Welcome the season with my new Summer Planning Guide
Seasonal planning offers a gentler, more sustainable way to work and live, inviting us to slow down and us align with nature’s rhythms. My Summer Planning Guide is designed to support reflection, creativity, and gentle productivity during these hazy summer days. Whether you’re running a small business, working on creative projects, or simply seeking a steadier rhythm, this guide offers thoughtful prompts, practical tips, and even a curated playlist, to help you plan with intention.
What to do when business is slow (even if you’re doing everything right)
Feeling like you're doing all the right things in your business but nothing’s working? You’re not alone. This post is part pep talk, part practical support for small business owners navigating a quiet season. From gentle mindset shifts to low-pressure tasks and ways to adapt when money’s tight, here’s what to do when business is slow (even if you’re doing everything right).
Embracing the seasons: An introduction to the Wheel of the Year
The seasons shape more than just the world around us—they influence our energy, creativity, and even productivity. Yet, in our fast-paced, doom-scrolling world, it’s easy to lose touch with these natural rhythms. The Wheel of the Year offers a way to reconnect, using seasonal shifts not just for celebration, but as a guide for more intentional living and working. Rooted in ancient traditions, this cyclical framework helps us align with nature’s rhythms, creating space for balance, growth, and reflection throughout the year.
How to refresh your business stationery this spring (and make it work harder for your brand)
Spring is a natural moment to look at how your business shows up in the world — and your stationery is often the last thing to get attention. In this post, I share five practical tips for refreshing your printed materials this season, from knowing what you actually need to making every piece work harder for your brand.
Bumps, babies, and beyond: Meet Claire of Robin and Rose Photography
Behind the Brand is a celebration of the amazing people behind the businesses I work with, and this month I chatted with Claire, the photographer behind Robin & Rose. From building her dream studio to the realities of work-life balance (and the occasional chaos of working with babies and animals!), Claire shared the ups and downs of her creative journey.
It’s normal to think about quitting – and other lessons from 13 years in a creative business
After 13 years of running my Sarah and Maude, I've learned countless lessons along the way. From setting boundaries to celebrating wins, here are 13 key insights that can help you thrive in your own business journey.
5 creative ways to nurture client relationships with end-of-year brand stationery
Whether you run a service-based or product-based brand, bespoke stationery is always a good idea. It offers a personal and memorable touch to any connection with your clients and customers - and that’s more important than ever for most businesses at this time of year.
5 ways to add more personality to your small business newsletter - Astrid Bracke
Your newsletter is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have in your small business. It can create community and connection around your business, attract new clients and customers and be a joy to write and receive. But how do you make your newsletter stand out?
Award-winning and passionately sustainable: Meet Emily of Emily Lisbeth Jewellery
I’ve worked with Emily a few times now, printing business cards, thank you notes, and, most recently, jewellery presentation cards. From blind debossing to plantable seed paper, Emily’s been eager to try something a little bit different when it comes to her stationery, but always with a focus on sustainability.
5 ways to banish new year overwhelm in your business
January. The darkest, coldest, and let’s be honest, longest month of the year. We’re in the bleak midwinter. And while the start of a new year has always been seen as a perfect opportunity to make big changes and set big goals, energy and motivation can be lacking, and you might find yourself reaching for the nearest blanket to hide under. But it doesn’t have to feel that way.