From Bestselling Author to Business Owner: My Journey of Building a Brand

8 hours ago

6 min read

By Hannah Russell | Founder of Business Bloom Media

If there's one thing I've learnt throughout my career, it's that building a successful brand takes time, creativity, consistency and a lot of hard work.

Over the past 13 years, I've been fortunate enough to turn my passions into businesses, work with some fantastic people and gain experience across publishing, retail, marketing, branding and digital media.

From publishing my first book and building an internationally recognised brand to launching Business Bloom Media and helping other businesses grow, it's certainly been an exciting journey.

I thought it was time to share a little more about my background, the experience I've gained along the way and how it all led to the creation of Business Bloom Media.

Where It All Began – My Career as an Author

My career started in the publishing industry, and what began as a passion for writing and sharing stories about animals soon developed into something much bigger than I could ever have imagined.

Over 13 years, I published 20 books, became a bestselling author multiple times and was incredibly proud to receive the Author of the Year award for four consecutive years.

My books were published internationally, and I had the opportunity to travel, attend book tours, visit schools, speak at events and work alongside some wonderful organisations and charities.

However, behind the books was something equally important – a business and a brand that needed managing, marketing and developing.

I quickly learnt that writing a book was only one part of the process. Getting that book in front of the right audience, building relationships with readers, managing sales and creating a recognisable brand required a completely different set of skills.

And that's where my love for marketing really began.

Building Hannah Russell, Little Alf & Friends

One of my proudest achievements has been developing my own brand, Hannah Russell, Little Alf & Friends.

What started with sharing stories about my animals grew into a successful business with an international audience and a wonderful online community.

Over the years, I built a following of more than 60,000 people across social media, with my brand and online pages achieving over 1 million hits per month.

Alongside growing an audience, I developed and managed my own e-commerce website, selling books, merchandise and branded products directly to customers.

Through successful book launches, seasonal promotions, email marketing, social media campaigns and product development, the website generated high-volume online sales.

It was a fantastic learning experience, and one that taught me so much about the relationship between marketing, brand loyalty and customer experience.

I wasn't just creating content. I was building a business, developing products, managing stock, working with suppliers, communicating with customers and constantly looking for ways to improve sales and engagement.

One of the biggest lessons I learnt was that a successful brand isn't just about having a large following – it's about building a community that trusts you, connects with your story and wants to support what you do.

That's something I've carried into every business I've worked with since.

Gaining Experience Beyond Publishing

Although many people first knew me through my books and animals, my professional experience has always extended beyond publishing.

Over the years, I've gained experience in events management, retail, interior design, website development, public relations and digital marketing.

I completed an apprenticeship in events management, gained qualifications in interior design and went on to establish my own retail business, Russell Home Interiors.

Running a retail business gave me a completely different perspective on marketing. I experienced first-hand the importance of product presentation, pricing, customer service, stock management and creating an enjoyable shopping experience.

It also helped me understand the challenges that small business owners face every day.

When you're running your own business, you're often responsible for everything, from managing finances and responding to customers to creating content and keeping your website updated.

Having been in that position myself, I understand just how valuable good marketing support can be.

The Beginning of Business Bloom Media

In 2018, I founded Business Bloom Media with the aim of helping other businesses develop their brands, improve their online presence and reach new customers.

Having spent years marketing my own books, products and businesses, I wanted to use that experience to support other entrepreneurs and established companies.

Since launching, I've had the pleasure of working with businesses across the UK and internationally, covering a wide variety of industries.

My work includes social media management, branding, website design, email marketing, public relations, digital advertising, influencer management and content creation.

I'm also a Wix Partner Creator, have experience developing websites through Shopify and hold a Google Data Analytics qualification.

I love that my work allows me to combine the creative side of marketing with the more technical elements, from designing a beautiful brand identity to understanding website performance and advertising results.

Working Behind the Scenes with Established Brands

Alongside running Business Bloom Media, I've also gained valuable experience working as Head of Marketing for established brands.

This has involved developing marketing strategies, managing social media platforms, coordinating product launches, overseeing ambassador and influencer programmes, supporting e-commerce websites and planning advertising campaigns.

I've particularly enjoyed working with countryside, outdoor, sporting and lifestyle businesses, as these are industries I'm personally passionate about.

However, one of the things I enjoy most about running a creative agency is the variety.

One day I might be designing a website for a new business, the next developing a social media campaign, working on a product launch or creating a completely new brand identity.

No two businesses are the same, and I think that's what makes marketing so interesting.

What Building My Own Brand Has Taught Me

One of the most valuable things I bring to Business Bloom Media is that I've experienced both sides of marketing.

I've been the business owner investing in marketing, and I've been the person developing and delivering the marketing strategy.

I've experienced the excitement of launching new products, the pressure of achieving sales targets, the challenges of growing an audience and the importance of adapting when something isn't working.

Building my own brand taught me a few important lessons:

Consistency matters. Successful brands aren't built overnight. They develop through regular communication, engaging content and a clear identity.
Your story is important. People connect with people, and sharing the personality behind a business can make a huge difference.
A following doesn't automatically mean sales. Understanding your audience and creating a positive customer experience are just as important as reaching new people.
Good branding creates recognition. From your website to your social media platforms, everything should feel connected.
You never stop learning. Marketing is constantly evolving, and being willing to adapt is essential.

These are all things I consider when working with clients today.

A New Chapter and Looking Ahead

After 13 wonderful years in publishing, I've recently made the decision to put my pen down for now and focus on the next stage of my career.

It's been an incredible journey, and I'm enormously proud of everything I achieved through my books, the people I met and the opportunities that came along the way.

But I'm equally excited about the future of Business Bloom Media.

Outside the office, life is just as busy! My partner and I live in the Yorkshire countryside with our collection of animals, and when I'm not working on websites or marketing campaigns, you'll usually find me outdoors with the dogs, horses and other animals.

My love of the countryside continues to influence my creative work, and I'm particularly excited about developing more projects with countryside, lifestyle and independent brands.

Helping Your Business Bloom

When I look back at my career, so much of what I've learnt has come from getting involved, trying new things and building businesses from the ground up.

I've spent years developing brands, growing online communities, managing websites and turning creative ideas into successful products and services.

Today, I get to use that experience to help other businesses do the same.

Whether it's creating a brand identity, launching a website, developing a social media strategy or helping an established business reach its next milestone, I love being part of that journey.

Because for me, Business Bloom Media has always been about more than just marketing. It's about helping people turn their ideas into something they're proud of. 🌻

Hannah Russell

Founder & Creative Director, Business Bloom Media