Building your Brand

This episode was recorded live at my first ever Building Your Brand live podcast event.
Before my conversation with Gavin Strange, I sat down with one of the most frequent guests on the podcast and my number one business bestie; Hannah Isted.
Hannah is the founder of HI Communications and author of The Best 90 Days Ever. In this short but powerful conversation we talk about the idea of "Big Fish Energy"; a mindset that has helped both of us go after bigger opportunities in our businesses.
We discuss how the concept started as a voice note between friends, how Hannah experimented with embracing "big fish energy" for a whole year, and the surprising opportunities that followed; including speaking on bigger stages and pitching more confidently.
Hannah also shares a refreshing perspective on growth: sometimes the most powerful move isn't chasing the next shiny opportunity, but focusing deeply on the things you already have.
Key Takeaways
When you start asking "what would a big fish do?" your decisions change. When you approach opportunities with confidence and intention, you begin showing up differently and people respond to that energy.
If you treat your business like a serious business, it will start to grow like one. Small foundational changes; systems, structure, and organisation, can unlock much bigger results.
If you allow yourself to experiment, opportunities will appear. Hannah treated a whole year as an experiment in being bolder, and it led to speaking opportunities and career growth she hadn't expected.
Stop comparing yourself to others; you can define success on your own terms. "Big fish energy" isn't about competing with others, it's about deciding what growth looks like for you.
If you focus on strengthening what already works, your business becomes more sustainable. Sometimes the biggest move isn't chasing the next opportunity; it's investing in the foundations you already have.
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction to the live podcast event and Hannah's segment
01:36 – Meet Hannah Isted and the idea behind "Big Fish Energy"
03:00 – How adopting a "big fish" mindset changed opportunities
07:25 – Comparison, confidence and recognising your own achievements
10:00 – Why Hannah's next "big fish move" is focusing on what already works
 
Event Sponsors
Matt Joyce https://matt-joyce.com/
Studio Cotton https://studiocotton.co.uk/
Adobe Express https://adobe.com/express (Aff link)
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was recorded live by Kingsbane Studios and it was written and produced by me
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Last week, I hosted my first ever live podcast event; recording two episodes in front of a real audience.
In this solo episode and debrief, I'm breaking down everything that went into it: from finding the right guest and venue, to selling tickets, securing sponsors, managing logistics, and handling the emotional pressure of hosting something entirely on my own.
I share the real numbers, the fears I had (including "what if no one shows up?"), the lessons I learned about marketing, and why I'm already planning the next one; this time in London.
If you're building a brand and wondering what your "next level" looks like, this might just spark something.
Key Takeaways
Your next level will feel uncomfortable;that's the point. Growth often looks like responsibility. Hosting the event wasn't scary because of the interview; it was scary because it rested fully on you.
Give yourself more time than you think you need. Pushing the event back meant it wasn't rushed; and that made all the difference.
You probably need to market 10% more than feels comfortable. Consistent promotion works; but you can almost always talk about it more.
Don't rush past your wins. Big milestones deserve to be absorbed. Pride isn't arrogance; it's acknowledgement.
 
Episode Highlights
00:10 – Why I hosted my first live podcast event (and how it felt)
02:27 – Planning timeline, choosing the guest & pushing the date back
05:15 – Ticket sales, pricing, attendance numbers & marketing
08:22 – Behind the scenes: team, venue, tech & goodie bags
11:07 – Guest impact, sponsors (including Adobe Express) & what's next (London event)
Mentioned in the episode:
Adobe MAX
Gavin Strange Episode
Aardman Animations
Hannah Isted
Kingsbane Studios Cardiff
 
Event Sponsors
Matt Joyce https://matt-joyce.com/
Studio Cotton https://studiocotton.co.uk/
Adobe Express https://adobe.com/express (Aff link)
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and produced by me
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this special live recording, my first ever, I'm joined by director, designer and relentless maker Gavin Strange (Director at Aardman Animations and creator of Jam Factory) for a joyful, honest and deeply inspiring conversation about creativity, consistency and carving out your own path.
From building a 25-year personal project alongside a full-time creative career, to teaching himself electronics to build a life-sized virtual pinball machine, Gavin shares what it really looks like to stay creatively alive over decades; not just seasons.
We talk about stop-frame animation, side projects, public speaking, learning in public, raising creative kids, and why it's not your employer's job to make you creatively fulfilled.
If you've ever felt like you're "not the naturally talented one," or you're waiting for permission to start; this episode will give you the nudge you need.
Key Takeaways
If you don't get the opportunity; build your own version of it. When the door doesn't open, make something anyway. If you practise the thing before you're chosen for it, you'll already be ready when the moment comes.
When you treat your side projects like a playground, you'll grow without fear. When you create a space where you can experiment, break things and try again, you remove the pressure; and that's where real growth happens.
Repeating the work, builds strength. Creativity isn't about waiting for a breakthrough. It's about repetition. Do the work over and over; and one day you'll look back and realise you've built creative muscle you didn't know you had.
When you take responsibility for your own creative fulfilment, you stop waiting. It's not your job, your clients or your industry's responsibility to keep you inspired. When you own your growth, you unlock momentum.
If you protect your creativity with rhythm and routine, it will flourish. Even two hours in the evening, consistently, can change everything. Creative energy doesn't need endless time; it needs intention.
When you stay curious, you stay alive. Falling down rabbit holes, learning new tools, trying something "unnecessary" is not distraction; that's how you stay creatively awake.
 
Episode Timestamps
03:48 – Live recording begins & Gavin's creative journey (Aardman + 25 years of Jam Factory)
08:41 – How stop-motion animation actually works (pre-production to post)
14:33 – Getting bored, long projects & taking responsibility for your creativity
17:54 – The origin of Jam Factory & learning in public
25:53 – Building a life-sized virtual pinball machine (and why side projects matter)
31:04 – Balancing creativity, family life & routine
36:20 – Public speaking, fear & putting yourself forward
44:43 – Generative AI, creative fear & what still excites him about animation
 
Mentioned in the Episode
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Chicken Run
Strange Kids Toys (creative project Gavin has with his son)
OFFF Festival (creative conference mentioned)
Signalnoise (James White)
 
About the Guest
Gavin Strange is an award-winning Director and Designer for the UK's beloved creative studio Aardman. Working there for over seventeen years, Gavin's creative output ranges from title sequences to channel idents, short films to Christmas ads and everything in-between. His work is diverse in nature but all held together of a common thread of fun and high energy. By night he goes under the alias of 'Jamfactory', indulging in all manner of passion projects, from filmmaking to illustration, pinball to photography. He even puts out wonky music under the (other) alias of 'Project Toy'.
Event Sponsors
Matt Joyce https://matt-joyce.com/
Studio Cotton https://studiocotton.co.uk/
Adobe Express https://adobe.com/express (Aff link)
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I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and edited by me and recorded live at Cornerstone in Cardiff with Kingsbane Studio
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch this and all of my solo episodes YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode of The Building your Brand podcast I share three simple ways I'm becoming more productive in my business; without slipping into toxic hustle culture.
As a creative business owner juggling multiple roles, I have been experimenting with practical systems that reduce friction, minimise distractions, and save time. From using a physical app-blocking device to batch-creating content and building a master business dashboard, these small changes are making a big difference.
If you're spinning lots of plates in your business and want realistic, sustainable ways to create more focus and breathing room; this episode is for you.
 
Key Takeaways
Add Physical Friction to Reduce Digital Distraction Using a physical app-blocking device (instead of just software) makes it harder to mindlessly scroll. The added friction breaks the muscle memory of picking up your phone — while still allowing intentional check-ins.
Batch by Stage, Not Just by Task Instead of creating one episode at a time from start to finish, Liz batches the stages of production — recording multiple episodes in one session, editing in another, and scheduling in another. The same method works for content creation (like writing carousel posts in bulk).
Build a "Master Business Hub" Creating a central board for affiliate links, brand assets, workflows, and processes saves time and reduces back-and-forth. It empowers collaborators and prevents unnecessary delays.
Productivity Should Support, Not Consume, Your Life This isn't about constant optimisation. It's about creating systems that support your energy, focus, and sustainability as a business owner.
 
Episode Highlights
00:20 – Introduction: Productivity (without toxic hustle culture)
00:59 – The Padlock App & reducing social media distraction
04:20 – Batching podcast episodes & content creation
05:31 – Writing 25+ carousel posts in one session
06:39 – Creating a Master Business Trello Board
09:10 – Invitation to share your productivity hacks
 
Mentioned in the episode
Padlock App – A physical app-blocking device that locks selected apps until you tap your phone against it. https://padlock-app.com/ Use code: LIZ (Affiliate link: 30% discount code)
Trello – https://trello.com Project management tool used to create a master business board.
Adobe Express – https://www.adobe.com/express/. (Aff Link) Used for brand kits and shared design assets. 
Adobe Premiere Pro – https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html Used to batch edit podcast episodes on a single timeline.
 
I would love to hear what you think of this episode and if there's anything you use in your business to help with productivity, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I am chatting to my friend and voicenote partner in crime Nikki McWilliams. I always find it interesting when people run multiple different brands, and I love to hear how they manage it, how they do it all, and how it all fits together.
Nikki not only has a solid personal brand, but she also runs two distinct online shops: one selling her famous biscuit-inspired homewares and another dedicated to stationery. In this episode, we delve into how she keeps it all clear in her head, how she juggles the workload, and how she maintains consistency across different businesses.
We also discuss the massive shift in social media marketing—from the polished "flat lay" era to the rise of "scrappy" reels—and why having multiple "squirrel pots" of income is the key to feeling secure as a self-employed creative.
 
Key Takeaways:
The "Squirrel Pot" Strategy: Nikki treats her different businesses and income streams as "squirrel pots." Having multiple streams provides security because when one area (like luxury cushions) ebbs, another (like affordable stationery) might flow
Distinct Branding for Distinct Audiences: While both brands sit under her name, Nikki uses different visual vibes and colour palettes to separate them—one is luxury and gift-focused, while the other leans into nostalgia and necessity .
Scrappy Content Wins: We discuss the mindset shift required to move away from perfectly polished content. Surprisingly, the posts that take the least time to create (like filming in pyjamas on a phone) often perform the best
The Art of the Creative Pitch: Nikki shares a brilliant story about how she won a PR trip on a cruise by pitching with a physical, hand-made passport instead of just a standard email.
Agility is a Superpower: As a small business owner, you don't have to stick to a plan if it isn't working. Nikki explains why she is currently leaning more into stickers and stationery because that is what is selling right now.
 

Episode Highlights:
01:00 – The origins of the Biscuit Shop (2010) and the rise of the Nikki Supply Store (2017) via the bullet journaling trend
07:00 – How Nikki balances a personal brand with two product-based businesses
15:00 – Why self-employment can actually feel more secure than a traditional job in the current economy
18:00 – How to pitch to brands and get paid properly for content creation
25:00 – The struggle of pivoting from high-production content to "scrappy" authentic video
37:00 – Nikki's future goals: YouTube monetization and designing a sticker book

 
About The Guest:
Nikki McWilliams is a designer and small business owner based in Scotland. She is the founder of Nikki McWilliams, known for her iconic biscuit-themed cushions, and Nikki's Supply Store, a go-to shop for bullet journaling and stationery supplies.
You can find her biscuit shop at nikkimcwilliams.com and her stationery shop at nikkisupplystore.com. Follow her on Instagram at @nikkimcwilliams and @nikkisupplystore, or search for Nikki McWilliams Design on YouTube.


 
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!