Niche Talks™ with Penny Lee – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we discuss your niche, giving you space and time with Manpreet Dhesi. 

Manpreet leads with how a family bereavement and a health scare brought home the importance of this. When life happens, how does a niche focus help protect your time? It enables you to be clear about what you need, what you are going to do, and what you are not going to do. Holding your ground through stable and unstable times.

Manpreet is a Strategic Communications Consultant and Founder of Studio Dhesi. Communications for a world we are all working to improve. Working with clients who have big ideas. Ideas that are large-scale, radical and innovative. Across government, industry and the private sector. Creating clarity for those big ideas. Making human connections that inspire people to do something different. Delivering real impact and change for the society we live in.

Putting people and the planet front of mind in everything she does Studio Dhesi is a certified B Corp, meaning that the whole business has been measured and evaluated for their social and environmental impact.

For your niche and big ideas – clarity comes with the bonus of boundaries. 

Boundaries are not just for work-life balance, but for a better life balance all around.

A gentle trigger warning that we discuss grief and mortality, a very personal share from Manpreet that is an open and healthy discussion. 

SHOW NOTES:

https://studiodhesi.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manpreetdhesi/

https://www.greenheartbusiness.com/

https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Finding unexpected opportunities can lead to a fulfilling career path.
• Taking time off and setting boundaries is essential for self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Listening to your gut and saying no to projects that don't align with your values is important for personal and professional growth.
• Working for yourself allows for greater flexibility and control over your schedule.
• Health issues can be a catalyst for reevaluating priorities and making positive changes in your life. Setting boundaries and prioritizing time is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Learning to say no to projects that don't align with your values and goals can lead to positive outcomes.
• Therapy can be instrumental in personal and professional growth, providing a space for reflection and processing.
• Having a support structure in place is essential for navigating the challenges of running a business.
• Becoming a B Corp can provide a clear direction of travel and align your business with social and environmental impact.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:11 Discovering a Passion for Communications

05:22 Dealing with Personal Challenges

09:52 Identity Crisis and Finding a Niche

11:46 Health Issues and Planning for the Future

21:34 Taking Control of Your Time

25:22 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care

26:18 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Time

29:42 Learning to Say No

32:56 The Role of Therapy

36:33 The Importance of a Support Structure

48:07 Becoming a B Corp

In this episode we are talking about your niche giving you a voice with Nicola Phillips. When you are able to be authentically yourself with what you do – when you have created your own way – providing you the platform to speak up on issues important to you.  

Nicola is an Award Winning Chartered Landscape Architect who has grown a people focussed business putting humanity back into her practice. Out from the big glass offices and from behind large pr machines. Nicola’s first bold move was simply calling her practice by her name in a predominantly male dominated industry. Known as the great landscape architect she is, Nicola has got vocal about gender pay gap issues. The response can be surprising when you put yourself out there. 

Speaking up in your niche. No more hiding and no more apologising. Humans are out there. And bringing your story as part of your niche can be a powerful force for change. 

Let’s hear what Nicola has to say. 

SHOW NOTES:

https://njlandscapedesign.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nicola-jayne-landscape-design-ltd/

https://www.instagram.com/nj_landscapedesign/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Being authentic and speaking up about gender pay gap issues can lead to positive outcomes and help others in similar situations.
• Finding your niche and working with like-minded individuals is important for personal and professional fulfillment.
• Challenges and obstacles in the industry should not deter you from pursuing your passion and making a difference.
• Flexibility in work hours and prioritizing personal well-being can lead to a more fulfilling career.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Navigating the Landscape of Gender Pay Gap

08:08 Authenticity and Advocacy in a Male-Dominated Field

13:32 Finding Your Niche and Like-Minded Collaborators

In this episode, Penny is getting her niche vibe on with Debbie Edwards. A strategist, entrepreneur, speaker, investor, and performance coach working globally with entrepreneurs, CEO's and senior executives. Debbie has years of experience in growth strategy and cultural change working with teams and individuals on strategic performance through gentle leadership.

Debbie has developed a body of work around the liberation of human beings in the workplace. First as the Founder of Edtech startup FDisruptors, a tech platform designed to increase diversity in tech, and now as a performance and transformation coach enabling entrepreneurs and CEO's to create the life that they want through the powerful gateways of gentleness and radical self love.

We talk how niching down allows you to do what you want to do – how you want to do it. 

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.instagram.com/_debbieedwards_/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-edwards-lovepioneer/

In this episode, Penny is getting her niche vibe on with Paulette Eldridge. Health, fitness, and executive coach. Paulette comes with the lived experience of the executive corporate world, raising a family of three and a career change at 50. We discuss her steps to create this new path for herself at the age of 50 and how niching down helps deepen her work with her clients. 

She knows first hand what's possible and needed to make these changes later in life. Walking the walk and talking the talk. Paulette is a multi-discipline recreational athlete, who participates in endurance running, cycling, and hiking events throughout the year. Passionate about the benefits of strength, interval, and agility training to remain strong, powerful, and injury free, to achieve personal goals regardless of the aging body.

Follow Paulette:

https://www.pauletteeldridgecoaching.com/

https://www.instagram.com/pauletteeldridgecoaching/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulette-eldridge-75b38716b/?originalSubdomain=uk

Book recommendation 'The Untethered Soul':

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-untethered-soul-the-journey-beyond-yourself-michael-a-singer/136767?ean=9781572245372

Follow me:

https://www.instagram.com/penny___lee___/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-lee-/

In this episode, Penny is getting her niche vibe on with Suzy Darke. A somatic coach, Suzy helps smart, sensitive women create brave change in their lives and businesses. Penny and Suzy discuss finding your own path as a highly sensitive person, trying to find spaces that fit that often ends to creating your own, and how our wiggly paths often come full circle as we make it to mid-life.

https://suzydarke.co.uk/

In this episode, Penny is getting her niche vibe on with sales and business mentor Sara Dalrymple. With sales experience spanning both corporate and the small business community, Sara works with clients to grow your business, without selling your soul'. Her vibe is very much about sales without the 'ick' and making your business suit your lifestyle - not the other way around.After climbing the corporate ladder, Sara talks us through the steps she took once stepped off the ladder. How she came to realise her sales superpowers were needed. An advocate for niching down to improve your sales we discuss how her latest path appeared and how there is another way.https://www.saradalrymple.co.uk SHOW NOTES: Sara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saleswithsara/

In this episode we discuss trusting your gut, holding your nerve and playing the long game when it comes to finding your niche. Penny is niching down with type-twisting artist and designer Dani Molyneux, founder of Dotto® – a studio, a store, a person and more. Working with clients who have something to say, Dani's work features powerful messages through playful type. Bringing change through words, purposeful play and typography for thought. 

https://www.dotto.studio/

SHOW NOTES:

Mark Howe: https://markhowe.co.uk/

Laura Boast, Conscious Made: https://www.consciousmade.co.uk/

Rick Rubin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5EV-JCqAZc

Joy Harjo: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/crazy-brave-a-memoir-joy-harjo/2878722?aid=11650&ean=9780393345438

Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-day-2/

Dotto® Take Up More Space: https://www.dotto.studio/store/p/take-up-more-space

Dotto® Tiny Guides:  https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/-dottos-tiny-guides-are-beautifully-designed-little-peeks-at-lovely-places/

Design Manchester: https://designmcr.com/

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Find out how you can niche down on your business with Penny Lee https://thebranddirectoress.com/

This episode Penny is niching down with analogue film photographer Jim Marsden. Born In The Rossendale Valley, Lancashire Jim grew up with a love of the landscape and a curiosity for people. Clients range from The Do Lectures, Paynter Jackets to BMW,

'I always thought that I wanted to do something that was slightly different and to do it in a way that made me really happy. With a process that just felt right– that just made sense to me.' – Jim Marsden

https://iamjim.co.uk/

SHOW NOTES: 

Millican video: https://vimeo.com/213643782embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=9983036

Irving Penn: https://irvingpenn.org/

Bruce Weber: http://www.bruceweber.com/

Richard Avedon: https://www.avedonfoundation.org/the-work

Marilyn photograph: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/128614

Babs soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/7I93ZrmODMfvBsjuxPnsqs

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Find out how you can niche down on your business with Penny Lee https://thebranddirectoress.com/

In this episode we are talking about celebrating uniqueness with Ingrid Raphael. Finding your niche by recognising your own uniqueness and what you can offer that is beneficial to others. 

Ingrid works from her boutique skin clinic in North London having niched down from generalist beauty into healing skin care. We discuss getting to learn what you love and the realisation you need to break the rules to be able to do the work how you believe it should be done. Wanting to do things your own way. Questioning if you are doing something purposeful. Something that matters.

We talk how the more focussed you become the wider the learnings. As Ingrid says ‘like Alice in Wonderland getting curiouser and curiouser.’ Learning the Ingrid Raphael way. Her energy and belief in not just skin deep but soul deep – we can question, when it comes to your niche – how deep can we go?

SHOW NOTES:

https://ingridraphael.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ingridraphaellondon/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Treat each person's skin uniquely and understand the internal factors that contribute to skin conditions.
• Empower clients through education and help them develop a deeper understanding of their own skin.
• Find your niche by recognizing your own uniqueness and what you can offer that is beneficial to others.
• Failure is a valuable lesson that steers you in a different direction and helps you grow.
• Dream big and have audacious goals for the future, such as writing a book, developing a product line, and starting a charity.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Getting Started in Beauty

06:04 The Importance of Treating Each Person's Skin Uniquely

12:13 Honing In on a Niche and Recognising Uniqueness

25:02 Dreaming Big for the Future

In this episode we are talking about carving your own path later on in a career with Auriel Majumdar. Auriel is a Creative Coach, Supervisor, Consultant and Educator.

As the daughter of first generation immigrant father, an Indian doctor – for years Auriel did the dutiful thing – until in her mid 40’s she didn’t and took a career shift – now at 61 she’s expanding more into that space.

We talk about getting started. The beginning being a tricky place and how you make that leap.

Building your body of work, 'your body of evidence'. Building your confidence and the trust of people who then work with you. Getting your reputation and having pride and love for what you do. Another reminder this is a long game. Niching down to build on that expertise. And the brilliant question 'does it thrill you to death?' when deciding on what. you want – really want – to be working on. 

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.aurielmajumdar.com/

https://www.instagram.com/aurielmajumdar/

https://www.chrismsaunders.com/#/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Carving your own path and following your passion can lead to a fulfilling career.
• Being authentic and expressing your uniqueness in business can help you stand out in a crowded market.
• Confidence and belief in the quality of your work are essential for success.
• Building a strong personal brand is important for attracting the right clients and opportunities. Start somewhere and evolve over time to build a reputation in your desired market.
• Practice and hone your craft to become excellent.
• Find joy and fulfillment in your work by pursuing your true passion.
• Embrace opportunities for personal growth and exploration.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Morning Greetings

08:07 Authenticity and Uniqueness in Business

15:21 Starting with You: Building Confidence

29:38 Finding Joy and Fulfilment in Your Work

39:01 Embracing Personal Growth and Exploration