Stephanie Fisher is founder of Hello Earth Agency, a performance-driven digital agency for ecommerce and DTC brands.
The Cheshire-based agency is B-corp certified as was crowned the winner of Performance Marketing Agency of the Year at Prolific North’s Champions Awards in 2023.
From lucky breaks to navigating an unexpected pregnancy, Fisher shares all the lessons she’s learnt.
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
I would love to say I have a profound habit, but honestly I think it’s as simple as walking my dog. Walking really helps as my kind of moving meditation, it gives me time to process thoughts, emotions and is my time away from work to decompress.
What’s been your luckiest break?
My luckiest break was undoubtedly securing a role in a communications agency in Australia. This opportunity turned out to be a game-changer for me. The agency was female-owned and operated, providing me with the invaluable experience of working alongside some truly incredible women who have since become sources of inspiration. One of which continues to work with me at Hello Earth, Charli (she’s awesome).
This position pushed me to pitch to major global brands and spearhead the creation of a digital division. The lessons learned and the confidence gained from this role have been instrumental in shaping my approach to business and leadership.
What’s your best failure?
My best failure is not a single event but a collection of many – ranging from investments gone wrong, client partnerships that didn’t pan out, hiring missteps, to partnerships that weren’t the right fit. Each of these failures, while challenging and often disheartening at the time, has been instrumental in my growth. These experiences have taught me resilience, the importance of adaptability, and the value of making informed decisions.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
The best investment I’ve ever made, in terms of both time and effort, was undoubtedly starting my business during my maternity leave. Having just returned from Australia, my pregnancy came as an unexpected turn in my life. Without much time to contemplate the realities of motherhood, I plunged into work, driven by the newfound motivation to build something significant, not just for myself but now for my growing family as well.
While the glorification of hustle culture is often criticised, for me, it was a way to maintain my sense of purpose and focus, ensuring that I could embrace motherhood without losing sight of my professional aspirations and personal identity.
Which podcast or book would you recommend others to read and why?
I would highly recommend “Profit First” to others, especially those managing or starting their own businesses. This book stands out for its straightforward approach, yet it profoundly shifted how I handle the finances at my business. It introduces good habits that essentially force profit generation within the business and ensure a robust cash flow.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
If I could give one piece of advice to my 21-year-old self, it would be this: You are more resilient than you think. The problems that seem overwhelming today will become tomorrow’s old news, and nothing is ever as bad as it initially appears.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
The biggest influence on my working life has been my mum. Her drive, ambition, and success demonstrated the power of hard work and determination, teaching me the importance of perseverance and setting high standards for myself. Her example has been a guiding force, showing me that success is attainable with dedication.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
Something that surprises people is my struggle with confidence, despite being outgoing. Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard to improve this, tackling imposter syndrome along the way. I’ve come to see imposter syndrome as a sign I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone, a necessary step for growth.
If there was one thing you could change about your career, what would it be and why?
If I could change one aspect of my career, it would be to embrace risk-taking earlier. I now realise that being overly cautious may have limited my opportunities for growth and innovation. Taking calculated risks, such as starting a new venture or exploring a new industry, could have accelerated my professional development and provided valuable learning experiences. Early risk-taking would have not only propelled my career in exciting directions but also fostered personal growth by pushing me out of my comfort zone and building resilience.
What does success look like to you?
To me, success is deeply intertwined with passion and collaboration. It’s about working on something I genuinely love, surrounded by awesome people who share a similar drive and vision. Over the years, I’ve reflected extensively on what success really means, and although financial and time freedom are factors, they don’t wholly define success for me.
Instead, success is that feeling of waking up every morning with a hunger in my belly to continue building something great. It’s this relentless drive and enthusiasm for what I do, coupled with the joy of doing it alongside people who inspire and challenge me, that truly embodies my vision of success.
