What our clients say
We want every client to be thrilled to bits with every part of our service - the way we work with them, the work we do for them and the results delivered.
See what some of our clients have said about working with Back Room SAM below.
"We were first put in touch with Sarah two years ago and have since then worked with her on different aspects of our social media and website, always to our complete satisfaction.
Originally we approached her to create a Twitter skin for our company, and she produced this, based on a design we sent her, quickly and efficiently. It was clear to us that she had a creative mind.
Then a year ago we hired her services for a bigger project, namely to reconsider our media strategy for a completely new website. Her input has been greatly appreciated and it has helped us to work effectively towards redesigning our website quite comprehensively. Sarah also cooperated with us very closely on a logo redesign and really understood how to create a logo that expressed the 'feel' and philosophy of our company for its second decade.
In short, we are very pleased to be able to recommend Sarah and her company for being easy to deal with, thoughtful, imaginative and commercially practical."
Vivien Hacker
Eureko Associates Ltd
Lancaster
www.eureko.co.uk
August 2014 (worked with more than once)
"We asked Back Room SAM to help us add an element of professional design to an important report. We needed help fast and Back Room SAM stepped in with prompt help, good ideas and the flexibility to revisit work until it was just right. We're really pleased with the result and it was worth every penny."
James Somerville
LESS (Lancaster District) CIC
Lancaster
www.lessuk.org
July 2014 (worked with more than once)
"We invited Back Room SAM in to run a marketing strategy session with us. We found Sarah to be friendly, professional and easy to work with. She helped us to look at our past and current marketing activity and identify areas for improvement."
Jenny Pollard
Fibaform Products Ltd
Lancaster
July 2014
"Back Room SAM recently designed the business card and leaflet for my new business. I am delighted with the result. I particularly valued the suggestion Sarah made for the tag line that I decided to use. Sarah has been really helpful in enabling me to describe what I offer in a succinct and effective way."
Ali Nicholls
Creative Counselling
Lancaster
www.lancastercreativecounselling.co.uk
January 2014
"I consulted Back Room SAM to help work out a marketing strategy for a business start-up. Sarah helped to identify and clarify the target customers, and focus the products and website that are being developed, helping to make investment in the business more appropriate. The session was informal, enjoyable and useful. I would recommend Sarah to others."
Shan Hargest
Eden Green Walls
Morecambe, Lancashire
www.edengreenwalls.co.uk
January 2014 (worked with more than once)
"I started working with Sarah of Back Room SAM because I realised that as a 'business newbie' I was failing to progress my business ideas because of a basic lack of confidence in the way in which business worked. I have met with her on a weekly basis and explored a wide variety of issues. I have been consistently impressed with the manner and style with which Sarah approaches all aspects - financial record keeping, use of social media, email marketing, website design and more. She is clear thinking, very organised, insightful, thorough and most importantly for me very grounded in her commitment to local business. I am looking forward to my New Year product trials with much more confidence. I would thoroughly recommend Sarah and her services to any business owner who wants to build their own confidence."
Cathy Betoin
The I Matter Project
Kendal, Cumbria
www.imatterproject.com
December 2013 (worked with more than once)
"As coordinator of Lancaster Music Festival I was greatly impressed with the hard work, professionalism and innovativeness of Sarah Thornton of Back Room SAM who was tasked with our online marketing. Without any doubt the success of this year's festival was in large part due to Sarah's efforts and knowledge of social media and marketing as a whole."
Benjamin Ruth
Coordinator of Lancaster Music Festival
Lancaster
www.lancastermusicfestival.com
October 2013 (worked with more than once)
"I asked Back Room SAM to design a cover image for my Facebook page and a template for an e-newsletter. It was very easy working with Sarah. She understood immediately what what I was looking for and produced a great design in the agreed timescale. The work is very professional which definitely adds value to my business. I am really satisfied with Back Room SAM's work and would not hesitate to use her again."
Katie Jenkins
Owner of flynnthedog Pet Supplies
Lancaster
www.flynnthedog.com
September 2013
"During my free initial consultation with Sarah, it was evident she was a very conscientious person who would work hard to provide me with what I needed. I employed her to design me an e-newsletter, train me how to use the template and send out my own campaigns. Sarah listened to what I wanted and gave advice and tips on ways to achieve that. Sarah is a friendly and professional young lady. She was very good in explaining every step in detail but in a simple way, using no technical jargon! Any questions or difficulties I have had since Sarah has answered quickly and in a easy to understand manner. I have no hesitation in recommending the services of Sarah and Back Room SAM."
Donna Wren
Owner of Wren Training
Lancaster
www.wrentraining.co.uk
August 2013
"I engaged Sarah of Back Room SAM to help design and deliver a workshop to help students design their own businesses. She was highly professional and very proactive during the planning, making a huge contribution. During the actual workshop I was really impressed with the way Sarah worked with the students. The feedback from the students was excellent. I am certainly planning to work with Back Room SAM again in the future."
Joe Buglass
FASS (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) Enterprise Officer
Lancaster University
Lancaster
www.lancs.ac.uk/fass
June 2013
"I asked Sarah to prepare an e-newsletter template to enable me to communicate regularly with my clients. She made lots of practical suggestions which we have implemented. I have already received a lot of favourable feedback from readers. Since the expenditure is incurred only once for major changes and a monthly fee for preparing the e-newsletter, the cost saving over photocopying, buying stamps, addressing envelopes and mailing them is enormous.
Sarah is very knowledgeable and works fast to achieve the best results in the shortest time. She has also helped me with other tasks; she made my emails more professional-looking by setting up a 'footer' panel, and showed me how to set up an out-of-office reply on my email client. Sarah is such a useful ally. I'm sure there will be lots more work together in the future, but just knowing Sarah is at the end of a phone or email is reassuring. It's teamwork all the way!"
Isobel Hamid
Owner of Healing Hands
Lancaster
www.our-healing-hands.co.uk
June 2013 (worked with more than once)
"Photo Restoration Services employed Sarah of Back Room SAM to assist with the design and implementation of new marketing material, comprising of a new branding logo and a double sided DL size flyer for business events and customer networking. I was offered an initial consultation, which I found to be both informal and practical. During this session several ideas were developed and subsequently expanded on. Throughout the process Sarah kept me informed of her progress, and responded positively to my ideas and feedback. Sarah produced the designs to the specified time frame and at a competitive price point, and I have received positive feedback from colleagues and clients alike. Photo Restoration Services would be happy to recommend Back Room SAM, great service and great value."
Andrew Willis
Proprietor of Photo Restoration Services
Heysham, Lancashire
www.photorestorationservices.biz
May 2013 (worked with more than once)
"I used Back Room SAM for the design and production of marketing material and was impressed by Sarah's design suggestions and her fast, efficient and reliable service. I would have no hesitation in using her services in the future and recommending her to other businesses."
Geoff Yale
Director of Yale Consultancy
Preston
www.yaleconsultancy.co.uk
April 2013
"I hired Back Room SAM to help me create a little marketing campaign for a course running in April 2013. She was easy to contact and helpful in putting together an offer of what exactly was within my budget. Sarah designed a poster based on my own template, and the style and design were spot on. She also dealt with the Twitter and Facebook promotion for me and all of this was delivered way ahead of time. I felt that her services were excellent value for money, taking a worry off my mind at a busy time. It's great to be able to ask someone to help out with a small task whenever I need it."
Kerstin Hammes
Owner of Fluent Language Tuition
Lancaster
www.fluentlanguage.co.uk
April 2013
"I asked Sarah of Back Room SAM to design a professional and attractive email invitation for my upcoming art exhibition. Sarah was very attentive and easy to work with, she helped sort out my ideas and put together a great finished result. The email invite is brilliant, Sarah's done a fantastic job and it matches the overall colour theme of the exhibition beautifully. Sarah's emails look incredibly professional and in turn, they make my business look more professional too. I'm really pleased."
Jack Knight
Owner of Knight Time Creations
Lancaster
www.jack-knight-illustrator.co.uk
April 2013
"We engaged Back Room SAM in 2012 to set up and deliver our bimonthly e-newsletter. Sarah's approach to this project was creative and dynamic and she delivered just what we wanted. Her work is of a professional and polished standard and she responds quickly and appropriately to our many demands of her. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services for all types of administrative, business development and marketing support and we hope to work with her for a long time to come."
Angela Tomlinson
Director of Sage Occupational Health
Lancaster
www.sageoh.com
March 2013 (worked with more than once)
"Sarah Thornton ticks all of the boxes. I cannot fault her attitude towards getting the job done to a high standard, on time and without any issues."
Aaron Crewe
Director of SharePoint Initiative
Heysham, Lancashire
www.sharepointinitiative.com
February 2013 (worked with more than once)
"I asked Sarah at Back Room SAM to produce a series of mission posters and a prayer card for my church and we were all delighted with the work that she produced. It was eye catching, informative and in keeping with the 'style' of our church. Sarah was helpful and responsive all the way through and with a great attention to detail that produced excellent results at a very reasonable price."
Paul Moran
Mission Team Coordinator at St Andrew's Church
Leyland
www.standrewsleyland.org.uk
January 2013 (worked with more than once)
"Thanks Sarah for excellent work with the logo design. I am very impressed by the professional and prompt service provided by Back Room SAM. I would certainly recommend your services for any such work in the future."
Dr. Kuntal Patel
Lower Limb Surgeon
Lancaster
January 2013
"One year on from the intensive time Sarah and I spent working together on my business, it is now difficult to imagine the birth of Proud to Ride Classic without the enthusiasm, knowledge and skill of Back Room SAM. At every turn Sarah provided the energy and skill to move the project on, yet she heeded my desire to learn as the business took shape. Twelve months later, I can so clearly see the value Sarah's work brought, in that instead of simply doing it for me, she explained and taught as we went along, so that I finished up not only with a well-connected and professionally presented business, but also with the skills to continue independently.
Sarah's commitment is such that she does not rest until she feels a commission has been completed in a robust, high quality and professional manner. I found her utterly reliable and unwavering in her attainment of agreed deadlines and outcomes. Back Room SAM really is a catalyst for success."
Richard Gibbens
Proud to Ride Classic
Lancaster
www.proudtorideclassic.co.uk
December 2012 (one year since working with Back Room SAM)
"Back Room SAM completed a new logo design and Facebook banner for Light of Libra recently which I am extremely pleased with. Working with Sarah was an absolute joy. She was full of innovative ideas and had lots of enthusiasm for the project, always listening to the client's point of view and responding very quickly to my requests and keeping me informed on progress which helped me in my own planning. Back Room SAM has added a new and fresh impetus to my business which I would thoroughly recommend to anyone."
Susan Chapman
Light of Libra Hypnotheraphy
Lancaster
www.lightoflibrahypnotherapy.co.uk
October 2012 (worked with more than once)
"We were so grateful for Sarah's excellent work in taking charge of the online promotion for the Lancaster Music Festival 2012. Her rates were good and the cracking speed at which she is able to get tasks done makes those rates even better. We will happily retain her services in the future."
Benjamin Ruth
Coordinator of Lancaster Music Festival 2012
Lancaster
www.lancastermusicfestival.com
October 2012 (worked with more than once)
"We have used Back Room SAM a number of times to assist us with the design and layout of our publicity communications. Sarah has recently completed a major project for us of re-designing an entire series of brochures for our bar font range, which we heavily depend on for the sales and promotion of our drinks dispense products. Sarah is efficient, reliable and she's not afraid to take initiative and make helpful suggestions regarding our marketing which we very much welcome. We are thrilled with both the experience of working with Sarah and the finished result of her work. It is great having her on board to contribute to our business, and we look forward to using her again in future."
Andrew Brown
Director of Porter Lancastrian Ltd
Chorley
www.porta.co.uk
October 2012 (worked with more than once)
"Back Room SAM helped us improve some aspects of our website. Because we have a content management website we wanted to learn how to do certain changes, and Sarah was very happy to sit with us to effectively teach us to do the changes ourselves. She was very clear and accommodating of our needs. She's a good listener and a great trainer, so just perfect for what we wanted. We now feel so much more confident when managing our website. Thanks Sarah!"
Aurora Trujillo
Freewheelers Bicycle Workshop
Lancaster
www.freewheelersbicycleworkshop.org.uk
August 2012
"I engaged Sarah to produce Facebook banners and Twitter skins for three of our Halo businesses. I was impressed by Sarah's quick grasp of the things that mattered most to me for each of the businesses. The final banners and pages are a great start to building the Halo brand for me and I couldn't be more pleased with Sarah's work. We'll definitely be using Back Room SAM again."
David Leathem
Director of Halo Business Solutions Ltd
Lancaster
www.halolancaster.com
July 2012 (worked with more than once)
"Thanks to Back Room SAM for creating my Eureko Twitter skin. Great job!"
Vivien Hacker
Director of Eureko Associates Ltd
Lancaster
www.eureko.co.uk
July 2012 (worked with more than once)
"I recently engaged Back Room SAM on a one-off project of designing an e-newsletter for my business. From the word go, Sarah listened to my needs, and was great at clarifying with me what I was trying to achieve. She took the brief and promptly translated it into a finished product that I am completely happy with and is already producing great feedback from my clients. Sarah is professional and punctual and very approachable. She is totally enthusiastic about her work, which rubs off in her presence. Having had this experience and seeing positive results so quickly, I will definitely go back to Sarah as and when other projects arise."
Julia Russell
Owner of Julia Russell Herbalism
Lancaster
www.juliarussellherbalist.co.uk
May 2012 (worked with more than once)
"I engaged Sarah of Back Room SAM to create a cash flow forecast and to help me make more efficient use of my computer in my business. She listened carefully to my needs and quickly came up with solutions. Nothing was too much trouble and she replied immediately to my post session queries; a rarity indeed these days. Her style of working is not only professional but is complemented with a passion that I find very refreshing. She offers excellent value for money and I look forward to working with her again. I will strongly recommend her services to other businesses."
Sandra Elsworth
Owner of Happy to Help
Morecambe
May 2012
"Thank you Sarah for my fabulous new banner on my Facebook page - really pleased with it and with your personal, professional, friendly and not to mention efficient service!"
Amanda Green
Director of Amanda in the Kitchen
Lancaster
www.facebook.com/AmandaInTheKitchen
April 2012 (worked with more than once)
"We used Back Room SAM to assist us in developing a marketing plan for Red Crag. We found working with Sarah to be an easy and enjoyable process and one which was invaluable in helping us to clarify our brand identity and to focus our marketing efforts more effectively."
Jenny Pollard
Red Crag Limited
Lancaster
www.redcrag.com
April 2012
"I employed Back Room SAM to create professional email templates for my Photography business. Sarah listened carefully to all my requirements and created a fantastic set of templates that have branded my mail and given it real impact. I am thrilled with the results and have had great feedback from my own clients. I thoroughly recommend Back Room SAM."
Eleanor Postlethwaite
Owner of Photo Baby
Lancaster
www.photobaby.co.uk
April 2012 (worked with more than once)
"It was great fun working with Sarah, as she is lively, intelligent and focused in the work she does. I especially appreciated learning from her how to carry out the tasks I needed. The work carried out was to a very high professional standard, and especially helpful that Sarah listened well to my needs before proposing a solution. Back Room SAM has helped me to create a new marketing plan useful for increasing customers. We have had very helpful discussions about marketing in general in preparation for creating the plan. I look forward to working with Back Room SAM on a continuing basis."
Jennifer Lauruol
Director of Carpe Diem Gardens Ltd
Lancaster
www.carpe-diem-gardens.co.uk
April 2012 (worked with more than once)
"I came to Back Room SAM to get brochures and business card designs sorted out. I was met with a warm, welcoming and chipper professionalism that immediately dispelled my fears about marketing. What was offered and completed excelled the very reasonable prices and gave me such confidence in myself because Sarah really got the feel of what I wanted spot-on. If I had gone anywhere else I don't think I would have gotten advertising material out as soon as I was planning. Back Room SAM is a MUST for any business. I doubt you will find anywhere else as personal, active, fresh and layman when it comes to all things admin and marketing related. I will be returning for sure; I would be mad not to!"
Anna Friewald
Owner of Pixee Maintenance
Lancaster
www.pixeemaintenance.co.uk
April 2012
"Back Room SAM delivered a fresh, clean website banner within days of my initial request - all at a reasonable price with good customer service thrown in for good measure! Highly recommended."
Neil Stoneham
Director of Voxtree
Lancaster
www.voxtree.com
March 2012
"I first met Back Room SAM at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce evening for new members. I was immediately drawn to her natural confidence and charisma. Sarah has helped identify and implement a marketing strategy to promote my business through social media. Her work is clear, effective and very reasonable. I would highly recommend Back Room SAM's services to anyone."
Dawn Bentley
LoveMeLoveLife
Lancaster
www.lovemelovelife.co.uk
February 2012 (worked with more than once)
"I met Sarah of Back Room SAM last year and I immediately found her very helpful and honest. I called on Back Room SAM services for assistance with some HTML coding for a client I was working with. Speedy results, professional and always presented everything with a smile. I would highly recommend Sarah to anyone."
Adrian Walsh
Your Design Partner
Lancaster
www.yourdesignpartner.co.uk
January 2012
"We recently asked Back Room SAM to produce a conference programme for our annual conference. Sarah worked efficiently and professionally to get the job done and the programme looked great. She was easy to reach when I had queries about the work and got back to us straight away with answers. We will definitely be using Back Room SAM for other design jobs in the future."
Lou Hunter
North West Partnership Trust
Liverpool
www.northwestpartnership.com
January 2012 (worked with more than once)
"We used Back Room SAM for the first time in 2011 to produce our Christmas publicity for St Andrew's Church Leyland. We were very impressed with the design and the prompt and efficient way in which our order was dealt with. We will certainly use Sarah again and would recommend her company to others."
Irene McIntosh
St Andrew's Church
Leyland
www.standrewsleyland.org.uk
December 2011 (worked with more than once)
"Sarah is good to work with as she is ethical, reliable, punctual and listens to what I need. Sarah is patient, well organised and cares about the finished product. I use Back Room SAM on an ongoing basis for my monthly e-newsletters and she has just created my new logo which I am delighted with. I frequently refer her to my own clients."
Jane Binnion
Jane's Social Media
Lancaster
www.janessocialmedia.co.uk
December 2011 (worked with more than once)
"Having recently begun trading as a photographic technician, I felt that I needed to find some additional help with my marketing strategy to help reach my target customers and to boost sales. I met Back Room SAM at a business networking event, and decided they could help to refine my marketing needs. I found their service to be efficient, competitively priced, and professional through out the whole process - I would not hesitate to recommend Back Room SAM to any small business or new start up."
Andrew Willis
Photo Restoration Services
Heysham, Lancashire
www.photorestorationservices.biz
November 2011
"May I add my impressions to the wonderful reviews. Back Room SAM has offered enormous support full of quick, yet sensitive and creative touches, which would encourage any type of business owner with the sheer enthusiasm and fresh energy she brings to any complex situation!"
Ruta Hallam
Green Genie Natural Lifestyles
Morecambe
www.greengeniecare.wordpress.com
October 2011 (worked with more than once)
"The service provided by Back Room SAM is really helping me to take my restaurant/hotel business forward. Sarah's enthusiasm makes me excited about growing my business. She is so reliable, efficient and incredibly thorough in the work. She is money well spent!"
James Ford
Chef/Proprietor of Truffles Brasserie & Champagne Bar
Chorley
www.truffles-restaurant.com
October 2011 (worked with more than once)
"I engaged Sarah Thornton of Back Room SAM for expert support and training in three critical tasks:
She immediately inspired confidence with her ready grasp of my preferences and aspirations. Sessions were focused and individually tailored, each attaining specific, agreed goals. Each time, my business seemed to stride forward. Better still, I felt empowered to continue this progress independently, thanks to Sarah's skilled facilitation. She is not only expert in aspects of business administration and marketing, but matches her intervention to the needs and learning style of her client. I'll certainly return to Back Room SAM as my business grows."
Richard Gibbens
Proud to Ride Classic
Lancaster
www.proudtorideclassic.co.uk
October 2011 (worked with more than once)
"Back Room SAM provides a highly efficient and competent service, uniquely tailored to the specific needs of the client. A rare find."
Michael Hallam
Director of the Ethical Small Traders Association
Lancaster
www.lancasteresta.org
September 2011 (worked with more than once)
Fancy joining those using our superb service to help take your business forward? Please do get in touch. We'd love to hear from you and have an informal chat about how we can best help you and your business in the Back Room.
