Building your Brand

• Building Your Brand Through Pricing: Expert Insights from Ivy Malik

  I LOVE an episode where I get to really dig into the deep stuff about running a business so in today's episode, I'm thrilled to be chatting with the brilliant Ivy Malik. Ivy helps creative entrepreneurs who are feeling undervalued to break free from overthinking and fear, enabling them to price with confidence and build businesses they truly love. I always learn so much from my guests, and my conversation with Ivy was no exception – I've definitely got a lot to implement after our chat!   Key Takeaways Here are some of the golden nuggets from my conversation with Ivy: Pricing as Branding: We often overlook this, but your pricing is a massive part of your branding and how your business is perceived in the market. Think about the difference in perception between a £40 handbag and a £4,000 one – price signals value. Undervalued Creativity: As creatives, we often undervalue our work. Ivy suggests this can stem from how arts are treated as "optional" from a young age in education, subconsciously telling us our skills aren't as valuable as others. Confidence is Crucial: Ivy really highlighted that confidence is a key ingredient in being able to charge what you're worth. Often, the person charging more isn't necessarily more skilled, but more confident in communicating their value. This confidence often comes from taking action and gaining experience. Client's Budget, Not Your Burden: It's not your job to decide what your client can or can't afford. Making assumptions about a potential client's budget (e.g., a solopreneur can't afford high prices) can be a limiting belief. They have responsibility for their own finances. Sales Calls as Conversations: A sales call doesn't have to be a pushy, aggressive experience. Instead, think of it as a conversation to understand the client's needs and value, and then frame your price to match what they want. Negotiation is about finding a meeting point you're both happy with.   Episode Highlights 03:00: Ivy talks about her personal drive to protect creatives from a system that often undervalues their work, even acting as an agent for friends in her twenties to ensure they got paid fairly. 08:00: Ivy breaks down the essential components for pricing: skill, experience (which adds depth), and, crucially, confidence. 13:00: A real challenger moment when Ivy questions the common assumption that solo business owners or those serving smaller businesses automatically can't afford higher prices. 27:00: We discuss the importance of taking action despite fear, especially when it comes to increasing your prices. Often, the scary story we tell ourselves about what might happen is far worse than the reality.   About the Guest: Website: Ivy Malik Coaching Instagram | LinkedIn   Ivy has generously offered that if you have any follow-up questions after listening, you can reach out to her, just mention you came from this podcast!   End Credits 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 (http://lucylucraft.co.uk ) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

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• Adding Tangible Magic: Products for Your Service Business with Kerry Tottingham

  Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with Kerry Tottingham, co-founder of the social enterprise A Brilliant Thing. Kerry runs A Brilliant Thing with her sisters, focusing on ‘Healing Centred Design' – a fascinating framework they've developed that blends systemic approaches, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice to help people and organisations create positive change. Despite this being a relatively abstract concept I thought I’d struggle to understand, Kerry explained the concept beautifully and I know you’ll enjoy the chat as much as I did! Kerry shares her journey and insights into how Healing Centred Design principles, and even complementary physical products, can benefit individuals and communities.   Key Takeaways Healing Centred Design: It's about blending systemic thinking, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice, shifting the focus from trauma to healing, and equipping people with design tools to create better systems and adapt to change. Adding Products to Services: Creating a physical product (like coaching cards) can solve internal needs (collecting resources), enhance the client experience (changing the environment, offering tangible tools), and act as an invitation into your world and methodology. Product Strategy: You don't need a full product business. Products can be used strategically within a service business for launches, as bonuses, or exclusive offers, without necessarily requiring constant sales and shipping if that doesn't suit your model. Diversification & Innovation: Offering both services and products, or diversifying income streams and experiences in general, can lead to cross-pollination of ideas, innovation ('Collide and Align' principle), and resilience. It allows you to meet people where they are, offering different levels of engagement and investment. The Power of Safety & Collaboration: Building strong, trusting relationships, whether with co-founders (like Kerry and her sisters) or collaborators, creates the necessary safety for creativity, risk-taking, and navigating challenges.   Episode Highlights 02:41: The concept of Healing Centred Design. 08:49: The Brilliant Box coaching cards. 12:10: How the idea for the physical product emerged from an internal need. 18:16: Considering how different types of products (bite-size cards vs. in-depth book) cater to different needs and learning styles. 20:55: The 'Collide and Align' principle – intentionally seeking diverse ideas for innovation.   About the Guest Kerry Tottingham is a co-founder of A Brilliant Thing, a social enterprise she runs with her sisters, Tess and Faye. They focus on teaching and implementing Healing Centred Design. Website: brilliantthings.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrilliantthing/ Podcast: Healing Centred Transformation Resources: https://www.brilliantthing.co.uk/the-brilliant-box   Mentioned in the Episode Ideas Fest: Event where they launched the Brilliant Box. Hannah's Calendar: https://www.hicommunications.co.uk/product-page/2025calendar Sweet Pea Sensory: Maker providing Play-Doh for Kerry's book launch   End Credits 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 (http://lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

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• Build Your Brand by Working Less with Rich Webster

    Today on the podcast, I am chatting to Rich Webster, who is a designer, entrepreneur, mentor, and consultant. He helps other creative entrepreneurs work less, and I've personally been a fan of his work and podcast for a few years now. We're talking all about how to work less, but as you'll hear, we dive into so much more, from focusing your business to the real impact of mental clutter. I really hope you enjoy this one!   Key Takeaways The 1% Brain Power Myth: Rich explained that the difference between dedicating 1% of your brainpower to a task versus 0% isn't just 1% – it feels more like 100%. Letting go of lingering business responsibilities, even small ones, can free up an enormous amount of mental space. Diversification as Distraction: Contrary to popular advice, Rich argues that diversification can often be a distraction, especially for solopreneurs. Narrowing your focus to the one or two things that provide the highest leverage can be far more effective for growth. Expert vs. Marketing Business: When looking to grow, solopreneurs often burn out trying to excel at both high-level client fulfilment and extensive marketing. Rich suggests choosing a path: either an "expert business" (scaling with price by becoming a sought-after specialist) or a "marketing business" (scaling with volume through products that don't require your direct time for fulfilment). Systemise Your "Non-Genius" Work: Identify your highest leverage tasks (for Rich, it's thinking and writing) and systemise everything else. This involves creating standard operating procedures, templates, and delegating, allowing you to spend more time in your zone of genius. The "One In, One Out" Rule for Your Time: Inspired by a minimalist philosophy for the home, Rich suggests that if you bring a new commitment or task (like starting Morning Pages) into your life, you should consciously remove something else to make space for it.     Episode Highlights 01:00: Rich shares his powerful origin story, touching on his journey from addiction to becoming an entrepreneur and how that shapes his perspective. 09:00: The surprising mental cost of keeping even seemingly small business commitments active; that final leap to 0% makes a huge difference. 11:00: Rich presents his compelling argument that "diversification is distraction" and why focusing your efforts is often the smarter move for sustainable growth. 17:00: An exploration of the two distinct business models solopreneurs can adopt to avoid burnout: the "expert business" scaling with price, or the "marketing business" scaling with volume. 46:00: Applying a minimalist household rule to your business and time: if you decide to add a new activity or commitment, what will you remove to make space for it?   About the Guest Rich Webster is a designer, entrepreneur, mentor, and consultant who helps creative entrepreneurs work less and achieve more. Instagram: @RichWebbs Website: richwebster.co   Mentioned in the episode Chris Do (Rich's mentor) Work Less, Earn More (Rich Webster's program) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron    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!

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• The Art of Retail: Sarah Holmes on Passion, Pencils, and Personal Branding

  If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review! In this episode, I'm absolutely thrilled to chat with Sarah Holmes, the brilliant owner of two physical shops in Scotland, Pencil Me In and Seasgair. Sarah has done an incredible job of not only marketing her shops to become must-visit destinations but also cultivating a strong personal brand alongside them. We delve into her journey from a childhood dream of being a shopkeeper to running multiple successful retail businesses, her strategies for online and offline growth, the importance of community, and how she's navigated the ups and downs of retail. If you're interested in what it truly takes to build a brand around physical products and create a loyal customer base, this episode is packed with insights! Key Takeaways: Authenticity Builds Loyalty: Showing up as your genuine self, sharing your opinions, and letting customers get to know the person behind the brand is crucial for building a strong, loyal community. Identify & Fill Market Gaps: Sarah’s success with her second shop, C Scare, and her custom pencil business stemmed from spotting a need and strategically filling it, rather than just following passion alone. The Power of In-Person Networking: Especially in smaller towns or more rural areas, joining local business groups and actively networking can be invaluable for building support, gaining customers, and fostering word-of-mouth referrals. Consistency is Key in Retail: Maintaining regular opening hours and consistently stocking products that your customers are looking for are fundamental to building trust and keeping people coming back. Coupled with this is the need for relentless marketing. Flexibility Can Fuel Growth: For Sarah's custom pencil business, offering low minimum orders and a high level of customer service for wholesale clients has been a significant factor in its growth.   Episode Highlights: 01:10: Sarah talks about her lifelong dream of being a shopkeeper, a passion that started with a childhood post office set! 08:30: The origin story of Pencil Me In's famous personalised pencils – from outsourcing to buying a foiling machine just two weeks after opening in Elgin and teaching herself the craft. 18:45: Sarah shares how she started using Instagram Stories to connect on a more personal level and how a mini-crowdfunder, promoted only on Stories, helped her buy essential equipment and revealed the strength of her online community. 27:40: Sarah’s advice for struggling retail shops: focus on consistency in opening hours and stock, understand your customer journey, and commit to constant marketing. 42:30: Sarah discusses the significant impact that joining a local women's networking group (Moray Business Women) had on her business, especially when starting out in a new area.   About the Guest: Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes is the owner of two physical shops in Elgin, Scotland & she also runs a successful custom-printed pencil business, supplying individuals and major clients like the House of Commons.   Websites: Pencil Me In: pencilmein.co.uk Seasgair Store: https://seasgair.store Custom Printed Pencils: customprintedpencils.co.uk   Instagram: @pencileminshop @seasgair.store   Mentioned in the episode: Wix (website builder) The Stationery Show London Atomicøn Conference Moray Business Women   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 (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

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  50:52
• The Confidence Blueprint: Kira Matthews on Turning Self-Doubt into Your Superpower

  Welcome to another episode of Building Your Brand! Today, I'm thrilled to be chatting with the incredible Kira Matthews. Kira is a mindset and confidence coach who truly embodies the power of self-belief. She specialises in helping creators, founders, and freelancers unlock their most confident selves to achieve those big, bucket-list dreams. In this conversation, we dive into Kira's journey into coaching, the many lessons she's picked up along the way, and her invaluable insights on overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. If you've ever found yourself hesitating or watching from the sidelines while others chase opportunities you dream of, this episode is packed with inspiration for you.   Key Takeaways: Confidence is an Inside Job: True confidence isn't about ticking off external achievements or meeting societal expectations. It's an emotion generated internally by our thoughts. We need to shift from chasing external validation to cultivating confident thoughts. Uncover Your Inner Dialogue: To build confidence, you first need to understand the thoughts currently running the show. Kira suggests a powerful exercise: take 10 minutes to write down all your thoughts about a specific topic (like your business or your appearance) to reveal the often subconscious and sometimes critical narratives at play. Reframe Rejection: Rejection is an inevitable part of putting yourself out there, especially in business. Instead of viewing it as a personal failure, see it as valuable feedback and an opportunity to learn and refine your approach. Often, a 'no' provides crucial information that can lead to a 'yes' down the line. The Power of Connection: Your ability to communicate and build relationships is paramount. Many goals involve other people, and knowing how to bring them on board with your vision is more critical than waiting for your website or skills to be 'perfect'. Embrace Imperfect Action for Faster Growth: Waiting for perfection can lead to stagnation. Taking action, even if it's imperfect and involves making mistakes, is the quickest way to learn, adapt, and ultimately achieve your goals. It's about failing fast and learning faster.   Episode Highlights: 02:41: Kira shares how her early days in fashion styling, dealing with logistics like lost customs packages and coordinating with major brands, unexpectedly taught her invaluable communication and hustle skills. 08:51: Kira explains that confidence is an emotion we generate internally through our thoughts, challenging the common belief that it comes from external achievements or validation. 10:38: Kira offers a practical 10-minute journaling exercise to uncover the true thoughts and beliefs that might be holding you back from feeling confident. 19:05: Drawing from her experience in sales, Kira discusses how she learned to anticipate and even welcome rejection as a necessary part of the process that helps shape the final successful outcome. 35:30: Kira talks about recovering from rejection by focusing on separating the actual facts from the (often negative) stories we tell ourselves, and the importance of understanding why a 'no' was given.   About the Guest: Kira Matthews is a mindset and confidence coach. Instagram: @KiraTheBold Website: kiramatthews.com Programme: Pitch School (enrolling for September 2025) Podcast: No Room For Doubt   Mentioned in the episode: Hannah Isted (Friend of the podcast and Pitch School alumna) Chris Do (Host of The Futur Podcast, which I was a guest on)   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 (http://lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

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