60 Seconds with Lorraine McCutcheon

Monday 30 September 2024

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
As the director and founder of Local Where 2, I lead a transformative local web directory. With a strong background in business management and charity work, and as a mother of three, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges small businesses face in gaining visibility. My experience includes leading LMCC Operations Ltd. and serving as CEO of IMTI Systems, which highlighted the need for improved local talent and event promotion.

Local Where 2 empowers businesses by offering a platform to showcase their profiles, events, promotions, and vacancies. Our mission is to connect communities and support local enterprises. We plan to expand from Northern Ireland to the wider UK and Ireland. My expertise in finance and project management ensures that I can effectively oversee our operations and drive our vision forward.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.
My started my career as an Accountant Technician, gaining valuable experience in the field. Moving to New York, I began as a bookkeeper for an Italian furniture manufacturer and eventually managed the US operations from NY to FL, until the recession impacted the business.

I transitioned to IMTI System a software engineer for the insurance sector, initially as a bookkeeper and eventually becoming the Executive Vice-President. Upon returning to Northern Ireland, I helped open UK offices for IMTI. When the company shifted priorities, I assisted in its acquisition by US software company Utilant LLC, continuing as a Project Manager. Following another acquisition by Majesco, I worked as a Technical Project Manager with major accounts.

Back in Northern Ireland, I became involved local charities and serve on their board, I also have knowledge of the residential property sector where I have identified gaps in market visibility for businesses. This led me to develop Local Where 2, a platform to bridge these gaps. Using my research and IT skills, I created the platform and improved my marketing skills through workshops with Women in Business, Go Succeed, and Invest NI.

Describe yourself in three words.
Persistent, passionate, professional.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?
One skill that has been invaluable in my role is Business Analysis. During my time in the insurance industry, I focused on optimising processes to achieve the same results with fewer steps while minimising human error. This approach has been integral to the development of Local Where 2. I designed the platform to be user-friendly, allowing businesses to easily control and expand their profiles. My goal is to showcase that businesses are much more than just their "About Us" page. Local Where 2 enables businesses to highlight their strengths and connect with their community effectively by adding events, jobs, discounts, and more to their listings. These features not only bring further visibility to the businesses but also create opportunities for engagement and growth within the community.

What advice do you have for women in your sector?
Network actively and seek out mentors. Building strong relationships with others in your industry can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable support. Stay true to your values and maintain a balance between work and personal life. I have been very fortunate to work with incredible people within the software and business industry, and I have been able to learn something from each of them. Always keep learning either by upskilling or asking questions.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
We are thrilled to announce that Local Where 2 is launching on September 9th! This milestone will allow us to showcase the incredible businesses on our platform and their advertising activities across our social media channels and ezines.

In addition, we are continuously enhancing the platform by adding new features such as courses, an FAQ section, and a chatbot to improve user experience and support. Looking ahead, we have exciting promotional opportunities on the roadmap, including informative webinars and engaging networking events designed to foster connections and growth within our business community.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
I don't have one particular inspiration; rather, I've been inspired by the owners of each small business I've worked with. Their passion, dedication, and ability to turn their dreams into a livelihood for themselves and their families are truly inspiring. Additionally, the amazing business clients I work with daily, who show up with a smile, work tirelessly beyond the standard 9-5, and always give their best, are both humbling and motivating. Their commitment and positivity inspire me to strive for excellence in my own journey.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
You're a Superstar by Simone Denny.

What's your favorite break-time snack?
Nuts if I am focused, biscuits if I hit the 2PM slump.

How can your fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and your organisation?They can connect with me on LinkedIn or check out my Linktree.

Monday 30 September 2024