Dreaming of quitting your 9-5 to launch that business idea? Before you hand in your resignation, our BIZ career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst reveal what it really takes to succeed on your own.

Join Em Vernem to discover if entrepreneurship is truly for you, or if you're better suited to thrive elsewhere. Plus Michelle will share her crucial practical 3-step framework to validate your business idea before risking your savings

Whether you're contemplating your first side hustle or seriously considering going all-in on your startup dream, this episode delivers the unfiltered advice you need to make smarter career decisions—minus the entrepreneurial fairy tales.

Resources:
- Here is the site that Michelle used to make her questionnaire
- Here is Sunroom’s early ideation survey from 2020 and Sunroom’s creator research and feedback form, plus here is the Tiktok content she posted. 
- Here is the link to Tech Ready Women that Soph was discussing.

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media.

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

If you wanna see three of our favourite girl bosses in action, Mamamia Out Loud is going on tour! Jessie, Mia, Holly and BIZ’s own Em Vernem are heading to Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in May to celebrate 10 years of Australia’s #1 women’s podcast. Buy tickets to The Mamamia Out Loud LIVE ALL OR NOTHING TOUR here.

Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Kimberly Braddish
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do I be taken more seriously? Is it ok to cc someone's boss into a thread if you're trying to escalate an issue? And should you wear Crocs in the office?

Welcome to BIZ Inbox, your new workplace group chat where we answer the burning questions you definitely can't ask your boss.

Writer and podcaster Em Vernem teams up with career coach Soph Hirst to tackle your trickiest workplace dilemmas.
If you want your work life issue solved, send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

HOSTS: Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Kimberley Braddish
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know we ALL should strive to be part personality hire?! Join Em Vernem as we learn about building rapport and ‘vibes’ at work from Biz career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst.

You’ll learn the surprising science behind why workplace energy matters (yep there's actual research on this!); how to ‘learn’ one character trait that will make you more likeable; and how to bring your full self to work without crossing professional boundaries.

Plus we meet Sana from Canva whose job title literally includes the word "vibes" and learn how her department is revolutionising workplace culture.

This ep is perfect for anyone questioning their workplace identity, managers trying to build better teams, or anyone who just wants work to be that bit more fun!

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media.

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

If you wanna see three of our favourite girl bosses in action, Mamamia Out Loud is going on tour! Jessie, Mia, Holly and BIZ’s own Em Vernem are heading to Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in May to celebrate 10 years of Australia’s #1 women’s podcast. Buy tickets to The Mamamia Out Loud LIVE ALL OR NOTHING TOUR here.

Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Kimberly Braddish
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do I need to keep my resume up to date? When is the worst time to schedule a work meeting? And how do I handle a coworker who is just plain rude?!

Welcome to BIZ Inbox, your new workplace group chat where we answer the burning questions you definitely can't ask your boss.

Writer and podcaster Em Vernem teams up with career coach Soph Hirst to tackle your trickiest workplace dilemmas.
If you want your work life issue solved, send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

HOSTS: Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Kimberly Braddish
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revenge Quitting is going to be 2025’s biggest trend - but what is it, should you do it, and how can it be done with grace? Em Vernem enlists Biz career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst to teach us how to quit the right way and how to avoid the wrong way.

Plus HR expert Nikola Squires will share how to know when it's time to go, plus the most professional exit strategies.

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media.
Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Kimberly Braddish
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to BIZ Inbox, your new workplace group chat where we answer the burning questions you definitely can't ask your boss. Writer and podcaster Em Vernem teams up with entrepreneur Michelle Battersby to tackle your trickiest workplace dilemmas.

So what if you find out that your work equal earns a LOT more than you? Michelle’s answer to this viral tiktok might surprise you!

Plus we delve into the DMs and get your real life stories on what your company has offered you instead of a pay rise. Some of your answer are WILD.

If you want your work life issue solved, send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever sat in a meeting thinking of the perfect thing to say... only to stay completely silent? This episode is your ultimate guide to finding your voice at work, featuring communication queen Dr Kate Mason (trust us, she's actually changed lives at places like Netflix and Uber).

Join Em Vernem as she learns from Biz career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst how to stop apologising for existing in meetings (we've all done it) and why asking questions actually makes you look smarter, not dumber.

Plus Dr Kate Mason will give you 8 ready-to-use phrases that'll make you sound like a meeting pro. Kate's book's 'Powerfully Likeable: How to Communicate with Influence and Show up as Your Best Self' is out in September. Sign up to her newsletter to be one of the first to get it.

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS

Support independent women's media.

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly can I do in my lunch break (is a pottery class a go?)? And how does a new graduate get an entry-level role if all job ads ask for experience?!

Welcome to BIZ Inbox, your new workplace group chat where we answer the burning questions you definitely can't ask your boss.

Writer and podcaster Em Vernem teams up with career coach Soph Hirst to tackle your trickiest workplace dilemmas.
If you want your work life issue solved, send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

HOSTS: Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you find most ‘productivity’ hacks too hard/too time-consuming to learn and too hard to remember? BIZ is here to save you. By the end of this episode you’re going to know the one prioritisation method that changed how we work and how to do it, and the single smartest way to push back when your manager keeps piling things on your plate.

Host Em Vernem gets Biz career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst to share their best tip each - with Michelle changing the way your work day is structured and Soph sharing a killer script for saying no to your manager in a way that means they’re not gonna hate you.

Learn more:
- Learn about Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour work week
- Find the awesome Productivity Planner
- More on Subtracting from Professor Leidy Klotz
- More from Wes Kao 

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS

Support independent women's media.

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you convince your boss that you work just as well from home as from the office? And how long can you stall before accepting a job offer?

Welcome to BIZ Inbox, your new workplace group chat where we answer the burning questions you definitely can't ask your boss.

Writer and podcaster Em Vernem teams up with business powerhouse Michelle Battersby to tackle your trickiest workplace dilemmas.

If you want your work life issue solved, send us a voice note or email us at [email protected].

Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here

THE END BITS
Support independent women's media

Follow the Biz Instagram, Michelle’s startup Sunroom and Soph’s career coaching business Workbaby.

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.