Shows
Style and SubstanceFlow not Force in Action - Elizabeth Shares the Secrets to her Latest Creative BreakthroughWe are excited to bring you this one, uncharacteristically Elizabeth is in the hot seat as Fi invites her to dig deep about her experiences with her latest creative breakthrough which will mean BIG CHANGE for her and her business. In this conversation we explore the attitudes, principles and strategies behind taking a Flow not Force approach to your business and the underlying beliefs that help make it a reality. We hope you enjoy and, as ever, if you do please like, review and share away. Thank for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...2025-05-0750 min
Style and SubstanceHow to Spot what's Keeping your Brand Small and What to Do about itWe are passionate about entrepreneurs and brands achieving their potential. There are so many factors that come into it, from from our attitudes and beliefs, how we show up to the way we implement design. In this wide ranging conversation we dig deep into what it takes for brands to avoid playing small (deliberately or otherwise) and realise their full potential. We explore the personal and practical factors that both get in the way and make it possible for our brands to take up the space they deserve. If you have a sense that...2025-04-301h 11
Style and SubstanceHow to Keep Moving Forwards when the World is Going MadHow to keep moving forwards when the world is going mad. There's no escaping the world is bonkers right now and that's putting it a little mildly, you don't have to go very far to be confronted with immense challenge and suffering and it is likely affecting us all to varying degrees. It can be hugely challenging to maintain hope, and resilience never mind momentum in such challenging times so today we're talking about what we can do to take care of ourselves and keep moving forwards. Whether you feel like you're in the thick of it and are utterly...2025-04-2348 min
Style and SubstanceHow to Get What you Want with Integrity - Part TwoPart two of getting what you want with integrity. Emotions and frustrations run high as we dig into a recent scenario that highlight beautifully what gets in the way of acting with integrity and what trips us up when we're trying to get a good outcome. In this conversation we walk through some of the signposts that tell us we or others might be acting out of integrity. We explore how we manage maintaining equitable power balances and how the landscape changes when we're dealing with toxic relationships. It's a juicy one folks and as ever if you like please...2025-04-0250 min
Style and SubstanceHow to Get What you Want with IntegrityGetting what we want in business isn't always easy and dealing with unreasonable demands isn't a walk in the park either. In this two part mini series we tackle all of that and more as we explore in depth and build aa model of how to get what we want with integrity. Let's get stuck in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-03-2656 min
Style and SubstanceBootstrapping your Brand - How to Create the Strongest Impression with your Brand, whatever your Budget.Let's be real. None of us have limitless budgets that allow us to do everything we'd like on our brand: we all have to make choices. But we do think there is a big difference between a bootstrapping mentality (saving money at all costs and compromising on quality as you go) and the reality of bootstrapping your brand (making smart choices that will move your brand forwards, however tight your budget). We dig into all of this and more in today's episode where Fi is sharing a wealth of advice and practical tips on where to inve...2025-03-1955 min
Style and SubstanceAn International Womens Day SpecialThis special episode, created in honour of International Women's Day is a pulling together of just a glimmer of the wisdom held in our wonderful community of inspiring and empowered entrepreneurs. Rather than hearing from us, in this episode, we hear from you. Thank you to everyone who sent in a submission to be included we have tried to feature as many of you as we can, and whilst it hasn't been possible to feature everyone (we were inundated) we are so grateful to have read your stories and found them utterly inspiring....2025-03-1229 min
Style and SubstanceClaiming Our Rightful Place as Women in BusinessInternational Womens Day is coming up this week so it feels timely to explore this topic of Claiming Our Rightful Place as Women in Business and what we can do to step fully and confidently into our authority. We talk about the superpowers we uniquely have as women in business what might hinder our ability to take our rightful place and leave you with some profound words of wisdom from a much loved English treasure. Apologies for the slightly less than perfect audio quality in the first couple of minutes of the intro, we've sorted it...2025-03-0538 min
Style and SubstanceWe're Back With...Quick Fire Tips on Managing your EnergyPhew...what a whirlwind the last few weeks has been and a hot topic for us both of late has been energy, how much do we have, how do we keep it high and how do we get it all done? So today to kick off the new season we've got a short and punchy episode where we catch up with our out-of-the-norm escapades over half term and some quick tips for managing your energy. Back to business as usual next week and in the mean time if you want to check out the Designers Track...2025-02-2624 min
Style and SubstanceInternational Women's Day - Call For SubmissionsInternational Womens Day is coming up on 8th March and we want to create a celebratory showcase of all the wonderful female entrepreneurs in our incredible community. We want to hear your stories, your successes, your pearls of wisdom and we will do our best to share as many as we can. To join the action just send us a short insta ready video or image and story to podcast@fionahumberstone.com or DM us on the podcast insta @styleandsubstance_podcast. We can't wait to hear from you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-02-2500 min
Style and SubstanceWhy Owning your Creative Identity is a Business Imperative...and How To Do ItCreativity is the lifeblood of both of our businesses and we have both experienced the game changing impact for ourselves and our clients when we really feel the strong sense of identity as a creative in our bones. When you can really own your creativity and it is woven through the fabric of your life and work it is transformative and not just for the jobbing artists amongst us. For every business owner serious about having the edge and working in a joyful and empowering way, creativity is a skill to hone and a way of being that we both...2025-02-121h 09
Style and SubstanceThe Myth of Passive Income - What does it really take to make a Fast Buck? These days you can barely move for someone promising you a '7 figure income' while you sleep. But is it really the panacea it promises to be? Passive income is something so many ambitious entrepreneurs are chasing, but what does it really take? We are about to get deep, opinionated and personal in this episode where we explore Fi's passive income success story that paid the mortgage. How the pursuit of passive income shifts your experience of what it's like to run your business, the unseen effort that goes into 'passive' streams and more.We hope you...2025-02-051h 03
Style and SubstanceNiching into your Creative Style - Why it's a must and how to do it. Do you run a creative business? Are you reaping the benefits of trading off your creative style? If not, we're here to convince you that its a great idea and a total game changer for the creative entrepreneur. In this episode we dig into the commercial and creative benefits of finding and trading off your creative style. We'll be sharing success stories of entrepreneurs who've really leaned into their creative flare with incredible results and we'll be tackling some of the common misconceptions about niching. If you run a creative business and are frustrated by attracting the wrong clients...2025-01-291h 00
Style and SubstanceWhat's Possible when your Branding Really WorksWelcome back lovely listeners, in this episode we are talking all things branding and what becomes possible when you get your branding really working for you. Fi shares her insights from over 20 years in the world of branding to uncover the essentials of what entrepreneurs need to know to empower themselves to make the most of their brand. So if you're branding something new, rebranding or have big plans for your business this year, this is a must listen. Enjoy.As mentioned in the episode Fi;s free where to start course...2025-01-2243 min
Style and SubstanceFi Finds Herself in an Impossible Dilemma...Just before Christmas Fi sound herself on the receiving end of an outrageous comment. With commercial and ethical decision to make and plenty of self gaslighting and doubt in the mix, it wasn't an easy time. In this in depth exploration, hear how we navigated this sticky situation and resolved things amicably all round. A must listen for anyone who struggles with post decision dissonance, gaslighting themselves or worry about being an overly emotional/sensitive woman in business. You might also enjoy our past episodes on renegotiating boundaries here: https://apple.co/408wEDy and...2025-01-151h 02Style and SubstanceGetting your Hype Squad in Place for the New YearHappy New Year Lovely Listeners, Were coming out of the gates in 2025 with what we hope will be a thoroughly uplifting and encouraging episode where we are waxing lyrical about the benefits of a having a Hype Squad for your business. Hear where our support comes from, how we design for it in work and life and how to avoid becoming too transactional and loosing the magic of reciprocal championing. We look back o the joys of the Studio Theia launch and celebrate the wonderful Podcast community that have turned out to the breakfasts. We hope you...2025-01-0847 minStyle and SubstanceThe Highs, the Lows, the Learnings and the Hopes - A Review of 2024Welcome to the final episode of 2024 and in typical Style and Substance form we are reviewing our year. In this conversation we share our highs, lows, learnings and hopes and what we've made of a pretty challenging 2024. Thank you for listening and all your support of the podcast this year, we are excited and inspired to be back in 2025. Wishing you a joyful and abundant festive season Elizabeth & Fi xxAt the end of the episode I mention my new coaching circle The Rise and Thrive Collective that opens in January 2025. if you're inspired...2024-12-1841 minStyle and SubstanceStudio Theia - The Story Behind the BrandWe are very excited to bring you todays episode as it coincides with the Launch of Fiona's new brand consultancy Studio Theia. The creation of Studio Theia has been a labour of love, a creative unfolding and a strategic commercial proposition that is, even if we do say so ourselves the epitome of authentic and aligned work. In this episode we share the story behind the brand and insights and inspiration around what's possible when a brand is truly aligned and beautifully atmospheric. As well as exploring the personal and professional journey to the creation of...2024-12-1139 minStyle and SubstanceWintering - Why Embracing the Season of Withdrawal is a Business EssentialWinter is here and in this episode we are exploring the benefits and the potentially scary territory of wintering in our businesses. What does it look like, is it realistic, should we be doing it and what do we risk if we don't? This conversation is a walk through the seasons and cycles of business and ways we can capitalise on the energy of the seasons and make the most of winter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-12-0444 minStyle and SubstanceIs your Brand Pulling it's Weight? - How to Tell and What to Do to Realise your Brands Full Potential Is your brand puling it's weight? How do you know, what are you missing out on and what should you do about it?In this episode I'm picking Fi's brains on realising the potential in our brands and the crucial role of clarity in realising our full potential. Discover the benefits to the business and the entrepreneur of a brand that is packing it's full punch and where to start in getting real strategic clarity.#brandclarity strategicbranding #branding Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-11-2732 minStyle and SubstanceThe Value in Doing your Authentic WorkThe pursuit of truly meaningful and fulfilling work that puts our skills and talents at the heart might seem an indulgence that we don't always have time for but for us it's a commercial business imperative. Hear why in this episode on finding your authentic work where we dig into the value, not only for you and your business but the wider society and the world. We dig into some of the most common blockers to finding that work and how to begin going about it. Fi explores how this relates to branding and how authenticity is essential for...2024-11-2031 minStyle and SubstanceLusting After Building a Luxury Brand? - Listen to this first!A luxury brand can be an utterly aspirational prospect for many, but is it the magic bullet it promises to be? If you want move into this space, there is a whole load you absolutely need to be considering up front. In this episode we dig into the why's and the wherefores of what it takes to create a luxury brand. Fi talks us through some of the visual signifiers and the critical importance of getting it right. We explore the demands it places on an entrepreneur who wants to sit comfortably in the luxury...2024-11-1342 minStyle and SubstanceIntroducing the Brand Catalyst Programme - A Reason to CelebrateLovely listeners, we're dropping in between episodes this week because both of us are incredibly excited about Fi's new Brand Catalyst Programme and I wanted to give her the opportunity to share that excitement and take the chance to celebrate. In our conversation we talk about how the programme came about and some of the strategic considerations we have had to make with regard to how it sits within the rest of Fi's work. We talk about Fi finding her flow and the creative unfolding edge of her business and why she is so looking forward to...2024-11-1118 minStyle and SubstanceThe Dynamics of Collaboration - Avoiding the Pitfalls and Making Partnerships WorkWelcome back to season 12 and, after a post half term catch up sharing Fi's adventures in Rome and my recent challenge with mental health, we dig into todays topic; The Dynamics of Successful Collaboration. If you've ever had your fingers burnt after a disastrous collab, have struggled to make things equitable in partnership or are simply curious about how to get your self in the best possible position for a successful collaboration this is for you. We talk about not only the numerous benefits of joint ventures and why both of us absolutely love having it built...2024-11-0650 minStyle and SubstanceAvoiding Stagnation in BusinessHow to Keep things Moving and Avoid Getting Stuck in a Rut.Welcome back lovely listeners to our last episode of the season before we head into the half term break. As we look forward to the last quarter of the year we are all about keeping the mojo going, maintaining momentum and avoiding that joy sapping, energy draining business limiting experience of being stuck in a rut. We cover a whole load in this conversation including modelling out some of how Fi avoids stagnation in her own business, why frustration can be a handy motivator, the...2024-10-1642 minStyle and SubstanceRenegotiating Boundaries Part 2Renegotiating Boundaries Part 2Handling Scope Creep, Pricing and When Partnerships Come to an EndWe're picking up where we left off form last week and digging back into renegotiating boundaries. This week we'll be talking about how to manage endings - what do you do when collaborations close, relationships and working partnerships need redefining or when you simply can't be at someones beck and call anymore?How do you elegantly make the shift from working pro-bono to charging what you're worth and how do you tackle the beast of scope creep? Were chatting...2024-10-0935 min
Style and SubstanceFor those subscribed loyal listeners quick off the mark to listen to today's episodeHello lovely loyal listeners, firstly a huge thank you for supporting the podcast, subscribing and being so quick to tune into today's episode. A technical glitch meant that instead of the 38 minute part 1 episode that we had intended, the full 1 hour episode went live first thing. We've now corrected it, but if you've already subscribed and downloaded the show, your podcast player is likely still feeding you the one hour episode. Great if you'd like to listen to the whole lot in one go, but if you'd rather, as we intended get the episode in two (slightly...2024-10-0200 minStyle and SubstanceRenegotiating Boundaries Part 1.Setting expectations and managing yourself and your clients when things need to shift. Boundaries are tricky to set and hold for many of us, but absolutely essential when you want to do business on your own terms. This episode is split into two parts and this week we are talking about ways to establish boundaries and manage expectations up front, to avoid things having to get sticky.We are reframing boundary setting, helpful for those conflict avoidant folks amongst you, and we dig into what to consider and how to manage it...2024-10-0237 minStyle and SubstanceRenegotiating Boundaries Part 1Renegotiating Boundaries Part 1. Setting expectations and managing yourself and your clients when things need to shift. Boundaries are tricky to set and hold for many of us, but absolutely essential when you want to do business on your own terms. This episode is split into two parts and this week we are talking about ways to establish boundaries and manage expectations up front, to avoid things having to get sticky. We are reframing boundary setting, helpful for those conflict avoidant folks amongst you, and we dig into what to consider and how to...2024-10-021h 12Style and SubstanceBrand, Business or Life Clarity...?Welcome back lovely listeners, today we are back and talking about one of our absolute favourite and essential topics CLARITY. We all need clarity, but at what level? Brand clarity is one thing, but in order for brand clarity to really have the impact and realise it's true potential, it is ideally underpinned by solid business clarity and, for those of us interested in running business on our own terms, life clarity. In this episode we will dig into the various layers and intricacies of clarity. How do we discern what we need at what...2024-09-2547 minStyle and SubstanceMenopause, Midlife and Are We Even Relevant Anymore?Welcome back lovely listeners, in this episode we are keeping it real and tackling the very present question for so many of us at our stage of midlife, whether we are still relevant. We dig into the realities of how menopause, peri menopause and ageing generally affects our capacity to run our businesses and show up in the world with purpose, meaning and relevance. It's an intimate, no holes barred conversation which I hope you enjoy. As ever we would love to hear your thoughts and if this resonates, do let us know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...2024-09-1844 minStyle and SubstanceBack to Work, Back to Basics - Setting Yourself up to ThriveWelcome back lovely listeners to Season 11 and we are coming out of the gates today with an episode to tackle the steps to take to set yourself up for end of year success. We explore four pillars: Aspirations, Values, Boundaries and Habits and our non-negotiables for a thriving last quarter. Hear about our morning routines, the values that drive us and how we are setting ourself up to achieve as we get back to work after the summer break,. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-09-1153 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep6. Hacks for Getting Re-inspiredWelcome back lovely listeners to our last episode of the summer series and this week we are talking inspiration and getting out of our comfort zones. Listen in to hear our plans for the summer and ways to stay inspired and do send us your questions to tackle in the next season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-08-2811 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep5 Creating A Vitality Manifesto to keep you're Energy HighWelcome back lovely listeners. We hope you are thoroughly enjoying the summer and taking your vitality in hand. This week your challenge is to Create a Vitality Manifesto and we can't wait to see what you come up with. Listen in for what themes we will be including in ours and remember to be playful, enjoy prioritising your wellbeing and do share your manifesto's and tag us on on socials. @andthrive @thebrand_stylist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-08-2108 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep4. The Essential Vitality ReviewThis week we are moving away from overwhelm (here's hoping) and focusing our attention on Vitality. Our absolute favourite topic as we both wholeheartedly believe it is the sustaining and driving force of our businesses and what allows us to really leverage their true potential. This weeks challenge is a Vitality Review and you can find all the questions from the review I walk through with Fi over on my blog www.elizabethcairns.com or under the resources tab, just look for 'Vitality Review'.I hope it's illuminating and do let us know how you get on. 2024-08-1427 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep3. Prioritising to Reduce OverwhelmHaving created some space, hopefully turned down the noise a little, this week our short and sweet challenge is intended to help you sift through the spinning plates and those things that are taking up too much mental load and do a little rationalising and prioritisation. It shouldn't take you much more than 20 minutes with the end result being a clear, hopefully reduced and at considered list of the shizzle you actually need to get done, rather than it all feeling like a jumbled mess in your poor overloaded brain. Hope it's helpful folks, happy listening. Hosted on Acast...2024-08-0711 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep2. Turning Down The Noise.Week two of our bitesize summer series is here and this week we are taking steps to reduce the overwhelm that comes from too much noise. Noise creates interference with momentum, distraction from focus, disruption of our own peace of mind and disconnection from our inner wisdom. We will be sharing our individual take on where the noise comes and the impact it has and our challenge this week is a simple one that in just 15 minutes could make a BIG difference. Happy listening folks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-07-3108 minStyle and SubstanceSummer Series Ep1. Making SpaceEpisode 1 of our bitesize summer series is kicking off this week and in our challenge to take small manageable steps to help reduce everyday overwhelm, this week is all about space. We all undoubtedly know the value of making some space, especially if we're feeling a little overwhelmed, we no doubt crave it. Our challenge this week is to approach creating space from the angle of our environment. Listen in to hear more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-07-2415 minStyle and SubstanceIntroducing Our New Summer Series: Six Weeks To Less Overwhelm And More VitalityWelcome to our summer series lovely listeners. We couldn't bear to be away for the whole summer so this week marks the start of our short summer series where we will be taking on a journey to hopefully a little less overwhelm and a lot more vitality. Over the next six weeks we'll be offering you bite sized episodes with a, what we hope is, totally manageable weekly challenge to chip away at the overwhelm and boost your wellbeing and vitality. Enjoy xx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-07-2302 minStyle and SubstanceHow to Set Priorities in Times of Crisis and other Questions AnsweredIn this our final episode of season 10 we are digging in to some more questions from our lovely listeners, and there's some juicy ones. We explore the challenges of planning effectively, how to remove the worry about whether we are faffing or actually being productive, how to set priorities when life throws you for a loop and how to say what you want to say and continue to show up when energy is lacking...and more. We always love hearing from you guys and have thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and hope you will too Hosted...2024-07-1057 minStyle and SubstanceFinding your Creative MagicHello lovely listeners, in this penultimate episode of season 10 we are exploring the challenges of how to find your creative magic and the particular challenges it poses when you don't have an established business. Fi walks us through how she approached this with two of her recent clients. We talk through some strategies and share insights of how to set your creative direction and showcase your style even when you're at the outset of your business journey. We touch on the importance of creative intention, what makes for a minimum viable brand and how to keep that aligned with your...2024-07-0343 minStyle and SubstanceThe Art of DiscernmentHello lovely listeners, we've been paying attention to what many of you are asking for at the moment and it feels like a lot of our community are grappling with some key decisions. Which direction to go? how to shape your business? what is going to be right for you moving forwards...? So today we are tackling the topic of making important decisions. How can we do that in an empowered way? How do we accurately discern what is really right for us and how do we know with certainty what to prioritise to move us forwards in a...2024-06-2644 minStyle and SubstanceFinding your SpaceThis week it's all about finding your space lovely listeners. That sweet spot in the market that when you find it opens up possibilities, reduces overwhelm and frustration and supports you to win the right clients. We explore what it means to find your space, how it fits into the wider picture of the strategic clarity you need to run your business with confidence and intention and some of the key considerations to bear in mind when seeking out that sweet spot. We talk about the benefits of working within your space both to you...2024-06-1946 minStyle and SubstanceStrategy, tactics and why to avoid a knee jerk approach to business growthHello lovely listeners, those of you who have been around for a while will know we are huge fans here of a strategic and well thought out approach to business and this week we're exploring why. We dig into the difference between strategic and tactical approaches and how it's so often the case that we are reactive or knee jerking in business when a more thoughtful approach is needed. We talk about the reasons why we don't often work strategically and the hallmarks of both strategy and tactics. MILD TRIGGER WARNING. Head's up folks...2024-06-121h 04Style and SubstanceCultivating Self BeliefWelcome back lovely listeners. Season 10 is kicking off with a juicy episode on the essential but often illusive ingredient for every entrepreneur, self belief. In this conversation we explore the transformative effect of this kind of confidence on our business, why we sometimes struggle to find it and how we can go about getting more of it. Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-1146 minStyle and SubstanceWorking on versus working in your business and putting your self out there when you're terrified, We're back with the final episode of this season and more of your juicy questions answered. From how to split your time between working on your business and in your business, how to handle putting yourself out there when you're terrified, to how to hold a boundary when you're asked for more than you can give. Thank you so much to everyone who sent questions in, do keep them coming and we'll get to more in the next season. Have a lovely half term break folks, happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-2258 minStyle and SubstanceUsing your Authentic Voice to Connect and EngageWelcome back lovely listeners to Part Two of our Finding your Authentic Voice mini series. In this conversation we dig a little deeper into how we can apply our authentic voice to engage and connect meaningfully with our audience. Along with what to bear in mind when setting yourself up for any writing project there are some key copywriting hacks that are industry tried and tested. We hope this inspires you to not only find, but to use your voice for a fully empowered and successful experience of business. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...2024-05-1547 minStyle and SubstanceYour Questions AnsweredHello lovely listeners, this week we've thrown it over to you and are responding to the huge inpouring of questions from you all. It's a wide ranging conversation talking all things design and business from the very specific what size of font should I use to the state of the economy right now and how we can find our agency and lots in between. Using your voice part two will be coming up for you next week. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-0840 minStyle and SubstanceFinding your Authentic Voice part 1Welcome back lovely listeners to season 9. After a lovely long break we are opening this season with what we hope is a juicy two parter on the topic of finding your authentic voice. Both of us encounter business owners who struggle to do this for themselves and their brands and we are so passionate about the potential that finding and using your authentic brand voice can create for your business. Having a clear, compelling and natural voice enables us to not only connect with our clients and move them to action but also...2024-05-0132 minStyle and SubstanceWhat We've LearnedWell here we are folks at the end of season 8 and before we head into a break we're dropping in for a review of the year so far. We reflect on the changing economic climate, talk about what's we've learned so far this year and how we are using the energy of spring to gain clarity for what's ahead. It's a short but hopefully sweet conversation where we get personal about what it's like for both of us in business in 2024. Enjoy and if you do please do rate and review, thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...2024-03-2730 minStyle and SubstanceWhen the Answer to Conflict is Holding a BoundaryThis is a hot topic for so many entrepreneurs. When we get into conflict, or emotional situations arise in our business and our instinctive tendency is to fight, flight or fawn there is another way. In this episode we talk around the importance of establishing and holding boundaries for ourselves in our business. We touch on why it is so hard, particularly for women to hold a boundary and some of the underlying principles that facilitate our ability to hold clear and firm boundaries for the benefit of all concerned. There's a few live scenarios in here that you...2024-03-2040 minStyle and SubstanceTaking Control of your BusinessSo often, particularly with a well established business, we can get into a mode where things feel like they are a little out of control. Whether that's around feeling constantly overwhelmed, not being sure of where the next piece of work is coming from, getting stuck in a cycle of feast or famine, not feeling like we have a handle on how we are being perceived or perhaps where business is headed. In this short but sweet episode we are exploring 5 simple steps you can take to start to regain more of a sense of agency and autonomy in...2024-03-1337 minStyle and SubstanceYour Roadmap to a Show-stopping BrandI am excited to be sharing this week's conversation in which Fi and I walk through Fiona's Show-stopping Brand Roadmap. It's a really clear, strategic guide to the entire branding journey and one I know will add huge value. Perfect for any entrepreneur beginning the branding journey, rebranding or wanting to know how to make the most of the commercial potential within their brand. Fi takes us through the 8 steps in the process which is a consolidation of years of work and her experience of working with thousands of entrepreneurs. The roadmap itself is available as a free download from...2024-03-0650 minStyle and SubstanceFlow not Force - creating more ease in businessHello lovely listeners, as we move into spring it feels like the perfect timing for a conversation about flow. Why, along with vitality, adopting the flow principle of The Empowered Entrepreneur is absolutely essential to ride us through tough times and create more ease (and profitability) in our businesses.In this wide ranging conversation we talk about the key differences between a forceful and flowing approach to business and how to spot the red flags of when you're putting in more effort than you need. We talk about the benefits to flow in work (not leaving out...2024-02-2841 minStyle and SubstanceDesign Fundamentals for EntrepreneursAll design, good or otherwise, creates an impression. It affects our perceived credibility, opens up or closes down opportunities and influences the confidence we feel about our work. Whether we realise it or not, whenever we are producing any collateral for our brand we are producing design. From pitch presentations to social media graphics and everything in between, so let's get it right. Understanding design fundamentals as an entrepreneur will help you be more intentional about the impression you are creating with your graphic design and ensure your investment in your brand identity isn't compromised. In this...2024-02-2136 minStyle and SubstanceStories of self publishing part 2, taking a strategic value added approachWelcome back lovely listeners. In this second episode of our self publishing series (more to come next season) we take a gallop through varying aspects of the process of publishing a beautiful book for business. We explore how to tell if it's the right time to write a book and what, in our experience, is needed to pull you through such an epic project. We talk about the motivation required and how that shifts through different stages of the writing process and the importance of knowing exactly what it is you are trying to achieve to support that motivation. 2024-02-0743 minStyle and SubstanceBehind the scenes of a best seller, stories of self publishingFellow authors and publishers amongst you will know a book project is not for the feint hearted and producing a beautiful book for business is a labour of love that we are both hugely passionate about. With three best sellers on branding and business between us, we've got a fair bit to say. In this conversation, the first of a few in this series, we are really excited to lift the lid on our own experiences of writing and self publishing. We really hope you enjoy as we share our respective stories of the inspiration behind...2024-01-3144 minStyle and SubstanceInspiration in the DarkWelcome back lovely listenersOn what is reputedly the most depressing day of the year we wanted to bring a little light, a juxtaposition to the gloom and pop in with a short and hopefully sweet conversation about finding inspiration in these darker months. We share our personal thoughts on how we embrace the delights this season and some of the habits that keep us going until the shoots of spring emerge. From the beauty of a frost-laden morning walk to the comforting ritual of sipping a hot mulled drink after a cold run, we...2024-01-2418 minStyle and SubstanceImposter SyndromeEver felt like a fraud in your own business, waiting for the other shoe to drop and for everyone to realise you're not as capable as they think? That gnawing fear isn't unique to you; it's a widespread experience known as Impostor Syndrome, and it's the topic of today’s discussion. Welcome back lovely listeners as we dig into season 7, today we are peeling back the layers of this psychological phenomenon, examining why even the most accomplished of us battle a persistent disbelief in our own success. We share our own experiences of Imposter Synd...2024-01-1744 minStyle and SubstanceGetting Stuck into 2024Welcome back lovely listeners and Happy New Year.We're kicking of a New Year and. New Season with our thoughts on the vibe of this year, what we're committing to and sharing a few thoughts on how to create some energy and momentum to pull you through. It's hopefully a lively, uplifting and positive episode, perfect if you need a little boost to get your mojo going as you get back to business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-01-1035 minStyle and SubstanceA moment of calmHello dear ones,As promised, if you need it over the coming days and weeks here's a few moments of guided calm for you to enjoy. Not advised to listen whilst driving so find a few minutes where you can sit undisturbed to give your nervous system a little reset. It's a sweet and simple just over five minutes guided track which is hopefully just enough time to calm everything down a little and create a little breathing room and space amid the madness.I do hope you enjoy it. 2023-12-1305 minStyle and SubstanceReflecting on 2023Well lovely listeners we are finally here at the last episode of the 2023. What a year. Thank you so much for all your support of the podcast to date it really has been so wonderful to hear your feedback, answer your questions and of course read all your lovely reviews, it means such a lot. In keeping with tradition our last episode of season 6 and the year is an opportunity for us to reflect and celebrate. We look back on the highs and lows of 2023, the learnings and the challenges and what we are looking forward...2023-12-1340 minStyle and SubstanceMoments of Calm in the MadnessJoin us for our penultimate episode of the year as we explore the intricacies of navigating the holiday season with a sense of calm amidst the inevitable chaos. We delve into some of the challenges we might be facing during this hectic period, from balancing work and personal life to managing social anxiety and family dynamics. We'll share a few thoughts on finding tranquility in the mayhem, suggesting ways to take time for yourself and how acknowledging and addressing underlying anxieties can lead to a wholly more harmonious time.We explore the pressures...2023-12-0635 minStyle and SubstanceCopying, Competition and Treading on ToesPicture this: you've spent months, maybe even years, perfecting your unique product or service, pouring your heart and soul into every detail. Then, out of the blue, you stumble upon a carbon copy of your efforts being touted by a competitor. How do you handle it? Today, we're taking a deep dive into the murky waters of copying, comparison and competition within the entrepreneurial world.Inspired by a listener's question, we break down how to handle the experience of being copied, the emotional toll it takes, and the different forms copying can take...2023-11-2958 minStyle and SubstanceThe Power of Strategic Brand PositioningIn this episode we explore the secrets of successful brand positioning and the power of creating a strong strategy. We look at how to set your brand apart in a crowded market and make sure it resonates with the right audience. We start with the importance of finding your niche or your ‘space’ - a crucial step towards attracting the right clients and building a loyal customer base. We'll take you through the process, emphasising the need for clarity, simplicity and understanding your unique purpose.The journey continues as we navigate the challenges of narrowing down...2023-11-2240 minStyle and SubstanceNavigating the Intricacies of PricingJoin us as we discuss the fascinating world of pricing, its complexities and the challenges it poses for entrepreneurs. Navigating the world of contextualised pricing is not an easy task. However, understanding the importance of the value behind the services being provided, the costs associated with the production and delivery and the overall business positioning is key. Hear us out as we shed light on value-based pricing, and why pricing for the value being added, rather than simply the time spent, can prove really beneficial for your business.We start by examining the...2023-11-151h 04Style and SubstanceThe Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: income boasting, hustle culture and toxic sales tacticsWelcome back lovely listeners and we are getting into the swing of season six with what we hope is a pretty dynamic episode. What if the hustle culture, so often glamorised and idolised as the only path to entrepreneurial success, was in fact a toxic trap? Leading you down a path to imposter syndrome and burnout? Imagine a business landscape where worth isn't defined solely by the latest ‘big numbers’ of the income-boasting hustlers, but by something much deeper and more sustaining? That's the world we'll take you into during this intense discussion.We'l...2023-11-071h 06Style and SubstanceEntrepreneurial SpiritWelcome back lovely listeners, season 6 is upon us and opening up this new season is our conversation about Entrepreneurial Spirit.Being an entrepreneur is such an exciting space to be in and one that both Fiona and I get so inspired by. In this wide ranging conversation we talk about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the traits that make entrepreneurs different from other types of people and the upsides and inevitable downsides of that. We dig into our own personal views of whether we ourselves have what it takes to be called an entrepreneur and...2023-10-3145 minStyle and SubstanceQ's and ReviewsWell here it is folks, our final episode of season five before we break for half term and we hope you enjoy it. We've shaken up the format this week and dedicated it to answering some of the many questions that have come in from our lovely listeners. Everything from "how do I deal with growth not being what it was last year?" to "where do I start if I want to become a designer?" and all sorts in between. We hope it's useful. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to...2023-10-1843 minStyle and SubstanceResonant BrandingWe have a goodie for you this week lovely listeners. I am picking Fi's brains on a subject close to both our hearts - resonant branding. We explore the power of a resonant brand what it can do for your business as an entreprenuer and the game changing impact for designers. We dig into what it takes to create a truly resonant brand, what foundations you need, how to set you up in the best possible way to find a designer that can deliver resonant work, and the skillset designers need to be developing to work in a truly resonant...2023-10-1144 minStyle and SubstanceOverwhelmHello lovely listeners, how are you feeling? Well if it's overwhelmed then we have a goodie for you! In this episode we start to explore the topic of overwhelm and our conversation goes far and wide. We cover everything from what triggers overwhelm, how we experience it and what we instinctively do in response to some of the potentially more helpful ways to tackle it. There's a whole section in the middle where Fi makes sense of the potential overwhelm of the branding process and how we can take a very clear and logical path through to...2023-10-0445 minStyle and SubstanceConverting ClientsWe've been hearing from more than a few people that it's a bit challenging at the moment and we've been asked to tackle the topic of converting clients so in this week's episode we do just that. How do we make the most of every opportunity that comes our way? How can we prepare in the right way to handle enquiries, deal with the challenge of potentially fewer sales and stay sane while we're at it? We hope you find this both practical and encouraging and if you are finding business a little tough at the moment...2023-09-2752 minStyle and SubstancePassion, Purpose and Making a Positive ContributionWelcome back lovely listeners. After last week's more personal episode, we are back to business and talking about creating positive cultures and the ripple effect possible when we show up with intention.We explore what we can do as entrepreneurs that is aligned with our passion and purpose to make a positive contribution to something beyond the financial economy.We talk about the rise in B-Corp certification and whether ESG scores are relevant for our businesses.We share some personal stories of two charities that we passionately support, and the benefits of giving...2023-09-2049 minStyle and SubstanceTransitioning Back to WorkHello lovely listeners, we are back and I cannot believe it's season 5 already. This week Fiona and I are catching up about where we are at at the start of a new term and the last quarter of the year. Sharing some of our habits and ways we are staying motivated, some of our goals and aspirations and some of what we are really excited about this year. We hope you enjoy this rather more personal episode and will be back to more 'business' next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...2023-09-1252 minStyle and SubstanceBurnoutWe have long wanted to bring this episode to you as burnout is something that many people are encountering these days. We've chosen to round off season 4 with this one as an invitation to make the most of the coming summer months for rest, rejuvenation and balance.In this conversation we explore the nature of burnout, how it shows up and why. We explore some of the practical ways to avoid it and why some of us are more susceptible to others. We look at the importance of taking into account a holistic picture...2023-07-1252 minStyle and SubstanceAn exciting invitationOh are we excited lovely listeners?! Just dropping by with a short bonus episode and an invitation for you to our very special September event PURPOSE & POSSIBILITIES, we can't wait to share it with you.For more information and to book your spot before the early bird discount ends, just hop over to Fiona's website here https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/purpose-and-possibilitiesCan't wait to see you there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-1112 minStyle and SubstanceThe Power of Emotive Brand PhotographyWe have a slightly different format for you for this penultimate episode of the season. Today I'm talking to Fiona and Cecelina Tornberg about their latest collaboration, a wonderful online course, Art Directing Impactful Website Photography. We talk about the power of photography for your brand and how to create a truly emotive experience that creates impact on your website and drives that all important impulse to buy in your audience. We recorded this for a live seminar and Cecelina dialled in from Sweden, so apologies for the slightly glitchy audio quality at...2023-07-0556 minStyle and SubstanceRedefining BoundariesThis is a wide ranging conversation where we talk through some of the tricky situations we've encountered recently when expectations change, boundaries need redefining and we encounter red flags in client interactions. We talk about the impact of ghosting, how the commercial landscape is changing for many of us and how to hopefully stay sane, maintain some perspective and communicate with grace when needed. We hope you enjoy this rather personal perspective and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-06-2855 minStyle and SubstanceDefining your brand personalityToday we tackle one of the most common questions Fiona get's asked in conversations about branding. "How much of my own personality should I bring into my brand?" This is a common blocker for many entrepreneurs, particularly when as founders we feel so close to our businesses. Our own preferences when it comes to style and aesthetic can often cloud our judgement when it comes to what is commercially right for a business. There are so many considerations when it comes to navigating this territory to get the balance right, and we tackle many of them in...2023-06-2034 minStyle and SubstanceMaking the most of your timeWelcome to episode 18 and today were digging into how to make the most of your time. Fi is a particularly good case study for how to squeeze the most out of a day and I really enjoy digging into what makes that work for her. We talk around the curses that can befall many a creative entrepreneur, everything from overwhelm, overwork, headless chicken syndrome to what happens when we go into ostrich mode. We explore the impact of perfectionism, what to do about procrastination and sow the seeds for a future episode on flow. For further thoughts on procrastination there's...2023-06-1355 minStyle and SubstanceColour psychology for brandingWelcome back to season 4. We are delighted to be back and in this episode I get to mine Fiona's incredible brain and her wealth of knowledge in the field of colour psychology and branding. We talk about the origins of colour psychology and how Fiona's work with it over the last 15 years has evolved the original theory to apply it to the field of branding and design. We explore the benefits of this incredible tool for entrepreneurs and designers alike and uncover the myriad ways in which it impacts business and branding. 2023-06-0650 minStyle and SubstancePurposeWell here we are at the end of Season 3 and were rounding it off with Purpose. What is it, why we need it and how to find it?A slightly daunting episode to bring out there as it's such a huge topic and so crucial to the empowered and inspired entrepreneur but hopefully there's some good food for thought.It was such an enjoyable conversation and it was so uplifting for both of us to connect with our own purpose and reflect on the commercial benefits of working on purpose. We explore how...2023-03-2834 minStyle and SubstanceThe Complexities of ClarityBrand clarity is a complex subject and in this conversation we are talking around some of the things that we consider when getting really clear on the essence and the space in the market for a brand. You'll hear it's not a one size fits all process but hopefully this conversation will give you an idea of some of the varying elements that come into play and how we begin to decide what might get priority. As ever we'd love to hear your thoughts and if you are struggling with gaining clarity for your own brand, then The Brand Stylist...2023-03-2238 minStyle and SubstanceFeedbackThis is a juicy one folks, in this episode we are exploring the territory of feedback. How to give it, how to take it, and how to handle it without it crushing your soul and your confidence. We dig into the various types of feedback and its use for us in business. What mindset and approach best supports you to stay empowered. What to do when you you don't get great feedback and how to stay proactive and stay out of a failure quagmire.We ask the question whether it's ever ok to...2023-03-1456 minStyle and SubstanceGetting your brand right from the startIn this episode Fi is in the hot seat and i'm grilling her on all the things you need to be considering at the outset of a branding project to make sure you get it right from the start. Fi has an incredible wealth of knowledge to share on this topic and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed getting into the meat of it with her.As ever please do let us know what you think by dropping is an email or a note on the blogs. Hosted on Acast. See...2023-03-0749 minStyle and SubstanceScaling sustainablyWelcome back! Season three is here and we are coming out of the gates with a juicy episode tackling the currently hot topic of scaling. We are both so passionate about running sustainable businesses that are built around what sets you apart and are able to grow without the burnout that seems to feel inevitable these days. We explore the many reasons why entrepreneurs want to scale, the factors you need to pay attention to when growing your business fast and how to do it in a way that preserves the joy and the sanity of the...2023-02-2850 minStyle and SubstanceDoing business on your termsWe thought we'd round off season two with a meaty one for you. In this, slightly longer than usual, episode we get stuck into what it means to do business on your terms as an empowered and an inspired entrepreneur. Some of the areas to consider when defining what you want work to look like for you and how to keep the bigger picture in mind. We share some of our own stories of how business has evolved for us over the years and how we've shifted the boundaries and our terms to accommodate the changes in family life.2023-02-0758 minStyle and SubstanceFinding your magicMagic!We know you've got it, but are you trading off it in the best way? Have you fully aligned your business with your strengths and what sets you apart in all it's subtleties and are you putting that front and centre to best effect in your business? If not then you're missing the big trick. In this episode we dig into the importance of finding your magic, particularly in a crowded market. We talk about what magic means both for you as an entrepreneur and for your brand. We explore about how...2023-01-3156 minStyle and SubstanceCherishing your ClientsFi was really inspired for us to do this episode, by a recent experience she had in Fortnum's, she shares that story and others as we dig into the importance of cherishing your clients and ways to do that for small and larger businesses. We talk about the importance of saying thank you and various ways to build and reward loyalty.We'd love to start a Radical Revolution of Appreciation and hope you'll join us by finding some inspirational fodder in this conversation. We talk about the ways we've felt cherished by varying brands and people...2023-01-2453 minStyle and SubstanceQuick Wins in Challenging TimesWhen times are a little tough, keeping your business on track and your motivation high is key. In this episode we explore some of the simple, cost and time effective ways to get some quick wins in your business and give your mojo and your cash flow a boost. We explore how to raise productivity without succumbing to the hustle or getting overwhelmed with the scale of the challenge.We think creatively around how to create and structure offerings that work in alignment with your current business to increase your reach and your cut...2023-01-1748 minStyle and SubstanceSetting Goals for an Empowered BusinessWelcome back to season 2 and welcome to a new year!We really wanted to get 2023 off to a good start so this episode we are focusing on goals and how to set some really compelling inspiring and motivating ones for your business not only at the start of a new year but throughout.We explore the impact of really powerful goals on your business, motivation and productivity. The anatomy of a great goal and what it's vital to include if you really want them to work for you. We chat around how goals...2023-01-1141 minStyle and SubstanceReviewing your yearWe couldn't leave you the whole holiday without something to listen to so we thought it might be fun to do a little Twitxtmas special. In this episode we take a walk back through 2022. What it looked like in the UK and for both of us personally and professionally. It's a fairly personal episode as we talk about family and some of the joys and challenges this year has brought for us both.As we move into 2023 we wish you a peaceful and joyful New Year and look forward to bringing you season 2 later in January.2022-12-3045 minStyle and SubstanceVitalityIn this the last episode of the season we talk about Vitality.A hot topic for both of us and something we are both absolutely passionate about. We dig into what we mean when we talk about vitality and why it should be the first priority of any entrepreneur serious about running a thriving business. We explore the detail of those things that can drain your vitality, including some perhaps unexpected culprits and what to do about them. We get into the subtleties of the role the mind plays in managing our energy and some...2022-12-1342 minStyle and SubstanceMaking Sense of RebrandingIn this episode we are getting into the hot topic of rebranding, drawing on her 20 years of experience in branding businesses Fi has a lot of great stuff to say about it. We cover where to start, the importance of having real clarity and why you need to take a strategic approach so you can rebrand with confidence.We dig into exactly what you need to consider before a rebrand and the impact it can have on your business. Fi tells us what you need to be looking at when choosing a designer and how...2022-12-0653 minStyle and SubstanceRaising the BarWhat does it mean to raise the bar? What's the impact on your self and your work and what responsibility do we have in business for setting a standard of excellence? All these things and more we talk through in this episode. We dig into the value of excellence and the impact it can have commercially on your business. We also explore how the relentless pursuit of excellence can tip into perfectionism and what to do about it instead. We hope will be and thought provoking and energising show that encourages us all to think about how...2022-11-2939 minStyle and SubstanceInspirationIs it cliche to say we were inspired to bring this one out?….probably, but we were and it was such a joyful and energising show to record. I didn’t have the heart to edit out the special guest appearance by Fi's lovely Lottie dog, but needless to say she will probably be banned from future recordings...In this episode Fi and I dig into inspiration, what it can do fo your business, what it feels like when we’re inspired, what happens when it’s missing and how and why we should make space for it...2022-11-2241 minStyle and SubstanceThe Magic of MusesIn this first episode we talk about muses, what are they, why you need them, how to find them and we tackle some trouble shooting. We explain the difference between demographics and psychographics and why you need both.How to get really specific with your muses and why you should, and we talk about the different approaches we take that informs the visual branding and copywriting work that we do.We dig into how muses mesh with your magic and how they help you craft a business that really works for you....2022-11-1545 minStyle and SubstanceWelcome to Style and SubstanceHello! We are excited to bring you our brand new podcast for inspired and empowered entrepreneursWe’re here to help you sidestep the hustle, keep joy at the forefront of your work and champion a more meaningful and sustainable approach business.Our first full episode will be coming soon and we do hope you'll join us. WarmestElizabeth & Fiona Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-11-0903 min
The Restless Creatives PodcastFiona Humberstone | Brand Stylist & ConsultantFiona’s website and InstagramMiddleton LodgeFiona’s books - How to Style Your Brand and Brand BrillianceAnnabel Bird - Bleak HouseDuncan McCabeCecelina TornbergFiona’s seminarsFiona Pickles episode on The Restless CreativesCaz Harrison’s episode on The Restless CreativesBernay LaityAngela Wright - Colour AffectsThe Empowered Entrepeneur - Elizabeth CairnsFiona’s Handbook on Colour Psychology Donna Hay (Week Light)Ottolenghi2021-06-281h 17
the sparkling creativeEp. 73: The power of creating from your heart. With Fiona HumberstoneIn today's episode I'm chatting with Fiona Humberstone also know as the brand stylist about her creative journey. Which has been all about following her passion and heart. She's a pro when it comes to helping fellow entrepreneurs figuring out how to create a cohesive and outspoken brand, that attracts the right audience and repels the wrong. Mentioned on the Show: Fiona's site: https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/ Fiona's books: 'Brand Brilliance': https://www.amazon.com/Brand-Brilliance-Elevate-Enchant-Audience/dp/0956454542/ 'How to style your brand': https://www.amazon.com/How-Style-Your-Brand-Distinctive/d...2019-07-2252 min