With over two decades of professional experience, Fiona Wylie has cultivated a wealth of expertise collaborating with renowned household brands such as British Airways, Nestle and Pfizer. Recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by Marketing Week early in her career, Fiona has been honoured with multiple innovation awards.
In 2018 Fiona identified a unique opportunity to leverage her skills and knowledge to establish an agency that could seamlessly support both agencies and clients. This vision materialised into Brand Champions, a dynamic business specialising in Strategy, SOS and Skills. Brand Champions is dedicated to assisting clients with significant strategic initiatives, addressing short-term resource challenges, and fostering in-house learning and development. In her current role, Fiona is committed to helping others to build champion brands through the comprehensive services offered by Brand Champions.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
My background is ex-client, having worked for a range of large companies from British Airways to Nestle, after having my two children, I decided the corporate world was no longer for me and decided to set up my own business, putting that ex-client experience to use and helping others to thrive and become a brand champion.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
My frustration was that so much marketing talent was lost in the workplace when people had children, often not able to come back to the demands of a full-time marketing role, so Brand Champions set up a capable senior team that had done client-facing roles and were agile and flexible in delivering what clients needed most.
How did you achieve awareness?
Awareness initially and still comes from recommendations. We are fortunate to have a loyal base of clients who we love working with, who happily recommend us to other people and give us lovely testimonials.
How have you been able to gain funding and grow?
We’ve grown organically through hard work rather than funding. I’ve also had a loyal team by my side, putting in the long shifts when we needed to and helping to get clients and projects over the line.
What are the key successes?
The team is the key to success, and having a loyal and dedicated team is the secret. We’ve been lucky to be picky about the clients we work with, and obviously, winning awards like Most Innovative Launch is the icing on the cake.
What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?
Growing at scale, keeping your existing clients and team happy, and ensuring you keep quality high in your work standards whilst you expand. This is always my biggest worry, and I don’t want to sacrifice anything.
What are your plans now/for the future?
Keep doing what we love, definitely scaling into new adjacent categories beyond our current client list and some exciting developments in the insight area of the business happening to watch this space on.
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Be brave, be committed, surround yourself with good people who look out for you whilst you look out for them.
Definitely do it, it’s the most exciting and scariest thing you can ever do at the same time! Lots of people at the time told me just to get a normal job – I’m so glad I didn’t follow their advice.
Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Be clear and stay true to who you are – don’t compromise your values by saying yes to anything or anyone.
Ask for help, don’t pretend to know everything – I surround myself with people who are more capable than me in lots of areas.
Always love what you do – as soon as you stop loving it – rethink and re-evaluate.
Who are the 5 people who inspire you the most and why?
- My daughter – I look at her and she has grit and determination beyond what I could hope and certainly would have had at her age.
- Anita Roddick was a prime example of being an entrepreneur with firm values and she pioneered the way for a lot of female entrepreneurs. She’s an absolute inspiration.
- Madonna – She has challenged societal norms regarding gender, sexuality, and identity, paving the way for greater acceptance and inclusivity.
- My husband – for tolerating the hours I work, for embracing shared parental care and for being such a support to me in my mission to grow my business.
- My team – every day I look at what we’ve built together and the people who have stood by me and helped make it happen. I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such a mix of people with the same common goals. It couldn’t and wouldn’t have happened without their commitment.
What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?
If you’re a champion, you have to have it in your heart. Chris Evert
If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Mark Twain.
What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fewylie/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brand-champions-london-ltd/
