✨Ciao Bella — Welcome!

A business and creativity newsletter with ideas, interviews and inspo especially for digital entrepreneurs.

Rethinking work/life in the AI age and how we can better shape it.

Hey, it’s Nika from The Shift 👋

This is my year of AI. I’m exploring the ‘humans plus tech’ evolution through 2035. How we can collaborate with AI, learn cutting-edge digital skills, do our best work, and shape the future as we want it to be.

• I write to think deeper about my craft, content connection, communication as culture, and the future of work (entrepreneurship) as we live longer.

• I interview creative folks I admire. Delightful and insightful chats about courage and craft.

• I curate links to make you think and take action now — every job will change.

“The Shift” means two things to me:

1. Moving from 9-5 London life to self-employment by the sea after having my daughter Julieta in 2006.

2. Making the shift towards being an AI-powered solopreneur and writer.

AI will help us become better humans.

And now, more big shifts in Internetland:

• Future of Creativity: Jack Conte’s keynote at SXSW on the death of the follower + the future of creativity on the web. The solution: a direct-to-fan biz model and deeper connection between writers and readers. Let’s see how the next wave of internet companies tackles this.

• The Age of the Sovereign Creator: I think newsletters are the best thing since sliced bread. The most intimate form of journalism and a powerful (yet often underrated) tool for engaging with your audience. Soon, everyone will have one.

I believe a newsletter will become as ubiquitous as a Facebook account in the next few years. — Boye Akolade, co-founder, The Future Party

What a time to be alive! Whether you sign up for free or become a member, I hope you join me on this wild ride.

How it works

Free subscribers to The Shift get weekly(ish) posts and collabs via the Newsletter Talent Directory.

Paid subscribers - Grazie! - get all of the above plus community benefits. This work can be lonely AF.

• Community Benefits: Chats, threads, DM me, co-working club, audio adventures.

• Reader Mailbag: Ask me anything and I’ll respond publicly in a future post with a link to your publication so other readers can check you out.

• Study Buddies: ‘99 problems but a book ain’t one’. My cosy library is open 24/7 for co-working / Reading Hour. I’ll be there on Thursdays from 12 pm—and whenever I can (I really love it!) Feel free to use it whenever you like.

• Ever-growing Archive: Inspo and ideas to help you grow your creative biz.

• You are directly supporting this newsletter and my mentoring via The Girls' Network charity.

• What else do you need? Let’s co-create this space.

Either way, welcome and thanks. I appreciate your time and interest.

Why I write

In a nutshell, I love a good story. I believe in the power of writing to connect people and create a more compassionate world.

I’ve been writing online since ‘99, working independently as a journalist-creator, and collaborating with companies, agencies, startups, and my startup babies (Rude Magazine, St Leonards Salon, The Shift).

I work with the NUJ London to help freelancers survive and thrive in an expensive city and a modern, messed-up media world.

I’ve had 12 book babies on health and wellness topics.

From 2015-18, I ran St Leonards Salon, offering talks, workshops, and co-working for creative businesses, collaborating with New Writing South.

My mission is to help more women achieve financial freedom through entrepreneurship and AI.

I want to see more female founders succeed and fill my feed!

Home is a tiny apt on the English Riviera with my favourite human being: my daughter.

Simplifying my life and work. Saving for a grown-up gap year on my quest to find out how to Live to 100+: Secrets of the Blue Zones (we can do it, with AI’s help).

Have you seen it yet? Turns out the secret to a long, healthy, happy life is connection and community. We evolved by listening to stories around the campfire.

Gotta have big, hairy, audacious goals, right?

Life’s too short for the in-between.

Ciao, Nika ✨

Work Together

Subscribe, connect, and grow with me!

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It’s just me behind this inbox, and I read and reply to all messages.

Yes Please :)

Testimonials

“Nika writes a really helpful newsletter for the intersection of writing, the digital world and entrepreneurship, which can be a lonely place for many people. Her guidance is greatly appreciated” — Ann Marie McQueen, Founder, HotFlash Inc.

“If you’re interested in a lifestyle-first one-person model too, subscribe to The Shift, the newsletter for content entrepreneurs. Written by Nika Talbot, a fountain of knowledge in creating online!” — Ellen Donnelly, Founder, The Ask.

“Nika has written 12 books relating to health and wellness. There is fun to be had as we make The Shift to work smarter and live better—recommended reading for Workforce Futurists!” — Andy Spence, Founder, Workforce Futurist.

“Nika—your emails are 🔥🔥” — Adriana Tica, Founder, Ideas to Power Your Future.

“Thank you for your thoughtful questions. Answering them felt more like a journaling session than an interview. Very great!” — Johanna Renoth, Founder, Bye, Social Media! 

Gold star for reading this far. If you’re a fellow Substacker, I’d love to chat! 🤩