Elevated Ambition with Sarah Lilly

Content creation has become one of the fastest growing industries online, but there is still plenty of confusion around creator rates, gifted collaborations, UGC content and what businesses should actually expect when hiring a content creator. In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm unpacking both sides of content creation and sharing what both creators AND brands need to know to build succe...

Are you choosing brand colours based on outdated rules, or by what actually feels like YOU?In this episode, we're throwing out the old colour psychology handbook, and ditching the trending colours to find a colour palette that is authentically you. Let's chat... Why traditional colour rules were built for big corporations, not personal brands How colour meaning shifts across cultures and c...

In this honest and heartfelt episode of Elevated Ambition, we’re talking mum guilt… and how it never really goes away as your children grow. I’m joined by my friend, fellow mum, and businesswoman Gemma Brown for a real conversation about mum guilt, motherhood, social media pressure, and finding balance as a working mum. Mum guilt is something so many women experience, but what’s often not talked a...

Feeling creatively stuck after time away from your business or content? Whether you're returning from maternity leave (like me!) or just gotten a little out of your routine, this episode is your reminder that your creativity isn’t gone… and you can bring it back! In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I’m sharing my personal experience of coming back into my business after maternity leave, and...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re actually doing enough to set yourself up for the future … this episode is for you. In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by financial planner and founder of Diamond Property and Wealth, Maria Temnyuk, to break down what building long-term wealth really looks like… especially for women in their 30s and 40s who are juggling careers, kids, mortgages,...

Do you ever feel like your gut is trying to tell you something… but you ignore it? In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition, we dive into the power of intuition and why learning to trust it can transform your life and business decisions. From distinguishing genuine intuition from fear, to creating space to hear your inner guidance, I share practical tips, personal stories, and exercises to streng...

In a world where everyone is posting and we are consuming more content than ever, you might be thinking… why do some people stand out while others blend in? In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by manifestation guru and content queen, Mikayla Jai, to dive into the power of your “ IT FACTOR" - you know, that secret sauce that just makes your content magnetic. If you’ve ever felt li...

We’ve officially hit episode 50 (!!) and this one feels like a full-circle moment, as it's also my first episode back after six months of maternity leave! In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the last six months... navigating life as a mum of two, taking maternity leave from my business, and stepping back into work with a completely new perspective. An...

Ever feel like you’re playing a guessing game with the algorithm? In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition , I take the mystery out of social media algorithms and show you how to turn them into a powerful ally for your business. I'll explain how algorithms learn from user behaviour, why engagement is everything, and how you can strategically post, interact, and create to boost your visibility...

This episode is one for the soul-led business owners I’m chatting with the beautiful Emily-Jane Sarroff – a branding strategist, spiritual entrepreneur, and total creative powerhouse. Emily shares her journey from studying architecture to building a thriving six-figure business, and how it all came back to one thing: authenticity. We dive into the power of creating a brand that reflects who you tr...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I explore one of the most underrated marketing tools for both product and service-based business owners: testimonials, feedback, and referrals. Discover how testimonials act as powerful social proof, building credibility and trust with your dream clients. Learn the difference between feedback and testimonials, why referrals are warm leads that convert faster,...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I sit down with Katrina, owner of Bloom Boutique Beauty, to talk about her inspiring journey in the beauty industry. Katrina shares how she first got into the beauty industry and how over 20 years of experience led her to open her own home-based beauty studio in May 2024. She opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the often unseen behind-the-scene...

If you've ever thought, “Do I have to share my whole life online to be relatable?” ... then this episode is for you. Let’s bust the myth that being authentic = sharing everything online. I’m pulling back the curtain on what I personally share in my business, what I keep private, and how YOU get to create your own rules (that suit YOU!) Inside this episode: How to balance personal posts with busine...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I chat with Merekara from Massage Serenity and Healing in Dunedin. Merekara shares her inspiring journey of building a wellness business that blends relaxation massage, therapeutic techniques, and traditional Māori healing practices including mirimiri and honohono. We talk about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of self-care and balance, an...

Social media isn’t what it used to be - and if your likes and follows are down, it might not mean what you think. In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I unpack the real story behind today’s engagement metrics. We explore the shift from vanity metrics like likes and follower counts to deeper, more impactful indicators like reach, click-throughs, and conversions. With video content dominating and...

Feeling disconnected from your body? Learn how to create safety, vitality, and lasting change. This week, I’m joined by the inspiring Jessebel Chan from Collective Care, a personal trainer and life coach who’s redefining what health and wellness look like for women. Together, we explore how science and spirituality can work hand-in-hand, why small, consistent steps matter more than drastic changes...

Branding isn’t just about pretty logos and curated colours—it’s the heart & soul of your business. In this episode, I dive into the true essence of branding (spoiler alert, it's not just your logo and colours!) and why having a solid brand strategy is crucial for lasting success. We cover the five powerful pillars of branding strategy and how each one supports your ability to confidently show...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition , I sit down with Ngahuia Crossman — founder of branding studio Inspiring Design — to talk all things creativity, business evolution, and building a brand with soul. Ngahuia shares her journey from self-taught designer to the heart-led and values driven entrepreneur she is today. You’ll hear how her business has pivoted with her passions, the importance of stor...

As a mum and a small business owner, life can be chaotic but after learning how to set boundaries and structure my business I've never felt more calm and with a better work-life balance. In this episode I am sharing how I structure my weeks as a business owner, working 4 days a week, by breaking my week into specific days for different tasks. In this episode we chat about .... The importance of se...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm sitting down with podcast producer and coach Maxene London to talk all things podcasting — from starting out, to scaling, and staying grounded in the journey. Maxene shares her experience navigating entrepreneurship while raising a family, what you need to get started with a podcast, and how perfectionism can stall your success before you even hit “rec...

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I chat with Shan Wildman from She By Shan, a personal branding photographer on a mission to empower women in business. Shan opens up about her journey into photography, how she built her signature brand, and why authenticity is the secret ingredient to standing out online. From creating confidence in front of the camera to the power of versatile brand imagery,...

In this quick bonus episode, I’m sharing a little gem I recently discovered — the Edits app . If you’re creating video content for your biz (hello Reels, Stories, and TikToks!), this free editing tool might just become your new go-to. We’re talking no watermarks, built-in analytics, in-app recording, and even a teleprompter feature! Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned content cre...

In this deeply personal episode of Elevated Ambition , I'm sharing my next exciting chapter of my life — baby number #2! I'm opening up about the raw and real experience of navigating business, motherhood, and self-care during pregnancy and beyond, and answering one of the most common questions I've been asked.... how do I plan to juggle it all? In this episode I also touch on how preg...

Are you constantly selling in your social posts? Do all of your stories and posts end with a CTA or 'work with me' comment? In this episode we discuss the issue of 'daily selling' and why pushing your products and services non-stop might actually be doing more harm than good in attracting potential clients. We discuss.... Why daily selling might be a turn-off to your clients What kind of sales str...

In this raw and real episode, I’m sharing the full story of how I went from crying before work at my media job… to running a 6-figure social media and brand coaching business that lights me up. From starting an online Hilary Duff fan club at 14 (yes, really!) to self-teaching my way through blogging, brand collaborations, and eventually launching my own business—this is the behind-the-scenes look...