2020 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - 2020 Worldwide Finance Awards 21 ounded in January 2018, Florence & James was designed to help ambitious SME businesses to grow. The team at F&J support their clients with brand development as well as their marketing strategies and plans. They also offer support across all marketing communications creation and implementation and often work as an outsourced retained marketing department. This allows businesses to get on with what they do best whilst F&J takes care of their marketing. Working as a strategic and big picture consultancy, F&J specialises in branding and marketing development and strategies that are grounded in research and consumer insight – in short, they ensure that their clients’ marketing focuses on their customers’ needs. The six-step brand development framework F&J have created focuses on immersing themselves in their client’s business and understanding their customers intimately. The result is branding that is based on a point of difference, ensuring clients have stand out from the crowd and deliver a competitive advantage that resonates with customers. Ultimately, F&J deliver marketing that builds brands and a business’s bottom line. Owner and founder, Susie Mitchell, wanted her business to work in a different way to traditional marketing agencies; she has built her client relationships based on mutual trust and respect. The whole team have a genuine desire to help clients succeed at doing what they love and find nothing more satisfying than seeing a business owner’s business thrive under their guidance. Susie’s background includes more than twenty years’ experience working on both the agency and client side of business both in the UK, and internationally. What began with a distinction in her MA Advertising & Marketing degree quickly evolved into a job working in London creative agencies on a broad range of blue-chip clients. She then moved client side, developing her skills and expertise further in Sydney, Australia and the UK. This wealth of experience all culminated in the brand and identity work that the team at F&J successfully deliver to their clients today. Due to the current pandemic, the standard of their work and their support is more important than ever, as many businesses feel the pressure in these trying times. Their support is vital to ensuring that consumers remain familiar with a brand’s identity during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Marketing, branding, and identity development work has become one of the most vital things that a business can invest in during the COVID-19 pandemic and retaining a sense of identity in a consumer’s mind will set a solid foundation for when things return to normal. Florence and James Marketing Consultancy (F&J) helps with exactly that and has owner and director Susie Mitchell to thank for its creation. Following double award-winning success for both Susie and the company, we take a closer look to learn more. Florence & James Marketing Consultancy F As a woman in business, Susie also understands the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people and ensuring that you find like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off. Susie has found being a member of several women-led support groups, where she can receive advice and encouragement, invaluable. Now that F&J has cultivated a reputation for success amongst the East Midlands business community, Susie is able to use her influence to help bring about change in the marketing industry for women as a whole. The future for both F&J and Susie is incredibly exciting as the business grows and looks for more ways to help organisations. Particularly high on the agenda is further work with local charities and ethical organisations. This is particularly important to Susie as it brings part of her passion for sustainable living into her business. Ultimately, Susie wants to build F&J to become known as the most reputable and trusted marketing consultancy within the East Midlands. F&J will become synonymous with the creation of exceptional brand identities and marketing, successfully delivering better quality products that help the planet. During this difficult period, local businesses have supported each other and have stood together, with F&J playing a vital role. The team’s support for their clients has been nothing less than exceptional. Moving forward, Susie wants to continue supporting her growing client base. With an exceptionally talented businesswoman in Susie at the helm, the company’s success is surely set to continue for years to come. Most Influential SME Marketing Business Director (East Midlands): Susie Mitchell & Best Brand & Identity Development Agency - East Midlands Company: Florence & James Marketing Consultancy Contact: Susie Mitchell Website: www.florenceandjames.co.uk