Spotting Trends Before They Become the Norm
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
Some business owners have a knack for spotting trends before everyone else catches on. And it’s not luck, but a skill. The ability to see what’s shifting in your industry, what people are craving, and what’s quietly changing before it becomes mainstream can completely change how you position yourself and your business. But here’s the truth: trend-spotting isn’t about chasing every new thing. It’s about listening differently, paying attention to frustration, and being curious enough to notice the patterns that others overlook. In this episode, I’m sharing how to develop that...
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Creating Unique Offers in a Saturated Market
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
If you’ve ever looked around your industry and thought, “Everyone’s offering the same thing,” you’re not imagining it. Every market has noise, and standing out isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about showing up differently. Being unique doesn’t always mean inventing something brand new. Often, it’s about reimagining what already exists and delivering it in a way that feels distinctly you. In this episode, I’m sharing how to uncover the magic within your existing offers and turn it into something people remember, connect with, and keep coming back for. How to Stand Out...
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My Secret to Staying Inspired in Business
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
When you create for a living, inspiration can sometimes feel like a moving target. Whether it’s for podcasts, courses, or client projects, there’s this quiet pressure to keep showing up with fresh ideas. But inspiration isn’t magic; it’s consistency. It’s something you can nurture, protect, and make space for. In this episode, I’m sharing how I stay inspired across everything I do as a creator, an educator, and a strategist, and how you can create your own systems for creative flow that actually last. How I Keep Creativity Flowing Start with Curiosity For me, inspiration begins...
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How to Be Seen as an Innovator in Your Industry
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
When we think of innovators, we often picture the big names: the ones who build rockets, create tech empires, or disrupt entire industries. But innovation isn’t limited to billion-dollar ideas or global platforms. True innovation happens in the everyday. When you see things differently, experiment with new approaches, and turn challenges into opportunities. It’s about bringing fresh thinking into familiar spaces and consistently showing up with ideas that move things forward. The good news? You don’t have to be loud or flashy to be seen as an innovator. You just have to be intentional,...
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Why Creative Thinking Is Not Just for Designers
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
When most people hear the word creative, they picture designers, artists, or the ones with colour palettes, clever fonts, and mood boards. But creativity in business goes far beyond visuals. It’s about how we approach challenges, how we spot opportunities, and how we keep our business evolving. Creativity is a skill every business owner can build. And when you strengthen it, you unlock new ways to solve problems, connect with customers, and stay ahead of change. In this episode, we’ll explore how creative thinking shows up in everyday business and how you can start flexing your own...
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Creative Cross Pollination and Borrowing Brilliance from Other Industries
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
Have you ever had one of those lightbulb moments sparked by something completely unrelated to your field? Maybe a café’s reward system gave you an idea for keeping clients engaged, or a podcast on a totally different topic triggered a clever improvement in your business.
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How I Come Up With Content Ideas
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
If I had 5 cents for every time someone asked me how I come up with content ideas, I'd have an income stream all of its own. The truth is, the most powerful content isn't created by sitting at your desk trying to produce something perfect. It comes from being curious about what's already happening in your business and in your customers' lives each day.
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The Power of a Good Idea and What to Do With It
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
We've all had them, those brilliant flashes of inspiration that feel like they could change everything. But here's what I've learnt after working with hundreds of business owners: having a good idea is only about 5% of the journey. The real magic happens in what we do next.
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The Business Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Sooner
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
Business doesn’t come with a rulebook, but oh, how I wish it did sometimes. In this episode, I’m opening up and sharing four lessons I really wish I’d learned earlier in my business journey. These aren’t the glossy textbook tips. These are the kind that come with late nights, tough calls, and a lot of hindsight.
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The Realities of Being a Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur
Talk with Linda Reed-Enever
If you’re someone with more ideas than hours in the day, who doesn’t quite fit into one tidy box, then you’ll feel right at home in this episode. I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to be a multi-passionate entrepreneur, why it’s both a blessing and a challenge, and how I’ve learned to manage the mess and magic of it all.
info_outlineSome business owners have a knack for spotting trends before everyone else catches on. And it’s not luck, but a skill. The ability to see what’s shifting in your industry, what people are craving, and what’s quietly changing before it becomes mainstream can completely change how you position yourself and your business.
But here’s the truth: trend-spotting isn’t about chasing every new thing. It’s about listening differently, paying attention to frustration, and being curious enough to notice the patterns that others overlook.
In this episode, I’m sharing how to develop that “see around corners” skill so you can stay ahead of the curve and confidently lead the way in your space.
How to Spot Trends Before Everyone Else
Listen Between the Lines
Trends don’t start in boardrooms or headlines; they start in everyday conversations. The earliest signs of change often come through what people are frustrated by, not what they’re excited about.
Listen for phrases like “I’m tired of…” or “I wish there was an easier way…” because fatigue always appears before innovation. When you start hearing the same frustrations repeat, it’s your signal that a new need is emerging.
Look Beyond Your Own Industry
The fastest way to spot what’s next is to look outside your bubble. Many of the biggest shifts in business are borrowed from other industries.
For example, when the fitness world embraced habit stacking to create small, lasting routines, it was only a matter of time before entrepreneurs applied the same concept to productivity and marketing. Fresh input creates early insight, so make it a habit to read, watch, and follow creators beyond your field.
Trust Your Intuition
While data has its place, intuition often notices the shift first. If you’ve been in business for a while, you already have a built-in radar for change. You can usually feel when something that used to work stops landing, when engagement drops, or conversations start to repeat.
That’s your cue to lean in, test something new, and see where it takes you. Innovation often begins with a hunch.
Create Space for Curiosity
I set aside time each week for what I call Curiosity Time, 30 minutes to explore what’s catching my attention. No agenda, no goal. Just observation.
It might be a new podcast format, a storytelling trend, or a different tone of voice popping up online. The key is to stay curious without falling down the scroll rabbit hole.
Ask yourself, Why is this working? Why are people responding to this? When you reflect, not react, you spot opportunities before they become obvious.
Watch for the Language Shift
Trends often appear first in the words people use. Pay attention to networking events, in client calls, or on social media. What topics feel outdated? What phrases feel fresh but not yet mainstream? Those subtle changes in tone or terminology are the seedlings of what’s next.
Be Ready to Pivot
Not every trend will take off. Some fizzle, some evolve, and others change direction entirely. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to predict perfectly, it’s to stay adaptable.
When you’re paying attention, you’ll always be in a position to pivot when things move. That’s what keeps your business current and your audience engaged.
Key Takeaway
Spotting trends isn’t about having insider access or fancy analytics. It’s about curiosity, empathy, and observation. When you listen deeply, notice frustrations, and stay open to new ideas, you’ll start recognising the signals of change before everyone else does.
You don’t need to be first; you just need to be aware, adaptable, and ready to move when the moment comes.
Your Next Step
This week, take your “researcher hat” into everyday life.
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Listen to what people are saying in your circles, clients, communities, or online groups.
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Note what they’re struggling with or tired of.
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Watch for new approaches or phrases that feel different.
Write them down and revisit them regularly. Those small observations could be the start of your next big idea.
Resources to Help You Stay Ahead of the Curve
The Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle
Join a community of forward-thinking business owners who love to explore what’s next. Inside the Circle, you’ll find live sessions, templates, and strategy tools to help you adapt quickly, refine your messaging, and implement fresh ideas before they become mainstream.
Join my monthly co-working and accountability sessions, designed to help you turn new ideas into action. Whether you’re testing a trend or refining an offer, these sessions give you the structure and focus to make progress.
Join the Business Business Business Community
Stay connected with other business owners who are spotting opportunities, sharing insights, and shaping what’s next. It’s a space to collaborate, learn, and stay inspired by emerging shifts in business and marketing.
If you want to future-proof your marketing and develop strategies that stay relevant no matter what changes come next, book a discovery call with me. Together, we’ll identify what’s evolving in your industry and craft a plan that positions you ahead of the curve.
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another business owner who wants to stay one step ahead.
And remember, trend-spotting isn’t about guessing the future. It’s about observing the present with curiosity. When you do that, you’ll always see what’s coming next.
Highlights
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00:00 The Power of Spotting Trends
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00:55 Listening Between the Lines
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01:25 Recognising Frustration as a Trend Indicator
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01:44 Learning from Other Industries
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02:29 Trusting Your Intuition
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03:06 The Future of Hashtags
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03:44 Embracing Curiosity
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04:30 Anthropological Listening
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05:03 Be Ready to Pivot