The Business Proposal Podcast

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A big warm welcome to the Business Proposal, a podcast from Rachel Waring and Ellie Kime. Think of us as your creative colleagues, discussing (some would say waffling) about all the things we face as small business owners. Building your own business can be challenging at times, but we're here to cheer you on every step of the way with our down to earth chat, expert interviews and love for the indie business community. Find us on instagram: @businessproposalpodcast @rachelemmawaring @theweddingenthusiast @theenthusiastandco

Ellie Kime + Rachel Waring


    • Dec 13, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 190 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Business Proposal Podcast

    Surprise! 2024 Christmas Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 45:57


    Hark! Is that Herald Angels singing? No, it's Ellie and Rachel returning for a one-off Christmas special. We felt it was only right to wrap up our final year with a round up of 2024, and a look forward to 2025. Merry Christmas! @eleanor_mollie / @rachelemmawaring From Inside The Jar private podcast / 2025 Trends

    The Final Episode, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 43:49


    Well, here we are: we've come to the end of the road. 5 and a half years later, RE: The Podcast is shutting its proverbial doors. On this episode we discuss what's on the horizon for both of us - will we find new business wives? Will we start new podcasts? Are we abandoning the internet forever? And how can you keep in touch with us/we keep in touch with you in this next adventure?  THANK YOU! @eleanor_mollie / @rachelemmawaring And a special thank you to Jake at Casts and Reels for his editing help and advice over the years!

    RE: The Final Episode Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 59:48


    ICYMI - RE: The Podcast is coming to an end. It's been an incredible 5.5 years...and we can't quite believe we made it this far! Here's Part 1 of the Final Episode, where we answer some listener questions, and look back on what the podcast has brought us. Keep up to date with Rachel and Ellie here: @rachelemmawaring @eleanor_mollie rachelemmawaring.com eleanormollie.co.uk

    RE: Talking About Causes You Care About As A Business Owner, With Peta O'Brien Day

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 44:49


    Talking about causes you care about online can seem fraught with difficulty, but still super important - so how can you broach the subject? We talked to copywriter and strategist Peta O'Brien-Day on how to share the causes you care about without getting cancelled.

    RE: Your Content Repurposing Strategy with Felly Day

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 39:35


    If you feel like you can never get off the endless treadmill of creating content, then you need Felly Day. Her Content Repurposing Strategy is all about making the most out of what you create, getting multiple posts out of one piece of content! Freeing up our time whilst still serving our followers loads of top-notch content? We'll take 5, please. 

    RE: Going fully self-employed with Imogen Partridge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 47:42


    After building up her watercolour illustration business as a side hustle, Imogen Partridge went fully self-employed in January this year. We catch up with her about transitioning from a full-time position to full self-employment: the mindset she found helpful, how social media played a positive role, and her helpful advice too.

    RE: How to Give Good Client Gifts

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 32:10


    From putting lil summin-summins in with an order to bigger gifts to welcome clients onto courses or programs, client gifts are a fun way to add some more delight for your customers. But how much should you be spending? What works as a client gift? How should you send them? We chat through it all, including our best and worst gift experiences too! 

    RE: 10 Minute Marketing with Hannah Isted of HI Communications

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 45:35


    If making your marketing shorter and more manageable sounds like your bag, you need to know about Hannah Isted. As the founder of Hi Communications and author of The Best 90 Days Ever, she's also the queen of 10 Minute Marketing. We chat to her about her transformational approach to marketing, where she breaks down your to-do list into small daily chunks to overcome the overwhelm and actually post, with a sneaky preview of her book too. Grab The Best 90 Days Ever here (aff link)

    RE: Our Q1 Reflections & Projections

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 33:13


    It's April, so you know what means: reflecting on our Q1 experiences as small business owners, and sharing our plans and goals for Q2. We discuss our challenges, including calendar management and falling back into old patterns, as well as the successes we achieved, like being more daring, gaining clarity, and refining their offerings.  & a special thank you to our sponsors, The I Do Handmade Hub. Created for small businesses specifically, the team behind it have collated hundreds of opportunities into one place: from markets and pop ups across the UK for in person selling, to shops looking for new brands to stock, to a live feed of journalists looking for PR products to feature in upcoming articles. Plus within the platform there are groups to meet like-minded businesses, grow your community, share problems and discuss ideas to help you grow your business.     

    RE: Rachel's Latest Launch Debrief, incl. all the stats and juicy details

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 32:28


    Want a real behind-the-scenes look at a successful recent launch in the small business world? Luckily for you, our Rachel is armed and ready with all the stats, highs, lows and lessons that she learnt from the launch of the latest round of Ignite Your Pinterest Strategy. Tell us how you really feel, Rach...

    RE Networking - is it all as bad as it seems?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 33:07


    Networking gets a bad rap - but not all networking is pale, male, stale, and soul-sucking. Here's a fresh perspective on how to approach it, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections, indirect networking, and the power of making friends in the business world. 

    RE: Sales - How to make them ease-filled and enjoyable, with Sara Dalrymple

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 50:51


    Best-selling author on the podcast today pals, no biggy: Sara Nasser Dalrymple, author of More Sales Please, sales expert, strategist, and all round good egg! Sara's mission is to help small business owners (but especially women) make more sales to ultimately make more money -- but she's not about sleazy tactics. She wants everyone to enjoy selling, and bring it in in an ease-filled way...and if that sounds impossible, don't worry, she's got the methods to make it happen.  Sales With Ease (affiliate link) @saleswithsara saradalrymple.co.uk

    RE: Tech Stacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 28:36


    A tech stack is just the platforms and technology you use in your business - and there's real benefits to listing them out every now and again. We list out ours, as well as the ones we want to add too!  Check out all the links to our tech platforms here (there's some affiliate goodies in there too)

    RE: Our New Podcast Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 22:14


    Here it is: the big reveal. Our brand new name! Our new brand name! Either way, we c*ck it up multiple times, so that's fun! The Business Proposal Podcast has officially become RE: The Podcast, and as ever, we take you behind the scenes on how we got to that journey, why we did it, and how it feels. Whaddya think?! 

    Alright, we'll bite: what is substack? Should you be on it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 25:39


    You might have heard of Substack as a new platform - part blog, part newsletter, it's a newcomer on the block. It's a great space for readers and writers alike - but how can it be part of your business? As an avid Substack user and fan, Ellie lays out her case to Rachel. 

    Celebrating FIVE YEARS of the podcast!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 31:46


    On 31st January, the podcast turns FIVE years old -- half a decade of inane chats about small business. We reflect on what this ✨ journey ✨ has taught us, as well as our favourite bits thus far.  Thank you for listening and making it possible!

    Trends for social media and content in 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 33:13


    We're not talking minute-by-minute trends here in the tiktok fashion sense, but the wider directions the industry is moving towards this year. 8 different, fun new ways to think about your social media and content this year? Yes please! 

    Introducing our words of the year for 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 29:07


    You know the drill by now; it's our yearly tradition of announcing our Words Of The Year on the podcast. This time, we're discussing how 2023's WOTY (think that acronym will catch on?) went, what we've picked for 2024 (obviously) and how you can use keep your WOTY front and centre to make it practically useful.  

    How do you do your End-of-Year review?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 26:30


    It's that time again! When you hear those jingle bells, you know that small business accounts telling you to do an end-of-year review isn't too far behind. But there's a reason -- they're a really good way to look back on everything you've achieved. Today we chat through some of our favourite ways to do an end-of-year review, focusing on different things.

    Random bits we're loving at the moment (and think you might too!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 38:44


    We take our roles as your pod pals very seriously, which is why we thought we'd give you an insight into all the business bits we're currently loving, so that you can love them too if you so wish.  Don't forget to check out the full list and links on the website! 

    How to make your past work work for you

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 31:35


    What if we told you you were sat on a goldmine of content, strategy & information pretty much ready to go and you just weren't using it because you didn't know it was there? That's your past work, friends, and today we're going to talk about making it work for you, so you can have more time/headspace/whatever you need in biz. Let past you help current you?

    Sorting out business clutter with Ifeoma Ogbunugafor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 43:04


    We knew we had to chat to Ifeoma as soon as we read that she helps creative people minimise business clutter -- I mean, sign us up! We loved chatting to Ifeoma all about what she views business clutter as, and her approach to getting rid of it in a way that works for you. Check out Hey, Ifeoma here.

    Morning Pages, Artist Dates: What We Like About The Artist's Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 31:42


    Today we're diving into the seminal book The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron (affiliate link) -- creator of morning pages, artist dates, and much more. If you're wanting to tap into your inner creative, we highly recommend - why not join in?  This episode was sponsored by Hobbycraft Plus. 

    11 ways to build your email list

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 40:29


    Ellie's currently on a mission to grow her email list, so we thought we'd talk about list building today: what it is, why it's a good idea, and how you can do it. (We can't believe we've never done an episode just on this before?!)

    Ok, we did it: our experiments with AI, and ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 44:02


    Welcome to Season 6 of The Business Proposal Podcast! Today Rachel delights us with a dramatic reading of the time she asked ChatGPT for copy help, and we talk about how (and how not!) to use AI for your copy and content. 

    How to get ready for a summer break

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 33:08


    In the words of High School Musical 2: Summer, summer, summer, summer... As we prep to go on our summer break, we thought we'd talk about how to prepare to take some time off (whether over the summer or any other time). Wishing you some rest and relaxation over August, and we'll see you back in September! 

    Selling through the silence with Elizabeth Stiles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 44:25


    Finally, her ears were burning enough to have her back on! Fashion & Textiles Brand Consultant Elizabeth Stiles is the queen of "selling through the silence": both as an established business owner herself and as a specialist who helps her clients sell and scale. We talked about how to keep showing up and showing out for your business even when sales are slow to non-existent.

    A reminder of the joys of being self-employed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 25:56


    TODAY we're sending you a little reminder through the airwaves, a pep talk on the joys of being self-employed! We're also giving you a challenge: can you do something every day that you wouldn't be able to do in traditional employment? This episode was sponsored by Hobbycraft Plus. 

    Thinking about updating (or building) your website? Here's what you need to know

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 34:55


    As we're both currently going through Glow Up phases on our websites (shout out to Emma from Beautie for that phrasing!) we thought we'd chat through what we're loving, what we're not loving, and what we wish we knew. Head to the website for the full show notes and all our reccs! 

    What flow is, why it's important, and how to find it

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 33:23


    Today we're talking about the importance of flow, and the flow state - what it is, why it's important, and how you can find more of it in your life, both in work and outside of work. When are you in flow? We'd love to know!

    Our favourite reflection tool (and maybe yours too?): stop, start, continue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 24:47


    As we near the halfway point of the year, it's a good time to down tools and reflect on how it's going so far. (Tbf i's always a good time to do some reflection, but essentially when we're somehow speeding through June!) We're sharing one of our favourite exercises to go through that's super simple, but super helpful: stop, start, continue. 

    How to use affiliate marketing in your small business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 30:11


    Have you ever considered affiliate marketing in your business before? Whether you're thinking of using it to sell your offers or promote other people's, we're chatting through them today.

    Managing burnout, befriending stress and managing your energy so that you can love your life, with Selina Barker of Project You

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 48:06


    Today's episode is an absolute corker of a convo -- with the brilliant Selina Barker. Life design and careers coach, author of "Burnt Out" and founder of Project You, Selina has dedicated the past 17 years of her life to helping people love the life they live - and a huge part of this is in managing burnout, dealing with stress, and managing your energy. We delve into all of this with Selina's totally refreshing (and right!) view on it, which is: burnout isn't inevitable, you deserve better, and we can make it happen. Find Selina on IG @projectyouprojectyou @selinathecoach and follow us @businessproposalpodcast Take the Burnout Archetypes quiz here Sign up for Time To Thrive here (affiliate link!)

    Making your visuals not only fun, but make sales too!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 44:18


    If visuals feel like a sticking point in your business - whether that's colours, photos, video or more - this is the episode for you: a whole new way to think about them, and make sure they work for you (and how to make them fun along the way, too!) Sign up for Be The Art Director Of Your Brand here. 

    A lil' scheduling update

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 3:38


    We love you!!! And we'll be back soon!!! And this is the first time I've ever been able to confidently mark an episode as "clean" rather than "explicit"!!!

    The importance of finding your red thread (how to explain what you do)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 40:30


    How do you feel when someone asks you what you do? Do you clam up? Mumble? Try and climb out of the nearest window? Today we're talking about the importance of finding your 'red thread' -- that is, the thing that explains what you do, and helps you explain what you do in turn. Ellie's new focus (as Eleanor Mollie) is on this red thread idea, so you also get a sneak peek into what she's working on!!! 

    Introducing: The Business Proposal Bundle!!! (/Bonanza)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 24:09


    INTRODUCING: The Business Proposal Bundle, over £700s worth of brilliant business offerings for JUST £29! We've spent the month off putting together this bundle, with the help of our wonderful previous guests. Here we chat about what's in it (and why you should get it), as well as what else we got up to on our time away.  p.s. we have a new intro - do you like?!

    What are your marketing priorities?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 40:51


    Today we chat about your marketing priorities: looking at all of your channels (not just instagram!) and seeing where you want to focus on for the next period of time. Rachel also chats funnels, because she loves funnels. 

    How to always know exactly what your customers want (and are going to buy) with Katie Tucker from Product Jungle

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 41:12


    Pals, buckle up: today's guest is Katie Tucker from Product Jungle, and she's about to blow your mind. She specialises in market research for small businesses, teaching us how to find out exactly what our customers want - which means deeper connections, even happier customers, and more orders. Ever wondered how to approach your customers? What questions to ask? When it's even appropriate? She answers all of that and more. Sign up to Katie's newsletter Jungle Juice here, and preorder her book, Do Penguins Eat Peaches? here (affiliate link)

    Content creation and digital marketing with Ghenet Randall of @ghenetactually

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 54:01


    In this week's episode we interview the ray of sunshine that is Ghenet Randall - or as you might know her, Ghenet Actually. Ghenet is a brilliantly talented content creator who uses those exact same skills to help small businesses with their digital marketing. We talked about her love of storytelling, the importance of boundaries, and so much more around how to navigate selling online as an indie biz.  Follow Ghenet over at @ghenetactually, and check out her services at ghenetactually.co.uk Follow us @businessproposalpodcast

    Happy 4 Years To Us! 5 Seasons, 4 Years, the 2 best friends you could ever have, and 1 fateful email

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 32:47


    Happy birthday/anniversary (we haven't quite figured out which one yet, answers on a postcard) to us! To celebrate our fourth birthday, we took a trip down memory lane - with some of our favourite lessons, episodes, and memories. Plus for some reason, Rachel requests a live reenactment of the Original Email. She doesn't know why, either.

    Accountability: How to use it for good in your business and get done what you want

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 41:17


    Accountability is key in business - because if you're not accountable to yourself or anything else, then nothing gets done. Simple, but sad! But turn that frown upside down — today we chat different ways that you can keep yourself accountable (as ever, without any nauseating hustle culture or hacks!!!) 

    Values, seasonality, trusting your intuition and having a magpie brain, with Rachel Shillcock from Rachilli

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 62:30


    For 2023's first guest episode, we chatted to the lovely Rachel from Rachilli. We talked about all sorts over her 10 years in business - including how she prioritises values in her business, having a magpie brain, working with the seasons, and running a business with a chronic illness too.  Enjoy!

    Our Words of The Year and intentions for 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 44:05


    HAPPY NEW YEAR! And in the spirit of the new year - we're chatting about our words of the year and our intentions for 2023. We discuss what they are, how we came to them, and what we think they're going to mean this year. We check in with how we got on with last year's too!  p.s. if you're not feeling the new year new energy then don't worry: this podcast isn't a guilt trip or something to beat yourself around the head with. It's just a nice warm hug from your business pals!  

    10 focuses for ending the year, when strong doesn't feel quite possible

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2022 27:16


    For 2022's end of year episode, we wanted to give you a permission slip: to end the year however you want. At the end of every year there's a real focus on ending the year strong (and stable) but if you're running on fumes, that can feel like a bit of a tall order - so here's 10 alternatives instead. Have a wonderful Christmas, and see you in 2023! 

    How to use LinkedIn as a small business owner with Phoebe Dodds from Buro155

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 48:58


    Today, we're tackling the dreaded L word...LinkedIn.  We've got Phoebe Dodds from Buro 155 to not only tell us how to use LinkedIn as a small business owner, but how you can even make it fun. We know, we know - we were sceptical too! But Phoebe presented us with such a pressure-free way of using the platform, that we have to say...we've been won round.

    Small Business Owner Routines (that don't involve 4am wake up calls and juice cleanses)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 31:50


    Today we're chatting about routines - but not in the way you might think. Routines are super useful, but they can feel harsh and unforgiving. So we wanted to talk about the other side of routines - the ones that actually help us run our small businesses, and aren't sticks to beat ourselves up with!  VOTE FOR ELLIE in the Holly & Co Independent Awards! 

    The importance of creative play, with Beth Brickman from SPK-TRM

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 38:50


    Today we're chatting to the lovely Beth from SPK-TRM, all about the importance of creative play. With a creative background, Beth spent years being told how important it was to 'find a style' and, once found, stick to it - but for her, the best thing about creativity is the variety & experimentation. We chatted to her about how creative play slots into her life, and how she recommends small businesses who feel they need a bit more too.  

    How we decide which course, product or service to invest in next

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 46:21


    With so many wonderful courses, products, and services on offer, we could be learning new stuff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But sadly, we don't have that amount of spare time! So how do we prioritise and decide where to spend our well-earnt money and time next? That's what we discuss in today's episode.

    The joy of learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 27:45


    Today we focus on one of our true loves: learning. Whether you like to learn new stuff for your small business or outside of it, the world is FULL of so much goodness to wrap your brain around! We chat about what we're currently learning, and what we'd like to learn in the future - and we'd love to hear yours, too. (This episode is basically a permission slip to invest in yourself and your learning. You're welcome.)

    The State Of Email Marketing in Late 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 43:16


    Welcome to Season 5! For our first episode of the season, we wanted to revisit a topic we last discussed in spring 2019 - email marketing. What's changed since then? How do we look at email marketing now? How do we feel about it as small business owners vs consumers? We chat through it all!

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