Building your Brand

In this episode, I chat with Jeanetta Gonzales a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, surface pattern designer, and mentor to creatives . Jeanette shares her journey from the early days of graphic design (pre-internet!) to building a thriving career in art licensing and coaching .
We dive deep into the emotional side of creativity, discussing how to overcome imposter syndrome, why we often seek "permission" to follow our dreams, and how to spot the early warning signs of burnout .
If you need permission to REST this is the episode for you!
This episode is sponsored by Ivy Malik. Ivy has created a free training to help you understand how higher-paying clients actually think, behave and buy, so you can attract and sell to them more confidently. If you want sales to feel more natural (and less awkward), head to lizmosley.net/Ivy to watch the free training.

Key Takeaways
The Confidence Connection: Most creative blocks; whether they relate to portfolio building or pitching, are rooted in a lack of confidence and the feeling of not being "good enough".
Permission is Personal: Many creatives stay stagnant because they are waiting for external permission to take the next big leap. Recognizing that you have the power to give yourself that permission is the first step toward action.
Creativity and Life are Intertwined: Unlike data-driven roles, creative work is deeply influenced by personal life events. It is essential to nurture your environment to protect your creative output.
Recognizing Burnout Early: Learn to identify when your creativity "nose dives" as a signal to rest before you hit total exhaustion.




Episode Highlights
04:02: Navigating the "dot-com bomb" of 2000 and surviving economic uncertainty in the creative industry.
06:55: The most common struggles Jeanetta sees in her 10 years of coaching artists. 
09:42: Why we look for "permission" and how a coach provides a safe space for creative growth. 
13:50: Practical advice for working through a "funk" or a period of low creative confidence. 
15:59: Identifying the "alarm bells" of burnout and the importance of rest.
19:10: How to handle comparison and "negative voices" from the past that hinder your current work.

About the Guest
Website: jeanettagonzales.com
Instagram: @nettdesigns
Mentioned in the Episode
Ivy Malik: Sales coach and mentor (Free training at lizmosley.net/ivy ).
UCLA: Where Jeanetta attended art school
Software Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and the "old school" Freehand and QuarkXPress

End Credits
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this solo episode, I'm chatting about something that has become increasingly important in both my business and personal life: the power of saying no.
As a recovering people pleaser, learning to set boundaries, turning down opportunities, and stop over-explaining myself hasn't come naturally; but it has been incredibly empowering. I share some of the mindset shifts that have helped me become more confident in saying no, why being "too available" can sometimes work against you, and how protecting your peace is often more valuable than saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way.
If you struggle with boundaries, guilt, or fear of missing out, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
1. Saying no builds confidence The more you practise saying no to things that aren't aligned, the more empowered and self-assured you become.
2. You don't have to over-explain your boundaries "No" is a complete sentence; and resisting the urge to justify yourself can be surprisingly freeing.
3. Being too available can lead to burnout Constantly saying yes and always being accessible can create unhealthy expectations in both work and personal relationships.
4. Protecting your peace sometimes means turning down good opportunities Not every exciting opportunity is the right opportunity for this season of your life or business.
5. Scarcity thinking keeps us stuck saying yes The fear that "nothing else will come along" can lead to overwhelm, but every no is proof that more opportunities will still come.
Episode Highlights
01:15 – Recovering from people pleasing & setting boundaries 03:00 – How being too available changes people's perception of you 05:00 – Scarcity mindset, burnout & fear of missing opportunities 06:30 – Why saying no can actually feel empowering 08:00 – The next challenge: saying no to opportunities I do want
 
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and produced by me
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today's episode is sponsored by Adobe Acrobat. I've been using PDF Spaces to turn my podcast transcripts, show notes and guest info into ready-to-share content for Instagram and LinkedIn; quickly and securely. It also makes collaboration easy and helps me spot trends across episodes. Try it at lizmosley.net/acrobat
In this episode, I'm joined by business coach and launch expert Teresa Heath-Wareing to break down what launching really means and how you can use it to grow your business, no matter what you have to offer.
I know that it's not uncommon to feel like "launching isn't for me" if you don't run a course or maybe you feel confused by all the online marketing jargon, but my hope is that this episode will give you clarity. We explore how launching is simply a strategic marketing campaign, why every business owner can benefit from it, and how to create a launch that feels aligned, ethical, and effective for your brand and business.
We also dive into realistic launch expectations, conversion rates, and why comparing your results to others can hold you back. Whether you're a service provider, product-based business, or course creator, you'll walk away with practical insights to help you plan your next launch with confidence.
Key Topics Covered
What a launch actually is (and what it's not)
How to create a successful launch strategy
What a "launch experience" is and why it matters
Realistic launch conversion rates and expectations
How to launch without feeling salesy or pushy
Why visibility is key during a launch
Common launch mistakes and how to avoid them
How to tailor your launch to your business model
Key Takeaways
Launching is just a marketing campaign You don't need a brand-new offer; launching is about intentionally promoting something over a focused period.
Every business can (and should) launch From product-based businesses to service providers, launches are simply structured ways to create momentum and sales.
A strong launch focuses on experience, not just selling Webinars, challenges, email campaigns, and content all help build connection and trust before the sale.
Launches boost visibility; even beyond sales Showing up consistently during a launch increases brand awareness and keeps you top of mind.
Conversion rates are lower than you think Most launches convert between 1–8%, so small numbers can still mean a successful launch.
There's no universal launch formula Your audience size, offer type, pricing, and positioning all impact your results; customisation is key.
Big launches require bigger inputs High-revenue launches often involve larger audiences, ad spend, or more intensive selling strategies.
Your results reflect your input and your priorities More effort usually leads to better results, but you get to decide what level of effort feels right for you.
Episode Highlights
01:00 – Introduction to launching and Theresa's expertise 02:00 – What is a launch? Simple explanation for business owners 06:30 – Examples of launches across different business types 10:00 – What makes a great launch experience 14:00 – Why visibility matters during a launch 18:30 – Realistic expectations and conversion rates 23:00 – Why comparing your launch to others is misleading 30:00 – The truth behind big, high-revenue launches 39:40 – The simple launch framework: Grow → Launch → Sell 42:00 – Choosing the right launch strategy for your offer
Final Thoughts
Launching doesn't have to feel overwhelming or exclusive to the "online business world." When you strip it back, it's simply about creating intentional moments of visibility, connection, and invitation.
The key is to build a strategy that works for your business, your audience, and your values; rather than copying what works for someone else.
About The Guest
Teresa Heath-Wareing is an award-winning speaker, best selling author, podcaster and 6 figure online business owner. She helps business owners to build a life and business they dream of.
Teresa's website: https://teresaheathwareing.com/
Teresa on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresa_heathwareing/
Teresa's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Teresa_Heath-Wareing
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and produced by me
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes as well as this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In today's solo episode, I'm sharing something that has become a real mission for me: being a visible, relatable middle-aged woman in the design industry. I talk candidly about feeling excluded early in my career, the sexism and self-doubt I experienced, and how starting my own business completely changed my ambition and belief in what was possible.
Key Takeaways
You don't have to fit the industry stereotype to belong The creative industry can feel intimidating, exclusive, or overly curated, but there is space for different voices, personalities, and paths to success.
Visibility matters more than you realise Sometimes simply seeing someone who looks like you, sounds like you, or shares your experience can completely change what feels possible.
Your ambition can evolve later in life You are not "too late." Growth, confidence, and big opportunities can happen in your 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Honest storytelling creates connection People don't just need inspiration; they need relatability, reassurance, and permission to believe they can do it too.
Episode Highlights
02:00 – How starting a business changed my ambition
03:00 – Why visible older women in design matter
04:00 – The moment that clarified my mission
04:40 – Relatability vs perfection online
05:45 – Why I want to stay visible in the industry
06:10 – Career success after 40
07:00 – Encouraging the next generation of designers
08:15 – Final reflections & questions for listeners
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written, recorded and produced by me
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I'm joined by my friend CJ Cawley; branding designer, content creator, and one of the most genuinely honest voices in the design space. In just three years, CJ went from quitting his job with minus money in the bank to running his own studio, hitting 100K on YouTube, and building an audience of hundreds of thousands not by gaming the algorithm, but by refusing to be anything other than himself.
We talk about the real cost of growing a following (it's not all good news), why vulnerability beats polish every time, the wild story of someone who AI-cloned his entire identity, and how getting clear on what you actually want from life is the only real strategy that matters.
If you've ever felt like social media is full of people showing you how great they are while you sit there feeling behind then give this episode a listen!!
This episode is sponsored by SilverStag Type Foundry. If you're a designer looking for a typeface that really elevates your brand, SilverStag is a brilliant place to start. It's a one-person type studio creating carefully crafted fonts with multiple weights, alternates, and ligatures; all designed to help brands stand out.
Head to lizmosley.net/SLTF and use the code LIZxSLTF for 20% off.
Key Takeaways
The cost of not making the video is greater than making the video. When motivation fails, reframe it as a cost-benefit question. What's the real price of staying stuck?
Be the thing you couldn't find. CJ built his audience by creating content for the younger version of himself; someone who couldn't find a relatable, honest designer online. Who are you making content for?
Authenticity isn't a strategy, it's the only thing that scales. Showing your mistakes, your process, and your genuine confusion builds deeper trust than any highlight reel ever could.
A big following comes at a cost nobody talks about. The same audience that opens doors can paralyse your creativity. Growth always has a price and knowing that upfront really helps!
You don't need to be on every platform, but you do need to love the ones you're on. If you're not consuming content on a platform, you probably shouldn't be creating for it either.
Define your 'North Star' before anything else. Can you visualise exactly what your dream life looks, smells, and feels like? That clarity and focus is what makes every uncomfortable action worth taking.
Strategy is just a plan. It's not a fancy concept. You identify what you want, you make a plan to get there. That's it. Don't let jargon make it feel bigger than it is.
 
 
Episode Highlights
01:50 CJ's story: 12 years in design, agency life, going freelance three years ago
04:28 The first year: no clients, no money, and why he finally gave social media a chance
07:38 How one video led to his first paying client and why documenting the messy truth resonated
10:00 Why you need to consume content on a platform before you can create well for it (and why CJ gave up on TikTok)
14:27 The mental cost of a massive following: paralysis, perfectionism, and the weird threshold where everything changes
20:05 On trusting yourself to rebuild if it all fell apart and why that peace is worth more than the follower count
25:06 Why YouTube feels different: deeper relationships, longer content, and finally being able to show his work properly
34:10 The wildest story: someone used AI to clone CJ's entire website, replace his face, and steal his identity
41:48 AI, smartphones, and everything in moderation: how every new technology teaches us the same old lesson
48:31 Advice for anyone struggling to put themselves out there and get leads
53:14 Building a tolerance for discomfort, defining your life on your own terms, and ignoring what Frank, Steve, and Sarah are doing
 
About The Guest
CJ Cawley is a brand designer, a logo designer and creative mentor. 
CJ's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@cjcawleydesign
CJ's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cj.cawley.design/
CJ's Website https://www.cjcawley.com/
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and produced by me and recorded at Kingsbane Studios
If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes and this one on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!