How I Became a Designer: Part 1
I’m often asked how I got started in graphic design. To be honest, I didn’t even know what a graphic designer was when I was growing up. My Mum worked in a shop and my Dad was a groundsman and there wasn’t really anyone artistic in my family whatsoever! Growing up in...
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Networking in Cumbria
Networking in Cumbria Networking is vital in a place like Cumbria as it's so massive and spread out! I thought it would be helpful to list a few business networking groups which are especially useful for making contacts in Cumbria. Inspire West Cumbria - informal and...
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Why Hiring Small Can be a Good Thing
I hired an accountant last year to help with my book-keeping. Angela Black from AB Accountancy popped round and we discussed what I needed and chatted about how nice it is to work with someone likeminded and having a similar approach to business. It got me thinking...
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Networking Hints and Tips
Tips for networking Now, I’m by no means an expert at networking but I have picked up a few tips over the years. It can be daunting to start networking for the first time; I know some seasoned professionals who still feel a flutter of nerves before walking into a...
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When you need a logo, pronto!
I love logos. There, I said it. I love it when inspiration strikes and I can create a design that will be absolutely perfect for a business (maybe yours?). My faithful readers and customers know that I conjure up bespoke branding solutions for companies who want to...
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Show your true colours!
We’ve nattered about the importance of finding your brand voice, prepping your photoshoots and generally fine tuning your brand personality, but what about that all important colour palette? How important can those shimmering hues and tones really be to the success of...
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Discover your brand tone of voice!
Everyone knows you have a wonderful personality (you’re welcome!) but what kind of personality does your brand have? Is it commanding? Chatty? Quirky? All three? It’s very rare for any brand, or person for that matter, to have vastly conflicting character traits,...
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Beating loneliness as a solopreneur
Before we get started on the potential issues, we should review all of the wonderful things about working for yourself! Low overheads if you work from home -sweet! No horrible commute to get through twice a day Total control over your workload and your workstation...
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My Printing Terms Jargon Buster
Welcome to the wonderfully gobbledegook world of printing terms. Now, before you leave the page in bewilderment…haven’t you ever wanted to know what us designers work with on a daily basis? If you’ve got that little bit of knowledge, we can have even more...
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It’s Your Time to Shine
A shout out to hard-working businesswomen! Did you know that spell checker does not recognise the word ‘businesswomen’? I’m serious. How disappointing is that? It’s time to hold our heads up high and be proud to shout about our many achievements! Or at least have a...
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How to Plan a Brand Photoshoot
You can come out from behind the sofa! Few of us happily run toward the camera with open arms and a ready smile (including me) but if we want to make a splash in the business world we have to be lens-ready! A brand is much more than a logo. It’s how the world...
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Sleep – are you getting any?
There's always a balancing act happening in life and business... and one of those balances is how much sleep we're getting. We all know the benefits of getting enough shut eye; it improves focus and our mood - not enough sleep can impact our lives in so many ways. As...
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Why Do You Need a Professional Photographer?
I had a fab chat with Dayve Ward about professional photography and why it's important for your brand. Here's his take on the subject: With so many things in business costing money it’s no wonder that you’ll be looking for ways to cut costs. DIY is becoming easier (in...
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The problem with a websites like Fiverr…
Now, don’t get me wrong, I bloody love a bargain! That shiny new pair of shoes, marked 50% off… But, it’s now Spring and these are sparkly stilletoes that would be suited more to a Christmas party… Not really useful to me now. Plus, they didn’t have my size. I totally...
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Self Care Tips for Business Owners
If you run your own business, you'll know the feeling of overwhelm. Self care is so important; you can't pour from an empty cup, as they say. Now I’m as rubbish as anyone for making time to look after myself. I am self employed, have a child and run a household so...
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Podcasts for Small Businesses
I do love a podcast - I often listen to them whilst working in the background. Over the last year I've listened to some fantastic ones which I'd like to share: The Janet Murray Show - Love Marketing, Make Money I absolutely love Janet Murray's podcast. From creating a...
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How to Define Your Target Market (and why it’s important!)
Defining your target market is super important - if you don't know who you're going to be trying to reach then how can you tailor your marketing accordingly? Making sure you know exactly who your ideal customer is can really transform your marketing and branding,...
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Gifts for Entrepreneurs
Do you have a friend or loved one who has their own business? Here's my gift guide for entrepreneurs and business owners: A planner I have a slight (ok, massive) fetish for stationery. Getting a new planner or diary for 2019 is at the top of my list! I love Daily...
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My Year in Review
This year has whizzed by in a flash. I don’t know about you, but I like to look back over the year and assess what’s happened and look at the next year to see how things could improve. I WAS UP FOR AN AWARD I loved being one of the finalists for the Enterprise Vision...
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When Should You Start The Branding Process?
Branding is important; you don’t need me to tell you that. But when should you start the process of branding your business? AT THE BEGINNING Ideally, once you’ve got your business idea set in stone the branding process should begin. In a way, it’s already begun!...
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So What is a Jpeg? A Post on File Types
When I've finished a branding project you'll get a whole host of files for using in print and web applications. It can be a bit daunting being landed with a load of files that you have no idea what to do with; so here's my handy guide! Usually, unless you've asked...
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How To Be Kind in Business
It’s almost ingrained in us to be ballsy in business. I honestly think it’s frowned upon to show compassion if you’re in a corporate environment, but this has to stop. With mental health awareness being much more talked about, it’s imperative to be kind not only in...
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Why Do You Need Brand Guidelines?
"Brand what..? Guidelines..?" Yep, you read that right – the term ‘brand guidelines’ might not be one which you’ve heard of but it’s a real life thing in the design world. Put simply, brand guidelines are a bit like a book all about your brand – they range from a...
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Why Branding is a Bit Like Baking a Cake!
Now, I'm not saying I'm Delia Smith, but I do like to think of my job as a little bit like baking! Hear me out; branding has lots of elements (ingredients) that when chosen, mixed and baked correctly can result in something completely DELICIOUS! So, what are these...
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Keeping Your Brand Consistent on Social Media
There's many reasons why being consistent with your branding on social media is important. It looks more professional, it builds trust, you become more recognisable and it actually saves you time! Once you have some templates in place you can easily add new quotes,...
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I’m a Finalist in the Enterprise Vision Awards!
I am so excited to announce that I'm in the finals for the EVAs - Enterprise Vision Awards - which are a North West England based awards celebrating women in business. I'm up for the Creative Industry Award and I'm honoured to be in such esteemed company as fellow...
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Inspire Summer Meeting
I've been a member of Inspire West Cumbria for a few months now and absolutely love it! Everyone is so friendly and it's such a relaxed atmosphere. Each month there's a speaker and we've learned about everything from GDPR to cooking from our summer meeting last week!...
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There But Not There
When St Kentigern's Aspatria asked if I'd help with their commemoration of the end of WW1 I didn't even hesitate. I've sponsored a silhouette of a soldier which will sit in the pews amongst other figures to remember those from the town who died in war. I have family...
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ADS Street Art Project
I was asked to come along and help Young Cumbria at Aspatria Dreamscheme to create some street art. I've never actually done any spray painting before so was a little nervous but it was so much fun! We started by generating some ideas for the murals - elements such as...
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Grants for Cumbrian Businesses
Do you need a website but feel put off by the cost? Are you a Cumbria based company? Then Cumbria Growth Hub has the solution for you. By funding 40% of up to £2000 of the cost of your website, the Cumbria Growth Hub will be a welcome boost to your business; perhaps...
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