Creating The Curve

When times get tough, it's tempting to retreat into "busy work" - polishing your website, tinkering with code, or creating new products no one's asked for. It feels safe. It feels productive. But it doesn't always move your business forward.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on her conversation with Mark Schaefer and digs into why founders need to lift their heads, stay curious, and keep an eye on what's coming next.

She shares:

• Why "being busy" isn't the same as making progress

• How comfort zones keep founders stuck

• Why community and getting out from your desk jolts you into fresh thinking

• How to use tools like PESTLE analysis to scan for future risks and opportunities

• Why being a fast follower often beats being first

If you've ever hidden in the comfort of faffing instead of facing the future, this is your reminder to step back, look up, and get curious about what's around the corner.

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

It's easy to get stuck in the day-to-day of running a business: juggling clients, cashflow, and the never-ending to-do list. But if you never look up, you risk missing the future coming straight at you.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, I sit down with marketing legend Mark Schaefer - author of 13 books including Audacious, host of the Marketing Companion podcast, and founder of the Rise community. Mark has built his career on curiosity, foresight, and spotting what's next before anyone else.

We talk about:

• Why being a "fast follower" is a great place to start

• How to separate shiny distractions from real opportunities

• Why community is the secret weapon for staying relevant

• The human side of AI and why it might be your best co-founder at 2am

• How stories (not pie charts) make lessons stick, and why that matters more than ever in the age of AI content

Whether you're a founder trying to stay ahead, or just someone who feels stuck in the "now," this episode will help you look up, think bigger, and see what's around the corner.

Personal brand isn't built in one big moment - it's built drip by drip, post by post, conversation by conversation.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna builds on her chat last week with Ella Orr to explore the messy reality of showing up online when you'd rather be doing anything else. From why technical founders often loathe marketing, to how even top influencers' first videos are often pretty rubbish, I share why consistency beats polish every time.

Expect stories about experimenting with different tones, the frustration of "I hate marketing" threads on Reddit, and why finding your way of showing up (whether that's writing, video, or even car-park content creation) matters more than doing it "the right way."

If you've ever put off posting because it won't be perfect, this episode is your nudge to start small and keep going.

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

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