I am also Head of Marketing for First Copy.

My journey to marketing happened by accident six years ago when Tracey, my boss, offered me some flexible hours after my first baby.
My old job didn’t really work around babies; much as I loved it, it was far too difficult to coordinate shifts and childcare and travel, so I went part-time.
I stopped my old job after my second baby, but when the pandemic happened, as digital trumped ‘real life’, my part-time marketing hours went full time, and now I’m ‘head of’ marketing with an incredible team.

Mum to two amazing boys of 5 and 6 and an aloof ginger cat, I am learning every day.

When Claire asked me about any ‘brave things’ I took a moment,
I have run the marathon, walked on fire, and also went through five years of baby-loss and fertility treatment.
Whilst I think these are personally brave for me, I also know that we are ALL living brave moments, every day.

I asked my sons about my hidden talents, and they have bestowed the following accolades on me.
My youngest said ‘solving problems’. My oldest was a bit more specific and said, ‘untangling slinkys’. I guess untangling and problem solving are key to lots of things I do – the whole researching very old houses and being a QG (Qualified Genealogist) is a bit of a hidden talent to most people that I meet for business. I am currently writing my third book and just notched up my second runner-up position in two years in another story writing competition – third time’s the charm, right? It’s all connected, though, really, because what is marketing more than telling compelling stories?

Being a MiM and in MiMs Membership means having the space to ask questions to a supportive group that will offer good advice. A group that totally gets what it’s like to be racing from one place to another to another to juggle work, kids, life admin and families. And a group that I learn from every single day.

To end, Claire asked me to share any testimonials, I have added two below, to reflect the work I do.

“First Copy are always looking for ways to imbed themselves into the local community and their ethos shines through with their various engagement and initiatives. A special mention to Elizabeth, for building our partnership and always looking for new ways to expand First Copy’s network and brand profile”

and when I am engaged in private research and media genealogy consultations, they often result in lovely testimonials like this one:

“Elizabeth …. thank you so much for your email & help. You were right & the couple you suggested are indeed my great great, great grandparents…My father & I are so thankful…We are so indebted to you for this. Family has been trying for over 50 years to get the link to England & you were instrumental in us being able to pinpoint exactly our roots, most importantly exactly where they immigrated from !! ”

Please connect with me here  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-walne-budd/

and you can find out more about the research work I do here  https://elizabethwalne.co.uk/publications