About
Hi, I’m Nicola and I’m Brand Warrior.
I love nothing more than hearing about someone brave enough to bring an idea to life: an idea that starts as a scribble on a piece of paper, that you grow until it blossoms into something original and new, never seen before.
Creativity is one of my core values, and it has shaped my whole career. After doing a History of Art degree in Sheffield back in the day, I grew my career in the creative industries helping artists across disciplines get their work seen, and leading on brand and marketing strategy for organisations such as Arts Council England, Association of Illustrators and Company Chameleon.
My story
With 25 years’ experience under my belt, I founded Brand Warrior to help experienced artists and illustrators become known for the work they most want to do, with a reputation and a marketing approach that suits their personality and is as distinctive as their work. To date, I’ve coached and mentored clients in twelve different countries.
I’ve ran workshops for collectives such as Rotterdam Illustrators and the Small Fry Collective, and I’ve lectured by invitation at the University of Manchester, University of Salford, BIMM and the University of Greater Manchester. I co-host the Drawn In illustrator meet-up in Manchester with the fabulous Nathan Hackett, Catherine Booth and Jordan Yates.
My clients describe me as warm, perceptive and easy to talk to, with a gift for asking the questions that get to the heart of things, and for finding the thread through lots of different.
I’m super honest about what it takes to thrive in a changing industry. With AI reshaping the creative landscape, I believe it matters more than ever to protect and champion creative careers, and that’s what I do every day as Brand Warrior: I help talented people turn their experience into confidence, clarity and the commissions they love through mastering their brand and marketing.
I’m an RD1ST accredited coach, and I also love to write (writing my newsletter is one of my favourite parts of my job) and I’m currently pursuing my book publishing dreams (more on that soon).
Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you.
Warrior wisdom
New tools land in the newsletter first. Brand and marketing advice for artists and illustrators, without the hard sell.