Welcome to Creative Journeys!
Hi, it’s Lucy Rennie here, and I’m joined by my fabulous co-host, Jo Day. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s absolutely crucial for businesses of all shapes and sizes - the Unique Selling Point, or USP. Jo’s passion for helping businesses uncover what makes them stand out is contagious, and we’re so excited to explore this with you.

Key Takeaways:

1. What is a USP?
   • Your USP is what makes your business stand out in a crowded market, helping customers choose you over your competitors.
   • It’s not just about what you sell, it’s about why you’re different.
2. Why is a USP important?
   • In a competitive landscape, your USP gives customers a reason to connect with your brand. It simplifies their decision-making process and builds loyalty.
3. Jo’s Doughnut Story:
   • A real-life example of how discovering a USP can transform your business. For Jo, it started with observing a café’s innovative doughnuts in Japan and led to refining her shop's USP around Lanzarote wine, craft beer, and Japanese whisky.
4. How to Find Your USP:
   • Reflect on your passions and strengths.
   • Get feedback from your customers.
   • Don’t fear starting broad and narrowing down over time.
   • Focus on impact, not perfection — evolution is key!
5. Barriers to Finding a USP:
   • Fear of being different.
   • Over-comparing yourself to competitors.
   • Trying to appeal to everyone.

Summary

Your USP is the magic ingredient that makes your business memorable and irresistible. Whether it’s a standout product, a unique customer experience, or simply your own personality shining through, your USP is what will keep your customers coming back for more. As Jo’s story illustrates, it’s not just about having a good idea; it’s about continuously listening, refining, and being bold enough to stand out.

Call to Action

• Discover Your USP: Take some time this week to reflect on what makes your business unique. Jot down ideas, ask your customers for feedback, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
• Join Us on Social Media: Share your USP or doughnut moment with us using the hashtag #CreativeJourneysPodcast!
• Visit Jo’s Shop: If you’re in Lanzarote, stop by Brunchi to try a glass of Lanzarote wine, craft beer, or Japanese whisky. Check out their stunning window display for a taste of the doughnut effect in action!

Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review if you enjoyed this episode. See you next week!

We would love to hear from you, send us a text!

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: @heyupfolks

Connect with Jo Day:

• Hey Up Folks! 👋🏻 Website - https://www.heyupfolks.com
• Hey up Folks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyupfolks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-day-a5b409321/

Connect with Lucy Rennie:

• Website: https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/
• Lucy on Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamlucyrennie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyrennie1/

In this episode, Jo Day and Lucy Rennie dive into the heart of what makes a business truly memorable and successful—building a brand from the inside out. Many people think branding is just about logos and taglines, but Lucy breaks down why the core of a sustainable, impactful brand starts much deeper.

Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader, or just curious about branding, this episode offers actionable insights to help you create a brand that resonates and builds loyalty with your customers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why branding is about more than logos and visuals.
• How to navigate a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world in business.
• The importance of vision, values, and purpose in building a sustainable brand.
• Real-life examples of businesses thriving through an inside-out approach.
• How to engage employees and customers authentically to build trust and loyalty.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with Clarity: Define your vision and purpose. Why does your business exist, and what’s the ultimate goal?
2. Identify Core Values: Align your decisions and actions with these values to ensure authenticity and consistency.
3. Engage Your Team: Involve employees in shaping and living your brand values. Shared purpose leads to better teamwork and stronger customer relationships.
4. Focus on Customer Experience: Build your brand by making customers feel valued. This emotional connection fosters repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
5. Create from the Inside Out: Your external brand identity—logo, tagline, messaging—should reflect the internal culture and values of your business.

Actionable Steps for Listeners:

1. Reflect on your “tummy flip” moments—what excites you most about your business?
2. Identify your top five values using a timer or playlist to make the process fun and instinctive.
3. Imagine your customers’ feedback as if you were a fly on the wall. Are they saying what you hope they would? If not, adjust your processes to align with your brand goals.

Resources Mentioned:
📜 Values Exercise: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/
📖 Clarity, Communication and Connection by Lucy Rennie: https://tinyurl.com/46jv5d4n
🎨 Design tools like Canva: https://www.canva.com

Join the Conversation:
💬 What are your top five values? How do they shape your business or brand? Share your insights in the comments or on social media using the hashtag #CreativeJourneysPodcast!

Next Episode Preview:
Get ready to uncover what makes your business truly stand out in a crowded market. Jo shares

We would love to hear from you, send us a text!

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: @heyupfolks

Connect with Jo Day:

• Hey Up Folks! 👋🏻 Website - https://www.heyupfolks.com
• Hey up Folks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyupfolks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-day-a5b409321/

Connect with Lucy Rennie:

• Website: https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/
• Lucy on Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamlucyrennie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyrennie1/

Hey up Folks! I’m Jo Day, and welcome to the very first episode of Creative Journeys, the podcast where we explore stories, strategies, and experiences that shape successful small businesses and entrepreneurs. Alongside me is my amazing co-host, Lucy Rennie. Together, we’ll be diving deep into how our diverse career paths, from corporate giants to solo ventures—have shaped who we are today and how they can inspire your journey too.

Episode Summary
In this premiere episode, Jo Day and Lucy Rennie share their personal and professional journeys, showcasing how their extensive corporate experiences shaped their entrepreneurial paths. Lucy recounts her rise through the ranks in multinational companies, handling multimillion-euro budgets, and her eventual pivot to helping SMEs build sustainable brands through communication strategies. Jo shares her story of managing large-scale energy sector projects, transitioning to consultancy, and starting her own business in Lanzarote.

This episode unpacks the lessons learned from high-pressure boardrooms to running small businesses, highlighting the importance of clear communication, authentic leadership, and the courage to embrace imperfection. Jo and Lucy also touch on balancing passion with practicality and how the core principles of large organisations can be adapted for solopreneurs and SMEs.

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, an SME owner, or simply curious about navigating creative careers, this episode is packed with insights, real-life stories, and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways

• Bring Corporate Lessons to Small Business: Learn how to distil the structure and systems of corporate life into manageable, practical strategies for small businesses.
• The Power of Communication: How clear messaging can build trust, enhance relationships, and create a strong brand foundation.
• Embrace Your Authentic Self: Success doesn’t require perfection; staying true to yourself creates meaningful connections with your audience.
• From Big Budgets to Small Startups: Leveraging past experiences to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth in smaller ventures.

Thanks so much for joining us on this exciting first episode of Creative Journeys! We’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a review, share the episode with a friend, or connect with us on social media. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Stay curious and keep creating.

We would love to hear from you, send us a text!

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: @heyupfolks

Connect with Jo Day:

• Hey Up Folks! 👋🏻 Website - https://www.heyupfolks.com
• Hey up Folks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyupfolks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-day-a5b409321/

Connect with Lucy Rennie:

• Website: https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/
• Lucy on Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamlucyrennie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyrennie1/