From Ballet to Branded Content: How Danie Found Her Dream Job in Marketing
Meet Danie Stinchcombe. A former ballet dancer, seasoned marketer and now Marketing Director at Gather Round. Her 25-year journey through the worlds of advertising, branding, freelancing and founder-focused marketing is a masterclass in learning by doing, building a network and backing yourself even when you’re winging it.
We sat down with Danie to unpack her winding career path, the creative joys of her current role and her top advice for anyone trying to carve out a career in marketing.
From pirouettes to promotions
Danie’s path into marketing didn’t begin in a boardroom. It began on stage. After training as a ballet dancer and studying performing and media arts at university, she realised she needed a more sustainable way to earn a living.
“I was really fed up with being skint. It dawned on me that being a dancer meant earning peanuts, having a short career and travelling constantly. I wanted to belong somewhere.”
Her first role? Selling radio ads in Oxford, but it came with an unexpected creative perk.
“Once I sold the advert, I had to come up with the strapline, write the copy and brief the production team. I absolutely loved that part. That’s when I realised I wanted to work in marketing.”
Climbing the creative ladder
After a stint in magazine ad sales, Danie joined Future Plus, Future Publishing’s branded content team, where she managed customer magazines for HMV Games, PC World and Adrian Flux.
“I’d never worked in branded content before, but I threw my hat in the ring. I think they just liked my enthusiasm.”
That leap kickstarted a string of increasingly creative and strategic roles, including a brilliant chapter at Epoch Design working with brands like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Unilever and Nestlé.
“We were all in our 20s, working on huge brands, having a blast. But over time, I realised I wanted to work with companies that aligned with my values.”
Cue her first move to freelance, a bold step that gave her freedom, flexibility and a chance to build the career she really wanted.
Freelance freedom and a ‘hit list’ of dream clients
Danie didn’t just fall into freelance. She strategised it. She created a “Bristol brands hit list”, stalked founders on LinkedIn and pitched herself as a plug-in marketing powerhouse.
“I’d comment on their posts, like everything they did, and show I was genuinely interested. And in the end, I worked with all of them.”
From launching the ‘gifting’ ad campaigns for Pukka Herbs’ on Amazon to stepping in as interim Marketing Manager at Kabuto Noodles, Danie picked up a toolkit of skills: SEO, campaign strategy, web launches, brand storytelling – all through learning on the job.
“I always put myself forward for roles I probably wasn’t qualified for. But I worked hard and learnt fast. That mindset opened so many doors.”
Finding her people at Gather Round
While freelancing, Danie became a member at Gather Round and instantly fell in love with the space and the community.
“I was their biggest fan. I’d rave about it on LinkedIn, bring friends in, and genuinely felt like I belonged.”
That passion didn’t go unnoticed. A referral via Gather Round’s Slack channel led to a freelance project for a client of co-founder Ben. After nine months of going above and beyond, Danie got the offer of a lifetime.
“Ben asked if I knew anyone for a new role… and I said, that’s my dream job. Within a week, I had the contract in my hand.”
She finally made the leap from freelance to permanent, something she thought she’d never do.
“It’s the first job where every single box is ticked. The people, the brand, the role, the values. I hung up my freelance hat because I knew I’d found the one.”
What it’s like running marketing at Gather Round
Danie wears all the marketing hats, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
“My title is Marketing Director… but I am the whole marketing team!”
She leads everything from partnerships and SEO to social media and events, working across Gather Round’s three great locations in Bath and Bristol.
“No two days are the same. One day I’m scheduling content, the next I’m organising a live event. It’s creative, fast-paced, and so fun.”
That variety is what keeps her energised. But it’s her authentic love for the brand that makes the work flow.
“Because I genuinely believe in what we’re doing, I can write from the heart. I never have to fake it.”
Danie’s top advice for future marketers
Danie’s journey is packed with lessons for anyone looking to grow in the creative industries. Especially if you’re starting from scratch, changing careers or trying to find your niche.
Start small
“Take any opportunity to learn. Even boring jobs teach you something.”
Be a generalist
“Knowing a little about a lot is gold dust in small teams.”
Build your network
“Stay in touch, be active and never burn bridges.”
Find your spark
“Work for a brand you genuinely care about. It changes everything.” “It took me 25 years to find a job that really fit, but every step got me closer.”
Why Danie loves the South West creative scene
After two decades in the region, Danie’s perspective on the Bristol and Bath ecosystem is clear:
“It’s genuinely a community. People support each other, make introductions and care. It’s tight-knit, welcoming and collaborative all the way.”
She credits this community feel, and the power of local word-of-mouth, as a huge part of her success.
“If you do a great job, people remember. And in Bristol, that can take you far.”
Final word?
“Back yourself. Try everything. Say yes, even when you’re scared. And most of all, don’t worry if it takes time. The right fit is worth waiting for.”
Big thanks to Danie Stinchcombe for being our first ever “How I Got the Job” interview!
Know someone we should spotlight next? Got your own unconventional tech journey to share? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Gather Round is a group of inspiring co-working and events spaces in Bristol and Bath. With several tech companies already signed up as members, the door is always open to more. Tech innovators, app developers or freelancers in tech are all very welcome in the Gather Round family.
They are are now offering 10% off for the first 6 x months to all followers of techSPARK, get in touch with them to book a tour and quote TechSPARKGR25 when you sign up and the discount is all yours. Discount available until 31st December 2025.
