In the final episode of this Success Beyond Money mini-series, I’m joined by informed leadership consultant Emma Last to explore what happens when the version of success you’ve worked towards no longer feels right.

Emma spent 19 years building a successful corporate career, rising into senior leadership and achieving the status, recognition, and material success many people associate with “making it”. But after years of pushing herself to meet those expectations, she reached a turning point that forced her to question everything she thought success meant.

In this honest conversation, Emma shares how burnout, identity shifts, motherhood, and a recent family health diagnosis have reshaped how she defines success today. Rather than chasing titles or external validation, her work now focuses on sustainable success, informed leadership, and mental health awareness in the workplace.

This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t a fixed destination. Sometimes it evolves through the challenges we never expected to face.

If you’ve ever questioned whether the version of success you’re chasing is really the right one for you, this conversation will resonate deeply.

In This Episode We Talk About

• What Emma believed success looked like when she was younger
• Building a 19-year corporate leadership career
• Why reaching the “top table” didn’t feel the way she expected
• The hidden pressure on women to be “superhuman” in leadership roles
• How burnout forced Emma to step back and rethink everything
• How becoming a business owner changed her relationship with success
• How a Parkinson’s diagnosis in her family reshaped her priorities
• Future-proofing a business and redefining security
• Why identity matters more than milestones when defining success

Want to learn more about today's guest, Emma Last?

Emma Last is a Leadership Consultant and Founder of the Informed Leadership Standards™. With over 25 years’ experience across leadership, coaching and wellbeing, she helps leaders build ethical, human-first organisations and achieve sustainable high performance without burnout.

https://www.facebook.com/emma.last.180 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-last-ils/ 

https://emmalast.com/informed-leadership-standards-home

About This Mini-Series: Success Beyond Money

This is Episode 5 of a 5-part series where I interview powerful business owners about what success really means once the money is there.

Over the next few episodes, we’ll explore:

• Identity beyond income
• The cost of ambition
• Time vs money
• Health, relationships & legacy
• What happens when you realise “more” isn’t the answer

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Will I finally feel successful when I hit my next income goal?”
• “Why doesn’t this feel how I thought it would?”
• “Am I allowed to want something different?”

This series is for you.

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

In Episode 4 of our Success Beyond Money mini-series, Emma sits down with entrepreneur, coach, and host of the Success School podcast, Matt Hall.

Matt shares an honest and powerful story about how his definition of success evolve...from chasing fame, money, and external validation to building a life centred around peace and fulfilment.

From starting his first business at 19 to navigating burnout, heartbreak, and the pressure of hustle culture, Matt opens up about the lessons that reshaped how he approaches business, personal growth, and happiness.

This conversation is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t about what it looks like on the outside...it’s about how it feels on the inside.

If you’ve ever questioned whether the traditional version of success is really worth it, this episode will give you a new perspective.

In This Episode We Talk About

• Why many entrepreneurs chase the wrong definition of success
• Matt’s early belief that success meant fame, fortune, and being a millionaire by 30
• The burnout and personal challenges that forced him to rethink everything
• The reality behind hustle culture and “alpha bro” business coaching
• Why hitting financial milestones doesn’t always bring the happiness you expect
• The loneliness that can come with entrepreneurial success
• The power of learning through experience instead of theory
• How Matt redefined success around peace and fulfilment
• Why authenticity matters when building a personal brand and online business
• The importance of building a business that aligns with your values

Who is Matt Hall?

Matt Hall is a Guinness World Record holder, Channel 4 regular and online business strategist known for helping everyday people turn their skills, story or passion into scalable online income.

With over 15 years of business experience and thousands supported through his podcast, coaching and online membership Success School, Matt’s mission is to make business clear, accessible and achievable for anyone. He specialises in helping people create and launch digital offers like courses or memberships, even without a large audience or tech background.

Matt has also appeared on E4’s Love Triangle and as a regular “Lunch Mate” panellist on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch. Known for his warmth, humour and no-BS approach, he helps entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence and simple strategies to grow their business.

Instagram - instagram.com/matthallofficial/

About This Mini-Series: Success Beyond Money

This is Episode 4 of a 5-part series where I interview powerful business owners about what success really means once the money is there.

Over the next few episodes, we’ll explore:

- Identity beyond income
- The cost of ambition
- Time vs money
- Health, relationships & legacy
- What happens when you realise “more” isn’t the answer

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

What does success really look like when you strip away the applause, the charts, and the shiny milestones?

In Episode 3 of the Success Beyond Money mini-series, I sit down with actress, author and coach Holly Matthews for a deeply honest conversation about how our definition of success evolves as life unfolds.

From landing a TV role at just 11 years old to signing a record deal with Sony and appearing on major platforms like Top of the Pops, Holly experienced the kind of success many people dream about. But behind the scenes, she discovered that external validation, public recognition and career milestones don’t always deliver the fulfilment we expect.

In this powerful episode, Holly shares how grief, life experience and personal growth reshaped her priorities and why freedom, peace and impact now matter more to her than applause or accolades.

This conversation explores the invisible trade-offs of success, the danger of chasing goals that aren’t truly ours, and how to build a life that actually feels good...not just one that looks good.

We Talk About

• How Holly knew she wanted to be an actress from age six
• Why childhood self-belief can shape lifelong ambition
• The reality behind early success in the entertainment industry
• The hidden pressures of being a child actor
• Moving from acting into a music career with Sony
• Why achieving big milestones didn’t always feel like success
• The myth of “I’ll be happy when…”
• Invisible trade-offs we rarely talk about when chasing success
• Understanding the real ingredients of happiness
• Why success doesn’t have just one path
• The difference between applause and inner fulfilment
• Protecting your peace and setting stronger boundaries
• Why freedom, peace and impact now define success for Holly

Who is Holly Matthew's?

Holly Matthews is a former TV actress (Byker Grove, Waterloo Road, Casualty) and singer (Signed to Sony at 18, appeared on TOTP’S, MTV, Disney) who learnt how to use her ‘weird’ to stand out from the crowd.

After the death of her husband to brain cancer in 2017 (when she was just 32), the Mum of 2 began her mission to help others to embrace their own ‘weird’, build their confidence and feel ‘more happy and less crappy’.

Be Unforgettably weird checklist

Brave Moves Cheat sheet

This is Episode 3 of a 5-part series where I interview powerful business owners about what success really means once the money is there.

We’ll explore:

• Identity beyond income
• The cost of ambition
• Time vs money
• Health, relationships & legacy
• What happens when you realise “more” isn’t the answer

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Will I finally feel successful when I hit my next income goal?”
• “Why doesn’t this feel how I thought it would?”
• “Am I allowed to want something different?”

This series is for you.

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Episode 2 of our 5-part mini-series exploring what success really means beyond money.

What happens when the life you thought you were meant to live disappears?

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Stephanie Ward, who shares an incredibly honest story about expectations, adversity, and redefining success on her own terms.

Stephanie grew up believing success meant becoming a doctor. That was the plan. The path seemed clear. But life had very different ideas.

After years of chronic pain and eventually major reconstructive surgeries due to a genetic condition, Stephanie found herself needing to rebuild not only her mobility but her entire sense of identity and purpose.

What followed was an unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, building a business, growing a team, and creating a powerful community that supports neurodivergent and marginalised entrepreneurs.

But for Stephanie, success today has nothing to do with status or income.

Success is about impact, belonging, and being invited into people’s lives to help them grow.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and full of powerful reminders that success rarely looks the way we think it will.

In This Episode We Talk About

• Growing up with strong family expectations and believing success meant becoming a doctor
• The reality of living with hip dysplasia and major reconstructive surgeries
• Learning to walk again and redefining what success looked like day-to-day
• The unexpected start of her entrepreneurial journey
• Overcoming fear of failure and building confidence as a business owner
• Growing a business and hiring a team
• Being diagnosed with ADHD and how it transformed her business growth
• The importance of community, connection, and kindness in business
• Navigating betrayal in business and rebuilding after heartbreak
• Creating inclusive communities for neurodivergent entrepreneurs
• Why success now means impact and trust rather than money

Want to learn more about todays guest, Stephanie Ward?

Stephanie Ward is the founder of the Spicy Brain brands and Stephanie Ward & Co. These companies help business owners and neurodivergent entrepreneurs with a range of done-for-you and done-with-you business services, so that they can achieve the success they deserve in business.

https://stephanie-ward.com 

https://thespicybraincollective.com 

About This Mini-Series: Success Beyond Money

This is Episode 2 of a 5-part series where I interview powerful business owners about what success really means once the money is there.

Over the next few episodes, we’ll explore:

- Identity beyond income
- The cost of ambition
- Time vs money
- Health, relationships & legacy
- What happens when you realise “more” isn’t the answer

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Will I finally feel successful when I hit my next income goal?”
“Why doesn’t this feel how I thought it would?”
“Am I allowed to want something different?”

This series is for you.

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Welcome to a very special episode...the 100th episode of the podcast.

To mark this milestone,  I invited Lisa Johnson, to kick off this 5-part series exploring what success really means beyond income, status, and external validation.

Lisa went from debt to making over £20 million in six years. She built the life many entrepreneurs dream about...luxury, recognition, multi-seven figures, elite masterminds, global stages.

And yet…

She never truly felt successful.

In this honest and unfiltered conversation, we unpack:

• Why money didn’t bring the fulfilment she expected
• The emotional cost of rapid financial success
• The pressure of being seen as “the successful one”
• Why she chose to intentionally earn less
• How grief reshaped her definition of a life well lived
• The identity crisis no one talks about in entrepreneurship
• Why impact, not income, is the real scoreboard

This episode sets the foundation for the entire Success Beyond Money series.

Because what if success isn’t about how much you make...but how you feel?

Want to learn more about todays guest, Lisa Johnson?

Lisa Johnson is a globally recognised Brand Strategist, keynote speaker and Sunday Times Bestselling author who has built one of the UK’s most impactful personal brands in the online education space. 

Known for her bold honesty and no nonsense approach, Lisa has leveraged the power of brand led strategy to generate over $30 million in revenue in just seven years.

https://www.instagram.com/lisajohnsonstrategist

www.lisajohnson.com

About This Mini-Series: Success Beyond Money

This is Episode 1 of a 5-part series where I interview powerful business owners about what success really means once the money is there.

Over the next few episodes, we’ll explore:

• Identity beyond income
• The cost of ambition
• Time vs money
• Health, relationships & legacy
• What happens when you realise “more” isn’t the answer

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Will I finally feel successful when I hit my next income goal?”
• “Why doesn’t this feel how I thought it would?”
• “Am I allowed to want something different?”

This series is for you.

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Welcome to the mini relaunch of The Simple Business Dream Life Podcast.

In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve subtly shifted the direction of the podcast and why this conversation feels more important than ever.

For years, the online business world glorified more: more offers, more content, more scaling, more hustle. But what happens when you reach the financial milestone…and realise it doesn’t feel the way you thought it would?

After building a seven-figure business that looked successful on paper but cost me time, energy, and joy, I realised something powerful:

Success without space, freedom, and alignment isn’t enough.

This new chapter of the podcast is about simple business as the pathway to a dream life, especially for established business owners aiming for six figures and beyond who want growth without burnout.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your business is truly supporting your life… this episode is for you.

What We Cover

• Why I rebranded to The Simple Business Dream Life Podcast
• The shift happening in the online business world
• The hidden cost of seven-figure success
• Why simplicity is not a lack of ambition
• How to build a sustainable, fulfilling business
• What’s coming in the upcoming mini-series
• The question every business owner needs to ask:
   Is your business supporting your dream life or quietly consuming it?

Key Takeaways

• Financial success does not automatically equal fulfilment.
• Hustle culture is losing its shine.
• Simplicity is a strategy not a compromise.
• Sustainable growth > impressive growth.
• You can scale without sacrificing your life.

What’s Coming Next

In the upcoming mini-series, you’ll hear honest conversations with successful business owners who:

• Hit major financial milestones
• Experienced burnout or misalignment
• Chose to redefine success
• Simplified their business models
• Built companies that truly support their lives

These aren’t highlight reels. They’re real, reflective, and refreshing.

This podcast is for you if:

• You’re a few years into business
• You’re aiming for six figures or scaling beyond
• You want ambition and alignment
• You’re tired of unnecessary complexity
• You want freedom, not just revenue

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Are business events actually worth it...or are we just saying yes because everyone else is going?

In this episode of Dream Business, Dream Life, I’m sharing an honest and open conversation about business events...from both sides of the room. As an event host and as an attendee, I’ve seen the pressure, the FOMO, the overwhelm and the noise that comes with trying to be “visible” in every space.

If you’re an overwhelmed business owner wondering:

• Which events should I attend?
• How do I know if an event will give me ROI?
• How do I sell tickets to my own event in a crowded market?
• Do people really buy tickets because of the speakers?
• Am I meant to be in every room?

This episode will help you slow down, get intentional and rethink your event strategy.

We talk about:

• How to measure real return on investment (ROI) from events
• Why you don’t need to be everywhere
• The difference between visibility and connection
• Why people really buy tickets
• How to attend events strategically
• How to host events that people actually want to attend

Whether you’re attending business networking events, hosting your own event, or feeling overwhelmed by how many rooms you “should” be in this episode will help you make smarter, more intentional decisions.

Because rooms can change your business…but only if you walk into them with purpose.

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Have you ever wondered if your business could be franchised?

In this episode of Dream Business, Dream Life, Emma is joined by franchise consultant and franchisor Cheryl White to unpack the truth about franchising... what it really takes, who it’s for, and how it can completely transform your business and lifestyle.

Cheryl shares how she went from being a community palliative care nurse to building a national home care franchise network, after simply Googling “What is franchising?”

Now, her network supports thousands of families across the UK and she helps women franchise their own service-based businesses to increase impact and income.

If you’re a business owner who wants to scale without burning out… this episode is for you.

In This Episode We Cover:

• What franchising actually is (and what it isn’t)
• The 3 key signs your business is ready to franchise
• How to scale using other people’s investment
• The difference between franchising and MLM
• Why franchising has a 97% success rate
• How franchising can become your exit strategy
• The investor model: franchising without industry experience
• Why building impact-led businesses matters
• How to move from working in your business to working on i

Is Your Business Franchise-Ready?

Ask yourself:

1. Is your business profitable?
2. Can someone else replicate your model?
3. Has it been running successfully for 18+ months?

If the answer is yes to all three...franchising could be your next step.

Who is Cheryl White?

Cheryl White is a UK-based franchise consultant and strategist dedicated to helping business owners scale and transform their brands through ethical and sustainable franchising. Drawing on her own success in building a multi-million-pound franchise network and her proven 20x programme, Cheryl guides entrepreneurs to expand beyond local markets with clarity, confidence, and support. She provides structured franchising roadmaps, strategic planning, and access to expert legal, marketing, and financial guidance to help clients grow profitable, scalable franchise systems.

https://www.cheryl-white.co.uk/

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Is your business feeling harder than it used to?

In this bonus episode of Dream Business, Dream Life, Emma dives into the real reason so many business owners are feeling stuck, overwhelmed and tempted to “do more” right now.

Spoiler: the answer isn’t adding more offers, more platforms, more qualifications, or more price points.

The online business world is evolving. Buying behaviour has shifted. And what many are calling a “tough year” is actually a period of change.

Emma explores:

• Why “things are tough” is a dangerous narrative
• What the “trust recession” really means for your sales
• Why more content, more offers and more complexity are not the solution
• How to simplify your business to increase sales
• The one question to ask before adding anything new

If you’ve been tempted to pivot, add, expand or overhaul everything this episode will bring you back to clarity.

Because just because you can…it doesn’t mean you should.

Key Takeaways

• More offers rarely fix a sales problem.
• Messaging and lead generation are usually the real issue.
• We are in a “trust recession” buyers need more clarity and consistency.
• Simplicity builds authority. Complexity creates confusion.
• Less done better will outperform more done badly.

Free Resource:

https://membership.emmahine.co.uk/sbr-7468

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

If you’ve ever felt stressed, overwhelmed, or disappointed after a launch, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Dream Business, Dream Life, Emma is joined by community and accredited launch manager Carole Searle, who shares what really makes the difference between a chaotic launch and a profitable one.

Carole takes us behind the scenes of successful online launches and thriving memberships, revealing why planning (and planning backwards!) is the secret most business owners skip. From audience building to post-launch follow-ups, she explains why there’s no such thing as a “failed launch” only missed insights and missed preparation.

You’ll also discover:

• Why growing and warming your audience is essential before you launch
• How to choose the right launch style (challenge, masterclass, webinar, email launch)
• The importance of data tracking and post-launch analysis
• How community management impacts retention and churn
• Why personal branding and trust are more important than ever
• How to make launches feel aligned with your energy and personality

If you’re planning a membership launch, course launch, or community-based offer, this episode will help you reduce stress, increase conversions, and build long-term momentum.

This episode of Dream Business, Dream Life is proudly sponsored by Carole Searle who is an entrepreneur with 8+ years in business. 

She began as a VA and found her zone supporting others, now specialising as a Community & Launch Manager. She helps you grow a buzzing membership and run stress-free launches from start to finish. 

Family is at the heart of everything and building her business means she can be present for her husband and two kids. That balance fuels her work, helping clients win, earn more and still have a life.

Website - https://csbusinesssupport.co.uk/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolesearlecsbusinesssupport/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/csbusinesssupport/

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy