Melanie Llewellyn
Melanie Llewellyn is the Founder and Owner of ML Consultancy, an award-winning, creative brand and marketing agency which is renowned for putting clients at the heart of everything they do.
She is passionate about helping people and businesses grow and reach their potential.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
ML Consultancy is an award-winning brand and marketing agency based in Bedfordshire.
We are a team of 10 highly talented marketers, each specialising in different areas of branding and marketing.
Everything we do supports the growth of our clients. From web design and SEO, to social media and PPC, we are here to get our clients results.
2. How did you get into the industry?
I trained as a graphic designer many years ago at college and then got interested in business. With the support of The Princes Trust, I enrolled on business courses and was awarded a small start-up grant and loan.
I have always loved the marketing side of business, and enjoyed setting up and running an art gallery promoting local and published artists in early 2010.
We soon outgrew the premises and I set up an online art gallery, representing hundreds of artists from all around the world.
I later set myself up as a marketing consultant, and ML Consultancy was born, five years ago. Over the last three to four years, it has evolved into a full service brand and marketing agency, with 10 team members and lots of diverse clients on our books. Our clients include the NHS, a variety of small and medium sized businesses, and local charities.
3. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
One of the biggest opportunities in our industry is that a lot of people started working for themselves during the pandemic. They need marketing support in order to survive and grow, so we help them. We offer a variety of services desiged to help small businesses get results, including our Business-Ready Package which includes a bespoke website and full branding for under £2.5k.
One of the biggest challenges in our industry is that in tough times, marketing is one of the first
things that businesses scale back on. Communicating the value of great marketing as an essential way to survive and grow is therefore important for us to get across in our own marketing efforts.
4. How would you describe your leadership style?
I am definitely a leader, rather than a manager. I like to lead by example, and encourage my team to work well together, work hard, and be creative. I’ve never been one to ‘micro-manage’people. I like to see people work to their strengths. I also recognise good work, and keep morale high, especially in challenging times.
5. How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
I am supportive and understanding of their needs, and what drives them. I am very much a people-person and it’s always lovely when I hear that my team enjoy working with me!
6. What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
I think good communication, with my team, and with my clients. Also, it’s important to have each team member working to their own strengths, and being supportive of one another.
7. How has the past 12 months been for you?
It has been a tough year, with the cost of living crisis affecting many people and businesses. However, since we won the #sbs award, presented in person by Theo Paphitis in February, things are building back up again. We received a lot of publicity from that and it’s really helped the business get back on track.
It’s challenging but essential to sit tight, keep focused, keep hopeful and positive when times are tough. Giving up in business has just never been an option for me, and now the rewards are paying off.
8. What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
I am looking to expand my team so we can deliver more results to more businesses.
9. What are the highlights of your career so far?
Winning our business award from Theo Paphitis in February of this year. I’m a huge fan of his and to meet him and be recognised by him as a great small business owner, was a dream come true.
10. What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
I’ve learned to take care of my wellbeing and mental health (I learned this the hard way, a few years ago). No matter how busy I am, I always try to take time in my week to recharge and reset. This is something I’m constantly aware of the importance of – sometimes I get the balance right, sometimes, not so much. But, it’s a priority to me so I invest time and energy in trying my best.
11. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Hire people cleverer then you. Oh, and network/collaborate.
