The Creative Flow Podcast

Have you been Christmas comp shopping yet? Christmas is the ideal time to go comp shopping and check out what's going on to inform your product development for 2019.

And the shops are full of festive goodness! If you can't get out as you're too busy with orders then I've rounded up some of my favourite Christmas Comp Shopping 2018 trends for you to be inspired by on the Elevate Your Curiosity podcast.

Show notes

Joanne on Instagram @arnoldandbird

What to know how to interpret trends? In today's Elevate Your Curiosity podcast I'm sharing why trends are relevant even if you're not a fashion business.

The episode is an interview I originally did with Catherine from Future Retail about how to interpret trends. And was hosted in her Facebook group Female Founders in Retail. If you're not already a member of her group then do go and join as it's a fantastic place!

In this episode we talk about:

• Why are trends relevant if you are not a fashion business
• How you know what the trends are
• How you decide which ones are relevant to you
• How you pull together your inspiration to help with product ideas

Enhancing your creative mindset when you run your own business or are self employed is one of these best things you can do. And these five alternative mindset books for business are what I recommend on what can feel like a lonely road sometimes.

None of them are your traditional mindset books for business. They won't tell you about SEO or hacks to grow your following. But I think they are vital in building a mindset that moves past self doubt, being kind to yourself and unblocking the barriers we can build for ourselves.

• It's a mix of business and self help advice, but not as you know it!

In today's Elevate Your Curiosity episode I wanted to get personal and take you behind the scenes of the relaunch of Arnold & Bird.

As it wasn't just a website update that's happened over the past few weeks. I've created my 'why' in business, a new visual identity and found my feet as a business.

I'll take you through the following:

• What I had been doing in 2018 up to this point
• The feeling of needing help and trusting my instinct and going after it
• Working with a marketing coach
• The marketing exercises we worked through and how they helped
• The relaunch of Arnold & Bird
• Where I'm at now
  • Hint - I've realised that bespoke design and working 121 with people that is my strength and what I love doing

Want some tips & tricks on how to go comp shopping? In todays Elevate Your Curiosity podcast you've got them!

Comp shopping or competive/competitor shopping is where you analyse what your competitors are doing in terms of products, offerings and their marketing message.

It's important as anyone selling products, or even services, means you need to know what your competitors are doing. It's not enough to just know what you're selling.

Full show notes

Today I'm discussing four Valentine's Day 2019 trends that are perfect for gift and retail businesses to implement into their range.

Valentine's Day is one of the biggest gift occasions of the year and one not to be overlooked. Especially since products in these areas can be interpreted for weddings, anniversaries and birthday gifts too. There really is so much potential in Valentine's Day 2019 trends to be used widely in your range.

As with all the trends I talk about on the podcast I've created a Pinterest board. If you're listening as you scroll the Pinterest board then start at the bottom of the board and work your way up:

www.pinterest.co.uk/arnoldandbird/valentines-day-2019

Today's Elevate Your Curiosity podcast features 5 ways to fit mindfulness into your routine quickly.

This is something I've really needed to do and practise more, while work and life have recently felt a bit overwhelming. I know when I give myself permission to do these things it makes me feel so much better. So consider this your permission - if you need it - to add 1, 2 3, or all 5 of these things into your routine today.

Hello I'm so glad you've joined me for episode 11. This is all about productivity tips for getting organised and staying focused but crucially in a healthy way!

Personally I've had a real awakening with my view of what being productive is over the last few months. Basically my version was not working out for me at all. I was either overwhelming myself with the amount on my to-do list for each day and hence not getting that much done. Or thinking I was being so productive and getting stuff done, when in reality I was being so manic with how I was I doing it. I mean I was waking up at 3.30am and thinking I can't go back to sleep (disclaimer, of course you can) so I might as well get up and do some work and then continue all evening too. Urgh - it was no fun at all and either way I wasn't happy or focused and I was giving myself false validation in my approach.

So I've worked through this with some help and I want to share these tips in the hope it can help you where you need it, however you deal with getting things done.

Listen in to the episode to for each tip and find the show notes here: https://www.arnoldandbird.com/2018/08/productivity-tips/

Hello and today's podcast all about how to approach your inner critic with love and kindness. We'll discuss what is an inner critic and I'll share tips on how to minimise it in a kind and loving way.

Find the full show notes here for links to the books & resources referenced in the show: https://www.arnoldandbird.com/2018/07/approach-your-inner-critic-with-love

Until next time be kind to you and I'll speak to you soon!

Hey curiosity chasers - welcome to episode 9 and today we're chatting about the luxe nature trend!

There is a Pinterest board you can reference while you listen to this podcast. Or go back to after you've listened to get some more inspiration. Head to > www.pinterest.com/arnoldandbird/luxe-nature. What I love about this board is that is lots of gorgeous colour and texture in it so do check it out.