We never set out to build a branding and events business.
What started as local artisan markets quickly evolved into something much bigger.
We learned by doing, building events from the ground up, understanding audiences, creating experiences, and connecting businesses with the right people.
Over the years, our work has included regional expos, digital campaigns, networking events, community initiatives and business events, including the award-winning Wigan Business Awards, a campaign that has become known for championing local businesses, strengthening community connections and creating opportunities across the borough.
But the biggest lesson business has taught me is this: people matter.
We know what it’s like to build something from scratch because we’ve lived it ourselves. We understand the pressures business owners face because we are business owners. That’s why our approach has always been rooted in honesty, collaboration and helping people take the next step that’s right for them.
We’ve built Launch NW around the kind of relationships we were looking for ourselves when we started out.
The businesses we work with become more than clients to us. We genuinely care about their growth, their reputation and the people behind the brand.
Because when people feel seen, supported and connected, good things tend to happen.
I’m the Creative and Marketing Director at Launch North West, where I help businesses define their brand, tell their story and create marketing that actually works.
Creativity has always been part of who I am. Whether it was drawing as a child or designing brands today, I’ve always loved turning ideas into something people connect with.
Unlike many marketers, I didn’t follow a traditional career path. I spent 17 years working in a call centre before joining Launch North West alongside my sister, Nichola. During that time I taught myself digital marketing, learning through real projects, real clients and plenty of trial and error.
Wanting to back up that experience with formal qualifications, I started university at 39 while running a business, raising three children and navigating a global pandemic. Three years later I graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Digital Marketing, achieved a distinction in my apprenticeship and was named on the Dean’s List. Safe to say, it was worth the late nights.
Today I combine creativity with strategy to help businesses build brands they’re proud of. From websites and branding to marketing campaigns and content, I love solving problems, simplifying the complicated and helping businesses take their next step with confidence.
The best part of my job isn’t designing a logo or launching a website. It’s seeing a business owner feel excited about their business again.
Launch North West has been named as a finalist in the Family Business category at this year’s Enterprise Vision Awards, marking a proud moment for the female-led, family-run business based in Atherton.
Launch North West has achieved Gold status through Wigan Council’s Believe in Business Charter, marking another proud milestone for the family-run branding and events business based in Atherton.
As Launch North West continued to grow, so did our team. Welcoming our first apprentice, Oliver, marked an exciting new chapter, giving us the opportunity to pass on our knowledge while bringing fresh ideas into the business.
A real milestone for Launch North West. The Wigan Business Awards campaign won the Marketing Impact Award at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards, recognising the impact of a campaign built to celebrate local businesses.
Nichola joined the Helping Wigan Thrive board, further strengthening Launch North West’s role in connecting businesses, charities and community organisations across the borough.
In 2025, we partnered with Bek Jones and The Snug to launch Sound Her Out, a campaign created to support and amplify women in the music industry.
The project brought together conversation, lived experience and community-led action, strengthening our commitment to creating opportunities that feel accessible, inclusive and rooted in real places.
In February 2025, Launch Networking moved to Spinners Mill in Leigh after outgrowing The Boar’s Head.
The move gave our business community more room to connect and marked another step in the growth of our networking events.
In an exciting turn of events, Launch North West has stepped up to spearhead the Wigan Business Awards, following the decision by GM Chamber to relinquish its role. With the full support and blessing of the chamber, Nichola Howard, Wigan President of the Greater Manchester Chamber and a familiar face within the Wigan business community, has taken charge of this prestigious event.
As the year 2022 neared its end, the doors of the first Blackpool Business Expo since 2019 also came to a close, bringing an overwhelming sense of joy and satisfaction. It was an incredible feeling to be back at last!
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with GC Business Growth Hub. “LaunchNW’s expertise, passion, & unwavering commitment to support local businesses and communities have made them an invaluable addition to our network.”
We are delighted to announce that Jo has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with exceptional achievements. She earned a first-class honours degree in Digital Marketing, received a distinction for her apprenticeship, and earned a well-deserved place on the Dean’s List. Congratulations, Jo!
We were excited to announce the launch of Business Expo Wigan in 2019. In light of Wigan council’s decision not to host their annual business event, our aim was to bring local businesses together, fostering connections and collaboration, and ensuring valuable opportunities for our community.
We are thrilled to share that Nichola has been appointed as the Wigan VP of the GM Chamber of Commerce (President as of 2023). “I wanted to build new relationships, to be able to help other business owners get the same from their networking activity.”
Building on the success of our thriving Leigh networking group and the valuable feedback from our attendees, we are excited to announce the launch of a second monthly networking meeting in Wigan. This expansion aims to provide even more opportunities for local businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow.
Jo embarks on an exciting journey as she begins her Digital Marketing Degree at UCLAN. As if balancing family life and running a business wasn’t enough, she is thrilled to start her apprenticeship. A new chapter filled with growth and learning awaits!
Exciting news! Nichola has been invited to be a judge for The Wigan Business Awards for the very first time. It’s a fantastic opportunity for her to contribute her expertise and help recognise the incredible achievements of local businesses. We can’t wait to see the winners she’ll help select!
Exciting news! Launch Events has officially taken the helm of the fabulous Leigh Business Expo as it celebrates its 5th Birthday. We’re thrilled to be part of this milestone and can’t wait to bring our energy and expertise to make it an even more incredible experience for all attendees. Let’s celebrate and grow together!
As we take the reins of the Leigh Business Expo, we’re also launching monthly networking meetings in Leigh. It’s our way of creating more opportunities for local businesses to come together, share ideas, and form valuable connections. Join us and be a part of this thriving business community in Leigh!
Our Digital Marketing Roadshow in Preston concluded with exciting Learning Huddles, where attendees explored digital topics impacting their businesses. We’re thrilled to have created this platform for sharing knowledge, and we can’t wait to bring you more exciting events in the future.
We had a big realisation – our current brand just wasn’t capturing the essence of our business anymore. So, we decided it was time for a corporate makeover as we stepped into the corporate world from our artisan event roots. It’s an exciting transition, and we can’t wait to see our brand evolve and flourish in this new chapter!
We were over the moon to receive our first-ever EVA Award nomination in the Small Business category! Making it to the finals held at the Winter Gardens was such an exciting experience. Although we didn’t come out as winners this time, we’re keeping our spirits high and eagerly looking forward to the next chance.
Our Digital Marketing Roadshow in wigan held a powerful panel discussion on diversity in the industry. We addressed the gender balance and highlighted the actions being taken for a more inclusive digital landscape. Let’s lead the way towards equality!
Great news! After supporting Nichola from behind the scenes since Launch NW’s inception, Jo is now joining the business full time. As a family business led by two sisters, they’re excited to embark on this journey together, leveraging their unique strengths and shared passion to drive Launch NW’s success.
We’re hitting the road with the Digital Marketing Roadshow, starting in Blackpool and making stops in Wigan and Preston in 2017. Our mission? Tackling bad practices in the digital marketing industry and connecting businesses with reliable partners. Remember, education is power!
Media City Expo was an outstanding event that truly showcased the wealth of talent in the creative, digital, and media industries across the region. Attendees were treated to an incredible display of skills, innovation, and creativity.
The all-day digital clinic provided businesses with valuable insights into leveraging digital solutions to achieve their marketing objectives. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the digital landscape and discover new possibilities for success.
After careful consideration, we made the exciting decision to relocate the Blackpool Business Expo to a more central location. We relaunched the event with great enthusiasm at The Village Hotel. The new venue provided a convenient and accessible space for attendees to connect, network, and explore business opportunities.
after Blackpool Expo, we made the bold decision to replicate our business expo model in Bolton. Recognising the tremendous potential in the area, we wanted to bring the same energy and opportunities to local businesses. Creating a platform for connections, growth, and success.
Our very first Blackpool Expo took place at Ribby Hall, with plenty of businesses, seminars and guest speaker Neil Clough, from series 9 of the apprentice.
Our first Christmas market in 2013 was a huge hit, with a whopping 1300 visitors joining the festivities. Inspired by the incredible response, we decided to expand our Christmas events and added Leigh Sports Village to our calendar. for double the festive cheer!
Wigan Business Expo was already established, and what’s good enough for Wigan is good enough for Leigh. Local printers Collins and Darwell, asked us to help organise the first annual Leigh Business Expo
Our very first Christmas markets took place at the now demolished Formby Hall in Atherton. The outpouring of local support from stall holders and visitors left us overwhelmed. We even had a surprise visit from the police! Don’t worry, they were just curious as to all the traffic and wanted to check things out.
We had an incredible time hosting our very first event, the Mother’s Day Night of Indulgence. There were amazing stalls offering pamper sessions, gift ideas, stunning jewellery, and mouth-watering treats.
Frustrated by events that fell short of expectations, in 2012 we took matters into our own hands, organising local artisan markets. Before long we outgrow our venues!