Your Business Pilot - Karen Goldfinch

19/08/2026

A genuine question, if you had 3 hours free a week 'in your business' what would you do?

What could you get done, what would you spend it on, would you be working on or in the business?

How often do you just plough on with work and don't take a breath and take the time to evaluate what you've been doing, or to think about where you're going next?

I used to do the former, rushing from meeting to meeting, constantly working in the business whether it be admin, socials, client work and if you've been there, you know it's hard work! What also happens is you don't get time to reflect, to refocus and to breathe! That's not productive, although you may think you're being super productive, it's really only focusing on the now, not the future, and that's not productive for any business.

I've now got into the habit of taking time out of the office, away from screens, to really think about what's going on, both in the business and for me too. If you're self-employed like me it's vital we look after ourselves too, after all without us there often is no business! It's something I can encourage my clients to do and we've seen some amazing results.

But genuinely though, what would you do?? I'm curious to hear?

I could be all salesy and say you should be spending it with me, helping you work on your business, which obviously I'd love to do, but equally I'd love to hear your thoughts on here too. If you want a chat though, you know where I am 😉

18/08/2026

Any of my contacts fancy this? Looks like a great project to be involved with.

11/08/2026

Anyone fancy writing a comedy sketch and maybe even ending up at the Arena with it?

Great opportunity to get your writing skills seen and you may even win the prestigious Clement & La Frenais award!

Get your entries in, or spread the news with any funny folk, not the odd kind of funny, just good old comedy funny 🤣

CALLING ALL ASPIRING COMEDY WRITERS! 🎭

Have you got an idea that's guaranteed to get a laugh? Or do you know someone who's always saying, "I've got a great sketch idea..."? 👀

Now's your chance.

Sketch for Sammy 2026 is officially open, giving budding comedy writers from across the North East the opportunity to have their work professionally performed live, with the winning sketch potentially making it all the way to the Sunday for Sammy Arena show in 2028.

Tag someone who should enter! Whether they're an experienced writer or they've just got a brilliant sense of humour, we'd love to hear from them. 🧡

Find out everything you need to know and enter here:
👉 https://sundayforsammy.org/sketch-for-sammy-competition

19/07/2026

Reflecting on the past week and it’s been a week full of culture, talent and inspiration making me thankful for what we have around us and those making amazing things happen!

Deep for a Sunday night I know, but it’s all true.

Last Sunday I spent the day with so much amazing young talent on the Sunday for Sammy stage at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. All absolute stars, taking it in their stride entertaining the crowds and an absolute pleasure to look after.

Monday I had the pleasure of visiting Utilita Arena Newcastle for the VIP Press Night of the Beyond Van Gogh, wow what a experience! Mesmerising, inspiring, serene, thought provoking and a fantastic spectacle well worth a visit.

Thursday evening I attended the launch of the Small Venues Fund, a much needed resource for our local venues. Once more, so much talent on display, from comedians, musicians and poetry, we really do have a variety of talent up here!

In between all of this I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to lots of young creatives, starting out on their journeys, excited to make their mark and I’m excited to see where they get to as well!

Let’s see what next week brings, more inspiration and more opportunities, hope it’s an inspiring week for you too.

17/07/2026

Great night at the launch of the Small Venues Fund last night with my Sunday for Sammy hat on, but also as someone who attends a small venue most weekends if I can!

We’ve so much to offer as a region, so much talent and creativity and this fund will help not just them but the many small venues that in turn help support this talent too.

Great to catch up with many industry friends, and see the passion we all have for this sector.

You can often find me at the Ouseburn, North Shields, Gateshead or Newcastle enjoying a gig or show.

Do you visit small independent venues, any favourites to share?

North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

11/07/2026

Really looking forward to this tomorrow, I’ve been working with Sunday for Sammy and their amazing performers for this event and can’t wait to see them all.

A day filled with young talent with a mix of genres, it’s going to be great.

I’ll be there all day, if you’re heading down to the Mouth of the Tyne Festival pop over and say hello. 👋

Exciting news!👀

We’re thrilled to announce that Sunday for Sammy will be taking over the Front Street Stage at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival on Sunday 12th July!

From 11:00am – 5:00pm, the Sammy stage will showcase an incredible line-up of young talented performers and up-and-coming local stars from across the North East. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover the region’s next generation of artists as they take to the stage and share their talents with festival audiences🎤

Best of all, it’s completely FREE to come along and watch, so whether you’re spending the day at the festival or simply looking to support local talent, make sure you head to the Sunday for Sammy Stage to cheer on our amazing young performers and celebrate the bright future of performing arts in the North East. 👏🏻

Keep an eye on our social channels over the coming days as we’ll be revealing more about the exciting talent joining us on the Sunday for Sammy Stage!🧡

We can’t wait to see you there!

09/07/2026

Sad to see not many North East finalists in the UK Town of Culture 2028 list, well done to Stockton though.

There’s so much going on in lots of our region, lots to shout about and lots to encourage and develop too. Whilst this is a blow I hope all the good work that’s gone into the bids continues and the communities that came together continue to shout about their areas and work together for the future.

30/06/2026

Asking for a friend, is it ok to fall asleep on someone during a late meeting? 😉

No complaints from me though, lots of snuggles, then a snooze with a hug, not me I hasten to add!

Certainly makes life interesting when you’re trying to hold a sensible conversation and there’s purring going on!

We managed it though, a really productive meeting with Blyth Works, I’m enjoying supporting them on their mission to be a voice for Blyth. Can’t lie, it helps when this little one joins in too though 😉

13/06/2026

Brilliant night on Thursday watching Gerry & Sewell at .

Wow what a show!! Emotional, funny, thought provoking, powerful story told by such a talented group of North East performers from .

With a mix of storytelling, music and puppetry, (yes you read right puppetry) it’s a show about the North East from the North East.

If you’ve not managed to see it yet today’s your last day! Get booked up, you’ll not regret it!

Fantastic night and great to spend it with some of my family Paul Irwin, . Great to see some of the Sammy cast on stage too and of course Gerry & Sewell too 😉

Huge thanks for the invite to the Gala show , loving the Greggs addition, so on brand, who doesn’t love a Greggs pasty for the interval or a donut for afters 😂 Loving the addition too, genius! And yes we were given permission to film that part but then phones away rightly so to enjoy the rest of the show!

So much talent in our region, let’s continue to support it. 🙌🏼