Reclaiming Bossy

Maahika Singh
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If you're bossy and in pursuit of building a bold and brilliant life, career, and collection of side quests, you're in the right place. I'm Maahika, and Reclaiming Bossy is for ambitious women in their 20s navigating career, money, and identity, the messy middle nobody really posts about. Real conversations with founders, creators and leaders, plus honest solo episodes, health, wealth and happiness. Originally Empower Sounds, we are now streamed in 65+ countries with 3 international seasons, come join our global community. New episodes every Wednesday 3

  1. 3d ago

    Happiness Is A Skill, Here's How To Master It...

    This episode is for anyone having a bad day, feeling stuck, in a funk or struggling as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. I’ve gone through periods in my life where I really struggled with my mental health, and one of the biggest gifts I’ve given myself is learning the art of the upward spiral: how to feel what I’m feeling without letting a bad day become a bad week. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple things that help me shift my energy, from getting out of my head and into my body to leaning on community and finding your own “happy triggers”.  TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro: Navigating seasonal blues & finding positivity 01:27 Happiness is a skill (and why it's hard right now) 02:53 Step 1: Feel the feeling & release internal garbage 05:28 Step 2: Stop intellectualizing your feelings 08:02 Step 3: Get in your body & reclaim your agency 11:12 Step 4: Lean on community (Stop isolating) 16:16 Step 5: Discover & deploy your "happy triggers" 21:10 Authentic positivity vs. false positivity 22:07 Outro, community updates, & final words FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives: https://www.bossyandbrown.com CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com If you liked this episode, send it to someone who you love to give them extra positive energy :)

  2. Oct 21

    How I Get Everything Done as a Type B Founder

    This episode is for my Type B girls with big dreams, 200 tabs open in their brains and absolutely no desire to become a 5am, colour-coded-calendar productivity robot. I’m ambitious, but I’m naturally chaotic. Over the years, I’ve had to build systems that help me run a business, release a podcast every week, pursue approximately 100 side quests at once and still actually have a life. In this episode, I’m breaking down my Life Operating System: how I organise my life around health, wealth, relationships, growth and happiness, plan in 12-week seasons, structure flexible weeks, schedule deep work and buffer time, and use tools like Notion, my calendar and To do List without letting productivity take over my life. Because you don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Ambitious but Chaotic? Watch This 1:00 - How I Manage Chaos & My "Side Quests" 2:04 - Step 1: Finding Your Values & Priorities 4:20 - Step 2: Where Should Your System Live? (Notion, etc.) 5:08 - Setting "Bare Minimums" for Your Life Categories 6:33 - The "Menu of Options" & Lego Block Scheduling 8:22 - Why You Must Schedule Buffer Time 9:16 - The Ultimate Time Rule: Pay Yourself First 11:34 - Stop Using To-Do Lists (Use Your Calendar Instead) 14:08 - How to Actually Do Fun Things: "The 10 List" 15:37 - Why You Should Plan in 12-Week Seasons 16:44 - The 3x3 Vision Board Bingo Grid 18:26 - The Arrival Fallacy & The Meaning of "Devotion" 20:07 - Final Thoughts & Community Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bingo Grid template: https://trusted-note-ecc.notion.site/Vision-Board-Bingo-Template-2c7b7f85b0028084952dd4e2d2ff4325?pvs=74 FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives: https://www.bossyandbrown.com CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com If you found this episode interesting, send it to a friend :))

  3. Oct 14

    How to Go From Finance to the Creative Industry: What It Really Takes

    This week, I’m joined by Sharika Chauhan, who went from a 17-year career in finance to becoming a founder and children’s author, building Maya’s Worldly Wonders, a children’s brand centred around a bold British Indian girl exploring the world. We talk about what it really takes to reinvent your career without feeling like you’re starting again, how to know when to follow your gut, and why the skills you build in one chapter of your life can become the foundation for something completely different. Sharika also takes us behind the scenes of building Maya’s Worldly Wonders from an idea into books, education, merchandise and animation in development. We get into self-publishing, building creative IP, marketing something from zero, fundraising, representation and the tension between building something purpose-led and wanting it to become a seriously big business. Plus, we talk solo travel, visiting more than 40 countries, doing things outside the blueprint and what an all-female sailing expedition from Reykjavík towards the Faroe Islands taught her about courage, resilience and doing things before you feel ready. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change direction, or worried that choosing one path means being stuck with it forever, this conversation is for you. TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Introduction & Meet Srika Chauhan 0:45 - From 17 Years in Finance to Building a Universe 1:53 - Backpacking in 2005 & Catching the Travel Bug 4:44 - The Borneo Jungle Epiphany (Birth of Maya's Worldly Wonders) 7:25 - Breaking Cultural Stigmas & Empowering Young Girls 8:48 - How Travel Crisis Skills Translate to Business & Startups 12:43 - The Reality of Self-Publishing (Marketing, Tech & Hurdles) 18:01 - Expanding the Vision: Books, Merchandise, & Animation 22:22 - Sailing the Atlantic: Reykjavik to the Faroe Islands 25:56 - Surviving 8-Meter Waves & Sea Sickness 28:12 - Creating an Authentic, Relatable Character 30:17 - Designing Maya: Fighting Stereotypes & "Princess Jasmine" Clichés 33:27 - Taking Maya to the Screen (Animation & World Discovery Centers) 35:45 - Advice for Creatives: Balancing Art with a Business Plan 38:35 - Why You Need an Exit Strategy, Structuring & IP 41:59 - Reclaiming the Word "Bossy" & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 44:50 - Where to Find Maya's Worldly Wonders & What’s Next for 2027 Connect With Sharika  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharika-chauhan-3a9017b/ Instagram: sharika_chauhan Maya’s Worldly Wonders: https://www.instagram.com/mayas.worldly.wonders/ https://www.mayasworldlywonders.com Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives: https://www.bossyandbrown.com CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com If you found this episode interesting, send it to a friend :))

  4. Oct 7

    How to Get a First at University Without Sacrificing Your Social Life

    Today’s episode is your reminder that it is possible to get good grades and have fun at university. I  graduated from UCL not only with a First but also top of my class, made the Dean’s List and had my dissertation nominated for a national prize. But I also had the best time at university. I met some of my best friends, learned to salsa dance, did a fashion show, volunteered, interned for a DJ, started a podcast, built a business and spent a year living abroad. I’m sharing the simple systems that helped me balance everything, from understanding exactly what you’re being marked on and knowing which readings you can skip, to making your essays stand out, building a feedback loop and using time constraints to get more done in less time. Because getting a First doesn’t have to mean spending your entire university experience in the library. Your degree can be important without becoming your entire identity. If you’re at university and want to get good grades, have fun, try new things and make the most of these years, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro: Balancing sleep, social life, and getting good grades at university 02:34 The marking criteria: Why you need to understand exactly what you’re being graded on 05:31 Adding personality: How to make your essays stand out to professors 07:26 Skip the readings: Prioritising your coursework and saving time 10:39 Building systems: Using Notion to document your research and streamline writing 13:00 The feedback loop: Why you should ask for professor and peer reviews 15:12 Time management: Using Parkinson’s law and scheduling your social life first 17:51 Protecting your yes: Experimenting with hobbies and cutting out rehearsed obligations 21:10 Redefining success: Detaching your self-worth from academic achievements and grades BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives: https://www.bossyandbrown.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com If this episode gave you helpful tips on how to balance everything at university, send it a friend too :)

  5. Sep 30

    What It Actually Takes to Make It in the Music Industry with Lottie Jade

    What does it actually take to make it as an artist? This week, I’m joined by South London R&B and soul artist Lottie Jade to talk about what it really takes to build a career in music, from developing your skills and finding your sound to having the confidence to actually put your work out into the world. Lottie began attracting industry attention as a teenager, and at 18 was highlighted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Ace as an R&B artist to watch after “Oh Well” gained close to half a million listens on SoundCloud. She has since worked with artists including S1, IQ, Zion Foster and Donae’O and says her music has generated more than four million streams across platforms. Lottie started building her music career as a teenager and has now generated more than four million streams across platforms. We talk about her journey from BRIT School to becoming an independent artist, getting over the “cringe” of promoting yourself, dealing with negative comments, finding your identity as an artist and staying consistent with your craft. We also get practical about how to actually become a better singer: training your voice like a muscle, taking care of it properly, understanding your natural range and why being a great artist isn’t necessarily about having the “best” voice. If you’re a musician, singer or creative trying to turn your talent into a career, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro: Meet Lottie Jade and her musical roots in South London 01:30 The origin story: Growing up around music, attending BRIT School and building an audience online 04:42 Music industry myths: Why you don’t need to start young or have expensive equipment to start creating 09:03 Getting over the cringe: How to build the confidence to share your work and create your own opportunities 10:43 Dealing with hate: Why you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and how to stop fearing negative comments 12:54 Training your voice: Vocal health, avoiding strain and the cold water and dairy myths 17:20 Finding your sound: Working with your natural voice instead of trying to sound like someone else 22:51 Musician vs artist: Finding your identity and building an authentic creative persona 26:31 Bringing the music to life: Music videos, cutting through the noise and the power of creative community Substack mentioned: Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW LOTTIE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isthatlottie/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isthatlottie YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Isthatlottiee SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lottie-jade CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Bossy and Brown magazine  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone who’s trying to build a career in the creative industries, develop their craft or finally find the confidence to put their work out into the world.

  6. Sep 23

    How to Get Your Dream Job & Build a Creative Career with I LIKE NETWORKING

    If you’re trying to build a career in the creative industries, this episode is  your playbook. How do you actually find the right opportunities? How do you read a job description like a recruiter? How do you build a network when you hate networking? And how do you talk about everything you do without saying, “I’m just a…”? This week, I’m joined by Isabel Sachs, founder of I LIKE NETWORKING, to talk about everything from building a job search matrix and knowing what NOT to apply for, to pitching yourself, networking without being transactional, navigating a multi-hyphenate career and going from expert to earner. If you’re a creative, founder, freelancer or someone trying to work out what on earth you’re doing with your career, this one is for you. Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and introducing Isabel and her work with I Like Networking 02:17 The non-linear path: Why creative careers are hard and why you shouldn't be afraid to jump through a window 05:12 The reality of London's talent pool: Why resourcefulness and entrepreneurial hunger matter more than a standard CV 09:38 The job search matrix: How to stop applying blindly and choose opportunities aligned with your lifestyle values 16:38 Redefining networking: Moving away from corporate transactional culture to build genuine community and support 24:59 Networking red flags: Why spamming and monopolizing conversations don't work in the creative industries 30:40 The multi-hyphenate struggle: How to talk about yourself, own your achievements, and avoid the "I'm just a..." trap 35:05 From expert to earner: Monetizing your creative expertise through direct products and community leads 40:24 Promoting yourself without social media: Building a reputation and finding your audience without burning out 46:11 Key takeaways: Advocating for yourself, staying authentic, and creating your own opportunities 51:14 Reclaiming Bossy: What it means to be the boss of your own life and design a career that supports your choices CONNECT WITH ISABEL + I LIKE NETWORKING I LIKE NETWORKING Substack: https://ilikenetworking.substack.com I LIKE NETWORKING: https://ilikenetworking.uk Don’t Pick My Brain: https://dontpickmybrain.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilikenetworking/?hl=en I LIKE NETWORKING on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-like-networking/posts/?feedView=all Isabel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelsachs/ CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bossy and Brown magazine  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have a friend who is applying for 100 jobs, hates networking or is trying to work out how to build a creative career that actually fits their life, send them this episode. And tell me in the comments: what’s one opportunity you’re going to put yourself forward for this week?

  7. Sep 16

    Watch This If You’re Ambitious But Inconsistent

    If you’re ambitious, love making plans and have a million things you want to do with your life, but you’re also not the kind of person who wants to wake up at 5am, cold plunge and follow the exact same routine every single day, this episode is for you. I’ve spent years trying to make myself more disciplined, more optimised and more consistent, and this year I realised I actually want to build my life around something else: devotion. Less forcing myself into someone else’s version of success, more creating a life I love enough that I want to keep showing up for it.  In this solo episode, I’m talking about why I’m choosing devotion over discipline, what my grandmother taught me about building rituals around the things you care about, and how I’ve learned to be ambitious without making struggle the price of success. We talk about defining your own version of a successful life, trophies versus treasures, following your random desires, building joy into your routines and why the real secret to consistency might be learning how to fall in love with what you’re creating again and again and again. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and why this is the year of devotion, not discipline 02:16 Who am I?: Mahika's background and proof that you can be ambitious without burning out 04:22 The optimization trap: Why trying to perfectly optimize your life often leads to anxiety 06:23 A lesson in devotion: What a 70-year-old grandmother teaches us about intentional living 08:29 Finding presence: Shifting focus from abundance to presence and enjoying daily rituals 10:57 Follow your desires: Why your random interests act as a North Star for authentic success 11:53 Define your own success: Stop dictating your worth with someone else's measuring stick 13:31 Treasures vs. Trophies: The difference between building a life inwards out versus outwards in 14:38 Rituals over habits: How to stay structured and consistent by bringing joy into the process 17:35 The success formula: Why planning, consistency, and fun are the real keys to achieving goals 19:59 Rethinking deadlines: Why you should extend your timelines instead of giving up on big dreams 21:54 Outro: A challenge to choose devotion over discipline and a call for community feedback CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bossy and Brown magazine  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this episode made you rethink your relationship with discipline, send it to your ambitious but inconsistent friend who needs to hear it too. And tell me in the comments: what would change if you stopped trying to discipline yourself into your dream life and started becoming devoted to it instead?

  8. Sep 9

    How to Build a Community People Want to Be Part Of with Founder of Ideas Fest Frankie James

    A quick note before we start: this episode is a little different from our usual studio conversations. Frankie and I spontaneously decided to record this podcast in a pub toilet during the House of Ideas, so the production quality is a little lower than usual. You can check out our other episodes for the full Reclaiming Bossy studio experience, but I hope you enjoy this slightly more chaotic conversation just as much. This week, I’m joined by Frankie James, founder of Ideas Fest and the Ideas Community, to talk about what it actually takes to turn an idea into something people want to be part of. We talk about building a community from scratch, networking without being transactional, landing speaking opportunities, finding aligned sponsors and creating events that people actually want to attend. Timestamps  00:00 Intro: Meeting Frankie and the story behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 01:40 What makes a good entrepreneur: Why curiosity and disruption matter more than the balance sheet 02:38 Rethinking corporate events: How to make ceremonies creative and special on a budget 04:19 Ideas vs. execution: Why great ideas are worthless without passion and action 05:06 The birth of Ideas Fest: Pivoting from pandemic Zoom fatigue to an outdoor festival 06:59 Designing event magic: Fostering human connection instead of relying on expensive production 08:47 Attracting top-tier talent: How to get amazing speakers and why successful founders want to give back 11:00 Pitching yourself for the stage: The importance of community engagement before asking to speak 12:29 Building a standout community: Adopting an abundance mindset and collaborating with competitors 14:31 The death of traditional sponsorship: How to secure funding by building bespoke, value-driven partnerships 16:52 Authentic networking: Dropping the transactional mindset and learning to give before you take 19:16 The House of Ideas: Creating win-win opportunities for venues, sponsors, and attendees 22:42 Protecting your social battery: Managing founder burnout, FOMO, and the power of saying no 26:29 The reality of personal branding: Balancing authenticity with the pressure to perform on social media 28:25 Outro: The long game of business and the 14-year substance behind hosting shiny events FRANKIE JAMES Connect with Frankie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frangbea/ Ideas Fest: https://ideasfest.uk/whats-on Ideas Community: https://www.ideasforums.com Great British Entrepreneur Awards: https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH ME Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Collaborations + enquiries: team@empowersoundsmedia.com Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bossy and Brown magazine  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone with a big idea they need to bring to life, and let us know in the comments: what opportunity is currently on your radar?

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About

If you're bossy and in pursuit of building a bold and brilliant life, career, and collection of side quests, you're in the right place. I'm Maahika, and Reclaiming Bossy is for ambitious women in their 20s navigating career, money, and identity, the messy middle nobody really posts about. Real conversations with founders, creators and leaders, plus honest solo episodes, health, wealth and happiness. Originally Empower Sounds, we are now streamed in 65+ countries with 3 international seasons, come join our global community. New episodes every Wednesday 3

Information

  • Creator
    Maahika Singh
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Maahika Singh
  • Show Website
    Reclaiming Bossy