A nomination I never imagined receiving

Six months ago, when I started Donna Creative, I was focused on one thing, building something meaningful, sustainable and genuinely helpful. Awards and nominations were not on my radar at all, so being nominated for the Rising Maven (new business women) category has been a real pinch me moment.

It is one of those moments that makes you stop, take a breath, and reflect on just how much can change in a short space of time.

From uncertainty to opportunity

In August 2025, I took redundancy from my communications role in the NHS. It was a moment filled with uncertainty, but also possibility. Rather than seeing it as an ending, I chose to see it as an opportunity to finally build the business I had been quietly thinking about for a long time.

Donna Creative was born from a desire to make marketing feel clearer, kinder and more accessible, especially for people who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. I wanted to create more than a service. I wanted to create support.

Building with intention

From day one, I focused on laying strong foundations. I created my own website and social channels, wrote a clear business plan, forecast income and set realistic but ambitious goals. That early structure gave me confidence and helped me grow with purpose rather than panic.

One of the things I am most proud of is the free resources space I have built on my website. These resources are designed to genuinely help people, particularly those at the very beginning of their journey. They are organised into three easy to navigate bundles, brand and messaging, strategy and planning, and engagement and content.

My aim was to remove barriers and make marketing feel achievable, not intimidating.

Community at the heart of everything

Getting involved in the local business community across Winchester and Southampton has been a huge part of this journey. Through networking events and conversations, I quickly realised how many people were in the same position as me, new founders with brilliant ideas but limited budgets and little marketing experience.

That insight directly inspired my budget friendly workshops on marketing fundamentals and brand fundamentals. They are designed specifically for non-marketers who want clarity, confidence and practical tools they can actually use.

Early impact and growth

In just six months, I have had the privilege of working with a range of clients. From refreshing website copy and supporting ongoing social media management, to securing freelance work with a national sports disability charity, helping strengthen their digital presence.

I have been incredibly grateful for the feedback clients have shared, including testimonials and five star Google ratings. Knowing that the work is making a real difference means more to me than any metric.

Why this nomination matters

This nomination is not about recognition for the sake of it. It feels like acknowledgement of the values behind the business, clarity, generosity, collaboration and community.

The last six months have been full of learning, growth and stepping outside my comfort zone. There have been challenges, but there has also been huge pride and momentum.

Being nominated for the Rising Maven category feels like encouragement to keep going. To keep building something aligned, supportive and meaningful, not just for me, but for the people and businesses I support along the way.

And that, more than anything, is something I never imagined when I started.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Person holding a white blank piece of paper in the air

Blank pages don't win business

by Donna Parsons • 4 August 2026

Struggling to find the time or words? Discover how professional copywriting can refresh your website, blogs, newsletters and marketing content.

Roll up, roll up… does your roller banner actually work?

by Donna Parsons • 16 July 2026

Most roller banners spend more time networking than we do. They're there before you've finished your first coffee, they never forget their presentation, and they happily stand in the corner promoting your business for hours without complaining about early starts. The question is, is yours working hard enough? Your roller banner has one job A common mistake is trying to squeeze absolutely everything onto a roller banner. Every service. Every award. Every testimonial. Every social media icon you've ever created. Before you know it, people need binoculars just to read it. Here's the reality. People don't stand in front of a roller banner for five minutes reading every word. They're walking past, chatting, grabbing a coffee or waiting for the meeting to start. You've got just a few seconds to catch their attention. Less really is more A great roller banner should be easy to scan from across the room. It should answer three simple questions: Who are you? What do you do? How do I contact you? That's it. Think of your banner as the start of a conversation, not the whole conversation. If someone wants to know more, they'll come over and ask you. Design matters just as much as the words Your banner should look professional without feeling cluttered. Clear headings. Strong branding. Plenty of white space. A readable font. One simple call to action. If people have to stop and concentrate to understand your banner, you've probably included too much. A roller banner isn't a leaflet stretched vertically. It's a visual introduction to your business. The right words make all the difference This is where copywriting comes in. It's not about writing more. It's about writing less, but saying it better. Choosing the right headline, simplifying your services and making your message memorable can be the difference between someone walking past... or walking over. A small investment that keeps working I've designed several roller banners recently for businesses across different sectors, and every one has had the same goal. To create something that attracts attention, starts conversations and gives people a reason to remember the business. Even better, roller banners don't just work at networking events. They can be used at exhibitions, open days, conferences, trade shows, presentations and customer events for years to come. Ready to give your banner a promotion? If your current roller banner is looking a little tired, overloaded with text, or you've never had one designed, I'd love to help. Starting at just £80, I'll write the copy and design a professional roller banner that's clear, eye-catching and works as hard as you do. For printing, I highly recommend Afford A Print , with high-quality roller banners available from just £44 + VAT. Get in touch today , and let's create a roller banner that doesn't just stand there... it stands out.