I’ve clocked over 30 years in the communications industry and it got me thinking, what has it taught me?
Yesterday, my daughter collected her GCSE results. This isn’t a boast about creating a genius—she did well, and that’s all that matters. But witnessing the pressure on young people today got me thinking. When I got my own results in 1988, my parents weren’t with me enjoying coffee and croissants in the school refectory. I simply walked to school, got my results and then headed to the pub with friends. It was a different time, and the pressure felt worlds away from what young people face today.
Over my career, I’ve ducked and weaved my way from journalism to in-house PR, then to agency life and finally, to owning my own agency. I’ve worked with brilliant people—creatives who produce spellbinding ads, literary geniuses and marketing managers who can magic campaigns out of nowhere. Looking back, I’ve also learned some vital lessons, often the hard way.
The Power of Mistakes and Fear
The first thing I’ll admit is that I’ve made a hell of a lot of mistakes. But looking back, I know that’s okay. If I hadn’t made mistakes, I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough. While some of those moments can still keep me awake at night, I’ve learned to accept them as part of a life well-lived. Don’t get me wrong, some do keep me up at night but that’s for another blog.
I’ve also dealt with fear. Fear of not being good enough, or that someone else was simply better. Often, that “someone” was a man, a sign of how slowly change has sometimes moved in our industry. I think it’s only with maturity that you can see how fear holds you back. If I could go back in time, I would have been bolder and braver in my career decisions. I would almost certainly be better off financially, but more importantly, I would have achieved my full potential sooner.
Relationships Are Everything
Finally, I’ve learned that relationships are key. I’ve made a mess of some, while others will last a lifetime. Not everyone will like you or how you work—and that’s a life lesson in itself. But with maturity, I’ve grown kinder, both to myself and to others.
The most important advice I can offer is this: build those relationships, nurture them and use them to help your career. The people you meet and the connections you make are the most valuable currency in this industry, and they’ll serve you far better than any single campaign win ever could.
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A Bit About Me
A passionate communicator with over three decades of experience, I’ve been a constant presence in the marketing, PR, and comms world since I graduated in 1993. While my initial ambition was to become a journalist, I soon discovered that my true calling lay in helping businesses tell their stories. This journey began with an in-house PR role at a telecoms company, where I fell in love with crafting compelling narratives.
In 1998, I made the transition to agency life, a move that would define the next phase of my career. My time at Connect in 1999 was foundational, teaching me the core skills that led me to co-found and grow the agency into 8848, a full-service marketing firm. After successfully exiting the business in 2023, I am now offering my expertise on a freelance basis.
I provide tailored support in freelance marketing, PR, comms, and social media, helping businesses to build their brand and drive growth. My extensive background in agency leadership and business development allows me to offer a strategic, hands-on approach. If you’re looking for an experienced marketing consultant to help you achieve your goals, I’m here to help.
Outside of all things marketing, I have two grown up children and help my husband with the family holiday cottage company in the Peak District.