Unemployed & Afraid - podcast cover

Unemployed & Afraid

A business podcast for the brave self-employed.

Growing your own business can be one of the most gratifying, wonderful, life-changing experiences around. It’s also scary as hell. This is a weekly podcast for the ones who have made the brave decision to employ themselves anyway.

We're for the full gamut of business experience - from Solopreneurs, Side-hustlers, Micro-business, Small Business, Medium business, Independent, VC backed, Bootstrapped and more - here for the real stories and priceless insights of it all, well beyond the PR headlines.

Join fellow business-builder and side-hustler Kim Kerton as she dives into the realities of starting something from scratch, helping you feel less alone in the lows and reminding you of the highs that make it all worthwhile. Hear real talk and raw feels from people right in the thick of it and feel seen as you listen.

Small business is tough - all business is tough - it will be one of the most intense things you'll ever do but it will also be the most impactful experience you can imagine. So surround yourself with a community of business owners willing to share with you their learnings, from those a few steps ahead, to many business milestones ahead, and even those just behind, and feel supported to build the business of your unique dreams. 

This is a podcast built to support you to build your own small business, to tackle the statistics and keep more of us in business for ourselves. To say thanks, you can support this independent podcast and small business by shouting your host a cuppa at buymeacoffee.com/unemployedpod

Get in touch at unemployedandafraid.com.au to be part of the show or to become a sponsor (we would love the support!).

Connect on the socials @unemployedandafraid on IG and @unemployedandafraidpod on TikTok

 

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Episodes

"To move on, you have to move on," Closing Stump & Co with Tegan Brennan

Stump & Co is a very successful candle business, so why is its owner Tegan closing it down? Spoiler alert: it’s not because of finances. Business is exciting – the brand building, the launch, the growth – and it’s also challenging. Through it, we rarely consider what walking away from it might feel like. In this episode Tegan Brennan, Founder of Stump & Co, shares her story of building a successful candle business, fulfilling her wildest dreams, and what happened next. You’ll hear about:...

May 05, 202552 min

Change Your Business As Often As You Need To!

If you’re thinking about making a change to your business and feeling stuck about it, please stop torturing yourself. You can move / shift / pivot / change anything you want to - no matter where you’re at or how awks it might feel - and what anyone else thinks about it doesn’t matter. This episode talks about the experience of considering a change and doubting th moves, all the things that get in our way and why we should give ourselves permission to just do the thing and see how it goes. This p...

Feb 05, 202515 min

“Your First Business Isn't Your Forever Business, But Your First Business Teaches You Business,” Kim James Founder of Tangerine Tango

Ever hear business advice that just feels a little out of touch? This is not one of those shows. If you’re in the heavy building phase of your business and want to feel truly seen and supported to grow, you’re gonna love what this episode packs in for you. Kim James is the Founder of both Tangerine Tango and The Career Girl Diaries, and through the sharing of her own business building story you’ll hear about: Letting redundancy push you before you’re ready Evolving your business structure as you...

Feb 03, 202558 min

Entrepreneurial Time Blindness

Big plans but time getting away? Sometimes our entrepreneurial passion doesn’t match our time awareness - but maybe there’s a different way to approach it. If you’ve looked at your ambitious to do list lately with gusto and commitment, only to look back at it a few weeks later and see that the big things are all still there - this episode is for you. This podcast shows up every week to help you build your own business by bringing you the stories, insights and learnings of those of us in the thic...

Jan 29, 20258 min

“As Soon As You Start A Business, You Think About It All The Time,” Founder of Nosy HQ Kathryn McGarvey

The word “journey” might get a bit overused when speaking about business, but there truly is no better word for it. A business idea is one tiny part of the story. Besides the fact that the business idea itself will likely take many different forms along the way, and that you’re never ever done when tackling something like building a business for yourself, you evolve so much as a person along the way. If that isn’t a hell of a journey, I don’t know what is. Kathryn McGarvey knows all about this p...

Jan 27, 202541 min

Can You Build A Business Without Socials?

If your relationship with TikTok and Meta is feeling a bit strained, but you’re “on there for your business” - I feel you. Is there a way to build a business and a brand without using social media? In this episode your host Kim Kerton explores the relationship with socials as a solopreneur / consultant / creator, and the sneaky personal context challenges that might be contributing to a feeling of wanting to ditch it entirely. All in an effort to help you consider how you can truly build a busin...

Jan 22, 202516 min

“What Would Happen If I Backed Myself and Started Something for Me?” Founder of STOKEDNZ, Debs Brockelsby

What does it really mean to just go for it with a business idea? And do it with trust and passion that life is just too precious not to try? If that action was a person, it’s Debs Brockelsby, the Founder of STOKEDNZ. She is a light, a laugh and an absolute treat with so much grit and determination, but also incredibly helpful self-reflection. As she tells us her business story, you’ll hear about: The life changes that reshape us Running with no Plan-B The power of bringing in a money expert The ...

Jan 20, 202545 min

Avoiding The Purpose Trap

There’s a lot of traps we work hard to avoid as business owners, but there’s a sneaky one we often miss. It’s the purpose trap - the endless narratives that tell us if we find our purpose and passionately love what we do, aligned to our values, we’ll never work a day in our life. This episode unpacks the purpose trap and reframes it into something a little more supportive to your journey of creating and growing a business. This podcast shows up every week to help you build your own business by b...

Jan 15, 202512 min

“A Lot of The Growth in My Business Happened When I Got Out of My Own Way,” Phoebe Netto, Founder of Pure Public Relations

It can be the smallest of things that can make or break us, a compounding effect of the experiences where we don’t feel seen, heard, successful or confident – but when we realise all those experiences are totally normal, we are far more empowered to crack on with it. Phoebe Netto is who you’re going to hear from today – she’s a PR professional – and she’s brilliantly honest about the sticky moments that sneak up on us and how to get through it. In this episode you’ll hear about: · The conversati...

Jan 13, 202544 min

“The Business Is a Path to True Self,” Kerryn Moscicki Founder of Radical Yes!

Developing a business is an underrated tool for personal development – you’ll know from going through it – it teaches you so much about yourself and rebuilds you from the inside out. This story celebrates that journey. Kerryn Moscicki is Founder of the epic flat shoe brand Radical Yes!, and in the sharing of her business building story you’ll hear powerful insights gained over 12 years developing her brand. This episode covers: · The flow of following a nudge · Why to enjoy that pre-launch perio...

Jan 06, 202542 min

3 Things To Say When Asked “How’s Your Business Going?”

You know the moment. You’re faced with well meaning friends and family members who casually ask “how’s that little business of yours going, kicking goals?” and you immediately either freeze up, or give the world's longest reply trying to convey that it’s not at all a little business and you’re working hard every single day on building it. In this episode your host Kim Kerton shares three replies to this question that can take the sting out of the awkwardness and even bring you a little closer to...

Dec 18, 20246 min

Crushing On Yourself as a Strategy

Is it time to start putting yourself on that pedestal you currently reserve for those you think are killing it in their business? With so much success being outwardly projected we might be missing the opportunity to truly notice what’s changed for us, this episode explores what it means to crush on yourself as a growth strategy and how to put it in practice. This podcast shows up every week to help you build your own business by bringing you the stories, insights and learnings of those of us in ...

Dec 11, 202410 min

“There's No Such Thing As A Mistake Unless You Repeat It,” Lisa Jones, Founder and CEO of SHE-com

There’s a lot we have to work through when building a business but learning to battle down your ego – the one who wants you to stay small or don’t try – is one of the toughest. If you’ve been building an e-commerce business it’s likely you’re already familiar with my guest today, but if it’s the first time you’re hearing from Lisa Jones Founder of SHE-com let me tell you – this conversation feels like a deeply nourishing business coaching session and quite frankly, a little kick in the bum. You’...

Dec 09, 202456 min

Getting Less Attached To The Outcome

If you’re holding on to a specific outcome you want for your business and it’s driving you batty - this episode is for you. We put our heart, minds and all the feels on the line for the growth of ourselves and our businesses every single day - holding onto what we want to see as the outcome is a recipe for burnout and disappointment. In fact, it might be making you miss some absolute gold that’s right in front of you. In this episode your host, Kim Kerton, shares her own experience with holding ...

Dec 04, 202416 min

“It Was Me Or No One,” Andrew, Owner of Mennie Brand

This conversation feels like an homage to us business owners who get ourselves into so many uncomfortable moments in pursuit of our dreams – and that sometimes you just have to laugh at the shit we do. Andrew’s art inspired sock brand, yes socks, called Mennie is a super rare brand these days, as you really get a sense that it’s different, truly authentic and with its own personality. And after talking to him it’s easy to see why – this brand is an extension of Andrew, his passion for art, for g...

Dec 02, 202439 min

When You’re Not Ready to “Wrap It Up” For The Year

When you’re building your business the end of the year feels different. There’s less festivities to jump into, tough circumstances as delays creep in, and sometimes even an existential dread that if the market is quiet now, how will we survive until February…. So how do you continue to make your business stand out and thrive, even in December, when every second post seems to talk about the year drawing to a close (starting from October)? This podcast shows up every week to help you build your ow...

Nov 28, 202410 min

“Stay Curious and Don't Give Up - There's A Whole World Of Possibilities Out There That You Haven't Even Considered Yet,” Marketing Advisor Lisa Greensill

Most of us tumble our way through business – this truth is a far cry from what we might think it’s supposed to be. But while you might think you need a fully fleshed out idea and detailed business plan, most of the magic comes through doing, trying, pivoting and making mistakes. In this episode Lisa Greensill, Marketing advisor for financial advisors – shares her experience with navigating the building of her business one step at a time. You’ll hear about: · The path from leaving a role to findi...

Nov 25, 202438 min

What Happens When Business Is Tumbleweed Quiet?

Have you ever been waiting on an email for your business that could change the game and sent yourself a “test” email just to check they’re working? Welcome to the Opportunity Crickets. If you’ve been putting your idea, knowledge, heart and soul into pitching for big opportunities only to be met with extreme ghosting - I see you - this episode is what to do to maintain the rage when you’re in the depths of an opportunity cricket era. This podcast shows up every week to help you build your own bus...

Nov 20, 202412 min

“The Best Thing I Ever Did For My Business Was To Have A Part Time Job,” Breanna May Founder of The Mind School

Scarcity decisions – sounds kinda scary right? But when there’s a fair bit of effort on our businesses to perform for us it can be hard to see the wood from the trees. This conversation will deepen your insight into the myriad of ways we can grow our businesses without losing the plot. Breanna May is the Founder of The Mind School and we did not leave a supportive stone unturned in talking about her experience building her business, and all the growth and challenges that came with it. You’re gon...

Nov 18, 202453 min

When You Want To Give Up Make One New Thing

If your balance between tough and thriving moments is a little out of whack at the moment, and edging on the side we don’t want, it might be time to make something new. Thoughts of giving up or feeling a bit hopeless in business are normal, it’s all part of it, this episode is giving you a way to shift your energy and maybe even unlock something magic. Unemployed & Afraid shows up every week to help you build your own business by bringing you the stories, insights and learnings of those of u...

Nov 13, 202411 min

“Everyone's Going To Want To Tell You This Isn't Going To Work And If You Listen To That It's Not Going To Work,” Jamie Kritharas Founder of Defiant Digital

Why aren't we told more often that our careers, and our businesses, will change for us over and over again. That we’ll want different things and be different people? We are always evolving and pivoting and all the buzz words for change – it’s a reminder we need over and over again whenever facing a decision or wanting to action a new idea, or an entirely new identity. Jamie Kritharas, the founder of an agency called Defiant Digital, has had some wild reinvention. In the sharing of his business b...

Nov 11, 202444 min

Bring Your Business Circle In Closer

There are moments in the depths of business-building where you need someone to shake you out of the doom spiral. If you’ve ever found yourself jumping on socials to do some quick research, respond to notifications or post something, only to lost 20mins and come up stressed - or you're also in a bit of a doom spiral right now - then this is for you. Your host Kim Kerton, shares the most important thing for keeping yourself going even when its hard, so you can keep pushing through the hard bits. T...

Nov 08, 20248 min

“I Cannot Just Sit Here And Wait For The Business To Happen To Me,” Som Puri, Speaker and Copywriter.

Taking action on your business dreams is bound to bring up some self-doubt, but there is a way through it, and the role that hearing the perspective of others who actually get the feels is a big part of getting through it – that’s exactly what you’ll get in this episode. Som Puri is an impressive keynote speaker and copywriter creating her own unique business embedded in stories, and in the sharing of Som’s story you’ll hear about: · Starting over in a new country · Starting over again from redu...

Nov 04, 202448 min

The Hardest Bit Is Seeing No Reward

It’s in the hardest days, those spent working for no return, that an entrepreneur is built. This episode shines a light on the hardest bit of what you’re building - the bit when you’re getting no reward. In this episode your host, Kim Kerton, shares a perspective on this important phase of business building to help you through it, because this part sucks and you deserve to be celebrated for working through it. If you need a lift through the hard bits, this is for you. This podcast shows up every...

Oct 30, 20249 min

Part 2 “There Are Little Steps and There Are Important Signals,” Melissa Reader Founder and CEO of Violet

There’s no doubting that the experience of building your own business changes you, but there are some businesses that really are built to change the world too. The business you’re about to hear Part 2 of the journey of is one of them. Melissa Reader is building Violet, a company that is transforming the last stage of life by enabling us all to be a little better prepared for the experience of it. This conversation is in two parts for you so you can hear it all, as it’s so powerful, in a time tha...

Oct 28, 202429 min

Part 1 “There Are Little Steps and There Are Important Signals,” Melissa Reader Founder and CEO of Violet

There’s no doubting that the experience of building your own business changes you, but there are some businesses that really are built to change the world too. The business you’re about to hear the journey of is one of them. Melissa Reader is building Violet, a company that is transforming the last stage of life by enabling us all to be a little better prepared for the experience of it. This conversation is in two parts for you so you can hear it all, as it’s so powerful, in a time that suits yo...

Oct 28, 202430 min

Shitty First Drafts In Business

If you have a new business or business extension idea that you’re spinning your wheels on for fear of it not being right or perfect - this is the time to get out of your own way. In this episode your host, Kim Kerton, shares her shitty first business and the versions of this very show that she’d rather you not hear to remind us how we get in our own way, and how to get out of it. It really will inspire you to get moving on your ideas. This podcast is here for you, showing up every week to help y...

Oct 23, 202410 min

“You're Not Going To Get It Without A Bit Of Grit,” Kate Toon, Digital Marketing Coach and so much more

From doing your marketing while learning how to market, selling while learning how to sell and leading while learning to lead, developing a business is a weird experience, and so finding authentic and valuable voices is paramount – which is exactly what you’ll find in this episode. Kate Toon is absolutely an authentic voice. And don’t let the name of her book, 6-figures While You Sleep , fool you – she’s a realist that’s all about getting us out of our own way. You will love every minute of this...

Oct 21, 202443 min

Getting In Sight and In Mind

If you want to grow your business and your brand - you have to stay visible. And if you live outside of a major market for your industry, that’s twice as important. In this episode your host, Kim Kerton, shares some insight and actions on how she’s staying visible and growing her personal brand, business contacts and opportunities despite living regionally. This podcast is here for you, showing up every week to help you build your own business by bringing you the stories, insights and learnings ...

Oct 16, 202413 min

“When It’s Tough, It's Time To Build Brand,” Ryan Kelly, Founder of Creative Natives

It’s so easy to get caught up in the bigger picture of what we’re working towards in business. To struggle with finding the north star in the moment that keeps you focused, feeling valuable and like you’re building something. Especially when the environment around us feels noisy, unpredictable and a little scary. What we can control is how we show up for ourselves, and those around us. Ryan Kelly is Founder of Creative Natives and what you’ll get from this conversation is an insightful, generous...

Oct 14, 202439 min
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