Deborah Rowe | Marketing / PR

Sheba Marketing Ltd
www.shebamarketing.co.uk

Precious: Tell us about the route to your business.

I wouldn't use the word 'route' so much as 'meanderings'. I can't say that it was all carefully planned, but somehow I have managed to gain all the right experiences to be able to present a well-rounded service to my clients. My background is science and engineering (I have a degree in Maths and Physics) and my first route into marketing (after taking a postgraduate diploma in marketing) was via a science and engineering consultancy. From there I worked my way through academic publishing, professional services and professional associations, picking up skills and contacts (all of which came in useful when I set up in business). Looking back on it I can see how it all fits together but at the time I suspect that it all seemed a bit tenuous.

I first started my business in 1999 after a particularly stressful time as an employee. By then I'd been in business-to-business marketing for over 10 years, I'd worked in a wide range of industries and I knew that I knew my stuff. I knew that I was happiest when I was working with lots of different projects so I decided to go freelance. The day after I decided to go for it I received two speculative calls offering me freelance work - completely out of the blue. I was very lucky and I knew then that I was making the right decision.

Precious: Tell us a little about the business planning stage..

The business planning was fairly easy to do as I'd covered it in various training courses and I knew what was needed. The business plan was for my benefit, to enable me to set reasonable targets, rather than a tool for raising finance. Apart from the cost of setting up a home office, I was fortunate not to need any serious starting capital. My family and friends were very supportive, although some of them still can't quite get their heads around the idea of not doing the 'traditional 9-5' or the potential for financial uncertainty.

Precious: Describe any setbacks that you encountered while setting up your business.

I am very lucky to have a good relationship with my bank manager. This really came into its own towards the end of 2002 when the threat of recession had everyone cutting back on marketing spend. My bank manager helped me sort out and maintain my cash flow and was very supportive when I needed it most.

Precious: Describe a typical working day.

If I'm working in my office I start at 10am (strictly no pyjamas in the office). I check emails and then get into the day's projects. I watch 'Working Lunch' and the News over lunch or pop out for some fresh air. Depending on the project, I can work into the wee small hours. I'm more of a night person and I find that's when I can work best.
If I'm at a client's office everything is much more formal and within their office hours. There's usually a fair amount of report writing, research and meetings to be dealt with. I'm keen on maintaining my professional development so I also regularly attend training days, conferences and networking events. These can be anything from a full day to an evening and can be quite intense. I try to avoid working on Friday afternoons or the weekends, but if the client demands it then I'm there.

Precious: How do you relax?

For relaxation I am partial to the 'occasional' drink with friends and all the usual stuff, but I also do t'ai chi and play badminton. I love to learn new things - I'm currently learning Spanish. I keep up with debates in science and have recently completed a Masters degree in science, environment and culture, for the fun of it. And to cap it all, one day soon I will get back to playing my saxophone.

Precious: Is your family supportive of your business endeavors?

Absolutely.

Precious: What do you love most about what you do?

I love the idea that I can help small companies to develop. I love going into larger organizations knowing that I can hit the ground running. I love the variety - of the work and the people I meet. I love the idea that I can go to an exhibition in the middle of the week when it's quiet. I love the control and the knowledge that, whether it works or not, it's down to me.

Precious: Is there anything that you really dislike about it?

The quiet times when no-one has the budget or the inclination. Selling myself.

Precious: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Providing more consultancy for small business and with a cash flow that allows me more flexibility to do some voluntary work. I would also like to have successfully developed the other part of my portfolio - my science writing.

Precious: Any advice to those wishing to follow in your footsteps?

If you have an idea that excites you - Go for it. Do your research, get the right people around you for support (and that includes a good bank manager) and get the planning right. Do a realistic cash flow forecast so that you can see, in black and white, that the figures add up and exactly what you need to do to manage the finances.
Go for it, and at the end of the day if it doesn't work you can always go back to working for someone else. But if it does work it will be well worth the effort.

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