Nina Collis has been a cornerstone of our organisation since 2011. Over the last 14 years, she’s immersed herself in sales, marketing, recruitment, business development and team management. Along the way, she’s worked closely with three business owners, supported many assistant owners, and helped countless brand ambassadors shape their careers. Nina has also led her own support staff team, guiding recruitment consultants, event coordinators, administrators, social media managers, and apprentices – all of whom have benefited from her dynamic, inspiring, and go-getting approach.
Fourteen years in any industry brings not only experience but also perspective. We sat down with Nina to reflect on her journey, the changes she’s witnessed, and the lessons she’s keen to share with the next generation of business leaders.
Starting Out
Nina! 14 years, 2 children, and 2 cities later, here you are. When you joined the business, what was your initial vision for your career trajectory?
“I always knew I wanted to build something. Being able to look back and see what I’d achieved was important to me, so when I was first introduced to the company, I thought business ownership was exciting. I was naturally a leader during education – I enjoyed those types of roles.”
Evolving the Vision
Nina began her journey in the sales team, excelling quickly and building a strong unit. But her analytical mindset, shaped by her degree in Biochemistry, sometimes clashed with the human side of leadership.
“I was focusing too much on the numbers. Statistics are good for measuring elements, but they never tell the full story.”
After briefly stepping away to work at a recruitment agency, fate intervened. Her partner, Rob Cotterell, had just launched a marketing office in Swindon. Nina joined him, and together they grew what would become RedSeven Marketing — now a thriving organisation with four offices across four cities.
Lessons in Leadership
Growth hasn’t come without challenges. Nina admits that her biggest hurdle was herself.
“If I wanted to grow, I needed to relinquish some responsibility and replace myself within the team. It was tough because you don’t want to see people struggle or get it wrong. It’s similar to parenting!”
Motherhood has softened her coaching style. “Since becoming a Mum, my coaching style has definitely softened. Sometimes you’ve just got to let them poop on the floor!”
On recruitment mistakes, she’s candid:
“We’ve made rash decisions when we needed to fill a role quickly, but that only leads to a stressful training period. Now, we’re more strategic and plan for growth earlier. Training new people costs more time and money in the long run, so do it properly the first time.”
She also reflects on holding onto the wrong people too long:
“You’ve got to pull the plaster off sooner. If they’re going to fail, let them do it quickly and have the metrics to recognise it early.”
Protecting Team Culture
For Nina, culture is the lifeblood of business.
“Team culture is vital for longevity. Our values are supporting and celebrating one another, being a friendly face in the morning, and being team-oriented. If values aren’t being met, you have to address it quickly. One poor attitude will affect five other team members, and before you know it, the environment has changed.”
She uses the “boiling frog” analogy to explain how gradual cultural shifts can go unnoticed – until it’s too late.
Building the Next Generation
To keep new recruits on track, Nina relies on structured onboarding.
“I have a clear coaching programme and set precise expectations. We have one-on-ones at least once a week, where they can share how they’re doing and I can offer advice, nip challenges in the bud, and check their progress.”
Today, Nina is proud of her team:
“The talent and culture are right. The trust is there. My next step is to build further depth by developing their responsibilities. I can’t continue to have the same level of direct involvement with everyone, so I’m now building a core team that can replicate what I do.”
What’s Next?
Nina’s focus is on sustainability and scale.
“I want to get to a point where the RedSeven office in Bristol can run perfectly well without me. As we grow, I’ll be working with business owners and staff in different locations, and the Bristol base needs to thrive without my direct presence.”
Looking back, she wouldn’t change much – except perhaps letting people make more mistakes earlier.
“That’s tricky because I wouldn’t have gained the experience I have now, but if I had to choose, I’d let people make more mistakes. I’d just make sure I was there to support them afterwards.”
Fourteen Years On
It’s hard to believe 14 years have passed since Nina first walked through our doors. Watching her growth, resilience, and leadership has been a privilege. And judging by her drive and determination, this is only the beginning.