Wildgoose Brand Management

27/04/2025

Just checking in!

I wanted you all to know I haven’t dropped off the edge of the planet. 🪐

For those of you that don’t know me I actually run three businesses and throughout April - October my other two businesses have to take top priority.

As a professional photographer at Wildgoose Photographics my family shoots and weddings are inevitably taken when the weather is brighter, and we have been having some lovely weather so far this year!

In 2022 I set up country_cottage_borders_ to fill the income gap that the financial crisis threw at me. As a gardener, March to October are my busiest months, which leaves less time for my business mentoring and management.

I want to be completely transparent about this. As an advocate for setting up small businesses and selling the importance of a good social media presence, I can’t just disappear into thin air every summer without letting you know why.

I’m sure all business owners understand how time consuming running social media accounts can be for one, never mind three businesses!

So until October I will be a little quieter on here, then I will be ramping up for another Free 5 Day Business Boost Class for all you small businesses that need some extra help!

I look forward to seeing you all then 🥰

22/04/2025

A wise word for small business owners 👍🏻

19/04/2025

Stuck for family day ideas? We recently had a fantastic one!

After a winter indoors, the sunshine inspired us to try a treasure hunt in Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. 🏺

As a small business owner, I was so impressed by this brilliant way to get families exploring local history and culture. The hunt led us to hidden gems and was incredibly well-designed.

We can't wait for our next adventure!

It's inspiring to see small businesses find unique ways to thrive. Which small business do you admire? Share and tag them in the comments and share some love! 🥰

16/04/2025

Do you have a little spark of a hobby, enjoying late-night crafting sessions, the weekend market stalls?

For many small business entrepreneurs, it all starts with passion. But what happens when that passion starts to show real potential? The journey from a fulfilling hobby to a reliable household income is an exciting one, filled with challenges and triumphs.

It's about more than just loving what you do. It requires a shift in mindset: embracing the "business" side of things. Think strategic planning, understanding your market, pricing effectively, and consistent effort. It's about learning to value your time and your craft.

The transition isn't always smooth. There will be long hours involved, moments where imposter syndrome takes over, and a need to wear many hats.

But the reward? Building something truly your own, on your own terms, and seeing it flourish into a sustainable source of income for your family makes every hurdle worthwhile.

So, to all the hobbyists out there dreaming of turning their passion into their profession: keep learning, keep growing, and keep believing in the value of what you create. You've got this!

The journey to a healthy household income starts with that first brave step. If you need help to boost your small business quicker, drop me a message to discuss what I can do for you. Or, sign up for my newsletter with lots of small business insights and get a FREE 30 day social media planner here 👉 https://www.subscribepage.com/social-media-planner

13/04/2025

10/04/2025

Fellow small business owners, let's talk about taking a holiday ✈️

AND YES, you do deserve one! The constant hustle of running a small business can be exhausting, and stepping away isn't a luxury; it's an investment in your well-being and the long-term success of your business.

Here’s my key to organising a guilt-free break, and how I try to prepare for some much-needed time off:

⛱Plan Ahead: Mark those holiday dates on your calendar early. This gives you ample time to prepare and manage deadlines.

⛱Delegate: Identify tasks that can be delegated to trusted team members or freelancers. Provide clear instructions and empower them to make decisions.

⛱Automate Where Possible: Schedule social media posts, set up auto-responders for emails, and utilize any automation tools you have.

⛱Set Realistic Expectations: You can't solve every potential problem before you leave. Prioritize critical tasks and accept that some things might need to wait until your return.

⛱Communicate Clearly: Let clients and suppliers know your availability well in advance. Set clear boundaries about checking emails or being contacted.

⛱Prepare for Emergencies: Have a designated point of contact for urgent matters and a clear protocol for handling them.

⛱Truly Switch Off: Resist the urge to constantly check emails or social media. Trust that you've prepared well and set your out of office on!

Remember, taking a break isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength and smart business practice.

You'll return refreshed, with new perspectives, ideas and renewed energy to pour back into your amazing business.

So, book that time off, organise yourself, and enjoy every single moment of your well-deserved holiday! You've earned it. ✈️

07/04/2025

Small Business Survival: It's All About Adaptability!

In the fast-paced world of small business, one thing is constant: change.

Consumer trends shift, technology evolves, and unexpected challenges arise. That's why adaptability is your superpower!

Being able to pivot, adjust your strategy, and embrace new opportunities is crucial for survival and growth.

Don't be afraid to experiment, learn from your mistakes, and listen to your heart. A flexible mindset allows you to navigate uncertainty, seize new ideas, and ultimately, build a resilient and thriving business.

📸 My business has adapted over the past five years, with family photography being my main income back in 2019, then covid and a financial crisis caused me to rethink my journey.

🌸Building a gardening business to bridge the income in 2022, I still do and love my photography, but it's now my second income. Then realising last year that gardening is something that (at my age) I can't do forever, it's very physical and I needed to rethink my path yet again.

💡This year, I've decided that I'd love to help small businesses get off the ground and navigate all the mistakes that I've made over the years. It would be a lovely way to give back all the knowledge that I've gained.

How has your small business journey developed and adapted in the last 5 years? I'd love to know

05/04/2025

Ready to turn your business dream into reality? Stop dreaming, start DOING!

This year, I will be offering comprehensive support for new and struggling small businesses. But I want to know your preferred way to learn! Which of these options excites you the most?

👍 Personalized 1-2-1 Mentoring: Expert guidance, tailored to your unique journey.
❤️ Practical In-Person Classes: Network, learn, and get your questions answered face-to-face.
😆 Interactive Facebook Group Workshops: Collaborative learning with live Q&A sessions.
😢 Online Workbook: Flexible, self-paced learning from the comfort of your home.
😡 Monthly Subscription: Regular tips and advice delivered straight to your inbox.

Let me know your favorite with an emoji! 👇

03/04/2025

This 👇🥰

01/04/2025

My girls are just revising for their GCSEs. They are trying to decide on which A levels to take next, based on a career path that they may or may not follow in the future.

16 is so young, but we've all been there, and we know it's a big deal at the time! But how many of us are still in that job/career that we chose back in the day?

Life rarely follows a straight line. Many of us start down one road, only to find our passions lead us elsewhere.

I can only suggest that they don't panic if they haven't got it all figured out yet.

Those GCSEs are a foundation, not a life sentence. They open doors, but they can always open newer and better ones later.

Maybe they'll work in one field for years like I did, then discover a burning desire to start their own business. It happens!

Life is about learning, adapting, and pursuing what truly excites.

So if your young ones are doing their GCSE's this year, tell them to focus on doing their best right now. Choose the A levels they will enjoy (we all do better at the things we love.) But tell them to keep their options open to the possibilities beyond their education.

Their journey will be unique, just like yours and mine, and it's never too late to change direction and chase their dreams.

If you're looking at chasing your dreams and starting a new business I can help get you there quicker. Drop me a message for more details 👍

30/03/2025

Having watched the new series Adolescence this week, I wonder how much of our children's development is suffering due to social media.

The opportunities social media gives to small businesses are immense, but as a small business owner, I must admit I sit on social media for hours with the excuse " I'm working" on things like...

💡Networking & Professional Growth: Platforms like LinkedIn facilitate connections, job searches, and professional development.
💡Marketing & Brand Building: Businesses leverage social media for targeted advertising, customer engagement, and brand awareness.
💡Communication & Collaboration: Social tools enable efficient communication and project collaboration across teams and locations.
💡Information Dissemination: Quick and wide distribution of industry news, research, and updates.

Now let's compare these to what our children are using it for.

🩹Cyberbullying & Harassment: Increased exposure to online negativity can lead to emotional distress and mental health issues.
🩹Distorted Self-Image & Body Image Issues: Constant exposure to curated online personas can foster unrealistic expectations and insecurities.
🩹Privacy Concerns & Data Security: Teens may unknowingly share personal information, leading to privacy violations and potential exploitation.
🩹Addiction & Reduced Social Interaction: Excessive screen time can interfere with sleep, academic performance, and real-life social skills.
🩹Mental Health Implications: Increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation are linked to social media usage in adolescents.
🩹Spread of Misinformation: Adolescents are vulnerable to believing false information, which can have negative real-world consequences.

As adults, we understand the implications of the above. It's crucial to promote responsible social media use and equip both professionals and teens with the tools to navigate its complexities.
Complexities like 👉 Do you know your emojis?

Do you think it's time to ban our children from social media?
Is it possible to take this away from them when it has already been introduced into their everyday life?

I'd love to know your thoughts 🤔