The Solo Coach

It's that time again... Time for a new episode ( #44!) of The Solo Coach Podcast! 🥳

This week, I’m joined by Fliss Lee, branding specialist and founder of Honest Folk, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about building a business that actually works for you.

We talk about so much more than just “brand” in the traditional sense. This is about identity, boundaries, and the often overlooked reality that many of us end up building businesses that look great on the outside… but don’t feel right on the inside.

Fliss shares her journey from designer to brand coach, how burnout forced her to rethink the way she worked, and why so many of us get stuck in the trap of doing what we think we should be doing, rather than what we actually want.

A taster of what's to come:

• Why your brand is so much more than your logo
• The identity shift that comes with truly understanding your value
• How to set boundarieswithout losing opportunities
• Letting go of “should” and designing your business on purpose
• Why everyone has a brand, even if they’re employed

I’ve also been really enjoying Fliss’s own podcast, Do Your Thing – a brilliant listen for small business owners trying to build a business that actually works for them. It’s honest, relatable, and full of "me too!" moments.

Listen to Episode 44 here: https://thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

I've a confession to make.

I absolutely flipping adore public speaking, and watching great speakers in action.

The best leaders I've experienced and look up to are those who are masters on stage. They captivate the hearts and minds of their audience. They make you want to believe in them and follow them, even if you've only just met them.

And this week I've had the pleasure of attending a fantastic Presentation Masterclass led by the marvellous Paul McGee, as well as the Toastmasters International District Final.

I've been deeply moved by the stories and vulnerability shown on stage by these true leaders in their fields. The sort of speakers who make you feel like YOU matter, and that YOUR contribution as the audience is valued and needed to make their presentations complete.

To solidify my learning and share some of the gifts I've received this week, I've recorded Episode 43 of my podcast, where I share my Top 5 Public Speaking Lessons from these world-class speakers.

Episode 43 is now available to listen: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

Who's your favourite speaker, and why?

Mine is Martin Luther King Jr., for standing up for what he believed in and inspiring millions with his words.

Had an absolutely fantastic day at the Presentation Masterclass with Professor Paul McGee aka The SUMO Guy, PMA International Limited.

Paul skillfully walked us through how to create presentations that are impactful and captivate your audience.

We also learnt the importance of capturing our audience's attention in the first and last 90 seconds of our presentation, ways to use questions to engage the audience and how to use quotes, stories and the power of 3 for ensuring our content lands well and reaches hearts and minds.

I loved meeting the other delegates, and had lunch sat with an MD, three salespeople with over 100 years' sales experience between them and learnt lots about the optics industry.

I often feel like the people with, and places where, we spend our time are as important as what we spend our time doing. And today, I was in the presence of TITANS! 💪🏻

Next up: the Toastmasters District Final in Liverpool this weekend! Roll on Saturday 🥳🥳

Happy Hump Day! How's your week going? Making rigorous progress or ready for the weekend already?

I'm somewhere in between! Although I'm glad to say, closer to the former than the latter.

Have a great Wednesday everyone 🤠

Who here has ever thought about writing a book?

It is something that has been on my mind for a long time, and this week on The Solo Coach Podcast I speak with someone who helps coaches turn that idea into reality.

My guest is Helen ONeill, Portfolio Career Specialist, Future of Work Coach and founder of Coach Write, where she helps coaches turn their expertise into published books.

Helen shares her journey from a 25 year corporate career that no longer felt right, to building a portfolio career centred around coaching, writing and helping others bring their ideas to life.

In this conversation we explore:
• Why so many coaches feel the pull to write a book
• How writing can become a powerful journey of personal development
• The identity shift that happens when you become an author
• Practical ways to overcome the blank page and actually get started

Helen’s story is deeply relatable, and if you have ever felt that quiet nudge to write a book of your own, this episode might be exactly what you need.

Listen in all the usual places here:
https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

And do take a look at Helen’s work if the idea of writing a book speaks to you. She really knows her stuff when it comes to helping coaches turn their knowledge into something lasting. Thanks for your listen! 😁

Who else finds marketing a chore… and secretly thinks it’s a bit of a dark art?

Who else has tried posting consistently, only to realise they were really just “posting and hoping”?

And who would love some tried, tested and timeless advice… completely free?

Well, I’ve got some good news.

Episode 41 of The Solo Coach Podcast is now live, and I’m joined by Ryan Austin, founder of Big One Marketing.

We talk honestly about what marketing actually means in 2026, and what small and medium-sized businesses need to focus on if they want to stand out from the crowd.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• Why shouting louder is not the answer
• The difference between marketing and sales
• Why consistency beats intensity
• Common mistakes business owners make
• How to know when it’s time to get help

It’s a conversation between two friends who are also clients of each other, reflecting on marketing, coaching, and the very real challenges of running a small business… especially when you’re selling something people cannot physically see.

If marketing has ever felt overwhelming, confusing or frustrating, this one is for you.

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts:

https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

Howdy folks! 🤠

Today I'm excited to release a conversation from before Christmas, with the fantastic Lauren Firth, founder of Be Reyt Social.

We'll be finding out how Lauren started her business, and hearing from a social media expert on how to craft an authentic message and how 'the numbers' don't always tell the full story.

We'll also be talking about the highs and lows of running your own business, including facing into rejection and how to establish a sense of work-life harmony. (Spoiler alert: We're both still working on it!)

I really enjoyed my chat with Lauren, and it's impossible not to feel uplifted and inspired by her style, approach and outlook. Thank you, Lauren!

Listen here: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

And do subscribe, leave a review and share if you enjoyed the episode.

It is with great pleasure and delight that today I get to share a phenomenal review from a client who I've worked with for the last 18 months. Ethan's review came through this morning, and literally made my month! 🤩

I hope that you get to receive a review like this for your work, too. And if you or someone you know is seeking transformation in their life, career or business, you know where to find me 😉

Does anyone else recognise that feeling when you know you’re ready for a change, but something invisible keeps getting in the way?

This week, I’m sharing the five most common obstacles I see in my coaching practice that stop people from getting started. From fear of failure or success, to feeling short on time, money, skills, knowledge or the right connections.

These are the same barriers I’ve helped countless coaching clients work through and overcome. In this episode, I share tried-and-tested strategies for breaking through these barriers to entry, the ones that keep us stuck in the weeds and talking ourselves out of making a start.

One of the strategies I explore is auditing your time, getting honest about where it’s really going, and identifying opportunities to create space and energy for a new business idea, job/career move or personal project.

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts and feedback, which I’ll be using to shape future episodes.

Thanks for listening!

E39 - What’s Really Stopping You from Getting Started? https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

Welcoming a VERY special guest to the show this week - Calvin Lawrence, Ed. D. is joining us for a heartfelt conversation about Leadership, having over 40 years' experience in the field and having written THE book on Leadership "The Happy Leader", he's coming to us live from across the pond in Texas!

Tune in for a very insightful conversation about the challenges leaders in the 21st century are facing, some of the barriers to young people stepping into leadership and Calvin's core fundamentals for being an effective leader.

This is one not to miss! And seen as every conversation I've had with Calvin has been podcast-worthy, it was about time I invited him onto the show. A special thanks to Zoë Bishop for introducing us, and gifting me her copy of The Happy Leader, which sits proudly on my bookshelf.

Tune in: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast and let me know what you think to the show, by leaving a comment, rating or review. Thank you! 🙏🏼

Anyone else thinking about their 2026 plans? I should think so!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🥳🎉🎊

Want to make 2026 your Best Year Yet? "Yes!" - Me too!

Here's how you can do it. 5 Questions to ask yourself, in under an hour. And if you've not got time for a listen, check out my accompanying blog article, links below.

See you there 😎

E37 - How to Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever - https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/podcast

Blog - How to Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever - https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/blog