Healthcare marketing specialist given shot in the arm by Boost

By Boost Business Lancashire

18 Sep 2019

michaela-barker-founder-of-guardian-angels-marketing-received-support-from-boost.jpg

A Lancashire-based marketing agency which helps businesses in the healthcare sector is expanding fast after receiving support through Boost, Lancashire’s business growth hub.

Guardian Angels Marketing has significantly increased its client-base and recruited two full time staff thanks to Boost’s Growth Support Programme.

Founder Michaela Barker set up her business in 2016 and entered the programme shortly after. At that point, she was working from home with one client on her books.

Now she has two full-time and two part-time staff, whose digital and creative skills include web design and social media marketing. Her client portfolio now includes six regular clients and she is currently in the process of acquiring additional space to house her growing team.

Michaela found out about Boost by searching online for business support and approached Boost as she needed a business development strategy. Following an initial interview, she was matched with Yusuf Musa, a specialist business adviser at Enterpise4all, which delivers the Growth Support programme for Boost alongside Winning Pitch.

Michaela said: “Yusuf is amazing. He is always there in an advisory role and has been so helpful in making the necessary introductions. I still receive ongoing support from him, and I guess you could say he is my Guardian Angel.”

Guardian Angels Marketing is a digital agency that delivers bespoke services to healthcare organisations looking to improve their brand image. Clients include national and international specialists in biotherapy, pharmaceutical and medical devices.

Michaela previously worked all over the UK and globally for large healthcare organisations. She set up her own business after deciding to cut down on her travelling.

Originally from Yorkshire, Michaela has lived in East Lancashire all her working life. She hit on the name of her business after her first client told her, ‘you are my guardian angel’ and the idea resonated.

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Michaela benefitted from attending a number of workshops run by expert advisers that explored topics such as diagnosing business needs, partnership working, delivery support, and understanding business finance.

Michaela continued: “Through Yusuf, I have met many other business owners going through the same process and we all support each other. I found trust through the network. People are highly supportive and we share advice and ideas.”

Yusuf commented: “Michaela had all the marketing and strategic knowledge but lacked experience in other areas, including preparing a specific niche-focused business plan and understanding how to concentrate on being a specialist provider.

“Michaela also knew she needed networking opportunities to find potential partners, clients and suppliers. The collaborative nature of Boost’s support enabled her to do this and she is now helping other Lancashire entrepreneurs by giving up her time to deliver marketing courses to other new enterprises in Lancashire as part of the Growth Support Programme.”

Boost has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding. 

Latest news

1

Councils back Combined County Authority proposals Lancashire Devolution

Councils back Combined County Authority proposals

18 Mar 2024

2

Red Rose Awards honours best of Lancashire business Red Rose Awards Winners 2024

Red Rose Awards honours best of Lancashire business

15 Mar 2024

3

RfM Transform helps business park achieve carbon negative status HR Trends from RfM Transform (9).png.png

RfM Transform helps business park achieve carbon negative status

19 Mar 2024

4

Derelict Darwen site transformed into fully-occupied business park Mill Bank Business Park

Derelict Darwen site transformed into fully-occupied business park

18 Mar 2024

5

Ways to increase flexibility in the workplace Flexible Working LBV.jpg.jpg

Ways to increase flexibility in the workplace

18 Mar 2024

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
LBV115 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
20 Mar 2024

LBV115 Magazine Launch Event

Delta Hotels by Preston Marriott, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

16:00 - 18:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
19 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
19 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

North West Apprenticeship & Careers Expo 2024
APP EXPO 23 IMAGE.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
20 Mar 2024

North West Apprenticeship & Careers Expo 2024

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

12:00 - 19:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Creative Lancashire PowWow networking
Creative Lancashire icon.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
21 Mar 2024

Creative Lancashire PowWow networking

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

17:30 - 19:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

The Allo Allo Comedy Dining Experience
Allo-Allo-Comedy-Dinner-Crow-Wood-Burnley.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
21 Mar 2024 - 21 Mar 2024

The Allo Allo Comedy Dining Experience

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa, Burnley, BB12 0RT

18:45 - 23:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin