Seasons in Business

In this episode, I’m talking about business finances — gently. I share the simple routines I use to stay on top of my numbers, and some honest thoughts on money, confidence, and fear — especially as women in business.

This isn’t about big income milestones or complicated systems. It’s about small, manageable habits that help make business finances feel a little less scary, and a lot more doable.

Key takeaways:

• Why I’m aiming to file my tax return in April this year — and what that shift has taught me
• The simple tools and routines I use to track my finances month by month
• Why consistency matters more than having a “perfect” system
• How separating business and personal finances makes everything easier
• Thoughts on money, confidence, and navigating financial fear as a woman in business

If business finances feel overwhelming, intimidating, or easy to avoid, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to love the numbers — you just need a way to look at them calmly and confidently.

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I reflect on the first ten episodes of Seasons in Business and share what I’ve learned about starting and growing a podcast. From early worries and technical challenges to small wins and steady growth, I talk about the lessons that have surprised me and why it’s worth starting even if you don’t have everything figured out.

Key takeaways:

• Fewer than 10% of podcasts make it to 10 episodes — and why that’s worth celebrating
• How a simple setup and an idea are enough to get started
• The challenges of consistency, scheduling, and invisible work
• Why slow, steady growth can feel deeply rewarding
• A reminder that you don’t need everything figured out to begin

If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast — or any creative project — this episode is an encouragement to begin where you are, with what you have.

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

January often comes with pressure to set big business goals, start new routines, and feel motivated — but for many of us, the deepest, coldest part of the year is better suited to rest and gentle beginnings. In this episode, I share why I don’t set business goals in January, and how I approach the start of the year more slowly — noticing what’s unfinished from last year, reflecting on how I want the year to feel, and how choosing a word to guide me can be surprisingly powerful.

Key takeaways:

• Why January can be the hardest month to set goals — and why that’s perfectly normal
• How to embrace observation over action in the darkest part of the year
• A gentler way to start the year: tying up loose ends and noticing what’s stirring
• Why choosing a single word for the year can be more supportive than a list of goals
• Practical prompts for reflection and beginning the year at your own pace

Mentioned in this episode:

• Download your free Winter Planning Guide — for reflection prompts, seasonal inspiration, and gentle ideas to tend to your energy through the quietest part of the year. https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

The end of the year can feel like a whirlwind. December is often a blur of final orders, new year bookings, and festive plans, before we suddenly leap into fresh goals and projects. In this episode, I explore winter as a season for reflection and replenishment, sharing gentle prompts and questions to help you notice what has supported you, the challenges you’ve faced, and what you might want to carry forward — all while embracing the slow, restorative rhythm of this season.

Key takeaways:

• Nature takes time to rest and save energy for what comes next — and we can do the same
• How to give yourself permission to pause and step out of the festive hustle
• Why December 31st isn’t a cut-off — reflection can happen anytime, at your own pace
• Reflection prompts to help you see what’s been meaningful, challenging, or surprising
• Considering what to release and what to carry forward into the new year

Mentioned in this episode:

• Download your free Winter Planning Guide — for more reflection prompts, seasonal inspiration, and gentle ideas to tend to your energy as the year draws to a close. https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

Discounting can feel like one of the trickiest decisions in a creative business — especially at this time of year, when inboxes and socials are full of sales and “last chance” offers. In this episode,

I’m exploring the realities behind discounting: when it can genuinely support your business, when it can quietly drain your energy or margins, and how to make pricing choices that feel aligned with your values (not the pressure of what everyone else is doing).

Key takeaways:

• When discounting does make sense — and how to approach it intentionally
• Why small creative businesses often can’t compete with big-brand discount culture
• The myth that “everyone else is doing it” — and how comparison clouds judgement
• The unseen costs of discounting: financial, emotional, and energetic
• How to make pricing decisions that support your business, your margins, and your wellbeing

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

We all do it — sign up for courses, workshops, or resources that promise to solve a problem or spark inspiration… and then never actually do the work. In this episode, I’m exploring why that happens, the psychology behind it, and giving some gentle permission to ease the guilt.

Key takeaways:

• Why we sign up for courses, workshops, webinars, and resources we never finish
• How “future-self thinking” and “illusory progress” can cause problems
• Why doing the work can feel uncomfortable or scary — and why we avoid it
• Reframing guilt: it’s okay not to start or finish everything
• Practical ways to notice patterns and focus on what matters

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.

Sometimes, work just… slows down. Enquiries stop coming in, sales quiet, and the studio feels a little too still. In this solo episode, I’m talking about the slow seasons we don’t choose — the ones completely out of our control — and sharing gentle, practical ways to navigate them without panic or guilt.

You’ll hear strategies for staying connected to your creativity, taking small intentional steps, and reaching out for support — all while being kind to yourself through those quieter times.

Key takeaways:

• The familiar, manageable lull that comes with your business’s natural rhythm
• The unexpected slowdown when you’re not sure why things aren’t picking up
• The “money’s tight” moments and what to do to keep your business afloat

Mentioned in this episode:

Citizens Advice — for guidance on self-employed support, grants, and benefits https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Samaritans UK — call 116 123 any time, day or night https://www.samaritans.org

Shout Text Support — text “Shout” to 85258 for 24/7 confidential support https://giveusashout.org

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.

In this solo episode, I’m talking about what it really means to run a slow, gentle business — one that moves with the seasons, honours your energy, and creates space for creativity to flourish.

We’ll explore what slow business actually looks like day to day, how the seasons can shape our rhythm and focus, and why balancing structure and flexibility has been key for me. So if you’ve ever felt tired of the hustle and wondered if there’s another way, this episode might just give you the permission you’ve been looking for to slow down and work at your own pace.

Key takeaways:

• What it really means to run a slow business (and what it isn’t).
• Why slowing down doesn’t mean giving up on growth.
• How our energy naturally rises and falls with the seasons.
• Simple ways to start aligning your work with your own creative rhythm.
• Why slowing down can help you reconnect with joy and creativity.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Download my Seasonal Planning Guides — a simple way to reflect, set intentions, and move with your natural energy www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.

In this solo episode I share three of my favourite mantras — simple phrases that have helped me stay grounded, keep perspective, and keep moving through the ups and downs of running a creative business. I talk honestly about the challenges of comparison, perfectionism, and the isolation that can come with working alone, and how these little reminders can help steady our thoughts and ease self-doubt.

Key takeaways:

• How simple mantras can help steady your thoughts and ease self-doubt.
• Recognising and managing comparison and perfectionism in a creative business.
• The value of community and support for sustaining wellbeing and creativity.
• Reflection and action: celebrating wins, sharing work, and nurturing your support network.
• Noticing the phrases that resonate with you and using them to guide your work.

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story of how my love for letterpress printing grew from a hobby into a stationery business — and what happens when your passion becomes your full-time work. It can be thrilling, but it also brings challenges you might not expect. I’ll talk about the shifts I noticed in my own creative life, and share a few gentle reminders that help me stay connected to joy and inspiration along the way.

Key takeaways:

• How a hobby can slowly grow into a business.
• Navigating the new pressures that come with doing what you love.
• Practical tips for prioritising joy, rest, and creativity.
• Balancing the mindset of an artist with the mindset of a CEO.

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.