Grow Your Brand With Amanda

Episode 39: The challenges of self-employment for individuals with disabilities with Sandra Pierce

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Sandra Pierce from Looking Good Naturally, who shares her remarkable journey from IT to the beauty industry, a career shift inspired by her hearing disability.
Sandra opens up about the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in self-employment and the importance of building confidence and finding mentors along the way. We also discuss self-sufficiency, overcoming obstacles, and creating a career you love, no matter where you start.
Get comfy and tune in to be inspired by Sandra's story and her passion for helping others thrive!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Sandra on her Instagram or Facebook.
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Episode 38: Embracing balanced, purposeful living and business with Linda Bretherton

Today’s incredible guest, Linda Bretherton takes us on a fascinating journey into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, a 7,000-year-old holistic practice that has shaped modern healing approaches. Linda unpacks the basics of Ayurveda, explaining the unique body constitutions, vata, pitta, and kapha, and how understanding them can help guide healthier choices, like seasonal eating and balanced living.
We also explore the search for inner guidance, the often-misleading notion of external success, and how true mentorship plays a pivotal role in self-discovery. Linda shares her own refreshing perspective on legacy, emphasising instead the importance of a life filled with purpose and vitality, especially as we age.
Listen in as Linda tells us about her books, Dosha for Life, crafted to make Ayurveda approachable for Western audiences, alongside her new vegetarian cookbook, At Home With Ayurveda, which is packed with wholesome recipes. For anyone curious about living with intention and vitality, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to embrace change with “tough love” and move toward a more balanced, purposeful life.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Linda on her website or on Instagram. You can also find her new book here
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Episode 37: Just how brave are you willing to be when running your own business? With Suzanne Young

Welcome to the launch episode of The Bravery Behind The Brand! (formerly Communicate with Confidence). In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce Suzanne Young, a leadership coach who’s got some powerful insights and stories to share about building confidence, navigating workplace culture, and why being your authentic self is the absolute key to building your personal brand.
With nearly three decades of challenging the status quo, Suzanne opens up about her journey to self-confidence and resilience, and why being real isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for true personal growth and professional impact. We have some amazing stories of our adventures on travelling and eating alone, so if you want some tips, this one’s for you to set yourself a new challenge!
Join us and get inspired by Suzanne’s unique insights and learn how authenticity can be a game-changer for your brand and your career.
https://suzanneyoungcoaching.co.uk/
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Suzanne on her LinkedIn.
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Episode 36: The Podcast Is Evolving!

Welcome to Bravery Behind the Brand, the podcast where we’re going to dive into the real, raw stories behind building a business and explore the courage it takes to show up authentically. What started as Communicate With Confidence has evolved into something deeper, a space where vulnerability and bravery meet to inspire us with incredible stories of courage and resilience.
But let’s be honest, the pressure to maintain a perfect social media image is real, and it can cloud the genuine challenges we all face while building a brand. That’s exactly why we’re here: to strip away the filters and get to the heart of what it takes to thrive and survive in business.
This is the side of my clients I get to see before they’re ready to face the world in all their unpolished glory and it takes some guts to show up as your unapologetic self.
Hi, I’m Amanda Jane, a Personal Branding & Communication Coach with over 20 years experience. I help business owners with their personal branding by building their confidence, helping them craft a compelling personal brand story, working with them to be comfortable in the spotlight and , helping them to create engaging content. Whether it’s for a podcast, a presentation, or in front of a camera, my coaching is all about helping you show up authentically to connect with your audience.
Progress, Not Perfection
Forget the cookie-cutter scripts or pressure to fit someone else’s mold. This is about finding the version of your brand that works for YOU, and bringing it to life, one small step at a time.
You don’t need to be perfect to be heard, just ready to take the next step.
 
NOTES:
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Episode 35: The Public Sector ‘After Life’ with Zoe Thompson

Zoe Thompson, coach, trainer and speaker joins me this week as we chat about the ups and downs of leaving the public sector for self-employment, including how tricky it can be to stay visible—especially if you’ve got some past challenges to overcome.
We also discuss the new world that former public sector workers find themselves in and unique challenges that brings as they navigate new, and very different, ways of working.
Zoe shares her fascinating leadership journey from humble beginnings on the front desk of the local police station to senior management positions and how she had to learn fast and think on her feet!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Zoe you can find her on Instagram and Facebook
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Episode 34: Do sweat the small stuff with Sarah Langslow

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Sarah Langslow, the brilliant author of Do Sweat the Small Stuff, a book that dives into how it’s the everyday interactions—rather than just the big moments—that truly shape our relationships and leadership.
We have a fascinating conversation (and many laughs!) about emotions in communication and how mastering both your own and others' communication styles can feel like unlocking a superpower!
Sarah also takes us through her career journey, sharing how discovering coaching transformed her approach to leadership. We dig into the powerful connection between effective communication and leadership success, and Sarah highlights why reframing failure as a growth opportunity and stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to incredible breakthroughs.
You won’t want to miss this one so grab a coffee and some biscuits and get comfy!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Sarah you can find her on Instagram and Linkedin and you can get her book here
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
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Episode 33: The vital role of communication in the care industry with Lucy Piper

Today, I’m joined by the amazing Lucy, founder of Any Little Thing, a home help service making waves in Essex by transforming the lives of elderly individuals. In our chat, we dive into the often bewildering world of healthcare and social care, shedding light on the challenges families face while trying to navigate these complex systems. Lucy is on a mission to change that, offering one-to-one consultations to help carers find the right support for their loved ones—an absolute game-changer in the care industry!
Lucy’s passion for empowering the elderly to live independently is truly inspiring. Plus, she’s cooking up an exciting retreat day focused on self-care for caregivers, who often carry the weight of so many responsibilities.
We also explore the critical role of communication in the care sector. Poor communication can have serious repercussions on health, making it essential for effective personal care and medication management.
Join us for this lively conversation as we share unique perspectives on our social media personas, the hurdles of being working parents, and so much more! You won’t want to miss it!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Lucy you can find her on Instagram or her website
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
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Episode 32: Community, compassion and the power of a biscuit with Sarah Bryer

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Bryer and we discuss the importance of community building for small business owners, especially post-COVID-19. Sarah shares her incredible journey of creating a supportive group for women entrepreneurs to overcome isolation and self-doubt. We discuss how lack of peer support can lead to low confidence, underpricing services and how the power of having a community for validation and shared experiences can be so uplifting and life-affirming.
We also explore how leadership impacts employee well-being, with an inspiring story of a leader helping an employee thrive via good emotional intelligence and support.
So grab a coffee and join us for a fascinating discussion, biscuits are optional! You'll leave with a fresh perspective on why community is essential for growth, confidence, and success in small business!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Sarah you can find her on LinkedIn and you can join Skip The Line here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
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Episode 31: The change in trajectory when a leader believes in you with Amanda Jane No.2!

This week, I’m sitting down with Amanda Jane (yes, another Amanda Jane!) who’s an audience engagement pro and has been crowned the global best trainer of the year.
We dive into a really interesting conversation about what makes a great leader today and it’s not about barking orders or being the loudest in the room anymore. We’re breaking down the new school of leadership, where empathy is the real skill, and emotional intelligence, transparency, and honesty are the key players.
Amanda opens up about a pivotal moment in her career, where her boss believed in her before she even believed in herself. It’s a story that’s both inspiring and game-changing.
Plus, the two Amanda Janes share some exciting plans for the Manchester area, and you’ll never guess who my guest’s biggest fan is! So tune in for some great stories and a lot of laughs, you won’t want to miss this one!
 
NOTES:
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 30: Communication and empowerment in safety for women and children with Carrie Conrad

This week I’m joined by Carrie Conrad, a self defence expert who explores the vital role of leadership and communication in promoting genuine safety, particularly for women and children.
We dissect the difference between feeling safe and being truly safe and Carrie’s driving force is teaching children to trust their instincts by integrating practical self-defense education with a strong focus on communication.
We also highlight unique approaches to self-defence training for women and mothers, which combine physical preparedness with mental health support and strategies for online safety.
There are so many facets to safety for women and children and Carrie navigates the areas so well in this episode so don’t miss it!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Carrie you can visit her website or her Facebook page.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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