Great Oak Marketing

27/02/2026

This week has been a pretty good snapshot of why I enjoy running my own businesses.

I’ve been working on a new marketing project with a tech company, supporting an existing client with web development work and switching gears to get Bear Creek Adventures and River Severn Canoes ready to re-open for the season (back on the water from Easter).

That’s meant pulling together a local magazine advert and making some short videos and reels to show what we offer.

I’ve also had a really positive meeting with the Severn Valley Railway about a collaborative project for River Severn Canoes - some exciting ideas taking shape.

And in a completely different headspace, I’ve been finishing a bio page for a major new artist joining Olive & Plum Retreats in Italy in 2027. Can’t wait to share that properly next week.
Happy days :)

16/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, I’m feeling incredibly grateful reflecting on Olive and Plum's first year, one of several businesses I am proud to be part of.

What stood out most, looking around the room of O&P's first Christmas party, was the people. Building Olive & Plum this year with my business partner, Sarah Stokes Artist, has reminded me just how much the who matters. The people you choose to work with shape the work itself, the culture and the joy you find in doing it.

As writer Robert Greene said:
"The people you choose to associate with influence you in ways you may not even be aware of.”

Alongside the creative milestones, Olive and Plum have also taken important steps behind the scenes, including becoming ABTOT bonded, offering added financial protection for our retreat packages that include accommodation and transfers.

It’s been a genuine privilege to work with such a talented group and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Olive and Plum have more art workshops and retreats planned for 2026.

You can find out more at www.oliveandplumretreats.com

As we head into 2026, I’ll be opening up limited space for new clients at Great Oak Marketing, with a focus on supporting businesses with strategy and Facebook advertising, particularly those in the education, travel and experience-led sectors.

06/11/2025

It was a real pleasure to design this website for The Three Horseshoes- a fantastic, traditional pub in the village of Alveley.

Check out our new website allowing access to all our menus and upcoming events in one place.Thanks to Katie at Great Oak Marketing for putting it all together!

https://www.thethreehorseshoesalveley.co.uk

26/09/2025

Proud to be hosting our first Cotswolds Art Retreat with Olive and Plum. What a beautiful venue!

31/07/2025

It was a real privilege to meet Steven Bartlett today at the Entrepreneurs Circle event in Birmingham.

Steven spoke about the power of skill stacking and the value of choosing experience over the highest-paying job early in your career. It really got me reflecting on my own journey.

I landed my first job at 15 in a clothes shop and continued juggling various part-time roles while studying. Those early experiences gave me exposure to different work environments, built my confidence and broadened my skill set. By the time I graduated from university, I didn’t just have a degree, I had a wealth of real-world experience that helped me hit the ground running.

At 24, I started what I consider my first proper career role. It was with a smaller company where I got involved in every corner of the business. They appreciated people who were willing to roll up their sleeves, offer solutions and just get stuck in. That suited me perfectly. The freedom to contribute wherever I could gave me the confidence to thrive.

Despite first impressions (I clip-clopped in wearing bright pink heels on day one!), I eventually worked my way up to Director. That progression came down to hard work, a solution-focused mindset and always being willing to say yes — even to things outside my comfort zone. In your twenties especially, it’s so important to show up, step up and stretch yourself. Be visible, stay curious and don’t be afraid to put the hours in.

After 16 years in a role that offered me broad exposure and learning, I took the leap and started my own business — bringing with me all those lessons learned along the way.

Steven’s message really hit home: building a broad skill set is one of the best ways to succeed in business.

To anyone just starting out: choose experience over salary in the early days. The short-term sacrifice pays off in long-term gains — and those skills stay with you for life.

Because ultimately, you get out what you put in.

16/09/2024

If you ever need reminding that you can, watch this video. Wow!

ANP Music ProductionRecorded, edited and mixed by Petar Aleksiev Listen to Polia's original song "My Mind as My Guide": https://lnkfi.re/gV21JangFollow Poli...

15/09/2024

Having a goal in life is what shapes our plans and motivates us. What's yours?

Mine is to have a place something like this in Spain someday. The picture is going up on the wall...The plan has been formed...

Dreams can become a reality but in most cases they don't happen by accident.

Have a goal, create a plan, persist, persist, persist...

You can do it 💪

13/09/2024

Which option will you choose?

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7WC1ryo4SVYFKUsi/

11/09/2024

I've had a great couple of days in at the Entrepreneurs Circle annual convention with friend and business partner, Sarah Stokes Artist.

This event is attended by 1,200 ambitious entrepreneurs focused on growing their businesses.

I was reminded of the important skills we all need to be successful. These include: persistence, optimism, the ability to think and I mean REALLY think, being able to put the negative past behind us but to learn and take value from mistakes, to have a spark i.e. be someone people get good energy from, determination and let's not forget a healthy amount of resilience. It's a tough world out there and to succeed we have to be resilient enough to face the challenges, people, problems and fundamentally find a way past them. With the right attitude we can overcome almost any obstacle.

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? I'm proud to say, I do.

So what am I taking away from the convention? The word FOCUS. By being focused we control where we want to go and can fully concentrate on getting there...Many business owners and entrepreneurs have a lot of great ideas. The key is to focus on the right ones at the right time and to make them happen with a solid plan. So that's where I'm headed. Watch this space 👀

What should you be doing and what's stopping you from getting it done? Take a day to figure this out and you'll get a lot of focus back into your life. Be sure to write it down and even better, put it on the wall.

05/06/2024

01/06/2024

Very excited about achieving 8k followers for River Severn Canoes 😊