LIZZIE SELBY Managing Director, Peachy Digital
What were your career ambitions growing up?
I wanted to be everything under the sun! The common theme was a teacher, but when it came down to it I just didn’t know and happened to fall into marketing by chance – it turned out to be my dream job.
Tell us about your current role?
I am the founder and managing director of Peachy Digital, so I look after lots of operational things like invoicing, insurance and HR, but also work actively on client accounts – no two days are the same and that’s one of the many things I love about it. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
I would say keeping abreast of the constant changes – we need to really have our finger on the pulse and be ahead of updates to social media platforms, trends and so on to ensure that we keep our clients’ marketing proactive rather than reactive. Having said that, we also love the ongoing research and study that this requires!
What’s your biggest weakness and how have you managed this?
I am terrible at saying ‘no’. Outside of work I have a busy, blended family and from time to time my husband will remind me to switch off the laptop and just relax. I definitely over work myself, but only because I absolutely love what I do – I’ve been working on this, though and we now have dedicated ‘tech free’ time when I’ll bake or do crafts with the children, get outside with them and so on.
What are you currently working on?
We’ve just launched a campaign with Go Racing in Yorkshire and our client McIvors to find ‘the Yorkshire Wonder Horse’ – as a horse lover it’s the dream project. We’ve also got some exciting product launches with Vale of Mowbray which have involved lots of taste tests – we love it.
Tell us about your team?
Lindsay is from a marketing background and was able to hit the ground running – she looks after a number of client accounts and is a fantastic, creative writer. She’s definitely an ideas person, too which is super helpful. We also have Chloe who works remotely and heads up content creation whilst studying her Masters degree in poetry and poetics. She’s also been given an unconditional place on a PhD course – we’re exceptionally proud of her!
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Employ the right people and look after them. It’s so true – I need my team to be able to do the work we do and do it well – I’m lucky to have two great people alongside me and they’ve helped us go from strength to strength.
Who are your heroes inside and outside of business?
In business, I really admire many people but one example I come back to time and time again is Gordon Ramsay. He came from an underprivileged background and has achieved great success, giving his family many opportunities he didn’t have while growing up. Outside of business, Jennifer Lawrence – she’s a brilliant model for women and young girls, championing ‘real’ bodies and independence.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
I would love to have grown the team further and be working with more businesses, too. We have an incredible client base and they are all brilliant to work with, so to do more of the same would be peachy!
How do you like to unwind outside of work?
Cooking is my ‘jam’ – I absolutely love food and love being creative with it. Stick a few tunes on, pour a glass of red and just get lost in whipping up something tasty.
Favourite Book and Bookset?
My favourite book of all time is Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier – it grips me every time. As a set, the Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell as I love the twists and turns
