When I founded Stickman back in 2012, I had no clue about how to run a business. Seriously. Diddly squat. But I did know a thing or two about strategic school marketing.

And what I didn’t know about ‘media ‘luvvy lunching’ daaaaaarling wasn’t worth knowing. But all that didn’t translate into knowledge about the mechanics of how to run a business.

All I knew is that I wanted to help schools, just like yours become healthier and have a more sustainable future through simple, strategic, savvy marketing.

There was no manual on what to do 

I mean, there were some pretty fundamental knowledge gaps… what on earth was a balance sheet?

What resource did I need?

How in the world was I supposed to obtain paying clients?

And what would I charge them if I did?! (Note ‘If’ because there were very few certainties).

I was also a mum of two little boppers at that stage, so it was possibly one of the more challenging times to start this new adventure, but when I get something in my craw, there’s something visceral inside me which compels me to take action.

Doing things my way 

Do things my way.

Show schools around the globe what proper, strategic school marketing looked like and how it would propel them forward.

My goal was to make marketing simple but super powerful, perhaps with a little bit of fun thrown in along the way.

Fast forward to today 

Now, in March 2024:

• We’re an award-winning all-women team of top-notch school marketing consultants
• We provide training, consultancy and market research services to hundreds of awesome schools all over the world
• Pupil recruitment remains my favourite topic and I have to remember to curb my enthusiasm when someone politely asks ‘How’s it going with Stickman?’, as apart from my mum-in-law who once made the fatal mistake of telling me she loved hearing about the business, I realise it’s not going to float everyone’s boat
• Many of our clients and colleagues in the industry have become firm friends (you know who you are)
• My kids are now teenagers and having grown up around the world of school marketing, it is second nature to them. And in fact, many of you will know my daughter, aka Mini Stickman (one of my proudest moments ever being when she accompanied the Stickman team to the AMCIS Conference last year as our ‘Roving Reporter’)
• Still partial to a boozy lunch (recently introducing ‘Prosecco Appraisals’ for the team)

Yes, I still glaze over when my accountant starts talking about ‘Year End’, and yes, there remain some knowledge gaps which I’m eager to fill.

But I always maintain the view that even armed with 26 years of experience, every day is a learning day. So although I might know a little more now about earning a crust, there is SO MUCH still to absorb.

Thank you to you – yes YOU 

And if you’re reading this, thank you. I’d love to meet you and have you part of my world, feel free to book a call with us here. 

So, without this turning into some Oscar-style awards acceptance speech, I’ll say a swift, but incredibly heartfelt thank you to everyone we have encountered across the past 12 years… you will have had an impact in some way. And a mahoooosive thank you to my team for being so staggeringly formidable, my husband and my children for immersing themselves in my world of school marketing, my parents for telling me ‘if you find something you love, you will never work a day in my life’, and to my mum-in-law for enduring hours upon hours of Stickman chat. You will never know how much I appreciate your support.

I look forward to repeating this blog in 2036.

Stay on the front foot

Sign up to our emails and get top tips, blogs and helpful resources straight in your inbox.