THE UPSTART CLUB
The six month support programme for creatives, coaches and freelancers to help you build in more rest, more creativity, and more revenue in your business or service
£78
ROLLING 6 MONTH PROGRAMME
- 3 group coaching calls per month (Tuesdays - 4pm GMT / 11am EST /8am PT) to talk about what you’re working on, what might be holding you back, and to get accountability and support
- supportive community group
- 6 x strategy & mindset videos
6 x journal prompt booklets
- reading & feedback up available (terms apply)
It’s time to build a creative business you love!
Are you working a 9-5 while your business is still just a dream?
Maybe you’ve been working in corporate, writing stories on the side, or getting the odd freelance job but it feels like no one is buying.
Are you looking to have regular consistent income?
You’re full of ideas and have lots of projects on the go, but are missing something that would bring in regular recurring revenue and allow you more rest and relaxation in your life?
Do you want to post about your work on social media in a way that feels inspiring and not sleazy?
Maybe the thought of posting about your work on social media is fine, but each time you sit down and try it, you freeze.
Can you imagine one day feeling free of imposter syndrome and knowing your work is unique and valuable?
You’re tired of feeling like you’re copying, there’s a billion other people doing what you do, and you can’t get it together enough to make your creative business dreams come true.
Welcome to The Upstart Club!
The six-month support program for creative business owners, coaches, and freelancers who are ready to start building sustainable, creative businesses with:
More rest - because your business can’t thrive when you’re burnt out!
More creativity - because your creativity and art is the reason you’re doing what you’re doing
More revenue - because you can’t possibly rest and be creative when you’re not getting the income you need in your life to pay rent, pay bills and buy food.
Who is The Upstart Club For?
This is for your if you’re a creative business owner, a coach, a freelancer, or a service provider who is:
Earning £0–£1,000 a month in self-employment or your business
Struggling to create or sell your first product or service.
Feeling stuck in a 9-to-5, longing to turn your creativity into income.
Battling imposter syndrome, money mindset blocks, and the fear of standing out online.
Exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure how to take the next step.
Let’s get you the mindset and strategy support you need to help you build a business that reflects your individuality, your creativity and your dreams!
What’s included?
What You'll Get in The Upstart Club for £78 per month
3 x Group Coaching Calls Every Month
Join me and a supportive group of fellow creatives for live Zoom calls every Tuesday at 4 PM GMT (11 AM EST / 8 AM PT).
Get coaching and accountability to tackle what’s holding you back
Hear what others are working on and learn from their experiences
Build a community of like-minded people to cheerlead you
Strategy & Mindset Masterclasses
Get access to 6 on-demand videos teaching you the essentials of:
Money mindset: Stop letting financial fear hold you back.
Business strategy: Build systems and structure that actually work for you.
Organic marketing: Learn how to show up online in a way that feels authentic.
Journaling & Embodiment Tools for Growth
Work through 6 journal & embodiment prompt booklets to help you clarify your goals, reflect on your progress, and break through mental roadblocks.
I’m Michelle Allen - I believe that being creative doesn’t have to mean being lonely, bored and worrying about money.
I’m also autistic and ADHD. I believe that you don’t have to be neurotypical or find the PERFECT system and process in order to run a successful business.
I run two creative businesses including a not-for-profit Ironclad Creative CIC, which supports writers and theatre-makers.
I believe you get to have someone beside you who LOVES your writing and wants to hear about how it’s going.
With me by your side we’ll work to shift your mindset about writing, work on your strategy, and give you accountability as you fire up your word count.
We’ll talk strategy, creativity, putting yourself out there as a writer and the business of making art!
My job as your coach is to help you define YOUR strategy and get you where YOU want to go!
FAQs
Is this a business course?
Nope - this is a group coaching programme. That means you’ll be getting coaching on your strategy and mindset around your business through 3 x group coaching calls each month.
There are 6 x videos and workbooks that will cover strategy, mindset and the business of making art - but you don’t have to use these.
This isn’t another course all about business, It’s a chance for you to make progress and take sustainable action over time on your dreams.
What do ‘group coaching calls’ actually mean?
Three times a month you can come along to a zoom call alongside other people on the programme.
The calls are led by me, and everyone is muted except when called on.
I’ll invite people to celebrate whatever they’ve achieved that week, then I’ll open the call up for coaching questions.
You can ask a question about your business or your creative plan.
You’ll then get coaching by me. I use a mix of coaching, consulting and mentoring - so I’ll help guide you to the answers you need, or offer you straight talking advice, depending on what you want. You don’t have to have a coaching question, you can just pop along and listen to others - this is something I find HUGELY valuable myself.
What if I make progress in six months?
Ultimately, it’s up to you. I don’t promise that you’ll get results because I think that would be unwise of me and unethical. What I will say is, if you keep working consistently, it’s likely you’ll be a lot further along than you are right now and I think you’ll certainly have a idea of what the steps are you want to take in your business.
So what’s the point, if there’s no teaching?
The benefit of being in a group coaching programme for anything is HUGE.
I love being in community (without having to leave the house) and that’s what The Upstart Club offers. You get community, accountability, coaching, strategy support, mindset support, and ultimately, investing in yourself tends to focus the mind a little too. You can start to notice the patterns you have and the stories you tell yourself about how it’s not working. Mostly though, you get to build self trust and have me cheering you along as you do it.
Once you’re signed up for The Upstart Club you’ll get:
THREE COACHING CALLS A MONTH for SIX MONTHS
6 x pre-recorded video masterclasses
6 x workbooks covering strategy, embodiment and mindset to complete in your own time if you want to