Ellisha
Ellisha is a PR & Influencer Marketing professional with over seven years of experience working in the communications sector for renowned brands such as New Look, TOPSHOP TOPMAN, and Gym King. In April 2024, she launched her own agency, E.S Collective, specializing in events, influencer marketing, and public relations. The agency also manages a roster of talent in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors, connecting them with household name brands.
Before you became the business titan you are today, enlighten us about the thrilling adventures of your pre-business life.
I grew up in a small, working-class town in South Yorkshire, where opportunities were scarce. I was always a creative child, and in a family historically composed of miners and healthcare workers, I stood out as the “black sheep.” In school, my favorite subjects were English and Media Studies, and I served as the editor of the school magazine. I dreamt of moving to a cosmopolitan city and finding a career that would allow me to build a better life for myself and my family.
At the age of 17, after completing my A-level studies, I moved to London to pursue my dreams of working in the fashion industry. After various styling and journalism placements, I discovered my passion for PR during an internship at New Look’s head office. The rest, as they say, is history.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your initiative, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
At E.S Collective, I champion social media creators from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and interests. I craft strategies that reflect each person’s unique journey and the challenges they’ve overcome, focusing on creating content with value and substance to challenge traditional social media norms. In terms of PR, I take a no-nonsense approach, aiming to become an extension of my client’s team while delivering impactful results.
What has been the response of the users/consumers towards your venture?
E.S Collective has already secured partnerships with major brands such as Debenhams, Amazon, Samsung, and eBay. My clients have been featured on high-profile platforms like ITV’s This Morning and Loose Women, as well as in OK! Magazine and The Sun.
Having a strong support system is essential for your well-being. Who is your biggest supporter?
I credit my biggest supporter as my mum, a single parent and mental health nurse, who raised me with a strong emphasis on self-care. From a young age, she taught me the importance of balancing work with rest, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. She also instilled in me the understanding that it’s okay to take a break and recharge when necessary, even if that means spending a day in bed.
As a woman entrepreneur, what changes do you hope to see in the world, and what opportunities are you seeking?
I have faced several challenges as a woman in the workplace, including not having my ideas taken seriously, being spoken to in a derogatory manner compared to my male counterparts, and having my intelligence questioned. I believe that women offer a unique perspective due to their different lived experiences, and this perspective is vital in the PR world. I advocate for a balanced gender ratio in the workplace, as it fosters a more productive and collaborative environment.
Women now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the workplace, breaking through glass ceilings to reach the top. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
I hope to see more women in senior positions within the industry to ensure a more even split and to create a more balanced leadership dynamic.
Get in touch with her:
- LinkedIn: Ellisha Clapham
- Instagram: E.S Collective
- TikTok: E.S Collective