Running a business, managing life, and keeping all those balls in the air—let's be honest, it can be incredibly demanding. There are days when I feel like a circus juggler, desperately trying to keep everything from crashing down.

Sometimes, the only thing standing between me and utter burnout is indulging in a few guilty pleasures. In this episode, I'm letting you in on the little indulgences that help me unwind and maintain my sanity.

In the hustle of achievements and deadlines, these simple pleasures keep my feet on the ground. They are more than mere distractions; they are strategic pauses in a fast-paced life. My clients, some reaching impressive high six-figure revenues, realise the importance of these moments too. Joy in small things significantly impacts our productivity and wellbeing.

I’ll invite you to think about this for yourself. What are your guilty pleasures? What brings you happiness, helps you relax, reset, and come back stronger? Remember, there’s no shame in taking time for yourself. It makes us better business people, better partners, and overall, better humans. 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Ever stared at your screen, heart sinking, because your latest social media post flopped? Or maybe business has been slow, and that little voice inside is starting to whisper, 

'You're just not cut out for this.'  

I’ve been there many times as an entrepreneur and I’ve learned how to bring myself, and my clients out of these negative thought loops. 

As entrepreneurs, we pour our hearts into our businesses. When things don't go as planned—clients backing out, low engagement, tough feedback—it's easy to slip into a loop of negative thoughts. Often, we focus on one piece of negative feedback, ignoring the twenty positive ones. Once we fall into that loop, it becomes incredibly challenging to climb out. But it's important to remember that negative thoughts aren't inherently bad. They serve a purpose by alerting us to areas that need attention and inspiring us to improve.

When you catch yourself spiralling, consider which of these strategies might work for you. Whether it's pausing to name your thoughts, reframing negative narratives, taking action, leaning on your community, or celebrating your wins, remember that change begins with commitment. And if you've already found effective ways to shift your mindset, I'd love to hear about them. Share your thoughts, and let's keep the conversation going.

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Working from home—it’s the dream, isn’t it? Until you catch yourself in a staring contest with the laundry pile, justifying “folding clothes” as a break, and suddenly, two hours have vanished. 

If the struggle to remain motivated and productive outside the office has been your battle, you’re definitely not alone. Just know that there are ways that truly make working from home work in your favour.

Today, I’m sharing what’s helped me overcome all the different challenges and make sure I stay productive during my work hours. I take you through:

• Setting routines and firm boundaries
• Crafting your personal work environment 
• Incorporating movement and proper breaks
• Structuring your day for success
• Steering clear of temptations like chores or socialising
• Finding your personal rhythm 

Over eight years, through trial, error and a bit of persistence, I’ve nailed a rhythm that suits me. What about you? How do you stay motivated and productive at home? Let’s swap tips—I’d love to learn from you!

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Can I be real with you about International Women's Day? While it's beautiful to celebrate women's achievements and impact, one day of recognition with a few hashtags and corporate breakfasts, in my opinion, isn’t quite enough. 

Today, I want to shine a light on what really helps move the needle for women  in business, leadership and life - not just today, but  every single day of the year. I’m also bringing the conversation closer to home, sharing about the women who have shaped me and truly made a difference in my life.

These are the stories of 3 incredible women who showed up for me when I needed it most. They helped influence the trajectory of my life and showed me how to love, lead and champion others. 

So, here’s to recognising the power of women, and to keep championing, supporting and showing up. Because that's the real essence of change – consistent and unwavering support, one person at a time. 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Running a successful business isn't just about dreaming big or making bold moves. It's about nailing the non-negotiables—the habits, boundaries, and principles that keep you focused, profitable, and thriving. 

Without these foundational anchors, it's way too easy to get lost in the chaos of business and lose sight of what really matters. 

Let me ask you this: What are the non-negotiables that make a difference in your business? 

At Emma McQueen Pty Ltd, we have three core values which everything in the business stems from: Generosity, Kindness and Results. Based on these values, I’ve developed some practical, actionable ways to implement my non-negotiables and I’m so happy to share them with you as well. 

1. Focus on Customer Service

• Setting a response time for enquiries
• Creating a customer service script for standardising responses to common enquiries. 
• Surprise and delight your customers. A simple handwritten note or a small gift can work wonders in making clients feel valued. 
• Using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool to help track client interactions and preferences, ensuring a top-notch service at every touchpoint.

2. Money Management Tools

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of managing your finances effectively. It’s vital to separate your business and personal finances. 

It's equally important to manage your finances with appropriate tools, such as Xero or QuickBooks rather than a simple spreadsheets. You’re running a business, not a hobby! 

3. Effective Follow-Up System

The fortune is in the follow-up so make sure you have a structured follow-up system in place. The “3-2-1 Rule” I follow—engaging with three people, nurturing two leads, and closing one deal each week—fits seamlessly into my business development routine.

Additionally, tracking leads and conversions through a CRM or even a simple spreadsheet can provide a goldmine of data, helping to strengthen your client relationships and improve conversion rates.

What non-negotiables have you established in your business and which areas do you think you need to elevate? I’d love to hear from you.

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

 If you had a big idea for a business but zero money,  how would you start it? What kind of business could you create with little to no funds, and what free tools could actually help you grow? 

Like so many people who have the idea to start a business, you might be thinking you need to wait until you have the finances to execute your idea. But I’m here to tell you: starting a business with no money is possible. 

Do you know why I’m so sure of this? Because I did it! I was the person who started a business on the smell of an oily rag - no money, no clients and apparently no sense to do so! Now I have a successful service-based coaching business and absolutely love what I do. 

So, I want to share some tips on how you can get the ball rolling for your brilliant business idea. In this episode, I’m covering what free tools will give you a boost, how to market yourself for free  and why service-based businesses are your best bet. 

Key takeaways: 

• Choosing Your Business Idea
• Where NOT to Begin
• Free Tools to Get You Started
• Marketing Yourself Without a Budget
• Why Service-Based Businesses Triumph

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

We all find ourselves procrastinating at some point, don't we? It's like there's this invisible force holding us back from tackling those tasks we know we should be doing. But have you ever paused to ask yourself why? 

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I procrastinate quite a bit. I know many of you might be surprised by that, but I too suffer from analysis paralysis at times. Especially if the task ahead of me is one I know will take me a while. 

So how do I push past the resistance? Here’s a framework with 3 practical ways you can structure your time and space, and get you thinking about how to beat procrastination: 

1. Take It One Step at a Time
2. Give Yourself Very Clear Deadlines
3. Ditch Distractions and Celebrate the Wins

Once you've given one of these steps a shot, I’d love to hear about your experience. Send me a DM on Instagram or drop me a message. Let me know how you're getting on. I always love to hear from you!

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Books have an incredible way of shaping the way we think, act  and grow in business. Some books spark new ideas and  others challenge our thinking. And there are those special few that truly transform the way we operate.

 Fiction, business, self-development - there have been some incredible books that have been hugely influential in my life and business, and I want to share them with you.

These specific books are five business books  and one non-business book. I'm also sharing my key takeaways and what I've actually implemented so that you don’t even have to read them if you don’t have the time: 

1. Atomic Habits, by James Clear
2. Who Not How, by Dan Sullivan
3. Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara
4. Useful Belief, by Chris Helder
5. The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod
6. The Let Them Theory, by Mel Robbins

I’m curious: which book has been a game changer for you in business? Let’s swap recommendations - because a reading list is never long enough! 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Are you wondering how to do business development on LinkedIn? I know so many people out there are keen to use LinkedIn to help their business grow, but are at a loss as to where to start. 

When I started my LinkedIn growth journey several years ago, I had roughly 200 connections. Fast forward seven years, and I've grown that to nearly 16,000. It means that the content I now put out reaches a considerably broader audience.

So, why should you even bother with LinkedIn? For me, it's another crucial touchpoint in our digital presence, complementing our social media and email list efforts. 

My LinkedIn strategy is straightforward because, let’s face it, aren't we all a bit time-strapped? So, today I’m sharing my plan and taking you through the practical, actionable steps that you can easily weave into your daily routine:

• 1: Define Your Engagement Goals
• 2: Commit an Hour a Day
• 3: Post Twice a Week
• 4: Respond to Comments
• 5: Personalised Connection Requests
• 6: Comment on Others’ Posts
• 7: Connect with 10 People Daily
• 8: Be Open Yet Selective
• 9: Embrace Video

Feel free to experiment and let your profile reflect who you truly are. LinkedIn doesn't have to be daunting; it can be exhilarating. Let me know how you fare with these strategies. I can't wait to see your results!

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Over 2024 I received a lot of comments and questions about the fitness journey I was undertaking.

Having fallen sick the year prior, I was committed to regaining my health and energy, and while I’m not 100% where I want to be, the improvement over these twelve months has been bigger than I could have hoped.

Which is why I want to share my journey with you today!

My First Steps: My journey began with a simple yet powerful commitment: 20,000 steps a day. I know it sounds daunting, but I used habit-stacking to incorporate it into my regular routine. I set out my activewear each night and then would start my day at 5AM. I woke up by going on a walk with a husband and then took my dog on one too! By 6.40AM, before most people are even awake, I’d already achieved 13,000 steps of my goal.

A New Diet: While walking did wonders for me, it’s not enough on its own. 80% of weight loss success comes from nutrition, which is why I joined Weight Loss Coaching Works, a program focusing on real food, accountability, and community support. With their help, I was able to lose double my original goal (17 kilos over 26 weeks) without resorting to drastic measures or drinking my meals.

Throughout this whole journey, my discipline has been my strongest weapon. I've continuously learnt that if you set your mind to it, even the hardest challenges can be overcome. 

Now it’s your turn! 

What are you willing to commit to for yourself? What possibilities could your fitness journey unlock? And how far will you go to build the life you deserve?

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/