We love guests who challenge the status quo – and our latest one does exactly that.

This week, I’m joined by Dani Dufresne – Emmy Award Winning Executive Producer and Founder of The Auxiliary.

Dani’s journey from film school in LA to reinventing how creative production works is inspiring and refreshingly honest. With over 20 years’ production experience across Film, TV, Commercials and Events, Dani’s built an incredible reputation for turning her client’s visions into reality.

In this episode, Dani discusses her experience with burnout, how she found her niche and reinvented herself.

Key insights that Dani shares in this episode include:
• How knowing what she didn’t want helped shape her business model.
• Creating a fractional, creative business that actually works.
• Winning awards, without chasing the spotlight.
• Why brands should rethink how they tell stories.

If you have ever felt stuck in a traditional model – or dreamed of breaking one, then listen to Dani because this episode is for you.

Dani Dufresne:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danidufresne/
Website: https://www.theauxiliaryco.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by Melitta Campbell, otherwise known as ‘The Value Whisperer’. She is a business and leadership coach, TEDx Speaker, best-selling author and an unapologetic introvert.

In this episode, Melitta shares how she went from being a shy child, who believed that no one wanted to hear her voice, to coaching female founders to sell themselves and their services with clarity and confidence. Her journey is impressive to say the least.

Key insights that Melitta shares include:
• How a bad job interview made her learn the importance of owning her value.
• How quiet leadership can be more compelling than loud self-promotion.
• The link between self-care and entrepreneurial success.
• How introverts can create their own networking rules – and thrive on their own terms.
• Debunking the myth that salespeople must be pushy.
• The importance of reflecting on how far you’ve come – not just focus on what’s next.

Melitta also shares what we can expect from her new book ‘The Art of Value Whispering’. It’s due for release later this year so keep your eyes peeled!

This conversation is inspiring for any start-up or scale-up entrepreneurs wresting with being an introvert, imposter syndrome or just uncomfortable with traditional notions of selling.

Melitta Campbell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melitta/
Website: https://www.melittacampbell.com/
Podcast: https://www.melittacampbell.com/podcast

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, we pick up where we left off with part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed.

In this episode, Zareen shares how she launched Gift Wellness without any business background, but with a powerful mission and drive.

In part 2 of our conversation, Zareen also discusses:
• Realising that period poverty wasn’t just abroad, but everywhere, including on her doorstep.
• Building eco-friendly products before "sustainable" was a trend.
• Facing resistance and breaking long-held taboos about period poverty.
• Learning the really hard way about how product distribution works.
… and much more!

💬 “Be prolific, not perfect.”
That’s one of Zareen’s mantras - and both this episode and Part 1 left a deep impression on us in this respect and many others.

Let us know what you think!

Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zareen-roohi-ahmed-phd-3b51b219/
Gift Wellness: https://giftwellness.co.uk/
Halimah Trust: https://www.halimahtrust.org.uk/
Period Poverty: https://www.periodpoverty.uk/
Website: https://www.zareenroohi.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk