Laurren Wood-Bennett is a marketing consultant at Sow The Seed Marketing Ltd and she has been building the business since 2014.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? I help Shropshire businesses attract more customers through straightforward SEO, Google Ads and marketing strategies that deliver measurable results.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY? Economic uncertainty makes every marketing decision more important. Businesses want to know their budget is being spent wisely, so my focus is on practical strategies that generate enquiries rather than chasing the latest trends or unnecessary complexity.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON HYBRID AND FLEXIBLE WORKING – IS IT STILL NEEDED, OR PRACTICAL?Absolutely needed. Good work isn't measured by where you sit; it's measured by the results you deliver. Flexibility also makes it much easier to balance work with family life, which is important to me as a mum.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON YOUR BUSINESS? AI has made it easier to produce content quickly, but not necessarily well. I use it as a tool to speed up research and administration, but strategy, experience and understanding a client's business are still things you can't automate.
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Honest, approachable and someone who genuinely cares about helping people succeed. I'm also known for asking a lot of questions before jumping to solutions.
YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH IN THE WORKPLACE? Simplifying complicated marketing into practical advice that business owners can actually use. I don't believe good marketing should be confusing.
BIGGEST CURRENT CHALLENGE IN YOUR JOB? Growing a young business while wearing every hat-from strategy and client work to networking, finance and marketing. It's challenging, but it's also one of the most rewarding parts of running your own business.
YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS? I co-founded Tibb Fest, and watching it have its biggest turnout yet this year has been genuinely rewarding, hundreds of people, all community-based, giving local businesses a chance to shine. Seeing that pull together never gets old.
PET HATES? Needless jargon. If something can be explained simply, it should be.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Stop worrying about getting everything perfect before you start. You'll learn far more by taking action than waiting for the perfect moment.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? You'll usually find me out walking my Labrador, crocheting or getting lost in a good book. My mind rarely switches off completely, so I find the best way to relax is by keeping my hands and my brain busy.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SHROPSHIRE? The countryside. I love being able to escape into it at a moment's notice, with miles of footpaths to explore with my dog, Winnie. Having so much open space on the doorstep is something I never take for granted.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE? Facebook, warts and all. I've made peace with what it is because it's actually how I stay connected, with local businesses, old friends, and family scattered right across the globe.
FAVOURITE MOVIE AND/OR TV SHOW? Modern Family, without question. I'm also a big fan of Schitt's Creek, and I'll happily watch any Marvel film going.
EARLY BIRD, OR NIGHT OWL? A bit of both! My best thinking happens early in the morning, but some of my best ideas seem to arrive late in the evening.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? Sir David Attenborough, Hannah Fry and Richard Osman. I'd happily spend an evening listening to them explain the world from completely different perspectives.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I'm slightly obsessed with animals. Our little menagerie seems to grow every year, and I've even been known to crochet clothes for some of them…
AND FINALLY . . . WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HAS IN STORE FOR YOU, PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY? Professionally, continuing to grow Sow the Seed and deepen the work I do with Shropshire businesses, particularly around AI search, alongside the usual mix of Tibb Fest planning and everyday life. Personally, finding a bit more balance, and making sure there's still time for the people who matter most, alongside everything else going on.
