Really F*cking Trying

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 - but they happen to ALL of us. So fuck it, let’s laugh about it instead. From typos to misprints, social anxiety to spillages… we’ve covered it all. (Erm… we might’ve even had a minor crime confession 😳)

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 facing the dreaded self-assessment… Nothing is off the table. We’re also talking about why making a loss isn’t always a bad thing, and how the numbers behind your business don’t always tell the full story. We’re getting honest about our own experiences, sharing the struggles we’ve faced and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. So whether your small business is thriving or you’re feeling like it’s been one long uphill climb - we get it. We’ve been there. & you’re not alone. Let’s break down the barriers and start talking about money.

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 take on building a business as a woman doing things her own way. We’re sharing our own experiences of working for ourselves (and for other people), the good, the bad, and the “oh what the fuck!?” moments. We talk about how the small business community can be such a supportive, inclusive space - but also how it’s very female dominated, and what that’s meant for us personally. It’s honest, it’s reflective, and it’s basically a big chat about backing ourselves, learning as we go, and figuring it out together!

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 questionable decisions), and what it really takes to turn a handmade idea into something sellable. If you’ve ever looked at something you made and thought “could this be a product?” - this one’s for you.

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 than we expected, and what we’ve learned along the way. From juggling creativity with consistency to figuring things out as we go, it’s very much been a year of trial, error, and doing our best. We also chat about how it feels now, a year in - the confidence shifts, the doubts, the small wins, and why we’re still here, still trying. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into making a podcast, or you’re in your own “figuring it out” era, this one’s for you. Thanks for being part of the journey so far.

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 the weird pressure to reinvent yourself overnight, why we don’t do goals that make us miserable, and how January somehow feels about 6494302 days long. There’s no 5am routines here, no life glow-ups - just two small business owners easing into the year, lowering expectations, and embracing another 12 months of mild chaos. If you’re already tired, haven’t set resolutions or are simply vibing at the same level as last year - welcome. You’re among friends.

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 absolutely zero productivity chat. Grab a drink, get comfy, and come hang out with us.

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 hell are we supposed to take a break? We’re sharing the good, the bad, and the mildly unhinged parts of surviving the holiday hustle as small business gals. Pour yourself a hot choccy baileys, hide from your inbox, and come feel seen.

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 promotion to managing orders and navigating postage nightmares, we’re keeping it honest about what it’s really like behind the scenes. A must-listen for any small business owner trying to survive (and hopefully enjoy) the busiest time of the year.

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 concentrate, and a few chaotic stories along the way. If your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open, this one’s for you. 💫

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 mix of cautionary tales, chaos, and a bit of collective trauma - because if we can’t laugh (and cry) about it together, what’s the point?

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 before it starts, shift your mindset, and pull yourself out of that rut when it hits. We’re joined by Clare from Peach Swizzle, who shares her own experiences and tips for navigating creative exhaustion while keeping your motivation alive. Whether you’re juggling small business chaos, side hustles, or just trying to survive life, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical advice, and a reminder that it’s okay to pause and take care of yourself.

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 picked up along the way, we’re spilling it all. We’re also joined by the brilliant Becci from Palm House Studio, who shares her own journey of building and expanding her creative business. If you’ve ever wondered what growth really looks like behind the scenes - the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between - this one’s for you.

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 got started, the messy beginnings that don’t always make the Instagram feed, and the lessons we learned in those early days. We’re also joined by Courtney from Slog Creative, who shares her own start-up story and what she wishes she’d known at the beginning. Whether you’re still dreaming about your first business idea or knee-deep in spreadsheets and side hustles, this episode is here to remind you that every big journey starts with a very wobbly first step. Next time, we’ll be back with Growing the Biz, where we talk about what happens after the launch.

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 and Needles, who shares her experience of finding confidence in her pricing, knowing your worth, and dealing with that awkward “is this too expensive?” voice in your head. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to re-think your prices, this episode is packed with honesty, laughs, and hopefully a bit of clarity on the money side of running a creative business.

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 hauling stock and setting up shop. From layouts and signage to those finishing touches that draw people in, we’re sharing the tips and tricks that can turn a good stall into a great one. Think of it as your behind-the-scenes guide to creating a space that feels both beautiful and functional. If you’ve ever stared at your table wondering “does this even look good?” – this episode’s for you.

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. We’re joined by the brilliant Hollie from Designs by Hollie, who shares her experience of stepping away from her creative business and how she’s finding her rhythm again. We talk burnout, baby steps, comparison spirals, and that awkward “where do I even begin?” phase. If you’ve ever needed a pep talk to hit reset - this one’s for you. 

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 we learned from it. Whether you started a side hustle in lockdown, had to rethink everything overnight, or just love a good reinvention story - this one’s got you.

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 body while running a business. Whether you’re burnt out, buzzing, or somewhere in between - this one’s for you.

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.

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 one of us cries more (spoiler: it's Jade), or what our weirdest habits are - now’s your chance. It’s messy, it’s honest, and it’s a big ol’ hug to anyone out there trying to figure it all out as they go.

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 strategy, growing an audience without losing your mind, and why you don’t need to be on every platform to make an impact. Whether you love it, hate it, or just post and pray - this one’s for you.

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 before), and why branding is so much more than just a cute logo. Katie shares how she built Glorified Cabaret into a bold, brilliant brand that’s full of personality - and why being totally yourself is the real secret sauce 🌈✨ If you’ve ever felt lost in a sea of sameness or wondered what makes you special, this one’s for you!

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 thriving business (spoiler: it didn’t happen overnight) We’re talking about the big, scary goals we’ve set for ourselves this year, what’s actually helping us move the needle, and how we’re keeping the pressure low and the vibes high. So if you’re dreaming big but feeling wobbly, pop us in your ears - we’ve got pep talks, real talk, and a whole lot of love for anyone out there really fucking trying. 

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 from our lovely listeners. Because if you can’t laugh when it all goes wrong… what can you do? Grab a cuppa and join us for a feel-good giggle fest - it’s the reminder we all need that nobody’s got it all together (and that’s kind of the best part).

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 doing way better than you think! Karina shares her own experiences with feeling like a fraud and the ways she's learnt to shut it down! 💖

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 it, the value of formal education, and why sometimes the best lessons come from making a mess. 🎓🍪

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 creative industries. ✨💪 Join us as we share stories, experiences, and some much-needed appreciation for the amazing women out there doing the damn thing! 💖

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 vibe.  If you’ve ever felt a little lonely in the small biz world, this one’s for you! 💖

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 taking your biz to a market, consider this your unofficial survival guide!

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 really has it all figured out - we're just out here REALLY FUCKING 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 entrepreneurship and cheer you on while you chase your own dreams. Let’s figure this out together! 💕