Joyfully Different

Sometimes the hardest part of running a business is simply… doing 'The Things'. Every day. You sit down with every intention of replying to the email, finishing the proposal, updating the website or finally tackling your admin... and suddenly it all feels boring, overwhelming, impossible or all three at once. We’ve all been there! And that’s exactly why we host virtual co-working sessions inside the Joyfully Different membership.✨️ For a lot of people, especially the neurodivergent amongst us, working alongside others (sometimes called body doubling) can make a HUGE difference when it comes to focus, motivation and actually getting things done. Our virtual co-working sessions are gentle, low-pressure spaces where we work alongside each other for 90 minutes at a time. Sometimes the sessions are themed (like working on our website, finance admin or social media), sometimes they’re general, but the goal is always the same: helping you feel supported, motivated and less alone while you work. We run two co-working sessions every week inside the Joyfully Different membership, alongside business support sessions, workshops, our private community space, and more. Come try us out free for 2 weeks: https://joyfullydifferent.co/membership

LinkedIn can feel overwhelming sometimes. You know you probably “should” be using it, but then you open the app and immediately get hit with corporate jargon, proper awks networking advice and people telling you to post 5 times a day if you want to "be visible" 😅 But, like most things in business, when you approach it in a way that feels human and fun, LinkedIn can become one of the best places to build relationships, visibility and opportunities as a business owner. That’s why we’re hosting a 'Glow Up Your LinkedIn Profile & Build Your Network' workshop! This session is all about approaching LinkedIn in a way that feels natural, sustainable and aligned with who you *really* are, and how you approach business. Together, we’ll explore: ⚡ How to turn your profile from “meh” to magnetic ⚡ Ways to make your About, Featured and Experience sections actually work for you ⚡ What kinds of posts make people stop scrolling and start connecting ⚡ How to build visibility through conversations and comments ⚡ How to reach out to people without feeling awkward or salesy Whether you’re completely new to LinkedIn, showing up every now and again, or posting regularly but not seeing much happen, this session will help you build and grow your social presence with way more confidence and clarity. And, as always with Joyfully Different, we’ll be ditching the stiff corporate advice and focusing on connection, authenticity and doing business in a way that *actually* feels good. This session is included with your Joyfully Different membership, alongside business support sessions, virtual coworking & more. Check out the website for the deets and how to join: https://joyfullydifferent.co/membership

When you're a differently-wired human in the world of business, bringing the fullest versions of who we are into our work can feel scary. Or, we might have layered so many "shoulds" on ourselves, we aren't quite sure what the 'fullest' version of us even looks like... we just know we're feeling exhausted from performing a version of ourselves that we think will be more acceptable, palatable or 'professional'. That’s why we created our Unmasked Sessions inside the Joyfully Different membership. Hosted by neuroaffirming therapist @deannanava_ and coaching psychology practitioner Sophie Longley, these confidential sessions are a space for members to connect, reflect, share honestly and explore what it means to show up more authentically in business and life. DeAnna offers inclusive, neuroaffirming coaching and Root Cause Therapy for late-identified Autistics, ADHDers and AuDHDers, while Sophie specialises in post-diagnostic coaching for autistic adults. Together, they create a space that feels supportive, understanding and safe to show up in as your full, unmasked self. These sessions are for anyone, whether they're diagnosed or self-identified as neurodivergent, or wanting to explore ways to bring more of their authentic selves into the way they live and work No two sessions are ever the same. Sometimes we talk about burnout, boundaries, relationships or wellbeing. Sometimes we explore practical ways to navigate business differently. Sometimes we celebrate wins, share messy moments or simply have a laugh together. One session even turned into an unexpected tarot reading... 🔮 There’s never any pressure to participate beyond listening and sessions are never recorded. Everything shared is completely confidential. The aim is simple: for you to leave feeling more connected, understood and supported than when you arrived. All of our Unmasked Sessions are included in your Joyfully Different membership, along with weekly business support sessions, virtual coworking, regular workshops, a private community space and more. Try the membership free for 2 weeks here: https://joyfullydifferent.co/membership

Things I’ve been told about my pricing within the last year… 💸 “Wow, you’re expensive.” “Wow, that’s a lot cheaper than I thought you’d be.” ”That’s WAY too cheap for what you do, you need to put your prices up!” ”I just can’t see what value you’d add for that kind of money...” “OK, you’ve made me realise I need to put MY prices up!” “Well, I spoke to [other person], and they’re half that price...” ”But… can’t I just get AI to do that?” “That’s exactly the budget I had in mind, it’s clearly meant to be!” And guess what? The rate I quoted was *exactly the same* in every case… If you know you’re charging what you’re worth, stop second-guessing yourself. The right people will pay it. And the BEST people will tell you to charge them more. 😂

Have you got a business plan? Did you make one when you first started your business, but haven’t looked at it since? Does your business plan consist of 147 sticky notes on your wall, or several abandoned Canva templates? Or... have you resisted it altogether because it sounds like a boring, stuffy thing that Apprentice contestants do (badly)? If business planning feels confusing, overwhelming, boring or all of the above... come to our next Joyfully Different workshop with Alice Reeves. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been self-employed for a while but never quite got round to doing the “proper” planning thing... OR you have a business plan that’s severely out of date... This will be a valuable session. We’ll start by looking at where you want to go and how to get you there – and you’ll leave with a clear picture of what goes into a business plan, how to anchor it in your purpose and vision, and how to use it to keep moving forward in alignment. We’ll cover: ⚡ What goes into a business plan, and what the point of each section is ⚡Why having a business plan matters for YOU, not just for funders, lenders or investors. ⚡ How to break your business plan creation down into clear, manageable sections. ⚡ How to create a plan that’s actually useful and won’t gather digital dust on your desktop. Head to joyfullydifferent.co/membership to claim your 2-week free trial or DM for the event link to book a ticket ✌️

A friend said to me the other day: “You’re really good at the hustle!” Here’s why I don’t think I am… and how I approach business instead. Or… maybe it’s time to reclaim the word hustle!? What are your thoughts? #businessowner #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbizsquad

When challenges, questions, dilemmas or new ideas spring up in our business, it can feel difficult to know how to move forward – and we can find ourselves in procrastination, paralysis or overwhelm. We’ve all been there! And, having a safe space to ask questions, share vulnerabilities and ask for feedback or insight can make all the difference. That’s what our live, confidential business support sessions in the @joyfullydifferentuk membership are for. Whatever business blocker you’re facing, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our weekly, members-only sessions hosted by @judeschweppe , @alice_reeves and Matthew Bellringer are gently facilitated 60-minute calls where you’re free to bring whatever’s blocking you in your business, any questions you have, requests for support, discussion topics or ideas, and we’ll work through them together. Find out more about membership: https://joyfullydifferent.co/membership

What *actually* makes the Joyfully Different membership community different? ⚡ We pride ourselves on being an ‘unconventional’ business membership – for any business owners, freelancers or side-hustlers who’ve ever felt like they don’t quite belong in the ‘traditional’ business world. We’re a neurodiverse community – neurodivergent-inclusive by design, neuro-affirming in everything we do, led by neurodivergent business owners – and open to anyone who resonates with feeling ‘different’. It’s not led by just one person – we’re a truly collaboratively-created space with a brilliant Community Team, including @alice_reeves @deannanava_ @coachcandyderoy @thinkexceptionallyuk @judeschweppe 💜 We’re a space for you to get support and encouragement, access new insights and perspectives, gain knowledge, grow your confidence, develop your skills and find community in whatever way works for YOU – whether that’s engaging in our private online space, attending live sessions, or watching recordings and reading resources in your own time. We offer half-price membership to start-ups and those with low incomes, because we never want cost to be a barrier to accessing support. Come see what we’re about and get your first two weeks free: https://joyfullydifferent.co/membership

Joy has always been at the heart of my business identity. My first business was called The Joyful Web, which evolved into The Joyful, and then I co-founded Joyfully Different alongside my freelance consulting, coaching and creative work. Originally, the goal of @joyfullydifferentuk was to be a community-led, non-profit organisation: offering subsidised business support for neurodivergent folks through fully or part-funded start-up programmes and a membership community. And the realities of the current funding landscape, the economic climate, and government cuts have meant that – despite doing everything we could to make it work – the dream just isn’t workable in reality. So, the time has come to phoenix, and rise again anew! 🔥 When I thought about it, the name ‘Joyfully Different’ doesn’t just describe the membership community. It encapsulates everything I do, and everything about the way I work: supporting unconventional, ambitious (usually neurodivergent) entrepreneurs and freelancers to build successful, sustainable, joyful businesses on THEIR terms. Whether that’s creative support with branding and marketing, broader strategic consulting, or 1:1 coaching, I’m all about prioritising your joy AND embracing your difference in business. Whatever that looks like for you. So, I’m bringing everything I offer – consulting, coaching, creative, and membership community – under one joyfully different roof. Here’s what that looks like: joyfullydifferent.co

Do you struggle with the transition from “work mode” to “relax mode” or “fun mode”? I always have done. And I love this lock metaphor from Brene Brown which helped me understand why, and what I need to do at the end of my day. Does this resonate with you? Do you have a “locking through” process? #businessowner #worklife #brenebrown

At the end of 2025, I was feeling almost completely burnt out. Last year was one of those relentlessly tough years where curveballs were flung at me constantly, and everything felt ten times harder than it should have. But it wasn’t how much I’d been doing, or how “hard” I’d been working, that caused the burnout.  On one of her podcast episodes, @glennondoyle said burnout isn’t caused by doing too much, it’s caused by not doing enough of the stuff that brings you joy, fulfils you and energises you.  Turns out, she’s absolutely right.  Somewhere along the line last year, I sort of just… forgot what I enjoyed. My entire focus was on serving clients and growing my business. I love my work... but found the world was feeling far more grey than colourful. All work and no play makes Alice feel very dull, turns out. 🙃 So, I vowed to make some changes in 2026. I’ve booked tickets to a bunch of comedy and music gigs. I’ve arranged trips to see friends in other parts of the country. I’ve booked my first week-long holiday in ages. I’ve gotten really into doing escape rooms (SO MUCH FUN). I’ve started going to the cinema again. I’ve been going to hot yoga twice a week with near religious devotion. I’ve joined a musical theatre choir and started singing regularly for the first time in 18 years (I’m even going to be performing this summer!) 😱  I’ve started saying “YES” to spontaneous invites from friends again instead of worrying I’m “too busy.” My workload for the last three months has been higher than it’s been in a VERY long time. It’s been a LOT. And yet, I’m nowhere near as overwhelmed and exhausted as I was feeling for most of last year. In fact, I’m doing some of my best work ever AND enjoying it more than ever. Sometimes what you need isn’t more rest, it’s more JOY. ☀️ Joy is essential.  It’s why it’s always been part of my brand name.  And… I still forget how important it is sometimes. 😂 It won’t surprise you to know I’m a GIGANTIC extrovert, so I’d love to know... What does joy look like for you?  How do you recharge and energise?  Have you been doing enough of it lately?   If not, what’s ONE thing you can do this week that brings you joy?

Work/life/wellbeing balance (or integration) has always been the TOUGHEST thing to get right for me. I love my work. I love everything to do with business. I love expanding my knowledge. I love learning new skills. I love working with such a diverse mix of clients who challenge me to be better. I love running a community of business owners. I’m not always great at stopping to vision, dream and check in with what I want vs where I’m headed. And yet, that’s always when the clarity, ideas and inspiration find you. This year has been MEGA WORK-BUSY, which has been brilliant. And, in all the busy-ness, I’ve found myself straying a little off-piste when it comes to alignment. A fair few unexpected things have happened to highlight that lately, some very cool and exciting, some sad but ultimately for the best, and some total curveballs that have rocked a few of my core foundations. I know I need to make some changes after these last few months. And I haven’t wanted to knee-jerk into any of them. Being unexpectedly blessed with a slower week due to a couple of delayed projects has been the perfect opportunity to ask myself loads of “what ifs?” I’ve cocooned myself like an exhausted little caterpillar and let parts of me dissolve. 🐛 And the butterfly that’s gonna emerge in a couple of weeks’ time is gonna be a little different to the one I anticipated…🦋 So, my fellow biz-owning friends, if you’ve been feeling like your alignment with your purpose, values and joy has gotten a bit out of whack, my invitation to you on this sunny day is to slow down, breathe deeply, get outside, feel the warmth on your face, look up at the sky, check in with how you’re feeling, and ask yourself some “what ifs”… and see whether a little cocooning, letting go and rebuilding might be the way forward. 💜