Digital Discussions Unfiltered

Leticia Collins, started out as a content creator, now helps female entrepreneurs show up, be more visible AND make sales through content marketing strategies. 

And what a fabulous job she does too!

In this episode we chat about:

✨ Comparing ourselves to big-time entrepreneurs  

✨ Are you posting to grow a following? Or to build your business?

✨ How to find a balance between sales posts and brand building posts - so it doesn’t feel like you’re constantly selling! 

✨ The psychology behind people buying products - using storytelling to sell more. 

✨ Leticia’s journey with burnout and what impact it’s had on her business 

✨ Her thoughts on mindset - the shift from thinking it’s all BS to working on it.

✨ Self awareness & journalling and what impact that’s had on business 

✨What success means to her

I feel like this was a very open and frank conversation that many will be able to relate to, I know I definitely could.

Please do share and tag myself and Leticia if you give it a listen!

Find Leticia: Website | Instagram | Leticias Free Lesson

Laura, more commonly known as The Pocket VA (and in my head, the Queen of the Gram), helps small business owners use Instagram to grow and show up online in a way that feels right for you and your business!

And what a fabulous job she does too!

In this episode we chat about 

✨ How The Pocket VA came to be and the changes she's been through

✨ The common struggles and challenges both service-based and product-based business go to Laura with

✨ How to change your mindset around using Instagram to promote your business

✨ 5 of the most common mistakes you're likely making on Instagram (watch out, I felt absolutely SEEN and called out at this point)

✨ Laura shared her very clever and succinct explanation of what 'value' means - especially for product business

✨ Examples of how to create content when you're showing up as a brand and not as an individual

I hope you gain some takeaways from Laura and this episode, I know I sure did! Instagram can be an overwhelming place and if you're struggling to make it fun or know what to post, I would highly recommend investing in Laura, she is definitely the lady in the know! 

Please do share and tag myself and Laura if you give it a listen!

Find Laura: Website | Instagram | The Pocket Shop

TW: Chat about death due to COVID-19

Last week I had a bit of realisation around the terminology of what I call myself and what others see me as when they work with me. It started as a real open string of Instagram Stories, turned in to an IGTV (because frankly I didn't feel like I could communicate that again the morning after!)

And then when I asked if followers would like to listen in to my though process and if they wanted a solo podcast episode, it was a resounding YES! So here we are.

Even thought I've been scared to in the past, my diary episode and reflections on last year got so much incredible feedback that I wanted to kind of give a bit of an update on my diary. And this is where I have to tell you that I do get a little upset in this episode and if you are affected by death whatsoever, please do not put yourself in to any distress by listening to this episode.

Unfortunately I got news of an incredible man, an old colleague passing away last month and I wanted to share, as sad as it is that it takes something like this for this wake up call, what I was currently thinking and how it's affected me. Because in all honesty it has.

As always, if you do listen to this, resonate in any way or just enjoy it, please do leave me a review wherever you're listening (it will help more people find it) and make sure you share it either on your stories or anywhere else and tag - I promise I'll share them!

Thanks so much for listening to me babble, I hope it helps in some way shape or form. I hope you find some comfort in it. And please, please look after yourself. Take Care, Lorna x

Stacey has been on my list of potential guests for the podcasts for many reasons. One being I LOVE her products and the other being I just think she has such a lovely aura about her the way she conducts her business. One that I think many small businesses could take notes on.

Stacey is the founder of Darwin & Gray, the beautiful handmade, designed and painted products perfect for your home. With a range of quirky yet relatable banners from "Don't be a dick" and "Piss off I'm busy" to family keepsake banners like "Twas the night" that will no doubt be in the family for years to come. All the way to patches, decals and glassware too!

In this episode we chat about

✨ When and how Darwin & Gray started

✨ The challenges of running a handmade business and sending out orders during the Christmas period, during a pandemic (AND getting hate mail!)

✨ Having a digital detox and the impact that’s had

✨ A brief chat on planning content for the likes of Instagram 

✨ I finally get my question answered about how her open/shut website concept works

✨ The most challenging times she’s faced

✨ And from lows to very much highs - what it felt like to be nominated and be a finalist in The Independent Awards with Holly Tucker

✨ What’s coming next for Darwin & Gray 

I hope you find some value in this episode, Stacey has definitely faced some challenges whilst building her business which I think many of us can relate to. If nothing else, know that if you're in the lows right now, you're not alone, it's totally normal & the highs are coming!

Please do share and tag myself and Stacey if you give it a listen!

Find Stacey aka. Darwin & Gray: Website | Instagram

Beth Lavin, a London based Personal branding photographer, and not just a photographer, but a friend. She's on a mission to help female entrepreneurs like you grow your confidence as well as your business.

I think it's safe to say Beth, like many of us is bored of the BS we see in the online world and so I wanted to firstly, get her take and opinion on that (I have no doubt you'll agree with her on many of them!) But also to help YOU.

In this episode we chat about

✨ How she got to be a photographer (and all the wonderful jobs she had before!)

✨ Her proudest achievement

✨ Going back to employment after she took the jump to go self employed

✨ How she found her clients & the people she surrounded herself with 

✨Why photography is SO important for all types of businesses

✨ 3 top tips for getting the best photos if you’re going to take them yourself 

✨Advice Beth would give to any aspiring photographers

I absolutely loved chatting the Beth, and feel like I could've for hours! I hope you find some value in this episode too. Please do share and tag myself and Beth if you give it a listen!

Find Beth: Website | Instagram

Emily McGuire, the sassy copywriter who in her own words is "not like a regular writer, I’m a cool writer", is sharing her knowledge and expertise about all things copywriting in this episode.

When I saw her personality throughout her social channels and website, with references to Devil Wears Prada and The Breakfast Club, It really solidified why copy is so important. We're all evoked by emotions, but commonalities and I certainly had some of those with Emily.

During this conversation we chat about:

✨ How Emily came to be a copywriter and her background

✨ How she mainly attracts her clients - practicing what she preaches

✨ Some examples of some amazing brands we both love that use the power of words to attract their tribe

✨ Her biggest challenges as a small business - We can ALL relate to this one! 

✨ 2 common mistakes she sees small businesses making and how you can change them

✨ The perfect example of what a tone of voice IS and how to create one. 

I loved chatting the Emily, she really knows her stuff and I can hear the passion in her voice for helping small businesses get better with words.

I hope you find some value in this episode too. Please do share and tag myself and Emily if you give it a listen!

Find Emily: Website | Instagram

Jo Hooper, the Biz Mentor for Mad Minds, as she so gently puts it, is a real hero when it comes to mastering your mental health alongside your work.

After working in the corporate world, having two breakdowns and everything in between, Jo now spend her time helping other people manage their mental health at work and make work, work for them.

And what a bloody good job she does too!

During this conversation we chat about:

✨ Where the name Mad and Sad Club came from & how the business came to be

✨ The transition from corporate to self employment 

✨ How she uses her lived experience to impact organisations & individuals 

✨ Dealing through pivoting her business through the pandemic and finding coping mechanisms when it comes to consuming news etc. (top tip, we both love the Instagram account @simplepolitics)

✨ Biggest challenges in terms of running a business - a relatively new business (under 2 years)

✨ Jo introduces us to the world of neuroplasticity and neural pathways 

✨ We get a behind the scenes peak at what she’s looking forward to over the coming weeks & get excited for her too! 

It was an absolute joy to chat to Jo, I love everything that she stands for and teaches and empowers others to do. I hope you find some value in this episode too. Please do share and tag myself and Jo if you give it a listen!

Find Jo: Website | Instagram

Natalia is a pro when it comes to all things copywriting AND content writing, and yes I know what you're thinking - what's the difference? WELL, you're going to have to give this episode a listen, because that's just one of the questions I ask Natalia.

Natalia, the fabulous mind behind Storylign is based in Dublin and has always had a passion for stories: reading them, telling them, writing them. And now works with brands to craft copy that will WOW your audience!

During this conversation we chat about:

✨ Her REAL identity 😂

✨ How she found herself in copywriting

✨ The difference between copywriting and content writing

✨ How product based businesses can craft better content

✨ Tips for being a better writer (I obviously asked for personal benefit!)

✨ Top tips for people are more talkers, than writers

✨ What to do if you feel like you're a bit stuck or you're losing that spark

It was an absolute joy to chat to Natalia and I really, personally learnt a lot. I hope you find some value in this episode too. Please do share and tag myself and Natalia if you give it a listen!

Find Cat: Website | Instagram | The Brand Voice Workbook

Cat Byrne is a branding and web designer who also dabbles in a bit of coaching. Having always had a passion for all things creative helps amazing creative business owners to push their brand and create beautiful and functional websites.

During this conversation we chat about:

✨ Looking back, did she always want to be a web designer

✨ The mistakes she's learnt along the way

✨ What business looks like for her now (and her amazing new work/life balance)

✨ And some of the things that got her to where she is today

It was an absolute joy to chat to Cat and it's been so lovely to watch her business grow to where she's at now. I think we could all learn a thing or two from her.

Find Cat: Website | Instagram 

Let me just start by saying I wanted to do 20 reflections in 2020. And at first I struggled. Who would’ve thought it.

And then I went for a walk, and BAM, I had to shorten this list. But I’m all about not abiding by the unwritten rules, if I want to share 23, I’ll share 23!

So in this solo episode, join me for an hour long look in to my brain ad the 23 (only some of!) the lessons I learnt this year, some of the thinking I've done as we approach a brand new year and some things that may just get you thinking.

I would absolutely love it if you could share your thoughts on this episode, share with your community or if any of my points made you think then let me know in my Instagram DMs.

And if I don't talk to you before, Happy New Year 🎉