Love yourself. Be yourself.
Let’s talk creative product business problems. The latter months of the year are prime time for making really good product sales but, with that comes the pressure to produce!
Creativity is not my problem. I’ve learned that they’re a host of other factors that come into play, when you have a product business. Things that I wish I knew about earlier on. I’m going to share some of them with you in this post.
Continue reading “Lessons from starting a creative product business”
In this debut episode, I share some important questions that I feel are the foundation of any branding exercise. Questions to help you figure out what you want to be known for.
In the past year or so, I’ve had the opportunity to do graphic recording at some really interesting events.
I came across the concept several years back, when my friend and former graphic design colleague, started doing this kind of work. This was back in the UK where the practice is a bit more established than it is here in Kenya and Africa. Continue reading “Graphic recording/graphic facilitation: why your event needs it”
I often suffer bouts of imposter syndrome.
I find it difficult to celebrate my wins when they don’t live up to my expectations of where I should be. Rather than look at what is good, I find myself focusing on what I’m struggling with.
I’m guilty of the very things I’m always encouraging people to transcend.
Continue reading “Imposter syndrome part I: Everyday Wonderwomen + being your own vibe”
9 years ago tomorrow, I published my first post on a new blog I named Afri-love. I had thoughts and theories I wanted to explore; discoveries I wanted to share; inspiration I wanted to pass on; and community I wanted to find.
I didn’t know it at the time but, my humble blog was about to be the most powerful vehicle for me to find my voice, to realise my purpose and to build some incredible relationships along the way.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I love creating lists of 9. Therefore, it’s thus fitting to share one with you, celebrating this 9th anniversary of what has become so much more than just a blog! Continue reading “9 years of Afri-love + so much more than a blog”
I recently received an unexpected invitation: to share the concept of soulful branding at a Kenya Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife conference! The title of my panel: “From mundane to magical.”
The first African Safari Summit brought together different stakeholders from the sector,to reimagine the African Safari. Players included government, hotel and lodge owners, tour operators and more. The ultimate goal? Over 4 million annual foreign tourist arrivals; over KES 1.14 trillion earned from tourism in 2030; and jobs provided for 3 million Kenyans.
I thought to myself – how progressive of the organisers to consider the power of soulful branding in this context!
To give you an example of how soulful branding can be applied in real life, I’m sharing what I prepared.
Continue reading “From mundane to magical with soulful branding”
I often get asked how I do it all.
I work with clients on branding, illustration and mural commissions. I produce a line of stationery and lifestyle products, featuring my illustrations. I run an online branding course. I run a festival. I co-run a networking club for female founders. I regularly publish blog posts, I send weekly emails to my list and I try to post daily 2 of my Instagram accounts. I’m raising a toddler and I’m trying to have a life again. Productivity is essential! Continue reading “4 strategies for more productivity (and joy)”
We all have personal values and beliefs, as well as experiences and interests that inform our business philosophy.
Often, this philosophy is behind the scenes and something we don’t consciously tie into how we talk about what we offer (i.e. our marketing). Sure it seeps into everything because we are so connected to it but, have you ever considered writing it down, in one place, for the world to see?
Have you ever sat down, with your strategic hat on, and thought about how all the products and services you offer directly tie into the different aspects of your philosophy? Continue reading “How your business philosophy can help you grow”
It took me a while to appreciate the power and necessity of finding my voice.
You know what it’s like to be excited but frustrated at the same time? When you’re full of ideas for your brand and business but, you hit a roadblock because you’re unable to properly express them and live them?
I experienced this frustration for years. I felt that there was a certain way I should be doing business and therefore a certain way I needed to present myself. To be palatable – welcoming to anybody who might need services in my skillset.
As a result, I attracted clients I didn’t really want to work with and so, I didn’t feel like I was creating my best work and I held back on the kind of work I really wanted to do. Continue reading “The power of finding your voice: my Soulful Branding story”
The Afri-love Connection Club is one of the highlights of my inadvertent “year of yes” (I finally read the Shonda Rhimes book this Christmas and it was a revelation!).
In May 2018, my friend and business BFF, Danielle Anderson of Step and Stone, launched the Afri-love Connection Club – a place for female founders to come together to transform their business and their lives.
We really had no idea what to expect when we began. Initially hoping for 15 members, within one day of launching, we had way more applicants than that! We had dreams but, would other women buy into them? Continue reading “Afri-love Connection Club for female founders”
