Interview with marketing consultant Jules Brim
As a seasoned marketing consultant, Jules Brim specialises in delivering affordable and practical marketing solutions tailored to meet each client’s needs. She offers comprehensive support, including done-for-you packages, strategy sessions, power hours, social media management, and copywriting services.
Her goal is to empower businesses by providing flexible options that align perfectly with their unique requirements and is currently working on budling her Small & Mighty membership.
What’s your career background?
Back in the day I used to be a PA, it was at a huge company so alongside my main duties I had the chance to support different teams and work on a wide range of projects. I worked with the marketing team on some events and other campaigns and fell in love with it because it’s got an analytics side and a creative side with an element of psychology as well.
I changed careers and studied marketing in my spare time to gain my qualifications and learn a bit more about how to put all that learning in to practice.
I decided that working in a large-scale business was great but you kind of get penned in to working on certain elements where I think you need to have a good overview of the whole marketing mix to really make sure everything is working together to bring in the best results. So, I decided to try working for smaller businesses and really get to grips with how to increase visibility on a budget.
It’s always been a dream of mine to work for myself, so I’ve always had that in my mind when I’ve been learning on the job and via courses.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work for a variety of sectors to which set me up well for working with the wide range of clients I’ve had since setting up my own business.
How did your career change after having children?
Okoh goodness, so my whole business changed since having Juno and some of that is just the change of having a tiny human but also due to covid times to. I had my daughter in the Summer of 2021, so the business landscape had really changed by the time I was back at my desk again.
In response to the changes, I updated my services to add a bit more flexibility for businesses where their income / outgoings were a little unpredictable and also provided support and advice where businesses needed it most.
Then in terms of other changes, I’m a bit more focussed with my time as I don’t have as much to play with (I currently work 3 days a week around childcare) so my to do list is very much focussed on doing what I can do to move my business forward to my goals, whereas before there was a bit less focus as I had a bit more time to play with.
I would also say it’s given me more confidence to say no and, in some ways, yes to. I’ve grown in confidence personally and that has opened me up to new opportunities that I wouldn’t necessarily have taken on before, for example I have spoken at large conferences and shared my thoughts on blogs and podcasts.
It’s also given me the confidence to turn down opportunities that won’t serve me or my business long term, whether that’s a project that doesn’t align fully with my goals or a potential client that isn’t the right fit. In the past I would have looked past red flags, ignored my boundaries and pulled silly hours to deliver whereas now I just can’t do that as work / home life is a lot more of a delicate balance, so I’ve stuck to my own advice and really honed in on who my ideal client is and held out for them.
I should also add that I know I’m in a privileged position to be able to do that most of the time.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
I have always wanted to work for myself and in the past, I had a bit of a side hustle selling vintage clothes and jewellery I had made from clay, but whilst I enjoyed it, I couldn’t see a way to scale it so I could do work for myself full time.
With each small business I worked with I saw a pattern in terms of what they were struggling with and how to remedy those issues and then I thought if these guys are struggling there must be loads of businesses out there that need the same guidance and support.
When it comes to small businesses, they tend to be created from someone’s dream and something that are passionate about. A lot of the time the founder doesn’t know how to get their messages out there to the right people, then when you look for solutions, they tend to be a bit overwhelming, full of jargon and expensive. I wanted to cut through all that and guide people through the weird and wonderful world of marketing in a gentle way with effective solutions.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
So, I had the idea on the back burner for a while and had it in mind that I would kick off this new chapter when I turned 40. I don’t know why I just had it in my head as a milestone where I would be a ‘proper grown up’ and ready to do it with a nice little pot of savings to help. But then things changed in the role I was in, and it just wasn’t serving me anymore so I decided to just jump in feet first and hope I could swim.
I set up my website with the offerings I had in my notebook, dove into networking and caught up with folks I had crossed paths with previously to get that all important first client.
What’s your USP?
I think it’s my ability to blend personalised, practical marketing strategies with a deep understanding of small business needs, especially for solo entrepreneurs.
I offer a supportive, flexible approach that empowers business owners to thrive through tailored advice, hands-on workshops, and expert guidance. Most of all I keep it all informal and friendly when you are looking for advice and support you don’t need someone sweeping in and telling you everything is crap, because that’s not going to get you the results you need. It’s all about creating that trust and a safe and positive space to get the best out of people which will then in turn deliver great results.
I was once described by a client of mine as a business bestie and I love that because that’s exactly what I am. I’m there giving them advice, supporting them and cheering them on and sometimes if needed treating them to a cuppa and a biccie to.
Who’s your target audience?
I have two ideal client profiles.
My first is lovely small business owners and solopreneurs who are looking to grow in a steady and sustainable way.
They are predominantly female founders who have an incredible offering but just not sure how to get their marketing messages in front of the right people and need a bit more support to really get to grips with how to interpret the nerdy data and insights to supercharge what they are doing. They are fun, vibrant and looking for a “business bestie” who knows what they are talking about in terms of getting results but also helps them to feel confident in themselves and their business to.
The second is larger scale businesses and corporates who need strategic support on specific project, need some additional support or are a bit unsure how to build their brand and success further. Whilst they are larger businesses, they haven’t lost the passion for what they do and also have good values and vibes whether that’s in how they treat their staff, the outcomes they provide or by giving back with charitable donations etc.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
I am on social media (Instagram is my fave haunt), regularly go to networking events and I also have been known to do a cheeky bit of direct mail too, and regularly speak at events both online and IRL
What’s been your most successful marketing strategy?
When it comes to my business, I would definitely say the speaker opps that I have had. It really gives people better insight to knowledge, but it also gives a little taster of who you are as a person and if you are the right kind of person to work with them to.
Then, in terms of clients, I had a charity client who was opening a shop that upcycled old homewares and turned them in to super stunning statement pieces. They had only been using a Facebook page to market themselves but that wasn’t really where their clients were hanging out, so I updated their social strategy, helped them to grow their email list and added in an element of PR and it was a great success story increased reach, increased sales, awareness all the good marketing stuff *chefs kiss*.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Ooo, I think perhaps my confidence, there have been plenty of times I doubted my abilities and questioned if I was “doing it right.”
Obviously with social media there is always someone out there that looks like they are living their best life, working with the best clients etc but I’ve learnt to kind of take that with a pinch of salt as most people only post the highlights.
After seeing the positive impact my work had had on my clients’ businesses, I’m really leaning in to trusting my instincts and skills.
And your proudest moment so far?
In terms of pushing myself out of my comfort zone last year I spoke at International Trade Week, it’s the largest audience I have spoken in front of and although it wasn’t perfect I did it and made some really great connections from it to.
I’m really proud of Small & Mighty my new membership. I’ve designed it around supporting small business owners to level up their marketing skills, feel confident in their marketing decisions, grow in confidence and grow their network at the same time. All without breaking the bank.
I know how isolating and confusing it can be when you first start out, so this not only helps members to increase their knowledge but also find their tribe and people to collaborate with.
Why is work so important to you?
I love helping small business owners and entrepreneurs with their marketing challenges, and helping them grow. My work allows me to satisfy my nerdy side but also channel my creativity and create eye-catching and memorable campaigns.
I guess the big thing is, while I might not be changing THE world, I am helping someone change their world by helping them to thrive within their business.
I’m also grateful for the flexibility it gives me in relation to my family life. My parents didn’t have the same level of flexibility in their work and whilst I never went without anything, they couldn’t always make it to plays and sports days. It means a lot to me that I get to hang out with my daughter as much as I do and spend time together on adventures.
Who inspires you?
I have a few.
Lucy Sheridan has excellent positive vibes, not afraid to be her authentic self and provides easy to implement advice. I also love how generous she is with her knowledge to. When I see her content on socials it’s like she’s talking to me directly and it’s like catching up with a mate.
Kellie Gerardi is also an icon; she talks about the juggle of balancing work and motherhood whilst still acing her goals. I also love that she’s challenging stereotypes about how individuals should look in specific roles. My daughter is turning into a really girly girl so for her to have role models out there that show you can be super girly and still live that STEAM life is amazing
How do you balance your work with your family?
I see these amazing stories of women who are acing their business in between naps and bathtimes but I (and my daughter) have always struggled with finding that balance, so I find life works better with having specific mum and workdays.
To make it work I am very strict with boundaries, its rare I put calls / work in that encroach on family time, although sometimes I do have to fit the work in where I can.
When it comes to evening events, I limit how many I will do in a month. I do check in on emails and socials though, so I am never completely off grid work wise.
My husband is also self-employed so sometimes the diary can be a chaotic which means we make sure that if we have a busy week, we have a decent bit of family time at the end.
When it comes to work and family, I don’t think that there is really such a thing as balance per say it’s more around making sure that the key things get done, giving yourself some flexibility and a bit of a break because I don’t really believe that “you can have it all!” narrative that tends to be aimed at women, it’s a recipe for burnout.
What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?
Prioritise Continuous Learning: Things are always changing so keep up with trends, seek out new skills, learn from others in your field and invest in your professional development as and when you need it.
Build a Supportive Network: We have all seen those quotes about finding your tribe and it’s so true. Building that community around you help’s to keep you sane, learn new things and even bring about collaborations. Sample a few events to really find the places that match your vibe.
Don’t compare yourself: We all know comparison is the thief of joy but it’s also the bringer of indecision to. When you’re comparing yourself to others its really easy to fall into the trap of decision paralysis and just not getting anything done. You are different and that’s what makes your business you and will bring the right customers and clients to you, so don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on your strengths, experiences and unique knowledge base.
Find out more about Jules Brim and check out her membership.
