Over the last few weeks, we've explored what makes you a creative business owner, why your creativity is your most valuable asset, what's working right now for creative businesses, why 26 Pinterest visitors matter more than a million views, and ways to generate revenue that feel aligned with how you work best.

I've been getting messages from so many of you saying, "This all makes complete sense. I can see how my creativity is valuable. I understand I need to position myself differently."

Then comes the crucial question: "But how do I actually make this shift? How do I go from understanding these ideas to genuinely embodying them?"

• [00:00] The gap between understanding business concepts and genuinely implementing them
• [02:05] Why creativity is your greatest business advantage
• [04:20:] The Missing Piece: Stories of transformation
• [07:05:] Building on what we have discussed
• [09:50] The realistic timeline that actually works
• [14:01] Introduction to The Base Notes Experience and its approach
• [19:02] What this prepares you for and why now
• [24:15] Understanding to transformation: Justine: when you finally make this shift

"There's a gap between knowing you're valuable, knowing you have so much value to offer others, and actually showing up with that confidence."

"It's not about learning to do these things despite being creative. It's all about celebrating and realising these things work better because you're creative, and thenbuilding your entire business from that foundation."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes
• Join Our Lives: Today Tursday 23rd October 11am or 6pm
• Join Our Lives: Sunday 26th October 11am
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• Philippa Craddock Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

What's your biggest challenge in truly embodying your creative business identity? Are you struggling to see your unique strengths or feeling stuck between understanding and implementing? I want to hear your story. Send me a direct message on Instagram your journey matters, and you might just be on the brink of your own transformation!

Want to dive deeper into the foundations of building a creative business that truly reflects who you are? Join our weekly newsletter for exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories from creative entrepreneurs who've made incredible shifts, and first access to our upcoming cohort. Plus, you'll receive weekly guidance to help you turn your creative passion into a thriving, aligned business.

Today's episode is different. I'm in conversation with Vicky Hagen, founder of Hattie & Vic, a personal styling business that empowers women through beautifully considered clothing.

What makes this conversation special is that Vicky participated in The Base Notes first cohort earlier this year, and you'll hear how understanding her exceptional strengths has transformed not just her business clarity and confidence, but how she shows up for her clients every single day.

• [02:57] Vicky's origin story: Transforming personal styling to be more accessible and emotionally supportive
• [08:54] The transformative power of styling: Understanding women's life stages and personal empowerment
• [19:34] Choosing reflection over fear: Discovering the Base Notes as a method for business realignment
• [22:36] Finding the permission slip to turn up as you are
• [32:14] The challenges of running a business before finding a clear method
• [43:41] The power of finding your own business answers through guided reflection
• [51:24] Experiencing growth through intentional foundational work
• [105:55] The podcast as a supportive resource for creative entrepreneurs
• [112:30] Envisioning the future of Hattie & Vic

"The Base Notes is a method, not a formula. It doesn't tell you what the answer should be - that's your decision. It gives you the opportunity to consider all aspects of your business in a comprehensive way." - Vicky Hagen

"What makes the Base Notes so powerful is that it allows you to dip back into it in a non-linear fashion. After the initial deep dive, it becomes a resource that shines a spotlight on opportunities to do things differently." - Vicky Hagen

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Philippa Craddock Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com
• Hattie & Vic Website: www.hattie&vic.com
• Hattie & Vic Instagram @hattieandvic

Are you feeling the tension between your creative passion and business identity? What holds you back from fully embracing your role as a creative business owner? Share your thoughts with me over on Instagram i read every message

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In the final months of the year, many creative entrepreneurs feel pressure to "finish strong" by launching something new, addind yet another service or completely reinventing what they are doing.. But what if the most straightforward path to additional revenue is already sitting right in your existing work and relationships?

In this episode I share five practical approaches specifically designed for creative minds to generate income that aligns with your natural working style.

• [00:00] Challenging the pressure to "finish strong"
• [04:26] Why traditional business advice often fails creative entrepreneurs
• [05:37] First approach: Creating simple, focused solution-based services
• [09:29] Second approach: Authentically reconnecting with existing network
• [10:56] Third approach: Identifying overlooked opportunities people already ask about
• [12:06] Fourth approach: Collaborative partnerships that complement your work
• [14:56] Fifth approach: 30-day commitment to a new communication strategy
• [15:50] Importance of confidence and clarity in implementing these approaches

"Your creative business doesn't need to become something completely different to be more profitable. You need to get better at recognising and valuing what you already do brilliantly."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

What revenue approach resonates most with you? Share a strategy you're excited to explore in your creative business. Send me a DM on Instagram and let me know!

Join our weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes resources and exclusive content that will help you build a business that feels authentically yours

After watching Pinterest webinars promising millions of views and instant success, I uncover the game-changing truth about sustainable marketing for creative entrepreneurs. Discover why 26 strategic website visitors matter infinitely more than vanity metrics, and how authentic, strengths-led marketing can transform your business growth.

• [02:27] The problem with Pinterest webinars promising instant success
• [04:43] September's Pinterest metrics: 14,905 impressions, 26 unique website visitors
• [06:26] Why 26 real people matter more than millions of views
• [10:30] Creating a simple, 30-minute weekly Pinterest routine
• [12:48] The importance of having a website that supports visitors
• [14:34] Building marketing strategies around personal strengths
• [20:20] October's Pinterest strategy: increasing to 5 pins per week
• [22:36] The bigger picture: sustainable business growth through authentic marketing

"Twenty-six people finding your perfect-for-them website is worth more than a million views that lead nowhere!"

"Your creative business doesn't need millions of anything to succeed. It needs the right people to find you, and it needs you to be ready to look after them really well when they do."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Pinterest Experiment Guide: Follow Along with My Pinterest Experiment
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Link: My Story Page
• Podcast Episode: 106. My Pinterest Experiment: Month 1
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

Share Your Insights:

I'd love to hear if you're testing Pinterest in your own business or considering it after hearing about my experiment. What resonated most with your approach to sustainable marketing? Send me an email at news@philippacraddock.com with your discoveries or DM me on Instagram. I'm genuinely curious about what works for others too.

Never Miss an Episode:

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive resources, and first access to new offerings. You'll get practical guidance delivered straight to your inbox, plus monthly Pinterest experiment updates as my six-month journey unfolds.

"What actually makes you a creative business owner?" Last week, I was asked this brilliant question at a creative business event and it made me think deeply: While it sounds simple, how you answer this question could fundamentally change everything about how you see your entrepreneurial capabilities.

• [02:05] A transformative conversation at LineUp, London
• [04:22] Defining what truly makes a creative business owner
• [09:30] Why creativity drives business success and why traditional advice falls short for creative entrepreneurs
• [12:40] How creativity fuels problem-solving, differentiation, and business resilience
• [17:02] The power of understanding and building around your individual strengths
• [20:05] How to stand out in a saturated market by embracing your unique approach

"The most memorable creative businesses aren't the ones following industry norms or copying what everyone else does. They're built on the unique talents of their founders."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

What's your exceptional creative strength? How could you build your business more intentionally around what you naturally do best? DM me on Instagram and share your thoughts! I'd love to hear your unique perspective.

Join my weekly newsletter for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to resources, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday.

Last week, I had dinner with a brand strategist named Sarah who was completely deflated. She'd just lost a potential client to someone charging half her rates.

But here's the fascinating part: that client had spent twenty minutes explaining why Sarah's approach felt so different, so thoughtful, and exactly what they needed. They praised her insights, described her process in detail, even said they felt confident she could transform their business.

And then they chose someone else purely on price.

Sarah thought this was evidence she needed to lower her rates. I saw something completely different... a pattern I've seen across many creative businesses that, once you understand it, changes everything about how you position your work...

• [00:00] The dinner conversation with Sarah that sparked a critical business insight
• [03:14] Why price isn't the ultimate deciding factor for clients
• [06:17] The real value of understanding your unique business approach
• [10:03] How to communicate your exceptional strengths
• [16:10] Strategies for attracting clients who value expertise
• [21:55] Breaking the cycle of underpricing and overdelivering
• [28:24] Transforming consultations into value-demonstration opportunities

"When you price based on the outcomes you create rather than competing on cost, you attract clients who are looking to invest in what you deliver and what they want to achieve."

"Quality has become non-negotiable, but it's no longer enough on its own. Beautiful work is expected. What makes you stand out now is how you think, how you solve problems, and how the experience of working with you feels from the very first interaction."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

Have you experienced a moment when a client recognised your unique value but chose a cheaper alternative? Share your story and insights with me over on Instagram. DM me and let's discuss how we can better communicate our exceptional strengths.

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The combined creative economies of Western Europe, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are now valued at over $1 trillion - driven primarily by solo entrepreneurs and small teams. So why in these seemingly booming times do many creative entrepreneurs still feel like they are struggling?

Today we explore the disconnect between this massive opportunity and the way most creative entrepreneurs are trying to build their businesses - and reveal the three key shifts that are making all the difference for those who are succeeding. You will discover you are more ready than you think...

• [00:00] Challenging conventional wisdom about creative businesses
• [02:00] The incredible scale of the creative economy - UK and global figures
• [05:53] Why creative businesses still struggle despite market strength
• [08:58] The three real reasons creative entrepreneurs get stuck
• [11:44] Why now is actually the perfect time for creative businesses
• [17:33] What's working now - key shifts for success
• [17:50] First shift: Identity over tactics
• [19:33] Second shift: Building around your natural strengths
• [20:59] Third shift: Sustainable systems that support creativity
• [23:45] Your place in the creative economy and next steps

"What's easy for you is often impossible for your clients - that's exactly why they need you."

"The creative entrepreneurs who are succeeding aren't starting with marketing strategies or business plans. They're starting with a fundamental shift in how they see themselves."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Pinterest Experiment Guide: Follow Along with My Pinterest Experiment
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: news@philippacraddock.com

How has your perspective on your creative business changed after hearing these market insights? I'd love to hear what resonated most with you - send me a DM on Instagram. I really do read and respond to every message, however old the episode - your insights often inspire future episodes.

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights from each episode, plus exclusive resources and first access to new offerings. You'll get the deeper context that makes each episode even more valuable.

One month into my Pinterest experiment and I've discovered that everything I'd heard about Pinterest was wrong. Everyone says post daily (some say 30 times a day!). But three strategic pins per week actually works better than seven rushed ones. The results? 11,000 impressions in month one and people clicking through to my website. Sometimes the sustainable approach beats the overwhelming one!

Key Moments:

• [05:52] Why this Pinterest Experiment matters
• [10:32] The big revelation
• [17:55] The sustainability reality check
• [26:05] Surprising technical discoveries
• [30:24] The numbers from month one and what they actually mean
• [32:36] The Strategic shift - What’s coming next with AI agents
• [35:52] Overview and my hypothesis
• [37:28] My practical take aways and the deeper lesson
• [44:17] What to expect next

Notable Quotes:

"Pinterest success isn't about posting more - it's all about posting strategically. I always prefer careful and practical strategy over sheer numbers for the sake of it."

"You need enough time to get past the initial excitement and see how something feels when it becomes routine. So much business advice focuses on the first week or two, but sustainability shows up in week three and beyond."

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Pinterest Experiment Guide: Follow Along with My Pinterest Experiment
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: hello@philippacraddock.com

Share Your Insights:

I'd love to hear if you're testing Pinterest in your own business or considering it after hearing about my experiment. What resonated most with your approach to sustainable marketing? Send me an email at hello@philippacraddock.com with your discoveries or DM me on Instagram. I'm genuinely curious about what works for others too.

Never Miss an Episode:

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive resources, and first access to new offerings. You'll get practical guidance delivered straight to your inbox, plus monthly Pinterest experiment updates as my six-month journey unfolds.