Ten Years In: What Building a Business Really Teaches You

This month, Marmalade Marketing turns ten.

Even typing that feels slightly surreal.

Ten years ago, I started this business with a laptop, a lot of energy and a very simple belief: that marketing should be human, strategic and actually work. What I didn’t have was any real understanding of quite how hard starting from scratch would be.

I genuinely thought it would be easier.

Not easy, I’m not that naive, but easier. I had experience. I had confidence. I knew the kind of agency I wanted to build. What I hadn’t factored in was that running a business isn’t one skill. It’s fifty. All happening at once. While you’re tired. And responsible for people’s livelihoods.

Would I do it all again?

I’ll plead the Fifth on that one!

But ten years gives you perspective. And if I’m honest, there are things I wish someone had told me at the start, especially for anyone in those early, messy, stretching years of building something from nothing.

Longevity is built on trust, not tactics

The thing that has sustained Marmalade isn’t a clever campaign or a viral post.

It’s trust.

Trust with our clients. Trust within our team. Trust with partners.

Early on, we defined our values as Trust, Breakfast (all food really) and Confidence. They weren’t designed to sound clever. They were designed to be lived. And they still are.

Marketing tactics change constantly. Platforms evolve. AI is exploding into the world and keeping us all on our toes. But trust compounds quietly in the background. And once it’s broken, it’s painfully hard to rebuild.

If you’re starting out, focus less on looking impressive and more on being dependable.

Your worth matters more than the invoice

There will be times when your work isn’t recognised.

When budgets get squeezed. When effort goes unseen.

When it would be easier to compromise than to stand your ground.

My advice? Don’t.

Hold on to your values and your way of working, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially then. Your reputation is built in those moments, not the easy ones. Over time, the right clients will find you and the wrong ones will quietly fall away.

Revenue matters. Of course it does. But self-respect matters more.

Adaptability beats perfection every time

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that perfection is usually just procrastination dressed up as high standards.

The businesses that survive aren’t the ones with flawless plans. They’re the ones willing to adjust without losing who they are.

You will make decisions without all the information. You will change your mind. You will pivot. That’s not weakness, it’s leadership.

And yes, have a business plan. Please have a business plan.

But understand that it will evolve. Constantly. It’s there to guide you, not trap you.

Get a good accountant. Early.

Not glamorous whatsoever, but this is one of the most practical lessons I can share.

A good accountant isn’t just someone who files returns. They’re a sounding board. A risk assessor. A calm voice when cash flow feels tight. They’ll help you avoid mistakes you didn’t even know you were about to make.

Peace of mind is a very underrated business asset.

Build a trusted circle

No one builds anything alone, even if it feels like that at times.

Mentors. Non-execs. Industry peers. People who will challenge you and support you in equal measure. Not just cheerleaders, truth-tellers.

Choose people who understand your values, not just your ambition.

And ask for help sooner than you think you should.

Build a business that supports your life

When I started Marmalade, my children were 0 and 3.

My son turns ten this year. My daughter is 13.

Recently, he said to me, “Mummy, I’ve been with Marmalade as long as you have.”

That stopped me in my tracks.

A decade is a long time!

Growth means very little if it costs you your health, your family or yourself. I haven’t always got that balance right and I suspect no founder ever does perfectly, but the intention matters.

Success should support your life, not replace it!

Make time to look back

Most of us who run businesses are obsessed with what’s next. Scaling. Diversifying. Innovating. Fixing. Improving.

Reflection doesn’t always make the to-do list.

But it should.

Ten years in, I’m so proud. Not because it’s been smooth or easy, but because it’s been honest. Built carefully. Adapted when needed. Sustained by brilliant people.

To our team, our clients and our strategic partners, thank you. Truly.

Ten years feels significant, but we’re only just getting started…

Onwards and upwards!