If you’re like most creative business owners, you’ve probably dabbled with posting on LinkedIn, but you’ve found that even with consistency, no-one pays attention.

Sam Browne is an entrepreneur and LinkedIn strategist who has built multiple six-figure businesses and has grown an audience of over 100,000 followers.

Sam spent nearly 20 years operating his creative businesses in silence before stepping into the spotlight, sharing his story, and attracting his first 50,000 LinkedIn followers in just a year.

And in this episode, we unpack why so many creative founders struggle to get traction on LinkedIn and how to turn your story into something that makes your ideal clients pay attention.

If you’ve been posting consistently but haven’t seen results, this will help you understand what’s missing and how to fix it.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Sam Browne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-browne/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT  

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

It’s understandable if you feel a bit lost right now.

There’s more noise and pressure than ever for business owners.

And we try to make the right decisions, but the right path isn’t always obvious.

In this episode, I wanted to do something a bit different. This is more of a conversation I wanted to have with you. I share the crossroads that I’ve faced over the last few years in my business and the questions I ask myself to find clarity.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about which direction to take in your life and business, this episode will help you to move forward with intention.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

It might feel like you’re charging the right amount.

Your close rate is good.

The business is running smoothly.

But what if you could charge more without increasing your hours? Most creative business owners wouldn’t say no to that.

And there’s a number most creative founders are missing that can easily tell them whether or not they’re undercharging.

In this episode, I share what that number is and how you can apply it.

If you’re consistently winning work but you feel too busy, or want to find out if you’re leaving money on the table, this is for you.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

Most creative founders think their business needs them to survive.

That if they step away, everything will slow down or fall apart.

But what if the opposite is true?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kristy Campbell, Founder of Pink Pony Creative. Kristy has built a social media following of hundreds of thousands.

But what makes this conversation interesting isn’t just what Kristy has built, it’s how she’s been able to step away from the business and keep it growing.

We unpack what happened when Kristy took time away from her business after having a baby and how the business and her following continued to grow without her. We also have a mini coaching session, where I help Kristy uncover some of the hidden patterns and limiting beliefs that hold many creatives back.

If you’ve ever felt like your business depends too much on you, or you feel stuck in ways that you can’t quite explain, this episode will help you see what’s really going on.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Kristy Campbell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-campbell-pinkpony/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

As a creative business owner, it can feel like there’s a lack of opportunities out there.

Like you’ve exhausted all possibilities, or, people “just aren’t buying at the moment”.

But often, the opportunities are there, we’re just not in the right mindset to see them.

We’re in ‘scarcity mode’, rather than ‘opportunity mode’.

And when we’re in scarcity mode, our brain switches to fight or flight. We make defensive decisions and we stop seeing opportunities that are right in front of us.

In this episode, I break down the difference between scarcity mode and opportunity mode, how scarcity damages your sales and creativity and the practical steps you can take to shift your thinking when panic starts creeping in.

Because once you learn to recognise it, you’ll start seeing opportunities showing up everywhere. And you’re more likely to land them when they do.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

After a serious BASE jumping accident that shattered both his legs, doctors told Sebastian Bates he may never walk again.

During Seb’s 2 years of rehab, he lost 15 of his close friends, leaving him with PTSD and major survivors’ guilt.

This is one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had on this podcast (back in 2024), so I wanted to share it again for anyone who hasn’t heard it.

After a journey of personal development, Seb is now the founder of Warrior Academy, the largest martial arts academy in the Middle East. Seb teaches thousands of kids worldwide while leading a team of 100. Seb has also built several other six-figure businesses and founded a charitable organisation that’s doing incredible things for disadvantaged children globally.

Seb shares fundamental principles of courage and resilience that are transformative for creative business owners.

If you want to overcome imposter syndrome, develop resilience, and break through the barriers holding their business back, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

LEARN MORE 

Warrior Academy - https://www.warrioracademy.co.uk/ 

The Bates Foundation - https://www.batesfamilyfoundation.org/ 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Sebastian Bates on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-bates-4b70412b/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT

Apple Podcasts - 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

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

Your clients are slowly killing your creative business.

Not the market.

Not the algorithm.

I recently ran a poll asking creative business owners what their biggest frustration is. Over 60% said inconsistent income and project flow.

The feast and famine cycle.

But the truth is that this usually isn’t caused by the quality of your work or how much promotion you’re doing. The difference between studios that are constantly busy and those that struggle for work comes down to the way they perceive their clients.

In this episode, I break down the shifts that separates oversubscribed creative businesses from those scrambling for the next project.

If you’re tired of taking on poor-fit projects just to keep cash flowing, and you’d rather build a business where you’re inundated with enquiries, this episode will show you the mindset shifts you need to make.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

Does business feel a bit slow at the moment?

You’ve got the portfolio, but enquiries and referrals aren’t coming in like they used to.

And with AI rapidly evolving, a lot of creatives are asking themselves if things are only going to get worse.

In this episode, I break down the shift I believe every creative business owner needs to make if they want to stay relevant, profitable and in demand over the next 5–10 years.

Most studios aren’t struggling because their work isn’t good enough, they’re struggling because of how they’re positioned. And that positioning is turning them into commodities.

I walk you through the “4 Ps of Power Positioning” that will make you irreplaceable. I’ve seen this work for so many creative business owners. So, if business is feeling slow, or you’re earning less than you should be, this is for you.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV 

You do great work.

You have all the case studies and testimonials.

But you still feel invisible.

This is a problem most creative founders face. They want to be seen as the go-to expert. The name that gets mentioned in rooms they’re not even in.

But instead, they’re constantly chasing projects and wondering why people with less experience are getting all the attention.

In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Stocker, serial entrepreneur, Founder of Two Comma PR and former Apprentice candidate, to unpack what it takes to build visibility and authority as a creative.

Sabrina has built a powerful personal brand, spoken on some of the UK’s biggest stages and grown an audience of over 50,000 followers.

We explore the strategies and mindset shifts that separate leading authorities from talented but overlooked creatives, and how to position yourself so the right people start coming to you.

If you feel undervalued and overlooked, this episode will change the way you think about authority and how to build it.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE

Two Comma PR - https://twocommapr.com/ 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Sabrina Stocker on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinastocker/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV

Most creative founders don’t struggle because their work isn’t good enough.

They struggle because the business they’ve built, or the role that they play within that business, isn’t right for them.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Ramsden, Founder of film production studio, Dojo Films.

Sam has been employed in the creative industry, he’s freelanced, and now he’s running an agency. But throughout his journey, Sam has found that success on paper doesn’t automatically mean fulfilment.

We dive deep into the shifts that Sam had to make within his business to allow him to do more of the work that he loves, while still scaling.

If you’ve ever found yourself losing the creativity that made you start your business in the first place, this conversation is for you.

Covered in this episode:

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE 

Dojo Films - https://dojofilms.co.uk/ 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Sam Ramsden on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramsden-sam/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id17215157999

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV