September Wrap-Up: Lessons, Wins, and What’s Next for Inkie

September Wrap-Up: Lessons, Wins, and What’s Next for Inkie

As September draws to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on what a whirlwind month it’s been for Inkie, our community, and, if you’re anything like me, for your own business journey, too. This month, our focus has been on showing up authentically in business. That theme ran through every lesson, win, and conversation we’ve had, so before we jump into what’s next, let’s celebrate how far we’ve all come.

Lessons Learned: The Power of Real Stories and Honest Support

If you’ve caught any of our blogs or social posts this month, you’ll know I never sugar-coat the tough stuff. Turning up authentically isn’t always the easiest road, but it’s the one that builds real trust. The honest questions (“What’s a lead magnet, anyway?”), founder struggles (“I spent how much on branding before I was ready?”), and everyday moments, these aren’t just marketing topics, they’re real-life business. What I’ve learned, time and again, is that small businesses thrive on openness, sharing mistakes, and helping one another figure it out along the way.

One of my favourite lessons has come from watching the community try things out for themselves: whether it’s experimenting with owner-led branding rather than paying for expensive logos, or seeing how practical, nurturing lead magnets can actually help you connect rather than just collect emails. If our content helped you see yourself in these lessons, then mission accomplished.

Client Stories: Inspiration and Resilience in Action

September was a month for sharing real journeys:

• Daxie Eyewear’s Fearless Rebrand: Lin and Natalie’s story started with a trademark crisis but ended with bolder colours, playful pop art, and a joyful new launch. Their journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks can lead to even better chapters. (Find them at daxieeyewear.com and on Instagram @daxieeyewear)

• ReConnected Life & Emily Jacob: We celebrated Emily’s honest, impactful work supporting survivors and creating safe spaces, culminating in the launch of The Sanctuary, with restorative photography from our recent beach shoot. If you’re looking for genuine support, follow Emily at @reconnectedlife.emilyj.

• Team Feature: Alice Dewar-Mills: I loved sharing why ‘fractional expertise’ (big skills in flexible doses) is perfect for small businesses. Alice and her work at Fractional On Demand (Instagram) are proof that you don’t have to go it alone, even if your team is tiny.

• Supplier Spotlight: Suzy Red Photography: Whether it’s candid shoot days at Inkie HQ or her upcoming autumn event at Pickwell, Suzy’s editorial, down-to-earth style helps real businesses look (and feel) their best. Watch out for the Pickwell autumn shoot day, details coming soon! (Website, Instagram)

Event Highlights: Community Over Competition

We can’t talk about September without spotlighting the Sussex Business Show. Exhibiting alongside so many inspiring entrepreneurs, seeing you all battle it out on the Space INKvaders game (well done to everyone who topped the leaderboard!), and connecting in real time... It was a reminder that business is as much about community as it is about competition. A huge thanks to organiser Sonny Cutting and everyone who made it such an energising day.

New Features: AI Edit & Tools to Save Your Sanity

This month we launched something I’m incredibly proud of: Inkie’s AI Edit feature! Now, you can tweak your blogs, social captions, and more with a simple chat. Want things more playful, more direct, or need to refresh a month’s worth of content? Just ask. You can see Simon’s demo here: https://youtu.be/sSo_PbB-ywU?si=7wF1BI_-hGEsFrKs.

I built this because, as a founder, I was sick of endless copy-pasting. This tool is about making day-to-day marketing less overwhelming, more empowering, and (dare I say) actually fun. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your moment, and I’d love your feedback.

Building Real Community: The 28-Day Freebie in Action

My biggest win? Seeing small business owners take up our “28 Days to Grow Your Network & Boost Engagement” freebie. Community can’t be automated, but it can be nurtured, one genuine interaction at a time. If you’ve joined the accountability Facebook group, or just started the plan solo, thank you for making business feel a little less lonely this month. Not started yet? There’s always room for you.

What’s Next: Autumn, Accountability, and A Bit More ‘Real’

September has set the tone for a busy, vibrant autumn. Here’s what you can expect:

• Autumn Shoot Day at Pickwell: Details coming soon for a day full of creativity, connection, and brand stories. If you need fresh images (and a confidence boost), keep an eye on Suzy Red Photography’s socials, or drop me a message to join the interest list.

• Ongoing Support and Honest Guidance: More behind-the-scenes lessons, more founder moments, and even more ways for you to find what works for your business, without the fluff, jargon, or overwhelm.

• Regular Freebies, News, and Real Talk: If you’re not already following, connect on Facebook and Instagram. Every resource, download, and update is designed to make running your business easier (and more honest).

My Thanks to You

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you just found Inkie this month, thank you for being part of this journey. Every question, comment, download, and brave story you share is what keeps me going, and what makes Inkie different from any other platform out there.

If you’ve got feedback on any of this month’s tools or ideas for what you’d love to see next, let me know. The best businesses grow through honest conversation, and that’s what we’re here for.

Here’s to embracing the next chapter, messy, honest, and together.

With gratitude and (always) a bit of retro flair,

Sophie

Inkie: Honest, empowering marketing support for small businesses that want to do things differently. Try the Marketing Platform Monthly for £39/month (14-day free trial) and see how simple “showing up” can be.