The Costly Mistakes I’ve Made as a First Time CEO (So You Don’t Have To)

If you’re building something right now, whether that’s a business, a personal brand, a podcast, or a creator career… this might sound familiar.

You feel like you need everything at once.

Strategy. Content. Coaching. Tools. Equipment. Courses. Mentors.

And the thing is… it all adds up fast.

I’ve learned this the hard way over the last three years as a first-time CEO building OAC.

Some of those investments moved me forward. Some of them really didn’t.

So this is less about regret, and more about reflection, the things I wish someone had told me earlier.

1. Not every course or training is worth it

Early on, I felt like I had to constantly be learning to keep up.

So I said yes to courses, training, and programmes thinking it would fast-track my growth.

But what I didn’t realise was that: I was already sitting on a lot more knowledge than I gave myself credit for.

And because I wasn’t always implementing what I was learning, I wasn’t actually getting the value out of it.

Now, I’m much more intentional. I still learn constantly, but I rely heavily on free, high-quality resources like podcasts, YouTube, and real-world experience and I only invest in things I know I will actively use.

2. You don’t need the most expensive setup

I genuinely thought better content meant better equipment. New cameras, new gear, constant upgrades.

But the reality is, for most creators and founders, you don’t need nearly as much as you think. A good phone and a solid mic will take you incredibly far.

Clarity of message will always outperform fancy equipment.

3. Be selective with who you learn from

This one changed everything for me.Not all mentorship is equal, and not every investment in guidance is the right one.

The biggest shift came when I started asking myself:

• Have they actually walked the path I want to go down?

• Do they have real data, experience, and results?

• Do I actually know what I want help with?
  

And just as importantly, I now always ask for references and context before committing, because alignment matters more than authority.

The biggest lesson

Not every investment I made was a waste of money, but I did learn to become far more intentional with who I listen to, what I buy into, and where I put my energy.

The biggest shift in my growth didn’t come from doing more.

It came from doing the right things.

If you’re in this stage right now…

If you’re building something but feel stuck in that in-between space, where you want to move forward but aren’t sure on direction, you don’t need to figure it all out alone.

My Power Hours are focused 1:1 sessions where we step back, look at where you’re at, and map out clear, tailored next steps so you can move forward with confidence.

What Changes When Women Stop Waiting and Take the Leap

We all know the feeling when you have an idea, a goal, or a dream, but somehow, it never quite feels like the “right” time to start.

Maybe you think you need more experience, more knowledge, more confidence, or the perfect plan. So you wait, you plan, you learn and meanwhile… you watch other people, sometimes less experienced, leap forward while you stay stuck.

Waiting for permission, from others or from yourself is the thing holding most people back. 

The people who actually build successful brands don’t wait. They move before they feel ready, take small steps every day, and learn as they go.

In this post, we’re breaking down the journeys of three women who started from scratch, took risks, and turned their personal solutions into thriving businesses, showing how you can do the same.

Lindsey Kane

Lindsey didn’t wait for permission. She noticed a gap in the conversations women were having,  too often superficial, polite, or “safe.” She started the conversations others were afraid to have real, honest, no BS talks about empowerment, connection, and women supporting women.

She began by hosting small meetups, building a network of women hungry for meaningful dialogue. Those early conversations sparked a bigger vision. Lindsey launched The YES Button™, creating spaces where women could speak openly, work through fear, and find clarity in their own choices. 

She didn’t stop there, she developed JOLT, a wellness supliment designed to energise, build confidence, and bring mental clarity, grounded in science but easy to integrate into daily life.

What started as a risk, simply speaking up and starting conversations, became a brand, a movement, and a voice that inspires women to say YES to themselves, with confidence and purpose. Lindsey shows that impact starts when you take the first step, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Olivia Jenkins

Olivia couldn’t find jewellery that actually worked for real life,  pieces that were both stylish and functional, that women could wear confidently every day. Instead of waiting for the “right time” or an investor, she made it herself.

Starting in a spare room with no business experience, Olivia relied on instinct and persistence. Her approach was to take small steps, every day. She learned as she went, refining designs, testing products with friends, and gradually building a loyal customer base. Over time, those small steps compounded, and her risk turned into a tangible, thriving brand.

Today, D. Louise is a multi-million-pound brand, partnered with Chelsea FC Women, and loved by thousands of women every day. Olivia’s journey proves that starting before you feel ready and learning along the way can create something extraordinary.

Lucie Macleod

Lucie didn’t wait for permission or a business plan. Her hair had suffered years of bleaching and damage, and nothing on the market helped. She began experimenting with natural oil blends in her student kitchen, just to fix her own hair.

What started as a personal solution quickly attracted attention. Friends noticed the transformation, then strangers asked if they could buy bottles. Lucie kept refining her formulas, learning about ingredients, sourcing, and production on the fly. Every small step testing, adjusting, sharing, compounded into a business with real traction.

What began as a personal fix became Hair Syrup, a multi-million-pound brand stocked worldwide and loved by thousands. Lucie’s story is a powerful reminder that solving your own problem can become a solution that changes the lives of others, all without waiting for permission.

Key takeaways

Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build after you move.

You don’t need permission either.

Our Personal Brand Strategy & Power Hours give you the clarity, confidence, and actionable plan to start before you feel ready. Define your positioning. Build your strategy. Take your first bold steps.

We help you stop waiting, start moving, and say YES to showing up and taking those scary but transformative steps.

Click here to stop waiting and start building your brand today.

Are You Leaving Opportunities on the Table?

If you’re waiting for brands to come to you, you could be missing out on the best opportunities for your career, here’s why pitching yourself is the game-changer.

When I first started OAC, the split between inbound and outbound opportunities looked pretty balanced:

• 60% of opportunities were ones we actively pitched for creators

• 40% came inbound from brands

Fast forward to today, and that split has completely shifted:

• 85% of opportunities now come from pitches we generate

• Inbound opportunities? Often low-paid, irrelevant, or just not worth the time

That shift taught me something crucial: if you’re not actively pitching yourself, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.

Think about it logically. Where would a brand start if they wanted to work with a creator?

• Creators actively pitching themselves?

• Or spending hours scrolling and searching for someone who might be a good fit?
  

Your inbox is the easiest place for brands to start. That’s why outbound pitching is not just “extra work” it’s how you create your own opportunities.

Why pitching works

The creators who succeed are the ones who stop waiting for the perfect email to land in their inbox and start proactively creating their own opportunities. Pitching shows:

• Initiative: Brands notice when someone reaches out confidently

• Value: You’re framing your skills and audience in a way that makes it easy for the brand to see the benefit

• Professionalism: A good pitch tells a brand you take your work seriously and that they should too
  

When done well, pitching also filters out the low-value opportunities. Instead of waiting for brands to reach out randomly, you control the conversation and ensure it’s aligned with your audience, goals, and worth.

The challenge

I know pitching can feel intimidating. A lot of creators feel like they need a “perfect formula” before sending an email. They worry about:

• Being too pushy

• Not having enough audience size or stats

• Crafting a message that sounds authentic
  

That’s why I built a system to make pitching easier. I’ve created 30 pages of prompts, frameworks, and templates specifically for creators, everything from how to structure your pitch to how to follow up without feeling awkward. You can download the guide here and start sending pitches with confidence today.

The goal is to give creators the confidence to reach out, make a professional impression, and turn pitches into paid opportunities.

My advice

Stop waiting for opportunities to come to you.

Start small: send one pitch this week. Then another. Treat it like a muscle, the more you practice, the more natural it becomes.

Look at your inbox as a place of possibility, not just notifications. Every email you send is a chance to open a door that might otherwise stay closed.

And remember, brands want creators who take initiative. They don’t want someone sitting back, waiting for an invitation. They want someone who can say: “Here’s why I’m the right fit, and here’s how I can add value.”

Final thought

Pitching isn’t about being salesy. It’s about being clear, confident, and intentional.

If you’re not pitching, you’re leaving money, growth, and opportunities on the table. And that’s the easiest problem to fix, all you need to do is start.

So my question is, are you waiting for opportunities to find you, or are you going to go get them? Download the pitching guide here and start creating your own opportunities today.

Give Me 7 Reasons to Convince You to Build Your Personal Brand

There’s this idea that building a personal brand online is only for influencers, content creators, or people who already have a big audience.

But It’s a lot simpler than that, and a lot more urgent than most people realise.

Less than 5% of people are consistently posting online. Which means the majority are still scrolling and  watching… instead of actually putting themselves out there.

And in a world where attention is everything, that gap is where the opportunity sits.

Because while most people are hesitating, a small percentage are building visibility, credibility, and momentum,  just by showing up.

This is where personal branding shifts from being optional to essential.

If you’re still not fully sold on it, let me break it down for you.

Here are seven reasons based on what I’ve seen, and what I’ve personally experienced, that might just change your mind.

1. Visibility creates opportunities long before you feel ready

When I first started sharing my journey online, I didn’t have a clear roadmap. I was posting content about my home renovation and hiding behind my camera, never showing my face.

Two years later, I decided to take the leap and put myself front and center. I started showing up, being seen, and sharing my perspective. And that changed everything.

Through building my personal brand, over time, I became visible to people and opportunities that would have been completely inaccessible otherwise. Brand partnerships, collaborations, PR events,  none of these came from waiting until I felt “ready.” They came from being present.

The truth is, we often think credibility comes first, and visibility comes later. But in reality, showing up is what creates credibility.

2. The barrier to standing out has never been lower

Because so few people are consistently posting, the bar for differentiation is surprisingly low.

You don’t need to go viral.

You don’t need high production.

You don’t need to be the best.

You simply need to be visible, clear, and consistent.

In most industries, the majority of professionals still rely on outdated methods of being discovered,  word of mouth, traditional networking, or static online profiles. Meanwhile, those who actively share insights, experiences, and perspectives online are building familiarity at scale.

In a crowded market, consistency alone is often enough to make you memorable.

3. Personal branding compounds faster than almost any other channel

Within nine months of putting myself in my content, everything changed and I grew an audience of 30,000.

More importantly, that growth translated into tangible outcomes. My personal brand began generating more income than my previous salary and ultimately became the foundation of a full-time business.

What makes personal branding unique is its compounding effect. Each piece of content builds on the last. Each post increases the likelihood of being discovered, remembered, or referred.

Unlike paid marketing, where visibility stops the moment you stop spending, personal branding continues working in the background, attracting opportunities long after the content is posted.

4. Most people don’t have a visibility problem - they have a positioning problem

A common assumption is that growth comes from reaching more people.

In many cases, the issue isn’t reach,  it’s clarity.

If someone lands on your content today, would they immediately understand:

• what you do

• who you help

• what you stand for

If the answer is unclear, more visibility won’t solve the problem.

Positioning is what turns attention into trust. Without it, even consistent posting can feel ineffective.

5. Intentional content outperforms frequent content

There is a persistent belief that growth requires constant output, multiple posts a day, across multiple platforms.

In reality, frequency without direction rarely delivers results.

Intentional content, on the other hand, is designed with purpose. It reflects your value, reinforces your positioning, and speaks directly to the audience you want to attract.

This shift,  from posting more to posting with intention, is often where people begin to see meaningful momentum.

6. Your content shapes perception before you ever speak

Long before someone enquires, buys, or collaborates with you, they have already formed an impression based on your online presence.

Your content acts as a first touchpoint, a way for people to understand not just what you do, but how you think, what you prioritise, and whether they trust you.

In that sense, your personal brand becomes a form of pre-qualification. It attracts aligned opportunities and filters out misaligned ones.

Without it, you rely entirely on direct interaction to communicate your value. With it, much of that work is done in advance.

7. The gap between where you are and where you want to be is often visibility

We often assume people get ahead because they’re naturally talented, super experienced, or just got lucky.

But the real reason? Most of the time, it’s visibility.

There are people with less experience, fewer qualifications, and smaller networks who are progressing faster, not because they are more capable, but because they are more visible.

Building a personal brand closes that gap. It allows your ideas, skills, and perspective to reach far beyond your immediate environment.

And in doing so, it creates opportunities that would not exist otherwise.

So, is it worth it?

Building a personal brand isn’t about becoming an influencer or trying to be seen by everyone.

It’s about taking control of how people see you, getting yourself in front of the right opportunities, and creating content that actually shows what you’re about.

It’s one of the fastest ways to grow, both in your career and your income, in today’s world.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I could be doing more,”  it doesn’t have to feel complicated.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

You just need to start showing up, consistently and with purpose.

And if you want a little help getting there, my Personal Brand Power Hour is all about digging into your positioning, sharpening your content, and building a personal brand that people actually notice and trust.

The Cringe Epidemic: How I Quit My Job by Building My Personal Brand

For a long time, I thought the reason I wasn’t growing faster online was strategy - better hooks, stronger content ideas, improved timing. But looking back now, it wasn’t any of that. It was something much simpler, I hadn’t built my personal brand.

I started creating content five years ago, documenting the renovation of my new build. On paper, things were going well. I built an audience quickly, people were engaging, and I was consistent. But there was one thing I avoided at all costs… I didn’t show my face. 

Not once. 

For two whole years.

My first Instagram post was on 23rd February 2020. My first photo actually showing my face? Two years later. In that time, I had posted 178 times and grown to around 4,000 followers. At the time, it felt like progress. But now I see it differently.

Because I wasn’t building a personal brand, I was building a content page.

A content page can grow, sure. But a personal brand is what converts. It’s what builds trust. It’s what makes people care. And ultimately, it’s what turns Influence To Income™.

The moment I finally showed my face, everything shifted. Not overnight. Not in one viral post. But steadily, consistently, things started to click. Nine months later, and 161 posts after that decision, I quit my job.

I outgrew my salary, gained nearly 30,000 followers, and turned content creation into my full-time career. Not because I suddenly became a “better” creator, but because I became visible.

And this is where so many creators are stuck right now. We’re in what I can only describe as a cringe epidemic. Everyone wants to hide behind content, filter their voice, avoid the camera. And I get it, I still find it uncomfortable to this day. But avoiding that discomfort comes at a cost. Because the very thing you’re avoiding is often the thing that unlocks everything.

I speak to creators all the time who feel frustrated that they’re not monetising, not growing, or not being taken seriously. More often than not, it’s not a lack of potential. It’s a lack of visibility, positioning, and strategy behind them as a person, not just their content.

That’s exactly why I built my agency, OAC. When I was starting out, there was no roadmap. No one to show me what actually mattered. No one helping me bridge the gap between creating content and building a career from it. And that gap? It’s where most people stay stuck.

Now, I spend my time helping creators close it. Not just by posting more, but by understanding how to position themselves, build trust, and create content that actually leads somewhere. Because the goal isn’t just to grow an audience. It’s to build something that supports your life, your income and your choices.

So if you’re someone who’s been sitting on content ideas, overthinking showing your face, waiting until you feel “ready”… know that I’ve been there. I get it more than you think. But it might also be the exact thing standing between you and the next level.

If you’re ready to take it seriously, not just as a hobby, but as a potential career, that’s exactly what my Influence to Income strategy sessions are for. Together, we’ll look at where you are now, what’s holding you back, and what the next steps actually look like for you. Real, tailored strategy from someone who’s done it.

One decision, for me, showing my face  changed everything. For you, it might be closer than you think.

Things I know At 30 That I Wish I Knew At 25

The lessons on career, confidence, and building something that actually matters.

There’s a strange moment that happens when you move from your mid-twenties into your thirties.

You suddenly realise how much you’ve learned,  not from textbooks or courses, but from actually doing the thing. Starting businesses. Taking risks. Getting things wrong. Changing direction. Starting again.

At 25, I thought success followed a very clear path. You pick a career, you work hard and eventually everything will click into place.

But the reality of building a career, a business, or even a life you’re content with is far less linear than that.

The last few years have taught me lessons that I wish I had understood earlier.

So here are 10 things I know at 30 that I wish I knew at 25.

1. Your life doesn’t have to look how you imagined it

At 25, I thought success had a very specific route, but life rarely sticks to the script you write in your twenties.

Your life doesn’t have to look how you imagined it.

Sometimes the path changing is exactly what creates the life you’re meant to build.

The plan changing isn’t failure it’s often the beginning of something better.

2. You don’t need permission to build something

One of the biggest myths we’re told is that someone will eventually give us the green light.

However, most successful people simply started before they felt ready. No one gave them permission, they just decided to try.

If you have an idea, start exploring it, start messy, but just start.

3. Being uncomfortable usually means you’re growing

Growth rarely feels comfortable.

The things that stretch you, speaking publicly, launching something new, taking on bigger opportunities will almost always feel scary at first.

But that discomfort is often a signal that you’re moving in the right direction. Some of the best opportunities in my career came from moments that initially felt terrifying.

4. Your network is your number one asset

The people around you shape far more than you realise.

They influence your thinking, your confidence, and the opportunities that come your way. Being intentional about who you surround yourself with is one of the most powerful decisions you can make. So find people who challenge you, inspire you and genuinely want to see you succeed.

5. Don’t shrink to make other people comfortable

Ambition can make people uncomfortable, success can make people uncomfortable, but that’s not your responsibility to manage.

Your ambition or success isn’t something you need to apologise for.

6. Everyone is figuring it out as they go

When you’re younger, it’s easy to assume everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing, but what you really need to know is.. most people are learning in real time.

Even the people who look the most confident, successful or established are still experimenting, adapting and figuring things out along the way. There’s no moment where you suddenly have all the answers.

7. Speed matters more than perfection

At 25, I probably spent too much time overthinking things and waiting for the perfect moment.

But progress doesn’t happen through perfection, it happens through action.

Moving quickly, learning as you go and adjusting along the way will always take you further than waiting until something feels flawless.

8. Most people never start

We all have ideas, but do you actually execute them?

Starting something, a business, a personal brand, a project, already puts you ahead of the majority of people who stay stuck in the thinking stage.

Most people never start, if you do you’re already ahead of 90% of people.

Action is the real differentiator.

9. Most criticism is projection

Often, when people criticise or question what you’re doing, it says far more about them than it does about you.

Many people judge what they’re too afraid to pursue themselves.

Once you realise this, it becomes much easier to stay focused on your own path.

10. You can handle more than you think

At 25, I 100% underestimated my own resilience (and I still sometimes do it to this day).

Life, business and growth will test you. There will be moments where things feel uncertain, overwhelming or challenging. But you’re far more capable than you think.

And once you prove that to yourself a few times, it changes the way you approach everything.

What This Means If You’re Building a Business or Personal Brand

Whether you're building a business, a personal brand, or a creative career, a lot of these lessons become even clearer when you’re building something of your own.

When you’re the one making the decisions, there’s no hiding behind someone else’s roadmap.

You realise quickly that:

• No one is coming to give you permission

• Progress happens through action, not perfection

• The people around you shape your thinking more than you realise

• And the path will almost never look how you imagined it at the start
  

Building something forces you to grow faster than almost anything else and you learn to trust your instincts in ways you never had to before.

These lessons have come from starting, experimenting, and building OAC, even when things felt uncertain.

And if there’s one final thing I’ve learned…

You don’t need to have everything figured out to start building something meaningful. 

You just need the courage to begin, so take this as your sign.

Ready to get your answers straight from a founder?

Book your power hour here and get founder-level advice tailored to you.

How I Shifted My Engagement by Auditing My Content

It can be tricky working on the business when you’re stuck working in the business, so recently I did a full overhaul of my account to get everything aligned. I looked at my performance, reviewed my branding, and studied my audience and engagement patterns. I also checked what other creators in my niche were doing and spotted the gaps I could own.

Once I focused on the basics and added small, intentional tweaks, engagement didn’t just improve, it actually started landing consistently, and I finally felt like my content was working for me, not the other way around.

When someone lands on your page, they should immediately understand who you are, what you do, and why they should stick around. And the content you create should draw them in, spark conversation, and encourage action.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a total overhaul. You just need clarity, intention, and a little structure.

Quick Audit Directions

To help you get started, here are a few guiding prompts to walk through on your own account:

Audit your performance

Look at your posts over the last few months. Which ones actually drove engagement? Likes are nice, but saves, shares, DMs, and link clicks tell the real story. Spotting patterns here helps you focus on what your audience actually responds to.

Review your branding

Step back and look at your bio, feed, and highlights as a visitor would. Does it all make sense together? Is it clear who you are and what you do? Your branding should make your account instantly understandable and enticing.

Audit your audience

Take a look at who is following and engaging with you. Are these the right people ? Or are they mostly observers? Knowing this helps you create content that speaks to the people you actually want to reach.

Review engagement patterns

Which content formats are landing best with your audience, Reels, carousels, stories? Which hooks are consistently performing? Can you repeat these?Understanding what works consistently allows you to double down on your strengths and optimise for the highest impact.

Benchmark against competitors

Check what other creators in your niche are doing. What topics or formats are missing that you could own? And what’s already performing well that you can learn from or improve on? This gives you a map of opportunity in your space. To get a true idea of comparative performance, look at the key persons of influencer in your space who are a similar size to you. Don’t compare your day 1 to someone else’s day 1000.

Final thoughts

These questions aren’t meant to overwhelm, they’re meant to give you focus. Understanding what works allows you to create more of the content that actually drives results.

Start small, track what’s performing, and tweak intentionally. The difference is huge, and once you have a strong base, everything else becomes easier.

Want to take your audit further? Our strategy sessions help turn your Influence To Income™ . Click here to find out more.

How to Get More from Your Content Without Overhauling Your Strategy

If you’re creating great content but not seeing the engagement or clicks you want, you’re not alone. I was speaking with a client recently who felt exactly the same. She asked me, ‘How can I get more from my content without completely redoing my strategy?’ Here’s what I told her:

Don’t give everything away

The biggest mistake is giving all the information upfront. You want to create curiosity, share value, but hold back just enough to give your audience a reason to click, save, or keep watching. It’s not about withholding, it’s about guiding people to the next step and turning interest into engagement.

You don’t need to overhaul your strategy

A common misconception is that improving results means starting from scratch, but often, small, intentional tweaks make the biggest difference. Simple adjustments, like refining your CTA, rewording the last 2-3 seconds of a reel, or slightly shifting how you structure a post, can dramatically boost engagement and conversions. 

These changes don’t require rewriting your entire content plan, they enhance what’s already working. By focusing on small, smart refinements, you save time and get more impact from the content you’re already creating.

Example tweaks:

Adding a stronger call to action at the end of a Reel.

Adding a short line that tells people what else to expect from your page, prompting them to follow.

Be strategic with product links

Think carefully about how often you share product links and which posts you prioritise for them. Not every piece of content needs a link, overloading your audience can feel pushy and reduce engagement. 

Instead, focus on the posts that naturally align with the product or topic, and consider using tools like Amazon affiliate links, which often convert at higher rates. By being intentional, you can maximise clicks and revenue while keeping your audience engaged and trusting your recommendations. Strategic linking is about working smarter, not harder, getting the most from your content without overwhelming your followers.

Clarify the end of your content

Often, I see content end abruptly, leaving viewers unsure what to do next. Adding a 2- 3 second CTA at the end like “Follow for more tips” or “Check the link in bio”can turn passive viewers into followers, saves, or shares.

Be intentional with engagement prompts

Finally, I suggested using simple, clear CTAs like “Comment ‘shop’ to get the link.” These types of prompts do more than just encourage engagement, they train your audience to understand what happens when they interact with your content. 

Over time, this builds a pattern of behaviour, your viewers learn that engaging leads to value, whether that’s a link, more tips, or exclusive content. It also makes engagement feel natural rather than forced, boosting comments, saves, and clicks while strengthening the connection between you and your audience.

Final Thoughts

The takeaway? You don’t need to reinvent your strategy. Small, deliberate tweaks, creating curiosity, refining CTAs, being strategic with links, clarifying next steps, and guiding engagement can save time and make your content work harder for you.

Are you wanting one on one advice to tackle your biggest challenges and grow your influence? Book a Strategy Power Hour here and let’s create a plan that works for you.

I’m Leaking My Personal Brand Framework: The Questions You Need to Ask Yourself

Building a personal brand isn’t about posting more content, it’s about clarity. In our agency strategy sessions, we often hear the same struggles: clients posting consistently but not feeling seen, heard, or remembered. 

That’s why we’re giving you a behind the scenes look at the framework we use to get breakthroughs, and how you can use it to build a personal brand that gets results.

These are the questions I want you to fill in. They’re simple, actionable, and designed to force clarity:

1️⃣ Purpose 

What do you want people to associate with your name?

Your purpose is the core of your brand. It’s what people think of first when they hear your name. Without it, your content can feel scattered, with it, every post, story, or comment builds your reputation.

Question: “I’d like to be known as someone who___.”

2️⃣ Person  

The version of you your audience needs to meet consistently.

Your person is how you show up. This isn’t about perfection,  it’s about being recognisable and consistent so your audience knows what to expect from you.

Question: “I show up as ___ because my audience needs ___.”

3️⃣ People 

Who exactly are you speaking to, and who are you not?

Clarity on your people is what separates strong brands from generic ones. When you know your audience and who you’re not targeting, your content resonates and converts.

Question: “In a space where many others are trying to be seen, I want to___”

4️⃣ Difference

The edge only you can own.

Your difference is what makes you impossible to replicate. It’s the unique combination of experience, perspective, and personality that sets you apart.

Question: “I’m building a personal brand that will make a difference by___”

5️⃣ Authority

Why your experience, skills, and perspective give you the credibility to be followed.

Authority is the proof people need to trust you. It’s what makes your ideas credible and your advice actionable.

Question: “I have the right to build this brand because of___”

Don’t just read this, fill it in!

This framework isn’t theory,  it’s the same one we use in strategy sessions with our clients to give them clarity, direction, and actionable insight.

By answering these prompts, you’ll have a clear blueprint for a personal brand that gets noticed, trusted, and remembered.

Are you wanting further guidance? 

Click here to book in your own Strategy Power Hour below to get expert guidance and clarity to move your brand forward.

Books You’d Be Silly Not to Read as a Business Owner Or Creator

If you’re building a personal brand, scaling a business, or just trying to figure out this whole “creator life”, these are the books I keep coming back to. Each one has lessons that actually matter for founders and creators practical, tactical, and straight to the point.

Personal Brand Playbook - Amelia Sordell

If you’ve ever wondered how some creators make branding look easy, this book is basically the instruction manual. What I love about this read is that Amelia doesn’t obsess over curated grids and aesthetic Instagram feeds. She talks about building a tactical personal brand, one that actually supports your career and your positioning, as well as your long-term goals.

Key takeaways:

• Clarity always wins. Your brand first needs a why before a what.

• Consistency builds trust, and trust builds business.

• People don’t remember features, they remember feeling.

• You don’t need to reinvent your socials, you need to understand why people follow you.

• Your brand isn’t just content, it’s perception, reputation, and behaviour.
  

If you are trying to grow your brand with purpose and impact, this book gives you practical steps to make it happen.

Key Person of Influence - Daniel Priestley

If you’re building a personal brand and haven’t read this yet… you probably should.

This book is all about becoming known for something. Not just being good at what you do,  but being recognised for it. Daniel breaks down how to position yourself as the go-to person in your industry instead of constantly chasing opportunities.

Key takeaways:

• Being known is often more powerful than being the most talented.

• Visibility creates leverage.

• Publishing content isn’t optional if you want authority.

• Your personal brand should open doors before you even knock.

• Stop competing on price, start competing on positioning.

  If you are a founder or creator looking to stand out, this book shows you how to turn your expertise into real influence.

My Boss Era - Heather Ellington

If you haven’t heard about My Boss Era yet, consider this your sign to pick it up, especially if you’re ready to take control and step into your own authority.

Heather shares her stories, practical tips, and mindset shifts that actually make you feel like you can take charge. It’s the kind of book that makes you grab a notebook and actually do something about it.

She breaks down the difference between waiting for permission and creating your own authority. Walking you through how to step into leadership, make your ideas heard, and build real influence.

Key takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to lead, you become the boss of your brand by acting like it.

• Confidence isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you build with action.

• Your ideas deserve to be heard, so build the framework that forces others to take them seriously.

• Authority comes from consistency and conviction, not just followers or fancy titles.
  

If you are ready to take charge of your career and stop waiting for permission, this book is your blueprint.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t just books, they’re blueprints for building influence, confidence, and a personal brand that actually works. If you’re a founder, creator, or anyone trying to step up in your industry, these are the ones I swear by.

Ways to Save 4+ Hours as a Founder or Content Creator

Time is the one resource every founder and content creator wishes they had more of. Over the years, I’ve discovered several strategies and tools that consistently save me hours each week without sacrificing creativity or quality. Here’s how I do it.

Split Your Days by Focus Areas

Constantly switching between tasks can reduce your concentration by up to 40%. To combat this, I allocate specific days of the week to certain types of projects.

Focusing on one area at a time allows me to work faster and more productively while still covering all the tasks I need to manage. Whether it’s strategy, content creation, or admin, having a dedicated day for each type of work keeps my mind in flow and eliminates the constant friction of task-switching.

Lean on the Shortcuts App

I use the Shortcuts app to save time and stay focused so I can concentrate on growing my business. 

Here’s how I use it:

• Scheduled Do Not Disturb: Automatically turns on DND when I’m taking calls, in deep focus, or editing content.

• Content Schedule Reminders: One tap sets alarms for posting, filming, or editing sessions.

• Wake-Up Routines: Automatically triggers morning routines including alarm, weather, calendar, and priority tasks.

• Deadline Alerts: Recurring reminders keep me on top of tasks, meetings, and projects so nothing slips through the cracks.

Using automations like this eliminates small but time-consuming decisions, keeps my day running smoothly, and ensures that as a founder or content creator, I can spend more time on strategy, storytelling, and growth instead of admin and busywork, the areas that actually move my business forward.

Block Time for Creativity and Ideation

One of the biggest productivity hacks I’ve learned is to block dedicated time for creativity and ideation.

During these uninterrupted hours, I switch on Do Not Disturb and step away from emails, notifications, and distractions. It’s in these focused windows that the best strategies, ideas, and content concepts are developed, ideas that often get lost in the shuffle of a busy day.

By protecting this time, I save hours I’d otherwise spend reacting to messages or juggling multiple priorities. It also allows me to think strategically, plan ahead, and experiment without pressure, something that’s hard to do in short, fragmented bursts of work.

Making creativity a non-negotiable part of my schedule has completely transformed how I work, and it’s become the time I look forward to the most in my week.

Organise Your Life with a Digital Calendar

A digital calendar has become my ultimate productivity sidekick. It organises my entire life in one place from my daily diary to non-negotiable tasks, errands, and even my shopping list.

Because everything is visible at a glance, I’m not constantly switching between tabs, apps, or notes. I can instantly see where my time and energy are going, which keeps priorities fresh in my mind and eliminates the friction of hunting for information.

Planning my week visually also allows me to spot gaps, focus on what matters most, and make proactive decisions about how I spend my time.

Final Thoughts

Saving time as a founder or content creator isn’t about doing less, it’s about working smarter. By splitting my days by focus area, automating routine tasks, protecting creative time, and keeping everything organised in a digital calendar, I consistently reclaim 4+ hours a week time I can spend growing my business, creating content, or just breathing a little easier.

What I Learned In A Room Full of Female Founders

I recently attended the Ladies Who Launch event hosted by Rochelle Humes, where female founders and business leaders came together to share their real, unfiltered entrepreneurial journeys.

The room was filled with ladies such as Aimee Smale and Samantha Faiers, and I left feeling both inspired and challenged by the collective mindset of women who are building, shifting, and reinventing themselves in real time.

Aimee Smale - The power of quiet influence and resilience.

I’m a big fan of Aimee, and she’s honestly the queen of founder content and personal branding. The conversation was incredible, but what stuck with me most was how hard this all is running a business, leading a team, and knowing when to take risks isn’t easy.

Listening to Aimee clarified something I often see in personal branding, that growth often requires a shift in mindset and habits, because the person you want to become can’t be built with the same thinking you have now. I often hear, “I’ll start when...” but there’s never a perfect time to start. Waiting for the “right moment” usually keeps you stuck, so you have to begin where you are. That said, your past, your job title, or your current chapter doesn’t limit what you can build next, reinvention is allowed. Allow yourself time to learn and adapt as you grow.

What stood out most was the power of quiet influence and resilience. Aimee pushed the message that influence isn’t always loud, the right visibility with the right alignment can have more impact than constant promotion. And every woman on that stage took risks before feeling fully ready. Progress comes from showing up, learning fast, and continuing anyway.

Amiee’s advice:

• Separate the founder’s personal brand from the business so the product stands on its own.

• Hire experts in operations, time and project management to protect the founder’s creative role and support scale.

• Increase founder-led content to build community and transparency around the journey.

• Protect the brand by keeping product launches intentional and limited, prioritising quality over mass production.

Rochelle Humes - The power of proximity

One of the biggest lessons I took from Rochelle Humes was the power of proximity. Every meaningful connection I've built has come from meeting people through people. It reinforces just how important it is to put yourself in rooms that inspire and challenge you because that’s where real connection and learning happens.

It also highlighted the value of being intentional in those spaces. Taking the time to read the room, introduce yourself, exchange details, and actively encourage follow-ups turns a moment into a relationship. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens through connection.

Samantha Faiers - The power of personal branding

Samantha Faiers surprised me with her story, it wasn’t one you often hear discussing online but she shared it with a level of honesty that truly reinforced why personal branding matters. What stood out was how she’s embraced her past not as a setback, but as the fuel for her next chapter.

It reminded me that many people carry quiet stories that deserve to be told, but they’re waiting for the “right moment” but realistically the right time isn’t something you wait for it’s something you create methodically.

Your personal brand isn’t just about visibility. It’s about the courage to show up with your full story, and the power that comes from owning it, so lean in.

From my own experience building personal brands, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful it is when you stop trying to look like everyone else and start leading with who you actually are. A personal brand isn’t just visibility, it’s showing up as you. In rooms like this, it reinforces why I do what I do and I believe there is no time like the present to start building your personal brand.

Let’s round-up my thoughts

Ladies Who Launch reminded me that growth isn’t a straight line,  it’s a series of reinventions. The biggest lessons weren’t just about business strategy, but about the mindset needed to build something lasting. The courage to start before you feel ready, the discipline to show up consistently, and the willingness to evolve as you grow.

The most powerful takeaway? You don’t have to do it alone. 

The founders in that room proved that success comes from community, connection, and the confidence to lean into your story. Whether it’s through quiet influence, intentional networking, or owning your personal brand, the path forward is built on real relationships and real authenticity.

If you’re a founder or creator navigating your next chapter, remember your current chapter doesn’t define you and reinvention is allowed. And the best time to start is now.

Are you ready to build your personal brand?

If you want guidance on building a personal brand that feels authentic and actually drives results, book your personal brand power hour here.

What Brands Need To Know Before Working With Creators

Don’t confuse influencer marketing with traditional brand marketing.

Influencer marketing isn’t the same as a brand marketing its own product. The way conversions happen and the style of content that performs are often very different. What works on a brand’s account almost certainly won’t translate the same on an influencer’s channel. That said, brands can take key learnings, like the messages that convert and the talking points that resonate and allow influencers to adapt them authentically to their own voice.

Trust the creator’s expertise

It’s crucial to let influencers apply their own insights, analytics, and best practices to ensure content feels organic and fits naturally alongside their other posts. Encourage experimentation with formats, and don’t force the brand name into the first three seconds. 

Hooks, placement, and soft selling

We all know that the hook is the most important part and this can instantly disengage an audience. Often product placement with influencers is just as powerful as a direct call to action to purchase. The aim is to get the product in front of the right people and let it integrate naturally, it doesn’t always need a discount code or a hard sell.

Measuring impact beyond discount codes

Attributing conversions to influences can be challenging unless you go down the root of discount codes. However, my recommendation to all brands would be to have a post purchase checkout questionnaire asking customers where they heard about the product, and even which influencer influenced them. This provides a far more authentic data than tracking solely via codes and helps brands understand impact in a real, human way.

Think long-term, not instant sales

Finally, remember that influencer marketing doesn’t always deliver immediate sales, it can be something that builds quietly over time. The ultimate goal should be brand salience, being the first brand that comes to mind when a customer needs your product. Not every campaign will convert instantly, but when done right, it creates lasting awareness and trust.

Want more industry tips and tricks?

Follow my  Instagram for more insider knowledge from someone who has been on both sides of the industry.

How I Turned My Influence To Income

My First Steps in the Creator Economy

I would deem myself to be an accidental influencer, I know there are people who start their accounts with the intention of growing it to a point of monetising it but when I started my Instagram account, I had absolutely no idea that you could make money from it.

In 2020, I started an Instagram page called overatcharlie’s, documenting what we were doing to our new build home. At the time, it wasn’t a business idea or a career plan, it was simply a creative outlet. I was sharing progress updates without any expectation that it would turn into anything more.

What I didn’t realise back then was that this account would become the foundation of everything I’ve built since. I started to see the biggest impact when I moved beyond small gifted collaborations and began actively pitching myself. I still remember the excitement of my first gifted partnership with a Manchester candle company, I deemed gifted collaborations as a big win. From there, demand from brands slowly started to grow. As more brands approached me for content, my confidence grew, and I became far more intentional about positioning myself and pitching myself for the work I wanted.

Seeing Both Sides of the Table

I had a unique perspective, working full-time at a marketing agency while growing my own page. I could see both sides of the table, how brands make decisions, and what it’s really like to create content and build influence from the creator’s perspective.

This also gave me the ability to recognise my worth. It doesn’t come immediately, and being paid to create content for something I once saw as a hobby felt foreign for a long time. It wasn’t until I recognised the real value I was giving to brands that everything shifted.

By the time my collaboration income matched my salary, I knew it was time to take the leap. In November 2022, I left the security of full-time employment to fully pursue a career in the creator economy. Understanding both sides of the business didn’t just help me make smarter decisions, it set me apart and showed me how to create influence that actually drives results.

Turning Collaboration Income into a Career

I had always shared my story on my page, so my followers knew my career background. When I announced I was leaving my job, I started receiving enquiries from brands and programs, not just to create content as a one-off, but to work on a retainer model, managing their social media month-to-month.

Scaling Beyond Personal Content

I think there’s still a huge transparency gap when it comes to income in our industry, which causes uncertainty when it comes to rates and knowing your worth. When I really started to focus on this, and understand the metrics and benchmarks that brands look for, I went from earning £320 across multiple collaborations in May, to a recurring income of £2,256 per month by November.

I was aware of how unpredictable income can be from brand collaborations alone. As a newly self-employed freelancer, I wanted to ensure I had multiple streams of income. I started offering training services, coaching, and small business retainers which took off much faster than I could have anticipated.

While I continued doing brand collaborations through @overatcharlies for a while after leaving my job, I quickly realised the biggest demand for my time was in sharing my knowledge and helping brands grow their own channels. After just eight weeks of being self-employed, I hired my first team member, who joined part-time through the apprenticeship scheme, to help manage and service these retainer clients.

That home account is where the name for the agency came from, and it’s where my journey in the creator economy really began.

Fast forward to today…

My focus is helping creators grow the way I wish I had when I started, turning influence into income with more impact. Over the past three years, running an Influencer and Personal Brand agency whilst being a creator myself, has given me a unique perspective. I use it to help people build smarter strategies, pitch confidently, maximise income, and work with brands in a way that actually feels aligned. That’s exactly what we cover in my Influence to Income programme, sharing the lessons I wish I’d had so others don’t have to learn them the hard way.

Ready to turn your Influence To Income?

Book your Influence to Income Strategy Session, where we’ll map out a clear plan to turn your platform into a profitable, long-term career.

The Influencer Managers Guide To Pricing Collaborations

Everything you need to know to set (and negotiate) your rates

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to price collaborations as an influencer, you’re not alone. We price collaborations for some of the top influencers in the industry daily, so I know firsthand how confusing pricing can feel—especially when every project is unique.

That’s why I’m sharing my complete framework to help you confidently determine your worth, tailor your rates, and negotiate like a pro.

⚠️ 🗑️ It’s time to BIN your rate card!

Let me start with a controversial take: your rate card needs to go in the bin.

I know, I know—many influencers rely on rate cards to streamline conversations with brands. But here’s the thing: pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Think about it...

Would you price a holiday collaboration the same as a deals roundup you can film at home? Or charge the same for an entire room renovation as you would for showcasing a new faux flower arrangement? Absolutely not.

Every collaboration is different, and your pricing needs to reflect the scope, effort, and value of each project.

Here’s how to break it down:

Setting Your Base Rate

Your base rate should account for:

1. Your Time

• Time is your most valuable resource, so consider how long the project will take from start to finish. This includes planning, filming, editing, and any revisions the brand might request and price for this accordingly.

2. Scope of the Project

• What does the brand want? A single Instagram story, a detailed carousel, or a highly produced reel? Each format requires different levels of effort and expertise, so your rate should reflect that.

3. Timeline

• Is this a last-minute request with a tight deadline? Quick turnarounds often mean you’re sacrificing flexibility in your schedule, so it’s fair to charge more.

4. Your Capacity and Demand

• If you’re in high demand or nearing your workload capacity, your rates should increase accordingly. Remember: scarcity adds value.

Additional Factors to Consider

Once you’ve determined your base rate, think about the following:

1. Brand Reputation and Budget

• Big-name brands with larger budgets can (and should) pay more than smaller companies with limited resources. If it’s a high-profile collaboration, your rates should reflect the added exposure and potential workload.

2. The Brand’s Cost to Recreate the Content In-House

• Imagine what it would cost the brand to hire a team of videographers, photographers, editors, and models to produce similar content. Your work is not just convenient—it’s cost-effective for them.

3. Longevity of the Relationship

• Are you building a long-term partnership or working on a one-off campaign? Long-term collaborations can justify slightly adjusted rates in exchange for consistency and security.

4. Added Value You Bring

• Do you have an exceptionally engaged audience? Are you cross-promoting on multiple platforms? Featuring this on your blog / email newsletter / YouTube? Highlight any extras that make you stand out.

Charge for Extras!

Certain elements should never come out of your pocket. Be sure to charge for:

1. Expenses

• Include costs like travel, props, or other materials you need to execute the project.

2. Exclusivity

• If the brand requires you to pause collaborations with competitors, this limits your income potential and should be factored into your rate.

3. Usage Rights

• Will the brand be repurposing your content for ads or other platforms? Extended usage rights should come with an additional fee.

Everything Is a Negotiation

Let’s talk about negotiations, because they’re inevitable in influencer marketing.

Here are some suggestions for handling common scenarios:

When a Brand Pushes Back on Your Rates

Response: “I understand budgets can be tight! My rate reflects the time, expertise, and value I bring to this project. Let me know if there’s flexibility on the deliverables to fit your budget better.”

Tip: Stand firm on your worth but show willingness to adjust the scope if needed.

When a Brand Offers a Lower Budget

Response: “I appreciate the offer, but my rates are based on ensuring I can deliver high-quality content that aligns with your goals. Is there room to increase the budget to reflect the level of work involved?”

Tip: Reiterate the value you bring, and don’t be afraid to counteroffer.

When a Brand Asks for Exclusivity

Response: “I’m happy to discuss exclusivity! For the duration you’re requesting, my rate would include an exclusivity fee to account for potential lost opportunities.”

Tip: Always establish if exclusivity is editorial or advertorial - there is a big difference!

When a Brand Wants Full Usage Rights

Response: “If you’d like to use the content for ads or other platforms, I can provide extended usage rights for an additional fee. Let me know your needs so I can tailor the terms.”

Tip: Be specific about what the additional fee covers (e.g., time, reach, brand equity).

Remember…

Pricing collaborations is an art, not a science.

By tailoring your rates to the scope and value of each project, you ensure you’re fairly compensated while delivering excellent results for brands.

Remember: you hold the power to negotiate, and the right brands will recognise your worth. Ditch the rate card, embrace flexibility, and approach every project with confidence—you’ve got this!

Need some extra help?

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about how to price your collaborations, don’t worry—you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your influence into a thriving business, I’m here to help.

Book a Power Hour for personalised guidance on pricing, pitching, and positioning yourself for success, or dive deeper with an Influence to Income Strategy Session, where we’ll map out a clear plan to turn your platform into a profitable, long-term career.

Let’s work together to ensure you’re charging what you’re worth and building a business you’re proud of.

3 Common Mistakes Influencers Make When Working With Brands (and How to Avoid Them)

Collaborating with brands is an exciting milestone for any influencer—it’s a chance to monetise your platform and build valuable partnerships. But, if you’re not careful, a few missteps can hold you back or even harm your brand.

Alongside managing our roster of influencers, we also support aspiring creators by refining their content strategy, helping them secure paid collaborations, and providing expert guidance through our Influence to Income 1:1 sessions.

Here are the most common mistakes we see people make:

1️⃣ Making Ads Overly Promotional

We know it sounds back to front, you’re being paid to promote, but the best-performing ads feel organic and authentic. Think of it as a genuine recommendation to a friend rather than a hard sell. The more it blends with your usual content, the more trust it builds with your audience.

Pro tip: Ask yourself, “Would I share this even if I wasn’t being paid?” If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

2️⃣ Focusing Too Much on the Wrong Numbers

Follower count? Not as important as you think. Brands care far more about stats that prove your influence, like story link clicks.

If there’s one metric to focus on improving, it’s your story views and link clicks —because it directly shows how your content drives action.

We teach our proven strategies and tactics in our Influence to Income strategy sessions.

3️⃣ Saying Yes to Misaligned Collaborations

It can be tempting to say yes to every paid opportunity, especially early on. But when a collaboration doesn’t align with your personal brand or values, it’s often obvious to your audience—and those ads tend to underperform.

Working with brands that doesn’t resonate with your audience can chip away at the trust you’ve built with your followers and that could cost you more opportunities (and income!) in the long run.

Pro tip: Before agreeing to a collaboration, ask yourself:

• Does this product or service align with my values?

• Would I use or recommend this outside of the partnership?

• Will this resonate with my audience?

If the answer is “no,” it’s okay to pass. Saying no to the wrong fit leaves room for the right opportunities to come your way.

We’d love to hear from you…

What challenges are you facing when it comes to brand collaborations? We’d love to hear your thoughts or questions— our DM’s are always open (@oactalentuk)

If you’re looking for tailored advice to up your collaboration game, check out our Influence to Income 1:1 sessions for personalised support with influencer strategy and brand partnerships.

What REALLY goes down on an influencer retreat?

12 Influencers, 1 Private Island, 72 hours of strategy, team building, upskilling, and endless ideas!

The White Party

OAC Talent is all about doing things the right way, building a community around our team and offering more than a management service to our influencers through constant education and mentoring. And what better way to bring this to life than through a retreat! 

Since the launch of our Talent management agency, we’ve supported heavily on content and business strategy, locked in killer deals and made some pretty life changing amounts of money for our influencers, but we wanted OAC Talent to be more than this!

We know that this industry can be lonely at times, and building our community is so important and what many of our creators say makes OAC unique. Many of our creators had met previously at PR events but we’ve never had the whole team in one place to celebrate and plan our next moves!

MKM Home

Many of our influencers have fallen into the world of content creation accidentally, setting goals for themselves isn’t something they’d taken seriously prior to working with OAC and our retreat set about to change that.

We set ourselves 3 clear goals: 

1 - Team Building : To ensure all of our creators felt that strong sense of community and knew they had a team of girl bosses standing right behind them, it was important we all had some time to let our hair down. Throughout the retreat, we worked together, sharing the struggles, the ups (and the downs) of being in the industry.

2 - Up-skill Creators : Our creators are amazingly talented, but there's always room for growth. The retreat gave the team opportunities to level up their quality of content, as well as learning some marketing secrets we have, to growing their accounts. 

3 - Switching from a hobby mindset to a business mindset: Creating content isn't just a hobby - it's a business. We’ve empowered our influencers with the skills,confidence and resources they need to take their businesses to the next level.

We had a host of speakers come and join us over our time at the retreat, unfortunately for them, they had to experience Meg and Rosie driving them in the boat, which believe us, entailed quite a few crashes and very questionable parking.

On day one, Alice Benham, the definition of girl boss, a hugely successful business and marketing strategist, as well as a newly published author, kicked things off with a deep dive into intention setting. She covered topics such as:

• Engaging in meaningful conversations

• Defining your reputation

• Creating impactful content

• Multi-platform opportunities like podcasting and email marketing.

If you haven’t already, take this as your sign to go and grab Alice’s Digital Marketing Handbook.

On day two, we had a jam-packed schedule, with a very exciting night ahead. First up, Charlie, the founder of OAC, and Kayla from @reynoldsresidence, who together run The Social Academy, led an immersive workshop on User Generated Content. From hooks, to creating harder-hitting content, the creators had the chance to make notes, create their own angle and put their knowledge into practice with a content making workshop. 

Our next visitor onto the island, Oli Hills, the director of Nonsensical, a specialist TikTok Agency, offered a masterclass on upping your game on TikTok. He explained how to:

• Monetise on the platform

• Discover your niche (which he called "finding your Tok")

• Understand the algorithm

• Exactly what brands are looking for when they’re planning TikTok collaborations.

And last but by no means least, we welcomed Dawn McGruer, a multi-millionaire business coach, speaker, and strategist, closing our speaker series on a massive HIGH with an empowering (and emotional) session on Mindset, Motivation, and Marketing. She’s been working with Charlie to drive the growth and success of OAC throughout 2024 and was on Charlie’s ‘must book’ list for the retreat. 

Chelsea Peers Pjs

She shared her expertise and provided our creators access to her 30-day app challenge, which covers financial mastery, growth mindset, and unbreakable resilience - essential ingredients for  long-term success. The session involved a few tears, as our influencers realised just how much their lives have changed since embarking on this exciting journey, and let’s just say, we won’t be forgetting that anytime soon.

“Growth is not where you went to, it’s how far you’ve come. Now, let that sink in.” - Dawn McGruer

And once sunset rolled around, so did the music, drinks, hot tub sessions and laughs. The creators got dressed up for our white party and delicious catering provided by Jamie Tulley, a well recognised luxury private chef! Our final surprise, a visit from the talented Dan Greenaway, and his guitar, who gave us a live performance until the later hours - the drinks were flowing and our singing was… questionable. We ended the evening in our matching sets of Chelsea Peers pyjamas, in front of Love Island - because what else do you do on an all girl island? 

To round it up, the OAC Talent retreat lived up to all of our expectations, and more. We’ve been overwhelmed with our influencers' responses, and find ourselves multiple times a week going “did that actually happen?!” 

Who’s got FOMO and wants to be on our next retreat? 

Apply to join our roster here. 

See you all soon, The OAC Team. 

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Reflecting on our Journey: A 2023 Recap

As we take a breather from the whirlwind that was 2023, we couldn’t resist sharing with you the rollercoaster ride that has made last year oh-so-special for OAC. From events across the country, welcoming new team members to finally getting the keys to our office space - last year was one to remember. So, grab a cuppa and recap on the incredible last 12 months with us.

Ava May Bridal

We kicked off the year with a bang, going into 2023 with a growing roster of clients and a fully booked training schedule for January. The first few months were a whirl, after just 8 weeks we were fully booked from just word of mouth and that’s when we knew things were about to get exciting. The start of the year was content heavy, working with the likes of Eggo, an award-winning skincare brand on a UGC campaign, as well as countless bridal shoots with Ava May Bridal to launch the new Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection. With more and more clients wanting help, Charlie welcomed India to the team.

The start of the year was jam packed with PR events, content shoots and training days, making connections with some big names and some amazing brands along the way. 

MKM Home

As spring came around, Charlie and good friend Kayla from @reynoldsresidence were busy planning the third (sell out!) Maisons & Mingle event. It was a fun-filled afternoon held at @distilleryb16 with a hands-on wreath making workshop for fellow content creators. The pair spent most of spring zipping up and down the country creating content for MKM Home, you’ll find their faces all over their socials and even in stores on the digital displays! 

The Social Academy launched in the Summer, a joint venture between @overatcharlies and @reynoldsresidence to share their combined knowledge with other content creators and small businesses. The 6 week program generated incredible results for the graduates and glowing reviews all round. 

In July, OAC Talent was born, a new division within OAC specialising in connecting talented influencers with growing brands. From the beginning, OAC Talent has been working with huge global businesses (Jo Malone, ALDI and Gousto to name a few!) and has been excelling under the radar for the last 6 months. We’re excited to say the public launch of OAC Talent is just around the corner! 

Our expanding team

Autumn marked a transformative period as OAC outgrew its roots, we needed a space to base our quickly expanding team, host in-person training sessions and provide a space for wider in-house content creation. We found the perfect space and 6 weeks of rapid renovations took place.

November welcomed Danielle, our Social Media Account manager. Danielle has played a key role in growing @onthetools and her varied in house and agency career made her the perfect addition to the team! Alongside Danielle, we also welcomed our two new marketing assistants, Rosie and Meg. Meg has had experience navigating the online presence of several home improvement businesses while Rosie gained her experience through a marketing role at a local estate agent, a perfect fit for our growing roster of home and interior related clients. 

With the team working hard behind the scenes, Charlie was invited back to her University to guest lecture to their current students about the world of marketing - a true full-circle moment! 

Winter brought thrilling PR events, a record-breaking Maisons & Mingle Influencer gathering, and notable successes for our creators. As we closed our doors in December for a well-deserved break, it marked the festive end to an extraordinary year, teeming with achievements and unforgettable moments.

Here's to the next chapter of growth and success in the upcoming year!

Maisons & Mingle Influencer gathering

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