Suz Bird, founder of Bird & Emmy, is a social media strategist working with SMEs across Scotland and the UK. She breaks down how to ditch “post for the algorithm” thinking, build a simple strategy that serves your business goals, and stay sane as a solo founder and single parent. We talk retainer vs project vs training models, why food-and-drink brands spark creative scrappiness, and how to use testimonials, co-mentors and tiny environmental shifts to quiet the inner critic. Suz shares her start-up story (redundancy, separation, first clients from community work), her love–hate with social media, practical networking habits, and plans to expand in-person workshops and DIY-friendly products so time-poor founders can still get results.

In this episode:

• Mindset first: social media as part of marketing, not a separate chore—and why clarity on audience beats chasing virality.
• Three ways she works: retained strategist, finite projects to build a plan and hand over, and one-to-one or workshop training.
• Solo doesn’t mean alone: using feedback forms, DMs and local networks to combat isolation and spark referrals.
• Get out of your own way: change the room, take a walk, then act—perfectionism is the enemy of momentum.
• What’s next: more live workshops and practical resources for founders without retainer budgets.