Many traditional business models prioritise profit and growth over the personal well-being of the entrepreneur. This often leads to burnout and dissatisfaction. Jo Hooper believes that the conventional mindset of working tirelessly for success can be detrimental.

She highlights that many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of thinking that long hours equate to success, which is not true. Instead of sacrificing their personal lives for work, she encourages entrepreneurs to design their businesses around their lives.

Topics

Life-first business model

Unconventional choices and authenticity

Pricing realities and mindset shifts

Social media authenticity and visibility

Societal conditioning and work culture

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Guest

Jo Hooper's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getwildlyfree

Jo Hooper's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@joiswildlyfree

Guest links

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getwildlyfree

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@joiswildlyfree

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jo Hooper's Coaching Philosophy

00:46 Target Audience and Coaching Approach

03:16 Embracing Unconventional Choices

05:19 Leaving Corporate for Mental Health

07:37 Balancing Life and Business

10:38 Redefining Work and Life Priorities

10:55 Recognising Sacrifices for Success

14:51 Challenging the Status Quo in Work

17:40 Uncomfortable Truths for Creatives

20:46 Confronting Criticism with Humour

21:47 The Challenge of Specificity in Communication

23:31 Embracing Authenticity and Personal Growth

24:30 Finding Joy in Content Creation

25:47 Uncovering Your Creative Voice

26:50 The Importance of Authentic Expression

29:07 Overcoming Fear of Visibility

32:51 The Need for Self-Validation

36:13 Backing Yourself for Success

37:54 Navigating Life Changes with Grace

41:19 Valuing Time and Expertise

Creatively Eccentric ™️

What started in Season 1 as a quick end-of-episode question about desk clutter has evolved into its own dedicated companion show.

For every main episode, my guests will be opening up their Studio draw (ers) to share raw sketches, unfinished experiments, bizarre creative habits, and half-baked ideas that usually stay hidden away.

⭐️New Season 2 Episodes Starts 3rd of September 2026⭐️

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Creatively Eccentric™️

Takeaways

• Dedicated bonus episode Studio Draw (er)
• Blending real-world creative experiences with systems and mindsets

I reflect on our journey, sharing behind-the-scenes breakthroughs and how the show has evolved since launching in 2025.

We revisit key moments on visibility, fearlessness, unmasking.

Catch up on past episodes during the break, and get ready—Season 2 launches September 2026!

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Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Creatively Eccentric™️

Episode mentions

Steve Chapman

Nathalie Edwards

Louisa Shaeri

Kayleigh Hall

Shamsul Rosunally

Angela Lyons

Dominique Van Werkhoven

Johanna Paverdy

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome & Season 1 Overview

00:45 - Key Themes: Visibility, Fearlessness & Eccentricity

01:43 - Steve Chapman: Unbecoming & The Sandwich Metaphor

03:06 - Nathalie Edwards: Breaking Generational Expectations

03:59 - Louisa Shaeri: Situational Mutism & Unmasking

05:23 - Kayleigh Hall: Identity, Culture & Community

06:35 - Shamsul Rosunally: AI & Independent Storytelling

07:27 - Angela Lyons: Diverse Event Representation

08:44 - Dominique Van Werkhoven: Standing Out vs. Tokenism

10:47 - Johanna Paverdy: Barriers for Diverse Founders

12:15 - Behind the Scenes: Building Foundations

14:02 - Strategic Shifts & Guest Waitlists

16:03 - Pitching Boldly & Cold DMs

17:34 - Birmingham Design Festival & Unapologetic Visibility

20:36 - Season 1 Wrap-Up & Season 2 Launch

Is networking really about making connections, or can it sometimes feel transactional? Are design festivals built for extroverts? In this bonus episode, I'm joined once again by graphic designer Bhavini to reflect on our experiences at Birmingham Design Festival 2026.

We share honest reflections on attending events as designers, overcoming networking anxiety, finding confidence in creative spaces, the hidden costs of attending festivals, and why it's important to choose events that work for you.

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Guest Info

Ep21 From Almost Quitting to Finding Joy Again

B81 Designs

Instagram

Mentions

Birmingham Design Festival - https://birminghamdesignfestival.com

Sisterland Festival - https://sisterlandfestival.com

All Flows Milton Keynes - https://allflows.co.uk

Cannes Lions - https://www.canneslions.com

The House of Oddities - https://hoodares.com/

Ellmer Stefan - https://www.instagram.com/ellmer.stefan/

Key Takeaways

• Networking as introverts and creatives
• Building genuine creative communities
• Accessibility, affordability and inclusivity at creative events
• Tips for attending design festivals for the first time
• Why it's okay to leave events that don't feel right for you

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Birmingham Design Festival

12:48 Networking Experiences and Insights

17:56 Navigating Networking Events

22:27 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Design Festivals

27:26 Financial Barriers to Participation

31:53 Diversity in Speakers and Opportunities

35:25 Final Thoughts on Event Participation

Creatively Eccentric™️

In this engaging conversation, Steve Chapman shares his multifaceted journey as an artist, writer, and podcaster. He reflects on the messiness of life, the importance of reconnecting with childhood creativity, and the human side of creativity as a means of self-expression.

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com
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Guest

Steve Chapman's Instagram

Creative Adventures Podcast

Website

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Steve Chapman and his creative identity

00:57 Resonance with bold voices and messy journeys

01:14 The beauty of messiness in creative life

01:36 Valuing strangeness and neurodivergence

02:29 Reconnecting with the playful, free spirit of childhood

03:10 The contrast between free childhood and cautious adulthood

05:48 How to reconnect with your creative innocence

06:35 Quantum flirting and openness to inspiration

08:44 Creativity as a way of being human

10:37 The essence of spontaneous self-expression

12:11 The internal and external freedom in creativity

13:27 Why we hide our process and how to celebrate wonkiness

14:44 The ongoing presence of fear and anxiety in creative work

16:59 The curious project of the silent podcast

18:13 The adventure of recording silence with celebrities

21:21 The power of silence and presence in conversations

22:18 The magic of stage presence and masks

23:59 Designing meaningful endings in creative projects

24:44 Drop in and out of the industry for freedom

26:00 Staying on the edges of creativity to protect authenticity

27:01 Challenging norms and questioning industry standards

29:23 The importance of inner work and self-belief

32:03 Masks as a mirror to hidden parts of ourselves

34:52 The transformative power of mask workshops

36:18 Unexpected insights from mask exploration

38:39 Deep empathy and intense moments in mask work

40:42 Handling intense emotional moments with masks

43:43 The unexpected items in the studio drawer

44:16 Breaking out of creative ruts with curiosity

46:35 Misunderstandings and assumptions about creative work

47:55 The most ridiculous item in the studio

49:38 The story of the crow friend and nature connection

51:29 Supporting your creative curiosity and fascination

52:10 Connecting with Steve via social media and website

Mentions

Jim Moir

Terry Waite

Creatively Eccentric™

Bhavini Lakhani, a graphic designer and branding specialist, shares her journey of creativity, confidence, and self-discovery. She discusses the impact of her structured upbringing on her design approach, the challenges of client experiences, and the process of rebuilding self-confidence.

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Guest Info

B81 Designs

Instagram

Takeaways

• Creativity isn't always confident, clear, or linear
• The process of rebuilding self-confidence is ongoing and requires self-trust and support Comparisonitis: The impact of social media on creativity and the importance of finding one's own path.
• Finding Inspiration: The value of outdoor experiences and the impact of personal projects on creativity.
• Design Tips: The importance of legibility, contrast, and avoiding creative traps in design work.
• Wise Words for Creatives: The importance of enjoying the work you do and avoiding creative burnout.

Chapters

• 00:00 Challenges of Client Experiences and Rebuilding Self-Confidence
• 09:08 Challenging Design Rules and Client Expectations
• 16:05 Rebuilding Self-Confidence and the Journey of Creativity
• 34:39 Wise Words for Creatives

Creatively Eccentric™

Sunni shares insights on cultural representation, emotional impact, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The conversation also explores the challenges of transitioning careers, the impact of storytelling in design, and the significance of visibility and representation in the design industry.

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Guest

Shari Fairclough

Bio

Instagram

Takeaways

• Design for the soul
• Learning from failure

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Sunni's Work and Background
• 05:22 Learning from Failure and Finding Inspiration
• 10:53 Personal Identity and Cultural Representation in Design
• 16:32 Transitioning Careers and Passion Projects
• 23:04 The Creative Process and Design Inspiration
• 29:20 Weird Sources of Inspiration in Design

Creatively Eccentric™

Kala shares her journey as a creative entrepreneur, navigating spaces where representation matters, and embracing her African heritage through fashion and business. She discusses overcoming industry pressures, building confidence, and supporting other women founders.

Connect

Pitch Heather: info@creativelyeccentric.com

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Guest

Website - https://bykalax.com/

Instagram - https://instagram.com/kala

Twitter/x - https://twitter.com/kala

Takeaways

1. Be Bold: Embrace your voice and share your story unapologetically.

2. Seek Representation: Ensure that others are seen and heard in spaces where they are often overlooked.

3. Create Opportunities: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; make your own path.

4. Build Confidence: Understand that confidence can be cultivated through experience and resilience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kala's Journey

03:43 Embracing Bold Voices and Zero Apologies

06:29 Navigating Underrepresentation in Journalism

09:23 Building Confidence in a Male-Dominated Industry

12:01 Creating Opportunities in the Creative Space

14:44 The Power of African Prints in Fashion

16:00 Authenticity vs. Industry Expectations

18:03 Finding Your Authentic Self

18:46 Embracing Individuality in Branding

19:37 Cultural Significance of African Prints

22:19 Everyday Visibility Through Fashion

24:56 Supporting Small Businesses and Female Founders

27:44 The Importance of Community and Support

29:35 Creative Processes and Inspirations

33:35 Learning from Career Mistakes

37:35 Advice for Aspiring Creatives

Creatively Eccentric™