A special feature from Commissioning Editor, Dee Blick on three start-up businesses making big waves.
Starting your own business is both daunting and exciting. On the one hand, you’re in charge of your own destiny; on the other, the buck stops with you. There’s no sick pay when you’re ill, it falls at your feet to find clients and when you’ve got them, to ensure they pay up and return for more. As someone who has run her own business for more years than I care to admit, it’s incredibly rewarding, and not just for the money. There’s a real sense of satisfaction that you oversee your own destiny, that you’re bringing in clients and that people want to recommend you. You’re not making money for a boss. You’re the boss, so it’s hard to imagine working for another person again.
Meet the data specialist
With all this in mind, and in case you’re thinking of / or about to start your own start-up journey, I spoke to three businesses in their first year of trading to find out more about their highs, lows and lessons learnt, starting with Mandy Huntley. She’s a woman who exudes positive energy. She’s also a genuine person of influence in the field of data protection, now specialising in working with small businesses. There are few people who can make the subject of data protection enlivening, accessible and informative. Mandy can and does. If you need guidance on how to make your business robust when it comes to the data you store and use regarding customers, prospects, members and so on, she’s your woman. And here’s what she told me when I caught up with her.
“I started my business in February 2025, having worked for St Catherine’s Hospice for almost 10 years. There have been challenges, of course, but when you change your perspective, you realise they’re opportunities for growth. I soon discovered that business owners have a varying knowledge of data protection, perfectly illustrated when they say things like “data protection doesn’t apply because I’m a sole trader,” which is incorrect.
The phrase “we don’t know what we don’t know” is so relevant as I learn aspects of running a business that are new to me at the same time as I educate businesses on their responsibilities regarding data protection.
When 2026 ends I would like to see my business moving from the start-up phase to growth. I aim to bring data protection expertise to as many people as possible in the down-to-earth, clear, and jargon free way I’m becoming renowned for. I’m moving into consumer advice, offering direct support to the public on online safety, and exercising their rights, such as accessing data held by organisations. Motivation and focus are easy for me. I’m enthusiastic about what I do, and I’m determined to show my children that hard work pays off.”
Time to declutter
If you read my regular column for Sussex Exclusive, you’ll know I’m a fan of Katie Wellman, professional declutterer. She even made it into my latest book in the chapter on branding and together we organised a non-profit conference which raised money for local charities. Katie is a woman who really does go the extra mile for her customers, local charities, and the planet. Not content to leave you with your bags full of items to sort and send or worse head to landfill, Katie takes a full carload away and sorts through every item to ensure nothing ends up in landfill.
As Katie shared with me, “Celebrating my first business birthday was the perfect moment to reflect on everything I’ve achieved. I’m so proud of the network I’ve built and how I’ve pushed myself to be brave and step outside of my comfort zone, to reach my goals. I was co-organiser and speaker at the Brilliant & Bold Conference which raised £2800 for local charities. I’m now an official WI speaker, have been featured in magazines, conducted a live radio interview and guested on podcasts. If you’d told me last year I would achieve this, I would not have believed you! Throughout the year, there have been many learning opportunities and room for growth. It took me a long time to accept that the business wouldn’t be perfect straight away and I quickly realised that finding a way to redistribute items my clients no longer needed was a significant but important part of my work. In the next year, I see my business continuing to grow, to help more clients to enjoy their homes and support our local community through donating items to those in most need of them.”
Elevate
Finally, I spoke to Max Phillips and Rachel Parnell, founders of Elevate Fitness, an independent fitness and wellbeing company based in West Sussex. They specialise in 1-1 Personal Training Sessions and bespoke workout programmes for all ages and all fitness levels (I wonder if they could work wonders with a laptop lizard like me!) Sessions take place in Horsham, Warnham and Southwater. Like all businesses, they have not been immune to the turbulent economy, as Rachel explained: “The biggest challenge we’ve faced this year is the rising cost of living, which affects most people. It is so important that we communicate the many benefits of investing in health and wellbeing to any person interested in what we offer. We must also show that our services are inclusive and affordable. Our clients include those seeking help with past injuries, those looking to keep themselves active and individuals wanting real accountability for their fitness. Our sessions are flexible, and we help clients stay motivated as they work toward their fitness goals knowing we are behind them. It’s important that we’re visible in our community so that people can chat to us about their fitness challenges and goals and seek our advice. This last year we’ve been spending more time within the local community at various events, which we love. We’ve started working with local clubs, including the Broadbridge Heath football team, a great opportunity to expand on our offering and raise our profile. We’re excited for 2026 because we’re launching our new online platform, a membership-based plan with programmes, workouts and more, making fitness even more accessible. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a structured approach to training and in need of more guidance and motivation.”
I asked Rachel the question I’m sure is in most people’s minds when they meet this incredibly friendly, fit, and enthusiastic duo. How do they stay motivated and focused on their fitness goals? Rachel explained: “We push each other to succeed. Two brains are better than one, and we’re not afraid to challenge each other’s thoughts and ideas, which again is key to our success. Scheduling time for our fitness is also essential. We must practise what we preach, so we never sacrifice our workouts. We’re honest with clients too! We have a healthy diet, but we don’t hide the fact that we enjoy the occasional treat, which makes us relatable.”
If you’re a business in your first few years of trading and would like to be considered for an interview with Dee, please contact her at dee@themarketinggym.org
About Dee Blick FCIM
Dee has just written her fifth marketing book, which debuted at No 1 in six categories on Amazon. With You’re the Best! How to Build an Authentic and Magnetic Personal Brand, Dee shows you step by step how you can move from The Seeker to The Sought After. Chapters include Why being authentic is the ace up your sleeve, building your business brand alongside your personal brand, overcoming fear of failure, how to create a powerful brand plan and how to secure content that underpins your influence and expertise. Dee shares many examples of her award-winning templates in her usual conversational style. You can buy Dee’s book on Amazon and contact her at dee@themarketinggym.org
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