Building your Brand

I recently did a Q+A box over on my instagram and today's episode is me answering the questions that came up. It's so great to be able to answer specific questions from listeners and I hope you enjoy discovering the answers to the questions asked too! If you have any other questions for me, or if the answers sparked more questions come find me on instagram where I am @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I'll keep a list for the next Q+A episode.  Episode Highlights 0:32 Exciting news for the next season of the podcast 3:27 What would have to happen for me to stop podcasting? 5:14 What is your least favourite podcasting task to do? 6:36 You have a client deadline and a podcast deadline clash, which one wins? 10:12 What hasn’t worked that you’ve tried before? 13:30 What’s the kindest thing someone has said about the podcast? 14:24 Why haven’t we had a live podcast recording/show yet? 15:48 Do you sell products with your hand-lettering on?   Mentioned in the episode My YouTube Channel (please subscribe if you enjoy YouTube content!) Waitlist for the Live Podcast Event If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

It can be hard to know what to invest in and when in your small business. Today I am sharing the recent investments I have made, why I made them and how they have helped me level up in my business. Have you made some recent upgrades or investments in your business? I'd love to know what has really supported you and given you a good ROI? Come find me on instagram where I am @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast to let me know and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways Needing hi-tech equipment shouldn’t be a barrier to entry for things in your business: start with what you have and build as you go Upgrading your equipment or spending money on support for your business can remove the friction for you   Episode Highlights 0:32 Why it helps to invest in your business 0:56 Leveling up my video tech and why 2:58 The things I have invested in - camera 4:03 The things I have invested in - microphone 5:09 The things I have invested in - teleprompter 7:09 The things I have invested in - coaching 8:53 The things I have invested in - portable camera   Mentioned in the episode Sony ZVe10 camera  Rode podmic USB  Elgato teleprompter Zencastr Paul Ince Business Coaching Osmo Pocket 3

Want to know one of the most clarifying and helpful things you can do for your small business? Define your mission statement. I've come across many small businesses who are doing great things but don't seem to have a clear direction they are going in simply because they missed a step when starting out, which is to determine their mission statement.  On today's solo episode I chat through what a mission statement actually is, we look at big companies' mission statements and look at what's needed to define your own mission statement. I think you're going to find this episode helpful even if you already have a mission statement - it's always a good time to check in and make sure all areas of your business are going in the direction you actually want them to! Let me know if this episode resonated with you. I'd love to know your mission statement too. Come find me on instagram where I am @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways A mission statement is an achor and a guiding light in your business When you’re clear about your motivation and values it translates well accross in your business and can help you make the right decisions for your business Money as the sole motivator for your business wont help you be clear on the bigger purpose of your business and it will be easy to get lost along the way.   Episode Highlights 0:29 The difference between a mission statement and a vision statement 3:30 Big brands’ mission statements 5:56 How to breakdown what a mission statement is so that you can create one 7:56 Making money as your mission statement, is that good or bad? 9:02 My advice for what to think about when writing your mission statement

If you didn't already know, I've been trying to get to 100 Rejections for the last two years. Today I am chatting through the update of how it's all going (spoiler alert - I am failing!!!). I have been learning valuable lessons along the way and as I share them in today's episode I hope you find them helpful too.  If you want some support in your Rejection Challenge Journey, or simply would like to have a list of ideas of what you could pitch for then you will want to get your hands on my latest resource - The Rejection Challenge Prompts Package; 30 prompts for you to challenge yourself with, daily or at your own pace.  Let me know how your rejection challenge is going if you're doing one or what the first thing you will pitch for if you're about to start! Come find me on instagram where I am @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways You have to learn to trust that you will be able to handle the rejection and move on Very rarely is anything a ‘forever’ no Pursuing rejection gets you more comfortable with discomfort and helps you to learn how to move on quicker when rejections do come   Episode Highlights 1:00: Let’s get rejected - a new product to help you with your rejection challenge 1:37: the story so far and why I’m failing 3:15: A new challenge to help me get to 100 5:15: Dream clients as a motivitaion 6:44: Things that hold me back in the rejection challange    

Have you ever felt like there's a bit of a blockage between what you're doing now and where you want to be in marketing your business? Are you watching other people show up for their brands and their marketing in ways that just seem beyond what you feel naturally comfortable in doing and you don't even think the content they're producing is that good but they seem to be doing well...? Well today's episode is for you!  I was having a chat with my friend who works in fundraising for a Charity and our converstation inspired today's episode. Join me as I talk through and encourage us all to lean a bit further into our discomfort and what feels 'cringe' and why that's a great move for your branding, marketing and business in general. I would love to hear your thoughts on what has helped you overcome the cringe and what you're planning to do to grow your personal discomfort in your business Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways The most successful people are not necessarily the people who are the best at what they do. It’s often the people who are prepared to put themselves out there. The people who are willing to work through 'the cringe' are the ones who are getting their businesses and products infront of clients and making the sales In order to grow our businesses we need to grow our capacity for discomfort A huge part of success is the willingness to show up and risk failiure   Episode Highlights 0:42 The story behind today’s topic 1:53 Who is winning at being successful? 2:46 Being 'cringe' online 3:21 How to grow your business well 4:27 Why people get held back in their businesses 5:25 Things you can do to help you push through the discomfort 7:59 How to stand out in your industry 10:23 A round up of lessons learned  

It is so tempting to jump on trends when it feels like 'everyone is doing it', and the creative direction is right in front of you but does it actually help or hinder your business? Today I chat through my thoughts on whether or not following trends is good for your branding and if you do follow trends how to know which ones work for you and which ones don't. I would also love to hear your thoughts on how you feel about trends and whether or not they work for you.  Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways Trends don’t last for very long; if you create branding based on a trend, within a year the trend will have moved on If you change your branding regularly you risk breaking trust with your audience and clients If you jump on a trend at the right time, it can have a good imapct and work well Some trends can get boring really quickly and become oversaturated   Episode Highlights 1:14 Trends in visual branding 2:10 why rebranding frequently causes problems 4:10 Ways to use trends in your small business visual branding 6:41 trends within your visual content 9:35 Questions to ask yourself before jumping on a trend   Mentioned in the episode Trending reel with Liz Mosley and Hannah Isted

Over the last 5 years of running my business I have set myself various creative challenges. I never really went into them thinking about the impact that they might have on my business but every single one of them has had a really significant impact and they have often led me to other very exciting opportunities.  In this episode I share with 4 of those challenges, what I learnt from doing them and the other opportunities that came my way as a result, and I encourage you to think about the impact creative challenges might have for you.  I would also love to hear your thoughts on what my next creative challenge should be!  Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeways Creative challenges can speed up your learning process and your progress Creative challenges increase your discipline and consistency Creative challenges exercise your playful creative muscle Trying a different format or limiting yourself on purpose increases creativity   Episode Highlights 1:38 My first creative challenge experience 2:03 What I love about a challege 5:15 The Pattern Challenge 7:44 The Rejection Challenge 8:33 Unexpected results and opportunities from challenges 9:26 40 Lessons Challenge   Mentioned in the episode Hannah Isted 30 Day reel challenge final reel Rejection Challenge Podcast episode How persuing rejection transformed my business blog

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here (Aff link) This wasn't an episode that I was planning on recording but I suddenly felt the urge to chat about it as I see more and more of this sort of thing online. There are loads of tools now where you can upload hours of your voice or video content of you and make an AI avatar of yourself that looks pretty realistic. I can see how there might be some benefits to this and I discuss that in the episode but I have decided that this is not for me and I share the reasons why. I would love to know what you think - is this something you have thought about? I would love to carry on the conversation on social media so come let me know your thoughts. You can find me @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeaways AI is never going to replace human interaction and authentic connection AI avatar may be usual for helping you show up online for your business, but weigh it up for yourself ‘Perfect’ isn’t as interesting as ‘authentic’   Episode Highlights 0:30 why I wanted to cover AI as a subject 1:30 my immediate reaction to having an AI avatar 3:20 Versions of AI tools available 4:56 The pressure to present 6:00 The appeal of an AI Avatar 8:20 A warning for using an AI Avatart   Mentioned in the episode Biz Paul

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here (Aff link) Have you ever considered what your brand values are? Whenever I teach clients and students about branding I always bang on about how important your brand values are as part of your brand foundation and strategy. They aren't hard to work out and are often very similar to your personal values especially if you're a small business owner. In this episode, I share what my brand values are, a super simple excersize for working out what yours might be, and I also share some stories from pals on social media who shared with me how their values have impacted different situations they have found themselves in in their business! I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I’m @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeaways Our values are often passed down to us and become formed over time. Having brand values helps you to make better decisions for your business Brand values help you to steer your business in the right direction Brand values help you maintain your integrity in your business Brand values are like boundaries for your business - lines you draw that you do not cross As you change as a person, your brand values will change. It’s good to check in with brand values to make sure they are aligned with who you are   Episode Highlights 0:49: What are brand values? 3:10: My Brand values 6:48: Exercise to figure out your brand values 11:10: How brand values look and work in your business 12:33: Real life examples of how brand values work   Mentioned in the episode rode pod mic Brand Values Cheat Sheet Flash Sale - Design your Own Branding

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here (Aff link) In need of a brand but don't yet have enough budget to hire a professional? On today's episode of Building your Brand podcast I am giving you my top tips for DIYing your own branding. Whether its because you're a creative and want to do your branding yourself or you need some branding to bride the gap between now and when you can afford to outsource your branding, this episode is for you. I am also putting my course Design Your Own Branding ON SALE as I will be retiring the course after this round. Get it now while it's still available! I hope you really enjoy this episode and find it useful. I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeaways If you have a small budget but not enough for branding hire a photographer; it's the most valuable use of your money at this stage Your brand values will be similar or the same as your personal values It's important to keep asking yourself 'What do I want my customers to feel' all through the process of develioping your branding   Episode Highlights 2:32 Deciding on brand values 3:12 Defining a mission statement 4:22 Brand personality 6:20 How to create a moodboard that helps you 7:31 Bare minimum elements needed to create branding 9:38 File formats needed 10:02 Colour guidelines 12:07 Fonts for branding 13:50 How photography can help 14:56 Adding illustrations to your branding   Mentioned in the episode colour.adobe.com - accessability checker My blog post: recommeded brand photographers Hannah Bacon templates Flash Sale - Design your Own Branding

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics, who create powerful plugins for Adobe illustrator. Access your free trial here (aff link)  I am continuing the summer series of solo episodes and on today's episode I share with you my tips and experience of growing a personal brand. I go over what a personal brand actually is, the buzz words around it and why it might be really significant for you to think about growing your own personal brand too. I give a six step breakdown of lessons I've learned along the way I hope you really enjoy this episode and find it useful. I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!   Key Takeaways: If you’re going to have a personal brand, you need to be strategic about it If you want other opportunities outside of your core offering, personal branding can help with that - people buy from people A fun way to raise your profile is by borrowing someone else’s audience: guest appear on other people’s podcast Having a personal brand helps people to talk about you when you’re not in the room Ask for what you want; don’t wait for people to notice you Know your values and get comfortable with saying No   Episode Highlights: 0:55: What is a personal brand? 2:20: Do you need a personal brand? 5:36: How I have grown my personal brand 11:12: Six lessons I've learned about building a personal brand   Mentioned in the episode: Astute Graphics (Aff link)   This episode was written, recorded and edited by me. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!  

Today I am starting a 12 week series where I chat about all things small business, behind the scenes and answer questions that have been sent in by you the listeners.  This first episode is a deep dive into the story of how I came to partner with Adobe. It's a behind the scenes look at the ins and outs of being an Adobe Express ambassador and the path that it has led me down in growing my business, broadening my experience and raising my profile as a designer.   Key Takeaways: You never know who’s watching: exciting opportunities can happen at anytime in your business   Episode Highlights: 1:25: How I started with Adobe 3:34: What it’s like being an Adobe Express Ambassador 5:13: My shift and growth within Adobe 5:45: BTS with Adobe Live 8:10: How I have benefited from working at Adobe 11:40: What it was like speaking at Adobe Max 13:12: How working with Adobe has changed my business plan 14:22: Restrictions of working with Adobe 16:46: Is working with Adobe intimidating? 18:29: The cons of working with Adobe   Mentioned in the episode: Adobe Express (aff link) Adobe Live Nikki McWilliams Apply to be an Adobe Express Ambassador I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and edited by me. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week, I’m excited to share a slightly different episode of the Building Your Brand podcast. I was joined in the studio by two previous guests, Hannah and Lois, for a candid conversation about a topic I don't think is discussed enough: the fear of success. It turns out this fear has a name – the Jonah Complex – and it can show up in all sorts of sneaky ways, from procrastination to self-sabotage. We delved into what the fear of success looks like for each of us, how it holds us back, and what we can do to start working through it. We touch on everything from the pressure of maintaining success to how our relationships can change and the stories we tell ourselves about what success even means. This was such an insightful and inspiring chat, and I hope it gets you thinking about your own relationship with success.   Key Takeaways: Define Your Own Success: Success isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. 3It’s crucial to get clear on what success looks and feels like for you personally, rather than chasing a version of success defined by others or society. Embrace the Process: The journey towards your goals is just as important as reaching the destination. We often adapt to achievements quickly, so finding joy and value in the day-to-day process is key to long-term fulfilment. Challenge Your Internal Stories: We all have narratives in our heads about what success entails – that it’s stressful, that it requires sacrificing time with family, or that it will make people dislike us. It's powerful to question these stories, unpick our judgements of others, and intentionally decide if we're making choices out of fear or true desire. Get Comfortable with Discomfort: Pushing towards something new will inevitably feel uncomfortable because it's something you haven't done before. Learning to tolerate this discomfort is essential for growth, and it's different from being mean to yourself.    Episode Highlights: 03:31: The topic for today's episode is the fear of success, which came about after a conversation between the three of us. 08:08: Lois shares her fear of niching down into the wrong thing and how coaching helped her reframe her perspective on success and capacity. 11:05: I talk about how my most significant moments of success were defined by the feeling of security they gave me, not the achievement itself. 23:20: I discuss the fear of the stress and responsibility that can come with a certain level of success, like being a CEO, and Hannah challenges that assumption. 39:18: We discuss what steps we can take away from the conversation to work through our own fears of success.   About the Guests: Hannah runs Hi Communications, where she helps small business owners with their marketing. She is also the author of The Best 90 Days Ever. Hannah's website: https://www.hicommunications.co.uk/ Hannah on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hicommunications_/ Hannah on Building Your Brand: https://buildingyourbrand.net/episode/hannah-isted-book/ Lois is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and workshop host who helps people discover their creativity and grow in their creative confidence. Lois' website: https://www.loisseco.net/ Lois on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loisseco/ Lois on Building Your Brand: https://buildingyourbrand.net/episode/lois-seco/ Mentioned in the episode: The Episode Where Liz Gets Coached by Theresa Heath-Wareing Build Your Brand by Working Less with Rich Webster I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I am joined by Andreas Tzortzis, a former journalist who has written for the likes of Newsweek, Monocle, and The New York Times. For the last 15 years, he's worked in brand strategy and storytelling at places like Red Bull and Apple, and for clients through his consultancy, Hella. He recently co-authored the book, Not a Playbook: The Art of Building a Brand, with Damien Bradfield, the co-founder of WeTransfer. In this episode, we chat all about how brands can grow without sacrificing their integrity, prioritising creativity and trust to build brands that will stand the test of time. I really hope you enjoy the episode and come let me know what you think. You can find me on Instagram at @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast.   Key Takeaways A Brand is its People: A brand's culture is a reflection of the people who work there. WeTransfer’s success came from hiring people from non-traditional backgrounds and fostering a culture that encouraged experimentation and didn't have layers of approval. The Power of Instinct: Especially in the early stages of building a brand, instinct is invaluable. Relying on instinct over-analysing data can lead to more authentic and compelling brand decisions. Build with Intentionality: Brands that endure are built with a purpose beyond just profitability. WeTransfer's intention was to inject a moment of joy into a utilitarian task and to champion the creative community they served. Embrace Unpredictability: While consistency is important, the brands that truly cut through the noise are those that are unpredictable. This is achieved by having a clear, ambitious vision from the start which gives you the license to experiment and do the unexpected. Trust is Everything: Building trust is a cornerstone of a successful brand. This extends from creating a trustworthy product to empowering collaborators, like artists and creatives, by giving them freedom and respect.   Episode Highlights 06:53: Andreas shares the story behind his book, Not a Playbook, and the unlikely origins of WeTransfer, a tech company founded by designers. 13:58: A brand is simply the people who work there. Andreas explains how WeTransfer's culture of hiring individuals from non-traditional marketing backgrounds was fundamental to its success. 19:58: The significance of intentionality in branding. Andreas discusses how WeTransfer was built with an intention that went beyond profit, aiming to serve and celebrate the creative community. 27:05: How can brands be more creative? By articulating a vision that is bigger and more ambitious than the specific product or service they currently offer, using Apple as a prime example. 41:51: Andreas reveals the five key themes from the book that frame the WeTransfer story, reflecting the best qualities of an artist: intention, trust, faith, instinct, and serendipity.   About the Guest Andreas Tzorkis is a journalist, brand strategist, and co-author of Not a Playbook. Book Website: notaplaybook.com   Mentioned in the episode Book: Not a Playbook Companies: WeTransfer, Red Bull, Apple, Creative Boom, HubSpot Film: The Long Goodbye by Riz Ahmed Newsletter: The Hustle I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

I LOVE an episode where I get to really dig into the deep stuff about running a business so in today's episode, I'm thrilled to be chatting with the brilliant Ivy Malik. Ivy helps creative entrepreneurs who are feeling undervalued to break free from overthinking and fear, enabling them to price with confidence and build businesses they truly love. I always learn so much from my guests, and my conversation with Ivy was no exception – I've definitely got a lot to implement after our chat!   Key Takeaways Here are some of the golden nuggets from my conversation with Ivy: Pricing as Branding: We often overlook this, but your pricing is a massive part of your branding and how your business is perceived in the market. Think about the difference in perception between a £40 handbag and a £4,000 one – price signals value. Undervalued Creativity: As creatives, we often undervalue our work. Ivy suggests this can stem from how arts are treated as "optional" from a young age in education, subconsciously telling us our skills aren't as valuable as others. Confidence is Crucial: Ivy really highlighted that confidence is a key ingredient in being able to charge what you're worth. Often, the person charging more isn't necessarily more skilled, but more confident in communicating their value. This confidence often comes from taking action and gaining experience. Client's Budget, Not Your Burden: It's not your job to decide what your client can or can't afford. Making assumptions about a potential client's budget (e.g., a solopreneur can't afford high prices) can be a limiting belief. They have responsibility for their own finances. Sales Calls as Conversations: A sales call doesn't have to be a pushy, aggressive experience. Instead, think of it as a conversation to understand the client's needs and value, and then frame your price to match what they want. Negotiation is about finding a meeting point you're both happy with.   Episode Highlights 03:00: Ivy talks about her personal drive to protect creatives from a system that often undervalues their work, even acting as an agent for friends in her twenties to ensure they got paid fairly. 08:00: Ivy breaks down the essential components for pricing: skill, experience (which adds depth), and, crucially, confidence. 13:00: A real challenger moment when Ivy questions the common assumption that solo business owners or those serving smaller businesses automatically can't afford higher prices. 27:00: We discuss the importance of taking action despite fear, especially when it comes to increasing your prices. Often, the scary story we tell ourselves about what might happen is far worse than the reality.   About the Guest: Website: Ivy Malik Coaching Instagram | LinkedIn   Ivy has generously offered that if you have any follow-up questions after listening, you can reach out to her, just mention you came from this podcast!   End Credits I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk ) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with Kerry Tottingham, co-founder of the social enterprise A Brilliant Thing. Kerry runs A Brilliant Thing with her sisters, focusing on ‘Healing Centred Design' – a fascinating framework they've developed that blends systemic approaches, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice to help people and organisations create positive change. Despite this being a relatively abstract concept I thought I’d struggle to understand, Kerry explained the concept beautifully and I know you’ll enjoy the chat as much as I did! Kerry shares her journey and insights into how Healing Centred Design principles, and even complementary physical products, can benefit individuals and communities.   Key Takeaways Healing Centred Design: It's about blending systemic thinking, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice, shifting the focus from trauma to healing, and equipping people with design tools to create better systems and adapt to change. Adding Products to Services: Creating a physical product (like coaching cards) can solve internal needs (collecting resources), enhance the client experience (changing the environment, offering tangible tools), and act as an invitation into your world and methodology. Product Strategy: You don't need a full product business. Products can be used strategically within a service business for launches, as bonuses, or exclusive offers, without necessarily requiring constant sales and shipping if that doesn't suit your model. Diversification & Innovation: Offering both services and products, or diversifying income streams and experiences in general, can lead to cross-pollination of ideas, innovation ('Collide and Align' principle), and resilience. It allows you to meet people where they are, offering different levels of engagement and investment. The Power of Safety & Collaboration: Building strong, trusting relationships, whether with co-founders (like Kerry and her sisters) or collaborators, creates the necessary safety for creativity, risk-taking, and navigating challenges.   Episode Highlights 02:41: The concept of Healing Centred Design. 08:49: The Brilliant Box coaching cards. 12:10: How the idea for the physical product emerged from an internal need. 18:16: Considering how different types of products (bite-size cards vs. in-depth book) cater to different needs and learning styles. 20:55: The 'Collide and Align' principle – intentionally seeking diverse ideas for innovation.   About the Guest Kerry Tottingham is a co-founder of A Brilliant Thing, a social enterprise she runs with her sisters, Tess and Faye. They focus on teaching and implementing Healing Centred Design. Website: brilliantthings.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrilliantthing/ Podcast: Healing Centred Transformation Resources: https://www.brilliantthing.co.uk/the-brilliant-box   Mentioned in the Episode Ideas Fest: Event where they launched the Brilliant Box. Hannah's Calendar: https://www.hicommunications.co.uk/product-page/2025calendar Sweet Pea Sensory: Maker providing Play-Doh for Kerry's book launch   End Credits I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

  Today on the podcast, I am chatting to Rich Webster, who is a designer, entrepreneur, mentor, and consultant. He helps other creative entrepreneurs work less, and I've personally been a fan of his work and podcast for a few years now. We're talking all about how to work less, but as you'll hear, we dive into so much more, from focusing your business to the real impact of mental clutter. I really hope you enjoy this one!   Key Takeaways The 1% Brain Power Myth: Rich explained that the difference between dedicating 1% of your brainpower to a task versus 0% isn't just 1% – it feels more like 100%. Letting go of lingering business responsibilities, even small ones, can free up an enormous amount of mental space. Diversification as Distraction: Contrary to popular advice, Rich argues that diversification can often be a distraction, especially for solopreneurs. Narrowing your focus to the one or two things that provide the highest leverage can be far more effective for growth. Expert vs. Marketing Business: When looking to grow, solopreneurs often burn out trying to excel at both high-level client fulfilment and extensive marketing. Rich suggests choosing a path: either an "expert business" (scaling with price by becoming a sought-after specialist) or a "marketing business" (scaling with volume through products that don't require your direct time for fulfilment). Systemise Your "Non-Genius" Work: Identify your highest leverage tasks (for Rich, it's thinking and writing) and systemise everything else. This involves creating standard operating procedures, templates, and delegating, allowing you to spend more time in your zone of genius. The "One In, One Out" Rule for Your Time: Inspired by a minimalist philosophy for the home, Rich suggests that if you bring a new commitment or task (like starting Morning Pages) into your life, you should consciously remove something else to make space for it.     Episode Highlights 01:00: Rich shares his powerful origin story, touching on his journey from addiction to becoming an entrepreneur and how that shapes his perspective. 09:00: The surprising mental cost of keeping even seemingly small business commitments active; that final leap to 0% makes a huge difference. 11:00: Rich presents his compelling argument that "diversification is distraction" and why focusing your efforts is often the smarter move for sustainable growth. 17:00: An exploration of the two distinct business models solopreneurs can adopt to avoid burnout: the "expert business" scaling with price, or the "marketing business" scaling with volume. 46:00: Applying a minimalist household rule to your business and time: if you decide to add a new activity or commitment, what will you remove to make space for it?   About the Guest Rich Webster is a designer, entrepreneur, mentor, and consultant who helps creative entrepreneurs work less and achieve more. Instagram: @RichWebbs Website: richwebster.co   Mentioned in the episode Chris Do (Rich's mentor) Work Less, Earn More (Rich Webster's program) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron    I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review! In this episode, I'm absolutely thrilled to chat with Sarah Holmes, the brilliant owner of two physical shops in Scotland, Pencil Me In and Seasgair. Sarah has done an incredible job of not only marketing her shops to become must-visit destinations but also cultivating a strong personal brand alongside them. We delve into her journey from a childhood dream of being a shopkeeper to running multiple successful retail businesses, her strategies for online and offline growth, the importance of community, and how she's navigated the ups and downs of retail. If you're interested in what it truly takes to build a brand around physical products and create a loyal customer base, this episode is packed with insights! Key Takeaways: Authenticity Builds Loyalty: Showing up as your genuine self, sharing your opinions, and letting customers get to know the person behind the brand is crucial for building a strong, loyal community. Identify & Fill Market Gaps: Sarah’s success with her second shop, C Scare, and her custom pencil business stemmed from spotting a need and strategically filling it, rather than just following passion alone. The Power of In-Person Networking: Especially in smaller towns or more rural areas, joining local business groups and actively networking can be invaluable for building support, gaining customers, and fostering word-of-mouth referrals. Consistency is Key in Retail: Maintaining regular opening hours and consistently stocking products that your customers are looking for are fundamental to building trust and keeping people coming back. Coupled with this is the need for relentless marketing. Flexibility Can Fuel Growth: For Sarah's custom pencil business, offering low minimum orders and a high level of customer service for wholesale clients has been a significant factor in its growth.   Episode Highlights: 01:10: Sarah talks about her lifelong dream of being a shopkeeper, a passion that started with a childhood post office set! 08:30: The origin story of Pencil Me In's famous personalised pencils – from outsourcing to buying a foiling machine just two weeks after opening in Elgin and teaching herself the craft. 18:45: Sarah shares how she started using Instagram Stories to connect on a more personal level and how a mini-crowdfunder, promoted only on Stories, helped her buy essential equipment and revealed the strength of her online community. 27:40: Sarah’s advice for struggling retail shops: focus on consistency in opening hours and stock, understand your customer journey, and commit to constant marketing. 42:30: Sarah discusses the significant impact that joining a local women's networking group (Moray Business Women) had on her business, especially when starting out in a new area.   About the Guest: Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes is the owner of two physical shops in Elgin, Scotland & she also runs a successful custom-printed pencil business, supplying individuals and major clients like the House of Commons.   Websites: Pencil Me In: pencilmein.co.uk Seasgair Store: https://seasgair.store Custom Printed Pencils: customprintedpencils.co.uk   Instagram: @pencileminshop @seasgair.store   Mentioned in the episode: Wix (website builder) The Stationery Show London Atomicøn Conference Moray Business Women   I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Brand! Today, I'm thrilled to be chatting with the incredible Kira Matthews. Kira is a mindset and confidence coach who truly embodies the power of self-belief. She specialises in helping creators, founders, and freelancers unlock their most confident selves to achieve those big, bucket-list dreams. In this conversation, we dive into Kira's journey into coaching, the many lessons she's picked up along the way, and her invaluable insights on overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. If you've ever found yourself hesitating or watching from the sidelines while others chase opportunities you dream of, this episode is packed with inspiration for you.   Key Takeaways: Confidence is an Inside Job: True confidence isn't about ticking off external achievements or meeting societal expectations. It's an emotion generated internally by our thoughts. We need to shift from chasing external validation to cultivating confident thoughts. Uncover Your Inner Dialogue: To build confidence, you first need to understand the thoughts currently running the show. Kira suggests a powerful exercise: take 10 minutes to write down all your thoughts about a specific topic (like your business or your appearance) to reveal the often subconscious and sometimes critical narratives at play. Reframe Rejection: Rejection is an inevitable part of putting yourself out there, especially in business. Instead of viewing it as a personal failure, see it as valuable feedback and an opportunity to learn and refine your approach. Often, a 'no' provides crucial information that can lead to a 'yes' down the line. The Power of Connection: Your ability to communicate and build relationships is paramount. Many goals involve other people, and knowing how to bring them on board with your vision is more critical than waiting for your website or skills to be 'perfect'. Embrace Imperfect Action for Faster Growth: Waiting for perfection can lead to stagnation. Taking action, even if it's imperfect and involves making mistakes, is the quickest way to learn, adapt, and ultimately achieve your goals. It's about failing fast and learning faster.   Episode Highlights: 02:41: Kira shares how her early days in fashion styling, dealing with logistics like lost customs packages and coordinating with major brands, unexpectedly taught her invaluable communication and hustle skills. 08:51: Kira explains that confidence is an emotion we generate internally through our thoughts, challenging the common belief that it comes from external achievements or validation. 10:38: Kira offers a practical 10-minute journaling exercise to uncover the true thoughts and beliefs that might be holding you back from feeling confident. 19:05: Drawing from her experience in sales, Kira discusses how she learned to anticipate and even welcome rejection as a necessary part of the process that helps shape the final successful outcome. 35:30: Kira talks about recovering from rejection by focusing on separating the actual facts from the (often negative) stories we tell ourselves, and the importance of understanding why a 'no' was given.   About the Guest: Kira Matthews is a mindset and confidence coach. Instagram: @KiraTheBold Website: kiramatthews.com Programme: Pitch School (enrolling for September 2025) Podcast: No Room For Doubt   Mentioned in the episode: Hannah Isted (Friend of the podcast and Pitch School alumna) Chris Do (Host of The Futur Podcast, which I was a guest on)   I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Ever felt like PR is a mysterious world reserved for big brands with even bigger budgets? In this episode, I'm thrilled to chat with Pippa Goulden, founder of The PR Set, who is on a mission to make PR accessible and achievable for small business owners like us. Pippa shares her wealth of experience, breaking down exactly what PR is (and isn't!), and offers practical, actionable advice on how we can start leveraging its power to build our brands and reach our ideal audiences. Get ready to take notes, because this episode is packed with insights you'll want to implement straight away!   Key Takeaways PR is more than just press: While media coverage is a part of PR, it's fundamentally about getting other people to talk about your business. This could be through podcast interviews, collaborations, speaking opportunities, or even networking. Start with your network and what feels comfortable: You don't need to aim for major national press from day one. Begin by exploring opportunities within your existing network and with activities that align with your comfort zone. Consistency and momentum are key: PR is often a slow burn; it's about building momentum over time. Don't get discouraged if you don't see huge results immediately; keep putting one foot in front of the other. Storytelling is powerful, but not the only way: Sharing your founder story or other compelling narratives can be very effective in PR, but it's not a prerequisite. Focus on your expertise and what value you can offer to the end reader or listener. Pitching effectively means being concise, relevant, and confident: When reaching out for PR opportunities, keep your pitch short, tailor it to the specific person or publication, and clearly articulate the value you bring to their audience.   Episode Highlights 02:41: How PR sits within the broader marketing landscape 04:00: Beyond just press coverage 11:00: The role of storytelling in PR 20:00: The importance of persistence and not expecting overnight success with PR. 24:00: Top tips for crafting a compelling and effective pitch.   About the Guest Pippa Goulden is the founder of The PR Set, an organisation dedicated to helping small business owners understand and utilise PR effectively. With a background working with big brands and agencies, Pippa realised her passion lay in empowering entrepreneurs with interesting stories and innovative ideas. Website: theprset.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pippa_the.pr.set/ Membership: DIY PR Membership LinkedIn: Pippa Goulden   I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and1 produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!