Embracing the Uncomfortable: Stepping in Front of the Camera and Expanding My Business
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m very comfortable with writing. Blogging has always been in my comfort zone. But recently, my business mentor, Lisa Johnson, laid down a challenge: it was time to start a vlog.
Putting my face in front of the camera doesn’t come naturally to me, and if I’m honest, it feels a bit uncomfortable! But I constantly remind myself that I am a brave person. Growth rarely happens inside our comfort zones, so I decided to hit record anyway. (Even if it meant filming in my car right after a sweaty gym session on a very hot day!)
This challenge got me thinking deeply about visibility, the future of my business, and what I need to do to take things to the next level.
From Architecture to A Wider Community
As many of you know, I’ve run my architecture business for 15 years. I specialise in countryside self-builds and barn conversions – a field I absolutely love. Over time, that naturally evolved into mentoring other architects, helping them navigate the unique challenges of our industry.
But recently, I realised something important: the hurdles we face as architects aren’t unique to us. Almost all service-based businesses share the same core problems and growing pains. That’s why I am officially expanding my mentoring services to help all service-based business owners.
This expansion is a huge part of my overall business growth, and I am genuinely loving it. There is something incredibly special about bringing people together to help and support one another in a collaborative, non-competitive environment. With so much negativity going on in the world right now, fostering a safe, uplifting community feels more important than ever.
My Strategy for Stepping into the Spotlight
To make this expansion work, I know I need to increase my visibility. It’s time to practice what I preach and put myself out there. Here is exactly what I’m focusing on to grow my new mentoring space:
- Pitching for Podcasts: I’ve been fortunate enough to be featured on quite a few podcasts already. Because I’ve written two books, hosts have usually approached me, meaning I never actually had to do the legwork of pitching! I’m trying active pitching for the first time, and it is certainly a lot of work, but I’m excited about the conversations it will spark.
- Securing Speaker Slots: I want to get out on stages and share what I know with wider audiences.
- Networking: I’m making a concerted effort to network more purposefully and connect with fellow service providers.
- More Vlogging: You are definitely going to be seeing more of my face on video!
Stepping into a new phase of business – and a new medium like video – is daunting, but it’s also incredibly exciting.
Thank you for being on this journey with me, whether you’ve been here since my early architecture days or you’re just joining me now. I can’t wait to share more with you soon!