Unemployed & Afraid
Kim Kerton
A business podcast for the brave self-employed.
Growing your own business can be one of the most gratifying, wonderful, life-changing experiences around. It’s also scary as hell. This is a weekly podcast for the ones who have made the brave decision to employ themselves anyway.
We're for the full gamut of business experience - from Solopreneurs, Side-hustlers, Micro-business, Small Business, Medium business, Independent, VC backed, Bootstrapped and more - here for the real stories and priceless insights of it all, well beyond the PR headlines.
Join fellow business-builder and side-hustler Kim Kerton as she dives into the realities of starting something from scratch, helping you feel less alone in the lows and reminding you of the highs that make it all worthwhile. Hear real talk and raw feels from people right in the thick of it and feel seen as you listen.
Small business is tough - all business is tough - it will be one of the most intense things you'll ever do but it will also be the most impactful experience you can imagine. So surround yourself with a community of business owners willing to share with you their learnings, from those a few steps ahead, to many business milestones ahead, and even those just behind, and feel supported to build the business of your unique dreams.
This is a podcast built to support you to build your own small business, to tackle the statistics and keep more of us in business for ourselves. To say thanks, you can support this independent podcast and small business by shouting your host a cuppa at buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpod
Get in touch at unemployedandafraid.com.au to be part of the show or to become a sponsor (we would love the support!).
Connect on the socials @unemployedandafraid on IG and @unemployedandafraidpod on TikTok
Growing your own business can be one of the most gratifying, wonderful, life-changing experiences around. It’s also scary as hell. This is a weekly podcast for the ones who have made the brave decision to employ themselves anyway.
We're for the full gamut of business experience - from Solopreneurs, Side-hustlers, Micro-business, Small Business, Medium business, Independent, VC backed, Bootstrapped and more - here for the real stories and priceless insights of it all, well beyond the PR headlines.
Join fellow business-builder and side-hustler Kim Kerton as she dives into the realities of starting something from scratch, helping you feel less alone in the lows and reminding you of the highs that make it all worthwhile. Hear real talk and raw feels from people right in the thick of it and feel seen as you listen.
Small business is tough - all business is tough - it will be one of the most intense things you'll ever do but it will also be the most impactful experience you can imagine. So surround yourself with a community of business owners willing to share with you their learnings, from those a few steps ahead, to many business milestones ahead, and even those just behind, and feel supported to build the business of your unique dreams.
This is a podcast built to support you to build your own small business, to tackle the statistics and keep more of us in business for ourselves. To say thanks, you can support this independent podcast and small business by shouting your host a cuppa at buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpod
Get in touch at unemployedandafraid.com.au to be part of the show or to become a sponsor (we would love the support!).
Connect on the socials @unemployedandafraid on IG and @unemployedandafraidpod on TikTok
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 16, 2023 • 49min
“If you seek perfection, it's never going to come,” Tommy Murphy, Founder & Managing Director of A1 Connect
There’s something to be said for setting the bar just that little bit higher than what you’re comfortable with when building your business - the message you send yourself could be exactly what you need when times get challenging. Tommy Murphy, Founder of A1 Connect, shares how and why he did it, and so much more. In this episode we chat about: Taking lessons from your youth into creating a business you’re proud of The obligations we as business owners have to pay it forward wherever we can Putting the cart before the horse and building a business that you can grow into by taking the big steps early The immense value of finding the RIGHT networking group Finding ways to capture all the thoughts that fly around in our entrepreneurial heads and be more organised with our various projects And how to effectively negotiate and sell, so that both parties in the deal are getting a win. If you want to build a business for the long haul, this episode is for you. Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn Check out the A1 Connect Website A1Connect.com.au Here are the books we chat about in the episode: Never Split The Difference - Chris Voss Building a Second Brain – Tiago Forte And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG , Threads and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 12, 2023 • 46min
“I never negotiated my price; I negotiated my services,” Founder of Food & Hospitality Consultancy, JT Consultancy, Jacqui Toumbas
How do you know when it’s time to let go of your business? Starting again and creating a completely new business is a huge decision, one our generous guest Jacqui Toumbas, Founder of Food and Hospitality Consultancy - JT Consultancy, shares in this episode. She has so much amazing energy and incredible insights to share with you, you’ll hear about: Recognising when you’ve stopped learning and need to move on from a business you’ve loved Redefining your definition of success Learning to believe in yourself and what you offer Getting past societal challenges around where you’re “at” to progress with what makes you happy Learning to say no to clients, even when you’re just getting started And the value of your I.P. We’re here to deliver you personal stories, real feels and priceless inspo on the chaotic (and amazing) journey that is running your own business. Connect with today’s guest via her website jacquitoumbas.com On IG @jacquitoumbas And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG , Threads and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9, 2023 • 28min
“The path I was following was not really me, it was a path that I created when I was 12 that I thought I should follow,” Owner of Eudaimonia Tasmanian Cycling Tours, Sofia Tsamassiros
Embarking on a path so different to the one you planned for yourself is bound to be scary, but when life pushes you there, you just have to strap in and ride out the journey. Sofia Tsamassiros is Owner of Eudaimonia Tasmanian Cycling Tours, and in this episode she shares with us: Her experience in stepping away from an intense path of study without a plan Navigating the challenge of starting a business that’s not embedded in academics, when your path and personal plan had always included academics The role of friends, family and trusted advisors in getting started in business Understanding how to balance what you want your brand to be called and to represent with staying “searchable” The challenge of managing time with a dual-hustle And finding success in a niche It’s a pleasure to have you here, if you love these chats and they’re giving you value, make sure to let me know – you can drop me a DM, an email or a review – I love them all! Check out the Eudaimonia Tasmanian Cycling Tours website tasmaniancyclingtours.com Connect with Sofia on IG and Facebook And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG , Threads and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 5, 2023 • 43min
“If you want to progress in any way in your business, you're going to have to feel uncomfortable, and that's just a part of it,” Co-Founders of Read & Hall, Emma Read & Sarah Hall
The incredible sisters behind Read & Hall, My Sister & The Sea and Love & Mutiny are here to give you their inspiring business building stories and learnings, with a big side of fun – because Emma Read & Sarah Hall really are just so. much. fun. We cover so many real and relatable small-business feels in this episode, but to summarise some of what you can expect… We talk about having an established career already, but realising there’s a ceiling to how much you can really love it What happens when the universe gets involved and gives you a less than subtle push in the direction you’re meant to go Why making sure your authenticity is in whatever you do The experience of just putting one foot in front of the other and following the path that’s revealing itself Learning to own the title you’ve given yourself, even if it’s something you’ve never “done” in a professional sense before And importantly, the huge empowerment and satisfaction that comes from leaning into the finance side of your business, and thinking BIG when it comes to money. This episode is going to give you so much inspiration to follow your gut, do the thing, and to keep on going towards the business of your dreams. View their Read & Hall Website Follow Love & Mutiny And follow My Sister & The Sea And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2, 2023 • 36min
“I've had to pivot and change direction so many times,” Owner of Nicole Viney Jewellery, Nicole Viney
Welcome small-business builder, or perhaps you’re an aspiring small-business builder in which instance, welcome, and wow I’m so excited for you to take this journey! I’m not going to sugar-coat it – it’s a pretty wild one. We exist to create a sense of community for each of us on this challenging, exhilarating, sometimes isolating small-business path, and community is such a big aspect of the life and business of today’s guest, the lovely Nicole Viney, an incredible jewellery maker out of Tasmania. In today’s chat we talk about: The storytelling aspect of making jewellery and how it builds connection The power of community when you’re at your breaking point in business Taking a business investment from home-based to store front And Nicole’s harrowing story of having her store broken into and her world rocked, before rebuilding and pivoting yet again. If you’re looking for inspiration, real feels and priceless inspo for your own business-building, you’re in the right spot. Check out Nicole’s beautiful work and business on her website nicolevineyjewellery.com.au Follow her on IG @nicolevineyjewellery And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2023 • 35min
“The answers are there, you just have to look for them and be obsessed,” Owner of Shoku Iku, Yoko Inoue
What happens when the business you love so much has to transition into a new space to survive, and that new space is one you don’t know how to navigate yet? This episode is about building a small business that really embraces the #pivot we love so much, so if you’re in or facing a change this chat will be just what you need. The wonderful Yoko Inoue, Owner of wellbeing emporium Shoku Iku talks about: Managing the shift from in-person business to online Exploring her creativity across two different businesses, and knowing when you need to move on from a path that was previously your everything and channel your creative energy into something new Trying to balance the passion of your business with family And so much more. If you’re in need of some small-business building community and support, you’re in the right place. Connect with Yoko and explore Shoku Iku online at shokuikuaustralia.com and on Instagram @shokuiku And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18, 2023 • 47min
“You always think that everybody is doing better than you,” Food Creative, Naomi Sherman
The guest in this episode is 100% here for the real feels on small-business and shares so generously I can hardly believe we’re lucky enough to hear from her. Naomi Sherman is carving out an empire in the food creative space, and in today’s chat we talk about: - how you really can stumble upon a business by simply following something that makes you happy - the very real challenges of figuring out how to price yourself in an industry that doesn’t have any clear-cut guidelines (or sharing) - what happens when you put yourself out there with no expectations and simply focus on providing value to people – real value, not just an exchange of services or currency - the need to redefine our own metrics of success and avoid feeling like a failure if the thing you create doesn’t hit some arbitrary high number (yet!) - and the journey you take when you’ve lost the joy in a major part of your business. She will make you laugh, feel seen, and in the first bit, she even made me cry… I hope you enjoy our chat. Follow Naomi on IG @naomisherman_foodcreative Check out her Website naomishermanfoodcreative.com And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28, 2023 • 49min
“If you can look at the foundations of what the business is and what it stands for, then the future outcome will take care of itself,” Founder of Willis Commercial, Ben Willis
We often hear stories of someone going out on their own after a major event – something that leads a person to leave a stable corporate career to create something of their own – then there’s the other stories. The stories of realising that you’re just done with whatever you’re in. In this episode, the endlessly articulate Ben Willis, Lawyer, Founder and Managing Director of Willis Commercial will share with you his moment of being done - and what happened next. We talk about: What it means to have someone in your corner telling you “yes, of course you should start your own thing”. The realities of moving from business-concept to business-admin. Allowing yourself to build your unique you-ness into what you do. How it feels when the wins are yours (as well as the grind and the not so good bits). He will also remind you of the value in always showing up as yourself, and that the right people will see that value and support you in your vision. Connect with Ben via the Willis Commercial Website Or directly via LinkedIn And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21, 2023 • 41min
“It's about how you can become comfortable in the uncomfortable,” Kylie Wallace, CEO (and Chief Gardener) of Seedling Giving
There are many sliding door moments that may have meant your business-building never happened – our guest today shares her own and so much more. In this episode Kylie Wallace is CEO (and Chief Gardener) of Seedling Giving shares: What creates an engaging brand experience. How starting with a wide audience and offering can show you where to focus. The headspace you can create when you get pre-scheduling. Why you should always start where you are. And the importance of giving. Seedling Giving is a personalised charity matching service providing vetted and trustworthy recommendations for individuals and businesses to make the process of giving simpler and safer. Check out the Seedling Giving Website and download the free eBook on the 12 things you must know before donating to any charity. Follow Seedling Giving on Facebook And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2023 • 39min
“I wanted to be the master of my own destiny, and for better or worse,” Co-Founder of Amplify, Tom Maynard
Do you find it hard to explain your business in 25 words or less? Or feel like you’re constantly bumping up against an old guard in your industry who just aren't quite ready to recognise that the world’s changed? Welcome business-builder, to another story of creating a business you love and all the crazy sh*t that happens when you do. In the sharing of his business-building story Tom Maynard, Co-Founder of Amplify and I chat about: Understanding the power of audience and influence, and trusting that where there’s an engaged community, money flows The changed landscape of media The challenge of scaling up and being responsible for people’s careers, while also being responsible for your own business growth Making costly mistakes and the education it gives you And why, when you’re ahead of the market, you just need to keep knocking on doors We also spend some time talking about some of my own favourite topics; Why brands and media businesses need to take a risk on content and not be afraid to get noticed The recognition that creators are in fact media businesses, whether they have 1000 followers or millions And why cultural shifts matter to all businesses This chat is a reminder that you should always follow your instincts in business, and not be afraid to try something new. Follow @thisisamplify on IG Check out their work on their Website And don’t forget to follow Unemployed & Afraid on IG and LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group You can reach your host on email kim@unemployedandafraid.com.au on IG on LinkedIn or via unemployedandafraid.com.auSupport the show by shouting me a cuppa (or 2): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
