Wildgoose Brand Management

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 🤔

28/03/2025

In the world of social media the allure of going viral is strong, but be warned: it's not always a blessing.

Do you have that dream of going viral? Well, I lived it.

Back in 2014, a fun photo I took for my photography page Wildgoose Photographics exploded!

💥 13,000 new followers in a week, boom! 💥

But here's the thing: these followers were from all over the world. Suddenly, my Facebook posts were now reaching people in other countries, instead of my target audience of local UK customers.

It looked great on paper, but it totally messed up my marketing.

So, yeah, be careful what you wish for. Carefully consider the true value of viral success, as it may not align with your business

If you would like help with your small business start-up, you can join my mailing list and receive a FREE 30 day social media planner this spring 👉 https://bit.ly/30-day-social-media-planner 👈

26/03/2025

Do you suffer from imposter syndrome? You're not alone!

It's incredibly common to feel like you're faking it, even when you're clearly competent. It is feeling like a fraud, like any minute someone's going to expose you as a complete phony, and it's surprisingly widespread. It's something most of us experience at some point in our small business journey.

Here's a breakdown of what it often entails:

👉The feeling of inadequacy: Despite evidence of your success, you attribute it to luck or external factors.
👉Fear of being exposed: You live in constant fear that others will discover your "lack" of ability.
👉 Difficulty accepting praise: Compliments feel uncomfortable, and you tend to downplay your achievements.
👉 Overworking and perfectionism: You push yourself to extreme lengths to avoid being "found out."

Why does it happen?

Imposter syndrome can stem from various factors, including:

👉 Personality traits like perfectionism and anxiety.
👉 Upbringing and family dynamics.
👉 Social pressures and stereotypes.
👉 New roles or transitions.

How to cope:

💥Acknowledge your feelings: Recognize that imposter syndrome is common and valid.
💥Talk about it: Sharing your experiences with trusted friends, family, or colleagues can be incredibly helpful.
💥Challenge negative self-talk: Replace self-critical thoughts with positive affirmations.
💥Focus on your accomplishments: Keep a record of your successes and refer to it when self-doubt creeps in.
💥Separate feelings from facts: Feelings are not facts. Just because you feel like a fraud, doesn't mean you are one.
💥 Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and recognize that everyone makes mistakes.
💥 Seek professional help: If imposter syndrome is significantly impacting your life, consider talking to a therapist.

Remember, your skills and accomplishments are real. You deserve to be where you are!

If you would like more small business support subscribe to my mailing list and receive a FREE 30 day social media planner👉 https://bit.ly/30-day-social-media-planner 👈

24/03/2025

🌱 Start small, dream big 🌳

Never underestimate the power of starting at the bottom, a friend of mine is a testament to that.

He began his career as a shelf stacker at Tesco right out of school. Through sheer determination and hard work, he climbed the ranks, eventually becoming an area manager and now heads the supply chain at another top retail company.

It goes to show, that no matter where you start, you can totally crush your small business if you put your mind to it!

22/03/2025

This is so true!

“If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.” Dhirubhai Ambani was spot on!

20/03/2025

More about me...

Here is my work space, it is small and in the living room.

It's been here since I started my photography business back in 2014. It means I don't have to pay rent on a commercial property, but there are some downsides too.

Although I bought an expensive desk to fit my furniture, the work clutter still makes me feel like the living room is untidy and that I can never escape from work.

I've always longed for an office space, and tonight we will be viewing a house that actually has just that. It doesn't have a bath (only a shower room) but that's a compromise I'm willing to make.

What compromises have you had to make as a small business owner? I'd love to know 🖥

18/03/2025

Tired of social media overwhelm?

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I've packed this planner with my best tips and tricks for creating engaging social media content, to help you...

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Download it for free and level up your strategy!

You can thank me later 😜

Get yours here 👉 https://bit.ly/30-day-social-media-planner

16/03/2025

Where do you get your images from?

Are you an image thief, a stock addict, or are your images organic?

Do you even know what an image thief is?

An image thief is someone who finds their images online, copies and steals them? (This is called copyright infringement, it's illegal and could get you a hefty fine, but a surprising amount of people still do it)

Or, do you use stock images from a site like Shutterstock, where everyone can purchase the same photo?

In today's digital age, businesses need to use high-quality images to stand out. They are visually appealing and can help to create a sense of authenticity and trust with your audience.

Taking your own organic images is a great way to achieve this. It means no one else will be sharing the same thing as you.

You can also incorporate your brand colours into them, which makes you unique and stand out from the crowd.

If you are looking to improve your branding, consider using organic images. They can help you to create a more authentic and trustworthy connection with your client.

Being a professional brand photographer, I can teach you how to take better photos in my 1-1 mentoring sessions. If you are interested, you can find out more here https://bit.ly/small-business-mentoring