Merry Christmas and welcome to Creative Journeys!

Hi, I’m Lucy Rennie, and in this festive episode, I’m joined by the amazing Jo Day as we reflect on the past year and plan for the next. This time of year is perfect for slowing down, taking stock, and setting intentions. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply looking to grow, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you turn the page into 2025 with clarity and purpose.

Episode Highlights

🎄 The Power of Reflection
This Christmas Day, I’m encouraging you to pause and look back at the year gone by. Think of it as your “first draft” a chance to evaluate, refine, and reimagine your story for the next chapter.

✨ Lessons from 2024

• I’ve learned the importance of letting go of ego, perfectionism, and things that no longer serve me.
• Setting boundaries and focusing on what matters most has been transformational.

✨ Jo’s Reflections
Jo shares her pride in launching the Brunchi Shop, a dream come true, and her discovery of the joy and value in face-to-face connections.

📚 Practical Takeaways

• Reflect on the past year as a book: What chapters stand out? What would you edit or remove?
• Identify the main characters in your story, are you spending time with the right people?
• Answer three key questions for 2025:
  1. What will I stop doing?
  2. What will I start doing?
  3. What will I do more of?

My Favourite Reflection Tools

💡 Take time to meditate, journal, or simply go for a walk. These quiet moments help spark insights into what’s working, what isn’t, and where you want to go.

Episode Extras

🎁 I’ve put together a Reflection Worksheet to guide you through this process. Download it here.
🌟 If you want to go deeper, reach out for my workshop on setting meaningful goals for 2025!

Let’s Connect

We'd love to hear how you’re reflecting and planning for the year ahead. Share your thoughts and takeaways with us on social media or in the comments.

Final Thoughts

Let’s turn the page together and write a fantastic next chapter for 2025. Merry Christmas, and here’s to a New Year filled with creativity, clarity, and courage.

✨ Until next time, stay creative!

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/

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/

We’re so excited to welcome you to our brand-new podcast, Creative Journeys! I’m Jo Day, and alongside my incredible co-host, Lucy Rennie, we’re combining decades of professional experience, personal insights, and entrepreneurial grit to create a space where we explore creativity, business, and life on your terms.

Between us, we’ve spent years working at the very top of corporate life, managing teams of hundreds, overseeing multi-million-pound budgets, and leading large-scale operations across multiple sites. But now, we’ve carved out our own paths, creating businesses, building brands, and helping others do the same.

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned leader, or simply curious about life behind the scenes of success, you’ll feel right at home here.

Episode Summary
In this trailer, we introduce ourselves and share what inspired us to start Creative Journeys. My own path began at age 10, hustling my neighbours to earn my first wage. Fast-forward to today, I run three businesses, have authored multiple best-selling books, and manage creative content for podcasts and YouTube channels, all while living my dream life in Lanzarote.

Lucy’s journey is just as impressive. From her years in the steel industry, leading global communications for 360 sites, to launching her own thriving business, she’s been at the helm of major operations and knows first-hand how to turn ideas into results.

Together, we’ve built careers at the C-Suite level, managing significant revenue, working with international teams, and solving big challenges. Now, we’re bringing all that experience and our passion for helping others to Creative Journeys.

What We Cover in the Trailer

• Our combined expertise in managing corporate operations, teams, and growth strategies.
• Why creativity is at the heart of success, whether you’re in a boardroom or building a business from scratch.
• What it really means to show up authentically in your personal and professional life.
• How this podcast will be a mix of practical insights, real stories, and plenty of laughter.

Why You Should Tune In
We’ve been there, navigating the high stakes of corporate life, transitioning into entrepreneurship, and learning how to live and work authentically. Now, we’re here to fast-track you around the pitfalls, share our hard-earned knowledge, and help you create your own version of success.

You’ll hear from inspiring guests, gain actionable advice, and join a community of like-minded people who are all on their own creative journeys.

Where to Find Us

• YouTube Live Stream: @heyupfolks Wednesdays at 8 PM
• Podcast Release: Thursdays at 6 AM

Join Us
We’re so excited to start this journey with you. Hit subscribe on YouTube or your favourite podcast platfo

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/