Hello!
Welcome to my Substack. After a year and a half of trying to find my way and almost giving up many times, I have finally figured out what I am here to do (Thank you Olivia at Petal + Hearth) ! After all that classic creative navel gazing and procrastination (just two of my super powers)I really hope what I have to offer is helpful and interesting!
I am here to show anyone who runs a small creative business how to develop the clarity and confidence to tell their stories, find some balance and navigate the highs and lows of solo creative entrepreneurship.
For 40 years I have worked in the media as a journalist and television producer. I am also the author and creator of The Life Edit - an eight step personal development programme that uses writing, journaling and creativity to make life changes.
I am a long term and passionate supporter of buying local and supporting small businesses, and also the co-founder of a small creative business so I feel your pain and want to be with you for the highs, lows and everything in between.
Procrasta-branding? Money worries? Sales stalling? Craft fairs and markets driving you mad? Juggling the side hustle with a 9-5? School runs? Caring for parents? I see you! We are in this together! I still have my freelance media career too so I totally get the plate spinning that is required! (and YES they often fall and smash dramatically all around me!)
I use my own experience of running a small business combined with the story telling and personal development skills I have acquired through my media career, to help the owners and founders of small creative and craft-based businesses in two specific ways.
By helping them to understand the value of using writing practices to create a good work life balance that will help them to grow their businesses in a way that is organic, manageable and sustainable. (And yes - you WILL have time!)
By giving them the confidence and clarity to tell and share their unique business stories that will ultimately help them to gain more customers and create a successful business. (And YES - everyone can write about their business!)
All my twice weekly posts are free to read at the moment so please do share with any small creative business types who you think might benefit from them.
Over the next few weeks I will be posting twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays.
My Monday posts will be personal weekend round ups - so expect stories of weekend sales (or not!) markets and events, what went will and what didn’t, the people we met and the places we traded at. I will also share any interesting and relevant business news and inspire us all to have a good, positive week within our businesses and our lives.
My Thursday posts will be practical and tackle a specific challenge faced by small creative business owners. This could be cash flow (or lack there of!), competition, isolation and loneliness, overwhelm, product development, how to prepare for a market or event and so on. If there is something you would like me to explore then do get in touch!
Throughout the week also keep an eye out for my Notes. These will offer little insights and behind the scenes peeks at my own business and how I combine it with the other jobs that I have, as well as moments of inspiration that I hope will enthuse you and maybe even bring something new to your business.
Eventually I will offer paid subscriptions and this will give you access to live Q&As, 1-1 coaching and more deep dive articles to help your business journey complement rather than compete with family life. There will also be the chance for creative business owners to be interviewed and featured on my Substack- a great way to promote your business!
So that’s me and this is where we are!
Looking forward to getting to know you and your business!
Lots of love,
This is so brilliant to read, it seems like the best decision!! Why, when things are suddenly written down so clearly, do they seem so blindingly obvious to have been the decision to have made earlier on?! Can’t wait to read more ❤️❤️