🎉A Year of Growth and Connection

This month marks one year since I launched my business!  They say it takes a village, and that is true. I'm grateful to former civil service colleagues, Bernadette Thompson OBE, Roy Ebanks, Rob Neil OBE, who said “you got this” and grateful for meeting my lovely virtual team member Amy Watkins.

Amy is a young woman, just 26, blazing a trail from Northern Ireland, bringing heart and care to my brand and to all her clients.  As I grow older I feel it’s important to leave the ladder behind so my spotlight this month is Amy.

Just a reminder - you got this too!  And if you need support along the way, see my free and low-cost resources below to help you plant your own seeds.  Whether you’re navigating a new career, building brand, confidence, or just looking for some inspiration, you’re not alone.  

Scroll down and take what you need.

With gratitude Sandra 💜

When I started sharing my thoughts on LinkedIn, I never imagined where it would lead.

I questioned if my voice mattered

If my experiences were worth sharing

If anyone was actually listening

Thankfully, something beautiful happened along the way:

• 250,000 Impressions
• Over 6,000 Engagements
• Over 8,000 New Followers
• 8,984 Newsletter Article Views
• 2,463 Newsletter Subscribers

Each of these numbers represents a real person who chose to stop scrolling, to engage, to connect.

THANK YOU!

Your comments, shares, and messages mean so much.

Lessons from 1 year in business

🌱 Be real, not perfect The posts that have resonated most weren't the polished ones but the raw stories where I shared genuine challenges and victories.

💬 Connection over clicks It’s not about numbers. I’ve made genuine connections and my community have shared their heart in the comments. That has meant more than any viral post.  

📚 We all have a story to tell When I shared the story of overcoming my own self-doubt, the response was overwhelming. I received DMs which were so moving.  These kinds of stories help others and remind us we are not alone.

🪜 Lift others as you climb Celebrate the wins of people in this community. Tag someone who's inspired you. Comment on their posts and DM them to show you care.

🔁 Consistency builds trust My business came from showing up regularly, sharing value, and gradually building trust.  That’s not a quick win and the effort is ongoing.

🌍 Your brand determines your cashflow - I’ve built multiple mini streams of income.  For me it’s coaching 1-1, delivering webinars, training and speaking engagements.  I have something on the go all the time.  And my bookings come from my brand.  No adverts or hard sell.

Key Takeaways

🌟We all have something to share

🌟Your voice matters

🌟Your perspective is unique

And there are people waiting to hear exactly what only YOU can say.

Visual Reflection

Take a minute to rest your eyes on this beautiful image and breathe out all the doubt, any negative thoughts.  Say to yourself “I got you” and “you can do this”.

✨Spotlight✨

Micro Business Owner Amy Watkins 

Introducing my virtual Team Member who supports me with ideas and social media delivery.  Here is a little interview where you can learn more about her.

Could you share a bit about your background and how you started in marketing?

I'm a 26 year old creative from Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. While I always had a creative streak, I didn't initially envision making it my livelihood. In Northern Ireland I didn't see many examples of self-employment in the social media space.  

My journey into marketing began during Business Studies at school, which sparked my interest. After obtaining a 1st in my marketing degree and gaining valuable experience via in-house marketing roles, I took the leap into freelancing in 2022.

Why did you become a freelancer?

I always dreamt of having my own business.  I liked my previous jobs but loved the idea of working for myself.  I just felt this would enable me to be more creative. This way of working has given me more opportunities to work on dream projects. It has also supported my wellbeing as I  can now control my environment, the people I work with and my working hours.

What would you consider your biggest achievements so far?

I have been working on a freelance basis for over 3 years.  I have worked with some great clients, many of which I have retained, which is amazing as freelancing can be unpredictable. The consistent workflow I've enjoyed over the past couple of years has been a true blessing.

What is your favourite aspect of being your own boss?

What I love most is the diversity of work and businesses I engage with daily. One day, I might be crafting social media content, and the next, designing a newsletter. It never gets boring!!

What has been your biggest learning curve working for yourself?

Learning to disconnect from work has been my greatest challenge.  I'm gradually improving on this and regularly check in with myself to support my wellbeing.  When I first started, I was excited about having clients but anxious about keeping them satisfied. However, I soon realised that being 'on' all the time impacted my creativity. This year, I'm taking more breaks throughout the day which has really supported my mental health.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy going to the gym and walking loads. I am also a keen landscape photographer.  I love to travel about Northern Ireland (and abroad when I can) and take photos.

A big thank you to Sandra, who is now featuring my photos in the newsletter 🙏

Drop me a message on LinkedIn with any questions on marketing, brand and social media delivery. Always open for a chat [Click here to connect on LinkedIn☺]. 

"Ditch the Act: Reveal the Surprising Power of the Real You for Greater Success" by Ryan Foland and Leonard Kim

This book offers a refreshing blueprint for authentic personal branding by embracing vulnerability rather than perfection.

With candid insights and practical wisdom, Ryan and Leonard demonstrate how revealing your true self - creates deeper connections and unexpected opportunities.  This is a great guide for anyone seeking genuine impact and success in today's world. 🌍

"Brand You" Podcast with Caz Grant & Toby Lee

Hosts Caz Grant and Toby Lee demystify personal branding and reveal how it can genuinely transform both business and life.  Each episode challenges conventional wisdom about standing out while delivering actionable insights on what's working, what's not, and how to take your personal brand to the next level. 🚀

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