The Happy Investor

Crafting your stories and getting them out to the world is how your business stands out from the crowd. Whether you've driven tuktuks a thousand miles across India, bought a beach and turned it into a dive resort or overcome impossible hurdles in life journalists and audiences LOVE a unique story. This week's guest is journalist and PR expert Carol Driver who, as female editor of MailOnline knows exactly how the world of PR works and how it can be leveraged for consistent success in business. From creating visibility, through building credibility and becoming famous in your sector, Carol and Sophie discuss the ways every business can benefit from a strategic PR campaign founded on personal, crafted storytelling. 00:00 Introduction to PR and Personal Branding06:01 The Importance of PR for Business Growth11:53 Crafting Your Story for Effective PR18:06 Strategies for Successful PR Engagement21:11 Strategic PR: Aligning Stories with Publications24:21 The Value of Media Exposure: Beyond Monetary Gains26:55 Navigating Media Relations: Managing Expectations and Reputation29:55 Creative PR Strategies: Sponsorships and Visibility32:47 Unique Experiences: Leveraging Adventures for PR35:58 Building a PR Strategy: The Consistency Club LaunchCarol Driver's WebsiteHow to Make the Headlines Facebook GroupGet your tickets for Business by the Beach in Bournemouth – 31st July HERE: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-clubWant to learn directly from Sophie and scale your business THIS YEAR? The waitlist is now open with limited spaces for the low-price cohort 👉🏼 https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/fm-waitlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Esther Lara was a senior NHS nurse, pregnant, with a history of miscarriages — and her employer told her to take the COVID vaccine or lose her job! Maternity leave gave her the first bit of breathing space she'd had in years, and she used it to ask herself: 'if nursing disappeared tomorrow, what would I do?'.Three years later, she has replaced her nursing income through property, raised £100k for her first BRRRR project from a stranger on Instagram and a Channel 4 documentary, and is scaling into HMOs while running a healthcare consultancy on the side!In this episode, Sophie and Esther get into the practical stuff: how the BRRRR model actually works, how to figure out what your first project should be (and why it depends entirely on your income goal), and why Esther thinks Rent2Rent as a stepping stone is often slower than just learning to raise capital directly.They also talk about what it's actually like to pick up the keys on a project before you've secured the refurb money and discuss whether that's brave or completely reckless!!If you've been thinking about getting into property investing but don't have a pot of cash sitting ready, this one is worth your time.00:00 Esther's story: nurse, pregnancy, and an ultimatum01:31 Why maternity leave changed everything02:36 How she got started: rent to rent and Airbnb03:35 The penny drop moment — doing the maths06:11 How she raised her first £100k with no experience07:17 Her first investor: a stranger from Instagram08:50 How a Channel 4 documentary helped her raise the rest10:31 The BRRRR model explained simply11:11 Why the first raise is always the hardest16:30 How to choose your first project based on your income goalGet your tickets for Business by the Beach in Bournemouth – 31st July HERE: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-clubWant to learn directly from Sophie and scale your business THIS YEAR? The waitlist is now open with limited spaces for the low-price cohort 👉🏼 https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/fm-waitlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've been training hard, eating less, and feeling like your body has completely stopped cooperating — this episode is one for you!Kat Williams has been working in women's fitness for 30 years; she's a certified menopause coach, advanced personal trainer, and the founder of Zestfit — a fitness business she started by teaching Zumba classes for young mums all the way to an 80-woman studio. Now she works online, helping women in midlife actually feel good with easy, approachable training and knowledge.In this conversation, Sophie and Kat talk about why everything you used to do to stay in shape stops working in your 40s and what to do differently. They get into protein (most women are eating nowhere near enough), strength training as a non-negotiable, why rest days are where results actually happen, and how to stop letting diet culture make you feel like a failure.Learn everything about what Kat can do for you on her website: https://www.zestfit.co.uk/00:26 Kat's background & how Zestfit began 06:25 Where to start if you're out of shape 08:00 Why strength training is non-negotiable 10:02 Protein — why most women aren't eating enough 13:17 The only supplements worth spending money on 14:50 Intermittent fasting — does it work? 19:55 How menopause changes how you should train 20:37 Why rest days are where results happenGet your tickets for Business by the Beach in Bournemouth – 31st July HERE: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-club Want to learn directly from Sophie and scale your business THIS YEAR? The waitlist is now open with limited spaces for the low-price cohort 👉🏼 https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/fm-waitlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever spoken at a live event wondering why the room isn't converting or felt sick at the thought of raising your prices then this episode is the one.Sophie sits down with Dr Tania King-Mohammad, high ticket sales strategist, former NHS radiologist, and founder of The High Ticket Method. Tania recently spoke at an event in Leeds where she wasn't allowed to sell from the stage — and walked away with £28,000 in sales within four days. She explains exactly how.They also get into the stuff nobody talks about: why only 10% of female-owned businesses ever hit six figures, what's really behind the undercharging epidemic, and the simple mindset shift that turns sales from something you dread into providing a service that has proper value. Sophie shares how working with Tania led to a £24k week — by doubling her prices overnight — and Tania unpacks the 'Larry the Loft Conversion Expert' principle that will make you rethink your niche immediately!If you're running a business that runs on you, this conversation will push you to think bigger about what you charge, who you serve, and what speaking on stage could actually be worth.Get your tickets for Business by the Beach in Bournemouth – 31st July HERE: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-club Want to learn directly from Sophie and scale your business THIS YEAR? The waitlist is now open with limited spaces for the low-price cohort 👉🏼 https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/fm-waitlist07:12 Why only 10% of female businesses hit six figures 09:46 Undercharging is a self-worth problem 14:16 Sales is a service — believe in what you sell 18:26 The Larry the Loft Conversion niche principle 25:36 How Tania made £28k from a stage she couldn't sell from 26:10 The signature talk structure that converts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

👉🏼 Get your tickets to BUSINESS BY THE BEACH, the ultimate day of business growth in 2026: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/bbtbAmy Atkinson built a successful agency, lost the whole thing in 48 hours when COVID hit THEN rebuilt it AND THEN watched £100k worth of clients walk out of the door during the cost of living crisis.In this episode, Sophie sits down with Amy (business coach, multi-business owner, and property investor) to talk about what actually happens when one income stream isn't enough, and what she did about it. Describing clawing back spending, building her investments alongside a business, and the moment Amy's mum told her exactly what she needed to hear she shares her amazing tales of resilience and bloody hard work!They also get into the practical side of growing a service-based business — how to create content that actually converts, why ads can backfire if your audience isn't ready, and where to find your ideal clients for free before you spend a penny on marketing.Plus: why Amy's best-ever business month happened when she did less, not more.If you've been putting your health last, spending every penny you earn, or wondering how to grow an audience without throwing money at Meta — this one's for you!00:00:25 – Welcome & introducing Amy Atkinson00:01:35 – Amy's background: 13 years in business and why she left corporate00:02:21 – The job offer that started it all ("high salary for your age")00:05:53 – What Amy does: helping online coaches scale to six figures00:06:00 – What it actually takes to scale: pricing, content strategy & DMs00:07:18 – The superpower of mums in business00:08:23 – Building a business that gives you choice, not just presence00:10:33 – Failures & pivots: losing everything in 48 hours during COVID00:13:36 – Why one income stream isn't enough00:14:54 – How they clawed back spending to start investing from scratch00:16:36 – Amy's current income streams: property, stocks & shares, trading00:17:39 – Forex trading: is it a scam? Sophie's 8–10% a month00:19:28 – Why right now is the best time to start investing00:22:04 – Social media that actually converts: what to post and why00:23:21 – Amy's four-step content flow (+ grab it for £1)00:25:19 – How to grow your audience without spending a penny on ads00:27:16 – Finding your ideal clients in the right places00:28:46 – The power of being in the room (and Ibiza)00:29:14 – Investing in yourself: why it's the hardest spend to justify00:30:15 – Amy's health wake-up call: colitis, A&E, and what changed00:31:47 – The advice from her mum that stopped her in her tracks00:32:51 – Best ever business month — by doing less00:34:47 – Plans for this year: health first, one event a month00:36:08 – Building a team: why you don't have to do it all00:37:42 – Delegate the boring stuff first (hello, tax season)00:38:49 – Where to find Amy + her free Facebook groupFind Amy on Instagram: @TheFemtrepreneur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second part of the Six-Figure Exit, Sophie shares part two of how she started, scaled and sold her property businesses.This episode focuses on Sophie’s second business: a property management company built around rent-to-rent house shares. Sophie explains how she went from feeling undervalued and underpaid in employment to building a business with 40 properties, a team, strong systems and a successful sale.You’ll hear practical lessons on market research, business planning, forecasting, cash flow, hiring, outsourcing, SOPs, preparing a business for sale and negotiating a deal that works for both sides.If you’re building a business and want it to work without you one day, this episode will help you think differently about scale, systems and creating a sellable asset.Ready to start building wealth alongside your business? Join Sophie’s Investing Club: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part One of the Six Figure Exit special, Sophie shares the story of how she built, scaled and sold her first business: a dive resort on a remote island in Indonesia.From becoming a scuba diving instructor to buying land, building an off-grid eco resort, raising investment, hiring a team, improving systems and eventually selling the business, this episode is full of transferable lessons for anyone who wants to build a business that can scale and sell.Sophie shares what worked, what was difficult, and what she would do differently now — including the importance of market research, financial planning, systems, leadership and preparing your business for sale early and what to do with the proceeds!!If you’re building a business and want to understand how to create a sellable asset, this episode is for you.Ready to start building wealth alongside your business? Join Sophie’s Investing Club, find the link in the channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you stop forcing a business model that doesn’t fit and start building from alignment instead?Hold my champers and caviar while I remove my coat!! In this episode, Sophie is joined by Athena Dobson to talk about REAL women-led events, scaling a mission-driven business, building Girls in Property, and why belief has to come before evidence. They also unpack when and why to pivot, self-trust, investing in yourself before the business can afford it, and why sustainable growth matters more than chasing someone else’s version of success.If you’re a hard-working woman building a business and wanting more financial growth, strategic confidence and clarity, this conversation is full of nuggets you will love!Ready to start building wealth alongside your business? Join Sophie’s Investing Club:https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/sophies-investing-clubConect with Athena and the Girls in Property here: https://www.instagram.com/athenadobson_official/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31st July - Business by the Beach in Bournemouth! A whole day of deep connection with other founders, freelancers & entrepreneurs under the expert guidance of some of the best in business! Check out more details and book here: 👉 https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/bbtbWhat do you do when the business you built looks successful from the outside… but no longer feels right on the inside?In this episode of the Happy Investor podcast, Sophie is joined by Vicky Harrison to talk about identity, alignment, closing a business, creating freedom, and what it really means to build a life-first business. Vicky shares her journey from corporate HR into self-employment, building a successful personal branding business, then making the brave decision to close it when it no longer felt aligned. She also opens up about her wellness journey, losing 40 kilos, and why community, leverage and personal growth have shaped this next chapter of business for her.If your business is taking all your time and energy, this conversation will help you step back and ask a better question: is the business you’re building actually creating the life you want? They also explore the difference between self-employment and true leverage, how to think about life goals before business goals, and why celebrating progress matters just as much as chasing milestones.If you want more support building wealth, clarity and strategic freedom in a way that feels grounded and sustainable, come and join the Investing Club. It’s the best place to keep learning, expand your options, and make stronger long-term decisions for your business and future.In this episode:What to do when your business no longer feels alignedWhy external success does not always equal internal alignmentSelf-employment versus business ownership and leverageHow wellness and business goals can work togetherWhy community matters in business and healthHow to build around life goals firstThe mindset shifts needed when you pivotConnect with Vicky:Instagram: thevickyharrisonWebsite: withvickyharrison.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31st July - Business by the Beach in Bournemouth! A whole day of deep connection with other founders, freelancers & entrepreneurs under the expert guidance of some of the best in business! Check out more details and book here: https://thehappyinvestor.co.uk/bbtb What actually works in marketing right now if you’re a small business owner trying to grow without burning out?In this episode of the Happy Investor podcast, Sophie is joined by the fabulous Naomi Rose to talk about content marketing, visibility, PR, events, and why deeper audience connection matters more than chasing numbers.They explore how business owners can create content that feels authentic, how to think about audience behaviour before posting, why quality beats quantity, and how events can create long-term value beyond immediate profit. Naomi also shares lessons from her background in music, theatre, festivals, charities, and hospitality — and how that shaped the strategic, story-led marketing approach she uses today.Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by content, unsure where to focus, or tired of comparing yourself to what everyone else is doing online, this conversation will help you come back to what really matters: connection, clarity, and consistency. Inside this episode:Why events can still be worth it for business growthHow storytelling helps people trust and remember youWhat PR can look like for normal small business ownersWhy follower count is not the metric that matters mostHow to choose the right platform for your audienceWhy repetition and consistency build reputationHow to market without losing your personality in the AI era Connect with Naomi: Instagram: @iamnaomicrose LinkedIn & FB: Naomi Rose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.