George Maltby, Pinglestone & William Normandale
Six months ago, Jack Martin & Co emerged into the light, blinking, unsteady on our feet, but ready to rip. Every business desperately needs that first client to get the ball rolling, and having launched several businesses, I can tell you from experience it’s a terrifying place to be. But fun, so much fun.
You hang out your shingle (build a website, post on social media, write a newsletter), tell family, friends, potential clients, random people you meet in the pub and at parties, in fact, anyone who will listen, what services you provide—only to hear ... nothing, silence, just deafening silence. The humiliation, the shame, how can I look people in the eye? Will my beautiful Creative Director ever speak to me again? Will I have to go get a job?
Hallelujah, praise be to the Lord, hallowed be thy name—George Maltby, our very first client, George took a chance on me, so thank you from the bottom of my heart, George. Next was Dave Wakeham of Pinglestone Farm, our first website to go live, and what an exciting experience that was, a few technical hiccups, the lesson learned is don’t go live on Friday evening as technical support will be in the pub.
Next up was a lovely chap I met playing cricket with The Marauders, Eddie Vincent, ex-Goldman Sachs, now a contemporary blacksmith, Eddie had a website and Instagram, but both needed overhauling and a newsletter was required. Then artist-blacksmith Will Normandale, of Wheely Down Forge, who had reached the stage of needing his own website, he makes truly beautiful metalwork. And lastly, Anton Ambrose spun Dust Projects, a construction company, out from his architecture business Dust Architecture and asked us to provide all his marketing services, we’re thrilled with the results.
The Marauders CC, Hambledon
Running Jack Martin & Co is in many ways a return to my roots. In 2006 I was living in New Zealand with my new wife and child, wondering how to earn a crust, so I bought a dying magazine, WildTomato, taking on the debt to the printer. I found I absolutely loved working with interesting business owners every day to solve their marketing problems, and writing and photographing stories about how to make Nelson and Marlborough a better place to be.
WildTomato Magazine
If you’re thinking about starting a business or perhaps have a business but feel that your website, social media, or newsletter needs a revamp, please do give me a call on 07766 502 848, jack@jack-martin.co.uk. I’d love to have a chat, with absolutely no obligation.
Roll on summer.
Jack Martin