319: Recalibrate to recalibrate your marketing | Lucy Shrimpton

“How do I know if it’s my marketing… or me?”

Something I see ALL the time as a content marketer and business owner.

We’re so quick to jump to:“I need a better strategy”“I need to post more”“I need to fix my marketing”

But what if… it’s not that?

What if the real shift comes from recalibrating you first?

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Lucy Shrimpton to dive into what it actually means to recalibrate yourself so your marketing can truly land.

We talk about the difference between chasing strategies vs checking in with your energy, your belief, and how you’re showing up in your business.

So if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” but something still feels off… this episode is your sign to pause, reflect, and realign.

If you LOVED this episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram stories and tag us @contentqueenmariah and @iamlucyshrimpton.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LEARN THE DETAILS OF A CONTENT STRATEGY WITH MY FREE AUDIO GUIDE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS 👇

✨ Why it’s not always a strategy problem (and what’s really going on)

✨ The importance of recalibrating yourself before your marketing

✨ How your energy and belief directly impact your results

✨ Why building a business without clarity can lead to burnout or misalignment

SHOW RESOURCES 👇

If you like this episode, don't forget to share it to your Instagram stories and tag me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @contentqueenmariah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Other than that, enjoy - chat next week 💕

ABOUT THE GUEST 👇

Introducing inspirational thought leader, positive psychology coach and sleep expert, Lucy Shrimpton who has helped thousands of people to regain their nights and optimize their days! Lucy is passionate about helping people to live in a state of peak well-being so that they experience increased happiness, vibrance and personal power.

As founder of The Sleep Nanny® franchise, Lucy has more than a decade of experience troubleshooting sleep challenges as an author, speaker, trainer and mentor. She combines insights from positive psychology, sleep science and stress management to help entrepreneurs and parents to up-level their performance, productivity and success.

Lucy founded the well-being and empowerment brand, Born To Be Brilliant®, to bring brilliant minds together and empower people with the knowledge, tools and accountability to unblock and unlock the brilliance they were born with, or, as Lucy calls it, their inner diamond!

PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

This is episode 319, and we're talking all about recalibrating to recalibrate Your marketing with Lucy Shrimpton. Welcome to the Content Queen Podcast. I'm your host Mariah, entrepreneur storyteller, digital nomad, creative content bootcamp, and founder of Content Queen. With over 10 years experience in marketing, this podcast is here to help you create the ideal marketing plan for you and your business, blending strategy and storytelling.

So let's get into it. Hello, gang. All right. I'm filming from a new place in the bus. I have a light hanging on by a thread, but this is the standup desk situation, so let's see how it goes. But this week's episode is kind of going back to that mindset stuff that I, I had recently done in previous months going through, you know, consistency and how it's also about believing in what you do and what you offer and all the things.

And Lucy was someone that reached out to me. To come on and talk about this because she really talks about [00:01:00] recalibrating yourself. And I feel like this is perfect for what I was talking about because often we do need to check in to see, okay, how am I feeling about what I'm sharing? How do I feel? And then projecting that out into your marketing.

'cause a lot of times we go into like. The everyday routine of just posting on socials or doing what we do every single day or every single month, whatever that looks like, without checking in and seeing like how you feel about it. Because it is okay to change the way in which you market, the way in which you create content.

I mean, I'm always questioning it 'cause I always have moments where I'm like. Not sure. That's if I'm resonating with that anymore. So it's, it's perfectly okay to do that, right? It's so normal to want to change and mix things up actually. It's what makes things fun and creative. And obviously I spoke last week about consistency and talking about what you do and repetition.

This is a way to, yeah, find, bring more life into what you do and what you talk about. So let's introduce Lucy, who is a thought. Inspirational thought leader, positive psychology [00:02:00] coach and sleep expert who's helped thousands of people to regain their nights and optimize their days. Lucy is passionate about helping people to live in a state of peak wellbeing so that they experience increased happiness.

Vibrance and personal power, which we love. As the founder of the Sleep Nanny franchise, Lucy has more than a decade of experience troubleshooting sleep challenges. As an author, speaker, trainer, and mentor, she combines insights from positive psychology, sleep science, and stress management to help entrepreneurs and parents to level up their performance, productivity, and success.

Lucy founded that Wellbeing and Empowerment brand, born to be brilliant, to bring brilliant minds together and empower people with knowledge, tools, and accountability to unblock and unlock the brilliance they were born with. And as Lucy calls it, they're in a diamond. Amazing. So perfect person to talk about, recalibrating yourself, to recalibrate your marketing.

So let's Chi Chat with Lucy. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Well, thank you so much, 

Mariah: [00:03:00] Lucy, for joining me. I'm so excited to have you on the show. Before we kick off, uh, you, when you emailed me, you said you've been in business for 26 years, which is amazing. So I'd love to know how you got to where you are now. How did it all start? 

Lucy Shrimpton: I know 26 years sounds crazy.

It's nearly 27 years, basically my whole adult life, I think, really. Um, and yeah, it's quite, it's quite a journey. Um, so I started in business in my late teens. Um, this and that really. So I, I was born into sort of an entrepreneurial family, and in those early stages of being in business, I was doing a bit of DJing.

I was singing, I was hosting karaoke nights, and that then ended up turning into a bit more of an agency and production company. So even though it started off as me doing these bits, I was, I'd be doing them whilst working a day job. Briefly back when I think last time I was employed was [00:04:00] 20, 21 or more years ago now.

So a long time, um, it turned into something. It was real passion. So I started to create, I'd have visions of like creating shows and acts and productions, and I would put them together and then I would market them, and then we would go and get paid to do what we love, which is the best thing, right? So that's kind of the early roots of me in business.

And it's a good job we did because, um, it was around the time we had two children, so we had two under two and that business, so I was stepping out of it a little bit and the business kept going, which was great. Um, but then, you know, you, you go into another season of life. So as a new mom, I had different interests and then I had this new.

Idea to change the world through better sleep. I had a baby and a toddler and sleep's a big deal. So, um, the next business was born from that stage and phase of [00:05:00] my life. Now that business is still going to this day. Um, I'm the founder and CEO, but I'm not the managing director there anymore. Um, but you know, it's, it's a real passion of mine.

And what's the quick story? 'cause this could be a long story, but the quick story of where I am now and how the dots are joined is actually through all of that. And everything I've ever done has always really had a golden thread of human optimization being the best US that we can be living life to the absolute fullest and, and loving it and you know, doing what you love and feeling joy in all of that.

And. When I was working with parents and helping them with children's sleep, that's what that was for. It was like, I don't want them to be muddling through, um, you know, forgetting these precious years 'cause they're not in a good state. I don't want these little kids to not be at their best in terms of health and happiness and everything.

So I, it was all about like, they can be [00:06:00] better, they could, they could be experiencing life better, let's help them. Then it was training. Sleep consultants. So it was, well, they can go and make this impact in the world and I can help them to be amazing at that. And so it is just been a natural evolution and now it's more entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and business owners and leaders and helping them to sort out usually what's going on within them so that they can have the best version of success.

So that's the very quick whistle stop tour, um, of really my life in business. 

Mariah: I love it. I love it. Uh, sorry, when you were talking, I had this, I've got this really interesting bug that flew in my window. It's hanging out near the window. I hope it finds its way out. I don't know if it's like a giant wasp. I don't know.

It looks 

Lucy Shrimpton: 97% of the world's deadliest. 

Mariah: Yeah. There as well. Yeah, of course we do. And oh my god, that is so big. I don't know what that is. Anyway, we'll just hope it finds its way out. All right. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah. We don't have that kind of thing in this [00:07:00] mundane country. 

Mariah: Oh, okay. It's flying near me. Right. I really hope it stays at bay.

But I absolutely love your story because I think it really does come down to the crust of like what you wanna help people with. And what you wanted to do, of course, is like, do what you love and live your best life. And I think like at the end of the day, um, having that why it doesn't like. Your business journey has really like evolved towards like where you're at in life.

And I think that's a really nice reminder of like, it's okay when that happens. 'cause I imagine there are so many times when you're like, oh my God, my life has changed so much. I'm now a mom and I've got all these things and like I'm not doing the things that I used to do or, um. And, but you've always like, had it come back to, I guess, your overall purpose, which is like really helping people, um, you know, enjoy life.

Especially when you were doing sort of like the entertainment stuff as well. It's like, it's all about just enjoying what we're doing. And I absolutely love that because I think at the end of the day, no matter, uh, I'm reading this really interesting book about, you know, what are the jobs to be done, um, when we are like marketing or selling our services and yeah, what, what [00:08:00] are we kind of competing against?

And I think it's like, rather than the. Obvious thing that we could be competing against it just direct competitors. It's like all the things that make up life. And I think a lot of the times, you know, uh, at the end of the day why people hire or employ people or work with people is so that they could better themselves at the end of the day.

So I think like connecting back to that why is so. Powerful. And I, I absolutely love that. And I mean, you talked about when we, we had a conversation about this episode that like, when we're marketing ourselves, and I imagine you've had so much experience and you've seen like the landscape change so much in terms of marketing from just like, you know, maybe, um, more traditional marketing of like putting flyers up or word of mouth or all those things to now like having these massive platforms that can reach a million people or.

Millions of people, um, just from a single post, which obviously is not always a reality, it just doesn't happen like that. But, um, you know, we've got these social media tools and it can feel like we're almost playing this game, like this performative game of like, what does this social media platform want?

What [00:09:00] does that algorithm want? And I'd love to unpack that a little bit. Like how are you seeing what's happening in the online? Space And how has that sort of compared to what you've seen over the years, I'm just really curious to know like from your perspective of, you know, nearly 27 years in business, like what have you seen change and how do you see these sort of like algorithms and us playing the game sort of impact our business?

Lucy Shrimpton: I know. It is crazy, isn't it? And I think back to even, you know, as a child, I had a dad who was in business and, um, he, he would be baffled by what we see today. He sadly passed away when he was only 49, but he, there was no social media in his lifetime. We only just had, uh, the internet and some ability to message people online, like not even MSN Messenger like it was that long ago.

So he would be. You know, like what, how you can market yourself like that, like that's alien and that, that does blow my mind. Um, but yeah, when I started in business, we had [00:10:00] Facebook. I mean, the very early days, it was MySpace, but Facebook was there. Um, and my goal initially was like, okay, I need to, I need to create a presence on Facebook.

And, and that was it. There wasn't Instagram, TikTok or anything else. Um. But what I think is really interesting and what, how things have changed, I think we, it is amazing. There's no doubt about it. It is amazing that we all do have so much access. So it's like leveled the playing field. It's not now a case of you've got to have huge, huge budgets to get on TV advertising.

Um, it's not reserved for big, big brands, anybody. Has an opportunity. Um, but with that comes a lot of noise and mixed quality and our attention spans have got smaller than ever. Um, so to actually, I think once it was seven impressions you needed to make before somebody buys, [00:11:00] and now it. Well, last time I heard it was 21, but it's probably about 50 by now.

Who knows? It's just, it's extreme. Um, so it's not, it's, it is more accessible, but I wouldn't say it's easier and something I've definitely seen in the past, probably eight years or so. So we've run a training school and a franchise and trained other business owners all around the world and what. We have seen is a trend of people going into business because they see what looks easy online.

It looks like you post the stuff and you, and look that person, they post these things and they've got a great business. I'll do that. I'm sure there were loads of kids that look at Mr. Beast and go, if I make new YouTube videos, I'll be a billionaire. Um, if you actually study what he does, it's not for the faint hearted.

So, um. We do see a lot of people coming into business thinking that it is as simple as posting things. Make money. It's [00:12:00] so, it is not that easy. And then sadly they fall by the wayside because it's hard and you do have to get outta your own way and do more. So what I would say, and I think's really interesting is right now I think we've gone slightly full circle and I foresee with AI and even more tools that are making it faster and easier than ever to create like a Hollywood movie in a minute.

Um. Going back to basics and things like, you know, getting in person, you said, you know, going out and putting up posters and delivering leaflets like that. There's, you know, there's nothing wrong with that. And getting things back to local, uh, word of mouth, um, starting there, yes, you can scale globally. Yes, you can make an impact beyond your local area, but I would always say if you can't.

Start if you can't, you know, do it in your local area. Don't try and take over the world. [00:13:00] Um, start small branch out from there. Um, people seeing and hearing us as real people is the future. Anything can be faked online now. So I think getting in person or going live are the only things that you know.

That's the actual person. There's a real human there and people wanna buy from people we always have. So yeah, I think that's where things have gone and, and in a wave. And it's not, it's not negative, it's just different. 

Mariah: Yeah. It's so interesting how I, I, you know, now there's this trend, like 2026 is the new 2016 and like I even had a, an email yesterday, like, oh, we've gone back to the 2010s with social media of like, you know, we don't do all those hashtags and all this like stuff.

Mm-hmm. And uh, I think that's just how it is. It always goes on these cycles and I think that's the beauty of it. 'cause everyone will say like, marketing has changed forever and da la but it just kind of goes around in a cycle and we just. It's just different. And I love [00:14:00] how you, you put that because I think a lot of the times, and I've had so many conversations recently from like businesses that are ready to like grow or they're quite new and they're like, all right, we'll just put money towards Facebook ads and our lives will be changed forever.

And it's kind of like, no, it's not really how it works. You've gotta validate it. And had a conversation with a small community group from where I'm from who saw my video, um. 'cause it was a golf course. They saw my video on their golf course at Christmas time. We did this funny like Golf cart, Merry Christmas video.

It was funny. And um, they were like, oh, you know, we saw this and da da and the committee, they wanna put like money towards Facebook ads. You know, we've got some content going up, um, to attract new members. And I was like, yeah. Cool. Totally. But where do, where are you sending them? Because I don't see like an online booking form on your website to begin with.

Lucy Shrimpton: Mm-hmm. 

Mariah: A lot of us aren't gonna call, I'm sorry, I, if I can't, if I can't book online, I'm not doing it. Um mm-hmm. That's just how the generation we are now. Yeah. Like, we're just, we're not picking up a phone. Um, [00:15:00] yeah. You know, so you gotta think of all those avenues and they're like, okay, cool. Yep. Alright.

And then, yeah, they, they were like totally understanding, but there was just some people that were like, well, no, but I just wanna put money towards ads and like, you know, if we put like, I don't know. $50 a day. You know, surely we'll rack up heaps of members and it's like, yeah, but if you're not connecting with the person behind the screen, they're not gonna buy.

And I think there's just so many, and like one guy's like, oh, back in the day I would spend a hundred bucks a month on marketing and like have all these leads. And it's like, it's just a different world right now. Yeah. And like what you are saying is that's what I love about, it's like going back and validating it rather than like trying to pour money into these like.

This tech that you think is gonna save your business, like test it and validate it with like your people. I think we, we miss the opportunity of understanding how like local, even the people that we know that are probably gonna be our first customers. Yeah. Like I've got a client who's launching, um, a trip and I was like, you, you're part of this massive community.

Like see how they see like. Ask them first, like, [00:16:00] don't worry about these cold leads on social media. Like yeah, of course we're gonna create content and we wanna get people on there. But like, don't stress too much about like it has to sell on social media. 'cause No, it has to sell to the people that are like literally the first degree.

Like if you think of LinkedIn, you've got first, second, and third degree, like on social media, on Instagram, we're always selling to the third degree. Or second degree, but forgetting about the first degree. Yeah. And I think like that's just such a missed opportunity. So I love that you say that 'cause it's like, yeah, we're getting all excited about all these online platforms, but we're forgetting that like our first customers are gonna be the people that know us.

Lucy Shrimpton: We forget the basics, don't we? We, we, we need to go back to basics and it's, it is an ecosystem. At the end of the day, people will sure, they'll come and check you out. So it's not like, let's not be on these platforms. They're gonna come and look at you, but they're probably gonna either see you somewhere else and then come and let you see, validate you on by checking you out on a social media platform.

Or maybe they'll see you on a social media platform and then go look somewhere else, but they're gonna check a few things. People don't just see an ad, click and buy. [00:17:00] Rarely, and maybe something that they're happy to do on a punt or a whim, but generally not the people you want. And when you have, you know, these, this content that's like all free tips.

And free tips. And free tips, great. Somebody's just gonna hang around for the free tips and nothing more. But if you can actually. Like to like help them see things from a different perspective and connect, like get that almost human connection. That's what's going to make them lean in and then explore your stuff at a deeper level and maybe become your customer.

So yeah, there's not engagements down, like you said, next generation don't even wanna get on the phone. There's not gonna be the, they're just not playing the game the way they used to. So yeah, show up. 

Mariah: Mm. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Um, but, but know that it's just one cog in a massive e ecosystem of marketing. 

Mariah: Mm, yeah, absolutely.

It's, it's such a good piece of advice. 'cause I think we, we put all our eggs in the social media basket and then I've [00:18:00] had, like, you know, last year I had six clients lose suspended accounts. It's okay. I've worked out what happened, but still stressful. I had an old client that just messaged me to say that it looked like she'd been hacked and she's lost and that's like.

10 plus years of business, like thousands of followers like gone. Wow. So it's like, yeah, we're putting all our money into this, this platform that is just one part of what we're trying to build. And I think like a lot of us will even say like, oh yeah, like actually a lot of my really great clients come from word of mouth and like getting myself out there.

And I always go through these cycles where I'll like network heaps and then like have a break and then like go around. Yeah, it's like you like reap the you network, just like build connection. Then you're like your cup's full so you don't need to, 

Lucy Shrimpton: yeah. 

Mariah: See so many people for a while and then you kind of go back around and I think like it.

Yeah. If doing it all the time can be exhausting, putting yourself out there can be exhausting. But it is what people wanna see and people buy people just as much as they buy your products and services. I think we often forget that. And like you're saying, people [00:19:00] see these people on social media and they don't see the behind the scenes of how much work, like at the most.

So interesting. Other day I was thinking like, oh my God. Like these influencers. I, I watch a lot of TikTok. I was like, oh my God, these influencers or the, like, these personal brands, I think they're sort of more personal brands these days. Like yes, they're influencing, but they're building a brand. They're building products and services they're on all the time.

They're always thinking about content and yes, I, I do a lot of content, but like I just went on that holiday and I barely took that many photos. You know, I'm not always thinking about what's a content opportunity. I was saying it in my head and I was thinking about two specific influences when I did this.

No joke. The next day they both came out and talked about how they're burnt out and exhausted and I thought that was so interesting 'cause I was like thinking about it. I think, yeah, it's, it's just what's happening because like they're always like on and thinking about what they've gotta do all the time.

So it's like, if you're not just relying on these being on and, and being on in different ways and like really maximizing what you do, it becomes more enjoyable I think, rather than being like performative. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Definitely. [00:20:00] And how present. Can we be? Mm-hmm. If we are constantly looking at how the moment we're in is a piece of content all the time.

Yeah. Don't get me wrong, there are things that are like, oh, that capture that is a really good opportunity. Yeah. Life 

Mariah: is 

Lucy Shrimpton: content in that things. 

Mariah: Yeah, exactly. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah. 

Mariah: Yeah. 

Lucy Shrimpton: But sometimes we just wanna live. Right. And just be, 

Mariah: yeah, you've gotta choose your moments. For sure. I always say like, I remember we went on a hike with a client, a client, a friend, like years ago I was taking a photo and she's like, life is content.

And I thought that was really great. And it's true, like every, you could pull content from anywhere if you've got zero ideas, but also doesn't mean you have to, right? Like, um, not everything. You know? I know on LinkedIn it's like. What getting engaged taught me about B2B sales and all these things sometimes can be a little bit farfetched, you know, like not everything has to be a piece of content, but if you do get stuck, like your everyday life does pull from ideas does.

I think it's like that balance. And I think we have lost that balance a little bit from like getting caught up in the, the views and the metrics and you know, the [00:21:00] dopamine hits, but, um. I really love what you said earlier about like, you know, your evolution of your business changing so much and like kind of it like coming back to that core of like wanting to help people live their best lives and even you wanting to live your best life.

And I think this is interesting around like. Consistency and, and showing up. And, um, I talked about this of yeah, like this theory of, it doesn't matter how consistent you are, if you don't really believe in what it is you're putting out there, it kind of like falls flat. It just feels like adding to the noise, like you said before, like, oh, how can we get chat GPT to create as many social media posts?

So we are here, there and everywhere. And then it just kind of like. I knew this guy talked about how he was like everywhere. He had like a YouTube, and I love repurposing, don't get me wrong, but I think there's like a balance where it just becomes like, alright, you're just like literally dumping stuff in like all these places.

Yeah. And just like not even thinking about it. And this comes back to kind of like, why are we doing it? Like what is the point? So you sort of mentioned it a little bit, but I'd love for you to touch on this with like the clients you work with, like. [00:22:00] Yeah, a lot of the times we're like, oh, I've gotta do this and I've gotta be here and I've gotta be there.

And I imagine it just comes back to like, why though? Like what, what, what is your purpose? Like, why are you here? What do you wanna try and achieve? 

Lucy Shrimpton: What is it all for? Like, exactly. Um, and I think it is different for different people. I think we do have our own ways around this because for some people it, it does come really easy.

Like they just, they just share their life online and it's, it is no hardship and, you know, it's fine. Um. For others, it isn't easy. It's a real effort to even think about it. So I'm, I'm a bit of a strange one. I can totally teach it all day long, doesn't mean I do it all perfectly myself. Um, I have a bit of a love hate relationship with it, so I am.

I'm pretty good at. I'm creative so I can create visuals, I can put words together. Um, I'm confident on camera. I can read auto cues. Like I can, I can do it, I'm not [00:23:00] afraid, but one thing I find is if I'm not really feeling it. Really like me, for real. It can feel like content for content's sake. And like you say, it doesn't land.

Um, I desperately wanna batch and pre-schedule stuff because it's a total time save, but I find that really hard because I'm forever scribbling down ideas and thinking about that. That's really good. And I haven't got time right now, so I'll, I'll jot that down for later. But it never quite lands the same when you try to pull it.

Later than it does when it's in the moment. So for me, for some people it does, but for me, I, and so I would like to get myself in a place where I can just go, oh my gosh, this thing right now, go, just do it. Just put it out there into the other, like right as it's, as it's present. Not always possible, but where possible.

Um, other people do a great job [00:24:00] at capturing all their thoughts and ideas and whatever they wanna share and, and batching it up, or having somebody that helps them with that so they can offload all of that and have somebody help pull that together. If they're not the best creative or the best writer, like, great.

Get the support. So we do think it, you have to look at your own. Strengths and your flow and your way of working. But one thing's for sure, I have in the past had people help me with content or almost direct me. And I'm like, okay, what, what? So I should say this, should I, and as soon as you start trying to say somebody else's words, does, like you say, now it's chat, PT, or whatever.

Mm-hmm. But the. If it's not really your words, it won't hit the same, it won't resonate with your audience in the same way as it were when it's yours. And I think that that's gonna be quite a game changer going forward because the, the real feeling that it's coming from that human that you get to know through the.

The platform, [00:25:00] that's what's really gonna make a difference. 

Mariah: Mm. 

Lucy Shrimpton: So, yeah. Does that answer your question? I dunno if that answers your question. If I went a tangent. 

Mariah: Yeah, I think it definitely is how you work. And also like, um, you know, how, and, and in sharing, like if you do get help and support, like I have some clients that are so like on one end or the other, and usually I just say like, this is sort of like, or they'll voice note me and I'll turn it into something.

Or like. And they'll like, I'll give them the topic and then they run with it because it's so true. Like if you do script things for people, they just don't quite, and even how I would vision it versus how they vision it. So usually I just like you, you told me about this and I think it's interesting what you say about like putting it together.

Like that's why you know it is you've gotta know when you're creative and know when you're feeling authentic to either like. Even if you don't post it straight away, like filming it and then like using it for later or like really finding what works for you. And I have like some clients I've worked with in the past that like, yeah, they can just film and like get it up in like two seconds, but for others it's [00:26:00] really hard 'cause it's a lot of logistics.

So it's like, okay cool, if I could film this and put it somewhere, someone else will do something with it. Or if I could send this voice note while I'm walking to the coffee shop because I've got this like amazing idea, then that person will like handle it later. And I think it's like, yeah. One, like knowing your strengths, but then like also how you use that in your team to like bring it to life.

Yeah. And I think like, um, everyone is so different. Like yeah. I've definitely had clients in the past where it's like, nah, I just have to do it myself. And it's like, cool, okay. You do you? 'cause like it's just, um, otherwise you just forcing someone to do something that's just not gonna work. Yeah. Um, and I think it's one of those things like with, um, marketing yourself and putting content out on platforms like social media is, um, yeah.

Even if you have a great idea and you like put it out, it does definitely go on your energy. And then like the energy of the collective too, right? Yeah. It's like in, um, I was journalism, so it's like, you know, you might have an awesome, like you might be teed up to do a story and then all of a sudden like a massive news breaks and then like nothing else [00:27:00] gets hits or lands or anything.

So it is, and that's why I think it's important to like. Keep the same messaging, but like try it in different ways. 'cause I've had times where like I've shared something and maybe like people haven't quite grasped the concept and then like, like these concepts I talk about now I've been talking about for years, and maybe you feel the same.

Mm-hmm. Like. Yeah. Then you try it again and people are ready for it. I think sometimes it's not always like how you delivered it, it's also like the collective isn't quite ready. Always talk about like what your audience thinks they need versus what they actually need and like bring them to like a level playing field.

I imagine you have that all the time, like entrepreneurs like, oh, I need to know how to. Um, you know, sell this product or do this or do that, but you actually realize it's like, actually no, you need to work on your mindset or you need to work on this. Like, they think it's like, oh, if only I just had like 10 extra minutes to like, you know, do sales calls or like, if I just had this amount of time.

Like, and it's like, no, you actually just need to work on your belief in yourself. And like, you know, I think it's always quite interesting. Now I wanna, um, move into a video that you [00:28:00] posted on social media that I really. I really liked, and you talked about this sort of concept of business owners getting to the point of why and like, you know, understanding, and I talk about this a lot with like social media, right?

Like we're all on it for a different purpose. Like some people, like I've got clients that just need it to keep up. Brand rep, they don't get leads from it. They don't want leads from it 'cause they're not often mm-hmm. The strongest leads, they know where their leads come from, but they wanna have that brand presence from, as you say, if people like wanna stalk them.

Um, and then I have others that like, that's kind of how we attract people. To them, right? So everyone has like a different sort of purpose, but I think it also comes back to like your, your deeper why, right? Like, why are you doing this in business and who you are? Mm-hmm. What do you think, like I wanna talk about like what kind of happens and what you see with people that kind of build that business without being clear what happens, like what does that look like and how Yeah.

How do you recommend people kind of connect back to that? 'cause I think we do get lost along the way. Usually the start of the year is a good time to reflect on this as [00:29:00] well. And I find as the year goes on we kind of forget and we get lost and we say yes to this and this to that, and then all of a sudden we're knee deep in like all this work that we're like, oh, what, how did I get here?

What am I doing? 

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah. And let us also recognize that it can change. Like the reason why you start something doesn't have to stay, like, might not be the same further down the line. It can, it can change. You might have started it for money and then it turns out you're doing it for family or whatever, so it can evolve with you.

Um, but. It is being connected to it. It's, I think knowing what you're creating. So the, the term of like having a why can sound almost a bit like abstract and like something you get taught in network marketing. Actually, we all have purpose behind what we do. Um, I think people often forget that a business is essentially a vehicle.

It's an asset that produces an income and. That's how it, that's what it should be. It's a bonus if it's [00:30:00] also something you build from passion that you love doing and you love showing up and doing it every day. You're not doing a job that you hate. So great. But. Because so many of us, and especially people I work with, and I'm sure you see this as well, are purpose led, heart led, entrepreneurial.

They've got some mission, there's something in them they really wanna do, whether it's making a difference or getting something they've created out there into the world. Um, they kind of go into it with that, but without seeing the. Vehicle and asset aspect of the business. Mm. And so where that can then come unstuck is they put their life and soul, blood, sweat, and tears into this thing without necessarily understanding all the components of a business.

So the next thing you know, they're trying to be a lawyer, an accountant, a bookkeeper. I know content creator, a influencer, and everything in between, as well as the thing that they went into it for. That's a lot of balls to juggle and then they po possibly don't really know or [00:31:00] understand about scaling and team and, you know, maximizing their time and all these other things.

I, you know, I, I didn't, I didn't, um, I didn't do any formal like business studies training before I went into business. I'd kind learn on the go for the last 26, 27 years. Um, however. I've always thought about this and kind of gone back to, okay, but why am I doing this and what's it for? Is it serving me? Is it producing an income?

What's next? What's the, where does it go and when is it enough? And so on. Um. If we don't, we can end up doing one of two things. We can create a monster that consumes us, and then we don't love it anymore. Which is really sad because we started it to do the thing we love. Mm-hmm. And it's like, well, I don't love it anymore.

The, I've, I've managed to kill all the joy in the thing that I was so passionate about. Um, it consuming, you know, your time, it [00:32:00] can consume your health, your relationships, all the key things and freedom. We usually get into it for freedom and end up with less freedom than somebody working a job for someone else that they don't actually like.

So. It can do that. And then we are left going, oh, why, what am I doing this for? Or it can be amazing and it can be making us loads of money and we're living the best life ever and have all the boxes ticked. And we're like, yeah, everything's great. But it feels flat. And it's like, well, what? What now? And I've seen this happen where people are like, I can't sell it because it's.

Me, I am the business and it won't sell without me. So they haven't. Built it with 

Mariah: a 

Lucy Shrimpton: potential exit plan. Um, you don't have to have an exit plan. Maybe the thing you do will always be you till you die or you quit. But what about making that an asset that produces an income that then allows you to buy other assets?[00:33:00] 

Of all various types that then pay for your lifestyle and then you become financially free and you get to do that thing by choice, not by necessity. 

Mariah: Yeah. And so yeah, all the things I think I've resonated with everyone at some stage in my, my business, I think. And at that freedom piece I think is really interesting because yeah, we start these businesses to be more free and then we end up.

Creating like a bit of a monster that takes up all of our time and energy. And I think we, and one of the things you said earlier, which I think is really interesting is because we love it, we use it as like a oh, but like, or I used to do this a lot, like, oh, it would be good for the experience. So you like charge yourself like way less than.

You should and, and things like that. 'cause like maybe you've done it before, but you haven't, like, you don't think you've got enough experience or you know, all the things that can happen that make you undersell yourself. And then in the end it ends up being like a lot of work. I've done that like a gazillion times, but that's okay.

Yeah. Um, yeah, I think it's [00:34:00] quite interesting because we often, I've done, I have done this before where I've like, I, I, I've had my why and then you're like, oh. Kind of get lost and you're, oh wait. It becomes about like the, and that's where I think the mindset piece comes in, right? Because mm-hmm. And one thing that you said was, um, calibrating, like mm-hmm.

The, the human behind the business. And I think that was really, I loved how you said that, because. We often forget that. Yeah, we, we need to look after ourselves and we need to work on our like, and I love how you phrase it because Yes, I had someone tell me like, your business is your asset. I had a, um, a client tell me that once and like, because I stepped into company from like being sole trader in Australia, we have like.

Sole trader and then company. And I thought that was a really good mindset shift because it is an asset and it is, it isn't like your identity. I think that's what happens a lot. So I wanna talk about this yet, like calibrating the human behind the business. Like what does this mean in practice? I'm curious to dive into that.

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah, it is. It, oh, it's every part of us. That's the thing. So [00:35:00] I think, I haven't got this far along in business to have not done the mindset work and the strategy work and the self-care work and the, you know, all the things. But it is all the things. And actually, you know, you mindset is really, really important.

But you can't mindset your way out of everything. So even when we, um, we could go like, I've got the strategy, I know exactly what to do. Um, right. Gotta get my mindset in check. Okay. Yeah, it is. I'm, I'm, I'm feeling good there. But then sometimes we still don't necessarily do things. And if we are, that could be a nervous system level thing.

A subconscious blocker. It could be something that is, um. We are not really aware of that's holding us back because the body needs proof that it's safe to move forward. You know, so there's, there's so many layers to it. Um, and when I talk about being calibrated, it's to hold the level of success or the version of success that you are aiming for.

So [00:36:00] sometimes people will, um, hit a certain level and, or, or they, it's like an invisible ceiling and they're like, I just can't seem to move through. And it's because the version of them that got them, where they got, you know, ambitious, driven, probably pretty relentless and all, you know, resilient, all these great qualities that got them there were probably push qualities.

They, you know, that, that. A lot of people wouldn't be willing to step forward and do, but to take that, to get to that next level, there's probably other things they need to work on. And it might be shedding certain things that won't serve them in that next layer. Um, and incorporating things that they haven't worked with before, which is where, you know, the deep work happens.

Um, if we've. Got that far. But in the process, we've let health things slip or, you know, ability to connect with other people because we've been so blinkered and determined. [00:37:00] Um, so connection may have taken a backseat. Um. Our time, if we've stretched all of our time to make all this progress, and suddenly we, we are like, well, I don't have any more of it.

It's like, yes you do. We just need to shift how we're working with it. So it's all these components, but it's then calibrating us as a human being to. Either hold the level that you're stepping in into, but also to sense, check that it is where you wanna go because it, you know, when is, what is enough, when is enough, and why do you want it?

So I think it's getting really clear on what it is. And then. Doing that full check mind, body, soul being everything, all of us. So that we are in the right mindset to move forward. That we are physically looking after the physical body, the vessel that is going to walk the path. Um, and that we have got that [00:38:00] inner connection to the, the, the meaning and the purpose behind it.

All that sort of deep stuff. Um, to go the distance and it takes a different. It does take a different calibration to do that. It's like you wouldn't take an ordinary plane to the moon. You need a different rocket ship. So, um, that's what I mean by that. And I think, I think it's essential because I think going forward we, you know, a brand can be a brand as a faceless brand, but everything really needs that personal touch now.

And so many of the people I work with are their brand. You know, it is a personal brand, so. We need boundaries. You are not your business. You know, if somebody owes you money, they don't owe it to you. They owe it to the business. And we need to like make sure we keep those, those boundaries for our sanity.

But when it comes to brand, we are, you know, our personality is in there. It's the essence of it. So it is just getting those things right so that we can hold the, [00:39:00] the level of success or whatever it is we're aiming for. 

Mariah: I love that analogy of like, you know, the type of vehicle you'd use to get somewhere.

Yeah. Because I think like, yeah, it definitely takes. It always says like, um, a new level, new devil. So every time you like level up. Yeah. There's always like something. Definitely. And I definitely resonate with that and I'm sure so many people do. It's like, and even, you know, it's funny because you probably, you would be like this looking back over all the years of business and like your younger version would like be so happy that you are where you are now, but at the same time where you are now, you know, there's more.

So it's like that, that balance as well. Yeah. Between like, yeah. Understanding how far you've come, and also like knowing that you have to shift and change to get to that next level. I think that's really uncomfortable for a lot of people. It is. 'cause like you, yeah, you have to change how you think about things and how you do things.

Like, I remember back in the day, um, I always said like, if I ever went to a nightclub, I'd never not wear heels. And now I [00:40:00] would definitely wear sneakers and jeans and like, you know, so you always have to think about. Never say never in that aspect. Even like, you know, oh, I could never be a leader, or I would never have a team, it just doesn't feel right for me.

Or, I would never outsource this, or I'd never do that. And actually like to get to where you be, sometimes you gotta let go of things and that could be terrifying. Especially when someone tells you that like, oh, you know, maybe you have to stop doing this and start doing this. No, I'm safe here. 

Lucy Shrimpton: And the grass isn't greener either.

On the other side, it's just, it's just like what you're looking for. So, yeah, when you said about, oh, your younger self would probably be really, you know, proud of you and and so on. I also think there's a part of my younger self that would go, Hey, you wanna come back here? Where? So much easier. There were less problems.

True. And you were dancing and singing on stage and having the time of your life and, and everyone loved it. And you then went home and it was done and you got paid. Like it's, that was so much simpler. It was a much easier time. Um, but of course there [00:41:00] came a point where I outgrew that and I was like, that was lighting me up until it wasn.

And then I went into the motherhood stage and now they are teenagers and not as needing me as much. And I'm like, this is a whole nother phase and another shift. So we are constantly changing. That's the one thing we can guarantee in life is change, right? So it's being able to move with that change. And that's where this, like, I always use the word calibrate in recalibrating.

It's, it's essential. Like we, we need to do it. Um. But fully, like fully head to toe, inside and out, all of it. 

Mariah: Yeah. I love that. Well, that's a really good point because like, you know, we, we always talk about like, um, oh, I, I need a better plan or a better strategy. I need to know how to do this or do that.

When do we notice a difference between I need to like be more strategic versus I actually need to recalibrate myself? Or is 

Lucy Shrimpton: that, 

Mariah: does that come first? 

Lucy Shrimpton: That is such a good question. No, see, I think that's the problem. [00:42:00] Blessing and the curse is what I do. Because you said earlier about like what people think they need and what they really need.

Mariah: Mm-hmm. 

Lucy Shrimpton: And nobody really goes, oh yeah, I need to recalibrate because just not, it's not like common language. I know I talk about it, but it's not, people identify gaps, usually they are time, money. Um, money's a big one. Everyone always thinks they need more of it. Um, and yeah, time strategy. This thing isn't working, but what's it not working to do?

Deliver me? I don't know. Enough leads, enough clients, enough money. So it's always, it's not enough thing. That's what people always think. They need something else, and they usually look at people who appear to have it and think, oh, they know the answer. If I just find the. Crazy figure to work with that person, then they'll suddenly magically wave a wand and everything will be fixed.

And it's like, you can, I've done a lot of that. You can do a lot of that, that's fine. You'll learn some stuff. Of course you will. You always do. As long as you're open, you'll learn. [00:43:00] Um, and I'm not saying don't, you know, there's a lot of amazing people that will teach you lots of things in each sta stage of the journey.

You're gonna look at what you need to deep dive into next. So absolutely do, do all of that stuff. But, um. People don't go, they don't think I need to recalibrate my human operating system. Um, it's, I think, I think really when people come to me is when they're like, they've tried a lot of things. They know their stuff, they know the strategy.

They're not sure of information or skill or even experience. Um, they've done a lot of personal growth work. They are good at, you know, the mindset thing, but they just know something's off. And it doesn't quite, it isn't quite feeling right. They're not, it's not feeling aligned. They're not feeling the full level of fulfillment that they know.

Either they should be [00:44:00] or could be. Um, that's when that is, that is the kind of the question mark bit where it's like, what, what is it that I need to do different? And they're taking full ownership that it isn't outside of them. It's not a magic wonder. It's not a magic fix, and no one's gonna come and do it for them.

And a change of algorithm isn't the answer. Like they know and take ownership that it's, it's on them and they need to sort it out. That's when we go, fine, let's find out, let's, let's peel back all the layers and find out exactly what it is. And. Fine tune it. 

Mariah: I love that I literally have this wasp buzzing around my head now.

It was like really at bay for like, most of the episode and I thought it had left, but no, um, I love this because I think it's definitely, yeah, when you get to that point of like, what's next, like, I feel like I've kind of, and I definitely got to that point last year when I was like, Hmm, I don't think it's like a strategy issue.

I think it's a me thing. Yeah. Um, I think I need to, and also I do feel like there was a weird energy last year, but you know, that's, that's a whole other, it was. Definitely was other story. [00:45:00] Um, but yeah, I think it's definitely, it's scaling 

Lucy Shrimpton: now though. 

Mariah: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm, yeah. Well isn't it Chinese New Year was, what date was it?

I can't remember. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Today. 

Mariah: Today? Is it? Today? Oh my God. My house tomorrow and my house is a mess. I think you meant to clean it, but my house is a mess. Um, but yeah, I think it's like. It definitely is when you get to that point of like, Hmm, I feel like I'm doing the thing and I've invested. I love what you said about like, oh, I've just hired this person in my life, or I'll work with this person, and then they'll just like magically like, make all my problems go away.

And I think we've put a lot of expectation on other people to save us when really it's like, it's kind of you. And I think that happens the same with like, um, showing up on marketing ourselves as well, like. I always say to clients like, yeah, cool. Like I, we can get content out, we can manage socials. I can tell you what you need to do, dah, dah, dah, but you also need to go out and like do the thing.

And sometimes that means working on themselves or having that belief, like, you know, it's that concept of um, if you say you can't, you can't sort. Mm-hmm. It's like if you say you can't do that, like that's, and you know, I [00:46:00] always have like, people say like, oh, well I feel like if it was like this, this and this, then like it would work.

And it's like, yeah. Because you believe it to be true. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah. 

Mariah: It doesn't mean it's a reality. And that's why I think that like concept of like being consistent doesn't really matter if you don't Like, if you believe that like, oh, every time I post it doesn't work. Or every time I market myself it, this doesn't work, or that doesn't work, or, or every time I do it, it does.

It's like, yeah, you know, like I'd have clients that are like, okay, I just trust the process. You do your thing. I'll just be here. And it works. Yeah. Right. And like of course they need to do their bit and show up and be in the videos and whatever. Um, but it's the same with like, yeah, if you also need to go out, do your work on yourself, go out there, like sell it.

Like I'm only like marketing is only one element. It's not gonna bring in all these sales. Like, you also have to go out and do thing. You have to like also have a good, like a product that people wanna buy as well. Like there's actually helping and like even, you know, you could have. Really great marketing, but I think the thing that gets people coming back around is like you, you give a good service or you give a good product and people recommend you and it kind of like creates that.

Yeah, [00:47:00] exactly. It comes down to like what we believe in ourselves and what we can do, and kind of like really investing in that, which I think is. A really good takeaway for today because I think a lot of times we like head in the sound. Just think it's like, oh, if I just invest in Facebook ads or if I just had more time, or if I just mm-hmm.

Um, it's always like, if I just had this, then everything, and then like, you do it and then you go, oh, actually didn't make any, 

Lucy Shrimpton: it wasn't that. And that's it. We're like clutching at straws, almost looking, constantly looking for a new shiny solution. Um, but how we do anything is how we do everything. And the amount of times I see a business owner.

Who will be, I don't know, maybe being per, perhaps negative about how something's working for them, but actually they have that same sort of outlook on most things in life. And it's like, well, we've gotta look at that. Like, I really do think that how we do anything is how we do everything. Like if [00:48:00] you, if you think you can, we think you can't, you're right.

Like you've gotta. Yeah, you've got, if you see that, if you see that things are possible, then they are, but they're not magic. And so yeah, you have to do, you have to raise sleeves up and go and, and go and do it. And you may get like 52 nos before you get a yes. But you've got to believe that that 53 will be a yes, you know, not think well.

That's it. Everyone said no. 

Mariah: Mm-hmm. Yeah. 

Lucy Shrimpton: And if you change that, if you, you know, even how you show up, you're more likely to get the Yes. 

Mariah: Yeah. And the energy you put into it. Right. If you go into it expecting to get a no. Well, yeah, and I totally, I totally get what you mean. I think that happens a lot and all the times.

Yeah. Like if you focus on like what's not working. Then your energy. I have a client that always says, the energy in which you do the thing determines the outcome of the thing. And I really like that because I think it does really come to that point. And 

Lucy Shrimpton: I think that's so true. I think that's so true.

Even things where I've created things and this almost been quite emotional, [00:49:00] like it's really tapped into something raw and real, and then in the delivery of this like, whoa, that really hit in another way because it was, it came from such real emotion, you know? So I completely agree. What you pour in is.

It's what you get back. 

Mariah: I love that. Amazing. Well, I've loved this conversation. I think it's like, it's a really good validation of like, you know, it's not always the marketing, it's not always the sales, it's not always the product. It's not always the, you know, while we have to look at all these things, the website or, you know, all that.

A lot of the times it can just be us and the energy that we're putting into it, or how we are showing up for ourselves. And I think, um, I, I imagine you've been on this personal development journey for. You know, 27 plus years, um, I think you really hit a next level of personal development when you do start your own business.

And I think we don't come into that expecting that. And I feel like a lot of people, if they were to take away what they got out of running a business, that would be the most thick, like [00:50:00] the hardest thing, like having to really step into a different level. Like I've done things or had conversations or had to do really uncomfortable things.

From, you know, chasing bad debts to, you know, all the things that, like, you're just like, yeah. Oh, what am I doing? But, um, I think it's really important to have these conversations because yeah, we're always chasing the silver bullet when in fact it's kind of sits within us. Um, so how can people find you and connect and learn, like how you can help, like how can you help us, tell us everything about what you do so we can learn more of your products 

Lucy Shrimpton: and 

Mariah: services?

Lucy Shrimpton: Thanks. There's like loads of places. So I have a podcast called Born to Be Brilliant. So that's on all the podcast channels and then on YouTube as well. So if you wanna sort of tap in and binge a few episodes and get a real feel for the conversations. But everything on there is very much about, um, growth for the business owner, the entrepreneur, so.

There's lots to pick up on there with lots of guests, um, on socials, I, [00:51:00] I'm mostly Instagram and Facebook and a bit of TikTok, but wherever you hang out, you'll find something from me. So see what you like best, whether you like the writing or the, or the videos or whatever. I'm, I'm around in there and, um, I run, um, in the uk I run some events and, and retreats and, uh.

In person things, but I know that's quite far from where you are. But I also do plenty online as well, so work with people one-to-one via Zoom. Um, and I have, uh, group programs and things as well online. So I'm, I'm accessible wherever you are. And, um, even if people just wanna explore or have a chat. I'm, my virtual door is open.

Mariah: I love that. Well, thank you so much, Lucy. It was really, it was really great to chat with you and get a sense for Yeah, like it's, it's, you know, a lot of the times we're always listening to these insights and being like, what is the, what is the key? What is the magic? And it's like the magic is, is what you do with it.

I think. Yeah, it's, it's um, a really great reminder, especially this year. [00:52:00] 'cause I feel like last year we're all like a little bit wait, waiting for that next thing to come. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Yeah. 

Mariah: Just didn't, 

Lucy Shrimpton: yeah. 

Mariah: Amazing. Well, thank you so much for the chat. I really loved it. 

Lucy Shrimpton: Thank you. 

Mariah: So I love getting experts in mindset, wellbeing to come on and talk to you all.

And you might be like, oh, okay, I love it. What's it got to do with marketing? Absolutely everything, especially if you're a founder, entrepreneur, showing up for your business, even if you are not so much in the face of the brand, believing in what you are putting out there is so important to making sure that you have that energy and that expertise shows.

So I think Lucy was the perfect person to share. Obviously her amazing skillset and entrepreneurship, but also, yeah, how to recalibrate yourself, what that looks like, and how to bring that into your content online and your social media and your marketing. Because now with this connection element and ai, you know, making sure that you believe in what you're doing and your messaging is more important than ever.

So be a content queen or king, and remember that developing your strategy and story develops [00:53:00] your business. Thank you so much for joining me today. Please don't forget to share this with all your business and entrepreneurial friends. You can do this by clicking the share button and sharing that with them.

Um, or you can add it to your Insta Stories and tag me at Content Queen Mariah. Just tell 'em about it if you're catching up with them as well. And if you do love these episodes, how I get amazing guests on like Lucy is because I'm in the chart. People are seeing me, people are pitching to be on the show, and that can't happen if you don't leave a rate review.

So if you love the guests, if you love this podcast, please take five seconds to leave a cheeky five stars or write a little review on Apple, Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts, and I would appreciate it so much more topics coming up, more amazing guests. So stay tuned and I'll talk to you next week.

Bye.

PodcastMariah MacInnesmarketing, marketing advice, how to be authentic online, business ownerComment