Find out how Digital Peninsula Network helped St Martins resident Stephanie Perkins grow her business ‘Silly Billy’:
Stephanie Perkins was raised on St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly. She spent her formative years on the Isles before travelling the world and building a career as a copywriter. After years of living in New Zealand, Stephanie decided to return to St Martin’s in 2014.
Three years later Scilly Billy was created. A fun and quirky clothing company that takes it roots from the Isles of Scilly and allows visitors to take a piece of Scilly home with them. Given the remote location and seasonality of footfall visitors, Stephanie simultaneously built a physical shop location on the island and a website featuring an online shop.
Calling on her background in copywriting and working with a graphic design friend, Stephanie possessed the creativity and skills required to create the business but saw a need for using social media to raise awareness year-round. With no previous social media experience Stephanie recognised the benefits that could come from social media training. That’s when an email from Isles of Scilly Council caught her eye.
Stephanie completed a four-day Social Media Strategy course from Digital Peninsula Network in August 2021 through the Employer Led Skills project, funded by the European Social Fund.
Stephanie commented “I hadn’t completed an online training course before but found the course really helpful. The tutors Sioban and Kate were knowledgeable and approachable”.
Scilly Billy character range
Spreading the course across four weeks allowed Stephanie time to absorb the information and apply the learning between lessons.
I was able to come back each week and ask questions after using the skills, while connecting with other businesses who were in the same boat
Stephanie Perkins, Social Media Marketing course
Since completing the course, Stephanie has enjoyed an increased confidence with using social media to promote the Scilly Billy business. Her social media activity has become more regular, and she has saw an increase in online orders outside of the traditional busy summer period.
Not content with using her new social media skills to benefit her own business, Stephanie has created an ‘Engagement Pod’ on Facebook where businesses across the island of St Martin’s can work together and share information.
About Scilly Billy
Scilly Billy (www.scillybilly.com) offers a range of T-shirts, hoodies, hats, snoods, tea towels, cushion covers and bags featuring a variety of characters and designs from their physical store on St Martin’s and online.
Keep in touch with Scilly Billy online:
Facebook: @scillybillynews
Instagram: @scillybilly
