Blog
March 2025
Today marks 15 years since the incorporation of Transform Comms! To celebrate this milestone, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the wild ride that’s brought us here. Like any great adventure, we’ve faced challenges, experienced triumphs and encountered surprises. And we’ve learnt some valuable lessons along the way – today, we’re sharing 15 of them. But first…
Transform Comms was incorporated in 2010. After a successful career in London’s communications industry, our Founder, Ronnie Hannon, driven by her vision of what an agency could be, decided to take the plunge and start her own public relations firm.
By 2015, Transform Comms had evolved beyond PR and media relations to offer integrated marketing campaigns. The pivotal turning point in our story came in October 2019, when Dan O’Connor joined the business. Sharing Ronnie’s values and vision, Dan became instrumental in shaping the company’s future. Within his first six weeks, Dan’s vision sparked the launch of our digital marketing services. In June 2020, at the height of the pandemic and while the world was in lockdown, Ronnie and Dan launched Transform Digital Marketing. Within a year the business was on a growth trajectory, leading to the expansion of our team to include dedicated creative, web design and digital marketing specialists.
The final puzzle piece fell into place in 2021, when Ronnie and Dan partnered with sustainability pioneer, Robert Barnard-Weston, to launch Transform ESG. Transform ESG was founded to meet the growing need for a service that helped businesses effectively communicate their environmental, social and governance efforts.
Today, all three businesses are united under the Transform Comms banner, reflecting our holistic approach to marketing and communications.
From our humble beginnings as a one-(wo)man-show, we have flourished, growing into a multi-award-winning, full-service marketing consultancy powered by a team of 10 talented, passionate and creative professionals.
So, what have we learnt over the last 15 years? A lot! Here are the hard-won lessons that have shaped us and kept us moving forward –
1. Just do it.
Most of the time, done is better than perfect. Everyone can have great ideas. Success is in the execution. Once something is done, you can hone and refine it, but getting started is often the hardest part.
2. Set boundaries for what you’re prepared to risk. And then push them.
Risk is inherent in entrepreneurship. When Ronnie first decided to start her own business, it was a leap of faith. But trusting her instincts and believing in her ability to create something special was the key to getting Transform Comms off the ground.
That same belief is what drove Ronnie and Dan to launch Transform Digital Marketing in the middle of a pandemic. A bold move, but with a thoughtful approach and a clear strategy, it paid off and the agency continued to grow even in the most challenging of times.
Calculated risks often lead to the biggest rewards – if you have a clear plan to support your ambition and you’re willing to put in the hard work, taking a bet on yourself almost always pays off.
3. Take a strategy first approach. Always.
Be clear about what your business needs and don’t get swayed by what’s bright and shiny. If it’s not directly supporting your strategy – don’t do it.
4. Adaptability is key.
We’ve faced many unexpected challenges but none more significant than COVID. The pandemic forced us to adapt quickly and pivot our business model. Launching Transform Digital Marketing was a direct response to the new demand for digital services. Being adaptable isn’t just about survival, it’s about recognising and seizing opportunities. Over 15 years, we’ve learnt that change is the only constant. The ability to pivot in the midst of it can help a business not just survive but thrive.
5. Don’t be afraid to evolve.
In business, constant evolution is critical. Whether it’s your brand, your offerings, or your approach, business landscapes change, and the only way to keep up is to evolve. The ability to innovate is what has kept Transform Comms ahead of the curve – we’ve reflected changes in the market and embraced new ways of delivering value to clients.
6. Strong client relationships are crucial to success.
Transform’s success has been built on a foundation of strong, lasting client relationships. And this has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey. One of Ronnie’s longest-standing clients, InHouse Inspired Room Design, has been a partner for three decades.
If you cultivate a reputation for integrity and consistency, people know you’ll deliver. When they know you’ll deliver, they’re willing to back you, recommend you and help your business grow. At Transform Comms our mantra is: our clients’ success is our success.
7. Building a high-performance team is about more than just skills.
Building a high-performance team requires more than just professional skill development. Seeking to learn about ourselves and others, individually and collectively as a team is equally as important.
We have used emotional intelligence tools and personality assessments to create a really powerful combination of behavioural attributes within our team – we have highly creative people in our business, who are all about innovation and ideas. We also have people who are extremely conscientious, and detail driven.
Building a team that plays to individual’s strengths and aligning people’s natural talents with the needs of the business, is the key to creating a dynamic and high-performance team.
8. Confront your limitations.
No one can do everything on their own. Confront your limitations and build a team around you that helps you be your best.
9. On that note, surround yourself with the right people.
Surround yourself with mentors, advisors and a team who complement your skills, support your vision and challenge you to be better.
10. Sustainable growth is about more than just profit.
After scaling quickly in the early years, we realised the importance of sustainable growth. While growing fast can be exciting, it’s important to focus on long-term stability. Building a strong foundation, maintaining cash flow, and keeping the team’s wellbeing at the forefront are essential for continued success. And while revenue growth is important, it’s not the only measure of success. Growth also means personal growth – of the team, the leadership, and the business as a whole.
11. Value work-life balance.
During the early years, Ronnie was juggling the demands of running a business while raising two teenage daughters and caring for her elderly parents. This taught her that success isn’t just measured by revenue, it’s about achieving balance. Genuine work-life balance fosters sustained productivity, creativity and overall wellbeing.
12. Lead with empathy, emotional intelligence and authenticity.
Good leadership isn’t just about making the right business decisions but taking the time to understand your team – what motivates them, what challenges them, and how they best contribute to a team’s success. By creating a culture of trust and open communication, you create an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute.
13. Never stop learning.
A key attribute of successful teams is a constant curiosity. Professional development isn’t just for the early stages of one’s career, everyone should continue learning, honing skills, and refining their approach. At Transform, we emphasise ongoing growth at all levels, ensuring everyone contributes and continually learns.
14. Communication is everything.
As communications specialists, it’s no surprise that we understand communication is key in everything we do – from client relations to managing our internal team. Clear, honest, and open communication ensures everyone is aligned and working towards the same goal, fostering collaboration and accountability.
15. Embrace your identity.
In the beginning, Transform Comms was a small, rural-based company. But this didn’t limit us and we always worked with large, international clients. We knew we didn’t need a shiny city-based venue to compete. Instead, we leaned into our rural roots, working in our beautiful, converted barns. Being based in Somerset gave us a unique perspective that helped us connect with clients who valued authenticity and close-knit relationships.
And, because we’re rulebreakers – as you know, we like to push boundaries – we couldn’t resist adding one more.
16. The journey matters just as much as the destination.
The journey of building a business, working with incredible clients, overcoming challenges, and celebrating successes, is just as important as reaching goals.
While targets are something to aim for, always celebrate the journey getting there. Business owners can be incredibly hard on themselves for not reaching certain heights or achieving ambitions. Don’t forget to look back, see and celebrate just how far you’ve come.
We can’t wait to see what the next 15 years brings!
We're always up for a coffee and conversation.
Fill in the form, drop us a line at info@transformcomms.co.uk, or call us on 01225 863846. Better yet, drop in to our converted barn and film studio near Bath and Bristol.
Let’s transform.
Together.
