Hashtag Authentic - for creatives, dreamers & business owners online

Things I Talk About In This Episode:The evolving trends of InstagramHow our fears and doubts stay the same, no matter how the platform evolvesThe risks and costs of buying too heavily into one trendWhy I'm always wary of one-size-fits-all solutions onlineThe importance of staying connected to your own creative vision and voiceHow to use trends for growth without getting blown off-pathThe importance of building meaningful connections with your audience/customersLinks mentioned in this episode:My InstagramMy Insta Retreat ClassAn example of my window photosMy Vodafone Business Story My upcoming Lunch N Learn session in growing your Instagram, with Vodafone Business UK and Enterprise Nation Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things We Talk About In This Episode:The world changed between the time Skye wrote this book and when it was published. We talk about how she faced the challenge of publishing a book about feeding the people you love, when you’re not allowed to be with them. (Spoiler alert: being apart from the people we love makes us value those times we do have together, even more)The creative ways we have responded to lockdown, finding unique (safe) ways to gather, and cooking with limited ingredientsHow lockdown is impacting our children, but not necessarily in the same way that it is affecting usThe positive ways in which lockdown encourages us to pause for meals and enjoy eating togetherReady-chopped onions!The difference between simply cooking to one recipe, versus pulling an entire meal togetherHow truly universal food can be (“everyone eats - if we don’t, we die!”) and the myriad cultural, historical and aspirational elements we bring to our cooking that make it so very personalHow to set up two kitchens in two different countriesOur guilty food confessionsAnd the market for someone to invent a ready-made choux pastry!Links mentioned in this episode:Skye’s new book, A Table for FriendsSkye’s first book, A Table in VeniceHive online (where Skye suggests you can buy her book - and others - while supporting independent sellers)Skye on Instagram: @skyemcalpineSkye’s range of tableware for AnthropologieMe on Instagram - @me_and_orla  Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things We Talk About In This Episode:The business idea that grew out of Maressa’s own creative slumpHow important it is to value creativity (Maressa says it’s the uniqueness that makes us human) even if the people around us - and society in general - don’t recognise the valueThe challenge of finding the balance on Instagram (and elsewhere) between “what I want to share” and “what people want”Developing an Instagram account that creates space for you to be a whole person, and that can evolve alongside your interestsHow talking to camera on video became a way for Maressa to make her content more accessible to people with visual and hearing disabilitiesThe way in which Maressa uses her platform to talk about anti-racism, in a way that started out from a need to share and evolved into a process of very personal and vulnerable educationTalking to our children about racism (“we need to see colour in order to see privilege”)Maressa’s Patreon space: why she started it, how she structures it, and how creating a paid space enabled Maressa to start valuing herself, and helped members of her community likewise value themselvesThe difference between consciously selling, versus sharing with genuine excitement about what we are doingParenting and creativity, and how Maressa models the creative life to her childrenLinks mentioned in this episode:Maressa on Instagram: @maressamadeMareesa’s Patreon communityMaressa's Maker Affirmations seriesSome of Maressa's Anti Racism videos: here, here and hereNova Reid's HA podcast episode “Anti-Racism Work for Well-Meaning Liberals”Nova Reid's InstagramThe Insta Retreat Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things We Talk About In This Episode:Why you don't need a huge audience online to be successfulHow to get organic reach on Instagram without having to pay for adsPhotography for Instagram, and how it differs from conventional photographyPivoting your business, and why it pays to put yourself at the heart of your brandThe difference between being a freelancer and an entrepreneur/business ownerPromoting a book during lockdown, and the unexpected benefits of “marketing for introverts” when almost everything has to happen onlineHow the workplace might look on the other side of COVIDCaring for your mental health as a freelancer, and recognising that mental health goes beyond mindsetRelaxing the idea of rigid timetables, and embracing routines that work for our health and happinessThe value of having a person outside our situation, such as a coach, help us recognise and overcome our limiting beliefsManaging your finances, including building a financial buffer, pricing yourself, planning for holidays, and avoiding the limitations of exchanging time for moneyFiona’s experience delivering a donation-based course, giving away content, and the balance of making support and content accessible to all, while still running a profitable businessLinks mentioned in this episode:Tickets to Fiona's virtual Book Launch with me, October 1st 2020Fiona's podcast, "Out of Office"Her book “Out of Office” on AmazonHer Instagram: @fionalikestoblogFiona's website, fionalikestoblog.com Her Twitter profile, @fionalikesOur first podcast episode together, here on Hashtag AuthenticMy Instagram Class, The Insta Retreat  Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things I Talk About In This Episode:Why we get tempted to make something new instead of doubling down on selling what we've already createdWhat to do when you think you've run out of marketing ideasWhy our brains like to keep us from doing things that are newThe benefits of creating and selling a long-term productLessons learned from maintaining a bestselling online class for 4+ yearsThe difference between when your product is the problem vs when it's your marketing or offerLinks mentioned in this episode:My Insta Retreat ClassMy InstagramMy Twitter  Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things We Talk About In This Episode:Nova's career path through acting, singing and psychotherapy, and how she came to anti-racism workNova's wedding blog and the lack of diversity in the wedding industryNova's work educating white people about white supremacyThe boundaries and safeguards Nova has to put in place due to the trauma of her workThe origins of racism and white supremacy in the UK and beyondWhy we need to do the work personally, and not just put the blame of white supremacy on big institutionsThe practical work we need to take to dismantle white supremacy togetherWhy silence is so dangerous, and how the powerful majority needs to step upWhy Nova believes holding compassion is vital to facilitate changeScrewing up on your anti-racism journey, and accepting feedback along the wayHow the current political turmoil might be a necessary catalyst for changeHow relating racism to feminism can help some people begin to understand the workNova's personal healing journey, and how trauma can be carried through generationsWhy Nova won't be doing this work long term (so grab your chance to work with her now!)Links mentioned in this episode:Nova's websiteNova's new podcast, Conversations With Nova ReidNova's Instagram @novareidofficialNova's @novareidofficNova's excellent anti-racism courses for individuals and small businessesNova's TED talk - "How you have the power to change the world"Nova's Courageous Courage Class for alliesCourageous Courage for BME womenNova's "pick my brain" consultancy sessionsThe Bridge Retreat Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things We Talk About In This Episode:What's great, and not-so-great, about conventional art educationThe balance between profitability and individuality, and where mainstream advice often goes wrongCreating an online class for the first time, and building a mailing listWhy it's so hard, and so important to get to grips with your own creative voiceThe magic of imperfection in all thingsLinks mentioned in this episode:The Good Ship IllustrationHelen StephensKatie ChappellTania Willis Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things we talk about in this episode:Why being truly indistractable isn't really the aim“A mistake repeated more than once is a decision” ― Paulo CoelhoWhy your goal should be growth, not perfectionWhy we can't rely on willpower and self controlThe antidote to impulsivenessHow time-boxing your calendar gives you freedomWhy we can't blame our phones for our distractionHow to stay indistractable when spending time with our kids (even when it's boring!)The power of changing our thinking from 'have too' to 'choose too'The tyranny of the to-do listBeing indistractable with ADHDHow to keep to a schedule, even when we don't want toGetting started on a taskWhy accountability is key to staying focusedHow to turn distraction into laser sharp focusLinks mentioned in this episode:The Flock Community - get notifiedMy 15 Minute Magic Class - enrolling nowMy Instagram, Twitter and websiteNir's previous conversation on Hashtag Authentic (episode 82)Nir's Instagram and TwitterNir's book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your LifeNir's website, Nir & FarHooked, Nir's first bookNir's free schedule makerFocusmate  accountability partners Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things we talk about in this episode:Women for Women's #MessageForMySister campaignHow Angelica started About Time Magazine and built her readershipHow the title survives online when so many others have foldedFinding mentors, and how sometimes the best mentors can be people you've never metThe value of meeting fellow entrepreneurs and creative business ownersHow the difference in experience affects the terms used for women in businessWhy true entrepreneur spirit doesn't need to look like Richard BransonApproaching business with 'playful curiosity', and why joy is vital in what you seek to establishAngelica's upcoming bookStarting a business straight out of UniversityThe need for women-only events, and why wellbeing and business should both be on the agendaThe challenges of establishing and organising a large eventDeveloping the skills to run a teamAngelica's advice for someone just starting outLinks mentioned in this episode:#Messagetomysister from Women for WomenAbout Time Magazine#SheStartedIt Live (13-14 March 2020)Angelica's Instagram @jellymalinAngelica's Twitter @jellymalinYou're not Listening - Kate MurphyMoody Month - App15 Minute Magic - enrolling this monthMy Instagram, Twitter and website Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things we talk about in this episode:Rachael's new book - The Telephone Box LibraryThe need for 'comfort reading' and gentle entertainment in a difficult worldWhy women's fiction is so important, and the power of a quiet message in accessible formSocial media as a force for goodWhy feeling uncomfortable about what you share can be a good thingThe power of finding your 'inner American' for self confidenceCreativity and courageProcrastination, and lessons from 15 Minute Magic Living with Autism and ADHD as an adult, and as a parent of neurodiverse childrenRachel's young adult fiction novel with an autistic protagonist - The State of GraceReal self-care and why self advocacy can be so difficultOur book giveaway - enter on Rachael's Instagram by 3/2/20Links mentioned in this episode:Kelsey's Instagram @kelseymechKelsey's website and upcoming anxiety programRachael's websiteRachaels Instagram @rachaellucasRachael's Twitter @karaminaThe Telephone Box LibraryThe State of GraceRosie Curtis (Rachael's other pen name)15 Minute MagicEpisode 23 with Tara MohrMy Instagram, Twitter and websiteMy Insta Retreat class, enrolling now! Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe