Explore every episode of the podcast Style and Substance
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back to Work, Back to Basics - Setting Yourself up to Thrive | 11 Sep 2024 | 00:53:02 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners to Season 11 and we are coming out of the gates today with an episode to tackle the steps to take to set yourself up for end of year success. We explore four pillars: Aspirations, Values, Boundaries and Habits and our non-negotiables for a thriving last quarter. Hear about our morning routines, the values that drive us and how we are setting ourself up to achieve as we get back to work after the summer break,. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Summer Series Ep6. Hacks for Getting Re-inspired | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:11:41 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners to our last episode of the summer series and this week we are talking inspiration and getting out of our comfort zones. Listen in to hear our plans for the summer and ways to stay inspired and do send us your questions to tackle in the next season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Art of Discernment | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:44:51 | |
Hello lovely listeners, we've been paying attention to what many of you are asking for at the moment and it feels like a lot of our community are grappling with some key decisions. Which direction to go? how to shape your business? what is going to be right for you moving forwards...? So today we are tackling the topic of making important decisions. How can we do that in an empowered way? How do we accurately discern what is really right for us and how do we know with certainty what to prioritise to move us forwards in a way that is ultimately going to bring more success, joy and ease to our work? The art of discernment is a powerful process that features heavily in The Empowered Entrepreneur book and today we are exploring that a little more. We do hope you enjoy the show and as ever your feedback, questions and of course raving reviews are welcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Finding your Space | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:46:52 | |
This week it's all about finding your space lovely listeners. That sweet spot in the market that when you find it opens up possibilities, reduces overwhelm and frustration and supports you to win the right clients. We explore what it means to find your space, how it fits into the wider picture of the strategic clarity you need to run your business with confidence and intention and some of the key considerations to bear in mind when seeking out that sweet spot. We talk about the benefits of working within your space both to you the entrepreneur and to your bottom line and our thoughts for those people who are fearful of getting pidgeon holed. We thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and hope you enjoy the listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Strategy, tactics and why to avoid a knee jerk approach to business growth | 12 Jun 2024 | 01:04:32 | |
Hello lovely listeners, those of you who have been around for a while will know we are huge fans here of a strategic and well thought out approach to business and this week we're exploring why. We dig into the difference between strategic and tactical approaches and how it's so often the case that we are reactive or knee jerking in business when a more thoughtful approach is needed. We talk about the reasons why we don't often work strategically and the hallmarks of both strategy and tactics. MILD TRIGGER WARNING. Head's up folks at the beginning of the episode we talk about Fi's dear sister in law who has just suffered a recent stroke during childbirth and it might be hard to hear. If you want to skip straight to the episode you can jump right in at 8 minutes 15 seconds. If you would like to support Rosies and the family, you can find the details of her just giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rosie-and-beau?utm_term=rq3d9enqd thank you so much for your support. xx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Cultivating Self Belief | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:46:10 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners. Season 10 is kicking off with a juicy episode on the essential but often illusive ingredient for every entrepreneur, self belief. In this conversation we explore the transformative effect of this kind of confidence on our business, why we sometimes struggle to find it and how we can go about getting more of it. Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Working on versus working in your business and putting your self out there when you're terrified, | 22 May 2024 | 00:58:07 | |
We're back with the final episode of this season and more of your juicy questions answered. From how to split your time between working on your business and in your business, how to handle putting yourself out there when you're terrified, to how to hold a boundary when you're asked for more than you can give. Thank you so much to everyone who sent questions in, do keep them coming and we'll get to more in the next season. Have a lovely half term break folks, happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Using your Authentic Voice to Connect and Engage | 15 May 2024 | 00:47:20 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners to Part Two of our Finding your Authentic Voice mini series. In this conversation we dig a little deeper into how we can apply our authentic voice to engage and connect meaningfully with our audience. Along with what to bear in mind when setting yourself up for any writing project there are some key copywriting hacks that are industry tried and tested. We hope this inspires you to not only find, but to use your voice for a fully empowered and successful experience of business. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Your Questions Answered | 08 May 2024 | 00:40:33 | |
Hello lovely listeners, this week we've thrown it over to you and are responding to the huge inpouring of questions from you all. It's a wide ranging conversation talking all things design and business from the very specific what size of font should I use to the state of the economy right now and how we can find our agency and lots in between. Using your voice part two will be coming up for you next week. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Finding your Authentic Voice part 1 | 01 May 2024 | 00:32:18 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners to season 9. After a lovely long break we are opening this season with what we hope is a juicy two parter on the topic of finding your authentic voice. Both of us encounter business owners who struggle to do this for themselves and their brands and we are so passionate about the potential that finding and using your authentic brand voice can create for your business. Having a clear, compelling and natural voice enables us to not only connect with our clients and move them to action but also to express the true value that we bring in our business. It enables us to win work, develop relationships, handle conflict more effectively and give us that sense of empowerment that comes from being able to articulate what it is that we want. But it doesn't come easy to everyone. So many of us struggle to find the right words for our website, to write compelling sales copy, to blog or produce newsletters that really connect and this can really hold us and our business back. Over the first two episodes of this new season we are going to be digging into all that. We'll explore some of the things that get in the way of using your voice, particularly if you are a woman in business, we'll cover how we approach finding a brand voice for our clients and some of the practical considerations we need to bear in mind when writing compelling copy that really connects. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What We've Learned | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:30:53 | |
Well here we are folks at the end of season 8 and before we head into a break we're dropping in for a review of the year so far. We reflect on the changing economic climate, talk about what's we've learned so far this year and how we are using the energy of spring to gain clarity for what's ahead. It's a short but hopefully sweet conversation where we get personal about what it's like for both of us in business in 2024. Enjoy and if you do please do rate and review, thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| When the Answer to Conflict is Holding a Boundary | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:40:16 | |
This is a hot topic for so many entrepreneurs. When we get into conflict, or emotional situations arise in our business and our instinctive tendency is to fight, flight or fawn there is another way. In this episode we talk around the importance of establishing and holding boundaries for ourselves in our business. We touch on why it is so hard, particularly for women to hold a boundary and some of the underlying principles that facilitate our ability to hold clear and firm boundaries for the benefit of all concerned. There's a few live scenarios in here that you might be able to relate to and in future episodes we'll no doubt get into the nuts and bolts of where we need to consistently set and hold boundaries to make business sustainable, commercially viable and preserve our sanity and how to do that with grace. As ever we'd love to know what resonates for you and if you love it please do review and share away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Summer Series Ep5 Creating A Vitality Manifesto to keep you're Energy High | 21 Aug 2024 | 00:08:01 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners. We hope you are thoroughly enjoying the summer and taking your vitality in hand. This week your challenge is to Create a Vitality Manifesto and we can't wait to see what you come up with. Listen in for what themes we will be including in ours and remember to be playful, enjoy prioritising your wellbeing and do share your manifesto's and tag us on on socials. @andthrive @thebrand_stylist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Taking Control of your Business | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:37:08 | |
So often, particularly with a well established business, we can get into a mode where things feel like they are a little out of control. Whether that's around feeling constantly overwhelmed, not being sure of where the next piece of work is coming from, getting stuck in a cycle of feast or famine, not feeling like we have a handle on how we are being perceived or perhaps where business is headed. In this short but sweet episode we are exploring 5 simple steps you can take to start to regain more of a sense of agency and autonomy in your business, what to focus on to take back the reigns and how to approach things with a more strategic mindset. We hope it's useful and. as ever, if you like what you hear please take a moment to drop us a review, we so appreciate it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Your Roadmap to a Show-stopping Brand | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:50:45 | |
I am excited to be sharing this week's conversation in which Fi and I walk through Fiona's Show-stopping Brand Roadmap. It's a really clear, strategic guide to the entire branding journey and one I know will add huge value. Perfect for any entrepreneur beginning the branding journey, rebranding or wanting to know how to make the most of the commercial potential within their brand. Fi takes us through the 8 steps in the process which is a consolidation of years of work and her experience of working with thousands of entrepreneurs. The roadmap itself is available as a free download from https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/ so do hop on over and grab your copy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Flow not Force - creating more ease in business | 28 Feb 2024 | 00:41:54 | |
Hello lovely listeners, as we move into spring it feels like the perfect timing for a conversation about flow. Why, along with vitality, adopting the flow principle of The Empowered Entrepreneur is absolutely essential to ride us through tough times and create more ease (and profitability) in our businesses. In this wide ranging conversation we talk about the key differences between a forceful and flowing approach to business and how to spot the red flags of when you're putting in more effort than you need. We talk about the benefits to flow in work (not leaving out the all important commercials) and wrap up with a couple of quick and easy ways for find more flow right now. So if you feel business is a bit sticky and you'd like more joy, inspiration and a lot less hard work for your buck, then listen in. We really hope you enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Design Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs | 21 Feb 2024 | 00:36:51 | |
All design, good or otherwise, creates an impression. It affects our perceived credibility, opens up or closes down opportunities and influences the confidence we feel about our work. Whether we realise it or not, whenever we are producing any collateral for our brand we are producing design. From pitch presentations to social media graphics and everything in between, so let's get it right. Understanding design fundamentals as an entrepreneur will help you be more intentional about the impression you are creating with your graphic design and ensure your investment in your brand identity isn't compromised. In this episode we walk you through those fundamentals, so note pads at the ready. Fi explains the difference between brand design and graphic design, what a complete brand identity entails and what we should be watching out for to maintain the integrity of our beautiful brand identity when we are rolling that out across our businesses. If you'd like to dig deeper and learn how to apply these fundamentals in more detail then Fi's brilliant course Design for Go Getters will help you do just that. You can find details on thebrand-stylist.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stories of self publishing part 2, taking a strategic value added approach | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:43:54 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners. In this second episode of our self publishing series (more to come next season) we take a gallop through varying aspects of the process of publishing a beautiful book for business. We explore how to tell if it's the right time to write a book and what, in our experience, is needed to pull you through such an epic project. We talk about the motivation required and how that shifts through different stages of the writing process and the importance of knowing exactly what it is you are trying to achieve to support that motivation. We walk through the basic steps of pulling a well designed business book together and where book design fits into the writing process. We explore how we know whether we have something worth saying that will add value and the potentially tricky decisions about what to hold back when it comes to sharing your beloved IP. We touch briefly on the the merits or not of writing and publishing a book over different mediums when you've got something of value to say. We focus on the importance of knowing exactly what it is you are trying to achieve with your writing and how that affects everything from your motivation, your edit, your ability to discern if you're adding value and when you know the book is done. We've roamed far and wide in this episode but there's so much more to say so we look forward to getting even more granular next season when we'll explore styling and book design, working with your dream team, a little more on the editing process and more besides. As ever we really hope you find the episode useful and if you do, please do like, review and spread the word. Thanks so much and we'll be back the other side of the half term break with a conversation about the value of Design fundamental for entrepreneurs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Behind the scenes of a best seller, stories of self publishing | 31 Jan 2024 | 00:44:25 | |
Fellow authors and publishers amongst you will know a book project is not for the feint hearted and producing a beautiful book for business is a labour of love that we are both hugely passionate about. With three best sellers on branding and business between us, we've got a fair bit to say. In this conversation, the first of a few in this series, we are really excited to lift the lid on our own experiences of writing and self publishing. We really hope you enjoy as we share our respective stories of the inspiration behind and the journey of writing 'How to Style your Brand', 'Brand Brilliance' and 'The Empowered Entrepreneur'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Inspiration in the Dark | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:18:35 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners On what is reputedly the most depressing day of the year we wanted to bring a little light, a juxtaposition to the gloom and pop in with a short and hopefully sweet conversation about finding inspiration in these darker months. We share our personal thoughts on how we embrace the delights this season and some of the habits that keep us going until the shoots of spring emerge. From the beauty of a frost-laden morning walk to the comforting ritual of sipping a hot mulled drink after a cold run, we discuss how to appreciate and find joy in the often-overlooked moments of winter. We talk about hygge, the Danish concept of cozy contentment, and how creating a warm, inviting atmosphere can make the short days and long nights not only bearable but rich and fulfilling. Our conversation also turns to the spiritual uplift that can come from the resilience of nature and the transformative power of certain frequencies in music, like the divine moments experienced during live performances or the pure sounds of a child's voice. We consider how January, rather than being a month of limitations, can be a time for positive transformation. We'd love to hear how you make the most of winter so do drop by on instagram or drop us a line at https://www.elizabethcairns.com/style-substance-podcast or https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/style-and-substance-podcast. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Imposter Syndrome | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:44:44 | |
Ever felt like a fraud in your own business, waiting for the other shoe to drop and for everyone to realise you're not as capable as they think? That gnawing fear isn't unique to you; it's a widespread experience known as Impostor Syndrome, and it's the topic of today’s discussion. Welcome back lovely listeners as we dig into season 7, today we are peeling back the layers of this psychological phenomenon, examining why even the most accomplished of us battle a persistent disbelief in our own success. We share our own experiences of Imposter Syndrome and where we see it showing up in our respective industries. This episode is a journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurial life, where confidence often tussles with the silent anxiety of being 'found out.' We touch on the immense energy it takes to maintain a façade and the emotional toll it exacts behind closed doors. We explore not only how to recognise Imposter Syndrome, but also the effect on our energy, confidence, and overall mental well-being. We also, perhaps controversially, discuss the value of Imposter Syndrome in business and share some thoughts on how to explore it effectively so that it can act as a helpful guide rather than a debilitating force. For anyone who has ever questioned whether they quite measure up, this is for you. Lovely folks we've had some technical issues with the sound in this episode so apologies if it's not up to usual scratch, we've done our best and subsequently changed the whole studio set up so hoping it's now resolved for future recordings. Thanks for bearing with us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Getting Stuck into 2024 | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:35:55 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners and Happy New Year. We're kicking of a New Year and. New Season with our thoughts on the vibe of this year, what we're committing to and sharing a few thoughts on how to create some energy and momentum to pull you through. It's hopefully a lively, uplifting and positive episode, perfect if you need a little boost to get your mojo going as you get back to business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A moment of calm | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:05:57 | |
Hello dear ones, As promised, if you need it over the coming days and weeks here's a few moments of guided calm for you to enjoy. Not advised to listen whilst driving so find a few minutes where you can sit undisturbed to give your nervous system a little reset. It's a sweet and simple just over five minutes guided track which is hopefully just enough time to calm everything down a little and create a little breathing room and space amid the madness. I do hope you enjoy it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Summer Series Ep4. The Essential Vitality Review | 14 Aug 2024 | 00:27:20 | |
This week we are moving away from overwhelm (here's hoping) and focusing our attention on Vitality. Our absolute favourite topic as we both wholeheartedly believe it is the sustaining and driving force of our businesses and what allows us to really leverage their true potential. This weeks challenge is a Vitality Review and you can find all the questions from the review I walk through with Fi over on my blog www.elizabethcairns.com or under the resources tab, just look for 'Vitality Review'. I hope it's illuminating and do let us know how you get on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Reflecting on 2023 | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:40:42 | |
Well lovely listeners we are finally here at the last episode of the 2023. What a year. Thank you so much for all your support of the podcast to date it really has been so wonderful to hear your feedback, answer your questions and of course read all your lovely reviews, it means such a lot. In keeping with tradition our last episode of season 6 and the year is an opportunity for us to reflect and celebrate. We look back on the highs and lows of 2023, the learnings and the challenges and what we are looking forward to for the year ahead. So grab a cup of something mulled and steaming and enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Moments of Calm in the Madness | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:35:05 | |
Join us for our penultimate episode of the year as we explore the intricacies of navigating the holiday season with a sense of calm amidst the inevitable chaos. We delve into some of the challenges we might be facing during this hectic period, from balancing work and personal life to managing social anxiety and family dynamics. We'll share a few thoughts on finding tranquility in the mayhem, suggesting ways to take time for yourself and how acknowledging and addressing underlying anxieties can lead to a wholly more harmonious time. We explore the pressures that come with this time of year, including the end-of-year financial rush, family dynamics, and social expectations. We talk about the importance of understanding our own psychological barriers, managing energy levels, and maintaining clear communication. As we reflect on the psychological impact of setting arbitrary markers, we encourage you to stay grounded and mindful during this busy season. Lastly, we remind ourselves the signs and symptoms of stress and burnout. As ever we share a few personal stories and wrap up with a word about the power of intention and inner reflection in shaping our actions and mindset. Next week we will be closing the year and the season with a review of the year. There will be a little bonus meditation/visualisation coming later this week. For those of you who'd welcome a little guidance to carve out a moment of calm to re-centre and come back to your self if things get a little hectic, listen out for that folks. Spoiler alert - if you tune in with children, this episode mentions Elf on the shelf so if you don't want to spoil the illusion then maybe save this one for a time when little ears aren't listening, its around 14 minutes if you want to skip past it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Copying, Competition and Treading on Toes | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:58:54 | |
Picture this: you've spent months, maybe even years, perfecting your unique product or service, pouring your heart and soul into every detail. Then, out of the blue, you stumble upon a carbon copy of your efforts being touted by a competitor. How do you handle it? Today, we're taking a deep dive into the murky waters of copying, comparison and competition within the entrepreneurial world. Inspired by a listener's question, we break down how to handle the experience of being copied, the emotional toll it takes, and the different forms copying can take, such as mimicking branding, ideas, or approaches. We'll look at how copying is not only a blow to the original creator but also a stumbling block for the replicator's business. As ever, we share from our own experience as well as valuable resources for addressing more serious copyright infringement. The two mentioned in the episode are ACID more info can be found here https://www.acid.uk.com/ and Sarah Watson offers helpful advice on dealing specifically with product design copies on her website here https://www.balineum.co.uk/pages/dealing-with-product-copies We also address how to approach things when confrontation feels like conflict, especially on public platforms such as social media. In an era of AI and shortcuts often leading to unoriginal content, we champion authenticity in branding and copywriting. We explore how to maintain professionalism and empathy, even when putting down a clear boundary. We wrap up with a word on creating agency in your own space, emphasising the need to take control of our own energy and create a positive impact that ripples. We hope you enjoy listening and as ever do let us know what you think and if you like it do leave a rave review, we're always grateful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Power of Strategic Brand Positioning | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:40:58 | |
In this episode we explore the secrets of successful brand positioning and the power of creating a strong strategy. We look at how to set your brand apart in a crowded market and make sure it resonates with the right audience. We start with the importance of finding your niche or your ‘space’ - a crucial step towards attracting the right clients and building a loyal customer base. We'll take you through the process, emphasising the need for clarity, simplicity and understanding your unique purpose. The journey continues as we navigate the challenges of narrowing down your offerings without the fear of missing out on potential clients. We explore micro-niching and why assessing your positioning regularly is necessary for long-term success. We share insights on the role of visual identity and the influence of external factors, such as the economy, on positioning effectiveness. We also talk a little on how to make your brand's messaging compelling, clear, and consistent. Drawing on stories from our fields of coaching and people development field, we explore how to feel empowered and credible in your chosen niche, and combat the dreaded imposter syndrome. We discuss the need for evolving and refining your brand messaging in response to market changes. We'll explore some of the complexities of when, why, and how to consider a pivot in your business. We hope this is inspiring, enlightening and will leave you in a stronger position to position your brand in the best possible way. We really hope you enjoy and, as ever, if you do please like, review and spread the word. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Navigating the Intricacies of Pricing | 15 Nov 2023 | 01:04:18 | |
Join us as we discuss the fascinating world of pricing, its complexities and the challenges it poses for entrepreneurs. Navigating the world of contextualised pricing is not an easy task. However, understanding the importance of the value behind the services being provided, the costs associated with the production and delivery and the overall business positioning is key. Hear us out as we shed light on value-based pricing, and why pricing for the value being added, rather than simply the time spent, can prove really beneficial for your business. We start by examining the key factors that should be considered when pricing your product or service - what the market can bear and what feels comfortable for you. We delve into the significance of self-worth and the role it plays in pricing decisions, exploring how it directly impacts the level of responsibility an entrepreneur takes when delivering a product or service. We further explore how pricing affects service-based businesses and the power of a brand to influence pricing decisions. We talk about the role of pricing in inducing feelings of delight and avoiding dreaded buyers remorse. We'll debate on the impact of frequent discounts on our perception of value and the art of efficiently handling price increases. We wrap up with a reflection on the emotional impact of pricing during challenging times and the importance of aligning your pricing with what is authentic and what the market is doing. We really hope you find it helpful and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Happy listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: income boasting, hustle culture and toxic sales tactics | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:06:39 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners and we are getting into the swing of season six with what we hope is a pretty dynamic episode. What if the hustle culture, so often glamorised and idolised as the only path to entrepreneurial success, was in fact a toxic trap? Leading you down a path to imposter syndrome and burnout? Imagine a business landscape where worth isn't defined solely by the latest ‘big numbers’ of the income-boasting hustlers, but by something much deeper and more sustaining? That's the world we'll take you into during this intense discussion. We'll confront the problematic behaviour associated with overcharging and its correlation with imposter syndrome. We'll delve into the importance of rest cycles and the necessity of maintaining integrity within our craft. And, we'll scrutinise the damaging effect of striving for unrealistic goals, exposing the often overlooked connection between money mindset and susceptibility to manipulation. Lastly, we'll shine a light on the often unspoken aspects of entrepreneurship - resilience, innovation, and empowerment. These are the factors that can truly navigate you through the challenging journey, while maintaining your sanity and fostering sustainable growth. We won't promise you 'get rich quick' schemes, instead, we'll encourage you to listen to your intuition, trust your discernment, and to be kind towards yourself as well as others. So, tune in to this no-holds-barred discussion, it's time to debunk the toxicity of hustle culture together. We really hope you enjoy the episode, do let us know how it lands and as ever, thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Entrepreneurial Spirit | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:45:24 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners, season 6 is upon us and opening up this new season is our conversation about Entrepreneurial Spirit. Being an entrepreneur is such an exciting space to be in and one that both Fiona and I get so inspired by. In this wide ranging conversation we talk about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the traits that make entrepreneurs different from other types of people and the upsides and inevitable downsides of that. We dig into our own personal views of whether we ourselves have what it takes to be called an entrepreneur and why, or why not that might be the case. Towards the end we talk about the very tricky balance that confronts so many of us when we need to balance drive and ambition with wellbeing and what it takes to make business these days truly sustainable. We had such fun recording this episode so I hope it's an enjoyable listen. Do let us know how it lands, we'd love to hear from you. p.s So sorry folks, we discovered a ghost in the edit of the soundtrack which was playing! over the intro it's now been removed so apologies if you couldn't hear us clearly over the music it should now be resolved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Q's and Reviews | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:43:24 | |
Well here it is folks, our final episode of season five before we break for half term and we hope you enjoy it. We've shaken up the format this week and dedicated it to answering some of the many questions that have come in from our lovely listeners. Everything from "how do I deal with growth not being what it was last year?" to "where do I start if I want to become a designer?" and all sorts in between. We hope it's useful. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to send in questions and also to review the podcast. It means so much and genuinely makes it all worthwhile to know there are lovely listeners who are finding it valuable. Happy listening and see you on the other side for season six. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Resonant Branding | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:44:47 | |
We have a goodie for you this week lovely listeners. I am picking Fi's brains on a subject close to both our hearts - resonant branding. We explore the power of a resonant brand what it can do for your business as an entreprenuer and the game changing impact for designers. We dig into what it takes to create a truly resonant brand, what foundations you need, how to set you up in the best possible way to find a designer that can deliver resonant work, and the skillset designers need to be developing to work in a truly resonant way. I know this will be inspiring and informative in equal measure. As ever, do let us know what you think and if you love it do rate and review it makes all the difference. Happy listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Overwhelm | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:45:40 | |
Hello lovely listeners, how are you feeling? Well if it's overwhelmed then we have a goodie for you! In this episode we start to explore the topic of overwhelm and our conversation goes far and wide. We cover everything from what triggers overwhelm, how we experience it and what we instinctively do in response to some of the potentially more helpful ways to tackle it. There's a whole section in the middle where Fi makes sense of the potential overwhelm of the branding process and how we can take a very clear and logical path through to make it less overwhelming and much more enjoyable. We end with some very simple immediately actionable steps you can do right now if you're feeling overwhelmed. We really hope you enjoy listening and if you do please rate review and spread the word, we really appreciate it. Until next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Summer Series Ep3. Prioritising to Reduce Overwhelm | 07 Aug 2024 | 00:11:06 | |
Having created some space, hopefully turned down the noise a little, this week our short and sweet challenge is intended to help you sift through the spinning plates and those things that are taking up too much mental load and do a little rationalising and prioritisation. It shouldn't take you much more than 20 minutes with the end result being a clear, hopefully reduced and at considered list of the shizzle you actually need to get done, rather than it all feeling like a jumbled mess in your poor overloaded brain. Hope it's helpful folks, happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Converting Clients | 27 Sep 2023 | 00:52:54 | |
We've been hearing from more than a few people that it's a bit challenging at the moment and we've been asked to tackle the topic of converting clients so in this week's episode we do just that. How do we make the most of every opportunity that comes our way? How can we prepare in the right way to handle enquiries, deal with the challenge of potentially fewer sales and stay sane while we're at it? We hope you find this both practical and encouraging and if you are finding business a little tough at the moment, hang in there, you've got this! Fi mentions her brilliant media kit masterclass and is offering listeners a discount till the end of September, so do listen out at the end for details of how to get hold of that offer. If there's anything you like us to cover in future episodes do drop us a line we'd love to hear from you. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Passion, Purpose and Making a Positive Contribution | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:49:12 | |
Welcome back lovely listeners. After last week's more personal episode, we are back to business and talking about creating positive cultures and the ripple effect possible when we show up with intention. We explore what we can do as entrepreneurs that is aligned with our passion and purpose to make a positive contribution to something beyond the financial economy. We talk about the rise in B-Corp certification and whether ESG scores are relevant for our businesses. We share some personal stories of two charities that we passionately support, and the benefits of giving more than just financial support to the things that are important to us. We really hope you find this an inspiring episode and one that will get us all thinking about the world we want to create and what part we can play in that. This absolutely isn't about creating another tick list of things to do to be compliant or leave us feeling like we're not doing enough but rather, we hope, an inspiring call to arms to anyone who can see the potential in their work to create a more positive future for our wider communities. If you'd like to know more about the work of Solidarity Sports you can find them at www.solidaritysports.org and Tommy's at www.tommys.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Transitioning Back to Work | 12 Sep 2023 | 00:52:50 | |
Hello lovely listeners, we are back and I cannot believe it's season 5 already. This week Fiona and I are catching up about where we are at at the start of a new term and the last quarter of the year. Sharing some of our habits and ways we are staying motivated, some of our goals and aspirations and some of what we are really excited about this year. We hope you enjoy this rather more personal episode and will be back to more 'business' next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Burnout | 12 Jul 2023 | 00:52:33 | |
We have long wanted to bring this episode to you as burnout is something that many people are encountering these days. We've chosen to round off season 4 with this one as an invitation to make the most of the coming summer months for rest, rejuvenation and balance. In this conversation we explore the nature of burnout, how it shows up and why. We explore some of the practical ways to avoid it and why some of us are more susceptible to others. We look at the importance of taking into account a holistic picture as entrepreneurs and how to create that balance between wider work and life. We talk about the benefits of a regenerative culture in business and touch on the cycles to pay attention to in order to work in a more sustainable and regenerative way. It's important to note that neither of us are medical professionals, so please if you are encountering worrying symptoms please seek professional advice and support. We mention the Resilience Masterclass in this episode. If you're interested in finding out more about how to set your business and yourself up in the most sustainable resilient way possible, you can visit https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/The-Resilience-Masterclasses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| An exciting invitation | 11 Jul 2023 | 00:12:34 | |
Oh are we excited lovely listeners?! Just dropping by with a short bonus episode and an invitation for you to our very special September event PURPOSE & POSSIBILITIES, we can't wait to share it with you. For more information and to book your spot before the early bird discount ends, just hop over to Fiona's website here https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/purpose-and-possibilities Can't wait to see you there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Power of Emotive Brand Photography | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:56:29 | |
We have a slightly different format for you for this penultimate episode of the season. Today I'm talking to Fiona and Cecelina Tornberg about their latest collaboration, a wonderful online course, Art Directing Impactful Website Photography. We talk about the power of photography for your brand and how to create a truly emotive experience that creates impact on your website and drives that all important impulse to buy in your audience. We recorded this for a live seminar and Cecelina dialled in from Sweden, so apologies for the slightly glitchy audio quality at points, but we hope the wonderful insights shared make up for the occasion loss of sound quality. We talk about the importance of creating depth and resonance with your photography and how to do that, we cover some of what's in their new course and what makes their collaboration such a joyful and empowering one for them both. At the end we take a couple of questions from some of the participants who dialled in to the live seminar. I hope you find it insightful, and if you'd like to know more about their incredible new course you can find details on fiona's website here: https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/Art-Directing-Impactful-Website-Photography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Redefining Boundaries | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:55:58 | |
This is a wide ranging conversation where we talk through some of the tricky situations we've encountered recently when expectations change, boundaries need redefining and we encounter red flags in client interactions. We talk about the impact of ghosting, how the commercial landscape is changing for many of us and how to hopefully stay sane, maintain some perspective and communicate with grace when needed. We hope you enjoy this rather personal perspective and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Defining your brand personality | 20 Jun 2023 | 00:34:18 | |
Today we tackle one of the most common questions Fiona get's asked in conversations about branding. "How much of my own personality should I bring into my brand?" This is a common blocker for many entrepreneurs, particularly when as founders we feel so close to our businesses. Our own preferences when it comes to style and aesthetic can often cloud our judgement when it comes to what is commercially right for a business. There are so many considerations when it comes to navigating this territory to get the balance right, and we tackle many of them in this episode. We dig into a few case studies from our own clients and explore how to make the right level of impact when it comes to your brands seasonal personality. We hope you enjoy listening and as ever welcome comments, feedback and questions on the blog. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Making the most of your time | 13 Jun 2023 | 00:55:31 | |
Welcome to episode 18 and today were digging into how to make the most of your time. Fi is a particularly good case study for how to squeeze the most out of a day and I really enjoy digging into what makes that work for her. We talk around the curses that can befall many a creative entrepreneur, everything from overwhelm, overwork, headless chicken syndrome to what happens when we go into ostrich mode. We explore the impact of perfectionism, what to do about procrastination and sow the seeds for a future episode on flow. For further thoughts on procrastination there's a free short audio on elizabethcairns.com just head to the podcast page and scroll down and you'll find it, I do hope you find it helpful. Enjoy lovely listeners and as ever, do let us know your thoughts or questions on the blogs at thebrand-stylist.com/ and elizabethcairns.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Colour psychology for branding | 06 Jun 2023 | 00:50:08 | |
Welcome back to season 4. We are delighted to be back and in this episode I get to mine Fiona's incredible brain and her wealth of knowledge in the field of colour psychology and branding. We talk about the origins of colour psychology and how Fiona's work with it over the last 15 years has evolved the original theory to apply it to the field of branding and design. We explore the benefits of this incredible tool for entrepreneurs and designers alike and uncover the myriad ways in which it impacts business and branding. There is so much more to explore in this wide ranging and complex subject but we hope we've whetted your appetite for more and welcome your comments and questions so do get in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Summer Series Ep2. Turning Down The Noise. | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:08:58 | |
Week two of our bitesize summer series is here and this week we are taking steps to reduce the overwhelm that comes from too much noise. Noise creates interference with momentum, distraction from focus, disruption of our own peace of mind and disconnection from our inner wisdom. We will be sharing our individual take on where the noise comes and the impact it has and our challenge this week is a simple one that in just 15 minutes could make a BIG difference. Happy listening folks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Purpose | 28 Mar 2023 | 00:34:25 | |
Well here we are at the end of Season 3 and were rounding it off with Purpose. What is it, why we need it and how to find it? A slightly daunting episode to bring out there as it's such a huge topic and so crucial to the empowered and inspired entrepreneur but hopefully there's some good food for thought. It was such an enjoyable conversation and it was so uplifting for both of us to connect with our own purpose and reflect on the commercial benefits of working on purpose. We explore how we manage the intersection between purpose in life and purpose in work as an empowered and inspired entrepreneur. We talk about the interplay between goals and purpose and what they do for us in business and how goals with purpose feel different from regular KPI's. We explore what constitutes a purpose and tackle the question of whether you should have your purpose front and centre of your messaging. We dip briefly into some of the things that get in the way or pursuing purposeful work and will no doubt have more to say in future episodes, but for now we really hope you enjoy listening and, as ever, do let us know what you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Complexities of Clarity | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:38:20 | |
Brand clarity is a complex subject and in this conversation we are talking around some of the things that we consider when getting really clear on the essence and the space in the market for a brand. You'll hear it's not a one size fits all process but hopefully this conversation will give you an idea of some of the varying elements that come into play and how we begin to decide what might get priority. As ever we'd love to hear your thoughts and if you are struggling with gaining clarity for your own brand, then The Brand Stylist Academy has an excellent online course to help get you the clarity you need. https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/brand-clarity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Feedback | 14 Mar 2023 | 00:56:15 | |
This is a juicy one folks, in this episode we are exploring the territory of feedback. How to give it, how to take it, and how to handle it without it crushing your soul and your confidence. We dig into the various types of feedback and its use for us in business. What mindset and approach best supports you to stay empowered. What to do when you you don't get great feedback and how to stay proactive and stay out of a failure quagmire. We ask the question whether it's ever ok to give unsolicited feedback and spend a little time exploring how we deal with and deescalate heated conflict and manage your nervous system and self regulate. It's broad ranging, deep digging and we hope highly practical. Do let us know what you think, feedback always welcome ;) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Getting your brand right from the start | 07 Mar 2023 | 00:49:19 | |
In this episode Fi is in the hot seat and i'm grilling her on all the things you need to be considering at the outset of a branding project to make sure you get it right from the start. Fi has an incredible wealth of knowledge to share on this topic and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed getting into the meat of it with her. As ever please do let us know what you think by dropping is an email or a note on the blogs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||