Q&A: Jennifer Hill, founder of Media Hill

Former deputy money editor for the Sunday Times, Jennifer Hill escaped the London rat-race for grasses greener in Scotland last year. She now runs her own business, Media Hill, which has seen her working on projects across the world, most recently branching out into Dubai. She talks to Journalism.co.uk about the perks of being her own boss, her passion for grassroots journalism, and why she left "hamster wheel" London life behind her.

What prompted the move from the Sunday Times?
I left the Sunday Times at the end of last year. There were myriad reasons, but chief among them was that Scotland was calling! I moved to London in 2006 to work as Reuters’ personal finance correspondent – a job I applied for on a bit of a whim. I had it in my head that I’d stay for a couple of years. During my very early days in London, I was accustomed to getting lost, standing on street corners looking at an A-Z and doing things like going half-way around the circle line from Blackfriars to Farringdon when you can walk it in ten minutes. I remember once being at Liverpool Street station trying to find my way to F&C’s offices off Broadgate. I enlisted the help of a Glaswegian, who was, as it happened, heading in that very direction and offered to show me the way. As we walked (at high speed) and talked, I told him I’d just moved to London and planned to stay for two years. He trod on some discarded McDonalds fries. As he tried to scrape them off his shoe, he cursed the city. “Yeah, that’s what everyone says. I said I’d stay for five years and 20 years later I’m still here.” I made my escape after four. I now visit often and revel in everything that London has to offer. Then, I head home to fresh air, open spaces, my family and a pace of life that isn’t reminiscent of a hamster wheel.

What made you decide to start up Media Hill?
The desire to be my own boss, and to rely on nobody’s ethics or ways of working other than my own. I’m attempting to line my own pockets rather than a media baron’s. I work the hours of my choosing, and on projects that I enjoy. Who knows what the future will hold, but it’s great to feel that I’m building something for myself.

What work does Media Hill do?
I’m involved in everything from freelance journalism to corporate copywriting, PR consultancy and marketing, and media training – basically, anything that speaks to my skills and experience that someone wants to pay me to do! Corporate clients so far include Nationwide, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Stockbrokers and Axa.

What work do you do in the freelance world?
I’ve written for a supplement in the Times on wealth management, a business microsite for FT.com, and have penned consumer finance pieces for MSN Money, Orange.co.uk  and Fool.co.uk. I’ve also recently written a piece on female angles for the Venture Capital Journal, which is owned by my old employer Reuters. I regularly work on the business desk of the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday – another one of my old stomping grounds. Media Hill Arabia, so to speak, was recently born. I’m in Dubai working on a temporary basis as editor of Cashy.me, the UAE’s first personal finance website, which launched last week. It’s great to be at the grass roots, and have the ability to shape something that’s ground-breaking and has phenomenal potential. I was last in Dubai in 2004. So much has changed since then. They build five Manhattans in a year.

What are your plans and hopes for the near future?
Media Hill, as it stands, is effectively me and my computer. But it certainly has the potential to grow into a business that pays more than my wages. Within three months, I have enough work to fill any standard working week twice over – if not more. It will evolve in its own way, and I’ll make the crucial decisions when it’s absolutely necessary. For now, I’m enjoying being the master of only myself.

What have been the biggest surprises starting out on your own?
I’ve always endeavoured to treat people in a way that makes going to work a pleasant experienced. I was surprised by – and, indeed, have struggled with – the fact that some people simply never reply to emails. It’s a way in which I never have, and never will, work. As for other hurdles, cash-flow can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to invest in a business. And tax. Even as someone who’s written time and again about taxation, it’s proven an arduous task to get my head around the intricacies of our tax system. Just as well I have a very good accountant!

There have been more pleasant surprises too. I’ve been amazed and felt incredibly thankful that the many people who have shaped and helped me in my career so far continue to do so. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful. I’ve formed partnerships with companies who I have been recommended to, even by people whom I’ve known since my very early days in journalism. That feels like a million years ago. But somewhere along the line, I must have done something right.

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