From Linguist to Marketing Leader: Lucy’s Accidental Entry Into the Industry
Lucy didn’t set out to become a marketer. With a degree in languages and dreams of travel and glamour, marketing wasn’t even on her radar until a chaotic day in a corporate office changed everything.
A shout from the boardroom, “Does anyone speak French?” led Lucy to raise her hand (terrified) and unknowingly step into a lifelong career. She ended up working alongside the head of marketing for 15 years and caught the bug that would shape her future.
“It wasn’t what I studied. But I loved it instantly.”
From Manchester to London and back again, Lucy worked in everything from corporate giants to smaller firms. Along the way, she earned formal marketing qualifications and built a reputation in the built environment sector.
🎂 The Birth of Luma… and a Baby
In 2014, two big things happened: Lucy became a mum and a founder.
She returned to her job just eight months after giving birth, only to face the harsh reality of being a working mum in a corporate environment. The company she’d once loved felt cold, unsupportive, and worst of all, dismissive.
“They told me my brain didn’t work the same anymore because I’d had a baby.”
Lucy sat crying into a G&T one night with her then-husband, both stressed and overwhelmed by the pressures of childcare, careers, and finances. That night became a turning point. She left her job and launched Luma Marketing, a business built not just on experience, but on values.
⚡ Making Change: From Marketing to the Women’s Equality Party
But Lucy didn’t stop at just building Luma. Channelling her frustration, she threw herself into activism, playing a pivotal role in launching the Women’s Equality Party in the North.
From campaigning with Sandy Toksvig to organising major conferences and taking on trolls, Lucy was on the front lines of change.
“We didn’t want to exist. We wanted to make ourselves redundant by making real policy change.”
And they did. From upskirting laws to reforms in women’s safety, the impact was real even as the abuse was, sadly, just as real.
💥 Marketing Mess-Ups: The Financial Wake-Up Call
Like many founders, Lucy admits she didn’t have it all figured out.
“It took me a long time to get good at money. I just didn’t want to look at it.”
Money was emotional. Cash flow was scary. And like so many business owners, Lucy faced the hard truth that if she didn’t change her relationship with finance, the business wouldn’t survive.
So she invested in herself through coaching, courses, and the right accountant. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. And it worked.
📈 Evolving Luma: From Creative to Data-Driven
Fast forward to today, and Luma Marketing has evolved into something far more analytical.
“We’ve become what I always wanted to be: data-driven.”
Gone are the days of guessing which half of the marketing works. Luma helps clients track everything from reach to sentiment to pipeline conversions. It’s not just about impressions anymore; it’s about impact.
They now focus on three key pillars:
- Reach: Who’s seeing your content?
- Reputation: What do they think?
- Revenue: Is it converting?
🛠️ The Ideal Client? Tough Challenges Welcome
When asked who she’d love to work with, Lucy didn’t name a big brand for bragging rights. Instead, she wants to roll up her sleeves with companies facing real, messy challenges like tier-one contractors battling skills shortages, supply chain crises, and net-zero pressures.
“I don’t want easy. I want to solve problems.”
🤝 Founders Supporting Founders
Lucy’s journey is a blend of grit, heart, and honesty. From boardroom tears to bold campaigns, her story resonates with anyone trying to do meaningful work while juggling real life.
She leaves us with a powerful reminder:
“Your business is a reflection of you. And you have a responsibility to do the work not just on the business, but on yourself.”
🎧 Want to hear the full conversation? Listen on Spotify.