Building your Brand

Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with Suz Chadwick, an expert who is brilliant at helping business owners navigate their personal branding. One of the things I love about these conversations is when unexpected themes and patterns appear. In this chat, we focus heavily on the importance of aligning your goals and your "why" when you are intentionally building a personal brand.
We debate if everyone actually needs a personal brand, what the process of growing one looks like in practice, and the uncomfortable parts of running a business that people rarely talk about. Suz shares incredibly helpful frameworks, including her "sandwich" concept, to help you figure out exactly where you want to go.

If you need clarity and a confidence boost this is the episode for you!
Key Takeaways
Your Personal Brand is Your Reputation: At its simplest, your personal brand is just your reputation and the very first thing people think about when your name comes up. Building one is about intentionally crafting that image in a way that feels natural and entirely true to who you are.

The Strategic Brand Sandwich: Suz shares her framework for evaluating your business and brand alignment. It requires balancing three core elements: your professional expertise, your personal values, and your overarching mission.

Entrepreneurship is Often Oversold: The 'glamorous' side of running a business and the day to day reality which, often, involves living in discomfort. 

Intention Drives Content: You don't need to post everything on social media to have a strong personal brand!

Accepting Continuous Learning: Business success is not a fixed destination where everything remains perfect. It's an ongoing journey of adjusting your strategies, learning new skills, and evolving alongside your industry.

Episode Highlights
01:12: Defining a personal brand as a natural, intentional extension of your reputation.

08:45: Why entrepreneurship is frequently glamorised and the parts of the journey we do not talk about enough.

15:30: A deep dive into the "sandwich" framework to clarify your professional, personal, and mission goals.

24:10: How to set healthy boundaries between what is public, what is personal, and what stays private.

33:15: Overcoming the fear of visibility and stepping out from behind your business logo.

40:55: Embracing the discomfort of running a business in a constantly shifting market.

About the Guest
Suz Chadwick is a brand consultant, business coach, and speaker who helps entrepreneurs build powerful personal brands and profitable businesses. She is also the host of the Brand Builders Lab podcast.
Website: suzchadwick.com

Instagram: @suzchadwick

Podcast: Brand Builders Lab

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!

After a summer break I'm back with my solo episodes. In today's episode I reflect on my month-long challenge of sharing my work online every day. I chat about the vulnerability, confidence struggles, and the surprising lessons I learned along the way. If you've ever hesitated to put yourself out there or worried about what others might think, I hope my story encourages you to take that leap and embrace the growth that comes from showing up consistently.
Key Takeways
Consistency Builds Confidence Showing up every day, even when it feels uncomfortable, is the fastest way to grow your self-belief and creative skills.
Vulnerability is a Strength Sharing your work openly, flaws and all, can be scary, but it's also the key to authentic connection and personal growth.
Let Go of Perfectionism Progress matters more than perfection. Each post is a step forward, not a final destination.
Your Work Matters You never know who you might inspire or encourage by sharing your journey, even if it feels small or imperfect.
Reflection Fuels Growth Taking time to look back on your creative process helps you see how far you've come and what you want to try next.
Episode Highlights
00:04 – Why I started a daily sharing challenge and what I hoped to learn
02:15 – The emotional rollercoaster: vulnerability, fear, and unexpected support
05:30 – Lessons in consistency, confidence, and letting go of perfection
08:10 – The impact of sharing: feedback, connection, and creative breakthroughs
10:45 – Reflecting on the journey and advice for anyone wanting to share more
 
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 including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I'm joined by my good friend and long-time collaborator Matt Joyce, an illustrator and mural artist based in Cardiff whose work brings brands to life in bold, playful ways. We dig into how illustration can elevate branding and marketing for independent businesses, why having a distinct style attracts the right clients, and how illustration can communicate values, culture and personality in a way words sometimes can't. We also get into the big topic of the moment; AI and how it's shaping (and not shaping) the creative industry. Plus, Matt shares his process, and how he does and doesn't market himself. 
Whether you're a business owner, creative, or just curious about the art behind the visuals, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.
Key Takeaways
Your Path Can Evolve Matt's journey from agency designer to full-time illustrator shows that it's never too late to pivot and follow your creative passions.
Authenticity Builds Strong Brands Infusing personal touches and storytelling into your visuals makes brands more memorable and meaningful.
Embrace Your Unique Style Finding and refining your own style helps clients know what to expect; and makes your work stand out in a crowded market.
Community Fuels Growth Word of mouth, collaboration, and showing up at creative events are powerful ways to build a sustainable freelance career.
Balance Consistency and Evolution Your style and process will naturally evolve; embrace change while staying true to your core strengths.
Storytelling Through Illustration Thoughtful, bespoke visuals can communicate brand values and connect with audiences on a deeper level.
AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement While AI is changing the creative landscape, Matt believes the human touch and creative intuition remain irreplaceable.
Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small From dream clients to seeing your work in the wild, take time to acknowledge your achievements before moving on to the next goal.
Episode Highlights
01:07 – Matt's creative journey: from design for media to illustration and murals
02:49 – Transitioning from agency work to freelance and building a career in illustration
07:22 – Developing a signature style, client expectations, and the evolution of personal style
08:35 – The importance of authenticity and balancing niche with versatility
17:42 – Storytelling through illustration: adding personal touches and building brand worlds
38:24 – Repurposing creative assets and working smarter, not harder
38:57 – The impact of AI on illustration, contracts, and client relationships
40:09 – Client attitudes toward AI, copyright, and adapting to industry changes



About The Guest
Matt Joyce on Instagram 
Matt Joyce Portfolio 
 
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, recorded and produced at Kingsbane Studios
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes and a few intewview episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful.
In this episode, I chat with the incredibly talented illustrator Kyle T Webster about the power of being a generalist, building a creative career, and the value of authentic relationships. Kyle's journey; from experimenting with different creative paths to selling his company to Adobe; offers so many lessons for anyone navigating the ups and downs of creative business. I left this conversation feeling energized and inspired, and I hope you do too.
Key Takeaways
Embrace Being a Generalist You don't have to niche down to succeed; exploring different styles and skills can open unexpected doors and keep your work exciting.
See Everything as an Experiment Treat your creative journey as a series of experiments. Success and failure are both valuable teachers, and trying new things leads to growth.
Build Genuine Relationships Opportunities often come from authentic connections, not just networking for the sake of it. Be yourself and nurture real friendships in your industry.
Redefine Success on Your Terms Success isn't always a straight line. Stay curious, keep learning, and let your own values guide your path.
Persevere Through Rejection Every creative faces setbacks; what matters is getting back up, learning from criticism, and continuing to move forward.
Stay Open to Unexpected Paths Sometimes the most rewarding opportunities come from zigzagging journeys and saying yes to new adventures.
Episode Highlight
01:44 – How Kyle's zigzag career path led to Adobe and creative freedom
03:37 – The value of being a generalist vs. niching down
06:03 – Social media, style, and the myth of the "one true niche"
10:17 – Boredom, experimentation, and keeping creativity alive
12:28 – Learning from failure and treating everything as an experiment
19:25 – The power of authentic relationships and unexpected opportunities
21:06 – Stories of career breakthroughs and saying yes to new experiences
50:09 – Kyle's current projects, future dreams, and final inspiration

Referenced in the episode: 
Sign up for Kyle's newsletter The Accidental Expert
Kyle's website
Instagram
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!

Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful.
In this episode, I interview Meg Lewis, a designer, and educator who runs the studio The Meg Lewis Fun House, teaching workshops on personal branding, finding your style, and portfolio strategy. 
Meg chatted with me about building an authentic and impactful brand around your personality and style and how that can help to make the world a happier place. 
We discuss professionalism, dealing with negative comments online, and having a positive impact on the world.
If you want your brand to feel more 'you' but don't know where to start this is the perfect episode. 
 
Key Takeaways
Authenticity is Your Superpower Embracing who you truly are; quirks, passions, and all; creates a brand and life that feels joyful and meaningful.
Unlearning Conformity Letting go of what you "should" be and questioning old beliefs opens the door to creativity, confidence, and genuine connection.
You're Not for Everyone (and That's Good) Being boldly yourself will attract the right people and opportunities, while freeing you from people-pleasing and self-doubt.
Define Success on Your Own Terms True fulfillment comes from aligning your goals and lifestyle with what matters most to you, not chasing someone else's version of success.
Your Unique Mix is Your Niche Combining your personality, skills, and interests creates a one-of-a-kind offering that no one else can replicate.
Modeling Authenticity Inspires Others By showing up as yourself, you give others permission to do the same and help build a more supportive, creative world.
Episode Highlights
00:10 – Why this episode is a favorite and Meg's impact on the show
01:22 – Meg's journey: from conformity to authentic self-expression
03:15 – Finding your style and building a cohesive personal brand
05:17 – Overcoming fear, negative comments, and embracing individuality
10:45 – Unlearning old beliefs and practicing self-acceptance
20:12 – Redefining professionalism and thriving by being yourself
22:01 – Attracting the right clients and opportunities through authenticity
27:20 – Setting your own goals and letting go of people-pleasing
33:05 – Personal style, branding, and resisting trends
42:25 – The empowerment and freedom of living as your true self
48:49 – Where to find Meg and learn more about their workshops and resources

Don't forget to check out Meg's online and follow them on Instagram. 
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!
Check out Birmingham Design Festival featured in today's episode