Online students join forces on new creative business
23 May 2025
Online students Jaclyn Fielden and Shelley Dunbar have created a new business partnership while working together on a collaborative module as part of their studies.
Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online) student Jaclyn and Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online) student Shelley struck up a firm friendship while working on the shared ‘Collaboration’ module spanning all of Falmouth’s online undergraduate degrees. They were inspired to go on and establish ‘Meraki’, a creative agency specialising in helping clients to define their own creative manifestos.
Both originally from visual merchandising and design backgrounds, Jaclyn and Shelley were drawn to Falmouth’s online degrees to facilitate career changes within their busy work and life schedules.
(Joining Falmouth) was one of the best decisions I have ever made - Jaclyn
“Changes in my health meant I was unable to continue working in the fast paced, physical environment I loved”, Jaclyn told us. “I needed a new creative outlet that suited my change of circumstances, and I started to fully commit to my writing practice. I saw an advert for Falmouth’s creative writing programme and applied on a bit of a whim! Thankfully it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Shelley explained: “After having my three children I felt like I had lost my way creatively and I wanted to do something just for myself. Falmouth offered a flexible online format that suited the needs of myself and my family perfectly.”
Meraki is a Greek word which translates into doing something with soul, creativity or love, or ‘putting something of yourself into what you do’. It was directly inspired by their work on creative manifestos carried out during the module project.
“Having been inspired by our assignment work based around manifestos, we decided to research their importance and relevance in business today, especially for small independent traders”, Shelley shared. “We saw an opportunity to enable businesses – no matter the size – to create their own manifestos; there’s a bit of a gap in the market for that.”
Choosing to study online was the first step on my journey into building a career that suits me. I would recommend Falmouth to anyone - Shelley
Jaclyn and Shelley already have three clients on their roster, including an alternative beauty studio and a CBT therapist, and they have a waiting list of future clients who want to work with them. The duo’s business intention is to work alongside clients to identify their core values and empower them to adopt their individual manifesto into everyday business practices for the good of their enterprise and society more broadly.
The future looks bright for Meraki, and both Jaclyn and Shelley believe their online learning journey to be invaluable. “I have made connections and friendships that I know will last a lifetime and coupled with a portfolio of new skills and opportunities, Falmouth was definitely the right place for me”, Jaclyn told us. Shelley added: “Choosing to study online was the first step on my journey into building a career that suits me. I would recommend Falmouth to anyone.”
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