MY CREATIVE JOURNEY SO FAR:
I've got a degree in Surface Pattern Design and over twenty years of creative marketing experience, having worked in both agency and client-side roles.
At just 22, I’d set up a streetwear clothing label with a Uni pal, launched it at Glastonbury, designed the brand and logo and registered it as a trademark! As you can probably guess, that didn’t quite work out, as we were young and inexperienced back then, with no social media to get our message out to the wider world. However… it did open the door to a wonderful marketing and events role in the snowboarding industry that kicked off my professional career!
Many moons later and after some brilliant jobs in events and marketing, becoming a mum, and three (yes three!) redundancies later that entrepreneurial streak came over me again and I set up Shimmy Shimmy Yay, a fun, happy brand that inspires people to live in the moment. Check out it's Instagram here to get a feel for what I do with my little indie biz!
My career to date has seen me do some fun and crazy things including….
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Taking 20 tons of real snow to a field in a music festival in the middle of July, to create a sleighing slope (we won a Drum marketing award for that campaign!)
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Producing my own TV series that helped launch the careers of several TV presenters.
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Running ‘brandschool’ workshops and fully rebranding businesses.
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Trading at six music festivals in one season (that was a mad summer!)
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Photographing celebrities at red carpet events.
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Staging fashion shows for high street retailers, awards ceremonies in several cities and club nights with world famous DJ’s.
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Designing the opening title graphics for several television series, and creating all accompanying social media assets.
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Working with celebrities and influencers to help build brand awareness
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Creating crazy PR stunts to gain press coverage – both in print on and TV.
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Papping politicians and national treasures at press day at Chelsea Flower Show.
And when I'm not working...
I love to spend my time outside as much as possible!
I'm a keen gardener and grow everything from vegetables and fruits to cut flowers and tropical plants like my giant gunnera 'Gary!'
A lifelong vegetarian, I love cooking foods from all around the world and entertaining friends. I live in Leeds with my partner Nick and our daughter, Fern, who is the light of my life and a brilliant help in the garden and on my Shimmy Shimmy Yay stalls!
We love big camping trips with family and friends.
An old-school raver and huge hip-hop head, music has always been a big part of my life and I try to get to as many gigs and festivals as possible.
When I'm not designing something for work, I'll usually have a few craft projects on the go, or be building something in the garden! MAKERS GONNA MAKE!
