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  • Build Your Brand by Working Less with Rich Webster

    Build Your Brand by Working Less with Rich Webster
    2025/06/11

    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!
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    49 分
  • The Art of Retail: Sarah Holmes on Passion, Pencils, and Personal Branding

    The Art of Retail: Sarah Holmes on Passion, Pencils, and Personal Branding
    2025/06/04
    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.ukSeasgair Store: https://seasgair.storeCustom Printed Pencils: customprintedpencils.co.uk Instagram: @pencileminshop@seasgair.store Mentioned in the episode: Wix (website builder)The Stationery Show LondonAtomicøn ConferenceMoray 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 )
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    51 分
  • The Confidence Blueprint: Kira Matthews on Turning Self-Doubt into Your Superpower

    The Confidence Blueprint: Kira Matthews on Turning Self-Doubt into Your Superpower
    2025/05/28
    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: @KiraTheBoldWebsite: kiramatthews.comProgramme: 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!
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    47 分
  • Get Noticed: Pippa Goulden on Making PR Work for You

    Get Noticed: Pippa Goulden on Making PR Work for You
    2025/05/21

    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!
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    34 分
  • Pitching, Negotiating & Landing Brand Collaborations with Phoebe Sherman

    Pitching, Negotiating & Landing Brand Collaborations with Phoebe Sherman
    2025/05/14

    Have you ever thought about collaborating with other brands as part of your business and brand? It's definitely something I've been exploring and today on the podcast, I'm chatting to Phoebe Sherman, who I actually met through working with Adobe.

    In this episode, Phoebe shares her wealth of experience working with a variety of brands, how it has fitted into her business, and her top tips for finding collaborations, building relationships, and working successfully with brands. If you've been thinking about brand partnerships, or are just curious about how they work, I really hope you enjoy this episode!

    Key Takeaways

    • Having multiple revenue streams can help your business navigate uncertainty and changes in consumer behaviour.
    • Brand partnerships can be a significant revenue stream and you don't need a million followers or a service-based business to pursue them.
    • Be prepared to pitch to brands, follow up multiple times (initial email and two follow-ups), and don't be afraid to negotiate your rates, especially regarding usage rights for your content.
    • Finding brands to partner with involves understanding your audience, paying attention to the ads you see, and researching who to contact within a company (marketing manager, social media manager, PR email).
    • It's important to align yourself with brands that share your values, but also be aware that this can be complicated and may change over time; trusting your intuition and being willing to say no to opportunities that aren't the right fit is key.

    Episode Highlights

    • 00:01:07 - Phoebe shares the origin story of Girl Gang Craft and its evolution.
    • 00:05:05 - Discussing the challenges of letting go of aspects of the business that are no longer working.
    • 00:08:46 - Phoebe reveals the significant revenue generated from brand deals and her future goals.
    • 00:12:58 - Practical advice on how to find and pitch to potential brand partners.
    • 00:21:54 - Tips and insights on negotiating fees and understanding usage rights in brand collaborations.

    About the Guest

    You can find Phoebe on Instagram at @‌GirlGangCraft and at @‌PhoebeSherman. She is also on TikTok at @‌phoebe.sherman.

    Mentioned in the episode

    • Adobe Express
    • Beyond Nine (Beyond Nine pants)
    • Boomerang (email tool)
    • Phoebe's free brand script
    • Phoebe's brand partnership class

    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. 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!
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    34 分
  • Building Sustainable Brands with Teresa Ferreira

    Building Sustainable Brands with Teresa Ferreira
    2025/05/07
    In this episode, I chat with Teresa Ferreira, founder of Ferrgood Studio, about the often-buzzwordy topic of sustainability in branding. Teresa, a brand designer herself, shares practical insights and steps businesses can take to build more sustainable and impactful brands. We discuss moving beyond the pressure of perfection and focusing instead on making consistent, small steps in the right direction. If you've been wondering how to integrate sustainability into your small business authentically, this episode offers valuable guidance. Key Takeaways Progress Over Perfection: Sustainability is a journey, not a destination requiring perfection. Focus on making incremental, 1% improvements rather than getting stuck in an all-or-nothing mindset. Pillars of Sustainable Branding: Truly sustainable brands are built on authenticity (living your story transparently), consistency (aligning actions with values across all touchpoints), and measurable impact (tracking the positive effect you have). Practical Design Choices: Sustainability can be woven into design through tangible actions like choosing eco-friendly printers and materials, opting for green web hosting, implementing dark mode on websites to save energy, and selecting digital platforms conscious of their energy use.Intentionality is Key: Be mindful and intentional about resource use, whether it's adopting AI tools thoughtfully or avoiding wasteful trends (like collecting endless tote bags). Aim to outweigh any negative impact with positive actions. Communicate Authentically: Don't be afraid to talk about your sustainability efforts, even if they aren't perfect. Be transparent about your journey, admit where you can improve, and own up to mistakes – this builds trust and connection. Episode Highlights 04:18: Embracing the "1% better" philosophy (inspired by James Clear) instead of aiming for unattainable perfection. 06:05: The three core values Teresa builds into her studio and client work: authenticity, consistency, and impact.21:10: Using AI intentionally for efficiency, not letting it replace human creativity or using it trivially. 27:20: How to handle potential criticism when discussing sustainability efforts: focus on authenticity and transparency. 33:55: Using core brand values as a filter for opportunities, allowing for nuance rather than rigid blacklists. About the Guest: Teresa Ferreira Teresa Ferreira runs Ferrgood Studio, crafting designs and brands for businesses aiming to create a positive impact. Website: ferrgoodstudio.com Instagram: @FerrgoodStudio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferreirateresa/ Mentioned in the Episode Patagonia 1% for the Planet World Land Trust Friends of the Earth James Clear (Author of Atomic Habits) Dieter Rams (Designer, 10 Principles for Good Design) Planet App (Shopify carbon-neutral shipping integration) Online Carbon Footprint Calculators End Credits I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know1 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!
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    35 分
  • Small but Mighty: Nicky Borowiec on Competing with Agencies and Winning

    Small but Mighty: Nicky Borowiec on Competing with Agencies and Winning
    2025/04/30

    In this episode I chat with Nicky Borowiec about her journey from in-house creative roles to establishing her own business as a design and brand consultant specialising in the publishing industry. We delve into the advantages of being a sole creative when pitching against larger agencies, and we explore valuable insights into the pitching process, client communication, and pricing strategies.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Being a sole trader can be a superpower, offering cost-effectiveness, specialised knowledge, and a more personalised client experience compared to larger agencies.

    • Transitioning from a freelancer to a consultant mindset can significantly impact business growth and client interactions by shifting the focus from seeking approval to providing expert guidance.

    • Automation and systemisation are crucial for streamlining business operations, saving time on administrative tasks, and allowing more focus on creative work.

    Episode Highlights:

    • 00:01:00: Nicky discusses her 17-year career in creative roles in publishing, including marketing design, book cover design, and managing design teams.

    • 00:07:00: Nicky shares her experience of pitching against bigger agencies and how being a sole trader can be a strength.

    • 00:12:00: We explore strategies for pricing work, respecting your value, and charging your worth.

    • 00:25:00: Nicky provides insights into automating business processes to save time and improve efficiency.

    • 00:33:00: We discuss the use of AI tools to streamline business operations.

    About the Guest:

    Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

    Mentioned in the Episode:

    • Alison Jones (Website)
    • Alison Jones (Episode)
    • Katie Chappell (Website)
    • Katie Chappell (Episode)
    • Hannah’s book
    • Adobe Express (aff link)
    • British Library mentoring course

    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!

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    38 分
  • The Honest Truth About Writing a Business Book with Alice Benham

    The Honest Truth About Writing a Business Book with Alice Benham
    2025/04/23

    There's something about writing a book that seems so glamorous, so I'm always keen to hear from people who've actually done it and can give me an honest review of what it's like.

    So in this episode, I chat with previous guest, Alice Benham, about her experience of writing her bestselling book The Digital Marketing Handbook. We delve into the ins and outs of the book-writing process, the strategic reasons behind writing a book for your business and the impact it can have. Alice was super honest about the experience, including the challenges and legal issues she faced.

    If you've ever considered writing a book for your business, this episode is a must-listen!

    Key Takeaways:

    • Writing a book can be a strategic move for business owners, helping to elevate their brand and establish them as thought leaders.

    • The book-writing process can be challenging and time-consuming, with unexpected hurdles such as editing, design and legal issues.

    • Launching a book requires a different skill set than writing one, and it's important to have a strategy in place to maximise its impact.

    • It is important to set your expectations, it might take over your life for up to two years.

    Episode Highlights:

    • 03:31 The Book Deal Journey

    • 11:15 Editing Challenges and Lessons

    • 19:30 Legal Issues and High-Level Problems

    • 23:51 Balancing Business Growth and Personal Goals

    • 33:39 The Challenges of Book Promotion

    About the Guest:

    Alice Benham is a business strategist who helps people to take their big vision into their daily action.

    • Website: alicebenham.co.uk

    • Podcast: Starting the Conversation

    Mentioned in the Episode:

    • Buy Alice's book The Digital Marketing Handbook on Amazon | Bookshop.Org | Waterstones

    • Meg Fatharly

    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!
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    54 分