Two entreprenurial Lancashire sisters are championing the virtues of families working together in the lead-up to National Siblings Day (10 April).
Laura and Emily Leyland – the duo behind Chorley-based recruitment specialists Fresh Perspective Resourcing – have pledged to make themselves available on 10 April to offer free advice and support about working positively with fellow family members.
According to estimates provided by Family Business United, approximately 75 percent of all businesses in Lancashire are family-owned – meaning there’s plenty of people in the county who may well benefit from getting in touch with the Leyland sisters.
“Working with family members and the importance of being positive is something we’ve been aware of from an early age,” said Emily, aged 30. “Our dad and uncle had a local bakery together when we were children, and our grandmother ran a sweet shop on Pall Mall, Chorley, so we grew up in a family business-run environment. We learned quickly that working as a team brings people together and that it’s so crucial to always play your part. I can remember making mince pies at the bakery when I was only four, but this instilled a really strong work ethic in both of us, which has been of great benefit in later life, as well as bringing us closer together as sisters.
‘If anyone else has a family business, please do get in touch on National Siblings Day, as we’d love to share our advice!”
Laura, aged 34, founded Fresh Perspective in 2016, with Emily coming on board a year later. Together, the siblings’ aim is to revolutionise recruitment in Lancashire – saving clients up to 50 percent by only billing for the time spent searching for ideal candidates rather than charging traditional placement fees.
“Emily and I are like ‘delayed twins’,” said Laura. “I know how to convey messages to her in a way that she doesn’t misunderstand or get upset about. We respect one another so much and I know how to communicate with her to get the best impact for our business. We are patient and respectful with one another in spite of some of the differences we have, but we also have an unspoken understanding: success to us isn’t how much money we make; it’s helping people find a job or career they love.
‘I don’t know what I’d do without Emily; we are in this together and I know that she will always have my back.”
Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Family Business United, said: “Family firms are the backbone of the UK, with 88 percent of private businesses being family-owned. It’s hugely important that they continue to work together around issues of governance and succession planning in order to thrive for generations to come.”
National Siblings Day was created in 1995 by Claudia Evart – a freelance paralegal from New York – after she lost both her sisters at an early age. The date it is annually observed (10 April) marks the birthday of Claudia’s sister Lisette.
