In today’s Naptime Chat, I sat down with Fiona Campbell - mama of three, and founder of Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network.

Fiona shares how being made redundant while on maternity leave led her to launch her own VA business and how the ripple effect from that one bold move has now created over 400 job opportunities for women across Australia.

We talked about the realities of working from home with kids, building a business around your actual life (not someone else’s ideal), and the power of creating systems that allow flexibility and freedom - without sacrificing quality or boundaries.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom, whether you’re brand new to business or growing a team. Fiona shares her signature Streamline, Automate, Delegate approach, what she wishes more mums knew about superannuation, and why we need to stop charging like we’re still employees.

We also talked about:

• Why you shouldn’t start with a website and why Fiona did anyway

• How the VA Lead Network grew from a secret page to a thriving national platform

• Why flexible work shouldn’t be just for contractors

• What to do if you’ve got admin or tech skills and want to start your own biz

If you’ve been thinking about launching your own VA or OBM business - or just want to hear a real, honest story of how one mama built something incredible during nap times - this one’s for you.

Links + Resources
→ Join the VA Lead Network
→ Download the Pay Rates Report 2025
→ Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn or visit www.valeadnetwork.com.au
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We carry so much – kids, work/business, expectations, guilt – and sometimes, it feels like we’re dropping all of it. If you've ever looked back at your mum or grandma and thought, “They handled this better,” this episode is for you.  

In this powerful solo episode, I'm diving into the generational shifts in motherhood - why it feels so hard right now, what’s changed over time, and how mums in business today are juggling far more than most people see. It’s not about blame or comparison. It’s about understanding the truth so we can finally let go of the pressure to “do it all” and give ourselves some long-overdue grace.  

Whether you’re running a business during nap time or squeezing client calls in between school pickups, this conversation will help you feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Inside this episode:
- A deep dive into how the motherhood experience has evolved across three generations 
- Why your grandma’s “clean house” isn’t proof you’re falling short 
- The financial realities driving modern mums back to work 
- What “intensive parenting” is and why we’re the first generation dealing with it 
- How social media contributes to motherhood stress 
- The truth about the mental load, the motherhood penalty, and trying to “have it all” 
- Why comparing ourselves to past generations is not only unfair - it’s unhelpful  

Episode Highlights:
- A clear, compassionate breakdown of why modern-day motherhood feels harder… because it objectively is 
- Permission to stop comparing your life to your mum’s or your grandmother’s 
- A mindset shift around success: from ‘do it all, perfectly’ to ‘do what matters, sustainably’ 
- Powerful reframes around outsourcing, boundaries, and realistic expectations 
- Ideas for building the modern-day village we all need, especially as mums in business 
- A reminder that asking for help isn’t weakness - it’s strategy  

Loved this episode?
Tag or DM @balancedbizmama and tell me: What expectation are you ready to let go of? And what message do you wish every modern mother could hear?  

If you're craving more real talk, support, and connection with mums who get your business-building, kid-juggling life, come join us in the Balanced Biz Mama Circle. It’s where modern motherhood meets meaningful community. 

Links + Resources:
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle – your space to build an aligned business around motherhood
→ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is one of those heart-to-hearts I know so many of you are going to feel deep in your bones.

I sat down with the incredible Jacintha Field - family and child counsellor, art therapist, founder of Happy Souls Kids, and fellow mum who's built her business from the messiness of real life.

We spoke about the emotional load mums carry, how our kids mirror our own nervous systems, and the power of regulating ourselves before we try to help our little people regulate too. This isn’t fluffy advice - it’s honest, raw, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience.

Inside this episode, we chat about:

🤍 Jacintha’s journey from events and PR to becoming a child counsellor and starting Happy Souls Kids
🤍 Helping our children feel their emotions, before they explode
🤍 The real (and often invisible) load mums carry while trying to build businesses
🤍 Creating safe spaces for emotional regulation - yes, even with slime
🤍 Why messy play and self-expression matter more than perfection
🤍 Letting go of parenting guilt and choosing connection over control
🤍 Why you have to come first (yes, even when it feels impossible)

Jacintha’s story is a beautiful reminder that our healing matters. That when we give ourselves permission to show up imperfectly, we model emotional strength, resilience, and authenticity for our kids. And that the work we’re doing - whether in our businesses, homes, or hearts - really does matter.

You’ll leave this one feeling seen, supported, and reminded that you don’t have to have it all together to be doing an incredible job.

Links + Resources
→ Connect with Jacintha at @‌jacinthafield or visit www.happysoulskids.com or www.jacinthafield.com
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt like your business model fit perfectly once… but now feels like a pair of jeans that shrunk in the wash?

Yeah, same.

In this episode, I’m sharing what it looks like to actually simplify your business so it fits your current season of life - not the one you were in six months ago when everything was running a little smoother (or when naps were reliable!).

I walk you through the honest shifts I’ve made in my own business recently and how you can start making small but powerful changes in yours too.

In this episode, I share:

✨ Why our business models need to evolve as our seasons of life change
✨ What a time and energy audit really looks like (and how I did mine)
✨ How I figured out which offers, clients, and services were no longer serving me
✨ The changes I made to my schedule, pricing, and delivery models, and what happened next
✨ My invitation to you: simplify just one thing this week

This isn’t about burning it all down or starting from scratch. It’s about tweaking, softening, simplifying… so your business supports your life, not competes with it.

Episode highlights:

• The signs your business model is no longer working

• What I learned from being overbooked and overwhelmed

• Client fit checks, service streamlining, and raising prices with confidence

• Why you don’t need more hours, you need the right focus

• One small action step to bring more ease into your week

Whether you’re in a slow season with littles at home or deep in the juggle with school-age kids and a full client roster, this episode is here to remind you: you get to adjust. Your business should evolve as your life evolves. Let’s give ourselves permission to simplify.

Links + Resources:

→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle – your space to build an aligned business around motherhood
→ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode

🎧 Listen in, and then come DM me over on Instagram @balancedbizmama and tell me: what part of your business feels too tight right now? What’s one shift you’re ready to make?

And if you want more real talk, support, and strategy from fellow mums building businesses around real life - not Pinterest life - come join us inside the Balanced Biz Mama Circle.

We’re in this together, and you do not have to figure it out alone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when your client list gets shaken up overnight… without your permission?

In this raw episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, I’m sharing what happened when two major client relationships ended in the same week - one unexpectedly, and one by choice - and how it sparked a powerful reflection on capacity, values, alignment, and trusting the chaos of change.

This isn’t just about client loss, it’s about letting go of what no longer fits to make space for what’s next… even when you can’t quite see it yet.

Whether you're navigating your own transitions, feeling pulled between your business and family life, or just wondering how to stay grounded when the rug gets pulled out from under you, this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• The grief of losing a dream client (and why it's okay to feel it)

• What it looks like to fire a client when your life no longer fits the contract

• Why capacity and compatibility matter more than consistency

• How to sit with the “in-between” without rushing to fill the space

• The unexpected gift of client transitions, and how they often create alignment

• Permission slips for letting go, pivoting, and doing things your way

Episode Highlights:

• “When client needs don’t match your capacity, every interaction becomes stressful.”

• “Just because something was working doesn’t mean it’s still aligned.”

• “Client transitions don’t mean you’re failing, they mean your business is evolving.”

• “Sometimes the universe removes clients to make space for something you’re meant to receive.”

Links + Resources:

→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle – your space to build an aligned business around motherhood
→ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode

If this episode resonated with you, screenshot and tag @‌balancedbizmama, or send me a DM and tell me: What have you let go of in your business that made space for something better? You never know who needs to hear that they’re not alone in the messy middle.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel like your story doesn’t fit the mould?

In this raw and reflective solo episode, I’m sharing the business story I didn’t have the courage to tell at a recent event… until now. It’s not polished. It’s not linear. But it’s real. And if you’ve ever felt like your journey doesn’t “count” because it doesn’t look like someone else’s, this episode is for you.

I explore:
• The pressure to follow someone else’s version of success
• What paid employment AND entrepreneurship can look like, and why sometimes you need both
• Why “booked out” doesn’t always mean aligned
• Burnout, pivots, messy middles, and why they’re more common than you think
• How I rebuilt my business after realising I’d created something that looked great, but didn’t work for me
• Why you have permission to do things differently and build a business that actually fits your life

This isn’t just my story, it’s a nudge to honour your own. You don’t need to wait until your business looks “ready” to share your journey. It’s powerful because it’s evolving. And it matters because it’s yours.

Episode Highlights
• What happened when I followed the “shoulds” and hit burnout
• The real reason I didn’t share my story on stage, and what that revealed
• How success changed shape after baby number three
• The permission slips I want every mum in business to have
• What redefining business on your own terms can really look like

Was this the episode you didn’t know you needed?
DM me on Instagram @balancedbizmama and tell me:
What part of your story are you ready to own?

Ready to surround yourself with other mums building a business on their terms?
Come join us in the Balanced Biz Mama Circle.

Links + Resources
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt like your partner just doesn’t get it when it comes to your business? Maybe you've heard things like “Are you working again?” or “How much are you even making?” while you’re building your dream between nap times and dinner prep.

You’re not alone.
In this episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, I am getting real about what happens when your partner doesn’t fully understand your business, and what you can do to bridge the gap with empathy, strategy, and clear boundaries.

Whether you’ve felt unsupported, dismissed, or just plain exhausted trying to explain your business dreams, this episode offers the tools and language you need to start building true partnership at home.

Inside this episode:

• Why your partner may not really understand your business (and it’s not always personal)

• The most common friction points between mums in business and their partners

• Three essential conversations you need to have and how to start them

• What “support” actually looks like: emotionally, practically, and financially

• Conversation scripts for navigating tricky topics like money, time, and validation

• What to do when your partner still doesn’t get it and how to get support elsewhere

Episode Highlights:

• The hidden mindset blocks that impact your relationship and your business

• Real-life examples of what emotional and practical support looks like

• Why your business deserves respect - even if it’s still growing

• Tools for setting clear boundaries and creating shared family systems

• How to model healthy ambition and partnership for your kids

• Why building your business with your partner (not around them) changes everything

Links + Resources
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

💬 DM me after you listen and let me know: What’s the one conversation you’re going to start with your partner this week?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling like balance is just another unreachable ideal? You’re not the only one. This episode is a warm, honest unpacking of what work/life balance really looks like when you're raising little humans and running a business from home.

If you’ve ever wondered why the "productivity" advice doesn't work for you or felt guilt for choosing your kids over batching content, this one’s for you. I get real about why traditional ideas of work/life balance fail mums in business, and how I've found a new way to thrive - through rhythms, seasons, and real-life strategies that support both your business and your family. It's raw, it's practical, and it's permission-giving in all the right ways.

Inside this episode:

• Why the 50/50 balance myth doesn’t serve mums building businesses

• The crushing weight of the mental load, and what “context switching” really means

• The difference between planning your ideal week vs. your realistic week

• Tools and practices that actually help you manage business and life (without burnout)

• How to separate “growth” work from “maintenance” work in your biz

• Why energy-based scheduling beats productivity hacks every time

Episode Highlights:

• Real talk: You're not overwhelmed because you're bad at balance - you're overwhelmed because you’re doing more than one person’s share

• Powerful mindset shift: From perfection to progress, and from comparison to curiosity

• Game-changing planning tools: Weekly planning sessions, time audits, and energy mapping

• Practical boundaries that work (even when you’ve got kids hanging off you)

• The "Good Enough Mindset" and how it helps you get more done with less stress

• Permission slips for building a business that reflects your real life, not your Instagram life

✨ Come say hi!

Was this episode the hug and truth bomb you didn’t know you needed? Tag me @‌balancedbizmama in your stories or DM me what landed.

💬 Want deeper support and conversations that go way beyond highlight reels? Come join the Balanced Biz Mama Circle - our monthly space for strategy, connection, and real-life biz building for mums raising kids. This month, we’re diving deeper into Work/Life Integration with tools, check-ins, and a pep talk (or two). Link to join is below!

Links + Resources
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Episode Mention: Naptime Chats with Vanessa Layton
→ Want to outsource? Here’s the VA connection service I love: Find A VA

Rate & Review the Show

Loving the show? Subscribe + leave a review - it helps other mums find these real, needed conversations.

And until next time, remember: Don’t strive for perfect. Build what’s possible. You're doing better than you think. 🤍

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That “I can’t keep up” feeling? It’s not because you’re failing - it’s because you’re carrying too much.

In this short but impactful episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, we’re talking about the real root of overwhelm for mums in business.
And it’s not your planner or calendar. And it’s definitely not your fault.

We’ll unpack:

• Why your to-do list feels impossible (even when you technically “have time”)

• The mental load we carry as business-owning mums

• And three shifts you can make right now to feel more in control, even in the chaos

Inside the episode, I share:
- The real reasons you feel overwhelmed (hint: it’s not laziness or poor time management)
- My Rule of 3 to simplify your day
- A fresh take on time blocking - built for your reality, not your Pinterest board
- What to do when you’re too tired to tackle the “big stuff”

Episode Highlights

Why overwhelm is often about clarity, energy, and expectations
What an “energy audit” looks like and how to do one this week
Why you only need to do 3 things a day — and how to choose them
The power of “Plan B” productivity (because nap time isn’t always a thing)

Links + Resources
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don’t have to do it all. And you definitely don’t have to burn out to build a successful business.

In this episode of Nap Time Chats, I’m joined by the amazing Vanessa Layton - founder of Profit People Systems and mum of two - who shares how she went from 80-hour weeks and near burnout to running a profitable, sustainable business in under 20 hours a week.

Vanessa opens up about the moment that shifted everything, the power of time audits, and the systems that helped her rebuild her business (and her peace) from the ground up.

If you’ve ever wondered how other mums make it work without breaking down, this is the behind-the-scenes truth.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What burnout really looked like and what finally made Vanessa change

• Why systems aren’t just about business, they’re about freedom

• The unexpected emotional journey of hiring help and setting boundaries

• How to start systemising, even if you feel like you’re drowning

• Her signature approach to time tracking and energy clarity

• Why help is not a weakness and asking for it might just change your life

Episode Highlights

✔ How Vanessa went from working 80 hours to under 20, without losing profit
✔ A real talk on perfectionism, control, and letting go (slowly!)
✔ Her favourite tools and simple SOP strategy any mum can start using today
✔ Why accepting help is a gift, not a failure
✔ The question every mum in business needs to ask: “What can I let go of?”

Links + Resources
→ Free time audit toolkit: http://www.profitpeoplesystems.com/time
→ Connect with Vanessa at @‌profitpeoplesystems or visit www.profitpeoplesystems.com
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Business Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.