Nichola Donnelly | CEO & Founder of 360 Marketing Consultancy

Meet Nichola Donnelly, CEO and Founder of 360 Marketing Consultancy

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.
Hi, I’m Nichola Donnelly, and I am the CEO and Founder of 360 Marketing Consultancy, a digital marketing agency supporting SMEs across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK. My role is as hands-on as it gets! I’m involved in everything from developing strategies to measuring results, ensuring that every plan and campaign is tailored to the specific needs of my clients. At 360 Marketing, it’s not just about generating leads – I’m here to make a real impact on the growth of businesses. Working alongside entrepreneurs and business owners who pour so much into their businesses is what makes me tick. 

What has been your career journey so far?
Marketing has always been my passion and I have over 20 years of experience in this field. While I was living in Northern Ireland I worked in media, exhibitions and for a trade association.  My first taste of becoming self-employed was when I moved to The Netherlands in 2010.  I delivered a research project remotely (before it became a thing) for a company in NI and the Department of Agriculture. I set up 360 Marketing after moving back to Ireland. My goal was, and still is, to bring meaningful, results-driven marketing support to small and medium-sized businesses. 

Describe yourself in three words.
Independent, Curious, Open. 

What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
Listening. Being able to listen properly to my clients’ story, goals and challenges is crucial. Every business is different, and it’s my job to understand what makes each one unique so I can create marketing strategies that are not only effective but feel right for them. 

Do you have any advice for others in your sector?
This advice is for anyone in business...
-    Don’t be afraid to ask for help, it really is a powerful strength. 
-    It’s ok to say no. In fact, say no more often.
-    Walk away if something isn’t working out. Value your skills and your time.
-    Take some time for yourself – you can’t pour from an empty cup.  

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead for your organisation that you can share with us?
I am looking at further development within AI and marketing. There are really important tools for SMEs that can bring so much more than the standardised output that we are often seeing right now.  These capabilities have the potential to reduce workloads, create efficiencies as well as better workflows among lots of other benefits.  This can be done while staying true to your unique identity and promoting those differences. The key is to know how to manage these tools effectively.  I want SMEs to have access to the kind of marketing intelligence and tools that are typically available only to larger companies.

Who is an inspiration in your career?
My mum is one of the smartest women I know.  As I was growing up, she would always say ‘What am I, the Oracle’?, but I actually thought she was! She didn’t get the same opportunity to pursue what she wanted to do but I am in awe of her strength and resilience.  She also says it like it is.

Outside of that, there is such incredible perseverance, creativity, and dedication with SMEs and clients I work with – it’s a reminder of why I started this journey in the first place.

What’s your favourite break-time snack?
My (not so) guilty pleasure is a packet of Tayto Spring Onion.  I am 100% certain that Northern Ireland has the best selection and flavours of crisps in the world…and I would happily take a lie detector to confirm this. 

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
This is difficult to choose because I love music.  But in the context of this conversation, I would say ‘Make Up’ by Jazzy. The energy is great and it’s very motivating.