In this episode, Kirsty Lewis interviews Clare Walkeden, a consultant, coach, and endurance athlete, about her journey in business and the importance of wellbeing.

They discuss the transition from marketing to a focus on wellbeing, the foundations of personal and professional health, and the significance of community and connection.

Clare shares her insights on maintaining balance as a business owner and the role of an endurance mindset in achieving success. In this engaging conversation, Kirsty Lewis and Clare Walkeden explore the themes of endurance, chosen suffering, and the emotional challenges faced in both cycling and business. They discuss the importance of discomfort for growth, the need for self-awareness, and the significance of community support.

Clare shares her experiences with endurance cycling and how they relate to running a business, emphasizing the necessity of knowing one's values and direction.

The conversation also touches on the emotional flatness that can occur with mastery and the joy found in nature and connection with others.

1. Foundations of Wellbeing for Business Owners
2. The Importance of Connection and Community
3. The Five Fundamentals of Wellbeing
4. Balancing Business and Personal Wellbeing
5. Endurance Mindset in Business
6. Clire's Endurance Sports Journey
7. The Concept of Chosen Suffering
8. Endurance Mindset in Business
9. Navigating Emotional Flatness
10. The Challenge of Mastery
11. Finding Joy in the Journey
12. Building Community and Support
13. The Importance of Connection with Nature

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

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A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Discover SOFest HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

contact@schooloffacilitation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your website really working for you - or is it quietly gathering dust?

In this episode, I’m joined by Barb Davids, a website and SEO strategist who helps business owners grow their organic traffic and make their websites work harder (without all the tech overwhelm). Together, we dive into why your website still matters - even in the age of social media - and what simple changes you can make to boost your online presence.

We explore:

1. Why having a website builds trust and credibility with clients
2. The surprising importance of having a blog (yes, even now!)
3. What SEO actually is — and why it’s not as scary as it sounds
4. How to choose the right keywords and get found on Google
5. Practical tips to improve your site without needing a full redesign
6. 
   

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking it might be time to refresh your online home, this conversation is packed with insights to help you take small, manageable steps toward a website that really supports your business.

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

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A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

If you purchase the Instant Blog Planner™, you will get a free 90-minute working session with Barb. Mention 'A Facilitator's Journey' when you purchase.

Visit Barb's website HERE

Visit Barb's YouTube HERE

Connect with Barb on Instagram HERE

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE

Listen to Barb's podcast HERE

Grab your free site audit HERE

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Discover SOFest HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

contact@schooloffacilitation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into all things legal - what it is we need in our businesses as solopreneurs, through to partnerships or big entities. Trust me when I recommend you get the legal side of your business in order early on.

My guest is Lucy Wheeler, also known as Lucy Legal. She is a lawyer who shares legal information and tips through her social media accounts and has two businesses: Lucy Legal, which provides legal templates and information for small business owners, and Wheeler Wood, a law firm that offers bespoke legal advice and services.

The conversation explores what we need to have in our businesses to be legal and within the law in the UK, to protect ourselves and our customers and clients.

What I love is Lucy's approach to making legal information accessible and understandable for everyone. We discuss the importance of legal considerations for entrepreneurs and small business owners and the value of seeking legal advice to save time and ensure compliance with regulations.

1. What is Lucy Legal?
2. Setting Up Wheeler Wood: A Bespoke Law Firm
3. The Importance of Legal Documentation for Businesses
4. Legal Templates for Trainers and Facilitators
5. Understanding Legal Requirements and Compliance
6. Educating Business Owners on Legal Best Practices
7. The Value of Legal Advice and Saving Time
8. Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
9. Building a Strong Reputation through Professionalism
10. Protecting Your Business Name with Trademarks

DISCLAIMER: All of the content within this podcast recording is information only. No legal advice is provided. Both Lucy and I are based in the UK and the information shared was correct and up-to-date with English law at the time of recording. Should you need specific legal advice you should consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction.

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

____

A Facilitator's Journey is a podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

contact@schooloffacilitation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirsty and Hayley explore Hayley's journey into neuro-inclusion consulting, discussing the challenges and triumphs of running a business as a neurodivergent individual.

They delve into the importance of community support, the complexities of pricing strategies, and the impact of self-worth on business decisions.

The discussion highlights the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship and the value of building a network of support. In this conversation.

Hayley shares her experiences as a neurodivergent business owner, discussing the challenges she faced with managing day-to-day business tasks and the importance of outsourcing to improve efficiency.

She highlights the significance of understanding one's energy levels and the impact of neurodivergence on daily business operations.

The discussion also touches on the concept of FOMO versus JOJI, the joy of joining in, emphasising the need for a supportive and welcoming environment in business.

1. Hayley's Journey into Neuro Inclusion Consulting
2. Understanding Value and Pricing in Coaching
3. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in Business
4. The Importance of Community and Support
5. The Complexity of Running a Business
6. The Role of Self-Worth in Pricing
7. Outsourcing for Neurodivergent Business Owners
8. Navigating Neurodivergence in Business
9. Understanding Energy Management
10. The Joy of Joining In vs. FOMO
11. Investing in Yourself and Your Business

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

____

A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Discover SOFest HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

contact@schooloffacilitation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about kindness. Firstly to ourselves as facilitators and then to our businesses. How we navigate leaving the world of corporate to go it alone and be ok to create the life we want vs the imagined 'business' life of others.

Em Stroud is a comic coach, professional clown, facilitator and entrepreneur, who shares her journey through the world of business and creativity. She discusses her dual identity as a performer and business owner, the importance of practicing one's craft, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in entrepreneurship. Her insights provide a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlight the significance of following one's passion.

In this engaging conversation, Em Stroud and Kirsty discuss the necessity of clear communication and onboarding, the importance of setting boundaries, and the journey towards authenticity and self- acceptance. They explore how to create a fulfilling life that aligns with personal values and the role of therapy and coaching in personal development.

1. The Dual Identity of a Comic Coach
2. The Importance of Practicing Your Craft
3. The Journey of Entrepreneurship
4. Lessons from Business Failures
5. Navigating the Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
6. The Value of Delegation in Business
7. Building a Supportive Network
8. Hiring and Firing in Business
9. The Importance of Kindness in Business Relationships
10. Establishing Clear Communication and Onboarding
11. The Role of Boundaries in Personal and Professional Life
12. Embracing Authenticity and Identity
13. Creating a Life That Makes You Happy

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

____

A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Get 50% off any of the Open Days at The Leadership Impact School with the code PRESENTING50 (valid until 18th May 2025)

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Discover SOFest HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

LinkedIn: em-stroud

X: emmastroudldn

Facebook: emmastroudldn

Instagram: emrstroud

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about the importance of having your business processes streamlined and documented, whatever your size!

Sneha Morjaria is the founder of The Growth Chain and School of Operations. She helps founders stop doing it all ie she shows us how to operationalise our businesses so that we have time and space to do the work we love - facilitate, train or coach.

In this conversation, Kirsty and Sneha delve into the importance of operations in business, particularly for solopreneurs. Sneha shares her expertise in helping small business owners streamline their operations, emphasizing the need for a solid operational infrastructure. They discuss the significance of documenting processes through SOPs and how this can enhance efficiency and client experience.

The conversation touches on the use of AI tools to aid in business operations and creative tasks, showcasing how technology can support growth and efficiency in a business setting. They discuss various project management and CRM tools, the necessity of pre-qualifying clients, and the value of regular therapy for entrepreneurs - yes we cover it all in this conversation!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:46 Understanding Operations in Business

05:53 Building Operational Infrastructure

08:52 Client Success Pathway

12:03 Documenting Processes and SOPs

15:06 Leveraging AI Tools for Efficiency

17:56 Creative Tools and Their Impact

23:55 Understanding Client Language and Pain Points

27:41 Tools for Business Efficiency

36:10 Mapping Workflows for Success

40:12 Quickfire Questions and Final Insights

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

____

A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Discover SOFest HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

Follow Sneha on Instagram HERE

Connect with Sneha on Linkedin HERE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me, Kirsty, as I share insights into the planning and financial aspects of SoFest.

I share the exact costs of running the festival, how much money we have raised to date (4th April 2025) and how much of a financial hole there is.

I also share my excitement for the festival, the success of the impact tickets, who some of the sponsors are and the importance of community support.

I talk about value of attending SoFest for networking and personal growth, while also inviting listeners to join the inaugural festival.

If you are listening to this before 30th April 2025 there is still time to buy a ticket!!

SOFest headlines

1. 80 people are coming to SoFest, which is exciting.
2. The 'spreadsheet of greatness' helps track costs and revenue.
3. 73,000 pounds have been raised so far for the festival.
4. 7 Impact tickets have been funded.
5. The total cost of the festival is around 90,000 pounds, excluding my teams costs
6. Networking opportunities at SoFest can lead to valuable connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to SoFest

02:48 Funding and Financial Insights

06:08 Cost Breakdown and Financial Challenges

09:00 Community Support and Sponsorships

11:46 The Value of Attending SoFest

14:52 Final Thoughts and Invitation to SoFest

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

____

A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Key Links:

Book your tickets for SOFest HERE

Visit the School of Facilitation website HERE

Connect with me on Instagram HERE

Connect with me on Linkedin HERE

contact@schooloffacilitation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As business owners there are many common challenges we encounter, such as time management, financial planning, and the importance of having a clear vision and strategy. Working these out on our own can be lonely and quite frankly boring, with little fun.

Enter Ed Reid the MD of The Alternative Board, UK. This is a community aimed at alleviating the loneliness faced by SME owners and is in over 20 countries worldwide! Ed has wide-ranging knowledge from working with small businesses and supporting the owners, to helping them develop, grow, and stay sane.

Kirsty and Ed discuss the significance of accountability in business, the benefits of peer support, and the importance of planning for transitions. We also cover the significance of professionalizing a business and the various structures one can choose when starting a business.

These are some of the topics we discussed

Common Challenges Faced by Business Owners

Professionalizing Your Business

Setting Up a Business: Key Considerations

The Power of an External Board

The Importance of Accountability in Business

Combating Loneliness and Business Growth

I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.

__

A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.

You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.

Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.