How a Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship is Helping One Welsh Business Thrive 

Kelly Gleadall is the founder of Follow Fleurs Forever, a business centered around floral crafting as a tool for wellbeing, supporting both mental and physical health. Based on the belief that creativity can have a positive impact on wellbeing, Follow Fleurs Forever was born from Kelly’s own experience and desire to help others. 

Prior to launching her business, Kelly worked in home insurance as the Head of a Training and Capability Team, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced increasing responsibilities, burnout, health challenges, and a loss of confidence. 

Driven by a passion for mental health, wellbeing and supporting others, Kelly took the leap into self-employment and established Follow Fleurs Forever. Like many owners of local Welsh businesses, she quickly discovered that running a business meant taking on multiple roles and continuously learning new skills. 

To develop the knowledge needed to grow her business, Kelly enrolled on a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship with Educ8 Training. Through the fully funded apprenticeship, she has been able to strengthen her digital marketing skills while applying everything she learns directly to her business. 

As the owner of a growing small business, Kelly is responsible for everything from website management and e-commerce to social media, customer engagement and marketing. When she first launched Follow Fleurs Forever, the sheer number of responsibilities felt overwhelming. 

Through her Digital Marketing apprenticeship, Kelly has gained practical tools and knowledge to help her navigate the challenges of business ownership. Returning to structured learning following several years away from education was initially daunting, particularly when it came to assessments and exams. 

‘It’s been a very, very rollercoaster-type journey, coming from not being business trained at all,’ Kelly explained. 

However, the apprenticeship has helped her develop confidence and build a stronger understanding of how digital marketing can support sustainable business growth. 

One of the areas Kelly has enjoyed most during her Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship has been learning about Google Analytics and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Although she believed she already had a good understanding of SEO, the qualification revealed opportunities to improve her website’s performance and data tracking. 

A key turning point was learning how to correctly set up and use Google Analytics, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour and website performance. 

‘I thought I knew about SEO. In reality, I hadn’t even set up Google Analytics.’ 

The apprenticeship has enabled Kelly to make meaningful improvements to her digital presence, helping her make more informed marketing decisions based on real data. 

Another module Kelly particularly enjoyed focused on Social Networking Site Advertising. 

While social media was already an important part of promoting Follow Fleurs Forever, the apprenticeship helped her understand how to use platforms more strategically and effectively. 

Kelly regularly creates video content for customers through YouTube, sharing step-by-step tutorials and floral crafting demonstrations. Through the apprenticeship, she has developed a greater understanding of platforms such as TikTok and learned how social media can be used to reach new audiences and support business growth. 

Kelly’s apprenticeship as also strengthened her knowledge of audience targeting, analytics and performance monitoring, allowing her to better understand who her customers are and how to reach them. As a result, Kelly is more confident in using digital channels to attract customers and grow her business. 

Kelly describes her learning journey as being like a jigsaw puzzle, with different pieces of knowledge gradually coming together and making sense. 

Each module has helped her build a broader understanding of digital marketing, allowing her to apply new skills directly within Follow Fleurs Forever. The apprenticeship has enabled Kelly to make more informed business decisions, improve her digital marketing activity and continue developing a stronger online presence for her business. 

For Kelly, the fully funded apprenticeship has become much more than a qualification, helping her build the skills, confidence and expertise needed to grow a successful independent business in Wales. 

An important factor in Kelly’s success has been the support she has received from Educ8 Training and her Trainer Coach, Sam Boult. 

Kelly described Sam as approachable, supportive and easy to work with, praising both his knowledge and his relaxed approach to learning. She explained that having someone available to offer guidance and answer questions has helped make the apprenticeship experience enjoyable and manageable. 

‘He’s been brilliant. If I’ve got any queries, any concerns at all, I know I can just drop him an email. It can be something really stupid and he’s there. He’s been good like that.’ 

At Educ8 Training, our Digital Marketing apprenticeship in Wales is designed to provide learners with flexible support from experienced Trainer Coaches. This ensures learners can balance their studies alongside work and successfully apply their learning in real-world situations. 

Small businesses are at the heart of communities across Wales, and investing in skills is vital to helping them grow and succeed. 

At Educ8 Training, we are proud to support entrepreneurs, employees and employers through fully funded apprenticeships that deliver practical, workplace-focused learning. 

Kelly’s story highlights how a Digital Marketing apprenticeship in Wales can help local business owners develop the confidence and digital expertise needed to thrive in an increasingly online world. 

Whether you’re looking to improve your marketing skills, grow your business or support your career development, a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship could be the next step. 

Find out more about our Digital Marketing apprenticeship in Wales