Success Behind The Scenes

🎙  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

🎙 Guest: Josh Couchman – Founder & Creative Director of AnotherWay® Digital📸Instagram: @itscouch & @anotherway.digital

🌐 Website: anotherwaydigital.co.uk

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/itscouch

After over a decade in the Leeds agency scene, Josh started his own business following a life-changing diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

That wake-up call led him to ask: 

“What do I really want to do?”

His journey from chasing titles to chasing freedom shows how a shift in perspective can inspire bold choices and a life aligned with your core values.

Listen to how he stepped out to live life on his own terms. 

Today, Josh helps creative businesses consistently secure the projects they love through branding, websites, and social content. 

Episode Highlights

🎨 Advice for young creatives

💰 Building multiple income streams

📞 Overcoming outreach fears

🎯 Niching for clarity and confidence

👨‍👩‍👦 Working with family or friends

🩺 How a diabetes diagnosis shaped his outlook

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll find it inspiring

⭐️ 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 Steele – Marketing Consultant & Bearhat Founder

🌐 Website: bearhatmarketing.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victoria-anna-steele

Employee to Freelancer to Business Owner in 6 Months.

After 12+ years in marketing, Victoria left full-time work to start her own business—all while navigating life as a new mum.

In this episode, Victoria shares her journey to creating Bearhat Marketing, the highs, the lows and how to redefine success on your own terms.

We cover:

🚀 Stepping out on your own

😕 The realities of building a business

💪 Building determination & a resilient mindset

✨ Pushing through the setbacks

🤝 Relationships over pushy sales

🎯 Understanding your ideal client

📣 Tips to market yourself

👩‍👧 Balancing business and parenthood

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll find it inspiring

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me with your feedback

🎙Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

Website: ⁠www.zaradeecoach.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠@zaradeecoach⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach⁠

🎙Guest: Alistair Macdonald - Filmmaker & Electronic Musician

Website: www.curlewfilms.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aimacdonald

10 years into a high-pressure law career, Alistair realised he was stuck in a job that left him stressed and miserable. 

Driven by a desire to create, he reinvented himself, diving into filmmaking and music.

Now, 12 years later, he's an award-winning filmmaker, electronic musician Bobus, and runs crazy mountain marathons! 🏃‍♂️

Alistair’s story proves it’s never too late to rewrite your version of success and chase what truly matters. 👊

We cover:

🎵 Getting in front of a crowd after 30 years

🎥 Shifting from law to filmmaking

💡 Overcoming imposter syndrome

🔥 The courage to make a life change

🏃‍♂️ Addiction to running

👉 Being a present father and a good human

💭 Life, success and mistakes 

🎲 The role of chance and timing

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Hit Follow to stay updated

📤 Share it with someone who’ll find it inspiring

⭐️ Leave a rating or message me on Instagram or LinkedIn with your feedback

🎙Host: Zara-Dee – Brand Visibility Mentor

Website: ⁠www.zaradeecoach.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠@zaradeecoach⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach⁠