Creative Courage

Agencies are notoriously difficult to grow. They’re often started by a creative who loves what they do but soon finds themselves running a team without the necessary business skills. In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Leafe, who sold his multiple seven-figure agency and now helps others do the same. Jonathan shares his expertise on what it takes to grow a profitable creative business and scale it into a saleable asset.  If you’re running a small agency and you’re unsure if scaling is the right move, this episode is for you. Jonathan and I dive deep into the stages of agency growth - from one-man-band to creating a thriving lifestyle business that’s fun and profitable. This episode will give you the clarity around the next steps to take to build a business that’s right for you. Covered in this episode: Is growing an agency right for you? Or should you stay where you are? The secrets to building a multiple seven-figure agency. The fear of growing beyond 13 people and how to break through it. What kind of business owner you need to be to scale. How to stop getting pushed around by clients and start challenging them so you can get them the results they’re after. Strategies to escape the day-to-day grind of your business. How to stay one step ahead of your clients - and your competition. The difference between a struggling boutique agency and a thriving lifestyle business. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  Jonathan’s book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Agency-Owner-get-out-here/dp/1914195841 Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Jonathan Leafe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanleafe/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

If you’ve been running your business for a while but you still often find yourself overwhelmed and burnt out, this episode is for you. I'm joined by David Wakefield and Chris Thorpe, founders of On The Sly, an international audio production agency. On The Sly has worked on some of the world’s most iconic events, from London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks to Coachella and with global brands like Paramount. But like many creative business owners, David and Chris didn’t always have a great work life balance and relied heavily on work-of-mouth to grow. The team was working on some great projects but with very little time to work on the business or take breaks, leaving them constantly on the edge of burnout. By implementing a consistent outreach process and building a reliable team, David and Chris have not only landed bigger projects but also regained control over their lives. If you want to stop playing catch-up with your business and start running it with purpose, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you streamline your systems and grow sustainably. Covered in this episode: How On The Sly grew from a small group of freelancers to a professional agency, working on some of the world’s most iconic events. The systems you should implement into your creative business to keep yourself from burning out. How to delegate effectively so you can do more of the work you love and make more money doing it. Becoming a collaborative partner to your clients, rather than a worker. How to get better at sales as a creative, even if you hate it. How to get your clients to understand the true value of what you do. If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  On The Sly showreel - https://vimeo.com/919092763/6312d5bbb3 Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  David Wakefield on LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/davidonthesly Chris Thorpe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisonthesly/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Is your business feeling a bit stagnant and you’re not sure why? You’re not alone. And it can be difficult to identify what’s causing things to slow down and where you should focus your efforts to get things moving again. When I meet a business owner and they’re finding themselves stuck, we look at 5 key metrics to figure out what’s creating the holes in their business. And in this episode, I share those 5 metrics that you need to measure to figure out how to move your business forward and grow.  This exercise is super simple and you can follow along as you listen. We’re going to score your business out of ten in these 5 areas and in under 20 minutes, you’ll have a solid idea of where you should be focusing your energy first in order to get things moving again. Covered in this episode:  The 5 metrics you need to measure to find out where your business is stuck. How to know if you’re generating enough leads. Strategies for keeping your clients and increasing their lifetime value. How to know what part of your business to focus on first. The fastest way to increase your prices. And more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

What would it feel like to be featured in major publications and have your ideal clients knocking at your door? In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Werner who specialises in helping founders get famous and attract their dream clients. Lucy has 20 years of communications experience, and it shows. She’s been listed in ALT Magazine’s Power 100, worked with The Futur, written two best-selling books and her Substack publication is in the top 50 business newsletters on the platform. Lucy breaks down exactly how you too can get more PR, more exposure and more opportunities to get in front of your ideal clients. If you ever feel hesitant to promote yourself on social media, the tactical strategies that Lucy shares in this episode will give you the confidence to get started. If you want to secure PR opportunities and don’t know where to start, or you’re not getting the responses you’re after, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode:  What stops people from ‘hyping themselves’ and growing their personal brand? What most business owners get wrong about PR. How to identify high-impact PR opportunities. How to pitch to journalists. Finding the fun in self-promotion - even if you’re an introvert. Where you should be promoting yourself to get in front of your ideal clients. How to attract your ideal clients with your content and not just your peers. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  Hype Yourself newsletter - https://hypeyourself.substack.com/ Hype Yourself (book) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hype-Yourself-no-nonsense-toolkit-businesses/dp/1788601238 The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/ CONNECT  Lucy Werner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucywernerpr/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Does your business often feel heavy? Like it’s something you have to do, rather than want to? If this resonates with you, then listen to this episode. I’ve decided to close down my business… for the whole month of August. I posted about this recently on LinkedIn, and while it was mostly met with positivity, some questioned how this could be possible without having a negative impact on my business. I would argue that taking a meaningful break from your business can actually have a hugely positive impact on it. Getting my business to the point where taking a break is possible hasn’t happened by chance. And in this episode, I break down some of a strategies you can use to help you fulfil your needs and show up better for your business and your clients. Covered in this episode:  The positive impacts that taking a break can have on your business. How to build a business in a way that allows you to take breaks. Frameworks to help you understand what you and your business need. The negative effects of not taking a break. Are you getting what you want from your business, or just what you can tolerate? How to notice the signals that indicate a need for change in your business. If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk  Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

It feels like everyone is obsessed with storytelling and personal branding. Especially on LinkedIn. But there’s a good reason for that. In this episode, I’m joined by Ash Rathod. Ash is a Brand Consultant who specialises in helping businesses attract their ideal clients, retain them for longer, and charge them more using the power of storytelling. If you’re struggling with attracting your ideal clients, sharing your story might be the answer. But if you’re like most creative business owners, it’s easier said than done. Knowing how to tell your story in a way that resonates with your ideal clients is an obstacle in itself. And the self-doubt that many feel when it comes to being vulnerable is a whole other challenge. This is why I invited Ash onto the podcast. Since becoming active on LinkedIn and sharing his experiences, Ash has doubled his business and has grown his following to nearly 70k. Ash has a unique and interesting story and he uncovers the storytelling strategies that have transformed his business. Covered in this episode:  How Ash leveraged his story on LinkedIn to double his business. The secrets to building relationships with people you’ve never met. How to authentically share your story and link it with your business. How to turn self-consciousness into something positive. What a LinkedIn following of nearly 70k LinkedIn has done for Ash’s business. Who should you be tailoring your content to? Content creation ideas for those who hate writing. Ash’s top tips for creating content that resonates with your ideal listener. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE  Ash Rathod - https://www.ashrathod.com/ The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/  CONNECT  Ash Rathod on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashrathod/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

What would your business be like if you were getting ten new inbound enquiries each week from your ideal clients? Jason Squires has taught thousands of service-based business owners to do just that, and in this episode, he shares how. Jason has built a multiple 7-figure business using the power of LinkedIn. He's incredibly generous with sharing his data-backed strategies that will get clients chasing you, without you having to chase them. If you’re tired of sending countless connection requests only for them to be ignored, Jason’s automated connection process will help you get a foot in the door with more of your ideal clients. And if the connections you do make aren’t leading to conversations, let alone sales calls, Jason’s proven follow-up process will help you to get more of the right kinds of responses. This is one of the most valuable conversations I’ve had recently, and I know it’s going to bring you a huge amount of value, too. Covered in this episode:  The common mistakes business owners make on LinkedIn. Exactly how to set up your LinkedIn profile to generate more inbound enquiries. The connection messages that you should be using to get more replies. How to ensure prospects are in your sales process and you’re not in their buying process. How to craft an irresistible, tangible offer using the language of your clients. Why Jason doesn’t include a message in his connection requests. Automating the lead generation process whilst remaining authentic. And so much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  Jason Squires - www.jasonsquiresonline.com The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/  Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Jason Squires on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsquires3/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Do you ever feel like your creativity is just a ‘nice to have’ for your clients, and that your services are the first to go to when budgets are cut? If you are bored of taking on projects just to pay the bills and finding clients that give you the creative freedom you truly desire feels more like fantasy than reality,  this episode is for you. I’m joined by illustrator and author Ben Tallon. Ben has been running an illustration studio for over 16 years and has worked with big-name clients like Channel 4, The Guardian, The Premiere League and The New York Times. I invited Ben onto the podcast because he’s incredibly generous when it comes to sharing the strategies he’s used to land these projects, but more importantly, to keep his creative autonomy in the process. Alongside his business, Ben has written two books and founded several passion projects whilst being a father of twins. Ben’s unique perspective on the power of creativity is inspiring and he offers a wealth of invaluable insights into building a creative business that aligns with your values and creative passions. Covered in this episode:  The real value of creativity(that you might not expect). How to keep dream clients happy. Finding the projects that light you up and make use of your whole skillset. How to keep your personal projects moving even when you are busy. Getting to know yourself better and finding the hidden strengths in your flaws. How to leverage your personality as an introvert. How to stay ahead of AI and future threats to creativity. And so much more. If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  Ben Tallon - https://www.bentallonwriter.com Email Ben - hello@bentallon.com Creative Condition book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Condition-Understanding-Embracing-Creativity/dp/1838135464 The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/ CONNECT  Ben Tallon on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725 Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

What are your values? And I’m not talking about your brand values, I mean your personal values. I ask because in my experience, whenever anything feels ‘off’ in my life or business, a conflict in values is usually the cause.  This showed up for me back when I was running a remote creative agency. I was travelling the world and had the freedom I thought I wanted, but something didn’t feel quite right. It was an ‘empty’ kind of feeling. And it got me questioning why I wasn’t happy, despite living this lifestyle I’d chosen. And if you’ve ever felt this, you’re constantly stressed or you feel like your work lacks meaning or purpose, this episode is for you. In this episode I help you identify the symptoms you’re facing that could result from a values conflict. I share some exercises you can try that will help bring you back into alignment and get you what you really want from your life today. Covered in this episode: Discovering what you really want from your life and business so that you can become more fulfilled every day. Exercises that you can take to help you figure out what your values are. Identifying the symptoms of a values mismatch. How to attract more people into your life who align with your values. If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/ CONNECT Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Are you looking to land more corporate clients with bigger budgets? Are you tired of having optimistic sales conversations only for your prospects to come back to you with a ‘no’? Selling to large corporates can be more complex than selling to smaller businesses, but the rewards can be far greater. In this episode, I’m joined by James Connolly. James is a business development expert and CEO at Forward Foundry. He’s managed accounts at Microsoft and GSK and grew the UK tech unicorn Darktrace from four to thirty two people with a $22 million yearly revenue. James shares with us the most powerful tactics that he’s developed over his ten years of business development experience. If you want to stay in control of the sales process and build better relationships with bigger clients, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode: The key differences between pitching to large corporates vs. smaller prospects. The 3 common mistakes people make when pitching to corporates. Identifying who’s really making the buying decision. How to get prospects halfway to deciding to buy before even speaking with them. How to win over the whole C-suite so you can stay in control of the buying process. Getting prospects to take notice when reaching out on LinkedIn. Avoiding the scarcity mindset so you can push through the ‘no’s. If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE Forward Foundry - https://forwardfoundry.io/ Forward Foundry on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ForwardFoundry The Creative Life - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/ Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT James Connolly on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjconnolly/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam