Meet the Merchant: Martha Brook

Some businesses begin with a spreadsheet and a strategy. Martha Brook began with a ten-year-old and a serious stationery obsession — and honestly, we think that's a much better origin story.

We caught up with the team behind this beautiful personalised stationery brand to find out how a lifelong love of paper goods became a purpose-led business designed to bring a little more joy and productivity into everyday life.

Business: Martha Brook Ltd

Founder: Martha Keith 

Location: London, UK

What inspired you to start your business?

I've been a self-confessed stationery addict from an early age — my love of paper goods was evident when I started my first stationery business aged ten!

I went on to study Science at university and built a successful career in healthcare. But that lifelong obsession with stationery was never far away. In 2013, I left my corporate role with the dream of doing something more purposeful, and followed my passion to create Martha Brook.

The brand name combines my own name with where it all began — my first home in Brook Green, London.

What's the biggest lesson you've learnt so far on your journey?

Running a small business is very different to being part of a large organisation. It sounds obvious, but it's everything — from having a team who genuinely love making stationery, to making sure every single customer feels brilliant when they buy and receive their order.

What makes your business special?

When customers receive beautiful stationery that's been personalised or branded just for them — made and packed with real love — it creates something truly special.

Our products are designed to inspire and help people feel more productive, both at work and at home. We source everything from the UK and Europe, our paper comes from sustainable forests, and all our packaging is plastic-free.

What's your favourite product and why?

Our vegan leather notebooks, without a doubt. I use an A6 one myself, though they come in A5 too.

The material is sourced from Italy, and the internal binding is wonderfully clever — they lie completely flat when you're writing, but look gorgeous when closed. They can also be embossed with names or logos, and foiled too. They really are something else.

What's your top piece of advice for fellow small business owners?

Have a clear vision and stick to it. It's so easy to get distracted and wander off-brand — but suppress that inner magpie! Focus on what you do best, build your reputation around it, and the rest will follow.

What's the most memorable gift you've ever received?

The gifts we received after the birth of our second daughter. It was a very long and emotional journey to get there, and when we finally did, every gift felt incredibly meaningful. A good reminder that the best gifts always carry the weight of the moment behind them.

If you love thoughtful, personalised stationery made with care, we'd love to help you bring a little Martha Brook magic to your corporate gifting. Chat to one of our gift experts and let's create something your people will genuinely treasure.