In today's first solo episode of the year, I'm sharing the one resolution I'm committing to in 2026; writing! I'll be honest I've already stumbled a few times, but I'm learning to let go of my all-or-nothing mindset and embrace consistency over perfection. I talk about why I've always told myself I'm "not a good writer," how I'm using the 750 Words website to build a daily writing habit, and why this practice is going to transform my business. Plus, I'm opening up about my goal to write a book this year 👀 and how I'm learning to be kinder to myself along the way.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, and what your goals are and/or your approach to your goals so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Key Takeaways

• If you keep telling yourself a negative story, it will continue to be true For years, I've told myself I'm not a good writer, but I'm realizing that story isn't serving me. By practicing daily, I'm proving to myself that writing is a skill I can improve, not something I'm inherently bad at.
• Consistency doesn't mean perfection. I've struggled with an all-or-nothing mindset my whole life, but I'm learning that missing a day here and there doesn't mean failure. It's about showing up regularly, even when it's not perfect; whether that's writing, going to the gym, or any other goal.
• Daily writing is an investment in my business. Writing shows up everywhere in my work; email marketing, blog posts, website copy, client communications—and by improving this skill, I'm setting myself up to communicate better across all areas of my business. Plus, I'm building a bank of content I can repurpose later.

Episode Highlights

• 2:07 I explain why I don't usually make resolutions and prefer to hold my goals loosely
• 5:15 I'm revealing my 2026 resolution: writing 750 words every day using the 750 Words website
• 7:25 I'm opening up about the negative story I've been telling myself about not being a good writer
• 11:45 I'm discussing my all-or-nothing mindset and how I'm learning to be kinder to myself

Mentioned in the episode:

Live Podcast Recording; in person event with Gavin Strange (Aardman)

750 words website

Episode with Laura Belgray

Happy New Year and welcome back to the Building Your Brand podcast for 2026! I am so excited for what I have in store for this podcast this year.

To kick things off, I'm thrilled to welcome back a returning guest for her third time on the show: Alice Benham. Alice is the perfect person to start the year with because I love how she thinks about goals and working on your business rather than just in it.

In this episode, we demystify the difference between those two concepts (because I honestly get confused all the time!). We also discuss why it is so important to make time for big-picture strategy, even when it doesn't feel urgent, and how to create a vision that actually motivates you.

I hope this episode serves as a lovely motivational start to your year and helps you make a plan to grow your business in a way that feels really good to you.

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between "on" and "in" the business: Working in your business is employee mode (admin, client work) where you notice immediately if it stops. Working on your business is CEO mode (growth, strategy) where the impact is seen months down the line
• The urgency trap: We often neglect working on our business because it lacks the immediate urgency and dopamine hit of client work, but it is essential for long-term growth.
• The AB Method: Alice breaks down her strategy into three key habits: casting vision, setting goals, and tracking progress
• Hold the vision tightly, goals loosely: Your vision is the ultimate destination or feeling you want, while goals are just the vehicle to get there. It is okay to change your goals if a better path appears
• Track what matters to you: Don't just track arbitrary numbers like revenue if they don't serve you. Create a "scorecard" with 3-5 metrics that align with your specific goals, such as how aligned your work feels or revenue from a specific offer

Episode Highlights:

• 02:27 – Alice explains the "Dummies Guide" to the difference between working on and in your business
• 11:59 – Why documenting and tracking is vital to stop you from being led purely by emotion
• 18:41 – The danger of "vanity metrics" and why Alice recommends a simple scorecard with a maximum of five data points
• 23:25 – How to avoid "goal distraction" by ensuring your goals are actually your own and not just what you see others doing
• 30:08 – Why vision work is like taking a spatula to the inside of your brain to scrape out ideas

About The Guest:

Alice Benham is a business strategist who helps business owners grow by working on their business, not just in it. She is the founder of the "On It" programme, which provides the structure and space for business owners to set goals, track progress, and cast their vision.

You can find Alice on her website or Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

On It: Alice's programme for business owners to work on their business. Use code LIZ10 for 10% off

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!

In this final episode of 2025, I'm reflecting on how the format of two episodes a week has been and sharing exciting plans for 2026. From hosting my first live podcast event in Cardiff to pursuing more public speaking opportunities and even writing a book, I'm opening up about my goals, my philosophy on holding plans lightly, and why I love doing more of what's already working in my business.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, and I'd love to hear about your 2026 goals too! So please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

• Consistency Pays Off – Running both guest and solo episodes weekly since October has strengthened my personal branding and supported consistent YouTube content creation.
• Hold Goals Lightly – Sometimes better opportunities emerge than what you planned. Being flexible allowed for speaking at Adobe Max instead of the original podcast event timing.
• Goals Need Strategy – It's not enough to just set goals; you need a concrete plan and actionable steps to actually achieve them.
• Do More of What You Love – Growth doesn't require radical change. Focus on expanding the parts of your business that bring you joy and fulfillment.
• Community Matters – Whether it's self-publishing, podcasting, or building a brand, surrounding yourself with supportive people and communities makes ambitious goals more achievable.

• 0:00 – Welcome & reflecting on the twice-weekly podcast experiment
• 1:39 – 2026 public speaking goals and the live podcast event announcement
• 2:46 – Details about the February 24th Cardiff event with Gavin Strange and Hannah Isted
• 5:03 – The scary but exciting goal: writing and self-publishing a book in 2026
• 7:39 – Philosophy on goal-setting: holding plans lightly and being open to better opportunities

I am so excited to have today's guest back on the podcast after recording an episode with her a long time ago about my rejection challenge. Yes, it is Katie Chappell, who was the original inspiration for that challenge!

However, we are not talking about rejection today. Instead, we are talking all about Katie's incredible business as a Live Illustrator. Honestly, I love chatting to her; she is a total business powerhouse with so many brilliant ideas.

In this episode, we discuss how she runs her Live Illustration business, the membership and jobs board she has created to share overflow work, and how she manages her time and boundaries. I came away from this conversation so inspired, and I know you will too.

Key Takeaways:

• The pivot to online-only: Katie made the strategic (and initially terrifying) decision to stop doing in-person events and focus exclusively on online live illustration to better manage her stress and family life.
• Sharing the wealth with a jobs board: Instead of just turning down the inquiries she couldn't take, Katie created a paid jobs board on Substack to pass that overflow work on to other illustrators, creating a win-win for everyone.
• Dealing with negative comments: Katie opens up about the backlash and trolling she received regarding her jobs board and how she now views it as a "rite of passage" and a sign of increased visibility.
• The power of the decision tree: To avoid decision fatigue, Katie uses a "decision tree" managed by her assistant to automatically filter inquiries—if a job doesn't meet her specific criteria (like being online and within school hours), it goes straight to the jobs board.
• Live illustration is thriving: Despite doom and gloom in the wider illustration industry, Katie explains why live graphic recording is still a high-value, premium service that corporate clients love. ‌

Episode Highlights:

• 02:11 – Katie explains exactly what live illustration looks like and how she captures visual notes during events.‌
• 07:59 – How Katie discovered graphic recording in the library during her master's degree and realised it was like being a war artist, but for meetings.
• 14:26 – The moment Katie realised she needed to scale back her agency model and set a deadline to go online-only.
• 15:28 – How the "Jobs Board" was born from an abundance of inquiries she couldn't fulfill.
• 25:59 – Navigating "mild trolling" and the emotional process of dealing with negative comments online. ‌

About The Guest:

Katie Chappell is a live event illustrator who makes visual notes for online events. She is also one-third of The Good Ship Illustration, where she runs courses for creatives, and she manages a popular jobs board for illustrators.

You can find Katie on her website or say hi on Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Good Ship Illustration: Katie's course business with Helen Stephens and Tanya Willis.
• Katie's Jobs Board: A Substack for illustrators to find work.
• Rich Webster: Previous podcast guest who discussed business as a self-development tool.
• Katy from Creative Boom: Discussed as someone who handles online visibility well.

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!

In this solo episode, I reflect on my journey through 2025; celebrating the goals I achieved, the lessons I learned, and the growth I experienced both personally and professionally. From speaking at Adobe Max and launching new projects to working with dream clients and growing the podcast, I share honest insights about what went well, what didn't, and how I'm setting the stage for an even more intentional 2026. Join me as I look back on a year of progress, pivots, and proud moments.

I would love to hear all about your reflections and achievements of 2025. I hope you've enjoyed this episode. Come talk to me on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Key Takeaways

• Progress isn't always linear. Sometimes the goals you don't achieve one year become your biggest wins the next. Keep moving forward and celebrate every step.
• The quality of your work and relationships matters more than the quantity. Focus on attracting clients and collaborators who truly align with your values and vision.
• Embrace change and be open to new opportunities. Pivoting, trying new projects, and sharing your authentic self can lead to unexpected growth and fulfillment.

Episode Highlights

• 0:56 I look back at my Instagram post from the end of 2024 and review the goals I set for that year.
• 3:11 I reflect on working with clients this year, feeling especially aligned and fulfilled by the people I collaborated with.
• 6:25 I summarize my progress on all my goals, noting that even if I didn't achieve them in 2024, I made real strides in 2025.
• 9:45 I talk about the way my personal brand has been affected this year
• 10:10 A moment to celebrate the podcast

In this episode, I really enjoyed picking the brains of Niki Hutchison, a marketing strategist who is passionate about online businesses marketing themselves like pros. We discuss moving away from amateur ways of doing things to ensure you are marketing like a professional.

Even though I am not a trained marketer myself, I have loved learning about it over the last decade of running my business. Niki and I delve into many interesting areas, including demystifying what a 'strategy' actually is, the importance of a multi-channel approach, and the massive impact public speaking can have on your business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Marketing strategy doesn't have to be complicated: Niki explains that strategy is often over-complicated, but it is simply about starting with your business objective and deciding how to use different channels to achieve it.
• Don't rely on a single channel: One of the biggest mistakes small businesses make is relying on just one platform; instead, you should leverage your own channels (like your email list) alongside partnerships and other people's audiences.
• The power of in-person connection: Niki shares that speaking on stages and building real-life connections is currently the most effective way she is growing her audience and establishing trust quickly.
• Consistency creates trust: A major issue is 'ghosting' your marketing; disappearing and reappearing makes it difficult to establish trust with your audience, so it is vital to find a sustainable rhythm.
• From Overlooked to Fully Booked: Being 'fully booked' isn't about having zero white space in your diary; it's that confident feeling that you are winning at business, clients are coming in, and momentum is building.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:59 – Niki demystifies the word "strategy" and explains why it is actually quite simple.
• 07:59 – The danger of relying on just one social media channel and the importance of partnerships.
• 12:54 – Why in-person speaking and events are Niki's most exciting marketing tool right now.
• 20:19 – How to build reciprocal partnerships to help spread the word about your launches.
• 34:23 – Niki's top tips for creating a marketing plan that fits into your actual life without leading to burnout.

About The Guest:

Niki Hutchison is a marketing strategist who helps business owners and brands take a multi-channel marketing approach to market like a pro. She runs two businesses: her personal brand teaching business owners how to market and grow, and an agency specialising in launching for organisations.

You can find Niki on Instagram @nikihutchinson, where she basically lives in her DMs, or connect with her on LinkedIn. You can also find out about her in-person events at her website.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Adventures in Marketing: The event Niki hosts in Edinburgh with her friend Abby.
• Enterprise Nation: Niki is an advisor and trainer for this platform.
• Adobe Express Scheduler: The tool Niki uses to schedule her content.
• Habit Share: An app Niki uses to keep on track with her tasks.

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!

We're in December and I am naturally getting reflective. In today's solo episode I am chatting through my business model and doing a little bit of an audit. I talk about why I've made certain decisions in my business in the way that I run it.

I hope you find this episode helpful and insightful.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, and these solo episodes in general so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Key Takeaways

• Intentional Small Business: Growth is focused on income and impact, not on building a large team or agency.
• Work-Life Blend: Achieving a healthy blend (not necessarily balance) between work and personal life is a priority, with flexibility and breaks built into the schedule.
• Personalized Success: There's no one-size-fits-all approach to business growth; success is about building a business that feels right for you, not following external expectations.

Episode Highlights

• 01:29: Pros and Cons of Employment vs. Freelancing: I chat through the benefits of traditional employment and explain why freelancing feels safer to me, especially after seeing redundancies in tech/design.
• 03:41: Mindset Challenges & Uncertainty: I discusses the freelancer mindset, dealing with uncertainty, and how evidence of continued work helps ease anxiety.
• 05:46: Work-Life Blend & Taking Breaks: I talk about the challenge of switching off, the joy of my work, and the importance of scheduling breaks.
• 07:32: Growth Goals: Income vs. Team Size

Mentioned in the episode

• Paul Jarvis' Book Company Of One

Today on the podcast I am chatting to Josephine Hatch, who is an Innovation Director with over 20 years of experience in foresight, cultural strategy, and brand innovation. Now, you might not totally know what any of that means, but basically, we are talking about trend forecasting!

One of the things that really struck me during our chat is that, as creatives and small business owners, many of us do this instinctively without having the formal language for it.

This conversation gave me such a good framework for being more strategic about looking at culture and making plans for my business and honestly, Jo's perspective gave me such a boost regarding the value of human creativity.

• Foresight vs. Fads: While "trends" are often associated with fast fashion or fleeting fads, foresight is about spotting signals and understanding the macro forces that impact human behaviour.
• Human Truths Remain: Technology and context change, but fundamental human truths—like the need for connection or joy—stay the same. Successful brands understand how to tap into these enduring feelings.
• The AI Counter-Movement: As generative AI adoption grows, there is a strong counter-trend towards the "human." People are increasingly valuing imperfections, analog hobbies, and genuine human curation.
• Look Outside Your Bubble: Real innovation rarely comes from looking at your direct competitors. Instead, look to other industries, art, and culture for inspiration to disrupt your own category.

Episode Highlights

• 02:51 – Joe explains her background and how an Alexander McQueen runway show sparked her interest in how fashion mirrors society.
• 06:49 – We discuss why "trend" has become a dirty word and the difference between short-term fads and long-term foresight.
• 12:56 – Joe shares incredible free resources and tools that small businesses can use to spot cultural shifts.
• 20:23 – A fascinating look at AI, including why the "human touch" is becoming a premium and the rise of analog hobbies.
• 33:17 – Simple habits you can adopt to become more culturally curious, including how to document the things that inspire you.

About the Guest

Josephine Hatch is an Innovation Director at The Otherly, an innovation and brand agency that works with global brands and small businesses to help them defend their space and grow with intent. She has spent 20 years working at the intersect of trend forecasting, cultural strategy, and innovation.

• Website: The Otherly
• LinkedIn: Josephine Hatch

Mentioned in this episode

• The Otherly https://theotherly.com/
• Andres Colmenares, Responsible AI expert and IAM festival co-founder
• Link to a google drive of trend reports https://bit.ly/2025trending via Global Cultural Strategist Amy Daroukakis. Note that a new set of trend reports will come out around December 2025
• Free platform for trends, updated daily https://www.trendhunter.com/
• Dezeen, The Dieline and Lovely Package (both good for packaging),
• Campaignlive
• https://secondhome.io/culture/
• SJ from The Akin's substack is a great read for what's happening in culture https://theakin.substack.com/
• Emma Jane Palin's Our Curated Abode https://www.ourcuratedabode.com/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ourcuratedabode/#

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!

In this solo episode of the Building Your Brand podcast, I take you behind the scenes of one of my favorite recent client projects. I share insights into my branding process, the importance of collaboration and communication, and what I think makes for a dream client relationship. I give a candid account of how I work and what I value most in my client partnerships.

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!

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration and Communication Are Essential: The most successful branding projects happen when there's open, honest communication and a true sense of collaboration between designer and client. Clear feedback and regular updates lead to better results and a more enjoyable process for both parties.
• Client Involvement Builds Confidence: Involving clients at every stage; from initial mood boards to final design tweaks, helps them feel confident in their new branding and ensures the end result truly fits their needs.
• Clarity Is Kindness: Direct, honest feedback from clients (even if it's blunt) is invaluable. It allows the designer to make the right adjustments quickly and creates a trusting and productive working relationship.

Episode Highlights

• 1:15: The client project: rebranding for Sally Webster and creating a physical journal
• 4:30: Lessons learned about the importance of communication in client work
• 7:00: The value of client collaboration and honest feedback
• 11:00: Step-by-step breakdown of the branding process
• 12:50: How to get in touch if you want to work with me in 2026

Mentioned in the Episode

• Sally Webster: Love How You Eat

If you're looking for branding or a rebrand in 2026, I am taking on new clients so do get in touch with me and we can book a discovery call

Something that really inspires me in the small business world is how many turn their hands to teaching online, myself included. I remember teaching my very first workshop online to over 350 people around the world during lockdown and absolutely LOVING it. Since then I've taught lots more and created group courses that I'm so proud of which is why I was thrilled to chat to Patricia van den Akker, director of the Design Trust, business advisor, trainer and coach.

Patricia's worked with thousands of creatives over the last 20 years and she's recently written a book called Teaching Creative Workshops in Person and Online.

So if you already teach as part of your business or it's something that you are interesting in adding, then I think you're gonna find today's episode so, so valuable where we talk all about how to host workshops and teach really, really well.

Episode Highlights

• 05:06 Patricia shares a tip for online teaching and workshops: "launch before you're ready" to stop procrastinating, noting that getting paid increases commitment
• 11:59 Discussion on why teaching is beneficial for creative small business owners, including the reality that services are often currently easier to sell than product
• 16:59 Patricia discusses the psychology of pricing, noting that "when people don't pay, they don't value it" and that charging can actually increase student commitment .
• 30:00 Patricia outlines her framework for teaching by asking three key questions: "Why do you want to teach?", "What do you teach?", and "How do you teach?" .
• 39:56 A discussion on facilitation and the realization that often "we teach what we need to learn," and that students frequently learn more from each other than from the teacher .

Patricia van den Akker is the Director of The Design Trust, a creative business advisor, trainer, and coach. She has over 25 years of experience working with craftspeople, designer-makers, and applied arts professionals.

• Book: Teaching Creative Workshops in Person and Online
• Website: http://thedesigntrust.co.uk
• Instagram & Facebook: The Design Trust ‌

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!