In The Making with Lauren Goodman

What does it really take to build a successful creative business?In this solo episode of In The Making, Lauren reflects on the biggest lessons from Season 3 — pulling together insights from conversations with leading wedding industry professionals, creative entrepreneurs, and founders.From starting a business without a perfect plan to navigating messy growth, saying yes before you feel ready, and building confidence through action, this episode is packed with honest takeaways for anyone building a business in the creative or wedding industry.Lauren also shares her own journey — from starting without experience to building a luxury wedding planning business — and why success rarely follows a straight path.In this episode, we cover:How most successful businesses start from a problem or ideaWhy you don’t need a perfect business plan to beginThe importance of saying yes before you feel readyBuilding confidence through action and experienceWhy business growth is messy, non-linear, and constantly evolvingLessons from wedding planners, florists, and creative foundersReal insights into building and scaling a creative businessWhether you're a wedding supplier, creative entrepreneur, or service-based business owner, this episode is a powerful reminder that success is built through action, resilience, and adaptability.🎧 In The Making — real conversations on building a creative business.

In this mini Q&A episode of In The Making, I’m answering real questions sent in by listeners and members of my audience.From navigating tricky client situations to making confident business decisions, these short episodes are designed to give honest, practical insight into the real challenges business owners face.Whether you're working in the wedding industry, running a creative business, or growing a service-based business, these listener-led episodes are here to support you through the decisions you're making every day.If you’ve ever wondered whether other business owners are facing the same challenges — trust me, they are.

TRIGGER WARNING: Miscarriage and pregnancy lossHow do you run a business while navigating motherhood — especially when life doesn’t go to plan?In this deeply honest episode of In The Making, I sit down with Holly to talk about the reality of running a business while becoming a parent — and the emotional journey that comes with it.Together, we share the conversations that so many business owners have quietly behind closed doors — from pregnancy planning and miscarriage to maternity leave, returning to work, and navigating the constant juggle between career and family life.This episode includes a trigger warning for pregnancy loss, as Holly openly shares her experience of miscarriage and the emotional impact of navigating grief while continuing to run a business. It’s a conversation rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and the importance of speaking about topics that often feel difficult to say out loud.We also talk about the reality of parenting while running a business — the mental load, the guilt, the pressure to “balance it all,” and the truth that balance often feels impossible.At its heart, this episode is about reassurance — that you’re not alone, and that behind the scenes, many of us are navigating the same challenges.

What happens when you spot a gap in the market — and decide to build the thing that doesn’t exist?In this episode of In The Making, I’m joined by Katie, co-founder of Rewritten, the bridesmaids and occasionwear brand that helped redefine what modern bridal parties wear.Katie shares the story behind building a brand that challenged tradition — moving away from the outdated, one-style-fits-all bridesmaid dress and creating something more contemporary, wearable, and design-led.From sketching their first collection and launching with just a handful of styles, to navigating partnerships, scaling a product-based business, and expanding into international markets, this episode gives a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a fashion brand from idea to global recognition.We also talk honestly about the realities of running a business with a co-founder — navigating friendship, challenges, disagreements, and personal hardships while protecting the future of the brand.

Hiring your first team member is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a business owner — but how do you know when it's actually the right time?In this solo episode of In The Making, I’m sharing my honest experience of hiring inside my own business, including the signs that told me it was time to grow my team — and the mistakes I made along the way.We talk about the difference between feeling overwhelmed and being genuinely ready to hire, how to recognise when your business has reached capacity, and what to consider before bringing someone into your business.If you're a wedding professional, creative entrepreneur, or service-based business owner, this episode will help you understand when hiring makes sense — and how to approach it with confidence.

What does it really take to build a standout floral design business in the luxury wedding industry?In this episode of In The Making, I sit down with renowned floral designer Amie Bone to talk about the realities of growing a successful creative business, building a recognisable brand, and navigating the evolving world of luxury weddings and event design.We dive into the journey from florist to creative leader, the importance of pricing with confidence, and how to create work that stands the test of time in a competitive wedding industry.If you're a florist, wedding supplier, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner, this conversation is packed with insight into brand building, creative direction, and long-term business growth.Amie's journey is nothing but inspiring, this woman brings passion, inspiration and humour to the podcast!

In this episode of In The Making, Lauren sits down with Julia Pugh, the visionary owner behind Garthmyll Hall, a fabulous UK wedding venue. Julia shares how she transformed a derelict Georgian property into a thriving luxury destination, the lessons learned along the way, and what it really takes to build — and sustain — a successful wedding venue.Together, they explore the highs and lows of the renovation process, navigating the wedding industry as a venue owner, and the balance between creative vision and commercial strategy. Whether you’re a planner, supplier, or dreaming of opening your own venue, this candid conversation is full of insight, inspiration, and real talk about what happens behind the grandeur.

It’s the In The Making Christmas Special — and for once, we’ve left business at the door.In this festive episode, Lauren and Nat swap strategy for sparkle as they dive into all things Christmas: traditions, chaos, cosy moments, food, films, gifting, and everything in between. Expect laughter, nostalgia, questionable opinions about mulled wine, and a very honest look at how we both really spend the festive season.No lessons, no lists, no leadership chat — just two friends, a mic, and a whole lot of Christmas joy.Grab a mulled wine, light a candle, and settle in for our most fun episode of the year. 🎄✨

If you want to break into higher-budget weddings, raise your prices, or step into the luxury market, building relationships with wedding planners can be a great, intentional move— but there’s a right and a wrong way to do it.In this short, mini episode, Lauren breaks down the core behaviours, mindset shifts, and networking etiquette that help you build genuine, long-term relationships with planners — not forced “connections” that get ignored.You’ll learn:• What planners actually look for in the suppliers they recommend• The biggest red flags that stop you getting noticed• How to approach planners without being pushy• Why trust, consistency, and professionalism matter more than DMs• And how strong planner relationships can transform your bookings and elevate your brandWhether you’re refining your positioning or stepping into the luxury space, this episode gives you the clarity and direction to start building relationships the right way.Follow us on Instagram @bluebirdcreative_education

In this episode, Lauren is joined by Robyn Isherwood, founder of Encore Lifestyle, for a conversation about what it really takes to lead, build, and keep going in the creative industry.Robyn shares the moments that demanded resilience — the times she was knocked down, the lessons she had to learn the hard way, and how each chapter shaped her into the leader she is today.They dive deep into:The realities of building a business that aligns with your valuesWhy respect and trust are the foundation of strong teamsHow to rebuild confidence when things feel heavyAnd why resilience isn’t something you’re born with — it’s madeThis is an honest, grounded, and empowering conversation for anyone on the journey of building something meaningful.Find out more about Robyn and her businesses here.Follow the podcast on Instagram @bluebirdcreative_education

n this episode of In The Making, Lauren sits down with the renowned Paula Rooney, one of the UK’s leading luxury florists, whose signature large-scale installations and timeless aesthetic have shaped some of the country’s most iconic weddings and events.Together, they explore what it takes to build a brand with longevity in the luxury space — from developing a distinct creative identity to leading large-scale teams and maintaining excellence under pressure.🎧 Expect insight into the business of creativity, the realities behind the beauty, and what it really means to stay at the top of your craft.Dont forget you can download our free end of year review here.

You wouldn’t dream of delivering a wedding without a timeline, schedule or having a workflow in place for your process, so why are you running your business without one?In this solo episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that changed everything for me – treating my own business like a client. Whether you’re a wedding planner, stylist, designer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a reminder that planning isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.I talk about:Why so many founders avoid planning for themselvesHow to reframe planning as a powerful CEO move (not a “nice-to-have”)Three simple ways to start planning with intention – even when your schedule is packedWhat my own weekly and monthly rhythm looks like behind the scenesIf you're constantly saying, “I just need to get through this week,” this one’s for you.To stay in the know on episodes, mentoring and more, join our mailing list linked here. To get 20% off our favourite CRM system, Dubsado, use code: bluebirdcreative Or this link here. Join us on Instagram @bluebirdcreative_education

In this solo episode, I'm sharing a very personal part of my story — being diagnosed with ADHD at 36. I talk about what life looked like before the diagnosis, the signs I missed, and how everything suddenly made sense once I had the words for what I was experiencing.From how it’s changed the way I run my business to what I’ve had to unlearn about myself as a woman, mum, and entrepreneur — this episode is an honest reflection on what it means to build success while working with a brain that doesn’t always follow the rules.If you’ve ever felt like your mind works a little differently, or you’ve been quietly wondering, “Is it just me?” — this one’s for you.To stay in the know on episodes, mentoring and more, join our mailing list linked here. To get 20% off our favourite CRM system, Dubsado, use code: bluebirdcreative Or this link here. Join us on Instagram @bluebirdcreative_education