Based in Barnsley and working across brand identity, digital design and social media, Chloe launched Wilkin Design in 2024 after years of side projects, employment frustrations and a deep-rooted ambition to work for herself.
“I always knew I wanted to build something of my own,” she tells unLTD, explaining that her entrepreneurial streak began back at school with a short-lived chewing gum hustle. She later launched an art business while at college, followed by a clothing brand at just 19 years old. While these ventures didn’t last, they helped her realise what she really loved – the creative process itself.
Her early career was shaped by roles in design, including a UX/UI position at a corporate insurance firm. But the stability came at a cost. The salary didn’t match the workload, and when requests for career progression were dismissed, Chloe made the decision to leave – without a client base, but with a clear goal.
“But it wasn’t just about money,” she explains. “It was about freedom and building something I believed in. The corporate structure wasn’t me at all.”
Since setting up Wilkin Design, she’s worked with a range of B2B clients, many of them found through networking and referrals. Her work spans industries – from service-led businesses to hospitality – and describes her approach as one of clear thinking and clean, bold visuals that reflect her clients’ values.
Chloe’s approach combines creative instinct with commercial awareness. She’s not afraid to challenge a brief if it doesn’t align with a client’s goals and credits her success to building genuine relationships. “I’m very passionate about business success – not just my own, but my clients’ too,” she says.
That collaborative style paid off in a recent branding project for a South Yorkshire consultant. Presented with a brief that seemed too impersonal, Chloe saw a disconnect between the request and the business’s ambitions. After designing to spec, she also presented a second version – one that she felt better captured the personal brand behind the business. The client chose the latter.
Another recent success came through her work with Two Gates Fisheries, a Barnsley-based fish and chip shop. Through consistent content creation and a clear social media strategy, Chloe helped raise the brand’s profile significantly – with video reach topping one million views in just three months.
The results were more than just digital. In the first 12 months of working together, the client saw an 18% increase in turnover and Chloe estimates a return on investment of between 5 and 9 times, depending on attribution.
She admits self-employment comes with challenges – especially in the early stages – but she values the flexibility and fulfilment far more than any sense of routine. “Some days you might take a break in the afternoon and work late into the evening,” she says. “It’s all about balance and knowing what works for you.”
Her long-term ambition is to scale Wilkin Design and her second business, a UX studio, into standalone brands with dedicated teams and physical premises. She’s already begun some outsourcing to trusted freelancers, and has set herself the target of doubling her turnover in year two.
Much of Chloe’s drive stems from her upbringing in Barnsley. Inspired by her mother’s determination to retrain and build a better life through education, she’s always seen hard work and self-reliance as essential. Growing up in a community with limited opportunities only strengthened the resolve.
But it wasn’t just about money. It was about freedom and building something I believed in.
As such, she’s mostly self-taught, having learned the tools of her trade through online courses, YouTube tutorials and hands-on projects. That path has helped her stay agile and aware of industry trends – something she sees as essential in a fast-moving creative sector.
“Being in the industry is what keeps you current,” she says. “Trends shift constantly, so it’s about learning on the job, not relying on what you were taught years ago.”
Her advice to others thinking about taking the leap into self-employment? “Just do it. What’s the worst that could happen? If it doesn’t work, you go back to a job – but the potential upside is huge.”
She also warns creatives not to undersell themselves. “Be strict on pricing. Don’t let people lowball you. That’s one mistake I made early on – but you live and learn.”
And with that mix of honesty and quiet confidence, Chloe Wilkin is proving that you don’t need a London postcode or a design degree to build a successful creative business – just a bit of courage, motivation and a clear sense of what matters.
“Success looks different to everyone. For me, it’s about doing what I love, being proud of my work and helping others grow too.”
Web: wilkindesign.co.uk
Email: info@wilkindesign.co.uk
Follow: @wilkindesign
