The Dream Magazine

Align Loves: 11 Products We’ll Be Using All Summer

Alana — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:31:20 +0000

We’ve rounded up our fave products that every first-time business owner should have in their lives and in their office. From stress saving tech to sleep-enhancing supplements, you’ll be wanting to add all of these products to your shopping basket.

DEWCY Dew Believe In Magic Vit-C Radiance Beauty Balm

This waterless face balm helps to repair your skin barrier, whilst brightening and restoring radiance giving you that sunkissed glow all summer long.

Buy the DEWCY Dew Believe In Magic Balm

Hot Futures Sunglasses

With shades like these you’ll be everyones summer style inspo. There’s tons of different shapes colours and designs so whatever your vibe you’ll find a pair you love.

Buy the Hot Futures sunglasses

Ajouter Demi Confetti Tumbler Glass

These confetti tumblrs are perfect for any summer BBQ, no matter what you’re sipping on.

Buy the Ajouter Demi Confetti Tumbler Glass

Brows by Sarah Wow Brow

Wow Brow is 3 in 1 brow product with a regrowth property that instantly adds colour to your brow hair, whilst adding immediate definition with the built-in brow sculpt. It’ll keep your brows looking snatched even while sweating in the sunshine.

Buy Brows by Sarah Wow Brow

The Basket Room Handcrafted Bike Basket

Who doesn’t want to be cycling through the summer months with a super cute wicker bike basket to carry their freshly baked baguettes and handpicked flowers?

Buy the Basket Room Handcrafted Bike Basket

Partner in Wine Bottle

Wether you’re heading down to the beach or to a picnic in a park, the Partner in Wine insulated bottle will keep your rosé perfectly cool for all your alfresco drinking needs.

Buy the Partner in Wine Bottle

Deja Mind Balance

Your mind is your most powerful tool for running you business so looking after it should be a priority. Deja’s Mind balance is an adaptogenic blend of 11 Ayurvedic super-herbs which help you to combat stressful days, boost focus, and promote calm.

Buy Deja Mind Balance.

Puresport Unwind CBD & Nootropic Oil

Designed to optimise sleep quality and regulate a healthy sleep pattern, Puresport’s Unwind CBD & Nootropic Oil is your perfect nighttime partner.

Buy Puresport’s CBD & Nootropic Oil.

Fully Cora Standing Desk Converter

Equipping your office with a standing desk converter ensures that you’re looking after your body as you work. We love this one from Fully because it’s so versatile and easy to use.

Buy the Fully Cora Standing Desk Converter.

Ace & Tate Pierce Large Blue Light Glasses

These Ace & Tate blue light glasses will help you protect your eyes whilst you’re having screen time, plus you’ll look super stylish in these beautiful frames.

Buy the Ace & Tate Pierce Large glasses.

Dreamy Destinations for a UK Summer Staycation

Alana — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:18:46 +0000

Words by Priya Faith

While I’m a lover of international travel, the pandemic forced me to explore the sights of England in pursuit of a dreamy getaway. From glamping to luxe beachfront apartments, here are just six of my top picks for a summer staycation.

Kudhva, Tintagel, Cornwall

If you’re searching for an off-grid hideout by the coast, look no further than Kudhva of North Cornwall’s coast. Home to unique architectural cabins, tree tents, Shanti tipis and a Danish cabin for larger groups, you’ll truly be at one with nature at Kudhva. Zen vibes, guaranteed.

Prices start at £160 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kudhva/

Storrs Hall, Lake District

Located on a prime spot along Windermere, Storrs Hall is a charming Grade II* listed English country house boasting all the modern-day amenities for an indulgent stay. Thanks to top-class dining, excellent service, and plenty of things to do, you’ll never want to leave.

Prices start at £234 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/storrs_hall/

The Chalet Saunton, Saunton Sands, North Devon

Overlooking the beautiful beaches of Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows is the luxurious apart-hotel Chalet Saunton. Home to six luxury three-bedroom apartments and a two-bed penthouse with a private balcony, The Chalet will quickly become your home from home.

Prices start at £500 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chaletsaunton/

The Edinburgh Grand, Edinburgh

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, you’ll find a luxury all-apartment residence, The Edinburgh Grand. From open-plan apartments ideal for solo travellers and couples to a seriously impressive three-bed penthouse, The Edinburgh Grand is city living luxury at its best.

Prices start at £326 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chevalcollection/

The Headland Hotel, Newquay

Cornwall’s Headland Hotel should be on your radar if you’re looking for the ultimate Southwest spa break. Overlooking the picturesque Fistral beach, The Headland is a clifftop escape like no other. The best bit? Thanks to a £10 million renovation, you’ll have six pools to choose from before soothing your senses at the second-to-none spa.

Prices start at £390 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theheadlandcornwall/

The Bird, Bath

If a city break is a bit of you, Bath’s boutique hotel, The Bird, is sure to tick some boxes. At the historic mansion, you’ll find bright, avian-themed décor, highly recommended restaurant, Plate, and unique dining domes, dubbed ‘the place to be in Bath.’

Prices start at £119 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdbath_/

While the weather can be hit and miss, the UK is most definitely home to some dreamy destinations for your next staycation. The best bit? No airport chaos.

Tried and Tested: 4-Day Work Week

Alana — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:17:52 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed the headlines about 4-day work weeks. With trials taking place in the UK and businesses offering staff more flexibility than ever, many of us hope a 4-day work week will soon become the norm.

A wealth of research has shown that a 4-day work week can increase productivity, is better for the planet, boosts employee engagements and benefits families, particularly mothers.

As someone who’s adopted a 4-day work week for over a year now*, I’m sharing my experience.

About me

I’m a freelance writer & marketing consultant, and I typically work with 4-6 core clients at any time.

In April 2021, I trialled a 4-day work week for a month for an article I was writing. By the end of it, I was sold! Beforehand, the pandemic had killed my work-life balance, and I was working – albeit not very hard – 7 days a week. So, to reclaim my free time and sanity, I jumped at the chance to try a new way of working.

I took every Friday off for the trial, completely ignoring any emails and non-urgent tasks until Monday.

Work-life balance

Once upon a time, I wanted to be really, really rich. However, in recent years, I realised I wanted to be time-rich instead of cash-rich. As cliché as it sounds, we can always make more money, but time is something we can’t get back or buy.

It’s safe to say my mental health improved by having an extra 24 hours for myself each week. My Fridays quickly became a day to be completely selfish, filled with lazy mornings, yoga sessions and coffee dates. What made a real difference was that most of my friends were still working Fridays, so it felt like free time with no expectations from anyone else. In short, a 4-day work week made me noticeably happier.

Getting shit done

When I decided to pack my schedule into four days each week, I knew it would mean transforming the way I work. I’ve tried many productivity hacks and found what works for me. Now, I time-block each day, track my time and cut off all distractions to allow for deep work.

If you don’t like strict schedules like me, you might avoid time-blocking. However, my advice to you is to try it. Parkinson’s law is the adage that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” So, if you allow yourself an hour to complete a task that you could do in 30 minutes, it will take you an hour. Time-blocking is the perfect antidote.

Getting paid

It seems too good to be true when you hear people telling you that you can do less and earn more. However, I quickly found out that is indeed possible. In the 20/21 tax year, my total freelance income was £38,235.75. For the 21/22 tax year, it was £57,340.00.

Not only was I earning more, but my expenses halved as I no longer employed an assistant. The secret? By reducing my working capacity, I was more selective over clients and projects, prioritising work that gave me the highest return on my investment. Prioritising this way had a domino effect as working with higher-paying clients led to more high-paying work referrals. Side note; it’s true what they say, the lower the budget, the higher the audacity.

As a freelancer, I know that my work gives me much more flexibility than others. However, if you can trial a 4-day week or make it happen for your team, I highly recommend it!

*I’m a big believer in being transparent regarding business. In April 2022, I launched my new venture, Umara Jewellery. Leading to the launch, I was putting in more hours than usual and my 4-day week went out the window for a while.

Check out Umara Jewellery at https://weareumara.com/

Meet The Founders Bossing Their Own Biz While Managing Chronic Illnesses

Lucy — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 14:20:36 +0000

We spoke to three incredible business owners living with chronic illnesses about their experiences of entrepreneurship and illness, what strategies they use to help them day to day and what advice they have for fellow business owners with their own diagnosis.

Jessica Sophia Bruno is a creative content coach and founder of The Content Club. At 18 years old she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Jess said:

At 18 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, at 22 Interstitial Cystitis, at 25 SVT (heart condition) and now, at 30 I’ve got a High Blood Pressure and suffer with anxiety.

In contrast, at 18 I got my first events management job, at 22 I ran a thriving children’s event department for one of the largest cinema chains in the UK, at 25 I ran an award-winning marketing campaign which lead to sell out events and now at 30 I’m working for myself and guiding social media marketing campaigns and coaching services for small creative brands and businesses.

Unlike many others, It wasn’t the pandemic that thrust me into freelancing, though it did help. In December 2019 my health started rapidly declining, From January to March of 2020 I was off sick a lot and then hello pandemic, goodbye full time employment. (It was a blessing truly, I am so happy to be working on my own terms now). It took about a year to get into the swing of running my own biz whilst juggling my health, but it’s so worth it.

Spoiler, stepping into entrepreneurship didn’t heal me. In fact, it’s pushed my body to the limit a few times. Here’s somethings I’ve learnt along the way, some resources, some real and raw advice for achieving your dreams as an auto-immune warrior.

Set Boundaries

What are your triggers? Mine are stress, negativity and sitting down for too long. How can you avoid these at all costs? I’ve re-organised my packages to work around my health. For me that means more consulting and less “done for you” work.

Prioritise Your Biz

It’s easy to put your clients first, especially in the beginning because they’re actually giving you money. My biz came second and my health came 10385389th. It’s health first, then everything else. Always.

Have honest conversations with your clients

Before someone signs a contract with me for long term work I have “The Talk” with them. I tell them my intentions for the project and also explain the nature of my disease. So far, nobody has backed-out of working with me.

Give yourself strict opening hours

Do not be flexible here, even if you’ve been sick for a week but are feeling better over the weekend, do not work over the weekend. Personally I work from 10 to 6 pm from Monday to Thursday. I choose to start at 10 because my mornings are spent sorting out my pain levels or assessing how many hot water bottles I may need to have on hand.

Curate your community

Surround yourself with a support system. One who gets chronic illness and business, one of my 2021 goals is to create a community for women in business with chronic illness, but there are some great pages out there. I recommended following @youlookokaytome.

Have an emergency fund

If you can, save up to one month’s living costs and pop it in an emergency fund account. If you need to take a month off, money is one less thing to worry about.

Joe Mitton is the founder of health and fitness company MittFit. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease nearly 3 years ago and has since had the diagnosis changed to Wegner’s Vasculitis.

Joe said:

I am often asked how I manage to get so much done every day and how I live such an active lifestyle, even more so when they find out I live with a chronic condition but factoring in the intense work periods alongside structured rest periods is definitely the secret to my success.

The conditions affect me differently day to day but the biggest symptoms I suffer with are inflammation, chronic fatigue and a lack of appetite – things that are less than ideal when working in fitness! I can sometimes go long periods without eating because of the lack of appetite and this affects my focus and energy levels. To overcome this, I set timers for intense work periods and allow myself to rest afterwards. I also use homemade smoothies to keep my nutrient intake up – spinach, cucumber, ginger and water is my favourite recipe. This helps to reduce inflammation and also aids with digestion.

The hardest but most efficient way I have found of managing these symptoms is simply learning to accept them for what they are. I have very long days, a very busy life, I work a lot and I do 1-2 hours of intense exercise each day. This, combined with nowhere near enough food, would lead anyone to feel tired at the end of the day. Accepting the symptoms for what they are allows me to manage my life better, factor in power naps as and when I need them (anything 0-30 minutes is optimal, for me I have found 17 minutes is perfect).

Yuos’sima Dineen is founder of The Trauma Sanctuary, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia several years ago.

Yuos’sima said:

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and it completely re directed my whole life. It has been several years since that diagnosis, but I have made many changes. I have since got divorced and qualified to become a spiritual life coach, so I can live life on my own terms. For me it was a huge wake up call. I won’t say it’s been an overnight process, I’ve spent years doing inner work and identifying what created this and I’ve also had to make many routine changes. I now have a strict day to day structure in which I must honour my own well-being. It taught me that I must and always will be my number one priority.

Following my diagnosis I changed my whole life. I changed my eating to plant based, after discovering medical medium. I started reiki healing and meditation, in which I went onto become a quantum master healer and a spiritual life coach to help others. I also must honour my own well-being and put my own needs first. It’s been a journey of love for self. I completely changed any old habits and coping mechanisms that may not have been healthy and live a very well lifestyle.

Out of love for others going through this experience, I would advise buying my book The Truth to Trauma on Amazon. This can feel a very lonely path, but you are not alone. The reason I put my story out into the world was so that others can also start those shifts in their life as I did, to change their life. I deeply believe everything is a blessing and this is a opportunity to look at what our body is trying to tell us and how we are mis-aligned with ourselves. One of the things I would say is this a deep inward journey and you have the opportunity to become a better leader by showing up for yourself. It’s a new paradigm of leadership in which we have the opportunity to change, to stop sacrificing our well-being in order to serve others. So rather than your business being an example of the legacy you want to create in this world. Be a true leader by healing yourself. That is what I have to say. You are worthy of that. It is possible.

Queer Biz Icons – G(end)er Swap Founder Santi Sorrenti

Alana — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 14:51:00 +0000

G(end)er Swap is is the first LGBTIQ+ clothing outreach organisation that supports trans and gender non-conforming individuals to access clothes and community via style workshops, pop ups and consultancy. We chatted with founder Santi Sorrenti about the inspo behind the business, the highs and lows of running it and what's in store for the future.

What inspired you to create G(end)er Swap?

I always thrifted my clothes and worked on DIY projects to create my own outfits. When I was questioning my gender and wanted to experiment with my expression, I turned to charity shops to find my clothes because high street shops often barred me from using the men’s change room and clothes were out of price range for finding an entirely new wardrobe. In 2017, before I started G(end)er Swap, I was looking for queer clothes swaps or clothing organisations at a time when I felt a lot of gender confusion, needed a space to meet like-minded individuals and to freely express myself. I couldn’t find much besides one off clothing swap events at universities. So, I decided to combine my style experiences, creative tendencies and a need for more gender affirming spaces to create G(end)er Swap!

What makes you different from other clothing swap initiatives?

G(end)er Swap started off as a clothes swap initiative in 2017 but since then, it has evolved into a clothing outreach organisation. G(end)er Swap doesn’t only put on clothes swap events, but we also deliver style support services: workshops to learn how to find your personal sense of style, how to up-cycle your clothes or how to apply makeup. G(end)er Swap is the first and only style outreach organisation of its kind in the UK (and Europe). Our mission is to support trans and gender non-conforming individuals to find clothes and community while equipping the wider LGBTIQ+ community with the creative knowledge to put together their own gender affirming wardrobe with a sustainable and anti-mainstream approach.

What do you think it is about your brand that resonates with your audience?

G(end)er Swap is very much anti- fashion as it promotes the idea that there is no such thing as something being ‘in’ or ‘out’ of style. We also maintain that any gender can wear whatever they want and that expressing yourself doesn’t have to be expensive, ‘trendy’ or fit into any particular (gender) norm. The fashion world is an intimidating place that doesn’t prioritise LGBTIQ+ bodies or experiences and so G(end)er Swap provides a safe alternative for gender-diverse audiences to explore their expression -free of judgment and with inclusive resources. G(end)er Swap is also a community building initiative and very much a share economy in which community members exchange style knowledge, clothes and other skills between each other at events and across our online platforms. Our brand really invites everyone in to participate. This non-hierarchical approach really resonates with our audiences. I think also G(end)er Swap is fun, quirky and a bit fringe in its approach to (DIY) style: neon orange branding, quirky style hack videos and events that push the usual queer event blueprint – this is compelling to a lot of our followers.

Do you have any tips for other brands wanting to connect on a deeper level with their audiences?

Include your audiences in the work that you do. Platform other voices besides your own and really think ‘outside the box’ in terms of what content you are delivering. Particularly on social media, we sometimes feel coerced into following a particular online trend thinking that it is the only way to draw audiences in. I really recommend you focus on your own unique rhetoric, visual media and resources that don’t just mimic the information that’s already out there.

Accessibility is also a big factor. To connect on a deeper level to your audiences it’s important that you are relatable, affordable and in touch with current issues. Your audiences want to see that you are a ‘real’ person too and that you have factored in diverse experiences and identities into your work. With pride season arriving this is particularly important! Don’t just slap a rainbow flag on an Instagram infographic but create spaces for folks to thrive, share their knowledge and feel part of something big.

Tell us a bit more about the types of events G(end)er Swap have put on in the past and the kind you want to put on in the future

Since its inception G(end)er Swap has put on 100’s of events! Some of the most memorable events have been in collaboration with LUSH Cosmetics (in England and Wales) where we have put on clothes swap events, makeup and self-care workshops too. The events were in store and private spaces were allocated to trans folks to experiment with their expression. G(end)er Swap has also collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on private makeup events as well as in person and online style events in collaboration with Oxford Pride, Pride Cymru, Nomadic Youth and Mermaids to name a few. The events have taught folks how to find a gender affirming style, how to mend their clothes, how to create your own DIY patches or to create a new garment using old ones. One event I’d love to put on in the future is a G(end)er Swap fashion show!

What's the biggest challenge you've overcome with running your own biz?

The biggest challenge I have overcome is honestly running my own business. Prior to G(end)er Swap, the closest I got to running something on my own was when I worked as a freelance makeup artist. However, running G(end)er Swap was my first stab at being a biz owner and I have learned so much! From managing funding applications, to creating social media content, managing press enquiries, stock takes, event planning and marketing – you name it. I really feel like I overcame such a scary task to develop the organisation of my dreams.

How do you like to relax and Align yourself as a biz owner?

I really like to get out of my daily environment and go traveling: see something new, experience new foods and sensory experiences in a completely different geographical location. I really like to take time outs from my phone and work on creative up cycling projects on my down time. Dancing, connecting with friends and exercising is really important for me to do on my days off. I really enjoy researching new interests too. Intellectually it feels nourishing but it also informs the work that I do so I can come back with more new and exciting ideas when the time is right. Taking breaks and resting is something I often have to remind myself to do but it’s a much more sustainable way to carry on long term and to avoid burn out.

What's the big dream for G(end)er Swap?

To be globally renowned, to have physical locations where folks can pick up clothes and receive ongoing style support, to engage with various creative institutions to change the way they write policies and create inclusive environments for trans folks. To develop my consultancy work which supports businesses to create more trans inclusive retail environments. Is that too much?

Check out G(end)er Swap on Instagram here, and head to their website at https://genderswap.org/.

What I Learned From Surrendering Into My Sensitivity

Alana — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:46:35 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I declared that I thought I was ‘too sensitive for this shit’. This shit being business.

A series of unfortunate events tested me, stretched me, and made me more uncomfortable than I have ever felt. But, it turns out it’s a little something called growth, and hey, if the universe is planning a breakthrough for me, at least I can see the path that I needed to walk to get there.

So yes, I am sensitive, but I am choosing to surrender into it.

I’ve been told over the years that I am too loud, too emotional, too much, so too sensitive is just another to add to the list. But, the truth is, I am not too much of anything, and neither are you. So, if this resonates then this piece is for you, and, not as though you need one, but it is also your permission slip to do business exactly how you want to.

It has become the social norm that to succeed, we need to have a thick skin and to toughen up, to be hardy and able to withstand these gusts of wind that come our way. I get it, I do, but there is room for both, the duality of being soft and sensitive while being someone in business who knows what they want.

You can be both.

But, you don’t get told this, and working in spaces and places with strong masculine energies – think sales and media, fast-paced and ever-changing environments – leads you to believe that you have to hide those sensitivities, and become a version of yourself that is tougher, bolder, bigger, and sturdier.

I believed this for such a long time, ten years in fact, and it wasn’t until I got more curious about who I was and how I worked as a person that I realised that I could decide. There is so much power in that. And, the sad thing is that it takes so long to undo those thoughts and those feelings – shout out to two weeks ago and my business wobbles.

There is another thing I want to mention; about 18 months ago, someone told me about Human Design. A theory and a methodology rooted in astrology and the type of person we are and the traits that we hold. I started to learn more about it – I am a 5/1 Generator if you’re interested – and I began to write my own rules. Rules about how I operated, the processes in my business, how I interacted with clients, and the pace at which this all happens.

Setting up my own company gave me the autonomy I needed to work with my energy, my sensitivity, and use it to my advantage. I truly believe it is just that, an advantage.

My business is built around comms and copy, and developing this business has been a journey. Effable started as me freelancing alongside a job, getting clients and building up a portfolio outside of the worlds I had worked in. When I finally took the plunge to take it full time, it was exhilarating, but it was easy to fall into those hard- skinned habits.

It’s a work in progress, and it is something I have to make a conscious effort to change and choose every single day. Being sensitive allows me to connect with my clients on a deeper level, it means I get to feel into their brand and how they operate, and it means I get to choose. I choose who I work with based on energy and alignment. Instead of working with outdated agency models and impossible deadlines, I set the pace, and I get to use my emotions and my intuition to work with brands that care and understand the importance of emotion and depth and feeling.

I am still working on it, but what a wonder and what a privilege.

My sensitivity is no longer something I have to hide or mask; it is something that I can surrender into, and that I can use within the work I do and the things I create. Don’t get me wrong; I am still learning, or rather, unlearning, and changing the habits of a lifetime isn’t something that can be done overnight, but I am enjoying leaning into the softer sides and creating a business that goes against the grain of the
industry.

Alongside that, it’s things like crafting my own schedule, taking time out to go for a walk instead of working solidly for eight hours in a room with no windows, and allowing myself time for reading, for self-development, for moving my body.

The clients I work with are impact-driven, and I think that helps. I work with people who value people and the planet over profit, which facilitates a more human approach.

Surrendering into sensitivity looks like slowness, softness, and holding space for clients. It is a relationship and a partnership, rather than me working for them, and this is something I have craved for so long.

I will always be sensitive, and I will always be soft, but I am also loud and bold, I am creative, and I can be impulsive.

There are so many sides to me and my business, and I am unapologetic.

Check out Effable’s Instagram here and head to their website at https://www.itiseffable.com/

Is Instagram actually dead? We ask the experts

Lucy — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 22:06:25 +0000

Millions of people launched businesses during the pandemic and successfully grew them using Instagram. We learnt 'tried and tested' methods for marketing our products and services using the app, but now those same methods just don't seem to be working, prompting many biz owners to: A tear their hair out, B: make the move to Tik Tok, and C: ask the question, is Instagram dead? We ask the experts what the hell is going on with Instagram right now, and how can we continue to promote ourselves on an app more fickle than the occupants of Casa Amor?

Abby Thomas, (@dirtyworkdigital) said:
Instagram is dead, that’s what every other person keeps saying right? But the thing is, Instagram was the most downloaded app in quarter 4 last year. It has over 2 billion monthly users to the app.(Stats from sproutsocial)

Personally, I don’t feel that it’s dead. But it’s DEFINITELY having an identity crisis. The app is evolving, it’s felt the need to evolve with the way that user experience has changed. We have spent the last 2 years scrolling on our phones whilst being locked down in our homes.

We’ve been desperate to find any kind of quick hit of dopamine and for a lot of us that’s been in the form of scrolling social media. We as humans lead fast paced busy lives, we want quick ingestible content that grabs our attention straight away or we’re scrolling on by.

We did that. And Instagram adapted. Yes I feel that other social media apps heavily influenced Instagram but they knew what the user wanted. I think right now Instagram is in a big testing phase and they’re confused.

But I don’t necessarily feel it’s a bad thing, we’re all in the same boat with it, we can start to release this need for the vanity metrics, and create from a place of testing, and having fun again. There’s always been this constant need to reach new eyes on Instagram, but what about the eyes you have on you already? Your audience, focus on creating community and nurturing the people that are already there for you. Start creating from a place that doesn’t feel super polished and feels more documented and more well, real LIFE.

Your audience are there for YOU, Adam Mosseri of Instagram has mentioned the app is pushing original content, whilst we don’t know the details of this just yet, what we do know is that this gives businesses a time to really step into their own voice and think outside of the box when it comes to their content. It’s a time to start thinking about what makes you and your business unique, and finding a way to put an original spin on your content in a way that feels good. Because that’s what people want to see, more life, more originality and less of the perfect.

Alice Benham, Business & Marketing Strategist (@alice_benham) said:

‘Instagram changing isn’t a new topic – it’s something I’ve seen people moaning about since I stepped into business 6 years ago. And I get it, when a platform rely on to grow your business changes it can feel frustrating, confusing and overwhelming in equal measure… but surely our energy is better spent focussing on the solution, not the problem?

Whenever we feel panicked about our businesses we’re being shown one of our weak spots, so if Instagram changing has got you feeling worried, that tells me you likely haven’t got a diverse strategy… aka you’re solely relying on one platform and one approach. It’s an easy trap to fall into, but it’s also one that’ll set you up for short term and unsustainable success.

The reality is one marketing strategy will never work forever – the way people use social media is constantly evolving so, whether we like it or not, our approach needs to follow suit. We’re only human for feeling a little bummed out that things are changing (I often let myself have a little pity party at first!) but it’s important to choose to to see it as an opportunity to try something new, diversify our approach and ultimately, learn.

Social Media Expert Mazarine Ayina (@strategieswithcare) said:
‘My top tip to business owners marketing on Instagram is remember that people always want to know more! A great way to share value is carousels, carousels are super underrated and personally provide me the best engagement and most saves, because people always want to know more, people are nosy lol. Reels are great but I always recommend converting your most engaging videos and carousels into 3-5 slide carousels. I would recommend businesses to have more videos where they are talking to their audience, as the algorithm has shifted again and Instagram wants us to post more original content. I always tell my clients to use the 60/40 rule when it comes to video content, 60% should be original, 40% should be trending sounds. Having that variety is very important.”

Social media expert Ella Gilchrist (@sociellauk) said:

Instagram has been going through a million and one changes recently so it’s no surprise that business owners are feeling fatigued with the platform. If you’re feeling the pressure and find yourself wondering ‘WTF is going on?’ then I recommend taking a step back. It’s so easy to be continually working IN our businesses, that we sometimes forget to pause, reflect and reset.

Go back to basics and write down what your goals are for Instagram. Remind yourself of what you are trying to achieve.

Don’t make it complicated for yourself and keep it simple with questions like:

Who are you trying to target?

What are you offering? What will the transformation be if people choose to buy from you or work with you?

Why should people buy from you/work with you?

How are you going to share this with your audience?

Remember that Instagram is favouring ‘original’ content so have a think about how you can share your personality, your individuality and what makes you, YOU!

Brighton Beach House Launches

Lucy — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 15:36:47 +0000

One of the world's most famous members clubs has finally landed in Brighton after much anticipation. Located on Madeira Drive in a prime beach-front location overlooking Brighton pier, Brighton Beach House is the members’ club from Soho House group with spaces to eat, drink and relax, a dipping pool with a terrace looking out to sea, and event spaces.

One of the many reasons we love living in Brighton is 365 days a year holiday vibes. From the beach to the vibrant night life to the colourful cafes and shops, living here sometimes feels like a permanent vacation.

One thing our amazing city was yet to offer is a boujie rooftop pool destination – enter Brighton Beach House. Most definitely bringing the boujie vacay vibes, the new venue is absolutely stunning both inside and out. Think art-deco Miami beach style with retro- plush furniture, plenty of palm trees, sun-loungers and mint-striped awnings.

Clever decor touches such as scalloped edges of parasols nodding to beach hut architecture, colour schemes mimicking Brighton seafront railings, and a collection of fun quirky artworks by local residents give the venue a whimsical feel. The two-floor venue somehow still feels very Brighton.

In fact, the artworks are one of our favourite parts of the venue, especially the David Shrigley banana mosaic on the bottom of the banana shaped dipping pool.

Brighton Beach House’s art collection includes ‘The Brighton Beacon Collection’, guest curated by Queer art specialist Gemma Rolls-Bentley. The Beacon collection comprises of work from an international line up of LBGTQIA+ artists and is a love letter to Brighton as a historical beacon city for the queer community.

And what of the food offering at Brighton Beach House? The good-time holiday vibes continue at Cecconi’s restaurant on the rooftop.

Serving authentic Venetian-inspired dishes using the finest ingredients, Club Cecconi’s is the UK’s first in-House Cecconi’s restaurant. It features a mix of dining and lounge-style seating, and its regularly rotating menu offers restaurant favourites such as Spaghetti Lobster in a puttanesca sauce, Chicken Milanese, Rigatoni Bolognese, and melt-in-your-mouth Tuna Tartare.

Founded in 1995 by Nick Jones, Soho House is a home for interesting and diverse people to come together,
share ideas, make connections and foster creativity in all its forms. Today there are members and Houses
around the world, and the first UK Soho House by the sea has been designed as a comfortable home away
from home for Brighton’s thriving creative community.

To find out more about memberships with Brighton Beach House, visit their website here.

Hotel Review: Port Hotel in Eastbourne

Alana — Fri, 27 May 2022 13:34:08 +0000

We recently paid a visit to Port Hotel, a beautifully chic seaside bolthole in Eastbourne, and we’re ready to give you the low-down on what to expect from a stay at this beachfront hotel.

Location

We’re calling it now – Eastbourne is severely underrated. After our visit, we were left wondering where it’s getting its bad rep from, with its laid-back, almost tropical vibe making us feel like we were in Spain at some points. The beachfront and surrounding areas are decked out with vibrant greenery and flowers that look like they belong on a sandy sun-drenched island, and there are quaint ice cream stalls and parlours dotted about that give off major beach holiday vibes. In the town, there are plenty of food and drink gems, with independent wine bars, relaxed brunch spots, bustling cocktail bars and à la carte restaurants. There are also a ton of different activities you can try out in Eastbourne, from walking tours of the South Downs to contemporary art gallery visits to giving adventurous watersports a go. You’re certainly not going to run out of spots to try out or things to do if you’re there for a few days.

Overall vibe

Port’s vibe is super-calming, with its pebble-palette interiors leaving you feeling laid back whether you’re relaxing in your room, in the lounge or on the terrace. The hotel’s attention to detail both with design and amenities makes you feel seriously pampered, and lets you feel completely at peace knowing you’ve got every little thing you could need. We left feeling completely rejuvenated as if we’d had the best massage of our lives. Port most definitely passes the vibe check.

Bedrooms

Port’s bedrooms are the stuff of dreams. Thanks to our sea-facing views, the rooms were always beautifully light, helping to emphasise the tranquility of the pastel-painted walls and furniture. The bathrooms were as well-lit as the bedroom and the shower alone made the visit to Port incredible, with its waterfall head making you feel as though you’re in a Herbal Essences advert, plus we need to find out where they got their matte stone sinks from because having one of our own is now an absolute must. Back in the bedroom, the beds were so ridiculously comfortable, and the duvet so wonderfully soft that getting out of them in the morning was an incredibly difficult job. The best thing about Port’s bedrooms were all the little touches, from eye masks and earplugs next to the beds, to binoculars by the window, to coffee pods and camomile tea, every addition made us feel seriously well looked after.

Food & drink

Port’s food menu is designed to celebrate local produce and changes with the seasons. Each dish features freshly sourced ingredients that showcase the best of the surrounding areas, with as much as possible being sourced within a 30-mile radius of Port. It’s safe to say we’re still dreaming of their brunch dishes, which we enjoyed whilst basking in the sun out on the terrace. Every ingredient was bursting with flavour and was perfectly cooked and seasoned, making us vow to return so that we can try out more of their menu. We also couldn’t get enough of Port’s drinks menu. Thanks to their happy hour, which offers 2-4-1 cocktails 4-7pm Sunday-Thursday and 4-6pm Friday and Saturday, we got to try out four of their delicious concoctions – but even picking that many was difficult with every cocktail on the menu sounding incredible. As well as cocktails, the Luna bar offers a huge variety of local spirits, beer and wine, and is an area of the hotel you can easily spend hours in, sipping on a glass of something whilst watching the world go by.

The verdict

Port should absolutely be a destination on your weekend-away list. With a location that allows you to make the most of nature, a town that boasts tons of great hidden gems, and a space that doesn’t skip on a single detail, it’s a place you’ll never want to leave and will always want to come back to.

Visit Port’s website at https://www.porthotel.co.uk/ and check out their Instagram at @stayatport.

Queer Biz Icons – Clothes Before Bros Founder Laura Ella Griffiths

Alana — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 14:41:50 +0000

Her sustainable clothing brand unites fierce feminism with ethical and environmental entrepreneurship and fashion, a combination that saw her business go viral overnight. Lucy chats with Clothes Before Bros founder Laura Ella Griffiths to talk all about her badass biz, how it became a viral TikTok sensation, and how Laura's ADHD affects her as a business owner.

What inspired you to launch Clothes Before Bros?

I was inspired to launch Clothes Before Bros when studying Sociology at college in 2019, at that time in my life becoming a public speaker was an ambition of mine, focusing on feminist issues which had been bought to light during studying. I designed some female empowerment slogan t-shirts to sell via a print-on-demand t-shirt company with the hopes of building an audience on social media. Soon after launching I became aware of the exploitation of garment workers and the environmental effects of fast fashion – I did not want to contribute towards this! I took the plunge and invested in Clothes Before Bros, buying machinery to print my own t-shirts and sustainably sourcing tee’s from deadstock. Fast forward to 2022 and in addition to our sustainable feminist slogan t-shirts & accessories, we are working on creating our first collection which is ethically made from purely deadstock and vintage materials and size inclusive!

What makes you different from other clothing brands?

Too often we come across fast fashion brands selling female empowerment slogan t-shirts, unbeknown to the customers that the garment workers are most certainly not empowered, they’re exploited and earning as little as £73 per month in Bangladesh. At Clothes Before Bros we do things ethically as well as sustainably and we know our garment workers personally and all of which are paid a living wage. We also sell vintage Levi’s denim jeans and vintage leather trousers for £5 with the hopes to make sustainable fashion more accessible. In addition to this, we are a size inclusive brand! Our new collection is available in sizes 4 – 26 and we stock vintage jeans in 22” – 56” waist.

You've gone viral on Tik Tok! What do you think it is about your brand that resonates with your audience?

We went viral on TikTok back in 2020, this has opened so many doors for us as a small brand, I’m so glad that I made the choice to ignore the fact that people I know may see me and laugh! I think Clothes Before Bros resonates with people because we all want to do our part for the planet and we have given people the opportunity to do so, without breaking the bank! We know that style is just as important to people as sustainability, we have mastered the art of both! We also continue important conversation through our feminist slogan t-shirts, education is a huge part of our brand. We have recently launched a series on Instagram called ’Taboo Tuesday’, on which we discuss female taboo topics to break down stigmas.

Do you have any tips for other brands wanting to connect on a deeper level with their audiences?

My top tips for TikTok would be consistency and the four E’s – emotion, educate, entertain and engage. We pre plan all of our content and try to record videos in bulk, this really helps with the pressure of posting consistently. The four E’s have really helped us grow on the platform too, ways to capture your audiences attention are ‘emotion’, don’t be worried about being your true self, people love that and customers tend to buy from people rather than the brand itself. ‘Educate’ your audience on your niche, provide value before the potential customer has even purchased a product, this will build trust. Provide entertainment and make people laugh, this will help people get to know you and who doesn’t love to laugh?! Lastly, engage.. be sure to add ‘call to actions’ to your videos, prompt viewers to comment on the video, share with friends and save for later. If they do comment, reply to them and start building relationships.

Why is sustainability important to you, and do you have any tips for other fashion brands looking to become more sustainable?

Sustainability is important to us because we don’t want to contribute to the £140million worth of clothes which get sent to landfill each year by the UK alone. We believe in a circular economy and with this urge all fashion brands out there to think about the resources needed to create the fabrics they use and instead use fabrics which already exist – there is enough of them!

How does having ADHD impact you as a biz owner?

ADHD certainly impacts me as a business owner, it definitely has its pro’s and con’s – on a good day I can get the same amount of stuff done that someone else can do in a whole week. But on a bad day, it can be super difficult to concentrate at all, especially since my office is at home. Since being diagnosed in 2019 I have learnt so much about myself and now have strategies to combat certain issues which arise. I have learnt to listen to myself and take things at a much slower pace. Self care is a huge part of my life now and it helps me overcome problems I face, a personal favourite is meditation before sleep and ‘mind dumping’ all of my thoughts onto a page. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by my to-do list and could easily procrastinate, but putting pen to paper is like therapy for me.

What's the biggest challenge you've overcome with running your own biz?

One of the biggest problems I have faced is trying to do everything as a small business. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of comparing your business to competitors without taking into consideration that we are on different journeys, probably with different goals and with different staff, budgets, products etc.. I have always been an impatient person and tend to want everything right now. This journey has taught me that what’s for you will find you and to concentrate on what I’m doing rather than what others are doing.

How do you like to relax and Align yourself as a biz owner?

I’m a workaholic, so downtime to me isn’t all that relaxing and is often not at the top of my priority list. I find myself trying to take downtime and reading books about business or creating posts on Canva for Instagram or planning my work week.. I have realised that this is not relaxing and in order to truly unwind I have to take my head completely out of the game. This usually involves having a break from my phone and socials, not checking emails and relaxing with my family. I love pampering, so a pamper night in front of the TV is absolute heaven for me.

What's the big dream for Clothes Before Bros?

The goal for Clothes Before Bros is growth! I want everyone to know that sustainable fashion does not need to cost an absolute fortune, nor is it for certain body types either. We’re paving the way for inclusive, accessible and sustainable feminist fashion.