The Apple Cart

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Fiona Brennan.

She’s a copywriter at heart but is on a mission to save the world (and businesses) from crap content marketing through her work. Fiona works with B2B businesses – usually with around 10-20 employees – to help their marketing team of one reach their goals. 

She’s also a professional public speaker and has her first published book coming out soon.

Fiona shares her journey from copywriter to speaker, coach and author and why she was inspired to write her book. She also explains her unique approach to LinkedIn and the unexpected results.

Gudrun asks Fiona to talk about why she focuses on sustainable and ethical businesses, the environmental impact of AI and digital marketing and what we as business owners can do to reduce the damage we're doing to the planet.

Timestamps

• 02:35 - 06:00: How Fiona got into copywriting
• 12:47 – 15:40: How Fiona became a trainer
• 15:50 - 17:37: The evolution into public speaking
• 17:54 – 20:05: The inspiration for Fiona’s book
• 20:05 - 26:33: Different ways to use LinkedIn
• 27:57 - 34:44: How to make your business more sustainable
• 36:58 – 39:22: Why starting small with sustainability still helps
• 45:14 - 48:17: A story about eyeliner and making a human connection
• 53:49 - 56:45: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Visit Fiona’s website
• Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn
• Weekly newsletter: Thursday Brew
• Conference: Brighton SEO
• The UN carbon footprint calculator
• Book: Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by headshots and branding photographer Catherine Turner.

Catherine explains how she got into photography and shares her best tips for feeling more confident on camera. Gudrun asks Catherine about using props, finding locations and some of her favourite shoots.

They also discuss the importance of networking and attending conferences, and why you should consider investing in a business coach. And Catherine shares her thoughts on how to be more creative.

Timestamps

• 02:09 - 09:13: How Catherine got into photography
• 09:38 – 11:47: How a remote photoshoot works
• 12:23 – 19:04: Why you should have professional photos taken
• 20:00 - 22:21: How to feel confident on camera
• 24:27 – 28:15: Using props in brand photos
• 33:36: Fun shoots Catherine’s done
• 36:02 - 42:05: Why conferences and networking are a good
• business investment
• 44:17 - 46:02: Why you should invest in a business coach
• 46:37 - 48:50: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Visit Catherine's website
• Like Catherine on Facebook
• Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn
• Follow Catherine on Instagram
• Brand and marketing coach: Nicole Osborne
• Photo app: Shutter
• Photo app: Clos
• Marketing coaches: Andrew and Pete
• Video marketing agency: Jammy Digital
• Apple Cart interview with Janine Coombes
• Marketing conference: Atomicon
• Marketing conference: You Are the Media Creator Day
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Vit Kodousek.

He’s the co-founder of Someli.AI, an all-in-one platform that automates social media with the use of AI.

Vit explains where the idea for the tool came from and how it helps people with content creation that sounds like ‘them’. He explains who Someli.AI’s typical clients are, the onboarding process and the support from the team.

He and Gudrun talk about why all businesses need to embrace content marketing, the importance of being consistent and relevant, and how employee advocates are a great brand asset.

Timestamps

• 00:39 – 06:20: How Vit came to start Someli.AI
• 06:33 – 08:50: Someli.AI’s typical clients
• 09:38 – 11:50: The benefits of employee advocates
• 12:29 – 15:35: The onboarding process
• 16:13 - 17:54: The support offered during a free trial
• 18:40- 21:08: Why all businesses need to embrace content marketing
• 21:40 - 24:12: Why you need to be consistent and relevant in your marketing
• 24:38 - 28:38: The future of AI
• 28:56 - 30:45: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Visit Vit's website
• Connect with Vit on LinkedIn
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Alex Durham.

Alex is the owner of Vavavoom Videos. Every business needs content and to adapt and change their marketing. Vavavoom comes in, sweeps them off their feet and helps them. A versatile and crazily creative company, they create video content that stands out and works for all kinds of all industries.

Alex shares her journey to becoming a videographer and her advice for anyone who'd like to do the same. She outlines the different ways to work with her and some of her favourite projects.

Gudrun asks Alex why all businesses should use video content in their marketing and how people can feel more comfortable on camera. They also discuss the benefits of business networking and how to be more creative.

 Timestamps

• 01:22 - 03:08: How Alex got into videography
• 03:16 – 04:17: How the name Vavavoom came about
• 04:34- 07:46: The experience of starting a business straight after uni
• 08:08 - 12:00: Alex’s advice for budding videographers
• 12:26 - 14:45: Some of Alex’s favourite projects
• 15:19 - 19:21: Why businesses need to use video in marketing
• 19:52 - 22:02: Ways to work with Alex
• 22:26 - 25:22: How Alex helps her clients feel comfortable on video
• 27:20 - 31:05: The inspiration for parody Christmas songs
• 31:29 – 33:00: Why Alex attends networking events
• 33:58 - 36:07: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Visit Alex's website
• Connect with Alex on LinkedIn
• Like VaVaVoom Videos on Facebook
• Follow VaVaVoom Videos on Instagram
• Subscribe to the VaVaVoom Videos YouTube channel
• Service: podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business.

In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Evelyn Irwin, a content and copy writer. She runs Lucky Lark, where she specialises in working with wellness businesses.

She tells Gudrun how she got started, why she chose to work in copywriting and support wellness businesses, and how she came up with the branding for Lucky Lark.

They discuss the importance of mental health and wellbeing, why traditional employment isn't for everyone and why you should put yourself first.

Evelyn also shares why she enjoys networking, her passion for singing and how to have more fun on social media and in business.

Timestamps

• 00:41– 01:37: About the Lucky Lark brand
• 01:38 - 03:22: How Evelyn started her business
• 03:56 - 05:32: What it’s like having a business mentor
• 06:00 – 07:15: Advice on how to start a creative business
• 07:40 - 09:10: How Evelyn got into copywriting
• 09:24 - 11:26: Why Evelyn niched into wellbeing
• 13:59-15:05: How to juggle two jobs
• 15:46 - 16:43: The Benefits of Business Networking
• 18:10 – 20:15: The kinds of projects Evelyn enjoys
• 22:17 - 23:16: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Networking group: The Creative Collective
• Courses and mentoring: Songwriters International
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Jodie Newman.

Jodie is the founding owner of the Business Allotment – the place where businesses grow, creatively. She helps business owners move away from business-as-usual thinking to a creative approach and business-as-unusual thinking that helps the business be distinct, stand out and be memorable. Jodie is the author of Build Your Business on Ideas.

She tells Gudrun how her schooldays inspired her first interest in creativity, how she started the Business Allotment and how she got into the business of ideas.

Jodie explains how she became an author and public speaker, how she describes what she does and what she’d do if she wasn’t running her own business.

Gudrun asks Jodie to share her thoughts on doing things differently in business and how to embrace your creative side.

Timestamps      

• 01:16 – 05:52: How Jodie started The Business Allotment
• 06:35 - 07:08: Why the shed is a place for people to belong   
• 07:24 - 11:27: How Jodie got into the business of ideas      
• 12:43 - 14:33: How Jodie describes what she does      
• 15:03 - 16:21: What Jodie would do if she wasn’t running her business      
• 16:41 -19:18: The benefits of business networking  
• 19:34 - 25:20: Being an author and public speaker     
• 25:42– 31:38: Why you should do things differently in business   
• 32:23 - 37:01: How to be more creative in business

Useful Links

• Visit Jodie's website
• 20 days, 100 ideas free course
• The Tool shed free membership
• Buy Jodie's book
• Networking group: The Creative Collective
• Connect with Jodie on LinkedIn
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business. In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Nick Field.

Nick is an actor, a voiceover artist, a presenter, and a comedian from London. He's been hosting a music show on Essex radio station Phoenix FM since 2007.

He moved into voiceovers and acting work in the mid 2010s, voicing over 500 online commercials and information videos.

He’s been in six feature films on Amazon Prime, worked with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and made his stand-up comedy debut in 2023. He’s also been a magazine columnist and event speaker and host.

As well as sharing his journey into the worlds of voiceover, acting, presenting and comedy, Nick generously gives his advice on how others can do the same thing.

He talks about why a regional accent can be an advantage, the importance of community and how to find work. Gudrun asks Nick how people can be more creative, and they talk about why your biggest asset is being yourself.

Timestamps

• 01:59- 04:44: How Nick became a radio presenter
• 04:52 - 08:45: Moving into voiceover work
• 10:35 - 15:32: How Nick became an actor
• 16:14 – 18:25 Advice for becoming a voiceover artist
• 18:32 – 19:50: Getting into acting
• 19:58 – 22:26: Accidentally becoming a stand-up comedian
• 23:01 – 25:50: Does a regional accent matter these days?
• 26:28 -32:02: Nick’s comedy style
• 32:22- 35:31: How to be more creative

Useful Links

• Visit Nick's website
• Connect with Nick on LinkedIn
• Like Nick Field Media on Facebook
• Follow Nick on X
• Follow Nick on Instagram
• VO training provider: Gravy for the Brain
• TV announcer and VO coach: Gary Terzza
• TV actors' network: Act on This
• Comedy gig app: Gig Gag
• Creative community: The Creative Collective
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business.

In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Jenny Fox to talk about how to always be yourself in business. Jenny is the creative director and brand strategist of Studio Bifrost, a creative collective based in Nottingham.

She has over two decades of experience with everyone from startups to global brands, as well as her network of trusted colleagues.

She also helps purpose-led organisations reach more people and increase their positive impact on the world through expertly crafted branding and marketing materials.

Jenny and Gudrun talk about their experiences of business networking, both in-person and online, and how to find the right groups for you. Jenny explains how she got started in self-employment and how she’s evolved into what she does today.

Gudrun and Jenny explore running a business with ADHD, chronic health issues or a busy personal life, and how to strike the right balance. They also discuss how to be more creative, and why the pursuit of perfection isn’t the way to do it.

Timestamps      

• 02:43-05:31: The Benefits of Business Networking Groups
• 18:00 – 28:23: How Jenny Started Studio Bifrost
• 29:53 - 40:07: Running a Business with ADHD 
• 45:23- 50:54: How to be More Creative

Useful Links

• Jenny's website
• Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn
• In-person networking group: BNI
• Online networking group: ONLE
• Psychiatry UK (for ADHD diagnoses)
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business.

In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Louise Sverud.

Louise is a multilingual business specialist. Originally from Sweden, Louise now lives in Lanzarote, where she supports her international clients, many of whom are in the education field.

She holds an MSc in Psychology and is an expert in interpersonal communication and cultural intelligence. She describes herself as “Your Business Mum” - helping busy entrepreneurs grow their business.

Louise explains how she helps her clients, how being multilingual helps, and why she likes to meet with her clients face to face. She also shares her journey from Sweden to Lanzarote.

Louise has a fabulous Instagram feed, and shares her top tips on how to be creative and confident with it for your own business.

She also explains why as a small business owner you don't always need to listen to the experts, and how to be brave, confident and confident in business.

Timestamps

• 01:15 – 04:05: How Louise ended up running her business in The Canaries
• 04:16 – 06:50: The support Louise provides to her clients
• 12:49 – 16:49: Using Instagram when you’re a service-based business
• 19:05 –20:48: Why you shouldn’t always listen to the experts
• 24:22 –26:14: A simple trick Louise uses to stand out
• 27:18 – 30:20: How to be brave and try new things

Useful Links

• Visit Louise’s website
• Follow Louise on Instagram
• Connect with Louise on LinkedIn
• Visual design platform: Canva
• Service: Podcast content repurposing

Welcome to The Apple Cart; the podcast for creative disruptors, disruptive creators and anyone who wants to do things differently in business.

In this episode, your host, Gudrun Lauret, is joined by Rod McMillan.

Rod is a professional Non-Exec Director, investor, business development and performance improvement specialist.

He is experienced in helping business owners and leaders with strategy, people, organisation structure, finance and commercial problem resolution.

Rod believes that business success is always about strategy, finance and people. He’s an active supporter of Hope for Children and a qualified analyst using The Predictive Index for psychometric personality profiling and cognitive testing.

Rod explains why you should ask for help with your business, and why doing so will make you a stronger leader.

He and Gudrun discuss the benefits of working in person in an office environment, and how you can be more creative in your approach to business.

Timestamps

• 03:00 – 05:45: Why you should ask for help with your business before it’s too late
• 09:11 – 11:42: How Rod’s experiences with a business mentor inspired him to do the same
• 19:30 – 22:30: How mentors and business owners in need of help find each other
• 28:35 – 31:15: Why business owners should attend conferences
• 31:55 – 35:13: Why you need in-person office experience to be a better leader
• 36:00 - 42:25: How to be more creative with your approach to business

Useful Links

• Connect with Rod on LinkedIn
• Rod’s chosen charity: Hope for Children
• Self-perception test: Motivational Maps
• Personality assessment tool: DiSC®
• Personality assessment tool: i3
• Gretchen Rubin The Four Tendencies
• Book: Jim Collins: Good to Great
• Personality assessment tool: Predictive Index
• Service: Podcast content repurposing