Why Ideas Fest Might Be the Best Thing You Do for Your Business This Year

March 28, 2025

Honest post incoming…

I wasn’t sure I could afford the time out of the office this week. Deadlines, meetings, the usual juggle. But I took the plunge and went to Ideas Fest: Encore in London—aka Glastonbury for Business—and wow… what a day!

It was the perfect blend of real-world networking, inspiration, and high-calibre entrepreneurial insight. I left completely recharged and couldn’t stop thinking about the impact Ideas Fest has had on me—personally and professionally since we first went and exhibited last year.

So here are my top 3 reasons why you should grab a ticket to Ideas Fest this September, and how it could totally change the game for your business.

1. You have to be visible when you run a business.

In a world full of noise, people don’t just buy what you do—they buy who you are. Your story. Your values.

And trust me, nothing builds genuine relationships faster than a relaxed conversation over a drink with someone who gets it.

Some of the people I met at Ideas Fest last year are now not only trusted business connections, but real friends. This is the kind of connection you rarely make in a boardroom—but in a field, under festoon lights, it just happens.

💫 This is the magic of Ideas Fest. 💫

2. You have to keep learning when you run a business.

The pace of change in 2025? Unbelievable. As entrepreneurs, we’re expected to learn, evolve, and execute faster than ever before. But let’s be honest, sifting through online courses and social media noise isn’t always the best use of your time.

That’s where Ideas Fest comes in. Frankie James and the team curate a world-class speaker line-up of successful UK (and global) entrepreneurs—people who have actually done the thing.

In just two days, you’ll learn more from real-life experience than you could in months of buying cheap training courses.

💫 This is the magic of Ideas Fest. 💫

3. You have to be strategic when you run a business.

Being visible is important. Learning is crucial. But ideas? They’re only as good as the strategy that brings them to life.

I’ve seen too many people run with a “pub idea” because their mates said it was genius. Strategy matters—and Ideas Fest gets this.

The team behind it are the same people behind the UK’s most prestigious business awards. Their network is full of founders who’ve turned big dreams into scalable, sustainable businesses. These are the kind of people you’ll bump into in the queue for a coffee—or maybe the bar.

💫 This is the magic of Ideas Fest. 💫

So if you’re on the fence—get off it, and get in the field this September.

Come with an open mind. Promise yourself you’ll be visible. Commit to learning and thinking strategically about what’s next. Who knows what doors will open?

Join me at Ideas Fest 2025!

I’ve managed to nab a 10% off discount code for Ideas Fest for my network! Plus, if you book before the 4th April you save an additional £50 per head! So, why not get involved?

📍 Location: Tring, Hertfordshire
📅 Date: 10th & 11th September 2025
💸 Discount: 10% OFF with code activ10
💥 PLUS save an extra £50 if you book before 4th April

👉 Buy your tickets here

I hope you get to experience the magic of Ideas Fest for you and your business this year!

I have seen so many social media managers on TikTok recently sharing how tough Q4 is shaping up to be. Many described September as one of their worst months yet, with clients pulling out, content budgets cut, and income dropping overnight.

But that is not what we saw at activ.

And even if it had been evident in some way, it would not have shaken us. Our growth model, and the way we teach our franchisees to run their marketing businesses, is not built on luck or trends. It is built on structure, multiple income stream forecasting, and long term client relationships.

The difference between freelancing and building a business

It frustrates me to see brilliant, creative people losing sleep over the next invoice because they have never been shown how to make their income secure. The issue is not their skill. It is the lack of structure and guidance that turns creative chaos into commercial stability.

No one should live in that feast or famine cycle when they are self employed. I’ve been there, back in 2014 when I started out as a solo freelancer.

When I first went self employed, I had two clients. The contract values together came to £6.5k. At the time, that felt incredible. I thought, this is it, I am winning already.

But no.

Those projects consumed me. I had no time for business development, no processes, and no real boundaries. I was learning client management, pricing, and systems as I went along. What looked like profit on paper turned out to be pain in reality.

That was a massive wake up call.

I realised that you cannot build a business relying on two or three individuals to decide whether you get paid that month. Even though I have been there, I still find it crazy to think that so many self employed marketers are doing exactly that right now.

You need recurring income to create stability

Recurring income is what makes your business predictable. It gives you space to breathe, plan, and grow. It is the foundation that keeps your income steady when projects slow down or clients pause work. And yes, it needs to be secured with a contract!

If your clients are paying you on retainers or subscriptions with clear agreements in place, you are no longer waiting for someone else to decide whether you can pay yourself. You are running a business, not chasing invoices.

Now, the Pareto Principle tells us that 80% of your revenue usually comes from 20% of your clients. That is a natural pattern, but it is also a dangerous one when you only have a handful of clients in total. If one of those key clients leaves, your income takes a huge hit.

The goal is not to fight Pareto, but to rebalance it. Have enough clients in your mix that if one pauses, your bank account does not. A larger client base means smaller percentages per client, and that gives you security.

A forecast should be used to build a healthy mix of income streams that blend subscriptions, monthly fees, retainers, and one off project work. This approach gives balance, flexibility, and resilience. It allows you to plan ahead rather than live month to month hoping your next reel or pitch fills the gap.

How to build stability using the Solo Power® approach

My #SoloPower® approach is about creating structure and strategy so that freedom is built in, not hoped for.

Here are five actions you can take right now to step out of the feast or famine cycle.

Build recurring revenue first, not last
Even if your retainers start small, secure that predictable base before solely chasing project work. Stability gives you freedom to be creative again.
Review your pricing every quarter
If you are charging the same as you were six months ago but working harder, it is time to adjust. Value your expertise.
Set clear boundaries and processes
You teach clients how to treat you. Scope creep and time thiefs are business killers. Clear communication and contracts are essential.
Use a forecast
See what your next three months look like. Map your recurring income and identify gaps early. When you plan, panic disappears.
Stay connected to others in business
Isolation is dangerous. Community keeps you accountable, inspired, and supported when things get tough.

From feast or famine to freedom

The feast or famine cycle is not a test of resilience. It is a sign that your business is missing structure.

Freedom does not come from working alone. It comes from systems that protect your time, income, and creativity.

That is exactly what I teach through #SoloPower®, an approach built to help solo marketers and freelancers create security, community, and recurring income that lasts.

If you are ready to take the next step, my next FREE guide on How to Combat The Time Ceiling And Build Financial Security shows how to create sustainable structure in your business.

👉 Workbook- How to Combat The Time Ceiling and Build Financial Security