Creative Courage

Matt Essam
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Creative Courage

Are you a creative business owner? Do you ever feel like you’ve got more to give? That there’s a bigger impact you could make? Or is there an innate fear that’s stopping you from achieving your full potential? In this brand new podcast series, award-winning coach, author and speaker Matt Essam explores the internal battles we all face as creative business owners. From the fear of launching to the anxiety we face around our life purpose, Creative Courage is the first podcast series that will dive deep into the psychology of courage and its key part in our success as business owners, leaders and creatives. Each week, we bring you expert insights and proven strategies from inspiring entrepreneurs and thought leaders who have conquered their creative challenges. If you’re ready to elevate your creative journey and unlock your full potential, so that you can make more impact, win better clients and ultimately be proud of what you’ve built, then subscribe to Creative Courage now on your favourite podcast platform. Join us as we redefine what it means to thrive as a creative business owner.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Why Fear and Scarcity Are Killing Your Business (And How to Fix It) with Sebastian Bates

    After a serious BASE jumping accident that shattered both his legs, doctors told Sebastian Bates he may never walk again. During Seb’s 2 years of rehab, he lost 15 of his close friends, leaving him with PTSD and major survivors’ guilt. After a journey of personal development, Seb is now the founder of Warrior Academy, the largest martial arts academy in the Middle East. Seb teaches thousands of kids worldwide while leading a team of 100. Seb has also built several other six-figure businesses and founded a charitable organisation that’s doing incredible things for disadvantaged children globally. This is one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had in a long time. Seb shares fundamental principles of courage and resilience that are transformative for creative business owners. If you want to overcome imposter syndrome, develop resilience, and break through the barriers holding their business back, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode: How a near-fatal accident shaped Sebastian’s journey. Why courage is the most critical trait for success and how to get more of it. Practical exercises to overcome fear and replace anxiety with excitement. The impact of a scarcity mindset on creativity and how to break free from it. How to leave your comfort zone without becoming overwhelmed and burnt out. The biggest mistakes leading to fear-based decision-making and how to avoid them. The real indicators of success beyond sales figures. And so much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE  Warrior Academy - https://www.warrioracademy.co.uk/  The Bates Foundation - https://www.batesfamilyfoundation.org/  Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Sebastian Bates on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-bates-4b70412b/  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    50 min

  2. 11 DEC

    ONLY Work With THESE Types Of Clients

    Not all clients are created equal. When I used to run my web design and marketing agency, I would work with just about any client who had the budget. But after working with them, some clients would make amazing leaps which would transform their businesses, and some got no results at all. So, what was the difference?  And if you can deliver the exact same service to two different clients and get paid the same, why does it matter what they do with what you’ve created for them after? If you take on too many clients who aren’t getting the results they set out to get, I guarantee you that it’ll come back to bite you in the form of a damaged reputation, and a lack of growth. In this episode, I’m going to share a strategy that will help you to understand exactly what kinds of clients you should be taking on. The kinds of clients that will value what you do, achieve the results they were after and ultimately elevate your brand recognition, so you can grow your business faster and take on higher paying clients. You’ll learn how to qualify leads beyond just their budget and discover why saying no to misaligned clients (even high-paying ones) can protect your business in the long run. In this episode, we cover: Why some clients thrive after you’ve worked with them and others don’t. Why working with the wrong clients can harm your business (even if they have a big budget). How to spot the attributes that determine ‘perfect fit’ clients. How aligning with the right clients builds your brand’s reputation in the market. And more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE The One Page Sales Framework - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/salesframework  Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    12 min

  3. 4 DEC

    The Hidden Indicators Of Success You NEED To Pay Attention To

    Most creative business owners are measuring success the wrong way. It’s easy to get caught up in only measuring tangible outputs like how much revenue you’ve taken each month or how your team is performing. But what happens when you spend hours and hours on business development and those results don’t immediately show up? Does that mean you haven’t been successful? This fixation on the outputs is causing many creative business owners to feel stuck and demotivated because they’re overlooking the real indicators of success. The hidden indicators that, with consistency, would bring them inevitable results. In this episode, I’m going to help you to reframe how you view success. You’ll learn how to spot hidden signs of progress, so you can stay motivated and keep growing your business - even when the big wins don’t show up immediately. Covered in this episode: Why focusing solely on the tangible outputs can stall growth. How to identify and celebrate the ‘invisible’ success indicators. The key inputs you need to focus on to make reaching your targets inevitable. How consistency and celebrating small wins can transform your business. Why many creative business owners are taking their foot off the accelerator too quickly and missing out on success. Real-life examples of how inputs have led to major breakthroughs for my clients. And more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE  Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/   LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    12 min

  4. 27 NOV

    Unlock Hidden Revenue Opportunities From Existing Clients With THIS Strategy

    What would it be like if you could grow your creative business without having to find new clients? That’s exactly what the ‘realignment process’ can do for you. In this episode, I’m breaking down the powerful strategy I've been using with my coaching clients to raise prices and increase profits without signing any new business. Most creative agencies rely on repeat clients, but the stream of work can be inconsistent and it makes increasing prices difficult. By using the realignment strategy, you’ll be able to consistently deliver value, position yourself as an expert (not just a worker), and strengthen your client relationships, while breaking free from legacy pricing. If you’re not regularly realigning with your clients, relationships can easily fall out of sync. And if you’re like most creatives, most of your conversations with clients happen over email and are focused purely on projects. But if you want to unlock hidden opportunities and keep clients coming back, realignment is essential. Covered in this episode: How realigning with your clients is essential to growing your creative business. How to pitch the idea of realignment calls to clients so that they’re excited to be involved. Structuring the four elements of a realignment call. How to deliver value that positions you as an essential partner, not just a 'nice to have'. Ways of getting valuable feedback and uncovering new opportunities during realignment conversations. Why giving away your best ideas for free can actually drive more business. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.   LEARN MORE  The Realignment Process free guide - https://doc.clickup.com/9016164712/d/h/8cpfgb8-12016/d5b6344464a29c7 Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    16 min

  5. 20 NOV

    The 4 Seasons of Business Every Creative Business Owner Needs to Understand

    What season of business are you currently in? This is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself as a creative studio owner. I used to believe that there were good times and bad times in business, but what I came to realise is that these are just ‘seasons’. And like the seasons in nature, by understanding them and preparing for their arrival, you can weather the worst storms and benefit the most when the sun is shining. In this week’s episode of the Creative Courage podcast, I unpack the four seasons of business, and how each one impacts your projects, clients, and mindset. Knowing which season you’re in can reshape how you make business decisions and help you to avoid frustration and burnout. If you ever find yourself stuck as to where you should be putting your priorities, or your business tends to rapidly switch from ‘way too busy’, to ‘desperate for work’, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode:  What are the four seasons of business and which one are you in? How to avoid the cycle of burnout that traps many creative business owners. Why limiting your capacity can actually be a benefit to your business. How to avoid panic mode when the leads dry up. Why marketing is a year-round priority - even when you’re fully booked. When is the right time to seek outside support? How taking time to celebrate wins can fuel growth. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE Apply to work with Matt - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    26 min

  6. 13 NOV

    3 Strategies To Take Your Business From Surviving To Thriving with Kai Cheng

    Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by your business that it feels like you’re on the brink of collapse? That’s exactly what Kai Cheng was going through after leaving a job at one of Taiwan’s top video agencies to start his own business.  Two years ago, Kai was taken to hospital because he thought he was dying. What was really happening was that he was experiencing panic attacks due to the extreme stress of running his own business alongside starting a family. Since then, Kai has gone from barely surviving to thriving, and in this episode, he shares the three strategies that allowed him to win huge clients like Bentley, stand out from his competitors and generate hundreds of inbound leads. For Kai, it was crucial to create a business that not only supported his family but also allowed him to do more meaningful, impactful work. After sending out thousands of cold messages and getting no response, though, Kai realised that something had to change. This episode is filled with actionable strategies that will help you to grow your creative business faster and more sustainably, so that you can find more fulfilment in your work while avoiding burnout. Covered in this episode:  Three strategies to take your business to the next level, while giving you more free time. How to position yourself to stand out in a crowded market. The crucial mindset shifts that transformed Kai’s business. The cold outreach technique that allowed Kai to secure Bentley as a client. How to use tools like ScoreApp effectively to generate hundreds of inbound leads. How to create a compounding pipeline that fills your sales funnel on autopilot. A strategy for creating irresistible ads targeted to your ideal clients. How to present your services as essential, rather than a ‘nice to have’. And much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE Apply to work with Matt - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator ScoreApp - https://scoreapp.com/  CONNECT  Kai Cheng on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/akaicheng/  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT   Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    44 min

  7. 6 NOV

    The Filmmaker Who Got His Film In Cinemas While DOUBLING His Agency’s Revenue

    Would you love to work on more impactful projects, but the day-to-day running of your business gets in the way? Cey Sesiguzel was in the same boat, running a successful video production agency while eager to produce the documentary he’d dreamed of making. Five years later, Cey’s film is days away from its release in cinemas nationwide - and his agency's turnover doubled in just 12 months whilst creating his film. In this episode, Cey shares his journey of achieving his creative dream, without sacrificing his business. Cey opens up about overcoming the obstacles that stood in his way, and how he managed to raise a large amount of funding off the back of a single piece of content. As Cey was a past client of mine, I got goosebumps several times throughout this episode. Cey’s story of making his passion project a reality is an inspiration and for creatives looking to do more impactful work, I know you’re going to get a huge amount of value from it.  If you’ve ever found yourself stuck between growing your business and pursuing something bigger, this episode will show you how it’s possible to achieve both. Covered in this episode:  How to get started on your passion project while growing your business. The strategies that helped Cey’s business grow while producing a feature film. How Cey was able to raise investment from his network and existing clients. The steps to getting a personal project off the ground and into cinemas. How to rethink money in a way that fuels your creativity and impact. The connection between sales, funding, and turning your creative vision into reality. A much more… If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE  The Divided Island - https://www.thedividedisland.com   Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Cey Sesiguzel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cey-sesiguzel-a88b9b22/ Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    38 min

  8. 30 OCT

    Use This Simple Referral Strategy To Generate Consistent Leads

    If you’re like most creative agency owners, chances are most of your work comes through word of mouth and referrals. And that’s not necessarily a problem - referrals can be one of the best lead generators. But what I’ve discovered is that most people don’t have a referral strategy, leading to inconsistent results and a lack of control over the flow of projects. In this episode, I’m sharing an underrated strategy that can transform the way you win projects, giving you a steady stream of inbound inquiries without that uncomfortable feeling that you’re ‘begging’ people for work. We’ve implemented this strategy with our clients and it’s led to them paying for an entire year of coaching within 30 days of joining. And this can work for past clients and those you never ended up working with, too. I share the exact questions to ask that allows you to give more value, rather than take it and create a consistent referral machine. If you want to take back control of your project pipeline and become known in your network for delivering value, this episode is for you. Covered in this episode: How to build a referral strategy that gives you control over your lead flow. Flipping the referral process so you’re giving, rather than ‘begging’. The questions you should be asking to generate more consistent referrals. How to demonstrate your value and keep clients coming back for more. How to position yourself as the go-to expert in your network. And more... If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative. LEARN MORE  Apply to work with Matt - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator CONNECT  Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam LISTEN  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts -  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

    13 min
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About

Are you a creative business owner? Do you ever feel like you’ve got more to give? That there’s a bigger impact you could make? Or is there an innate fear that’s stopping you from achieving your full potential? In this brand new podcast series, award-winning coach, author and speaker Matt Essam explores the internal battles we all face as creative business owners. From the fear of launching to the anxiety we face around our life purpose, Creative Courage is the first podcast series that will dive deep into the psychology of courage and its key part in our success as business owners, leaders and creatives. Each week, we bring you expert insights and proven strategies from inspiring entrepreneurs and thought leaders who have conquered their creative challenges. If you’re ready to elevate your creative journey and unlock your full potential, so that you can make more impact, win better clients and ultimately be proud of what you’ve built, then subscribe to Creative Courage now on your favourite podcast platform. Join us as we redefine what it means to thrive as a creative business owner.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Essam
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2023 Matt Essam. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Creative Courage

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