CREATIVE STRENGTHS

What is a Vision Statement and why is it so important? Unlock the power of a compelling vision statement, Discover why it is more than just words. It's a guiding star that shapes your business's long-term goals and aspirations.  Learn the differences between vision and mission statements and how a clear vision provides clarity, direction, and inspiration. Explore case studies from top brands like...

Ready to boost your confidence?   In this episode, we look into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, exploring how it impacts your work and self-worth. Join me as I uncover practical strategies to recognise, reframe, and conquer these feelings of self-doubt. From personal anecdotes to actionable steps, learn how to turn imposter syndrome into a source of motivation and growth. I discuss the i...

A very warm welcome, today we are looking at the power and significance of having clear business goals, and why it's such a big deal for you and your business. Imagine you're driving somewhere new without SatNav and there aren't any road signs for you to follow. You might head roughly in the right direction and with perseverance, eventually stumble upon where you need to get to, but you'll likely...

In today's episode, we continue our conversation with Nick Jenkins. If you missed last week's episode you can catch up HERE , where we discussed how Nick enabled Moonpig's extraordinary growth, his unique insights on customer service, building and trusting your team, and marketing. In Part 2, Nick shares his thoughts on ways to help you overcome the discomfort of pitching by focusing on your passi...

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by our first guest, Nick Jenkins. Nick is the founder of Moonpig.com and many of you will know him as a former dragon on the BBC series 'Dragon's Den'. Through our conversation, Nick shares his journey from his early career in Moscow to becoming one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs. We discuss the insights that led to the creation of the revol...

Over the past six months, we've conducted extensive research, uniquely tailored to the creative industry, gathering insights from hundreds of small business owners who, like you, are passionate about turning their creative visions into thriving businesses. In this episode, I'll be sharing the findings of this research with you, revealing the top challenges and the underlying factors that can eithe...

I was recently asked a brilliant question, how do you know if your idea for a business will thrive in reality? So, in this episode, we're exploring exactly that. What makes an idea viable and how you can assess its potential to become a successful enterprise. I'll discuss the importance of market demand, the cost of bringing your idea to life, and the simplicity of the business model—essential ele...

How to pursue what you love without being derailed. So often, we get caught up in the motions, following paths that might not truly resonate with who we are or what we desire most deeply. In this episode we'll explore how to identify whether you're on the path that's right for you, how to realign if you're not, and how to protect what you most would love to achieve from anything—or anyone—that mig...

In this episode we're discussing how to communicate your worth and ways to really help you understand and confidently see the immense value of your offerings. It's more than just the exchange of services for payment; it's about establishing a connection with your target audience, ensuring they understand not just what you do, but why it matters and makes a difference to them. It's not just about t...

In this episode, I'm looking at how we adapt and pivot when our usual tools don't resonate as they once did. It's about understanding that change is necessary and hugely beneficial if approached thoughtfully. I'll share where my current focus lies within my business's marketing efforts, particularly the shifts I'm considering after hitting a bit of wall with Instagram—a platform that once felt inv...

I think this is one of the biggest obstacles that many of us face as business owners … why does selling often make us feel so uncomfortable?   I honestly don't think it matters whether you are at the beginning of establishing your business or many years in, most of us face this fear, and it isn't just about the act of selling; it's about the vulnerability that comes with putting yourself and your...

In the busy-ness of running a small business, understanding your target audience is not just a step toward success—it's a HUGE LEAP! It's about knowing who will benefit most from what you have to offer and why. This understanding shapes everything from product development and marketing strategies to customer service and how you communicate your brand's essence. It's the difference between shouting...

Today we are looking at the power of a well-designed survey—one that will give you clear insight into the audience you are looking to support.  This is not just about gathering data; it is about opening up a conversation with your audience, to understand how you can add more value and how you can help them succeed.  Understanding exactly what your audience needs from you is crucial, no matter what...

Welcome to today's episode, where we're taking a bit of a different path. We are talking about what I would be doing inside my business, if I was to start all over again.  I share strategies that you can apply straightaway. I'll be talking about a list of crucial steps, some I managed to implement relatively quickly into my business, and some that took me several years to figure out. It has taken...

A few months ago, I wrote a journal post titled Embracing Fine, the antithesis to that feeling of perfectionism, and from receiving a bunch of messages on Instagram afterwards, it clearly resonated with so many people. I feel that as a community, perfectionism is a trait that often runs deep, and as wonderful as it initially sounds, it is huge obstacle that can slow and often even halt incredible,...

Behind many small businesses, a hobby was the starting point, initially something that brought enjoyment, a sense of important escapism and relaxation. This passion was the place to turn to, to escape the pressures of the day-to-day.   So what happens when we turn our hobby, our escape, into a business?   When we start to depend on these passions for income, the stakes change. Suddenly, there's pr...

Today's topic might seem a little small, but it has the potential to be huge and it comes from one of the biggest mistakes I see small business owners make, the exact same mistake I was making and when I realised it, it was a proper a-ha moment. I am really excited to share it with you, as it's something you can apply pretty much straightaway … it's all about the transformative power of testimonia...

Today's episode is a special one. I'm incredibly excited to share something I've been working on so hard behind the scenes, it's literally months in the making and a unique opportunity that has the potential to be a game-changer for so many of you. Over the last few months, I have received literally hundreds of messages from our community, all with a similar theme, that you have huge amounts on yo...

In this episode, I'm hugely excited to introduce you to a set of straightforward steps that will help transform feelings of overwhelm into clarity, purpose, and action. It's a culmination of everything I've learnt over the last fourteen years from a small start-up to a successful seven-figure brand. And I've distilled it down into simple, actionable steps that you can use to achieve your own goals...

One of the questions I'm frequently asked, is how I manage Instagram for my business, so that's exactly what we're looking at in this episode. Instagram definitely creates polar views, some love it, others loathe it and perhaps similarly to me, you sit somewhere in between. I think though wherever you sit, we can all recognise the feeling of slight overwhelm that can come with managing a business...

Today, we're exploring a topic that's close to the heart of every dreamer and doer out there: the balance between seeking support and fuelling your inner drive. It's about understanding when to share your dreams and when to guard them, how to embrace encouragement without losing your core motivation, and navigating all the external opinions we encounter and receive, whilst staying anchored in your...

Our episodes to date have been relatively deep and hopefully given you a huge amount to think about, so I felt it was time for something a little more light-hearted, yet still something of significant value … this is definitely more of a refreshing topic, quite literally! Have you ever wondered why some of your most brilliant ideas seem to pop up when you're least expecting them? I definitely have...

Over the last few weeks, I've been out and about quite a lot, at various industry events, and socially, where I've had the privilege of meeting numerous small business owners. One thing struck me in many of these interactions - despite having a brand, a customer base, and various marketing strategies in place, many were facing similar challenges. They enjoyed aspects of their business but were als...

I'm very excited about today's topic, it's something that means a huge amount to me and is massive in today's world of business, yet it's one that's often misunderstood. We're looking at the strength of vulnerability and the power of distinction. Embrace Vulnerability When we embrace vulnerability, we create a culture of trust and innovation. We encourage risk-taking and foster true collaboration....

As we are in the first month of the year, this is often the time when we hear the collective chorus of resolutions, when hope is fresh and aspirations are sky high. It's that magical moment we all know so well, when we tell ourselves, "This year will be different." But let's be honest—how often have these words truly heralded transformation? For many of us, this declaration is the first step on a...