THE STORY

I’m Esther, founder of For the Brave.

I started my career in marketing over 20 years ago, before taking a sharp left turn into the wedding world, where I ran my own floral business for five years. It was creative, intense and taught me exactly what it takes to build something from scratch.

The real turning point came during a rebrand.

New words. New visuals. New website.
And suddenly everything clicked. The business felt clearer, more confident and more aligned. Bookings followed, but more importantly, so did momentum. I saw first-hand what happens when brand, messaging and design actually reflect the work behind them.

Then came Covid. And life. And a series of pivots I hadn’t planned for but couldn’t ignore.

So I followed the thread that kept pulling me back: strategy-led design that helps good businesses show up properly online.

Today, I design brands and Showit websites for people doing things their own way. Thoughtful, purpose-driven businesses who want to stand out without shouting and sell without feeling salesy.

I don’t believe in generic templates, fluffy language or websites that exist purely to look nice. I care about clarity, intention and building something that feels like a true extension of you - and actually does its job.

YOU'RE NOT HERE TO BLEND IN. AND NEITHER AM I.

the work is bold because the vision had to be

For the Brave was built for people who care deeply about what they’re creating.

The ones who think about the details, question the obvious and know their brand should reflect the substance of their work, not just its surface.

This studio didn’t come from a perfectly mapped-out plan.
It came from experience, instinct and a refusal to dilute the work just to fit in.

I believe good design should feel considered, confident and grounded - never loud for the sake of it, never generic by default.

That’s the standard I hold my own work to, and the one I bring to every project.

how i work

This isn’t about quick wins or one-size-fits-all solutions.
It’s about building something that fits where you are now and where you’re heading next.

I run a tight ship by design. My services, timelines and processes are intentionally refined so I can do my best work without burnout. That means clear boundaries, focused collaboration and a process you can trust - so what we create isn’t just right for today, but still makes sense as your business evolves.

some things you might want to know

location

talents

client vibe

Based in the cotswolds, working with clients worldwide

Chief multitasker, creative problem-solver and professional juggler of business, life, a small human and a cocker spaniel

Creative, thoughtful and a little rebellious - in the best way

Partnerships built on trust, respect and shared purpose.

Design that tells your story - not someone else’s.

Sustainability that goes beyond buzzwords.

Freedom to build a business that fits your life.

Creativity that makes a difference.

Integrity in every project.

For the Brave at a Glance

SHERYL - OOBALOOS

From the very beginning, she completely understood my style and what makes Oobaloos feel recognisable, confident and full of character. The website feels so me. The visuals are striking, everything flows effortlessly, and it finally reflects the bold, creative brand I’ve been building.

I'm incredibly proud to share it and I'm already seeing a huge difference in my bookings for 2026 and 2027.

Working with Esther was an absolute dream. She just knew where to take my brand, even before I did.

I launched with one client (a friend!), one clear service and a strong instinct to figure things out as I went. It wasn’t polished, but it was intentional and that was enough to get moving.

REBEL AND THE ROSE

2016

A rebrand changed everything. The work sharpened, the enquiries shifted and so did the momentum. I refined my process, became more selective and learned the value of saying no.

FINDING MY EDGE

2018

Covid and life forced a rethink. The work changed shape, but the foundations stayed the same - strategy, storytelling and design working together.

THE PIVOT

2021

After maternity leave, I rebuilt my services, refined my processes and redesigned For the Brave from the inside out. This was the point I stopped looking sideways and started building something that genuinely worked for me and the life I’m creating for my son.

REFINEMENT

2025

With a clearer vision and stronger boundaries, I’m doing my favourite work yet - partnering with brands that don’t blend in and are building something meaningful, whatever that looks like to them.

THE EXPANSION ERA

2026

If you’ve got vision, courage and a story to tell, you’re my kind of person.

The ones building freedom, purpose and meaning - and profit.

The ones reinventing themselves.

Brave creatives and changemakers redefining success.

People who care about what they create.

The Kind of Clients I Click With

With a background in marketing and creative strategy, I built this studio to help people show up like they mean it. I’m known for my creative eye, clarity of thought and ability to turn half-formed ideas into brands and websites that feel confident, considered and built to last and evolve.

founder + creative director

esther bathers

big ideas, sharp instincts and an unnecessary love of the details

book a free call

Let’s take it out of the drafts and build something real - thoughtful, intentional and made to support what you’re creating next.

You’ve got the ideas.
The notes, the screenshots, the secret pinterest boards, the things you keep coming back to.