You’ve been waiting for motivation/the right moment/the stars to align/to feel less tired but have now realised you need to just get going imperfectly… from exactly where you are.
You are ready to change your verbs… to stop ‘hoping, wishing, waiting, researching, considering, pondering’ and move into ‘doing, being, actioning, embodying, charging…’
You are ready to be the version of you, that you know you are meant to be. To make moves, to create incredible impact, get paid well and make it happen…
I want to see you win. To get going. To bet on yourself. To build an unstoppable purpose. To exude an undeniable presence so you are always a match for the next incredible opportunity.
I want to help you activate your truth and your connection to your work. If there isn’t an emotional pull or an urgency; momentum will be difficult to build.
You can ask Chat GPT questions about yourself but if you are not connected and aligned with the answers, it is similar to taking a little book of the 100 greatest chat up lines on your first date.
So instead, I help you to find your way.
'Working with Nicky was just what I needed. She created the space for me to open up and get clear on some goals that I'd been procrastinating over for way too long, and even more importantly helped me bring about some action.
Nicky is a great coach but she also knows when to step in with ideas, which is exactly what I needed. Her creative questions, fast understanding of what you are wanting to achieve and unique background add so much value to the conversations you have with her.'
I have been a professional actor for over 25 years and a personal performance coach for 15 years and I have learnt the difference between what I naturally want to do and what actually works.
What I want to do (ready for the honesty?!):
Stay in my comfort zone.
Get the dopamine hit of success by ‘talking about it’ without any of the vulnerability that may arise through ‘doing it’.
I want people to just ‘find me through google’ like in 2012.
I want to be liked by almost everyone.
I don’t want to get anything wrong.
I want to protect and conceal the part of me that was bullied for years through being herself.
I want things to be easy so I can work hard and have plenty of time with my family.
I want to do the parts of my business that I find fun and exciting and hope that the other parts will automatically fall into place.
What I need to do and what I have trained myself to do is…
Be bold, be courageous. Name and claim what I want. Do things 1% better. Play the long game.
Call out my own BS self sabotaging chatter.
Do something. Take action. Make a move.
Build the know, like and trust factor every single day. Share candidly and generously through evergreen content so my output; time, energy, efforts are always optimised.
I expect myself to make mistakes because I am a human being. That means progress is being made. I also trust myself to learn the lessons quickly and move on. I know that my intentions are always good.
Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone needs to learn from you. Some people won’t resonate with anything you say. Some people won’t be able to see you as a ‘viable option’ because you have ginger hair 'insert your own difference'… this started at 4 years old and has happened in personal relationships, in work opportunities and general abuse in the street.
The parts of me that are uniquely individual are where I need to lean in. The aim is not to dilute yourself into a palatable, vanilla version of yourself in the hope that you will appease everyone. You won't - even if you try really hard and commit.
My big heart, my silly stories, my ‘oh I get it now’ analogies, my unapologetic ambition, my lively energy, my lack of tolerance for small talk, and my love to ‘go deep’ quickly. My unwavering belief in other people’s dreams and my unlimited optimism for change and growth. I want to share it all.
To design great systems that provide strong foundations. To understand what gets me results… This means a lot of self reflection and analysis… instead of bouncing into the next fun things.
I am the common denominator in all parts of my life and personal brand so therefore I need to look after me.
To say everything aloud and press play. It doesn’t matter if something ‘looks good on paper’ - what does it look and feel like in reality? Does it feel good?
'Nicky was the first person I spoke to about launching Brave Bird. I’d listened to her podcast and followed her for about a year before reaching out. I’d had a few years out of work and my confidence was pretty low so I needed some professional advice about becoming much more visible. This was something outside of my comfort zone, but the faith what I had to offer convinced me it was time.
She grasped the intention right away and offered me great advice on personal branding, and helped me to formulate a structure in which to operate professionally and authentically.
I would highly recommend her services.'
'Working with Nicky was just what I needed. She created the space for me to open up and get clear on some goals that I'd been procrastinating over for way too long, and even more importantly helped me bring about some action.
Nicky is a great coach but she also knows when to step in with ideas, which is exactly what I needed. Her creative questions, fast understanding of what you are wanting to achieve and unique background add so much value to the conversations you have with her.'
"Working with Nicky was a great experience: a really deep and accelerated process which meant that I found answers I was looking for really efficiently. Her methods combined to kick my brain into action and helped me bypass many of the usual traps of complaining and dwelling on obstacles. It was so great talking to someone who seemed to 'get' me immediately, and she also used concrete examples and relatable metaphors that totally made sense. I recommend her approach unreservedly - a brilliant way to get out of a rut and into action.
Thanks, Nicky!"
My role in these sessions is a mix:
Someone to hold the space for your ideas.
A detective who is going to help you find the golden threads running through your personal brand that need weaving together.
An accountability partner who holds you to the standards that you set for yourself.
The energy of a cheerleader/pageant Mom (in a non annoying way) - someone who sees your potential and actively encourages it to come out.
I can play the other characters… the client on a discovery call who is interested in your services. The podcast host you are pitching to. The radio interviewers who want you to provide dazzling, tangible take-aways for their 5 minute interview segment. The next person you talk to after you increase your prices and maybe feel a bit wobbly as you ease into embodying them. I really want to avoid the term ‘role play’ as it often evokes an eye roll or an uncomfortable shuffle in your chair but I believe in the power of the concept.
Sometimes it can be seen as rock n roll or spontaneous to leave all the work to chance… ‘I’ll nail it when I have to’
But I think there is such a power in being ready now. NOT winging it. Not hoping for the best.
Instead being ready, prepared and sharing the work and impact you are truly capable of.
Perfect for:
Getting back on the visibility train. Finding your flow once again. Making visibility feel doable and easeful and lead to conversions.
Show your skills and how you are brilliant. People are much more likely to purchase if they can see examples of you providing a solution. I recently spent the most amount of money I have ever spent on a hair cut because I watched someone cutting and blow dry someone's hair exactly how I wanted mine. I contacted the salon and booked and paid immediately.
Stop the scroll. Be clear on your messaging. Understand how to get to the ‘good stuff’ so your client/customer gets what they need and pays you. Decrease the lead time between someone knowing you and paying you. You have ideal clients who are looking for you; so how can you welcome them and give them what they want asap. I want sales to be easy for you and a natural part of your business.
Be ready for the opportunity. People are looking for you. Show you are ready for the opportunity. I am so visible online through my socials and google that when people get in touch my content has already done 75% of 'sale'. The other 25% is about connection and suitability; i.e. which option would suit this client/opportunity. This final piece is often about just ironing out the timings, the logistics and excellent customer satisfaction.
Being an innovator in your industry. Many of us can sniff out a ‘copy and paste’ a template, a formula, or which coach gave you the exact 5 step process. If someone can play marketing bingo within your personal brand there is work to be done. If you are a personal brand; there needs to be a level of ‘personal’. Don’t be tempted to hide behind bots or soulless automations .
Build connection. To put your client’s safety as a priority… to hold space for them. To show they will be supported in your care. To put integrity in the centre of everything. To not be mysterious or vague and hide behind a lovely website but to be IN the conversation. To understand what is happening the culture right now.
Find the truth in what you are. Losing the ‘shoulds’. Or squeezing yourself into places or decisions that feel constrictive and instead feeling into what feels good.
Press play is about showing up and ACTUALLY DOING IT: Sharing your business. Being visible. Being clear. Creating impact. Selling. Talking about yourself in a professional situation (without the ick or cringe feeling, or completely underselling yourself.) Getting to the point and share value. Sharing stories. Open up conversations. Build a portfolio of work for your customer to enjoy (a portfolio that you create once and then share so you don't zap your energy) Becoming a favourite online - a reliable go to expert.
I want to see you fly and to do it on your terms.
'I am so happy I met you and I am so happy I did this for ME...
I’ve always known that I have wanted to do this but the last few years have been so tough, I was beginning to doubt myself.
The way that you hold space for people is incredible. In your company, I feel that this is all possible. I also have plan (thank you). So not only does it feel good, it makes sense on paper.
I’m now actually excited about what is next'
Agency and originality. You don't want to use other people's scripts or indeed sound like you are speaking from your own. We don't want to sound battery operated. Instead you want to feel confident and assured in what you are saying
Simply getting used to saying things aloud and being seen. You may be an introvert and pressing play is the last thing you want to do but you know if you do, it will grow your business.
If you want to explore a way to sell that isn’t sleazy, pushy or a bit weird. Maybe you have been ‘taught’ techniques that you have never used because they feel as though you have to be a fake version of yourself.
How to effortlessly sell and be comfortable discussing and receiving money. I used to do so many discovery calls and I was having such a nice time, it felt awkward to sell. There is a way to sell and have a nice time.
If you want to be a contributor. Have you ever noticed a line up or read a 'I'm delighted to announce...' post and thought... 'Oh I could do that'. But you feel you would benefit from support in putting yourself forward. (When I first worked with Stylist magazine- I prepared four potential pitches for our work together - there is a knack to this; the preparation and then the pitch.)
If you live in your head a lot. You can articulate what you want to say brilliantly on the page but struggle to bring it to life. I will help you bring some lightness to the process so you can feel in flow and natural.
If you want to be more purposeful with your content and not just share generic pictures of your lunch, but have a proper strategy where people are getting to know you.
How to share what you offer so people understand exactly what you do and who you help … no Chandler Bing activities ('What does she do again?!') Plus if it is clear what you do, people will recommend your work - even if it isn't right for them.
How to be ready for the opportunity. I know that jobs, offers, connections arrive in the most unexpected ways so I want to prepare you so you are ready when they occur. I will help you to navigate a ‘let’s have a chat’ conversation; whether that is a shared project, a chat with a client about your services, a pitch, or an opportunity to share your message..
If you are frustrated with your current situation. You know you should be more visible but you are struggling to get started (in fact the longer it goes on the harder it is...)
If you are frustrated with your pace; ‘I should have said something’ or ‘I didn’t say what I meant’ or ‘I played really small there and I didn’t need to’.
You are an introvert and pressing play is the last thing you want to do but you know if you do, it will grow your business
If you know you are skilled at what you do but you feel a bit cringe talking about it and would rather hide behind emails and a lovely website.
If scripts or formulas make you feel ick… you know your words have to feel good.
If you want to explore a way to sell that isn’t sleazy, pushy or a bit weird. Maybe you have been ‘taught’ techniques that you have never used because they feel as though you have to be a fake version of yourself.
If you want to conversations to flow and be purposeful so everyone receives a positive outcome
To work on a content strategy so it doesn’t feel random or rely on you feeling 100%. I notice if I wait until everything feels ‘right’ I never show up. That isn’t helpful for my business nor my clients.
If you are frustrated with your pace; ‘I should have said something’ or ‘I didn’t say what I meant’ or ‘I played really small there and I didn’t need to’.
I am a trained actor with 25 years of experience, nearly 15 years of personal brand coaching, an international speaker and I have an iTunes charting podcast with nearly 1000 episodes.
I have worked with over a thousand clients
I have prepped clients for TV (as an expert and as a pitcher (they won the investment), radio high level podcasts, big stages etc.
I have been a personal brand for nearly 25 years and have designed and delivered my own work (£17,000 income days, sold out courses, high profile gigs, building a business with two young children wearing mainly my dressing gown (attractive?!), meeting all of the Spice Girls, creating income whilst in labour, pitching for my own investment and landing the full amount.