Elevated Ambition with Sarah Lilly

Content creation has become one of the fastest growing industries online, but there is still plenty of confusion around creator rates, gifted collaborations, UGC content and what businesses should actually expect when hiring a content creator.

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm unpacking both sides of content creation and sharing what both creators AND brands need to know to build successful, professional partnerships.

Whether you're a content creator looking to charge confidently for your work or a business owner wanting to invest in creator marketing, this episode will help you better understand the industry and avoid some of the most common mistakes.

Let's chat....

• The difference between UGC creators and content creators• What businesses should consider before hiring a creator• The realities of gifted collaborations versus paid work• Common mistakes creators make when working with brands• How businesses can find creators who genuinely align with their brand• What makes a successful creator-brand partnership

If you've ever wondered how content creators set their rates, whether gifted collaborations are worth it, or how brands can get better results from creator marketing, this episode is for you.

Follow Sarah on Instagram : @itssarahlilly @sarahlillymedia

Visit the website : www.sarahlillymedia.com

Are you choosing brand colours based on outdated rules, or by what actually feels like YOU?In this episode, we're throwing out the old colour psychology handbook, and ditching the trending colours to find a colour palette that is authentically you. Let's chat...

• Why traditional colour rules were built for big corporations, not personal brands
• How colour meaning shifts across cultures and contexts
• A simple method to discover your colours using your wardrobe, home, and saved images
• Why trending colours are a trap and how to choose a palette that lasts for years
• Practical steps to build and test your brand palette with confidence

Whether you're starting your brand from scratch or thinking about a refresh, this episode will change the way you think about colour, and help you find the palette that's genuinely and distinctly yours.

Follow Sarah on Instagram : @sarahlillymedia @itssarahlilly

Work with me : www.sarahlillymedia.com

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In this honest and heartfelt episode of Elevated Ambition, we’re talking mum guilt… and how it never really goes away as your children grow.

I’m joined by my friend, fellow mum, and businesswoman Gemma Brown for a real conversation about mum guilt, motherhood, social media pressure, and finding balance as a working mum.

Mum guilt is something so many women experience, but what’s often not talked about is how it changes as our children grow. As a mum to older children, Gem shares how guilt doesn’t disappear when your kids become more independent… it simply evolves. And as a mum currently navigating life with a baby and a seven-year-old, I share what mum guilt looks like in these early, (and physically demanding) years of motherhood.

We also dive into the power of shifting from consumption to creation, why showing vulnerability and resilience is important for our kids to see, and how setting healthy boundaries allows us to show up more intentionally for both our families AND ourselves.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough as a mum, this conversation is for you!

Find Gemma online here: www.gemmabrown.co.nz
Connect with Gemma on Instagram : @itsgemmabrown
Connect with Sarah on Instagram : @sarahlillymedia & @itssarahlilly

Feeling creatively stuck after time away from your business or content? Whether you're returning from maternity leave (like me!) or just gotten a little out of your routine, this episode is your reminder that your creativity isn’t gone… and you can bring it back!

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m sharing my personal experience of coming back into my business after maternity leave, and having my creativity completely disappear. I'm sharing the simple tips and tricks I used to reignite my creative flow - all without the pressure of perfection.

We'll chat....

• Why creativity feels harder after big life transitions like maternity leave or a change in routine
• How to stop forcing creativity and start working with your natural flow
• Simple ways to shift your environment to spark new ideas and inspiration
• Why creative hobbies, that have nothing to do with your business, (aka reading smut) actually matter
• How to capture ideas easily using mind dumps and voice notes
• Where to actually find inspiration - without copying!
• The power of imperfect, spontaneous content, and why it often performs better

If you’ve been feeling the creative block and want to learn how to get creative again, then this chat is for you!

Let's connect on Instagram: @sarahlillymedia & @itssarahlilly

Work with me: www.sarahlillymedia.com

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re actually doing enough to set yourself up for the future … this episode is for you.

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by financial planner and founder of Diamond Property and Wealth, Maria Temnyuk, to break down what building long-term wealth really looks like… especially for women in their 30s and 40s who are juggling careers, kids, mortgages, and everything in between!

We dive into the reality of where most women are financially right now, what a comfortable retirement actually requires, and how you can start building wealth today without completely sacrificing your lifestyle.

Maria shares her journey into finance and how she got out of consumer debt, the mindset shifts that can change everything, and practical, achievable strategies, whether you’re just getting started or ready to take your financial future more seriously.

If you want to feel more confident, in control, and clear on your next steps financially… this is a must-listen!

Find Maria online here: https://www.diamondpropertyandwealth.co.nz/
Follow Maria on Instagram: @diamond.property.and.wealth.nz

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahlillymedia

Do you ever feel like your gut is trying to tell you something… but you ignore it? In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition, we dive into the power of intuition and why learning to trust it can transform your life and business decisions.

From distinguishing genuine intuition from fear, to creating space to hear your inner guidance, I share practical tips, personal stories, and exercises to strengthen your intuitive “muscle.” Whether you’re making small daily choices or major business moves, this episode will help you tap into your internal compass and make decisions that truly feel aligned.

We'll chat all things intuition including

• Why intuition is an innate skill we all have and how to strengthen it

• How to tell the difference between fear, excitement, and true inner guidance

• Practical ways to create space for your intuition, from walking to meditating to noticing subtle physical cues

• How intuition can guide everything from small daily choices to big business and life decisions

• The importance of self-trust and leaning into discomfort for growth

• Recognising recurring signs and synchronicities as signals from your inner guidance

Don't forget to hit subscribe to get your fortnightly dose of Elevated Ambition, the podcast for ambitious female business owners who are ready to take their brand to the next level (and have fun while doing so!)

Follow Sarah Lilly: @sarahlillymedia @itssarahlillyVisit Sarah Lilly Media: www.sarahlillymedia.com

In a world where everyone is posting and we are consuming more content than ever, you might be thinking… why do some people stand out while others blend in?

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by manifestation guru and content queen, Mikayla Jai, to dive into the power of your “IT FACTOR" - you know, that secret sauce that just makes your content magnetic.

If you’ve ever felt like your content is “good” but not quite hitting as it should… then this is the missing piece.

We break down how to uncover your it factor, embody your next-level self, and create content that actually connects, converts, and attracts your dream audience in 2026 and beyond.

This is your permission slip to stop overthinking, stop copying… and start showing up as you.

Connect with Mikayla on Instagram

Mindset, Magic & Manifestation Podcast

Connect with Sarah Lilly on Instagram

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow ambitious woman in business - this helps us more than you know to reach more gals in biz!

We’ve officially hit episode 50 (!!) and this one feels like a full-circle moment, as it's also my first episode back after six months of maternity leave!

In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the last six months... navigating life as a mum of two, taking maternity leave from my business, and stepping back into work with a completely new perspective.

And yes… we’re also diving into the spicy topic of niching.

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times: “You need to niche down to succeed.”
But is that actually true in 2026?

In this episode, I unpack:

• The real pros of niching (and when it absolutely makes sense)

• The hidden downsides no one talks about

• Why “niche down” has become a bit of a buzzword in the online space

• How creativity and variety fuel some businesses (including mine)

• Why finding what works for you matters more than following rigid rules

Because building a business as a woman, and especially as a mother, isn’t one-dimensional. We’re balancing motherhood, mindset, mental health, lifestyle, social media, and ambition… all at once.

And this podcast is here to reflect that.

If you’ve been feeling boxed in by the pressure to narrow yourself down, this episode will give you permission to rethink the rules and build a business that actually fits your life.

Let me know what you think of this episode in the comments below, and be sure to leave a review. It takes a couple of seconds and helps us to grow!

Ever feel like you’re playing a guessing game with the algorithm?

In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition, I take the mystery out of social media algorithms and show you how to turn them into a powerful ally for your business.

I'll explain how algorithms learn from user behaviour, why engagement is everything, and how you can strategically post, interact, and create to boost your visibility online. From hashtags to Reels, to posting at the right time - these simple shifts can dramatically improve your reach and connection with your audience.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or just curious about how the platforms really work, this episode will give you the clarity and practical steps to start working with the algorithm instead of against it.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the algorithm isn’t your enemy (and how to train it to your advantage).

• How consistency and engagement fuel your visibility.

• Practical social media strategies to boost reach with content that resonates.

• Why showing your face and connecting personally makes such a difference.

This episode is one for the soul-led business owners

I’m chatting with the beautiful Emily-Jane Sarroff – a branding strategist, spiritual entrepreneur, and total creative powerhouse. Emily shares her journey from studying architecture to building a thriving six-figure business, and how it all came back to one thing: authenticity.

We dive into the power of creating a brand that reflects who you truly are, how self-trust shapes your business journey, and why spirituality is a powerful tool in your branding process. This conversation is a mix of strategy, energy, and creative magic – with so many takeaways for anyone wanting to build a brand that feels deeply aligned.

In this episode, we chat about:
🌀 What it really means to be authentic
🌀 How spirituality can guide your business decisions
🌀 Nervous system regulation and how it fuels creativity
🌀 Why self-trust is the most important business strategy
🌀 The importance of expressing your truth, not following trends
🌀 Real talk on burnout, staying inspired, and reconnecting with your mission

Whether you're building your brand from the ground up or feeling ready to refresh and realign, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and grounded in your next steps.

Connect with Emily-Jane on Instagram: @empowerwithem

Connect with Emily-Jane on Linkedin here

Connect with Sarah on Instagram: @sarahlillymedia

👉 Don't forget to hit follow and rate and review so Elevated Ambition can reach more amazing woman like you!