Women in Business

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we sat down with Jade Hallam, Managing Director of Clever Clicks Digital, to discuss her remarkable journey in the digital marketing industry. In this exclusive interview, Jade opens up about the challenges she’s overcome as a female business owner, the leadership lessons she’s learned, and how she balances career growth with family.

 

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in digital marketing and how it led you to become Managing Director of Clever Clicks Digital?

I kind of fell into digital marketing by accident. After leaving college at 17, I landed a social media and digital marketing apprenticeship. I’ve always been good with IT and have a logical mindset, so it felt like a natural fit. Spoiler alert: I never left.

 

Just three days after my apprenticeship ended, the company went bust, so I moved on to an events company as a digital marketing assistant. That’s where I discovered SEO, thanks to a great manager who showed me how small strategic changes could make a big impact. 

 

From there, I moved into agencies, working my way up to a senior SEO role. I loved the fast pace and variety—no two days were the same, and I knew I’d found the right career. Alongside my job, I started freelancing for extra income, and I enjoyed taking full ownership of client strategies (and their successes!).

 

When I fell pregnant in 2018, I had a “now or never” moment, and decided to jump into freelancing full time. A friend of mine who ran an agency in Cornwall was swamped with work, so between supporting with overflow and managing the clients I had, I could sustain myself throughout pregnancy and my “maternity leave”.

 

Things took off from there. I never actively promoted myself, but through word-of-mouth recommendations, my client base grew to the point where I couldn’t handle it alone—that’s when Clever Clicks was born.

 

We launched in January 2022 and hired Sam, who is still with us today. Since then, we’ve grown into the agency we are today, working with an amazing variety of clients. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the journey I’ve taken to get here.

 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerating Action” for gender equality. How do you ensure your business actively supports this cause?

One of the most powerful ways to accelerate action for gender equality is through representation. When young women see strong female leaders in business, they’re more likely to believe those roles are within their reach. Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by successful female entrepreneurs, and I actively encourage women in marketing to step up, take charge, and own their expertise.

 

But real change goes beyond encouragement—it’s about action. Equal pay and opportunities shouldn’t even be a debate. At Clever Clicks, salaries and promotions are based on expertise and performance, not gender.

 

I also know firsthand how challenging it can be to juggle career and family life. I started my business while pregnant, and that experience shaped the way I run my company today. We embrace flexible working, allowing our team to work from anywhere, at any time, so their careers fit around their lives—not the other way around.

 

Supporting women in their careers means removing unnecessary barriers and creating a workplace where they can thrive. 

 

What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in digital marketing, and how have you navigated them?

Digital marketing has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. Early in my career, I often found myself as the only woman in the room and felt I had to work twice as hard to prove my expertise. Instead of letting that hold me back, I focused on delivering results—because at the end of the day, success speaks louder than stereotypes.

 

There’s still a societal expectation that women must ‘choose’ between career and family, but I don’t believe it has to be one or the other. That’s why I’ve built flexibility into my business—not just for myself, but for my team—so that people from all walks of life can thrive without sacrificing personal priorities.

 

Leadership also comes with its own set of expectations. Women are often expected to be overly accommodating or ‘soft’ to be likeable, but leadership isn’t about being nice—it’s about making the right decisions for your business and your team. I’ve learned that you can be both approachable and assertive, and that setting boundaries and making tough calls is a key part of being an effective leader.

 

What is your proudest achievement since launching Clever Clicks Digital?

Building the agency from scratch and turning it into a successful, growing business is something I’m incredibly proud of. We’ve created a company that not only delivers real results for clients but also has a strong, supportive team culture. Seeing how far we’ve come since 2022 is a huge achievement.

 

On a personal level, being shortlisted for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the UK StartUp Awards was a standout moment. Making it into the top three from over 500 applicants was a huge honour and felt like recognition for all the hard work that’s gone into building the business.

 

From a business perspective, nothing beats the feeling of helping clients scale. Seeing a business go from struggling with its online presence to hitting record-breaking revenue because of our work reminds me why I love what I do. Their wins feel like our wins, and that’s something I’ll always be proud of.

 

Leadership styles can vary—how would you describe yours, and do you think female leaders bring something different to the table in marketing?

This is something I’m passionate about because I believe that leadership—whether from the MD or a line manager—can truly make or break a team. I’ve been in roles I loved but left due to poor management, and in roles I wasn’t passionate about but stayed in because of great leadership.

 

I’d describe my leadership style as collaborative, transparent, and results-driven. I trust my team to take ownership of their work while providing the support and guidance they need to succeed. I’m not a micromanager—I believe in empowering my team and creating a culture of open communication, accountability, and innovation.

 

As for female leadership, I do think women often bring a unique perspective, especially in marketing. Women are typically strong communicators, empathetic decision-makers, and naturally adaptable—qualities that are crucial in an industry that’s fast-paced and heavily focused on relationships and audience engagement.

 

I also believe in leading by example. As a woman in business, it’s important to show my team that leadership isn’t just about being assertive—it’s about inspiring others to be their best selves and creating a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to succeed.

 

When you started as an apprentice, did you ever envision yourself leading an agency?

Absolutely not. I had just finished college with great exam results, but I had no clear direction for my future. I always thought I’d go to university, but by the time I finished, I knew I didn’t want to stay in full-time education. So, I decided to explore an apprenticeship that seemed to align with my skills and interests.

 

However, as I began to dive deeper into the work, something clicked.  I enjoyed it. The problem-solving, the creativity, the challenges—it didn’t feel like just a job anymore, it felt like a career. When I moved into my first agency role, I realised I was doing more than just completing tasks—I was building expertise, gaining experience, and refining the skills that would eventually give me the confidence to believe I could start my own business.

 

At that point, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like, but I knew I had the drive, ambition, and technical skills to make it happen. It was a gradual realisation. I never imagined I’d be leading an agency at the start, but with each role, challenge, and skill gained, I was unknowingly shaping myself into the leader I am today.

 

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to start their own business or move into leadership roles?

The most important advice I can give is to believe in yourself. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment, because it may never come. Taking that first step toward self-employment or leadership can be intimidating, but the rewards are well worth it. Don’t fear mistakes—each one is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger.

 

Success requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to put in the hard work, even when progress feels slow. As women, we often doubt ourselves more than we should, but the reality is—if you trust your vision and stay committed, you will find your way. Stay confident in your abilities, and keep moving forward, one step at a time.

 

Who are the women that inspire you the most, either in business or beyond?

I’ve always been inspired by strong, successful women in my life. 

 

My mum spent over 30 years in the police force, working her way up from a call operator to head of IT systems training. My Grandma Betty was a 5-time commended headteacher, shaping education for disabled and disadvantaged children across Nottinghamshire. And my Grandma Janet was the head of midwifery at the Queens Medical Centre—she even delivered me unexpectedly at home!

 

All of them succeeded through sheer work ethic, determination, and a strong mindset, and I’d say that’s in my blood. 

 

In business, I’ve always admired serial entrepreneurs like Deborah Meaden and Baroness Karren Brady. They excelled in male-dominated industries and stood their ground time and time again, which has always inspired me to push boundaries and believe in my own ability.

 

What steps can digital agencies take to encourage more women into leadership positions?

One of the most effective ways to support women in leadership roles is by offering flexible working options. Many women, especially those with family responsibilities, struggle to balance work and life demands. 

 

Agencies that embrace flexible hours, remote work, and a healthy work-life balance allow women to thrive both personally and professionally, making leadership roles more accessible.

 

Running a business often comes with sacrifices. Have you had to make any, and how do you balance leadership with your personal life?

The main reason I started Clever Clicks was because I didn’t want to miss out on watching my kids grow up. Being an active parent is a priority for me—I do school runs, attend every nativity, sports day, and summer fair, and try to be there for every special moment. Family is incredibly important to me, so finding the balance was a priority. 

 

Owning a business gives me the flexibility to manage my time, and when I’m organised, it allows me to find a balance between family and work. That said, the reality of being a business owner isn’t without its sacrifices. For years, I hardly slept, balancing full-time parenting with late-night work sessions. I honestly can’t remember the last time I went on holiday without taking my laptop along “just in case”.

 

But I believe in the value of moderation. As long as I’m managing my time effectively, I can maintain that balance. This is why I’m passionate about offering the same flexibility to my team. There’s so much talent out there, and some of the best marketers have family commitments. I don’t want to miss out on great people simply because they have children. I strive to create an environment where everyone—regardless of their personal life—has the opportunity to thrive.

 

Finally, let’s end on a fun note—do you have a favourite quote from an inspiring woman that resonates with you?

One of my all-time favourite quotes comes from Eleanor Roosevelt: 

 

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

 

This quote perfectly reflects the strength and resilience women often demonstrate in the face of challenges. I’ve certainly faced my tough moments, but each time I’ve emerged stronger—ready to take on whatever comes next. I think that’s the true essence of womanhood in business: unyielding strength, even in the hardest of times.