Building your Brand

In this episode, I have such an interesting chat with graphic designer Bhavini Lakhani, a specialist in brand identity and marketing collateral. Get your notebook out because her tips are SO helpful. Bhavini shares her journey from an unexpected start in self-employment following a redundancy in 2011 to becoming an expert in branding for small, independent businesses. Together, we demystify essential design principles, from color contrast and font legibility to the science of hierarchy offering simple, actionable tweaks that you can implement immediately to build trust and boost sales. This episode is sponsored by Ivy Malik. Ivy has created a free training to help you understand how higher-paying clients actually think, behave and buy, so you can attract and sell to them more confidently. If you want sales to feel more natural (and less awkward), head to lizmosley.net/Ivy to watch the free training. Key Takeaways First Impressions are Critical: You get only one chance to make a first impression; intentional branding communicates professionality and builds the trust necessary for clients to invest in you. Prioritize Accessibility for Sales: Using high color contrast and legible fonts ensures that potential customers can actually find your contact details and make a purchase. Stop Center-Aligning Long Text: Left-aligned text is significantly easier for the human brain to process; center-aligning long emails can frustrate readers and lead to missed sales. Lead the Eye with Hierarchy: Coordinating different font sizes and weights allows you to direct your viewer exactly where you want them to look first. Consistency Boosts ROI: Using brand elements consistently across all platforms builds immediate recognition and can increase your return on investment by as much as 23%. Episode Highlights 03:41: We discuss the flexibility of self-employment and working around family life 07:07: Common branding frustrations and the importance of tonal variety in colour palettes 10:55: Discussion on font legibility, the pitfalls of script fonts, and the importance of "kerning" (letter spacing) 16:38: Why you should avoid center-aligning email newsletters to prevent losing potential customers 19:54: Understanding visual hierarchy and leading the audience's eye through a design 23:14: How brand consistency impacts trust, recognition, and ROI About the Guest Website: B81designs.com Instagram: @b81design LinkedIn: Bhavini Lakhan Mentioned in the episode: Ivy Malik: Friend of the podcast and sponsor of this episode! Get a free training video on co-creating sales at lizmosley.net/ivy Bhavini's Book: A self-published guide with easy-to-follow design tips, available on Amazon or as a digital copy on her website End Credits: I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I chat to my 'graphic design daughter' Robin Son, a branding designer and podcast host who has built a thriving creative business in just three years without any formal training. Robin shares her incredible journey from working at KFC to launching her design career during maternity leave; all while sitting in the corner of her mum's kitchen during newborn nap times. We discuss the power of learning on the job, the efficiency of the "One Concept Method," and how Robin strategically used social media to grow an audience of over 100,000 followers. This episode is sponsored by Ivy Malik. Ivy has created a free training to help you understand how higher-paying clients actually think, behave and buy, so you can attract and sell to them more confidently. If you want sales to feel more natural (and less awkward), head to lizmosley.net/Ivy to watch the free training. Key Takeaways The Best Way to Learn is by Doing: Robin and Liz both agree that the fastest way to master complex tools like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign is to have a real client project with a deadline. Confidence Over Credentials: Despite being self-taught, Robin's willingness to say "yes" to projects and figure out the technical details later allowed her to scale quickly and attract international clients from day one. Maximize Your Content: Robin grew her following by repurposing single projects into multiple types of content, including mood boards, process reels, and logo suites. The Power of the One Concept Method: Presenting only the strongest design concept can save time and reinforce your authority as an expert. Episode Highlights 01:40 - Robin's backstory: From retail jobs to starting a design career during maternity leave 04:40 - The "fake it 'til you make it" approach to learning Adobe Illustrator 05:10 - Liz's first big project: Learning InDesign on the fly for a charity annual report 07:00 - Pricing and the panic of those first few $50 client projects 10:50 - Why Robin has used the "One Concept Method" since her very first client 14:50 - The strategy behind growing from 2k to 20k followers in just six weeks About the Guest Website: https://brandsbyrobin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsbyrobin/ Robin's podcast: https://podfollow.com/creativeconfessions I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft ( lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I chat with Jeanetta Gonzales a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, surface pattern designer, and mentor to creatives . Jeanette shares her journey from the early days of graphic design (pre-internet!) to building a thriving career in art licensing and coaching . We dive deep into the emotional side of creativity, discussing how to overcome imposter syndrome, why we often seek "permission" to follow our dreams, and how to spot the early warning signs of burnout . If you need permission to REST this is the episode for you! This episode is sponsored by Ivy Malik. Ivy has created a free training to help you understand how higher-paying clients actually think, behave and buy, so you can attract and sell to them more confidently. If you want sales to feel more natural (and less awkward), head to lizmosley.net/Ivy to watch the free training. Key Takeaways The Confidence Connection: Most creative blocks; whether they relate to portfolio building or pitching, are rooted in a lack of confidence and the feeling of not being "good enough". Permission is Personal: Many creatives stay stagnant because they are waiting for external permission to take the next big leap. Recognizing that you have the power to give yourself that permission is the first step toward action. Creativity and Life are Intertwined: Unlike data-driven roles, creative work is deeply influenced by personal life events. It is essential to nurture your environment to protect your creative output. Recognizing Burnout Early: Learn to identify when your creativity "nose dives" as a signal to rest before you hit total exhaustion. Episode Highlights 04:02: Navigating the "dot-com bomb" of 2000 and surviving economic uncertainty in the creative industry. 06:55: The most common struggles Jeanetta sees in her 10 years of coaching artists. 09:42: Why we look for "permission" and how a coach provides a safe space for creative growth. 13:50: Practical advice for working through a "funk" or a period of low creative confidence. 15:59: Identifying the "alarm bells" of burnout and the importance of rest. 19:10: How to handle comparison and "negative voices" from the past that hinder your current work. About the Guest Website: jeanettagonzales.com Instagram: @nettdesigns Mentioned in the Episode Ivy Malik: Sales coach and mentor (Free training at lizmosley.net/ivy ). UCLA: Where Jeanetta attended art school Software Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and the "old school" Freehand and QuarkXPress End Credits I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today's episode is sponsored by Adobe Acrobat. I've been using PDF Spaces to turn my podcast transcripts, show notes and guest info into ready-to-share content for Instagram and LinkedIn; quickly and securely. It also makes collaboration easy and helps me spot trends across episodes. Try it at lizmosley.net/acrobat In this episode, I'm joined by business coach and launch expert Teresa Heath-Wareing to break down what launching really means and how you can use it to grow your business, no matter what you have to offer. I know that it's not uncommon to feel like "launching isn't for me" if you don't run a course or maybe you feel confused by all the online marketing jargon, but my hope is that this episode will give you clarity. We explore how launching is simply a strategic marketing campaign, why every business owner can benefit from it, and how to create a launch that feels aligned, ethical, and effective for your brand and business. We also dive into realistic launch expectations, conversion rates, and why comparing your results to others can hold you back. Whether you're a service provider, product-based business, or course creator, you'll walk away with practical insights to help you plan your next launch with confidence. Key Topics Covered What a launch actually is (and what it's not) How to create a successful launch strategy What a "launch experience" is and why it matters Realistic launch conversion rates and expectations How to launch without feeling salesy or pushy Why visibility is key during a launch Common launch mistakes and how to avoid them How to tailor your launch to your business model Key Takeaways Launching is just a marketing campaign You don't need a brand-new offer; launching is about intentionally promoting something over a focused period. Every business can (and should) launch From product-based businesses to service providers, launches are simply structured ways to create momentum and sales. A strong launch focuses on experience, not just selling Webinars, challenges, email campaigns, and content all help build connection and trust before the sale. Launches boost visibility; even beyond sales Showing up consistently during a launch increases brand awareness and keeps you top of mind. Conversion rates are lower than you think Most launches convert between 1–8%, so small numbers can still mean a successful launch. There's no universal launch formula Your audience size, offer type, pricing, and positioning all impact your results; customisation is key. Big launches require bigger inputs High-revenue launches often involve larger audiences, ad spend, or more intensive selling strategies. Your results reflect your input and your priorities More effort usually leads to better results, but you get to decide what level of effort feels right for you. Episode Highlights 01:00 – Introduction to launching and Theresa's expertise 02:00 – What is a launch? Simple explanation for business owners 06:30 – Examples of launches across different business types 10:00 – What makes a great launch experience 14:00 – Why visibility matters during a launch 18:30 – Realistic expectations and conversion rates 23:00 – Why comparing your launch to others is misleading 30:00 – The truth behind big, high-revenue launches 39:40 – The simple launch framework: Grow → Launch → Sell 42:00 – Choosing the right launch strategy for your offer Final Thoughts Launching doesn't have to feel overwhelming or exclusive to the "online business world." When you strip it back, it's simply about creating intentional moments of visibility, connection, and invitation. The key is to build a strategy that works for your business, your audience, and your values; rather than copying what works for someone else. About The Guest Teresa Heath-Wareing is an award-winning speaker, best selling author, podcaster and 6 figure online business owner. She helps business owners to build a life and business they dream of. Teresa's website: https://teresaheathwareing.com/ Teresa on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresa_heathwareing/ Teresa's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Teresa_Heath-Wareing I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and produced by me If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes as well as this one on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I'm joined by my friend CJ Cawley; branding designer, content creator, and one of the most genuinely honest voices in the design space. In just three years, CJ went from quitting his job with minus money in the bank to running his own studio, hitting 100K on YouTube, and building an audience of hundreds of thousands not by gaming the algorithm, but by refusing to be anything other than himself. We talk about the real cost of growing a following (it's not all good news), why vulnerability beats polish every time, the wild story of someone who AI-cloned his entire identity, and how getting clear on what you actually want from life is the only real strategy that matters. If you've ever felt like social media is full of people showing you how great they are while you sit there feeling behind then give this episode a listen!! This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways The cost of not making the video is greater than making the video. When motivation fails, reframe it as a cost-benefit question. What's the real price of staying stuck? Be the thing you couldn't find. CJ built his audience by creating content for the younger version of himself; someone who couldn't find a relatable, honest designer online. Who are you making content for? Authenticity isn't a strategy, it's the only thing that scales. Showing your mistakes, your process, and your genuine confusion builds deeper trust than any highlight reel ever could. A big following comes at a cost nobody talks about. The same audience that opens doors can paralyse your creativity. Growth always has a price and knowing that upfront really helps! You don't need to be on every platform, but you do need to love the ones you're on. If you're not consuming content on a platform, you probably shouldn't be creating for it either. Define your 'North Star' before anything else. Can you visualise exactly what your dream life looks, smells, and feels like? That clarity and focus is what makes every uncomfortable action worth taking. Strategy is just a plan. It's not a fancy concept. You identify what you want, you make a plan to get there. That's it. Don't let jargon make it feel bigger than it is. Episode Highlights 01:50 CJ's story: 12 years in design, agency life, going freelance three years ago 04:28 The first year: no clients, no money, and why he finally gave social media a chance 07:38 How one video led to his first paying client and why documenting the messy truth resonated 10:00 Why you need to consume content on a platform before you can create well for it (and why CJ gave up on TikTok) 14:27 The mental cost of a massive following: paralysis, perfectionism, and the weird threshold where everything changes 20:05 On trusting yourself to rebuild if it all fell apart and why that peace is worth more than the follower count 25:06 Why YouTube feels different: deeper relationships, longer content, and finally being able to show his work properly 34:10 The wildest story: someone used AI to clone CJ's entire website, replace his face, and steal his identity 41:48 AI, smartphones, and everything in moderation: how every new technology teaches us the same old lesson 48:31 Advice for anyone struggling to put themselves out there and get leads 53:14 Building a tolerance for discomfort, defining your life on your own terms, and ignoring what Frank, Steve, and Sarah are doing About The Guest CJ Cawley is a brand designer, a logo designer and creative mentor. CJ's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@cjcawleydesign CJ's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cj.cawley.design/ CJ's Website https://www.cjcawley.com/ I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and produced by me and recorded at Kingsbane Studios If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes and this one on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I chat with Michael Bruny-Groth, the founder of The Logo Package. (aff link) Michael created a tool that has become a staple for logo designers worldwide, but behind the "overnight success" lies a story of immense sacrifice, strategic pivots, and radical vulnerability. Michael shares the behind-the-scenes reality of running a software company, including the personal toll of scaling and his bold decision to run a "Pay What You Want" Black Friday campaign rooted in deep, personal storytelling. This is a refreshingly honest look at what it actually takes to build and maintain a successful brand in the design space and I had so much fun recording it! This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways The Power of Vulnerability: Sharing the "messy middle" of your business journey can create a deeper connection with your audience than any polished marketing campaign. Problem-First Product Design: The Logo Package succeeded because it solved a hyper-specific, time-consuming pain point for designers: the tedious process of exporting logo files. Redefining "Success": High revenue doesn't always equal high personal happiness; Michael discusses the importance of aligning business growth with personal well-being. Experimenting with Pricing: The "Pay What You Want" model can be a powerful way to re-engage an audience and lower the barrier to entry while maintaining brand integrity. The Myth of Passive Income: Running a software business requires constant maintenance, customer support, and technical updates—it is rarely truly "passive." Episode Highlights 02:15 - The "Why": Solving the nightmare of manually exporting 100+ logo files. 08:40 - The transition from being a full-time designer to a software founder. 15:30 - The reality check: When business success leads to personal burnout. 22:10 - The Black Friday pivot: Moving away from traditional discounts to a "Pay What You Want" model. 31:45 - Why Michael chose to share his personal financial and mental health struggles with his email list. 40:12 - Navigating the technical challenges of maintaining software in an ever-changing Adobe ecosystem. 52:20 - The future of The Logo Package and Michael's focus on sustainable growth. 01:02:15 - Why Michael is "done" with LinkedIn and focusing on platforms that feel authentic. About the Guest Michael Bruny-Groth is the creator of The Logo Package Express and The Logo Package Portal. Website: The Logo Package (aff link) Instagram: @logopackage LinkedIn: Michael Bruny-Groth (Note: He might not accept your request!) I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast I chat with Lauren Harvey, who is the owner and founder of Full Stop Accounting with her husband, Alex. I think so often we view running a business as a very linear journey, but often it doesn't really look like that. Over the last 15 years of owning their business, Lauren and Alex started off with just Lauren, grew to a team of 10, and then intentionally scaled back down again to just the two of them. We talk about that experience, how they had to unlearn the traditional narrative of "success," and the new niche they've settled into. We also discuss what it is really like working with your life partner, why they opened a stationery shop, and why we all need to start making decisions based on data rather than our feelings. I always love to hear other people's experiences of finding their own way, and I hope this episode encourages you to build a business that feels right for you. This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways: Growth doesn't always mean bigger: Society often tells us that business growth means more staff and higher turnover. Lauren shares why she scaled her team from 10 people back down to just her and her husband, and how doing so led to a more profitable and peaceful life. The power of niching: After 15 years, Lauren and Alex decided to niche down specifically to husband-and-wife (or life-partner) businesses. It allows them to serve clients using their own unique lived experience of running a business with a spouse. Working with a life partner: Running a business with your spouse brings unique challenges and benefits. Lauren explains how it allowed them to manage a single shared diary around childcare, but also how they had to work hard to ensure the business didn't completely take over their relationship. Stop letting feelings dictate finances: It is incredibly common to make business decisions based on how we feel on a particular day. Liz shares an anecdote about almost dropping an income stream based on a "feeling," only to realise the data proved it was highly profitable. As Lauren says, your bank account doesn't lie. You can be a creative AND a numbers person: We often like to put ourselves in boxes. Lauren challenges the narrative that creatives "aren't good at numbers" and encourages everyone to rewrite that negative story to take control of their business's profitability. Episode Highlights: 04:14: Why Lauren and Alex decided to niche down to husband and wife business teams . 07:58: Overcoming the fear of niching and putting "all your eggs in one basket" 10:53: The reality of running a business with a life partner while raising a family . 14:58: How communication and office dynamics changed when scaling back to just the two of them . 16:58: The 15-year journey: From a solo founder to a team of 10 and back again . 18:41: Unlearning traditional business studies definitions of success and turnover About The Guest: Lauren Harvey is the founder of Full Stop Accounts, an accountancy firm she runs alongside her husband, Alex. They specialise in providing monthly accountancy services specifically to life-partner and husband-and-wife businesses. You can find Lauren on Instagram or by visiting the Full Stop Accounts website. Mentioned in this episode: Silver Stag Type Foundry: Get 20% off beautiful, versatile typefaces using the code LizXSLTF at lizmosley.net/slt I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode of Building Your Brand, I'm chatting with David Pearson, a world-class book designer who began his career at Penguin Books before venturing out on his own. David specializes in both book covers and the internal layouts (text design) of books. We dive deep into the "crossovers" between book design and branding, exploring how David handles the unique challenge of designing for "dead authors" while trying to capture entirely new audiences. David shares his refreshing and somewhat rebellious take on the creative process, explaining why he identifies as a "slow designer" and why he's perfectly happy staying at the starting line while everyone else races toward the latest tech. This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways Finding Your "Creative Fit": David emphasizes the importance of aligning your career with your personality; for him, the detail-oriented, rhythmic nature of book design was a perfect match. The Value of Constraints: Whether it's a limited budget or a specific genre's visual "code," David finds that being "hemmed in" actually sparks more creativity. Shapeshifting vs. Personal Style: Unlike illustrators who are often hired for a specific "look," David believes designers should be "shapeshifters" who serve the author's art rather than their own personal brand. Collaborative Client Relationships: Moving away from the "big reveal," David has found that involving clients in the process and presenting multiple options helps them feel like partners in the creation. The "Erosion of Struggle": David and Liz discuss the risks of AI and high-speed technology, noting that the "struggle" of the creative process is often where the most meaningful work happens. Episode Highlights 03:32 – The "lucky" redundancy that led David from text design to the covers department at Penguin. 06:46 – The "ambling and shambling" process: Why David embraces being a slow designer 10:47 – The challenge of "repackaging" dead authors for modern audiences. 15:58 – Navigating visual codes: When to play it safe and when to "elbow" competitors out. 24:41 – Why "one concept" presentations can feel like a prison for designers. 37:34 – Philosophical worries about AI and the "speed" of modern change. About the Guest David Pearson is an acclaimed graphic designer known for his expertise in typography and book jacket design. After a highly successful tenure at Penguin, he established his own studio, Type as Image. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/typeasimage/ Website: https://a-g-i.org/user/davidpearson/view/projects// I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode I dives into the often-overlooked but essential world of typography with Alen Kapetanovic, a type designer and founder of Silver Stag Type Foundry Alen shares his fascinating transition from civil engineering to running a large design agency, and finally finding true success and freedom through the meticulous art of type design. We explore why fonts are as impactful as color for brand mood, the technical science behind "beautiful collections of letters," and how choosing a unique typeface can elevate a brand without requiring a massive budget. This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways Success is Personal: Alen redefined success by moving away from a high-pressure 15-employee agency back to solo work, prioritising freedom and time for personal life over managing 200 emails a day Fonts Communicate Subconsciously: Like color, typography conveys emotion and mood before a single word is even read Legibility is Non-Negotiable: A typeface must be appropriate for its context; a "display" font designed for billboards will often disappear or become illegible when used for small body text in a book or on social media Invest in Uniqueness: Using a paid or unique typeface is a powerful way to differentiate a brand from the sea of common fonts found in tools like Canva Typography is a Science: Good type design involves complex rules like "overshoot" and optical illusions to ensure that letters look balanced and work perfectly together as a cohesive set Episode Highlights 04:47 - Why closing a successful 15-person agency was a move toward true freedom 08:50 - The complexity of type design: Why it's more than just "slanting" letters for italics 12:20 - The "science" of kerning and the technical intricacies of designing a letter like 'S' 16:40 - Why context matters: Using display typefaces vs. text typefaces 21:50 - Subconscious branding: How typography conveys warmth, elegance, or power 24:30 - A critique of recent rebrands (Jaguar and Twitter/X) through a type designer's lens 34:40 - The difference between a collection of beautiful letters and a "beautiful collection" 41:40 - Settling the debate: The difference between a font and a typeface (using the "egg vs. box of eggs" analogy About the Guest Alen Kapetanovic is a type designer, founder of Silver Stag Type Foundry, and a podcast host. Website: Silver Stag Type Foundry Podcast: Alen Kapetanovic Off Script Instagram: @silverstagtype I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I've invited two of my closest friends, Hannah Isted and Lois Seco, to chat about another vulnerable topic: dealing with professional jealousy. Last time we spoke, we tackled our fear of success, and this time we are diving into the messy feelings of comparison and envy. I am sure everyone has experienced professional jealousy at some point, and honestly, I feel it pretty regularly. In this episode, we chat about how to extract useful information from your jealousy, why taking action is the best antidote to comparison, and the danger of letting the social media algorithm dictate your self-worth. This is the perfect episode for you if you've ever experienced jealousy (which, let's face it, is most of us!) This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways: Jealousy is information: Jealousy often gives you information about what you actually want. However, sometimes you might realise you don't even want the specific thing someone else has; you are actually just jealous of the confidence with which they are showing up. Take action to shift the energy: Hannah shares how she felt jealous seeing videos of groups of girls hanging out, so she took action and started her own group, which now has around 200 people. Taking action is a great way to stop yourself from sitting and stewing in jealousy. The algorithm feeds comparison: Lois discusses how planning her "Creative Kin" events caused the algorithm to feed her content from everyone else doing similar things, which immediately made her feel like her own event wasn't good enough. It is important to remember that the algorithm doesn't know what is actually helpful for your mental health. A rising tide lifts all boats: Having successful people around you—even if you feel a pang of jealousy—is a good thing. If you choose to cheer your friends on, their success often opens doors for you and helps lift everyone up. You don't know the whole story: It is so easy to be jealous of someone's end result without realising the sacrifices, late nights, and completely different circumstances that got them there. We often quickly create our own stories around how someone's success came about, which aren't always true. Episode Highlights: 02:00 – Recapping the last episode on the fear of success and introducing today's topic of professional jealousy. 04:00 – Liz's revelation: sometimes you aren't jealous of the thing, you are just jealous of the confidence. 11:00 – Hannah explains how taking action shifts the energy of jealousy, using her 200-person friendship group as an example. 15:00 – Lois talks about how the algorithm fed her comparison when she started her Creative Kin workshops. 30:00 – Dealing with competitive feelings and reframing them so you can genuinely cheer other people on. 40:00 – Remembering that you rarely see the full story behind someone else's success on social media. 45:00 – Lois breaks down the psychological difference between jealousy and envy. About The Guests: Hannah Isted runs HiCommunications and is the author of The Best 90 Days Ever, a book that teaches business owners how to promote what they do in 10 minutes a day. She also runs a membership by the same name; sign up here (aff link) You can find her on Instagram at @hicommunications Lois Seco is a contemporary abstract artist and the host of the Creative Kin workshops in South Wales. You can find her on Instagram at @loisseco Mentioned in this episode: Silver Stag Type Foundry: Get 20% off beautiful, versatile typefaces using the code LizXSLTF at lizmosley.net/sltf Episode 178: Help, I'm Succeeding! (And Other Rational Fears) with Hannah Isted & Lois Seco I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I am chatting about such an important topic: inclusivity and accessibility within branding. I'm joined by my friend and fellow designer Melin Edomwonyi to dig into what this actually looks like in practice which is a lot deeper than I realised. We cover so many different aspects of inclusivity and accessibility, from the colours we choose to how we format our emails. I feel like some of these topics could be a whole episode by themselves! The biggest reminder from this conversation is that we are never going to get this stuff perfect 100% of the time. It'a about curiosity and a willingness to learn and make improvements bit by bit and Melin shares some SUPER practical tips you can implement straight away to make your brand more accessible. This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out. Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off. Key Takeaways: Inclusivity is more than just imagery: While showing a diverse range of people in your photography is important, inclusive branding also covers typography, colour contrast, accessibility, and your tone of voice. The problem with the "Beige Aesthetic": We discuss the trend of "aesthetic" design (often beige, low contrast, tiny text) and how, while it might look "luxury", it often excludes people with visual impairments and makes your content hard to consume. Don't make your audience work for it: If your text is hard to read (e.g. centre-aligned body copy), people will simply switch off. Accessibility isn't just a legal or moral requirement; it's smart business. If people can't read your offer, they can't buy it. Context matters for content: We chat about the accessibility of long-form captions on platforms like Instagram versus platforms designed for reading like Substack or LinkedIn. Providing a summary (TL;DR) is a great way to be inclusive of different neurotypes and time constraints. Designing for the "drunk user": Melin shares a fascinating UX perspective—if your website is usable by someone who is distracted, tired, or even "under the influence", it is likely accessible to everyone. Episode Highlights: 03:30 – What does inclusive branding actually mean? (Hint: It's not just about photos). 10:00 – The frustration with the "Instagram Aesthetic" and why form should not win over function. 14:00 – A plea to stop centre-aligning your newsletter body copy! 17:00 – Accessibility in copywriting: Why wall-of-text captions can be a barrier for neurodivergent audiences. 25:00 – Testing your website for different scenarios (including the "drunk test"). 27:00 – Tools and resources to help you check your colour contrast. About The Guest: Melin Edomwonyi is a designer and the Co-founder and UX Director of Seedable Studio, a digital agency that validates, designs, and builds digital products. With over 20 years of experience, she is passionate about building inclusive and sustainable products and helping founders bring brilliant ideas to life. You can find Melin on Instagram @melin_edo or visit Seedable Studio Mentioned in this episode: SilverTag Type (Discount link/Sponsor) Color Palette Studio: The Instagram account mentioned that fixes low-contrast colour palettes Coolors / Adobe Color: Tools recommended for checking contrast. I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This episode was recorded live at my first ever Building Your Brand live podcast event. Before my conversation with Gavin Strange, I sat down with one of the most frequent guests on the podcast and my number one business bestie; Hannah Isted. Hannah is the founder of HI Communications and author of The Best 90 Days Ever. In this short but powerful conversation we talk about the idea of "Big Fish Energy"; a mindset that has helped both of us go after bigger opportunities in our businesses. We discuss how the concept started as a voice note between friends, how Hannah experimented with embracing "big fish energy" for a whole year, and the surprising opportunities that followed; including speaking on bigger stages and pitching more confidently. Hannah also shares a refreshing perspective on growth: sometimes the most powerful move isn't chasing the next shiny opportunity, but focusing deeply on the things you already have. Key Takeaways When you start asking "what would a big fish do?" your decisions change. When you approach opportunities with confidence and intention, you begin showing up differently and people respond to that energy. If you treat your business like a serious business, it will start to grow like one. Small foundational changes; systems, structure, and organisation, can unlock much bigger results. If you allow yourself to experiment, opportunities will appear. Hannah treated a whole year as an experiment in being bolder, and it led to speaking opportunities and career growth she hadn't expected. Stop comparing yourself to others; you can define success on your own terms. "Big fish energy" isn't about competing with others, it's about deciding what growth looks like for you. If you focus on strengthening what already works, your business becomes more sustainable. Sometimes the biggest move isn't chasing the next opportunity; it's investing in the foundations you already have. Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction to the live podcast event and Hannah's segment 01:36 – Meet Hannah Isted and the idea behind "Big Fish Energy" 03:00 – How adopting a "big fish" mindset changed opportunities 07:25 – Comparison, confidence and recognising your own achievements 10:00 – Why Hannah's next "big fish move" is focusing on what already works Event Sponsors Matt Joyce https://matt-joyce.com/ Studio Cotton https://studiocotton.co.uk/ Adobe Express https://adobe.com/express (Aff link) I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was recorded live by Kingsbane Studios and it was written and produced by me If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this special live recording, my first ever, I'm joined by director, designer and relentless maker Gavin Strange (Director at Aardman Animations and creator of Jam Factory) for a joyful, honest and deeply inspiring conversation about creativity, consistency and carving out your own path. From building a 25-year personal project alongside a full-time creative career, to teaching himself electronics to build a life-sized virtual pinball machine, Gavin shares what it really looks like to stay creatively alive over decades; not just seasons. We talk about stop-frame animation, side projects, public speaking, learning in public, raising creative kids, and why it's not your employer's job to make you creatively fulfilled. If you've ever felt like you're "not the naturally talented one," or you're waiting for permission to start; this episode will give you the nudge you need. Key Takeaways If you don't get the opportunity; build your own version of it. When the door doesn't open, make something anyway. If you practise the thing before you're chosen for it, you'll already be ready when the moment comes. When you treat your side projects like a playground, you'll grow without fear. When you create a space where you can experiment, break things and try again, you remove the pressure; and that's where real growth happens. Repeating the work, builds strength. Creativity isn't about waiting for a breakthrough. It's about repetition. Do the work over and over; and one day you'll look back and realise you've built creative muscle you didn't know you had. When you take responsibility for your own creative fulfilment, you stop waiting. It's not your job, your clients or your industry's responsibility to keep you inspired. When you own your growth, you unlock momentum. If you protect your creativity with rhythm and routine, it will flourish. Even two hours in the evening, consistently, can change everything. Creative energy doesn't need endless time; it needs intention. When you stay curious, you stay alive. Falling down rabbit holes, learning new tools, trying something "unnecessary" is not distraction; that's how you stay creatively awake. Episode Timestamps 03:48 – Live recording begins & Gavin's creative journey (Aardman + 25 years of Jam Factory) 08:41 – How stop-motion animation actually works (pre-production to post) 14:33 – Getting bored, long projects & taking responsibility for your creativity 17:54 – The origin of Jam Factory & learning in public 25:53 – Building a life-sized virtual pinball machine (and why side projects matter) 31:04 – Balancing creativity, family life & routine 36:20 – Public speaking, fear & putting yourself forward 44:43 – Generative AI, creative fear & what still excites him about animation Mentioned in the Episode Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Chicken Run Strange Kids Toys (creative project Gavin has with his son) OFFF Festival (creative conference mentioned) Signalnoise (James White) About the Guest Gavin Strange is an award-winning Director and Designer for the UK's beloved creative studio Aardman. Working there for over seventeen years, Gavin's creative output ranges from title sequences to channel idents, short films to Christmas ads and everything in-between. His work is diverse in nature but all held together of a common thread of fun and high energy. By night he goes under the alias of 'Jamfactory', indulging in all manner of passion projects, from filmmaking to illustration, pinball to photography. He even puts out wonky music under the (other) alias of 'Project Toy'. Event Sponsors Matt Joyce https://matt-joyce.com/ Studio Cotton https://studiocotton.co.uk/ Adobe Express https://adobe.com/express (Aff link) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and edited by me and recorded live at Cornerstone in Cardiff with Kingsbane Studio If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch this and all of my solo episodes YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!