Jo Shaddick

Building a creative business is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming when you’re trying to do everything yourself. That’s exactly the challenge this entrepreneur set out to solve.

Today, she works as a freelance business partner for artists, makers and creative founders - helping them get organised, get visible, and most importantly, get back to doing the work they love. By combining practical business systems with creative insight, she supports growing businesses to run smoothly and sustainably.

Her journey began not with a grand plan, but with a real need. In her previous business, she often found herself wishing she could clone herself - someone to take care of the day-to-day running while she focused on creating. That person didn’t exist. So when the opportunity came, she became that person - for others. It’s proof that sometimes the business you end up building is different from the one you first imagined, but even more impactful.

Inspired by trailblazing female founders like Jo Malone, Anita Roddick and Mary Portas, she has always believed in the power of backing yourself. These were women who started with very little - no big investments, no safety nets - but refused to follow the rules. They built something from nothing, driven by belief and determination, at a time when women in business were far from the norm. That spirit of courage and possibility shaped her own path into entrepreneurship.

Being her own boss has allowed her to define success on her own terms. For her, it’s not just about financial gain - it’s about how she spends her time, where she works, and who she collaborates with. That freedom and autonomy are what make business ownership truly rewarding.

With expertise in marketing (both digital and traditional), business organisation and systems, alongside a background in design and print, she brings a unique, well-rounded perspective to the creatives she supports. She doesn’t just understand business - she understands the creative mindset too.

Like many entrepreneurs, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Overcoming imposter syndrome has been one of the biggest. Knowing your value and confidently sharing it are two very different things. Marketing her own services proved far harder than supporting others. But her advice is simple and honest: start anyway. Confidence doesn’t come before action - it comes because of it.

Her story is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to feel ready to begin. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from solving your own problems - and having the courage to step into them.