In the Making
For changemakers with stalled projects* - I’ll work alongside you for 2-4 weeks to bring clarity, structure, and momentum, so the big idea finally makes it out of your head and into the world.
*It’s especially tailored to projects that sit at the intersection of communications, clarity, and change.
For when you’re stuck in ‘thinking of starting’, or ‘started and became tangled creating something’.
That might mean:
designing a new offer
developing a workshop
beginning a consistent newsletter
launching a website
learning how to create and post consistent content online
or starting a podcast.
It’s ideal for projects that need thought, language, and movement - not execution only.
For our weeks together, I’ll step in as your project partner: part collaborator, part sounding board, part accountability anchor.
A mix of co-creation, direction, and hands-on help - we’ll clarify what matters, map the next steps, and move it forward - quickly, calmly, and most of all, with the joy that sparked the project in the first place.
It’s not coaching. It’s not strategy.
It’s focused, hands-on support to help you finish or shape the thing that you know you can do - you just haven’t had the time, space, or support to make it happen.
We’ll focus on..
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💡
Getting clear on where your project comes from, where it is now - and what’s blocking it’s creation.
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💻
Creating a sustainable working momentum through structures, decision-making, and accountability that works for you on your time.
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💬
Untangling the stuck bits (overwhelm, uncertainty, blank pages, endless tabs, technological barriers, marketing and outreach).
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✒️
Giving the idea form and motion by having an accountability partner - and moving it from a half formed Google Doc to a reality.
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🔋
Supporting you practically in a way that feels grounded, and doable, not pushy and stressful.
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📆
Leaving you with tools, a rhythm and project management that works for your life, energy, and values.
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Odharnait Ansbro - Founder Solas & WomenUnbound, Ex-Google
“Holly has been an incredible help with the marketing and communications strategy for WomenUnbound – it's safe to say we would not have been able to launch our initiative without her!
She brings an academic eye to her content development, doing excellent research and explaining complex concepts in a simple and accessible way. She is also incredibly savvy when it comes to digital communications and platforms and has been a key contributor to our strategy and its execution.
We have really enjoyed working with her, she brings enthusiasm, energy and flexibility to her role and has been a wonderful addition to our team.”
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Mark McCoy - Partner, The Adjacent
“We could not have moved nearly as quickly as we have were it not for Holly’s support across a range of topics and projects. She’s supported us with marketing and communications, copywriting, operations, facilitation, graphic design, as well as helping to standardise processes. In several key instances, Holly has anticipated possible issues, or better ways to do something, and flagged those for us.
She’s been able to understand us as a niche business, which is invaluable as we feel Holly is able to join calls and jump right into things rather than needing to be brought up to speed for every new project we start.
This is particularly helpful when the work we’re doing is less structured, or where detailing out individual steps would be time consuming.”
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Vivi Stavrou - Senior Science Officer, Executive Secretary Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science, International Science Council
“Holly was exceptional in her execution of a podcast series for the Council and contributed significantly to the research and drafting of two important ISC publications, both complex documents, not only in terms of content but also because of the multiple partners involved in the production.
Holly produced a 5-episode podcast series for us, Science in Times of Crisis. Her planning, content creation and execution was outstanding and way beyond what we expected from her role.
She was professional and timely in her work outputs, supportive and personable, and a valued member of the ISC team.”
Okay, so how does it work?
In the Making is a short, focused sprint - 2, 3 or 4 weeks - built around one project you want to move forward.
You’ll have consistent access to me, and a clear, steady rhythm to work within.
We’ll have a 30 minute initial free chemistry call to check that we’re both on the same page and that I can help with your project.
We’ll meet for two definite online working sessions - one at the start to set direction, and schedule in our 2, 3 or 4 week ‘sprint’, and one at the end to reflect, hand over, and close (or continue!).
You’ll have me for up to 8 hours of hands-on support per week - that might include feedback, co-working on a call, light project management, writing, reviewing, structuring, creating or simply thinking with you.
You’ll have direct access to me via WhatsApp during working hours (12am-5pm, Monday - Friday) for check-ins, questions, and accountability.
I’ll leave with you a personalised handover plan, tailored to you, that you can use for future projects.
This is not a course, and there’s no content to consume. The work is your project, and I’m here to help you get it moving.
Investment
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Payable Upfront
Non refundable
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Payable upfront or in two instalments:
1. Before the Sprint
2. The start of Week 2
Non-refundable
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Payable upfront or in two instalments:
1. Before the Sprint
2. The start of Week 2
Non-refundable
Need a timeline more tailored to your project?
Please contact me for a custom quote that better fits what you and your project needs.
This is for you if..
You’ve got a project that matters to you - and it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list.
You work well with a bit of structure, but hate being micromanaged.
You’re doing thoughtful work, but don’t have the time (or headspace) to shape it alone.
You’re sitting on something half-finished - a programme, a proposal, an idea, a plan and don’t know how to get it moving again.
You need calm, competent support to help you untangle, prioritise, and follow through.
You don’t want another course or call - you want someone in it with you for a few weeks.
You’re ready to stop circling the idea and actually make it happen.
This is not for you if..
You’re looking for someone to run the whole project for you, start to finish.
You want a traditional coach, consultant, or marketing strategist.
You need 24/7 availability, or a big team behind you.
You’re unclear on what project you want to focus on - and aren’t ready to decide.
You’re hoping for a passive experience - this only works if you show up and do the work.
You’re already entirely overloaded and don’t have capacity to engage with any support in the near future.
Who am I?
(and why should you trust me with your project)
I run my own business. I write a newsletter. I built my own website from scratch. I’ve also designed and hosted workshops, webinars and podcast series.
Point being, I actually do all the things I claim I can help you with.
I’ve worked for myself for the past 3 years, and really know the challenges that come with being your own CEO, CTO, CMO, CFO and everything in between.
I’ve supported organisations and individuals in the humanitarian, academic, creative, geopolitical, coaching, and private sectors - often becoming a long term thinking partner that they didn’t know they needed.
I’ve got a BA in International Relations and an MA in International Security (if that’s the hard evidence you need to see that I’m organised, efficient and get stuff done).
You can find out more about me here.
FAQs
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This is for projects that sit at the intersection of communications, clarity, and change.
That might mean designing a new offer, developing a workshop, beginning a consistent newsletter, launching a website, learning how to create and post consistent content online, or starting a podcast.
It’s ideal for projects that need thought, language, and movement - not execution only.
If you’re not sure if you fit, just reach out to me: hollycsommers@gmail.com
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You don’t need to have a perfect plan - but you do need to know there’s something you want to move forward.
I can help you find the shape of it, but there has to be an anchor: an idea, direction, or purpose we can work with.
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You’ll get up to 8 hours of my time per week.
That might look like reviewing, structuring, collaborating or shaping.
On your end, you’ll want to set aside around 2-5 hours to respond, reflect, and take action. We’ll keep it realistic and adjust the rhythm to fit around your life.
This is not set in stone.
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Think of me as a temporary project partner.
I help you clarify, shape, prioritise, and follow through - offering structured feedback, thought partnership, and hands-on support (within reason) to get the thing moving.
I'm not just asking how it’s going - I’m in it with you.
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No. We’ll use whatever works for you — Google Docs, WhatsApp, Miro, voice notes, email. This is about getting the project done, not adding more systems.
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I’m your short-term project partner - not doing everything for you, and not just asking questions from the sidelines. Most of our work will be co-creation: shaping ideas together, editing, giving feedback, mapping things out in real-time.
I’ll also guide the process - helping you get clear, set direction, and build a rhythm that works. And where it’s helpful, I’ll roll up my sleeves and do the thing with you: writing a draft, organising a structure, or building a website foundation.
But this isn’t a done-for-you service. I won’t be running your comms, or managing a team. My role is to help you do the meaningful part - with clarity, consistency, and follow-through.
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Yup - but only on Squarespace, I’m not a full time web designer, or a coder. I can build websites like the one you’re on right now (I made it).
Website builds will largely be focused on clarifying your message, structure and and then creating the basics together - I’ll hand it over in a way where you feel able to make edits and changes yourself after we’re done.
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We can pause when we need to, of course (within reason). I’m a human being, so are you - if you need to stop entirely, we’ll wrap up what we’ve done and find a way to make sure you can continue the project in a way that’s manageable for you.
Want to have a quick chat first?
All work we create together remains fully yours. While I support and contribute to your project, I make no claim over any intellectual property, content, or outputs developed through our collaboration. You retain full rights and ownership of your work, always.
Got another question?
Email me at hollycsommers@gmail.com