Making the Leap: Transitioning from Consulting to Startup Marketing

Meet Annie.

After three years working in consultancy at Accenture, she found herself craving something more. She was looking for a role where she could see the direct impact of her work, she wanted a role where she could be autonomous, make an impact and bring some creativity. She wanted a career that felt more her. 

That search led her to Jumpstart earlier this year. Through Jumpstart, she landed a job as the Creative Marketing Executive at Marleybones, a dog food startup where she’s excelling.

We sat down with Annie to talk about switching from consultancy to startups, the joy of working in an industry she loves, and why sometimes, you just have to take the leap.

Jumpstart: Let’s start at the beginning of your career, what were you doing before Marley Bones?

Annie: I was working in consultancy at Accenture for about three years, I learnt so much there but I started feeling a bit stuck. There wasn’t much autonomy in my work, and I wasn’t really seeing any tangible results which impacted my motivation a bit. I wanted to be in a startup environment where I could be creative, drive projects, and actually see the impact of what I was doing. That’s when a friend introduced me to Jumpstart, and through that, I found Marleybones. I work in marketing now, and honestly, I love it. It’s so much more me. It’s creative, fast-paced, and, of course, involves dogs.

Jumpstart: That sounds like a perfect fit! What skills from Accenture helped you transition into startup marketing?

Annie: One of the biggest things I took from my time in consultancy is organisation. I learned how to plan, execute, and track projects and how to make sure everything is progressing as it should. That’s been so valuable in a startup, especially when juggling different marketing initiatives. In a way, consulting trained me to handle the chaos of a fast-moving environment and it’s great that I get to apply it in a space that excites me.

Jumpstart That’s great. How has working in a startup helped you grow?

Annie: My confidence has skyrocketed. In a corporate setting, there are always layers of management above you, so you have a safety net. At a startup, if something doesn’t get done, that’s on you. You have to take initiative, pitch ideas, and make things happen. One of my favourite things about Marleybones is that it’s such an open space for ideas. If I come up with something new, the team is willing to explore it. Just this week, I’ve been planning out our events calendar. We’re planning some really fun stuff like doggy yoga and a doggy hair salon. There are so many fun, engaging experiences in our future that will bring our brand to life.

Jumpstart: That sounds amazing! Have you worked on any projects that stand out?

Annie: Oh, so many! Even in my first month, I was leading a dog photoshoot with five different dogs (including my own!) We had everything from an Afghan Hound to a Dachshund for our product shots, and that was such a fun, hands-on experience. More recently, we’ve been taking our custom trike around London, visiting spots like Hyde Park and engaging directly with customers. It’s not just sitting behind a laptop; it’s out in the real world, bringing the brand to life in a way that feels authentic and exciting.

Jumpstart: That’s such a great mix of creativity and strategy. What advice would you give to someone thinking about making the switch to startup marketing?

Annie: Just go for it. You don’t need direct marketing experience to succeed. You probably have so many transferable skills from whatever you’ve done before that you can bring to the role. I didn’t have a formal marketing background, but I knew I loved creative work and had a genuine interest in how brands connect with people. If you have that passion and transferable skills, you can learn the rest on the job. And if there’s a company that aligns with something you love, like Marleybones does for me with dogs, that’s even better because you’ll naturally bring enthusiasm and ideas to the table.

Jumpstart: Do you think your role connects at all to what you studied at university, or was this a new path for you?

Annie: It was more of an organic shift. I’ve always been fascinated by what brands are doing, whether it’s pop-ups, social media campaigns, or creative collaborations. So moving into marketing just felt like a natural extension of that curiosity. It’s been such a great fit, and I haven’t looked back.

Jumpstart: Any final thoughts for someone considering a career change?

Annie: If you feel like your current role isn’t fulfilling, don’t be afraid to explore new avenues. I had no idea companies like Marleybones even existed before Jumpstart. There are so many opportunities out there that you wouldn’t necessarily think of on your own. If you’re feeling stuck, take the leap!

Annie’s journey shows how fulfilling it is to chase what excites you. Whether it’s moving from consulting to startups, shifting into marketing, or following a different passion, the right fit is out there and with Jumpstart, you can find it!