Friends with Business Benefits

We’re kicking off the new year with our usual cosy conversation about reflections and intentions.  Discover what went well for us last year and what we learned from the things that didn’t as we get a little honest and vunerable about finding 2022 a tough year. We also chat about our words of the year, share our goals for 2023, and make some solid(ish) plans for Q1.    Work With Us charlieswift.com...

In this episode, we’re sharing a list of things we’ve loved this year. From books and films to our best business investment, small habit and more, you’ll find lots to inspire and excite you as 2022 draws to a close. Books... Sorrow & Bliss The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois Outlawed   TV Shows... Dopesick The Dropout The Bear The Sandman   Movies... Everything Everywhere All At Once Westside Story T...

We LOVE a list, so why not dedicate a whole episode to the simple, yet powerful practice of list writing?  In this chatty episode, we explain why we find lists so helpful and how we use them, covering those we rely on for work and the ones we use more generally in our personal lives. As well as obvious things like monthly/weekly/daily to-do lists and meal plans, we share some creative ideas like F...

If you want to create and share long-from content, Substack seems like the place to be right now. Is it just ‘shiny new thing syndrome’ or should we all be jumping on board?  In this episode, we’re discussing the newsletter platform in detail, explaining how it works and sharing whether we think it has a role to play in our marketing efforts. We dig into the pros and cons, chat about paid content...

As we head into the darker, colder months of the year, we’re sharing how we embrace and survive the autumn/winter season. Whether you love this time of year or not, there’s something in this mini-episode for everyone.     Charlie describes some of her favourite seasonal rituals and Franky raves about her beloved thermal leggings. From making our homes feel cosy to working from home when it’s cold,...

Does your business have a niche? If not, should it? And how do you figure out what it is if so? These are the big questions we’re addressing in this week’s episode. As well as explaining what a niche is and why defining yours could benefit your business, we discuss our own experiences of niching, and in Franky’s case, letting that niche evolve into something new. We also chat about the different t...

Given the cost of living crisis, perhaps many of us have been thinking about how sustainable it is to run a creative business. In this mini episode, we’re going through some things to consider in those moments you feel like jacking it all in. We chat about the importance of checking in with yourself and getting clear on what stumbling blocks you are facing and figuring out if issues are related to...

We’re back from our summer break! In this chatty episode, we’re reflecting on Quarters 2 and 3 and looking ahead to Quarter 4. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the final th...

As we’ve touched on previously, there’s a lot of negativity out there about video right now, specifically in relation to Instagram and TikTok.  But however we might personally feel about the rise of video content, there's no denying it’s become an integral part of the consumer journey.  In this episode we're exploring how we might shift our  mindsets a little and see video as an opportunity for cr...

Is your content working hard enough? In this mini episode, we’re reminding you to repurpose the marketing assets you spend so much time and energy creating for your business. We explain the benefits of this approach, the things we do to extend the lifespan of our content, and share some quick tips to help you repurpose your own.    Links and Further Reading Wavve.co Work With Us charlieswift.com l...

We can’t be the only ones who’ve noticed a lot of negativity and hate in relation to Instagram recently. This week, in a follow-up to a popular episode from last year, we’re digging into some of the most common frustrations.  From the rise of reels to the demise of organic reach and engagement, we approach the topic with a mix of empathy and tough love, sharing tips and advice to help you improve...

Running a home and running a business are intrinsically linked. What goes on behind-the-scenes can have a huge impact on your ability to work, serve others and be creative. This week, we’re sharing the basics we rely on to keep our lives running smoothly so we can show up fully in our respective businesses. From meal planning to cleaning schedules, discover what we’ve outsourced, automated and sim...

You know those outstanding tasks you can feel hanging over you? The things you never get around to doing but spend a lot of time thinking about? Whether business, personal or domestic, they’re probably draining your mental energy. In this mini episode, we’re sharing some quick tips to help you tackle the tasks you keep putting off. From brain dumps to being your ‘future friend’, find out how to pl...

In this chatty episode, we’re looking back on the first three months of the year and ahead to Quarter 2. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us so far. After sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for Q2 and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve bef...

When was the last time you received a testimonial or review? More importantly, when was the last time you asked for one? In this mini episode, we’re discussing how to gather testimonials and what to do with them once they start rolling in. Given how powerful they can be, there’s also a brief reminder to leave testimonials and reviews for the products and services you use, love and enjoy {including...

This week we’re chatting about healthy boundaries. What are they? Why do we need them? And how do you establish and enforce them? As well as sharing the boundaries we lean on in our own businesses, we discuss some of the challenges involved in upholding them. Franky describes dealing with the discomfort that can arise when a client doesn’t like hearing the word ‘no’ and Charlie reflects on buildin...

When was the last time you curated your Instagram feed? In this week’s mini episode, we’re discussing the power of muting and unfollowing accounts. Discover what usually prompts us to hit the mute button, the potential benefits and why we think life’s too short for ‘hate follows’. We also touch on some upcoming changes to Instagram and share a few questions to ask yourself the next time you open t...

In this week’s mini episode, we’re discussing the benefits of writing a regular ta-da list and encouraging you to give this simple practice a go. Discover what a ta-da list is, why Franky is so passionate about them, and how to start writing your own. Don’t forget to tag us in your ta-da lists on Instagram! Links and Further Reading  Ta-Da Lists on the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast Find Us O...

Friends with Business Benefits is back! We’re kicking off the new year with our usual cosy conversation about reflections and intentions. Discover what went well for us last year and what we learned from the things that didn’t. We also chat about our words of the year, share our goals for 2022, and make some solid(ish) plans for Q1.    Links and Further Reading Charlie’s word of the year Franky sa...

In this chatty episode, we’re delving into intentional living and how intention setting can benefit creative business owners.  Charlie takes us through some practices for becoming more intentional in our work and life. We discuss seasons in business and why it’s so important to set goals and intentions that align with the season you’re currently in. This episode includes: Intention setting as part...

Drawing on knowledge gained from over decade spent working in retail, Franky chats all things customer service and shares how she applies many of the same principles in her online business. As well as discussing why it’s so important to create an intentional, positive customer journey or experience, we dive into different approaches and methods to help you shape yours. This episode includes: - Why...

“The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass.” Inspired by this Nora Roberts quote, we’re discussing the difference between dropping balls and intentionally placing them down. As well as sharing ways to strip things back in business and life to survive the current lockdown, we talk about tapping into your support network...

Professional Copywriter Franky covers why an About Page is so important and shares her advice to help you fill yours with engaging copy. And before you ask, yes, people will read it!  The episode includes: Why there’s no one-size fits all approach to creating copy. The importance of telling a story. Creative ways to showcase your personality and build a connection with potential clients. Why your...

It’s time for our annual reflection as we say goodbye to another year. In a year that has of course been overshadowed by a global pandemic, we’re discussing our highs and lows in business during 2020.  We’re discussing what worked well for us, struggles we faced, what they taught us and the habits that help get us through the tough times. We also chat about our words of the year and share our “Big...

As we reach the end of a tough year, we’ve noticed the topic of resilience coming up regularly in conversations we’re having and content we’re seeing.  In this episode, we delve into what it means to show resilience as a creative business owner and ask how we can cultivate more - during a global pandemic or otherwise.  Using an article from Psychology Today as the basis for our conversation, we ch...