Small business doesn’t have to satisfy someone else’s needs. 

Lynda James is an accountant and money coach who helps empathetic, thoughtful, intuitive and creative business owners to unravel challenging monetary beliefs and patterns & uncomplicate business finances so they can create sustainable and profitable businesses that improve their lives and others. 

In this episode we discuss: 

- Slowing consumerism by being intentional business owners that designs our business around our goals & health needs. 

- Co-dependency on big corporates has not been good on our health. We’ve become consumers rather than simply citizens or community members - over working & undernourished 

- The small business world can sometimes orientate itself around simply getting tax done. At times there is no time given to sit back & assess how money can be spent & managed in an intentional way 

- Small business is the fabric of how a community exists. Lynda’s travels through Europe have created a remembering of this. 

- The more empathic, concerned & kind ways we do business essentially is just an exchange of resources. Money is simply used for convenience. 

- In the West, business has been used to potentially maximise profit margin, etc. Exponential growth has become the focus. 

- The volume of sales is dependent on the goal, so being clear on our individual goal is really important. 

- “Company of 1” by Paul Jarvis is a great book that Lynda recommends. 

- Some things are so engrained in our culture that we don’t question them… 

- Glorification of busy is common in our modern world… Greece doesn’t glorify busy. Being present offers connection which strengthens a community. 

- How do we balance being active & being receptive. Down time to connect is healthy & important. 

- What is a sustainable business? By paying attention to our needs we are able to run a more sustainable business. Getting clear on our own individual goal aids this. Choosing accurate pricing honours the whole person… so that the person is more cared for. The transactions that follow encourage conscious spending. 

- Pricing enacts discernment & therefore we become more considered in how we purchase or spend. Which slows down the sales cycle, allowing for consideration & reflection. We need more time so that choices are not unconscious. 

- Mainstream marketing triggers a crazy amount of fear which sometimes leads to spending. 

- Our internal ‘junk’ around money can be used as clues to navigate how we behave around money. 

- Hard work = Success (Underlying message from society) 

- By connecting to the natural world we find it harder to ignore our health needs. The natural rhythms can’t be ignored. 

- When we run our own business we get to CHOOSE – intentional business design, not reactive. INTENTIONAL business design can fit in local economy. 

- Being financially well needs to be spoken of more – small business owners can take care of themselves & not fall into the trap of glorifying busyness. Don’t underplay how valuable it is to be yourself in the scheme of running your business. 

- Let’s create small business owners that THRIVE! 

@lynda_valofinancial 

www.valofinancial.com

Han has been teaching Yoga and Mindfulness in Cairns with a single, sincere wish to share the benefits of practice with others. His approach to the practices are lighthearted and is known for his capacity to deliver complex concepts in an accessible manner. For him, the practices are a way of thinking and living rather than just a band aid for life.

Show notes:

Han runs classes, private sessions & retreats.  You can find all the info you need at - https://www.homeofequanimity.com/

Emily Sugars is a Naturopath at The Biome Clinic in Northern NSW, specialising in functional digestive disorders. She has worked closely with Dr Nirala Jacobi, international SIBO expert, since graduating as a naturopath 9 years ago, and has also recently completed a postgraduate Honours in Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine.

Emily also is the Operations Manager and Practitioner Consultant for SIBOtest, which offers at home breath tests for the diagnosis of SIBO and education for practitioners in the treatment of SIBO

KEY POINTS:

- SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

- This overgrowth produce gasses that interfere with our digestion causing nutrient deficiencies, bloating, gas, alternating bowels, etc

- SIBO is similar yet different to IBS

- Clues: Bloating happens immediately after meals, 'Never been well since', more fibre can worsen symptoms, etc

- SIBO is a consequence of something & is a chronic relapsing condition. If a person relapses the whole picture hasn't been considered, for example if a person is in fight & flight they will not digest their food (21 century syndrome).

- Breath testing is how SIBO is assessed.  

- Treatment depends on the result of the breath test (whether hydrogen or methane gas is reported).  Following this treatment involves identifying the underlying cause, addressing the bacteria imbalance & supporting the sluggish motility due to stress &/or bacteria.

Resources:

Quiz - https://sibotest.com/quizzes/1

The clinic Emily works at: https://www.thebiomeclinic.com/

- "50 things you need to know about periods" is Claire's new book.  It provides something simple to digest & empower both men & women around charting the feminine cycle.

- Coming off The Pill & what may happen due to it's suppression of ovulation.

- Menstrual awareness work can create such a feeling of being alive mentally, physically, spiritually

- The 4 phases of the feminine cycle: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn.  

WINTER: The period cave.  Release & reset. Going inward.

SPRING: Get moving on projects with work, playful, calendars, start something new (even self care routine). 

SUMMER: Ovulation - highest levels of oestrogen, plus a bump in testosterone, resilient, extroverted,  a feeling of successfully spinning all the plates. 

AUTUMN: Drop in oestrogen after ovulation - the body is no longer fertile. The truth telling, no f's giving, setting boundaries, wild woman creative energy, taking time for yourself is easier in this phase. Progesterone is present to nurture a potential baby. The "adulting phase". How we feel during this phase may depend on how we nurture our body.

- Liver loaders can affect our cycle...for example drinking less to no coffee can show an improvement in premenstrual symptoms like sore breasts.  Caffeine & alcohol can impact how oestrogen is eliminated through the liver.  

- There is a natural order to a menstrual cycle. A sense of an inhale & exhale.  Charting gives us a handrail. Maybe more time needed for a bath during the pre-menstrual phase vs the social feeling of ovulation/Summer.  If we try to maintain the superwoman cape throughout the whole cycle we can fall. eg. too much on our plate during our Autumn/pre-menstrual phase can lead to rage or anger due to not giving yourself the space needed. Giving ourselves a break during the Autumn phase & learning to say no can actually dim the feeling of PMS. More sleep & hydration can remedy PMS.

- Wholefood chocolate, hot chocolates with cacao, sweet potatoes (complex carbs) can support our changes in blood sugar levels which also support PMS symptoms. 

- If unusual patterns are presenting blood tests are a good place to start. 

- Stress shortens our cycle in length. However, sometimes it is lengthened due to ovulation being delayed, because the body doesn't want to create a fertile environment for a baby, due to the environment being stressful.

- Be grateful for the changes the body shows due to it's WISDOM. Be thankful for these communication tools

- Waking at the same time, going to bed at the same time, having plenty of water, whole foods, exercise, etc helps create hormonal order just by caring for our basic needs.

- Lara Briden educates women on ovulation being a key component of healthy bones, a sign of fertility & health. 

- Stress, low body weight & liver loaders like medications can impact the absence of bleeding.

- Our body knows & communicates through it's wisdom.  Subtle stressors that we term as 'normal' in our current lifestyle impacts our body's natural rhythm.  You may need to also learn to take your foot off the accelerator like Claire & I are learning & consider each phase as a SUPERPOWER.

WEBSITE: https://www.clairebaker.com/

BOOK: https://www.clairebaker.com/book

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/  

Nikki Fischer - Optimum Pet Wellness

Bio:

Nikki has been a Naturopath for 14yrs, focusing mainly on human health and specialising in areas such as fertility, mental health & behaviour, and acute prescribing. In the last 5yrs however her clients have been transitioning from 2-legged to 4-legged as Nikki now concentrates her skills, efforts and business on helping your pets to live their best lives.

Show notes:

- An ear infection with Nikki's dog Jetty gave her a inkling that maybe the food had been part of the problem? Nikki then dived down the rabbit hole of information & research.

- The herbal dispensary Nikki was working in enabled her to begin holistic pet care, gaining great results

- You can decrease the chances of your dog developing long term chronic disease by increasing fresh raw food by 20% into their diet

- Meat only diet can create other health problems due to lack of calcium, vitamin D, iodine, etc.

- Best ratio to follow (using BARF guidelines.. Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding): 2-3% of animals body weight per day. 80% muscle meat (lamb, pork, duck, chicken, turkey, fish, roo, heart, tongue, lung, tripe, etc): 10% raw bones (ground or whole bird carcass, chicken neck, duck feet, brisket, whole fish with bones, etc): 5% liver: 5% other excreting organs (kidney, spleen, etc) + fresh fruit & veg (blended or ground is ideal - spinach, kale, broccoli, beans, carrot, asparagus, pumpkin, sweet potato, veg pulp, berries, etc).  Frozen in ice cubes is handy. 10-20% of fruit/veg extra is ideal - can be used as a treat.  Supplemental foods are ideal as well; spiralina & coconut oil ice cubes, flax oil, hemp seeds, chia seeds (soaked), kraut, etc.

- Turmeric paste/golden paste to reduce inflammation can be used as a supplemental food.  

- The food we feed an animal affects their behaviour

- Vets have a tricky & demanding role as they need to be across all categories; so be kind to them.  Nutrition is not their focus in their training. 

- Titre testing allows a vet to assess the antibodies in an animals body - so revaccination isn't needed. Homeopathics can be an alternative. 

- Flea & tic medication can be dangerous - observe your pet's behaviour if they are off food or even worst case scenario they can die. Observe your risks at first. Tics need to be on your animal for 24-48hrs to have an impact, so daily checks can support this. The chews concentrate in the tissues after running through their blood stream, so therefore you need to poison your dog in order to poison tics. Tremors, stumbling, seizures, etc can occur. Sonic devices perhaps?

- Pet Potion Tinctures & probiotics

Shelley Cottle, Physiotherapist - Post C-section, Scar Tissue & Visceral Manipulation

Bio:

Shelley Cottle is not a traditional physiotherapist.  She holds a Physiotherapy degree but practises a little differently to traditional Physios.  She has a particular interest in wanting to know why?!  She believes the human body is not random and there is always a precipitator for everything.  We move in the path of least resistance until our body can not longer maintain the adjustments; pain and dysfunction arise at that point. Shelley enjoys tracing the pain or injury back to its roots and treating it there. When she can properly treat the root cause the results are great and lasting.  She enjoys helping clients on a healing journey where they can see the start and end of the injury and ailment.  Her two biggest interests are feet and post C section healing.

Key points:

Website: http://focusphysiocairns.com/

Tricia Hart – Slow Fashion

Bio:

Tricia currently lectures in fashion studies and professional practice at TAFE Queensland and University of Canberra. Her career in fashion began with bridal design. From there she moved to retail management and buying before operating her own boutique. She also runs a creative industry with her partner which specialises in colonial and contemporary Australian history and culture. Tricia's research areas include sustainable and ethical fashion in particular critical analysis of imagery associated with ethical fashion. She has presented at conferences in India and Japan and led study tours to India and Japan.

Key points:

· Works at TAFE as a Fashion Teacher/Educator with a passion for sustainability.

· Also lecturers at the University of Canberra in Creative Industries.

· Grew up in a household where she was encouraged to be thrifty, plus have respect for nature & the environment - the key principles of ethical & sustainable fashion.

. Jeans washed or not washed in 2 separate experiments over a 3 month period showed no difference in bacteria build up.

· How does sustainability & ethics exist together? Ethical fashion must be sustainable – people & animals are part of the planet.  How do we navigate the overwhelm?

· The supply chain in the fashion industry is complex – for example…where is the fibre grown & the material made?

· If we all wore clothing with natural dyes there would not be enough land left to grow edible crops – which provides an interesting consideration for natural alternatives.  Clothes made off shore are cheaper which creates overconsumption.

· Retailers normally buy more clothing than they can sell – which encourages over consumption.

· Excess stock when not sold is then sold at a reduced price & then sadly dumped if not sold.

· The laundering process of a garment is among the most damaging to our environment. Nano particles/micro fibres end up in our waterways when synthetic fabric is washed. These have been found in honey & the ice cores in the Arctic circle!  This of course enters our food chain.

· The term 'Fashion' – means change.  How does one navigate slow fashion or 'ethical' fashion with change as its pivot?  Perhaps reflect on what your non negotiable values are to guide your choices.

· How does the fashion industry promote & value 'change'? The fashion industry is the 3rd most wasteful industry. 

· Blended fabrics or fibre blends – poly cotton - can’t be separated & therefore recycled, so consider this in your choice.

. If wearing synthetic fabrics wash it less & not on a gentle cycle.

. Think before you buy.  Buy natural.  Buy ethical.  Become more aware of the supply chain - do your research (Good On You app, Ethical Clothing Australia website, Baptist World Aid website). 

· Green washing – many brands just promote an aspect of their making & not the whole process of that garment.

· Being true to our own values is important.

· Vegan leather is now able to be made out of pineapple fibres, rather than from plastics. 

. Clothes swaps are a great way to REUSE clothing items. In SUMMARY: Value what you have.  Buy less.  When you do make a purchase do your research.  Buy quality - it lasts longer.  Make sure it fits (an overlooked area of sustainability).  Spot clean.

Resources (Books/Websites):

Documentaries:

Bio:

Against The Grain Health is a business which challenges the status quo of what it means to love the skin you’re in. Providing effective, high integrity products which transcend skin deep beauty and possess a broad spectrum of uses for the individual and the family. The founder, Brad McDonald, makes no distinction between his values as a naturalist and the principle decision making within the business. At the core foundation of Against The Grain Health is the mantra ‘to be nurtured by nature is a reciprocal relationship’. In order for us to thrive, not just survive, we must move with renewed reverence for nature just as we must for our own sovereignty. Going against the grain is in essence, going beyond all the stories, to a place where we are one and the same.

Show notes:

www.atghealth.com

Bio:

Dr David Cowhig has been the first choice for holistic dentist in Queensland for 20 years. Qualified as a dentist from Kings College London exactly 30 years ago (1989) and is still passionate about the important role he plays in optimising his patients health and longevity by creating Safer Healthy, Beautiful Smiles. He has owned his own practice in Brisbane for 20 years and is the founder of Dental Wellness in The Gap. To fuel his passion he realised early that there was much more to learn about the health of the body and the Oral Systemic Health link. Fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine in 1998 (FACNEM) and Board Certified in Anti-Ageing Medicine 2016 (ACAAM) and has , throughout his career kept up to date with modern digital dentistry and many integrated complementary medical training seminars bringing what he has learnt to offer a unique comprehensive holistic biological dental experience. He is the Australian pioneer in placement of total metal free Zirconia dental implants and offers the first total metal free solution for all dental conditions.

Show notes:

https://dentalwellness.com.au/ (free ebook available via website)

Shelly Langford has been supporting women in various ways for 23yrs (running mother’s groups, president for playgroup, running home education parent support group & supporting foster families) & has been a professional birth doula since 2014. She supports women with whatever their choices are & wherever they choose to birth. She has experienced supporting women in hospitals, home births & free births (unassisted birth).  Shelly has also travelled to PNG once a year for the last few years to support women in remote villages, educating & assisting their traditional births in the bush, as well as providing clean drinking water.

www.shellylangford.com.au

Facebook: Birthing Doula Shelly

Key notes:

- What is a doula?

- How does safety & trust impact the birthing process?

- Nutrition & lifestyle factors impact the position of the pelvis

- Encouraging a woman to deeply trust their inner knowing through education & building trust

- Our bodies are designed to birth, as women. It is natural. It is not a medical procedure.

- A woman needs to be in her primal brain to birth. This helps reduce or eliminate pain due to being present & not taken out to enter her logical brain.

- Post birth requires some timetabling to enable a new mum to prioritise sleep, amongst other basic needs. A doula helps to support this new phase, post birth.

- Creating the best birthing place & space is a part of a doula’s role based on personal experiences & needs.

- Home birth is legal.

- A doula observes, guides & makes suggestions for a birthing mother during the birthing process. But the mother knows what her body needs.

- What is normal for labour is progress. Irrespective of time, if there is progress we are on the right track.

- Sleep is key for post-natal depression recovery. As well as key nutrients & support. They are all key to keeping a new mama sane.

- Sleep is key after birthing in general, because it gives the body a chance to heal, deeply.