The businesswoman behind one of Norfolk’s fastest growing marketing firms has revealed how she grew the business from a one-woman garden shed operation to an industry force to be reckoned with. 

Rechenda Smith, the founder of Nurture Marketing, is hard to miss.

Eastern Daily Press: Rechenda Smith, founder of Nurture Marketing, celebrating the agency's first birthdayRechenda Smith, founder of Nurture Marketing, celebrating the agency's first birthday (Image: Nurture Marketing)

Dressed from head to toe in leopard print - her daily uniform - the business development specialist has used her colourful image to craft a “personal brand” that brings the fun back into the world of marketing.

She said: “I’m spreading the leopard print love across Norfolk - we call the office the leopard’s lair because everything is accessorised with animal print.”

Eastern Daily Press: Rechenda Smith, founder of Nurture Marketing in Norwich, has nicknamed the agency office the leopards lairRechenda Smith, founder of Nurture Marketing in Norwich, has nicknamed the agency office the leopards lair (Image: Nurture Marketing)

She founded the business 18 months ago, investing £6,000 of her own savings to set up shop in a shed at the bottom of her garden.

READ MORE: Norfolk businesses are being urged to take more risks to boost region's economy

In the first year, she’d turned over more than £75,000, and banked a cool £20,000 of profit after tax, allowing her to open a “proper office” at Blofield Business Centre and hire three members of staff - who she affectionately refers to as her “leopards”. 

And with big name local clients including Norwich Theatre, Barnham Broom hotel, and the Royal Norfolk Show, this year is already shaping up to be a big success.

She said: “In the past six months we’ve already smashed last year’s turnover out of the park.

Eastern Daily Press: Rechenda Smith, founder of Nurture MarketingRechenda Smith, founder of Nurture Marketing (Image: Nurture Marketing)

“I think what’s made the difference is not only coming up with a robust plan for our clients, but also because we’ve focused on being innovative and coming up with fresh ways of doing things.

“There’s a million marketing agencies out there, so the energy we bring to the table has been our key differentiator.”

Next year, Ms Smith will launch a new arm of the business - the Nurture Marketing School - which will provide marketing training for businesses and other marketers.

Ms Smith added: “We’re reaching for the stars. I’m ready to shake up the world of marketing.”