Meet the Team: How I Helped Grow Rachel’s Personal Brand to 120,000 Followers

Meet the Team: How I Helped Grow Rachel’s Personal Brand to 120,000 Followers

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In this staff spotlight, our Social Media & Content Lead Tamzin Allinson shares how she’s helped scale Rachel Harris’s personal brand from 8,000 to 130,000+ followers, generate hundreds of monthly client leads, and land press coverage in Stylist, BBC and beyond – all from a single-person marketing team.

A personal brand that brings in £100k+ of new business leads each month

Hi! I’m Tamzin (but you can call me Taz), and I lead all things social media and content for Accountant_she and striveX®.

When I joined the team three years ago, there were just 10 of us, and I was the only non-accountant in the building. Since then, Rachel’s personal brand has exploded, from 8,000 Instagram followers to over 120,000, with hundreds of monthly leads coming directly from social media.

We’ve built one of the most recognised personal brands in the financial space. But what most people don’t realise? Nothing about it is accidental.

Work with Strivex today

At striveX®, we support values-driven businesses to claim the R&D tax relief they deserve. Whether you’re exploring your first claim or need to strengthen an existing process, we’ll guide you every step of the way – giving you a clear understanding and confidence.

The truth behind “casual” viral videos

We’ve had videos go viral just because of a £3.50 M&S sandwich, but behind every single post is strategy, structure, and intent.

Even something as simple as Rachel wearing a picnic blanket-style dress in that video was planned to match the theme. Yes, it looked spontaneous (just her in a car eating lunch) but behind the scenes, we were watching the trend bubble up on TikTok and moved fast to jump on it. You might notice she never ate the sandwich…yes, that was on purpose too!  This kept viewers gripped till the end, and provoked the audience, sparking comments like “you didn’t even eat it!”

What made it work? Speed, relatability, and visual contrast. These are the things we obsess over in our content strategy.

@accountant_she this is not just a sandwich, it’s an @M&S Food vs HMRC court case #food #sandwich #tax ♬ original sound - Rachel @accountant_she

How we make content that actually converts

We don’t just chase views. Some of our lowest-viewed content has led to high-ticket client sign-ups. That’s because we separate our content into two clear categories:

  • Reach content – Viral-style videos designed to attract new audiences (like trending audio, relatable humour, or reactive news takes).
  • Nurture content – Educational or high-value posts made for existing followers to build trust and demonstrate expertise (think: explainer carousels, financial tips, or ‘behind the scenes’ content).
Taz creating content using a phone and gimbal at a conference

Most businesses don’t do both, and that’s where they fall short. We treat every post like it’s part of a wider funnel.

The role of data (and Gen Z instincts)

Every month, I report on content performance across all platforms: what worked, what flopped, how many leads came in, and where we can improve.

But I also have fail time built into my week, where my only job is to scroll, consume, and get creative.

My goal? Think like a consumer, not a marketer.

It’s in this time I find trends before they peak, test new features (like Instagram Trial Reels or TikTok carousels), and feed those ideas back into our strategy. The mix of data and instinct is what makes our content stand out.

Why every limited company needs a content lead (even if it’s not me)

Most of our business owner clients know they should be doing more online, but struggle with where to start. The truth? You don’t need a team of 10, just one person who understands content, trends, and how to execute. 

Here’s what I recommend to business owners:

  • Block out regular creative time in your diary (ideally weekly).
  • Don’t just post, analyse what actually converts.
  •  Avoid copying competitors — look outside your industry for inspiration.
  • Prioritise consistency over perfection.
  • Repurpose content that performs (we’ve reused the same script 4–5x across formats).

Rachel still blocks out two hours every Wednesday to film – non-negotiable. If your content isn’t in your calendar, it won’t happen.

What sets striveX® apart from other firms

Working at striveX®, I’ve seen what most accounting firms miss: they run their business like accountants, not like business owners. But Rachel and James are different; they build everything from a growth mindset.

Every system, every piece of content, every client journey is designed to scale.

Our job as a team is to build a business that reflects our values: quality, consistency, and personality. Whether that’s through a YouTube tutorial or a LinkedIn thought piece, every platform has a purpose and every post has a goal.

Turn posts into profit

In this on-demand course, accountant, business owner, and creator Rachel Harris pulls back the curtain on exactly how she monetises her personal brand, sharing real numbers, a dummy sponsorship deck, and the actual pricing spreadsheet she uses to pitch to brands.

This is the money education you wish came with your first viral post.

Want help building your own audience?

If you’re a limited company owner looking to build a personal brand or grow your business online, here are three ways we can help:

Final thoughts: from 19-year-old creative to Head of Content

When I joined, I was 19, had never worked in an office, and was still figuring out how to structure my week. Rachel believed in the power of content before it was trendy, and now we’re booked on Sky News, quoted in Forbes, and bringing in consistent high-quality clients.

If you’re a founder sitting on a great idea, a personal story, or a unique approach, say it out loud. Hit record. Test what works. Then test again.

Because visibility isn’t about luck, it’s about systems.

📍 This post is part of our new ‘Meet the Team’ series — where you’ll get to know the team behind the scenes at striveX®. Keep an eye out for more insights from our managers, consultants, and advisors soon.

Picture of striveX team

striveX team