Hi, I'm Laura.
I'm here because I am interested in people.
I've spent most of my career in marketing — at EY, Deloitte and now building businesses of my own.
I've never been particularly interested in marketing for the sake of it.
I'm interested in people. What they actually want. What's getting in the way. And what happens when you stop doing what you think you should do and start doing what actually makes sense.
So that's my job. I'm a strategist, but not the kind who hands you a deck and a list of 'shoulds'. I help founder-led businesses reconnect what they value, what they stand for, and what their audience actually needs — and turn it into strategy that's commercially sharp, deeply human and unmistakably yours.
Why I built this.
I started Connect Studio to build a business based on real connection. Working in strategic marketing at EY and Deloitte, I've seen some great marketing and strategy work but I've always felt pretty removed from the outcome.
I'm building my business now from a space of curiosity, direct communication and a desire to stay connected on a human level.
I'm interested in businesses that have been born out of real purpose and are steered by the guts and gumption (and most likely stubborn determination) of it's founder.
Beyond Connect Studio.
I'm building The Yard — a third space for working, moving and belonging, unfiltered. What Connect Studio is to businesses, but for humans tired of editing themselves. Piloting now in Horsham.
And I write Gravel Notes — a fortnightly letter from inside both builds.
I have a wild young family, spend time finding adventures, eat way too much ice cream, and I'm always on the hunt for really great coffee.
Lx
If any of this resonates - let's talk.
What people are saying.
17six LTD
For years, I struggled with direction in my marketing, unsure what to put on my website or how to move forward. Working with Laura Thompson at Connect Studio completely changed that. Laura took the time to understand my values and helped me identify my core pillars. She gave me a clear, actionable plan, and now I have a structured, refreshed approach. Laura’s insight made me realise things about my business I’d never considered. She provided simple, effective steps, copy for my website and more, that made everything easier. She’s driven, knowledgeable, and wonderful to work with. I’d highly recommend Laura to anyone seeking clarity and a solid marketing direction.
Justin Gardner, Founder
No1 Health Coach
Laura carried out a wonderful holistic business audit for me at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed with my messaging, my erratic posting on socials and how I was spending time on my business. We met and she asked me some detailed questions to drill down into who I was helping, my passions, my client wins and re-appraising where I could find energy and direction instead of wheel-spinning! Following on from this she produced a comprehensive marketing strategy/swot analysis that I often refer back to. I can’t tell you how helpful this tool is as a north star to keep me moving forward and clear on my mission. It’s easy to get lost in the mire sometimes! Laura is a great listener and seeks to understand her clients values and how business weaves into life and vice versa. Her recommendations were entirely bespoke to me. As a business owner herself Laura displays empathy and professionalism and with a friendly approach. I no longer feel like my marketing is a hope and pray strategy.
Steph McCann, Founder
Francis Newall | Video Editor
Laura was fantastic in helping me with the design and content of my new website: able to understand what I needed, whilst also translating that into actionable steps and explaining what was missing, such as certain design faults on my part and giving ideas for additional webpages. All advice which I promptly took! Laura is a fantastic marketing strategist whom I can highly recommend.
FrancisNewall
Bee Focused Photography
Laura is fantastic! She took the time to truly understand my business, asking insightful questions that helped clarify my brand direction. The marketing strategy she provided was thorough, well-researched, and beautifully presented, making it easy to implement. Her competitor research, SWOT analysis, and key messaging framework have been invaluable. She also guided me through website planning, ensuring my site reflected my brand voice and key messages perfectly. Thanks to Laura, I feel more confident and focused in my marketing efforts. Highly recommend!
Danielle Fowler, Founder
SB Counselling
In the process Laura helped me to really reflect on my values and interests and has given me a real direction for my business in focusing on helping parents. Laura obviously really knows what she's doing and is so easy, relatable and warm to work with.
Suzie Booth, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Couples Therapist.
SB Counselling & The Parent Therapist