In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes Jessica Abel, founder of Autonomous Creative, to discuss how mid-career creatives can reshape their client work into sustainable, profitable businesses that align with real life. Jessica shares her journey from graphic novelist and professor to business coach, highlighting the challenges creatives face in balancing client work, marketing, and personal fulfilment.

Key topics include:
- The pitfalls of underpricing and overdelivering, and how to set realistic, sustainable rates using Jessica’s “ground truth calculator”
- The importance of aligning business models with personal capacity and financial goals
- Why many creatives burn out by following mass-market marketing advice that doesn’t fit their business
- Mindset shifts needed to move from scarcity and self-doubt to confidence and clarity
- The value of tracking time and outcomes to make informed business decisions
- How to build a business that supports both creative work and a fulfilling life

Jessica (jccabel on LinkedIn) also introduces her new training, “Stop Working Nights and Weekends,” designed to help creatives reclaim their time and profitability.

🎯 This email is part of Kaffeen’s Reignite Reset series.
Get instant access to the full Reignite system → kaffeen.co/reignite

In this episode, we explore why content alone won’t save your consulting agency or coaching business. While posting boosts visibility, it rarely translates directly into paying clients—especially when you’re at the mercy of ever-changing algorithms. We discuss the pitfalls of relying solely on social media, the burnout that comes from constant posting, and the frustration of seeing little return on your efforts.

Key topics include:
- The difference between visibility and revenue
- Real-life examples of algorithm changes derailing business growth
- Why consistent posting doesn’t guarantee clients
- The importance of having a system or funnel behind your content
- How to turn content from noise into a client-generating machine
- The power of clear calls to action and next steps
- Questions to assess your current content strategy

Tune in to learn how to make every piece of content work harder for your business and discover practical steps to move from posting for engagement to building a reliable client pipeline.

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

In this episode, we dive into the “referral trap” that keeps coaches, agency owners, and service providers stuck in a cycle of waiting for work to come to them. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, our host explores why referrals feel safe but aren’t truly secure—especially after the challenges of 2024, when many businesses saw their referral streams dry up.

Key topics include:
- Why relying solely on referrals is risky and reactive, not reliable
- The difference between feeling safe and being secure in your business
- The impact of economic shifts and changing client behaviour on referral-based growth
- The importance of building proactive, predictable lead generation systems
- How to regain control, confidence, and joy in your business by diversifying your client acquisition strategies

Tune in for practical mindset shifts and actionable steps to move beyond passive referrals and create a more resilient, sustainable business. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start building, this episode is for you!

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

In this episode, I share a serendipitous moment sparked by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s book, highlighting the power of authenticity in marketing. Too often, business owners struggle with marketing because they’re trying to craft a “perfect” or “unique” voice, rather than simply being themselves. Drawing from real client conversations, I explain how the most effective content comes from genuine experiences and actual pain points — not from forced formulas.

Key topics covered:
- The importance of authenticity over perfection in marketing
- Why trying to be someone you’re not makes marketing harder
- Using real client challenges as the foundation for valuable content
- The value of consistency in building authority
- An invitation to join my one-to-one coaching programme, designed to help you market with confidence and authenticity

Listen in to discover why showing up as your true self is the key to sustainable, effective marketing.

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

Do you feel like you’re constantly “pedalling with one foot”—putting in the work, creating beautiful content, and building a talented team, but the clients you truly want just aren’t showing up?

You’re not alone.

In this episode, Charlotte speaks directly to the quiet visionaries: creative agency founders who feel stuck on the outside of their dream sector, whether that’s luxury, lifestyle, or premium brands. She dives deep into:
•Why “outsider syndrome” might actually be your greatest advantage
•How to leverage what you’ve already built—no more starting from scratch!
•The simple structure shift that turns content into real leads
•Practical ways to finally move from passive brand-building to active client conversations

If you’re done waiting to be noticed and ready to become the sought-after agency you’re meant to be, tune in—because the clients you dream of working with are already looking for you.

Ready to feel like the agency you’re meant to be?
Find out more about working with Charlotte here: http://www.kaffeen.co/apply

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

👀 Get your LinkedIn Profile Power-Up:

A personal review, 7-page report, done-for-you copy, and video breakdown delivered in 7 days — so your LinkedIn profile finally works as hard as you do.

→ https://kaffeen.thrivecart.com/powerup/

Your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t read like a CV — especially if you run your own business. In this episode, Charlotte breaks down exactly what makes a profile stand out and sell your services (without sounding salesy). From your headline to your About section to the visuals that back you up, you’ll learn what to fix, what to skip, and why this matters more than ever.

If your LinkedIn profile still sounds like you’re looking for a job instead of landing clients — this episode is for you.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most LinkedIn profiles don’t convert (and what to do instead)
• The four key elements of a high-performing profile
• What buyers look for in your headline, summary, and experience section
• How to create clarity and trust before you ever start a conversation
• What to do if you don’t have time to DIY it

⚡️ Mentioned in this episode:

👀 Get your LinkedIn Profile Power-Up:

A personal review, 7-page report, done-for-you copy, and video breakdown delivered in 7 days — so your LinkedIn profile finally works as hard as you do.

→ https://kaffeen.thrivecart.com/powerup/

📌 Let’s connect:

• Website: kaffeen.co
• Instagram: @kaffeen.club
• LinkedIn: Charlotte Ellis Maldari

Enjoyed the episode?

Leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag Charlotte to let her know your favourite takeaway. Every share helps the right people find this work — thank you!

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

In this episode, I chat with the incredible Phoebe Dodds—a strategist, writer, and founder of Buro155 and Social Capital. Phoebe shares her journey of balancing multiple businesses across Europe and her insights into building and maintaining a consistent sales pipeline, especially during challenging times. From organic growth and strategic partnerships to networking tips and nurturing leads, Phoebe provides actionable advice for creative agency owners and entrepreneurs alike.

We cover:

• The myth of the “feast and famine” cycle and how to avoid it
• Consistently building relationships to keep your sales pipeline fresh
• Diversifying your pipeline with short, medium, and long-term projects
• The power of consistent networking and relationship-building
• Getting creative with lead generation through blogs, podcasts, and events
• Planting more seeds than you think you need to ensure your pipeline stays active
• Being open to pivoting your business strategy when needed to explore new opportunities

Links & Resources:

• Phoebe Dodds on Instagram

• Social Capital

• Food for Thought

Curious about one-to-one coaching? Submit an application here and we can chat about your business.

If you’re ready for more personalised support, I currently have space for five new one-to-one coaching clients.

It’s 11 hours of tailored coaching for £2,500, designed to help you build a marketing system that feels like you — no formulas, no pretending.

If you want to apply for one of these spots before we open it up more widely, you can do that here:

https://airtable.com/app28MNir9SrqMbbK/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form