The Maven Podcast

This episode is all about the Maven community, a supportive co-working space for women in business, and the Maven Awards, which recognise female entrepreneurial talent.

The hosts Natalie Hamer and Zoe Hanson discuss the importance of community, collaboration, and the unique nomination process for the awards, emphasizing that it is not a popularity contest.

Personal stories from members highlight the impact of Maven on their businesses and lives. The awards celebrate various categories, including client care, fitness and wellness, and creativity, showcasing the diverse talents within the community.

Takeaways

The Maven community uplifts and supports women in business.

Maven Awards recognize and celebrate female entrepreneurial talent.

The nomination process is designed to empower rather than compete.

Community and collaboration are essential for personal and professional growth.

Personal stories illustrate the positive impact of Maven on its members.

The awards highlight various categories, showcasing diverse talents.

Client care is a crucial aspect of successful businesses.

Fitness and wellness are highly valued within the community.

Inspirational leaders often inspire without realizing their impact.

Creatives face unique challenges in balancing passion and financial stability.

Sound bites

"Maven is a supportive co-working space."

"It's not a popularity contest at all."

"Community is the biggest part of Maven."

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Women in Business

01:22 Understanding Maven: A Supportive Community

02:09 The Maven Awards: Recognizing Female Talent

03:29 The Unique Nomination Process

07:13 Personal Stories: Impact of Maven

08:37 Highlights from the 2025 Maven Awards

10:52 Award Categories and Their Significance

12:49 Community and Collaboration in Maven

14:12 Client Care: A Key Focus

15:55 Fitness and Wellness: Celebrating Health

16:45 Community Contributions: Making a Difference

17:12 Inspirational Leaders: Recognizing Impact

19:35 Creative Maven: Supporting the Arts

21:30 The Importance of Community Support

22:47 Tech Award: Highlighting Women in Tech

24:42 Special Recognition: Honoring Community Heroes

In this enlightening conversation, host Zoe Hanson engages with menopause coach Sharon Worth and Maven Community Founder Natalie Hamer to explore the often misunderstood and stigmatized topic of menopause.

They discuss the empowering aspects of menopause, the role of a menopause coach, the importance of education, and practical tips for navigating this life transition. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and support, as well as personal experiences that highlight the journey through menopause.

• Menopause can be a positive and empowering experience.
• Education on menopause is crucial for all women.
• Personal experiences can lead to professional paths, like coaching.
• A holistic approach to menopause includes fitness, nutrition, and mental health.
• Recognizing perimenopause symptoms is essential for women.
• Understanding hormonal cycles can help manage symptoms effectively.
• Stress management is key to navigating menopause successfully.
• Nutrition plays a vital role in managing menopause symptoms.
• Women should be encouraged to share their menopause experiences.
• Support groups and community discussions can greatly benefit those going through menopause.

In this episode of the Maven podcast, hosts Natalie Hamer and Zoe Hanson delve into the importance of branding for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. They discuss how branding reflects personal identity, the emotional connection it creates with customers, and the strategic steps to build a brand that resonates. The conversation covers the role of social media in branding, the significance of converting online engagement into sales, and practical tips for effective branding. The hosts emphasize the need for authenticity, community engagement, and the importance of a cohesive brand identity that aligns with business values.

Takeaways

• Your business is a reflection of you.
• Good branding helps a business to be seen and remembered.
• Branding is about the feelings it evokes in customers.
• Understanding what draws you to other brands is crucial.
• Colours and design elements convey different emotions.
• Engagement on social media should lead to sales conversions.
• Your website is a key tool for business success.
• Merchandise can create brand ambassadors.
• Community engagement enhances brand visibility.
• Authenticity in branding fosters customer loyalty.

Titles

• Branding Essentials for Small Businesses
• Creating a Brand That Resonates
• The Emotional Connection of Branding

Sound bites

"Your business is you."

"Branding is about how it makes you feel."

"Your business idea comes first."

"It's not about perfection."

"Your website is still your key."

"Make it you, make it your personality."

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Branding for Small Businesses

07:04 Building Your Brand Identity

12:49 The Role of Social Media in Branding

21:24 Converting Engagement into Sales

30:03 Top Tips for Effective Branding

In this episode of the Maven podcast, hosts Natalie Hamer and Zoe Hanson engage with Laura Skilton, founder of BabySquids UK, discussing the intricacies of franchising, the journey of building a business, and the importance of community support. They explore the motivations behind choosing non-corporate titles, the challenges and successes of franchising BabySquids, and the essential elements for creating a successful franchise model. The conversation highlights the significance of branding, support systems, and the interconnectedness of success between franchisors and franchisees, all while fostering a supportive community for women in business.

Takeaways

• Franchising can provide growth opportunities for small businesses.
• Choosing a non-corporate title can reflect personal values.
• Language shapes perceptions in business leadership.
• Community support is vital for business success.
• Franchise consultants guide businesses through the franchising process.
• A strong brand identity is crucial for attracting franchisees.
• Systems and processes simplify business operations.
• Success in franchising relies on mutual support between franchisor and franchisee.
• Empowering stories inspire and motivate entrepreneurs.
• Future growth can be measured by the expansion of franchise networks.

Titles

• Franchising Insights with Laura Skilton
• Building a Community Through Franchising
• The Journey of BabySquids UK

Sound bites

• "I think language is so powerful."
• "We needed to step back."
• "They get a proven brand, a proven structure."
• "I think every space should have a Maven."
• "It’s about the exposure on the TV."
• "Thank you so much for listening."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Franchising and Ambition

04:13 The Journey of BabySquids UK

10:30 Understanding the Franchise Model

13:09 Growth and Support in Franchising

17:30 Steps to Franchising a Business

21:05 Key Considerations for Franchise Success

24:19. Community and Support in Business

30:08Empowering Stories and Future Aspirations

In this episode of the Maven podcast, Natalie Hamer and Zoe Hanson explore the essence of good leadership, emphasising the importance of support, inspiration, and community. They discuss various leadership styles, the significance of personal growth, and the lessons learned from both good and bad leadership experiences. The conversation highlights the role of community in empowering female entrepreneurs and the journey towards assertiveness and entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• Good leadership is about encouraging and inspiring others.
• Leadership styles vary, and it's important to find your own.
• Being supportive and nurturing leads to better results.
• Learning from both good and bad leaders shapes your style.
• Community support is crucial for female entrepreneurs.
• Assertiveness can be misunderstood in leadership roles.
• Building relationships is key to effective leadership.
• A good leader uplifts others rather than seeking the spotlight.
• Creating a supportive environment fosters collaboration.
• Leadership qualities can be learned from both personal and professional experiences.

Titles

• The Essence of Good Leadership
• Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

Sound bites

"What does good leadership look like?"

"We need other people to do that for us."

"I think we all have our own personalities."

"I hate being told what to do."

"You want to go where everybody knows your name."

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Good Leadership

05:06 Leadership Styles and Personal Growth

11:03 Learning from Experience: Good vs. Bad Leadership

16:59 Building a Supportive Community

23:33 The Journey to Entrepreneurship and Assertiveness

In this episode, Chief Maven Natalie discusses the essence of Maven, a boutique co-working space designed for women entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of community support, collaboration, and creating a productive environment.

The discussion also covers the evolution of Maven from a bridal boutique to a thriving co-working space, the significance of Mave the Flamingo as a brand mascot, and the introduction of the Maven Awards to celebrate women's achievements. Natalie shares insights on the impact of the awards and her vision for the future of Maven.

• Maven is a supportive community for female entrepreneurs.
• The name 'Maven' signifies expertise and connoisseurship.
• Collaboration is a key element in the Maven experience.
• The environment at Maven encourages productivity and motivation.
• Maeve the Flamingo serves as a memorable brand mascot.
• The Maven Awards aim to celebrate women's achievements.

• The awards focus on personality and passion rather than just numbers.
• Community feedback has shaped the evolution of Maven.
• Natalie sees the Maven Awards as a highlight of her career.

• Empowering Women Through Community
• The Heart of Maven: Support and Collaboration

• "It's all about the support."

00:00Welcome to Maven: A Supportive Community for Women

03:00The Meaning Behind Maven: Expert and Connoisseur

06:06Creating a Productive Environment: The Maven Experience

08:59The Evolution of Maven: From Bridal Boutique to Co-Working Space

11:59Maeve the Flamingo: Building a Memorable Brand

15:04Celebrating Women: The Maven Awards

21:01The Impact of the Maven Awards: Recognizing Unsung Heroes

27:08Looking Ahead: The Future of Maven and Its Community