VICTORIA BROWN
Juice for your creative business
INSPIRATION FOR YOUR small BUSINESS
Listen to Creative Slurp Podcast
Take a slurp of small business creative juice...
I created ‘Creative Slurp’ podcast to teach you a bunch of skills, inspire you and empower you to take action – the three key ingredients to success in business (or life, tbh).
Hear from some of the business people and experts I admire, get oodles of marketing tips from my experience in marketing and mindset tips from my work as a leadership Coach.
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Latest episodes of Creative Slurp Podcast:
Mar 10, 2023
Creativity as a Mental Health Tool with Illustrator Liz Harry
Ever wondered what it takes to make your dream creative business your full-time gig? Illustrator, Liz Harry has done it. In her own words, she carved a career out for herself, doing the things she loves - creating products she designs herself, making fun props and taking part in some dream collaborations with iconic brands. If you’ve seen Liz’s work, you’ll know she’s passionate about mental health - a theme that runs throughout her brilliant work. In this episode of Creative Slurp she talks about her creative journey, her obsession with creating and how she uses creativity as a tool to help with her mental health, following burnout. I loved chatting with Liz, who was so generous with her stories and advice, and I hope her story inspires you as much as it did me. Enjoy.
Feb 22, 2023
3 easy ways to get out of a rut in your business and life
Feeling stuck? If you keep getting the same results in your business or life and are sick of it, it can be hard to know how to shake things up and feel like you're heading in a positive direction again. I've been there too! Here are three tools/easy ways of climbing out of that annoying rut and help to feel some momentum again - without feeling overwhelmed.
Feb 15, 2023
Using great PR to survive a recession with Rosie Davies-Smith from PR Dispatch
When the going gets tough do you a) Curl up in a ball under the duvet or b) Put yourself out there even more? In this episode of Creative Slurp Podcast meet Rosie Davies-Smith - founder of PR Dispatch - she believes that to survive a recession we should all be making our businesses even more visible, using the power of PR. Find out about Rosie’s business journey from budding textile designer to PR guru and how she overcame problems with postnatal insomnia. Plus fill your glasses with some juicy PR tips you can use in your business. Enjoy!
Feb 08, 2023
How to seriously UP your product photo game with photographer Holly Booth
Ever felt your product photos might be holding you back? Upping the quality of your product photos can be a game changer. In this episode of Creative Slurp Podcast, top product photographer, Holly Booth gives oodles of top practical tips on how to create great product shots. She also tells us the story of her business - find out how listening to customers, being part of communities and not being afraid to innovate has helped her succeed in business. Enjoy!
Feb 01, 2023
How to stop going around in circles: start a reflective practice
Have you ever felt you’re going around in circles, and not learning from your mistakes? Do you feel stuck, and you know you’re not getting anywhere? Reflective learning could be the answer - a proven way to dig deep, to learn in a deeper way and find solutions to your trickiest problems. Find out how in this week's episode of Creative Slurp Podcast.
Jan 25, 2023
How to create your own small business niche with Lucie Sheridan from Rubbish Portraits
Have you ever wondered how to make your business stand out from the crowd, but still do what you love? You’ll love this episode’s guest. Lucie Sheridan created her business, Rubbish portraits because she wanted to create some consistent income from being an artist. So she created a ‘portrait booth’, from where she draws guests in just three minutes at events. As well as giving people a fun and easy way to pay for her artwork, it's also has worked as a brilliant marketing tool - creating a memorable brand around her. In this episode, find out Lucie’s top tips for making it as an artist, and why she’d never give up her mundane admin job! Enjoy 🙂
Jan 18, 2023
Can a pen and paper change your life? With publisher Alison Jones
Can a pen and a scrap of paper change your life? Alison Jones thinks so. Over 30 years in the publishing industry she’s helped hundreds of authors to publish their books and knows a bit about getting your story down on paper. And she’s also just published her own book - which shows you how to use the power of writing to help you solve problems and transform your life. She believes exploratory writing is a simple but much-overlooked tool that could get you extraordinary results in the areas of self-mastery, creativity, focus, solution finding and collaboration.
Nov 30, 2022
12 Productivity Tools to help make 2023 your best year ever
If you're serious about making 2023 your best year ever, you need to get savvy and find a way of becoming as productive as you can. Learning some great productivity techniques (as well as about yourself) will help you achieve more and stress less in the coming year. In this episode, I take you through 12 proven productivity techniques that will spur you into action and have helped me achieve so much over the last few years. This isn't about being perfect, it's about being a bit better and using the tools in a way that fits you. I hope you find one or two useful tools that you can use to help move the needle in your business.
Nov 22, 2022
Gut instinct and listening to your customers with textile designer Poppy Treffry
Poppy Treffry is an award-winning Cornish textile designer that started her business in an attic with a 1930’s sewing machine and car boot sale fabric in 2003 and now has a well-established business employing an army of sewers across rural cornwall. I really enjoyed our chat and Poppy’s obvious passion, not just for craft, but also business. I can’t wait to share her story with you, as well as tell you how her customers came to the rescue during the pandemic. This is a lesson in following your gut and going for it - enjoy! You can find out more about Poppy here: https://poppytreffry.co.uk/
Nov 15, 2022
The SEVEN golden rules of social media in your business
Social media can be so overwhelming when you start a business - which channels to use? What to post? How to actually get results? Should you use paid ads? And what's actually the blinkin' point anyway? So, in this podcast I've put together my top 7 golden rules of social media, to make sure you get the benefits of socials, without it sucking the life out of you. I've also created a handy-andy FREE downloadable checklist and guide, to make it super easy to implement these golden rules - just go along to thevictoriabrown.com/social to grab your copy.
Nov 08, 2022
Overcoming your money blocks as an artist with Krystle McGilvery
Meet Krystle McGilvery - Chartered Accountant and Fine Artist - she’s passionate about helping people overcome the mindset blocks they have about managing their money and giving business owners the financial tools they need to survive and thrive. In this conversation, we talk about practical and simple ways business owners can make managing their finances easier and Krystle’s experience of being diagnosed with both ADHD and Dyslexia late in life. This is such a great listen if you’ve ever struggled with money in life or business, and Krystle is living proof that you can be good at both finance and art! Enjoy. Find out more about Krystle on her website: https://www.krystlemcgilvery.com/
Nov 01, 2022
The ups and downs of creative business with Illustrator Lisa Stickley
Introducing the wondrous Lisa Stickley - a creative who's wonderfully authentic and true to herself. She’s an illustrator who delightfully describes herself as a professional colourer-inner. She’s had so much business success - being stocked in household names like Harrods, Liberty, Paul Smith and Burberry, amongst others. She’s so generous in sharing her experience of when it all went wrong and she walked away from her business and name. She also talks about how she was affected by her dyslexia diagnosis as an adult and losing her Mum during lockdown. We talk about imposter syndrome, the importance of tenacity in business andbeing true to yourself. And she also talks about her love for lidos! I just loved her honesty and humour despite everything that has happened and think you’re going to love listening to this…enjoy! Find out more about Lisa at her website: https://lisastickleystudio.com/
Oct 25, 2022
How being brave transformed my business
Do you feel stuck in a rut? When was the last time you did something a bit out of your comfort zone? It may be that you just need to make a few bold moves in business, and in life to try to change things up a bit. I recently realised I was playing too safe, and decided to be braver. Here are three ways I became braver and how it transformed by business and personal life. It could transform yours too.
Oct 18, 2022
How to find your TRUE Creative Calling with Kerry Lyons
Are you REALLY satisfied in your Creative Career? Are you doing the thing you always really wanted to do, or are you compromising somehow? Kerry Lyons is a Creative Business Coach - her goal is to help everyone find their true Creative calling - because in her experience, many creatives end up in other creative roles that aren’t quite the perfect fit for them. In this episode, she tells her story and gives tips on how to get back on the right creative track if you’re finding yourself unfulfilled. As a creative myself, I found this whole topic fascinating and I hope you do too.
Oct 11, 2022
Making your website better with Aime Cox-Tennant from Studio Cotton
Ever felt so frustrated with your website that you want to jack it all in and start again? If you’re getting no visitors and your SEO seems broken, then it can be frustrating, but don’t give up just yet. According to my guest today - the amazing Aime Cox-Tennant from Studio Cotton, there ARE things you can do to make your website better - even if you do want to chuck your laptop out of the window. In this week’s episode, Aime talks about her lovely business journey, gives loads of great website tips and the power of storytelling in your business.
Oct 04, 2022
How to tell stories that sell
Have you ever been told to use 'storytelling' and 'stories' in your marketing, but no one's actually told you HOW? This episode demystifies the art of storytelling in social media, emails and websites, to show you the three different types of stories you should be telling to help you sell more in your business. Enjoy! To find out more about storytelling, check out my PIck and Mix 'Stories that Sell' Workshop, on Weds 12 October: https://thevictoriabrown.com/pickandmix/
Sep 28, 2022
3 ways to BOOST your Christmas sales
Don't just leave it to chance! Did you know there are things you could be doing RIGHT NOW, to help boost your sales this Christmas? In this short episode, I go through the 3 key things you should be thinking about to have a bumper Christmas period, and how to put them into action. Enjoy and happy festive greetings!
Sep 20, 2022
How to get better photos with 91 Magazine Editor, Caroline Rowland
Meet Caroline Rowland - editor of the amazing independent and award-winning 91 magazine - a gorgeous publication focused on interiors and creativity. Find out how Caroline ended up publishing her own magazine, after growing up in Northern Ireland and working as a picture editor for the Financial Times. We chat about having a career in publishing and how to make sure you have great images for your business. Find out more about 91 Magazine and order your copy here: https://www.91magazine.co.uk/
Sep 14, 2022
Mural painting, working freelance and lockdown with illustrator and artist Michelle Abrahall
Ever wondered what it's really like to be a freelance artist and illustrator? Michelle Abrahall spills the beans and gives her top tips on avoiding imposter syndrome, keeping accountable as a creative and talks about how lockdown changed her business. Listen now for the real talk on what it's like to be a creative in such an unpredictable world.
Sep 08, 2022
5 ways becoming a mentor can help you grow
Have you ever wondered whether you should mentor someone else? Maybe you don't think you have the time to help someone right now, and maybe you don't realise all the wonderful benefits you can get yourself, as a mentor. In this episode of Creative Slurp I talk about my journey as a mentor - from sceptic to supporter, the five BIG benefits to becoming a mentor for you and your business and the common myths around mentorship. And for a limited time, Enterprise Nation, in association with the UK Government and The Association of Business Mentors are offering FREE mentor training as part of their Help to Grow Management Scheme. Find out how to apply in the episode notes or in the podcast episode. http://www.thevictoriabrown.com/mentor
Aug 31, 2022
Watering cans, pineapples and being more curious with artist and designer Julie-Anne Pugh
Have you ever wondered how a pineapple grows? Or why most watering cans are really boring? Artist and Surface Designer, Julie-Anne Pugh has! Now known for her colourful hand-painted watering cans, in this episode we chat about the importance of curiosity, human connection and joy. And she tells me all about her amazing art installations, giving away eggs during lockdown and painting her doorstep with uplifting messages. Learn more about Julie-Anne (including why she wants to be on Blue Peter, in this episode!
Aug 23, 2022
5 steps to overcoming imposter syndrome
Have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? Did it stop you doing something you really wanted to do, but were too scared/didn't think you were good enough to try? Hands up - I have! And so many times. But now I'm so much more aware of it than I used to be, I've come up with different ways to deal with it, so that it doesn't stop me from progressing my business and my dreams. Here are my 5 steps to overcoming imposter syndrome so you can walk the path of your wildest dreams...
Aug 16, 2022
What moving from Brazil to New York taught me about business and upcycling with Wardrobe School's Vania Soucy
Can you imagine moving to a completely different country with hardly any money, not speaking the language and needing to find work? That's what happened to Vania Soucy. She arrived in New York, from Brazil, without being able to speak English that well and not knowing what she would do for work. With a background in sewing, she realised she could buy bags of second-hand clothes cheaply and upcycle them to sell on. Before long she got really good at it and created a successful business. Now she's teaching others to do the same, and help save the planet by recycling clothes with her online sewing school - Wardrobe School. Listen to this episode of Creative Slurp to find out what kept her going and how she did it...
Aug 09, 2022
What I learned from my 30-day Art Challenge...
If you're a regular listener to this show, you'll know that at the end of June I set myself a challenge - to draw or paint for 30 days. Now, if you're an artist (or even if you're not) you may think this is no big deal. But...for me, it was. Even as a creative I had been telling myself for 25 years that I couldn't draw or paint, and would even feel like an imposter walking down the art aisle in the craft store. I decided a few weeks ago that enough was enough. I needed to address this limiting belief that was slowly oozing its toxicity into my mind and normalise drawing and painting for myself. In this episode find out what I learned about drawing and painting, but mostly what I learned about myself and why I love 30-day challenges so much for overturning limiting beliefs.
Aug 02, 2022
From Kitchen Table to Award-Winning brand - Emma from Modo Creative
Ever wondered what it takes to build a brand from your kitchen table? Emma Tucker, Co-Founder of Modo Creative does. She and her husband, Andrew, set up their business around 15 years ago (at the same time as a complete lifestyle change, as they moved from London to Yorkshire). They are now regularly featured in the media, a staple of Not On The High Street, and are sold in major High Street shops like John Lewis (winning awards along the way). Find out Emma's top tips on how to build a creative brand with longevity and how they survived tough times during the pandemic.
Jul 26, 2022
32. How to do a Summer Reset in your business
Do you miss that 'fresh new book' time at the start of September, now you're no longer at school? Why not create your own summer reset? Use the quiet time over the summer holidays to look back at your business to see what's worked, and remind yourself of those amazing business dreams that drifted off somewhere! Listen to find out my step-by-step guide on how to do your own summer business reset and start the 'new year' with a fresh outlook...
Jul 19, 2022
31. What to do when your business is struggling...
Fuel bills are going up, grocery bills are rocketing, inflation is high. Whether or not we're heading for a recession, times are tricky for us all right now - and they're even more tricky for a business owner, when you're being squeezed on both sides. So what can you do? In this episode, I go through my 3-step plan to follow when times are tough and you don't know what to do.
Jul 12, 2022
30. The art of telling small stories with Laura Pashby (@circleofpines)
How often do you stop and really think about the small stories that make up the fabric of your life? We're all so busy these days, it's so easy to forget! Laura Pashby (@circleofpine) is on a mission to help people rediscover the lost art of telling small stories - we chat about how to create a storytelling practice, how it can benefit your other artistic disciplines, the best way to deal with Instagram changes and being true to yourself. Enjoy!
Jul 05, 2022
29. Sewing and self-belief with Lauren Guthrie from the Sewing Bee
Have you ever wondered what it's like to take part in a TV show, like The Great British Sewing Bee? This week we talk to Lauren Guthrie - one of the first-ever contestants. She's now taken her love of sewing to new heights by creating a successful sewing and haberdashery business! She tells us why she believes more of us should try new things and talks about the tricky balance between home life and business.
Jun 28, 2022
28. How to start a blog
So you've heard about how brilliant blogs can be, but how do you start one? Here are my top tips for getting started on creating a brilliant blog - which will grow your audience and your business.
