Brand Builders Lab with Suz Chadwick

What this episode is about I'm doing something a little different today. I started a Substack a while ago and I've not been completely consistent with it (more on that in the episode). One thing I've been doing with some of my Substack articles is recording the voiceover, so I figured why not share it here on the podcast too. This is the audio from a recent article called "I've been a bit crap. And that's the whole point." and it's about the messy middle of getting good at anything new. If you've started a podcast, a newsletter, a Substack, a YouTube channel, a sales process, or any new skill in your business and quit because it felt awkward, this episode is for you. What you'll learn Why I started Substack even though writing isn't my flow (and the workaround I'm using to stay consistent) What Anna Mackenzie taught me about the long game on Substack (7 hours per article, 16K subscribers, and where most of her clients now come from) The Fitts and Posner three-stage model of learning (1967 research that still holds today) and why stage one is supposed to feel like trash The driving metaphor that makes all of this click The Dunning-Kruger effect and why your confidence crashes right when you start to actually get good Why most people quit at the exact moment they're about to break through The challenge for you this week: pick one thing you've been avoiding because you're not good at it yet, and do it badly on purpose If you're a female founder and service-based business owner who's ready to turn your invisible expertise into bold, profitable brand through identity-led positioning, content and sales strategy then let's connect!https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify

Feeling excited about AI but also kind of overwhelmed? Same. In this episode I'm taking the hysteria down a notch and sharing exactly how I'm using AI in my business right now — in the most non-techy way I can manage. I walk you through four practical pillars: Insights, Efficiencies, Automations, and Innovation — with real examples from my own business, including how a two-week SEO project started bringing in more organic leads and what I'm building inside Amplify that could change how clients get results. This one's for you if you've been wanting to start with AI but don't know where to begin. In this episode: Why Claude is winning over ChatGPT for me right now How I used AI to find the biggest gaps in my business across all my platforms The grunt work that used to weigh on me that AI is now handling The automation I'm building to turn one video into a full content suite What innovation actually looks like in a coaching business Links + Resources: Grab the free Claude Brand Builders Guide Ready to amplify your personal brand and get seen as the expert you are? Learn more about working with me inside Amplify → https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify

What does it actually mean to manage your money in a way that supports the life you want - not just survive month to month and hope for the best? In this episode, I'm joined by accountant and financial strategist Karen Woller (founder of Thrive NZ) for a refreshingly practical and no-nonsense conversation about money, business growth, and what it really takes to build financial clarity as a business owner. Karen works with SMEs and service-based businesses to help them understand their numbers, manage cash flow, and make smarter decisions — so their business actually funds the life they want to live. We get into the real, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply important side of business finance, and why so many entrepreneurs are working hard but still feel financially stuck. In this episode: Why cash flow problems aren't always what you think — and the two main culprits behind them The difference between profit and cash in the bank (and why confusing them is costing you) How to set payment terms that actually work for your business — and enforce them Good debt vs. bad debt, and when borrowing to grow actually makes sense Why fear around financial decisions is usually a data problem, not a confidence problem How to break down a scary hiring decision into a number you can actually work with The CEO mindset shift that founders resist — and why it's holding them back Contractors vs. employees: how to build capacity without overcommitting Why reconciling your Xero regularly is the single most important habit you can build How to use 90-day sprints to stay focused on the right financial levers Karen's framework for financial clarity: Understand your baseline (what you need) vs. your thriving number (what you want). Know where you are now. Map what needs to change to get there. Review it every 12 months — because every business and life has seasons. About Karen Karen Woller is the founder of Thrive NZ, an accounting and financial strategy firm working with small to medium businesses across New Zealand. She helps business owners cut through the fear and confusion around their finances, understand what their numbers are actually telling them, and build businesses that work — for their goals and their life. Karen is direct, practical, and deeply invested in making sure her clients aren't just profitable on paper, but genuinely thriving. 🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram | https://www.thrive.nz/

You've got decades of experience, a tonne of knowledge, and you know your stuff inside out — so why does showing up online feel so bloody hard? In this episode, I'm getting into the three shifts that I see 40+ expert women in business needing to make right now to build a personal brand that actually works. This isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things, with the right mindset, in the right way. In this episode: Why "I don't have time" is keeping you stuck — and what to do instead The strategy + belief combination that determines whether you actually show up Why storytelling feels cringe (and how to do it anyway) The HALO framework for telling stories that connect and convert How to make complex expertise feel simple and magnetic Why being the person who makes things easy is your biggest competitive advantage The HALO Storytelling Framework: H — Hook | A — Action | L — Lesson | O — Opportunity Ready to build your personal brand with the right strategy, frameworks, and support? Join me in Amplify - the programme for expert women who are done playing small online.

If you're an experienced expert but you're not showing up online, you're leaving serious money on the table. In this episode, I'm breaking down the four key reasons why smart, experienced women stay invisible - and what it's actually costing you. From the curse of knowledge to the fear of being a beginner again, I'm calling out the real blocks that keep you from building a personal brand that converts. If you've been thinking visibility is optional, this one's for you. How to Work with Me: ✅ Work with me to scale - https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify✅ 1:1 Coaching - https://www.suzchadwick.com/bc✅ Get access to the 7-day free email training on the 5 elements you need to build your personal brand https://www.suzchadwick.com/7days

Welcome to another episode of the Brand Builders Lab podcast! Today I'm diving deep into what I'm calling the "UN Era" – six powerful mindset shifts that will transform how you build your personal brand. If you've been filtering yourself, playing it safe, or trying to be "professional" instead of being YOU, this episode is your wake-up call. I'm sharing the exact mindset shifts that help my clients build magnetic personal brands that attract dream clients and incredible opportunities. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why personal branding for women starts with mindset, not strategy The six UN shifts: unfiltered, unapologetic, unrealistic, unbothered, uncommon, and unabsorbed How to position your brand instead of worrying about being professional My five rejections quest and why going after nos gets you more yeses Why being "delulu" might be exactly what your business needs How to create from a place of authenticity instead of consumption Resources Mentioned: My Spicy Opinions GPT Unfiltered Event – Melbourne, March 19th Previous episodes with Liz Mosley and Zara Jarvis Connect With Me: Instagram: @suzchadwick Website: www.suzchadwick.com

In this episode, I'm joined by voice and visibility coach Vasavi Kumar for a powerful conversation about overcoming fear of visibility in business. We dive deep into the neuroscience of saying things out loud, nervous system regulation strategies that actually work, and why mirror work might be your secret weapon for confidence on camera. Vasavi shares her personal journey from therapy to entrepreneurship, including her experience with addiction recovery and how it shaped her approach to authentic visibility. If you've ever hesitated to hit publish, get on camera, or share your real thoughts in business, this conversation will give you the practical tools and mindset shifts you need to show up boldly. We also tackle money mindset, pricing psychology, and why simplifying your business might be the key to scaling it. Connect with Vasvi - Instagram Website *********************************** ✅Work with me to scale - https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify ✅1:1 Coaching - https://www.suzchadwick.com/bc ✅Build your coaching & consulting business masterclass - https://www.suzchadwick.com/coach ✅Messy to Magnetic Masterclass - get your biz foundation in place - https://www.suzchadwick.com/messy

Liz Mosley is a graphic designer with 18+ years of experience running her own creative studio, helping small business owners build brands they genuinely love. She's also the host of the Building Your Brand podcast, where she talks about the real, messy, magical parts of building a business. In this episode, Liz shares her rejection challenge journey - a goal to get 100 rejections in six months that completely transformed her mindset and business. She'll walk you through the exact moment she realised her fear of rejection was holding her back, how she gamified the whole thing to make it less scary, and what happened when she actually started asking for the opportunities she wanted. We talk about why rejection is just data, not a reflection of your worth. We dive into the mindset shifts that actually matter. We explore how sharing your story - even the vulnerable, messy bits - is what makes you magnetic to the right people. And we unpack the real opportunities that came from her being bold enough to ask. If you're playing small because you're afraid of hearing no, this is the conversation that'll shift something for you.Connect with Liz INSTAGRAM WEBSITE PODCAST ************************** Ready to stop playing small and start asking for what you want? Here's how to work with me: ✅ Amplify Accelerator Scale your business - https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify ✅ 1:1 Coaching - https://www.suzchadwick.com/bc ✅ Build your Coaching & Consulting Business Masterclass - https://www.suzchadwick.com/coach ✅ Messy to Magnetic Masterclass - https://www.suzchadwick.com/messy

Okay, so here's the thing nobody's talking about when it comes to building a personal brand, and I'm genuinely obsessed with it right now. You don't get results by trying to be the person - you get results by deciding to be the person who does the thing. Full stop. In this episode, I'm breaking down the five identity-shifting pillars that'll actually help you stop the constant struggle and start moving towards your goals without all the resistance. Because if you've been stuck despite knowing what to do, it's probably an identity issue, not a skills issue. ✅ACCESS THE QUESTIONS DOC MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE If you're ready to shift your identity and build the personal brand and build you want then now is perfect time to join the Amplify Accelerator. Don't forget to check it out on Youtube too!

So today we're talking about the courage and the confidence to step up. And step out of your comfort zone to build your personal brand because at the end of the day, it's not that you don't have the expertise, it's that you don't have the visibility, you don't have enough people knowing about you in order for you to build a profitable personal brand. Reminder that you can the video on Youtube or Spotify! Ready to take action and work together? Join the Amplify Accelerator to build your personal brand, confidence & coaching/consulting business Need to get your business foundations in place? Join Brand Builders Academy Want to work with me 1:1 Click Here

Business Brand strategy or Personal Brand strategy? Which do you need, what's the difference and how do they work together? After getting this question at an event I recently spoke at, I thought was a great one to share with you! If you need help building your brand strategy & business then Brand Builders Academy is the perfect place to do just that! https://www.suzchadwick.com/bba

What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why you need to make time (not find time) to build your coaching business alongside your current services The essential method you need before selling coaching packages How to position yourself as the expert without feeling salesy The mindset shifts required when you become the face of your business Why your energy is just as important as your expertise The difference between selling a service and selling yourself How to attract the right clients through strategic content and messaging The importance of going deep on your ideal client's thoughts and struggles Key Takeaways: You Need a Method - Don't just say "we'll see where you need help." Give clients a clear roadmap from A to B. Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should - Stay focused on your vision, not every opportunity that comes your way. Energy is Your Invitation - People will pay to be in your energy. Quiet energy is just as powerful as bold energy. Stop Thinking About Yourself - When you focus on your clients instead of how you look or sound, showing up becomes easier. Name and Claim Your Audience - Be specific about who you're speaking to. If you're attracting the wrong people, you're speaking to the wrong people. If you're looking for coaching, support & community to build your coaching and consulting business then check out Amplify - www.suzchadwick.com/amplify - DM me with any questions.

BONUS EPSIODE - this was an epsiode that I recorded and shared on my substack that I thought I would drop here as a bonus! But the question I'm asking myself and I'm asking you - what if you don't need to look outside of yourself, what you know what to do to create the outcomes that you really want?