Niche Talks™ with Penny Lee Penny Lee

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

In this episode we are talking about carving your own path later on in a career with Auriel Majumdar. Auriel is a Creative Coach, Supervisor, Consultant and Educator.



As the daughter of first generation immigrant father, an Indian doctor – for years Auriel did the dutiful thing – until in her mid 40’s she didn’t and took a career shift – now at 61 she’s expanding more into that space.



We talk about getting started. The beginning being a tricky place and how you make that leap.

Building your body of work, 'your body of evidence'. Building your confidence and the trust of people who then work with you. Getting your reputation and having pride and love for what you do. Another reminder this is a long game. Niching down to build on that expertise. And the brilliant question 'does it thrill you to death?' when deciding on what. you want – really want – to be working on. 







SHOW NOTES:



https://www.aurielmajumdar.com/





https://www.instagram.com/aurielmajumdar/





https://www.chrismsaunders.com/#/





Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com







TAKEAWAYS




Carving your own path and following your passion can lead to a fulfilling career.
Being authentic and expressing your uniqueness in business can help you stand out in a crowded market.
Confidence and belief in the quality of your work are essential for success.
Building a strong personal brand is important for attracting the right clients and opportunities. Start somewhere and evolve over time to build a reputation in your desired market.
Practice and hone your craft to become excellent.
Find joy and fulfillment in your work by pursuing your true passion.
Embrace opportunities for personal growth and exploration.





CHAPTERS



00:00 Introduction and Morning Greetings

08:07 Authenticity and Uniqueness in Business

15:21 Starting with You: Building Confidence

29:38 Finding Joy and Fulfilment in Your Work

39:01 Embracing Personal Growth and Exploration

In this episode we are talking about doing things differently and standing out as a progressive in your industry with Paul Hewitt and Anand Gilks of Generation Press. 



Generation Press is a fourth generation printers and Paul is the fourth generation printer looking to do things differently. A humble visionary and natural disrupter, Paul speaks modestly about how he unconsciously carved a different path. Finding his way back to the family business he instinctively knew he wanted to do it differently. He wanted to do it clean and he wanted to be progressive in an industry that has been set in its ways. Anand Gilk came fresh from uni back in 2013 inspired by the craft and focus on high quality design and collaboration with designers and brands that continue to lead the work.



They are housed in a 16th century farm on the edge of the South Downs. And another excellent example of find your niche, find your people – as well as finding your own carved out space in a long time established industry.







SHOW NOTES:



https://generationpress.co.uk/





https://www.studio.build/





Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com







TAKEAWAYS


Finding your niche and adding value to your work is crucial in a competitive market.
Creating a collaborative and creative partnership with clients leads to unique and high-quality products.
Sustainability and craftsmanship are core principles of Generation Press.
The team at Generation Press is committed to continuous improvement and pushing the boundaries of design and print. The success of a project is not solely dependent on an individual, but on the team and the process.
Businesses need to be sustainable and find ways to add value within their budget.
A printer can be a brand, and the care and principles behind the production process are important.
Collaboration and fresh perspectives lead to innovative and successful outcomes.
The future of the business lies in the realm of packaging and minimalism.





CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Tone

08:15 Becoming Environmentally Conscious

23:47 Sustainability and Adding Value

35:23 The Future of Packaging and Minimalism

In this episode we are talking about the power of niche for your business with Polly Lavarello.



Polly didn't always have a cushy business. She became self-employed as a single mum of two kids under the age of 3. Living on benefits, life was anything but cushy.Something needed to change. Passionate about marketing Polly went and found her place in the online space. She slowed down to speed up. Got super intentional. Got crystal clear on her strengthiest strengths, who she wants to serve and HOW. We discuss the drive to help women create businesses that give them space and give them the permission slip to be fully themselves – and why both are vital. Polly also hosts the Make More Money Podcast.



Yep there’s swearing.





SHOW NOTES:



https://pollylavarello.com/





Polly on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/pollylavarello/





Make More Money Podcast:https://pollylavarello.com/podcast







Find Penny here - www.thebranddirectoress.com







TAKEAWAYS




Finding your niche is essential in the online business space to stand out and make yourself unforgettable.
Being unapologetically yourself and leaning into what lights you up will attract like-minded clients and create a strong brand.
Success is not about following someone else's measure of success, but about defining what success looks like for you.
Taking the time to refine your offers and create exemplary experiences for your clients is crucial for long-term success.
Being curious, intentional, and playful in your business allows for continuous learning and growth.



CHAPTERS



00:00 Introduction and Meeting Polly

06:05 Creating a Solution for a Specific Problem

10:26 From Generalist to Niche

25:07 The Changing Landscape of Launches and the Power of a Strong Niche



Chapter timings may be slightly out due to editing.