Find out who you are and do it on purpose.’

— Dolly Parton

My brand strategy philosophy is simple: feel it, believe it, say it, live it.
If it ends up in a drawer – it’s not a strategy.
It should live in the work and make you powerful in the right places.

And that starts with clarity.

Clear on who you’re for.
Clear on what you stand for.
Clear on what you’re here to change.

When you’re unclear, even a simple “What do you do?” can throw you. You overthink. You ramble. You shrink.

Specificity and the right words change everything.

Work that is felt. Missions fully revealed
This isn’t a makeover. It’s about foundations solid enough to build on.
Get clear. Then watch what happens.

Bringing the vibe since 1977.


In my twenties, Amsterdam called. International ad and design agencies, my own boutique studio on the canals, travelling across Europe for work and living on a swanky-ass houseboat.

Co-launched a punk baby clothing line that got stocked in Harrods and blew up in Spain. Went to China and taught branding to Design Academy students.

Back to the UK for cottage life: up a hill, down a lane. The Brand Directoress® was born, working online with clients around the world.

Always brought people together in real life – a conference-in-disguise in the Highlands (with whisky) for disruptive entrepreneurs, a morning networking community for creatives that's still going strong.

My forties? A recalibration. Menopause came in hot. Discovered I'm AuDHD – which explained a lot. Worked. Rested. Healed. Asked myself what I really want.

Built. Pivoted. Evolved. Building differently now. On purpose. Without apology.

This philosophy isn’t theory. It’s earned.

Penny's houseboat and colourful canal houses reflected in the water  at night in Amsterdam, representing Penny's decade living and working in the city.

Swanky-ass houseboat heart of Amsterdam.

Client shooting in Barcelona.

Penny Lee taking a selfie outdoors on a green hillside, smiling warmly, representing her return to UK cottage life up a hill, down a lane.

Up a hill, down a lane for cottage life.

Black and white photograph of Penny Lee speaking on stage at a PechaKucha event in Chengdu, China, microphone in hand.

Speaking at PechKucha, Chengdu, China.

Black and white photograph of Penny Lee sitting on a staircase, laughing openly, relaxed and at ease.

My superpower is listening.


Not just what’s said – but what’s not said.

After a decade working somewhere you don’t speak the language, you get really skilled in body language. In reading the room. In hearing what someone actually means – not just what they’re saying.

I feel everything and everyone deeply. I’m a highly sensitive rebellious empath – and that’s both a blessing and a curse.

But channelled in the right way, with the right people? It makes for real understanding. It gets to the heart of what you’re about and what matters to you.

I get you. That’s what I hear time and again from the people I work with.

Turns out – listening, finding what someone is really about and putting that into words they can use to tell the world – is what I’m here for.

It took me a good long while to really hear that. Funny that.

Here’s to the next era – for me and for you.

If you’re ready to build differently too – let’s go.

  • “Penny literally will become your bestie. She'll push you (in a good way) and help you find a better version of yourself and your business. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.”

    — Manpreet Dhesi, Founder, Studio Dhesi and Dhesi Consulting

  • “Everyone needs a bad-ass on their team. A million thanks Penny.”

    — Jules Caldwell, Founder, The Haberdashery