Tea with the Queen

When you think of someone disciplined, you might imagine someone who's up at the crack of dawn, who never hits snooze and has a spotless track record of getting everything done. 

Spoiler alert: that's not me. 

I have my fair share of skipped workouts and unread emails. But somehow, I manage to get the big, important things done. 

I've built a business and a life that I love, not because I have perfect discipline - not at all - but because I’ve figured out what’s important to me.

Discipline Where It Counts

I have discipline as one of my top strengths, but only when it counts the most. It's about getting a grasp on the things that are critical to me. For example, in my earlier years, I managed to buy four houses before the age of 30 while juggling a full-time HR role, running a side hustle and studying at university. Impressive? Perhaps. But not everything demanded the same level of discipline. My university work? Let's just say I did just enough to get by and that's perfectly fine because I'm more street smart than book smart.

When Discipline Becomes a Curse

Being disciplined also has a down side. Around 18 months ago, I pledged to walk 20,000 steps each day. At first, I thought it would be easy, but it soon became a borderline obsession. Missing a step count isn’t an option for me. While some might call it dedication, this level of discipline can also feel like a curse because I'm unable to let myself off the hook - ever. The decision-making strain disappears when discipline kicks in, but the inflexibility can sometimes be stifling.

What Are Your Big Rocks?

The million-dollar question is: What are your big rocks? What are the big things that matter to you and are you putting the discipline, the effort and the structure in place in those areas?

For some, it’s revenue. For others it’s visibility. Everyone's path to discipline and success is different so it’s about finding what resonates with you and being disciplined with the things that truly matter. 

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/

I have a secret: I've never felt smart. Despite how things might look from the outside, I wasn't academically bright growing up and school definitely wasn't my friend. My parents' divorce derailed my grades, I repeated year 10 and my grandfather's well-meaning attempts to pay me for A's didn’t result in a lot of money for me! 

But you know what? There are other kinds of smarts, and I’ve got them in spades! Today, I’m sharing the story that shaped who I am today and how I’ve come to understand what "being smart" truly means. We’re talking about the tension between being street smart versus book smart, and why our education system doesn't always recognise or reward different types of intelligence.

I share how I've learnt to lean into my strengths—business smarts, relationship building and an entrepreneurial spirit—rather than dwelling on traditional academic measures. If you've ever felt inadequate because you don't fit the conventional definition of intelligence, this episode will help you reconsider that narrative and recognise that your unique version of smart is absolutely worth celebrating.

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/

When I was 18 years old, I found myself living with my sister and her brand-new husband—not awkward at all, right? Up until that point, my living situation was a patchwork of arrangements. From couch-surfing with friends to renting short-term with my mum, stability seemed pretty elusive. So, when my sister graciously opened her doors, I moved in—a decision driven partly by need and partly by the hope of finding some semblance of security.

Today, I’m sharing how my sister encouraged me to enter the property market at the ripe old age of 18, and how my unconventional partnership with my Pop made my first home possible. This early start led to owning four properties by age 30 – but this isn't a story of glamour or effortless success. I reveal the genuine sacrifices behind the portfolio, from instant noodle dinners to social isolation.

I discuss how marriage and pregnancy transformed my perspective on what financial security truly means, and why selling properties to focus on one family home felt like progress rather than retreat.

This episode offers insights into getting clarity about what security means for you personally, making bold financial decisions and knowing when simplification is the right move. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or reassessing your current path, you'll discover practical approaches to defining and achieving your own version of security.

Join me as I explore how financial priorities evolve through different life stages, and why your unique financial story is always within your power to reshape.

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/

A lot of people tell me I’m optimistic - and I genuinely am! But not because I’ve had a charmed life. My glass half full perspective was formed out of necessity because as a child, I had no other choice but to just survive.

When you hear this story, you might wonder why I’m optimistic at all!

At 14 years old, my life changed dramatically. My parents divorced and a few years later, they both got remarried within a week of each other.  One week I was going to my dad's wedding with  a lady and her two daughters.  The next week I was going to my mum’s wedding with her husband  and their three children.

A little while later, I found myself homeless. Neither of my parents seemed to want me around and so I was forced to learn very quickly what it means to stand on your own two feet.

That's why I'm so passionate about helping other women break free from survival mode. Because while I learned to be resilient, my real mission isn't about teaching women to survive harder - it's about helping them build lives where they never have to white-knuckle their way through each day.

Your past is part of your story, but it doesn't have to be your whole story. No matter what your circumstances are, you get to choose what happens next. That's not just optimism talking - that's personal experience.

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/

We've all experienced the live launch rollercoaster – where carefully planned schedules dissolve into late-night strategy sessions and compulsive stat-checking. For many entrepreneurs, this intense cycle of stress and exhaustion isn't sustainable.

Enter Kate McKibbin, founder of Hello Funnels and host of the "Doing It Online" podcast. Starting as a fashion blogger in 2007, Kate has evolved into a funnel specialist who helps businesses transition from chaotic live launches to systematic evergreen approaches. Her journey from MySpace-era blogging to automated business success offers some juicy insights for entrepreneurs looking for a more sustainable path.

In our conversation, we talk about live launches vs the evergreen model. While live launches can create exciting sales surges, evergreen strategies offer a more controlled, consistent approach to income generation. Though not a 'set and forget' system, evergreen funnels can provide the stability and freedom many entrepreneurs crave, without the repeated emotional and energy drain of live launches.

For those of us caught up in the hustle and flow of online entrepreneurship, it's easy to get swept away by shiny offers and the latest buzzwords. However, Kate encourages authentic reflection on what works for us, individually and business-wise. She also shares her wisdom on achieving consistency, stability and ultimately, freedom – the ‘f-word’ we entrepreneurs got started in the first place for!

Key Takeaways:

• Live launches can create unsustainable cycles of stress and burnout

• Evergreen funnels offer a more controlled, consistent income approach

• Success requires matching your launch strategy to your personal style and business needs

• Automation isn't about eliminating effort, but reallocating it strategically

• The goal is creating a business that works for you, not the other way around

Connect with Kate:

Website: https://hellofunnels.co/

Instagram: @hellofunnels

Podcast: Doing It Online

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

There was a time in my life when I thought riding a motorbike would be a really great idea. You could call it an early midlife crisis. I had visions of myself as this leather-clad, high-heeled wonder woman, cruising through the city with perfectly windswept hair. I’d have a whole new biker wardrobe - It was going to be amazing.

After spending a small fortune on the bike, the leather pants (I loved them), the helmet, the jacket and all the gear, I thought it might be a good idea to get some lessons. 

Only a few months later, I woke up and the truth hit me harder than a bug on my helmet: I didn't actually like being a motorbike rider. So, I sold the bike and all my gear to someone else who would enjoy it. 

I could have made that mean something, like I was a failure for sinking a lot of money into this silly hobby that everyone told me not to do. I could have been embarrassed that I’d quit riding after just a few short months.

And was I? Not at all! 

Why? Because it's okay to admit when something isn't working. It's okay to try something and change your mind. It's okay to say, "Well, that was a terrible decision" and move on. 

It’s no big deal. What IS a big deal, is the meaning you give things.

Emma McQueen:

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 was 30 and didn't have a husband. For someone who spent her teenage years dreaming about wedding dresses (the pink poofy ones were my favourite) and flipping through bridal magazines, this wasn't exactly part of the plan. 

My plan was to get married, have a big wedding with all the pink frills, buy a house and have heaps of kids and dogs. So you can imagine my great disappointment when I woke up at 30 and didn’t have any of those things!

So on my 30th birthday, I knew it was time to find myself a husband. While my 20s had been filled with passport stamps and career wins, what I wanted now was really clear - I was ready to find my person. Not because society said I should, not because I was running out of time, but because I knew in my bones this was what I wanted. This wasn't about ticking a box or following a timeline. This was about being honest with myself about what I truly desired - a husband, a family, and yes, two dogs (though for some reason, I thought those had to come after the husband). So after throwing myself a birthday party and getting a tattoo - why not, right? - I decided to get serious about finding love with the same focus I'd brought to building my career.

I knew what I wanted, I had a strategy and I was going to find him.

This episode is quite vulnerable and I’ll admit, it feels a bit strange sharing on such a personal level. But the truth is, whether you're building a business, finding love, or creating your dream life, the principle remains the same: Clarity combined with consistent, inspired action is unstoppable. You don't need to see the entire path - you just need to know your next right move and be brave enough to take it.

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

In today's episode, we're getting real about something that’s very close to my heart - that moment when running your business starts feeling less like an adventure and more like a never-ending to-do list of doom. Sound familiar?

Running a business should feel exhilarating (and it can!). But somewhere along the way, we bought into this crazy idea that success means hustling 24/7, surviving on coffee and prayers and wearing burnout like a badge of honour.

The thing is, success isn't about doing more. It's about doing what really, really matters. Today, I’m taking you through 3 power moves you can take to optimise your business and make the most of this one, gorgeous life:

1. Focus on Revenue-Generating Activities

• Ditch the endless Instagram bio tweaking
• Get on those client calls
• Follow up with leads
• Run killer events
• Actually sell your amazing offers

2. Delegate, Automate or Delete

• Stop being a control freak 
• Hand tasks off to a VA or team member
• Embrace automation tools
• Hit that delete button with joy

3. Create Boundaries Like the Queen You Are

• Set clear office hours
• Stop being available 24/7
• Create space for what really matters

Your Power Move Challenge:

Pick ONE of these moves and make it happen this week. Write it down and share your success stories with me—I’d love to cheer you on. Remember, keep optimising, keep thriving and keep wearing that beautiful crown of yours. You've got this!

Emma McQueen:

Website

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

Money talk: it triggers people and stirs up conversations. That’s because it really is important—it offers choices and freedom, letting us create lives and businesses that align with our individual paths. However, have you noticed the often toxic rhetoric around it, especially from some so-called gurus claiming that if you’re not a millionaire, you’re not working hard enough? Or if you just do this ‘one thing’, you’ll make six figures overnight?

Before you know it, you're questioning your own achievements and feeling as if you’ve somehow fallen behind. Can we pause right there? Today, I want to break down what it means to truly talk about money in a way that's impactful, genuine and free from shame:

1. Transparency Over Hype: instead of talking about the money goals we achieved, let’s start discussing how we got there, whether through consistent growth, stellar projects, or trial and error.

2. Meeting People Where They Are: Decide what success looks like for you, rather than hinging it on hitting specific income numbers.

3. Focusing on Sustainable Success: Start by setting realistic, clear goals that stretch across short, medium and long-term timelines, rather than focusing on generating quick cash. 

Here’s a challenge for you: reframe your money mindset by asking yourself some honest questions: Are you measuring success against someone else’s wealth? Do you feel undue pressure to hit certain financial milestones? Are your financial discussions empowering, or do they leave you feeling less than?

If today’s topic resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a DM on Instagram at @emmarmcqueen and share your money mindset shift. Let’s continue this dialogue in a way that feels good, safe, challenging and sustainable.

Emma McQueen:

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 setting yourself up for retirement? 

Do you even want to retire? 

In just two years, I'll be 50, the age I always imagined I'd retire. Eight years ago, when I started my business, my goal was to pay off the mortgage and retire. When I first mentioned my retirement plans to my husband, he chuckled and said, "I cannot imagine you not working." 

And honestly, I couldn't either! 

The idea of retirement used to be synonymous with rest, relaxation, and a reward for years of hard work. But as I contemplate stepping back, I realise that the traditional notion of retirement has evolved so much since my grandparents, or even my parents generation.

A few generations ago, retirement was a clearly defined phase. My parents’ and grandparents’ retirements were linear, moving seamlessly from career to comfortable leisure. But, nowadays, is it even a thing to fully retire? The world looks different now. People stay healthier longer, careers are more fulfilling, and the drive to contribute doesn't simply stop at an arbitrary age.

The dynamic has shifted; with many of us living longer, we have to rethink how we spend this extended period of life. Back when I was in corporate, I managed my finances with an iron grip, always thinking ahead. But starting my own business put finances—and retirement—into a new perspective. My accountant once doubted my initial business ambitions, but reaching financial milestones faster than expected taught me to challenge the status quo and dream bigger.

00:00 Retirement Goals

00:47 Challenges of Running a Business

01:51 Financial Planning and Superannuation

04:09 The Reality of Retirement

05:26 Balancing Work and Family

06:48 Rethinking Retirement and Future Plans

09:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Emma McQueen:

Website

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