(and building my own for the last 25 years)... although we didn't call ourselves personal brands back then!
Freedom, flexibility and financials
My work is all about helping you to choose. To fully identify what your version of success looks and feels like and then to make a plan to make it happen.
You can design your week, your services, the way you work... all of it.
You can choose how you much money you make and how you make it.
You can pay attention to what feels good to you and operate from there.
My work is as individual as you are.
No longer squeezing yourself into a box... instead designing your own
Perhaps you have always felt as though you haven't fitted into to a conventional career path. Or maybe your life circumstances require you to work (and live) in a way that the 'system' doesn't naturally support.
Or maybe you are at a 'well, I may as well try' stage of your life' and you want to see what it possible. You sense there is more. You know you have skills and you are curious about your potential. But you need to unlock this next chapter on your terms; paying attention to not just your capabilities but your capacity.
One of the most popular questions I receive is 'Is it ok to do it this way?''
Often you know the answer and know that is absolutely the right solution for you, but it is natural to quesiton it as we are walking outside the 'norm'.
Optimising and elevating your skills
My clients are talented, skilled, experienced, resilient, deeply valuable and offer incredible insight, perspective and contributions.
Sometimes we begin working together because there is a need to change... their current situation no longer works for them. Or there is a desire to change...'I sense there is more for me'.
I know there are so many opportunities available to you... and I can't wait to support you throughout the process.
Say you were a yoga teacher in the 90s in the UK. Generally the options would be booking out the local Church/village hall and charging a fiver on the door and hoping people would have seen your post card/poster (if you were fancy) on the local noticeboard.
Now you can still do that AND have a social media presence AND be invited to host lunchtime sessions as part of a a corporate wellbeing programme. AND collaborate with your favourite yoga brand. AND build a multimedia presence on the internet that you can monetise in terms of views and welcomes a flurry of people you have never met to your work... who may pay you.
Build a life first business model
We are not all neat 9-5ers. We need to work with our circumstances, personalities and capacity.
During the last 25 years, my 'roles' have mainly remained the same (obviously improved and elevated); however my life has always adapted. There are times where I have had energy, freedom and very few responsibilities. Equally there have been times of ill health, grief, uncertainty, 2020(!) pregnancy, stress, postpartum, raising kids, moving house etc etc. My personal brand can expand when I have capacity and reduce when life needs me more. For example during August, I like to be with my kids as much as possible, however in September when they are back at school, I have more capacity.
The magic of you
I want to celebrate it all... Your skills, your story, your perspective, your flavour, your journey, your blend of knowledge, your talents, your personality, the way that only you do it etc etc. AND for you to be able to monetise.
I make money from acting, coaching, speaking, writing, content, collaborations, live events, affiliates etc etc.
On paper; it could look confused. Are you a 'Jack of all trades and master of none?"
In fact, in this climate I believe the opposite. I am multifaceted, sharp and always evolving.
Building a robust, sharp, online digital disco is a way to showcase your personal brand; when you are working...and when you are not.
Show the internet, what you can do darling...
Spoken like a true pageant Mom. I am not actually pageant Mom in real life but I can bring that energy whenever you need it. I want you to show your work. Share your message. Get to the front. Impact millions. Tell stories. Inspire the next generation. All of it!
'I have worked with Nicky for the past 12 months and she has asked pertinent questions, held a space for me to analyse, shape, edit and direct my personal brand in a direction that suits my ultimate goals and lifestyle. She has a knack for asking thought-provoking questions and enabling me to uncover things that I had previously missed in both my vision and mindset.'
You want to figure out the next chapter of you and your business.
What you want, who you want to be and what you want to do. Then building a plan to make it happen.
You want to asking some big questions to receive some big answers.
You may have read the 'books' or listened to the podcasts but you know you are ready for some bespoke support. Equally you are really busy in life right now; so you can't go to Bali to 'find yourself' but you want to move forward.
You don't want a formula or a blue print
. Instead you want to create your own blend. A pic 'n' mix of business and life that suits your personality, circumstances and goals. You don't want a soulless process to copy and paste; instead you want to design your own version that feels great.
You want to figure out what is blocking and stopping you
. Maybe you know what you need to do; but you are not making the progress you desire. Perhaps this chapter of your life has been challenging and your confidence has taken a dip. Or you are struggling to find the next version of you in this season. Or perhaps you are ready to get rid of some old beliefs that are cluttering up the path towards your future self.
You want to stop dabbling...
I want to help you to create motion and momentum so your ideas are not just stuffed in the back of a drawer; they are out and about and thriving in reality. Becoming the next version of you requires focus, commitment, attention and encouragement and I am here to support you every step of the way.
I couldn't believe that I had spent the first 29 years of my life without this knowledge.
That I didn't have to wait, or hope or wish.
That I didn't have to have all the answers to get started.
That I didn't have to stay the same.
That I could evolve my business as my life changed.
That I could make a decision to move forward and actively 'create' my life.
'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.'
I have worked with hundreds of people globally.
I have welcomed quite a crowd :)
Founders, Creatives, Journalists, Leaders, Stylists, Speakers, CEOs, Digital experts, Healers, Teachers, Medical professionals. RuIe Makers (Lawyers) and Rule Breakers (Monetising non traditional careers; curating a portfolio career on their terms) Innovators, Technology Trailblazers, Dreamers, Foodies, Raconteurs, Game changers, Artists, Designers, Storytellers, Strategists, Wellbeing experts, Band Members who want to become Solo Artists (aka 9-5ers to want to create their own gig)... to name a few
I work in Central London or online 1:1.
In 2018 I launched my podcast which regularly charted on the top 100 business podcasts.
Plus I regularly deliver talks at various brands/events/organisations including BBC, Google, Stylist Magazine, Stylist Live, Nat West, MTV, The Collective, The Olympic Village, Huckletree, Digital Mums, Arcadia, Citizen M, The Townhall, Shoreditch, Kingston University and many more.
My online talks welcome a global audience; my record so far; is 58 different countries.
'I now have a plan... I was definitely winging it before and ‘hoping for the best’ and
now I have realised I can make this business work for me...’
'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!"
They cannot squeeze into a formulaic path
Maybe they have a portfolio career; various income streams that they want to explore or expand. Or perhaps their home life is not conducive to a traditional 9-5pm schedule and they need flexibility and creativity to be able to earn an income and attend to their responsibilities or needs.
To create strong foundations for their ambition and flurry of ideas. If they are going to meet their ambition; they need structures and systems so they stay in flow and avoid burnout.
To meet them where they are right now... to work with their capacity; not against it. Over the last 25 years, I have created my own version of a 'life first' business model and during that time my life requirements have changed significantly and have required my business model to bend and flex.
To fit all of their 'pieces' together. To combine different income streams. To highlight and elevate their different roles. To be in their 'expert status' and connect with their personality. To build a personal brand that feels like them... and to get paid... when they are working and when they are not...
'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'
You can focus on one specific area or you may be someone who wants you the whole 360 approach.
Here are some areas we will highlight:
Your goals
Identifying everything you want to be, do, have and feel.
Strategy, specifics, simplicity, streamlined.
Paying attention to what you need and building based on your capacity; your timeline, your style, your personality and goals.
To build an actionable plan; maybe you are done with the casual chats and want progress...
Pricing and Packaging aka monetising your personal brand.
In simple terms; how much money do you want to make and how do you want to make it.
I help you build a life first business model where you optimise and elevate your skill set and how you like to deliver it.
Bringing ease and flow into your work. Working smarter not harder.
We build an income pie; with the ability to be sliced into the income streams you choose.
This is about choice. Creativity.
Investigating what you have been previously been taught and then bending and flexing what works and reinventing and reshaping what doesn't.
I've worked with extroverts, introverts, night owls, early birds, multi taskers etc. I know your business will likely be more 'successful' if you work with your unique brain. If you find a way to operate at your best that magic will spill into all your work.
I want you to choose the flexi way...how often you work, the times you work, the locations you work in, the pace; you can design it all.
To stop hiding your circumstances, commitments and responsibilities. My clients are often those people who are many things to many people. They are juggling a lot. Caring responsibilities, health conditions, building a business alongside a corporate are just a few examples. We can't ignore 'circumstances' and just work harder. My methods are about working with them. Not ignoring and trying to do all the things.
To see what is possible in terms of your earning. To create a multiple of different streams, to not be limited to 'chargeable hours' and to live abundantly. Earning when you are working and when you are not... and have some time off. Burned out is not a badge of honour but it is rife; there often a reset is need.
To grow from strong foundations. To create space, stability, security, enjoyment and impact.
Your Digital Disco - taking your personal brand online
To have full clarity on who you are so you know how to share it online.
To have clear messaging that speaks your ideal clients (and identify who they are if you are not sure).
We map out your content, your visibility strategy so your online home becomes your hardest working co worker - sharing your greatness 24/7, 365 days per year; so you can create income and brand awareness when you are working and when you are not.
Speaking UP
Becoming the go to expert in your industry. Sharing your insight and knowledge on your industry so you can create transformations.
The places and spaces where you can create impact are limitless; podcasts, keynotes, television, radio, collaborations, brand deals, panels, workshops, investments, partnerships etc... You have the knowledge, skill, experience etc you just need to help to open more doors. Maybe you continuously see the same people being invited and you would like to be on the confirmation list. You need help in your pitch, your positioning, your offering so your efforts land on the right desk and become an easy yes.
Maybe you are ready to step into being the face of your personal brand/portfolio career/business and you know putting a face to the name/product/service is crucial for people to know like and trust you. However you need some guidance; where to start, what to offer, how to welcome the opportunities and what to charge.
Perhaps you've had some hesitation in 'showing up' so you need to find a way to be visible in a way that feels good; no ick or sleaze or harvest festival 'just shout to the back of the hall' voices. You know your customers/clients respond best when they see the 'real you' so you want to find a balance of 'being real vs being professional'. You want to find that flow of being visible and authentic and welcome daily sales into your business. Rather than feeling like you have to go into 'selling mode'.
You know you are ready for more... to stop playing small and are hiding. You have people to help, impact to create and sales to make. You know being inconsistent is not going to help you build, but you need to find a visibility rhythm that works for you and doesn't burn you out. I know it is obvious, but I always say 'speaking' is about 'speaking'. People need to see you and experience you. So this is about bringing it all to life (not just sticking up a website page) with your credentials. Being an impactful, fully booked, memorable speaker means 'being it and doing it'.
You want to be in the mix. I often talk about the 'ten to six' opportunities; the ones that come in before 'close of play' that require a quick and an assurance that you can do the job (and do it well, often under pressure).
Due to the speedy turnaround; you want to operate from your excitement state and say yes, rather than freeze and say no from your fearful state... the one that tells you that you are not ready.
The personal
Working our what is blocking and stopping you from making progress.
Building mega habits that your future self will be proud of.
Finding rhythms that support your business growth and nurture your nervous system and life commitments.
When I started to speak on stages; I always used to say 'I don't just want you to feel inspired'.
So often can be the case, we read the book, or attend the talk and for about five minutes afterwards we feel buoyant and uplifted. Then forget about it and move on; until the niggly nudge pokes us once again...
That's why my sessions offer a different level of support.
Pre work:
I want to know what you want. What will be a 'success' at the end of our time together. What's on your to do list? What are you struggling with? Where do you have questions? What's working well? What needs to come together?
Understanding exactly how I can support you means I can prepare for you. You don't have to spend our time together filling me in. In advance of our 1:1 time, I will have a sense of you. I will have prepared fully so we can make a plan to move forward.
One to One time
I work with clients face to face in luxury locations in Central London or globally online. I offer a variety of time slots to meet your project/concentration(!) levels.
Some clients have been with me for 15 years consistently; little and often.
Some people book a one and done session and I don't see them again - just receive lovely catch up emails from them.
Some people want a stretch of time to focus solely on a project and GET IT DONE!
I only want to 'sell' you packages/offerings that will help you get results. If we can complete in a short and snappy manner, I will say; equally if I think you need longer I will share. It also may be easier and more effective (and definitely economical) for you to purchase a course from my shop. However that is not for everyone... some people say 'I just want you... one on one... all in - don't sell me a course... I won't do it!' :))
Accountability support
No self development hangovers - you know those moments when you 'work on yourself' and feel excited and bouncy as you leave and then very quickly get a flurry of limiting beliefs. Or you realise you have added 7264 tasks to your list and you have no idea where to start. Or it all feel consuming and overwhelming; doable and possible?
After our 1:1 time together, we have some support time to get the party started (and continuing). I am there to support you a variety of ways - you choose how you use the time. You can asks questions, you can get supportive words, when you feel wobbly. I am there to hold the space for you. You can take the actions from the session (i.e. I am going to update my pricing strategy on website) and then send the link to me so you actually do it (!) and have another pair of eyes on it. I am not overly critical but I will call you out if you are underselling your brilliance like a pageant Mom :)
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!
I am forever grateful for the forces of the universe that led me to Nicky. I was hooked listening to her podcasts and took the plunge to work with her. It changed my life! I am an overthinker & subscriber of too many courses - but none worked for me - or they weren’t complete. I was overwhelmed by all the processes of launching my business - creating a website, how to show up on social media, pricing etc. The course is well worth the investment. It’s chock full of practical, useful information & presented in Nicky’s warm, vibrant personality. Working 1:1 was a real game changer - right from the first session, she just “gets” me! She uses metaphors that I can relate to and just like that, I understand what I need to do next. No fuss, no drama. As a solo-preneur, it’s great to work with someone honest, calm & concise like Nicky. I can bounce ideas with her and she can give me a viewpoint that I might otherwise have resisted or not considered. When I crossed milestones in my business, she was there cheering loudly & celebrating my wins with me. In the time we worked together, my personal brand has evolved by leaps & bounds! Thank you Nicky for your BRILLIANCE!! I look forward to working with you again soon!
Your online content has been so helpful and real and practical as well as funny, which is of great relief when all of this can feel heavy on your own.
You are honestly super at what you do and I'm so grateful I've started working with you...
I just finished the course with you and after every module, I feel so much more put together.
If you're a business owner/a human being, wholly recommend seeing what
Nicky Raby can do for you.
I worked with Nicky when I was feeling unsure about my direction after having kids. I was through the baby and toddler days and beginning to consider my options. Nicky saw a passion in me for advocating for, and supporting, people who has been adopted - like me. Nicky helped me to take myself seriously in terms of what I had to offer. So instead of launching with a free Wordpress site to little fanfare, I invested in myself and my new brand: How To Be Adopted.
I paid for a domain name, a shiny Squarespace site and an eye-catching and professional logo. To this day I still get compliments on the logo! I launched myself at an adoption event in London where I networked and made important contacts. I have now had 34k visitors to my site, been interviewed for international podcasts and been paid to speak at events.
Thank you Nicky for not letting me sell myself short!
'Here we are very nearly a year later and Nicky is still replying to any updates personal or professional and her responses are always full and appropriate.I can’t recommend working with her more wholeheartedly you will definitely grow and be seen.
A catalyst for change with encouragement and endorsement.Being able to see when things are not working so well. Fresh approaches and ways of working is how Nicky navigates her life and as always actions definitely speak louder than words.'
On portfolio careers, acting, technology I used, 'picking my brains' on a certain dilemma or topic etc. Please note this is not a coaching session.
'I usually share pictures of children's books but today I am making an exception and am sharing a picture of my notebook!
I have been having a great time working through Nicky Raby's fabulous Personal Brand Plan! I can't tell you how much I am enjoying it and am getting so much out of it! I already feel much more focussed on what I want to achieve and how I will achieve it.
This programme is perfect for freelancers and small business owners.
It covers lots of incredibly relevant questions and topics including "How do I stand out?" "How do I make money?" "What do I want to achieve?" "How do I put myself out there?"
I honestly couldn't recommend this online course more, you can do it in your own time and there is lots of support from the wonderful and very talented Nicky Raby.'
I did a strategy session with Nicky and I feel it should be called an "Hour of Power" session! Nicky was able to focus in on what had me blocked from taking action in my business, and helped me reframe my approach so that I could move forward. My time with Nicky resulted in more action taken in one day than had been taken in the six months leading up to it. No fancy catchphrases or meaningless cliches - Nicky is all about achieving realistic goals and moving forward with purpose.
I can't wait to work with Nicky again!
Your online content has been so helpful and real and practical as well as funny, which is of great relief when all of this can feel heavy on your own.
You are honestly super at what you do and I'm so grateful I've started working with you...
I just finished the course with you and after every module, I feel so much more put together.
If you're a business owner/a human being, wholly recommend seeing what
Nicky Raby can do for you.
I worked with Nicky when I was feeling unsure about my direction after having kids. I was through the baby and toddler days and beginning to consider my options. Nicky saw a passion in me for advocating for, and supporting, people who has been adopted - like me. Nicky helped me to take myself seriously in terms of what I had to offer. So instead of launching with a free Wordpress site to little fanfare, I invested in myself and my new brand: How To Be Adopted.
I paid for a domain name, a shiny Squarespace site and an eye-catching and professional logo. To this day I still get compliments on the logo! I launched myself at an adoption event in London where I networked and made important contacts. I have now had 34k visitors to my site, been interviewed for international podcasts and been paid to speak at events.
Thank you Nicky for not letting me sell myself short!
If you would like to chat before booking, head to the bottom right hand corner. All messages go directly to me and all contents are strictly confidential.
Why do I like her/rate her?
If you want someone who is genuine, down to earth, not polished (can be in full make up or in her PJs with her kids i.e real)
She is not salesy, she is very funny, is full of analogies (which really works for how I learn) and is incredibly insightful and timely - Nicky is your woman...
I have just woken up after an unexpected snooze! That is how good the day was. I. Was. Exhausted! In a good way.
You are such a brilliant coach.
Worth your weight in gold.
The “Don’t play small” really impacted me and touched me deep somewhere and opened up something that i had locked away for a long time. These words are now written above my desk :-)
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.