Celebrating Kent Mums in Business: High Weald Marketing

If you are new to my site (hello, it’s so lovely to have you here 😊) each month I dedicate a blog post to one of the amazing Mum-owned local businesses here in Kent.

We really do have so many fantastic businesses right on our doorstep which are owned and run by incredible local Mums, and I think it is so important to celebrate them and show them what a great job they are doing.

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This month I have the pleasure of introducing the lovely Steph Barclay - Kent Mum, social media marketing specialist and the proud owner of High Weald Marketing.

I was lucky enough to spend a morning with Steph at her home in Tunbridge Wells. We popped the kettle on, chatted all about her business and Steph told me why she is so passionate about helping small craft businesses with their social media.

Tell us about your business and what services you offer?

Hi Claire! Thanks for having me - I'm looking forward to sharing more about High Weald Marketing and how I can help the wonderfully creative businesses around us.

My 'North Star' is to enable creative businesses to confidently share their products or services with their dream audiences. Whether you're an artist, baker, jeweller, florist or crafter in Kent, Sussex or beyond, I can help you.

I always say that I greatly admire what you produce, and although I could never do what you do, I can definitely help you make your social media into your digital shop window. 

Everyone's at a different stage with their social media, and with me, there's never a silly question. If you want to start with 'What's a hashtag?' then that's what we'll do! 😉

If you're not sure where to start, then a free discovery call could be a good place. You can introduce your business to me, tell me what you find tricky and I can suggest what would be a good next step.

There are several ways we can go - if you want some tips on how to lay out your posts, ideas for content and an all round social media MOT then an audit is a good place to start. 

If you need some ideas for how to use those photos that always get left hanging around in a folder, then 'Love your Leftovers' is perfect. Send me up to ten photos from a brand/product photoshoot and I'll put a guide together with content ideas and hints and tips for Canva. 

If you've heard of Canva, but the thought of it sends shivers down your spine, then I'm your woman!

I'll take the stress away, and create you a beautiful set of templates that are bespoke to your brand and are easy to use. You'll send me a brief of what you're looking for, and I'll do the rest!

Is there a story behind the name you chose?  

The business name was one of my hardest decisions, and I'm not an indecisive person! I had all sorts of ideas, ones including my name, ones that were alliterative, ones that were cheesy, but none of them felt right. 

I wanted a business name that reflects the area I primarily work within, which High Weald does perfectly.

It also captures my love of nature and open spaces - I am proud to say that I have visited every English county and have some lovely memories of the countryside around us.

What do you offer to your clients that no-one else does?

Me!

I hope that by reading this blog, and from browsing my website and social media you'll get to know my personality, sense of humour, love of storytelling and desire to meet more of the amazingly talented crafters and creatives of Kent and Sussex!

Where does your inspiration come from?

All around me - I am part of a wonderful group called 'Mums in Marketing' who are there with me for the highs and lows and I wouldn't be without.

I have a very overexcited-about-life toddler and have found many comparisons between motherhood and marketing, which I never thought I would!

What is your favourite part of your job?

You!

Whether you're a maker in Maidstone, creative in Canterbury, baker in Benenden or artist in Ashford, I am inspired and delighted to meet such wonderful people.

If you would like to know more about the wonderful work that Steph does, please visit her website here and give her a follow (and your support) on social media:

Instagram

Facebook

Claire xx