We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danniebelle Gunter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danniebelle below.

Danniebelle, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

No, I haven’t always earned a full-time living from my creative work — and I think it’s important to be honest about that. When I launched Klir Online, it wasn’t some instant “quit-your-job and live off your passion” story. At first, it was small contracts, short-term projects, and side work that I fitted in around other commitments.

The turning point came when I stopped treating it like “freelance bits” and built Klir Online as a business. I registered it, created packages that made sense for small businesses and CICs, and started building a reputation locally in Nottingham. Even then, it wasn’t smooth sailing — I had months where income was patchy, and I had to really push myself to network, apply for funding, and keep showing up online.

Some of my major milestones with Klir Online were:

Getting my first retainer client — that gave me stability and made me see this could actually be sustainable.

Launching clear packages (Starter, Growth, Pro) so clients knew exactly what they were paying for.

Collaborating with Nottingham Trent University and community projects — which positioned Klir Online as more than just a service, but a studio with impact.

Tapping into local funding and voucher schemes — which helped me scale without putting myself under financial pressure.

If I could go back, I’d speed up the process by:

Charging my worth earlier instead of underpricing.

Leaning into collaborations and support networks sooner.

Building systems (like content calendars, branded templates, and automation) from day one — because that’s what really freed me up to grow.

Now, Klir Online does support me full-time, but it’s also a mix: client retainers, one-off projects, training, events, and collaborations. It’s not just one income stream — it’s a portfolio. That’s what makes it work.

So no, it wasn’t like that from day one. It’s taken consistency, community, and honestly, a lot of trial and error. But looking back, every step with Klir Online — even the tough ones — built the foundation I’m standing on now.

Danniebelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Danniebelle Gunter, and I’m the founder of Klir Online Ltd, a Nottingham-based digital branding and social-media-first creative studio. My journey into this industry wasn’t the “traditional marketing agency” route — it came from a mix of my background in child and family health, my lived experiences, and a genuine love for storytelling, design, and helping people build something they can be proud of.

I started Klir Online because I saw so many small businesses, community organisations, and underrepresented founders struggling to compete in the digital space. They had amazing ideas and services, but no clear brand identity, no strategy, and no time to figure out algorithms, design, or digital marketing. I wanted to fill that gap — not just by “managing social media,” but by building brands with purpose that could grow online and offline.

At Klir Online, we provide:

Social Media Marketing & Management – from content calendars to AI-powered campaigns.

Branding & Identity Design – logos, brand kits, Canva templates, and full brand strategy.

Web Design & SEO – websites built for visibility and growth, tailored for small businesses and CICs.

Digital Strategy & Coaching – workshops, training, and 1:1 strategy sessions so clients can learn as they grow.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just deliver a service; we equip clients with the tools and knowledge to own their brand story. A lot of agencies work in a way where the client is dependent on them forever — Klir Online flips that by empowering people, whether that’s through branded Canva templates, AI workflows, or step-by-step strategy packs.

The problems we solve are simple but powerful:

Visibility – making sure businesses are actually seen by their audience.

Confidence – helping founders feel proud and professional about their brand.

Sustainability – through our “Klir Online Goes Green” initiative, we also focus on reducing the digital carbon footprint and making branding more eco-conscious.

What I’m most proud of is that Klir Online has become more than just a business. It’s a platform that supports community and creativity. Through collaborations with Nottingham Trent University, local CICs, and initiatives like Vibe Haus Promotions and Project COFFE, we’re proving that digital marketing can be used for empowerment, not just sales.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients and supporters to know, it’s this: Klir Online is for the underdog, the overlooked, and the underestimated. We make digital branding accessible, affordable, and impactful for the people who need it most — the small trades, the family-run businesses, the community changemakers, and the women and founders who don’t always see themselves represented in glossy marketing campaigns.

At the heart of it all, I’m just passionate about helping people shine online. If you’ve got the vision, Klir Online can give you the clarity, the content, and the confidence to grow.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really illustrates my resilience was in the early days of Klir Online. I’d just registered the business and I was so excited to get going — but reality hit when I had months with no stable income and was still juggling personal challenges. There were moments where I honestly questioned whether I should quit and just go back into traditional employment.

Instead of giving up, I doubled down on learning and networking. I applied for every local opportunity I could find — pitch competitions, growth vouchers, accelerator programmes. I still remember walking into my first pitch event, standing in front of seasoned business owners, and feeling completely out of place. I didn’t have polished slides or a perfect script, but I spoke from the heart about why Klir Online existed — to give small businesses, CICs, and underrepresented founders a fair chance at digital visibility.

I didn’t win that competition, but what I did win was connections, mentorship, and the confidence to keep going. That moment taught me that resilience isn’t about always “winning” — it’s about staying visible, learning from setbacks, and showing up again and again even when it feels uncomfortable.

Fast forward to now, Klir Online has grown into a creative studio with real community impact. We’ve worked with local businesses, collaborated with Nottingham Trent University, launched initiatives like Klir Online Goes Green, and supported community organisations through design, strategy, and social media. None of that would have happened if I’d let those early challenges break me.

For me, resilience is about using every setback as fuel. Each “no” just gave me more reason to refine my message, improve my services, and prove that there’s space for businesses like mine in this industry.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was thinking I had to play small to be accepted.

For a long time, I thought being humble meant dimming my light — not charging too much, not speaking too loudly, not taking up too much space. That mindset came partly from past relationships where I was made to feel like I was “too much” or “not enough” at the same time. It also came from the business world, where I saw mostly big agencies with polished teams, and I felt like I had to tone myself down to fit in.

The backstory is, in the early days of Klir Online, I underpriced my services badly. I’d spend hours designing strategies, creating content, building websites — and charge peanuts, just to keep clients happy. Deep down, I was scared that if I asked for what I was worth, people would walk away. And sometimes they did. But the bigger truth was: I was walking away from myself by undervaluing my skills and experience.

What changed was realising that the very thing that sets me apart — my creativity, my resilience, my community focus — is exactly why I should take up space. When I finally raised my prices, built proper packages, and spoke openly about my story, the right clients started finding me. Clients who wanted more than a quick social media fix — they wanted a brand with heart, strategy, and purpose.

Unlearning that fear of shining too brightly has been one of my biggest breakthroughs. Now, instead of shrinking myself to fit into the room, I build the kind of room I’d want to walk into — through Klir Online, Vibe Haus Promotions, and the community projects I lead.

The lesson? Playing small doesn’t serve you or the people you’re meant to impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://klironline.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klironline/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klironline
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/klironline/
• Twitter: https://x.com/KlirOnline
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@klironline

Image Credits

Danniebelle Gunter