We Mean Business: ‘Running a business is one of the hardest things I’ve taken on in my life but the most rewarding’
The founder of a multi-award-nominated business has admitted it is one of the hardest things he has done in his life, but also the most rewarding.
Launched in February, the Chronicle & Echo’s latest campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
Cameron Brookes-Williams launched The Event Man as a limited company in February 2025, having built the foundations of the business since the start of the pandemic.
Having travelled Australia for six months before returning in August last year to take on The Event Man full-time, this is now Cameron’s main focus and he remains excited for what the future holds.
The Event Man is a bespoke and one-stop events company that assists with any occasion – from weddings, birthdays and funerals, to themed Halloween and Christmas get-togethers.
Clients can hire Cameron to bring their decor to life and handle the rest themselves, or as the full-scale planner of the entire event. He acts as the point of communication and middleman between the customer and suppliers.
Let’s take a look at what Cameron had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“It’s definitely challenging to say the least,” he said. “Like anything, it has its ups and downs. It’s one of the hardest things I have taken on in my life so far, but one of the most rewarding.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Cameron continued: “100 percent the finances. I took out a business loan to set up and support in the early stages, with buying stock, a van to get the decor pieces around, and it helped with the main structure of the business. I’m paying that back.
“With the cost of living, people are holding back on certain aspects of events because of how much they’ve got to spend. Weddings are moving towards DIY, and I have to change and adapt all the time.
“I have to use sales techniques. Rather than be an events company where people come to me, I’ve now got to go out and find people. I speak to venues to get on their books. It’s gone from word of mouth to a sales pitch and I put my experience to use.”
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
“There are small businesses out there that do what I do,” said Cameron. “But there isn’t one I’ve found that offers everything I do. I pride myself on the job I do, but it’s me personally as to why they choose the business. I build that relationship.”
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
Cameron immediately referenced the power of social media engagement and said: “If people know somebody getting married or having a party, tag them in my posts. Sharing across platforms helps it reach wider. During the consultation, I ask people where they heard about me and the majority say social media.
“Especially with social media, the more engagement you get, the more bookings that will come in – and it costs people nothing to like, share and follow.”