In this heartfelt episode of It’s Family Business, we sit down with Charmaine Smith, Director of Cut It Out Hair Design, to unpack the realities of building a successful business while raising a family.

With over 23 years in business, multiple salon locations under her belt, and three children at very different life stages, Charmaine shares an honest look at what it really takes to juggle growth, staff leadership, motherhood, and the ever-present pull of mum guilt. From opening a second salon while pregnant, to navigating COVID, staffing challenges, and consolidation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t come without vulnerability, resilience, and a whole lot of grace.

If you're a business owner, a mother, or simply someone trying to balance ambition with family life then this episode is for you - because behind every “she’s got it all together” moment is someone quietly figuring it out as they go.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to navigate business growth while raising a young family
• The importance of delivering exceptional service

• Why mum guilt is inevitable—and how to manage it without burning out
• The importance of building a family-first culture with staff and clients
• How to lead confidently through change, even when you don’t have all the answers
• Why giving yourself grace is essential to long-term success

A candid, relatable, and inspiring conversation about leadership, motherhood, and showing up—especially on the hard days.

Burnout doesn’t always arrive overnight — sometimes it builds slowly until one day, you simply can’t keep going. In this episode, Steph Neal opens up about her experience with burnout, the guilt of stepping back, and the hard but necessary changes she made to protect her mental and physical health.

Together with Cheryl, she explores people-pleasing, boundaries, and how learning to say no can be an act of self-respect. An important conversation for business owners, teachers, and anyone who gives too much of themselves.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How burnout can show up quietly — and why it’s often missed
• The physical and emotional signs that your body is asking you to slow down
• Why guilt and people-pleasing can accelerate burnout
• How to start setting boundaries without feeling like you’re letting others down
• The value of asking for support and not navigating burnout alone
• Why stepping back doesn’t mean failure, and how it can lead to better alignment
• Small, practical ways to check in with yourself before burnout takes hold

In this episode, Giants Netball star Amy Sligar joins Kirsten to unpack the high-performance habits and mindset tools that shape both her life on the court and her growth beyond it.

Amy shares her journey from junior netball to the professional arena, offering valuable lessons on self-discipline, trusting the process, dealing with pressure, building resilience, and staying grounded through big transitions.

Whether you’re an athlete, a business owner, a student, or someone navigating your own career path, Amy’s reflections on team culture, personal development, confidence, and overcoming setbacks offer inspiration you can apply to any part of life.

A powerful and uplifting conversation for anyone curious about motivation, leadership, wellbeing, and the mindset behind high-performance success.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How to build high-performance habits that support consistency, discipline, and long-term success
• How to trust the process even when progress feels slow or uncertain
• How to bounce back from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth
• How to manage pressure and self-doubt with practical mindset tools
• How to strengthen your confidence in both personal and professional environments
• How to communicate more effectively within teams, partnerships, and workplaces
• Develop resilience when navigating big goals, transitions, or high expectations
• The importance of prioritising wellbeing and balance, even in busy seasons
• How to recognise the power of support networks — and how to cultivate them in your own life
• How to find purpose in the journey, not just the end result

In today’s competitive business landscape, industries can shift from niche to saturated almost overnight. New competitors enter the scene, prices are driven down, and the pressure to stand out intensifies. So how do you ensure your business — or your career — doesn’t get lost in the noise?

In this episode, Adrian, Cheryl, and Kirsten dive into the realities of working in and around saturated industries, sharing practical insights that go beyond buzzwords. Reflecting on their own experiences running businesses in the Pilates industry, they unpack the challenges, successes, and inevitable lessons to be learned by those fighting to stand out amongst the crowd.

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Have you ever poured hours of energy into your business, content, or creative work but were met with silence? In this episode, Cheryl and Kirsten are diving into the tension between wanting affirmation and learning to create without applause.

Cheryl and Kirsten will explore why silence doesn’t always mean failure, how to measure impact beyond likes and comments, and why consistency and resilience matter more than instant feedback.

Through honest conversation and real experiences, this duo unpack the psychology of showing up in the quiet seasons, the hidden impact your work might already be having, and practical ways to stay motivated when results feel invisible.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or creative navigating social media, this episode will remind you that your efforts are seen—even if the recognition comes later. Because sometimes, the people who are impacted most by your work are the ones who never hit “like.”

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Hot flashes? Mood swings? Brain fog that won’t quit? If you’ve been wondering “Is this perimenopause?” you’re not alone.

In this honest and empowering episode, we sit down with naturopath, women’s health expert and author of Healthy Hormones, Belinda Kirkpatrick, to demystify perimenopause and menopause — the hormonal transitions every woman will face, yet few feel truly prepared for. We unpack what’s really happening in the body, explore common (and lesser-known) symptoms, and share practical ways to feel more supported, balanced and informed.

Whether you’re starting to notice changes, right in the thick of it, or want to better understand how to support a loved one, this is the conversation every woman needs to have and deserves to hear.

Want to get in touch with Belinda?

Website: belindakirkpatrick.com.au/

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Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-kirkpatrick

Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a business with your spouse? In this episode, we sit down with Jen and Anthony, the husband-and-wife duo behind Gair Legal, to explore the realities of building a successful law firm while raising a young family.

Jen and Anthony share how they’ve navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, parenthood, and marriage — all while flipping traditional family roles on their head. With Jen leading the firm and Anthony managing much of the family logistics (with plenty of overlap along the way), they’ve created a partnership that works for them, not necessarily the one society expects.

We talk about how they found their rhythm in business and at home, what “support” looks like when careers and family collide, and how they stay grounded through the highs and lows of running a growing business together. You’ll hear their honest reflections on defining roles, setting boundaries, and celebrating the wins; both big and small.

If you’re thinking about starting a business with your partner, already navigating the juggle of love, business, and family, or simply curious how modern couples are redefining success together, this episode is for you.

Perfect for:

• Couples running or starting a business together
• Entrepreneurs balancing work and family life
• Law firm owners or aspiring business owners
• Anyone interested in modern family roles and work-life balance

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In this episode, we unpack the growing buzz around Reformer Pilates and share why, at Pilates Reformers Australia, we believe the machine is just one part of a much bigger picture.

We explore what true Pilates means to us, the power of alignment, and the importance of staying connected to your “why” — not just as practitioners, but as business owners navigating a fast-changing industry. Whether you’re a studio owner, instructor, or passionate client, this one’s a reminder that purpose and integrity matter more than trends.

Because Pilates is more than just a workout — it’s a way of moving, a way of thinking, and a way of staying aligned, inside and out.

In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten opens up about her personal journey with scoliosis — from diagnosis as a young girl to the challenges and growth that followed. She shares how living with a curved spine not only shaped her resilience but also sparked the beginnings of Pilates Reformers Australia.

With honesty and warmth, Kirsten reflects on navigating body image, pain, surgery, and the emotional toll of a condition that’s often misunderstood. She also dives into how scoliosis became the unexpected catalyst behind her passion for movement, education, and building a business that empowers others to move with confidence.

Whether you're living with scoliosis, know someone who is, or simply want a deeper understanding of the condition, this episode is a powerful reminder that we’re all more than the labels we carry, and that strength comes in many forms.

Tune in for a story of challenge, hope, and the beautiful strength of being 'bent, not broken.’

In this episode, Cheryl and Kirsten sit down with Vickie and Chloe - the powerhouse duo behind The Movement Perspective - to dive into the real stories behind studio success. From navigating the complexities of working in partnership to overcoming early challenges, they share how they built a thriving Pilates studio—and how they're now helping others do the same. It's an honest, inspiring conversation full of practical insights, laughter, and reminders that growth often comes from the hardest moments.

Want to learn more? Connect with The Movement Perspective here