This morning, I walked into a business networking meeting in Doncaster feeling excited, open, and ready to connect. The day before, I’d spoken to the Area Leader, Jo, who told me the hub didn’t have a mortgage broker and that I should come along. She made me feel like I’d be a great fit. I shared my details - my location, how long I’ve been in business, all the things you’d normally check before inviting someone in. Everything seemed aligned. So I showed up. I participated. I vibed with the room. I genuinely connected with the members and guests. It felt like a place I could contribute to and grow inside of. But the moment I told Jo I’d love to join the hub, everything changed. Her whole energy flipped. She stiffened, avoided eye contact, and said: “I have to be honest… you don’t meet a couple of the criteria to join as a member.” When I asked what criteria, she told me: - I didn’t live within 5km - I hadn’t been in business for at least 3 years Both of which I had already told her - the day before. I stood there stunned for a moment. Not because I can’t handle rejection. Not because I wasn’t “good enough.” But because I realised something important: I was misled to get another guest in the room. And as the youngest person there by at least 10 years, it was clear she thought I wouldn’t know better. But I’ve been networking for nearly a decade. I’ve built businesses, run businesses, and sat in more rooms than I can count. I know exactly how this game works. And in that moment, I realised something even bigger: I am done shrinking myself to fit into rooms run by people who can’t see my value. I walked out feeling frustrated, a little embarrassed, and honestly… underestimated. Again. But here’s the plot twist: That sting? That moment of “wow, not this again”? It lit a fire in me I haven’t felt in years. A clean, sharp, directional fire. The kind that says: - “I’m going to make a name for myself.” - “I’m going to become undeniable.” - “I’m going to build something so strong, so respected, so impactful… that the rooms who overlooked me will one day realise their mistake.”

Life is all about figuring out what fulfills you right? And I’ve totally been going through the loops of trying new things over and over, I know it’s probably making you dizzy. And I’m SO sorry for that. But somehow, accidentally, I’ve stumbled across something that’s filling my cup in wild ways I’ve never experienced, and I need to follow it. It’s the first time I feel like I’ve found my creative outlet, and I’ve decided to actively pursue writing, poetry specifically. I wanted to be a writer when I was young. I’ve got like 10 books partially written or mapped out etc etc. But they were always such big projects. Poetry feels like I can tell a story and move on without sitting in it for years. I feel so free and full of life from writing, and I know I need to follow it, develop my skills, and see where it can take me. It’s my first creative pursuit I’m taking seriously, instead of helping creatives with theirs. Scary!! One of the many reasons I didn’t make the 3am Thinkers Club paid for a while was because I didn’t want to be locked into anything in case I did change. I wanted to feel it out properly before I committed committed. And I’m so glad I did. I’ll keep this here for a while because I still love the conversations, but I wanted to let you know first that it won’t evolve into a paid thing, because I want to pursue art and creativity, something I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say. Thanks a million for being with me through this and giving me another go when I have been all over the shop the past few years. I have no idea what’s next for me, but I’m so thoroughly thriving in using my brain for creativity. I have no way of explaining the pleasure it’s bringing me. If you are interested - totally zero pressure as it's pretty dark stuff - I can be found at @poet.tri on Insta Much muccch love xx

We’ve had our first reel go viral! I’d love to know what you think made that happen? I can give some extra context after I’ve heard your theories 🙌🏼🫶🏼 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQjLHwaE5n9/?igsh=MTcydDRsbjdwdTJpbA==

I absolutely love how EBay, a marketplace platform, is redefining itself from a perceived second-hand sales shop to a story-telling vintage connection. "In today’s world, shopping has become overly convenient, generic, and sterile — a passive, uninspired experience, stripped of the meaning and excitement it once carried. “eBay Stories” counters this by showing how every item discovered on the marketplace holds a story that makes it more special, personal, and worth having." How clever to tap into the emotions of buyers with these personal "discoveries".

Such a big and honestly stupid mistake!!! No marketing should be manipulative. Let me know your thoughts on this (Minna hasn’t got her settings to allow downloads so I can only share the link. Hopefully you can access) @Chloe Bright @Amy Butler - bummer! Essentially, a brand messaged someone an influencer style message, making them feel all chosen and priceless to be invited to an exclusive event, she organised a sitter, paid for city parking, dressed up. They offered her a plus one. Really specially worded. Then she arrived and it was a sample sale that was open to the public. The PR/marketing team intentionally skewing facts with clever words to get people with big followings to promote the event for the brand. https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSy6DRUBy/