Creating The Curve

Creating The Curve
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You started a business to do the thing you love - designing, building, writing, creating - but somewhere along the way, you also became head of sales, finance, marketing, and every other department. Now you're juggling all the moving parts, wondering how running your own business somehow means less freedom, not more. That's what Creating the Curve is here for. Through honest chats, stories, and simple, practical ideas, we'll help you make sense of it all, find your footing, and build a business that actually feels good to run. Because it's not you - it's just really hard to do everything. So let us help you make it just that little bit easier.

  1. 3D AGO

    E48: Networks Are Built One Conversation at a Time

    Networking can feel uncomfortable, awkward, or even pointless when you first start, especially if you don't know where to go or who to talk to. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna reflects on the practical realities of networking, particularly what it looks like when you're starting from scratch with no existing network. Drawing on her own experience of moving into a new area and building connections from zero, she shares honest insights into how networks are built gradually, not instantly. The episode explores the different purposes of networking, from meeting like-minded people to finding potential clients, and why being clear about your intention makes networking far more effective. Anna also talks about practical ways to discover events, build confidence, and make networking feel more manageable rather than overwhelming. A key theme throughout the episode is that networking is not a natural talent reserved for confident people. It is a skill that can be learned, improved, and refined over time. In this episode, Anna covers: What networking really looks like when you start from zero How to find networking opportunities when you don't know anyone The importance of understanding your purpose before attending events Why networking works best when you build relationships over time Why confidence in networking grows through repetition How supporting others makes networking easier and more natural Why networking is a skill that improves with practice Whether you're new to networking or feeling stuck in your current approach, this episode offers a grounded, realistic look at how relationships form and how opportunities grow from consistent effort. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

    44 min

  2. MAR 23

    E47: Networking That Actually Leads to Opportunities with Stefan Thomas

    Networking has a bit of a reputation problem. For many founders, the word alone brings up images of awkward small talk, forced introductions, and standing in the corner clutching a coffee, wondering how to escape politely. In this episode, Anna sits down with networking expert Stefan Thomas, author of multiple networking books, including Business Networking for Dummies, to break down what networking really is, why so many people get it wrong, and how founders can approach it in a way that feels natural rather than uncomfortable. Stefan shares his own story of starting out terrified of networking and learning through repetition, practice, and necessity. What followed were years of running events, building communities, and helping thousands of professionals understand that networking is not about selling, pitching, or collecting business cards. It is about relationships. Together, Anna and Stefan explore how networking fits into the real world of running a small business, where time is limited and pressure is high. They talk about the long-term nature of relationship building, the importance of giving before expecting results, and how visibility and consistency can quietly build opportunities over time. They also discuss the practical side of getting started, including how to find the right events, how to ease into networking when confidence is low, and why the best opportunities often come from relationships built slowly rather than transactions made quickly. In this episode, we cover: Why networking feels uncomfortable for many founders, and how to make it easier Stefan's journey from nervous first-time attendee to networking expert The importance of building relationships before expecting results Why networking works like a bank account, you must deposit before you withdraw How giving value consistently leads to long-term opportunities Simple ways to start networking, even if you feel nervous How visibility helps people remember you when opportunities arise The role of repetition and practice in building confidence Why strong networks create referrals, collaborations, and introductions How networking supports long-term business growth, not just short-term sales Whether you love networking or avoid it at all costs, this episode reframes it as something far more useful and far less intimidating than many founders expect. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk To speak to our guest, Stefan Thomas, head to: https://www.stefanthomas.biz

    55 min

  3. MAR 16

    E46: How to Know If Your Offer Is Missing the Market

    Many founders assume that if sales are slow, the problem must be their marketing. But what if the real issue is the offer itself? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna reflects on her recent conversation with offer expert Janine Coombes and explores why getting your offer right is one of the most important parts of building a successful business. Anna shares real examples of businesses that missed the mark with their offer, including large companies like Tesla and Google, and explains why even brilliant marketing can't fix something that doesn't truly fit the market. Drawing on her own experience working in the retail tech industry, she talks about the power of simple research, including calling potential customers directly to understand what they actually want, and why logic alone doesn't explain buying decisions. Human psychology, pride, habits, and perception often play just as big a role. She also walks through practical ways founders can test whether their offer really fits their audience, from customer interviews to market research tools like SWOT analysis. Along the way, Anna shares how she has adjusted her own business model over time, pivoting from retainers and project work to a more accessible membership model that better fits her mission of supporting small business founders. If you're working hard on your marketing but things still aren't landing, this episode is a reminder to step back and ask a deeper question: Is the offer actually right for the market? In this episode, Anna covers: Why slow sales don't always mean your marketing is the problem How even big brands can misjudge their offer and market fit Why speaking directly to potential customers is one of the best forms of research The role of psychology and emotion in buying decisions How to run customer interviews to uncover real insights Using tools like SWOT analysis to understand your position in the market Why offers often need to evolve as your business and the market change This episode is a practical guide to testing, refining, and improving your offer so your marketing has something strong to stand on. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

    32 min

  4. MAR 9

    E45: Fix Your Offer First, Then Fix Your Marketing with Janine Coombes

    Many founders assume that if their marketing isn't working, the problem must be the marketing itself. But what if the real issue is the offer? In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna speaks with Janine Coombes, offer and positioning expert, about why so many service-based businesses struggle to sell what they do, even when they're working hard on marketing. Janine explains why a clear, well-designed offer sits at the heart of any successful business, and how unclear messaging or poorly positioned services can make marketing feel like pushing water uphill. Together, Anna and Janine unpack the common traps founders fall into, including the "curse of knowledge," where you understand your own work so well that potential clients no longer understand what you actually sell. They also explore how self-awareness plays a huge role in designing offers that work, not just for customers, but for the founder too. From aligning your services with your strengths to rediscovering joy in your work, this conversation is a reminder that business shouldn't feel constantly forced or draining. Along the way they discuss: Why marketing often isn't the real problem The importance of clear positioning and messaging How to design offers that bridge the gap between where clients are and where they want to be The danger of selling something you're not passionate about Why founders should build businesses around their strengths and energy The concept of creating a "flowy" business that feels natural rather than forced It's a thoughtful and honest conversation about building a business that works for both your clients and you. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk  To connect with our gues, Janine, head over to: https://janinecoombes.co.uk

    55 min

  5. MAR 2

    E44: Founders Wearing All The Hats - CEO Before Breakfast, CMO by Lunch, Exhausted by Tea

    In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on her recent conversation with Dr Shah Siddiqui and explores a crucial question for founders: Are you trying to force yourself to do things that simply aren't in your skillset? Anna dives into the reality that many small businesses are built around one dominant expertise. Engineers hire engineers. Accountants hire accountants. Scientists hire scientists. The result is often a highly capable but homogenous team, with critical gaps in areas like marketing, sales, finance or funding. She shares her own experience as a founder with ADHD, someone who thrives on ideas, strategy, big picture thinking and connecting the dots, but struggles with admin and repetitive operational tasks. Rather than continuing to push herself into areas that drain her energy, Anna explains how she conducted a simple gap analysis in her business and hired support to complement her strengths. The episode covers: Why founders often hire people who think like them The risks of homogenous skillsets in small businesses How lack of diversity in roles can stall growth Why marketing and sales often get avoided The dangers of "luck-based" businesses that rely purely on networks How to run a simple gap analysis for your team When to hire a senior specialist versus a junior employee Why virtual assistants can be a powerful first step Giving yourself permission not to do everything Anna also explores how innovation often comes from combining different frames of reference, referencing Matthew Syed's Rebel Ideas and the power of diverse thinking. This episode is both practical and reflective, offering founders permission to stop forcing themselves into roles they hate and instead build businesses around complementary strengths. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

    35 min

  6. FEB 23

    E43: Building a Business with a Different Brain - Neurodivergence in the Workplace with Dr Shah Siddiqui

    In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Dr Shah Siddiqui to explore what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace and in business. As co-hosts of Neurodivergent Business Club, Anna and Dr Shah have regular conversations about ADHD, autism and different ways of thinking. In this episode, they go deeper into the lived experience of neurodivergent founders, the pressures they face, and how workplaces can become more realistic and inclusive. They discuss the challenges of growing up feeling "different", the impact of deficit-based diagnoses, and how many neurodivergent people internalise criticism from an early age. The conversation moves into business ownership, exploring why founders often feel pressure to be good at everything, and why that expectation is both unrealistic and damaging. Dr Shah shares his journey from introverted researcher to confident public speaker, and explains why pushing boundaries matters, but only one step at a time. Together, they unpack: Why asking questions is a strength, not a weakness The danger of expecting employees to be "good at everything" Why diverse teams outperform homogenous ones How small businesses often overload roles with unrealistic expectations The importance of mapping strengths rather than focusing on deficits When to develop a skill, and when to outsource it How AI and assistive technology can support neurodivergent founders Why learning to say no is a critical business skill They also explore the practical side of inclusive leadership. From hiring complementary skillsets to understanding that no single person can meet every expectation, the episode challenges founders to rethink how they build teams and measure performance. This is an honest, practical conversation about strengths, boundaries, technology and the reality of building a business with a different brain. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk  Watch some of our ND Business Club episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@nbconsortium/search?query=bravington  Visit Dr Shah's Neurodivergent Business Consortium here: https://nbconsortium.com/

    1h 6m

  7. FEB 16

    E42: Why Trust Is Harder to Win (And More Important Than Ever)

    Trust isn't just a marketing tactic. It's the foundation of whether someone chooses you at all. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington builds on last week's conversation with Lorraine Emmett and dives deeper into what trust really means for small business founders in today's climate. Drawing on insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer, conversations at You Are The Media, and her own lived experience building networks in Bournemouth and Fareham, Anna explores why trust is shrinking globally and why that makes it more important than ever for founders to build it intentionally. From networking and communities to podcasts, webinars and even taking people out for lunch, this episode is packed with practical, human ways to strengthen trust before someone is ready to buy. Anna covers: • Why trust in institutions is declining and what that means for your business • Why people buy from those they know, not necessarily those who are "best" • How community marketing builds trust over time • Practical ways to build trust locally and online • Why giving value first (checklists, content, resources) creates credibility • The overlooked importance of trusting yourself as a founder If sales feel harder, if cold outreach isn't landing, or if you're wondering why "less experienced" competitors seem to win work - this episode will help you understand why trust is often the missing piece. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

    47 min

  8. FEB 9

    E41: If People Don't Trust You, They Won't Buy From You with Lorraine Emmett

    Trust is often talked about in business, but rarely understood properly. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Lorraine Emmett, Managing Director of award-winning tech PR agency ECPR, to unpack why trust is not a "nice to have", but the foundation of sustainable growth. Lorraine draws on over 30 years of experience in PR and reputation management to explain why brand, credibility, and visibility matter more than ever in an AI-driven, noisy market, and why many founders unknowingly undermine trust without realising it. Together, Anna and Lorraine explore: Why trust is the real gatekeeper in buying decisions, especially before sales conversations even begin How PR is really about managing reputation, not chasing coverage Why visibility without credibility is risky, particularly in the age of AI How challenger brands can outperform bigger competitors by building trust early What happens to sales cycles, margins, and growth when trust is neglected Practical ways founders can start building trust signals today, without huge budgets This episode is essential listening for founders who want faster sales cycles, stronger differentiation, and a business that people actively choose to trust. To find out more about Creating The Curve, our community and membership, go to: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk  To chat with our guest Lorraine, visit: https://ec-pr.com

    1h 6m
See All (50)

Trailer

About

You started a business to do the thing you love - designing, building, writing, creating - but somewhere along the way, you also became head of sales, finance, marketing, and every other department. Now you're juggling all the moving parts, wondering how running your own business somehow means less freedom, not more. That's what Creating the Curve is here for. Through honest chats, stories, and simple, practical ideas, we'll help you make sense of it all, find your footing, and build a business that actually feels good to run. Because it's not you - it's just really hard to do everything. So let us help you make it just that little bit easier.

Information

  • Creator
    Creating The Curve
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Creating The Curve