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When I was on maternity leave, digital marketing wasn’t part of the plan.
I had spent years working long hours in the NHS. Shift work, emotional days, physical exhaustion — and although the job was meaningful, it left very little room for me. When I became a mum, everything changed. I wanted to be present. I wanted flexibility. And most of all, I wanted a future where my time wasn’t constantly traded for money.
At the same time, I was realistic. I didn’t have a business background. I didn’t have a marketing degree. I didn’t have followers, a laptop glued to my side, or endless free time. What I did have was my phone, nap times, and a strong desire to build something better for myself and my daughter.
That’s where digital marketing came in.
What Digital Marketing Really Is (Without the Hype)
Before I started, digital marketing sounded intimidating. I imagined complicated systems, tech jargon, and people who already “knew what they were doing.”
The truth? Digital marketing is simply promoting products or services online — often digital products like courses, guides, or templates. Instead of clocking in and out, you build something once and allow it to work for you over time.
What surprised me most was how beginner-friendly it actually can be. You don’t need to show your face if you don’t want to. You don’t need thousands of followers. And you definitely don’t need to quit your full-time job to start.
You can build alongside your life.
Starting From Scratch (Yes, Really)
I started with zero experience.
No audience.
No expertise.
No online business knowledge.
What I did have was curiosity and a willingness to learn. I began educating myself through a well-structured online course that broke everything down step by step. Instead of overwhelming me, it gave me clarity.
I learned:
- The basics of digital marketing
- How digital products work
- How to build a simple online store
- How to apply what I was learning immediately
That structure was crucial. Learning randomly online can feel chaotic, but following a clear path helped me stay consistent — even on days when motherhood took priority (which was most days).
Building an Online Store Along the Way
One of the biggest mindset shifts for me was realising that I didn’t need to be “ready” to start.
As I learned, I built.
I created a simple online store. Nothing fancy. Just something functional that I could improve over time. That alone felt empowering. It made everything feel real — like I wasn’t just consuming information, but actually building a business.
Some days I made progress. Some days I barely touched anything. And that was okay.
Consistency over perfection became my rule.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Setup
This is something I wish more people talked about.
You don’t need:
- A huge following
- A professional camera
- A degree
- Hours and hours every day
You can start with:
- A phone
- A few focused hours a day
- A willingness to learn
- A realistic plan
If you’re a parent, working full-time, or feeling unsure, you’re not behind. You’re exactly where many successful digital marketers started.
Why I Created This Free Guide
I created my free guide, How I Started Digital Marketing on Maternity Leave, because I know how overwhelming the beginning can feel.
It’s not a sales pitch.
It’s not full of jargon.
And it’s definitely not about overnight success.
It’s my honest journey — from NHS shifts and long hours, to learning digital marketing during maternity leave, to building something flexible that fits around real life.
If you’ve ever thought:
- “I’d love something flexible, but I don’t know where to start”
- “I don’t have experience, so this probably isn’t for me”
- “I want to be more present, but still earn”
Then this guide was created for you.
Ready for a Structured Next Step?
If reading this has sparked curiosity and you want a clear, step-by-step path, learning through a structured course made all the difference for me. It helped me stop second-guessing and start applying what I learned with confidence.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to take the first small step.
👉 You can download my free guide here and see what’s possible for you https://stan.store/sheilakayanja/p/get-my-free-guide-now-lm53s4rt
Because building an online business isn’t about being perfect — it’s about starting.