7 Years of Sharp Thinking: A journey of hard work, perseverance, and personal growth

From start up to a thriving strategic marketing consultancy

What a ride it has been—7 years of persistence, hard work, and countless ups and downs. Taking the plunge into the world of running your own business is never easy, and when I launched Sharp Thinking Marketing, I knew it was going to be one of the biggest challenges of my life.

I won’t sugarcoat it—it wasn’t always a bed of roses or glitzy award ceremonies. When I started, I was stepping into completely unfamiliar territory. I hadn’t worked for five years, having been a full-time stay-at-home mum. I had just moved to a new area where I didn’t know anyone. My confidence was low, I had no local business connections, and the marketing world I had once known had evolved—digital marketing was now at the forefront.

Fast forward seven years to today, and I find myself reflecting on what my Kent based strategic marketing consultancy has accomplished, what I’ve learnt, and the incredible people I’ve met along the way. For all the small business owners and entrepreneurs out there, know that the path to growth is rarely easy, but it’s one that’s deeply rewarding when you stay the course.

From challenges to achievements

These seven years have been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and milestones. I’m incredibly proud to reflect on what the business has accomplished.

• Supported over 50 wonderful clients and mentored 40 businesses and pro bono work giving back in the community working with schools and organisations including The Kent Foundation

• Delivered 20 marketing strategies, 15 plans, and LinkedIn training for 10 companies

• Won 1 prestigious award, became national finalists three times and celebrated numerous proud achievements

• Featured in 20 press articles and delivered 7 talks I once never dreamt of doing after conquering my fears of public speaking

• Secured over £200k in marketing contracts, supporting the local supply chain and collaborating with 10 talented freelancers

• Survived 3 office makeovers, Brexit, a global pandemic, and the cost of living crisis, while juggling over 2,000 social media posts and writing 163 blogs to promote the business (yes, I counted!).

Every late night, every challenge, every achievement—it’s all been worth it. Not for riches or ease, but for the sheer passion of making a difference, spreading my love for marketing and transferring my knowledge to others to help businesses grow.

My top tips for small business growth

The reality of running a business is far from an easy life. It’s hard work that demands resilience and motivation at every turn. For those starting out or already on their entrepreneurial path, here’s my heartfelt advice rooted in my own experience:

Stay persistent

Building a business takes time, patience, and consistency. You may feel like your efforts are paying off at a snail’s pace, especially in marketing. Remember, creating brand awareness and achieving results can take years and sales cycles have got longer especially in business-to-business. Keep going—it’s worth it.

Be open to reinvention

Markets evolve, customers change, and businesses grow and we've witnessed so many profound events that have impacted customer behaviour forever in the last five years. Be flexible and open to adaptation while staying true to your core values. Sometimes, a single decision today is just a stepping stone for where you’ll be tomorrow.

Surround yourself with great people

Collaborate with like-minded individuals who inspire and uplift you. Building a support network of peers, mentors, and experts can be transformational in both your professional and personal life.

Outsource where needed

You don’t have to be good at everything—it’s unrealistic and unsustainable. Identify your strengths and outsource the tasks that fall outside of them. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a smart business move.

Strive for progress, not perfection

Perfectionism is a common trap for entrepreneurs, but it often leads to delays and missed opportunities. Accept 80% as “good enough”—you’ll still achieve the results you’re aiming for. Businesses don’t have the luxury of corporate-level budgets or resources, and that’s OK!

Take risks and step outside your comfort zone

Some of the best opportunities come when you push past your fears and step into the unknown. Growth happens when you challenge yourself. Taking risks may feel scary, but when they pay off, the reward is incredible. Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Use technology to your advantage

From automating repetitive tasks to leveraging tools for greater efficiency, technology can be transformational to small business owners. Stay up to date with tech trends and seek expert advice where needed to make the most of what’s out there and get help with set up and onboarding.

Believe in yourself

Most importantly, never stop believing in yourself. The road may be bumpy, but self-belief will carry you through the toughest times. When the highs come, they’ll be all the more rewarding.

Gratitude and looking ahead

To all my incredible clients, colleagues, collaborators, and connections—thank you for your trust and support throughout this rollercoaster of a ride. Each individual and business has left a unique impact on me and on the path of Sharp Thinking Marketing.

For small business owners looking to achieve their own milestones, remember this—the lows may feel overwhelming, but the highs are absolutely worth it.

Here’s to the next chapter of my marketing consultancy!

If you’ve been inspired by my story then I'd love to connect on LinkedIn or if you're looking for some help with your marketing strategy, why not reach out? Whether it’s through mentoring or a customised plan, I’d love to help your small business thrive.

Get in touch today, I'm just one conversation away from your next breakthrough.