Small businesses with big hearts. That’s how I describe my ideal clients.

They’re people who really give a sh*t. About their work, the people they serve, the wider world and about their impact.

I couldn’t be prouder to say that this year I’ve worked with well over 200 businesses. Some of them came to workshops and events I ran. Others I got to know really well through 1:1 marketing coaching, strategy and power hours. And of course a totally joyful lot are in the Do Crew!

Each and every one of them made me so proud, and also inspired me. I’m truly grateful.

So in celebration of Small Business Saturday, I offer to you some of these brilliant businesses whose marketing journey I’ve been lucky enough to be part of in 2023. Please check out the links, consider buying, or follow them on socials.

Yes, because small independent businesses really feel the pinch and should be supported wherever possible. But also because they are bloody brilliant!

Business services

Translation

Philippa Hammond of Philippa Hammond Translation and Editorial loves to bring clarity to other people's content and help share it with the English-speaking world. Philippa obviously has mad translation skills, but what I really love about her is how much she cares about doing a brilliant job for her clients.

Web design and training courses

Claire from Village Web Company CIC is a web designer based in Romiley village. Village Web Company offers web design services and training courses for small businesses and social enterprises. Claire is a gem of a human and extremely knowledgeable (and very entertaining on social media).

Voice-over actress with an American accent

Stephanie Matard is a voice-over actress with an American accent living in Europe, who has a professional recording studio. During one of our Zoom calls, Stephanie showed me one of my favourite views from her balcony: the Sacre-Coeur in Paris.

Voiceover artist and voice actor

Voiceover artist and voice actor Sara Starling offers voiceovers for everything from commercials to kids' animations, medical and pharma to brand films and a whole lot more besides. I am lucky that I run into Sara and her adorable dog Neville Longbottom a few times a week when I take the Barketing Assistant to the park!

Research and innovation strategy and content (and mosaics)

Scientia Scripta is a research and innovation consultancy who offers research and innovation communications strategy and content, and community engagement expertise. They help to deliver meaningful and measurable impact. They also came up with the fascinating MetaMosaics, a creative new way to run workshops - strategy, team building, policy development, community engagement - through the power of collective mosaic-making. Launching soon!

Copywriting with kick

Word Witch Siobhan Strode of This Sister Scribes has a pre-recorded workshop ready to inspire you if you want to make your words ooze with YOU and share what matters most.

Film and photography

Gav from Dog Haus Creative is an incredible visual storyteller and a top guy. He’s your man for film and photography.

Coachy things

Voiceover and creative coach

Emma Clarke is a voiceover, writer, composer and creative career coach. Read what Emma and I got up to in marketing coaching this year.

Writer coach and author

Katherine Clements is an author, coach and mentor for writers. She helps people start writing, stay writing and build bold, meaningful writing careers. You can also buy her books as Christmas presents - I’m planning to read this one.

Reset and supercharge

Join the wonderful Katy Murray for her Winter Reset on 18 December and/or for her CEO Supercharge day on 4 January. Or buy her book!

Weekender for coaches and small businesses

Becky Field from Westfield Coaching is a coach for coaches and small business owners. You can now book onto her Amazing Weekender for Personal and Professional Development that encourages creativity, connection and collaboration! Takes place next year, secure your place with a £99 deposit.

Creative wellbeing and playful parenting

Kate Campbell is a creative coach who has a wonderfully creative mind. I love how Kate always has such interesting tips and ideas, and I honestly think she has made me a better mum. I’m in her Curate Collective.

QCH therapy and coaching

Sally Heady can help you feel calm, confident and free to create the future you want. She offers the tools for you to connect to yourself, your strengths and your self-belief.

Present ideas

Cooking class vouchers

Jinny Chivers offers Cooking With Jinny class experience gift vouchers. Her classes include learning to make sushi, dim sum dumplings, colourful pasta and more to come! I’m very much looking forward to attending one of Jinny’s edible Christmas gifts workshops this December.

Photo gifts

Lasse Lund Petersen Photography sells unique photographic prints, calendars, jigsaws and more. My favourites are the pictures taken in South Africa.

Stationery

Stationery Supplies is my local independent family-run stationery shop in Marple, with another shop in Wilmslow, Cheshire. An eclectic emporium of all things stationery! Everything a stationery lover could want, and more, alongside greeting cards and gifts.

Prints

Sian from Sorted! Decluttering and Organising has gorgeous ‘Keep It Real' prints available in A4 with gold foil. I really like the “don’t judge me, I’m being creative” vibe. Packaged in eco-friendly recyclable and biodegradable materials, keeping the planet in mind.

Sustainable clothes

I absolutely love everything Leyla creates and stands for with You Are The Sea, a sustainable clothing brand. Natural, sustainable clothing for ocean lovers everywhere, and for every tee or sweatshirt sold, they give back to the sea!

Sustainable swimwear and beautiful art

Sandra from Brummy Artist creates art that brings the beauty of nature into your home and adds life and vitality to your décor. Sandra is also the creator of sustainable swimwear brand More Than Swim.

Eco-print accessories

By Maggie Naturally eco-prints the most wonderful creations on scarves, homewares, and all manner of other things.

Health and wellness

Homeopathy clinic

Plan B Natural Health. Because Plan A doesn't always work. An expert homeopathic healthcare clinic on the Kent coast to help people restore health and sleep naturally, using safe and effective remedies, and liberating them from fear-based medicine.

Yoga studio

Orange Bloom Yoga Studio is a yoga studio for all bodies in Hazel Grove and online.

Therapy for women

Helen Fenton runs a therapy business for women at Wild Sanctuary.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic Harmony is run by homeopathic practitioner Neela Prabhu. She offers a blue kit of homeopathic remedies, which saves you time and money vs pharmacy medicines and is suitable for the whole family (I have one of these!).

Luxury treatments

Mother Nature Sanctuary in Bollington offers one-to-one wellbeing through luxury treatments including massage, facials, and reflexology. Siobhan is also a birth coach, supporting mothers during pregnancy and post partum.

Half-price nutrition, lifestyle and mindset coaching

Helen Jones Nutrition offers nutrition, lifestyle and mindset coaching and she is offering half-price power hours for all bookings made in December.

A Small Business Saturday challenge

This weekend, and maybe this whole December, when you buy Christmas presents or other festive things, please consider small independents. You can also support them by liking their socials, commenting on their posts, subscribing to their newsletters, telling your friends about them, and leaving them a review. It really means the world!

This post may contain affiliate links to things I love. If you clicked and bought something, I may earn a small commission.