Personal branding doesn't mean becoming an "influencer" or performing a polished version of yourself. At its heart, it's about being seen, known, and remembered for the work you love.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by the brilliant Ella Orr, personal brand consultant and all-round social media guide, to talk about what personal branding really means for founders and business owners.

We dig into:

• Why personal brand is more about trust than performance

• How to show up authentically without feeling cringey

• Why your face is often more powerful than your logo

• How to start discovering what you want to be known for

• And why consistency matters more than being on every platform

Whether you're an introverted founder who hates the spotlight or just someone who hasn't quite worked out how to show up yet, this episode will help you see personal branding in a new light.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To connect with our guest Ella Orr, head over to: https://muchmoresocial.co.uk or find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-orr

Leading a business isn't just about being the best at the work - it's about helping other people grow into it. And that can feel really uncomfortable when you know you could do the job faster (and probably better) yourself.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington shares the messy, often painful lessons she's learned about leadership - from letting staff walk all over her in her twenties, to realising the only way to step back was to invest time in teaching others.

She explores why so many founders struggle to delegate, how "just doing it yourself" holds both you and your team back, and why passing on your knowledge is essential for building businesses that don't depend on you working 24/7.

Expect stories of early management disasters, military-inspired lessons on letting go of control, and practical advice for building a team that can thrive without you.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

Stepping into leadership isn't something most founders feel ready for. One day, you're running everything yourself - the next, you've got people looking to you for guidance, decisions, and direction. And no one gives you a manual.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by leadership coach Nikie Forster to talk honestly about the messy reality of managing people and growing into the role of a leader.

They cover:

• The difference between managing and leading (and why you need both)

• What first-time managers often get wrong and how to avoid it

• Why self-awareness is the most underrated leadership skill

• How to build trust and communicate clearly with your team

Whether you're hiring your first employee or already juggling a small team, this episode will give you practical insights and a healthy dose of reassurance that you don't need to have it all figured out to be a great leader.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To connect with our guest Nikie Forster, head over to: https://www.curiouslighthouse.co.uk

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna dives into the messy, real-world journey of building confidence and visibility as a founder.

If you've ever hated the thought of putting your face on camera, dreaded LinkedIn Lives, or worried your content wasn't "perfect enough," this one's for you. Anna shares her own behind-the-scenes struggles with being an introvert in business, from using a green football called Bob as her "co-founder" (because posting a photo of herself felt impossible) to learning that showing up (in whatever form suits you best) is the real key to being known.

Packed with encouragement, biscuit debates, and practical tips, this episode reminds you that being visible isn't about perfection. It's about consistency, finding a way of showing up that works for you, and building the kind of recognition that brings opportunities your way.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

Whether it's pitching to investors, speaking at a conference, or simply introducing yourself at a networking event, speaking with confidence can be a game-changer for your business.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by Jackie Goddard, speaking coach, performer, and founder of Power to Speak, to talk about finding your voice, building confidence, and speaking with impact, whether you're talking to an audience of one or one thousand.

They explore:

• Why confidence comes from practice, not perfection

• How to prepare without over-rehearsing yourself into a panic

• The difference between "performance" and authentic connection

• Simple ways to get more comfortable being seen and heard

• Why speaking skills matter for every founder - even the introverts

Jackie's approach is warm, practical, and deeply encouraging, perfect for anyone who's ever avoided the mic, turned down a speaking gig, or wished they could express themselves more clearly.

If you've ever thought, "I'm just not a speaker," this episode might change your mind.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To speak to Jackie, pop over to her website: https://powertospeak.co.uk or find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiegoddardpowertospeak

To watch the video by Nancy Duarte on talk structure that Jackie mentioned in the episode, head over to here: https://www.ted.com/speakers/nancy_duarte

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets deeply honest about success, squashing, and the invisible pressure to chase goals that don't actually belong to us.

Off the back of last week's conversation with Trisha Lewis, Anna reflects on her own journey of un-squashing - from grief, burnout, and doing what she thought she should, to building a business (and life) that actually fits her.

She explores what it really means to define success and wealth on your terms, and why so many founders get caught up chasing someone else's idea of growth, even when it costs them time, joy, and freedom.

Whether you're building your first offer or ten years into your business, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and ask:

• Is your business giving you what you need now?

• Are you chasing what you truly want, or just what you think you should want?

• And what does "success" even look like if you strip away your preconceptions?

Includes practical reflection tips, journal prompts, and encouragement to rebuild your business around what matters most.

Feel like you're hiding in plain sight? You're not alone. In this episode, Anna is joined by the marvellous Trisha Lewis, communication coach, speaker, and author of The Mystery of the Squashed Self, to talk about why so many brilliant people (especially those in business) are afraid to truly show up as themselves.

We dive into the idea of "self-squashing" - a term Trisha coined for the way we shrink back and filter ourselves for fear of being judged, seen as a show-off, or not fitting in.

From squirmy networking intros to navigating LinkedIn with personality (instead of panic), we talk about how to get more comfortable with visibility, authenticity, and sharing your wins - without feeling like you need to wrap yourself in disclaimers, self-deprecating humour, or someone else's idea of professionalism.

Whether you're quietly brilliant, a bit too bubbly, or just tired of second-guessing yourself, this is a chat full of warmth, wisdom, and permission to take up space.

You'll learn:

• Why "You're not a show-off unless you're showing off" should be your new mantra

• How to spot the signs of self-squashing (and why it's different from imposter syndrome)

• Ways to show up online and in-person without needing a fake "personal brand"

• How a detective mindset and curiosity can help you un-squash yourself one step at a time

Running a business can feel like spinning a hundred plates with one hand… especially when you're doing it alone.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets honest about the real blockers founders face, from avoiding the hard stuff to thinking one more app, tool, or course will finally solve everything.

She shares the real reason she's launching her free STEM founder community, why support is critical (even for people who are the support), and how surrounding yourself with the right people can make business feel lighter, clearer, and more possible.

Expect stories, laughter, and a reminder that you don't have to do this on your own.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk/

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by award-winning copywriter and author Sarah Townsend for a fun, honest conversation about communication, copywriting, and the realities of running your own business, especially when you're doing it all yourself.

They chat about:

• How to write in a voice that feels like you (not what you think you're "supposed" to sound like)

• What to do when writing your own website, sales page, or LinkedIn post feels like pulling teeth

• Why outsourcing your copy isn't "cheating" and how even two hours of support can save you ten

• The emotional rollercoaster of freelancing, from confidence wobbles to quiet months

• And how to make your marketing easier by being a little braver with your words

Whether you're a founder, freelancer, or just someone who stares at the blinking cursor for far too long, this episode is packed with encouragement, smart tips, and laugh-out-loud truths from two people who've been there.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk/

To speak to Sarah, pop over to her website: https://www.sarahtownsendeditorial.co.uk/

In this solo episode of Creating The Curve, Anna follows up her conversation with LinkedIn legend John Espirian and dives into what it really takes to show up online when your brain is busy, your time is limited, and you're not a natural content machine.

She shares:

• Her own struggles with early LinkedIn posting (and feeling rejection)

• Why she posts less, comments more, and skips the guilt

• How to pick the right platforms based on your brain, audience, and energy

• Why video and audio suit her best and how she's testing TikTok

• And the real reason "being everywhere" isn't just overwhelming, it's unsustainable

This episode is part pep talk, part strategy session - perfect for founders who know they should market themselves, but need a way to do it that actually works for them.