In this episode, we discuss your niche, giving you space and time with Manpreet Dhesi.

Manpreet leads with how a family bereavement and a health scare brought home the importance of this. When life happens, how does a niche focus help protect your time? It enables you to be clear about what you need, what you are going to do, and what you are not going to do. Holding your ground through stable and unstable times.

Manpreet is a Strategic Communications Consultant and Founder of Studio Dhesi. Communications for a world we are all working to improve. Working with clients who have big ideas. Ideas that are large-scale, radical and innovative. Across government, industry and the private sector. Creating clarity for those big ideas. Making human connections that inspire people to do something different. Delivering real impact and change for the society we live in.

Putting people and the planet front of mind in everything she does Studio Dhesi is a certified B Corp, meaning that the whole business has been measured and evaluated for their social and environmental impact.

For your niche and big ideas – clarity comes with the bonus of boundaries.

Boundaries are not just for work-life balance, but for a better life balance all around.

A gentle trigger warning that we discuss grief and mortality, a very personal share from Manpreet that is an open and healthy discussion.

SHOW NOTES:

https://studiodhesi.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manpreetdhesi/

https://www.greenheartbusiness.com/

https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Finding unexpected opportunities can lead to a fulfilling career path.
• Taking time off and setting boundaries is essential for self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Listening to your gut and saying no to projects that don't align with your values is important for personal and professional growth.
• Working for yourself allows for greater flexibility and control over your schedule.
• Health issues can be a catalyst for reevaluating priorities and making positive changes in your life. Setting boundaries and prioritizing time is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Learning to say no to projects that don't align with your values and goals can lead to positive outcomes.
• Therapy can be instrumental in personal and professional growth, providing a space for reflection and processing.
• Having a support structure in place is essential for navigating the challenges of running a business.
• Becoming a B Corp can provide a clear direction of travel and align your business with social and environmental impact.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:11 Discovering a Passion for Communications

05:22 Dealing with Personal Challenges

09:52 Identity Crisis and Finding a Niche

11:46 Health Issues and Planning for the Future

21:34 Taking Control of Your Time

25:22 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care

26:18 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Time

29:42 Learning to Say No

32:56 The Role of Therapy

36:33 The Importance of a Support Structure

48:07 Becoming a B Corp

In this episode we are talking about your niche giving you a voice with Nicola Phillips. When you are able to be authentically yourself with what you do – when you have created your own way – providing you the platform to speak up on issues important to you.

Nicola is an Award Winning Chartered Landscape Architect who has grown a people focussed business putting humanity back into her practice. Out from the big glass offices and from behind large pr machines. Nicola’s first bold move was simply calling her practice by her name in a predominantly male dominated industry. Known as the great landscape architect she is, Nicola has got vocal about gender pay gap issues. The response can be surprising when you put yourself out there.

Speaking up in your niche. No more hiding and no more apologising. Humans are out there. And bringing your story as part of your niche can be a powerful force for change.

Let’s hear what Nicola has to say.

SHOW NOTES:

https://njlandscapedesign.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nicola-jayne-landscape-design-ltd/

https://www.instagram.com/nj_landscapedesign/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Being authentic and speaking up about gender pay gap issues can lead to positive outcomes and help others in similar situations.
• Finding your niche and working with like-minded individuals is important for personal and professional fulfillment.
• Challenges and obstacles in the industry should not deter you from pursuing your passion and making a difference.
• Flexibility in work hours and prioritizing personal well-being can lead to a more fulfilling career.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Navigating the Landscape of Gender Pay Gap

08:08 Authenticity and Advocacy in a Male-Dominated Field

13:32 Finding Your Niche and Like-Minded Collaborators

In this episode we are talking about celebrating uniqueness with Ingrid Raphael. Finding your niche by recognising your own uniqueness and what you can offer that is beneficial to others.

Ingrid works from her boutique skin clinic in North London having niched down from generalist beauty into healing skin care. We discuss getting to learn what you love and the realisation you need to break the rules to be able to do the work how you believe it should be done. Wanting to do things your own way. Questioning if you are doing something purposeful. Something that matters.

We talk how the more focussed you become the wider the learnings. As Ingrid says ‘like Alice in Wonderland getting curiouser and curiouser.’ Learning the Ingrid Raphael way. Her energy and belief in not just skin deep but soul deep – we can question, when it comes to your niche – how deep can we go?

SHOW NOTES:

https://ingridraphael.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ingridraphaellondon/

Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com

TAKEAWAYS

• Treat each person's skin uniquely and understand the internal factors that contribute to skin conditions.
• Empower clients through education and help them develop a deeper understanding of their own skin.
• Find your niche by recognizing your own uniqueness and what you can offer that is beneficial to others.
• Failure is a valuable lesson that steers you in a different direction and helps you grow.
• Dream big and have audacious goals for the future, such as writing a book, developing a product line, and starting a charity.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Getting Started in Beauty

06:04 The Importance of Treating Each Person's Skin Uniquely

12:13 Honing In on a Niche and Recognising Uniqueness

25:02 Dreaming Big for the Future