4 – 3 – 2 – 1 !!!
On 1 March 2023, we are celebrating 4 years of Morecambe Bay Wills! When I founded the company in 2019, I had no idea that we would grow and be as successful as we are. I simply wanted to “do good”, in more ways than one. But we have “done great” in so many ways. Not only are we marking our 4th anniversary, we are also marking a few other milestones this month too!
4 … celebrating 4 years of Morecambe Bay Wills
When I started this venture in early 2019 I wanted to do something to give back to the community and charity that helped us while my husband Jim was ill, and after he died. Sponsoring small local causes and raising over £10,000 for CancerCare North Lancashire have been highlights,
Retraining in a new field was a daunting prospect. However, I have been able to put my previous career experiences and knowledge to use in many ways. I’ve also joined several industry groups and become heavily involved in them, making sure we continually learn about the law and also how others work. Collaboration has been key to our success, and a key contributor in the awards we’ve won in the last two years. My colleagues at The Society of Will Writers and on the SWW Professional Standards Board have been a fantastic help to me and my own learning.
But our success is also due to the way we work. Our values of charity, empathy and integrity run through everything we do – and our clients see that. We love going to see them at home and chatting over a brew, or having them come to the office we opened last year. We make them feel comfortable and we are patient and caring to them. And that’s why they recommend us to their own family and friends – it’s the highest compliment they can pay us.
I’ve loved (almost!) every minute of the last 4 years, and I can’t wait to see what else the next year or two brings. We’ve already expanded to helping customer in North Wales, where I have a small cottage. And we help many families via video conference, as well as continuing to focus on looking after our clients in the beautiful Morecambe Bay area.
None of this would be possible with the help of our amazing team. Paula, Andrea, Georgia and Jane are with me every step of the way – and we love working together and assisting all our clients. And also to those locally who partner with us, send their clients to us, and generally make sure all our operations run smoothly! So special thanks to The Consult Centre, TP Financial Solutions, The Mortgage Partners, Ormerod Income Protection, Cloud2IT, BY Design and many more! As well as The Growing Club CIC and Network She for looking after our business and wellbeing too!
Here’s to many more years helping our clients protect themselves, their families and their businesses !!!
3 …. celebrating 3 years of Paula supporting me, the team, and our clients
As well as celebrating 4 years of Morecambe Bay Wills, we are also celebrating Paula’s 3rd year with us!
Paula is my sister, and also a hugely important part of our team! She joined me early in 2020 to help out a little with scanning and copying the instructions I was taking! Little did I realise how much I needed her, especially when the pandemic hit. She and I went to huge lengths to ensure all our clients were safe and looked after! Since then, Paula has increased the hours she works and learned so much more! Our office truly wouldn’t run without her!
Paula says “I joined Morecambe Bay Wills 3 years ago when it was just Nicola. I started out doing minor admin jobs, but now process LPA and Will applications. I love meeting clients from all walks of life and feel proud that we contribute so much to CancerCare and the community”.
2 … celebrating Andrea’s second anniversary.
Andrea joined us as an Estate Planner in February 2021 after completing her training with The Society of Will Writers. She says:
2 years at Morecambe Bay Wills, what can I say?
That I love my work and take great joy from helping people get their affairs in order!
I have learned that there are so many reasons for people making a Will, which make no two days the same.
Many people wish to provide for their spouse, their children and grandchildren. Many wish to ensure treasured or valuable personal belongings go to the right person.
Many people are also relieved to ensure their unmarried partner (that wouldn’t otherwise get anything) is provided for – either by leaving an outright gift to them, or sometimes leaving them the right to live in the house but with it ultimately passing to their children.
Sadly, more and more people need a Will due to breakdown in family relationships – a Will can sometimes be about excluding someone you do not wish to inherit.
Many people take comfort in protecting the family home, usually our most valuable asset – a simple Property Trust ensures your children inherit your share of the home should the surviving spouse get married, go into care, get into financial difficulty or even change their Will.
Without exception, my clients say how relieved they are to have complete their Wills when they are signing them.
We live in a beautiful part of the world and to travel round , seeing people in the comfort of their own homes, makes for a very rewarding job.
I say job, but it’s so much more than that, it is a privilege to help people with one of the most important documents they will ever make. (And to remind them that a Will may not last forever – do what’s right for now and update it should circumstances change.)
Making a Will is one of the kindest things you can do for your family.
You can reach Andrea via our office or on 07855 028042 – she will be delighted to help you too!
1 … celebrating a year for Jane and Georgia
In addition to us celebrating 4 year of Morecambe Bay Wills, we are also delighted that our newest team members, Jane and Georgia, have also recently completed their first year with us. They joined around the same time – Georgia as a second member of our administration team and Jane as an Estate Planner.
Georgia is my niece and Paula’s daughter … so we have some family fun in the office! Georgia looks after our accounts and also prepares Wills and Powers of Attorney for signing, and then sends them off for secure storage. And many more tasks!
She says …
I can’t believe it’s been a whole year! I have loved every minute of it.
The thing I love most about working at MBWE is the rewarding feeling I get knowing that my work is actually important to others. I feel very proud to be a part of this amazing (award winning!) team and I am very lucky to be able to work with such wonderful ladies (2 being family members!)
I have learned so much in the space of one year and I am excited to learn even more as the years go on! Not many people say that they enjoy their job, but I absolutely love mine!
Jane, a solicitor who used to run her own practice, joined us just over a year ago and is another great addition to our growing team. She recently wrote a blog on her first year – you can read it in full but here is how she sums up her time with us …
In a year I have gained over 100 clients of various ages and abilities. I’ve seen widowed ladies of 80 still enjoying their life to the full with yoga and girls days out. I’ve seen young families ensure their future is protected by planning their Wills with them. I’ve driven 100’s of miles doing a job I love. Perhaps not a wise move to take on extra miles at a time when the cost of petrol shot up but helping so many has been good for my own feelings of self-worth and esteem.
I’m so proud to be part of such a team. The team that has given so much to CancerCare because we are committed to give 5% of every bill to them. The team that is always laughing and joking but looking out for each other. The team that is led by such a kind and inspirational woman in Nicola.
We will never be millionaires writing Wills and Powers of Attorney. But we are, as a company rich beyond measure in how we care and support our community.
I owe the whole team a lot for how they have welcomed me into their fold and made me part of the Morecambe Bay Wills family.
Celebrating our success!
So, although we are celebrating 4 years of Morecambe Bay Wills, and are looking back at everything we’ve achieved so far, we aren’t sitting on our laurels.
We are continuing with our mission to spread awareness, build our amazing team, provide affordable peace of mind and support our community. And our targets for this year are even bigger!
Here’s to the next many years !!!