Summary

In this episode, Celie and I discuss the intersection of creativity, ADHD, and chronic illness. Celie shares her journey as a visual storyteller and how her experiences shape her work and business practices. They explore the impact of late ADHD diagnosis, the importance of adapting business strategies to accommodate neurodiversity, and the empowering nature of photography in self-expression and personal growth. 

Celie and I discuss the complexities of living with ADHD, the impact of medication on creativity, and the importance of personal hobbies. We explore the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives, the duality of neurodivergence as both a superpower and a disability, and the significance of authentic connections in business. The discussion also touches on practical strategies for managing daily tasks, the role of photography in enhancing personal branding, and the evolving landscape of marketing beyond social media.

Takeaways

• Celie reframes failures as lessons learned.
• Photography allows individuals to feel witnessed and held.
• Experiencing a professional photo shoot can be empowering.
• Unmasking in front of the camera reveals the real self.
• Navigating social media can be challenging for neurodiverse individuals.
• Late ADHD diagnosis can lead to a reevaluation of past experiences.
• Adapting business practices is essential for neurodiverse entrepreneurs.
• Gamifying tasks can enhance productivity and focus.
• The importance of community and support in creative fields.
• Recognising and working with one's neurodiversity can lead to personal growth. Creative hobbies can bring immense joy and fulfillment.
• Medication can alter one's personality and creativity.
• Understanding ADHD involves recognising daily challenges.
• Habit stacking can help manage daily tasks effectively.
• Balancing personal and professional life is a continuous journey.
• Neurodivergence can be seen as both a superpower and a challenge.
• Social interactions can drain energy for neurodivergent individuals.
• Authenticity in photography enhances personal branding.
• Marketing strategies should extend beyond social media.
• Self-worth should not be tied solely to business success.

Chapters

00:00 Reframing Failure as Lessons

02:15 The Empowering Nature of Photography

04:35 Navigating Neurodiversity and Self-Discovery

07:15 Social Media Dynamics and Personal Expression

10:06 ADHD and Business Adaptations

12:23 Building Supportive Friendships

15:10 The Impact of Negative Reinforcement

17:37 Access to Work and Systemic Challenges

26:13 The Power of Imagination and Loneliness

28:06 Navigating Social Dynamics and Context

31:15 Creativity and ADHD: A Double-Edged Sword

35:34 The Impact of Medication on Creativity

40:28 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

45:26 Understanding Neurodivergence and Social Interactions

47:26 Using Photography to Enhance Authenticity Online

53:21 The Challenge of One-Page Profiles

54:29 Navigating Social Media: Instagram vs. Substack

56:24 The Personal vs. Professional Identity

57:58 Self-Worth and Business Success

59:07 Distinguishing Self from Business

01:01:11 Tools for Efficiency in Creative Work

01:03:18 The Evolution of Photography Equipment

01:06:03 Exploring Holistic Health and Spirituality

01:06:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections

Find Celie online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celie.nigoumi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celienigoumi/

Website: https://www.celienigoumi.com/

Substack: https://celienigoumi.substack.com/

This week, I’m joined by Rachel Harris, founder of @accountant_she, where we discuss her journey to empower and educate within the accounting industry. She shares her vision of transforming the perception of accountants, emphasising creativity and emotional connection within the finance industry and content creation. Rachel elaborates on her strategies for disrupting stereotypes, maximising tax benefits, and creating engaging content that resonates with her audience. She also highlights the importance of community, the power of introversion, and the significance of hiring the right people. 

Takeaways

• Rachel Harris aims to change the perception of accountants.
• Creativity in finance can lead to a more engaging experience.
• Understanding financial metrics is crucial for business success.
• Maximizing tax benefits can significantly impact business owners.
• Content creation should be fun and engaging, not boring.
• Introversion can be a superpower in business leadership.
• Setting personal boundaries is essential for maintaining integrity.
• Failing forward is a key to growth and learning.
• Hiring the right people is critical for business success.
• Building a community around your brand fosters loyalty and connection.

Chapters

00:00 Proud Achievements in Business

02:29 Disrupting the Accounting Industry

05:32 Making Finance Engaging

08:22 Understanding Key Financial Metrics

11:17 Creative Approaches to Expenses

13:54 Navigating Tax Benefits

17:00 Adapting to Modern Careers

19:32 The Role of Governing Bodies

22:27 Balancing Creativity and Structure

24:44 Creative Process and Time Management

26:49 Navigating Busy Days and Inbox Management

28:27 The Power of Introversion

30:15 Building Confidence as an Introvert

32:06 Content Creation Strategies

33:07 Failing Forward: Embracing Failure in Business

34:56 Understanding Different Platforms

37:30 Creating Community and Authenticity

43:08 Clarity in Branding and Values

You can find Rachel on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harris-a3192372/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountantshe

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@accountant_she

Podcast: https://practiceownerspod.substack.com/

Summary

This week, I’ve invited Lorna Scully, an email marketing expert, onto the podcast to share her insights on the challenges of social media marketing and the power of email marketing. She discusses the importance of building and maintaining an email list, optimising email strategies, and the significance of segmentation and personalisation. Lorna emphasises the need for creativity in email marketing and provides practical do's and don'ts for effective campaigns. Additionally, she touches on GDPR compliance and the necessity of explicit consent in email marketing practices.

Takeaways

• Email marketing allows for direct communication with interested audiences.
• Social media can be overwhelming and often leads to conflicting advice.
• Building an email list is crucial for long-term business success.
• Segmentation helps tailor messages to specific audience interests.
• Creativity in email marketing can enhance engagement and conversion rates.
• Consistency in branding across emails and websites is essential.
• GDPR compliance is necessary to avoid legal issues in email marketing.
• Testing different email formats can lead to better understanding of audience preferences.
• The importance of clear and concise subject lines to increase open rates.
• Regularly cleaning your email list can improve deliverability and engagement.

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Social Media Frustrations

03:06 The Power of Email Marketing

05:55 Building and Optimizing Your Email List

08:33 Creative Email Marketing Strategies

11:11 Consistency in Branding and Communication

29:26 The Color Orange: A Personal Branding Journey

30:56 Choosing the Right Email Provider for Your Business

34:26 Email Marketing Do's and Don'ts

37:47 Crafting Effective Subject Lines

40:50 Building and Growing Your Email List

45:57 Understanding GDPR Compliance in Email Marketing

Find Lorna Online:

Instagram: @lornascullyuk

Threads: @lornascullyuk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lornascullyemail/

Website: https://lornascully.com/

In this week’s conversation, Holly discusses her journey into journalism, and writing. She shares insights into the relaunch of her magazine 'In the Country,' its new focus on Western lifestyle, and the challenges of marketing her new book. 

Holly reflects on her creative process, the importance of community in business, and the persistence required to succeed as an entrepreneur. The discussion also touches on the balance of managing multiple projects and the evolving landscape of social media marketing.

Key Points

• The relaunch of 'In the Country' was driven by passion.
• The magazine now focuses on Western lifestyle trends.
• Holly's book reflects her journey of self-discovery.
• Marketing a book is a different challenge than a magazine.
• Community support is vital for small businesses.
• Persistence is essential in entrepreneurship.
• Balancing multiple projects requires effective time management.
• Social media marketing has changed significantly.

Chapters

02:01 Navigating Change and Growth

04:47 Relaunching 'In the Country'

07:11 Embracing the Western Lifestyle

10:08 The Journey of Writing a Book

12:44 Marketing Challenges in the Digital Age

15:19 Self-Publishing Insights

18:03 The Differences in Publishing Processes

32:18 The Rise of Book Influencers

34:53 Navigating Social Media for Authors

37:32 Balancing Passion and Profit in Business

44:51 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

50:31 Building Community and Brand Loyalty

Find Holly Online:

• In The Country Magazine: https://www.inthecountrymagazine.com/
• In The Country Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthecountrymagg
• Holly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holllythomson/
• Holly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-thomson-153670144/
• Holly’s Substack: https://substack.com/@hollythomson
• Read “A Search of Kinds”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Kinds-Holly-Thomson/dp/B0DJKC2RJT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T38ZQEGCSACI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1ljUSZppkOEvZpoDeZg8qQ.COitixbDLUD27iLfuzJ7RYf6dHlrfaqN6diW8PxGb5Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+search+of+kinds+holly+thomson&qid=1741203088&sprefix=a+search+of+%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1 

In this episode, Ellie and I explore the intricacies of messaging and content creation for small business owners. We discuss the importance of having a clear message, the challenges of content creation, and the value of community support.

Ellie shares her ICK framework for helping clients articulate their unique stories and the significance of authenticity in building connections online.

We also touche on the balance between personal boundaries and community engagement, the role of creativity and chaos in business, and the importance of enthusiasm in everyday life.

Takeaways:

• Content creation should be fun and less stressful.
• Having a sounding board can enhance creativity.
• Messaging is crucial for small business success.
• The ICK framework helps clarify individual and client narratives.
• Building confidence through messaging is essential.
• Communities provide invaluable support for business owners.
• Authenticity fosters trust in community engagement.
• Setting boundaries is key to maintaining personal well-being.
• Creative collaboration can lead to innovative ideas.
• Embracing change is part of the entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters:

00:00 Finding Fun in Content Creation

02:05 The Importance of Messaging for Small Businesses

04:54 Nailing Your Unique Selling Proposition

07:35 Creative Approaches to Messaging

10:26 Building Confidence in Sharing Your Message

13:18 Leveraging Community for Business Growth

16:11 Creating a Supportive Business Environment

18:49 The Enthusiast: Building a Community on Substack

22:15 The Art of Perspective

26:45 Building Authentic Communities

31:14 Establishing Boundaries in Community Leadership

34:25 Creative Collaboration and Chaos

40:37 Looking Ahead: Enthusiasm and Future Goals

Find Ellie Online:

Website: https://www.eleanormollie.co.uk/

Substack: https://caringiscool.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleanor_mollie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-kime/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@eleanor_mollie

In this conversation, I'm joined by Rachel Emma Waring to discuss all things selling and launching!

Rachel introduces her BEAM method for planning launches, which includes building, engaging, anticipating, and marketing. She also shares insights on creating engaging content, overcoming the discomfort of selling, and the significance of world-building in marketing.

We get some fantastic insights into her experiences with successful and unsuccessful launches, offering advice on adapting strategies and handling failures. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the future of launching and the importance of creativity in the process.takeaways

• Immersive launching creates a sense of being everywhere.
• Pre-launch hype is crucial for a successful launch.
• The BEAM method includes Build, Engage, Anticipate, and Market phases.
• Content should cater to different buyer types.
• Selling should be viewed as sharing valuable information.
• World-building enhances the launch experience.
• Repurposing content can save time and effort.
• Handling launch failures requires analyzing data and learning from mistakes.
• Creativity in launching can lead to more engaging experiences.
• It's important to stay true to your brand vision.

If you'd like to find Rachel online, you can do so on:

Instagram: @rachelemmawaring

LinkedIn: Rachel Waring

Website: https://www.rachelemmawaring.com/

In this episode, I invited Kirsty onto the podcast discuss the intricate relationship between creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurship. We explore the creative process behind branding, the importance of understanding one's own definition of confidence, and how creativity can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression and healing, especially in the context of grief. The discussion also delves into the challenges of perfectionism, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the significance of self-care as a business owner. We reflect on the realities of support in entrepreneurship, the dangers of comparison, and the transformative journey of self-discovery that comes with building a business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kirsty McCusker and Her Niche

04:12 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Confidence

09:56 Overcoming Perfectionism in Creative Work

15:31 Finding Comfort in Creativity

20:31 Establishing Boundaries as a Business Owner

25:55 The Importance of Putting Yourself First

31:21 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

35:59 Navigating Family and Friends' Expectations

40:33 The Comparison Trap in Entrepreneurship

45:58 The Value of Genuine Support

53:35 Tools for Focus and Productivity

You can find Kirsty on:

LinkedIn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/intruekirstyle/about/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimccusker/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndfg/about/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/comfychaos/about/

Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/intruekirstyle/
• https://www.instagram.com/thisiscomfychaos/

Facebook:

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

Website: https://www.intruekirstyle.com/

Email Newsletter: https://intruekirstyle.myflodesk.com

This week, I have my good friend Chelsea, owner of Hooves & Love and Paws & Love on the podcast.

We discuss a whole array of topics including the power of gifting, and getting creative when giving someone a gift, imposter syndrome and perfectionism and where to start when it comes to being creative.

Warning, we had an extra guest (Harley, the German Shepherd) and at times he has a lot to say for himself so be prepared!

~

You can find Chelsea on:

https://hoovesandlove.co.uk/

https://www.pawsandlove.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/HoovesandLove

https://www.instagram.com/Hooves_and_Love/

As always, you can find me on:

www.bethlhicks.com

www.facebook.com/BethHicksCreative

www.linkedin.com/in/bethlhicks

www.tiktok.com/@bethlhicks97

And if you'd like to keep in touch, you can join my email list here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62da975bbf22a55feeba578e

This week, I invited my good friend Isabelle onto the podcast. In it, we discuss some of the harder topics in regards to creativity, such as just how brave it is to be creative, and separating being creative with the value we put on ourselves.

I hope you're ready to take some notes as there are so many nuggets to take away from this episode. I left a little bit mind blown!

If you would like to follow Isabelle online, you can find her on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/isa.degrain (message her first to say you came from the podcast)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-casgrain/

This week, I invited Holly onto the podcast. Holly is probably best known for being the founder and editor of In The Country Magazine, and now is the co-founder of another publication Countrywoman's Guide.

In this episode, we talk about our mutual love of writing, how Holly brought In The Country Magazine to life, and how this then transitioned into Countrywoman's Guide, alongside her co-founder Emma Warren (and the exciting things they have planned over the next couple of months).

If you would like to follow Holly, Emma and Countrywoman's Guide online, you can do so via the following links:

Holly:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holllythomson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-thomson-153670144/

Emma:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmawarren_1/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmawarren/

Countrywoman's Guide:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrywomansguide/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/countrywomansguide/

Publication: https://countrywomansguide.co.uk/