BUSINESS growth has seen a York-based marketing agency appoint its first employee with further expansion on the cards.

Pick & Mix Marketing Solutions Ltd was founded in 2011 by Sally Trousdale, former head of Classified Advertising Sales at the York Press.

Miss Trousdale was inspired to start her venture after realising businesses need a company that listen to their objectives, then devise ways of helping them to reach new audiences using marketing activities that were within their means. In short, a 'pick and mix' approach.

Miss Trousdale said the idea has proved so popular that the business has really taken off over the last three years, enabling her to move from a home office to premises in Fulford Industrial Estate.

Pick and Mix has also to take on a member of staff to support the company as it continues to grow, with a 59 per cent increase in gross profit during 2013/14.

Miss Trousdale also offers expertise in social media. She said: "My main aim is to develop the training arm of the company, with a view to providing regular social media workshops and training sessions that will teach small businesses how to manage their own social media accounts.

"This will hopefully mean I can increase my team to include another full-time member of staff. "

As well as taking on its first member of staff this year, Pick and Mix also offered work experience to a student on a placement from York St John University.

Miss Trousdale also believes in giving back to the community, and particularly likes to support her local Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association, and offers them a social media service.