🎙  Guest: Nic Shephard - Personal Trainer 

📸 Instagram

After 13 years in the corporate world, Nic knew it wasn’t the life he wanted. So he swapped banking for balance, helping people find both mental and physical well-being through fitness.

At 33, he moved back in with his parents, rebuilt from the ground up, and created a new path as a personal trainer. 

Now with 7+ years in the industry, Nic opens up about the realities of rebuilding, the pressures of self-employment, and why providing genuine value is the best way to win work. 

We cover: 

🧠 Stress, mental health & balance when your work is full on 

💡 How to find exercise you enjoy (so it actually sticks)

⚡️ Pressure vs drive in self-employment

📱 Using social media to win work

👥 Knowing your ideal client inside out

🌱 Building a relatable, visible personal brand

👊 Dealing with comparison & imposter syndrome

⏸ Why switching off is the hardest part 

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who needs to hear it 

⭐️ Leave a quick rating or review, it really helps!

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website⁠

⁠📸 Instagram⁠

⁠🔗 LinkedIn

🎙  Guest: Ed Lister - Award-Winning Lighting Camera Operator 

📸 Instagram

🔗 LinkedIn

📍 Website

With 15+ years of freelance experience, Ed talks about moving to Dubai, starting again from scratch, and adapting to new ways of working. 

From filming in 55-degree desert heat to staying in demand in the industry, this episode covers the risks and rewards of freelancing.

We cover: 

🌍 Relocating your business overseas

🔗 Tips for building a relevant network

🧠 Mindset: trusting the work will come

📸 Bread & butter jobs that keep you ticking over

✨ Being dependable & human in business

🚫 Ghosting, pencils & not lowering your rates

🤖 Using AI for productivity & organisation

📖 Bonkers freelance stories along the way

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who needs to hear it 

⭐️ Leave a quick rating or review, it really helps!

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website

📸 Instagram

🔗 LinkedIn

🎙  Guest: Robert Lee - Digital Marketer & Founder of Slingshot Digital

📸 Instagram: @slingshot.digital

🔵 Facebook: slingshotdigitaluk

🔗 LinkedIn

📍 Website: slingshotdigital.co.uk

With over a decade of digital marketing experience, supporting the BBC, NHS, ITV and more, Rob shares an honest take on starting and growing your own business.

We talk about the reality of being your own boss, how lonely it can sometimes feel, and why your past experience is more powerful than you think.

It’s a conversation about business, balance, being a first-time self-employed dad, and why running a marathon feels exactly like building a business.

We cover: 

🔍 Niching around what you love

📣 Blending word of mouth with social media

🧠 Mindset shifts for success

✨ Building a brand with personality

📱 Showing up online (without the overwhelm)

✅ Productivity tips that work

🤝 Communication, community & collaboration

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who needs to hear it 

⭐️ Leave a quick rating or review, it really helps!

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website: zaradeecoach.com

📸 Instagram: @zaradeecoach

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙  Guest: James Homer - Filmmaker

📸 Instagram: @hue21video

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-homer

📍 Website: www.hue21.com

“I’m just a lad with a camera, tyrna make some progress”

James, founder of Hue21, uses film to raise awareness of social issues like addiction and domestic violence.

In this episode, James shares how determination, saying yes to opportunities, and staying true to your values help build the career you want.

Whether you're starting out or growing your creative career, this episode is packed with advice on trusting the process, staying consistent and focusing on the work you love.

We cover: 

🎬 Choosing a career outside the norm from where you grew up

🕺Celebrating the wins with a happy dance

💡Finding aligned clients 

💪Turning rejection into motivation

💬 Overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there

🤝Tips for networking with confidence 

❤️ The power of film to create change

😍 James’s exciting news!

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website: zaradeecoach.com

📸 Instagram: @zaradeecoach

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙  Guest: Leyla Alexander - Graphic Designer

📸 Instagram: @leylaalexanderdesign | @youaretheseauk

📍 Website: www.leylaalexander.com | www.youarethesea.co.uk

From redundancy during maternity leave to building a creative design business on her own terms.

Leyla shares how she found freedom in freelancing and the confidence to be her true self.

✨ Success isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a life that aligns with who you are and what you value most.

This episode is a brilliant reflection of that journey, reminding us all to do more of what we love.

We Cover:

😍 Making freelancing work for you

🎨 Creating time for what you love

🌊 Growing You Are The Sea & ocean awareness

🤝 Networking that’s FUN

🎙️ Putting yourself out there & saying no to misaligned work

⚡ Taking action without overthinking

💬 The power of community & support

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website: zaradeecoach.com

📸 Instagram: @zaradeecoach

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙 Guest: Rob Searle - Visual Media Specialist 

📸 Instagram: @searle.visual

Turning something you love into a career isn’t easy. It’s about showing up, sticking it out, and pushing through the tough times.

Rob turned his love for music and culture into a career, facing setbacks and doubts along the way. But quitting? Not an option. When you love what you do, you keep going. No shortcuts.

In this episode, Rob takes us behind the scenes to share what it really takes, self-belief, consistency, and the small steps that bring you closer to success.

What We Cover:

🎥 Turning what you love into a career

🎯 The power of a niche

🤝 Building connections from scratch

❤️ Creating for the love of it

🔥 Burnout & rejection sensitivity

⚡ ADHD: blessing & curse

🎉 Owning success & silencing imposter syndrome

💖 Leading with heart, keeping your head screwed on

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website: zaradeecoach.com

📸 Instagram: @zaradeecoach

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙 Guest: Victoria Louise - Luxury Wedding Filmmaker

📍 Website: vlvideos.co.uk

📸 Instagram: @victorialouiseweddings

Victoria Louise, Luxury Wedding Filmmaker, shares her journey into the industry. 

From feeling like she couldn’t be herself to building a career where she shows up unapologetically every single day. 

She went from her lowest career moments to capturing life’s happiest.

Her story is a powerful reminder that success is what you make it. 

Rejection is simply redirection and resilience and self-belief are key to creating your own version of success.

What We Cover:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Building a business that works for you and your family

🎯 Putting yourself out there

🧠 Navigating ADHD & Dyscalculia

🔥 Taking your side hustle full-time

🎨 Importance of freedom and creativity

🔄 Turning rejection into opportunity

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

📍 Website: zaradeecoach.com

📸 Instagram: @zaradeecoach

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙 Guest: Jordan Lee - Director of Photography

Website: www.jordanleevideo.com/

Instagram: @jordanleevideo

This episode we get into the realities of doing your own thing with DoP Jordan Lee, now in his 5th year of freelancing. 

Jordan turned redundancy into an opportunity, proving the power of:

✅ Taking action

✅ Tapping into your network

✅ Trusting your skills & believing in yourself

What We Cover:

🎬 In-house vs. freelance after redundancy 

🚀 Creating your own opportunities

💡 Jordan’s 3 biggest business lessons

🌊 Riding the freelance wave & backing yourself

🎉 Celebrating wins—big & small

⚖️ Finding balance in the madness

📂 Why admin & organisation really matter

🎧 Freelancers, this one’s a must-listen!

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

Website: zaradeecoach.com

Instagram: @zaradeecoach

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙 Guest: Dave Hackney - Filmmaker & Founder of The Digital Cortex

Website: thedigitalcortex.com

Instagram: @davehackney | @thedigitalcortex

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidhackneythedigitalcortex

From mechanical engineering to IT, and now 10 years in film, Dave Hackney shows how the left brain’s logic and the right brain’s creativity can work in perfect harmony when you lean into your superpowers and focus on the work that truly interests you.

Listen in to hear how Dave created his own version of success over the last decade and what’s next for his business.

We cover: 

🤝 How to build a strong network and high-performing teams

🧠 Navigating neurodiversity in business 

🦸‍♂️ Leaning into strengths & seeking support for weaknesses

💡 Mastering the art of choosing your battles wisely

🎨Balancing corporate with creativity 

🧘‍♂️Importance of mindfulness, rest and switching off

📊 Using time tracking and data to make smarter, strategic decisions

💪 Staying focused and fueled with drive in your work

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

Website: zaradeecoach.com

Instagram: @zaradeecoach

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach

🎙 Guest: Jo Higgs – Graphic Designer

Instagram: @johiggscreative

Facebook: facebook.com/Johiggscreative

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joanne-higgs-6591b94a

“The only reason I’ve been able to do it is because it’s all I want to do” 

In this episode, Jo Higgs shares her journey from feeling “left on the scrap heap” after taking time out to raise her children, to building a business doing what she loves most.

With passion and determination, Jo shows that when your business is an extension of you, you overcome any challenges and create success on your own terms.

Episode Highlights:

🎯 Breaking free from stereotypes

🗣  Sharing your story and embracing who you are

🤹‍♀️ Balancing parenting with running a business

📲 Growing your business through social media

📈 Tips for marketing yourself with confidence

🚀 Putting yourself out there without fear

💡 Returning to work: practical advice

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll be inspired

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

Website: zaradeecoach.com

Instagram: @zaradeecoach

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach