CREATIVE STRENGTHS

This week kicks off a special three-part series dedicated to the foundations of branding. Whether you're starting out or refining your brand, this series will provide you with essential insights and practical tips to establish a strong and resonant brand identity. Here's what we cover: Introduction Launching our three-part series on branding. The importance of a strong brand identity for business...

In this special milestone episode, we're celebrating our 50th podcast episode by revisiting the top five most downloaded episodes that have resonated deeply with you, our listeners. We'll dive into key insights and practical strategies from each landmark episode to help you continue thriving in your creative business. Here's what we cover: Introduction Celebrating our 50th podcast episode. Heartfe...

This episode dives deep into the transformative power of breathwork with James Dowler. James shares his journey from enduring chronic fatigue and pain to discovering the life-changing benefits of breathwork. He explains how breathwork differs from more traditional meditation and how it can actively shift both physiological and psychological states. From improving oxygen delivery and promoting rela...

SO HOW DO YOU BALANCE BUSINESS WITH YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? Today we dive deep into the art of balancing business growth with a fulfilling personal life, especially for those running service-based businesses. If you're striving for success without sacrificing your well-being, this is the podcast for you. Get ready to uncover powerful strategies that will help you manage your time, price your services...

Do you struggle to find budget for marketing? Here we delve into effective, low-cost marketing strategies that are perfect for small creative business owners. I share practical steps and methods that can help you grow your brand without a significant financial outlay. Here's what we cover: Introduction The significance of marketing on a budget. Personal experience transitioning from a flower desig...

Learn practical techniques you can implement right away to take Better Control Of Your Time . In this episode we explore how mastering time management can make a significant difference in achieving your business goals efficiently and effectively. Introduction The value of time as a resource. A personal story of balancing new motherhood with starting a business. How effective time management helped...

A concise 3-page Business Plan can be a game-changer! In today's episode, we dive into the world of business plans in a straightforward, inspiring, and exciting way. Whether you're starting a new business or refining an existing one, this episode will help bring clarity and direction to your offering. Here's what we cover: Introduction The importance of a simple and clear business plan. How a conc...

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...