Client Case Study: Leaven

Services provided:

• BRAND CLARITY - Defining the purpose, values & language of LEAVEN.

Sudden, unexpected change. The kind that splits your life in two, dividing it forever into before and after…

My project for the brilliant Syreeta Challinger from Leaven was a particularly inspiring one. In 2014, Syreeta’s life suddenly changed when her partner Rob suffered a brain haemorrhage and stroke. With incredible courage, resilience and love they survived, and together they’re creating a different life. 

Their story, which Syreeta shares with incredible dignity and honesty, is one of finding the possibilities and opportunities of change.

When we’re all facing so much uncertainty her story offers real hope. 

It’s been a privilege to work with Syreeta and to help her gain absolute clarity about the skills and knowledge she has to offer to others, through her story and lived experience. Providing creative talks, workshops and 1-2-1 coaching she supports and guides people and businesses through their own challenges of change helping them find a positive way through. 

“Really thankful for your support and willingness to get this right for me”

- Syreeta, LEAVEN

You can find out more about my services here.

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Client Case Study: Patrick Lewis Architects

Services provided: Brand Clarity - defining the purpose, values and language of the business, understanding market position and ideal clients.

“Your brand clarity work was excellent. Your capture of the voice, the tone, the language was perfect.”

- PATRICK, PATRICK LEWIS ARCHITECTS

Working for the architecture industry has been a business goal of mine since the beginning of Simple Matters Media, so I was delighted when Patrick Lewis contacted me seeking help with brand clarity for his practice.

Patrick and I share an appreciation for the stories that bring to life the buildings, spaces and things we surround ourselves with. An idea beautifully summed up in a quote we focused on for our work together…

‘A room can be empty, yet still filled with people and the echoes of their lives. The old furniture, worn floorboards and the slight unevenness to the angles of the beams and ceilings. Who could look at these rooms without imagining their stories.’

- from the book Country by Jaspar Conran

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Mini & Humble

‘In the early days, time passed slowly pushing the pram around the local neighbourhood, dreaming of hot coffee and nap time. Then, those first wobbly steps, holding hands along the winding streets, waving to passing cars and bikes, chasing buzzing bumblebees and hiding behind trees.

These simple, precious moments of childhood are at the heart of Mini & Humble, woven into the fabric of our first collection, with a timeless and playful print designed for little imaginations and endless adventures.

Called “Our Neighbourhood”, the Mini & Humble collection is full of character, celebrating the people, places and stories that shape and support family life.’

- Mini & Humble Brand Story

Services provided:

• Brand Story - Website Copywriting

Talking to Lauren, the founder of Mini & Humble, was endlessly inspiring. Bursting with ideas, energy and passion for the children’s clothing company she was starting. I adored the designs immediately, the delightfully drawn little details of trees, houses and bicycles. I loved the story of the pictures even more. Lauren cares deeply about the value of community and supporting each other, especially families. She created her first clothing collection to capture the importance of local neighbourhoods.

“Georgina was fantastic to work with - she really understood what we were trying to achieve and delivered over and above what I expected. The story of the brand and the social media strategies that Georgina created are the perfect framework for us to work to so that we are consistent in our language and tone from launch and have enough variety to keep our customers interested long term. I would definitely recommend Georgina for any brands that want to define their brand messaging and gain clarity of purpose.”

- Lauren, Mini & Humble

I asked Lauren to share her memories of childhood and motherhood; there were so many wonderful images and moments from growing up with her twin sister in Scotland (sharing a bed and creating an imaginary record player for dreams was the stuff of magic!). Still, it was the simple daytime walks she described with her young daughter that inspired a unique and personal story. It’s a story every parent can relate to, those slow short walks as little ones begin to discover the big wide world around them (I’ll never forget my 3-year-old insisting we say hello to every ant she’d spotted marching up a gate post). The idea of those walks connected perfectly with the print designs of Lauren’s first collection and also her ethos of family life in supportive and friendly neighbourhoods.

‘Mini & Humble baby clothes are sweet and playful, just like the little ones who love to wear them. Designed in our Cotswold town in the English countryside, surrounded by honey-coloured cottages and crayon green rolling hills, it’s a fairytale setting we’re lucky to call home.’

- Mini & Humble, Brand Story

Lauren has put so much thought, time and hard work into her business. She has a background in Product Design Engineering and worked for Jaguar Land Rover. She also ran a children’s shop in Chipping Campden before deciding to launch Mini & Humble. She provided the most detailed and thorough business plan I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see Mini & Humble grow and thrive, I don’t doubt she’ll make it a success.

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Tracie Hartley Photography

Close-up of seed heads photographed by Tracie Hartley

“Oh wow, I absolutely LOVE it! You have articulated my story so beautifully.

This is exactly what I needed help with; pulling all the threads together.”

- Tracie Hartley, Photographer

Services provided:

• BRAND STORYTELLING & COPYWRITING - Crafting A Clear Brand Story & website Copy

Profile photo of Tracie Hartley by Krista Eppelstun

‘The common thread running throughout my work and life is attention to detail. I’m a photographer and stylist, creating images that focus on capturing close-ups of the natural world. My pictures represent the way I think and work. They’re about taking time and care to consider and understand what’s really important.’

- Brand Story, Tracie Hartley Photography

Tracie Hartley is a photographer based in Australia. Her work is inspired by capturing the close-up details of the natural world. Her distinctive images draw attention to the tiny close-up details, pausing to notice and appreciate the beauty that’s so often missed.

Tracie first approached me wanting help for a business she was launching as a virtual assistant, supporting creative people to build their own brands. Tracie has an impressive background with experience in research, education, retail, design and marketing. She’s also a pleasure to work with; calm, thoughtful and organised. I crafted her brand story weaving together all the parts of her life and work that formed a really impressive business and offering.

The main thread running throughout the story was Tracie’s creativity. She understood what it means to work in the creative industry and the unique challenges of running that sort of business. I knew she would be a fantastic VA and that any entrepreneur would be lucky to have her.

I was thrilled when Tracie emailed a few months later to say she had decided to pause the virtual assistant business and instead focus on her creativity and true passion, photography.

It’s a joy to see someone follow their dream and heart, especially when they have so much talent. It was also a delight to know that with a few edits and rewrites, the original brand story we’d created could be adapted for her new business. For me, a reminder that a story based on truth and clarity is so powerful and can adapt as a business and people change and evolve.

“I feel really confident about my work and website now. Thank you so much, Gina. You have been a dream to work with! 

- Tracie Hartley Photography

Do have a look at Tracie’s work and prints. Her images are simple yet striking, and she sees beauty everywhere.

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: 91 Magazine

Issues of 91 Magazine

Caroline Rowlands, 91 Magazine Editor

91 Magazine cover

“Georgina inspired me from our very first chat. She’s someone who clearly understands small independent businesses and how to communicate effectively with your customer base. We have built a great working relationship, and I know we will continue working together collaboratively in the future.”

- Caroline, Editor of 91 Magazine

Services provided:

• Digital Marketing - DIVERSIFY MARKETING, DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY

• NEWSLETTER DEVELOPMENT - ANALYSIS & STRATEGY, FEATURE IDEAS, SEQUENCE CREATION

I’ve had a long love affair with print magazines. As a teenager, I would spend all my pocket money on glossy magazines, gazing at the fashion pages of Elle, thrilled by the glamour and drama of the designer clothes and make-up.

Curling up with a beautifully produced and inspiring magazine is still something I relish. So it was such a delight when I connected with Caroline Rowlands, the editor of 91 Magazine. I’d been a reader for several years, and admired Caroline for daring to take on the publishing industry, creating the magazine she wanted to read, and turning it into a popular and valued title. 

I hired Georgina to help me with my email marketing after we'd had an informal chat about the benefits of good email marketing and I realised I had a lot of room for improvement. I really looked forward to our calls and always felt excited about what Georgina suggested.

- Caroline, 91 Magazine Editor

Caroline and I were in touch for a while before actually working together. That initial call turned into several conversations; beginning with marketing and strategy, but soon covering everything from our shared love of design, architecture and interiors, to the highs and lows of running small businesses, and the future of the print industry. 

Caroline is a true champion of independent businesses and creatives. She’s passionate about supporting brands that really care about what they do, and the community they serve. She started the magazine as a passion project, and it’s gone on to be more successful than she ever dared to dream. But after 10 years, Caroline wanted to refresh the business strategy and marketing and rediscover her love for the magazine.

She hired me to help her refine and maximise the potential of the newsletter and develop an effective email strategy. Together we created a distinctive style focusing on the purpose of each email and how it can work to drive sales, we also developed a series of sequences to target specific groups of subscribers personalising brand content for them.

“I am feeling refreshed and energised. It is so helpful to get the perspective of someone outside of your business. It's still early days, but I can already see an improvement in the open rates of my emails, and the engagement is also better, so I'm feeling confident that there will be continued progression as time goes on. ”

- Caroline, 91 Magazine Editor

Working with Caroline has been a pleasure. She’s taken our ideas and executed them brilliantly, with the same care and passion that she gives to every issue of 91. I’ve loved helping her and 91 to grow and thrive and to know that in turn, it’s helping support the thousands of independent small businesses featured and mentioned in the magazines and blogs.

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Barton Croft

‘The story of Barton Croft begins with a ball of clay. Flying off the pottery wheel. A look of despair at the grey mark it left on the wall before it slid sadly to the floor. I had no idea what I was doing, but even before I’d made my first pot, I knew I was in love.’

The moment Laurena, the founder of the pottery business Barton Croft, described that flying ball of clay, I knew we had the beginnings of a beautiful story; a tale of discovery, and a love of making.

“The story represents everything I wanted but couldn’t find the words to say myself. I couldn’t be happier, thank you!” - Laurena, Barton Croft

Services provided:

• Brand Storytelling & Copywriting - A refreshed brand story for a growing pottery business.

‘Swapping stories and laughter, while passing around generous plates, overflowing with favourite recipes.

Fresh coffee in a tactile mug, sipped in a quiet corner of the garden, to catch the early morning sun.

Or a simple bowl of soup that rests perfectly in your hand.

Barton Croft pottery is made with care, for life.’

I love it when a project and client challenges me. It always leads to the best outcome. The brief for Barton Croft was to create a story to bring the existing brand to life, capturing their ongoing success, but without losing the importance of the handmade tactile qualities that make each piece special. Laurena had already commissioned a new brand design by the super talented Joyce Of All Trades and needed to find the words to communicate the beautiful visuals.

“I love what you’ve done, it’s beautifully written. You’ve captured the essence of Barton Croft perfectly. The business is very personal and it felt a big thing for me, but I’m so impressed and couldn’t be happier.” - Laurena, Founder of Barton Croft

There is always a little more pressure to create something for an established brand. It’s a delicate balance to keep the core values and tone that have made the existing brand successful, while still allowing the story to evolve as the brand grows.

The creative process, is exactly that, a process. The first draft I wrote focused on a beautiful patch of land from Laurena’s childhood. A place where her extended family would gather every summer, by the river, where they would play, talk and eat in the shade of an old oak tree. Those shared meals, where everyone came together inspired Laurena’s love of cookery and in time lead to her creating pottery and tableware as the setting for sharing food, stories, laughter and love. The field that inspired it all was called Barton Croft.

It was a compelling story, one that really captured my imagination, reminding me of my own childhood days. But it wasn’t quite right, while it told of the inspiration for the brand it was only one chapter and didn’t capture enough of what Barton Croft has become.

Laurena and I talked it through and I asked her more about her love of pottery. Lauren shared her passion, for the feeling of clay on her hands, the idea of creating something beautiful and functional from mud, and then, Laurena described the first time she ever tried to make a pot, and the frustration of seeing that lump of clay fly off the wheel. It was one of those little moments of magic I’m always trying to find, a beautiful detail that suddenly brings everything to life. I immediately knew we had our story.

The best stories are so often rooted in truth, it’s what makes them personal, unique and memorable and elevates a brand into something truly distinctive and special.

“Thank you for all your hard work and effort. I really appreciate that you took the time to listen to my feedback, and really understood the change in direction and made sure the final story was exactly right.” - Laurena

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Our Lovely Goods

“Oh Georgina, the story you’ve written for us is absolutely beautiful, my gosh I actually felt emotional reading it. You’ve captured us and our brand so perfectly and vividly. It’s just gorgeous. Thank you!”

- Ebi, Our Lovely Goods

Services provided:

• Brand storytelling - DeFINING THe BRAND STORY

• website copy - About Us Page

• TV advert script - Brand Story Used AS VOICE OVER

I knew early on that writing about Our Lovely Goods would be a love story. The founders of the homewares brand, Ebi and Emmanuel are a couple with two gorgeous girls. Their love for each other, for their shared Nigerian heritage and for family life, inspired them to start Our Lovely Goods, creating natural products that celebrate the feeling of home.

‘Home should be a place where you can be completely at ease. Somewhere to shut the door on stresses and pressure from the outside world, where it’s ok to wear pyjamas all day, eat cereal at the kitchen counter and call it dinner and dance to your favourite music, loudly, on repeat.’

I first spoke to Ebi and Emmanuel on a Zoom call during lockdown, Ebi was breastfeeding her newborn daughter while talking about their plans and ambitions. It perfectly captured the essence of their brand, a thriving business with family and home at its heart.

“We love what you’ve written so much. We’ve read it over and over again this weekend. The words create such a warm feeling which is exactly what we wanted.”

- Ebi, Our Lovely Goods

It was focusing on the simple details of everyday life that helped to capture their brand story. 

‘Making a home shouldn’t feel complicated, pressured or expensive. It’s about belonging, sharing, welcoming and laughing often. That’s the wonderful thing about home it’s never perfect. A chipped handmade mug for your daily coffee, a wrinkled linen napkin or a red wine stain on a worn wooden table, it’s the everyday details that bring a home to life.’

Ebi and Emmanual approach everything they do with passion and determination but most of all with a sense of fun. Our Lovely Goods is growing into a thriving brand, stocked in Anthropolgie and featured in Elle Decoration and 91 Magazine. They make things happen and they do it all with grace, charm, and humour. Every conversation we had it seemed they had a new idea or project and I’ve loved seeing them bring each one to life.

“Thank you so much for helping us write our story, it’s just so beautiful and you were so fantastic to work with.”

- Ebi, Our Lovely Goods

Photography: Brenda Rosete

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Organic Zoo

“Georgina helped us to define our vision, values, and the brand’s tone of voice. She found exactly the right words to share our story with our community and customers in a beautiful and clear way.”

- PAULINA, ORGANIC ZOO

Services provided:

• BRAND CLARITY - Defining the purpose, values & language of Organic Zoo.

• BRAND STORYTELLING & COPYWRITING - Crafting the Brand Story, creating About Us & Steps To Sustainability web pages.

‘Summers were spent in a wooden hut by the lake. The forest was our playground, we learnt to swim in the open water and to fish with rods made of sticks. Those warm hazy days seemed endless, with sun-kissed cheeks, grubby knees, and bare feet, no day went by without a picnic.’

It’s impossible not to love what I do when I get to write stories like this one, created for Organic Zoo, a beautiful minimal children’s clothing company.

Owner Paulina, founded the business 10 years ago and has grown it into a brand that’s now stocked in 300 shops around the world and is known for its simple, timeless aesthetic. But despite her success, Paulina was struggling to put the brand into words, to define the brand voice to connect with her customers.

“Since working with Gina we now get so many comments about our story. I’m still amazed by what she managed to create for us.”

- PAULINA, ORGANIC ZOO

After spending time talking to Paulina, I was inspired by her childhood memories, growing up in communist Poland, the middle of three sisters. 

‘Daily life for my family was hard. I remember as a restless child, standing in line for hours, holding my mother’s hand, as we waited with our coupons, to buy basic supplies of bread, milk, butter and eggs. The buildings, landscape, even the sky, seemed endlessly grey and cold.’

Paulina described a childhood, that despite its challenges, was full of freedom and adventure.

‘We would dream up wonderful worlds full of joy and colour. There were few toys available to buy so instead we would pretend, creating games, stories and places in our minds.’

I could instantly see the thread that connected the way she grew up with the business she has created. It was a perfect fit for her children's clothes that are both beautiful to wear and practical for play. The story was a gift to write;

‘Without access to lots of things, we turned our attention to what we did have; nature and our imaginations.’

(Read the full story here)

After a decade in business, Paulina also wanted help to get absolute clarity for her business and to really define her brand story to allow her to continue Organic Zoo’s success and to pursue new opportunities. But she was also understandably concerned about protecting such an established brand.

“Georgina worked really hard to offer some very well thought out and creative ideas for the future of Organic Zoo while still always ensuring everything was on-brand and felt absolutely right.”

- PAULINA, ORGANIC ZOO

The Brand Clarity work was a delicate balance to define what made Organic Zoo so special, while also providing fresh inspiration. Paulina now has a strong brand identity to guide her business, with a clear purpose, mission and values informing everything she creates and every decision she makes.

“The brand clarity work Georgina created for Organic Zoo is a great guide for all strategic decisions and it’s become part of day-to-day activity.”

- PAULINA, ORGANIC ZOO

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.

Client Case Study: Freckle

Services Provided:

• BRAND CLARITY - DEFINING THE PURPOSE & UNDERSTANDING THE TARGET MARKET.

• DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY - DEFINING THE PURPOSE, VALUES & LANGUAGE

• SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION - Launching on Instagram & ONGOING CONTENT

I have the privilege of working with some incredible clients, helping them to thrive creatively and commercially.

Simple Matters Media started, like all good things, over coffee and a conversation with friends…

“After the first meeting Janine and I fell silent, we were both blown away, Georgina’s knowledge & expertise is outstanding.”

- Chloe, Freckle

They had an idea to create pared back, sustainably made toys and furniture. There was a beautiful intention and vision for their brand Freckle. A desire to nurture a sense of adventure, curiosity and freedom in children.

As we talked, and our little ones played, I saw an opportunity to help them, using my 15 years experience as a storyteller and award-winning film maker at the BBC.

“As a new company, starting this process felt overwhelming but Georgina provided clarity from our very first discussion.”

Inspired by their passion I developed social media storylines, created characters for their products and helped them find their brand voice online.

“Georgina’s calming narrative was able to guide us through the social media world, which can often feel noisy and overcrowded.”

With a considered, intentional and organic approach, a year on, Freckle has grown a highly engaged and loyal social media community.

They’re consistently converting followers to customers and building a stylish profile that means their beautiful products are now stocked (and sell out) worldwide, including New York.

“Through her expertise and creative storytelling Georgina was able to quickly add intrinsic value to our business.”

Through working with Freckle, I discovered a passion for crafting digital stories, a talent for creating social media content and a love of supporting creatives and independent businesses to create something special.

“Georgina was an expert in weaving the story behind our brand and got us to delve deep into our core values and put markers in place to ensure that we continue to hold true to these in any content we put out.”

In the same way I approach documentary film making, I believe the best way to connect and communicate with people is by capturing a simple story with emotion and imagination.

“Without Georgina's help I know we would not have created the same brand. Her knowledge has meant we have launched a successful start-up and made it the best it can be.”

Photography: Marie Palbom

You can find out more about my services here.

Please complete the enquiry form to receive my client pack with full details of my packages, prices & how I can help you with the next chapter of your story.