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In this episode of Streamline & Shine, I’m joined by Helen Thacker who is a Strategic Sales Messaging Mentor. 

We talk about Helen’s journey as a business owner, how she’s created and grown her business while raising her two sons and what she’s discovered about herself along the way. 

You can find more information about Helen using the links below, as well as get your hands on her freebie which will give you the exact step-by-step process to get clients landing in your inbox!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/helenthacker/ 

FREEBIE ALERT - The 2 Most Powerful Posts that drive dream clients to your DMs within minutes

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In this episode of the Streamline and Shine podcast, Steff Bolton discusses the common struggle of feeling overwhelmed by time constraints and the importance of conducting an energy audit. She emphasises that it's not about having more hours but rather about utilising the existing hours effectively. The conversation covers the pitfalls of busy work, the significance of focusing on high-value activities, and practical steps to reclaim time and energy through delegation and prioritization.

00:00 Understanding the Time Dilemma

03:17 The Importance of an Energy Audit

06:05 Reclaiming Your Time and Energy

It's not that you need more hours, it's that you need to stop wasting the ones you've got.

An energy audit is a time and focus reality check.

Most business owners overestimate time spent on important tasks.

Busy work can prevent you from achieving meaningful results.

Your energy should be invested in high-value activities.

Track your activities for a week to identify time wasters.

Use a color-coding system to categorize tasks.

Start delegating or outsourcing low-level tasks.

Reclaim your energy by focusing on CEO-level activities.

Engage with the community to share your energy audit experiences.

time management, energy audit, productivity, CEO mindset, delegation, business growth, work-life balance, efficiency, task management, leadership

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In this episode of Streamline & Shine, I’m joined by Siobhan Mears who is a Transformation Business Coach and Founder of Elevate Base, an all-in-one platform for limitless growth. 

We talk about Siobhan’s journey as a business owner, how she developed into being the founder of multiple businesses and what she’s discovered about herself along the way. 

You can find more information about Siobhan using the links below, as well as Elevate Base, her all-in-one platform!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themearscollective/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-mears/
Elevate Base - https://elevatebase.co/

#DecisionMaking, #BusinessManagement, #TeamEmpowerment, #Productivity, #SOPs, #EscalationPath, #TrafficLightSystem, #VirtualSolutions, #Leadership, #Burnout

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In this episode of Streamline and Shine, Steff Bolton discusses the challenges faced by CEOs and founders in managing their businesses effectively, especially during growth phases. She emphasises the importance of having robust systems in place to prevent burnout and ensure smooth operations. Steff provides insights on conducting a systems audit, improving client onboarding processes, and the value of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for delegation. The episode aims to help business owners streamline their operations and regain control over their time and resources.

It's essential to recognise signs of systemic issues in your business.

Missed emails and deadlines indicate a need for a systems audit.

Duplicating tasks can lead to inefficiencies and burnout.

Reassuring your team is crucial when mistakes happen.

Delegation is key to managing workload effectively.

Automating processes can save time and reduce errors.

Client onboarding should be seamless and efficient.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) help in task delegation.

Streamlining processes can lead to significant time savings.

Regularly reviewing and updating systems is vital for growth.

00:00 The Journey to Self-Employment

02:55 Identifying Systemic Issues in Business

05:28 Building a Robust Backend for Growth

self-employment, business growth, systems audit, client onboarding, SOPs, burnout, delegation, virtual assistance, streamline processes, time management

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If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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In this episode of the Streamline and Shine podcast, Steff Bolton discusses the challenges of decision-making in business and how it can lead to burnout and team demotivation. She introduces practical solutions such as the traffic light system for task delegation, the importance of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), and establishing a clear escalation path for tasks. These strategies aim to empower teams, reduce the burden on leaders, and enhance overall productivity.

If you're making every decision, you're running a crash for adults.
The decision-making black hole can drain your energy.
Your team needs a leader who can empower them.
Implementing a traffic light system can streamline decision-making.
SOPs save time and clarify processes for your team.
You don't need to hire a full team to get help.
A clear escalation path helps manage roadblocks effectively.
Only high-risk decisions should reach the CEO.
Empowering your team boosts their productivity and morale.
A happy team leads to a successful business.

00:00 Introduction to Decision-Making Challenges
02:55 Understanding the Decision-Making Black Hole
05:45 Implementing the Traffic Light System
08:25 Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
09:27 Establishing a Clear Escalation Path


decision-making, business management, team empowerment, productivity, SOPs, escalation path, traffic light system, virtual solutions, leadership, burnout

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Email us if you'd like to be interviewed on a future episode, or have a topic suggestion you'd like us to cover:
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If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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 In this episode of the Streamline and Shine podcast, Steff Bolton discusses the importance of September as a reset point for business owners. She emphasises the need to prepare for Q4 by managing inbox chaos, optimizing key systems, and maintaining visibility with consistent content. Steff introduces the Back to Business Boost, a support package designed to help business owners streamline their operations and hit the ground running in the upcoming quarter.

September is a crucial reset point for business owners.
If you're not prepared for September, you're starting behind.
Managing your inbox is essential to avoid missed opportunities.
Focusing on one key system can significantly improve efficiency.
Consistency in communication is vital for sales success.
The Back to Business Boost offers tailored support for Q4 preparation.
Batching and scheduling content helps maintain visibility.
A cluttered inbox leads to chaos in business operations.
Setting up filters in your inbox can help prioritize important messages.
The right support can alleviate overwhelm and streamline processes.

00:00 The September Reset for Business
02:52 Key Areas to Focus on for Q4 Success

business, September reset, Q4 planning, inbox management, system optimisation, content scheduling, virtual assistant support 

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If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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 In this special guest episode, I’m joined by Dani Louise Smith, better known as the Queen of Business Organisation and founder of the brilliant Social Success Circle. Dani takes us behind the scenes of her journey from chaotic beginnings to becoming one of the most organised business owners I know. We chat about the real shifts that helped her go from overwhelmed and overstretched to leading a business that runs like a dream—with a community that thrives just as much as her systems do. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re winging it day-to-day or wondering if you’ll ever feel in control, this episode is a breath of fresh air. We talk mindset, messiness, mistakes, and of course… organisation. Because let’s be real—running a business doesn’t mean running yourself into the ground. 

Check out our website
https://boltonvirtualsolutions.co.uk
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www.instagram.com/bolton_virtual_solutions

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Check out Social Success Circle 

Learn more about The Streamline Suite  

Podcast created by Steff Bolton, Founder and CEO of Bolton Virtual Solutions using Riverside and Buzzsprout

Dani Louise Smith, Business organisation, Female founder stories, Social Success Circle, Systems and structure, Community building, Productivity, Business mindset, Entrepreneur routines, Online networking 

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If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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 In this episode of the Streamline & Shine podcast, Steff Bolton pulls no punches in calling out a common mindset that keeps growing businesses stuck: “I just need a bit of help.” She shares the difference between ticking off tasks and actually transforming your operations—and why inbox tidying won’t save a business that’s running on chaos. Steff breaks down the shift into OBM-level support, explains how strategy + systems can free you up to lead again, and offers a powerful reality check for business owners who are stuck doing it all themselves.

If your idea of delegation is a panicked 9pm voice note… you don’t need a VA, you need a f**king operations overhaul.”
“There’s a difference between tasks and transformation.”
“We’re not just here to tick things off—we’re here to clean up the chaos.

OBM support, online business manager, VA support, business strategy, delegation, burnout, overwhelmed CEO, time management, operations, business systems, strategic support 

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Email us if you'd like to be interviewed on a future episode, or have a topic suggestion you'd like us to cover:
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If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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In this episode of the Streamline and Shine podcast, Steff Bolton discusses the pitfalls of being overly flexible with clients and the importance of setting boundaries. She shares personal experiences and practical strategies for service providers to reclaim their time and energy while maintaining a professional relationship with clients. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication, structured office hours, and the establishment of professional boundaries to prevent self-sabotage and enhance productivity.

Being too flexible can lead to misaligned expectations.
Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining professionalism.
Clear office hours help manage client expectations.
Buffer time allows for unexpected tasks without stress.
Onboarding clients with clear communication is essential.
Flexibility should not come at the cost of your well-being.
It's important to reclaim your time and energy.
Self-sabotage occurs when you prioritize clients over yourself.
Establishing systems can reduce guilt and improve workflow.
Saying no can be beneficial for your future self.

00:00 The Flexibility Trap
02:46 Setting Boundaries for Success
05:48 Reclaiming Your Time and Energy

flexibility, boundaries, client management, service providers, time management, self-sabotage, client expectations, business structure, professional boundaries, productivity 

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Email us if you'd like to be interviewed on a future episode, or have a topic suggestion you'd like us to cover:
[email protected] 

If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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In this episode of the Streamline and Shine podcast, Steff Bolton discusses the pitfalls of being overly flexible with clients and the importance of setting boundaries. She shares personal experiences and practical strategies for service providers to reclaim their time and energy while maintaining a professional relationship with clients. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication, structured office hours, and the establishment of professional boundaries to prevent self-sabotage and enhance productivity.

Being too flexible can lead to misaligned expectations.
Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining professionalism.
Clear office hours help manage client expectations.
Buffer time allows for unexpected tasks without stress.
Onboarding clients with clear communication is essential.
Flexibility should not come at the cost of your well-being.
It's important to reclaim your time and energy.
Self-sabotage occurs when you prioritize clients over yourself.
Establishing systems can reduce guilt and improve workflow.
Saying no can be beneficial for your future self.


00:00 The Flexibility Trap
02:46 Setting Boundaries for Success
05:48 Reclaiming Your Time and Energy


#flexibility #boundaries #clientmanagement #serviceproviders #timemanagement #selfsabotage #clientexpectations #businessstructure #professionalboundaries #productivity

Don't forget to give us a follow on Instagram

Check out our website

Email us if you'd like to be interviewed on a future episode, or have a topic suggestion you'd like us to cover:
[email protected] 

If you'd like to find out more about The Streamline Suite, and which areas of our services you and your business could benefit from, please email us at [email protected]

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