In the latest episode of Made in Ely, James sat down with Luke and Rob from Studio Nova, a design-led creative agency based right here in Ely. From websites and branding to advertising, video production and marketing strategy, Studio Nova helps businesses turn ideas into creative solutions that get results.
What followed was a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, learning from mistakes, adapting to change, and why being a local agency can be a real advantage in today’s connected world.
From Work Experience to Business Partners
One of the most interesting parts of Studio Nova’s story is how long the partnership has been in the making.
Years ago, Rob offered work experience placements to local students, believing that young people learn best when they’re encouraged to experiment, make mistakes and build confidence. One of those students was Luke, who already knew he wanted to work in the creative industry.
After building their own separate businesses and careers, the pair reconnected at the Ely Business Awards. Despite operating on opposite ends of the same street and serving similar clients, they’d never formally worked together.
The idea was simple: combine their experience, skills and client bases to create something bigger than either could achieve alone.
That leap eventually became Studio Nova in 2021.
Taking the Leap
Like many business owners, both Luke and Rob admitted that starting or growing a business can feel overwhelming.
Often, the biggest obstacle isn’t financial or practical – it’s psychological.
The conversation touched on how many people spend months or years analysing possibilities without taking action. Sometimes the hardest part is simply making the decision to begin.
For Studio Nova, combining forces wasn’t about taking a huge risk. Once they stepped back and looked at what they were bringing together, it became clear that the opportunity far outweighed the fear.
It’s a lesson many entrepreneurs can relate to.
Creativity Requires Confidence
Throughout the discussion, one theme kept returning: creativity isn’t about getting everything right first time.
In fact, it’s often the opposite.
Luke and Rob explained how they encourage their team to experiment, test ideas and accept that not every concept will work. Whether it’s a website design, advertising campaign or branding project, creative work is often about refining and improving rather than producing perfection immediately.
One piece of advice stood out:
Just because you’ve spent all day working on something doesn’t automatically make it good.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back, review your work objectively and be willing to start again if needed.
Growing a Team and Developing Talent
Studio Nova continues to invest in young talent, much like Rob did years ago when Luke first joined him on work experience.
The team recently welcomed a new graduate, and their approach focuses heavily on confidence-building and independence. Rather than simply assigning tasks, they encourage team members to think for themselves, take ownership of projects and develop real-world skills.
Their philosophy is straightforward:
- Mistakes are part of learning.
- Creativity requires experimentation.
- Confidence comes from responsibility.
It’s an approach that helps people grow much faster than simply being told exactly what to do.
Why Small Agencies Have Big Advantages
The conversation also explored one of Studio Nova’s key strengths: being a smaller agency.
Many larger agencies have layers of account managers and intermediaries between clients and the people actually doing the work. At Studio Nova, clients speak directly with the creatives and developers responsible for their projects.
This means:
- Better communication.
- Faster decisions.
- More responsive service.
- Fewer misunderstandings.
For clients, it creates a much more collaborative relationship and often leads to better outcomes.
Adapting to New Technology
Creative industries evolve quickly, and Studio Nova has embraced that reality.
Over the last few years, the team has expanded its capabilities in areas such as video production, WordPress development and digital marketing.
Rather than resisting change, they’ve actively invested time in learning new skills and technologies.
Their view is simple: if clients need something new, it’s important to understand it, learn it and deliver it properly.
That willingness to adapt has been a significant part of the company’s growth.
Honest Marketing Advice
One of the most valuable parts of the discussion centred on marketing.
Both Luke and Rob were refreshingly honest about common misconceptions, particularly around social media.
Many businesses assume that simply posting content online counts as advertising. Studio Nova regularly explains that organic posting and paid advertising are two very different things.
More importantly, they encourage businesses to focus on where their customers actually are rather than blindly following trends.
Just because a platform is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right place to spend your marketing budget.
Their approach is consultative rather than sales-driven. If they believe a particular tactic won’t work, they’ll say so.
That honesty has helped them build long-term relationships with clients who value practical advice over flashy promises.
The Benefits of Being Based in Ely
Despite working with national and international clients, both Luke and Rob remain enthusiastic advocates for Ely.
They praised the city’s supportive business community and highlighted how collaborative local businesses tend to be.
Ely also offers the best of both worlds – it has excellent transport links, access to Cambridge, London and beyond, lower operating costs, and fundamentally a better quality of life.
As Rob pointed out, there’s something to be said for being able to walk to work rather than spend hours commuting every day.
Looking Ahead
As Studio Nova continues to grow, their focus remains largely unchanged.
They want to create great work, build strong client relationships, support young talent and keep learning.
What started as a chance reconnection between former mentor and student has become a thriving creative agency serving businesses locally, nationally and internationally.
And perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that success doesn’t always come from having the biggest team or the biggest office.
Sometimes it comes from being approachable, adaptable and genuinely passionate about helping people.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full conversation with Studio Nova on the latest episode of the Made in Ely podcast, available now wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms or right here: https://madeinely.podbean.com/e/ studio-nova-from-school-work-experience-to-ely-s-creative-heart
If you’re enjoying the series, don’t forget to subscribe and follow Made in Ely for more conversations with the people, businesses and organisations helping shape our city.
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