Building your Brand

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! In this episode I chat to Emma Worrollo who has created Playful Den. Emma is an expert in the theory of play. Play is one the most natural human states we long to be in. But the journey to the adult-side is full of social conditioning and expectations which make us lose touch with our inner child. We forget how to play. We start feeling awkward about being silly. And somewhere in the process our dreams can start to seem childish or no longer relevant. We move away from who we once felt determined and destined to be. Play can bring that piece of you back. 
We chat about how we can be more playful in our businesses, how to balance work and play, how to resist turning all of our hobbies into business and we also talk about Emma's experiences running her own small business. 
 
Key Takeaways
Play is Powerful Embracing playfulness in life and business opens the door to creativity, resilience, and genuine happiness.
Experiment Boldly Small businesses have the unique freedom to try new things, pivot quickly, and learn from every experiment; so don't be afraid to play and fail.
Redefine Failure When you approach work with a playful mindset, failure becomes just another step in the creative process, not something to fear.
Protect Your Joy Not every hobby needs to become a business; sometimes, keeping something just for fun is the best way to nurture your creativity.
Stay True to Yourself Building a business around your values and passions can be deeply rewarding, even if it means taking the less conventional path.
Connection Fuels Growth Engaging with your community and sharing your journey authentically can lead to surprising opportunities and meaningful impact.

 
Episode Highlights
01:23 – Emma's background: from agency founder to play advocate
03:54 – The organic growth of The Playful Den and the decision to go all-in
07:19 – Monetizing a passion: Patreon, courses, and business pivots
10:17 – Branding, launching services, and experimenting with products
12:56 – Why small businesses can be braver and more playful
16:12 – Overcoming fear of failure and the Play-Doh mindset
19:32 – Marketing, newsletters, and building an engaged community
21:50 – The rewards and challenges of running a playful business

 
You can find out more by visiting:
Playful Den's website
Playful Den's Instagram
Playful Den's Patreon
People Who Play Podcast
 
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! I'm always inspired by stories of purpose-driven businesses. In this episode, I sit down with Dave Linton, founder of Madlug; a brand that proves business can be a force for good. Dave's journey from youth worker to social entrepreneur is filled with lessons on resilience, clarity of mission, and the power of a simple story. Whether you're building a brand or just looking for a spark of inspiration, I hope this conversation encourages you to think bigger about the impact you can make.
Key Takeaways 
A Clear Mission Creates Momentum When you know the problem you're solving and stay true to it, your brand's story becomes magnetic and memorable.
Start Small, Dream Big Even with limited resources, bold ideas and determination can lead to global impact.
Let Your Story Be Shared Make your mission easy to understand and repeat, when others can tell your story, your message spreads further than you ever could alone.
Embrace Growth and Its Challenges Every stage of building something meaningful brings new lessons. Growth may be uncomfortable, but it's where transformation happens.
Impact Goes Beyond Products True success is measured by the lives you touch and the change you inspire, not just sales or numbers.
Stay Focused, Stay Generous Protect your core mission, but don't be afraid to share your ideas and support others along the way.
 
Episode Highlights
00:20 – Meet Dave Linton and the Mad Lug mission
01:25 – The story behind Mad Lug: from youth work to social enterprise
02:55 – Naming, branding, and building a business with purpose
06:50 – The importance of a clear, shareable story
12:10 – Marketing, organic growth, and learning from mistakes
18:00 – Social media, influencers, and the value of authentic advocacy
24:40 – Challenges of growth, staying true to your mission, and leadership lessons
32:00 – Impact stories: changing lives and inspiring others
41:30 – Highlights, reflections, and how to connect with Madlug
Find out more about Madlug:
Madlug website
Madlug for Business
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!

I'm taking a little break from the podcast this summer, but that doesn't mean your feed will be empty! In this solo episode, I share why I'm stepping back from new episodes for a few months, how I've handpicked some of my favorite early interviews to re-release, and what my summer looks like as a self-employed parent. I hope this inspires you to find your own balance and enjoy a slower pace over the next few months.
 
Key Takeaways
Embrace the Power of Pause. Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward. Allow yourself space to recharge and return with fresh energy and ideas.
Rediscover Hidden Gems. There's value in revisiting the past; old conversations and experiences can offer new insights when seen through a different lens.
Honor the Seasons of Life and Work. Life has natural rhythms. Recognize when it's time to slow down, focus on what matters most, and trust that growth can happen in quieter moments.
Create Space for Creativity. Let go of deadlines and pressure to make room for curiosity, play, and creative exploration; sometimes the best ideas emerge when you least expect them.
Stay Connected and Open. Even during times of rest, keep the lines of communication open. Inspiration and connection can come from the most unexpected places.

 
Episode Highlights
00:30 – Why I'm re-releasing old episodes and how I chose them
01:40 – Summer listenership trends and the decision to pause new content
02:30 – My personal summer plans: balancing work, family, and creative projects
03:50 – Our family's shift system for work and childcare
05:00 – How to stay in touch and what to expect when the podcast returns in September
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!

One of my favourite people to chat with about life and creativity is Meg Lewis. We often go deep into how we perceive the world, and in this episode, we talk about success, failure, and how to return to the fun and joy we experienced as children.  
 
Meg helps adults to undo, unlearn, and un-grow up so they can reconnect with their authentic selves before societal norms made things a bit too predictable. We explore how to dismantle the constructs of shame and why it is important to challenge what we consider "normal" in our careers and personal lives.




Key Takeaways
Unlearning Adulthood: Our default state as children is curiosity and confidence. We chat about how we can strip away the layers of "boring" habits and societal expectations to find our creative spark again.
Challenging Collective Opinions: Meg explains the importance of questioning these norms, whether they relate to design choices or our broader career paths.
Retraining for Resilience: Many of the things we think of as "unsafe," (like falling over in public) are actually just societal constructs of shame. We talk about how to retrain our brains to move past this.
Redefining Success and Failure: Success is often measured by external validation, but we explore why personal contentment and staying true to your own values is a much more sustainable metric (and why Meg will never have a yacht!)
Episode Highlights
01:25: The challenge of communicating a complex, multi-hyphenate career succinctly (spoiler - Meg does it!)
05:40: Challenging "normal" behaviour and the collective hatred of Comic Sans.
15:10: How the brain's focus on safety creates unnecessary shame around being "weird."
23:00: Why we need to dismantle the binary definitions of success and failure.
38:50: Practical ways to bring small moments of joy and play into your daily routine.
58:15: How to work with Meg through their career strategy programme and personal style class.
About the Guest
Meg Lewis is a designer, public speaker, and educator who helps individuals and companies find their unique voice and creative joy. They specialise in "un-growing up" and helping adults navigate their careers with more authenticity and less shame.
Website: meglewis.com
Instagram: @yourbuddymeg
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 debrief episode I take you behind the scenes of my experience at Atomicon 2026, one of the UK's leading marketing conferences for small businesses. This year was my first time speaking, and I recorded this episode the day after getting back to make sure everything was still fresh in my mind!
Three years ago I went to Atomicon for the first time I remember thinking how much I would love to speak at the event, and now, after years of honing my public speaking skills and building my business through podcasting, that dream has become a reality.
I share about the atmosphere at Atomicon, the supportive community, and the challenges and triumphs of preparing for a major speaking slot sponsored by Adobe. The episode also touches on the practical workflow shared during the talk, using Adobe Acrobat to repurpose podcast content, and the impact of inspiring others to start or revive their own podcasts. Whether you're interested in public speaking, event experiences, or actionable marketing tips, this episode offers honest insights and encouragement for anyone looking to grow their brand or step onto a bigger stage.
If you want to get an early bird ticket for Atomicon next week you can use my affiliate link (you can get a full refund until early next year!) - https://atomic.site/?aap=617
Key Takways
Set Big Goals and Celebrate Milestones. After attending Atomicon as an audience member three years ago, I set a goal to speak at the event and this year I achieved it! Take time to acknowledge your progress and celebrate your wins before moving on to the next challenge.
Leverage Your Platform for Business Growth. Sharing how my podcast has directly impacted my business; by increasing visibility, expanding my network, and generating revenue; reminded me of the power of consistent content creation. Consider how your own platform can open new opportunities.
Embrace Community and Support. Having friends and familiar faces in the audience, plus support from fellow speakers, made the experience even more meaningful. Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you, especially when tackling big goals.
Keep Improving and Reflecting. Public speaking is a skill that takes practice. I noticed real progress in managing nerves and pacing during my talk. Regular reflection and seeking feedback are key to ongoing improvement in any area.
Episode Highlights
00:40 – Recalling first Atomicon attendance and early ambitions
01:14 – Journey to becoming a speaker at Atomicon
02:24 – Overview of Atomicon's structure and atmosphere
04:50 – Managing nerves and backstage moments
06:32 – Sharing podcasting journey and Adobe Acrobat workflow
07:37 – Audience connections and community support
08:22 – Feedback and impact on listeners
09:10 – Reflections on personal growth and public speaking
11:00 – Looking ahead to next year's Atomicon and recommendations
12:32 – Gratitude and shoutouts to supporters
Mentioned in the Episode
Atomicon 2027 https://atomic.site/?aap=617 (aff link)
Adobe MAX 2026: https://max.adobe.com/
Charlotte Lewis Episode https://buildingyourbrand.net/episode/charlotte-lewis/
Hannah Isted https://www.hicommunications.co.uk/
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!