I never planned to build this publication in public.
It’s just... happened.
The more I have started to shared with you, the more I have realized that there is so much value in documenting the journey while I was still living it and deep in the trenches of experimenting, doing it messy and not having it all figured out yet.
So today, I thought I’d recap some of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt so far. Firstly, though... if you’re one of the many people who has recently subscribed to Starting From Zero, thank you.
I don’t take that lightly. Every new subscriber is a real person who has chosen to spend a little of their time with what I have to say and that’s something I’ll never take for granted. Thank you for being here.
In fact, that’s exactly what I wanted today’s conversation to be about.
Because one of the very first decisions I made when I joined Substack was that I didn’t want to arrive in someone’s inbox simply because I could. I want to feel confident that if I showed up in your inbox, it’s because I had something valuable to share and with good reason.
That decision has now become the foundation of everything that’s followed…
When I first joined Substack, I remember thinking...
“Where on earth do I even begin?”
Articles? Podcasts? Lives? Community? There are so many ways to use this multimedia platform that it can feel overwhelming.
One of the first pieces of advice I was given was simple: Start with Notes.
Thank goodness I did. Notes have been a breath of fresh air because they have become my daily journal prompt. Sometimes it’s a photograph I’ve taken on my morning walk with Cooper and sometimes it’s a thought that’s been sitting with.
I made a commitment to myself to create an Intention of The Day, everyday consistently - in the hope might encourage someone else that day.
There’s never been an algorithm in mind or a desire to “go viral”. The objective has been to create a place to share what feels authentic in that moment.
Looking back over these past few months, I have already come to realize that Notes have done something else. They’ve helped me become intentionally consistent - I don’t get out of bed in the morning until I have posted my Intetnion of The Day.
In the past, I’d often start something with lots of enthusiasm, stick with it for a couple of weeks and then move on to a more important task. This has been different because this IS important.
Sharing an Intention of the Day has become a ritual that now feels just as much yours as it does mine.
580 subscribers later...
Something else happened that I honestly wasn’t expecting. At the time of writing this, 580 people have subscribed to this publication. Every single one has arrived organically.
No imported email list. No paid advertising. No shortcuts.
Just me posting notes daily, engaging in notes and doing a collection of Substack Lives. That number blows my mind because someone paused long enough to think,
“I’d like to hear more from her.”
That feels incredibly special.
Why I chose to wait
People have asked me why I didn’t immediately start sending newsletters.
The answer is that I wanted to understand the platform first. I’m so bombarded by emails that I don’t want to feel like spam - I want to share articles and insights that are genuinely helpful.
This season of starting to regain confidence by starting from zero after nearly 20 years of building authority platforms and publications - this choice isn’t only about writing on Substack... it’s a conscious decision to now build what I am creating in public.
The highs, lows, experiments, recommendations, insights - EVERYTHING. There’s going to be no gate-keeping here because I think there’s value in seeing someone build something while it’s still becoming.
Starting From Zero isn’t simply the name of this publication - it’s my proof of concept.
I deliberately started with:
No audience.
No imported email list.
No shortcuts.
Because everything I teach and support others with - I want to demonstrate first and then lead the way.
If something works, I’ll share it.
If something doesn’t work, I’ll share that too.
One of the biggest surprises hasn’t necessarily been the subscriber growth (even though that does blow my mind) - It’s been the people.
I’ve met incredible women and made genuine friendships.
I’ve had conversations that have turned into collaborations and I’ve found women who are doing extraordinary things.
It’s reminded me that community isn’t something you create after you’ve become successful.
You build it while you’re still finding your way… and that has probably been the greatest gift of all.
Three things building in public has taught me so far…
If I had to summarize everything I’ve learnt so far, it would be this.
People connect with honesty and vulnerability more than perfection.
Consistency builds trust long before it builds numbers.
Community spirit changes everything.
Those three lessons are going to be shaping the way I continue to build this publication.
This Saturday is my birthday.
I’m an 8/8 Lionsgate birthday and whether or not you believe in the symbolizm, I’ve always felt there’s something special about this time of year. It feels full of possibility and good energy.
I’ve decided to celebrate this by spending the eight days here on Substack, going live every day from Monday, August 10 (all details to follow).
I’ll be inviting women who are choosing to zig while everyone else zags and have intentional conversations around building your community, publishing in a different way, redefining success and what it really looks like to build something from zero.
I hope you’ll join us.
Birthday Celebration Perks 🎉
To celebrate, I’m also opening my Birthday Celebration Perks for anyone who upgrades to the Annual Membership during these eight days.
Rather than offering a discount, I wanted to create something genuinely useful.
It begins with:
✨ My popular Substack Branding Kit with Canva Templates.
✨ My Essential Business Resources Library - the tools, software and resources I’ve relied on throughout almost twenty years in business.
✨ A $100 credit towards a Pick My Brain Session.
✨ Plus a brand-new surprise revealed each day throughout the celebration.
If you’d like to become an Annual Member, I’d love to welcome you.
A final reflection…
Looking back over these first few months, one thing has become incredibly clear.
At the beginning, it was quiet. Very quiet. Tumbleweeds in fact… there were days when nobody commented. Nobody re-stacked or seemed to notice and I found myself wondering...
“Am I doing the right thing?”
“Is this the right platform?”
“Should I keep going?”
I’m so glad I did.
Because now I can see something I couldn’t see back then. Nothing was wasted. Every note, article, conversation and live have all become like the little seeds that continue growing long after I first shared them.
That’s probably the biggest lesson building in public has taught me.
You don’t always see the impact straight away.
Sometimes you simply have to keep planting.
And trust that, one day, everything you’re creating transforms into something far bigger than you imagined.
Whether you’ve just arrived or you’ve been with me from the beginning, I’m so grateful we’re building this together. Thank you for being here.
With gratitude,
