What a rollercoaster it’s been for Samantha Harley.

But – 15 months after going it alone – she’s not just surviving but is positively thriving.

From a single business – Communicate Care Ltd supplying thousands of products to the care home sector – she now has:

• Two sister companies, Communicate Hospitality Ltd and Communicate Clean Ltd. All three come under the CommGroup umbrella.
• A warehouse on the Woolsbridge Industrial Estate at Three Legged Cross. “It was badly needed, at one stage we were using shipping containers,” said Samantha.
• A five-strong team including husband, Paul.

All of which is a far cry from March 2, 2020, when the 39-year-old mother of two launched Communicate Care.

Just three weeks later, the UK went into lockdown with the care home sector finding itself under intense scrutiny as coronavirus cases were reported at homes across the UK.

Samantha, pictured left, said: “The biggest problem was sourcing products such as masks and PPE.

“It was a massive struggle but, somehow, we got through it.”

Just three months after the launch of Communicate Care, a second limited company – Communicate Hospitality – was incorporated in June 2020.

It was followed by Communicate Clean in January this year.

Samantha said: “We specialise in providing a full procurement service to the care and hospitality sectors.

“The two companies sit very well side by side.

“Communicate Clean offers a professional and affordable cleaning service.

“It could be someone’s home, small office, shop, restaurant or corporate business.

“​All cleaning products and equipment can be provided and our domestic services start from as little as £35.

“We’re fully insured and all our staff are DBS checked as well as fully trained in infection control, COSHH, PPE use and correct cleaning procedures.”

Communicate Clean specialises in using premium and eco-friendly products while clients for Communicate Hospitality include The Larder House in Southbourne and Koh Thai.

Samantha, who has a background in sales, got to know the care sector well while working as an account manager for an independent wholesaler specialising in the catering, leisure, care home and janitorial markets.

She handed in her notice to her employer just three days before officially launching Communicate Care.

Paul Harley

Samantha said she was particularly proud of CommGroup’s community links.

These included sponsorship of the Shake & Stir Vintage Festival in Southbourne and taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for Dorset Children’s Foundation.

She added: “There are always challenges.

“In 2020 it was PPE and this year packaging proved to have the same impact.

“Prices have been soaring, stock and raw materials have been unavailable and there are freight charges and massive delays due to the drama in the Suez Canal.

“It’s been a massive learning curve.

“I consider myself just a saleswoman but I’m very pleased at how the business has grown.”

• commgroup.co.uk