Episode 7 of Mantra After Hours gets real about the journey of entrepreneurship, the wins that keep you going, the failures that test you, and everything in between.

In this episode we speak to Dr Ashley Naidoo - Surgeon by day and Business Owner by night, on what it actually looks like to build something from the ground up: the messy middle, the pressure to keep pushing, and the constant balancing act between ambition and everyday life. It’s an honest conversation about resilience, learning as you go, and finding your footing even when things don’t go to plan.

If you’re building, dreaming, or just trying to figure it out as you go, this one’s for you.

Listen now, and we’ll see you after hours.

Support the show

Mantra After Hours is an original podcast by Mantra Publicity, exploring marketing, media, business and culture through unfiltered, after-hours conversations.

Follow @mantra_afterhours for new episodes and behind-the-scenes insight.

In Episode 6 of Mantra After Hours, Sheena returns to unpack the real business behind being a creator, influencer and UGC creator.

This conversation moves beyond the highlight reel and into the strategy: how to attract brands instead of chasing them, the difference between UGC and influencing, what brands are actually paying for, and how to turn once-off campaigns into long-term partnerships.

We explore positioning, professionalism, campaign seasons, media kits, pitching, pricing and what it really means to treat your platform like a business, not a hobby.

If you’re serious about building a sustainable creator career in 2026, this episode is your blueprint.

Listen now, and we’ll see you after hours.

Support the show

Mantra After Hours is an original podcast by Mantra Publicity, exploring marketing, media, business and culture through unfiltered, after-hours conversations.

Follow @mantra_afterhours for new episodes and behind-the-scenes insight.

In this episode of Mantra After Hours, we unpack what brands and agencies really wish creators understood before pitching, posting or partnering.

Joined by creator Sheena Deepnarain, we have an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what actually influences brand decisions, from professionalism and positioning to consistency, communication and credibility.

If you’ve ever wondered why some creators secure repeat campaigns while others struggle to land once-off deals, this episode breaks it down from both a creator and agency perspective. We explore the common mistakes that cost creators opportunities, what brands are truly paying attention to, and what makes someone rebookable.

Whether you’re an aspiring creator or already working with brands, this conversation will shift how you approach your content and your business.

And this is only part one.

In Episode 6, we take it further, diving into UGC vs influencing, how to attract brands, and how to build long-term partnerships that go beyond one campaign.

Listen now, and we’ll see you after hours.

Support the show

Mantra After Hours is an original podcast by Mantra Publicity, exploring marketing, media, business and culture through unfiltered, after-hours conversations.

Follow @mantra_afterhours for new episodes and behind-the-scenes insight.