From creative talent to business growth: How social media training helped Hoshi power up her business

hoshi-feedback-social-media-for-ecommerce
Aug 4, 2026 Back to Work 3 Minute Read

Level 3 Certificate in Social Media for E-Commerce: Hoshi's story

Running a successful business requires more than delivering an excellent product or service.

For many self-employed professionals, attracting new customers, building an online presence and creating a consistent pipeline of work can be just as important as the skills that made them successful in the first place.

That's exactly why Hoshi from Merseyside enrolled on our fully funded Level 3 Social Media for E-Commerce course.

Already an experienced creative professional with an established business, Hoshi wanted to strengthen one area that many freelancers and small business owners find challenging: marketing.

Rather than relying on word of mouth and previous success, she wanted to develop the confidence and practical skills to consistently promote her business and attract long-term clients.


Choosing a trusted training provider

 When deciding where to study, Hoshi wanted a provider she could trust.

 

"I chose Back to Work to complete my course as they had good reviews online and seemed trustworthy." 

 

That decision quickly proved to be the right one, with the course combining practical projects, engaging teaching and a supportive learning environment. 

Learning skills that make an immediate impact 

One of the things Hoshi valued most was the opportunity to apply what she was learning directly to her own business.

Throughout the programme she:

  • Updated her own business website
  • Created and managed a social media marketing project
  • Planned and published content as part of a live social media campaign
  • Completed knowledge assessments that strengthened her understanding of each topic

Reflecting on the experience, Hoshi said:

"I enjoyed the content of the course itself and the practical elements that could be applied to real-world situations in my business."

 

Rather than learning theory in isolation, every project had a clear purpose and could be implemented straight away, helping her build a stronger marketing strategy for her business.

Exceeding expectations

While the practical skills were invaluable, it was the people behind the course who made the biggest impression on her.

Hoshi describes the learning environment as one of the highlights of the programme.

 

"I also really enjoyed the human connection element of the course! My coursemates were all very encouraging, friendly and involved in the course, and we all still keep in touch daily!"

 

The collaborative atmosphere gave learners the confidence to ask questions, share ideas and learn from one another, creating friendships that Hoshi describes as continuing long after the course finished.

She was equally complimentary about the support she received from her tutors.

 

"The tutors (Michelle and Lester) truly went above and beyond to make sure we all felt supported and got the most out of the course.

"Their enthusiasm was infectious and their passion for teaching was obvious."

 

Building confidence to power up her business

Like many freelancers, Hoshi had enjoyed success through the quality of her work, rather than actively promoting herself.

However, as the market changed, she recognised the need to develop stronger marketing skills to create a more consistent flow of business.

She explained that her ambition now is to attract more long-term clients and create a steadier income stream, and believes this will be achieved thanks to the practical knowledge gained during the course.

"I've had a lot of success in previous years, but this came about without properly marketing myself.

"Now that the stream of income I relied on is less steady (big-budget production jobs from big-name international clients), I need to market my services to more secure, retainer clients with more consistent work for small, local businesses. I now feel very confident that I have the skills and knowledge needed to achieve this goal."

 

Ready to get started?

Visit our Social Media for E-Commerce course page to discover more about the programme, eligibility and the tasks involved.

Get started

Advice for future learners

Having experienced the benefits of the course first-hand, Hoshi encourages new learners to embrace every opportunity available to them. She also believes that being part of the learning community was one of the biggest contributors to her success.

"I'd recommend the course to a friend because it was a positive, high-quality teaching experience that's accessible to absolutely everybody.

"I'd also advise anyone enrolling on this course to speak up and get involved with the other coursemates and instructors, even if they feel shy at first.

"Everyone is in the same boat, super friendly, and it's the best way to really get the most out of it!"

 

Power up your career, or your business

Whether you're employed, looking for your next opportunity or running your own business, investing in your digital skills can unlock new opportunities.

Our fully funded digital and IT courses are designed to give learners practical, workplace-ready skills that can be applied immediately. For self-employed professionals like Hoshi, that means greater confidence, stronger marketing capability and the tools needed to build a more sustainable business.

As Hoshi's story demonstrates, the right training doesn't just develop new skills, it helps people unlock their potential and take the next step towards achieving their career and business ambitions.

 

Ready to get started?

Visit our Social Media for E-Commerce course page to discover more about the programme, eligibility and the tasks involved.

Get started