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Turning Dreams into Reality: The Inspiration Behind CDonaldson Marketing (CDM)

Caylee Donaldson

Updated: 5 days ago

Starting a business is something I’d always dreamed of but never had the confidence to pursue. The idea of leaving a stable, full-time job felt too risky, too uncertain. But in December 2023, life gave me a push I hadn’t expected. After being made redundant, I found myself at a career crossroads. What could have felt like a setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving me the chance to turn that long-held dream into reality.


Initially, I decided to try contracting. It felt like the perfect way to give myself the time and space to decide my next move. What I hadn’t anticipated was how quickly I’d be drawn into a whirlwind of short-term contracts. Time and again, I found myself parachuted into situations where businesses had been let down by previous contractors. Deadlines had been missed, strategies abandoned mid-stream, and trust—a cornerstone of any successful partnership—had been eroded.


What stood out to me wasn’t just the immediate need for someone to fix things but a broader issue: businesses were struggling to find reliable, trustworthy, and flexible marketing expertise. It wasn’t long before I realised there was a gap in the market, and that gap aligned perfectly with my skills and experience. So, I made the leap and launched CDM (CDonaldson Marketing) in March 2024.


CDM was built with a clear mission: to provide dependable, results-driven marketing solutions that businesses can count on. I wanted to be more than just a contractor for hire; I wanted to be a trusted partner—someone who could step in and make a real, lasting impact. And I wanted to offer that support in a way that was as flexible and tailored as possible.


CDonaldson Marketing | A Surrey Based Data Driven Event Marketing Consultancy!
Are You Ready To Take Your Marketing To The Next Level? Whether you're looking to generate more leads, boost your online presence, or refine your marketing strategy, CDM’s free 30-minute consultation is the perfect first step.

Over the past 10+ years, I’ve learned that great marketing isn’t just about creativity (though that helps!) or about hitting KPIs (though those are important too). At its heart, great marketing is about understanding people. It’s about knowing what makes audiences tick, what businesses truly need, and how to bridge the gap between the two. At CDM, that’s what we strive to do every single day.


Starting CDM has also given me the opportunity to tap into new skills that I’d always wanted to explore but hadn’t had the chance to in previous roles. From business development and sales to customer relationship and success management, the learning curve has been steep but incredibly rewarding. I’ve discovered strengths I didn’t know I had and areas where I still have so much to learn.


The journey so far has been filled with milestones that I’ll never forget. Launching CDM in March 2024 was a huge step, but an even bigger moment came in October 2024 when I brought on my first consultant, Charlotte. Not only is Charlotte an incredibly talented marketer, but she’s also a very good friend, making it even more special to have her on board. In January 2025, we welcomed Hollie and Nicky to the team on a part-time basis, adding even more expertise and energy to our growing agency. Looking ahead, our forecasts show that we’ll need to bring on two new team members in April/May 2025—a challenge I’m both excited and grateful to tackle.


Today, CDM is growing faster than I could have imagined. In 10 months, we’ve gone from a one-woman operation to a small but mighty team of highly skilled consultants, each bringing their unique expertise to the table. Along the way, we’ve partnered with incredible clients across industries, from fostering agencies to energy conferences, diving centres to fitness and wellness brands. Each project has been a chance to learn, grow, and prove that reliable, flexible, and trustworthy marketing support isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer.


If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to listen can take you further than you ever imagined. That’s a belief that’s woven into the DNA of CDM. And it’s why I’m so excited about what’s to come—because the best stories, as they say, are still unwritten.


If you’re interested in learning more about what we do and how we may be able to support your marketing team, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s start a conversation and explore how CDM can help your business thrive. Get in touch today!


CDonaldson Marketing | A Surrey Based Data Driven Event Marketing Consultancy!
Book a free 1:1 Consultation with CDM today!


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