Why I chose to build my branding, marketing and website business in Colchester after studying in Norwich
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
I'm Bry, a Creative Strategist based in Colchester, working with businesses across Essex and Suffolk. I help small business owners with brand strategy, social media marketing, and website design.
I studied Graphic Arts at Colchester Institute before completing my design degree at Norwich University of the Arts. By then I'd experienced city life and loved every minute of it. Norwich is a fantastic place to study, and London always felt like the obvious next step.
Instead, I came back to Colchester and built my branding business here. Looking back, that decision shaped everything that followed.
Small businesses across Essex and Suffolk deserve brilliant branding close to home
One thing became clearer the longer I worked in design. Many small business owners assume the best creative agencies are in London. That usually means paying London prices and working with people who have never spent time in places like Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, or the communities surrounding them.
My experience has been very different. Essex and Suffolk are full of ambitious founders building brilliant businesses. They deserve thoughtful brand strategy, strong websites, and marketing that reflects the quality of what they offer. I wanted to provide that here, working alongside the communities I already knew.
Building a branding business where my clients are
Choosing Colchester gave me far more than a business address.
I spend time meeting local business owners, attending networking events, following local awards, and watching businesses grow. Whether I'm working with a business in Colchester, supporting a founder in Bury St Edmunds, or meeting clients elsewhere across Essex and Suffolk, those experiences give me a far better understanding of the people I'm designing for.
That local knowledge shapes every project.
I saw an opportunity back home
Coming back to Colchester felt like the right decision.
The area already had talented creatives, yet I saw space for a business built around strategy first, accessibility, and genuine collaboration. I wanted every client to feel they had someone in their corner who cared just as much about the long term success of their business as the logo or website itself. That's still the business I'm building today.
The environment shapes the work
Living in Essex gives me the balance I was looking for. I do my best thinking away from a screen, whether that's walking beside the river or spending time in the countryside. Having that space helps me solve problems, develop ideas, and return to client projects with fresh perspective.
That way of working benefits every business I work with, from Colchester to Bury St Edmunds and across the wider region.
Running a business my own way
Joining another agency would have given me valuable experience. Building Hi This Is Bry gave me the freedom to create a business that reflects my own values.
I wanted accessible pricing, inclusive design, long term relationships, and branding that helps small businesses grow with confidence. Building my business in Colchester has allowed me to support founders across Essex, Suffolk, and the rest of the UK while staying connected to the communities where it all began.
FAQs
Why choose a local brand designer? Working with someone who understands the area can make a real difference. I spend time with local businesses, attend networking events, and see first hand how businesses across Essex and Suffolk are growing. That local knowledge helps me create branding and websites that feel relevant to the people you're trying to reach.
Where did you study design? I studied Graphic Arts at Colchester Institute before completing my design degree at Norwich University of the Arts. After graduating, I returned to Colchester, worked in agencies, and later started Hi This Is Bry to support small businesses with branding, websites, and marketing strategy.
Do you only work with businesses in Colchester? No. I'm based in Manningtree and work with businesses across Essex and Suffolk, including Bury St Edmunds, as well as clients throughout the UK. Everything can be done remotely, so wherever you're based, we can work together.
Have a look at my services page to see what I offer and how it works, or click here to book a free clarity call.
Final thoughts...
Studying in Norwich gave me a brilliant foundation and showed me what was possible. Coming back to Colchester gave me the chance to build something that felt like my own.
Every year I meet business owners across Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, Essex, and Suffolk who have fantastic ideas, years of experience, and businesses that deserve far more attention than they're getting. Helping those businesses tell their story more clearly and feel proud of the brand they're putting into the world is exactly why I started Hi This Is Bry.
If you're looking for a brand strategist and designer who understands both your business and the local area, I'd love to hear what you're building.
Don't go without saying hi!
Hi, I'm Bry (pronounced Br-eye), an Essex and Suffolk based Creative Strategist and neurodivergent founder.
I help small businesses and founders show up with branding, websites, and content strategy that helps them become more visible to the right people.
My work has been recognised by the Small Business Awards (Best Creative Arts Business, UK top 100 and Best Business Branding, UK top 10), and I've been featured in Essex Life Magazine, the Harwich and Manningtree Standard, Business Wire, Greatest Hits Radio, and the 7th edition of Graphic Design School.
In 2026 I also won silver for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the SME Awards and I was shortlisted for best digital business the East of England StartUp Awards. In June 2026 I was also shortlisted for Young Entrepreneur of the year at the Enterprise Vision Awards.
When I'm not doing this, I'm probably reading about exotic fish or writing about nerdy marketing stuff. Sometimes both.
