Coffee, Clients & Naptime

This week I’m joined by the brilliant Tania Fielding from Little Luxe Marketing, a mum of two, ex-corporate marketing director, and now a passionate advocate for women using their skills, experience, and stories to build businesses that feel aligned.

Tania’s journey into entrepreneurship started like so many of ours do, with that moment of sitting on maternity leave wondering: What do I even do now? Who am I outside of the job I used to have? She talks openly about that professional identity crisis, the imposter syndrome that hits after years away from the workforce, and the tiny courageous moment that changed everything for her.

In this conversation we go deep into:

What it actually feels like to rebuild your career after kids

The confusion, the overwhelm, the “should I even send this email?” moments and how she slowly rebuilt her confidence through small steps.

Using your corporate skills in a new way, without starting from scratch

Tania shares how everything she thought she left behind in corporate actually became the foundation for her new business.

Why work/life balance isn’t 50/50 and what she aims for instead

We talk non-negotiables, structuring work around family rhythms, calendar boundaries, and why balance is really about seasons, not percentages.

The imposter syndrome spiral and her advice for getting out of it

Including her beautiful “confidence → clarity → conquering” framework.

The reality of starting from home with little ones underfoot

The overwhelm, the comparison, the urge to do everything and why starting small is the real secret.

What she sees coming for marketing in 2026

Community, human-first connection, and why personal brand isn’t a scary word.

Her one piece of advice for every mum starting out

(Be kind to yourself, it’s powerful.)

This conversation is grounding, encouraging, and such a beautiful reminder that you don’t need a clean slate to start a business - you already have a wealth of experience that transfers directly into your next chapter.

Links + Resources
→ Join the Little Luxe Lounge email community
→ Connect with Tania on Instagram: @tania.fielding and @little.luxe.marketing
→ Connect with Tania on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniafielding001
→ Or checkout her website: www.littleluxemarketing.com.au
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle (monthly coaching + community for mums in business)
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s Naptime Chat, I’m sitting down with Carlie Byrom — mum of three, bookkeeper, and founder of Life Brain Training — to talk about something so many of us feel but rarely get practical support for: our nervous system.

Before kids, Carlie worked long days in television. When motherhood came along, she knew 12+ hour days on set weren’t compatible with the kind of parent she wanted to be, so she retrained as a bookkeeper to create more flexibility.

But it was her experience parenting a highly sensitive daughter — navigating long, intense meltdowns, feeling helpless, and trying everything — that eventually led her to discover NeurOptimal neurofeedback. What started as something to help her own mental health and her daughter’s emotional regulation has now become a business that supports families Australia-wide.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Carlie’s journey from TV to bookkeeping to running a neurofeedback business around her three kids

• What NeurOptimal neurofeedback actually is, in real-world language (no science degree required)

• How brain training supports emotional resilience, regulation and capacity for both mums and kids

• The reality of parenting a child with big emotions, and what changed when her daughter could finally self-regulate

• How caring for our nervous system changes the way we show up in business — decision making, stress, and those “too much on my plate” days

• Simple, real-life ways to build tiny moments of presence into busy days (yes, even if you’re juggling multiple businesses and activities)

• Why looking after yourself isn’t “optional” if you want a sustainable business and a connected family life

• Carlie’s gentle advice for mums starting out in business: trust the process and loosen your grip on the outcome

If you’ve been feeling overloaded, reactive, or like your capacity never quite matches the size of your to-do list, this conversation will give you both language and hope — plus a really interesting peek into a tool you may never have heard of.

Links + Resources
→ Connect with Carlie on Facebook or learn more about NeurOptimal on Carlie's website
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle (monthly coaching + community for mums in business)
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of the year comes with equal parts excitement, chaos, pressure… and a whole lot of “shoulds” from the online business world.
You should unplug completely.
You should rest.
You should hustle.
You should launch.

But the truth?
Your holiday season is yours to design.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real-life reality of navigating the holiday season as a mum in business - not the Pinterest version, not the online-coach version, but the messy, practical, deeply human version.

I look at:

✨ The guilt piece — why so many mums feel shame about working (or not working) through December, and what to do with those feelings.
✨ Childcare realities — including why using the care you’re already paying for is not something to feel guilty about.
✨ Client expectations — how to set boundaries now so you’re not hit with a “quick favour” email on December 23rd.
✨ Different holiday models — from full shutdowns to reduced hours to “business as usual”… and how to choose what actually works for your family.
✨ The two-priority rule — why trying to do everything in December guarantees burnout (and what to do instead).
✨ The family side — because being physically present while mentally drowning in your inbox is not the vibe we’re aiming for.
✨ How to set yourself up for a smooth, sane start to January.

This episode is your permission slip to build your holiday season around your actual life, not someone else’s version of “balance.”

Because there is no “right way” to do the holidays, there’s only the way that works for you.

Links + Resources:
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @balancedbizmama
→ Join the Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your energy dips, motivation crashes, or creative dry spells weren’t signs of failure… but simply your body asking for rest?

In this week’s Naptime Chat, I’m joined by Eden Sallenbach, a fertility awareness educator, yoga and Pilates teacher, and former nurse who helps women understand their cycles and live in alignment with their natural rhythms — in business, motherhood, and life.

We talk about the reality of hormones, burnout, and the constant push to “do it all.” Eden shares how understanding your body’s cyclical nature can help you plan your energy, your work, and your family life in a way that feels more balanced — and less like a daily uphill battle.

Inside this episode:
✨ How our cycles and hormones impact our energy, emotions, and productivity
✨ Why “superwoman mode” leads to burnout (and what to do instead)
✨ The difference between living cyclically vs. living in survival mode
✨ How to use your natural ebbs and flows to plan your work, launches, and rest
✨ The connection between clarity, calm, and hormonal balance for mums in business
✨ Why giving yourself permission to pause can actually move you forward faster

This is such a supportive conversation for any mum who’s been running on empty, wondering why the “go harder” advice just doesn’t work for her.

Links + Resources
→ Connect with Eden @sincerelyeden or checkout Eden's website
→ Get tickets to Eden's online event on the 15th November: Reclaiming Your Cycle
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle (monthly coaching + community for mums in business)
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I’ve witnessed far too many times — the scarcity mindset that shows up in mum-led business communities, and the competition-over-collaboration culture that quietly holds us all back.

From my very first baby business 15 years ago to the work I do now, I’ve seen how fear and insecurity can make women turn on each other — even when we’re the very ones who should be lifting each other up. I’ve been on the receiving end of that behaviour. I’ve also made the conscious decision to rise above it, and to build businesses that centre connection and abundance instead.

In this episode, I share:
✨ Real stories from my own journey — the times I was attacked, excluded, or treated as competition
✨ How scarcity mindset shows up in mum communities (and how to spot it in yourself)
✨ The real cost of operating from fear — to your peace, growth, reputation, and energy
✨ What an abundance mindset actually looks like in practice
✨ And how we can start changing the culture for mums in business

Because the world already underestimates mums in business, we don’t need to make it harder for each other. Every time we choose collaboration over competition, we make space for more opportunity — for ourselves and the next mum coming up behind us.

If this hits close to home, know this: you don’t have to shrink to make others comfortable. You don’t have to hide your success or apologise for doing well. There’s enough room, enough clients, enough success for all of us.

We rise higher when we rise together.

Links + Resources:
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @balancedbizmama
→ Join the Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve been trying to “think positive” your way through business while juggling motherhood - and it’s not working - this episode is your exhale. I’m joined by mindset and empowerment coach Jess Soto-Ramirez, and we go deep on doing the real inner work: noticing the negative chatter, naming your limiting beliefs, and building self-belief that actually holds on the messy days.

Jess shares her story and how business can be a spotlight on every insecurity we haven’t faced yet. We talk about why generic affirmations fall flat, how to reframe identity as a mum in business, and the tiny word that changes everything: and. You can be a devoted mum and an ambitious founder.

We cover:

• The difference between toxic positivity and grounded mindset work

• Spotting limiting beliefs: persistent thoughts, triggers, and “the backpack of beliefs”

• A practical tool to separate you from the inner critic (give her a name!)

• Jess’s “flip it and reverse it” method for reframing thoughts you’re stuck in

• Identity shifts after kids, and using and to hold multiple truths

• Defining your version of success so the outside noise gets quieter

Things to try this week:

• Notice 1 persistent thought that keeps looping. Write it down.

• Ask: What’s this about? Where did it come from? Is it really mine?

• “Flip & reverse” it into a truer statement you can practice when the chatter starts.

Links + Resources
→ Connect with Jess @jesssotoramirez or checkout Jess' podcast Ignite with Jess Soto-Ramirez
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle (monthly coaching + community for mums in business)
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever looked down at your trackies mid-Zoom and thought, “Who am I to charge that?” then this one’s for you. In today’s episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, I break down how to price confidently when your office is the kitchen table and your workday runs between nap times and school pick-ups.

I talk about:

• Why your location (and outfit!) has nothing to do with your rates

• The real value equation: expertise + problems solved + results delivered

• The mindset traps that keep WFH mums undercharging (imposter syndrome, comparison, overhead guilt, worthiness)

• How working from home is actually a competitive advantage

• Practical pricing moves you can make this week, this month, and this quarter

Key takeaways

• Your clients aren’t paying for your office—they’re paying for outcomes.

• Price based on value, not minutes. Package your services around results.

• Professionalism is how you communicate, contract, and deliver—not where you sit.

• Confidence sells. Know your numbers, collect proof, and practice your pricing conversations.

Try this

• This week: Audit your current pricing. Are you discounting because you WFH? Gather 3–5 client results/testimonials that prove your value.

• This month: Reframe your messaging to outcomes. Test new rates on one offer.

• This quarter: Move toward value-based packages and tighten boundaries (availability, response times, timelines).

If this episode nudged you, DM me the one pricing change you’re making next. And remember: your value is in the transformation you create—not the room you’re sitting in. You’ve got this.

Links + Resources:
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @balancedbizmama
→ Join the Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, I sit down with Lauren Perrett, mum of two and the founder of BubbaDesk and Wombee — two purpose-led businesses redefining what work and connection look like for modern mothers.

After facing postnatal anxiety and struggling with the idea of being separated from her baby when returning to work, Lauren decided to build the solution she needed — a coworking model with onsite childcare that allows parents to work while staying close to their little ones. That idea became BubbaDesk, a growing network of spaces across Australia helping mums (and dads) balance purpose and presence.

Lauren also shares the story behind her new app, Wombee — a tech platform built to help mums find local, values-aligned mother’s groups and genuine community support offline.

Together, we talk about:
☕ The reality of starting a business during motherhood
☕ How proximity-based childcare changes everything
☕ The gaps in Australia’s care system and how they impact working mums
☕ The importance of connection and community during early motherhood
☕ Building purpose-driven businesses while still prioritising family

This conversation is honest, empowering, and a must-listen for any mum who’s ever thought, “There has to be a better way.”

Links + Resources
→ Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn or visit BubbaDesk or Wombee
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone’s talking about 90 day sprints right now but let’s be real, most of the advice out there was not written with mums in mind.

In this episode of Coffee, Clients & Naptime, I’m unpacking:
☕ What 90 day sprints actually are (beyond the buzzwords)
☕ Why they’ve become so popular in the business world
☕ The very real reasons they don’t always work for mums in business
☕ How to adapt the framework so it works for your life and capacity

I share my personal tweaks to make them work for mums, plus the common mistakes I see business mums make when trying to follow these frameworks.

If you’re feeling the Q4 pressure but need a way to plan that actually fits nap times, school holidays, and the reality of your life - this one’s for you.

Inside the episode:

• The psychology of why 90 day sprints work

• How to set sprint goals without burning out

• Why “flex weeks” are my secret weapon

• How to measure progress in small wins, not massive milestones

Tune in now and let’s make Q4 feel doable, not draining.

Links + Resources:
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @balancedbizmama
→ Join the Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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
→ Read Fiona's guest blog post Why Flexible Work Shouldn't Mean Financial Sacrifice
→ Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn or visit www.valeadnetwork.com.au
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.