Kirsty Nelms has helped strengthen the foundations of more than 100 Staffordshire businesses through expert, fully funded marketing support, all while building an agency of her own.

The former journalist launched Peacock Digital Marketing in 2020 at the age of 31 with no loans or investors, just her own personal savings. She has built a stable base of retained clients and a strong reputation within the Staffordshire business community, maintaining consistent turnover and almost doubling that in her business’ fifth year in 2025.

Kirsty cultivated this growth while operating as a single director business, with an average net profit margin of around 51%, demonstrating strong operational efficiency.

Alongside commercial client work, Kirsty has made the most of new opportunities by successfully tendering for and delivering publicly funded programmes to the wider Staffordshire business community. This has also helped raise awareness of her business, based at Fulford, and led to new client wins and projects.

Through the Achieve & Grow programme, delivered on behalf of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, Kirsty supported more than 100 businesses from the pilot phase through to the most recent round of delivery. In the latest round she worked with 32 businesses, each receiving up to six hours of fully funded, specialist website support. These businesses are typically established microbusinesses without in-house marketing expertise and without the budget to access professional support independently.

Kirsty was directly responsible for managing enquiries, engaging with businesses, diagnosing their challenges and delivering tailored, practical solutions within the funded hours. Support provided included SEO audits and content writing, website improvements and migrations, keyword research, competitor analysis, marketing strategy development and clear guidance to help business owners understand and manage their digital platforms with confidence.

Kirsty has also delivered marketing workshops and training on behalf of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Growth Hub and South Staffordshire Council. These opportunities have enabled Peacock Digital Marketing to strengthen its reputation as a trusted delivery partner and extend its impact beyond individual client relationships.

Kirsty Nelms has entered the Young Business Person of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.