Hi I'm Leona, owner and founder of Butler Creative. We are experts in creative communications and marketing for the education and training sector.
I have many years of experience in branding, marketing and graphic design for educational institutions, training organisations and conferences. I understand the sector and have worked with early childhood providers and trainers, schools, TAFEs, universities, training organisations, conference organisers and accreditation organisations.
In 2012, Butler Creative won the Illawarra Women in Business Home based business of the year. We then moved into Diamond Offices in the CBD of Wollongong. There are a number of things which have led me to specialise in the Education and Training sector - below is a summary of the journey.
B App Sci Human Biology
At school I loved art and science - so my degree at university was a bachelor of science in human biology. My first career was at CSIRO, working in a research lab, on things like molecular biology, genetics and DNA splicing! I was co-author an a couple of papers and contributed to my supervisor's research communications. So I get research. And scientific language and concepts. I think this brings a depth of knowledge which has helped me in my communications business, especially when dealing with my research and medical clients.
Diploma in Graphic Design / Family Day Care
My work on CSIRO research posters and reporting had me hanging out with the graphic designers and teaching myself the software. After having my two sons, I decided to change my career and go to night school and get a diploma in graphic design. During the day I was a Family Day Carer taking on two other toddlers with my two - one of the most challenging and rewarding career moments of my life! It was hard to work with 4 under 4 and study as well but I loved it and passed with flying colours. By the time my sons were off to school, I was ready to launch my business as a freelancer. I haven't looked back and thoroughly enjoy my business. My time as a Family Day Care worker has given me insights into the Early Childhood sector that I could only get from working within it.
Teacher of Graphic Design at Canberra Institute of Technology
To supplement my freelance income I took on some teaching at CIT working along side my tutors who had taught me not that long before. We were required to design our own programs around the curriculum and of course do assessments and marking. Teaching graphic design, helped me hone my skills and also gave me insights into the teaching side of the education sector. CIT was also one of my first and biggest clients - which led me to the next part of my journey....
Associate Director UC Marketing and Communications
My CIT client, Director of Marketing at CIT, moved to the position of Director of Marketing at the University of Canberra. I was invited to come on board as the new Publications and Brand Manager and my first brief was to develop an in-house team and take over the co-ordination and production of all publications and marketing materials at the university. At the same time the university was undergoing a rebranding exercise which involved a new visual identity and brand strategy. After a couple of years I was working in the role of Associate Director which involved leading a team of marketing communications professionals to manage key relationships including postgraduate and mature aged, employers and other entities that influence recruitment of students into the university. It also involved leading the publications team, managing the production of marketing materials and managing the integrity of the university brand.
Butler Creative
A business opening for my husband meant we had the opportunity for a sea-change and the move to Wollongong. This also offered an opportunity for me to start my branding business again - as a full branding agency - given my experience at UC. I quickly gathered new clients, most of whom where in the Education and Training sector so it made good sense to specialise in this area. Today I head up a team of designers and web developers and we offer the full gamut of communications services to the sector.