In this fourteenth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Nicole Bilham – founder of Wild Bird Marketing, a strategic marketing and sales agency for heart-led founders.

After 13 years working in the commercial team at ITV, Nicole decided to leave corporate life behind and build something of her own. She launched her business in early 2019 with a clear intention: to create a business that gave her freedom, flexibility, and space to do work that truly mattered.

Since then, she’s grown Wild Bird Marketing while navigating the challenges of motherhood, including two pregnancies during turbulent times, a pandemic and the constant juggle that comes with raising a young family while building a business from scratch.

Nicole shares her honest and powerful story — from the early hustle, moments of self-doubt, and lessons in resilience, to the mindset shifts that shaped her journey. She talks about the emotional side of leaving a ‘successful’ career, the impact of stepping into a new identity, and what she’s learned about backing herself even when the path isn’t clear.

We explore the importance of community, navigating business while parenting, and the pressure many women feel to do it all — often without a roadmap. Nicole also reflects on the advice she’d give her past self, and the quote that gave her the courage to take the leap and build her wings on the way down.

Whether you’re starting out, considering a pivot, or simply craving a more human, heart-led way to grow your business — this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 – Nicole’s early career and creative spark 05:40 – Entering the media industry and building confidence 09:00 – Taking risks and learning through uncertainty 14:00 – Leaving ITV and choosing to start Wild Bird Marketing 20:00 – Launching a business while planning for motherhood 25:00 – Navigating the newborn phase in lockdown 28:30 – Why she didn’t lean on her old network (and what changed) 32:00 – Business, identity and rebuilding after baby 36:00 – The inner conflict of doing it all 40:00 – Advice for others thinking about taking the leap 43:00 – Nicole’s definition of her kind of business

✦ An honest look at leaving a long-term career to start a business ✦ Why backing yourself matters — even before you feel ready ✦ The tension between motherhood, ambition and identity ✦ The lessons she’d share with anyone starting out ✦ What it means to run a business through big life changes ✦ A powerful reminder that it’s okay not to have it all figured out

Instagram: @wildbirdmarketing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-bilham-16b24514/

📅 Book a free Business Connection Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession 📸 Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching 💬 Facebook Group: Business Connection Community 🔗 LinkedIn: Alex McCarthy 🌐 Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this thirteenth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Faye Newman – founder of Faye Newman Design, a kitchen and bedroom design studio and host of the Love Your Kitchen podcast.

Faye shares her refreshingly honest journey from childhood dreams of becoming a plumber to building a thriving design business and podcast — despite never imagining self-employment would be part of her story.

With over eight years of industry experience and more than three as a business owner, Faye reflects on how a neighbour’s kitchen project unexpectedly set her career in motion. She opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her move from employment to entrepreneurship, the crucial role of her support network, and the lessons she’s learned along the way — from pricing confidently to embracing visibility.

We talk about the importance of taking risks, navigating anxiety, and trusting that you’ll be okay — even when things feel uncertain. Faye also shares the pride she felt securing a podcast sponsor before launching, and how her show now plays a key part in her business growth and creative expression.

Whether you’re at the start of your business journey or evolving your next chapter, this conversation is a down-to-earth reminder that building a business takes courage, support, and a willingness to put yourself out there.

Episode Timestamps 00:00 – From Childhood Dreams to Career Paths 02:56 – Navigating the Kitchen Industry 06:13 – The Journey to Entrepreneurship 09:04 – Overcoming Initial Challenges 12:11 – Current Business Landscape and Growth 15:01 – Moments of Pride and Achievement 18:01 – Mindset and Risk in Business 18:38 – Navigating Anxiety and Embracing Risks 19:35 – The Joys of Business Ownership 22:39 – Facing Challenges in Entrepreneurship 28:21 – Support Systems During Tough Times 33:57 – Key Advice for Aspiring Business Owners

What to Expect

✦ An unexpected path into the world of kitchen design ✦ The mindset shifts needed to go from employee to business owner ✦ Why a support network can make all the difference ✦ Learning to price confidently and value your work ✦ How podcasting supports connection and business growth ✦ Honest advice for anyone considering self-employment

Connect with Faye Instagram: @fayenewmandesign TikTok: fayenewmandesign.com Join her newsletter: Subscribe here

Connect with Alex 📅 Book a free Business Connection Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession 📸 Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching 💬 Facebook Group: Business Connection Community 🔗 LinkedIn: Alex McCarthy 🌐 Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this twelfth episode of My Kind of Business Alex is joined by Latifa Aarab – a leadership coach, cultural intelligence expert, and founder of Compatible.

With roots in France, Morocco and the UK, and a career that’s taken her across four continents, Latifa shares how her multicultural upbringing and 17 years in the financial industry led her to the work she does today: helping leaders navigate cultural differences to build more connected, collaborative teams.

This episode is a deep and refreshing look at the realities of entrepreneurship — from leaving the safety of a corporate role to starting a purpose-led business grounded in experience, intuition and personal growth.

We talk about redefining success, the importance of financial security when making a leap, and how nature, mindset and community support your capacity to lead and grow. We also touch on fears around public speaking and hosting events — and why doing the thing that scares you is often the best teacher.

Whether you're a few steps into your business or still sitting with the idea, this is an honest, human reminder that the journey isn’t linear — and that your experiences are your greatest assets.

00:00 – Cultural Roots and Early Aspirations 02:59 – Transitioning from Finance to Entrepreneurship 05:56 – Navigating the Challenges of Intuition and Fear 09:01 – Redefining Success and Life Experiences 11:46 – The Journey of Personal Growth 15:06 – Finding Balance in Business and Life 18:03 – The Role of Nature in Mental Clarity 21:04 – Overcoming Social Challenges in Business 23:56 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 26:55 – Defining My Kind of Business

✦ An honest account of leaving corporate life ✦ How intuition and personal growth support entrepreneurship ✦ Redefining success beyond financial achievement ✦ Cultural intelligence and leading global teams ✦ Encouragement to stretch your comfort zone, especially in public speaking ✦ Why financial readiness matters more than hustle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compatibleofficial/@latifa_aarab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latifaaarabcompatible/ Website: https://compatibleofficial.com/

Book a free Business Connection session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Facebook Group: Business Connection Community LinkedIn: Alex McCarthy Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com