Going Rogue

Karen became self employed 2.5 years ago, having previously worked for 12 years at a content creation company in a senior role. Her time running Goodness Marketing has been challenging, but she's thoroughly enjoying doing 'good' in the world which is a key value of hers. Apart from making an impact in her work, she is very involved in community events, political protests, panels etc.  Her energy, commitment and enthusiasm is inspiring.  We also talk about the events that Karen and I run together and the magic we both love putting out into the world. If you'd like to follow Karen she's: on Instagram: @goodnessmarketing On Twitter: @webber_karen And her website is: goodnessmarketing.co.uk And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Lou Chudley became an Instagram trainer in January 2019.  It's been a full on and successful year for Lou.  She's managed to raise her profile and build a great reputation in a very short space of time.  This has required bravery, entrepreneurialism and resilience.  We reflect on what a confidence boost it's been for Lou to step so far out of her comfort zone in running her own business.   And of course we have a good old natter about Instagram - in particular how to build an authentic community and how vitally important it is to show up as yourself on the gram.   If you'd like to follow Lou she's: on Instagram @spark_social On Twitter @spark_socialuk on Facebook @SparkSocialUK And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Lewis Herridge has spent his career working in the outdoors activities industry.  He's lead many expeditions overseas to places like Kenya, Peru and Ecuador.  And when at home in the UK he taught outdoor pursuits and Bushcraft skills. Three years ago he had a daughter and he choose to take 'indoor' work. This wasn't an easy transition for him. We talk about why interaction with nature is crucial for human beings and Lewis's ambitious plans to reconnect with nature again. If you'd like to follow Lewis he's: on Instagram @theoutdoorbloke on Facebook @theoutdoorbloke And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Elizabeth Morgan recently opened The Norah Store in Stockport.  It's a vintage/sustainable clothing shop with the most beautifully curated selection of fashion. It's a joy to go into her fabulously styled place. Elizabeth talks about how a combination of boredom and excitement helped her to overcome fear and open a shop last year.  She is a big believer in collaborations, creating a strong community around her shop and shouting out good female business women and artists.   If you'd like to follow Elizabeth she's: on Instagram @thenorahstore on Facebook @thenorahstore And her website is The Norah Store The documentary Elizabeth mentions is The True Cost And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Fresh Walks is networking whilst walking. Founder Michael Di Paola stumbled upon this fantastic idea for an event in 2014.  He tried it out on a whim and soon became fascinated by the positive and life enriching effects it had on both himself and other attendees. We talk about all the many benefits of walking, including the spirituality that being outside in nature evokes in people. It's changed Michael's life for the better and he's been keen to share the magic of walking with as many people as possible.  If you'd like to follow Fresh Walks: @freshwalks on Twitter @freshwalks on Instagram And the website is Fresh Walks And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com  

Cath Brown is a trainer and coach, which is a whole different world to when she was working 80 hours a week as a barrister. We talk about Cath's various creative pursuits (including ballet), her travels, her love of 'netwalking' with Fresh Walks and her work with a refugee charity. And we discuss Cath's 2020 resolution to have more fun and her belief that anyone can redesign their life at any age.  If you'd like to follow Cath she's: @MissCathB on Twitter And her website is skilfulconversation We talked also about Fresh Walks And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Kimo Morrison is the Comms and Engagement Lead at Northern Roots, an urban farm and eco park in Oldham. We talk about what it was like to leave the BBC after working there for over ten years, which was a cliff that Kimo was ready to jump from. And what extraordinary joy she has experienced as a result of making that leap. We also discuss creativity, nature and the importance of embracing failure and that there is no such thing as making a mistake.

In this episode we talk about Katy's recent move from the Peak District to the island of Anglesey, her wild swimming adventures in Snowdownia and her obsession with Paul Jarvis. We also discuss how Katy's relationship with being 'eco' has evolved over the years to a more positive, happy place. If you'd like to follow Katy she's: @thewheelexists on Twitter @thewheelexists on Instagram And her website is thewheelexists.com And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com  

Camilla is an eco stylist - she's worked in retail for many years - including for brands like Cos, Prada and Chanel.  So she knows her stuff when it comes to offering styling advice. But her Wardrobe Wellbeing styling service is about so much more than looking good.  It's about making sure you feel supported emotionally in the choices you make about your clothes, but also so those clothes support you in what you are doing. Camilla has so much insight on the subject. If you'd like to follow Camilla she's: @wardrobe_wellbeing_ on Instagram And her website is wardrobewellbeing.com And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com  

I invited my friend Karen Webber, of Goodness Marketing to interview me about self-employed life as an Instagram Trainer. We talk about the community of awesome creatives I've built around me and why that means everything to me.  And of course we chat about the highs and lows of working for yourself. If you'd like to find out more about me I'm  @easyinstamcr on Instagram @easyinstamcr on Twitter  and my website is easyinstamcr.com If you'd like to find at more about Karen Webber She's @goodnessmarketing on Instagram And her website is goodnessmarketing.co.uk

Holly Carter and Martin Wilson opened Rare Mags in Stockport in April 2018, just 4 weeks after making a decision that they wanted to open a magazine shop. It's a beautiful shop, with a gorgeous range of independent magazines and books.  This is a really fun chat about their vision to create a very unique and community orientated business.  They are brutally honest about how hard, but also how joyful the process has been.  And at the heart of it all, they are absolutely committed to doing business their way - ethically, kindly and creatively. You can find Rare Mags at 17 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1AQ On at Instagram at @rare_mags On Twitter at @rare_mags Their website is raremags.co.uk And this is the regular Rare Mags pop up at Cafe Beermoth that they mentioned. And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Charlotte Holroyd has been running her own ethical design business since January 2018.  We talk about how being a nice, ethical, intuitive and community orientated person is key to how she runs her business.  And even better, it actually works in her favour. Amongst other things, we talk about how to manage being a highly sensitive person, the importance of good head shots, and how to use social media in a way that feels genuine. If you'd like to find Charlotte, she's at  @creativewilderness on Instagram @creativewilder on Twitter And her website is creativewilderness.co.uk The photographer we mention is Alexanderward.com And we mention the book The Highly Sensitive Person And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Jo Johnston runs sewing and crochet workshops from a beautiful shed in her back garden. She is a massively enthusiastic person who can empower even the most nervous of sewers.  I speak from experience having attended many of her workshops. I talk to Jo about how to build a business from scratch - Jo is the queen of resourcefulness and has used every method going to promote her business. We also talk about the mental health benefits of crafting, how liberating it is to get out of your comfort zone and what it's like to change career in your 40s. If you'd like to find out more about Jo she's: on Facebook: @FrenchKnotsCraftStudio on Instagram: @frenchknotsjo And her website is: frenchknots.co.uk If you'd like to see Jo on Channel 5 watch here And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Zosima Fulwell aka Mama Z brings her vibrant, colourful Filipino food to Manchester in the form of supper clubs, pop ups and residencies.  She's determined to offer Filipino food with a modern twist so it's accessible to all. Sassy, bubbly and experimental, Zosima has a strong sense of vision about creating a modern, authentic brand and is deeply passionate about bringing a bit of her beloved Philippines to the North. If you'd like to find out more about Zosima she's at: @cookingwithmamaz on Instagram @cookinwithmamaz on Twitter cookingwithmamaz on Facebook And her website is cookingwithmamaz.com The Stylist article we mentioned:  'Why Filipino Food is Finally Having a Moment in the UK' And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com  

Jill Jennings is a photographer and a friend of mine.  I've always admired her bold, bright, arty photography.  In this interview I got to find out more about her influences and the fascinating twists and turns of her 30 year photography career. I was pretty wowed by some of the stories that came out of the interview, including the fact that she photographed George Best and many premier league footballers. I especially loved talking to her about studying sculpture at art college and how it's really influenced her style of photography. If you'd like to find out more about Jill she's: On Instagram: @jilljphoto On Twitter: @jilljen1 And her website is: jilljennings.com And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Vanessa runs a variety of workshops from her Grand Designs-eque barn in North Somerset.  Subjects range from wreath making to personal brand storytelling and mindful self compassion. Vanessa always sources really interesting and diverse people to run these events. I loved talking to Vanessa, she's a lady with profound insight and is deeply honest. She doesn't hold back from expressing the hardships of running a business, but also the sheer joy of seeing people flourish in her barn.  I think you'll find this chat inspiring and reassuring, I know I did. If you'd like to find out more about Vanessa here's how to find her: On Instagram: @simpsonsisters On Facebook: SimpsonSisters On her website: thesimpsonsisters.co.uk The Nourish and Flourish Days she mentions: thesimpsonsisters.co.uk/nourishandflourish Vanessa was talking about the Comparison Episode of The Little Chapters podcast by Kayte Ferris and Jessica Rose Williams - this is it: Comparison I mentioned the fabulous Fiona Barrows podcast as well. And if you'd like to get in touch with me, Katya Willems, you can find me: On Instagram:@easyinstamcr On Twitter: @easyinstamcr On my website: easyinstamcr.com

Susan Earlam spent years as an vintage and interior blogger and influencer, but in 2017 realised she had a burning desire to write a sci fi novel.  In this episode I ask Susan all about the process, what motivates her and where the idea came from. I found it a fascinating and inspiring conversation - her passion for writing is infectious.  You may well decide to write a book by the end of the episode! If you'd like to follow Susan you can find her: on Instagram @susanearlam on Twitter : @susanearlam on Pinterest: susanlearlam on her blog: susanearlam.com And during the episode Susan mentioned her very brilliant coach Natasha Denness who you can find at https://www.natashadenness.co.uk/ The Ira Glass creative process quote that Susan mentioned is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbC4gqZGPSY This is the 30 day prompt writing challenge Susan did http://forbookssake.net/kickstart-creative-heart/ The Stephen King book on writing is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B003BVFZ4Q The Twitter hashtag is #writethefuckingbook And you can find me - Katya Willems:  on Instagram @easyinstamcr on Twitter @easyinstamcr and my website it easyinstamcr.com

Dick Vincent, Illustrator describes the day in October 2018 when his 36,000 strong Instagram account got deleted forever.  Find out why what could have been a disaster, actually became a blessing in disguise. In this episode I talk to Dick and his girlfriend Leigh Jennings about what it takes to build a brand that is truly authentic and really resonates with people. If you'd like to follow Dick check him out on  Instagram: @dickvincent Twitter: @dickvincentart Facebook: DickVincentIllustration Etsy: DickVincent And Leigh Jennings is on Instagram: @intwosandthrees If you'd like comment on the episode you can find Katya Willems at: Instagram: @easyinstamcr Twitter: @easyinstamcr or easyinstamcr.com Dick also mentions Martin from Rare Mags in the episode who you'll find on Instagram: @rare_mags

This is a trailer for Katya Willems' new podcast 'Going Rogue' - where she interviews creative business owners about their drive and motivation to pursue an unusual idea and make it a business success.