Kathryn Clarke

I founded in 2008 amidst the gloom of the dreaded recession, putting to good use a redundancy pay-out from a 9-to-5 role. It was beneficial to work with a supportive mentor from Business Wales, who helped me identify my market early on.

Redundancy into sole trader start-up is a common path, and those new business people needed to outsource to creatives. I had honed my skills as a graphic designer within a marketing department, and I quickly started applying my knowledge to the small business sector. I knew how marketing worked with the big brands (Adidas, Kelloggs, Sony BMG, Universal Music), and was able to scale down those principles for SMEs.

There has been trying times: namely; the lack of income; having to invest personal funds in my business to buy equipment or training; relentless self-promotion and finding the next job. It was very hard to keep focus, which is where a support network pays off.

Starting a business is terrifying. Exciting, thrilling, yes – but there’s the fear of the unknown. I am no stranger to the panic of walking into a room of strangers and wondering how to break the ice. By being involved in local networking groups for the last few years, my confidence and my contacts have grown. Of course my own business benefits, and also those I am able to make connections between, introducing likeminded folk and recommending business services from reliable sources.

Experience: 20 years as a Graphic designer, 11 years self employed.
Working with small business, charities and organisations on branding, print, websites, social media marketing and management, content marketing.

Former mentor for Action for Enterprise – supporting candidates enrolled on a scheme to encourage them out of the unemployment downwards circle, and give them the confidence to start their own businesses.
 

Areas of interest / expertise: Graphics, logo design, visual branding, printed literature (business cards, flyers, brochures, magazines) ideal customer research, Facebook pages / groups and paid promotion, social media marketing, events organising and promotion, business networking.

Networking groups: South Wales Networking for Women – Facebook group offering peer support for women in business. Group Leader at 4Networking Bridgend – local group part of a national organisation hosting regular business networking events across the UK.
 

Qualifications: BA Hons. Graphic Communication, Hootsuite certified Social Media professional.
Accreditations:  Host of the Year – Bizmums (Nominee), Online mum of the year - Bizmums (Nominee)