We asked a range of creative professionals to tell us something about their education, background and career. Todays contribution is from director of nu image, Nicole Howes

Hey, I am an owner of a creative marketing agency delivering design services, websites and marketing to businesses all across Norfolk and beyond. We have been running for nearly 20 years.

In truth, I started in the business to help my husband, I have always been creative but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. I felt like something more 'academic' would be a safer option I guess.

Once I entered the business I tried everything I could, from project management to social media creation. I even started an influencer brand, before that was really a thing, just as an experiment one weekend.

Before long I found myself drawn to storytelling within the business, creative marketing campaigns and creative writing really caught my interest.

I started putting myself into spaces that made writing more, possible. I helped clients with their brand's tone of voice, writing everything from long form content to straplines and teaching others in the business how to do the same. But I was bored. It wasn't enough.

I decided I wanted to write a book, and then I did exactly what I would suggest to any one wanting to be in the creative field. I actively started ensuring I was in the right rooms with the right people. I talked about my idea. I listened to the responses. I fine tuned it. It took time, but eventually I found myself in exactly the right room, with my now publisher. The rest I suppose is history, as I have a published book and a second in motion.

So I guess I have three pieces of advice.

Get yourself in the right rooms. It won't happen overnight but connections matter in the creative world. Your first job will not be perfect, you will need to work hard and make sacrifices but focus on being in the right zone, not the exact role (or pay grade/ level of notoriety) you want to start with.

Work on being kind, not just 'nice'. Remember you may come across people at a later stage of your career, be careful you don't trample others to get to where you want to be.

Be prepared to pivot. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, lean into it.