Name: sarahBee Marketing
Based: Essex
Website: www.sarahbeemarketing.com
sarahBee Marketing was founded by Sarah Brockwell from a home-based office in 2010 after she had been made redundant while on maternity leave. The startup budget of £250 was made by selling her old maternity clothes on eBay. The company provides no-nonsense PR and marketing services for SMEs across Essex.
In the past 12 months Sarah was crowned Essex Businesswoman of the Year. She has also worked on Braintree’s Mary Portas pop-up shop scheme, is a regular presenter on BBC Essex’s Loud Women show and has been featured in national newspapers including the Sunday Mirror, The Times and The Independent. Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted about sarahBee Marketing earlier this year as an example of a great business startup.
With all new business coming from recommendations, word of mouth and PR, the company has helped over 700 Essex entrepreneurs to do better business. Social media is a key resource for brand awareness.
A regular guest presenter slot on BBC Essex gives Sarah access to the radio station’s director and insight into their forward features. This has also resulted in contact with entrepreneurs Lord Alan Sugar, Mary Portas and Jacqueline Gold.
There has been no requirement for third-party funding. With low business expenses, profit margins are high. New income from franchisees is budgeted at £15,000 per franchisee per annum (recurring revenue).
Sarah Brockwell is the director of sarahBee marketing