Reclaiming Bossy

Today’s episode is your reminder that it is possible to get good grades and have fun at university. I  graduated from UCL not only with a First but also top of my class, made the Dean’s List and had my dissertation nominated for a national prize. But I also had the best time at university. I met some of my best friends, learned to salsa dance, did a fashion show, volunteered, interned for a DJ, started a podcast, built a business and spent a year living abroad.

I’m sharing the simple systems that helped me balance everything, from understanding exactly what you’re being marked on and knowing which readings you can skip, to making your essays stand out, building a feedback loop and using time constraints to get more done in less time.

Because getting a First doesn’t have to mean spending your entire university experience in the library. Your degree can be important without becoming your entire identity.

If you’re at university and want to get good grades, have fun, try new things and make the most of these years, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Balancing sleep, social life, and getting good grades at university

02:34 The marking criteria: Why you need to understand exactly what you’re being graded on

05:31 Adding personality: How to make your essays stand out to professors

07:26 Skip the readings: Prioritising your coursework and saving time

10:39 Building systems: Using Notion to document your research and streamline writing

13:00 The feedback loop: Why you should ask for professor and peer reviews

15:12 Time management: Using Parkinson’s law and scheduling your social life first

17:51 Protecting your yes: Experimenting with hobbies and cutting out rehearsed obligations

21:10 Redefining success: Detaching your self-worth from academic achievements and grades

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If this episode gave you helpful tips on how to balance everything at university, send it a friend too :)

What does it actually take to make it as an artist?

This week, I’m joined by South London R&B and soul artist Lottie Jade to talk about what it really takes to build a career in music, from developing your skills and finding your sound to having the confidence to actually put your work out into the world.

Lottie began attracting industry attention as a teenager, and at 18 was highlighted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Ace as an R&B artist to watch after “Oh Well” gained close to half a million listens on SoundCloud. She has since worked with artists including S1, IQ, Zion Foster and Donae’O and says her music has generated more than four million streams across platforms.

Lottie started building her music career as a teenager and has now generated more than four million streams across platforms. We talk about her journey from BRIT School to becoming an independent artist, getting over the “cringe” of promoting yourself, dealing with negative comments, finding your identity as an artist and staying consistent with your craft.

We also get practical about how to actually become a better singer: training your voice like a muscle, taking care of it properly, understanding your natural range and why being a great artist isn’t necessarily about having the “best” voice. If you’re a musician, singer or creative trying to turn your talent into a career, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Meet Lottie Jade and her musical roots in South London

01:30 The origin story: Growing up around music, attending BRIT School and building an audience online

04:42 Music industry myths: Why you don’t need to start young or have expensive equipment to start creating

09:03 Getting over the cringe: How to build the confidence to share your work and create your own opportunities

10:43 Dealing with hate: Why you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and how to stop fearing negative comments

12:54 Training your voice: Vocal health, avoiding strain and the cold water and dairy myths

17:20 Finding your sound: Working with your natural voice instead of trying to sound like someone else

22:51 Musician vs artist: Finding your identity and building an authentic creative persona

26:31 Bringing the music to life: Music videos, cutting through the noise and the power of creative community

Substack mentioned: Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW LOTTIE

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/isthatlottie/?hl=en

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@isthatlottie

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Isthatlottiee

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/lottie-jade

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone who’s trying to build a career in the creative industries, develop their craft or finally find the confidence to put their work out into the world.

If you’re trying to build a career in the creative industries, this episode is  your playbook.

How do you actually find the right opportunities? How do you read a job description like a recruiter? How do you build a network when you hate networking? And how do you talk about everything you do without saying, “I’m just a…”?

This week, I’m joined by Isabel Sachs, founder of I LIKE NETWORKING, to talk about everything from building a job search matrix and knowing what NOT to apply for, to pitching yourself, networking without being transactional, navigating a multi-hyphenate career and going from expert to earner.

If you’re a creative, founder, freelancer or someone trying to work out what on earth you’re doing with your career, this one is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and introducing Isabel and her work with I Like Networking

02:17 The non-linear path: Why creative careers are hard and why you shouldn't be afraid to jump through a window

05:12 The reality of London's talent pool: Why resourcefulness and entrepreneurial hunger matter more than a standard CV

09:38 The job search matrix: How to stop applying blindly and choose opportunities aligned with your lifestyle values

16:38 Redefining networking: Moving away from corporate transactional culture to build genuine community and support

24:59 Networking red flags: Why spamming and monopolizing conversations don't work in the creative industries

30:40 The multi-hyphenate struggle: How to talk about yourself, own your achievements, and avoid the "I'm just a..." trap

35:05 From expert to earner: Monetizing your creative expertise through direct products and community leads

40:24 Promoting yourself without social media: Building a reputation and finding your audience without burning out

46:11 Key takeaways: Advocating for yourself, staying authentic, and creating your own opportunities

51:14 Reclaiming Bossy: What it means to be the boss of your own life and design a career that supports your choices

CONNECT WITH ISABEL + I LIKE NETWORKING

I LIKE NETWORKING Substack:

https://ilikenetworking.substack.com

I LIKE NETWORKING:

https://ilikenetworking.uk

Don’t Pick My Brain:

https://dontpickmybrain.substack.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ilikenetworking/?hl=en

I LIKE NETWORKING on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-like-networking/posts/?feedView=all

Isabel on LinkedIn:

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

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a friend who is applying for 100 jobs, hates networking or is trying to work out how to build a creative career that actually fits their life, send them this episode.

And tell me in the comments: what’s one opportunity you’re going to put yourself forward for this week?

If you’re ambitious, love making plans and have a million things you want to do with your life, but you’re also not the kind of person who wants to wake up at 5am, cold plunge and follow the exact same routine every single day, this episode is for you. I’ve spent years trying to make myself more disciplined, more optimised and more consistent, and this year I realised I actually want to build my life around something else: devotion. Less forcing myself into someone else’s version of success, more creating a life I love enough that I want to keep showing up for it. 

In this solo episode, I’m talking about why I’m choosing devotion over discipline, what my grandmother taught me about building rituals around the things you care about, and how I’ve learned to be ambitious without making struggle the price of success. We talk about defining your own version of a successful life, trophies versus treasures, following your random desires, building joy into your routines and why the real secret to consistency might be learning how to fall in love with what you’re creating again and again and again.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and why this is the year of devotion, not discipline

02:16 Who am I?: Mahika's background and proof that you can be ambitious without burning out

04:22 The optimization trap: Why trying to perfectly optimize your life often leads to anxiety

06:23 A lesson in devotion: What a 70-year-old grandmother teaches us about intentional living

08:29 Finding presence: Shifting focus from abundance to presence and enjoying daily rituals

10:57 Follow your desires: Why your random interests act as a North Star for authentic success

11:53 Define your own success: Stop dictating your worth with someone else's measuring stick

13:31 Treasures vs. Trophies: The difference between building a life inwards out versus outwards in

14:38 Rituals over habits: How to stay structured and consistent by bringing joy into the process

17:35 The success formula: Why planning, consistency, and fun are the real keys to achieving goals

19:59 Rethinking deadlines: Why you should extend your timelines instead of giving up on big dreams

21:54 Outro: A challenge to choose devotion over discipline and a call for community feedback

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If this episode made you rethink your relationship with discipline, send it to your ambitious but inconsistent friend who needs to hear it too. And tell me in the comments: what would change if you stopped trying to discipline yourself into your dream life and started becoming devoted to it instead?

A quick note before we start: this episode is a little different from our usual studio conversations. Frankie and I spontaneously decided to record this podcast in a pub toilet during the House of Ideas, so the production quality is a little lower than usual. You can check out our other episodes for the full Reclaiming Bossy studio experience, but I hope you enjoy this slightly more chaotic conversation just as much.

This week, I’m joined by Frankie James, founder of Ideas Fest and the Ideas Community, to talk about what it actually takes to turn an idea into something people want to be part of. We talk about building a community from scratch, networking without being transactional, landing speaking opportunities, finding aligned sponsors and creating events that people actually want to attend.

Timestamps 

00:00 Intro: Meeting Frankie and the story behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards

01:40 What makes a good entrepreneur: Why curiosity and disruption matter more than the balance sheet

02:38 Rethinking corporate events: How to make ceremonies creative and special on a budget

04:19 Ideas vs. execution: Why great ideas are worthless without passion and action

05:06 The birth of Ideas Fest: Pivoting from pandemic Zoom fatigue to an outdoor festival

06:59 Designing event magic: Fostering human connection instead of relying on expensive production

08:47 Attracting top-tier talent: How to get amazing speakers and why successful founders want to give back

11:00 Pitching yourself for the stage: The importance of community engagement before asking to speak

12:29 Building a standout community: Adopting an abundance mindset and collaborating with competitors

14:31 The death of traditional sponsorship: How to secure funding by building bespoke, value-driven partnerships

16:52 Authentic networking: Dropping the transactional mindset and learning to give before you take

19:16 The House of Ideas: Creating win-win opportunities for venues, sponsors, and attendees

22:42 Protecting your social battery: Managing founder burnout, FOMO, and the power of saying no

26:29 The reality of personal branding: Balancing authenticity with the pressure to perform on social media

28:25 Outro: The long game of business and the 14-year substance behind hosting shiny events

FRANKIE JAMES

Connect with Frankie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frangbea/

Ideas Fest: https://ideasfest.uk/whats-on

Ideas Community: https://www.ideasforums.com

Great British Entrepreneur Awards: https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone with a big idea they need to bring to life, and let us know in the comments: what opportunity is currently on your radar?

What does it actually take to travel the world while working, building a business, staying healthy and somehow still having a social life?

In this week’s episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m joined by Sofia, founding member and Head of Operations at Hardest Adventures, who has spent the last few years building businesses while travelling the world as a digital nomad.

We cover everything from budgeting across different currencies, creating sustainable routines and building a business on the road, to navigating friendships and relationships across time zones, meeting your health and fitness goals while travelling, protecting your sleep, finding community abroad and staying safe as a female solo traveller. Whether you’re dreaming about becoming a digital nomad, planning your first solo trip or simply want more freedom in the way you live and work, this episode is your starter pack.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Meet Sofia, adrenaline junkie and founder of Hardest Adventures

04:41 The Comfort Zone Challenge: Overcoming dark times by doing something scary every day

08:00 Dream Bigger: Breaking through your own mental ceiling and self-imposed limits

09:51 Just Go: Why you don't need years of preparation to start living as a digital nomad

11:45 Nomad Finances: Budgeting, automating savings, and making travel sustainable

18:21 Travel Logistics: Essential admin, insurance, and ditching physical SIM cards

20:46 The 3-Week Rule: A stress-free travel planning framework for Type-B personalities

22:44 Health on the Road: Maintaining fitness routines, eating well, and habit stacking

26:17 Hostel Survival Guide: Prioritizing sleep, boundaries, and dodging party hostels

28:43 Safety as a Solo Traveler: Trusting your gut and debunking media myths

32:44 Cultivating Self-Trust: How to listen to your intuition without feeling mean

35:10 Overcoming Loneliness: Nurturing connections and avoiding the lone wolf trap

37:29 The Weekly Dump: Creative ways to maintain long-distance friendships

39:53 Dream Woman Energy: Showing up as your best self and daily hype chats

41:40 Dating Yourself: Remaining single intentionally and navigating long-distance romance

44:08 Remote Team Culture: Building trust and over-communicating with your co-founders

46:05 Founder Productivity: Time-blocking, flow states, and the importance of switching off

48:44 Setting Boundaries: Why work phones are a game-changer for remote founders

50:04 Rapid Fire Travel Tips: Bucket list recommendations, essentials, and reflections

Arabic funk recommendations: https://open.spotify.com/track/1Ye2lpUppaahUYUyFiI9vW?si=BAOmKf2ST_uGU2wZpAo8IA&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=5639beb8c8024b70&autoplay_ok=1

Creative / Founder Office Hours

Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. If you’re planning your own digital nomad chapter to the next season of life with more intention, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll map it out together :⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to the friend you want to travel the world with, and let us know in the comments where your dream digital nomad destination is. 🌍✈️

The method I used to learn Spanish from zero to fluent is the most popular video on this channel, so I thought it was time to make a part two.If the first video was everything I did right, this one is everything I did wrong.

After reaching C1 Spanish, I assumed learning another language would be easy. Instead, I made almost every mistake possible. I chased streaks instead of fluency, downloaded every app, jumped between resources, lost consistency and slowly forgot the exact principles that helped me learn Spanish in the first place.The truth is, you don’t suck at learning languages. You’re probably just making a few simple mistakes.

In this episode, I break down the biggest language learning mistakes I made after Spanish and everything I wish I’d done instead. Whether you’re learning your first language or your fifth, I hope this saves you months, if not years, of frustration and helps you build a language learning system that actually works.

If you haven’t watched Part One yet, I’d recommend starting there. It’s where I share the exact method I used to teach myself Spanish from zero to fluent, and it’s still the foundation of everything I talk about in this episode.

Watch Part One:

https://youtu.be/UVh0B_wfjFY?si=IJzzRYIfqcx0YDt-

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and why language streaks don’t equal fluency

03:18 Pick a why: Finding a compelling vision to stay consistent with language learning

05:19 Set realistic goals: Why aiming for fluency from day one sets you up for failure

07:08 Create a learning plan: Understanding your learning style before picking resources

09:00 Find one good resource: Recommendations for auditory learners and using free tools

10:14 Stack your habits: Tying language practice to existing daily routines

11:21 Find accountability: The importance of a language buddy or habit trackers

12:31 Build your world: Weaving your target language into hobbies, music, and daily life

14:24 Balance input and output: Why you must practice speaking and not just listening

17:37 Learn strategically: Focusing on high-frequency words instead of random vocabulary

19:26 Structure your grammar: Starting simply with present, past, and future tenses

21:46 Outro: Reflecting on the necessity of fun and building a world in your target language

WORK WITH ME

Creative/Founder Office Hours

Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.If you’re learning a language and want help creating a personalised language learning plan, understanding your learning style, staying accountable or building a study system that fits around your life, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll map it out together.

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. :⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠

If you found this episode helpful, send it to the friend you want to learn a language with. Having someone to keep you accountable makes the whole process so much more fun.

Three years ago, I uploaded the first episode of Reclaiming Bossy from my bedroom with no network, no production experience and absolutely no idea what I was doing.

Now, the podcast has reached listeners in 65+ countries, taken me to record seasons in Amsterdam and Madrid, introduced me to incredible founders, creators and experts, and, after three years of showing up consistently, has finally been monetised. This episode is everything I wish someone had told me when I started.

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, creating content online, building a personal brand or growing your business through storytelling, these are the seven lessons I learned through trial and error, hundreds of hours behind the microphone and making plenty of mistakes along the way. 

The good news? You don’t have to learn them the hard way, I am ungatekeeping everything I know.

If you’d like support bringing your own story to life, that’s exactly what we do at Empower Sounds Media. We work with founders, creators and brands on storytelling, personal branding, podcast strategy and production, content creation and digital marketing, helping you build a brand people remember without having to figure it all out alone.

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. :⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Celebrating three years of the podcast and un-gatekeeping content creation secrets

02:10 Know your audience: Designing your ideal viewer and understanding who you're talking to

06:14 Provide a transformation: Making sure every video solves a problem or gives clear value

07:54 Packaging matters: Why you can't treat titles and thumbnails as an afterthought

10:52 Keep gear simple: Starting small and why you don't need expensive equipment right away

14:14 Chase 1% improvements: Obsessing over small upgrades instead of waiting for perfection

17:34 Never stop learning: Building a "learn list" and putting in the reps to grow

19:25 Devotion over discipline: Having faith in your vision and centering your process around joy

21:32 Outro: Reflecting on the journey and what's coming next for the podcast

I hope you find this useful and will take this as your sign to start. Whether you’re creating your first video, launching a podcast, growing a business or simply trying to share your ideas with more confidence, I hope this episode reminds you that consistency beats perfection, storytelling matters and the best time to start is before you feel ready. 

This is your sign to start the idea you’ve been letting live in your notes app or imagination for far too long.  Whether it’s a business, podcast, newsletter, YouTube channel, creative project or something else, this episode is to trust your ideas and stop overthinking.

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of creating and launching the very first edition of Bossy & Brown in just one month, and sharing the mindset shifts that helped me stop overthinking and start building.

When I was born 23 years ago in Mumbai, my mum was told she was “crazy” for celebrating the birth of a baby girl. Hearing that story, I knew from a young age that I wanted to create work that made celebrating women feel obvious and normal.

Three years ago, I started Reclaiming Bossy from my bedroom as a university student with no network, no capital and no expertise. Just a microphone and a belief that more women deserved to have their stories heard. Since then, the podcast has grown into a community spanning 65+ countries, with seasons recorded in Amsterdam, Madrid and beyond.

Bossy & Brown was born from that same mission. For South Asian Heritage Month, I put out a call for South Asian founders, creators, artists and writers. Within 48 hours, more than 300 comments and messages poured in from people across the UK, India and the global diaspora. There were simply too many incredible women to fit onto the podcast so I created the magazine as the next step.

The first edition is centred around one idea: you can’t love the flower and hate the root.Inside, you’ll find conversations on entrepreneurship, AI, Ayurveda, astrology, identity, fashion, food, skincare and relationships, alongside personal essays on rebuilding your life, overcoming trauma, breaking cycles and becoming the boldest version of yourself.

I hope this episode gives you the confidence to stop waiting for permission and finally launch the idea that’s been waiting for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Announcing the launch of the Bossy & Brown magazine

00:48 Representation: Creating the media and stories I wanted to see growing up

02:37 Giving momentum: Why actioning your ideas is the ultimate form of self-love

03:23 The ideas garden: How to organise, collect and nurture your creative inspiration

05:11 Making space: Creating the table when you don’t feel represented

06:05 Authentic visibility: Why the right people can’t find you if you’re being someone else

07:45 Community service: Showcasing the wisdom of South Asian experts and creators

09:39 Micro grants: Giving back to South Asian founders, creators and builders

10:58 Confidence through action: Why building evidence matters more than applause

11:13 Three-year anniversary: How starting a podcast in my bedroom changed my life

12:24 Rich aunt lore: Building a life full of stories, experiences and community

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. :⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

This week is a big moment on the podcast. Reclaiming Bossy is turning three years old, and I’m turning 23.

To celebrate both birthdays, I wanted to sit down and share the 22 biggest lessons I learned at 22. I don’t have a big sister, so in many ways I’ve had to learn a lot of these lessons the hard way. 

Through building a business, going to therapy, travelling, making mistakes, creating nearly 100 podcast episodes, and having hundreds of conversations with incredible guests, these are the ideas that have shaped who I am becoming.

If you’ve listened to even one episode over the past three years, thank you.  Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you only found Reclaiming Bossy last week, thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey. Here’s to the next chapter.

Share this with someone who needs big sister advice today :)

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: 22 things I learned at 22 and celebrating three years

01:27 Authenticity: Finding yourself and repelling the wrong people

04:13 Relationships: Trusting the right people to stay and letting the wrong ones go

08:20 Failure as data: Learning from your flop moments

09:35 Making space: Why everything in life requires time and capacity

13:06 Don't quit, rest: Understanding the seven types of rest

14:17 Healing is a journey: Going back to therapy and dropping the shame

17:29 The arrival fallacy: Giving yourself permission to exist between achievements

19:53 The fear of success: How to regulate yourself when big wins happen

22:04 Hard work vs. alignment: Why struggle isn't the most important ingredient

24:44 Visibility is currency: Creating inbound luck and opportunities

26:47 Jealousy as data: Breaking the scarcity mindset and the "it girl" narrative

28:18 The timeline curse: Falling in love with the dream, not the deadline

31:00 Self-validation: Giving yourself permission and breaking the validation loop

32:18 Confidence is built on action: Why evidence matters more than applause

33:30 The 70 percent rule: Beating perfectionism and acting before you overthink

35:17 You only need one yes: Depersonalizing rejection and building resilience

39:41 Embarrassment is a choice: Being unapologetically yourself and backing your vision

40:48 You can always start again: Reshuffling the deck to create a better life

THINGS MENTIONED

Bossy and Brown magazine preorder

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

Learn more about Bossy and Brown

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/indian-bossy-brown-girl-summer-b3015509.html

My Substack article about endings

https://maahikasingh.substack.com/p/happy-endings-are-overrated-heres?r=60u9vn&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

Fail Smarter

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/dougal-shaw/fail-smarter/9781805228240/

My Substack article about therapy

https://theopenletters.substack.com/p/i-failed-my-healing-journey?r=60u9vn&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

Amsterdam season of Reclaiming Bossy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcgUd5P1H3A&list=PLwjRDHUFHp3gyg9Fp1HBSTfMn-lG2DGi6

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. :https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...

Book a discovery call : https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...

Join the next personal branding sprint : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]