Tea with the Queen

Today we're chatting about a chapter in our lives that often gets swept under the rug, despite its monumental impact. We don't hear enough about perimenopause and business, even though so many of us are navigating both simultaneously. I'm sharing my personal story, starting with my mum's misdiagnosis at 37, then my own perimenopause diagnosis at the same age after multiple miscarriages. Now at 48, I've spent 11 years in this perimenopausal whirlwind, experiencing hot sweats, mood swings and everything in between.

Perimenopause is like riding an unpredictable wave that hits how we live and work. Hormones upend our routines, but business insists on plugging along. I'll walk you through how perimenopause and business collide, why showing up doesn't mean pretending everything's normal and how to craft a new normal that respects where your body and mind are right now. You'll hear why flexibility isn't optional when navigating perimenopause and business and why some days you're firing on all cylinders whilst other days you're just getting through.

I'll also talk about the support we need from our partners who bear the brunt of this rollercoaster alongside us, and why despite all the havoc, we still show up and shine. If you're knee-deep in perimenopause or menopause, remember you're part of a massive tribe of women who've walked this path before you. The conversation around perimenopause and business is growing, and the more we share our experiences, the easier it becomes for the women coming after us.

Emma McQueen:

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

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I love sales. There, I said it. I genuinely, wholeheartedly love it, not just tolerate it because I have to. My love affair with sales started at 11 years old with a plastic table on my driveway, selling cordial and icy poles. That spark never faded, and this year I've embraced it fully, creating structures that teach sales for women in a way that feels authentic and natural, free of that salesy ick. Today I'm sharing my journey and why sales sits at the centre of every successful business.

This year has been massive for us. The BD Sprint, originally intended as a simple challenge, transformed into a powerful programme that broke records and reshaped our approach. Participants saw their networks expanding with new connections, phone calls, meetings and ultimately, sales. The challenge proved that women are eager to learn sales techniques that align with their strengths, and when given the right tools, women kill it at sales. I'll walk you through why so many women struggle with sales, why it's not their fault and how we're flipping the script.

At its core, sales for women is about connecting, building trust, and supporting one another, not pressure. I'll share why traditional sales methods overlook women's natural strengths, how the BD Sprint and 100 No's Challenge celebrate women's unique selling style, and why I'm writing a book to dismantle the myths around sales. Remember this: selling is not about manipulation; it's ultimately about service and connection. And it can be your superpower in business if you let it.

Emma McQueen:

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

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If you want the year ahead to look different to the one that’s just gone, you need to design it differently.

It’s all very lovely to have wish lists of what you’d like to happen in a perfect world, but if you actually want to see change, you need a structured, intentional plan that excites you. Get that butchers paper ready because it’s time to create your road map for 2026 and get inspired for the year ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• Set a clear vision for 2026 with three to five actionable goals for life and business
• Review your existing offers before creating new ones, refine what's already working
• Get comfortable with your numbers and break revenue goals into manageable pieces (aim for 40% profit margin)
• Focus on two to three key projects and break them into small, digestible steps
• Create accountability structures with regular check-ins (monthly or quarterly)
• Your plan doesn't need to be perfect!
• Questions to ask yourself to help create your 2026 road map

Designing your year boils down to clarity, alignment, and action. It’s not about perfection. You don't need a flawless plan; just a roadmap that guides you with intention. If this year has been a challenging one for you, please know that the new one doesn’t have to be the same. 

Here's to your most successful, intentional, and fulfilling year yet. Cheers to 2026!

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

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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/

As we wrap up the year, I'm taking you through an honest reflection of what life and business brought me. The good, the challenging, the messy and the magic. Life and business rarely move in straight lines. They weave together, influence each other and shape who we become. Today I'm sharing my own reflection in the hope that you can reflect on your year as well.

I'm walking you through life first, the beautiful moments and the tough ones. This year brought a wonderful family trip to New York and Canada, moving into our eco-friendly dream house, and my bonus daughter getting engaged. But it also brought losing my beloved 16-year-old dog Spency, a cancer diagnosis with two surgeries, and landing in emergency the night before hosting a 75-women event. Then we'll talk business: the wins, the challenges and what nearly broke me, including why a 12-week launch was simply too much.

I'll share the biggest learnings from this year, from prioritising systems over speed to the irreplaceable magic of face-to-face connections. And because I love a good practical reflection, I'll share a simple ritual you can use to close out your own year with clarity and intention. Grab a cup of tea, a piece of paper, and let's reflect on the year together.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

YouTube Channel

I love a good declutter. If I'm stressed, there’s nothing like removing the household clutter to make my mind feel at ease. 

The same goes for removing business clutter. It shows up as old habits, outdated systems and clients who just aren't aligned. Subscriptions you've forgotten about, anyone? 

If you want new results in your business, you need to create space for them to land. Decluttering is truly about who you can become once the clutter is gone.

You can't welcome the next version of your business whilst clinging onto the past. Ask yourself: What feels heavy? What no longer serves you? Clearing space isn't about giving up but preparing yourself for what's ahead.

As the year winds down, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect and take intentional stock. Ask yourself, what would feel lighter if I let it go? What clutter has quietly been holding me back?

Key Takeaways:

• Business clutter shows up as old habits, outdated systems and misaligned clients
• Mental clutter includes the endless 'shoulds' and decisions you keep dodging
• You can't welcome the next version of your business whilst clinging to the past
• Small shifts create big changes: cancel subscriptions, update systems, say no to misaligned projects
• Decluttering is about preparation, not perfection

It’s time to clean out the clutter, open those windows and make room for the greatness that's coming next.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

YouTube Channel

From the outside, the Thriving Women launch looked like a success. You saw the gorgeous photos at events, the polished content, the celebrations. But behind the scenes, life was happening hard. I'm rolling up my sleeves today and sharing the real story of a 12-week launch: the planning, the pressure, the moments I had to dig super deep and the personal heartache I was carrying whilst still showing up.

In this episode, I'm walking you through what really happened during those 12 weeks. You'll hear about why a 12-week launch runway felt exhausting, the layers of strategy and emotional load no one talks about and the unseen curveballs life threw at me while I was orchestrating a major launch. I'll also share why I didn't hit my ambitious numbers despite all the hard work, and what that taught me about effort versus output.

If you're ever going to do a launch, or if your last one looked like a success but left you wondering if there's a better way, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the wisdom I'm carrying forward: shorter launch runways, prioritising energy and giving yourself grace when life gets busy. When your launch looks like a success but feels like survival, it's time to reassess.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

YouTube Channel

If your closest friends can't clearly explain what you do, you've got a problem. Recently, a friend who knows my work well, said something that stopped me in my tracks: "Emma, I know you're a business coach for women, but I don't know which women you work with." The realisation hit me like a tonne of bricks. How could I expect people to refer me if even those close to me aren't clear on who I truly help? If people can't easily describe what you do and who you do it for, they can't refer you with confidence.

In this episode, I'm sharing why clarity in your business is essential for sparking referrals and opportunities. I take you through a simple experiment to test how clear your message really is. We talk about why simplicity matters more than a polished pitch and how practicing your one-sentence answer can make all the difference. I'll also share why downplaying your work actually makes it harder for people to refer you and the three questions you need to answer to enable your network to champion you.

Clarity isn't just about getting noticed, it's about being memorable and letting others speak for you. If you've been wondering why your network isn't sending referrals your way, this episode will show you exactly how to fix it.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

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You've crossed that milestone $100K mark. Your friends and family think you're flying, but inside it feels like you're slogging through mud. Amidst the late night spirals, you find yourself asking, "Why does this feel so hard?" If you can relate, this episode is for you.

Today, I'm sharing the exact five-step process my clients have used to scale to $300K. You'll discover why clarity is the antidote to confusion, how community becomes an essential part of your growth strategy, and why what works at $50K won't work at $150K. I'll also share why consistent momentum is your secret weapon and how expert support can save you thousands of dollars in costly mistakes.

The journey to scale to $300K isn't about working more hours. It's about intentional actions, smart strategies, and thoughtful planning. If you're tired of guessing and going it alone, this episode will show you the method behind sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Why laser-focused clarity stops the cycle of overthinking and second-guessing
• How building a strong community becomes essential for scaling successfully
• Why personalised guidance matters more as you grow (what works at $50K won't work at $150K)
• The one habit that creates consistent momentum in your business
• How expert support saves you from costly mistakes and accelerates your growth

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

YouTube Channel

Recently, I was talking to a client, Anna, who perfectly summed up the feeling of being stuck. "I'm too busy working in my business to actually work on it," she sighed.

If that sentiment stops you in your tracks, you’re not alone. It’s an exciting (yet often daunting) realisation that every growing entrepreneur faces: You've outgrown the hustle of the freelancer mindset. You're not just delivering tasks anymore; it's time to evolve into a CEO, ready to focus on sustainable growth without the burnout.

For years, many of us get stuck running on that treadmill. It’s always moving, but never quite building the sustainable, profitable business we dreamt of. It becomes less about working smart and more about having work that never ends.

I want you to understand though, that this stuck feeling isn’t failure. It’s a powerful sign that you are ready to stop doing the work and start leading the work. 

In thie episode, I break down the signs to look out for that will help you establish when it’s time to move into a CEO mindset, and why it’s an important part of your business growth.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

YouTube Channel