Starting your own business is always a challenge, even with years of industry experience behind you. For Kirsty Leighton, managing partner of PR agency Milk & Honey, the key to success is in reinvention, respect and hiring the right people.
We talk to Kirsty about going solo after 20 years, the joys of a fast-paced day and why YouTube is a business owner’s best friend.
What’s the story behind your business?
I have been in PR for 20 plus years and love it. I’ve worked for big companies, small companies and with some amazing people.
Both my parents had their own businesses and although they were very talented, they were not very commercial so I have always felt more secure as an employee.
Over the years, however, I have reinvented myself within PR a number of times, starting in consumer then moving to technology, then digital and latterly into corporate, financial and brand PR.
Along the way I have set up teams, divisions and whole country operations so now feel confident that I know some of what lies ahead. Also, I am pretty good at what I do and I’ve discovered that I am a lot more commercial than my parents!
I set up Milk & Honey PR at the start of 2017. I wanted to create an agency where people come first, where passion and creativity are prized and where clients are celebrated; an agency where there is time to think and to go the extra mile. Hence, Milk & Honey, the land of opportunity where people respect and value one another.
What’s your company ethos?
The core of every decision is guided by our values: energy, bravery, respect, passion, collaboration and loyalty. Staying true to these values is what shapes the agency and our people.
Describe a typical day.
I’m a bit of a news junkie, so I wake up to Radio 4’s Today programme everyday – and that is where the routine ends. The best thing about PR is that everything moves so fast and every day is different.
Any given day might include pitching to new clients, team brainstorming, catching up with existing clients, attending conferences and events so that we’re up to date on the latest industry news and internal or external training. That’s not to mention forward planning and eating too many biscuits (phew!)
We are really lucky to have extremely lovely clients that make our work even more enjoyable.
What role does social media play in your business?
We use it seamlessly in everything we do. We use our own channels – website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn – to tell our own stories and also as an extension of the campaigns we create for our clients.
What’s been your biggest challenge?
The first few months threw up a whole array of expected and unexpected challenges. I was ready for the frustrations of managing without tech support and the accounts department – thank goodness for YouTube tutorials and QuickBooks.
The challenge now is more ‘business as usual’: finding the right talent that aligns to our values; on-boarding new clients and sticking to the growth plans.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Having the ability to support new talent in the industry and working with enthusiastic, ambitious and wiling people. For me, whether it is the team or our clients, everything revolves around the people!
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What do you wish you’d known before starting Milk & Honey?
I was extremely lucky that I got to ‘practice’ in previous jobs relying on their investment and their reward. Now I get to do this for myself and our team. I’m really not great at being on my own, I need others around me to bounce ideas off and share successes so from the start, the focus for me was on growing the team.
What drew you to a co-working space?
The chance to be surrounded by people who can help us as a business, whether that’s new contacts, new ways of thinking, inspiration and general support. It keeps it fresh!
What’s next for Milk & Honey?
We are continuing to diversify and grow out the team with different skillsets, training the existing team as well as hiring specialist, non-PR skills. We are prioritising the technology, hospitality and retail industries but this, too, will diversify over time.
In essence, it’s about doing a great job for existing clients, winning new accounts and continuing to bring in new, ambitious talent. If we get this right, the agency will continue to go from strength to strength!
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to set up on their own?
Be clear on your offer and be honest with yourself. What are you good at? What do you need others to help with? What will your customers/clients value? Why come to you? Are you a small specialist or will you build a team? How much money do you need to make, and where is it coming from? It’s not for everyone, but it can be enormous fun.
THE QUICK FIRE Q&A
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I’ve just come back from a brilliant holiday in America and Costa Rica with the family: white water rafting, learning to surfing, shark diving, zip lining and mountain biking. I’m delighted to be back at work for a little rest, to be honest!
Early bird or night owl?
I aspire to be an early bird. But I’m not quite there yet!
How would you spend an unexpected free day?
Having a massage. I do have a weakness for massages. It is such an indulgence.
Last song you listened to?
Calvin Harris’ ‘Feels’.
The book that changed you?
As a child, I wasn’t a great reader (like my kids, I suspect I am a little dyslexic – it is surprising how many writers and PR people are). However, I took to ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier instantly. It made me fall in love with the written word and story telling.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
My dear departed parents, who were funny and kind and full of stories. I wish I had listened more to their stories now. Prince – the man was just a legend, so creative, so full of energy, yet very private. He was a huge influence on my teenage years and I would love to know more about him. Finally, Idris Elba. That needs no explanation!
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
If at first… you know the rest.
If you want something, hold the end in sight and keep going at it.
What is the secret to happiness?
I think there is a lot to be said for choosing to be happy. Not because everything is good, but instead looking for the good in everything.
