When the corporate world couldn't recognise her potential, Itziar Martos decided to rewrite the rules. Diagnosed as legally blind in her early 20s, she refused to let her disability define her, even when others did.

In this episode, Itziar shares how she transformed her rare eye condition from a perceived weakness into her greatest strength. She takes us on her journey of conquering self-doubt, silencing imposter syndrome, and shattering societal limitations, showing that true vision has nothing to do with eyesight.

Discover how she built a thriving content creation business and continues to inspire fellow entrepreneurs. Itziar's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Whether you're facing your own challenges or just need a boost of inspiration, her story will motivate you to see beyond limitations and create your own opportunities.

Watch the full interview at https://youtu.be/0zjRYpTlWoU

Key Takeaways:

• How Itziar Martos turned her disability into a competitive advantage by developing unique problem-solving skills
• The power of authenticity and vulnerability in building a successful personal brand and connecting with clients
• Strategies for overcoming the "perfectionist" mindset and embracing a more natural, relatable approach to content creation
• Networking tips for introverted entrepreneurs to make meaningful connections without the awkward pitching
• Advice for creating an inclusive work environment and providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities

About Itziar Martos

Itziar Martos, founder of Martos Digital Marketing, brings 18 years of photography expertise and a unique perspective to the world of digital marketing. Her career began in the limelight as a model, where she earned the title of Miss Spain and discovered her passion for social media.

Diagnosed with a rare disease at 21, which impaired her vision and made finding marketing jobs challenging, Itziar turned adversity into opportunity by creating her own company.

Today, she helps business owners craft engaging social media content, specialising in captivating videos that drive engagement and growth.

Connect with Itziar

• @itziarmartos
• https://www.instagram.com/itziarmartos/?hl=en
• www.martosdigitalmarketing.com

Dr. Romie Mushtaq joins us to share her groundbreaking insights on the "busy brain" epidemic plaguing female entrepreneurs.

Discover how to overcome the debilitating effects of burnout and shiny object syndrome, and unlock your true entrepreneurial potential.

Episode Highlights

• Understand the science behind "busy brain" and how it sabotages productivity and focus
• Learn practical strategies to tame your busy brain and regain control of your entrepreneurial journey
• Explore the connection between hormones, nutrition, and brain health for optimal performance

Discover how to silence your inner critic and amplify your entrepreneurial confidence

Episode Links

• Take Dr Romie's Busy Brain Test for free - https://drromie.com/busy-brain-test-sm/
• Find out more about Dr Romie - https://drromie.com/
• Click Here to buy Dr Romie's Book: "The Busy Brain Cure Book"
• Connect with Dr Romie on Instagram here
• Connect with Dr Romie on Faebook here
• Subscribe to Dr Romie's YouTube channel here

We are diving into the transformative experience of spending a week with Richard Branson.

Jen shares the invaluable insights she gained from her experience on Necker Island, and strategies for how to apply his wisdom to your own life and business.

Episode Highlights:

• Making impact your driving force in business and life

• Challenging the status quo, especially in areas like education

• Embracing conservation and environmental responsibility

• Adopting the mindset: "If not you, who?" to drive change

• Being open to feedback, even when it's challenging

Big Ideas

Richard Branson's approach to life and business centres on embracing diversity and staying young at heart. He demonstrates that cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment is not just ethical, but also drives innovation and growth. This ties into his belief that age is merely a number - Branson embodies the idea of staying curious, adventurous, and innovative throughout life, regardless of age. His philosophy extends to finding joy in everything you do, both personally and professionally. This positive outlook fuels success and satisfaction, while also encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone regularly. By pushing boundaries and seeking new experiences, you gain fresh perspectives and ideas that can transform both your life and business.

Imagine If…

• You approached each day with enthusiasm and curiosity, regardless of your age or circumstances.
• Your business became a powerful force for positive change, tackling global issues while still bringing you joy and fulfilment.

Join us for an exclusive peek into Richard Branson’s world as Jen unpacks 5 transformative lessons learned during a week-long retreat on Necker Island.

Discover how Richard’s billionaire mindset and practices can change your approach to business, from embracing audacious "moonshot" ideas to prioritising health and the importance of telling your story. Perfect for female entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and cultivate a success-oriented mindset.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn how to think big with "moonshots" and why they're crucial for business growth

• Discover the importance of prioritizing health and fitness in your entrepreneurial journey

• Understand the power of storytelling and why every entrepreneur should write their own book

• Explore Richard Branson's unique approach to employee management and criticism

• Find out why embracing failure is essential for long-term success in business

Join Jen as she sits down with Maureen Hall, founder of COEGA Sunwear, to discuss the evolving world of marketing and social media. With 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Maureen shares valuable insights on collaborating with influencers, experimenting with marketing strategies, and adapting to ever-changing social media trends.

Episode highlights include:

• Learn how to choose the right influencers for your brand
• Discover the importance of engagement over follower count in influencer marketing
• Understand the value of experimenting with different marketing strategies
• Get tips on creating educational content for short-form videos like Reels
• Hear about the shift towards authenticity and realness in social media marketing
• Gain insights on balancing traditional marketing methods with new digital strategies

Big Ideas

Maureen’s two-decade journey in entrepreneurship offers a fresh perspective on adapting to the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Her approach emphasises the importance of authenticity and engagement in influencer collaborations, challenging the notion that follower count is the primary metric of success. By advocating for continuous experimentation with marketing strategies, Maureen demonstrates how businesses can stay relevant amidst rapidly changing social media trends. Her insights on creating educational short-form content highlight a shift towards value-driven marketing that resonates with modern audiences. Maureen's blend of traditional in-store marketing with innovative digital strategies showcases a holistic approach to brand building, proving that adaptability and a willingness to embrace new methods are key to long-term success in today's dynamic business environment.

Imagine If…

Brands focused on building genuine relationships with micro-influencers who deeply resonate with their values, creating a network of authentic brand ambassadors instead of chasing high-profile endorsements.

Companies embraced a culture of constant experimentation in their marketing strategies, allocating resources for regular testing of new platforms and content formats, leading to innovative breakthroughs in customer engagement.

Episode Links & Resources:

Find out more about COEGA Sunwear at https://www.coegawear.com/

Follow COEGA Sunwear on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CoegaSunwear/

Follow COEGA Sunwear on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/coegasunwear/?hl=en

How do you scale a business to 250 employees in under 10 years without any outside investment?

Kidzink founder Charlotte Borghesi shares her unconventional approach to building a high-growth team through people-first leadership. From hiring fresh graduates to championing critical thinking over micromanagement, learn Charlotte's counterintuitive secrets to developing talent and fostering an innovative culture that drives success.

Episode Highlights

• Hire for mindset, not skills - Charlotte shares how she brought on young talent and developed strengths over rigid roles
• Fast feedback beats empowerment myths - Daily dialogue and transparency unlock potential over fear-based management
• Scale through people, not cash - How Charlotte invested in nurturing talent versus outside investment
• Let teams solve problems - Why critical thinking trumps the status quo through autonomy and accountability
• Future-proof hiring with proactive scouting - How sourcing top candidates preemptively fuels growth
• Attitude over experience- Why Charlotte values adaptability and passion above credentials

• Find out more about Kidzink at https://kidzinkdesign.com/
• Connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-borghesi-5bb4731/
• Connect with Charlotte on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kidzinkdesign/

Filmed and edited by Poddster, Dubai's pioneering podcast studios. Book your recording slot: https://www.poddster.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femalefusionnetwork

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FemaleFusionNetwork

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/femalefusion

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FemaleFusionNet

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femalefusionnetwork

Website: https://www.femalefusionnetwork.com/

How do you build an authentic brand and connect with others without losing yourself?

Jen sits down with radio host and author Helen Farmer to discuss crafting the perfect brand voice while staying true to who you are. Helen shares her experience developing a public presence through social media and building her career around being present and relatable.

• Why she wrote her first book as a children’s book, and how it’s meant to support working mums with those tough conversations
• Maintaining work-life balance and being honest with her community when it’s not always perfect
• Helen's process for developing an authentic brand voice for different platforms
• What it’s like to write a book, and top tips for other aspiring authors who are planning to write their own
• What businesses need to consider when working with influencers to maximise their reach

Helen’s book aims to simplify how working mothers discuss their careers with children by demystifying what they do for a living. Helen also touches on potential breakthroughs around normalising discussions of whole personhood at work and redefining success beyond traditional definitions that no longer resonate. Her work highlights the potential to shape a more equitable future through authentic leadership.

• Working mothers overcame guilt by demystifying careers through storytelling, helping children understand their contributions beyond traditional gender roles

Helen Farmer is BBC-trained broadcast journalist, juggling a career in broadcasting and writing with her main role as mum to her two daughters. She has worked in publishing and radio in Dubai for 17 years, known for her honest take on living, working and parenting, through her social media platform @_helenfarmer_, and on her show on Dubai Eye 103.08, Afternoons with Helen Farmer.

• Connect with Helen on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-farmer-6a5b9830
• Connect with Helen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_helenfarmer
• Connect with Helen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/themothershipdxb

Order Helen's book at https://www.helenfarmerbooks.com/

Jen interviews entrepreneur Janine Sudbury about her journey building multiple successful businesses in New Zealand over 25 years. Janine shares how she overcame self-doubt to pursue opportunities, and discusses her unique leadership program that uses horses to teach communication and relationship-building skills.

Episode Highlights:

• How Janine built a career in radio within a year of moving to NZ from opportunities not available in the UK
• Janine's horse whispering leadership program that teaches balance of warmth and strength through equine exercises
• Stories of women transforming careers by losing fear and niceness through Janine's program
• Business lessons like following the money and importance of deadlines
• Janine's experience overcoming a tutor's doubt to pursue a dream opportunity in Washington DC

About Janine Sudbury

Janine Sudbury is a former BBC and National Radio broadcast journalist and presenter who has created one of the most unique leadership training centres in the country. She has a BA in Philosophy and Politics, has worked in Congress in Washington DC and has used these experiences to develop Impact Leadership. Her journalistic career has helped her develop an astuteness in reading people and situations which allow her to swiftly pinpoint how best to motivate and inspire. Janine is also a superb communicator and listener who is empathetic and capable of giving honest, passionate feedback.

• Find out more about Janine at www.impactlead.co.nz
• Connect with Janine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-sudbury-1173622
• Connect with Janine on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sudburynz/ and https://www.instagram.com/impactleadershipnz/
• Connect with Janine on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sudburynz and https://www.facebook.com/impactleadershipnz

Episode Links

• Connect with Janine on LinkedIn
• Impact Leadership | Experiential Leadership Programmes