I know first-hand just how hard it can be to spin all the plates and how hard it is to say no things or put ourselves first. I also know that YOU are central to the success of your business and if you’re not in a good place, then you can’t show up in the right way and you won’t be able to add value in the way you want to.

This is why I’m a massive believer in the importance of 'putting your own oxygen mask on first' and in this week’s podcast I share with you my 5 Ways to Protect Yourself, Prevent Burnout and Feel more in Control:

1. Get under your own skin. Find out how you work, get to know yourself, what makes you feel good or bad? Identify your red flags that you can look out for.
2. Get clear on your boundaries and notice where you’re spending your time and energy. Are you prioritising the right people and projects?
3. What are your non-negotiables? Work out what you don’t want and it will help you know what it is you do want.
4. Never under-estimate the power of saying ‘no!’ How to work out what is important right now and how to make the right choices to bring the biggest impact on your life and business.
5. Set yourself up for success and work out what you need to have in place to be able to show up in the right way and feel good..

And finally I share with you how to tap into your own secret weapon, your inner WonderWoman superpower and learn how to protect your energy throughout the day.

Resource Links:

• Kim Raine - https://kimrainecoaching.com
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Listen to more episodes here: https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club®️ here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode of The Future-Proof your Business podcast I’m excited to welcome to the self-professed ‘straight-talking Northern woman’ and the founder of the North West VA Conference, the brilliant Joanne Hawkins.

I asked Jo to share the behind-the-scenes from her business and entrepreneurial journey and we chatted about:

• taking the leap and how to best prepare for starting your own business,
• the importance of knowing why you're doing it and having a clear vision,
• the best way to find your niche and own your space,
• the power of community and building relationships
• why it’s incredibly important to future-proof your business,
• behind-the-scenes at this year's NWVA conference and of course, why you should attend,
• learning how to recognise your own value and worth and being able to communicate it to others

and Jo's key to success, being true to yourself and your values and not trying to be someone or something you're not.

Resource Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/johawkins_evpa/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/johawkins/
• https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveVPA/
• https://www.joannehawkins.co.uk/nwva-conference-2023/

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week's episode, I'm chatting with the wonderful husband and wife team Greg and Kim Knight from HDK Events all about the rollercoaster ride that is running a small business together.

We talk about:

• the power of self-belief and determination to keep going and create a thriving business.
• work-life balance and what that actually means when you work for yourself,
• the challenges that come with imposter syndrome and how to deal with the inevitable wobbles,
• the power of trust and having your clients' interests at heart,
• getting under the skin of your clients and really understanding what they need and want,
• being brave and helping your clients to make the right choices even if it means you don't make as much money,
• standing out from the crowd by showing you care and delivering high-quality service every time
• the need for businesses to nurture their people, create memorable experiences and invest in developing strong teams.

And we share insights into our new collaboration to create bespoke events for SME and Corporate teams to come together, get focused and make an impact.

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more.

HDK Events Resources:

• https://hdkevents.co.uk
• https://www.instagram.com/hdkevents/
• http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g499571-d5308227-Reviews-Hard_Days_Knight-Ashbourne_Derbyshire_England.html
• http://youtu.be/ytmgcHAlGzY

Resource Links:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode of the Future-Proof Your Business podcast, I’m joined by the wonderful Vicky Labinger, an interior designer and business mentor for interior designers for another behind-the-scenes conversation in my series of 'For the Love of Small Business.'

“Oh, my God, you're mad. What are you doing? You're quitting a hugely successful corporate career to start something that you have no idea is going to work.”

Vicky started her interior design business, My Clay Brick Home in 2020 after working more than 30 years in the corporate world, and after hitting the big 50. She hasn’t looked back since!

We had a great conversation about:

• That niggle or itch of wanting to do something for yourself, under your own name or brand and then actually taking the leap of faith.
• Really listening to what your client wants and what they’re really trying to say, rather than just taking things at face value.
• Putting your clients in “timeout” and becoming a bit of a “marriage counsellor”, when couples or colleagues can’t agree on what needs to happen.
• Why you need to connect with people’s hearts and minds to get them to go on a journey with you.
• The words and the language you use really do matter.
• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to be the black sheep in your industry and stand out from the crowd.
• The importance of finding your own tribe.
• Making sure you have a plan and vision for your business.
• How consistency is key. If you're going to start something, make sure you can keep doing it and that it’s right for you and your brand.

And finally, the power of process and understanding the levers you can push and pull to effectively make a change and see results.

Vicky Labinger Resources:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-labinger/
• Instagram: @vicky_labinger
• https://vickylabinger.com
• Twitter: @vickylabinger

Resource Links:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode of the Future-Proof Your Business podcast, I’m joined in the studio by the incredible Tanya Ibberson for another behind-the-scenes conversation in my series of 'For the Love of Small Business.'

With over 25 years experience of working in accounting, financial training and business mentoring, Tanya is also a certified trauma-informed financial coach and on a mission to empower individuals and business owners to design the life you want using your finances.

In this fab conversation, Tanya and I discuss:

• What made Tanya look at things differently and decide to become a coach.

• Removing the stumbling blocks that get your way, to help you achieve what you want.

• The importance of getting under the skin of your business and understanding your numbers.

• The value of having a clear strategy and a plan.

• Bookkeeping tips and tricks for getting started.

• Why you need to understand how things work before you delegate them.

• The three biggest challenges that business owners face today

• The foundations of strong bookkeeping

• The benefits of saving for tax and remembering it is not yours.

• 3 ways to help you feel more confident in your pricing

And finally, Tanya shares why she believes you should face the fear and do it anyway.


Find out more and connect with Tanya Ibberson here:

• https://www.facebook.com/thefinancialwingwoman

• https://www.instagram.com/thefinancialwingwoman/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialwingwoman/

Resource Links:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode I have a great conversation with the fabulous Hayley Ekgren, co-founder of Your Support Team, all about the behind-the-scenes of running and growing a business.

Hayley is Business Operations Director at Your Support Team, a company that provides an outsourced finance department to SMEs, specialising in Xero accounting software and offering everything you'd expect from a full finance function.

We chat about:

• Hayley’s journey over the last eight years since she began the business with her sister-in-law Claire.
• The best way to future-proof your business.
• The power of a story to engage with your audience.
• The importance of attracting and choosing the right people to work with as clients and in your team.
• You don’t know what you don’t know,
• The value of continuous personal development and training.
• Why values can be more important than strategy.
• The importance of effective communication in a hybrid workplace.

And we talk about team dynamics and how things can change if you really trust and empower your people to do a good job.

Hayley Ekgren resource Links:

• • https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-ekgren/
  • www.yoursupportteamltd.co.uk
  • Twitter @HayleyEkgren

Resource Links:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode, I’m asking you what's the one thing that's going to make the biggest impact in your business.

What's the one thing, the most important thing you should be focusing on right now?

I’m sharing with you some of the behind-the-scenes from my business, some of my clients’ stories and giving you some pointers to help you work out what to prioritise right now and where you should be putting your energy.

And we look at how to sense-check and challenge yourself and really work out what will have the most impact and help you move forward in the most efficient and quickest way.

Resource Links:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s podcast, I’m sharing with you the 5 reasons why I believe it’s imperative to invest in yourself and in your own personal development in order to grow and future-proof your business.

I’m a massive believer in the fact that as business owners you should never stop learning, gaining new skills and finding new ways to do things, to think differently, to continuously be looking to improve what you’re doing and to add more value.

I talk about: 

• The need to keep up-to-date with your skills and your knowledge, to make sure that you're staying relevant as a business.
• Making sure you are adding value to your clients, that you're doing a good job and doing what you say you're going to do. 
• Your Reputation. Your credibility as a business and being that business owner that is always looking to improve and provide the best service.
• How important it is to widen your skill set to extend your products or services and offer further value to your clients.
• The JOY factor. There's something special about learning new skills or gaining insights, and understanding how things work. Striving to be the best at something or challenging yourself to question how you do things? Is there a better way or could you add more value? 

For me, investing in your own personal development allows you to stay interested and keep that spark alive. It’s a great way to fuel your passion for your business and a fabulous way to get out and meet new people, meet up with your connections, your network, your friends or clients and strengthen those relationships. There's just so much that can come out of this.

Resource Links:

• https://www.lepnetwork.net/local-growth-hub-contacts/
• https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support
• https://smallbusiness.co.uk/small-business-grants-uk-2548113/
• https://www.enterprisenation.com/
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with me.
• Join my mailing list https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club here -https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week's episode I’m talking about this crazy rollercoaster ride that is running a small business, sharing some insights into the ever changing and challenging world we live in and discussing the 5 key steps that make up my SPEAK formula to help you future-proof your business.

I want to help you make sure that you’re in the best place possible to weather any storms and come out stronger on the other side.

Listen to the full episode where I discuss:

• How we’re living in a VUCA world. A world that’s constantly changing and evolving, with new challenges being thrown at us every day.
• Why people are looking for different things from their favourite brands now and what that means for you.
• The importance of giving your business a regular MOT.
• Sense-checking your goals, your plans and your priorities.
• Why it’s important to Prepare for what’s up ahead, and work out what you need to have in place to survive and weather any storms.
• Exploring opportunities, finding new ways of doing things and thinking outside of the box.
• How to anticipate and identify the likely scenarios that might impact your business

And finally why you need to Know Your Business Inside Out. Making sure you’re in control of your business by knowing your numbers and listening to your customers, your team and checking in with yourself.

Lucy Rennie Resources:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club® here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club
• Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook

In this week’s episode it’s just me, and I’m talking about that big hairy elephant in the room. You know the one who helps us to put pressure on ourselves to show up in ways that don’t feel right, and force ourselves to do ‘the things’ just because they are expected of us.

I want to give you permission to sense-check everything you do and bring the joy back into your business, because by being true to yourself and your values is the best way to attract your people and tell your story.

I talk to you about:

• Why we force ourselves to show up in ways that don't feel right.
• Why it’s important to give yourself permission to not do the things that you don’t want to do.
• How to tap into what makes you feel good, and communicate and market your business in ways that you enjoy.
• By showing up in a way that feels more relevant and real to you, means you’re going to be more authentic and more engaging.
• Taking a different perspective on things and sense check what you’re doing.
• Find out what your audience really wants from you, what they need and how you can add most value.
• Think intentionally about the content or the communications and the things that we are doing.
• Building trust, building engagement, and helping people to get to know you and get a feel for you enough so that they want to buy from you.

And I genuinely want to urge you to find the things that make you smile, that you feel comfortable with and fall in love with your small business again.

Lucy Rennie Resources:

• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Join my mailing list - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast
• Buy my book here - htps://www.iamlucyrennie.com/book
• Join The Future-Proof Club® here - https://go.lrcomms.co.uk/future-proof-club

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunicatewithPurpose

Resources

• Future-Proof your Business Webinar 18th April - sign up for my free interactive workshop
• https://www.iamlucyrennie.com - free downloadable resources, other episodes and more information about how to work with Lucy.
• Buy my book here
• Join me in my membership The Future-Proof Club here -
• The Future-Proof Club
• Episode 26- Are you really listening? https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/podcast/are-you-really-listening
• Episode 43 - Joining the Dots https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/insights/joining-the-dots-the-programme

Come and join me and lots of other small business owners like you in my FREE Facebook group:CWP (Communicate with Purpose) Group | Facebook