From corporate marketing to community impact: Alex’s journey with small businesses

We sat down with Alex, co-founder of CoLab Marketers, to chat about her journey into marketing, why supporting small businesses drives her and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From life by the sea in Hove to helping local entrepreneurs thrive, Alex shares her story, advice for business owners and what keeps her motivated every day.

Q: Did you always know you wanted to work in marketing?

I’ve known for a surprisingly long time. When I was 15, my favourite teacher was an inspirational Marketing and Entrepreneurship teacher, and I’ve been interested ever since. Studying marketing after high school only solidified my love for it. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people and working as part of a team. Marketing allowed me to connect with people without ever meeting them, which I thought was so cool. When I discovered you could combine marketing with causes you care about, I was hooked. My first big client was a hospital in Canada that’s very close to my heart. Since then, I’ve made it my goal to work with businesses that matter to me, which is how I’ve ended up here, working with a great partner and supporting small businesses that make a real difference.

Q: So why the focus on small businesses now?

While working with large businesses gave me incredible experience, it never felt fulfilling. I was climbing the corporate ladder, working long hours, and, beyond hitting targets, I didn’t really care about these companies “winning.” I realised I was living to work, not working to live. I wanted balance, and I wanted to make a difference. During the 2020 pandemic, some of my favourite local shops shut down because they weren’t equipped for reduced foot traffic or didn’t have an online presence. I knew I could help. I wanted my community to thrive, and that’s when I decided to focus on local rather than global businesses. Not only does that help my community, it makes it a better place to live.

Q: How long have you lived in Hove and what do you love most about the area?

Aside from the fact that I live by the sea? It’s the sense of community and the fact there’s room for everyone. I’ve lived in Hove for a little over 3 years now and it’s so diverse in terms of interests and hobbies. Whether you’re into food, arts and crafts, film, or sports, there’s a spot for you. Local businesses really lean into this, and each one is unique.

Q: What advice would you give to someone struggling to market their business right now?

Call CoLab Marketers 😄.

In all seriousness, take it one step at a time, you don’t need to do it all at once. Start with one thing you know you can do and enjoy. We always say: consistency beats frequency. Begin with one weekly post or a monthly newsletter and build from there. Keep an eye on what’s working and drop what isn’t. Some things will happen naturally, like word of mouth and good reviews — lean on those.

Q: And what about someone looking to get into marketing, what should they know?

One of the things I love most about marketing is that it’s always changing, especially with today’s rapid tech advances. Don’t expect to study marketing once and be an expert for life, it’s a constant cycle of learning, adapting, and refining. For me, as someone who loves learning, that’s a huge plus. I’d also say: work with clients you respect. It makes your job easier and makes the work far more enjoyable.

Q: And finally, what keeps you motivated in your work with small businesses?

When you work with small businesses, you truly become part of the team. You meet incredible people and build strong, trust-based relationships. You’re not just a number or a cog in a machine, you’re an integral part of their success. We see our clients’ wins regularly, whereas with bigger organisations you often never see the results of your efforts. It’s incredibly rewarding to help entrepreneurs and small business owners do what they love successfully, and to know you played a role in making that possible. If I can keep doing this for as long as possible, I’ll be a very happy woman!