Goldfinch Create & Play, Freelance Marketing Manager Marketing Coach

Overview

Goldfinch Create & Play is a sustainable creative arts and play space and cafe offering enriching art and creative classes for babies, preschoolers, and school-aged children, alongside family sessions holiday clubs and parties.

As their freelance marketing manager, I partnered closely with founder Nicole to successfully launch and establish the brand, building a strong marketing foundation across digital platforms. Designed to nurture both people and the planet, Goldfinch was built to Passivhaus standards – one of the world’s most rigorous energy performance benchmarks –  ensuring a light-filled, eco-conscious environment where creativity and comfort go hand in hand.

Through weekly full-day strategy and training sessions, I provided a hybrid approach of hands-on marketing implementation and up-skilling, equipping Nicole with the skills to confidently manage Goldfinch’s marketing independently.  I introduced key collaborators from my network, including website developers, photographers, videographers, PR experts, and brand designers, to support essential elements of the launch strategy.

“Karen was instrumental in shaping Goldfinch’s brand, developing our offerings, and building real momentum from launch. She brought together a fantastic team of creatives and helped us fill classes and grow a loyal community. Her support gave me the confidence to take the reins and continue growing with purpose.”

— Nicole Strong, Founder, Goldfinch Create & Play

Overview

Goldfinch Create & Play is a sustainable creative arts and play space and cafe offering enriching art and creative classes for babies, preschoolers, and school-aged children, alongside holiday clubs and parties.

As their freelance marketing manager, I partnered closely with founder Nicole to successfully launch and establish the brand, building a strong marketing foundation across digital platforms. Designed to nurture both people and the planet, Goldfinch was built to Passivhaus standards – one of the world’s most rigorous energy performance benchmarks – ensuring a light-filled, eco-conscious environment where creativity and comfort go hand in hand.

Through weekly full-day strategy and training sessions, I provided a hybrid approach of hands-on marketing implementation and upskilling, equipping Nicole with the skills to confidently manage Goldfinch’s marketing independently. Additionally, I introduced key collaborators from my network, including website developers, photographers, videographers, PR experts, and brand designers, to support essential elements of the launch strategy.

“Karen was instrumental in shaping Goldfinch’s brand, developing our offerings, and building real momentum from launch. She brought together a fantastic team of creatives and helped us fill classes and grow a loyal community. Her support gave me the confidence to take the reins and continue growing with purpose.”

— Nicole Strong, Founder, Goldfinch Create & Play

Launching a Brand That Puts People and Planet First

Marketing for a Brand That Puts People and Planet First

  • Strategic Marketing & Business Launch

    Positioned as a go-to destination for creative, eco-conscious play

    Developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy to successfully launch Goldfinch Create & Play. Positioned the brand as a go-to creative play space, emphasising its unique and sustainable approach to art and imagination-based learning. Provided ongoing strategy sessions to ensure marketing efforts were aligned with business goals.

  • Strategic Marketing & Business Launch

    Positioned as a go-to destination for creative, eco-conscious play

    Developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy to successfully launch Goldfinch Create & Play. Positioned the brand as a go-to creative play space, emphasising its unique and sustainable approach to art and imagination-based learning. Provided ongoing strategy sessions to ensure marketing efforts were aligned with business goals.

Goldfinch Create and Play website
  • Website, Booking System & SEO

    Project management of website build and SEO strategy

    Worked with web design agency Anorak Cat to develop a bespoke WordPress website with a class booking system to streamline customer experience and registration. Provided WordPress support and training, ensuring Nicole could confidently update and maintain the site. Optimised website content for SEO, helping Goldfinch appear in relevant search results and attract organic traffic.

Goldfinch Create and Play website
  • Website, Booking System & SEO

    Project management of website build and SEO strategy

    Worked with web design agency Anorak Cat to develop a bespoke WordPress website with a class booking system to streamline customer experience and registration. Provided WordPress support and training, ensuring Nicole could confidently update and maintain the site. Optimised website content for SEO, helping Goldfinch appear in relevant search results and attract organic traffic.

  • Content Creation & SEO Strategy

    Compelling, searchable content to attract and engage families

    Provided SEO guidance and training, helping Nicole optimise blog content and key website pages for search visibility. Developed a content strategy focused on engaging, informative, and SEO-friendly content. Created and guided the production of blogs, social media posts, and email content to enhance brand visibility and engagement. Collaborated with Adele from Super Funky Penguin for high-quality photography and video content to showcase Goldfinch’s creative and engaging environment.

Karen from Sensible Marketing co working marketing session with client to tackle challenges
  • Content Creation & SEO Strategy

    Compelling, searchable content to attract and engage families

    Provided SEO guidance and training, helping Nicole optimise blog content and key website pages for search visibility. Developed a content strategy focused on engaging, informative, and SEO-friendly content. Created and guided the production of blogs, social media posts, and email content to enhance brand visibility and engagement. Collaborated with Adele from Super Funky Penguin for high-quality photography and video content to showcase Goldfinch’s creative and engaging environment.

Karen from Sensible Marketing co working marketing session with client to tackle challenges
  • Social Media & Paid Advertising

    Increased class bookings through targeted campaigns

    Launched and managed organic social media growth on Instagram and Facebook, building a strong, engaged community. Trained Nicole on best practices for content creation, audience engagement, and social media strategy. Managed Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, ensuring optimised campaigns to increase bookings and brand awareness.

  • Social Media & Paid Advertising

    Increased class bookings through targeted campaigns

    Launched and managed organic social media growth on Instagram and Facebook, building a strong, engaged community. Trained Nicole on best practices for content creation, audience engagement, and social media strategy. Managed Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, ensuring optimised campaigns to increase bookings and brand awareness.

  • Award-Winning Launch & Local PR

    Secured press and a win at the Bristol Property Awards

    Developed and delivered a targeted PR strategy with the help and expertise of Stacey Bramhall, securing local press, influencer features, and a win at the Bristol Property Awards in the Civic Development category. Alongside Seb + Fin Architects and Earthwise Construction, Goldfinch was recognised by judges as “a brilliant concept” with a “highly appealing outcome” — celebrating the power of smart collaboration and community-focused design.

Stacey Bramhall, Nicole and Mark (Seb+Fin) at the Bristol Property Awards
  • Award-Winning Launch & Local PR

    Secured press and a win at the Bristol Property Awards

    Developed and delivered a targeted PR strategy in collaboration with Stacey Bramhall, securing local press, influencer features, and a win at the Bristol Property Awards in the Civic Development category. Alongside Seb + Fin Architects and Earthwise Construction, Goldfinch was recognised by judges as “a brilliant concept” with a “highly appealing outcome” — celebrating the power of smart collaboration and community-focused design.

Stacey Bramhall, Nicole and Mark (Seb+Fin) at the Bristol Property Awards
  • Email Marketing & Lead Growth

    Built the list with free taster classes and nurtured leads via email

    Developed and managed an email marketing strategy to grow and engage Goldfinch’s audience. This included lead acquisition tactics like free taster class offers to build the mailing list, along with email flows to nurture leads, welcome new customers, promote events, and drive repeat bookings.

  • Email Marketing & Lead Growth

    Built the list with free taster classes and nurtured leads via email

    Developed and managed an email marketing strategy to grow and engage Goldfinch’s audience. This included lead acquisition tactics like free taster class offers to build the mailing list, along with email flows to nurture leads, welcome new customers, promote events, and drive repeat bookings.

Ready to Launch Your Business Like Goldfinch Create & Play?

By delivering a comprehensive marketing strategy alongside hands-on training and mentorship, I helped Goldfinch Create & Play establish itself as a thriving, in-demand creative arts space. Collaborating with trusted experts — including Anorak Cat (website), Stacey Bramhall (PR), Ellie Bowie (brand design), and Adele from Super Funky Penguin (photography and video) — we brought the Goldfinch brand to life across every touchpoint. With a strong digital presence, targeted content, SEO, social media, paid ads, and email marketing in place, Goldfinch quickly gained traction, filled classes, and built a loyal, engaged community.

Ready to Launch Your Business Like Goldfinch Create & Play?

By delivering a comprehensive marketing strategy alongside hands-on training and mentorship, I helped Goldfinch Create & Play establish itself as a thriving, in-demand creative arts space. Collaborating with trusted experts — including Anorak Cat (website), Stacey Bramhall (PR), Ellie Bowie (brand design), and Adele from Super Funky Penguin (photography and video) — we brought the Goldfinch brand to life across every touchpoint. With a strong digital presence, targeted content, SEO, social media, paid ads, and email marketing in place, Goldfinch quickly gained traction, filled classes, and built a loyal, engaged community.