Join global best-selling author Leonie Dawson and creativity coach Tamara Protassow as they share practical, compassionate strategies to grow your business during an economic downturn. You’ll learn how to replace “coasting” with real marketing, rebuild profit margins, set healthy prices, regulate your nervous system to make better decisions, and protect future you with retirement contributions. Perfect for women entrepreneurs who want resilient, values-aligned growth—without burnout.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why this matters now: Selling feels harder; downturns are normal in business cycles.

• 02:30 – Seasons analogy: Harvest vs. fallow; post-COVID cash surge and the inevitable reset.

• 05:00 – Coasting vs. marketing: When foot traffic dries up, you need a list, newsletters, and consistent outreach.

• 07:30 – Skill stacking: Double down on marketing + copywriting (“Adweek Copywriting Handbook” shout-out); use Leonie’s Sales Star and Big Money, Big Impact.

• 11:00 – Competitor advantage: Many will pause or exit—your consistent skills + nurture engine become your edge.

• 13:00 – Shame + survival brain: Money threat triggers dysregulation; use breathwork, nature, therapy, screen-free time to think clearly.

• 17:30 – Boundaries with media/doomscrolling: Reclaim attention; act where you have control.

• 20:00 – “New normal” myth: Revenue isn’t a straight line—expect bursts and plateaus; design for resilience, not ego.

• 24:00 – Profit first: Audit expenses, simplify ops, cut low-margin offers, raise prices when capacity or costs demand it.

• 28:00 – Cash runway: In upturns, build savings for payroll, tax, and ops; keep marketing while the sun shines.

• 31:00 – Retirement (superannuation): Even as a sole trader, contribute regularly; small amounts compound over time.

• 35:00 – Closing: We’re built for this—skill up, regulate, and take the next right action.

If this helped, follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review—it helps this work reach more creative women who refuse to be average.Ready to get practical? Do one thing today:

1. send a value-packed email to your list, or
2. review your pricing & profit margins, or
3. set up/boost your retirement contribution (future-you says thanks).

Want more step-by-steps? Explore Sales Star and Big Money, Big Impact inside the Academy at leoniedawson.com/academy—then tell me what you actioned this week.