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Wild Moos
Welcome to Wild Moos, the no-holds-barred podcast where the boardroom meets the playroom.
Hosted by Amy of Mooeys and Nicole from Wild Bird Marketing, this podcast dives into the messy, joyful, and often chaotic life of being a mother and a business owner.
Every episode is a candid exploration of the trials and triumphs that come with juggling spreadsheets and sippy cups.
From start-up stories that defy the "perfect mum" myth to scaling a business without sacrificing sanity, Amy and Nicole share it all.
Expect laughter, tears, and plenty of swear words as they peel back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in the dual worlds of business and motherhood.
Wild Moos is a community, a confession booth, and your cheerleading squad all rolled into one.
Whether you're knee-deep in nappies, drafting business plans, or just dreaming about what could be, Wild Moos is the podcast for every mum who’s ever had to lock the bathroom door just to answer an email.
Tune in for your regular dose of inspiration, commiseration, and a reminder that you're not alone on this wild ride of entrepreneurship and motherhood.
Wild Moos
Wild Moos Podcast Episode 8: Networking...Friend or Foe
Ever doubted the transformative power of networking in the world of business? This episode is a heartfelt journey from initial skepticism to deep appreciation for the art of connection, as we share personal anecdotes of growth, vulnerability, and strategic insight in the realm of B2B interactions. We strip back the complexity of establishing genuine relationships, the art of the 60-second pitch, and the nuances of being a 'small fish in a big pond', all while juggling the demands of time and the pressures of scaling a business.
Wrap up your week with our reflections on authenticity, the surprising kindness found within professional networks, and the profound personal growth that comes from being open to advice. Witness how embracing fears and asking for help can lead to unexpected pathways of business strategy and personal development. As we conclude, we invite you to help shape our future dialogues, because after all, it's the shared wisdom and collective experiences that make our networking narratives so uniquely powerful. Join us and become part of the conversation that's redefining the approach to networking and business growth.
We discuss YAB in our discussion chat. Check them out here:
https://www.youraffordableboard.co.uk/
Nicole Bilham of WildBird Marketing Agency
https://wildbirdmarketing.co.uk/
Amy Lewis of The Mooeys Group
www.mooeys.co.uk | www.mooeysfranchise.co.uk | www.mooskin.co
Episode eight, my favourite number.
Speaker 2:Is it? Yeah, what is it about numbers? Like, I don't really know enough about it, but isn't seven a good number as well?
Speaker 1:I believe. So, yeah, that was a good episode, number seven.
Speaker 2:It was, wasn't it.
Speaker 1:What we call in this bad boy.
Speaker 2:Well, I don't know, but it's about networking, yeah, which sounds a bit boring initially. Networking Friend or phone, because the reason I think we should talk about this is because, oh, I'm not a massive fan of networking. Yeah, but you love it, don't you?
Speaker 1:Oh, I don't know if I love it, I know I I will be sat there. People are doing their 60 second pitch thinking, oh, why did we say this or that was a killer line, what about this or what about that? I think it's a bit of a brain storm in my own head about these businesses that I'll probably never touch or ever get to speak to, right, and I find that it sparks a lot of it sparks a lot of creativity for me. I think, specifically Interesting. Why don't you like it?
Speaker 2:Because I don't feel like my people are there. It's a bit ignorant. First of all, is it ignorant the right word. When I first opened my Horsham salon, I remember this guy he owns a jewellers, he's been there forever and he came in when we were opening. He said about joining the Rotary Club or whatever it was. I can't remember what fucking.
Speaker 1:It's not Rotary, he would be allowed. Darling, you're a girl.
Speaker 2:I think they've changed it, haven't?
Speaker 1:they. They didn't have female ones yeah, it was something.
Speaker 2:What's the other one? Chambers of Commerce, that's the other one, isn't it? So it was one of those and he was like you should really join this. Blah, blah, blah, that's all I heard. Blah blah, blah. He said to me your business will not be successful if you don't integrate and become a member of one of these. And I looked at him and I said I think you're wrong, because actually the people that I need in my business, my clients, are not there with all you guys. So no, I don't think I need to, thanks, but also, I don't live in the area. I don't want to be driving over just to go listen to other business people talk about their bin collection or whatever it is.
Speaker 1:I feel like we're getting a lot of assumptions.
Speaker 2:Maybe we can tackle some of that Maybe, but the fact that I was told my business will not succeed. That pissed me off right way, and when I was in Farnham I got asked to join loads of them and I was just like where are my clients? First of all, do you go for business connections or do you go for new business? And I think that's where you need to figure out what you're using it for right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and what the ROI is? Yeah, Because most return on investment. Sorry, most networking groups. There is a cost. You get to try them for free, but there is a cost.
Speaker 2:So if I lived in that area then I'd probably want to embed myself within the community of businesses. But I didn't live in either area. So I don't know if I want to participate in this and drive to this area and is it going to give me new clients? That's the question or do I? Am I going to just have business connections within that area? So my answer is no for that for the time being. But yeah, I just don't, I don't know, just don't think that I'm going to find new franchisees or new clients at these events. But I might be completely wrong.
Speaker 1:Are you ready to have your perception challenged?
Speaker 2:Come on then Hit me with it. How did we meet At NatWest Accelerator Program? Is it not a networking group, potentially, but I saw that I think, yes, it's my perception of networking groups and I know that it's not right, but it's like if you've got a minimum amount of time, where do you spend it? And I feel like networking is really great for people that are selling services, like marketing, design, like anything like that, envist doing sales, those sorts of things. I can imagine that would be amazing.
Speaker 1:I've got two things that I am thinking. One is yes, it does definitely work better in a B2B environment. Yeah, business to business. Yeah, thank you, and there is a huge amount to be said for finding your tribe. This is it. Yeah, so I have networks a lot. I didn't network a lot at ITV we built when I was working in London because it's bigger. You've got the name behind you, you've got building relationships and facilitating those relationships. So it's much more targeted and I guess you're kind of networking, but it's very, very loose and, yeah, no minimal structure to it, whereas when I started Wildbird, I knew that I needed to embed myself in the community, that chain for commerce. I was absolutely right, because I would never have got anywhere. I didn't have a shop, I didn't have anything to shout about, I just had me. Yeah. So, anyway, at that point I also needed to hear what those business owners were saying. So I see networking at that level for me as insight as well, which you can't put a cost on.
Speaker 2:Yeah, really, because you needed to work with those business owners.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I also need to like touch them physically. But I need to feel what that is like, what their struggles are, what their pain points are, because they're my target audience. So networking is really, really important. But, fuck me, I've kissed a lot of frogs. That's what I feel about about networking, and by that I mean I have been to the ones where there are women of an age that don't necessarily need to work, that have created this networking group, where it doesn't actually achieve much. On the flip side, I've got one that I am still part of that truly speaks to the tribe element. And then I do view NatWest as a network. I do view it as a group because they run we're alumni now right.
Speaker 1:So if we wanted to activate any of that network, we could. We could go back and we could introduce ourselves.
Speaker 2:We could do a 60-second pitch which I know you love.
Speaker 1:Don't make me do it. So from a marketing perspective, network can be a funnel into your business 100%. But you have to test and see if it works and you have to give it enough time to work. And there's structured networking, there's unstructured networking. There's lots of different approaches that you could take we and I. For example, which is very, very regimented you have to give referrals in each one but it works for a lot of businesses.
Speaker 2:Don't you find a lot of networking events like just pitching, everyone pitching their wares? It's very salesy, yeah, and the thing is like this sounds really I don't know if it's obnoxious or not, but I am doing manicures for 40-odd quid. Do I need to spend money to go to a networking event to sell a manicure for 40 quid? Or do I need to put 40 quid behind some advertising? You know what I mean. It's different to someone doing web development or someone doing design or marketing, where it's big jobs, contracts, things like that. Do I need to go and tell people that my business does nails and waxing?
Speaker 1:But you know it's not a funnel into your business. But then my second question would be what backup and support do you need in your team that could be aided by networking.
Speaker 2:I don't know, I don't think there is Within my salons. Well, I'm their network, aren't I? I'm there's, me and my team that are their support network.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but then beyond that, so say you needed a website doing, or say you actually wanted to pay for someone's services to fill a gap within franchise or within the group. Yeah, if you're part of a network you may have that there. Oh, I see. So you've got this front element of what's the impact to the salons minimal. But then there's also this ops behind the scenes service to service.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, I see networking, two different things. Then I see networking as in people going joining a club, selling their souls to each other, but I then see community yes, and actually I don't. I've never put them together before.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but then you show me, because you have this community already. You've got this back up and see if I any point. I think if you're a business owner you naturally start to build that infrastructure community because you crave it.
Speaker 2:And you're superheroes, right? Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:But you've got that as well. You have teams of people that you've met along the way, that, for whatever reason, you've connected with or they just don't bring them together. Yeah, but you didn't meet them through networking. No, not networking as you know it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, networking at school gates. You know, like Susie does our design. I met her through school and she's actually one of the best graphic designers I've ever known. Yeah, and I love that she's a mom and she's doing it at home and she lives down the corner, like I love all of that. I'd rather create that. And we've had a discussion before, haven't we, about creating our own community where it's actually business owners that are there to help each other. Yes, no, there's no selling, there's no pitching, there's no this. Just held each other up and support one another. And if you need a designer, you've put someone forward or say what your problems are, what you need in your business.
Speaker 1:So you're right, there are definitely two things at play here. I am part of a community like that already. That is Southwood Social Hub, yeah, run by Hailey Southwood, and it's really where you do join to be part of the community. You pay, but you are amongst like-minded, creative women mainly that show up as their true selves and are open to being vulnerable. And that is where magic happens, because it's all about meaningful connections and a meaningful community rather than that salesy piece that gives you the it gives you the it does give me the, and also we've also time poor, yeah, as parents.
Speaker 2:I think this is really key is that try right finding your people and what is it you're looking for specifically? If you are looking because you are a new business, you're just starting out, you're finding you want to do some market research or you want to. You need to meet other business owners because of the service you provide. I think networking is incredible. For that. I didn't want that. It's not what I was looking for and I've been going it alone for a long time, other than the people that I've found, naturally. But what I have been searching, what I've really needed, is a franchise community. That's what I really really needed Other franchisors that are doing what I've done. I'm doing, but better, so that I can learn from and that's another thing is putting yourself around people you can learn from, because otherwise, anytime I have done networking, I've always been the one given advice.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's tiring, isn't?
Speaker 2:it. It's exhausting, but I'm not getting anything from it because I'm just given advice to people, or people are asking questions about whatever it tax or whatever it may be. So I end up just doing it and being like just the advisor.
Speaker 1:And that's not what I'm paying for.
Speaker 2:I want to learn and I need to be the small fish in the big pond.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, so you can soak it all up. I completely hear you. I'm just trying. I don't network now, I'm not really networking now because I'm so time poor I probably haven't networked.
Speaker 2:Do you need to, though? Do you just do it when you need to, or do you feel like you've kind of built your own community now? I suppose we've got our own now as well, haven't we? We tend to hash things out ourselves.
Speaker 1:So market is hat on. Who am I targeting? Probably not on network. They're probably not at networking groups because they're time poor too. So is it a good use of my time? Probably not. But like you say, at the early stages, when you don't have you potentially don't have the option of choice and you're still learning about who your clients are, where to find them, it's like a must. Yeah, I think. And getting the most out of it starts with your 60 second pitch. I can't lie, you can see, I face them. She is not happy.
Speaker 2:Does every networking event have like 60 second pitches? Does everyone have to stand and say, hi, my name is so and so and I, this is my business and pretty much, yeah, most structured networking groups.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because all you're asking is for someone to introduce themselves. Yeah, but that's an opportunity. Oh, just kiss me, I know. I'm going to carry on talking even though she's not enjoying this conversation. I don't mind.
Speaker 2:And I totally understand why people do it. It's just not my jam, it's not. I don't love it, I don't want to do it. I would rather find people that I want to speak to other business owners, that I can bounce ideas off. Yeah, and it's the selling. And that's why I said to you all to create that community of people that help each other where there's no. You know, if you use someone's services because they're super talented at what they do, then absolutely hands down, brilliant. But to actually create a space where business owners can say I'm really struggling with this.
Speaker 1:I've got this problem.
Speaker 2:I don't know how to do it and everyone goes, I'll help you. That's what I want and what I'm looking for and what I would create myself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I hear you and I would love, love, love to be part of that, because I think that, like I said, that's where the magic happens, but that's because you're showing up as your true self. You're being raw, you're being vulnerable, you're there's an element of. We're all in it together. So, let's help and support each other. If you think about other networking groups, where it's slightly more corporate, you don't get that vulnerability.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but that's why I find it icky and I think anytime I have done any networking, it has been very formal, very corporate, and I'm like square peg, round hole situation, rock up in a bright pink coat. Oh, I don't belong here.
Speaker 1:Well, to me I think oh, she stands out here, that's fabulous, yeah. So can we just revisit the 62nd pitch? I know that it is uncomfortable, I know that you fucking hate it, but I also know that it's a hugely valuable exercise to do for your business. And that starts with working on your brand, values, your USP, your mission, what you stand for and being able to articulate that, because I hear you talk about movies all the time. I could have now spent enough time with you.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much, Wild Moves, because I've got to know Amy Lewis inside and out which is fabulous.
Speaker 1:I'm still learning, but your brand is really clear and you're so confident and comfortable being able to talk about that. When you start, when you're refining, when you're scaling, when you're pivoting. It's not the same. So, working on those brand values and understanding them and really pinpointing what they are and who you're trying to help is such a valuable exercise.
Speaker 1:I cannot stress enough the time, energy, effort, investment that you spend there will never, ever, ever be lost, because it comes quite naturally to you to know the identity of movies. It's not a necessary exercise for you, but there are so many brands out there that have scaled. And if you were to say what are your brand values? Watch your mission, who are you targeting? You don't fucking know.
Speaker 2:That's insane.
Speaker 1:One of my friends that still works at ITV works with brands that are scaling up to go on to TV advertising.
Speaker 2:Which is like millions of pounds of budget to spend, isn't it yeah?
Speaker 1:And they've got to this stage of their business, of their business, often owner founders. And the first question whenever you're buying any media space is watch your demographic. Who are you targeting? Because that's how you measure how successful it is. It also dictates where you should spend your money, and all that kind of stuff. Who's your target audience? I don't know. So you're ready to spend millions of pounds on media, but you don't even know who you're talking to.
Speaker 1:You don't fucking clue who you're talking to the importance of that work, that graph, that foundation, brand values, usp. Who you're targeting avatars.
Speaker 2:Avatar. What do you mean by that? Because you're that's a marketing terminology and actually the stuff you're saying is really valuable for people that are starting out.
Speaker 1:So an avatar is just a client persona. If you think about let's do it with movies the one person that possibly spends the most amount of money in one of your salons is the absolute brand ambassador for movies. Have you got her in your head, jessica?
Speaker 2:yeah, we've already called. We do this in management training. It's so important and it's really cool and like where does Jessica go? Where does she shop? What sort of clothes does she buy? What supermarket does she go to?
Speaker 1:Where does she hang out? Where does she hang out, yeah?
Speaker 2:So Jessica is a mum of two. Yeah, used to work in the city, has moved out to the suburbs because that's where a lot of our salons are. Yeah, moved out to the suburbs. Probably probably drives Volvo X5. Nice, you know. Like partner probably still works in the city or works from home part time. Works in the city part time. Jessica's probably had like a really cool lifestyle. Yeah, and she's a bit edgy, still a bit trendy, you know, busting out the outfit you're busting out today and she will shop in Sainsbows and Tesco's but she'll do a weight shows now and again for specials.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, a little treat. Yeah, weight shows now and again. She will buy good quality clothing, not necessarily loads of it. Yeah, like Oliver Bonus that sort of sort yeah capsule wardrobe.
Speaker 2:She'll be cool. She'll want her nails done every two weeks. She's probably starting up a business or working part-time in the industry she used to be in, or maybe trying to do both. Yes, she'll probably go on holiday twice a year. Yeah, it's not necessarily like rolling in dough, but comfortable Probably. Lives in a three or four bed house. Yeah, in a decent area. Kids go to a nice school, not necessarily private school, but yeah, that is our client. Yeah, that's our person.
Speaker 1:This is your avatar, right, right, okay, or your client persona, and it's really important. It doesn't matter what stage your business is at. This is a vital exercise to do, probably at least once a year. Yeah, because who you're targeting will change, it will adapt, it will grow when you're starting.
Speaker 1:We do this all based on assumption and feel yeah, when you're scaling, you might have data to look at, you might have a CRM you could have. Well, you'll certainly have more knowledge on who your clients are and who you want to work with and who you don't want to work with.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because actually Jessica is probably our franchise client as well she is Most of them are quite a lot of them clients turn to franchises. Yeah, one was a staff member. I actually spoke to a lady yesterday who is a client of ours. I spoke to another lady who's a client of another salon. Yeah, yeah, that is, in fact, that is our client.
Speaker 1:I always recommend doing two as well, because one person never usually cuts it. So the one that made the brand ambassador you know she's there, you can feel her, you've got her energy perfect and then, the other one that's very different to Jessica for movies. Yeah, that potentially sits somewhere else.
Speaker 2:Yeah, semi retired, lady. Yeah, yeah, she's another one, so Julie.
Speaker 1:But you look at this regularly, right, mm-hmm, as part of your brand.
Speaker 2:I think it's one of those things, because we're so customer facing, we just know it yeah.
Speaker 1:But not everyone does. Not everyone has that luxury.
Speaker 2:We have thousands of people through our doors every month, thousands, so we know who our target audience, we know who it is that loves me. We speak to them day in, day out, whereas if I was, to draw.
Speaker 1:If we were to look at world birds target audience, hmm, they're all so fucking different, I cut, I wouldn't even know. Yeah, similar personalities though, yes. Yes, there is. For me, it's more about mindset Mm-hmm, because more often than not, you're working with owner founders, mm-hmm, and our mindsets, our values, have to be aligned in some sort of way, otherwise it's never going to work. Yeah, which means they need to believe in marketing. Hmm, and, believe it or not not, a lot of people actually do believe in marketing.
Speaker 2:Really, yeah, wow. But you do all of that, don't you, with your clients. You do that whole values and go through that whole process if they need it right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, from start up. It's so important. So if you think about right, we can sit and work, flesh out an avatar for both of our businesses. That will be based on gut instinct.
Speaker 1:For you, it'll be based on data based on your experience, fast forward to the likes of Unilever or the likes of ITV or GMTV, as it was. Then You've got multi-million pounds to invest in research, god. So just to put this into perspective, when we were at GMTV, we were flogging airtime, right, mm-hmm? So we're selling the day part six to nine, twenty-five, and we have to capitalise on that to make as much money as possible. Mm-hmm, how the fuck do we do that? We can't just tell them it works. So we invested in research.
Speaker 1:One of the most expensive pieces of research we invested in was a small Quoll survey. Quoll, oh man Survey. Well, it's not even a survey. It's a research, commissioned research piece where we plugged poor souls into an fMRI scanner. An fMRI scanner monitors brainwaves. Have I shared this with you before? No, I don't think so. Okay, so bear in mind we're flogging airtime. This is what we're doing. Yeah, to convince not convince, that's the wrong word to facilitate the growth, to facilitate the revenue that we were driving, we invested in research to prove that what we were doing works. So we plugged these people into this fMRI scanner and they made them watch adverts. Yeah, but at different times of the day.
Speaker 2:Fascinating. How, how many people did you do it?
Speaker 1:on? Oh, not a lot, I think twenty in total Right.
Speaker 1:We didn't do the research in-house, it was outsourced. You know the name of the company, but we I remember playing the video of the scientists that did the neuroscientists that proved what he did off the back of us. So we went through this, that they all went more scanned, showed ads and it measured the brainwaves and it proved that you are more likely to remember life and understand adverts that you see in the morning than any other times of the day. If you think about it, it makes total sense, yeah.
Speaker 2:And the evening you're just switching off. Exactly You've recouped.
Speaker 1:You've had a good night's sleep. You're ready for the day ahead. Yeah, sometimes you've had a good night's sleep but better than you are in the evening and your brain's fresh. Your cells have rejuvenated overnight, you're raring and ready to go, but it sets you for the day ahead. So what we were being challenged with at that point, bearing in mind this was linear TV. Then you didn't have on demand. It wasn't the same. We would always be competing with appointment to view television which would be your quarry.
Speaker 1:Everything in the evening that you absolutely must watch.
Speaker 2:So everybody thinks that's the prime time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, which it is. That's where the bulk of your audience is. If you want to capitalise and get mass reach, of course you'd invest there, but imagine if you had both together. Anyway, I'm not trying to sell their time. That's how life is way gone. But the point of sharing this story is that research is madness. Can you imagine us now spending money on commissioning a research agency to look into the brainwaves of people that we think might be our target audience, in order to enable us to sell the day part? You say and now, now, now, now, now, now. What the fuck?
Speaker 1:I've got too much money, so bring that back to where we are, where we were. If you're setting up, if you're scaling up, if you're starting, you don't have that, you don't have that luxury, so you do it based on assumption and feel you must, must, must, look at it all the time and adjust and adapt and pivot it, because it will change as you grow.
Speaker 1:It won't always, potentially, be Jessica, or maybe it is Jessica that's her name, but she changes slightly for whatever reason. So, and then, use the dates, oh my God. Use the data that you've got access to, use Google, use what you can find on on Timterweb, use your CRM, use anything that you've captured along the way to help you define who that target audience is.
Speaker 2:And then the rest is simple, because you're just creating content talking to that one person, and what would Jessica think? What does Jessica want to see? Yeah, it does make it much easier.
Speaker 1:So, when you're doing your 62nd pitch, what does Jessica want to hear?
Speaker 2:Valley. Yeah, exactly, I know. Yeah, she wants value for money. Yeah, she wants an incredible experience and she wants consistency. She doesn't want to be kept waiting. She wants ease of booking, simple. She's time poor as well.
Speaker 1:What does Jessica want as a franchisee?
Speaker 2:She wants something that's a creative outlet. She wants somewhere that she can be proud of. She wants somewhere that she can work a little bit in, have an impact on, but also have it as a side hustle against something else.
Speaker 1:So what's the one thing that you could say to her to convert her into being a franchisee? You can have it all. Let me show you how. Yeah, it's so funny, isn't it, when you step into the shoes of your avatar.
Speaker 2:But I am that avatar. That's the thing as well, so it's easy for you to do. Yeah, it's really easy because I have created a business that I'd want to go to. Yeah, I'm in my 40s and I created it in my 30s and it's still somewhere I want to go. I'm so annoyed that I can't get in my own salons because I know, hands down, I will get the best service in them, and I'm so frustrated that I still have to do my own fucking nails and waxing.
Speaker 1:We are going to open one in Bedford, aren't we? Oh?
Speaker 2:God, I really want someone to open one in Bedford.
Speaker 1:Maybe I will. You're Susie or Martin, which one's going?
Speaker 2:to get there first.
Speaker 1:So back to the 67th bridge. Oh yeah, once you create that avatar, you've worked on your brand values, your USP, your mission. Now all you've got to do is articulate it. But this is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd. It's your opportunity. Please don't stand up at a networking event and just say, oh Nicole, I run a marketing agency. Thanks, that's what I've got to say. Cheers, you've missed an opportunity. I know it's uncomfortable.
Speaker 2:I know You've always got to have a call to action, haven't you? Yeah, what do you want? People don't do that, do they no?
Speaker 1:It's the same as ask the fucking question.
Speaker 2:Yeah, my post-it note, like what is it you're there for? And I think that's where I get the ick, because I'm not there. For if I'm at somewhere that I don't think that there's any value to me, I have no problem doing a 62nd pitch if I'm in the right space.
Speaker 1:So I've talked enough about networking. Have you been networking recently?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yes, queen. Again, I don't see this as networking, but it definitely was. So it popped up on LinkedIn. This guy that I follow who does lots of marketing and media for franchise. My problem is I don't have any connections in the franchise space and I feel very lonely in the franchise world. There's nobody in the beauty industry I can go to, because I'm kind of paving the way for franchising the beauty industry and I wish there was more franchisees in the beauty space, because if you go to America, nobody would set up on their own. Canada nobody had set up a salon on their own. They just buy one of their million franchises that are available.
Speaker 1:And we are definitely going to do a franchise episode.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we should do because it's fascinating. It's fascinating and I love this world.
Speaker 1:I love it. I want to know more about it as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it will be coming as in, like it will be the norm in the UK as well. We just need to catch up.
Speaker 1:But anyway, you're going to be the trailer. You said that, and all I can see is Amy Lewis on stage talking about franchising.
Speaker 2:So yeah, it's happening Because it's such an incredible space and it's seen in the UK is a bit dated. People just don't understand it and there's a lot of coaches out there going franchises a waste of money and they don't know enough about it. But there's also a lot of businesses that fail. Yeah, it's like a really low margin. People that make it to five or 10 years actually make it and earn like a significant wage from their business, not just a normal wage. It's like a really low percentage, but franchising changes that because it's already a proven model. So as long as you're someone that can follow a system in a process, then it's a really it's a proven model. What about the Mavericks? The Mavericks are the five percenters that would do brilliantly.
Speaker 2:But also they, the Mavericks, they're not very good at being told what to do. So if you're, if you're not, that person don't have a franchise because you'll fight it. But it's my franchise, so anyway it's very lonely in business anyway, which is why I love this so much, because we hash out everything constantly, which is I've never felt so Not lonely.
Speaker 1:What's the?
Speaker 2:opposite, like I'm so isolated you don't realise that. I don't feel like the opposite. I felt lonely in business, okay. What's the other content? No, what's the opposite word of lonely? I don't know Less lonely, yes, okay, whatever that is, but franchise world. I am a very small fish in a very big pond, I don't know enough about it. Anyway, so I went with the pure intention of just building my network. That's all I wanted. Yes, put your hand up, nicole.
Speaker 1:I have put my hand up because I have theory and I want to test it. It might be, it could very well be wrong. Go on then. I've probably got 20% confidence behind this. How much of putting your feelers out on franchise do you think was sparked by our investment conversation last?
Speaker 2:Oh, there's loads. Oh, my god. So much has happened since that. We had that, that whole investment chat, and my I was a little bit frazzled after that, Sorry, no, don't be. It was good, it was needed Lots of things to think about, but I was really vulnerable.
Speaker 2:And then I ended up having a conversation with my brother and he lives in China and he's got a very different business model. He has got an incredible business model. He sells a training, online training, coaching about teaching people, english speaking people, to learn Mandarin. Yeah, he is fluent in Mandarin, his wife is Chinese, he is fluent reading, writing and he teaches and it's a really great business model. He's found his niche and it's taken him a long time to figure out his ad spend and where he puts it and the terminology he uses and all of a sudden, like, literally in the last few months, it's really pivoted for him. He's found it and it's working.
Speaker 2:But he is studying. He's read every business book there is and I had a conversation. I was like I'm thinking about investment, it's just a conversation I've just had. I was very vulnerable and he went in on me and he was like, if your business it was really, it was a really tough conversation and I know he came from a good place. He came from a place of love. I just wasn't ready to hear it and I don't agree with all of it, and normally if I don't agree I'm very comfortable saying yeah, whatever, I'm not.
Speaker 1:I'm not down for them.
Speaker 2:It was also like literally an hour after we finished our podcast I had this conversation with him and he just went in and basically felt like he regurgitated every business book at me which is very corporate America, like tech world. And he was like if your business can't survive, it's not a viable business. If it can't survive and it needs investment, no one's going to invest in a business. It's not making any money. You need to be looking at your A, b and C players and I was like what are you talking about? Like A, b and C players? I've only got three of us. There's no A, b and C players. What the fuck are you talking about?
Speaker 2:He really kind of went at it and I know that the thing is, once he feels like he's helping, he goes in even further and normally I would stop and say, let please. And he was like well, I don't understand franchising, but I suggest you go in and you just learn about franchise. You do this. And I was like fuck. And I came away really emotionally drained because I was like maybe my business isn't viable, maybe my business is a shambles, maybe no one's going to invest. Like what am I talking about? What am I going to do so. I was really raw, yes.
Speaker 1:Sorry, I put my hand up again Two things. Yeah, I can't remember what day we recorded. Oh Friday, it was Friday wasn't it. We recorded on Friday, yeah maybe and I don't think he sent me a voice note about it probably on Sunday. Yeah, next time you feel like that, pick up the fucking phone.
Speaker 2:I will do. Yeah, to be fair, martin was amazing because he came in and he was like what's happened? I told him and he went. You know what, amy, he said I really wish you'd stop taking in so much information from other people, because if he and it was him that said, if you weren't so vulnerable from the opening up, like a flower with the front, you know, with the investment, yeah, if you weren't so vulnerable from the investment conversation, you wouldn't feel like this. You would have said, nah, this isn't for me. Like, don't shout this stuff to me. He said, but because you were so vulnerable, it just it's raw and it's it was too much. So please don't overanalyze this. You are on the right path. And I was just really confused.
Speaker 2:So actually, this franchise event it was called a think tank event. I couldn't have come at a better time. It was like 120 quid or something and it was a last minute, like I do. You know what I'm going to? Just see what it's all about. It was the first time they'd ever done it and it was the. I'll probably get emotional to talk about it, but it was the most powerful thing I've ever been part of. So we turned up and it was ran by absolute experts within the franchise space and people all like learning. There was a guy owns a company called Yab which is like a coaching company, but it's actually it's a franchise and if I wasn't on my path, I would totally buy one of those franchises.
Speaker 1:Is it like action coach?
Speaker 2:but yeah, but it was. It's what we are saying about getting business leaders together and saying how can I help is what Yab is all about, and it's a networking group. I know it's basically what we want to create, but you buy into a franchise and they help you fill it. Basically it's phenomenal. So the guy that owns this networking group was participating and he was like hosting the event there was three guys.
Speaker 1:Oh, he's the market.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so he's got a coaching business, but he was he's really cool and his name is he's really cool. And then there was him. There was Ed. He was the actual host at Paul. The three of them pulled it together. And there was another guy called Tim who has got a company that supports franchisees grow and he's worked for massive organisations taking their franchise brands internationally and selling their companies and yeah big, big players.
Speaker 2:And then yes, I'm a very little fish and there was four tables and part of the Yab process, which is bringing people together to fix each other's problems. There were four tables of four. The first activity that was hosted by Andy was like everybody has a problem in their business. You just need to class whether it's a red problem, as in you're going to lose your business. Amber problem keeping you awake. Yellow problem just on your mind. Green problem not really a problem, just something you're working through. You know, and he said you need to identify if anybody on the table has a red or amber problem and then, as a group, collectively help them.
Speaker 1:Oh God, I love this.
Speaker 2:It was all so magical. The lady that was one of our ladies on that table was. They were all just amazing, all franchiseors, and one of them had a red problem. She's got a franchise, a franchisee that's just not communicating. That was a red problem. We helped her work through that and I'm hoping that it's given her some focus on how she can move forward with it. I have, like an amber problem. I classed it as an amber problem, like my business isn't going to fail, but there was only allowed to do one problem. That's the end time we had. So then at the end of that, andy said we're going to go for a break, but the next activity is I'm calling on someone to be brave. I want one person to be really, really brave and bring their problem to the front of the room and have all 16 people fix their problem for them Right now. I know you're excited, aren't you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, Tell me what you felt at that moment in time I felt like my problem was bigger than my insecurity. Yeah, and it was an opportunity that I just couldn't miss. And he was like you've got millions of pounds worth of knowledge. People think of the salaries and the money that everybody's earning in this room. Put it together, you have this immense amount of knowledge. So one person has got to be really brave, stand up and give us your problem. Then the tables have to work out one question between them. They're only allowed one. And then the tables have to create one piece of advice that they all give to you collectively.
Speaker 1:How valuable is that? How long did it take you to decide? I presume that you stood up and put your hand up, yeah.
Speaker 2:So he said, if anybody has this, anyone has a problem, that they want to come, then tap me on the shoulder. He goes if not, I've got a problem. So if nobody comes forward, I can share mine. And I tapped him and he was like, oh hi, you moved chatting. I was like, no, no, I'm tapping you to be the person. But you know I've done that thing, but don't know if there's somebody that's got a red problem, don't worry about it. He goes. And he looked at me and he went nobody else has tapped me and I don't care. Someone's got a red problem, you are in. And I was like, okay, okay, how did you think of? Oh, shit myself.
Speaker 1:Or the gain on that level.
Speaker 2:I was like, but again, my yeah, but the problem I just couldn't miss that opportunity because this was bubbling away. But I knew that I'd either cry and that it was just so beautifully managed and he just went. This is a safe space and I just need you all to know whatever is discussed in this room stays in this room. We're all business owners and business leaders and we're all going to have the same problems or similar problems and we need to be respectful and kind always. But also it stays in this room. So you know, if you want to cry, you can cry. This happens all the time. People cry, it's emotional and it's fine.
Speaker 2:So I still I didn't cry. I held it together. I was close a few times but I said I'm just on this, I'm I feel like I'm nearly at the top of the mountain and I've got three franchise leads that really one's paid a deposit to a really like close. But I need an operations manager to help me with all of this because I'm doing everything and I need a. I need an ops manager to come in. I need someone to do training with me. There's a lot of. I need people to support me and I don't know whether I look for investment or whether I look for self funding, as I am, because I'm bootstrapping, I'm exhausted, I'm sick of being skin, all these things and I explained what the business model was explained, what the franchise model was, what Moores is all about. I was probably, I think I was given 10 minutes to explain my entire problem and then afterwards I kind of looked around and they all just went well done, well done, yeah, and you're the same, and it was really lovely.
Speaker 2:And I kind of went out and I was with the host, you know, and one of them gave me a hug and he was like you should be so proud of yourself, you fucking sure. Yeah, I'm proud of you, yeah. And then I was like thanks, he goes. How do you feel? I said I'm really excited to see what people tell me. I'm really excited to see how other people you know view this, because I'm still like confused about whether I've got a legit business or whether I'm onto something, or whether I'm falling myself. Do I get investment? Is anyone going to be interested? Like I'm so fucking confused. And they looked at me and they were like you are going to get so much from this, just so you know. Oh, because they've done it. Because they've done it, yeah, amazing. So then I went back in. They asked me loads of questions and they kept on like can I have another question, please, can we have another question? And I was like, yeah, generally, yeah they let them have a few.
Speaker 2:I had people telling me. There was one guy who was like, firstly, you should be so proud of yourself because to get a bricks and mortar franchise this far is impossible. And you've done it. And then there was another guy that's got like 120 franchises and he turned around to me and he goes you know, we've all been there and no matter how are you going to cry, no matter how big you are, how many you've got, we all feel it. And it was just so magical and it was women and men all giving me the most beautiful advice.
Speaker 1:I'm so sorry, I'm quiet every time.
Speaker 2:I've told this. It was just so special to get recognised by people I look up to and I admire, and people I didn't even know I admire until that day, and just to say well, fucking done. Every table said don't get investment, Did they? Oh, my god, yeah, every table. They said my management service fee is way too low for what I'm offering. And they were angry that I charged so little. They were like this is not okay. This is what you're giving. You're not valuing what you're doing. There was oh god, there was so much valuable information. There was a guy who was a keynote speaker and he is running this humongous company with 120 franchises and he's the CEO. And it's not his company, but he's running it and he's going to do global epic human. And he said I'm going to say something I'm not sure if you're going to like it. He said firstly, you need to read a book called the E-Myth.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And he said secondly, you are a technical person and you are a brilliant technical person and operator, but you need to learn about business. Right, and when you learn about business, you won't need to stand here. So read the E-Myth. And he said, and what I think you need, you don't need a coach, you need a mentor. And you need a mentor with like a success fee or somebody that can take you over that top of that mountain.
Speaker 1:Which you nearly had to be. Yeah, but he was a coach, it wasn't the right thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and he said coaches will push you for sales when it's a success fee or they'll do something and it'll be corporate whatever. What you need is someone that's been there, walked in your shoes and done it. Yeah, taken a business that's a franchise to the next level. Yeah, and he said but you need to work on yourself. You need to work on your business knowledge, not worry about how much money is in the business. Why is this so hard for you? Because I felt seen, I felt like heard and I felt like everyone just totally understood where I was coming from.
Speaker 1:Because they were all franchise owners. I just felt like I had my people.
Speaker 2:Oh, amazing. I had so many hugs afterwards, I had so much love in that room. Yeah, that was just like holding me up going. You are onto something so special yes, you are, and it's going to be amazing and I'm really here for it. It's just so magical and this guy and I was like he goes. You need a mentor that is like someone that can take you but isn't doing it for their own validation, is doing it because they care.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And has like a success for you. And I was like Jesus Christ, where do I find one of them? And he put his hand up. And then another woman put her hand up and I was like oh my God, really, yeah. And they were then offering to help me. I know right.
Speaker 1:And then this other guy- I thought you said that every time it was not going to be a moment of my will to never work in because we won't cry.
Speaker 2:And then he said to this other guy he's got loads of franchises. And he turned around and he was like you are so close to the edge of greatness, you are so close to it. And he said and once you've done your, you've got three more franchises and they're the right people. Please don't just say yes to anyone. Please make sure they're right you know this now.
Speaker 2:He said you're going to be up here next year give an advice to other people. You're not going to feel the way you do now, so stick with it. You don't need external influence, you don't need external money. Stick with it. It's going to be really tough for the next year, but do just stick with it. And I was like okay. And then there was a guy that said you know what? I've sold companies for millions of pounds and I've been where you are so many times and it is normal. And it doesn't matter how much money is in a company, we all still get there because there's no cash flow. It doesn't matter how many millions you got, you still got a problem with cash flow. It's always the way. Whatever you're doing, you're going to feel a little bit like this. And I was like okay, thank you, thank you very much. I need a like yeah, I did so. Yeah, they all gave me advice.
Speaker 2:And then afterwards I just had hugs from people going well done, I had so many beautiful messages on LinkedIn, beautiful. And then, before I'd even got home and I wasn't even going to go, it was one of those. I was like I don't know if I can be bothered. I don't know, I've driven to Birmingham, like you know, I, before I'd even got home, I had a message from one of the hosts that said I've had an idea and it doesn't require investment. Let me know when you get back and let's have a chat. And I phoned he, we spoke on Friday and he went. I want to be that mental for you. I want to see you get there and we'll talk about figures and another time. But have a think about it over the weekend, get in touch, let's have a chat.
Speaker 2:He said, because it's not actually I had this no point in pushing you for sales, because you need to get your systems and processes so absolutely slick that when your business escalates and scales, which it will, you are fully ready. Yeah, and you are so much operating and involved in every nitty gritty. We need to get you out of that working on your systems and processes so that you can grow. Yeah, and you're doing it all, yes, so we need to work on all of that and then the sales will come. I know right.
Speaker 2:So I haven't got back to him yet, but I'm going to because he's a really lovely guy. He said to me he said you made one comment which I feel like should be your strap line. He said you said one thing at the end, which is every market town needs a mirrors, and I can't get it out of my head, because when you say that, I know who your audience is, I know your demographics you're looking for, I know everything about your business, because you said every market town needs a mirrors, and you guys and I can see it happening and I want to be there to help you do it. So there we go.
Speaker 1:I feel like I've been on the wrong video. I know right, right, can I? Would you like some reflections? Yes, hit me.
Speaker 2:I'm so proud of you, thank you. I'm really proud of me as well, and I had to just be so brave, and bravery does pay off like putting yourself out there asking the question. And also there was one comment that said because of your openness, vulnerability and rawness, you were the one that made that event as special as it was. Yeah, because everybody then got like a green card to say you know, just be yourself.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Just do it. Just let's make this space really like.
Speaker 1:Unability is so powerful for so many different reasons. Yeah, I am unbelievably proud of you Unbelievable. Sorry, probably far too quiet and far too far away from the mic.
Speaker 2:I so much. So it has confirmed that I don't want investment. This is good, yeah, because you weren't sure. Yeah, I was going to explore.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And there's, and there was an element that my brother was right on some of it. He just delivery was off, yeah, and timing. And actually, just starting to read the emith, it is about entrepreneurs Fascinating.
Speaker 1:So the thing that I'm probably struggling to say the most is you are such an inspiration, thank you. No, genuinely, I say I probably say it too much. I don't know, I don't think you can actually say something like that too much, but your ability and your passion to not play small and to always push yourself makes me want to do the same, which means if you're inspiring me, you're inspiring others that are listening.
Speaker 2:Hopefully.
Speaker 1:People that you talk to, people within movies, people within your business people that you potentially network with you are so, so special. The other thing is, I am so pleased that you are now perhaps starting to see and feel the success that you've had, yeah, and actually appreciate the graft, the sacrifices and the impact that this mountain climb has had has been worth it, and there's been an element I feel like that mountain climb.
Speaker 2:I've done three quarters on my own. Yeah, you're great, some help carrying my bags and pushing me up a little bit.
Speaker 1:That's what it feels like, but to have like hearing someone else who is a franchise owner say you've got this far with bricks and mortar.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You have defied all the odds After a pandemic, I opened two within a year of the pandemic. One of them I opened mid pandemic actually.
Speaker 1:But you have defied all the odds.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I have.
Speaker 1:You can say it.
Speaker 2:But to actually feel it, I needed that validation from a community that knew more than I did and that knew more about franchising, because franchising is such an unknown territory for so many. It is like a it is this little part of the business world that it's so.
Speaker 1:Niche, yeah, but so and then, on top of that, to tangibly say you are not charging enough.
Speaker 2:Yeah, god, they all went in. They all said we need to give two piece of advice, our actual piece of advice, and you're not charging enough. And I was like, okay, yeah, so. And then there was people giving me advice about what to look into my contracts and how to change things and just like, and all of them are like we're going to do this. Everybody loved it and they want to do it every quarter. So we create our own community that we just get together and help each other out. Oh, the ones in the room? Yeah, off your own back. No, it's all going to be hosted by the same people. And then you pay. But we're actually going to just pay, yeah, but like, once they've asked, done a survey afterwards to create something, because the franchise world is a bit stiffy, you know, yeah, in the UK, not anywhere else, just in the yeah, yeah, yeah, very much so Sea of suits. And this little collective group are going to change it. Feel it, we're going to do great things. What happened when you woke up on Saturday morning?
Speaker 1:How did you feel Exhausted?
Speaker 2:But something else come of this as well. I know right. One more bit, One more bit yeah One more bit.
Speaker 2:Isn't it random? Like Motherfucking Universal and all that. The person I sat next to had just completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Wow, yeah, he's got 12 franchises, I think. Yeah, he was so kind. He was so kind and they played this video, which was the most epic video about humans. And it was a Danish advert, yeah, about don't put people in a box. Yeah, and it was. Have you ever seen it? God, I've send it to you. And it was so moving. We were all bawling, yeah, all bawling, because it was about, yeah, don't put people in a box. So is it like? All the nurses, all the housewives, all the people with loads of money, all the people with no money, the young people and old people? And then it was like who is it that's had sex in the last week? And then you all get together and all these people from different boxes, who's lucky enough to be in love? Yeah, who's lonely?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And all these people from each box comes together and then say we're all basically the same. Yeah, you know, it doesn't matter what box you're putting, it was so moving. And then there's the who's bisexual, and there was one person that stood up and then everybody clapped and it was all oh my God, it was so moving. So everybody in the room was bawling in this video and he was like making sure I was okay, cause I was really emotional because of this whole thing that had happened.
Speaker 1:And he was just like are you okay?
Speaker 2:You know, he's just so kind. Anyway, he said to me I have just completed this program and it's done at Oxford University and he said it's a really tough program to get into, but I'm alumni and I really want to put you forward. And I was like what and what you want to put me forward? And he goes you need this. I have changed everything about my business since doing this. It's the most amazing thing I've ever done. You need this and I really want to help you get it.
Speaker 1:So you're doing that too, yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm going to reply yeah, and you're going to get through. I think so.
Speaker 1:You've got alumni on your side, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's epic Just from one decision for 120 quid, and I was still I'm in a bad weather. I'd even bother, and then the person I sat next to might actually give me access to something. That might be the most incredible thing I've done in my business. I don't fucking know, but if I don't try it, I don't know, do I?
Speaker 1:What is the value of not even just the advice? The process being surrounded by other people that have been in your position are so close to what you're trying to build, and it's taken you all this time to find them, and all of a sudden you've got multiples of them in one room.
Speaker 2:And to get through to Goldman Sachs, you have to have a turnover of 250 grand, you have to have at least five employees, things like that. So then I'm going to be with other people at the same.
Speaker 1:Play, big Play big.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So it's all. So it's just the right time, right place, and all of that conversation I had the week before was just the lead up to this and I needed those conversations for me to be as vulnerable as I was, for me to be as open and honest and like can anyone help me? So, yeah, it was like a 10 minute pitch, not a 60 second pitch, but with so much emotion and so much heartache and stress, and this is what I'm really feeling and I'm going to tell a room of 19 strangers what the fuck is going on my business and I'm going to talk about money which no one talks about. I'm going to talk about all of it and then, hopefully, you guys can help me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they really have all come together and then I've got to go back in four weeks not to them, but they've put a meeting in my diary in four weeks to be accountable of what I'm actually doing about it from their advice, Fucking hell. And then I'm having a meeting with the hosts and then they're going to pass it on to the people that were there about what I've done in four weeks.
Speaker 1:How powerful.
Speaker 2:I know. So I better fucking read that book or not. Stop watching Real Housewives and read the email.
Speaker 1:We put the email in the show notes.
Speaker 2:It is. I can see why he's recommended it. It's an oldie but a goodie and it's about I've only read the first couple of chapters so far but it's about the entrepreneur's mindset, and that most entrepreneurs are great technical people, isn't? They're really good trades, really good beauty, therapist operations, whatever it may be, and because you're so good at it, you then go into business.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And most of those businesses fail because you're a great operator but not a great business owner.
Speaker 1:Jesus.
Speaker 2:And then it's the mindset shift of going from technical person to manager, to CEO.
Speaker 1:What is fascinating about that is it's probably the definition of winging it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's it. I am a great operator and I am fully in operations mode, but I can't do it. I can't continue and grow my business, yeah, but it's also where I'm comfortable, so then it's completely out of my comfort zone.
Speaker 1:Well, yes, it's like doing those things on the schedule. It's that are.
Speaker 2:Funning around, yeah Tick tick tick, tick, tick. Precisely, yeah, yeah. So it's exhausting but it's so exciting at the same time, and I hope that I am there next year and giving other franchise or's advice and paying it forward and supporting other people that feel the same as I do.
Speaker 1:Oh, you will. I've got no doubt about that, absolutely no doubt you can get it tomorrow. If you could help someone else, yeah, I would do, I'd always help if. I can.
Speaker 2:Every single person that I've known, no matter how successful they were, wanted to help for nothing. No money, no nothing. Just wanted to impart a little bit of wisdom. It changed my perception on everything.
Speaker 1:It's the power of the minute that you're vulnerable with someone and you really let your fucking guard down.
Speaker 2:Hmm.
Speaker 1:There is, and you're so exposed, the majority of people that are in that environment with you, especially if they've been in your shoes, will just drop everything and go. What the fuck can I do to help you?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Here, take this, take this, take this. This is what I like you worked, because that's human nature, that's why there's such power in it. Oh, kindness, I've really been thinking about a lot about kindness recently and you mentioned it a lot about some of the people in that room.
Speaker 2:I think we're quite. We are actually very kind people. I just hate unkindness. I find it really ugly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I feel like being a parent actually teaches you more about kindness than you've probably knew before. Because since there's so little kind gentle hands, kind, kind kind, why don't you be kind?
Speaker 2:That's very unkind.
Speaker 1:It's the language that you use, which means it's prevalent in my head, more so than it would usually be. But how often does kindness breed vulnerability? Also, that magic, that connection, that power people don't?
Speaker 2:Yeah, true. And also, you don't normally associate business and kindness together, do you no?
Speaker 1:If you were to draw it yet again you wouldn't.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I just felt like magic, fairy dust. I was meant to be there, meant to meet those people, meant to be the person that stood up. I was meant all of this was just opened up for me to go in, do your thing, be you, yeah, and then let the world open up a little bit more for you. That's what it felt like I drove home thinking the fuck just happened. But you know, it was incredible all of it. So I didn't see that as networking, but it was because there was some networking in it. But I found that like networking, completely different, and that's what I wanna be involved in. That's the stuff that excites me.
Speaker 1:Connection and community.
Speaker 2:Well, which are my core values in my life and my business? Yeah, mm, so watch this space.
Speaker 1:I'm excited.
Speaker 2:I know so excited, epic.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Do we wanna do a high, and low and the weak, or is this, I think?
Speaker 2:Oh, that was definitely a high for me.
Speaker 2:Ah, I didn't feel like I did any other highs. Are you on the right path? Am I doing the right thing? Am I ethically trading like franchise? There's a lot of sharks in the franchise space. There's a lot of people selling shit, a lot of people selling stuff that isn't worth anything, and that's where the bad reputation comes from. But there's some incredible franchises where you can make a lot of money or a comfortable salary very easily and still work for yourself, and I felt like every single person that room had good intentions, had good business models, had really good ethics and morals.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so your values are right, yeah, all of our values are aligned completely. Yeah yeah, for sure. Wow, those Give me a high or low for you.
Speaker 1:Well, it pales into insignificance here, darling.
Speaker 2:No, it doesn't.
Speaker 1:I'm on, so a high is getting up on my feet. Last week presenting to a group of 15 about marketing.
Speaker 2:This is the first time you've done it, but you're gonna be doing it every month going forward. Right, yeah, once a month going forward.
Speaker 1:Why is it a high? It is a high because it's the first one. It's a high because I've never met these people before. I've got no idea whether I'm going, whether they're gonna think I'm shit. I obviously go into most things thinking the worst. Yeah, no, sorry, not thinking the worst is gonna happen, but preparing myself for what could be the worst.
Speaker 1:So I'm never surprised if it does happen and also what could be the best. What do I want it to feel like? And it was really fucking good. Yay, I didn't expect to have, and it was really hard to read the room. So it's probably an hour and a half of me on my feet talking about methodology, talking about brand values, talking about avatars, explaining what I have done up until this point my career, my development, why that allows me to stand in front of you and why you should listen to what I've got to say. So, as an exercise, it's actually quite good.
Speaker 2:It would have been so valuable to the people that are in their businesses now. The people that are in there, yeah, but they're really hard to read.
Speaker 1:So you're dealing with this is a group of tradespeople that that Brookies builders, carpenters, yeah. That are now going into property development or in property development. So really like levelling up, scaling up, wanting a different life, really at that wonderful stage where they're in the they don't want to be hands-on anymore.
Speaker 1:They want to. Yeah, awful tools, yeah. So I'm always trying to like read the room whenever I've been presented. I want as many people along with me as I can possibly get, and will do. I overstretch myself to ensure that that happens. So there was a lot of like group thinking. There was a lot of kicking stuff around the room. There was a lot of is everyone happy, are we okay? A lot of checking in, and there were. I'd say I probably had 90% of the room there.
Speaker 1:I hope I presented it in such a way where we bridged any communication barriers or it actually made sense. So I kind of I talked about who I am, what I do. We talked about what marketing is, because this is the first one. So we kicked it off with the definition. Then we talked about touch points and why they're so important and what a touch point is and how many of them there are, before you make a purchase decision, whether that be a service or a product, and then each one of those represents opportunity. But touch points could be anything from you stood here today to someone that you've worked with saying that you're a bit shit and then telling everyone I'm sure shit, that's a touch point. So it's not just you your business, it's the people that work in the business your reputation, your reputation the whole lot.
Speaker 1:And then we talked about customer experiences and the best and worst customer experiences they've ever had, and I made them all.
Speaker 2:I love that exercise.
Speaker 1:Oh, I made them all around the room because I really like hammering home the point of they're very, very best, Like it made you feel amazing and then the very fucking worst.
Speaker 1:And we started with the worst, and then everyone's getting like passionate about their story and we had loads of different things, from like whizz air to horrific treatment at an airport, to a drone company that replaced their drone that they lost at sea like just the impact, and every time I asked how did it make you feel? How did that make you feel? Because what we get to at the end is whether you experience something incredible or something horrific. Anything that ignites an emotional connection is massive and it's actually gold dust for a brand, hence why John Lewis spends so much money on Christmas ads every year. Now, how do we bring that back to what we're talking about at this level? Let's look at the methodology behind that, which is where we talked about brand values and peace there. Anyway, it was good, it was valuable, but you still just don't know.
Speaker 2:Like we don't know, but that sort of session would be valuable to any business owner. I hope so, god. That would be because I do all of I do similar thing in management training, but it's so important for it. Where do people go for that?
Speaker 1:I don't know Like for the foundation. I've got no clue.
Speaker 2:Maybe you need to create it for other business owners.
Speaker 1:Well, this is on the B-hags for this year, isn't it To do some sort of course? So at the end, this is the litmus test At the end. My last slide was guys, you're stuck with me now. Once a month I'm gonna be here, wherever you like it or not. I hope you've enjoyed that. But this is about how I can help you and your businesses provide the most amount of value at the time that we have together. What do you want to hear about? We have got a clean slate. What can I give you that's going to help your businesses? Please tell me. I thought that I'd probably get two, three things I think we've got about seven.
Speaker 2:Wow, what is it? Can you share what they want, what people wanted?
Speaker 1:Yes, they want to do the brand values exercise Amazing. They want help with their 60 second pitch. They want to understand more about networking. They want to understand a brand. Someone asked about color theory for brands. When you're doing like your rebranding or anything like that, what else was on there? Target audience Going through the avatars Amazing. Yeah. And then so someone that I my business partner, actually on the Camdor stuff always says it's all in the follow up. So what did I do afterwards? As soon as I got home, connected with them all on LinkedIn. Thank you so much for being part of today. Thank you for your feedback. Really great to connect.
Speaker 1:All with an individual message and they all accepted Also. Thank you, and now I will see them all again next month, you're helping as well, aren't you? I think we should get so much from.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so not only are you part of something, you're kind of testing a program to some degree, because this is everything that a business owner needs. New business owner that you could create to many, yes, and deliver to many.
Speaker 1:But I just all I can. So one of the questions that I have when we talked about what's the definition of marketing, I said am I marketing here to you today? What do you think Is this marketing? And someone went yeah, of course it is, because you won't ask to buy if I can sell. You are correct. I'd love for you to do that. But also I love, like we talked a lot about values and one of my values is making a difference to others, and I don't care whether I get fucking paid for that or not, I care that I'm actually making a difference. So, yes, you're right, this is a test. Bed theory Like this is me trying to refine how I can actually make a difference, and it's breaking down my process as well, which is brilliant so much fun.
Speaker 2:What a session. Yeah, yeah, well done. That sounds awesome, thank you. And what a great experience for those people that are in the room, because they would not normally access that sort of knowledge when starting up a business in that sort of industry.
Speaker 1:No, and I'm having lots. It's sparking a lot of creative energy off the back of it. So I'm having a conversation later this week with another peer who runs a marketing agency as well and we're gonna kick around what we could do online training world. Oh yeah, Yay, what a week. Yeah, it's a great week.
Speaker 2:What a great way to finish our podcast. Okay, and I don't know what we're gonna be talking about next time.
Speaker 1:I don't know. We might ask. Should we ask on social?
Speaker 2:Yes, we should Let us know. Drop us a DM, tell us what you wanna chat about. Bye.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
