Hype women (and Javan)

Change is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It’s why, as humans, we’re wired to try and avoid it, sticking instead to the safety of what we know.

Over the past year, I’ve slowly been building up to a big change: leaving the security blanket of the “day job” to focus full time on my personal branding and executive ghostwriting business, Scribe.

It’s not the first time I’ve stepped away from the neat and tidy pay check. I know how hard it is when you’re responsible for it all, when evenings and weekends get eroded, when you become your own echo chamber after just a bit too much coffee.

Knowing all that made me more cautious. In moments filled with questions and “what if”s, there’ve been many people who’ve offered their advice and support, pushing me to continue to be brave.

Erin Gallagher, CEO and Founder of Ella, talks about the importance and power of Hype Women, challenging us to really support one another with our actions as well as our words.

I’m incredibly grateful to each and every person that’s given me their advice, time, and sometimes just a bloody good shake over the last few months.

Here’s the top things I’ve learnt from just a few of my #HypeWomen (and Javan).

Dani Wilkinson: Launch now, refine later

Ex-Dyson Global Head of Social Media, former Pieminster CMO and two-time startup founder, Dani is the expert in going to market, launching businesses in the UK, the US, and Asia.

In those moments where I was tinkering, using up valuable time without really adding value, Dani reminded me that perfection is the enemy of good.

Businesses aren’t static. You don’t wait until something is perfect and “done” to launch it. Businesses evolve as you learn; getting it out there means you can start learning quicker, refining as you go based on real market conditions.

She has been the definition of a Hype Woman, supporting me with work, contacts, and endless ideas calls with giant bits of paper and marker pens.

Liz Goodbrand: Do something that inspires you and you’ll be inspired

Global Head of Marketing, inspiring coach, and, until last month, my brilliant former manager, Liz reminded me that taking your head out of the day-to-day doesn’t mean taking your foot of the pedal.

Sometimes, when you need answers, it’s about putting yourself in a new environment or doing something you love to boost your energy and creativity. Solutions don’t neatly present during “work hours” whilst sat at a desk.

It was also an important reminder to think about myself, reprioritising the things that inspire me and making time for them, knowing that me and my business would reap the benefits.

Caroline Copsey: Juggling is hard

The marketing powerhouse behind brands like Dyson, Elvie, Daye, and Lick, Caroline is an expert in turning new tech into the new must-have.

Building our companies at the same, she’s been just a message away, sharing the freelance highs and lows and the all too real challenges of balancing babies and business.

And I stood her up. We have a monthly virtual lunch in the diary to swap stories, be each other’s hype women, and to generally chat shit, and I stood her up.

In the chaos of balancing a day job and a side hustle, home life and work life, I forgot about our call. What did Caroline say? “I feel you on the juggle. That’s one of the hardest things”.

She met my mistake with support.

It’s easy jump on the #HypeWomen train when someone’s doing well, but when they’re messing things up or making mistakes that’s also an opportunity to build each other up.

(I haven’t forgotten Thursday Caroline, I promise!)

Javan Bramhall: Value yourself and your time

Founder of Digital Glue, fractional CMO, and honourary Hype Woman, Javan is the person to talk to when it comes to building new businesses at pace.

With a shared hatred of things that move too slowly and love of dropping the odd swear word into articles, Javan helped me see my impatience as a potential asset.

He reminded me to price based on my value and strengths, and to rein in my just-one-more-draft perfectionist and focus on working smarter not harder.

A true honourary Hype Woman.

Change might be hard, but it’s a lot easier with people like this behind me – thank you to you all.

Supporting each other, being each other’s #HypeWomen isn’t just a “nice” thing to do, it creates real change for women, their experiences, and their businesses.

Let’s hype each other more. Here’s to more Hericanes.