10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

Mastering Time Management for Busy Professionals

Summary In this episode, Nikita discusses effective time management strategies for balancing multiple clients and projects while maintaining personal well-being. Key topics include the importance of planning, time blocking, treating your brand as a client, leveraging AI tools for efficiency, and designing a sustainable schedule that honors individual work patterns. Takeaways Spending just 12 minutes planning your day can save you up to two hours of wasted time. Think of your calendar the same way that you think of your brand. Morning excellence is a time to reserve for your highest value work. Context switching costs you a focus. Treat your brand with the same energy as you give clients. AI lets you stay in your zone while handling repetitive tasks. Tools can automate invoicing, tracking, and prep for taxes. Schedule your content to optimize posting times and reduce stress. Build an intentional space or day for self-care and unplugging. Time management isn't about squeezing more tasks, but designing a schedule that honors your work style. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Time Management 03:15 Effective Scheduling Techniques 05:51 Treating Your Brand as a Client 08:43 Leveraging AI for Efficiency 10:59 Creating Boundaries for Deep Work Keywords time management, productivity, time blocking, brand management, AI tools, efficiency, work-life balance, planning, client management, self-care

Harnessing the Holiday Pause for Business Growth in 2026

Summary In this episode, Nikita discusses how to utilize the holiday season as a time for gentle reflection and preparation for the upcoming year. She categorizes tasks into low, medium, and high energy levels, encouraging listeners to engage in activities that align with their current energy and creativity. Nikita emphasizes the importance of self-care and rest rituals to prevent burnout while fostering inspiration and clarity for the new year. Takeaways Use the holiday season for gentle check-ins. Focus on working on your business, not just in it. Set up invisible boundaries for smoother decision-making. Update your portfolio regularly to reflect recent work. Batch create social media content to ease future posting. Engage in low, medium, and high energy tasks based on your mood. Start projects without overthinking to maintain momentum. Plan and record podcast episodes to stay consistent. Incorporate rest rituals to recharge creativity. Finish the holidays feeling inspired and ready for the new year. Chapters 00:00 Embracing the Holiday Pause 03:58 Low Energy Tasks for Business Reflection 07:26 Medium Energy Tasks for Brand Refresh 09:09 High Energy Tasks for Creative Projects 10:29 Rest Rituals for Creative Recharge Keywords holiday season, business planning, creative tasks, self-care, burnout prevention, energy management, reflection, portfolio curation, social media, creative growth

Designing a Soft Life While Building Your Dream

In this episode of Sketchd Unscripted, we explore the real challenges that most face balancing ambition with well-being. Dive deep into practical strategies that blend hustle culture with a “soft life” approach-showing how it’s possible to achieve success without sacrificing mental health. We explore the following: 1. Introduction and Episode Overview 2. The Importance of Routines 3. Habit Stacking Techniques 4. Balancing Soft Life and Hustle Culture 5. The Role of Rest in Productivity 6. Automation and Outsourcing 7. Time Blocking and Focus Strategies 8. Dealing with Online Comparisons 9. Flexibility in Scheduling 10. Tools for Streamlining Tasks This episode offers tangible takeaways and encouragement to build your dream with intention and sustainability. Tune in to redefine success on your own terms with Sketchd Unscripted.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

In this episode of Sketchd Unscripted, I’m sharing the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned from building my business -the real, unfiltered truths no one really talks about when you’re just starting out. From the importance of networking and learning why you sometimes have to spend money to make money, to navigating imposter syndrome and prioritizing self-care, I’ll take you behind the scenes of what entrepreneurship has really taught me. I open up about the times I wanted to quit, how my first business idea definitely wasn’t “the one,” and why shifting from a work-focused mindset to a creativity-first approach completely changed my perspective. You’ll also hear why having an elevator pitch ready can make all the difference and how your support system can shape your journey in ways you might not expect. Key Moments: * Why networking is everything (and how it really starts small). * The money lessons I had to learn the hard way. * The truth about imposter syndrome-it never really goes away. * How success highlights who’s truly in your corner. * Why your first idea won’t always be the one that takes off. * Flipping the switch from “just work” to creativity. * The monthly urge to quit (and why it’s more common than you think). * What to include in your go-to elevator pitch. * How investing in my own well-being helped my business grow. Who It's For: This episode is for anyone who’s dreaming of launching something new, navigating the messy middle of entrepreneurship, or simply needing a reminder that you’re not alone in the struggles of building something from scratch. Whether you’re a business beginner, a creative, or someone fighting off imposter syndrome, I hope these lessons give you both inspiration and practical tools to keep going. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Building a Brand 01:38 The Importance of Networking 03:10 Investing in Your Business 04:45 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 07:12 Identifying True Supporters 08:23 The Evolution of Business Ideas 10:14 Mindset Shift in Work 11:12 Launching Without Perfection 13:08 Coping with the Desire to Quit 14:29 Crafting Your Elevator Pitch 15:44 Investing in Personal Well-being Keywords: business lessons, entrepreneurship, networking, imposter syndrome, self-care, investing in business, mindset, support system, launching, creativity

Welcome to Sketchd Unscripted

Welcome to Sketchd Unscripted - the podcast where entrepreneurship gets real. Hosted by Nikita, a social media manager and brand designer, this show strips away the script, revealing the true ups and downs of building not just a business, but a brand. Expect deep dives into business lessons, wellbeing, social media trends, branding insights - every bit crafted to empower bold founders ready to carve their own path. This is your safe, authentic space to challenge the status quo, dream big, and build your business on your terms. Your business, your story, unscripted.