By Kirsty Leighton, Founder of Milk & Honey PR
Running a UK PR agency is a bit like juggling flaming swords—except the swords are made of deadlines, client expectations, and the constant pressure to be creative. Oh, and if you drop one? You can’t exactly pick it up and keep going. But, as I sit here reflecting on the growth of Milk & Honey PR from a start-up to a multi-award-winning international business, I realise just how exhilarating and rewarding this journey has been — flaming swords and all.
The Joys of Building Something from Scratch
One of the greatest joys of running a PR agency is watching it evolve from a spark of an idea into a fully functioning business. When I first launched Milk & Honey PR, it was just me, a laptop, and a whole lot of ambition. Today, we’re an international agency with a team of talented PR professionals working across multiple markets. But even as we’ve grown, the core principles that I instilled back then have remained unchanged: a commitment to creativity, authenticity, and doing things the right way for ourselves, our community, our planet and our clients.
There’s also the thrill of winning awards. Yes, there’s the occasional “I can’t believe we did it!” moment, but the real joy comes from knowing that the team’s hard work, passion, and dedication are being recognised on an international stage. It’s a reminder that, in PR, even the most demanding client or the most challenging campaign can be a chance to innovate and shine.
The Challenges: Keeping Up with the Times
That said, running a successful PR agency isn’t without its challenges. The PR landscape is constantly evolving, and it can feel like you’re playing catch-up with the ever-changing media and social landscape. What works one day might be outdated the next. One minute, it’s all about print media, and the next, it’s TikTok videos or influencer collaborations. Keeping pace with trends while also providing a steady, reliable service to clients is a fine balancing act.
But perhaps the greatest challenge is maintaining the creative spark that fuels PR campaigns. Creativity can’t just be scheduled in or forced; it has to be nurtured. As an agency grows, it can become difficult to maintain that intimate, high-energy atmosphere where every brainstorm feels like a lightbulb moment. The key, for me, has been fostering a culture of inclusivity that encourages the team to take risks and push boundaries, all while still delivering solid results.
The Global Reach: A Blessing and a Curse
One of the more exciting (and sometimes daunting) aspects of turning Milk & Honey PR into a multi-award-winning international agency is expanding into new markets. What worked in the UK doesn’t necessarily work in, say, the US or Asia, and vice versa. Cultural nuances, media habits, and even timing can make or break a campaign. But that’s also the beauty of PR — it forces you to think globally and strategically.
Managing a global team has its challenges, too. Time zones, differing work cultures, and varying levels of client expectations can make communication trickier, but the rewards are more than worth it. There’s something deeply fulfilling about being able to create campaigns that resonate across borders, helping clients make a mark on a worldwide stage.
The Secret to Success? Teamwork and Tenacity
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in growing Milk & Honey PR from a small, UK-based agency to a global powerhouse, it’s this: success isn’t just about the clever campaigns you create — it’s about the team you build. Surrounding yourself with talented, motivated people who believe in your vision is everything. A strong, supportive team can weather any storm and deliver brilliance, no matter the obstacles. So for us, we took the decision to own the business together, sharing ownership, responsibilities and successes.
In the end, the joys far outweigh the challenges. Yes, running a PR agency requires hard work, but it also offers the unique privilege of helping brands tell their stories, build their reputations, and make a lasting impact on their industries. And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that there’s nothing more rewarding than that.
Here’s to the next chapter — let’s see where this journey takes us next!
