The Creative Conversation: The Start Up Series

Got questions about tax, VAT, business expenses or whether you should be a sole trader or limited company?In this bonus episode of The Creative Conversation, I’m joined by David Stewart, founder of Stewart & Co Chartered Accountants, our Series 4 sponsor, to answer some of the most common finance and accounting questions small business owners have.This is a shorter, practical episode designed to make the numbers side of business feel a little less overwhelming whether you’re self-employed, running a limited company or starting to take your business finances more seriously.We cover:How small business owners can be more tax efficientBusiness expenses people commonly forget to claimHow much money to put aside for taxWhen to move from sole trader to limited companyThe benefits and responsibilities of becoming limitedWhat business owners should keep track of each monthCash flow and why it matters so muchWhen you need to register for VATWhether voluntary VAT registration ever makes senseWhat happens if you go over the VAT thresholdMaking Tax Digital and what small businesses need to knowThe new Companies House ID verification requirementsWhen you need to register for payrollWhy good financial records matter as your business growsDavid also explains why there isn’t always one universal answer when it comes to tax and business structure, and why advice should be based on the individual business rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “what can I claim as a business expense?”, “when should I go limited?” or “do I need to register for VAT?”, this episode is a great place to start.ABOUT STEWART & COStewart & Co Chartered Accountants is a local independent accountancy firm supporting individuals and businesses with everything from accounts and tax to payroll, VAT and business advice.Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-co-chartered-accountants/This episode is for general information only. Your own tax and accounting position will depend on your individual circumstances, so seek professional advice where needed.The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

What does it really take to build an independent fashion brand - particularly when the person designing the clothes is also the person trying to run the business behind them?In Episode 4 of Series 4 of The Creative Conversation, I’m joined by Dundee-born fashion designer Hayley Scanlan.Hayley has been building her brand for more than 14 years, but her journey with fashion started long before that. She learned to sew with her Gran as a child, making clothes for her Barbies before going on to study at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.From there, things moved quickly.Her graduate work caught the attention of the fashion industry, her designs were worn by names including Little Mix, Jessie J, Pixie Lott and Marina and the Diamonds, and she later introduced her work to a completely new global audience when she appeared on Netflix's Next in Fashion.But this conversation is much less about the highlight reel and much more about what it has actually taken to keep an independent fashion brand going for more than a decade.We talk about:• Learning dressmaking from her Gran• Studying fashion and textiles in Dundee• Getting noticed after her graduate collection• Dressing Little Mix, Jessie J, Pixie Lott and Marina and the Diamonds• Building the Hayley Scanlan brand organically• Appearing on Netflix's Next in Fashion• The impact Next in Fashion had on international orders• Trying to fulfil that demand as the world went into lockdown• Developing such a recognisable design style• Why Hayley doesn't want to follow every fashion trend• The reality of influencer marketing for an independent designer• Why fast fashion has changed what customers expect clothing to cost• What actually goes into pricing an independently made garment• Manufacturing challenges and losing factories• Made-to-order fashion and managing production capacity• Why being busy doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to scale• Being the creative person AND the business person• The pressure to constantly be visible online• Why founder-led content doesn't always come naturally• Balancing the brand, freelance work and being a mum• Teaching sewing and passing her skills on to other people• Finding purpose through creativity• Why having your own recognisable style matters in fashion• What aspiring fashion designers should understand about the industryHayley also speaks incredibly openly about losing her younger sister Ellie and how grief has affected every part of her life and work.She shares why teaching became something positive to focus on during an unimaginably difficult period, the community that has grown through her sewing classes, and why the experience has changed the way she thinks about life, work and taking opportunities.This is a conversation about fashion, but it's also about creativity, resilience, identity, running a business and what exists behind the version of success that everyone else sees.If you know Hayley for her clothes, Next in Fashion or some of the incredible moments from her career, this episode gives you a very different look at the person and business behind it all.FIND HAYLEY SCANLANInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayleyscanlanstudio/Website: https://www.hayleyscanlan.com/SERIES 4 SPONSORSeries 4 of The Creative Conversation is proudly sponsored by Stewart & Co Chartered Accountants.Stewart & Co is a local independent accountancy firm supporting individuals and businesses with accounts, tax, payroll, VAT and business advice.Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-co-chartered-accountants/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

What does it actually take to build a career creating content for brands and how do you turn photography, video and social media into a freelance business?In Episode 3 of Series 4 of The Creative Conversation, I’m joined by Lauren, founder of LCB Social, a photographer, videographer and content creator working across food, drink and lifestyle brands.Lauren moved to London to study film and TV after originally completing a degree in geography, before building a career across social media, content creation and marketing. After several different roles in London, including working with influencer-led brands and managing social media for multiple businesses, she eventually made the jump into freelancing.We talk about what those early days actually looked like, from saying yes to almost everything and trying to work out what to charge, to dealing with difficult clients and gradually building a reputation that now sees Lauren working with major brands, agencies and hospitality businesses.We also get into the creative side of the job: what really goes into planning a content shoot, why creating something that looks effortless usually involves much more work behind the scenes, and how the rise of TikTok and UGC has completely changed what brands want from content creators.In this episode, we chat about:• How Lauren got into photography, video and social media• Moving to London to study film and TV• Going from employed roles to freelance content creation• Working in-house for brands and social media teams• The reality of those early freelance jobs• Learning how to price yourself as a creative• Why pricing can vary so much within content creation• Building relationships with agencies and getting repeat work• Working with food, drink and lifestyle brands• Creating content for brands including Coca-Cola• What actually goes into planning a brand shoot• Why the shoot itself is only one part of the work• Creating content specifically for social media• Why brands increasingly want phone-shot content• High-production content vs lo-fi content• What UGC actually is and why brands are investing in it• The impact TikTok has had on brand content• Why shares and watch time can matter more than likes• Creating content for restaurants and hospitality businesses• Why experience and atmosphere matter as much as the food in marketing restaurants• The reality of working for yourself• Burnout, boundaries and knowing when to say no• Building a creative career while preparing to become a mum• Why storytelling is still one of the most important parts of good contentLauren also shares some of the less glamorous moments behind building the business - including one of her first £150 freelance jobs, a client who initially refused to pay and the lessons she learned from it.If you're thinking about becoming a content creator, photographer or videographer, already freelancing, trying to understand UGC, or simply want to know what actually happens behind a professional brand shoot, there’s so much to take from this conversation.FIND LAUREN / LCB SOCIALInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcb_loves/ & https://www.instagram.com/lcb_social/Website: www.lcbsocial.comSERIES 4 SPONSORSeries 4 of The Creative Conversation is proudly sponsored by Stewart & Co Chartered Accountants.Stewart & Co is a local independent accountancy firm supporting individuals and businesses with accounts, tax, payroll, VAT and business advice.Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-co-chartered-accountants/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

What does it actually take to build an audience of over 100,000 people online, and turn content creation into part of your career?In Episode 2 of Series 4 of The Creative Conversation, I’m joined by makeup artist, lash artist and content creator Rachel Crowe.Rachel started sharing her love of makeup online back in 2016 while working in visual merchandising at Debenhams. What began as taking makeup photos at home eventually became a career spanning makeup artistry, running a salon, creating content and working with some huge beauty brands.We talk about how Rachel built her audience, why lockdown became such a pivotal point in her content journey, and the amount of work that went into creating the beauty content that helped grow her platform.We also get into what being a content creator actually looks like behind the follower count - from brand deals and management to changing algorithms, comparison, the pressure to keep posting and learning to evolve your content as social media changes.In this episode, we chat about:• How Rachel started creating beauty content in 2016• Going from Debenhams to becoming a full-time makeup artist• Opening a salon with her friend and business partner• How lockdown helped accelerate her growth online• Building a community of 100,000+ followers• The work behind polished beauty content• How Instagram and content creation have changed• Moving towards more natural and relatable content• TikTok vs Instagram and showing more personality online• The pressure to constantly have content ready to post• What actually goes into paid brand collaborations• Working with brands including NARS, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Lookfantastic• Why so much of a creator’s content is still unpaid and organic• Balancing an online career with makeup and lash clients• Knowing what parts of your personal life to keep private• Dealing with comparison and negative comments online• Why follower numbers aren’t always the most important measure of success• Rachel’s advice for anyone who wants to start growing onlineWe also talk about the reality of running two sides of a career at once. While people might see Rachel’s following and brand partnerships, she’s also continuing to work with makeup clients, teach masterclasses and build the business she’s had alongside her online platform.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to become a content creator, how influencers work with brands, or how to grow an audience while running a business at the same time, this is such a good conversation.FIND RACHEL CROWEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelcrowe__/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelcrowe_ Makeup/booking page: https://www.instagram.com/byrachelcrowe_makeupartist/ Website: https://www.byrachelcrowe.com/SERIES 4 SPONSORSeries 4 of The Creative Conversation is proudly sponsored by Stewart & Co Chartered Accountants.Stewart & Co is a local independent accountancy firm supporting individuals and businesses with accounts, tax, payroll, VAT and business advice.Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-co-chartered-accountants/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

What really changes for women after 40, and how can we stop treating health and fitness as another all-or-nothing challenge?In the first episode of Series 4 of The Creative Conversation, I’m joined by sisters Nicola and Gemma from Nic & Gem Coaching, who help women over 40 feel more confident through fitness, nutrition and simple, sustainable habits.We talk openly about perimenopause, confidence, diet culture and why so many women find themselves stuck in the “I’ll start again on Monday” cycle. Nicola and Gemma share their own experiences of changing hormones, low mood, tiredness, brain fog and irritability, as well as why understanding what’s happening in your body can make such a difference.We also get into the business behind Nic & Gem Coaching - how their approach has evolved over the years, what it’s really like building a business as sisters, the messy middle of finding your messaging, and why they’ve moved away from quick fixes and restrictive fat-loss programmes towards helping women create lifestyles they can actually maintain.In this episode, we chat about:• Fitness, nutrition and confidence after 40• Perimenopause and the changes women can experience• Breaking the all-or-nothing mindset• Moving away from diet culture and restriction• Why self-care is often the first thing women sacrifice• Creating simple, sustainable habits• Building confidence beyond weight loss• The reality of running a coaching business as sisters• Evolving your business and changing your messaging• Social media pressure and unrealistic expectations online• The work that happens behind a client transformation• Building a business that gives you more freedomWhether you’re navigating perimenopause yourself, trying to build a healthier relationship with food and exercise, or you’re in the middle of building a business that’s evolving alongside you, there’s so much in this conversation.FIND NIC & GEM COACHINGInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicandgemcoaching/Website: https://www.nafitfood.com/Work with Nic & Gem: https://mailchi.mp/c1ef3c8566fb/rebuildbynicandgemSERIES 4 SPONSORSeries 4 of The Creative Conversation is proudly sponsored by Stewart & Co Chartered Accountants.Stewart & Co is a local independent accountancy firm supporting individuals and businesses with accounts, tax, payroll, VAT and business advice.Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-co-chartered-accountants/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

In this episode of The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series, we’re joined by Katie, CEO of WRASAC Dundee and Angus a charity supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse.This is a slightly different episode to our usual business-focused conversations, but an incredibly important one.Katie shares her journey into the third sector, what it really means to lead an organisation supporting survivors, and the emotional weight that comes with the role. We also talk about the realities behind the scenes — from funding challenges and team wellbeing, to the importance of raising awareness and changing societal perceptions.Since working with WRASAC as a client, I’ve seen first-hand the impact of shining a spotlight on their work — and why more people need to know these services exist.In this episode, we cover: What sexual violence support services actually do  Common misconceptions about getting support  The reality of working in the third sector  Leadership in emotionally demanding roles  Why awareness and education matter more than ever Whether you’re interested in charity work, leadership, or simply want to better understand how to support others, this is a conversation everyone should hear.If you or someone you know may need support, WRASAC offers free, confidential services.Learn more about WRASAC: https://www.wrasac.org.uk/Follow for awareness & updates: Instagram - @wrasac TikTok - @wrasacdundee Donate to WRASAC - https://www.justgiving.com/charity/wrsac-dundeeThe Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

In this episode of The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series, I’m joined by someone very special my best friend, Fern, founder of Pallas Beauty.Fern opened Pallas Beauty in 2018, but her journey started long before that - doing treatments from home, building a loyal client base, and eventually taking the leap into her own salon on Dundee’s Perth Road.This episode is a full circle moment, because Pallas Beauty was actually the very first client of Greene Creatives, before Greene Creatives was even really a business. What started as helping Fern with price lists, a website and social media became the foundation of everything I’ve built since.We talk about: how Fern built Pallas Beauty from the ground up  the reality of opening and running a salon  juggling clients, stock, staff and admin behind the scenes  the pressure of self-employment in the beauty industry  what lockdown taught her about business  why resilience matters so much as a salon owner If you run a service-based business, dream of opening your own salon, or want a real conversation about what it takes to grow something from scratch, this episode is for you.CONNECT WITH FERNInstagram - @pallas.beautyWebsite - https://pallasbeauty.com/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

In this episode of The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series, I’m joined by Karyn, founder of EverOrganised a professional organiser and admin specialist who helps busy business owners bring calm to chaos.Karyn’s journey into self-employment didn’t come from always knowing she wanted to run a business. After years working in retail, studying marketing and PR, and then spending 16 years in banking, she was made redundant, and decided to take the leap into building something of her own.We talk about:being made redundant and using that moment to start a businessleaving the corporate world behindbuilding EverOrganised from one client and word of mouthmanaging business and motherhoodthe freedom and pressure that come with working for yourselfwhy being organised can completely change how you show up in your businessIf you’ve ever wondered whether redundancy, burnout or feeling stuck in the wrong job could actually be the push you need, this episode will really resonate.CONNECT WITH KARYN:Instagram @everorganisedLinkTree - linktr.ee/everorganisedThe Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

In this episode, I’m joined by Susie from Bird & Emmy, a marketing strategist originally from Cape Town who has spent over 20 years working in the industry across agencies, in-house roles and now running her own business.We talk about what it really looks like to build a marketing business from redundancy and taking the leap into freelancing, to managing clients, setting boundaries and navigating the ever-changing world of marketing.Susie shares insights from working across multiple industries (including oil & gas), how she built her business from scratch while raising her daughter, and the lessons she’s learned over a decade of running Bird & Emmy.If you work in marketing, run a business, or want to understand the strategy behind effective marketing, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice.In this episode we discuss:• Starting a marketing business after redundancy • The reality of freelancing and finding your first clients • Working across different industries as a marketer • Why strategy matters more than just posting on social media • Setting boundaries with clients • Managing work, life and running your own businessCONNECT WITH SUZ:Instagram - @suzabirdWebsite - https://birdandemmy.co.uk/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suz-bird/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives

This is one of the most personal episodes of The Creative Conversation so far.Today I’m joined by Kay, founder of Kay Meach Artistry, salon owner, makeup artist and someone I’ve worked alongside for nearly eight years.But this conversation isn’t just about beauty or business.At 35, Kay was diagnosed with combined type ADHD and suspected level 1 autism after years of burnout, overwhelm and questioning why things felt harder than they “should.”We talk about: – Growing up feeling like you wouldn’t amount to much – Masking, people-pleasing and perfectionism – Burnout while still showing up for clients – Late diagnosis in women – Running a business with a neurodivergent brain – Imposter syndrome, validation and identity shifts – Building a life that supports you, not one you have to surviveKay shares what burnout really looked like behind the scenes, how diagnosis reframed her self-worth, and why understanding her brain has made her a stronger businesswoman not a weaker one.If you’re creative, self-employed, neurodivergent, or simply trying to build a life that works for you rather than against you — this episode will resonate deeply.This one is raw, and it matters.CONNECT WITH KAY:Instagram - @kaymeachartistryTikTok - @kaymeachartistryWebsite - https://www.kaymeachartistry.co.uk/The Creative Conversation: The Start-Up Series is produced by Greene Creatives. Connect with us: www.greenecreatives.co.uk | Instagram: @greenecreatives