PODCAST · business
Creating The Curve
by Creating The Curve
You started a business to do the thing you love - designing, building, writing, creating - but somewhere along the way, you also became head of sales, finance, marketing, and every other department.Now you're juggling all the moving parts, wondering how running your own business somehow means less freedom, not more.That's what Creating the Curve is here for.Through honest chats, stories, and simple, practical ideas, we'll help you make sense of it all, find your footing, and build a business that actually feels good to run.Because it's not you - it's just really hard to do everything. So let us help you make it just that little bit easier.
Episodes
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E52: The Work You're Avoiding Might Be The Work That Moves You Forward
In this solo episode, Anna reflects on the previous conversation with Michael Gordeev and explores why so many business owners stay busy without actually moving their business forward. She introduces the idea of "busy work", the comfortable tasks that feel productive but don't create real…
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E51: When Growth Stalls - How to Find the 20% That Actually Moves Your Business with Michael Gordeev
In this episode, Anna is joined by marketing strategist Michael Gordeev, who shares practical lessons from large-scale brand turnarounds and explains how those same principles apply to smaller businesses. Michael talks through what really happens when business growth stalls, and why the answer is...
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E50: Why Customer Conversations Beat Assumptions Every Time
Most founders understand that customers matter. But understanding that in theory and truly knowing what customers think, want, and struggle with are very different things. In this solo episode, Anna builds on recent discussions about synthetic customers and explores one of the most common blind...
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E49: Using AI Synthetic Customers to Test Your Ideas Before Launch with Matt Wilkinson
AI is changing how businesses understand their customers, but many founders are still unsure where to start or how to use it in a practical way. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by Matt Wilkinson, founder of Strivenn, to explore how AI can help founders get closer to their...
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E48: Networks Are Built One Conversation at a Time
Networking can feel uncomfortable, awkward, or even pointless when you first start, especially if you don't know where to go or who to talk to. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna reflects on the practical realities of networking, particularly what it looks like when you're starting...
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E47: Networking That Actually Leads to Opportunities with Stefan Thomas
Networking has a bit of a reputation problem. For many founders, the word alone brings up images of awkward small talk, forced introductions, and standing in the corner clutching a coffee, wondering how to escape politely. In this episode, Anna sits down with networking expert Stefan Thomas…
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E46: How to Know If Your Offer Is Missing the Market
Many founders assume that if sales are slow, the problem must be their marketing. But what if the real issue is the offer itself? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna reflects on her recent conversation with offer expert Janine Coombes and explores why getting your offer right is one…
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E45: Fix Your Offer First, Then Fix Your Marketing with Janine Coombes
Many founders assume that if their marketing isn't working, the problem must be the marketing itself. But what if the real issue is the offer? In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna speaks with Janine Coombes, offer and positioning expert, about why so many service-based businesses struggle…
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E44: Founders Wearing All The Hats - CEO Before Breakfast, CMO by Lunch, Exhausted by Tea
In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on her recent conversation with Dr Shah Siddiqui and explores a crucial question for founders: Are you trying to force yourself to do things that simply aren't in your skillset? Anna dives into the reality that many small...
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E43: Building a Business with a Different Brain - Neurodivergence in the Workplace with Dr Shah Siddiqui
In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Dr Shah Siddiqui to explore what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace and in business. As co-hosts of Neurodivergent Business Club, Anna and Dr Shah have regular conversations about ADHD, autism and different…
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E42: Why Trust Is Harder to Win (And More Important Than Ever)
Trust isn't just a marketing tactic. It's the foundation of whether someone chooses you at all. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington builds on last week's conversation with Lorraine Emmett and dives deeper into what trust really means for small business founders in today's...
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E41: If People Don't Trust You, They Won't Buy From You with Lorraine Emmett
Trust is often talked about in business, but rarely understood properly. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Lorraine Emmett, Managing Director of award-winning tech PR agency ECPR, to unpack why trust is not a "nice to have", but the foundation of sustainable...
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E40: Why 'Yes People' Can Hold Your Business Back
In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington builds on last week's conversation about inclusion and diversity and brings it firmly into the world of practical, everyday business. Rather than treating inclusion as a tick-box exercise, Anna explores why cognitive diversity and...
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E39: How Inclusion Creates Better Teams, Better Decisions, and Better Results with Orla McKeating
In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by Inclusion Educator, writer, and speaker Orla McKeating, founder of Still I Rise Stories. Together, they explore what inclusion actually looks like in practice, beyond policies, buzzwords, and tick-box exercises. Orla shares how storytelling...
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E38: I Still Don't Know What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
What if changing direction in your business isn't a sign of failure - but a sign you're paying attention? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on last week's conversation with Sally Measom and goes deeper into the uncomfortable but very real space where success,...
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E37: Outgrowing Success - When the Business You Built No Longer Fits with Sally Measom
What if the reason you feel stuck isn't because you're failing, but because you've outgrown the version of success you were aiming for? In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by author, coach, and former Commercial Director Sally Measom, to talk about identity, belief...
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E36: Why Founders Need to Stop and Review, Not Just Push On
As founders, we spend so much time doing the work that keeps the business running that we often forget to step back and ask whether it's actually taking us where we want to go. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on a challenging year for many business owners and...
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E35: Protecting the Business You've Worked So Hard to Build with Tom O'Malley
Business protection is one of those topics most founders know they should think about… but often don't, until it's too late. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Tom O'Malley, business protection advisor and self-confessed industry misfit, for a refreshingly honest...
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E34: Finding Your People - How Community Helps Founders Thrive
Running a business can be lonely - especially when you're spending most of your time sat at your desk, trying to do everything yourself. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on last week's conversation about community and digs into why community matters so much for...
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E33: From Audience to Allies - Why Community Is the Future of Business with Mark Masters
In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Mark Masters, founder of You Are The Media, to talk about what community really means in business and why it matters more than ever. They explore the shift away from broadcasting at people towards creating spaces where people…
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E32: Getting Started with Video When Your Motivation Has Left the Building
In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington gets honest about the messy reality of making video as a founder... especially when you don't feel like it, don't have perfect equipment, or (in this case) have a full-on pre-Christmas cold. Following last week's conversation with Juma...
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E31: Feel the Fear and Film It Anyway - Making Video Easier with Juma Bannister
Many founders know video would help their business… yet still avoid making it. Whether it's fear, uncertainty, perfectionism, or simply not knowing where to begin, video often feels harder than it should. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Juma Bannister…
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E30: The Curious Founder Wins - Using AI to Stay Ahead of the Competition
AI might feel like it suddenly exploded into our lives, but as Anna explains in this solo episode of Creating the Curve, the technology has been quietly shaping our world for years. The real challenge for founders isn't the AI itself - it's how we, as humans, respond to change. Drawing on decades...
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E29: Human-First AI - Helping Founders Navigate Change with Luke Williams
AI is everywhere at the moment - but for most small business owners, it still feels confusing and overwhelming. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna speaks with Luke Williams, Group Head of AI at Intergage, about what it really takes for a business to adopt AI safely, ethically and without...
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E28: What's Your End Game? Building a Business That Fits Your Future
If you don't know where your business is headed, how do you know what road to take? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington builds on last week's chat with HR expert Reyhana Jano by looking at one of the most overlooked questions in business: Where do you actually want to end...
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E27: Building Teams Without the Headaches - HR Tips for Founders with Reyhana Jano
Hiring people shouldn't feel like walking through a legal minefield - but for most founders, that's exactly what it is. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington chats with HR consultant Reyhana Jano about how to build, manage, and retain a small team without the stress (or ending up...
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E26: How to Create 30 Pieces of Content from One Idea (with a Little Help from AI)
What if you could create 30 pieces of content from just one idea? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington shares her tried-and-tested method for using AI to repurpose content - without losing your voice and your patience. From turning a podcast, video, or eBook into blogs and...
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E25: Listening to the Market (and to Myself) - The Story Behind My Podcast Relaunch
What happens when your audience isn't quite who you thought it was? In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington gets honest about her own podcast pivot - how six months of data, feedback, and (accidental) audience research made her realise that her show had outgrown its niche....
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E24: From Pillars to Playlists - Finding Your Rhythm on Social Media
Ever feel like your social media sounds like the same song on repeat? You're not alone and you're probably not the only one bored of it. In this solo episode, Anna Bravington dives deeper into the playlist approach to social media inspired by her conversation with Gus Bhandal. She talks about how...
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E23: How to Be Seen Without Being Everywhere - Social Strategy with Gus Bhandal
Social media can feel like a monster - too many platforms, too much noise, and too little time to do it all. But what if you could be seen everywhere without actually being everywhere? In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington chats with Gus Bhandal, social media strategist, LinkedIn...
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E22: Founders Need to Look Up So They Don't Get Left Behind
When times get tough, it's tempting to retreat into "busy work" - polishing your website, tinkering with code, or creating new products no one's asked for. It feels safe. It feels productive. But it doesn't always move your business forward. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna...
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E21: Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat - Lessons In Future Thinking with Mark Schaefer
It's easy to get stuck in the day-to-day of running a business: juggling clients, cashflow, and the never-ending to-do list. But if you never look up, you risk missing the future coming straight at you. In this episode of Creating the Curve, I sit down with marketing legend Mark Schaefer - author...
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E20: Your First Post Will Be Awful (And That's OK)
Personal brand isn't built in one big moment - it's built drip by drip, post by post, conversation by conversation. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna builds on her chat last week with Ella Orr to explore the messy reality of showing up online when you'd rather be doing anything…
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E19: Personal Brand Without the Jazz Hands - with Ella Orr
Personal branding doesn't mean becoming an "influencer" or performing a polished version of yourself. At its heart, it's about being seen, known, and remembered for the work you love. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by the brilliant Ella Orr, personal brand consultant and...
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E18: Stop Doing It All Yourself - Learning to Lead and Let Go
Leading a business isn't just about being the best at the work - it's about helping other people grow into it. And that can feel really uncomfortable when you know you could do the job faster (and probably better) yourself. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington shares the...
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E17: Who Put Me in Charge? - Leadership Lessons with Nikie Forster
Stepping into leadership isn't something most founders feel ready for. One day, you're running everything yourself - the next, you've got people looking to you for guidance, decisions, and direction. And no one gives you a manual. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by…
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E16: Sod It and Show Up - Finding the Confidence to Be Seen
In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna dives into the messy, real-world journey of building confidence and visibility as a founder. If you've ever hated the thought of putting your face on camera, dreaded LinkedIn Lives, or worried your content wasn't "perfect enough," this one's for…
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E15: From Stage Fright to Spotlight - Speaking With Confidence with Jackie Goddard
Whether it's pitching to investors, speaking at a conference, or simply introducing yourself at a networking event, speaking with confidence can be a game-changer for your business. In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by Jackie Goddard, speaking coach, performer, and founder of...
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E14: Redefining Success - Are You Building the Business You Actually Want?
In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets deeply honest about success, squashing, and the invisible pressure to chase goals that don't actually belong to us. Off the back of last week's conversation with Trisha Lewis, Anna reflects on her own journey of un-squashing - from grief,...
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E13: You're Not a Show-Off, You're Just Showing Up - Talking Imposter Syndrome with Trisha Lewis
Feel like you're hiding in plain sight? You're not alone. In this episode, Anna is joined by the marvellous Trisha Lewis, communication coach, speaker, and author of The Mystery of the Squashed Self, to talk about why so many brilliant people (especially those in business) are afraid to truly…
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E12: Behind Every Great Founder Is a Brilliant Support Network
Running a business can feel like spinning a hundred plates with one hand… especially when you're doing it alone. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets honest about the real blockers founders face, from avoiding the hard stuff to thinking one more app, tool, or course will finally...
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E11: We Are Delighted to Announce… That Your Copy Doesn't Have to Sound Like This - with Sarah Townsend
In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna is joined by award-winning copywriter and author Sarah Townsend for a fun, honest conversation about communication, copywriting, and the realities of running your own business, especially when you're doing it all yourself. They chat about: How to write…
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E10: From Word Vomit to Whitepapers - Do Marketing That Works for You
In this solo episode of Creating The Curve, Anna follows up her conversation with LinkedIn legend John Espirian and dives into what it really takes to show up online when your brain is busy, your time is limited, and you're not a natural content machine. She shares: Her own struggles with early...
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E9: Don't Be a Douche Canoe - Build Better Relationships on LinkedIn with John Espirian
LinkedIn is supposed to be about people. But somewhere along the way, it started feeling stiff, salesy, and a bit… awkward. In this episode, Anna is joined by the relentlessly helpful LinkedIn nerd John Espirian to talk about how to show up on LinkedIn in a way that's memorable, human, and…
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E8: The Messy Middle - Growing a Business Without Burning Out
Starting a business is one thing. Growing one, without burning out, is something else entirely. In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on what happens after the initial rush of launching: when you hit that awkward in-between stage where the work piles up, the fun...
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E7: Support and Community Builds Stronger Businesses with Beverley Poole
In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by long-time mentor, connector, and all-around business whirlwind Beverley Poole, to talk about something every founder needs - support. Together, they explore: Why technical founders struggle when they try to go it alone How to…
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E6: How I Use AI Day-to-Day as a Small Business Owner
Used well, AI can be one of the best ways to help you save time, reduce stress, and get through your to-do list as a small business owner. In this solo episode of Creating The Curve, Anna shares her own everyday AI processes, from editing podcasts faster, to getting blog posts written quicker, to...
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E5: Using AI and Custom GPTs to Work Smarter with Frank Prendergast
For founders juggling a hundred tasks, AI and Custom GPTs can be a lifeline - if you know how to use them right. In this episode of Creating The Curve, Anna is joined by creative strategist and AI experimenter Frank Prendergast for a refreshing, practical conversation about getting started with...
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E4: Stop Selling. Start Solving
If the word "sales" still gives you the ick - this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Creating The Curve, Anna reflects on the powerful ideas shared by John Tunstall last week and explores what selling really looks like when you strip away the awkward scripts, the cold calls, and the...
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E3: Why Good Salespeople Ask Better Questions with John Tunstall
Sales. Love it or hate it, you can't grow your business without it. In this episode of Creating The Curve, Anna is joined by John Tunstall - a sales strategist who's on a mission to fix how small businesses approach selling. If you're a founder who dreads "doing sales," this episode will change…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
You started a business to do the thing you love - designing, building, writing, creating - but somewhere along the way, you also became head of sales, finance, marketing, and every other department.Now you're juggling all the moving parts, wondering how running your own business somehow means less freedom, not more.That's what Creating the Curve is here for.Through honest chats, stories, and simple, practical ideas, we'll help you make sense of it all, find your footing, and build a business that actually feels good to run.Because it's not you - it's just really hard to do everything. So let us help you make it just that little bit easier.
HOSTED BY
Creating The Curve
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Creating The Curve have?
Creating The Curve currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Creating The Curve about?
You started a business to do the thing you love - designing, building, writing, creating - but somewhere along the way, you also became head of sales, finance, marketing, and every other department.Now you're juggling all the moving parts, wondering how running your own business somehow means less...
How often does Creating The Curve release new episodes?
Creating The Curve has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Creating The Curve?
You can listen to Creating The Curve on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Creating The Curve?
Creating The Curve is created and hosted by Creating The Curve.
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