By Steph Briggs – Freelance Marketing Expert
If you’d told 25-year-old me that one day I’d run my own marketing consultancy from a Victorian farmhouse in rural Scotland, I’d have laughed into my cappuccino. Back then, I was in a shiny corporate marketing department, managing seven-figure budgets, wearing suits and heels every day and talking about “stakeholder confidence and consumer segments” in glass meeting rooms.
It was slick, but it wasn’t me.
Fast forward a few years, a complete life relocation (thanks to the Army), a shop, a Shopify obsession, and many hard-earned lessons later and here we are: Steph Briggs Marketing.
But it didn’t start here.
The “Aha” Moment (That I Never Planned)
I never planned to change direction again once I’d left the corporate world. In fact, La Di Da Interiors was everything to me. My pride and joy, my creative outlet, my identity — and, as it turned out, my full-time captor.
Running a shop meant working every Saturday, most Sundays, and never — ever — having a proper Christmas off. (Which, when you’ve got a small child at home, is not a great life choice.) I loved it deeply, but it left no space for anything else.
We’d moved to a town we hadn’t planned to live in, and my world revolved around opening hours, suppliers, and seasonal displays. Becoming a sandwich carer, an unexpected legal battle (outside of work) and covid hit all at the same time. Somewhere between unpacking stock and replying to emails at midnight, I realised something had to give.
The Challenge (and the Unexpected Superpower)
Here’s what they don’t tell you about running a small business: you end up doing everything at some point. From sweeping the floor to stock counting to end of year accounts. Even if you outsource you need to fully understand how each task works and what it takes to do it well.
I learned Shopify by trial and error and possibly a few colourful words. I built websites myself. I wasted money on two agencies that promised the world and delivered disappointment. Eventually, I realised that not only could I do it myself, I was actually good at it.
The short, authentic videos I made to promote products — me chatting, painting, styling — that’s when things started to click. People responded to the honesty. They saw the person, not just the products.
Then came lockdown. The shop was shut, but I wasn’t about to sit still. I started doing free furniture painting tutorials live online. Who’d have thought that watching someone paint furniture would be captivating? Or that I could talk, non-stop, for over an hour — and still have something to say at the end?
Those videos changed everything. They built connection, credibility, and confidence. Three things you can’t fake. Communication is key.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
Here’s another truth: you can’t do everything alone.
I’ve always believed in surrounding myself with people who know what they’re doing. I hate bookkeeping and HMRC gives me the fear — so I’ve always had an accountant. Best decision ever.
And then there was Ashley — my PR guru, secret ingredient and guiding light. She was my sounding board, my truth-teller and the one who pushed me to level up.
Ashley told me when things weren’t good enough, like when I photographed furniture outside the shop instead of in a styled setting. (When I look back now she must’ve have the patience of a saint!) She told me to invest in a proper professional headshot, to speak to the local press, to own my story. And she gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
Everyone needs an Ashley. Someone who’ll cheer you on, tell you the truth and help you see what’s possible.
And that’s what I try to be for others now, the person who helps you find your voice, gives you some honest truths. polishes your message, and helps you to believe that what you do really is good enough (and probably a lot better than you think).
What I Learned (So You Don’t Have To)
Confidence doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from experience. From doing it scared. From getting it wrong, learning and trying again.
When I stopped trying to sound like a “proper” business and just showed up as myself; honest, imperfect, passionate — people connected.
Because people buy from people. They buy you, your story, your energy, your belief.
The Spark Behind Steph Briggs Marketing
What started as a necessity became a calling. I saw that so many small business owners were brilliant at what they do but terrified of talking about it.
Now, that’s what I help with. Helping you tell your story clearly and confidently. Helping you market yourself without cringing. Helping you find your version of confidence — the one that sells, naturally.
Although what I do is marketing, what I give my clients is confidence.
Let’s Be Honest About Marketing
For most business owners, marketing doesn’t come naturally — and that’s okay.
If you’re a beautician, a chiropractor, a chef or a cake maker, your passion is your craft, not your captions. But marketing is part of running a business. You can’t escape it.
It’s not mandatory like tax returns (the dreaded HMRC again), so it often slips to the bottom of the list. Or worse, it’s handed to a well-meaning cousin, teenager or “friend who is on facebook” which can end up costing you dear in the long run.
If you want your business to grow smoothly, marketing isn’t something to muddle through; it’s something to get right.
Learn, listen, get advice, and if you can, outsource. Because when your marketing works, everything else starts to flow, from your bookings to your bank balance.
So many times I’ve heard people say “its really quiet, I can’t afford to do any marketing” which is exactly the time to do the marketing! (or ideally 3 months before then but I haven’t invented a time machine yet!)
So, Here’s the Truth
You don’t need to be loud, polished, or pushy to sell.
You just need to believe in what you do and be brave enough to share it.
That doesn’t mean you have to talk to camera or dance on TikTok.
Marketing isn’t just social media.
It’s every touchpoint where someone experiences your brand; your website, your shop window, your emails, your packaging, even your voicemail.
It’s the words you use, the stories you tell, the way you make people feel when they interact with you.
If you hate the idea of posting online every day, that’s fine. Truly.
You can still build an incredible business with:
- A website that works hard for you — optimised, beautiful, and full of personality.
- An email list — your most valuable digital asset (and one you actually own).
- Local PR — features, collaborations, events, partnerships.
- Google Business Profile — a simple, powerful tool to get found locally.
- Real-world reputation — word of mouth, networking, handwritten thank-you cards, thoughtful packaging and genuine service.
All of those are marketing. And all of them count.
So don’t get caught up in the pressure to “show up” in ways that feel forced or unnatural.
Instead, focus on showing up consistently in ways that feel true to you.
Because the most effective marketing doesn’t shout, it connects.
That connection starts when you communicate clearly and confidently about what you do, why it matters, and who it’s for.
Confidence sells — not because it’s flashy, but because it’s reassuring.
When you sound confident, your audience feels safe buying from you.
They trust your expertise, they see your enthusiasm, and they believe you can deliver.
That’s what real marketing is:
Not algorithms. Not trends.
Just clarity, confidence and consistency.
Sparkling, Honest & Commercially Grounded
You don’t have to be everywhere, post constantly, or master every algorithm to succeed.
You just need a confident message, a solid strategy, and someone who understands how to turn both into sales.
That’s where I come in.
I blend creativity with commercial know-how. Helping small businesses sound better, sell smarter, and stand taller.
Because confidence doesn’t just sell you — it sells your products, your ideas and your expertise.
And when you combine that with the right marketing structure behind the scenes, that’s when the magic (and the money) start to flow.
✨ I’m Steph Briggs, your creative ally and commercial powerhouse.
Together, we’ll build the kind of marketing that not only looks good but works.
Let’s make it happen
Let’s talk strategy, storytelling and SEO that sparkles.
Click here to drop me a message
Click here to read some reviews
Let’s make your marketing easier.
Let’s make it sparkle. ✨
Steph