#004: “You can’t be afraid to fail” Interview with Caroline McQueen

Caroline McQueen is a Personal Image & Brand Consultant from London. She's also the chief provocateur at Industry Avenue. As a branding expert and former model, She's spent over 10 years working in front and behind the camera, for some of the world's largest companies - Unilever, Suntory. Plus, top magazines including Cosmopolitan, Red, and Good Housekeeping. Caroline is also an ambassador for Virgin Startup.

In this episode, Caroline shares her tips and experiences on funding, business plans, marketing & more. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Caroline McQueen is a Personal Image & Brand Consultant from London. She’s also the chief provocateur at Industry Avenue.

As a branding expert and former model, She’s spent over 10 years working in front and behind the camera, for some of the world’s largest companies – Unilever, Suntory. Plus, top magazines including Cosmopolitan, Red, and Good Housekeeping.

Caroline is also an ambassador for Virgin Startup.

In this episode, Caroline shares her tips and experiences on funding, business plans, marketing & more.

In this Podcast, we discuss ( SPOILER ALERT )

[03:10] Caroline explains her motivation for becoming an entrepreneur
[06:30] We learn how Caroline got started with Industry Avenue & Virgin Startup
[08:35] Caroline shares how and why she pivoted her business
[11:10] “The most important person you can satisfy is your viewer, your audience”
[12:20] We learn how Caroline got involved with Virgin Startup
[16:07] Caroline explains what it’s like to apply for funding
[18:10] Caroline shares tips on how you can get funding
[19:10] We find out if you actually need a business plan
[ 21:24] “Sometimes people get bogged down by the business plan, and it’s just an excuse to procrastinate”
[23:40] Caroline shares how “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, could influence your business plan
[25:10] “How to eat an elephant, is a bite at a time”
[27:59] Caroline explains why it’s important for brands to produce great content.
[30:31] We ask Caroline if startups should do both content marketing and paid ads.
[35:44] We find out what the first thing you and Phil should do, to get your idea off the ground.
[36:40] “You can’t build a property on rented land”
[39:53] What to do, if your not talented enough to make good content
[43:00] “You can’t be afraid to fail”
[43:30] We learn more about testing and validating your idea
[46:08] Caroline explain how a mastermind can help your business
[50:10] Caroline shares what she has learnt from Sir Richard Branson
[51:10] We find out what Caroline wishes she knew, before starting in business
[55:38] We learn from Caroline’s experience with failure, and how to have the right mindset

You will learn

What first steps to take in business
How to prepare to find funding
Tips on how to market your business cheaply

Links and resources mentioned

More from Caroline McQueen

The Website to Wardrobe 2-day Intensive
Caroline McQueen | Personal Style and Branding for tomorrow’s Influencers
Industry Avenue

Recommended reading

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (affiliate link)

Websites mentioned

WordPress

Homework

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