Seriously in Business: Brand + Design, Marketing and Business (White Deer, Jacqui Naunton)

Have you ever thought "Hmm, I probably shouldn't really be using Canva for my graphics... it's not that professional".

Sure, it doesn't do as much fancy things as Photoshop or cost as much as the Adobe Suite but friends - I use Canva for 95% of my own designs!! (AND my clients who run million dollar businesses).

So, the clincher isn't Canva itself... it's something else.

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers I give the goss on why it's not Canva that's the real culprit (the THREE things actually).

I talk to how these mistakes are hindering your success:

1.  Not having a brand strategy

2. Not knowing how to communicate your message

3. Not being in the know around good design

LINKS:

Website: www.whitedeer.com.au

Instagram: www.instagram.com/whitedeergd

Helpful Resources (Free): www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

The Co+Creation Club Waitlist: www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Grace Howes. Business Mindset Coach and all-round-legend!

Grace and I chat about some of the mindset block and hurdles we as business owners can face - and some steps we can take to move beyond them into deeper success and joy.

We cover:

• How we can learn to trust ourselves

• Becoming self-aware and learning what our triggers are

• How to stop getting in our own way

• Things we can do to end comparison

Guest Bio 

Grace Howes is a Business Mindset Coach who helps soul-conscious women do their inner work to ditch the self-doubt so they can show up in their full power and create big external results in business.

https://www.kgracehowes.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kgracehowes/
 

When we first start our business it can be difficult to know how to infuse our personality and passion into it. Tara didn't have a bad brand, but it didn't quite match her deep caring nature or spiritual focusses - so, in The Co+Creation Club we changed that.

I'm so excited to share Tara's story with you. Discover just how empowering and impactful it was for her to update her branding herself and learn the skills to create promotional material for all of her offerings both during her time in The Club and well after it had finished!

Tara shares of a masterclass she's wanted to create for a year now but has only just now put it out into the world - in part helped by her ability to create her Instagram posts and presentation slides in a way that was fun and deeply resonates with her audience.

Tara even mentions that the kinds of clients she's drawing in now that she's designed her brand around HER are even more aligned.

Listen now to hear Tara's experience of working with me in The Co+Creation Club and if you're excited to join our October round (final round for 2022) then jump in here before doors close October 4th. https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

ABOUT TARA:

Tara Winters is an award winning life coach, soul guide, speaker, writer and mother of three children.

Her first career as a corporate accountant saw her working for large multinational corporations. After 20 years of hiding her spirituality while climbing the corporate ladder and playing down her money wisdom in the spiritual world, she now integrates her masculine and feminine energy to create a life of joy, freedom and abundance.

With deep wisdom, a loving heart and a treasure trove of spiritual and financial tools, she supports her clients to create an abundant relationship with money and with themselves. She strongly believes that people who feel abundant in their lives, financially and otherwise, have the power to change our world.

CONNECT WITH TARA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarawinters.co/

Website: https://www.tarawinters.com.au/

Most designers would shout an almost deafening "NO!!!" at the idea of a business owner designing their own logo.

And for good reason!!

Logo design is more than just making a pretty logo for your business.

There are MANY things the common DIYer misses that can be detrimental to their businesses' professionalism, quality and legal soundness.

So, in this episode let me take you deep on the 5 things you must do correctly when creating your logo! (You can thank me later).

We discuss everything from:

- Readability across all uses

- Legalities around copyright and unique designs

- Creating versatile variations to suit ALL your needs

- Making a logo that goes beyond the trends

- Saving in the correct file format that will make sure you logo is clear, crisp and will take you into the future

Plus, if you'd like HELP while doing this to make sure you really nail these 5 things, join me inside my online course DIY Design My Biz. Doors open now: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/

If you're anything like me, numbers are one of your least favourite parts of business.

They're one of the jobs you tend to put off then finally get to later and regret you let your books get so out of order.

Well, I think it's time we change things around and take ownership of this less fun area of our biz.

In this episode I chat with money and business mentor Natalie Hall. She shares with us 5 numbers all biz owners need to be on top of and how we can practically do that through weekly and monthly money dates!

Natalie has seen too many businesses go under due to a lack on money management, but being a business owner herself she can see how tricky all the aspects of running a business is and her dream is to make the money side a little more manageable!

Here are some of my notes from our discussion:

5 numbers:

1. Your budget: plan out your money goals for the 12 months. Write down sales expected, expenses, investments, wage, super and forecasted profit. You can then make decisions on how you're going to hit those goals. (Look at profit and loss statement for past figures to gain inspiration for these goals)
2. Cash flow forecast: Cash is king. Weekly cash flow forecast - over 12 week periods. This is the cash coming in vs coming out.
3. Tax: Speak with an accountant about working out your income tax for the year. Make monthly payments into a personal tax bank account so you're putting it aside and don't get a shock when it's time to pay. Also looking at GST and putting it in a separate account too.
4. (and 5!) Sales and profit: Profit is what we end up with at the end of the day so it's important to know what our end profit is. Look at sales weekly/monthly and profit end of each month. Compare against your budget and see if you're on track.

WEEKLY: Have a weekly month date! ie. sit down on a Friday and check in on your numbers, reconcile your accounts, weekly revenue, expenses, cash in and out, bank balance and if you need to put any money into your tax accounts. Check invoicing, bills, etc. Look at your expected cash flow for the following week. And a check in on YOU - sleep, eating, family, self care - being aware of you and your mindset.

MONTHLY: Get your financial statements, maybe even print them off!! Profit and loss, cash flow, balance sheet - go through sales and then go line by line in your profit and loss expenses (check it's going to plan and check that it's all correct). Cross check your actuals with your budget. Check bank, cash, tax, super, GST accounts and Plan for the month ahead.

Don't be put off my this list! Natalie explains that once your weekly/monthly dates are set up they won't take long at all and will lead to far more success for your business in the long term as you make informed and wise decisions with your money.

ABOUT NATALIE:

Natalie Hall is a former accountant CPA turned money and business mentor based in Melbourne, Australia. She helps high achieving, 6-7 figure business owners grow their profit whilst prioritising their wellbeing and mindset. Educating women financially so they can learn the power of numbers to grow their profit, as well as supporting them to harness the power of their mind and wellbeing to create the business and life of their dreams. 

The end result? Unwavering self belief and trust so they can become the woman they were destined to be.
 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE:

Website: nataliejhall.com

Instagram: @natalie_j_hall

Your Guide To Growing Your Profit Freebie

Balancing who we are and what we love, with being a business owner can be a tricky feat. We are pulled in so many directions, with so many demands, priorities and expectations...

Join me in this episode as I chat with Marlous Teh about ways you can accept your current season in life and business (HELLO being a mum of a toddler whose capacity is far lower than I want it to be).

Marlous was also a STAR student in my sell-out program: The Co+Creation Club so she shares a few insights into the impact the experience had on her...beyond having a "pretty brand".

Doors to The Co+Creation Club only open twice a year - and RIGHT NOW is one of those times. Join us for a business-changing experience where you'll not only work WITH a designer to co+create an incredible brand and/or graphics but also grow in confidence, time, pride, clarity, momentum and authenticity.

Find out more (and see some incredible before and afters) here: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

ABOUT MARLOUS TEH:

Marlous is an Internationally Certified Leadership, Mindset & Energy Coach who supports ambitious heart-centered, leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers to be their most confident, courageous and powerful selves. Her clients desire to radically shift the playing field and redefine leadership and success, so that they can live deeply fulfilling lives and create the life-changing impact they know they can have with integrity, joy and purpose.

INTSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marlousteh/

WEBSITE (yes, she made this herself!): https://www.marlousteh.com/

When you’re starting a business, one of the first things we think we need is a logo! And while a logo is great it is only such a small small SMALL part of our whole brand - and even a small part of our visual brand!

I see (and have worked with) so many business owners who want their logo to be EVERYTHING. To have gold foil, watercolour, cursive fonts, a detailed illustration…and more!

But this is the total wrong approach!

In this episode, I’ll be chatting to you about why you need more than a logo to have a memorable (and easy to design with) visual brand and what exactly that looks like!

Why you need more than a logo:

You’re able to have a design that is so much more intricate and interesting to your audience!

Your logo is not so busy and complicated that you can’t use it everywhere you want! Hello tshirt, social media icons, watermarks - everything. Easily.

Your brand isn’t set in stone! Your logo can stay the same while your brand continues to evolve slowly with you and your business.

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

Imagine this: toting a baby around while having your most successful launch in your 10 years in business. Sounds like a wild dream, right? Well, six months into juggling a new-born and a thriving business, I’m living proof that it’s possible.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real-deal insights of living this beautiful, chaotic dream *chaotic being the key word*. If you’re thinking about balancing a thriving business with the joys (and chaos) of motherhood, I'd be honoured to share some of my experience with you.

Six months into this mum-of-two life, I've had some big realisations. Imagine finishing a presentation at 11pm the night before you're presenting it to the biggest online audience of your life, with a 4 month old you'll then be up feeding during the night—yep, that happened—and it was amazing!

We’ll chat about why I chose the stay-at-home mum and biz owner combo, and I'll share some critical questions I’ve been asking myself to make sure my business stays sustainable—things like limiting client intakes and re-evaluating my social media strategy.

To all the business mothers (and mothers-to-be) out there, this episode is for you!

MATERNITY LEAVE PODCAST: https://whitedeer.com.au/maternity-leave/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Branding in 2025 is going to look different—and if you're not ready, you're going to be left behind. Do you want your brand to get noticed, loved, and ultimately create more income for your business? Of course, you do! In this episode, you'll learn what you need to start doing today to boldly stand out in 2025.

Join me, as we dive into the first of a three-part series on creating a bold brand. Learn to infuse consistency, uniqueness, and a whole lot of YOU into your brand.

Plus, stick around till the end for the four crucial questions to ask yourself if you want your audience to feel like you just get them and they can't help but work with you.

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

I wonder if you can relate to Nivek...

"I jumped onto Canva late one night to start working on my brand but I felt so stuck. So uninspired. I felt like I was going to snap! I couldn't look at it all anymore. I need someone to guide me... I couldn't articulate what I wanted but I knew I didn't want to stay in this place any longer."

"Whenever I put anything into the world, I want to be proud of it. But I couldn't find that in the brand that I had or anything I could think of on my own. It was stopping me from launching the podcast coz I wanted to feel proud of it and to be able to shout it from the rooftops... but I didn't feel confident in anything I could create on my own"

Nivek is a wildly successful business owner but she wanted more, she wanted to grow, she wanted to feel proud of her brand. But her graphics were getting in the way (the opposite of what they're meant to do!).

Listen to this episode to found out what changed EVERYTHING for Niv.

Join The Co+Creation Club! Doors close October 4th.

www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

ABOUT NIVEK:

Nivek Harrison is an Online Business Manager and the owner of The Virtual Chapter, a virtual support agency for soul-led coaches, course creators and consultants who want to transform & elevate their business through the power of leveraged systems. Nivek is passionate about supporting business owners to show up and deliver their magic, with the support of incredible team, structures and systems.  

After training with the Beautiful You Coaching Academy and building a successful life coaching business, Nivek quickly found her passion in all things technology & people, and supporting other entrepreneurs to build their dream businesses. Her signature framework of Strategy, Systems & Soul is designed to create business and life-changing outcomes, all while taking care of the behind-the-scenes of business.

When she's not project managing like a boss in Asana, you'll find her spending time with her young family, reading a book or getting her nerd on with the latest tech news.  

GET IN TOUCH WITH NIVEK:

Download '70 Tasks a VA Can Do For You'

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thevirtualchapter

Website: https://thevirtualchapter.co

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-virtual-chapter/id1626957686

Writing a Sales Page can be SUCH a daunting task! Sales pages are those long form web pages that we use to sell something - most often, an online course or program.

But there are SO many things to know...

How do you know what to write?

How long should it be?

What do I need to focus on?

All. The. Things! In this podcast ep copywriting genius, Nami, gives us some incredible insights! Including uncovering some of the biggest mistakes she sees entrepreneurs making in their sales pages.

Listen now to get your sales pages actually SELLING!

PS. Keen to join in on the Brand Slam on April 7th!? You're invited to join us in this 1-day online workshop to ace your brand style guide and smash your social templates so you feel confident in your brand to win dream clients. BUY YOUR TICKET HERE: diydesignmybiz.com/brandslam

ABOUT NAMI:

Nami Clarke helps course creators, coaches and consultants shake imposter syndrome and take their launch sales from beige to badass.

The creative refined her magic toolkit of copywriting, sales, and content strategy while running a photography studio for 10 years in one of Melbourne’s fancy postcodes.  What surprised Nami more than the fact that she made use of her Arts degree was realising she could support so many other business owners who dreamed of ditching the 9-5 grind to launch their own business too. Today she works with private clients worldwide, while her online course, Course Launch Confidence, is due for release in April this year.

Along with the results she helps clients achieve in their businesses, Nami's written work has been published by Mamamia, Elephant Journal, Huffington Post, and more... but nobody likes a bragger.  She lives in Bendigo, Australia.

Connect with Nami:

namiclarke.com

instagram.com/namiclark

Want to know a sure-fire way stand out?

Create your own league.

Creating a business that is in its own league means you’re no longer treading water trying to keep up with your competitors, but you’re doing your own unique thing. One that no one can compete with because it’s YOU.

The wonderful Sofia Bernadi joined me on this weeks podcast to discuss how signature frameworks and personal branding can give your business the edge it needs to call in just the right people.

If you don’t have a point of difference and are just copying businesses around you, you’ll always be one step behind them.

ABOUT SOFIA:

Voted as one of the top 30 coaches to look out for in 2021 by the New York City Journal, Sofia Rose Bernardi is a Mindset & Business Coach helping new and rising coaches master their mindset, create an aligned and profitable strategy & grow a 6 figure business using The Rising Coach Method.

Sofia has built a multi six-figure business at the age of 24, and credits her journey to the discovery of the power of the mind and the process she journeyed in her late teens and early 20s of overcoming her own personal trauma to recognise her greatness and potential. Sofia now helps people cultivate confidence through the power of mindset, and scale to $10k+ months in their businesses.

LINKS TO SOFIA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofiarosebernardi/

Website: http://sofiarosebernardi.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/risingcoaches

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2LpKL2G0TMT5jq16Lg8CZs

The statement “less is more” couldn’t be more true about design - so much so that following the idea of “less is more” around these three areas I discuss could save you time as well as give your graphics a higher chance of not just looking good but connecting with your audience!

In this episode I chat about why you really want to make sure you don't get caught up using too much:
• Text
• Fonts
• Fancy elements

You see, sometimes we just wanna say so much stuff! Other times we see a super pretty font, or a cool sparkle or an awesome glow effect - and next minute we have a cluttered and confusing design.

Instead, learn that most of the time, less is more. Not overwhelming your audience with EVERYTHING but focussing on just what they need.

Tune in to learn why and how you can make sure to use 'less is more' in your DIYed graphics.

Menstrual cycles and running a business...how are they related?

A lot it seems! Get ready to dive into the world of understanding and harnessing the power of the menstrual cycle for success in both your business and personal life.

Our guest is women's menstrual cycle expert and coach Charlotte Pointeaux. She walks us through the different phases of the menstrual cycle, highlighting their strengths and vulnerabilities. From tapping into inward energy during the menstrual phase for rest and reflection, to embracing creativity and action in the spring phase, and forming connections during ovulation – Charlotte has valuable insights to share.

We'll also explore the importance of intentional branding for business success. Charlotte was a student inside my program, The Co+Creation Club in 2022 and shares how working with me has saved her "weeks" of time and given her the skills and confidence to create endless designs for her business and put her business into the world boldly!

Doors to The Co+Creation Club close July 10th 2023. Places are extremely limited and this will be the final round of The Club for 2023.

So join me for the sell-out intimate 10 week LIVE group coaching experience crafted to catapult your business to the next level in professionalism, authenticity and growth through supported self design.

Find out more about The Club: https://bit.ly/ClubCharlotte

ABOUT CHARLOTTE:

Charlotte Pointeaux is an Internationally Award-Winning triple-Certified Menstrual Cycle and Feminine Embodiment Coach, Host of Wild Flow Podcast, and a sought-after Menstrual Educator and Speaker.

As a WILD FEMININE CYCLE COACH, Charlotte guides women through the deeply transformational journey of reclaiming their power, pleasure and purpose through the portal and wisdom of the menstrual cycle and rites of passages, so they can embody and express their wild feminine magick in the world as sovereign leaders, creatives and coaches.

Charlotte founded FIRST MOON CIRCLE® SCHOOL, a globally-recognised facilitator training program which trains menstrual educators around the world to holistically empower, honour and celebrate children and their families at menarche (their first period). She leads a community of practitioners on an unstoppable mission to ripple period positivity, knowledge and power into diverse cultures and communities around the world.

GET IN TOUCH:

https://charlottepointeaux.com/

Subscribe: https://charlottepointeaux.com/freegift/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotte.pointeaux.coach/

Ever feel like your brand is just a few tweaks away from *truly* dazzling your audience? Maybe you're juggling the chaos of scaling from a cozy five figures to those ambitious six figures and beyond, and wondering if the secret lies in sophisticated custom designs. Well, let's debunk that myth together.

In this episode, let's chat about why relentless redesign isn’t the key to a million-dollar brand. Successful branding isn’t about looking fancy but staying consistent and true to your brand style.

Plus, we'll highlight real-world examples from savvy entrepreneurs who are making waves with their consistent and effortless branding strategies (that don't always use the "classic" 1 million dollar vibe branding).

You’ll learn why less is more and how to curate a premium image without falling into the trap of ever-changing design trends. I’ll also share some real talk on why outsourcing everything might actually slow your growth and how in-house skills can be your best ally.

VIEW EXAMPLES ON BLOG HERE: https://whitedeer.com.au/build-your-million-dollar-brand/

Plus, stay tuned for exciting future episodes where we’ll uncover more secrets of top-tier brands and the art of premium branding.

Want to work with me in The Co+Creation Design Club and stop wasting you and your teams time on graphics that slow your business down? Our next intake starts soon!! https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Cue the confetti because we’ve hit 200 episodes of Seriously in Business! From launching as Design Hacks for DIYers to evolving into Seriously in Business, this podcast has been an incredible journey. Today, I’m celebrating with some of the most inspiring women in business—who have shaped my journey and are now here to support yours.

This special episode, I’m joined by Ellie Swift, Erika Cramer, Sarah Greener, Cat Dunn, and Julie Parker as they dive into: 

✔️ Biggest business challenges—from navigating motherhood to overcoming health setbacks 

✔️ Branding breakthroughs—decisions that doubled their business success 

✔️ Avoiding shiny object syndrome—how to stay focused and create lasting impact 

✔️ Scaling with purpose—using branding and strategy to stand out and grow

This episode is packed with real stories, and practical tips to help you elevate your brand, refine your strategy, and build a business that truly works for you.

ABOUT OUR INCREDIBLE GUESTS:
 

JULIE PARKER

Founder of The Beautiful You Coaching Academy, Julie is a mentor, counsellor, and breathwork facilitator with over two decades of experience. She has trained thousands of life coaches, authored award-winning books, and spoken for brands like Apple and Telstra.
 

Website: www.juliesuzanneparker.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/julesyparker 

Beautiful You Coaching Academy: www.beautifulyoucoachingacademy.com
 

ERIKA CRAMER

Known as The Queen of Confidence, Erika is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of The Confidence Chronicles podcast with millions of downloads. She empowers women to step into confidence and own their lives. 
 

Grab her book: https://thequeenofconfidence.com/becomingmagneticbook/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequeenofconfidence
 

CAT DUNN

Award-winning Online Business Manager (OBM), Cat helps coaches and creatives streamline and scale. She also mentors Virtual Assistants stepping into OBM roles and leads The OBM Motley Crew community. 
 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn

Website - https://catlouisedunn.com

Upcoming Event: Life After I Left Melbourne - Feb 2025 - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-tickets-1100255667319
 

ELLIE SWIFT

7-figure Business Coach & Mastermind Mentor, Ellie helps coaches, creatives, and consultants scale with ease. Featured in Success Magazine, Thrive Global, and more, she’s built a thriving business with her Scalable Freedom Method®️ 
 

Website: https://www.ellieswift.com/

Podcast: http://ellieswift.com/podcast/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/elliehswift
 

SARAH GREENER

Sarah coaches women and mums to build sustainable, burnout-free businesses. With experience running multiple businesses while balancing family life, she now teaches others how to reframe, systemize, and scale their success. 
 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahgreenercoach/

Website: https://themoxiemovement.com/

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WATCH, READ & CONNECT

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jacquinaunton

Read the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep200

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Welcome to the Seriously in Business Podcast with host Jacqui Naunton, where today's episode delves into the topic of branding and the dilemma of whether it's okay for a brand to look similar to others in the same industry. Join Jacqui as she tackles the questions of differentiation, representation, and drawing in clients through visual branding.

Key Takeaways:

1. What Your Brand Should Do:

- Represent what you do - convey the essence of your business and the emotions you want to evoke through visuals. Think through things like colour psychology, brand positioning, what your fonts are communicating, etc.

- Draw in your ideal client - use designs and graphics that attract and engage your target audience.

2. It's Not a Bad Thing to Look Like Your Competitors:

- Embrace the use of similar colours or design elements if they align with your industry and effectively communicate your brand's message.

- Use psychological associations with colours and design to your advantage, ensuring that your visual identity resonates with your audience.

3. Different Ways to Be Unique:

- Research others in your field, identify patterns, but refrain from replicating their brand elements.

- Brainstorm for your own business, pondering on the feelings, impressions, and vibes you want your brand to convey.

- Find inspiration from other industries, exploring diverse design styles that resonate with your brand's identity.

- Add yourself to the brand, infuse your personality, values, and uniqueness into the visual representation of your business.

Learn how to create your stand out brand in my free on-demand training: whitedeer.com.au/challenge

Tune in to gain valuable insights into building a standout brand and mastering the art of visual representation for your business.

When someone works with your business as a solopreneur they work with YOU!

It's so essential that your business not only looks great - but resonates with you.

WHY?

For 2 reasons:

1. That your audience can get a real idea of what it's like to work with YOU. You are unique, the way you work is unique - let your brand channel that.

2. So that YOU feel connected to your business. If you're trying to hide who you are and be somebody else in your brand you'll feel distant and aloof - line up who you are with your business and you'll find it so much more fulfilling!!

This episode is a sneak peek of Day 1 in the Seriously in Business Free Challenge - a 3 day experience for business owners to start looking serious in their businesses!! This round is run on Feb 7-9 2022. It's not too late to join!

Join the Seriously in Business Challenge 2.0 here:

https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/SeriouslyChallenge

Okay, time to let you behind the curtain a little and share my 5 top business wins for the year. You'll get the classic wins, but also the ones that are less material but mean so much more to me.

I want to share with you the scary decisions I had to make, investments I said yes to and things I focussed on to make this my best year in business yet.  

Want to work with me in 2024?  

Here are the 2 main ways:

Learn to create your own brand/graphics: https://whitedeer.com.au/diydmb

Work with my design studio team: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Are you feeling stuck in the mud when it comes to designing your new logo? Whether you're DIYing it or working with a designer, I know that creating a logo can sometimes feel like you're trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. But don’t worry, I got you!

In this third instalment of our rebranding series, we're diving right into the nitty-gritty of brainstorming a strategic (and beautiful) logo for your business. Logos are like the faces of our brands, and getting them right is crucial because, believe it or not, we don't get second chances when it comes to first impressions!

Listen to episode 176: Guide to Rebranding Your Business the RIGHT Way

Listen to episode 177: First 5 Steps BEFORE Rebrand – Setting the Foundations for a Lasting and Impactful Brand

In this super actionable episode, I'm sharing the exact steps I take as a professional designer to help my clients, and even my students, craft logos that are versatile, simple, conceptual, and unique. We’ll break down the essential four parts of a good logo, chat about the importance of research and mind mapping, and even get our hands a bit dirty (figuratively speaking) with some sketching before diving into the design software.

So grab your favourite sketchpad and let's turn that logo dream into reality! And remember—simplicity and versatility are your new best friends.

Catch you in the episode!

P.S. If the whole DIY logo thing feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to go it alone. Join me in The Co+Creation Design Club where we can design your logo (and ALLL the graphics your business needs) together! FIND OUT MORE: www.whitedeer.com.au/club

Let's tackle the age-old question: Are Facebook groups still worth it? Spoiler alert: They absolutely are, and this week's guest expert, Sarah Beisel, shares her tried and tested strategies to show you how. From savvy growth hacks to engaging your audience with minimal time investment (15 minutes a day, anyone?), Sarah unpacks everything you need to know to build a buzzing online community (that helps your business to grow).

Discover why Sarah ditched Instagram and focused her energy on Facebook, how she keeps 2,000+ members active in her group, and the secrets behind creating engaging content that keeps your community coming back for more. Plus, we chat about why choosing the social media platform that aligns with your preferences and where your audience hangs out is a game-changer.

Join us for this lively episode as Sarah equips us on effectively leveraging Facebook groups for business.

ABOUT SARAH:

Sarah Beisel is a Facebook groups coach for Christian Entrepreneurs who want to create engaged online communities. She helps them launch and grow their Facebook groups so they can build relationships with their audience.

Sarah hosts a top 2% podcast, Simple Facebook Group Strategy, and is the founder of the Facebook Group Strategy for Christian Entrepreneurs community on Facebook.

She believes Facebook groups are the best way to build community online and one of the most successful ways to create impact and income.

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sarahbcommunity

Podcast: https://sarahbeisel.com/podcast

Grab the Facebook Group Launch Checklist: https://sarahbeisel.com/checklist

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey as a business owner preparing for maternity leave at 36 weeks pregnant. I cover the strategies and challenges of managing my graphic design business while getting ready to take time off to welcome my new baby.

From establishing systems that allow the business to operate without my direct involvement to the intricacies of maintaining ongoing marketing and support for my courses, I provide a real look into the preparations I'm making (which has been SO different from when I prepared for baby #1 3 years ago).

I delve into the decision-making process of opting for at least 2 months of leave and the diligent planning required to set up the business for seamless operations during my absence. This includes the training of my team, setting up autoresponders for email communication, posting to social media, and creating robust systems to facilitate smooth functioning. Join me as I navigate through this significant chapter of my life and business, sharing insights that can resonate with fellow business owners planning for extended time off.

Keen to work with me?

DIY course: www.whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

Done-for-you design: www.whitedeer.com.au/done-for-you

Trends are a little overrated...

But I do believe there are strong directions many business owners are going in their graphics *that perform well* that I'd love to share with you...

Particularly for DIYers creating their own graphics - coz you see: Almost EVERYONE is using Canva now for their designs, so if you want to be DIFFERENT, to actually look like a pro, then implementing these 6 "trends" will help.

Let's dive in!

1. Simplifying social posts (+ "meta" designs)
2. Customising templates to make them unique
3. Custom logos (aka. NO Canva premade logos)
4. Animation, videos and experiences
5. Contrasting text sizes to create PUNCH
6. Open and spacious designs

Which trend are you going to try first?

Join DIY Design My Biz before the sale ends: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/

And take the Brand Style free quiz here: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/quiz

Wanna know what it's like to have your business transformed by YOU with the help of a designer?

Then this episode is gonna be your cup of tea! Join me as I chat with 2 incredible small busienss owners, Nic Everist and Marie Vakakis. Nic and Marie just finished my coaching program, The Co+Creation Club where they worked on their own business graphics in Canva - but with my help.

As a result they created incredible, professional brands while also having support to know that what they were creating was actually looking great, communicating with their audience AND saving them time, energy and stress!

Marie and Nic designed social media posts, logos, podcast covers, flyers and SO MUCH MORE during their time in the club and boy did they SMASH IT.

Enjoy hearing from these legends as they let you in on their experience and the transformation they achieved.

JOIN THE CLUB! https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

Doors close Monday 21st Feb 2022.

ABOUT NIC:

Nic Everist is a visual artist and creative mentor working out of her studio in Geelong, Australia. Endlessly inspired by her travels and explorations, Nic loves to visit new places, discover new landscapes and delve into the stories behind them. Whether that be the story of the places she is visiting, or the connection or intrinsic stories that develop through these explorations. Nic also runs a 4 month Mentoring program and The Full Time Artist Podcast where she helps other amazing creative humans build their own unique, soul led, thriving creative careers. 

You can find Nic on instagram at @nic_everist_art or @nic_everist_mentoring 

Check out her work over at niceverist.com or join the community of amazing creative humans building their own thriving careers at The Full Time Artist facebook group and listening to The Full Time Artist Podcast. 

ABOUT MARIE:

Marie Vakakis is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer. Her focus is on supporting adults to have better relationships with the teens and young adults in their lives. Marie facilitates programs for parents and carers in a safe, supportive environment in which she teaches skills to help build emotional intelligence and promote positive relationships between caregivers and young people. Through the delivery of innovative and engaging training workshops, clinical supervision groups and a successful podcast, Marie also equips mental health professionals to work confidently with young people. She is committed to improving mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting prevention and early intervention in the field of mental health.

You can find marie on Instagram: @marievakakis and @thetherapyhubcounselling

Or online at thetherapyhub.com.au

This is such a value-packed episode! Special guest, Emma McQueen, a motivator and business coach, and I chat everything from sales, business mindset, and social media strategies.

Emma McQueen shares her journey of starting her own business and generating significant revenue in the first few months through nurturing relationships rather than cold calling. She emphasizes the importance of being genuine in sales and finding a sales process that aligns with one's personality.

Learn the significance of mindset in achieving business success and the need to prioritize self-care as women in business. Emma also shares insights on pricing strategies, building a mailing list, and leveraging masterclasses and collaborations for business growth.

Join Jacqui Naunton as she dives deep into these topics with Emma McQueen, providing inspiration and valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business owners. Get ready to transform your sales strategies and mindset in this episode of Seriously in Business.

ABOUT EMMA:

Emma McQueen is a Melbourne-based executive, leadership and business coach who has worked in the realm of human resources for over twenty years, working with some of Australia’s leading organisations to develop their team and their talent. Emma passionately believes that the success of any business rests entirely on the success of their people.

Emma’s coaching has a core focus - supporting her clients to unlock their potential and achieve results. As a Hogan-accredited coach, her approach has a foundation of working with people’s strengths to take the meaningful actions required to reach their goals. She believes that effective coaching has an indisputable impact on a person’s performance, and on their wellbeing overall.

Her clients leave her sessions motivated and challenged to take action and get results often exceeding their own expectations - although Emma is rarely surprised by their achievements, as she has an unwavering belief in the extraordinariness of the seemingly ordinary. Emma loves working with people who are driven and passionate about their work but feel stuck in a place of overwhelm. Through her powerful, challenging yet kind coaching, Emma takes them from chaos to clarity, from uncertainty to empowerment.
 

Links:

Website: https://emmamcqueen.com.au/

Podcast: https://emmamcqueen.com.au/podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmarmcqueen/

If you watch my Instagram Stories you'll know that each day I share a screenshot of a message my nana, Shirley, has sent me with a pearl of wisdom for the day.

So, in this episode I read out a couple of good ones to inspire you - short, sharp and powerful!

Plus, I experiment with some sound effects... Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

Enjoy, and let these nuggets spur you on!

There are 3 common traits I see in all the business owners I've taught that actually LAST and make GOOD graphics for their businesses.

Coz it seems DIYing might not be for everyone - so in this episode I want to share with you the 3 traits you need to be able to create your own graphics.

And thankfully - these traits are ALL ones that we can cultivate if we don't feel like they're currently strengths of ours!

1. Curiosity: Are you curious about how things work, about exploring new ways to doing things. Are you curious about YOURSELF and your audience and finding graphics that connect.
2. Creativity: And not just in the classic sense! Are you able to explore, to find solutions to learn to create graphics that are more than just plain text on a page. Do you love beautiful things!
3. Continue: Are you willing to try again? To not give up when things don't work the first time. Are you willing to try things a different way or brave enough to build on what you've done in the past?

Foster these 3 traits and you'll have skills that not only serve your business graphics but your business as a whole!

Are you gearing up to launch a brand new, spanking visual identity into the world? Perhaps you've been in business for a while and you've decided it's time to shake things up with a fresh logo and a brand-new name. Or maybe you're a new player in the business world, eager to make a splash with your inaugural branding.

No matter your situation, this episode of the Seriously in Business podcast has got your back with some strategic tips on how to launch your brand in a way that's engaging, exciting, and won't leave your audience feeling lost or alienated (risking an "unfollow") - particularly for those of you on Instagram.

If you're seeking more tips and templates to make your launch unforgettable, head on over to https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/RebrandLaunch and grab the tools you need to make a splash with your brand.

It can seem like such a daunting task to write allllll your your website copy (aka. your WORDS). From your Instagram captions, to website pages or flyers, all the way to long form sales pages.

But, I've found the secret (well, I didn't find it... Nadine did, and she told me all about it and I've been using it ever since).

And I just KNEW I needed to get her onto the podcast to so you could start taking advantage of it too.

Nadine's method gets some of the most INCREDIBLE pieces of copy...but get this, you don't write it - your audience does.

Join Nadine and I as we chat through what you need to implement now, BEFORE you start writing copy for your business. And trust me, I've seen this strategy in action and it WORKS.

PS. This can work if you're brand new to business OR you are a seasoned veteran.

Some top tips to wet your appetite:

BEFORE you start writing, step back and talk to you customer/s. This might be past customers/clients or ideal customer/clients. You could even get your insight from hanging out in places like Facebook groups...without posting a thing!

Look at the words your clients/customers are using, the problems they're having, any objections they might have AND their desires - what's the dream solution?

Tap into messaging that will resonate with your audience so that when they read your content it feels like you are really speaking to them and where they're at.

About Nadine

Nadine Nethery is the Founder of CAN DO! Content and a strategic website and email copywriter for female founders who want to intentionally attract, delight and retain their dream customers.

Her strategic take on audience research and copy turns every brand touchpoint into genuine connections that drive sales, celebrate loyalty and surround you with keen brand advocates who happily do the word-spreading for you.

Over the past 6+ years, Nadine has given global e-commerce success stories, game-changing startups and industry-disrupting service providers the words to shine and the strategies to build a sustainable business long-term.

Nab access to Nadine's EPIC The Over-the-Shoulder Tutorial and watch everything you learn in this episode in action: https://candocontent.com/audience

Follow Nadine on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/candocontent/

Website: https://candocontent.com/

Whatever you call it... a freebie, an opt-in or a lead magnet... it's SO hard to know what free content you should be sharing in it. Do you share all your best kept secrets to help people trust you, or do you share NOTHING because people haven't paid for it?

In this episode, digital marketer, Nicole Riccardo and I uncover how you can craft your freebies, while also chatting how you can do business your OWN way.

We also chat different ways that you can build community online even with a low following!

ABOUT NICOLE:

Flutist turned digital marketer, Nicole Riccardo is the Founder & President of NR Media. After working with multi-million dollar business and gaining 10 years of experience in the field, Nicole’s mission now is to empower other musicians, creatives, and freelancers with the business + digital marketing know-how they need in order to create a career doing what they love!

Instagram @nicolericcardo

ATTN: All wonderful humans thinking of starting a business! THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU!

Starting a business is no easy feat and there are few MUST DO things that can make the difference between success and sad eyes.

So here are my top 5 steps you need to start working on if you're wanting to start a biz in 2023 (or sooner!).

- Choose your biz name, website and social handle

- Design your logo

- Create a powerful visual brand

- Map out your social media plan

- Create a tool to draw people to your biz - ie. freebie

I got DEEP into each of these points so grab a cuppa, put in your headphones and be ready to be inspired, equipped and ready to move!

Join the FREE "Seriously in Business" Challenge (22-24 Nov 2022).

Other episodes to listen to:
- Designing Your Own Lead Magnet
- 5 Mistakes NOT to Make When Making Your Logo
- Choosing + Pairing Your Brand Fonts: Top Things You MUST Know

Join the Seriously in Business 4-day FREE challenge HERE.

I was chatting with a business owner recently, asking her why she believed design was so important to a successful business...and she replied with a phrase that I LOVED. She said,

"Because it looks like you're seriously in business.”

So. Spot. On!

It painted the picture so perfectly.
There's SUCH a difference between those businesses that look like a little side-hustle and the ones that you CANNOT wait to work with.

🍉Between those businesses that look like they aren't in it for the long run and the ones that look like they've been around forever (in a good way).

🍉 The ones you are nervous about working with and the ones you seem to just trust immediately.

🍉 The ones that look like they don't know what they're doing and the ones that look like they're seriously in business.

And it often all comes back to how the brand looks.

As consumers, we are making split-second decisions about whether a business is right for us... if we trust them to deliver what they promise. 🤞🏻

Does your brand look like you're seriously in business?

In this episode I chat through 4 ways that you can really look serious in business:

Know your vibe

Learn to stop the scroll

Get serious about thinking like a designer

Set up for success with templates and processes

Join the Seriously in Business 4-day FREE challenge HERE to really take action to up-level brand so 2022 can be your best year yet.

In this episode, I chat with marketing strategist, Alexandra Moore, on the secrets of skyrocketing sales and creating lasting relationships with your customers through the art of customer journey.

Our guest, Alexandra, gives an example of one of her clients who was struggling to grow her business. She was great at converting once they were in the door, but something in her customer journey was missing. After some data magic and advice from Alexandra, she then saw a jaw-dropping 500% increase in sales in just one month!

This is the power of utilising data and customer journey in business to find the holes and to know where to dedicate your time and resources.

ABOUT ALEXANDRA:

Alexandra Moore is the CEO and Lead Strategist of Coach House Marketing Inc. is a 14 year strong boutique marketing and digital strategy firm based in Toronto. A former academic (her PhD work is in Shakespeare) Alexandra has a proven track record of developing strategic opportunities for clients to reach record-breaking conversion & sales growth rates, while supporting a fiscally prudent, data-driven approach to testing and scale campaigns.

She is certified as a digital transformation expert from Yale University, a digital advisor for the Canadian Digital Adoption Program, and is passionate about supporting organizations in their ability to reach new audiences and markets, engage the public in new digital ways, build new partnerships and networks to improve digital capacity, collect and analyse data to better understand value and impact, improve specific areas of business with digital technology, and transform business models for long-term sustainability.
 

CONNECT WITH ALEXANDRA:

Website: www.coachhousemarketing.com

Information on Scaling Businesses: www.coachhousemarketing.com/the500percentcourse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandralmoore/

Let's dive into the world of customer avatars and how they can revolutionize your marketing approach. Our special guest, copywriting expert Rashida Tayabali, believes that understanding your customer's likes, dislikes, needs, fears, goals, and dreams is crucial in selling products.

By creating a customer profile, you can better allocate your marketing budget and communicate more effectively with your target audience… meaning more income and happier clients!

Join us as Rashida shares her expertise, tips, and insights on creating customer avatars and why they are a game-changer in attracting dream clients and achieving maximum return on investment. So grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired!

ABOUT RASHIDA:

Rashida Tayabali a copywriter for women in business helping to write crystal clear messaging so they can bring their dream brand and vision to life. Rashi also help reduce content overwhelm for clients freeing them up to focus on and grow their businesses.

Website: https://www.rashidatayabali.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rashidatayabaliwriter

Customer Avatar Workbook: https://subscribepage.io/customer-avatar-workbook

When a client comes back to work with you again because they loved working with you the first time, it's free!

What I mean is that you didn't have to spend your advertising budget or time getting them to purchase from you because they were already sold on you the first time.

The art of getting return clients comes a lot down to creating a premium experience. An experience that feels nurtured, exciting and smooth the WHOLE way through.  

And a lot of this comes down to design.

[Although not ALL design - I touch on quite a few elements on business in this episode, not just graphics].

There are 5 parts to what I like to call the "5 Stages of Nurture". These are the stages someone goes through when they become a client/customer of yours. Right from their first awareness of you to their final interaction after having purchased.

1. The Pre-Purchase Experience

2. The Purchase Experience

3. Immediate Post Purchase Experience

4. THE Experience

5. The Post Experience Experience

Inside this episode I dissect each stage and show how you can WOW your clients in EACH one so they are left with the sweetest taste in their mouth and are LOOKING for ways to work with you again and share you with their friends.

This is one of the funnest, easiest and most beautiful ways to grow your business. Enjoy!

Every business owner must make this decision - will they choose to hire a graphic designer to create their graphics, or will they roll up their sleeves and do it themselves?

If you've chosen the latter than this episode is for you. I want to share with you my White Deer Framework - a framework I've never actually shared publicly before but that underpins everything I do with my students and clients.

This framework will take you through the order you need to tackle the design process in your biz.

Picture 3 overarching pillars that cover the steps in this process: Clarity, Attitude and Creation.

Clarity asks "What does my brand need to succeed?"

Here you need to start by looking at your brand and WHO you want to serve, WHY your business exists and EMBRACE your originality and uniqueness.

The next step, Attitude, asks "How can I think like a designer?"

You must now learn how to communicate! Design isn't about looking pretty, it's about communicating your value and message. You must demystify designer details, cultivate communication and grow your confidence. Educate yourself on file types, font pairing, conceptual design, hierarchy... all the things!

Finally, it's time to Create and ask "How can my graphics support my business?"

It's only after tackling those first two pillars that you can make it to this section confident, sure, inspired and have the skills to actually create designs that 1. don't take you forever, 2. don't leave you running for the hills and 3. your audience actually love and act on.

I want to say to you - you don't have to do this alone. Even if you've chosen the path of DIYing, you can still be supported. I call it Co+Creation and I have a whole program dedicated to walking alongside business owners... taking them through these steps, holding their hand along the way and helping them create truly impactful and beautiful brands and graphics.

Doors to The Co+Creation Club are open right now and I'd love to have you join us in this 6 week experience crafted to catapult your business to the next level in professionalism, authenticity and growth through supported self design.

Join the club: www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

Ever wonder what truly makes a million-dollar brand stand out? What elevates then and sets them apart from the rest?

In this episode, we dive deep into the top design trends going into 2025 that will make your business look as shiny as a million bucks, helping you attract premium clients.

This is the 4th and final part of our series on million-dollar brands. So far, we've busted myths, discussed common traits, and even gotten into equipping your team to create stellar branding. Watch the whole series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkZ8zWZqkWYKkoFp6jzCX4LXx0h-THKE

Today, though—we're getting super nitty-gritty with examples galore! We chat about everything from trendy minimalist designs to how to get your fonts all clean, crisp, and contrasty. Plus, ever thought about using emojis to add a touch of personality to your brand? Yup, that's in here too.

Watch on Youtube/view examples on my blog here: www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/ep194

Plus, see all of my examples and the credit they deserve on Pinterest here: https://au.pinterest.com/jacquinaunton/million-dollar-brand-trends/

PS. Elevate your brand beyond the trends with my help inside The Co+Creation Design Club. APPLY NOW: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

When someone works with your business, they work with YOU. So how can you create a brand that captures who you are? That helps people get to know YOU when they see your graphics. That YOU feel proud to promote and show up inside of?

Inside this episode I'll share with you some key things to consider before you create your visual brand (or rebrand) to make sure you graphics OOZE that uniqueness that is you.

Doors for my online course, DIY Design My Biz are closing soon! This price will never be offered again and if you're ready to stop guessing your way through your brand then it's time to jump in. Head to https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/ to jump in and uplevel your brand for 2023!

WOW model podcast episode: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/diy-own-graphics

In business, we can't afford to not use our time well. We can't afford to waste time doing things that:

1. Won't move our business forward

2. Take us longer than they should

And that's what this episode is about. I've taken a snippet from my workshop Supercharge Sales in Your First Year of Business + Beyond and am sharing with you how you can make sure that the graphics you ARE making ARE communicating!

There's no point creating ANYTHING that's not going to stand out and communicate your value with your audience.

Doors are also currently open for 2 more days to DIY Design My Biz - my online program designed to teach business owners how they can create their own standout brand and graphics!

Enrol here: www.diydesignmybiz.com

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a million-dollar brand? Or maybe you’re curious about why some brands just seem to have that “it” factor that makes them impossible to ignore. Well, you're in the right place!

In this episode, we're diving into the magic behind million dollar brands and what five (plus one bonus) traits they all have in common.

I’ve got insights, tips, and a bit of controversy to spice things up. If you're ready to take your brand to the next level, stick around because I've got the secrets you need to hear. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this!

FREE 10-MINUTE IG MAKEOVER//

Got 10 minutes? Perfect—because that’s all you need to give your IG feed a premium-level makeover! I want to give you a free guide to walk you through three insider tweaks to creating a feed that feels authentic yet polished, weaving in your brand effortlessly, and boosting your posts with pro design tricks. Head to www.whitedeer.com.au/IGmakeover and grab the '10-Minute IG Makeover Free ‘guide—let’s turn your feed into a sales machine!

Want to work with me in The Co+Creation Design Club and stop wasting you and your teams time on graphics that slow your business down? Our next intake starts soon!! https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

Watch or view example images: https://whitedeer.com.au/common-million/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

I LOVE scrolling my socials and seeing business owners taking charge of this business by designing their own graphics.

BUT

There are some mistakes I see them make, especially RIGHT NOW, that are jeopardising their professionalism.

Design mistakes that are saying to their audience "I'm just a little side hustle, not a professional you can trust".

Thankfully though, these mistakes are SO easy to fix (whether you are a side hustle or running your biz full time).

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers I want to jump in and let you know what these 3 mistakes are and how you can fix them and make sure your graphics are screaming professionalism as well as communicating super clearly!

Your graphics aren't just pretty pictures; they're the MVPs of your sales team! In this episode of Seriously In Business, I'm breaking down 3 game-changing design strategies to make your Instagram posts profitable. Trust me, you don't wanna miss out—otherwise, you'll be stuck spinning your wheels while others are racing ahead.

In this episode, we're diving into:

Making Your Designs Easy to Consume: Discover how easy-to-read, strategic designs can captivate your audience and turn them into customers. (Carousels may just become your new best friend!

Carousel Conversion Formula: Learn my proven formula for Instagram carousels that guides your audience from curiosity to conversion. Yep, it's that organized!

The Power of Shareable Content: Want your posts to reach more eyeballs? Make them shareable! I'll share tips on how to do this effectively.

Plus, stick around till the end to find out how you can get live access and support from me on your Instagram posts. If you're tired of your brand looking chaotic and craving some strategic, professional magic, this episode is your golden ticket.

Let's make your brand not just look good, but work good. Tune in now!
 

Tutorial on adding links on Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIf1lLOuM_U

Want to try ManyChat to automate your IG comments to easily share links? https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/1n4c2tt4t99a

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gX5CGCPF43g 

Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep199/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Design isn't just about making things that look pretty - it's about communicating your businesses value!

In today's episode, I'll teach you 4 practical design hacks to use when you create your graphics to give your business a boost in professionalism, trust and perceived value!

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

ADD VALUE THROUGH DESIGN:

1. Use quality images
2. Make sure your fonts are readable
3. Keep your branding consistent
4. Keep your graphics open and spacious

Expenses in business can be overwhelming, especially when you're just starting out. So, in this episode, I’m excited to share with you some free or affordable ways to build an incredible brand for your business without breaking the bank.

We’ll cover three key aspects: design platforms, design resources, and design education.

It’ll come as no surprise that Canva is one of my top recommendations. This user-friendly website has a free version that allows you to create professional designs for various purposes, including logos, social media posts, flyers, and more. You can even utilise it’s templates, stock images and many fonts for free.

Canva also offers a paid option with additional features, that the free version is a great starting point, and she shares workarounds for some of the paid features, ensuring you can make the most of your design efforts without the need for immediate investment.

LEARNING to design is also wildly important. You can use as many free tools as you like, but if you don’t use design principles than everything will fall in a heap - this is why I recommend strategically learning design in a way that makes sense for business owners through my course, DIY Design My Biz. All the deets are here: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/
 

FREE TOOLS MENTIONED:

https://partner.canva.com/whitedeer

https://www.pinterest.com.au/

https://www.creativefabrica.com/

https://www.pexels.com/

https://pixabay.com/

https://unsplash.com/

https://pinetools.com/split-image

https://picsvg.com/

https://fonts.google.com/

Why are short-form videos such a big deal? Alisha from The Social Impact joins me on the podcast this week and all I can say is - be prepared to be inspired by how you can use Instagram Reels to make you money in your business.

Alisha walks us through her powerful "Reels that Bank" framework, showing us how to captivate, convert, and cash in through strategic Reels that genuinely drive action.

She shares her journey of shifting focus from merely racking up views to smashing her sales goals by creating content that speaks directly to her target audience. We explore practical tips on producing impactful Reels, whether you’re batch-creating or flying solo, and how to avoid the endless trap of chasing trends.

If you’re looking to elevate your Reels game and turn those views into real business results, this episode is a must-listen.

ABOUT ALISHA:

Meet Alisha Marfatia, the 'Reels Queen' and Instagram's first officially announced 'Reels Pro,' a visionary strategist transforming female entrepreneurs into leaders with her unique blend of cinematic storytelling and digital mastery. A filmmaker and coach, she's built two 7-figure businesses on Instagram, proving her techniques in propelling brands to amplify their audience, enhance their online presence, and boost profits.

Beyond coaching, Alisha's insights resonate globally through her podcast, highlighting her collaboration with Instagram and Meta as a recognized content creation expert. Her approach transcends conventional mentoring, advocating for joy in the entrepreneurial journey, merging strategy with creativity, and redefining success.

As an in-demand speaker and mentor, Alisha empowers you to embrace a vibrant, wealth-creating future where business and creativity unite. Join her in this adventure, where fun and fortune are your reality, and success is both unstoppable and joyously fulfilling.

CONNECT WITH ALISHA:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesocialimpact.co

Get FREE access to Alisha's 5-day reels to clients training series (usually worth $111): https://alisha-marfatia.mykajabi.com/offers/2uxRzX4j?coupon_code=FREEREELSTOCLIENTS

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

It's the age old question... at least in the graphic design world.

"When is it time to rebrand?"

Is there a wrong time? Am I allowed to? When is best? How much should I change things?

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers we'll chat about the FEW reasons that make it okay to rebrand...

Yep, there's not many reasons you should!

We'll also chat how to keep your brand recognisable and the biggest reason people rebrand for the WRONG reason.

Have you actually thought it through properly?

I know I hadn't.

There's more to running your business than performing your product or service.

A key factor in long-lasting business success is thinking the real stuff through...

• Do you KNOW your audience?
• How do you want your business to grow?
• WHY does it exist?
• What makes you different from your competitors?

Thinking things like this through is really the OPPOSITE of a good time for me.

I'm more of a "dive right in and figure it out later".

But I've come to learn this stuff is actually necessary and it can make for a more solid business - and in particular - a stand out, successful and long-lasting business.

So, before you design. Before you open Canva. Before you even decide on your business name...take some time to sit down and think. And dream. And plan.

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers I sit down with my first international guest, Tasha from Duraca Strategic, as we discuss what you need to think about before you start designing graphics for your business.

We discuss:

• Most important things to think about when starting your biz.

• How to approach design and what to think about BEFORE you begin.

• How to avoid wasting time rebranding.

• Not comparing yourself to others.

Connect with Tasha at her website here: duracastrategic.com

Or follow her on Instagram: @duraca.strategic

50 Episodes! A baby, a group coaching program and some incredible interviews later and here we are... at episode 50!

In this episode I wanted to celebrate with you (and THANK YOU). I'll be sharing the 5 things I've done that have been PIVOTAL to my success. I can guarantee each of these things has resulted in my business taking huge leaps - and even if I took away one of them, my biz would be in a different place than what it is today.

I hope you learn so much from this episode and hopefully, if you implement these things sooner than I did your biz will grow even quicker!

I cover how I:

1. Learnt skills: podcasts, observing others, courses
2. Got support: coaching
3. Leaned into who I uniquely am
4. Built relationships: committed to different containers and experiences
5. Got visible: showing up and having a brand I'm proud of

Plus, I have a VERY exciting offer. 

To celebrate 50 episodes I'm re-opening doors to DIY Design My Biz or 50 hours only! Doors are open from Tuesday 14th Dec until 8am Thursday 16th.

PLUS PLUS!! If you enrol in this window I will gift you a bonus 1:1 coaching call with me! Join now: www.diydesignmybiz.com

It's no secret design can do HUGE things for your businesses success. But HOW?

Well if you're making some of your own graphics I want to let you know of 3 different ways that design can help you save time, attract clients (or customers) and feel proud of your business.

1. Create a style guide. This is a document that outlines the fonts, colours and graphic style of your visual brand. No longer will you have a mismatch of branding and feel overwhelmed every time you start a new graphic - instead the key design elements are already decided! All you have to do is refer to your style guide.

2. Know who your audience is. It goes without saying almost, but even I forget this sometimes. Learn who you LOVE working with and who you BEST serve and create graphics that appeal to them.

3. Use margin and space in your designs. Creating space is one of the EASIEST ways to up the professionalism of your graphics. Leave room around your graphics where the key design elements stay away from the edges. Make sure to also leave room for the eye to "rest" as you create your graphic. Don't feel like you need to squish everything on and into every gap you see!

Want to see this visually explained and get a recap of these points? Head here to download a freebie outlining it all now.

What's the most IMPORTANT thing to remember when creating a design for your biz?

In this episode, I'll share with you the #1 thing you don't want to miss when designing as well as HOW you can create designs that communicate AND convert customers and clients.

Graphic design is more than just pretty graphics or knowing how to use the right programs. It's all about learning to take your audience on a JOURNEY. To communicate to them why they need you and how they can take action on that.

The way we display our information and our value to others can make all the difference when putting our business out into the world.

Lemme help (even just a little).

This podcast is part 2 in a series I’m doing to help new business owners (or those of you who just haven’t got it right yet) get a handle of the platform.

Part 2 is all about Instagram Stories!! (I promise they're not that scary).

Inside we’ll chat about:

❓What are Instagram stories!?

⏰ How often to share stories

💼 Whether to be polished and professional or real and relatable

🎨 How to brand your stories

📷 Learning to show up as YOU

💬Why you NEED captions

🙋🏻‍♀️ Using interaction to connect with more people

✏️ What to use "highlights" for

Tune in next week for part 3 for the head honcho - Instagram POSTS!

Ever wondered why nailing your brand can sometimes feel like cracking a secret code?

Well, you're in luck because this episode is packed with the expert insights you need to transform your brand from ‘meh’ to marvellous!

Join Hazal and Jacqui for a LIVE recording of The Seriously in Business Podcast!

Get your brand, business and design questions answered! We cover everything from Instagram aesthetic, worst business investments, email open rates, brand mistakes and more!

Connect with Hazal: https://heyhazal.com/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

We see people’s launching a program from the outside but rarely do we get a glimpse into what went INTO launching that program.

HOW was it successful? What makes some launches work and others flop? What thinking went into it?

In this episode I take you a little behind-the-scenes of my recent (most successful to date!) launch of my program The Co+Creation Club.

I’ll share my timelines, targeting and planning behind things, as well as the graphics I needed for all the stages of the launch.

Credit to Ellie Swift for teaching me everything I know about launching.

And while The Co+Creation Club will be closed for another year, you can still work with me in the mean time inside DIY Design My Biz! See you in there?

https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/

Are you ready to transform your relationship with money and take control of your finances? Join host, Jacqui Naunton, as she interviews guest money expert, Katy Almstrom, as they dive deep into the world of financial planning and share valuable insights on how to achieve financial stability and success. From understanding the importance of setting financial boundaries to navigating impulsive spending, this episode will empower you to take charge of your financial future.

Key Takeaways:

- Gain clarity on your financial situation by tracking income and expenses regularly.

- Identify external influences on your money mindset and envision a healthier relationship with money.

- Develop a strategic plan for your finances, including setting aside funds for taxes, business expenses, and personal payments.

- Avoid impulsive purchases by implementing strategies like wish lists and waiting periods.

- Embrace the interconnectedness of spending habits, physical clutter, and time management for a more intentional approach to purchasing.

ABOUT KATY ALMSTROM:

Katy is a leading money mentor and wealth coach, a teacher and speaker who works with ambitious women who are ready to steward their money in their business and life by creating a sustainable strategy, simplify their process, and build limitless confidence in their money habits and behaviours. With over a decade of experience in teaching and coaching combined with her own debt-free entrepreneurial journey and simplified life, Katy provides a unique service for her clients to help them slow down, map out their own joyful wealth-building journey, and create a life that has WAY less stress around money.

CONNECT WITH KATY:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katy_almstrom/

FB community: www.facebook.com/groups/networthwoman

Free gift: www.katyalmstrom.com/10-ways

Messy to Magnetic Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messy-to-magnetic/id1594671912

What does it take to carry a brand from just starting out to 7 figures? Well, SO many things... But one of them? A killer brand and graphics.

Erika at The Queen of Confidence has been a client of mine for almost 3 years, and while I no longer take on 1:1 done-for-you clients Erika and I wanted to share with you how design has impacted her business.

The Co+Creation Club has its doors open RIGHT NOW until the 15th of November 2021 (unless sold out prior - only THREE spots are currently left).

The C+C Club is an intimate, 6 week group coaching experience crafted to catapult your business to the next level in professionalism, authenticity and growth through supported self design.

Join now: www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

Connect with Erika:

Instagram: @thequeenofconfidence

Website: thequeenofconfidence.com

Should you use trends in your visual branding? Or is that unwise?

In this episode of the Seriously in Business podcast, host Jacqui Naunton, a professional graphic designer, delves into the topic of trends in branding and design.

Trends have their place! But we need to make sure to not just follow them blindly. A trend can help your brand to look modern and up with the times BUT a trend can also make you look the same as everyone else and date quickly.

Instead, research your brand deeply and choose a current trend that suits your business (not just one that looks pretty) and tweak it to make it UNIQUE to you. This will help you avoid looking like a cookie cutter of every other business following the trends.

Already have a brand? Consistency in your brand is far more important than following trends and updating things all the time - BUT you can make little tweaks to your brand if you’d like to keep a more modern take. I.e. Slightly tweak a font or a colour.

Listen now to see how you can apply trends to your own visual brand.

Wow model lesson: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/wow-model

Join The Co+Creation Club: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

Join DIY Design My Biz: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/

Sign up to newsletter: https://whitedeer.com.au/signup

How can we learn to love ourselves? To embrace all the different parts of us. To show up in business, and in life as our unique selves...? In this episode of the Seriously in Business podcast, I chat with Sarah Viliamu, a model, mother, influencer, speaker, and founder of two businesses as Sarah shares her journey of self-love and self-confidence. (Plus, hear a BTS look at influences marketing and how you can do it in your biz).

Here's a peek of what's inside:

- Sarah shares her own journey of being a model and how she worked through self-love and body image issues over the last eight years.

- The importance of prioritizing self-love and growth, especially in the business field.

- Sarah's daily routine, which includes self-development practices like journaling and gratitude in the morning.

- The variety of businesses Sarah is involved in and how they all align with her vision of empowering people to live authentically.

- The role of Instagram in helping Sarah build her platform and secure modeling jobs for small businesses.

- The fear that many small business owners have of getting their photos taken and the importance of showcasing their personal brand through imagery.

If you're looking for inspiration on self-love and confidence, as well as insights into influencer marketing and overcoming fears of being in front of the camera, this episode is a must-listen.
 

ABOUT SARAH VILIAMU:

Mother, model, influencer, speaker and founder of The Self Love Supply and Bold Statement Events. Sarah is passionate about bringing light to the dark and advocating for all to prioritise self love and growth.
 

Get in touch with Sarah:

Instagam: www.instagram.com/sarahviliamu

www.instagram.com/theselflovesupply_

www.instagram.com/boldstatementevents

Website: www.theselflovesupply.com.au

Why do you need to think like a designer when you're NOT a designer?

Well, if you're doing any of your own biz graphics you are YOUR designer and thinking like one will help the process be so much quicker, enjoyable and fail safe.

When I teach design to small business owners I use my White Deer Framework, it's split into 3 pillars but today I want to share with you the "Attitude" pillar. It sits in the middle between "Clarity" and "Content" and is arguably one of the most important parts of the process.

Attitude asks: "How can I think like a designer?"

We cover:

Demystify designer details:

1. Learn principles
2. Learn Canva
3. Learn file types

Cultivate communication:

1. What message are you trying to communicate?
2. How can you use colour, fonts, imagery, style to support your message?
3. How can you use text to make your message clear?

Grow your confidence:

1. Feeling excited to create helps inspiration to flow
2. Getting confident (and quick) at using Canva
3. Enjoying the process equals less burnout

Most small business owners cringe at the idea of calling themselves a "CEO"... but should we really shrink away from the term so fast?

In this podcast episode I interview Ellie, my business coach and client, on how thinking like a CEO is a non-negotiable for every business owner. Ellie is a mindset and marketing coach that has created MASSIVE results for her clients (including me!). We chat about the game-changing ways that CEO mindset can have on a business.

Because let's be honest, we don't FEEL like showing up for our businesses every day. But sometimes we just have to do what we know is best for our business. Do what's best for driving it towards our goals. Best for growing it in the way that we dream of. Best for creating strong and sustainable income. And to do that, sometimes we've just gotta put on our CEO hat and GET. THINGS. DONE!

Learn how you can put your CEO hat on and let it transform your biz from the inside out!

Ellie and I also chat about the the skills she's seen over and over again in her clients that grow to have successful businesses, and how you can cultivate these things in your own business.

Buckle up for an incredible episode!

ABOUT ELLIE:

Ellie Swift is a Mindset & Marketing Coach for high-performing women who are ready to build heart-driven, intentional and abundant online businesses.

Using her signature Swift Marketing Method, Ellie helps service-based business owners connect with their customers, shine online, and create life-changing results (for both themselves & their clients).

Ellie spent a decade working in marketing in London, Sydney, and Perth, achieving her goal of Head of Marketing Strategy by the age of 28 before making the transition into her business. She has built a million dollar business in 3 years and has supported her clients as they’ve created six and multi-five figure launches, tripled their income and completely transformed their businesses (and lives!) through both mindset and marketing.

Ellie’s mission is to support soul-led women to experience the lives they dream of through entrepreneurship.

ELLIE'S LINKS

Join the free challenge: https://www.ellieswift.com/thepowerquarter

Website: https://www.ellieswift.com/

Podcast: Shine Online with Ellie Swift: http://ellieswift.com/podcast/

Instagram: @elliehswift 

“The Club reignited my love and excitement for my business!”

Laura came into the club with a beautiful logo but wasn’t sure how to translate into her everyday graphics that would do her truly incredible offerings justice.

But boy, Laura took these 6 weeks in the club and made them work for her!! We created SO MUCH together.

She now has so much ready to take her business forward for YEARS - not only for her, but her team.

In this episode I chat with one of my clients, Laura Banks, on her real experience in The Co+Creation Club - The intimate, 6 week group coaching experience crafted to catapult your business to the next level in professionalism, authenticity and growth through supported self design.

Laura chats about how she had no real idea what she was signing up for, the change it made to her business and confidence and what it's really like working with me.

If the club piquing your interest, do yourself a favour and look into it. Doors close May 16 2022 - find out more here: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

It might be the experience that changes everything for you.

It's time to get real. Sometimes in business we can keep on trying, keep on hustling, keep on researching... but at the end of the day we still feel STUCK.

We feel overwhelmed, unsure of our next move or uninspired and it's just all too hard.

It's at this point we have 2 choices.

1. Do we try again - start the process of finding inspiration, researching and brainstorming what we need to do OR

2. Do you GET HELP. Inject some new insight, professional advice and accountability into the situation.

I have tried both and I have to say #2 results in quicker action, calm steps and better outcomes. EVERY TIME.

And so if right now... your brand is feeling stuck.

You aren't proud of what your business looks like.

You feel embarrassed to put your business out there.

You have ideas but don't know how to make what you need to bring them to life.

You try making things but you're never happy...

It might be time to get some help.

And I would be HONOURED to journey with you.

I have a program, The Co+Creation Club that is a 6 week live experience with me... doors only open a couple of times a year and they will be opening September 14th and closing October 4th and if you know that you need help - it's time to take action.

Find out more: www.diydesignmybiz.com/club

or DM me on Insta @whitedeergd

In this episode, we dive into the topic of self-worth as a business owner with guest expert Sam Dhu. Sam is a Psychotherapist and self worth coach who believes when we harness our inner resources of self-compassion/worth/acceptance it can be the difference between being stuck in survival mode and confidently thriving.

During the interview, Sam shares stories and experiences of self-worth, and offers insights and tips on how business owners can improve their own self-worth. She explains that self-worth is not something that has to be earned or achieved, but rather something that is innate and already within us.

Sam also discusses the importance of self-awareness and understanding our own values and beliefs. She emphasizes the need to be intentional about the messages we give ourselves and to cultivate a positive mindset.

This episode is a must-listen for any business owner or entrepreneur who struggles with self-worth, overworking, procrastination or fear of putting our business out there, and wants to learn how to overcome their limiting beliefs and create the success they desire.

ABOUT SAM:

Samantha (Sam) Dhu is a Psychotherapist and self worth coach, Mum to a seven-year-old and baby, and passionate advocate for being radically kind and compassionate to yourself.

Terms like ‘self-compassion’, ‘self-worth’ and ‘self-acceptance’ get used a lot these days, but to Sam, these aren’t just ‘nice sounding words’. Her degree in social work, post-graduate qualifications, training in cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, gestalt therapy, and decades as a practising therapist and coach have shown her these inner resources are the difference between being stuck in survival mode and confidently thriving.

LEARN MORE FROM SAM:

Grab your free "lazy" woman’s guide to procrastination:

https://courses.samanthadhu.com.au/free-guide2023

Follow Sam on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/samanthadhu/

Ever look at your brand and think... it's just not hitting the mark anymore? Maybe your business has evolved, or maybe it wasn’t quite right from the start? It might be time to rebrand time!

But HOW do you dive into a successful rebrand without wasting time and money? Because rebranding is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour you definitely don't want to be doing again any time soon.

Let's dive into the 5 essential steps for rebranding your business the *right* way. From nailing down the foundational work to ensuring the visual aspects are spot-on - let’s make sure your new brand truly resonates with you and your audience.

Join me as we explore:

- The crucial questions to ask before diving into a rebrand.

- Key differences between a rebrand and a brand refresh – which one do you need?

- How to align your visuals so they connect with your target audience.

- Practical strategies and tools (including mood boards and concept drafts) to bring your rebranding vision to life.

(PLUS I've got a free brand audit checklist you can go through yourself to work out which parts of your brand need some TLC before you can be a successful, high-demand brand! Download here: www.whitedeer.com.au/YTbrandauditchecklist)

PS. Like the sound of The Co+Creation Design Club? Find out more here: www.whitedeer.com.au/club

Do you really need a full brand or can your business get by with just a logo?

SOME businesses can get by with just a logo (I'll share who that might be in this episode), but if you want long-term success for your brand... you need just that... a brand. A visual brand that is MORE than your logo. One that sets the visual style of your business: from fonts, to colours, to elements and more.

Why? Well, I'll cover that in this episode.

Need help with your own brand? Head to www.whitedeer.com.au to find out more about working together.

It's been exactly 1 year since I shared about life, motherhood and running a business - back when bubs was almost 6 months old (back in EP 24).

It's time for another check-in because, honestly? This is the kind of stuff I'd love to hear from other biz women/mothers.

This episode is less advice and most an honest look at where I'm currently at - the struggles, the frustrations and the wins.

Sit down with me for a few moments as I let you behind the curtain on:

- How much work I'm actually doing as the main carer for our 18 month old.

- Why I run my business the way that I do

- The hustle of trying to work in nap times

- Being comfortable not wearing makeup

- Why I haven't put Mahlie in childcare yet

- The struggle of not being present with Mahlie

I hope it gives you comfort on whatever season of life you are in.

I see people that look like me EVERYWHERE. In clothing shops, models, ads, in business, as mums... everywhere I look I feel like I'm a part of the conversation.. I'm included.. that I belong.

But for so many other in our country (and the world) they don't see themselves represented. They don't see their skin colour or ethnicity shown.

They don't see themselves in ads,

or in the jobs they dream of,

or on stages,

or running successful businesses.

And so in today's podcast episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Annie Gichuru. Annie is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coach and she shares how we as business owners, can take steps to helping the world to be a more inclusive and beautiful place.

A place where people of all colours are represented, included and seen.

I know you're just going to LOVE this episode. Let it inspire you to action.

ABOUT ANNIE:

Annie is the founder of Uplifting Studios, a platform dedicated to supporting online business owners to build culturally & racially diverse, inclusive and equitable businesses.

Annie has become a leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) coach & consultant for online entrepreneurs. Annie’s grace, gentle spirit and passion for a racially equitable world is setting her apart in the coaching and personal development industry as a compassionate educator with an incredible space holding ability.

Jump into Annie's world via her instagram: instagram.com/upliftingstudiostv/

REPRESENTED Course:

https://www.upliftingstudios.com.au/represented
 

You open up Canva or Pinterest and all you see are SO MANY PRETTY THINGS and you're overwhelmed by choice.

Too many options.

It's all so distracting and confusing. PLUS all you want to do is use that new pretty font you found or that super cute colour.

NO. STOP.

Getting distracted has no wins for your business. The key instead is to KNOW your brand. Take time to nut it out in a way that you are solid on what your biz is about, who you serve, the core message of your brand and how that is represented visually.

Once you KNOW what your brand looks like (and you're proud of it) - you know there's no need to get distracted by everything else. You have YOUR look, and you stick to it - anything else is you getting stuck outside your zone of genius and procrastinating the real work.

PLUS, I want to remind you that no one else is getting sick of your branding. No one else sees it every day. Rest in the fact that if you're getting sick of your brand then that might be a good thing because at that point you know that you're using it so consistently that everyone else is beginning to form a loyalty and connection with your brand and recognizing it when they see it in the wild #WIN.

PS. Using the same visual brand doesn't have to be boring. You can still have fun. Promise.

Get confident in creating graphics that connect with your audience: Download the "7 Mistakes that Make Your Business The Last Choice" free guide now.

“Shiny Object Syndrome” is a struggle I’ve spoken to COUNTELSS business owners about. Thankfully - it is curable! And in this BONUS episode of Seriously in Business I’m speaking with someone whose done just that.

Amy Laurens worked with me in The Co+Creation Club and together we worked on TWO brands! One her personal brand as an author, and the other as a publishing house.

Amy is now growing her brands, showing up consistently and confidently and has conquered shiny object syndrome - her brand is now slick and SUPER consistent.

Amy also shares how she balances running 2 businesses, being a mum AND working full time (it’s wild!) - and how she fit doing The Co+Creation Club into all this too.

Keen to do what Amy did in your own brand?

Join me for the sell-out intimate 10 week LIVE group coaching experience crafted to catapult your business to the next level in professionalism, authenticity and growth through supported self design.

Find out more about The Club: https://bit.ly/clubamy

ABOUT AMY:

AMY LAURENS is an Australian author of fantasy fiction for all ages. Her story Bones Of The Sea, about creepy carnivorous mist and bone curses, won the 2021 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novella. Amy has also written the award-winning portal-fantasy Sanctuary series about Edge, a 13-year-old girl forced to move to a small country town because of witness protection, the humorous fantasy Kaditeos series, following newly graduated Evil Overlord Mercury as she attempts to acquire a castle, the young adult series Storm Foxes, about love and magic and family in small town Australia, and a whole host of non-fiction, both for writers AND for people who don’t live with constant voices in their heads.

Amy lives with her husband and two kids in suburban Canberra. She used to be a high-school English teacher, and she was once chewed on by a lion. (The two are unrelated. It was her right thumb.) Amy loves chocolate but her body despises it; she has a vegetable garden that mostly thrives on neglect; and owns enough books to be considered a library. Of course. Oh, and she also makes rather fancy cakes in her spare time. 

She’s on all the usual social media channels as @ByAmyLaurens, but you’ve got the best chance of actually getting a response on Instagram or at www.AmyLaurens.com. 

I wanted to share something a little different this week. We’re currently away on holidays so I’m recording something a little more relaxed for you from our caravan (well, my parent’s caravan)!.

Learn my journey to design, starting my own business and how I grew. I’ll also share with you the mistakes I made along the way and some pearls of wisdom I hope you can learn from around business, branding and growth.

If you need a hand with creating graphics that you are proud of for your biz chuck me a DM on Instagram at @whitedeergd or head to www.diydesignmybiz.com and check out my online design course made just for small business owners... trust me, you'll watch your business confidence skyrocket!

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

When we get to this time of the year it can feel like things are starting to wind down... but not over at White Deer! I wanted to share with you what I'm doing in these final months of the year to not only prepare for 2023 but to keep momentum rolling NOW!

This is a little bit of an insight into the backend of my business - enjoy listening to my plans, ideas, launches, things I'm changing and things I'm getting help with.

I hope it inspires you as you consider what actions you can take now to build your business and set yourself up for an incredible 2023!

Let’s be real—word-of-mouth is great… until it’s not. Ever had that moment of panic wondering, “Where is my next client actually coming from?!” 😬 If you’ve been riding the referral train but know you need a more predictable way to grow, this episode is for you!

Today, I’m joined by my biz bestie Hazal Ozturk from Hey Hazal, and we’re unpacking the marketing shifts that help you stop waiting on word-of-mouth and start attracting dream clients consistently. No more crossing your fingers and hoping someone remembers to recommend you—this is about setting up a system that actually works.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why relying on referrals alone keeps your business stuck
• The biggest marketing mistakes keeping you in the hustle trap
• How to create a marketing plan that actually fits YOUR business (without feeling overwhelming)
• Messaging tweaks that make your dream clients say “Omg, I need this!”
• Why done is better than perfect when it comes to showing up online
   

This chat is part one of our two-part series! Be sure to catch part two over on Hazal’s Self-Makers podcast, where we flip the script and dive into branding beyond word-of-mouth. Because marketing without a solid brand? That’s like a cake without frosting… and we don’t do dry cake around here.
 

PS. If you want to get serious about scaling your business without relying on referrals, Hazal has an upcoming masterclass that’s a must-attend. She’s breaking down exactly how to build a sustainable marketing system that leads to $20K+ months—without the constant hustle. Join here: https://heyhazal.com/marketing-pipeline-for-predictable-20k-months-masterclass
 

THEN, join me for my free masterclass: Design Tools to Get to $100k+ Online in 2025. The Masterclass to Create High-Converting Canva Graphics in Less Time—Minus the Overwhelm. FREE SPOT: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/designmasterclass

WATCH, READ & CONNECT

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0k-vSWciV-g

Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep201/

About Hazal:

Hazal is a corporate marketer of 10 years turned marketing and business coach for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to scale to multi 6-figures and beyond using her Self, Strategy, Systems framework.

She founded her coaching company, Hey Hazal which has helped her clients book out their business, have their highest cash months and years, leave their 9-5 and most importantly, create an thriving, easeful and authentic online business. She is also the creator and host of the top charting podcast, The Self-Makers Podcast.
 

FIND HAZAL:

Free Masterclass - Your Marketing Pipeline For Predictable $20k Months: https://heyhazal.com/marketing-pipeline-for-predictable-20k-months-masterclass

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey.hazal/

Website: https://heyhazal.com/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Do you REALLY need to be in your brand? Like YOU as a person? Yes and no. In this episode, I'll share why you might want to embed you into your business plus we'll dive into how to know how much of you to put in. If you really love pineapple, does that belong in your business? What if your favourite colour is lime green? Should your brand be lime green?

Key Takeaways:

- The importance of understanding how much of oneself to embed in a personal brand, whether it's a lot or a little, and which parts of oneself to feature.

- The significance of building trust and rapport with the audience through personal branding, and how it can be a powerful tool for business credibility.

- Practical advice on aligning personal traits and preferences with the audience's interests, and understanding the relevance and connection between them.

- Using the "WOW Model" to identify the overlap between the business's values, the individual's identity, and the target audience's preferences.

- The significance of balancing professionalism and personal expression in branding, considering the audience's expectations and the industry's requirements.

Tune in to explore the art of personal branding with me, Jacqui Naunton, now.

PS. Want to explore creating your own visual brand? I have a free video series that'll be perfect for you! It's called the Seriously in Business Challenge and you can start binging right now!

https://whitedeer.com.au/sibchallenge

Did you know a simple logo change, combined with a strategic visual rebrand, has the potential to more than double—or even triple—your revenue? Just look at the success of Old Spice after their iconic rebrand, which led to a 125% increase in sales.

But on the flip side the wrong rebrand can cost you sales... Tropicana's redesign led to a 20% drop in sales, costing the company $30 million in just a few weeks. They quickly reverted to the original design after realizing the new look did not resonate with customers.

Before you get all jittery, know that a well-executed rebrand can bring immense success. I’m here to ensure you're in the Old Spice category and not tripping over Tropicana-type errors.

Join me in this episode, as I walk you through the must-know steps of rebranding, from understanding why you need to rebrand, to doing your niche-specific research, all the way to testing and getting feedback before that exciting launch.

Plus, I spill the beans on how you can get hands-on support in my Co+Creation Design Club.

So, if you're ready to craft a brand that not only looks stunning but strategically boosts sales and connects deeply with your audience, hit play now! Let’s make your rebrand a smashing success together. If you want to rebrand RIGHT and have fun while doing it I think you'll love The Co+Creation Design Club: www.whitedeer.com.au/club

Past episodes in the rebranding series:

1. How to rebrand the right way: https://whitedeer.com.au/rebranding-your-business-the-right-way/

2. Steps BEFORE you rebrand: https://whitedeer.com.au/rebranding-foundations/

3. How do design a logo: https://whitedeer.com.au/rebranding-logo/

4. Rebranding Mistakes: https://whitedeer.com.au/rebranding-mistakes/

Full Youtube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkZ8zWZqkWaE2XLtdJCQ2zyDaKZ48EUh&si=GpTAvQcqHqQTIwTU

How to launch new brand: https://whitedeer.com.au/brand-launch/

I want to let you behind the scenes of my recent branding photo shoot!

How I prepared, what the day looked like, how I chose my clothing, how I made the most out out of the session... EVERYTHING.

Coz it can all feel a little daunting and mysterious some times so I hope this ep lets you in behind the curtains to the reality of a photoshoot.

You see - photos for a business owner is one of the BEST marketing tools. And certainly one of the BIGGEST things to make designing graphics easier.

Personal branding photos help you share your personality, communicate your brand vibe and help your audience connect with YOU.

It also helps you show up as a PRO and gives you a boost of confidence while you're at it.

I've recorded an episode with my photographer back in ep 31 too, so here's the link if you want to listen to more of her tips too: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/brandphoto

PLUS! I'd love to invite you to join my FREE 3-day challenge: Seriously in Business. Coz if you're ready to look serious about your biz, I want to help make it happen! 22-24 November! Join free now: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/SeriouslyChallenge

Did you hear the news? September 1st marks the official launch of White Deer Studio! A virtual design agency where my team and I work with you to create epic brands, designs and templates for your business!

But I wanted you to get to know these lovely ladies, and wildly talented designers, for yourselves! So, introducing Vanessa Chng and Hannah Dempsey!

If you're listening before September 1st, head here to put your name on the waitlist! https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/studiowaitlist
 

Or if you're listening after our launch head to https://www.whitedeer.com.au/studio to book us in!

Designing your own graphics for your biz is all well and good…but what if you’re making some detrimental mistakes that affect how effective your designs are. What if your audience couldn’t understand what you were saying? Or how to work with you? Or didn’t stay on your graphic because it made them feel stressed or uncomfortable?

Design can have such a good impact on our business… or it can have an adverse effect, deterring people from your business.

In this episode I’ll chat about 5 mistakes you’ll want to avoid when creating your own graphics.

Free Guide: whitedeer.com.au/diytips

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

I feel a bit silly making this episode since I feel like a complete novice! ...but I just wanted to share my story behind growing my YouTube channel from almost no subscribers to nearly 10,000 in under 3 months.

I started out (and still am) a total newbie to YouTube but there were a few intentional things I did to help grow my channel and I wanted to share that with you too.

• How I monetised my channel so quickly (and what I'm earning)
• How I 'tricked' viewers into thinking I'd been around for years
• My top tips to growing quickly
• The intentional uploads I made to go "viral"
• and more

If you'd like to stalk my YouTube you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquinaunton

Camera I mentioned: https://www.sony.com.au/interchangeable-lens-cameras/products/ilce-7m4-body-kit

Check out my courses and freebies: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/

Have you ever found yourself trapped in the web of an online course, only to emerge months later with barely a dent in your progress bar? We've all been there. But fear not, because today we're diving headfirst into the world of online courses. As a seasoned online course creator and avid learner, I've got a treasure trove of tips to ensure you wring out every drop of value from those digital learning experiences.

Join my online course (that's so much more than an "online course") and start showing up seriously in your business: https://whitedeer.com.au/diydmb-limited
 

Key Takeaways:

- Immediate engagement: Open the course as soon as possible to familiarise yourself with the content and structure.

- Anchor into your "why": Revisit the reasons for enrolling in the course to stay motivated during challenging moments.

- Schedule commitment: Set a realistic schedule to work through the course and set deadlines for each module or section.

- Leverage live support: Take advantage of any live components or support offered to enhance the learning experience.

- Connect with others: Engage with fellow course participants to form connections and gain additional support.

- Embrace flexibility: Don't be discouraged by falling behind, as online courses often provide lifetime access, allowing for a reset and renewed commitment to learning.

Selling can feel so yuck - but to have a successful business chances are we're gonna need to sell (I KNOW! Shock horror!).

So what's a small biz owner to do?

Thankfully, there are actually methods we can use to sell in a way that doesn't come across pushy or rude but has service and care at its heart.

You see if you believe in the product or service that you sell, then you believe it will be able to help people...so?

Well once you switch your mindset to knowing that you're HELPING people, you can remember that when you're "selling" you are actually giving people all the information they need to be able to decide if you're offering can HELP them.

And you know what? If you choose to keep quiet and "not sell" then the people you want to help with your offering will never be able to find you.

(Don't worry, I'm preaching to myself here too).

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers I'm chatting to guest expert Merit Kahn. Merit is an expert on helping businesses to stop selling, and instead, helping their clients to "sell"ect them (see what she did there!!).

There is a TON of little nuggets of wisdom in this episode. All things ranging from emotional intelligence, creating appropriate offers and SO much more.

ABOUT MERIT:

Merit Kahn, CSP, is the CEO of SELLect Sales Development, author of Myth Shift: Challenging The Truths That Sabotage Success, co-host of The Smarter Sales Show podcast... and... writer, producer and star of the one-woman inspirational comedy show, "Book of Merit."

With more than 20 years of sales, sales management, coaching, training, consulting, writing and speaking experience, Merit has worked with thousands of clients across multiple industries with one goal in mind... grow sales and influence. She is certified in Emotional Intelligence and earned the highest designation in The National Speakers Association, one held by less than 12% of professional speakers worldwide, The Certified Speaking Professional, CSP.

Merit's work experience and certifications in both Emotional Intelligence and cultural transformation give her a unique perspective for hiring, onboarding, selling and retaining top talent.


CONNECT WITH MERIT:

For FREE resources: http://meritkahn.com/podcast
Need a speaker for your upcoming event: http://meritkahn.com/
Ready to stop selling and start getting SELLected by your top prospects? https://www.sellectsales.com/
Connect with Merit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meritkahn/
Email Merit: Merit@MeritKahn.com

There are always certain roadblocks that hold us back when get to creating our own graphics so today I want to debunk a few and give you my 4 favourite design mantras to pin up on your desk to keep your focused and confident.

Mantra #1: Helps you build loyalty with your audience and save time as you create your graphics

Mantra #2: Let's you know that it's okay to not be a design wiz

Mantra #3: Reminds you just to get your stuff out there and not hold your business back

Mantra #4: Keeps you from feeling too frustrated and putting out graphics that no one understands

Tune in to learn each mantra and keep it ready as a reminder when you're in the thick of it!

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

Feeling like your brand could use a little more *pizazz*? Maybe things are starting to feel a bit stale, or perhaps your biz has grown and evolved, and it's time your branding reflected that. Whether you're just not feeling proud of your brand anymore or you're itching for a fresh, sophisticated look, it's definitely time for a rebrand!

But rebranding isn't just about splashing some new colours on your website or tweaking your logo, it's so much more than that. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 5 foundational steps you *absolutely* need to tackle before diving into a rebrand.

We’ll chat about everything from knowing your business inside out with my WOW brand model, to talking to your target audience the *right* way, and even how to create that perfect Pinterest mood board to nail the vibe you're going for.

Trust me, rebranding can cost time and money, and you want to do it right!

If you're ready for you brand to effortlessly attract, seamlessly convert, and professionally deliver client experiences your people rave about through strategic branding then you'll want to come along to my free masterclass August 22 2024. Get your ticket: whitedeer.com.au/moneymakingmasterclass

Or, join me inside The Co+Creation Design Club. diydesignmybiz.com/club

Find out more about the WOW Brand Model here: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/wow-model 

There seems to be a lot of pressure to have a "pretty Instagram grid" - meaning a perfectly curated Insta page that looks incredible.

But is it all it's chalked up to be? In this episode I'll chat about when it's important and when it's NOT important to have a perfectly curated grid.

Is it something your business needs to worry about or something you can totally forget about?

Here's a designer's take!

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design resources at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

This episode is a little different than usual! I chat with mum and business owner Desiree to learn how she does life, motherhood, home making and business.

We cover: work boundaries, communicating our needs, creating undistracted work times and more!

Desireé Robinson is a a homemaker, homesteader, homebirther that enjoys a cup of tea as well as a family adventure with her husband and 3 young boys. She helps busy Christian moms create schedules that eliminate stress, ditch toxins & experience God given freedom of peace through biblical mindset practices.

Listen to my episode with Desireé on her podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wholisticlifestyle/episodes/93-WAHM-Routine--Sabbath-Rest--Mom-Life-w-Jacqui-e20ckcc

DOWNLOAD FREE: Stress-Free cleaning schedule example & template:

https://mailchi.mp/db3b11ac71ea/cleaningschedule

Wholistic Lifestyle Podcast:

https://anchor.fm/wholisticlifestyle

When we're in those early stages of business (and throughout and whole business to be honest) there are TWO graphics I think are non-negotiables.

Two graphics that we must have sorted to give us a professional, consistent and easeful business.

1. A style guide: This is a guide to your style. Not only does it lay out your colours, and your fonts but also your brand elements... are you going to have collage style graphics? Or are you going to have minimal designs and colours? Or maybe watercolour and glitter! There is so much more to your brand than just the fonts or colours and the more we have this nailed the more recognisable and brand will be AND the easier it will be to vreate graphics for.

2. Social media templates: Social media has got to be one of the things business owners dread the most. They don't know what to post or what things should look like... and this usually stops them from posting at all (or far less regularly than they should!). So, creating a set of social media templates that are already designed to match your brand can be a game changer! Now all you have to do is tweak some of the text or replace an image and you can put up a new post in minutes!

Once you nail these two things in your biz design becomes a lot less daunting and maybe even enjoyable! If you'd like help with this I'd like to invite you to the Brand Slam on Thursday the 7th of April 2022. This is a 1-day online workshop to help you to create both your style guide and social media templates in a day full of inspiration, support and encouragement.

BUY YOUR TICKET HERE: www.diydesignmybiz.com/brandslam

Feeling burnt out in business or constantly getting sucked into people pleasing? Boundaries might be your solution. Special guest, Kylie Broadfoot, a mindset and human behaviour coach joins us in today's episode to explore the importance of establishing clear communication, managing priorities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance in order to thrive in business.

Key takeaways:

- Establishing clear communication and response time expectations with clients can reduce pressure and urgency in business interactions.

- Setting boundaries, such as specific work days and using calendar systems, is essential for preventing burnout and fostering a sustainable work environment.

- Recognizing and addressing boundary issues, both personal and professional, is key to maintaining a positive and fulfilling business experience.

ABOUT KYLIE:

Kylie Broadfoot is a mindset and human behaviour coach, mentor and facilitator. After working as a neurological occupational therapist for a couple of decades, helping people to pursue their goals and dreams, she finally gave in to the pull to study to become a coach. And quickly discovered it was a love affair in all the best ways.

She poured hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into honing her craft and importantly, being coached herself. Now Kylie is an authority on all things human behaviour. She empowers women to reclaim their true identity, release people pleasing, become confident with asserting their boundaries (minus the guilt), and develop their self-awareness and permission to be all of who they truly are. She offers private coaching, workshops and events for individuals, leaders and teams.

CONNECT WITH KYLIE:

Website: https://www.kmbcoaching.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundariesqueen_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyliebroadfoot.kmbcoaching

Perfectionism is a struggle for all of us - particularly when we are creating a design or our visual brand… we just seem to get stuck going around and 'round tweaking and changing trying to find this mythical "perfect".

In this episode I'll share a few mindset hacks to use when you feel like you're just never satisfied and overthinking it ALL.

My tips:

•  "Perfect" doesn't exist in design, it's not math!

•   Done is better than perfect. Don't procrastinate with perfection.

•  We can't please everyone... or even ONE person! Stop trying.

•  Good enough is good enough! If your design is branded, clear and balanced - stop tweaking and put it out into the world!

•  Be you - no one can tell you you're doing it wrong.

So many of us running our own businesses love it. But we love it so much that it's often all we do. And when we're not working - we're doing all the errands, house jobs and planning.

But I want to share with you something that I've done since I first started my business. Something I don't always WANT to do, but know I need to do if I want a sustainable, lasting and enjoyable business.

This is quite a personal episode... I don't often share about my faith but I really believe this principle can be so helpful to all biz owners (and humans), not just Christians.

It's the idea of "Sabbath" - one day a week where we STOP. From everything. And we just BE.

I think we so often believe the lie that our worth lies in what we DO. How much we work, what we earn, what we own, what we can achieve... but what's left of us when we stop and just exist? When we stop trying to earn our place on this planet and just enjoy our present moment without striving or comparing or wanting something different to what we already have and who we already are.

Once a week I take a day where I completely stop. Every single week. No matter what's happening - in the middle of a launch, or when life is ridiculously busy. Any time.

And I choose NOT to do chores, to not do errands, to not consume social media, to not do work. And instead, I write myself an a la carte menu of things that I love and I do those! I read, journal, walk, eat delicious food, relax with family... anything that energises me!

This day is one I look forward to every single week. It's often the highlight of my week.

BUT it has to be a choice. It's HARD to stop. It's the opposite of what I naturally do.

It's hard to get all the chores done before my day off. It's hard to trust that I'll be okay even if I don't hustle. But gee it's worth it.

If what I want to do in my life can't be achieved in 6 days, then I'm doing too much.

So, I'd love to challenge you - what might a "sabbath" look like for you? Are you willing to risk stopping? To let your worth be found outside of what you DO?

Try is one day. Then try it again. And then again. And let it become a rhythm of your life.

I also want to acknowledge that in our current, unjust and unfair world that this might not be possible for everyone. There is an element of privilege that comes with being able to rest. I firmly believe this SHOULD be for everyone, and could be... if we as humanity chose to really care for one another. But, if you, my friend are not in a place where stopping is possible - I pray you can find rest and rejuvenation in the little moments. You deserve it too.

Being alive for 29 years doesn't really qualify me to be THAT wise. I know.

But, I do think I have a couple of nuggets to share in the world of business. And so to celebrate my upcoming celebration of another year around the sun I wanted to share with you 29 things that I've learnt before I turn 29.

Some of these lessons I've learned the hard way, others came naturally (thank goodness!!).

Grab a cuppa and tune in as we whip through these hopefully wildly helpful lessons!

And I'd love to know - what are some of your biggest biz lessons? Message me on Insta and have a share (@whitedeergd)

PS. If one of your lessons has been learning the importance of design and you want to step things up a notch in your biz...

Make sure you take a look at my birthday sale! Courses, workshops and coaching all 29% off!

SHOP NOW: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/goodies

In this episode, I'm diving into some foolproof design hacks and tricks to ensure your Instagram posts not only grab attention but also inspire action. And guess what? Stick around till the end to hear all about my best-performing content from 2024. Trust me, you won't want to miss it.

We're continuing our bold branding series for 2025, and I've got some golden nuggets for you! Bold branding doesn’t mean bright colours; it means strategic design that stands out in a crowded space. And now, in part 2, I'm focusing on two essential elements your designs need: simplicity and ease.

I'll share why overdesigning your posts is a no-go and how a little bit of texture or a gradient can go a long way. Plus, I'll introduce you to the concept of hierarchy, a powerful tool to make your designs both simple and captivating.

Think large text grabbing attention and a clean, readable format that doesn’t overwhelm your audience. And oh, the importance of good contrast to ensure everyone, no matter the screen settings, can easily read your posts.
 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bMRHBRUTNy8

Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep198/

WORK WITH JACQUI:

// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb

// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

So, your business is ready to make its first hire? Or maybe you've hired before but are ready to do it better! In this episode, I chat with HR Expert, Amy Christopherson, on the critical aspects of hiring new team and creating a successful onboarding process for new employees.

Key Takeaways:

- The investment of time and resources required to bring an employee up to speed, and the timeline for employees to reach optimal efficiency.

- The essential components of a well-structured onboarding process, including system setup, policies, procedures, induction, and employee value proposition.

- The importance of treating employees as valuable assets, expressing empathy, and encouraging open communication to maximize their performance and well-being.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on building a robust onboarding process that sets the stage for fostering a successful and harmonious working environment.
 

ABOUT AMY:

I understand that as a business owner, your passion lies in your area of expertise, not necessarily in managing people.

Hi, I'm Amy. I am a HR Business Partner who is dedicated to working with businesses to look at HR differently. The right people are your most important asset and I want to help you build a team of motivated, growth-focused and aligned people who are committed to your vision!
 

CONNECT WITH AMY:

www.amyjanehr.com.au

www.instagram.com/amyjanehr

www.facebook.com/amyjanehr

We only get one chance to make a great first impression… a chance for people to say YES to hitting that follow button, or to leave our page maybe forever.

In this episode, I discuss:

🔹 Designing your Instagram page to make a great first impression: When someone stumbles upon your page, it's crucial to communicate what you do and why they should follow you. I share tips on using visuals strategically and even your bio to effectively convey your brand message.

🔹 The importance of clarity and relevance in your posts: Your Instagram grid is the first thing people see, and it's essential to make sure your posts clearly communicate your expertise and the value you provide. Give them a reason to want to follow you!! I give examples of how to use large text and obvious visuals to make your content clear.

🔹 Key takeaways for boosting your Instagram presence: By putting yourself in the shoes of a stranger and considering where your audience is coming from, you can better understand how to connect with them. I discuss the power of making it clear what you do, who you serve, and what followers can expect from your content.

Listen to the full episode for even more insights, examples, and a surprise trick I use on my own Instagram grid.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube to see some visual examples.

Tutorial on creating perfect portrait posts:https://youtu.be/HOKtAN5e4JA?si=RMY6VjVTju298txs

Tutorial on creating pinned puzzle posts: https://youtu.be/C45M5XWIjMA?si=mpsj5MeOybqD3jy4

💜FREE VIDEO SERIES 💜 Create your own stunning visual brand, grow your business faster and feel (and look!) a million bucks - ready for your best year of business yet in this 3-part on-demand video training: Seriously in Business! Unlock your free access: Seriously in Business Challenge

So just recently I made the HUGE switch of jumping from using Squarespace as my website design platform to Showit (one I had barely heard of when I started my research!).

But to make start from scratch building a website felt wildly overwhelming so I opted to purchase a template to get me started and thankfully I found Emma Troys template! (PS. Check out Emma's incredible templates here!! I used Frankie! https://emmatroy.com.au/shop?affiliate=whitedeer)

In today's episode I chat with special guest, Emma Troy, on all things Showit PLUS helping you decide whether you should DIY/template design your website, OR hire a professional.

Key Takeaways:

- Insights into Showit: Emma Troy shares her expertise on the benefits and considerations of using Showit for website design, highlighting its creative freedom, user-friendly interface, and seamless integration with WordPress for blogging purposes.

- Choosing the right website platform: Emma and Jacqui discuss the importance of selecting a website builder that aligns with your business needs, whether it’s for selling products, showcasing work, offering services, or hosting courses.
 

ABOUT EMMA:

Emma Troy is a brand designer, website expert and Showit design partner for creatives, coaches and entrepreneurial adventurers, helping them transform their boring brands and bland websites into (nearly) magical money-making masterpieces. Over the past 12 years Emma has helped 500+ businesses across the globe create immersive online experiences that illustrate their story and illuminate their value through both easy-to-use templates and custom designs.
 

CONNECT WITH EMMA:

https://emmatroy.com.au/

https://emmatroy.com.au/blueprint

https://emmatroy.com.au/demo

https://www.instagram.com/emmatroydesign

Ever wondered how to perfect your personal style and make it work for your business goals? Well, this episode is tailor-made for you! (Pun absolutely intended). In this conversation, I’m sitting down with the fabulous Dina Cerchione to dive deep into all things personal styling and brand image.

Dina shares her magic touch on understanding yourself to create a style that's not only flattering but also a true reflection of your personality and business brand. We chat about why copying others’ styles just doesn’t cut it—and how you can craft a look that's uniquely yours.

We also discuss mood boards, intentionality, and how small changes can transform your entire look! Whether you're gearing up for a branding photo shoot, or simply navigating your wardrobe for Zoom meetings, Dina’s got the tips to make you shine.

We even get into some fun behind-the-scenes insights from Dina’s styling gigs in television and personal branding, including how contestants are prepped for their national TV debuts!

So, if you're ready to up your style game and make a lasting impression, you won't want to miss this. Tune in now and make your closet—and your brand—work for you!
 

ABOUT DINA:

Dina Cerchione has been making celebrities and reality TV guests look great on-and-off camera for over 25 years and is one is one of the busiest Hollywood stylists in town. Her work has been seen on some of the biggest shows on television, including America’s Got Talent, Deal or No Deal, Dr Phil, and on all of the major networks and streaming services including FOX, ABC, Netflix, and HBO. She has also been featured in industry and consumer media outlets such as In Style, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, People, and The Daily Mail. 

Now she is working that same Hollywood magic for modern entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches and anyone who is the face of their business helping them enhance their brand using style. Through her many years of honing her craft working as a TV wardrobe stylist, Dina knows how to tap in and tell people’s story using style. Her approach is rooted in the belief that a well-designed personal style can open doors and create opportunities. With an eye for detail and an understanding people need to present themselves in an authentic way, Dina helps her clients make lasting impressions that align with their ideal clients and their professional aspirations. Whether it’s for a keynote speech, media appearance, brand photo shoot or daily business interactions her mission is to ensure every entrepreneur she collaborates with has a personal style that is as unique and impactful as their brand.

GET IN TOUCH WITH DINA:

Instagram: @dmcstyles

LinkedIn: Dina Cerchione

Website: dmcstyles.com

Freebie: The Ultimate Guide To Your Brand Photo Shoot Style https://keap.app/contact-us/4141690198853504

Life gets busy, funds are tights and you're caring for a little tacker - how do you manage upskilling for your business at the same time!?

In this episode I chat with Photographer Peta on her experience of what it's been like to invest in herself and in her business to learn design.

Peta joined my course, DIY Design My Biz, at a busy stage in her life but somehow still made it work! And what beautiful graphics she has now to prove it.

Follow Peta on Instagram at @capturedbypeta or join the waitlist for DIY Design My Biz to join other incredible business owners taking control of their business at diydesignmybiz.com

I gotta tell ya, it's one thing to learn design from a designer...

It's another to hear a real experience from a fellow-non-designer.

Listen to my interview with Laura to hear what's practically helped her in her business as she's tackled her own design.

We chat social media, perfectionism, control over your business and designs, and so much more!!

Doors for DIY Design My Biz are opening soon - if you'd like to grow in design and business like Laura, join the waitlist here: www.diydesignmybiz.com (the only way to find out when enrolments open) xx

Connect with Laura:

Website • Instagram • Podcast

In this episode, I chat with Facebook (Meta) ads expert, Bianca McKenzie, about the art and science of creating effective Facebook ads (that don't suck all your money). We cover the challenges of converting leads, refining funnels for online courses, and troubleshooting ad campaigns. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, Bianca shares valuable insights to help you optimize your Facebook ad strategy.

Key takeaways from this episode:

- Understanding the ideal customer and their content consumption habits

- Allocating budget to top-of-funnel lead generation ads, retargeting for warm audiences, and potential middle-of-funnel ads.

- Analyzing all the numbers, tracking conversion rates, and collecting data
 

ABOUT BIANCA:

Bianca McKenzie helps entrepreneurs by taking the stress out of launching, generating targeted leads, making sales and growing businesses through Facebook & Instagram advertising.
 

CONNECT WITH BIANCA:

www.biancamckenzie.com

https://www.biancamckenzie.com/free/

Bianca McKenzie helps entrepreneurs by taking the stress out of launching, generating targeted leads, making sales and growing businesses through Facebook & Instagram advertising.

In this episode of the Seriously in Business Podcast, Jacqui is joined by brand strategist and copywriter, Nikki Hamilton. Nikki shares her insights and expertise on brand strategy, customer research, website building, and much more. If you're a business owner looking to take your brand and website to the next level and build an effective online presence, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Your Audience: Nikki emphasizes the significance of conducting customer research to truly understand your target audience's perspective. She shares an example of a financial services company that had to align their brand strategy with their audience's needs and desires.

2. Embracing Feedback: Nikki discusses the fear of receiving feedback but highlights the importance of seeing it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. She shares the value of both positive and negative feedback from clients and suggests utilizing surveys to gather valuable insights about your brand and customer perception.

3. Building an Effective Website: Nikki provides valuable tips and insights on website building, including the importance of basic SEO knowledge, integrating with Google Analytics, and ensuring essential functionality. She shares the importance of considering factors like user experience, site speed, and optimization for search engines.

4. Leveraging Google Tools: Nikki emphasises the power of utilising Google's free tools, such as Google My Business, to list and promote your business. She discusses the significance of filling in as much information as possible and strategically using keywords to boost your online visibility.

5. The Long-Term Benefits: Nikki underscores the long-term benefits of investing in brand strategy, website building, and SEO. With her expertise and experience, she offers a fresh perspective on leveraging these aspects to grow your business effectively.

Don't miss out on this insightful conversation between Jacqui Naunton and Nikki Hamilton as they share their expertise and discuss the essential elements of brand strategy and website building in today's digital landscape.

ABOUT NIKKI:

Meet Nikki Hamilton, the creative force behind Seedling Digital and Women Wealth WordPress. Originally from New Zealand and now on Australia's Gold Coast, Nikki has a diverse background in teaching, corporate marketing, and boutique skincare.

Nikki's mission is to help businesses create a strong online presence for increased profitability. Seedling Digital, her Gold Coast agency, excels in crafting distinctive brand identities and WordPress websites that not only captivate but also address business challenges.

Through Women Wealth WordPress, Nikki offers a comprehensive e-course for aspiring web developers. She transformed a job loss during pregnancy into a successful web development business, earning over $150K in her first year. Her course provides technical guidance, business strategies, and a supportive community to empower women in building thriving development studios.

CONNECT WITH NIKKI:

Website: https://seedlingdigital.com.au/

Free Dream Life Workbook: https://womenwealthwordpress.com/freebie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedlingdigital/

Ever wondered how creating a simple quiz can skyrocket your business leads? Well, let me take you through the journey of creating my own quiz and how it amassed over 2,000 leads for my business!

In this episode, I share my step-by-step process from creating the quiz, the pitfalls I encountered along the way, and the strategic approaches that finally made it a roaring success. We'll talk about the importance of making your audience feel known, how to tailor your quiz to connect with them, and why a solid funnel is the key to success.

I'll also offer tips on keeping the quiz fun and engaging, making it a breeze for your audience to relate to your brand while feeling excited about their results. And hey, we'll even chat about promoting your quiz with some nifty marketing tactics!

So, if you're ready to ramp up your business leads in a creative and engaging way, join me on this episode to unlock the power of quiz funnels! Trust me, the potential is limitless, and I can't wait to spill the beans with you!

Want to try the quiz platform I use and recommend? Here's my affiliate link (obviously only sharing link to products I believe in!): https://get.tryinteract.com/f7vnhupludam

Oh and want to check out my quiz for yourself? Here's the link: https://whitedeer.com.au/quiz

The existence of my whole business is targeted at one thing - helping biz owners create their own graphics, posts and logos.

But WHY should a business owner actually do it? Actually, get onto Canva and make their own graphics over hiring a designer?

I firmly believe there's a place for both BUT in today's podcast episode I want to share with you my FIVE favourite reasons to know how to make your own incredible biz graphics.

1. Gives you the control

2. Can create any time

3. Your graphics reflect you

4. Can change in the future if needed

5. Saves money and ongoing costs

Want to learn more about creating your own *GOOD* biz graphics? Here are a ton of free resources to get you started: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies

One of the best ways to grow your business WITHOUT just working "harder" is automation. Automation is the art of using technology to do tasks, or connect tasks FOR you. (AKA. Freeing up time so you can focus on the money-making tasks in your business).

Automations can be as simple as sending a new subscriber the freebie they signed up for (yep! That's an automation), sending an abandon cart email, or automatically asking a client for feedback when they've finished working with you.

In this episode, host Jacqui Naunton, sits down with Brianca Johnson to delve into the world of business automation and how it can revolutionize the way you operate.

Key Takeaways:

Discover the potential of using technological tools to streamline tasks, save time, and enhance efficiency, from setting up welcome sequences to utilizing tools like Zapier for seamless integration.

Personalized Touch: Understand the importance of making automations feel personal and high-touch to maintain a genuine connection with customers, and learn from real examples of successful automated client interactions.

Testing and Avoiding Mistakes: Explore the significance of thorough testing to ensure seamless automation implementation, and uncover common mistakes made in the process.

Be inspired: How automation lead one of Brianca's clients to a five-figure launch hands off.

ABOUT BRIANCA:

Brianca Kirkman (Johnson), MA is a Marketing Operations and Automations Consultant and the author of It Ain’t Rocket Science, Friend! How to Position Your Expertise, Build an Authentic Personal Brand, and Plan a Profitable Launch in 90 Days. Brianca specializes in helping executives, entrepreneurs, and CEOs build, launch, and grow sustainable marketing systems through simple online marketing strategies and advanced automations. Brianca has assisted her clients in generating over $500,000 in first time launches and has coached over 600 women between three core programs since July 2020.

CONNECT WITH BRIANCA:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebriancajohnson

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebriancajohnson/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfJ1L2AzF5fFtjF9W4U14Q

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebriancajohnson/

Marketing Performance Assessment: www.briancajohnson.com/quiz

Five-Figure Sales Funnel Training: www.briancajohnson.com/free-training

Clarity to Coins Membership: www.briancajohnson.com/membership

SPECIAL LISTENER COUPON: Get $100 off 3 months in Brianca's Clarity to Coins Membership:  https://marketplace.briancajohnson.com/discount/DNGYJFVKJDSZ?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fclarity-to-coins-course