and mixed adults’ wai muay kali kyusho-jitsu sessions, including weight management, anxiety and stress, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He’s left his full time job, works part-time in the mornings for a local plumbing and heating business, and devotes the rest of his time to the Institute.

“On a Sunday morning – before the children’s classes – I just take a moment to sit there in the brand new dojo. Everything’s ready: all the equipment is out, the chairs are set, and the drinks are on. And I think, “Who’s going to come today?” And then they do.

“And I think, this is it - it’s the dream, come true at last. My own martial arts institute, giving kids and adults confidence, discipline, respect, and empowerment. It’s my own business, and I built it with the help of Mum to Mum.”

Mum to Mum loves to support local businesses just like Rox and Karl’s, and we offer affordable online adverting on our local life directory – which includes the chance to post into our social media channels. Request our media pack today by contacting Sam or Rebecca at [email protected].

https://mumtomumuk.com/milton-keynes/blog/posts/roxanne-and-karl-living-the-dream-with-mum-to-mum