Tea with the Queen

Silly season is almost here - and for a lot of us, it means taking a break from business. Sure, rest and recovery from a busy year is important - but it’s not without its drawbacks. Hitting pause on your business inevitably comes with a significant dip in revenue. 

So how do you prepare for this cycle of lower revenue, whether it’s over Christmas, school holidays or a period where you just need some downtime? 

Personally, I’ve discovered a blend of mindset shifts and practical actions that have really helped me reshape my approach to maintaining stability during lower revenue months. 

Today, I’m sharing 6 ways that will not only help you stay afloat over the holiday period, but set yourself up for success for the year ahead:

1. Build a Financial Cushion Throughout the Year

2. Offer Bite-sized Products

3. Plan for the Year Ahead

4. Understand Your True Needs

5. Streamline Your Expenses

6. Embrace Late Opportunities

The golden rule is not to surrender just because it’s late in the year. Ensure you continue selling until your curtain drops for the holidays. Watching your energy reserves and managing time effectively is equally critical. After all, the last thing you want is to enter your well-deserved break feeling drained, anxious or unwell.

I'd love to hear how you plan to take on these tips. Have you managed to avoid succumbing to holiday period stress before? Perhaps you've got a strategy that's worked wonders. 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/

Would you like to be more productive? 

I’d say I'm pretty productive myself, and while I suspect my 50% is probably everyone else’s 80%, it definitely wasn’t always that way. 

There was a time a few years ago in my business when I felt like I was doing all the things, putting all the content out, having the right conversations and yet,  nothing was getting me traction.

It sucked. I was not motivated. I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall and I didn’t have the energy to keep going. 

I finally decided to look under the hood and ask myself what was actually going on. I listed all the things that gave me joy and the ones that didn’t. I looked at the things I needed to keep doing and the things I could let go of. 

I just couldn’t keep doing the same things and expecting a different result. Today, I’m taking you through how I changed my trajectory, and the secrets that have worked wonders for me in maintaining productivity in my business.

I hope these tools give you that little boost of energy and help you glide – not grind – straight into Christmas!

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/

Financial Freedom is something we all want as entrepreneurs but what does it actually mean?

It could mean taking regular time off, having substantial savings, or investing in other ventures. Some people are driven by material acquisitions, while others prefer simpler living. For me, it’s about having peace of mind and knowing I can take time away from the business without financial stress. 

Whatever your goals may be, the essence of financial freedom lies in having choice and stability which empowers you to explore new ideas and services, elevating your business beyond mere survival.

I’ve worked with countless women who’ve taken this journey and made their goals a reality. Join me as I share insights from that work around what financial freedom truly means and how we can achieve it.

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/

I’m not a natural learner. 

I’ve had to put a lot of effort into  building the muscle of learning over the years, but despite the struggle, I know it’s worth it. 

You see, most industries require you to do more learning, whether that's reading or writing research papers or attending conferences in your field.

But as entrepreneurs, it’s often a little different. We’re only going to be as good as what we know. You know that old adage: “You only know what you know”. 

This means that we can be a bit left behind in our field and fail to innovate if we don't keep up with what's happening in our target market. 

So, do you need an extra qualification to do this? Today we’re exploring when to consider investing in more structured learning, and whether you even need to in the first place. 

I’m also sharing my top tips on how to best stay ahead of the curve in your market.

Having a few fancy letters next to your name can be impressive - but does it truly matter to you? Whether your answer is yes or no, it’s time to get stuck in and figure out how to keep on developing in the way that suits you and your business best.

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/

Starting your own business can seem like the ultimate dream—being your own boss, setting your own hours, and taking charge of your destiny. But the reality isn't always as rosy as it might appear.

After seven years of running my own business, I’ve realised that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. It demands more than just a brilliant idea and the desire to call the shots. Today, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned that might help you decide whether this path is for you.

LINKS:

Day with the Queen

Website

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

Is ADHD a curse or a gift?

As someone who works closely with women entrepreneurs, many of whom have ADHD, I can confidently say it’s the latter.

I’ve witnessed firsthand how these incredible women harness their unique abilities to achieve extraordinary results. It’s an absolute superpower! Not convinced? Tune in as I share stories about my clients and the remarkable traits that set them apart.

If you have ADHD, or just think you might, I encourage you to explore how this superpower can benefit you. Everyone has unique strengths, and understanding how to leverage them can transform your business and personal life

Until next week, continue to embrace your unique strengths and enjoy the journey

LINKS:

ADHD: The Entrepreneur's Superpower:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalearcher/2014/05/14/adhd-the-entrepreneurs-superpower/

Day with the Queen

Website

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

Anxiety can pop up when you least expect it.

As an entrepreneur, this can impact your life and business in surprising ways. Even if you don’t suffer from anxiety, generally speaking, business owners worry a lot! 

We worry about the future, our cash flow, our revenue, whether we have enough clients... the worry can be relentless. 

For those who live with anxiety on top of that, it’s a lot to deal with. But there are ways you can manage so that anxiety doesn’t run your life. 

Through coaching my clients and speaking with other business owners, I’ve observed common areas where anxiety tends to creep in: 

Social Anxiety

I’ve noticed a significant uptick in social anxiety, especially since COVID-19. Working from home has its perks, but it also makes venturing out feel daunting. To combat this, it’s all about taking small steps. 

Financial Anxiety

We worry about cash flow, revenue, and profitability. Seeing businesses around us close can be heartbreaking and stress-inducing. I’ve learned to disengage from doom-scrolling and negative news cycles. Instead, I focus on strategies that help maintain a positive mindset. 

Generalised Anxiety

Generalised anxiety can be crippling, especially when compounded with the pressures of running a business. I had a client who woke up every day anxious about her business. So, she threw that business out, started again with a blank sheet of paper, only doing the things that she really wanted to do. 

Anxiety is a real and rising issue, particularly among small business owners. If you feel like you need some support to help you manage anxiety, there are some amazing professionals out there. Don’t hesitate to reach out for recommendations.

What are five or six strategies that help you when you’re not feeling great? Write them down, laminate it and keep it close. This simple step can be surprisingly effective.

LINKS:

Day with the Queen

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 business is lonely.

If you come from the corporate world, you might be used to a fully staffed office, camaraderie, and the support of a large team.

Then you start your own business and you’re suddenly on your own with a mountain of responsibilities to balance. Even worse your old friends don’t understand what you’re going through so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated.

It’s a common feeling for entrepreneurial women but I think deep down a lot of us are lone-wolfs at heart, I know I am. For me, it’s because I had to grow up rapidly and relied on myself from a very young age. Whatever causes it, this fierce independence doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

No scratch that. Not only is being a lone wolf okay, it might even be your superpower! How? Listen in to find out!  

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Farah Mak: @thefarahmak

The 5 Love Languages: https://5lovelanguages.com/

LINKS:

Day with the Queen

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 wondered how a small-town initiative can spark major change? 

On a recent episode of Tea with the Queen I was joined by Bel Temby, one of the co-founders of the Wilderness Collective – an organisation dedicated to community rejuvenation through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development. 

Bel has a remarkable story to tell, and I can't wait for you to hear it.

LINKS:

Wilderness Collective

Sponsor: https://wildernesscollective.org.au/sponsor/

Donate: https://wildernesscollective.org.au/donor/

‌Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wildernesscollective/

Facey: https://www.facebook.com/wildernesscollectivemallacoota

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90422799

Day with the Queen

Website

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

I never would have called myself gritty. But after looking up the definition of ‘grit’ recently, I now think I can say I have it in spades!

Sometimes it’s only in hindsight that we connect the dots and discover something about ourselves we didn’t know was there.

I experienced this when I read the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of grit: ‘courage and resolve; strength of character’. 

As I look back on the significant experiences of my youth, I now appreciate them as my journey to building grit and resilience. It also gives me insight into why I do the work I do, and what led me to being so passionate about it. 

So what does being a gritty human look like as we work towards achieving all those goals we have for our business? 

Today we’re exploring what it means to be gritty in business; that perseverance to chase our goals and remain focused despite the inevitable challenges. 

One of the crucial factors in maintaining grit is the ability to delay gratification, and we’ll dive into the importance of taking small, compounding steps that have a bigger impact on our long-term success. 

I encourage you to reflect on recent challenges and reframe them as opportunities for growth. 

And ask yourself: what's one specific challenge or setback you've faced recently that, if viewed through the lens of grit, could be seen as an opportunity for growth rather than just an obstacle? 

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/

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