Scrolling to Success: How Lottie Owen Built Her Dream Career

Celebrating the women who are shaping their own paths, challenging perceptions, and inspiring others to dream bigger is totally what we’re about. Our PowerWomen series spotlights those stories… the honest, messy, powerful journeys that don’t just tell you what’s possible, but show you.

This week, we’re sharing the story of Lottie Owen a self-taught social media specialist whose creativity, drive, and bold approach have turned a teenage spark of inspiration into an award-winning career.

I can still remember the exact moment it happened. I was 15 years old, curled up on the sofa, half-watching a BBC documentary about a fashion company. A young woman appeared on screen, introduced herself as a Social Media Manager, and her name was Saskia Marriott. I’d never heard that job title before. My brain practically lit up.

Social media… as a career? That was an actual thing?

As soon as the programme ended, I was on my laptop, typing furiously, diving into research. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. I’d always loved creativity and storytelling, but this felt like a whole new world – one where ideas, visuals, and words could connect people instantly, all over the globe.

Fast forward three years, and I was standing at a crossroads. I’d just finished school at 18 and was seriously considering becoming a primary school teacher. It felt like the “safe” option. But every time I pictured my future, it wasn’t in a classroom… it was behind a screen, camera in hand, creating something that could inspire or persuade.

So, I took a leap.

I decided to teach myself everything there was to know about social media and marketing. I spent hours, entire evenings, weekends, in front of my computer. I devoured articles, watched tutorials, studied algorithms, practised design, tested content ideas. It wasn’t glamorous. But I was hooked.

At first, it was just an interest. By 21, it was my full-time job. Scratch that, it was my career.

One of the biggest challenges has been shifting perceptions here on the Isle of Man. A lot of people still see social media as an afterthought, a nice extra if you have time. But I know, and I’ve seen, how powerful it can be for any business, at any stage. It’s not just a last-ditch effort when sales are low. When it’s done well, it can be the beating heart of a brand. And while paid ads have their place, organic social, authentic engaging stuff, is where the magic really happens.

Being young hasn’t always made it easy. At 18, people would sometimes look at me and think I didn’t have enough experience. I get it, I am young, and I look it. But I’ve spent years studying, experimenting, and creating, and I know my worth. That confidence has been one of my greatest tools.

Some moments have been surreal. As a teenager, I’d watch beauty vloggers on YouTube religiously and now, I’ve worked with some of those very same brands. Another high point was winning Gef’s 30 Under 30 award in the Disruptor category. When you’re self-employed, you don’t have a boss to pat you on the back or colleagues to say “well done” so that recognition was a reminder that what I’m building matters.

I’ve definitely learnt that creativity is my fuel. At school, creativity seemed to only count if you could paint or work with clay… neither of which I was particularly good at. But I excelled in photography and media. The moment I started telling brand stories through images and words, something clicked. This was my type of creativity. This was where I thrived.

If I could give any advice to women starting out, it would be this: just start. Don’t wait until you feel ready – you never will. Don’t tell yourself you’ll do it ‘later’ or ‘when things are perfect.’ Perfection is a trap. You’ll learn more by diving in, making mistakes, and figuring it out as you go than you ever will from waiting on the sidelines.

Right now, I’m content with where I am. But I’m also excited about what’s next. I’d love to bring more creativity into my hobbies as well as my work, and to collaborate with even more amazing local brands. I believe in celebrating the people doing great things around us. Loudly, and often. The good, the bad, and everything in between. If we all made that a habit, imagine how it would lift our community.

So thank you to Level Up Club for giving me this platform. Everyone’s journey looks different, but that shouldn’t stop you from dreaming. And when you take that first step? You might just be surprised at how far it takes you.

Lottie’s story is proof that passion paired with persistence can create something extraordinary, even in the face of doubt or inexperience. She’s part of a new wave of women redefining what success looks like on the Isle of Man, using creativity, confidence, and connection to make an impact.

At Level Up, we know that stories like Lottie’s matter. When we share them, we don’t just celebrate one person’s achievements, we inspire others to start their own journey. And who knows? The next PowerWoman we feature could be you.