This week is a solo episode, and I've done so because I want to talk about the topic of depression. Whether you've experienced it before or not, it's an important topic because as entrepreneurs we don't get sick pay if we get signed off, and if we can't work we don't get paid. Not good, when you're already not feeling good!

In this episode, I talk about Human Givens, and how this is an important component of understanding depression. Not only that but understanding which of our emotional needs are missing, so that we can go about making lifestyle changes to support a happier, more fulfilled life, less likely to be susceptible to depression in the future.

The link I make reference to is here: http://sarahswanton.com/humanneeds/

Please note, this episode is not a replacement for the advice you would get from your GP. If you are experiencing depression, or think you are, please make an appointment to get yourself checked out.

"It's OK to be vulnerable, it's OK to not know where you're going or what you're doing, and it's OK to verbalise that. I've definitely felt historically not able to do that, you almost put up a vision of invincibility, or everything's fine even when it's not. There is a relief, a freedom in being able to do that."

I'm delighted to welcome Ben Swanton who is this week's guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast, who also happens to be my husband! 

Ben is the founder of 808 Talent, a specialist Recruitment and Headhunting Consultancy which focuses specifically on the global Broadcast and Sports Media technology industries. He consults for and works in partnership with Technology Companies across the UK, Europe, and the US, whether they be Fortune 500 companies or Start-ups, to recruit the best people for their organisation, ultimately helping them to achieve their business growth goals.

When I asked Ben what three words sum up his entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Liberating. Rollercoaster. Rewarding.

Episode Webpage: http://sarahswanton.com/2018/02/07/ben-swanton/

www.808talent.com

www.sarahswanton.com

“Please, please to be kind to oneself. I think entrepreneurs can have an enormous perfectionist tendency, because they’re so eager to bring that thing they believe in, into the world, and perfectionism can really throttle us. If we can be kind and forgiving to ourselves, I think that is the one thing I’d like to see. I’d love people to learn that, very early on, rather than wait until they’re my age to be kind and generous to themselves.”

I’m delighted to welcome Renée Van Der Vloodt who is this week’s guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast.

Renée is a coach, educator, therapist, and writer with over 20 years experience of positively transforming the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and teams. Alongside running a thriving practice, Renée’s experience includes coaching senior executives at Shell International and teaching therapists and coaches within the UK, Europe, America, and Africa. Renée regularly contributes to Breathe magazine, the Human Givens Journal and has penned innumerable blogs on the psychology of behaviour change.

When I asked Renée to sum up what her self-employment journey has been so far, she said:

Adventure. Service. Learning.

Episode webpage: http://sarahswanton.com/2018/01/31/renee-van-der-vloodt/

http://reneevandervloodt.com/

http://sarahswanton.com/

Lenka Koppova is a freelance Social Media Consultant working with small business, social enterprises and startups, helping them to grow their businesses using social media the right way! She also spends a lot of time educating small business owners about digital marketing and business development. Lenka has run her own business since April 2016.

When I asked Lenka what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Social. Community. Collaboration.

Episode webpage: http://sarahswanton.com/2018/01/24/lenka-koppova/

www.lenkakappova.com

www.sarahswanton.com

"My advice to anyone starting out is to charge more. Nobody I know starting out, charges enough. I think it's critical to know your worth and I think most people, particularly women, don't give ourselves credit for our experience and skills."

I'm delighted to welcome Karen Arnott who is this week's guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast. 

Karen is an enthusiastic graphic designer with over twenty years industry experience - the last twelve of those as a freelancer. Karen works with small businesses providing web and graphic design services so that they can be confident their brand stands out and represents their core values.

When I asked Karen what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Freedom. Tenacity. Fun.

Episode webpage:http://sarahswanton.com/2018/01/17/karen-arnott/

www.karenarnott.co.uk

www.sarahswanton.com

"If there is something you want to do, stop thinking about it, and just go and do it, because you will not know the result until you do it. I remember when I first moved to Suffolk, and it took me a year, to approach Inner Guidance Retreat Centre, about selling our art pieces. When I actually got the courage, Jo (De Rosa) said 'you are the perfect match, you are the person we were waiting for!' and I thought why did it take me a year!"

I'm delighted to welcome Vendulka Battais who is this week's guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast. 

Vendulka is a textile artist specialising in creating beautiful wall hangings with yoga, sacred geometry and symbols as a theme. She’s the owner of OliVen - a successful and growing patchwork and quilting shop based in the heart of Suffolk, England, where she also teaches workshops, even though she prefers the word “enabler” rather than teacher as she loves to enable people to make whatever it is they want to make.

When I asked Vendulka what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Self Development. Creativity. Flexibility.

What you’ll learn by listening to this episode:

- How Vendulka went from her passion for patchwork into profit and has since been in business for 6 years.

- What it's like to work in a family business, and how her 7 and 3-year-old are very much part of the business too.

- What it feels like when all you want to do is 'create' and enable others to as well, but you have to run a business too!

- How a daily meditation habit helps to keep her calm and gives her 30 minutes a day to herself.

- Joining a mastermind was one of the best investment decisions for her personally and her business, in terms of accountability, support, and amazing friendships, but you don't have to start one, you can start your own.

- It's good to be inspired by other entrepreneurs in the same field as you, but it's important to figure out what is right for you.

- Fear of rejection is the silliest fear of all because it's not going to hurt you, it's just going to make you stronger and help you to learn and grow and develop.

Recommendations and Resources:

Jo De Rosa  and Inner Guidance Retreat Centre: https://innerguidance.co.uk/

Katie Foster and Divas Do Business Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/katie.foster.9461

Where you can learn more about Vendulka

Website: http://www.oliven.co.uk/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/olivenpatchwork

Vendulka's personal blog page: http://www.journeywitholiven.wordpress.com/

Stitchery Stories Podcast by Susan Weeks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stitchery-stories/id1261477215?mt=2

Happy Healthy Entrepreneur was set up by Sarah Swanton in early 2017 and is a movement dedicated to supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to achieve optimum mental health and wellbeing so that they have all the emotional resources they need to create a happy and profitable business, out there making a positive social, and conscious impact in the world.

For more information go to the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/HappyHealthyEntrepreneur/ or you can sign up to the newsletter, (http://eepurl.com/cgXH9T) and be the first to hear about upcoming events, workshops, as well as The Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Online Programme launching in Spring 2018.

Helen Rebello, is the founder of The Tranquil Path, which is all about empowering soulful female entrepreneurs, whose work no longer lights them up, to move towards living & working in a way that feeds their soul, expresses who they came here to be, and impacts positively upon the world - without selling their soul to busyness!

Very often referred to by her clients as the Queen of Mellow because she takes them from chaos to calm. How lovely is that?

When I asked Helen what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Enlightening. Accidental. Liberating.

What you’ll learn by listening to this episode:

How Helen left behind a practice which she had built up for 13 years, to move to the countryside and it was the best decision she ever made.

A very healthy appreciation of life is what keeps Helen going each day, which isn't to say that she doesn't get derailed at times!

Showing up and being seen and sharing her truth and even speaking from my heart, because we are not taught to do that has been her biggest challenges.

The marketing and business learning has come later on in her business as she switched from an offline to an online business.

Helen's number one practice for keeping her grounded is meditation, which didn't come easily but is now a daily habit.

Investing in her own personal development is the best decision Helen has ever made because her life and work are completely intertwined.

Recommendations and Resources:

Linda Anderson

Geoffrey Owen

Jenny Kovacs

Andrea Pennington

Where you can learn more about Helen Rebello

http://www.thetranquilpath.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/thepeacefulrebellion

“If someone said to me, what are you going to be doing in 12 months, well I don’t know. But then, ten years ago, I thought I’d have one child, maybe two. I think the idea of having a five-year plan is good, but actually, it can come with huge disappointment too because life has a funny way of not quite going to your five-year plan”

I’m delighted to welcome Berenice Smith is this week’s guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast.

Berenice is an award-winning, postgraduate qualified designer and creative, working with start-up companies, sole traders, charities and businesses who need solutions to design, or creative direction. Berenice provides a proactive solution, helping with print, web, brands, and eBooks so they learn from her work and then go to deliver a better product or service.

Berenice is also the founder and creator of Walk In Our Shoes, where she collaborates with counsellors, writers, bloggers and inspirational men and women who have stories and skills to share with people who are childless, involuntarily. She connects this community through a social design site which helps them to feel less isolated and be able to see a future that is manageable…and it also provides a much-needed space for educating family and friends through these honest and real-life experiences that these people share.

When I asked Berenice what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Flexible. Opportunities. Friendships.

What you’ll learn by listening to this episode:

How Berenice turned an incredibly challenging experience in her life (6 rounds of IVF) towards founding Walk In Our Shoes, support, and community for couples who are like her, involuntarily childless;

Having a part-time job, combined with her creative design agency, and the Walk In Our Shoes Project has been the perfect balance for carving out her self-employment career and don’t let anyone tell you that maintaining a part-time time isn’t doing it ‘properly’ – it’s what works for you;

Reaching out and talking to people has been incredibly helpful both in self-employment, and continuing to find her way through involuntary loss, particularly when she hears phrases like ‘Mumpreneur’ which can be very triggering;

Being honest and real about who you are, and not trying to ‘mask’ it with ‘over professionalism’, helps to attract the right clients. The professionalism comes out in the work that you ‘do’ not in ‘who’ you are as a person. Be unapologetically yourself and the right people will be attracted to you;

It’s OK to walk away from business, and if it’s really not working, one of you has to say “I’m sorry this isn’t going to work”;

Imposter syndrome can often show up, but it’s about sticking with your plan and not getting too sidetracked by social media and comparing yourself to others;

Being helpful on Facebook Groups, and getting a name for yourself as being knowledgeable, and reliable, can sometimes lead to creating new clients that way.

Where you can learn more about Berenice Smith

Website for creative design agency: http://www.hellolovely.org.uk/

Walk In Our Shoes: https://walkinourshoes.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hihellolovely/

Twitter for Hello Lovely: https://twitter.com/hihellolovely

Twitter for Walk In Our Shoes: https://twitter.com/Walkinourshoes1

Happy Healthy Entrepreneur was founded by Sarah Swanton in early 2017 and is a movement dedicated to supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to achieve optimum mental health and wellbeing so that they have all the emotional resources they need to create a happy and profitable business, out there making a positive social, and conscious impact in the world.For more information go to the Facebook Page or you can sign up to the newsletter, and be the first to hear about upcoming events, workshops, as well as The Happy Entrepreneur group mentoring programme launching in Spring 2018.

"We are in business, this isn't a hobby. We are in business to provide a good income for ourselves and our families, and to do that we have to get the balance right, between focusing on revenue generation and making sure we are following work that lights us up and pursuing our passions”

Nicola Semple is this week's guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast. Nicola has been a solo-entrepreneur now, for 5 years.

Nicola helps women business owners to create calm from chaos, by teaching them the skills and giving them the tools required to focus on what matters in their business and their life.

When I asked Nicola what three words sum up her entrepreneurial journey so far she said:

Exhilarating. Winding (as in road!). Insightful.

What you’ll learn by listening to this episode:

How it can feel like every business idea we have, has already been done - but it is not a reason not to do it;

There is no such thing as an original business idea, but what makes it unique is your own personality and your own spin on it!;

We are never short of ideas, but what sets someone apart is their ability to implement a project all the way through to completion;

How freedom to be your own boss is both a perk and a curse - stay focused on revenue generation;

There is a fine line between giving away good quality content and a level of value for free, but at some point, you need to get something in return;

The curse of comparisonitis. How moving out of that mindset, is essential in order to build a business that is right for you and your sanity;

Don't get sucked in by the marketing messages out there of "you must invest in your business!" we don't need anywhere near the number of online courses we sign up to.

If you are going to invest in things, make sure the format is right for you;

Your network is everything. Having a supportive group of people around you, who you can call upon when you need it;

How mindfulness has become a powerful resource for her as a business owner - being more focused, getting more done, and feeling less stressed about it;

Perseverance is what keeps her going. Being in business is a long-term goal.

Recommendations and Resources:

The Persuasion Revolution with Bushra Azhar https://www.thepersuasionrevolution.com/

Where you can learn more about Nicola Semple

http://www.nicolasemple.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IamNicolaSemple/

https://twitter.com/iamnicolasemple

https://www.instagram.com/iamnicolasemple/

The 7 Habits Of Highly Successful Small Biz Owners: http://www.nicolasemple.com/7habits

Join the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur movement

Happy Healthy Entrepreneur was founded by Sarah Swanton in early 2017 and is a movement dedicated to supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to achieve optimum mental health and wellbeing so that they have all the emotional resources they need to create a happy and profitable business, out there making a positive social, and conscious impact in the world.

For more information go to the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/HappyHealthyEntrepreneur/ or you can sign up to the newsletter, and be the first to hear about upcoming events, workshops, as well as The Happy Healthy Entrepreneur online programme launching in Spring 2018. http://eepurl.com/cgXH9T

Finally, if you think our values are aligned, and you’d like to chat about the idea of collaborating on a project together, coming to speak at one of your events, please get in touch, [email protected], I always love to hear from like-minded souls!

"It's not enough to dream this stuff, and just have positive visualisation, you have to take the steps, and once you start taking the steps, the Universe comes in behind you and gives you a good push”

Pat Duckworth is this week's guest on the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast. Pat is a midlife mentor, author and international public speaker. After over 30 years working in the public and voluntary sector at a senior management level, Pat discovered her entrepreneurial mojo in her mid-50s and retrained as a therapist and coach. Since then she has published three books including the award-winning, ‘Hot Women, Cool Solutions’. Pat’s fourth book, ‘Hot Women Rock; How to discover your midlife entrepreneurial mojo’, was published in 2016 and became a #1 International Bestseller.

Pat is a regular guest on radio shows in the UK, America and Canada. She has contributed articles to national newspapers and magazines including the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Natural Health. She has spoken at conferences in America, Holland, Cyprus and India as well as the UK.

She is passionate about inspiring women to get the best from their lives, no matter what their age.

When I asked Pat to think about what three words best describe what her entrepreneurial journey her been like so far, she said:

Exciting. Evolving. Connecting.

What you’ll learn by listening to this episode:

How Pat went from a high-level director role working 12 hour days in the civil service to retraining as a Cognitive Hypnotherapist, in her mid-50's;

Age just isn't an issue, it's all about attitude!;

Don't be afraid of technology because actually, it's more about patience than it is - 'technical' skills;

Don't think you have to do it all by yourself - there are lots of affordable solutions and resources out there to get the help;

Some of the strategies behind getting a No.1 Best Seller book, (internationally!), and the importance of nurturing connections and networks;

The best tips for getting more public speaking 'gigs' as part of your marketing strategy.

Recommendations and Resources:

Patricia McBride http://www.stressandphobiasolutions.com/www.stressandphobiasolutions.com/HOME.html

Where you can learn more about Pat Duckworth

www.hotwomencoolsolutions.com

www.patduckworth.com

https://www.facebook.com/HWRentrepreneurs/

https://twitter.com/patduckworth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patduckworth/

Join the Happy Healthy Entrepreneur movement

Happy Healthy Entrepreneur was founded by Sarah Swanton in early 2017 and is a movement dedicated to supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to achieve optimum mental health and wellbeing so that they have all the emotional resources they need to create a happy and profitable business, out there making a positive social, and conscious impact in the world.

For more information go to the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/HappyHealthyEntrepreneur/ or you can sign up to the newsletter, (http://eepurl.com/cgXH9T) and be the first to hear about upcoming events, workshops, as well as The Happy Entrepreneur group mentoring programme launching in Spring 2018.

Finally, if you think our values are aligned, and you’d like to chat about the idea of collaborating on a project together, coming to speak at one of your events, please get in touch, [email protected], I always love to hear from like-minded souls!