Category: Inspiration

Inspiration

The language of colour

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on The language of colour
The language of colour

It’s been two weeks since Clerkenwell Design Week and what a corker of an event! So many interesting panel discussions, networking events, wellness sessions and brilliant people to meet. With my passion for colour and the influence it has on brands, businesses, our lives, homes and our wellbeing, it was a delight to be surrounded by people who share my desire to understand and talk more on this topic. But before we dive in, from the sessions I joined and participated in, here’s some key stats that landed for me, I hope they resonate and spark curiosity with you too.

Did you know…

  • 77% of CEO’s use creativity to drive productivity
  • Colour increases brand recognition by 80%
  • Colour is an integral part of brand recognition
  • 62% to 90% of decision making is based on colour alone
  • Trends in colour are influenced my multiple factors from science, intuition, inspiration, social trends and customer preferences, to societal, technological, economic, cultural and political narratives
  • In 2020 there was an acceleration in the trends towards green, nature and biophilia
  • Indoor plant sales have doubled in the last 4 years
  • Milan Week 2025 revealed that the colour trend is moving towards copper (particularly in directional pieces) and butter yellow
  • Colour for workspace aesthetics trends (2026-2030) include dynamic brights, luminous blue, acidic tones, lava red, metallised colours, all-clusivity, heritage hues, refuge wellness rooms, meadowland green, and nourishing greens, transformative teal, sensorial darks, and a priority towards mental wellness

The journey of colour

In the design world, there are many stages for the journey of colour and its timeline to reaching customers in the market. From ideation where multiple factors influence and are considered in identifying a colour trend, to the innovators and early adopters who buy into the colour before it’s reached peak popularity, to the late adopters who typically buy into the colour 1.5 years post peak popularity, then the laggards who consider purchasing this colour three years post peak popularity. It’s not until it reaches this last stage, when the colour or colours have really connected to public consciousness, that a decision is made by the company about whether the colour will be maintained, go into retirement, or potentially become an all-time classic.

It’s a colours journey through all these stages, spanning 5+ years from innovator to laggard, that enables a business to discover real world outcomes, through research, workshops, seminars, commercial development, marketing and delivery – insights from all these areas along the colour’s timeline inform its life and potential end of life treatment.

Moreover, whilst a colour or trend will suit (or not suit), a brand, product, customer demographic or region, and all sectors including fashion, automotive, interiors and more have their own look books, it was fascinating to hear that so many aspects inspire the innovators and ideation of a colour, sparking imagination of the next colour trend years before it hits the market.

What is the future of colour

This is a pretty loaded question when you think about it. With the advancements of colour and AI, the demand for sustainability in colour, and the desire for design and colour beyond aesthetics – three key topics for discussion – the panel session hosted by Mix Interiors really got me thinking.

Colour & AI

AI is an interesting tool for the design industry and it was a hot topic to kick off the discussion between Harry McKinley from Mix Interiors and his panel of guest speakers Karen Haller Laura Perryman and Justine Fox. At this current time, it was felt that AI can create colour palettes, but a human will always need to give a human touch to complete the palette; but will it remain this way – the jury was out. At present, the panel felt we are only just starting to use AI with colour; however, it can make colour theory more digestible. They also went on to suggest that AI doesn’t feel, it’s not intuitive but it’s great for automation. AI can’t create a new aesthetic in or for design; it doesn’t have lived experiences or sensory perception. It doesn’t intuit or lead.

Karen Haller commented, “AI can’t imagine, it can only react”, “Colour influences how we think, feel and behave” and “Constantly changing colour trends pushes people towards short term choices.” We need to align colour with nature, nature doesn’t follow trends. She went on to say, when we “Apply colour with psychological insight to support how people think, feel and behave” we get the results we seek.

Colour & sustainability

The second topic hotly debated by the panel of experts focused on colour and sustainability. We were reminded that the colours we choose in the built environment have a huge impact on heat retention and using energy, therefore the functional aspect of colour is really important. We need natural, non-toxic colour pigments, nature positive dyes. There’s also lots of ways we can integrate waste products, weeds and other materials into dye, building colour palettes from and for local communities.

Laura talked readily about the “Right to repair”, which reminds me of the ‘make do and mend’ mentality. But it’s more than that, there’s a growing need for sustainability, for products to have a longer life span, to be able to fix and repair things, rather than have a throw away and replace mentality. We need to be able to increase longevity of products, to improve long-term investment. Colour can be adaptive and emotive, helping us connect with the climate and our environment.

Colour beyond aesthetics

The more we can understand colour, the more we can use it too support us, our wellbeing, and our lives. In addition, as we move towards colour beyond aesthetics, the panel reminded the audience that colours are circular – they come round in cycles, materials are circular – they come round in cycles, and that trends are circular – they come round in cycles.

It seems to me that everything comes in cycles, every day, week, month and year. Like nature and the seasons, our world operates and lives in natural cycles.

As mentioned earlier, the influences on colour trends are many, spanning social, societal, political, technological, cultural, economic and ancestral. Yet with all these insights and drivers, we need to be able to create nuance and personalisation – to find peoples own needs in colour, be that warmth, comfort, excitement or feeling grounded.

There is a growing trend towards personalisation – however, there’s also a need to stop looking externally for what’s right for us. Perhaps this is an invitation to go within and ask the question ‘What’s right for me?’.

It was referenced more than once that at present, due to political and economic influences, as humans we have double fatigue, so it’s more important than ever to look into how colour can support our wellbeing.

To close the panel, Harry McKinley, managing editor, MIX Interiors, asked the panel in three to five words to say ‘What’s next in colour, what’s the trend?’

Conversations at Clerkenwell

It was fascinating being at the session hosted by Alexi Cowan, head of interiors, WSGN, where they focused on colour for workspace aesthetics trends 2026-2030. They also highlighted three key trending topics, ‘Joy in colour’, ‘Power of Nostalgia’ and ‘Holistic wellbeing’.

Joy in colour

This is all about purposeful play, the importance for all ages to integrate play into their day, celebrating micro moments of play to spark joy and creativity, and to make sure that play aligns with your company values. In interiors this means making designs fun and functional, adding layers for depth, thinking about textures to enliven our senses, the agile use of furniture and design, for interiors and design to be a channel for self-expression, and to focus on personalisation. It’s a must to link colour to your collections and to also bring colour to functional pieces.

Power of nostalgia

Here the focus was on nostalgia; for example, to consider using faux products and finishes, to create cocoon like spaces, to use wood as a finish and colours that have an amber haze or cocoa powder feel. The was an invitation to think of brown as the new black, to consider metallic finishes and copper tones, to create luxe high-end finishes, and to embrace shape, silhouettes, colour and style, to combine modern with old, as a means to bring a nostalgic element to design – think cherry lacquer, dark berry tones with high gloss finishes to create a seductive, luxurious experience.

Holistic wellbeing

For me, the continued focus on wellbeing is a must – harmonious palettes, neutrals, tonality and external contrast, with a lean towards pink pigmented hues, less orange terracotta, colours that are warm, earthy, and resilient. Biophilic design will continue to be popular with interior living plants, spaces that have lots of amazing natural light and are relaxing airy spaces that have a high-end, quality finish.

On the wellbeing front, it was wonderful to participate in a ‘self-massage workshop’ hosted by Nordic Design House, plus to have lunch and catch up with Mags.

Until CDW 2026 – Thank you!

I appreciate this has been a bit of a whistle stop tour, but I hope I’ve sparked your curiosity about what’s possible with colour and what’s coming in the world of colour.

A huge thank you to everyone who made my #CDW2025 experience so colourful and expansive – Karen Haller, Justine Fox, Laura Perryman, Harry McKinley, Magdalena Tym, Michaela Reysenn, Catriona Hammett, Mary Sholl, Charlotte Raffo, Emma Freeman, Alexei Cowan, Jason Graham, Seetal Ladva, Domus Group, MIX Interiors, KAI Interiors, Nordic Design House, Hansgrohe, Colourhive, WGSN, Soundbox Store and many more.

Let’s work together

With over 20 years of experience working with innovative and disruptive-tech businesses across a variety of sectors – from HR-tech and digital to creative agencies and interior design, I bring a blend of commercial acumen and creative thinking to everything I do. I’m a strategic yet hands-on leader with a passion for collaboration and an action-oriented mindset that delivers real results.

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling) – because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

Get in touch – I’d love to talk.

Header image: Snapped at Clerkenwell Design Week

Inspiration

What is colour to you?

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on What is colour to you?
What is colour to you?

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who has inspired me for quite some time, the brilliant Judith Van Vliet. With a global career filled with creativity and colour, Judith is the founder of The Color Authority, and host of the podcast Let’s Talk Color, where she speaks with colour specialists from around the world about their work, passion, and the emotional and psychological power of colour.

The event I attended featured Judith in conversation with Hamish Kilburn, discussing findings from the newly released trend report Shaping Tomorrow – Future Design & Architecture 2025–2026. Since that evening, I’ve been completely immersed in the book, soaking in the five key themes: Origin, Solace, Nature, Urban, and Wonder. Each one resonated deeply, and affirmed the powerful role colour plays in design, emotion, and identity.

Colourful conversations

One question Judith often asks her podcast guests really stayed with me: “What is colour to you?” While we chatted after the panel, we didn’t get to explore that question — so I’ve taken time to reflect:

  • Colour is life
  • Colour is energy
  • Colour influences how I feel and behave
  • Colour impacts how I connect — with myself and others
  • Colour is community, creativity, healing
  • Colour is the language my soul speaks

To me, colour is everything.

A huge thank you to Judith Van Vliet, Enric Pastor, Cosentino, and all who contributed to this collaborative and insightful vision for the future of design. It was a joy to meet so many inspiring individuals, including Pilar Rubio, Susie Hobbs, Sydney Davidson and others.

Colour, connection & creativity

My passion for colour runs deep, leading me to study applied behavioural colour psychology through two distinct lenses. From a branding perspective, I use my marketing expertise to harness the psychological impact of colour in shaping identity and perception. As an artist, I encourage others to explore their creativity through colour, connecting with their emotions and intuition in deeply personal ways.

Alongside my artistic and branding work, I’m also a certified NLP Practitioner, Creative Orientation Coach, and Intuitive Coach. I weave together these disciplines, along with my colour psychology training, to design unique and transformative coaching programmes and workshops. My superpower is helping others unlock their creative potential and embrace self-expression with confidence and clarity.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to be more creative but weren’t sure where to start, I warmly invite you to join me for one of my Colour & Creativity workshops. These sessions are a gentle, joyful space to reconnect with yourself, explore colour in a meaningful way, and express your creativity.

Now I’d love to hear from you:
What is colour to you and how do you embrace it in your life or business?

Let’s work together

With over 20 years of experience working with innovative and disruptive-tech businesses across a variety of sectors – from HR-tech and digital to creative agencies and interior design, I bring a blend of commercial acumen and creative thinking to everything I do. I’m a strategic yet hands-on leader with a passion for collaboration and an action-oriented mindset that delivers real results.

My approach is human to human, balancing the analytical left brain (facts, figures, and data) with the intuitive creativity of the right brain (emotion, imagination, and storytelling) – because I believe the magic happens when you combine these two key ingredients.

Get in touch – I’d love to talk.

Header image: Authors headshot.

Creative, Inspiration

The Leopard and it’s spots

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on The Leopard and it’s spots
The Leopard and it’s spots

Another month has passed and another writing circle is complete. A smaller group this time, yet it is super powerful and insightful to share a creative space with likeminded individuals who have a passion for the written word. The inspiration this week was ‘Five Things’; these five things then formed the framework for our warm up exercises, those being to list five things that annoy (*iss) us off, five things my old school friends would say about me, and five things that I want to achieve in this life time. Our pens got writing.

Go where your energy takes you

With our responses gathered, we were then asked to quickly pick up five items from around us and tell the group what they were. From here we were invited to pick one of the items we’d selected and to write five words we associated with it, a second item to write a memory, a third to write the best thing about it, the fourth to write five words that describe it, and finally the fifth to capture if this object could speak, what would it say. Our response to these questions is not something to heavily think about, the idea is to be intuitive and to go with the first thing you get. Some of my answers surprised me, others made me laugh, but mostly it was a fun exercise to participate in and then share our responses with the group.

After, a rather poignant question followed… “What is the story your soul wants to hear?” Where is the energy in the prompts you’ve written? In the interest of sharing, unfiltered, here’s what I wrote…

I am not the person I was before,
The me that held quiet and hid behind the door,
I once was bullied with words and emotion,
Children can be cruel with the words they spout,
The words that fly across the playground as they shout.

I was fragile and scared,
Afraid to be me,
Socially inept and quite; shy and boring,
Everyone probably reduced to snoring.

But I did have friends,
I remember now,
Not the ones from Ashcombe,
Born from a cow.

Anna and Heidi were always there,
We stuck together a bit like glue,
Laughing and being silly, we really weren’t cool,
But who really cares when you’re at school?

We had lots of fun on trips to Wales,
Swimming in the sea probably looking for whales,
Spouting water from jets that at night time sparkled,
Lighting the surface with shimmer and grace.

North Wales and Devon were totally fun places,
We adventured to the beach for my 18th birthday,
So many fun memories flooding back to be now,
These weren’t born from the cow.

Fast forward to the last 10 years,
And with my friendships I have no fears,
I’m comfortable being me in my own skin,
Sometimes with the help of gin.

My Leopard wreaks havoc when these friends come to stay,
Games endlessly played into the dark night of day,
We laugh, we dance, we sing, we chant,
We swim naked too when we have the chance,
They’ve seen all of me, Worts and all,
Yet still they come back for laughter galore.

The Leopard spells joy and celebration,
Laughter from every nation,
British, French, Italian, Sardinian and Australian,
Our intuitive minds are our line of communication,
We’ve travelled together, holidayed too,
To the French Riviera and the real Africa – not a Zoo.

Soul Safari is our energy and vibe,
These people truly are my tribe,
They accept me for who I am,
Happy, and sad, and resting in the sand.

Joy is the word I want to remember,
I feel it’s important to feel joy and surrender,
Surrender to the warmth that is within,
There’s nothing to hide, no immoral, immortal sin.

Laugher and friendship bring me back to me,
The me that’s short for EP,
EP has EB the funny skin thing,
That I don’t let stop me doing anything.

BE the difference,
BE the change,
BE the energy,
BE insane,
Insanely happy,
Insanely joyful,
Insanely loving,
With my heart full.

Thank you for giving me the space to write,
They’re beautiful these sessions as my pen takes flight,
High into the clouds, way up in the sky,
Enabling my creativity to explode like a custard pie!

I prefer custard tarts if I’m brutally honest,
Have I always been so modest,
I’m not even sure what that really means,
But what’s lovely here is I feel heard and seen.

Thank you for this space,
Thank you for this time,
I sense it’s time for us all to shine.

My bottom is numb so I’m going for a wee,
I’m also going to stretch like a tree,
A tree with its roots that are strong and vast,
A tree that’s looking forward not anchored to the past.

Image on Pexels, Leopard photo by Satria Bagaskara.

To understand more about EB, the condition I have known as Butterfly Skin, visit charity DEBRA UK.

Creative, Inspiration

Run with the Wolves

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Run with the Wolves
Run with the Wolves

Last night was pretty special. For the first time ever, I attended and participated in a writing circle hosted by a friend, who is an avid writer, she’s currently writing her second book, and also leads writing retreats and workshops worldwide.

The session was titled ‘Women who run with the Wolves’, a term I’m not familiar with. It’s also the title of a book authored by American Jungian psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkola, who writes about myths and stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, the book was on the New York Times best seller list for 145 weeks. I’ve now ordered it so I can familiarise myself with those myths and stories.

Connecting with my spirit guide

During the writing circle we were invited to introduce ourselves and talk about our spirit guide, if we knew what ours is – it’s not a fixed thing and often changes, shifting and evolving. With introductions complete, we listened to a guided meditation that concluded with us being invited to put pen to paper and go with the flow, writing freeform with whatever words came forth. I’ve participated in and lead several guided meditations over the years and they are a fabulous tool for tapping into our intuition and creative side. This is the first time a poem has flowed.

From the origins of my spirit guide, the horse, in the 25 minutes that followed the meditation, unedited and unfiltered, here’s what I wrote…

There’s hay on the hills the horses say,
Come eat, come chat, come rub, come neigh,
It’s time to play, its May come play,
there’s always time to play in the day,
When folks come past, they’ll look and stare but we don’t care,
We’re a mare – A MARE!
When people pass by, they’ll look and learn,
To play and gurn, to play is to learn.

When work becomes play, there’s fun in everyday,
No looking for more because it’s at your door,
It’s in your soul, the one that was stole,
But it’s made a return, like Saturn,
It’s been round and around, it has rings round it,
But now it’s your time to run rings around it.

Come play my angel, this horse has wings,
A mythical creature so strong and elegant,
So graceful and strong, she has presence,
Presence of mind to be at peace,
Presence of mind to feel at ease,
Presence of mind to connect to her heart,
And feel it beating powerful – from the start.

Take your time and gather your wings,
It’s time to fly and discover new beginnings,
It’s time to be at peace with your soul,
They’ll always be time for rock and roll.

Come for a ride, jump up for a hack,
I promise to fly you safely back,
We’ll soar over mountains, high in the sky,
Feeling the breeze, the lightness of flight,
You’ve been weighed down, it’s time to gain height.

Take a step forward every day,
One hoof at a time and we’ll gather momentum.

Be brave, be strong, be grounded, feel the earth,
Mother Nature is telling you it’s time for rebirth.

Put your hand and arms around my neck,
Feel the warmth and strength of my spine,
It runs from your neck,
And into mine – devine,
Together we are stronger, a dynamic pair,
Let everyone stand and stare.

Being still is not inaction,
It’s actually strength and attraction,
Go deep inside and feel your soul,
It’s always welcoming, just like a baby foul,
Whose legs might be doddery, they wobble and swing,
Yet quickly they are strong, supporting everything.

Let your roots find their way, they know the ground,
And also, how to make ‘THAT’ sound,
The one that calls us back together should we part,
We’re always together – ‘HEART TO HEART.’

Be strong my angel, be strong and pure,
For no one can truly ever be sure,
Be calm, be curious, be passionate, be brave,
You’ve been too long in this dark cave,
The light is bright and it leads the way,
Back up to the hill where there is hay.

Take time to pause, eat, look at the view,
It’s beautiful in the mountains, you might even see some fountains,
Fountains of ideas, where laughter and creativity flows,
Straight from your head and down to your toes,
Your toes have tread carefully but they’re growing strong,
Now you are ready to ring your gong,
The gong of love, the gong of freedom,
Rippling energy out into your kingdom.

Be brave, be curious, be passionate, be strong,
Now it’s time to ring your gong,
No need to stand back and ponder anymore,
No need to wait for someone to come knocking at your door.

Be brave, be curious, be passionate, be strong,
Step barefoot outside and ring your gong,
The gong of magic, the gong of truth,
The gong of rhythm, the gong of youth,
Your heart is strong, your heart is pure,
It’s time to let freedom ooze from your core.

Photo by Pixabay – Horse image

Brand, Inspiration

AI versus creativity

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on AI versus creativity
AI versus creativity

This morning whilst doing an early turbo session I re-listened to a Happy Place podcast hosted by Fearne Cotton, where she interviewed Take That’s Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – I was transported briefly back to my carefree university days.

In the interview they talked about imposter syndrome, creativity and family, but it wasn’t until the last 5 minutes where they touched on the subject of AI. It’s a topic that I’ve talked about with colleagues and clients, touching on how it could potentially impact their business to how they can utilise AI in their business. From a personal stand point, I’ve played around with it and I understand the benefits – it can reduce human error, automate repetitive tasks and processes, smoothy hand big data – but I don’t believe it will replace creativity as it can only gather content from what’s already out there. It was great hear Gary’s view on AI.

“AI can’t come up with what I come up with next. All it can do is base its prediction on what I’ve already done.”

Gary Barlow

Key takeaways  

Listening to the broader conversation Take That had with Fearne, here’s some other takeaways that might resonate with you.

  • Do the thing that got you recognised, that you love, that speaks to your soul, not the thing that runs alongside it.
  • Ideas come from our creative genius. Flying solo is good, but greatness also comes from collaboration – it’s a combination of song writer, musicians, production, stage design and creative.
  • Spaces like recording studios have magic in them – we can feel it, like energy, we step into a space where our creative juices and ideas start to bubble up and ooze out.
  • Focus on the fire in your belly – if it doesn’t make you excited, and each-other excited, you don’t have anything. Be led by Love, be inclusive, and above all, be who you want to be.
  • Family is everything; it’s having the right group of people around you, not just ‘yes’ people, we need people who are going to say ‘no’ so we can have an honest dynamic conversation.
  • Put your phone away – don’t leave it face down in the table, put it away, out of sight, out of reach. This will help you be fully present in the moment.

If you fancy having a listen, click HERE.

Imposter syndrome and doing what you love  

It was interesting to hear the band talk about coping with fame. The contrast of feeling not worthy, then blocking out adoration to be able to cope. It just goes to show you never really know what’s going on behind closed doors, we all wear masks at points in our lives to conceal our insecurities.

“Go back to the thing where people first noticed you… don’t focus on fame, focus on your soul skill. Focusing on the partner to that skill will get you lost. Keep going back to that well, that’s the real reason you’re here.”

Gary Barlow

I love being surrounded by people who are creative, where there’s a mutual exchange of energy, where we fuel and inspire each other – it currently doesn’t feature AI. Will it in the future? Possibly on the data front. Creativity however, will always originate from your intuitive creative genius.

What’s the soul skill you bring into the world? Where’s your Happy Place?

Let’s talk – colourful conversations

As a brand strategist, colour consultant and coach, I work with heart-led people and businesses who are looking to make a positive impact in the world. If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd and distinguish your brand for all the right reasons, do get in touch, I’d love to talk.

With joy and colour,
Emma 🧡

Images sourced from Pexels – Steve Johnson and Alexander Ant.

Growth, Inspiration

Rejection is redirection

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Rejection is redirection
Rejection is redirection

Let’s face it, for most people, being made redundant is not easy and it is often incredibly stressful. There’s fear of the unknown, it feels like rejection, it feels like you’re not good enough, it can feel embarrassing to talk about. Yet it happens to many great people, including me.

The truth of the matter is, rejection is redirection. I love this saying. I find it helps to accept a situation for what it is, it has helped me to reflect and appreciate the lessons learnt, and to embrace a new chapter that is gathering momentum.

Navigating change 

Chaos serves a purpose in our lives and it’s important to recognise this – it’s uncomfortable, it’s messy, yet it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect and to see things differently, to see a new perspective. It’s very easy to stay with that we know, to be ‘comfortable’, even when it is a dysfunctional pattern and structure that doesn’t serve us. Of course, it’s great to feel ‘comfortable’, we often seek ‘comfort’ in many ways – being with friends, in food, in escape watching movies, yet ‘comfort’ is not where growth happens.

In this state of flux and to help me navigate this time of change, I’ve asked yourself some questions…
• What am I resisting?
• What’s my souls’ vision?
• What makes me happy?
• Whose life have I enriched apart from mine?
• What legacy do I want to leave behind?
• What gifts, talents and abilities do I have to share?

Being made redundant creates a chaotic environment and requires us to navigate change. In the ultimate reframe – it is possible to look and appreciate this situation as a gift in disguise.

Here’s what my redundancy process has taught me…

Resilience

I’m way more resilient than I gave myself credit for. I’ve sat ‘in the mud’ and felt sorry for myself on occasion. Yet I recognise it’s important to feel my emotions and embrace them fully to be able to move on.

People

I have an amazing network of brilliant, inspiring, and kind people around me, in both my professional and personal life and for that I’m extremely grateful. You’ve all been so supportive and listened when I’ve needed to talk.

Nature

For me, being in nature is an extremely important environment for healing, for quiet, for acceptance, and for growth. A daily dose of nature clears my head and refuels me for the day ahead.

Pause

Take a break, if possible, book a mini get-away, enjoy a change of scene at home or abroad, it works wonders and has given me clarity. We are all creators and co-create experiences all and every day.

Play

I’m an artist, I paint and create for pleasure, and I’m extremely lucky to teach groups of people to paint a plethora of things from Highland Cows and Zebras to night scenes of Paris and Venice. Being creative and sharing my artistic skills fills my heart with joy.

New beginnings

To everyone in my network, and others I have yet to meet, I hope you’ve found reading this post empowering. And if you ever find yourself being made redundant, know that ‘rejection is redirection’. Reach out to your friends, reach out to your network, recognise the importance of play, take a break – you’ve got this!

And if you’re feeling a little stuck, remember, your track record for getting through challenging days is 100%, that’s always worth celebrating. Silver linings are everywhere, open your eyes and notice them, appreciate them. Celebrate your success.

To everyone I’ve had the pleasure to work with – Thank you for being amazing colleagues.

To everyone I’ve yet to meet – I’m looking forward to what we’re going to co-create together next!

A new chapter has begun!

Header image by Pexels – Scott Web.

Colour, Inspiration

Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta
Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta

Every year the Pantone Colour Institute announce a colour of the year to engage colour enthusiasts and design communities all over the world. As an avid lover of colour, with a keen interest in brand, design and behavioural colour psychology, I’m fascinated to understand why Pantone chose ‘Viva Magenta’ for colour of the year 2023.

Described by Pantone as an ‘unconventional shade for an unconventional time’… ‘a pulsating red shade whose exuberance promotes optimism and joy’, I get a real sense it’s putting a full stop on what’s gone before and is opening a channel to a new path of positivity. And quite frankly, after the last few years, who isn’t seeking a magical period of time fuelled by good vibes. Viva Magenta certainly does stand out in a crowd as a bold, fearless, and brave colour designed to capture our imagination.

#magentaverse 

Pantone talks about Viva Magenta as a colour that ‘straddles the physical and virtual world, evocative of our multi-dimensional world’. #magentaverse – a play on the metaverse. At present, the world we live in does increasingly span both the real and virtual, which can be challenging at times. And whilst I have a virtual presence online on social channels, my preference is for real – real people, real situations, real conversations, real colour.

Viva Magenta in action

Colour has the power to change our state, elicit new or different behaviours, and drive action. From a psychological perspective, red affects us physically and will always trigger a physical response. It relates to strength, courage, rebellion and says ‘Look at me’. Red is often considered a powerful colour that not only makes us feel empowered, but can also stimulate and help us tap into a new level of stamina to complete a task, or ready us to be that little bit stronger when required. A bit like caffeine, red is powerful and gives us a real boost of energy. I liken this to what happens to me when I drink a can of coke or enjoy a freshly brewed americano – it’s like I’ve been given a new lease of life, a superpower strength.

Do you see Viva Magenta is a shade of pink? Pink is typically understood to be nurturing and caring, particularly when you think about baby or dusty soft pink. In contrast, strong cool pinks like Magenta are very red are physically stimulating. For me, Viva Magenta comes across as quite feisty, full of fight and personality. It’s likely to be a colour that will call and connect with people who have a rebellious spirit.

Pantone express Viva Magenta as…

“Powerful and empowering, an animated red that encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint; an electrifying, boundaryless shade that is manifestly ‘out there’ as is a stand-out statement”

“A nuanced crimson red that presents a balance between warm and cool. A hybrid colour that comfortably straddles the physical and virtual, evocative of our multi-dimensional world”

“A transformative red tone capable of driving design to create a more positive future”

Colour in nature

When it comes to colour, I believe that everything stems from nature. Just as Viva Magenta originates from a natural dye, it’s easy to see that nature provides us with a natural colour palette. It also provides us with shape, texture, form and context.

If you’re looking for inspiration, a great starting point is to go for a walk into a forest or garden. Look around and observe what you see, really become aware of the colours and textures all around you. And as the year goes on, bathe in the seasons and ‘feel’ into the one that resonates with you most, become aware of how all the colours harmonise with each other, a colour palette will appear before your eyes.

However you choose to embrace and weave Viva Magenta into your life this year, may it empower you, draw out your assertive side, and encourage you to be a little bit more audacious, every day.

Header image by Pexels.

Inspiration, Wellbeing

All of you is welcome – Retreat, discover, refuel, party!

by Emma Potter1 Comment on All of you is welcome – Retreat, discover, refuel, party!
All of you is welcome – Retreat, discover, refuel, party!

There’s nothing like spending time with amazing people – especially whilst in Provence!

This August I did something I’ve not done in a very long time… I went on holiday with a group of friends and left my bike at home and it was bloody lovely! After the antics of cycling to Wales and back for the Glaudax on the Snowdonia Tour in early June and doing the Pennine Rally in mid-June my mind and body were longing for a proper break, to switch off, and to relax. And what better way to do it than in Provence in France – fabulous rose, champagne, food, beaches not too far away and a huge amount of laughter and fun.

Thoughts become things…

It was in late June I was thinking I’d like to go on a retreat, to do some yoga, eat healthy food, chill under the rays of the sun, and generally take a proper break, ideally taking in and exploring a new part of the world.

It must have been a week later that my friend Adeline chose to celebrate her 40th birthday in France and invite some of her closest friends – from all corners of the world – along from the adventure. Little did I know at the time that I’d be effectively going on a retreat and discovering some truly beautiful places in and around Provence.

Villa, Poolside

Retreat…

It’s a fabulous feeling to be able to go abroad, to mix with old and new friends, and take a break from my daily routine. Let’s face it, the last year or so has been plain weird, so after much juggling with paper work, booking of tests, checking of travel guidelines, and sourcing flights, I managed to pack my trolly dolly and get to Gatwick. I’m not going to lie, I did find the last few days leading up to going way a bit stressful – “Did I have the right paperwork?”, “Had I understood everything correctly?”, and “Was I going to actually get on the plane and land in Nice?” Thankfully the reality was a big resounding ‘yes’.

Adeline had spent weeks preparing for her big celebration. What I hadn’t appreciated until I arrived is that she was hosting the week to create a template to build future retreats in her native home country – France. There’s a beauty in being part of someone’s creation, to see them shine, being immersed in the moment, and to truly share the experience as our time together unfolded.

Discover…

Over the last 20 years I’ve been to France many times. Paris initially as a proper tourist, and in more recent years heading to the mountains – both the Alps and the Pyrenees. The latter tips have included me arriving with a bike and doing a variety of multi day rides such as The Raid Alpine which goes across the Alps from Nice to Geneva, the Raid Pyrenean that goes from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and cycling in Provence up Mont Ventoux and through the Verdon Gorge (or Gorge du Verdon as the locals say). Whilst I do love being in the mountains and the sense of adventure, it was brilliant to discover some new places in France and see a completely different perspective.

Pedalo fun at the Gorge du Verdon

Our first evening brought together Adeline’s friends from around the world – England, France, Sardinia, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, America… all to celebrate a beautiful souls milestone birthday. We ate (fabulous BBQ), we drank (rose – lots of it), played games (Uno – if you’ve not got it, get it, it’s hilarious but be warned it does bring out people’s competitive side), we laughed (about anything and everything), and talked until the early hours (no subject was off the table). I always find it fascinating how wherever I am geographically in the world, within a matter of hours it becomes ‘home’.

Throughout the week I discovered and experienced many new things…

Plage de Pampelonne – We visited Pampelonne beach near Ramatuelle and ended up on the nudist section – if you’ve not done it before I’d highly recommend a nude swim in the sea, it’s fun and really liberating.

Catching some rays… Plage de Pampelonne, France

Group Heart Meditation – Embracing the theme of water… at the gorgeous villa we jumped in the pool, formed a circle and did a ‘group heart meditation’ – this is something some of us experienced for the first time on Soul Safari in Africa a few years ago, but it was the first time we’d done this in water lead by the lovely Enrico.

Hugs and laughter after our Group Heart Meditation

Abbaye du Thoronet – We visited the Abbaye du Thoronet, a former Cistercian abbey built in the late twelth and early thirteenth century, now restored as a museum. Some-how we managed to get invited into a group sounding in the main chapel and the architectural acoustics were incredible. After you’ve finished making the sound it continues and echos around the chambers for quite a few seconds – it was really quite grounding and magical as you can feel the sound vibrating through your body.

Abbaye de Thoronet

Sillans de Cascade – Invited by the forest, we took the opportunity to walk to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in France, the Sillans de Cascade. Nestled in a magnificent vibrant green setting, the village of Sillans de Cascade is located on the edge of the Verdon National Park, 20 minutes south of Lake Sainte-Croix. On arrival we were greeted by another wonder of Mother nature… for anyone who’s into yoga, Chakras and making the appropriate sound for each chakra as they relate to an area in your body – the waterfall was an idylicc location to make the ’heart’ sound, amplified literally by the energy and vibe of our group, and the chamber created by nature.

Cascade de Sillans after our Heart and Root Chakra Sounding

There were so many other beautiful experiences I’ve not mentioned… watching Adeline as she landed from her paraglide, taking pedalos down the Gorge do Verdon, exploring St. Tropez and enjoying delicious food, singing Kareoke like we were centre stage at The O2 Arena (that was hilarious and will make me smile for years to come), and many meals together… I could go on.

Refuel…

I’m sure the word ‘refuel’ means many different things to different people. This summer, for me it was the opportunity to spend time with amazing friends and to make some new ones. It really, really was lovely to be in a group, to share conversations, food, laughter, games, and some downtime chilling poolside and on the sand.

Over the last 18 months I’ve had a strong, growing desire to spend more time in nature. It has the swift ability to light up all of my sense… smelling the fresh sea air, feeling the bouyant salty sea as it enables me to float and feeling the warmth of the sun, the taste of cold crisp dry Provence rose, seeing the tale end of the vast south alps mountain range in the distance as I drove into Nice, and touching the sand as it slips through my fingers on the beach. It felt like I’d been away for weeks – not days – and it felt great to return home ‘full’ in every sense of the word.

Birthday dinner after a day at the beach and walking around St. Tropez

It’s time to party!

Now a 40th birthday party is not complete without the obligatory fancy-dress request. However, in the lead up to our adventure I managed to miss the memo of ‘80s Miami Vice’ for the big party night! How? I don’t know… What matters is I managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat and make a pretty funky outfit from what we had available to me. Helped by Jayne for bringing a sensational eye shadow set – the order of the evening was ‘go big, or go home’. Needless to say, another memorable evening of giggles and fun followed.

And what happens on tour, stays on tour.

Until next time…

I don’t think it will be the last time this group of rather fabulous people get together – in fact we caught up virtually this weekend to have a chat and share what we’ve been up to since returning to our respective homes. In the months and years to come I’m sure Adeline will be hosting some more retreats… I’m keeping my fingers crossed I get to join a few more.

If you fancy connecting with Adeline and reading more about our trip do feel free to follow her on Instagram, I’m sure she’ll be posting more info about potential up and coming retreats in France during 2022 and beyond.

I can’t wait until we’re having breakfast once again at this table!

Header image – Source: Pexels, photo by David Bartus

Conscious Creator, Inspiration, Wellbeing

Inspiration is all around us – where do you find yours?

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Inspiration is all around us – where do you find yours?
Inspiration is all around us – where do you find yours?

There’s nothing like waking up in the morning and feeling inspired. Sometimes there’s clarity, and sometimes there are so many inspiring ideas buzzing around in my head I don’t know where to start – either way, I always welcome ideas and inspiration that influence my decisions and help me make better choices. 

Sources of inspiration are all around us – from reading news in the media, attending conferences and industry events where you’re presented with new technology and platforms that are pitched to automate and solve today’s marketing challenges, to listening to music and reading a good book… Personally I always find it beneficial to speak with my network, take a wider look at the challenge at hand and let inspiration arrive through participating in a mixture of activities.

For me being outside and connecting with nature, taking a walk in the woods or by the beach is particularly good for clearing my head and mulling over challenges faced in my working life; moreover I find exercising, mostly cycling, yoga or swimming, a great way to let ideas roll in and out. Being on the bike also provides a great networking opportunity as lots of people in my network have a passion for technology and all things digital, as well as a passion for this beautiful sport. 

That’s one of the most incredible things about working with entrepreneurs – they see the world differently, they’re passionate about what they do, they’re open to new ideas, they’re innovative and they’re always looking for creative ways to solve a problem.

Pearls of wisdom

Here are some of my favourite inspirational quotes that I refer to when I feel like I’ve hit a bit of a brick wall – they help to get me in the right mindset for creativity, curiosity and conscious creating.

Impossible is nothing…

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. 

Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.

Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.

Impossible is potential. 

Impossible is temporary.

Impossible is nothing.”

Muhammad Ali

Creativity…

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them for a while.” 

Steve Jobs

Follow your heart…

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Steve Jobs

Failure…

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

Henry Ford

Change…

“It’s not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.”

Charles Darwin

“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”`ins

Socrates

Knowledge…

“The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive.”

“It’s our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

K J Rowling

Respect…

“Brands that respect you as a person and make you feel like you are you, and that you, rather than they, have control over you, will be the ones who are successful.”

Martha Lane Fox

Take a risk…

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

Mark Zuckerberg

Imagination…

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

Albert Einstein
Conscious Creator, Inspiration, Investor, Wellbeing

A Hattrick of Happiness – Investing in mental fitness, sport and technology… say Hello to MyArkeo

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on A Hattrick of Happiness – Investing in mental fitness, sport and technology… say Hello to MyArkeo
A Hattrick of Happiness – Investing in mental fitness, sport and technology… say Hello to MyArkeo

Nationwide, throughout the month of May, Mental Health remained topical in many publications. The Telegraph explored whether working in the City is bad for your health?, BBC One showed a programme called A Royal Team Talk, which bought together five current or former professional footballers, and amateurs, to talk openly with the Duke of Cambridge about the effects of mental health in sport, demonstrating that mental health is no longer a secret folded away in sport’s dressing rooms, and BBC Two showed the mini-series called ‘Depression and me’ where Alistair Campbell candidly talked about his experiences. 

Moreover, Stephen Moon, Group CEO, Science in Sport Ltd recently shared his thoughts on the challenge’s executives face in dealing with the subject of mental health – his key question being ‘Is mental health the last taboo in business’? – a really insightful read. 

Continuing the theme, locally in Richmond I attended a panel discussion about mental health in sport, hosted by Bella Velo, a south west London cycling club dedicated to women who cycle. The event invited a panel of male and female speakers to talk about their own personal mental health stories following challenging life experiences that have been thrown in their path.

And in central London, The Happiness Index hosted an event at Google called Happiness and Humans – it was truly insightful sharing a day with so many inspirational people and speakers who champion freedom to be human. On a personal and professional level, it’s great to be part of a growing wave of momentum, where businesses and organisations are recognising the importance of investing in employee wellbeing. 

Introducing My Arkeo – Fitness for your brain 

In December 2018 I was fortunate enough to connect with Jana Dowling. A friend, Matt Phelan, had mentioned her and her business idea in a LinkedIn post and I was keen to hear more, so dropped Jana a note to connect directly. 

I’m a firm believer that mental fitness and physical fitness go hand in hand. Yet, at seemingly opposite ends of the scale, whilst mental fitness is less talked about, physical fitness represents a booming global industry of personal trainers, gyms, apps and other wearable technology – all in favour of actively talking about, participating in, and building communities (virtual and in person) to support our physical fitness and to help us achieve our goals.

Which begs the question – What are we doing to support our mental fitness?

From seeding a thought – to seed investment 

Pardon the pun, but a seed was sown when Jana and I first met in person in January 2019. Over recent months it’s been extremely exciting to see MyArkeo preparing to step out of the shadows, and into the limelight. Yes, there are competitors out there, and that’s healthy, but MyArkeo is slowly but surely carving its own path, gaining traction and recognition at every turn. The overall objective of MyArkeo is simple – to empower individuals and organisations to take control of their mental fitness. 

Built from the ground up, on real-life experience of monitoring and measuring her road to recovery post burnout, Jana built a tracking system to give her insight into how her own actions, food consumption, sleep pattern, level of activity – and a whole lot more – influenced and accelerated her road to recovery. Recognising that her tracking system was the KEY component in her own recovery, she wanted to share her system with others – millions in fact – starting in the UK, with a vision to launch in other territories when the time is right. 

In the past six months I’ve downloaded the beta version of the MyArkeo app, used it daily, talked about it to friends and family, fed back on my user experience – as have hundreds of others – delivered a brand and messaging workshop to establish the foundations to build the brand both internally and externally from a marketing and communications perspective, and latterly discussed and agreed seed investment. 

This is a completely new path for me, personally investing in a business. But MyAkreo brings together many things I’m passionate about, namely, sport, fitness (mental and physical) and technology – a hattrick of happiness. I feel extremely privileged to be in a position to invest, to contribute my ideas, and to see the business go from strength to strength. 

So why did I choose to invest in MyArkeo?

  • 9 in 10 UK workers affected by mental health challenges 
  • 48% of employees in the UK have experienced a mental health problem 
  • 300,000 people lose jobs over mental health every year 
  • Poor mental health in the workplace is costing the UK economy about £99bn a year 

MyArkeo – the mental fitness management app, facilitates users to ‘TRACK’ lifestyle habits and symptoms, ‘ANALYSE’ and highlight user pattern and trends, ‘SET TARGETS’ to change behaviour and alleviate symptoms, and to ‘TAKE ACTION’. 

In addition, Jana is an incredibly inspiring individual. Her personal knowledge and experience put her firmly in the driving seat to speak authentically, and her passion and energy for building a global brand and business are unbound. 

Go to market strategy 

There are multiple benefits for businesses and organisations who choose to invest in MyArkeo, namely improved mental fitness, less absenteeism, and higher productivity – so in fact a win-win situation all round – for both employees and employers. 

In addition to those benefits, the MyArkeo app will help reduce the 300,000 people losing their jobs due to ill mental health in the UK, and increase the number of people actively taking care of their mental fitness.

For individuals (B2C) the app presents a simple four-step process:

  1. App – self tracking and analysis 
  2. Data analysis – of your stats over time 
  3. Set targets – around what’s important for you 
  4. Take actions – empowered to make choices that serve you 

For businesses and organisations (B2B) the app presents a three-stage process:

  1. Employee tracking on the MyArkeo app – empowers staff to take control, and facilitates self-tracking and improvement 
  2. Data feedback – view aggregated anonymous employee trends and patterns via a company dashboard 
  3. Training – MyArkeo bring in experts and qualified trainers focused on hotspots highlighted in data feedback 

Jana and her team of experts have developed an ambitious go-to-market strategy, targeting businesses and organisations, cross sector, public and private, with 250+ employees; that are prioritising employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion; and are looking to invest to further develop their wellbeing strategy.  

What will seed investment be spent on?

Whilst funding rounds continue to secure the £250,000 Jana is seeking to raise, the initial funds will be utilised for app development to build out tech to version 1, to develop UX, and to drive adoption of paid pilots with hero clients and early adopters.

From a traction and growth perspective, with pilots booked with global organisations, NHS Trusts, Financial Services, and Media and Broadcast businesses, and interest from London Sport, the next 12 months are shaping up to be extremely interesting. 

My prediction for the future 

MyArkeo will become the measure of mental fitness and will become a global fitness brand, and the platform will help organisations measure and support staff in improving their mental fitness. 

MyArkeo is so simple to use – it’s informative, it empowers people to make more informed choices about how they support their mental fitness, there’s so much more in the pipeline, and some great features to be revealed in V1 of the app that will enhance the user experience, and provide more insightful data to individuals and organisations. 

I will leave you with a quote:

“Rule your mind or it will rule you”

Horace

You can discover more about MyArkeo here and connect with Jana here. 

Sources