PODCAST · business
Really F*cking Trying
by rftpodcast
Really F*cking Trying is the podcast for anyone navigating the wild ride of small business life. Hosted by your new small biz besties, Jade Muat-Dodd and Ellie Francesca, we’re here to keep it real about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Join us as we dive into the creative hustle, sharing the wins, the fails, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches, we’re here to remind you: you’re not alone, and you’ve totally got this.
Episodes
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Episode 37 - Brand voice: politics, personality and privacy
“You are the business, the business is you.” It’s a statement we’ve uttered countless times on this podcast. But just how much of you should go into your business? Is there a fine line between personality and professionalism? Has social media forced us to perform for our audience rather than…
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Episode 36 - Really fucking stocked: products, preperation and getting retail ready
Let’s talk stockists! In this episode, we’re joined by the lovely Heather from Heather Anne Home Fragrance to chat all about getting your makes stocked on the high street! If you’ve ever wondered how to approach stockists, how much stock to offer, how to keep track of inventory, what to do (and...
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Episode 35 - Really fucking retail: juggling jobs and wearing all the hats
Today we’re not speaking as Ellie and Jade… Instead, we’re joined by Sas from Sassy Makes, and we’re putting on our other hats as ‘Green Jam Creatives’ and ‘Hazlehurst & Friends’ What really goes into running a brick-and-mortar shop that stocks over 90 artists? How hard is it to organise and run...
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Episode 34 - Working hard, or hardly working: the productivity myth
Started your business from a hobby you loved? Now you’ve got a mini empire and that hobby makes up about 5% of what you actually do? Fucking same, babes. Let’s talk about it. This week we’re diving into productivity. The art of getting shit done… or lack of it in some cases. We’re talking to-do...
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Episode 33 - That noise means it's time for Q&A: a compilation
Okay, okay... the girlies have been busy this month. We promise not to make a habit of it, but while we're juggling businesses, life, and trying to keep all our ducks in a row, we've put together a little compilation episode of some of our favourite Q&As from previous episodes. So if you're new...
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Episode 32 - Self-care or self-destruct: let's talk mental health
This week we’re getting into the nitty gritty of mental health - where the line sits between self-care and self-destruct, and how it actually feels to navigate it all while running a small business. We’re joined by Katie from Mama Bear Creates for a real, open conversation about decision fatigue,...
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Episode 31 - April fools: flops, fails and fuck-ups - your stories
We’re back! And this one involves you guys 👀 When you run a small biz for any length of time, or do anything remotely creative, expect plenty of ‘Why the fuck did I do that?!’ moments 🤷♀️ To be honest… it’s basically in the job description at this point 😅 And of course, they’re frustrating -...
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Episode 30 - Money, money, money: nothing funny in a small biz world
This week we’re finally tackling the topic we can’t avoid any longer (trust us, we’ve tried) - the financial side of running a small business. From start-up costs and packaging expenses to keeping your business afloat, managing fluctuating material prices, staying on top of your finances, and...
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Episode 29 - Galentines: self-love, sisterhood and standing our ground
This episode has landed right between Galentine’s and International Women’s Day, so it felt like the perfect time to chat about female empowerment, and what it’s actually like being women in the small biz world. We’re also joined by the lovely Caitlin from W0bblybits, who shares her story and her...
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Episode 28 - Products: from making to marketplace
In this episode we’re joined by David from Wooden Heart Customs to chat about the glow-up from “I made this” to “people can actually buy this.” We get into the difference between custom work vs reproducible products, the mistakes we’ve made along the way (yes, including bad orders and…
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Episode 27 - One year in review: really fucking reflecting
In this episode we’re taking a moment to look back on our first full year of Really Fucking Trying. We talk honestly about what the past year has actually looked like behind the scenes - the work that goes into planning, recording and releasing each episode, what surprised us, what was harder…
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Episode 26 - New year, same fuckery: kicking off another year
It’s a new year! Are we new people? Absolutely not. In this episode, we’re kicking off another year the only way we know how: by rejecting “new year, new me,” ignoring resolutions, and accepting that we are simply carrying the same personalities and problems straight into January. We chat about…
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Episode 25 - It's really fucking Christmas: fun, friends and festivity
It’s really fucking Christmas! 🎄✨ For our Christmas special, we’re ditching the business chat and leaning fully into the festive chaos. We’re joined by the lovely Sas from Sassy Makes for a cosy catch-up all about fun, friends, and festive vibes. Expect laughs, Christmas opinions, tangents, and...
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Episode 24 - Merry bizmas: sanity, schedule and surviving the holiday hustle
It’s Merry Bizmas! In this episode we’re joined by Chloe from Chloe Fluff Studios to talk all things festive chaos - the Christmas markets that drain your soul and your stock levels, the pressure to stay merry when you’re freezing your tits off behind your stall, and the big question: when the…
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Episode 23 - Christmas chaos: products, promotion and postage panic
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… and for small business owners, that can only mean one thing: chaos. In this episode, we sit down with Rosie from Rosie Roo Creations to chat about the highs, lows and absolute madness that comes with the festive season. From product planning and...
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Episode 22 - Dodging distractions: the hocus pocus of maintaining focus
This week, we’re joined by Amy from Cornucopia Creative to chat all things focus - or, more accurately, our constant battle with not having any. From endless to-do lists and shiny new ideas to actually getting shit done, we’re sharing our biggest struggles, some magic tricks that help us...
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Episode 21 - Ghosted, scammed and overwhelmed: small biz horror stories
Running a small business isn’t always cute packaging and loyal customers… sometimes it’s straight-up terrifying. In this episode, we’re reading out YOUR small biz horror stories - from nightmare clients and scammy “collabs” to the times you got completely ghosted after doing all the work. It’s a...
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Episode 20 - Dealing with burnout: mindset, motivation and managing meltdowns
Burnout is real, and sometimes it hits harder than we expect. In this episode, we get honest about our own struggles with burnout, sharing the moments that left us drained, overwhelmed, and questioning everything. We also dive into the techniques that actually work (for us) - how to stop burnout...
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Episode 19 - Growing the biz: goals, growing pains and good lessons
So, you’ve started the biz… now what? In this second half of our two-part series, we’re talking all about what happens after the launch - the messy middle of actually growing a business. From setting (and re-setting) goals, to navigating those inevitable growing pains, to the good lessons we’ve...
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Episode 18 - Building the biz: beginning your business journey
Starting a business is equal parts exciting, terrifying, and a little bit chaotic — and in this episode we’re diving right into it. Building the Biz: Beginning Your Business Journey is the first in our two-part series on what it really takes to run your own thing. We’re chatting about how we each...
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Episode 17 - Pricing: how to charge when in charge
How do you actually put a price on your creativity? In this episode we’re getting into the tricky world of money and pricing - how we price our own products, the mistakes we’ve made, and whether there’s really a secret formula to getting it right. We’re joined by the brilliant Rachel from Pens…
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Episode 16 - Markets part 2: setting up for success
This week, we’re revisiting markets – but this time, it’s all about the vibes. ✨ In part two of our markets series, we’re diving into the aesthetics of your stall: how to make your table stand out, the little details that make a big impact, and the dos and don’ts we’ve picked up from years of...
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Episode 15 - Reboot, refresh, restart: finding your flow after a break
This week, we’re chatting all about what it actually feels like to restart after a creative break. Whether you pressed pause on your business, took time off for your mental health, or just lost your spark, this episode is your permission slip to rest, then start messy and come back imperfectly....
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Episode 14 - Pivoting in the pandemic: how covid changed our biz
In this episode we’re joined by the brilliant Laura from Make A Daze to look back at one very chaotic time: the pandemic. We’re talking pivots, panic, and figuring shit out on the fly. We’re unpacking how COVID turned our businesses upside down, or in some cases, even kick started them - and what...
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Episode 13 - Work-life balance: boundaries, hobbies and harmony
This week we’re joined by the amazing Olivia from The Alt Creative to chat all things work-life balance - or at least, trying to find it. We’re diving into the messy, real-life reality of switching off, setting boundaries, making time for hobbies, and figuring out how to look after your brain and...
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Episode 12 - Selling online: from listings to likes, promo woes and postage prices
This week we’re diving into the chaotic world of selling online - with the lovely Racheal from Planchette Place joining us for a big ol’ chat about what it actually takes to run an online shop. We’re talking writing listings without crying, the pain of postage prices and promo burnout.
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Episode 11 - From concepts to creation: our process unpacked
In this episode we’re talking about how we make our own work. From dreaming up creative projects to bringing them into reality, we’re sharing our creative processes and how we actually do things. Then! A lil surprise: we sprung a last-minute Q&A on each other 👀 So if you’ve ever wondered which…
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Episode 10 - Social media: cringe, content & shameless self-promotion
In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the wild world of social media - from the awkward early days of oversharing to figuring out what actually works when you're running a small business. We’re joined by the wonderful Laura from Sun and sky designs, who shares her insights on content...
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Episode 9 - Branding with purpose: finding your USP and building a business you love
In this episode, we’re joined by the fabulous Alabama Whirley (aka Katie) from Glorified Cabaret to chat all things branding, standing out, and building a business you actually love 💥 We’re diving into finding your vibe, figuring out your USP (even if you’ve never said those letters out loud...
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Episode 8 - Dream big: setting bold goals for life and business
Got big dreams but no idea where to start? Same. In this episode, we’re chatting all things goal setting - think bold visions, messy action, and figuring it out as we go. We’re joined by the brilliant Toni from TLC Illustration, who’s sharing her own journey of turning creative chaos into a...
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Episode 7 - Storytime: finding the funny in the flops
Ever launched a product backwards? Sent an email with the wrong name? Fallen flat on your face - literally or metaphorically? In this episode, we’re embracing the chaos and laughing through the mess. We’re sharing some of our own most ridiculous business blunders, AND hilarious “flop” stories…
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Episode 6 - Imposter syndrome: fighting fears and faking confidence
In this episode we’re joined by the amazing Karina from Liverpool Leopard to get real about imposter syndrome - that annoying little voice that tells you you’re not good enough (even when you 100% are). We’re talking about why it shows up, how it messes with your head, and why you're probably…
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Episode 5 - Education VS life experience: degrees or diving in? Learning as we go
In this episode, we’re joined by the amazing Kate from Kate’s Bakes to chat all about life experience vs. education. We’re asking the big questions - is a degree really essential, or have we learned more from just diving in and figuring it out as we go? We get into the highs and lows of winging…
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Episode 4 - International women's day special: real queens fix each other's crowns
In this episode we're celebrating International women's day! Listen to us shining a spotlight on some incredible women making waves in the creative world. From artists to makers, business owners to boundary-breakers, we’re celebrating the talent, resilience, and pure magic that women bring to...
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Episode 3 - Support network: finding friendships in the small business hustle
In this episode, we’re joined by our first-ever guest (!!!), the incredible Sas from Sassy Makes, to chat all about the power of small biz friendships. We dive into how to find your people, why having a support network is everything, and whether working in a studio or at home is the ultimate…
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Episode 2 - An introduction to markets: a preface to face to face
In this episode, we’re diving into our very first market experiences, sharing the highs and lows. We’re breaking down the pros and cons of selling at markets and our must-have items for a smooth day! Markets are thrilling, exhausting, and sometimes a little chaotic, if you’ve been thinking about...
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Episode 1 - Ellie and Jade: beginnings, besties and building businesses
Welcome to REALLY FUCKING TRYING! In this episode, We dive into how we became best friends, our chaotic small business journeys, and why we started this podcast in the first place. Expect plenty of laughs, some real talk about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and a reminder that no one…
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Welcome to Really F*cking Trying
Hey, you found us! This bite-sized intro sets the stage for Really F*cking Trying - the podcast for small biz owners, dreamers, and anyone out there just trying their best. This podcast is for honest convos, a few laughs, and a big community vibe. We’re here to share the messiness of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Really F*cking Trying is the podcast for anyone navigating the wild ride of small business life. Hosted by your new small biz besties, Jade Muat-Dodd and Ellie Francesca, we’re here to keep it real about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Join us as we dive into the creative hustle, sharing the wins, the fails, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches, we’re here to remind you: you’re not alone, and you’ve totally got this.
HOSTED BY
rftpodcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Really F*cking Trying have?
Really F*cking Trying currently has 38 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Really F*cking Trying about?
Really F*cking Trying is the podcast for anyone navigating the wild ride of small business life. Hosted by your new small biz besties, Jade Muat-Dodd and Ellie Francesca, we’re here to keep it real about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Join us as we dive into the creative hustle,...
How often does Really F*cking Trying release new episodes?
Really F*cking Trying has 38 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Really F*cking Trying?
You can listen to Really F*cking Trying 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 Really F*cking Trying?
Really F*cking Trying is created and hosted by rftpodcast.
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