A New Chapter: Behind the Brand
Weekend Dispatch: Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome to something a little different from me
. This is my new weekend dispatch - a personal glimpse behind the brand and into the real world of Emma Brooks Design/Chatterbox.My intention is simple: I want you to get to know the person behind the business. The successes, the challenges, the everyday moments that shape my solo creator journey. From Claude artifacts breakthroughs to bath water disasters, from energy struggles to garden triumphs - this is the unfiltered, authentic story of building something meaningful whilst being perfectly, beautifully human.
So grab a coffee, settle in, and welcome to my weekly world. This is where business strategy meets real life, where professional wins sit alongside personal moments, and where I share what it's really like to be a solo creator in 2025.
Let’s Dive into Volume 1, Issue 1.
Anthropic Claude Artifacts: A Game-Changing Discovery
This week marked a pivotal moment in digital innovation discovery with Anthropic Claude's release of artifacts. These mind-blowing tools have opened up phenomenal possibilities for what we can build and create. The potential applications seem limitless, from productivity tools to creative solutions that streamline workflows in ways previously unimaginable.
(my business bestie) call me to share his creation using artifacts and it was mind blowing! I’m diving deep into these capabilities, the artifacts represent a significant leap forward in AI-assisted creativity and productivity. The immediate adoption and experimentation with these tools signals a new era of human-AI collaboration that promises to revolutionise how we approach digital projects and creative endeavours.Quiet Weekend Sets Perfect Pace for Formula 1
After Martin's late night out, this weekend has taken a refreshingly quiet turn. With temperatures soaring to 30 degrees Celsius, the slower pace provides the perfect antidote to a challenging week. This afternoon's highlight will be tuning into the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, with hopes high for English drivers, particularly a return to form for Lewis Hamilton.
This Week's Highlights
Accomplishment: Launched 'Zero to Solo Creator Authority' audience discovery project
Social: Deep-dive brainstorming call with business bestie
Health: Maintained daily AG1 routine and Mediterranean diet focus
Learning: Started Malcolm Gladwell's 'Talking to Strangers' audiobook
Personal: Successfully navigated challenging energy levels and self-care
Home & Family
Unexpected Bath Water Drama
Wednesday's self-care bath session ended dramatically when bath water was discovered coming through the kitchen ceiling. The incident has been added to the ever-growing list of renovation jobs, though immediate response involved strategic towel placement and a return to bed - sometimes self-preservation takes priority over home repairs.
Stevie's Summer Routine
Our beloved Russian Blue continues his reign as household royalty, strategically positioning himself in the coolest corners of the house during the heatwave. His vocal demands for feeding remain as imperious as ever, proving that some things never change regardless of temperature.
Garden in Full Summer Glory
Roses are in spectacular full bloom while Hydrangea Annabels create stunning white displays. A bargain discovery of vanilla-scented Nemesis plants at Asda (two for £6) has added fragrant beauty to the collection. Recent watering has weighed down the hydrangeas, requiring today's support mission.
This Week's Soundtrack
12" Classic Playlist: An Era of Vinyl
The week's musical backdrop has been provided by Spotify's carefully curated journey through vinyl history. This nostalgic collection captures the essence of an era when music was tangible, creating the perfect atmosphere for both focused work sessions and reflective moments. Listen on Spotify
Health & Wellness
Navigating Energy Levels Through Summer Heat
This week presented unique challenges as temperatures soared to 30 degrees Celsius. Medication that the body struggles to process in hot weather led to significant fatigue, brain fog, and low energy levels by Tuesday afternoon. The combination of heat sensitivity and new moon lunar energies created the perfect storm for exhaustion, requiring strategic self-care responses.
"If you eat crap, you'll feel like crap - note to self, don't eat crap."
— Emma’s Tuesday's Pizza Lesson
Daily AG11 supplementation proved its worth this week - the difference is immediately noticeable on days when it's missed. Mediterranean-focused nutrition featuring fresh Isle of Wight tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with balsamic vinegar has provided both physical nourishment and soul satisfaction during challenging energy periods.
Summer self-care has evolved to include religious SPF50 application - essential protection during these scorching 30-degree days. A daily spritz of Dioriviera helps me pretend I'm somewhere far more glamorous than Bristol, with its fig and rose notes doing their best to convince me I'm actually lounging somewhere Mediterranean rather than sweating through another British heatwave.
It's amazing how a bit of fancy fragrance can transport you from the M32 to the French Riviera - even if it's just for a few blissful moments.
Entertainment & Culture
Audiobook Discovery: Malcolm Gladwell
Following a recommendation from
, 'Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know' has proven unexpectedly captivating. Despite initial hesitation about the genre, Chapter 3 has delivered complete engagement even before reaching the main premise about stranger interactions.Binge-Watching: White Lotus Season 3
Netflix viewing has been dominated by the latest instalment of White Lotus. The series continues to deliver its signature blend of dark comedy and social commentary, providing the perfect evening entertainment during these hot summer nights when energy levels demand lighter activities. Along with the mandatory Negroni!
Friday Brunch at Barranca Lounge
Friday morning's brunch session with Martin (my soulmate) at Barranca Lounge provided the perfect weekly debrief. His full breakfast complemented a breakfast muffin whilst conversations covered the week's highlights, upcoming work trips, and July's Northern Ireland bungalow renovation plans.
Rory Sutherland's Reading Recommendation
Saturday morning's Instagram scroll yielded gold from
's latest nuggets, including his recommendation for 'Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect' by Will Guidara - immediately downloaded and queued for post-Gladwell consumption.Looking Ahead
Next Week's Agenda
Next week promises exciting content creation opportunities with plans to record a comprehensive video demonstrating AI integration within Notion properties. This tutorial will showcase workflow streamlining techniques, research shortcuts, and analytical capabilities that transform database functionality into powerful business intelligence tools.
Sunday remains sacred as the weekly planning day in Focus HQ2 - the only planner that helps me get shit done. This systematic approach to week structuring continues to be the foundation for productivity and intentional living, ensuring priorities stay clear amidst the creative chaos.
July's arrival brings the reality check for Northern Ireland bungalow renovation scheduling. Trade bookings and project coordination take priority as preparation begins for the next renovation phase. The 'Zero to Solo Creator Authority' audience discovery project continues its eight-week journey, with Substack research and engagement analysis revealing valuable insights about ideal audience patterns and positioning opportunities.
"I'm human, I'm not perfect, and I think it's good to get to know people - this is my way of doing that."
— Emma’s Weekly Reflection on Authenticity
Thanks for letting me share the messy, beautiful reality behind Emma Brooks Design. Building something meaningful while being perfectly imperfect - that's the solo creator life, and I'm grateful you're along for the ride.
Until next week's dispatch,
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