Client Transformation Feature: Around Iceland with CEO & founder Mildred

I’m so excited to introduce you to a recent client, Around Iceland, a travel and adventure company — and Mildred, it’s big-hearted founder & CEO!

Get ready to be inspired — not only by the dramatic landscapes of glaciers, waterfalls, and geysers of Iceland (yes, please!) — but also by the business & brand-story transformation we were able to co-create for this amazing business. (In just 3 months).

Mildred joined our first ever offering of “The Waterfall: our 3 month 1-on-1 coaching and creative-services experience” (meant to “waterfall” your business & brand forward) and I got the joy of helping her take what she’d started with the online presence of her travel and adventure company, Around Iceland, to the next level.

We took her through our hybrid custom experience which includes 1-on-1 coaching & strategy, plus an online audit and mini creative intensive.

While clients come to us in varying stages (from building-from-scratch to growing to pivoting) Mildred was in a stage where she and her business partner had done a lot of work building-out both the website and social media, and was ready to better refine and refresh her online impact, expand her marketing exposure, and start getting more and more clients.

Together we:

-Did an audit of her current website and social (with clear recommendations)

-Had her work through our signature Brand & Marketing Map

-Nailed down a more meaningful target audience so she’d stand out from the crowd for the right traveler (instead of just “anyone who wanted to travel to Iceland” we focused in on where her heart was — extended family of all ages or groups of friends, at all stages)

-Created brand story topics to make social and copywriting simple going forward — including mentioning of accessibility units available on arrival (from wheel chairs to car seats so whole families could create memories together with ease!)

-Created her next-layer marketing strategy, including planning her email opt-in with a discount code so she could start the beginnings of her email list

-And used our mini creative intensive to freshen up her social media imagery, in this case for Instagram. We put the emphasis on taking her social visuals from well-intentioned but mis-matched to crisp, cohesive with the website, and jumping off the page — including adaptable templates for social squares, carousels, and reels video formats (all that would be easy for her and her team to continue to update and stay on-brand!)

You’ll definitely want to go follow Mildred and all the stunning beauty at Around Iceland on Instagram!

Here’s what Mildred had to say about working with us:

My [3 Month] “Waterfall package” experience was nothing but transformative… Led by an experienced coach, the program provided a comprehensive marketing road map tailored to inexperienced entrepreneurs like myself.

What were your favorite elements of working with Shannon?

Working with Shannon was a valuable experience for me. Shannon is a seasoned marketing expert with a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. Her approachable demeanor and willingness to address every questions and concern made the experience both enriching and enjoyable.

“From refining my target audience to crafting compelling marketing messages, every aspect was covered with precision. By the end I not only has a clear understanding of how to navigate marketing but also the confidence to execute my plans confidently.”

How did you feel about your "Mini Creative Intensive"?

The mini creative intensive was a breakthrough for me! …immediately applicable to my business. I and my team were just so excited to implement everything straight away! 

In what ways are you seeing the growth / results of the work we did together? 

The results proved to be instrumental… I gained a newfound clarity on my brand and how to effectively communicate it to my target audience… that resonated with customers and set it apart from competitors.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

What sets Shannon apart was not just her expertise but her genuine commitment to seeing each of her clients thrive. She offered personalized advice and support, ensuring that I felt empowered to implement the strategies effectively. She also asks for feedback and welcomes it with an open-mind.

Find Mildred’s business (and yep, go ahead — imagine that future trip to Iceland!) at AroundIceland.com or on Instagram @aroundicelandtravel

And if you’re interested in working with us here at Feather Blue Studios in our highly-personal business coaching for big-hearted business owners, alongside our brand & marketing strategy meets creative hybrid experience, check out our options for working together here.

How We Transform Online Businesses for Big-Hearted Women

Hello Beautiful Friend!

If you don’t know me, I’m Shannon, founder, brand strategist, business coach, creative here at Feather Blue Studios (and founder of The Small Business Bay, our signature group program).

Our mission here at Feather Blue Studios is to help big-hearted, big-dreaming women cultivate a business and online presence that is joy-fueled, personality-based (right for you!), simple, and client-magnetizing.

A business that is set up to hit your profit goals, feels deeply purposeful, and takes into account the time you have to give (without hitting burn-out, and while wearing other hats!)

I believe deeply that what you do and bring to the world matters.

Your innate personality, alongside years of experience and expertise (even amongst a wide range of fields or life stages) all adds up to something powerfully unique — that can bring GOOD to this world.

Especially since I know you have a heart to serve, share, help, and love-on others! Whether that’s in business, with your kids, in your church or community, in your career, or anywhere else you get the chance.

Your business can be just as impactful, mission-minded, and joy-bringing!

We don’t take that lightly — so we take you through a custom, strategic deep-dive that ensures this isn’t a surface-level transformation.

Whether you’re excited and passionate about what’s next in your entrepreneurial journey, or you’ve lost a little confidence from feeling burnt-out or having faced life head-on, this process is meant to reinvigorate both you and your business.

Maybe your business needs a full 180 degree pivot (that results in a full rebrand), or maybe it’s a 90 degree refresh to get you where you want to go (with some detailed new messaging or on-target visual additions to help it soar).

We want to help you put something out into the world that will draw your favorite clients with ease — so you can create a business you love.

While opening up more space for a lifestyle you love — whether that means giving-back, volunteering, vacationing, building that next thing, or simply more time with friends or family.

We want your fave person (your perfect target audience) to come across you online — and feel that you are the only. one. for. them.

…in, err, 20 seconds or less. (Because our attention spans aren’t getting any longer!).

We want to make social media (on the platform of your choice) feel simple, doable, and strategically effective too!

We help you develop a deeply-rooted brand story, and in turn — you’ll be able to create messaging that connects deeply, visuals that are spot-on, and content (for the social platform(s) of your choice) that is repeatable (no need to over-think, stare blankly, or re-invent the wheel each time you open an app to post!).

To clarify — this isn’t a simply a branding experience or a visual rebrand (though that’s sometimes part of it)…

…this is our custom hybrid business coaching, brand strategy & creative approach (something you can’t find anywhere else!).

More like a business & brand strategist + a creative team (visuals & messaging) + feel-you, empathizing, encouraging biz bestie a rolled into one experience!

Want to explore more of how we can serve you? Read on…

>>> I take limited 1-on-1, full-service clients — either through a 6 month experience (The River), 3 month experience (The Waterfall), or a 1-Day done-with-you VIP Day (The Island). Connect with us know to see if we have openings or get on the waitlist!

>>> Or we invite you to consider our highly-transformative signature group program — The Small Business Bay — where my team of guest expert collaborators and I serve you with twice monthly group coaching calls, all our curriculum (in step by step order), tech help calls, messaging reviews, a big-hearted encouraging community, and so much more!

Connect with us VIA EMAIL here or read more about ways we can SERVE YOU here!

And if you’re not on our insider list yet, grab a FREE RESOURCE here to start getting inspiration for big-hearted, business-minded women, just like you, sent right to your inbox!

Always cheering you on!

With Purpose & Joy, Shannon

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Get Out of Your Head: 3 Roadblocks to Overcome for Women In Business for Purpose, Profit, & Joy in Your Online Business

Hello Big-Hearted Entrepreneur Friend!

As a business owner of over 15 years, I've made no shortage of mistakes.

I've also pivoted more than once, been in the service, product, and mentoring / consulting sides of business, and have both seen big ideas come to life and felt totally stuck at times.

Which means... I've run into a mental roadblock (or few) and thought I would share some tools for how to avoid them (or push through them) as you face all that is ahead in your business or online venture this year!

As an entrepreneur, one thing that's especially unique is that you're making ALL the decisions. Which means where YOUR head is, your business will follow.

It's far too easy to get stuck in one way of thinking and watch roadblock after roadblock develop along the way (often unnoticed).

And true... some roadblocks aren't ones we create ourselves. But let's face it, many of them are. So you need to get out of your head (or at least change some of those thoughts!)

When we can learn to have a growth-mindset, an overcoming attitude, and create new patterns, we feel a lot less stuck (and start to really see the transformation we want in our businesses!)

But we have to do the hard work (mentally) to get there.  And if you address these issues now, you’ll be well-equipped to propel through them (now or later)!

Here are 3 roadblocks that might pop up (or are already holding you back):

1: Assuming that what's possible is only what you've experienced before.

Sure, you start with big dreams... but somewhere along the way you sink into "accepting reality" and get stuck in a hamster wheel of not being able to go where you haven't before. When the truth is, every breakthrough in our business is going to be NEW to us -- and we need to recalibrate to EXPECT the new, not just see it as "out there."

Reflection: What can you imagine right now that feels "impossible" but you want to make happen?

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2: Thinking you don't know enough to do that next thing.

Spoiler alert: We all feel like we're not ready yet... not prepared enough... like some gaps (or a degree, certificate, or piece of equipment) must be missing that we need first. THEN, we'll give ourselves permission to do that next thing. The truth is, what's probably going to equip you the most is the messy process of just, well, doing it. If you really need something to lean on to "feel equipped" -- read that book, hire that coach, or deep-dive through a course. But then, no more excuses -- just do it and learn along the way!

Reflection: What have you felt you needed BEFORE you could do that next thing? How can you mentally eliminate that crutch and just jump in?

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3: Feeling jealousy and comparison instead of genuinely rooting others on.

Sure, when you see someone achieve what you've been aiming at, jealousy might be that first feeling. A sense of despair and comparison might be second. But guess what -- those feelings can elevate you instead of dragging you down!! Flip the switch to choose CELEBRATING others. It's not them OR you... it's collective success and genuine celebration of what's POSSIBLE. If they can get there, you can too -- and you'll want others feeling inspired by what you achieve when you get there as well (right??).

Reflection: Who can you celebrate right now that maybe you were feeling resentful or jealous of? -- either internally, or by sending them a note or comment letting them know how happy you are for them!

These mental elements might start as ROADBLOCKS -- but you can turn them into massive MOTIVATORS instead. It's your choice!

Your business is as much about approaching all those decisions with the can-do mindset, as it is having the strategy to hit those goals.

So, sure, while maybe you’d rather be thinking about what’s for dinner (tacos?) or if the blue vs the mint nail polish is right for this week (both good choices), make time to do the reflecting and reset the way you think about these things to see more calm and confidence in your decision making down the line.

I believe in your.  Cheering you on!

Shannon

PS: Want more can-do content for big-hearted women like you growing your businesses online? 

Grab any of our free gifts here to feel more equipped right away, and become an e-list insider along the way.  Be first to hear about our free workshops or signature opportunities as well help you use social with simplicity, grow your business with your own personality and values in mind, and cultivate a business of purpose & profit.  Click HERE.

2024 Growth Opportunities for Women in Business Online | Welcome Female Entrepreneurs | Intro

2024 Let’s Grow Your Business Online |  Welcome Female Entrepreneurs |  Brand Strategy and Marketing-Made-Simple for Big-Hearted Women in Business Online | Free Growth Opportunities for Women in Business

Hello Entrepreneur Friend!

If you’re new here, I’m Shannon.  A brand strategist and business + marketing mentor for women called to do business online.

Formerly in the photography & graphic design space, as well as the creative product space, I now serve and mentor big-hearted women who want to create a brand story online that will draw their fave clients with ease — those of us who are good at helping and loving-on others, but sometimes need a push to put our business-growth on the front burner, or to step our courageously at what we feel called to do.

I feel your insecurities and doubts, I am with you in the messiness of letting go of perfectionism, I relate to the joy your thing brings you all while wondering where the fruit of your business is. 

I have been there (as a business owner for over 15+ years only can be). I understand wearing all the hats, making all the decisions, late nights of indecision, celebration of things gone well, disappointment of things not seeing fruition, the pressure of comparison.

I have overcome challenges, reframed my mindset again and again, and cultivated growth in my business(es) over many different stages of life and family — and I so desire to help you see calm and confidence + purpose & profit in your business too!

I’m a huge believer that you can do business in a way that aligns with your personality and season of life — whether you’re an introvert who hates doing video, or a busy mom who only has little blocks of time and isn’t sure where to focus.

Now that 2024 is underway, and I’ve sipped all the tea while using all the cute pens and bought the cute calendar and spent time deeply reflecting on where I want to take my business this year (please and thank you with all the cute papery things, with a side of dark chocolate)…

I wanted to share with you some of the trainings, workshops, bootcamps, and challenges I am planning to host this year…

(so you can get excited for all that is hopeful and ahead for your business, as well as make sure you are on the e-list so you get notified about these things, VIP style!):

Some of Our upcoming topics for women doing business online include:

💙 The Perfect Profitability Plan: Create a custom plan, PERFECT for YOU, based on your own schedule, dreams, values & goals.

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💙 Social Media Done Simply: Stop chasing the algorithm and let go of trends that don't align with your personality, while STILL drawing clients & customers you love!

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💙 Your Brand Story Secret Sauce: Always know what to say online, draw clients you love with ease, and step back from feeling salesey… using the power of your pre-decided brand story.

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💙 The 5 Parts to a Successful Business That's Filled with Purpose, Profit, & Joy (done YOUR way!) — hint, they’re not all what you’d expect.

💙 The Collaboration Connection Leaning on one another to grow business meaningfully, powerfully, together!

And… perhaps more?!

I hope you'll stay tuned as I gear up to present (mostly free!) workshops & bootcamps with topics like these (subject to change, but this is the initial plan!).

Gather your own cup of tea (or ok, coffee if you must) and that fave pen of yours (mine is pale blue with gold edges) and prepare to soak in all these fabulous ways to grow your business online this year…

(without being forced to copy-cat all those wonderfully-meaning people who try to tell you you MUST copy there way of marketing, or else… you know the ones, right!?).

You were uniquely and beautifully designed and your business can be wonderfully set up to bring you joy while serving others AND enjoying the fruit of purpose and profit along the way!

Here’s to 2024.

With Purpose & Joy,
Shannon

Brand & Marketing Strategist, Creative Director, Brand Photographer (Limited Availability), Business Mentor for Women In Business Online

PS: Want to make sure you get notified of upcoming free workshops and challenges for female entrepreneurs online such as these?  Grab one of our free gifts for women starting or growing a business by clicking HERE, and we’ll happily cheer you on and keep you in the VIP loop, every step of the way!

Feather Blue Studios | Fresh Feathers Stock | Shannon | Copyright | Not to be used without permission

To book Shannon for a podcast or speaking event, read all about speaking opportunities HERE

Looking for more EXPOSURE for Your Small Business? 💙 (Plus: Feature Article on Go Solo)

As a small business owner, getting exposure can often be one of your biggest struggles.

Even though there are hundreds, if not thousands, of places to promote your business online (often for free) -- knowing how to really stand out can feel vast and confusing.

Never fear -- I have ideas (and one really tangible opportunity) for you below!

Here are some ideas (online and off-line!) for getting more exposure for your business...

But warning: don't try to tackle them all at once! Focus is half the battle!).

• Online directory listings (find one for your speciality or local area)

• Social Media (Your own platforms or inside other's groups)

• Local business groups and chambers of commerce

• Podcasts (as a guest or hosting your own)

• PR (Public Relations / Media Coverage)

• Collaborative Efforts / Events (run a giveaway, co-share about your efforts with someone else in the industry)

• As a Sponsor for an event related to your industry (don't overlook local charities or schools!)

• Paid advertising (on social, search engines, or in-print)

• Writing a book as an expert in your field

• Guest-writing blogs or articles in your area of expertise

• Collaboration with others who are sharing your same audience (online or in-person)

Here's one more super easy, tangible idea for you...

Recently, Go Solo contacted me about being featured in an article on their platform. And after doing some due-diligence research on their platform and learning how they're developing a collaborative network for entrepreneurs, I decided to go for it.

And voila! >>>

Click to  read my FEATURED ARTICLE HERE  (where I talk about one of my biggest accomplishments as an entrepreneur -- which is probably not what you'd expect -- and more!)

But even better -- here's a TANGIBLE opportunity for YOU to get more exposure too...

…because when you're done reading, look for how to have your own feature written up on Go Solo!

It might just be a super easy way to get some added exposure for your business -- and at the very least, make you think through some important elements of your brand story while you answer the interview questions!

Cheering you on, every step of the way!!

With Purpose & Joy!

-Shannon

Brand & Marketing Strategist, Brand Photographer, Small Business Mentor

PS: Fun things are coming soon! Stay tuned!!

But first,  go read THIS ARTICLE  -- I think the writer did a very meaningful job with the interview questions they had to work with. It will be interesting to see if their collaborative network takes off!