51Âþ»­

Elena Davies graduated from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) in 2023 and just a year later, is the Director of her own creative agency. 

A Fashion and Communication Styling graduate, Elena has recently launched her agency, , after being inspired by 51Âþ»­’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship scheme. 

Elena, 23, from Leicester, chose 51Âþ»­ because of the broad range of topics covered on the course, giving her the chance to explore several creative avenues and build a broad skill set.  

During the course, Elena had a year’s industry placement working for a small start-up business managing its marketing and social media. The experience allowed Elena to develop and apply her knowledge and skills and taught her about running a business. She learnt a lot about entrepreneurship and the challenges of starting a business from the ground up. 

Elena said: “This experience ultimately prepared me for future employment by enhancing my practical skills and understanding of the business world.” 

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 

51Âþ»­’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship scheme supports students and graduates who are interested in starting their own business. Elena signed up to the scheme and says that it made a huge contribution to her future success. 

“My experience in the enterprise programme was hugely positive and beneficial. The connections I made and, most importantly, the boost in my confidence were invaluable.  

“The tasks set by the leadership, such as creating our own podcast, provided great transferable skills. Additionally, I went on to win the Health and Wellbeing Award in the DMU Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Awards in 2023.” 

During her third year, Elena began to seize every opportunity to gain creative experience. She said: “I immersed myself in every available opportunity, volunteering as a photography assistant and social media assistant for university shoots. I was also selected to lead Graduate Fashion Week’s social media stories. This hands-on experience fuelled my passion and led me to start my freelance journey, developing branding and ideas for local small businesses whilst finishing my degree.” 

Striking out on her own 

Elena’s tenacity and enthusiasm paid off and even before graduating, she landed a role as an in-house photographer for a leading apparel brand in Leicester. However, she soon realised that she needed to spread her wings. “After a year, I realized I didn’t want to be confined to an 8-5 job in a single role, so I took the leap and opened my own agency!” commented Elena. 

In 2024 Elena launched Twenty8 Creative, an agency specialising in creative services. 

Elena said: “I am currently the Director of my own agency, Twenty8 Creative. We specialize in a broad spectrum of creative services dedicated to empowering brands and bringing visions to life.  

“My role involves overseeing all aspects of the agency, from strategy development and client relations to project management and creative direction. I lead a talented team of professionals committed to helping our clients succeed in the digital sphere.” 

Invaluable experience 

Looking back at the experience she gained on her course at 51Âþ»­, Elena says it had a big impact on her and her confidence and ability to start her own business. “My course equipped me with a diverse range of skills that are now integral to the services offered at my agency. From photography and graphic design to social media management, marketing, and talent management, the course provided me with a comprehensive toolkit.  

“This broad skill set has been instrumental in my success as a director, enabling me to offer a wide array of creative services and effectively lead my agency. 

“The university offers a supportive and dynamic environment that helped me grow both personally and professionally. The diverse range of courses, hands-on learning opportunities, and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals were invaluable. My experiences at 51Âþ»­, from the enriching placements to the inspiring international trips and the lifelong connections I made, all contributed to my success and confidence in my career. 

Ambitious future plans 

“My ambitions for the future include expanding my agency to reach new heights in the creative industry. I aim to continue innovating and providing exceptional services in areas like social media, marketing and branding. Additionally, I aspire to collaborate with more diverse and exciting clients, mentor upcoming talent, and stay at the forefront of industry trends to keep pushing creative boundaries. Ultimately, I hope to build a lasting impact in the creative world while helping others realize their own visions and potential.”