Don’t Build the Cage You’ll End Up Trapped In

Designing a Business That Runs Without You

What happens when the business you built to give you freedom becomes the thing that traps you?

In this Brand Mixology episode, I sit down with award-winning business mentor and four-time Business Mentor of the Year Christine Nicholson for an eye-opening conversation about freedom, fear, and designing a business that doesn’t rely on you to survive.

We dive into:

• The three types of exits every founder faces — and why only one involves selling
• The real-life story of a founder whose sudden death exposed the danger of owner dependency
• How ego, fear, and control quietly sabotage your business growth
• The psychology behind delegation and why systems don’t stifle creativity — they enable it
• Christine’s simple but powerful mantra: Think. Then take action.

It’s a deeply human and practical conversation about creating freedom by design, building true business value, and letting go before it’s too late.

👉 Stay to the end to hear the one thing Christine puts on ice — and the mindset shift every founder needs to make.

More About Christine

You can find out more about Christine on her website https://christinenicholson.co.uk/ and connect with her on LinkedIn.

More About Brand Mixology

You can find out more about how Brand Mixology works on our website www.brandmixology.co and connect with me, Claire, on LinkedIn.

What happens when life throws you off the stage — and you have to find a new one?

In this Brand Mixology episode, I sit down with Elliot Kay — professional speaker, author of six books, founder of Pro Speakers and the Speaker Awards — for an honest and energising conversation about reinvention, resilience, and leading with purpose.

We dive into:

• How a career-ending injury turned Elliot’s life upside down — and led him to coaching and professional speaking
• The story behind his “Watch Me” philosophy and why permission is overrated
• Turning dyslexia and setbacks into drive and creative fire
• The evolution from public speaking to professional speaking — and the truth about getting paid to speak
• Why the best leaders keep it simple and put busyness on ice

It’s a raw, funny and deeply human conversation about rediscovering your purpose, using your voice for good, and leading without waiting for anyone’s approval.

👉 Stay to the end to hear Elliot’s success ingredient — and the one thing he’s happily putting on ice.

More About Elliot

You can find out more about Elliot on his website https://www.elliotkay.com and book a call with him here https://tidycal.com/mnyxkx3/connectioncalltalks

More about Brand Mixology

You can find out more about how Brand Mixology work on our website www.brandmixology.co and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamclairemarshall/

What happens when the same brain that fuels your creativity also makes you lose four passports in five years?

In this episode of Brand Mixology, I sit down with Daniel Chaput de Saintonge — founder of a thriving content studio and one of the most brilliantly self-aware creatives I know — to explore the messy, funny, and deeply human side of running a business with ADHD.

We talk about:

• The beauty and chaos of a “stop–start” brain in business and creativity
• How ADHD shows up in leadership, procrastination, and people management
• Why passion is the anchor when everything else feels like noise
• The myth of the solo entrepreneur — and the power of building the right team
• How self-awareness (and humour) can turn challenges into superpowers

It’s a candid, entertaining, and surprisingly relatable conversation about self-acceptance, creative energy, and finding the freedom to work with your brain instead of against it.

👉 Stay to the end to hear Daniel’s mixology moment — the ingredient he’s adding to the cocktail of success and the myth he’s putting firmly on ice.

More About Daniel

You can find out more about 'Knock Knock', Daniel's production studio in London, on their website https://knockknockhq.com/

More about Brand Mixology

You can find out more about how Brand Mixology work on our website www.brandmixology.co and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamclairemarshall/

What happens when the worlds of data, creativity and humanity collide?

In this episode of Brand Mixology, I sit down with David Brown - founder of Orion Studios and host of With AI FM - to talk about the intersection of technology, storytelling, and the messy, magical art of showing up.

We explore:

How AI is reshaping creative industries — and why it’s still no match for real human connection

The 80/20 rule of storytelling vs. production quality in video and podcasting

Why “done is better than perfect” and the danger of overthinking your next move

The birth of Orion Studios — and what it really takes to turn a dream into reality

The mindset behind David’s motto: “Lady luck won’t dance with you if you’re not on the floor.”

It’s a conversation about courage, experimentation, and embracing the tools of the future without losing what makes us human.

👉 Stay to the end to hear David’s mixology moment — the ingredient he’s adding to the success cocktail, and the one habit he’s putting firmly on ice.

More about David

You can find out more about Orion studios, Tunbridge Wells on their website https://www.orionstudios.uk/ and check out With Ai FM - here's the direct link https://spotify.link/zZmOlUBdxXb.

You can also connect with David on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

More about Brand Mixology

You can find out more about how Brand Mixology work on our website www.brandmixology.co and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamclairemarshall/