Shells Milne Consulting & Marketing Systems

28/01/2026

Sometimes, you need to step back to look forward.
​Yesterday, in the pouring rain 🌧 I did exactly that. Last year, after losing my dad, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the life I’ve built and whether what I’m doing now is really what I want to be doing for the next 20 years.
​The honest answer? It is, aaaaand it’s not!
​Anyone who knows me knows I’m a total geek when it comes to brand and strategy. But lately, I’ve felt stuck in the "doing"—lots of mindless implementation and "agency-style" work that pulled me away from the big-picture consulting I love. So, I’ve decided to "fire" myself from the reactive stuff to focus on the high-stakes strategy where I can actually make a difference.
​It’s time to recalibrate. 🧭
​What you might not know is that I’m also a massive geopolitics geek. Years ago, it was a coin toss between International Relations and Journalism. Journalism won because it felt like the safer bet back then, but I never lost that fascination with world affairs. With everything happening in the world in 2026, it’s hard to look away!
​So, I’m blending my passion with my profession. I’m taking a deliberate step back from my day-to-day business to head back to school—starting an MSc in Strategic Studies with Energy Security at the University of Aberdeen. 🎓
​Why? Because here in Aberdeen, we’re the best in the world at keeping people safe on rigs and wind farms. But the "new" risks—the ones that can sink a company overnight—are geopolitical. Whether it's a partner's hidden political ties or a sudden shift in global narratives, it’s not enough to be operationally safe anymore; you have to be narratively resilient.
​I’m pivoting my consultancy to focus on a huge gap in the market: Narrative Integrity. Over the next year, I’ll be training to bring something brand new to my clients: Geopolitical Stress Testing. I want to bridge the gap between our local energy expertise and global intelligence, making sure our homegrown firms stay the "partner of choice" in a messy, fractured world. 🌍
​To my clients and friends: This isn’t a break. It’s an investment. I’m moving from being a "brand person" to being a partner in your Global Social License to Operate.
​Wish me luck! I’m nervous, excited, and ready for the challenge. I’ll keep you all posted on how the "back to school" life goes! ☕📚
​ Aberdeen

08/09/2024

Sometimes you just have to give the laptop, websites and creative brain a break and just 'live' in the real world. So, here's to an awesome weekend, in one of my favourite places with some of my favourite people at one of my favourite events. Here is my only photo of the day - typically with a key person missing (mainly due to too many delicious Spicy Margaritas by those cocktail wizards at 10 Dollar Shake from far too early in the afternoon....so good on such a hot day☺️).Thanks to Ventex Studio and True North Advisors for their wonderful hospitality and to Braemar Gathering and Highland Games Centre for yet another fantastic event.

15/01/2024

Something about the falling snow always makes me more focused and productive which is agood thing when you are spending the day building valentines day and Easter sales funnels! (And drooling over oodles of chocolate images and videos!) How is your Monday going?

Shells Milne

12/01/2024

Is your business dressed for success? New blog post out today:)

Very few people would be brave enough to turn up to the Oscars in a Primark dress, driving a rusty, old Micra, and expect to be taken seriously as an A-list star.

26/07/2023

I've been thinking a lot about Elon Musk and Twitter these last few days. As a brand specialist, I love doing rebranding consults because they are one of the more tricky aspects of my job. Here are my thoughts on X and what it might mean for both Twitter and Elon Musk Brands. What's your thoughts?
https://www.shellsmilne.com/the-unconventional-move-elon-musks-risky-bet-on-x-and-its-impact-on-twitters-brand

18/07/2023

SPOILER: 'Figuring It Out' is expensive when it comes to marketing! When time is what you sell, then time is money. Spend it doing what you do best - servicing your paying clients - and let me help with the rest. Simples.

13/07/2023

**NEW SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (And Special Offer!!)**

Always wondering what to post? Creating content and getting nothing but crickets? Fed Up with Funnels? Exasperated with Email Marketing? Losing precious time stressing about sales and marketing that just doesn't work for you?

Say Hello to my NEW signature programme: The 6-Hour CMO VIP Day. Just give me ONE short day to build out 3-months of Marketing and Content Strategy and I'll give you your evenings and weekends back.....

ShellsMilne, (that's me!) specialises in helping time-pressured folks get it done, quick. Because, let's face it, time is money, right? And, guess what.... online sales and marketing, takes TIME. So why waste it trying to 'figure it out'?

Say goodbye to the endless back-and-forth and HELLO! to results with my 'Finished By Five' VIP Days, and the '6-Hour CMO Intensive' for coaches, Consultants, service-based solopreneurs and small business owners.

30% OFF Bookings made before the 31st July.

Find out more on my website www.shellsmilne.com

06/07/2023

So.... threads. You on yet? What's your thoughts? New marketing opportunity or more of the same?

06/07/2023

27/03/2023

Gary Vaynerchuk is such a rockstar! I mean, who doesn't love him? (I certainly do! I devour his daily nuggets of wisdom like a hungry possum in a pastry shop.) But I have to admit, this post got me thinking. See, the word "blame" rubbed me the wrong way. In my book, blame is like a wet blanket on a campfire--it smothers any chance of growth or progress. Instead of blaming ourselves or others for mistakes or failures, we should embrace them as part of the innovation and improvement process. After all, nobody's perfect--not even Gary! (Eek. Did I actually just say that?!) So let's be kind to ourselves and others, acknowledge our part in things, and learn from our experiences. That's how we'll build confidence, inspire others, and keep things interesting. Here's to embracing our imperfections and striving for greatness! It's good to be .