Ten years. It is a milestone that feels both like it flew by in the blink of an eye and carried a lifetime of learning, building, and growing.
Before launching Elm Marketing Solutions back in 2016, I spent 16 years working in the accountancy arena. During that time, I met so many business owners whom I deeply admired, and I learned an enormous amount about how to run a business—including the ups, the downs, and the common pitfalls. I honestly never looked beyond my first year back then; my initial goal was simply to demonstrate to myself that I could run my own business and that there was a genuine need for flexible support for SMEs. For smaller businesses that either cannot justify or do not have the need for a dedicated, in-house marketeer, I wanted to step in as a trusted outsourced extension of the team.
Working in that industry also introduced me to Rocketspark, which, unbeknownst to me when I first started out, would become a cornerstone of my business and a main service offering. Hitting the milestone of launching more than 50 websites on the platform earned me Rocketspark Gold Partner status. The team at Rocketspark have been absolutely fantastic every step of the way and continue to offer first-class support.
Over the past decade, that journey has turned into something truly special. Through core services including professional website design, social media management, and general marketing support, we have helped businesses establish and grow their digital presence. While our roots and the heart of our community remain primarily focused across the North East of England, our work has taken us further than I initially imagined, supporting brilliant clients all the way from London up to Scotland and across the wider UK.
Marking a full decade felt like the right time to give the business a little bit of a branding refresh, too, bringing the visual identity nicely up to date for the next chapter.
Looking back, what stands out the most isn't just the websites or the campaigns—it is the people. Over the past 10 years, I have made some wonderful connections, and many of the business owners I work with I now proudly consider friends too. I feel very privileged to be in the position I am in today, doing what I love every single day.
Every project—whether it is crafting a fresh website, shaping a social media strategy, or providing ongoing marketing backing—comes down to understanding real customer pain points. Small business owners pour their passion into what they do, and my goal has always been to show that there is a clear, reliable solution to help bridge the gap between them and their audience. Consistency in brand awareness builds trust, and watching local businesses and independent ventures find their footing and grow has been the greatest reward of all.
As a special way of celebrating this milestone, I am treating myself to a two-week holiday—something I have not done since I first started the business. Taking two full weeks away feels like an absolute luxury, and I am very much looking forward to the break.
None of this would have been possible without you.
I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all my customers—past, present, and future. Thank you for placing your faith in me, for welcoming me into your business journeys, and for your continued support as we celebrate this chapter.
Here is to the next decade of growth, connection, and great marketing.
Melanie
