Bio
Leanne is the co-director and designer at Sheaf Design Works, a Sheffield-based design studio which is run alongside their award-winning wedding stationery service ‘Stationery by Sheaf Design Works’. It’s a family business and together with husband Martin they focus on local businesses in the creative and professional market.
Sheaf Design Works specialise in branding, print, and digital design for small to medium businesses. Working closely with their customers they create distinctive and memorable branding that really represent a business and its values to ensure they’re attracting their ideal customer.
They also support customers with digital and print design to ensure their business shows up looking it’s best at every touchpoint, with projects ranging from business cards and brochure design to the full works.
We have worked with Leanne and Martin since November 2022 when they became a 1:1 consultancy client and moved onto 1:1 retainer support in December 2023.
The following case study shares Leanne’s views of their customer journey with Ask Zoe and what their return on investment has been so far.
This case study will showcase two projects that they’ve undertaken since our services began.
This is to provide a true representation of their business and our work together over the past nine months.
When working with a client, we really get to understand their starting point before we deliver our 1:1 consultancy. We must first understand their current situation and scenario in reference to the business, to understand how we can best help them and what areas of support and research they will need through our work together.
What was the scenario before you started working with Ask Zoe?
Leanne and Martin’s starting point was to explore their ‘why’ for doing what they provide for their customers and ensure it was represented correctly through their products, services, price, and marketing strategy. Their main driver and key ‘whys’ were as follows for the business:
- To provide a strategic yet straightforward approach to business branding.
- To help local independent businesses connect with their target audience through intentional design.
- To share their wealth of industry knowledge and deliver consistent brand design at every touchpoint.
- To help businesses grow through brand trust and awareness.
Leanne and Martin felt they were working at maximum capacity and needed to improve the value of their product and services so they could position themselves correctly in a competitive marketplace. Not just for products and services, but also for price too.
The second point was to look at how best they communicate this in an effective way throughout their marketing channels and be consistent with their message and attraction for their ideal audience type.
Their overall situation represented a crossroads, they wanted to grow and move forward but they needed to assess their market position, structure, and marketing presence first; before moving into the areas of business development that will provide the results.
What were their goals (from the customer’s perspective)?
Their goals are set very early on in the process as we must understand what they want their return on investment to be through our work together. The return on investment stated by Leanne and Martin was as follows:
‘To define and build a customer base that will help our business grow. To gain new, like-minded local customers who have ongoing design requirements.’
They wished to do this by attracting their ideal target customers who are:
‘Independent small to medium businesses who are passionate about their purpose. Start-ups and established businesses mainly in the local area (South Yorkshire). Plus, busy businesses looking for a straightforward service and require ongoing print and digital design support.’
Why did you choose to work with Ask Zoe?
We asked Leanne why they chose to work with Ask Zoe through their 1:1 consultancy offer and this is what she said:
Trust and Reputation: We’ve known Zoe and followed her social platforms for a few years, so we knew we could trust her to help us with our business growth and deliver results.
Local Network and Market Knowledge: Our paths first crossed in the hospitality sector and have continued to cross in the local business community. Ask Zoe’s large business network is such an attractive asset, she really is the go-to expert when it comes to knowing our local business market.
Mutual contacts and word of mouth: Zoe has a great reputation in the local business community, and we shared a few mutual contacts, all of whom spoke highly of her and recommended her services to me.
Variation of clients and work ethic with results: Ask Zoe has worked with a lot of brilliant local businesses who all have great marketing strategies. Zoe is also really friendly and professional, and I admire her work and work ethic which is also evident through her reviews and recommendations.
What was the process and how have you benefited since working with Zoe on a 1:1 level?
The process with Ask Zoe has been enjoyable and easy to follow and we have felt supported through each step. After just two months we had established a new structure re-wrote our brand copy and re-launched our website which really showcased what we were all about. We established a range of easy-to-understand brand packages and new price structure. The outcomes have allowed us to charge our worth, market the business efficiently and attract new clients immediately from the relaunch.
What results have you seen so far?
Awareness: We have seen some amazing results from our social media marketing, from interactions on our posts and direct messages to being recognised and known around the local area and when at networking events.
Growth: We were booked for our full brand package within a few weeks of our website re-launch and have undertaken another two since which has totally surpassed our expectations. We are now booking double the amount of design work compared to last year.
Constant enquiries: We receive enquiries on a weekly basis for new business and our new structure and packages enables us to communicate quickly and effectively with them.
Increased retention: Our customers are now aware of our full service offering and frequently use us for their print and social media design work or ask us if it’s something we do or can advise on when it comes to showcasing their brand.
What would you say are the main advantages of working with Ask Zoe and would you recommend their services to others?
There has been so many advantages of working with Ask Zoe from December 2022 to present date but the main advantages have been as follows:
Accountability: Our monthly catch ups are invaluable; I know if I didn’t have Zoe there advising and cheering me on I wouldn’t do it and we wouldn’t have made so much progress
Visibility and Awareness: We are more known and recognised locally, mainly from our targeted social media marketing
Support: Having a go to consultant to advise on your marketing strategy and the best way to do things has been amazing
Efficiencies: Our process is much more streamlined meaning I can spend more time doing the bits I love and less time on the admin
Comprehensive strategy: Following the Ask Zoe process step by step, month by month really does has got us the results we set out to achieve
Helping me show up in my business: I am a lot more active in the local business network and on social media, proving that people do buy from people.
In reference to the question of: Would you recommend our services to others?
Yes 100% I would recommend Ask Zoe to any business looking to streamline their marketing and grow their business. I cannot believe how much we have done in just 9 months and it hasn’t felt like a lot of work due to the step by step process and constant support line. Looking back 12 months it feels like a different business now. I have more time for the things I love and the business isn’t intruding on our home life. I even enjoyed a ten-day holiday in our busiest period without access to my MacBook or emails. It may not sound like much, but it’s something I haven’t done in the five years we have been in business. A real breakthrough for me.
Put your trust in Ask Zoe, follow the process, do the work and you will get results.
Here’s two projects Leanne has undertaken under their new structure and pricing. Both of which are Sheaf Design Works ideal customers.
Project 1: Hayley Gell Photography Branding – Sheffield Wedding Photographer
Project 2: Travis Gilmore PT Branding – Sheffield and Wakefield-based personal trainer