Danielle Crowther

Name: Danielle Crowther
Position: Director
Company: Love to Brand Ltd

What did you want to be when growing up?
I was never quite sure to be honest, although I did fancy myself as solicitor for a long while. One thing I was sure of though, was the idea of being a successful business woman in one way, shape or form; I just wasn’t sure how I was going to go about it.

What was your first wage packet and how did you spend it?
My first job was a paper round that I started doing at the age of 13. I was keen from an early age to earn money and this was pretty much the only option available at that age. I think my first wage packet was something like £1 per round, so £6 per week; it was slave labour. The money went in to my piggy bank; I was a born saver and still am.

What does your day-to-day work involve?
At Love to Brand we source and supply innovative and memorable promotional merchandise to busy marketing managers for events, trade shows, conferences, product launches and staff incentives. In order to do this we have to fully understand our client’s marketing message and brand values in order to act as an extension of their marketing department and source relevant gifts that make a lasting impact on the recipient.
My day will usually involve a mixture of client meetings ranging from delivering products to existing clients or taking briefs for new projects and events. Attending a networking event here and there is usually on the agenda as well as juggling the odd deadline or two! Projects can be on going for anything from six months from conception to delivery, whereas others are turned around in 24 hours. Fun, fast paced and varied; any two days are never the same.

How do you unwind?
Unwinding is something I struggle to do, I always feel I need to earn my relaxation time so I will usually head to the gym for a couple of hours and then I feel like I can relax guilt free. Relaxation will then usually involve a glass of wine whilst whipping up one of my latest concoctions for dinner in the kitchen.

Describe your dream, no expense spared day out:
No expense spared I hear? Well in that case it would have to be a shopping trip, of course. I’m thinking I might pop ‘across the pond’ to New York with the credit card at the ready. Thank you, LBV! Shopping, food and wine plus the company of my fiancé. What more can a girl ask for?

Who is your all time hero?
I honestly haven’t got one. Maybe I will have one in a few years; I’ll let you know.

What is your favourite piece of advice?
Personal development is important to me so I’d say the one that stands out the most, and I would have to admit is still ‘work in progress’ (I am only 29) is ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’. It’s not a religious statement, I just think people need to treat one another with a bit more respect – the world would be such a better place.