Do your thing

Fliss Lee

Do your thing is for small business owners wanting to build a business that actually works for them. I'm Fliss Lee, brand coach and founder of Honest Folk. Join me as I explore how to do MY thing. We’ll hear from people who’ve made intentional choices about how they work. People who’ve gone against the grain. People who are building businesses that fit them – and helping others to do the same. We’ll talk about what’s helped, what really hasn’t, and what’s still a work in progress. The messy bits, mindset shifts, and the little things that end up making the biggest difference.

Episodes

  1. 6 days ago

    “We need to take ourselves seriously as businesses and as business owners” with Sophie Cross

    What if you stopped waiting until you had everything figured out and just started? In this episode, I’m joined by Sophie Cross, founder of Freelancer Magazine and self-appointed Chief Connector. Sophie had the idea for Freelancer Magazine on 1 January 2020. A few months later, she’d announced it on a podcast, launched a Kickstarter and published the first issue. Five years on, the magazine is still going strong, and Sophie is stepping away from the editor role to focus on marketing, sales, strategy and community. We talk about what it really takes to start a freelance business or launch something new before you have everything figured out, why testing and iterating is so important, and the mindset shift from seeing yourself as a freelancer to seeing yourself as a business owner. Because you don't need a perfect plan to get started. You can take the next step, learn from what happens and allow your business to evolve as you go. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why you don’t need to have it all figured out before you start How testing, making mistakes and taking the next small step can help you build confidence Why seeing yourself as a business, rather than just a freelancer, changes how you work About Sophie Cross Sophie is the founder and Chief Connector at Freelancer Magazine Club, a community for marketing, creative and B2B freelancers, and the business magazine behind it. Links Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn Get Freelancer Magazine Follow Freelancer Magazine on LinkedIn Follow Freelancer Magazine on Instagram This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠.

    “We need to take ourselves seriously as businesses and as business owners” with Sophie Cross
  2. 15/12/2025

    “My cycles are my compass” with Morin Glimmer

    When Morín Glimmer told me that she plans her work around her menstrual cycle, I was immediately interested to know more. I'm already a big believer in understanding your own energy and working with it rather than expecting yourself to perform the same way every day. But I'd never really thought about what my cycle might be telling me. So I wanted to know more. Morín is a brand strategist, creative director, cyclical living advocate and founder of Rosy Futures. We talk about what cyclical living actually looks like in practice, how Morín plans different types of work around different phases of her cycle, and why her cycle goes into her calendar before almost anything else. We also get into creativity, capacity and burnout, why constant output doesn't work for us, and Morín's belief that our bodies are a missing piece in business strategy. And if you don't menstruate, don't skip this one. There’s plenty in here about noticing your own patterns, energy and capacity – and questioning the expectation that we should work at the same pace all the time. What you’ll learn in this episode: What cyclical living looks like and how Morín plans her work around her menstrual cycleHow noticing patterns in your energy and capacity can change the way you workWhy your body might be something worth considering when you plan your business About Morín Glimmer Morín Glimmer is a brand strategist, creative director and cyclical living advocate, and founder of Rosy Futures – a brand consultancy for the radically hopeful. She works at the intersection of business, brand and body, partnering with feminist founders and small business owners to build brands rooted in their values, vision and own ways of working. Links Follow Morin on Instagram: @‌rosy.futures   Connect with her on Linkedin: Morin Glimmer Visit the Rosy Futures website: http://rosyfutures.com/ Download Morin’s free cycle tracker here This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Morín Glimmer03:01 – What working cyclically actually looks like05:41 – You don't have the same capacity every day08:02 – When Morín stopped seeing her cycle as a weakness10:17 – Discovering her ‘inner seasons’11:54 – The four phases of the menstrual cycle17:37 – How to spot your own patterns19:44 – Putting your cycle in the calendar first21:48 – Planning client work around your cycle23:38 – We're not machines25:14 – Creativity, rest and constant output27:21 – How cyclical living changed Morín's business29:20 – “My cycles are my compass”31:22 – Finding her voice33:45 – Business, brand and body35:15 – Your body is your capacity reservoir37:40 – What if you don't menstruate?42:29 – Spotting the cycles in your business46:30 – Why do you work the way you do?47:08 – Stop fighting your body

    “My cycles are my compass” with Morin Glimmer
  3. 08/12/2025

    “Free up energy to focus on what you’re really good at” with Chris Mitchell

    After my very first coaching session with Chris, I came away feeling like he'd given me permission to do less. Which, for someone who loves a plan and is very capable of putting 700 things on it, was probably exactly what I needed. Chris has been my business coach since the beginning of this year, and he's helped me completely rethink how I plan – starting with what I actually want from my business, rather than everything I think I should be doing. So I was very excited to turn the tables and get him on the podcast. We talk about why Chris had to unlearn the corporate 9–5 when he started his own business, why being busy isn't the same as being productive, and how to stop spinning when everything feels important. We also get into something Chris and I come at from two sides of the strategy coin: figuring out what you're really bloody good at. Because trying to get better at everything can leave you mediocre at lots of things. Letting some of it go gives you more energy to become exceptional at the things that are actually yours. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to plan around what you actually want, without turning it into an enormous to-do listWhy letting go of what you're not good at can free up energy for what you areHow understanding your difference can help you work out what you want to be known for About Chris Mitchell Chris Mitchell is a business and leadership coach, mentor and advisor. He helps business owners and leaders get clear on what matters to them, focus on what they do best and turn what makes them different into an advantage. Links Connect with Chris on Linkedin Visit his website This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Chris Mitchell01:08 – From corporate strategy to business coaching03:34 – When challenging the status quo isn't welcome08:22 – Why the 9–5 mindset is so hard to shake13:41 – Being busy isn't the same as being productive14:23 – How Chris taught me to do less17:10 – What do you actually want from your business?20:52 – Why are we obsessed with being good at everything?23:12 – Free up energy for what you're really good at25:52 – What makes you exceptional?28:13 – You don't need business goals30:38 – What to do when you're spinning35:00 – Going too fast and trying to do too much39:11 – “I sound exactly like everybody else”42:35 – Can you articulate what makes you different?46:19 – Owning your difference48:24 – A better way to plan for the year ahead50:58 – Other people's expectations51:42 – Being brave enough to ask for help

    “Free up energy to focus on what you’re really good at” with Chris Mitchell
  4. 01/12/2025

    “Fun doesn’t make you less professional” with Gina Buckle

    I’ve worked with Gina Buckle on my own brand messaging, and she came through my Brand Blueprint programme while figuring out what she wanted the next version of her business to look like. So I’ve had a bit of a front-row seat to Gina going from a freelance copywriter who did a bit of everything to becoming very clear about what she wanted to be known for: fun, humour and personality. In this episode, I’m joined by Gina, founder of Hoot Copy, copywriter, brand voice strategist and self-appointed Queen of Fun. We talk about the point when Gina realised she didn’t really have a business – she was just busy and had lots of work – and why that made her become much more intentional about what she was building. Gina shares how she found her niche by paying attention to the work she actually enjoyed, why fun and professionalism aren't opposites, and how bringing more personality into your brand can help attract the right customers and put off the wrong ones. We also get into redefining success, working fewer hours, experimenting with your business and learning to trust what feels right for you. What you’ll learn in this episode  How Gina went from generalist freelance copywriter to finding a niche she genuinely wanted to be known for Why fun and personality don't make your brand less professional – and can help attract the right customers How paying attention to what you enjoy can help you build a business that suits you About Gina Gina Buckle is the founder of Hoot Copy, a copywriting and brand voice consultancy specialising in fun, humour and personality. She helps businesses work out what their authentic version of fun looks like and bring more of it into their copy and brand voice, without sacrificing clarity or sounding like they're trying too hard. Her work helps brands develop a voice that feels natural to them, connects with the people they want to reach and is easy to use consistently. Links Follow Gina on Instagram: @gina.hootcopy Connect with her on Linkedin: Gina Buckle Visit Gina’s website: https://hootcopy.com/ This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Gina Buckle and Hoot Copy 02:17 – Finding a niche in copywriting and brand voice 03:45 – Realising being busy isn't the same as having a business 05:42 – How Gina figured out what she wanted to be known for 09:14 – Going from freelancer to business owner 11:00 – Redefining success and working fewer hours 14:07 – Why fun doesn't make you less professional 16:09 – Using your brand to attract the right people – and put off the wrong ones 18:04 – Bringing your personality and interests into your marketing 21:03 – How to work out what you actually enjoy 22:43 – Paying attention to what your work makes you feel 25:12 – How Gina builds more fun into her working week 29:01 – Working, resting and getting out of procrastination limbo 30:54 – The hourly check-in that keeps Gina on track 31:48 – Gina's habits for making work feel better 35:09 – Consistency, guilt and learning to bounce back 36:25 – How brand strategy made Gina's rebrand easier 38:00 – Using your brand to develop new services 39:05 – Getting rid of the ‘professional’ filter 42:15 – Why experimenting makes business more fun 42:58 – Changing your definition of failure 47:01 – People want to work with people, not ‘professionals’ 47:34 – Why having the right people around you matters

    “Fun doesn’t make you less professional” with Gina Buckle
  5. 24/11/2025

    “Don’t become the world's worst boss to yourself” with Jo Hooper

    Jo Hooper’s Me First Month found its way to me at exactly the right time. I’d spent about six months taking things slowly after burning out and doing a lot of work to understand how I’d got there. Me First Month helped me take the next step: actually putting myself first in my business and starting to set some proper boundaries around how I wanted to work. So I was chuffed to get Jo on the podcast and dig into the thinking behind it. Jo is the founder of Get Wildly Free, a business coach and creator of the Me First Method. After spending 10 years working in communications and experiencing two breakdowns, she left corporate life and eventually built a business around helping other founders and freelancers work in a way that supports the life they want. We talk about the beliefs many of us bring into self-employment about hard work, productivity and putting other people first – and how difficult it can be to unlearn them. Jo shares how the Me First Method helps you turn those new beliefs into actual changes in your business, from deciding how much you want to work and setting clearer boundaries, to looking at your offers, capacity and pricing. We also talk about why boundaries are good for your customers as well as you, why rest alone doesn't fix burnout, and giving yourself permission to ignore the things you think you ‘should’ be doing and build a business that works for you instead. What you’ll learn in this episode: How beliefs about hard work, productivity and putting other people first can shape the way you run your business How the Me First Method can help you make practical changes to your boundaries, capacity and ways of working Why preventing burnout means changing the things that are burning you out, not simply taking more time off About Jo Hooper Jo Hooper is the founder of Get Wildly Free and creator of the Me First Method. She helps founders, freelancers and small business owners build businesses that support their mental health and the lives they want to live. Through her coaching and programmes, Jo helps people question their beliefs about work and make practical changes to the way their businesses are structured, so work doesn't have to take over everything else. Links Get Jo’s Shit list here⁠. Follow Jo on Instagram: ⁠@getwildlyfree⁠ Visit Jo’s website This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Jo Hooper and Get Wildly Free 02:17 – When Jo realised the way she was working had to change 04:58 – Unlearning what success and hard work are supposed to look like 10:04 – Choosing to work in a way that works for you 11:27 – How Me First Month helped me after burnout 12:11 – What is the Me First Method? 13:58 – Changing your beliefs about work 15:07 – Why setting boundaries can feel so uncomfortable 18:53 – Rest doesn't fix burnout 19:32 – Why you don't have to be productive all the time 23:25 – The Shit List: finding what isn't working in your business 24:03 – Turning new beliefs into changes in your business 27:21 – Realising that nobody else will set your boundaries for you 28:02 – Why boundaries are good for your customers too 31:00 – How Jo's beliefs show up in the Get Wildly Free brand 34:32 – Challenging the idea that work has to be hard 39:09 – Why it's easier to let yourself down than other people 41:39 – Why Jo thinks ‘should’ is bollocks 43:08 – Knowing when your brand no longer fits your business 45:19 – What stops us doing things our own way? 47:09 – Life is too short to spend it working all the time

    “Don’t become the world's worst boss to yourself” with Jo Hooper
  6. 17/11/2025

    "The learning never ends" with Jag Panesar

    Jag Panesar has been running his business for 18 years. So naturally, I've always assumed he's got it all figured out. I jokingly call Jag my business dad. Not because he's way older than me (he'd want me to make that very clear), but because when we met, he'd already been running his business for years and I saw him as someone who knew what he was doing. Then, over a coffee a few years ago, Jag told me that he learns a lot from me too. And that stuck with me. So I knew I wanted to get him on the podcast to talk about what he's learned from 18 years of running a business – and whether you ever really reach the point where you've got it all figured out. Jag is the founder and director of Xpand, a digital marketing agency he started back in 2007. We talk about how differently he thinks about running a business now compared to when he started, from letting go of the idea that success meant having an office and looking corporate, to completely changing the way his agency is structured. We also get into learning from failure, adapting your business when things don't go to plan, celebrating how far you've come, knowing when to keep going, and why, even after 18 years, the learning never ends. What you’ll learn in this episode: What 18 years of running a business have taught Jag about success, failure and figuring things out as you go Why being willing to adapt your business is so important as your circumstances, priorities and the world around you change Why self-belief, determination and learning from what doesn't work can help you keep going About Jag Panesar Jag Panesar is the founder and director of Xpand, a digital marketing agency based in West Yorkshire. With 18 years in business, Jag has worked with organisations ranging from global brands to SMEs across the UK. His background is in marketing strategy, and Xpand works across strategy, branding, web design and digital marketing. Links Learn more about Xpand Connect with Jag on LinkedIn This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Jag Panesar and Xpand 01:25 – How Jag started his business 18 years ago 05:32 – Why you have to figure business out as you go 07:47 – What Jag believed about business when he started 10:18 – How Jag's idea of success has changed 13:34 – Finding your people when you work for yourself 15:52 – What has changed after 18 years in business? 20:34 – Do you ever actually figure business out? 23:22 – Why failure is part of running a business 24:22 – Knowing when to keep going – and when to stop 27:23 – Why businesses need to adapt to survive 29:21 – Taking things one step at a time 31:57 – How to keep your business feeling fresh 35:03 – Don't take success for granted 36:26 – The reality of running a business 18 years in 38:05 – The learning never ends 39:58 – How your brand evolves with your business 42:43 – Getting over the fear of failure 49:31 – What Jag wishes new business owners knew 51:44 – Is self-belief the biggest barrier? 53:19 – Staying in love with your business

    "The learning never ends" with Jag Panesar
  7. 10/11/2025

    “Be confident in who you are” with Lucy Critchley

    What if you stopped trying to work the way you think you should, and started paying attention to what actually works for you? In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Critchley, founder of Untold Creative, a podcast and content studio. Lucy started her business during maternity leave, five months after having her daughter and in the middle of the pandemic. What began as a VA business has since evolved into Untold Creative, working with purpose-led businesses on podcasts, social content, email marketing and other creative projects. We talk about what Lucy has learned about herself through becoming self-employed, from finding a way of working that fits around family life to letting go of the presenteeism and working habits she picked up in employment. Lucy also shares how her business and brand have evolved alongside her, what she's learned from working with the wrong clients, and why being more confident in who you are can help you find the people and work that are a better fit. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Lucy has built a business and way of working that fits around her family and the way she works bestWhy becoming self-employed can teach you so much about yourself and the way you want to workHow recognising what you enjoy – and what you don't – can help your business and brand evolve About Lucy Critchley Lucy is the founder of Untold Creative, a podcast and content studio that helps purpose-led businesses share their stories through podcasts, social content and newsletters. With a background in TV and radio production, Lucy combines creativity and strategy to help her clients find their voice and tell the stories that matter most. Links Follow Lucy on Instagram: @‌untold.creative Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucycritchley Visit Untold Creative: https://untold-creative.com This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠.

    “Be confident in who you are” with Lucy Critchley
  8. 03/11/2025

    “There’s power in understanding yourself in business” with Paula Dixon

    What if understanding yourself better could change the way you run your business? In this episode, I’m joined by Paula Louise Dixon, coaching and business psychologist and founder of Hazon Consulting. Paula believes there’s real power in understanding yourself in business. We talk about why self-awareness matters when you’re a freelancer or business owner, how understanding your personal values can help you make better business decisions, and why knowing how you respond to stress can help you work in a way that suits you. We also get into the difference between personal and brand values, the expectations that can get in the way of doing things your own way, and why having a community of people around you can make such a difference when you’re running a business. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why understanding yourself can help you make better decisions in your businessHow personal and brand values can guide the way you workHow understanding your own stress, energy and needs can help you work in a way that suits you About Paula Louise Dixon Paula is a coaching and business psychologist and founder of Hazon Consulting, where she helps individuals, teams and organisations optimise their potential through psychology-informed coaching and development. Her work focuses on helping people understand themselves better, align with their values and build healthier, more fulfilling careers and businesses. Links Learn more about Paula and Hazon Consulting, and ThinkND Connect with Paula on LinkedIn This podcast is hosted by Fliss Lee, brand coach and Head of Brand at Honest Folk. Fliss helps founders and freelancers build businesses that work for them. Enjoyed this episode? I write about building a business that works for you, brand, and doing things your own way in my newsletter. Sign up here. Connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Paula Louise Dixon 06:03 – Starting Hazon Consulting and finding her own way 09:29 – What business psychology and coaching can help with 12:21 – Why understanding your values is so powerful 17:12 – Self-awareness, stress and running a business 19:35 – Understanding your own stress curve 23:13 – You can't be in “eternal spring” 26:35 – Personal values and business values 32:15 – What's the difference between personal and brand values? 35:55 – When your identity becomes tangled up with your business 40:11 – Spotting values clashes with potential clients 43:40 – A practical exercise for finding your personal values 49:41 – Bringing lots of different things under one brand 54:25 – What gets in the way of doing things your way?

    “There’s power in understanding yourself in business” with Paula Dixon
  9. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing Do your thing

    I started my business for the same reasons you did: I was sick of being told how I “should” be doing things, and I wanted the flexibility and freedom to do life and business my way.  But strangely enough, just saying “I’m going to do things differently” doesn’t actually mean it’s happening. Weird that. Turns out bringing it to life requires a fair bit of graft. It ended up taking years to get things right. Yes, years. That’s how long it took to truly leave behind the “should”s and expectations of working life that were so deeply ingrained in me.  Because we all do it at some point. We work weekends, burn out, overcommit, people-please, say yes when we don’t mean it, compare ourselves to everyone else, and second-guess every decision we make. All while telling ourselves “yeah, I’m definitely doing business my way”. Ever gone full pelt in your business for the entire year, then got to December not just completely wiped out, but confused about why you’re completely wiped out? Yeah, then you’ll know what I’m on about.  Cut to early 2024, and I knew things had to change. My burnout left me no choice but to stop, and take a long, hard look at what I was doing.  Since that moment, I’ve been completely redesigning my business from the inside out. And this time, I’ve been doing it, not just talking about it.  I’ve been at this for over a year now, and let me tell you, doing your thing feels pretty flippin’ good. I’ve learnt a lot along the way, and my business is really starting to feel like it's all mine. But don’t get me wrong, I’ve still got so much left to learn.  That’s sort of why we’re here.  Do your thing is a space for all of us to figure it out as we go along, and hear from some brilliant folk who are doing the same. We’ll hear from people who’ve made intentional choices about how they work. People who’ve gone against the grain. People who are building businesses that fit them – and helping others to do the same. We’ll talk about what’s helped, what really hasn’t, and what’s still a work in progress. The messy bits. The mindset shifts. The little things that end up making the biggest difference.  I truly believe you can build a successful business around what you really want out of life, and make solid money while doing it.  You can run a business that supports you instead of draining you.  And you don’t have to follow someone else’s rules to get there. I’m Fliss Lee. I’m a brand coach for founders and freelancers, and the founder of Honest Folk. I help people join the dots between their brand, their business and their goals, so they can do their thing, find their groove, and live life with oomph.  If you’re like me, you’re figuring out how to do your thing, and you’re down for some real talk, helpful habits, and a few laughs along the way. So strap in, and let’s figure this out together.  This is Do your thing. Let’s go.

    Introducing Do your thing

Trailer

About

Do your thing is for small business owners wanting to build a business that actually works for them. I'm Fliss Lee, brand coach and founder of Honest Folk. Join me as I explore how to do MY thing. We’ll hear from people who’ve made intentional choices about how they work. People who’ve gone against the grain. People who are building businesses that fit them – and helping others to do the same. We’ll talk about what’s helped, what really hasn’t, and what’s still a work in progress. The messy bits, mindset shifts, and the little things that end up making the biggest difference.