Your Weekly Dose Of Creativity

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/ [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/ [https://www.inthecountrymagazine.com/] * In The Country Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthecountrymagg [https://www.instagram.com/inthecountrymagg] * Holly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holllythomson/ [https://www.instagram.com/holllythomson/] * Holly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-thomson-153670144/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-thomson-153670144/] * Holly’s Substack: https://substack.com/@hollythomson [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 [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