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In this solo episode, Alex explores how being "too nice" can quietly cost your business time, money and capacity. From underpricing and discounting to over-delivering and blurry boundaries, she shares how to protect your profit without losing the kindness and care that make your business yours. If you're working hard but your bank balance doesn't reflect it, this one is for you. In this episode: How being "too nice" shows up as underpricing, discounting, over-delivering and saying yes when you mean noPricing on value and what your business needs, not just timeWhat to say when someone tells you "that's a bit pricey"The hidden work that turns a profitable package into an underpaid oneWhy low average sale values create a capacity problemWhy you and your future self are stakeholders in your business tooThe "nice tax audit" to find where your time and profit are leakingTry the nice tax audit: Look at your last five clients. Compare what you invoiced with everything you actually delivered, including calls, messages, revisions and extras. Work out your real hourly rate and ask yourself, would I knowingly agree to this price again? BOOK YOUR 2027 BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOP A relaxed, practical morning to look back on 2026 and plan your next 12 months with clarity, including your pricing and numbers. All stages welcome. Every ticket includes: A pre-workshop mini auditAlex's simple goal-setting and planning frameworkGuided visualisationA panel of three business owners sharing their planning habitsA bonus online accountability session in mid-JanuaryChoose your date: Shrewsbury: Tue 24 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Lion & Pheasant Hotel https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningshrewsbury Woburn Sands: Fri 27 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Frosts https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningwoburn Online: Wed 2 Dec, 10am to 12pm https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningonline In-person guests also get a printed workbook, pen, surprise goodies, pastries and refreshments. Tickets: £48 in person, £38 online, or add £100 to go VIP and get a 60-minute 1:1 with Alex. Spaces are limited, so book your place soon. Business training can often be tax deductible, so check with your accountant. Timestamps 00:10 The price of being too nice in business 03:02 Why hardworking business owners still struggle financially 04:57 Where "too nice" gets expensive: pricing 08:24 Why pricing by time undervalues your expertise 12:14 Discounting and "that's a bit pricey" 15:04 The hidden work eating your profit 17:27 When "easy to work with" means no boundaries 20:09 Average sale value and capacity 22:57 Using your numbers to make pricing decisions 26:06 The nice tax audit 28:19 Why boundaries are part of your pricing 31:20 Three actions to take after listening 33:00 The 2027 Business Planning Workshops Quotes "You can be kind and profitable." "Your boundaries are part of your pricing." "The answer, rather than being less kind, is to become more aware." Connect with Alex Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching

In this solo episode, Alex reframes Q4 as a bridge into 2027, not a time to coast, panic or write the year off. With around twelve weeks left, she shares a calm, practical approach to finishing the year with clarity, cash flow and momentum, without running yourself into the ground. If you're feeling behind, flat or tempted to "start properly in January", this one is for you. In this episode: Why "coasting mode" feels safe but often leads to a stressful JanuaryFive reflection questions to audit your year using real data, not just feelingsRedefining growth beyond "more": fewer hours, higher prices, better clients, stronger systemsChoosing one priority per month and one action per weekSix Q4 growth opportunities: past clients, pre-selling January, raising prices, the festive season, tidying your finances and one simple offerVisibility, testimonials and aligned collaborationClearing open loops, simplifying systems and setting Christmas boundaries earlyWhy the best January starts with planning in NovemberBOOK YOUR 2027 BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOP A relaxed, practical morning to look back on 2026 and plan your next 12 months with clarity. All stages welcome. Every ticket includes: A pre-workshop mini auditAlex's simple goal-setting and planning frameworkGuided visualisationA panel of three business owners sharing their planning habitsA bonus online accountability session in mid-JanuaryChoose your date: Shrewsbury: Tue 24 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Lion & Pheasant Hotel https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningshrewsbury Woburn Sands: Fri 27 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Frosts https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningwoburn Online: Wed 2 Dec, 10am to 12pm https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningonline In-person guests also get a printed workbook, pen, surprise goodies, pastries and refreshments. Tickets: £48 in person, £38 online, or add £100 to go VIP and get a 60-minute 1:1 with Alex. Spaces are limited, so book your place soon. Business training can often be tax deductible, so check with your accountant. Timestamps 00:00 Why this episode was recorded twice 02:45 Why Q4 shapes this year and next 04:03 What coasting mode looks like 09:31 Five questions to audit your year 15:00 Redefining growth beyond "more" 18:28 Defining a high finish 19:34 One priority per month, one action per week 22:02 Six Q4 growth opportunities 27:21 Visibility and relationships 29:00 Why collaboration speeds up growth 29:38 Clearing open loops 33:10 Christmas boundaries and front-loading Q4 34:25 Why the best January starts before January 35:25 Inside the 2027 planning workshops 37:24 Dates, locations and pricing 39:46 Don't write off the rest of the year Quotes "Q4 is not the end of the year. It is a bridge." "Focus trumps effort every single time." "You are not behind. You are exactly where you need to be to start." Connect with Alex Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Share your "I'll know I've finished 2026 on a high if..." sentence with Alex on Instagram.

In this sixty-eighth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Chardét Ryel, a behaviour change specialist, serial entrepreneur and Forbes-featured Top 200 podcaster who helps female founders use their voice to build authority and trust without relying on algorithms or constantly proving themselves online. Chardét's story is a winding one, from childhood performance instincts and dreams of diplomacy, through building and losing a wellness business, to finding a new direction in business and podcasting. It's an honest conversation about how failure, fear of visibility and big life disruptions can reveal what you actually want, and what shifted when she stopped forcing a fixed identity and let her business evolve with her. If you've ever felt like you should have it all figured out by now, this is one to sit with. In this episode Alex and Chardét explore: The childhood creativity and performance instincts that hinted at her futureFailing the Foreign Service exam and what it set in motionThe messy, non-linear route into entrepreneurship, and why feeling "not ready" doesn't mean you can't beginLeaving a toxic workplace and learning to trust her intuitionStarting her first wellness business, and facing imposter syndrome and a fear of being visibleMoving from New York to London and rebuilding her business modelLosing her in-person business when COVID hit, and rebuilding onlineStarting a podcast, and realising a successful business can still feel misalignedLosing her voice just before a launch, and the link between stress and physical symptomsPivoting into visibility, and why a business doesn't have to stay fixed forever Key Highlights Why failure can create permission to change direction, rather than proof you've gone wrongThat feeling "not ready" isn't a reason to waitHow visibility is a skill you grow into, not something you're born comfortable withWhy a business that looks successful can still feel misaligned, and that feeling is worth listening toWhy you don't have to build alone, because no one is truly self-made Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introducing Chardét's story 02:56 - Studying politics, languages, and failing the Foreign Service exam 03:44 - How failure created permission to change direction 09:16 - Why entrepreneurship began to feel possible 13:35 - Leaving a toxic workplace 16:32 - Starting a wellness brand after job rejection 17:33 - Early imposter syndrome and feeling too old at 27 18:44 - Avoiding visibility and staying off camera 22:14 - Opening day in London with no attendees 25:25 - Losing the business when COVID hit 27:15 - Starting a podcast and reconnecting with her voice 33:25 - Turning the podcast into the business itself 34:49 - Losing her voice just before launch 40:02 - Choosing visibility as a new business focus 45:03 - Chardét's advice: don't do it alone 46:27 - My kind of business is open ended Connect with Chardét https://chardetryel.com/ instagram.com/chardetryel Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixty-seventh episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Rebecca McCloskey, founder of Weave Interiors, a residential interior designer based in Tring whose story is a lovely reminder that the things we loved as children often hold the clues to what we're meant to do. In this episode Alex and Rebecca explore: The childhood passions and creative traits that hinted at her future workGrowing up around entrepreneurial grandparents and business-owning parentsThe transferable skills teaching gave her, from planning to client careHow moving into her own home reignited her love of designThe long fertility journey and how it shifted her focus and prioritiesDeciding to pursue interior design seriously and completing her courseNavigating those first projects and imposter syndrome during COVIDHer nature-led, biophilic approach and love of zoning open-plan spacesCreative, local marketing and the challenge of promoting yourselfLandmark projects and the fulfilment of transforming clients' spacesBuilding support networks and the second business, White and WeavePrioritising family, slow growth and protecting her own wellbeing Key Highlights Why the hobbies you loved as a child can quietly shape the work you're meant to doHow teaching skills like planning, communication and empathy translate beautifully into running a businessWhy home should be a sanctuary, and creating it should feel just as joyful as living in itWhy authentic client care matters far more than perfect contentHow repeat clients and referrals are a truer measure of success than any metricWhy slow, considered growth can be the healthiest way to build a business around your life Connect with Rebecca Weave Interiors: www.weaveinteriors.co.uk / @weave.interiordesign / Weave Interiors on Facebook White and Weave (rental property design, installation and home staging): www.whiteandweave.co.uk / @whiteandweave.homestaging Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

My Business Story In this sixty-sixth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex flips her usual format and turns the microphone on herself, sharing the story of the last eight years in business, the twists, the turns and everything she's learned along the way. It's an honest, reflective one. Alex talks about growing from a quiet, imaginative child into a business owner, a mother and someone who cares deeply about personal growth. She opens up about the travel that changed how she saw the world, the accidental start of her first business, the leap into coaching, and how motherhood reshaped what she wanted her work and life to look like. If you're building a business around your life rather than the other way around, this is the kind of episode you'll want in your ears. In this episode Alex explores: Her childhood, early confidence and the curiosity that shaped herWhy vulnerability matters in personal and professional growthHow travelling and living abroad expanded her worldview and planted the seeds for her businessThe move from hospitality and export sales into running her own social media management businessBuilding confidence online and getting over the fear of being on cameraHow becoming a mother changed her priorities and her whole approach to businessWhy patience and self compassion are underrated parts of successWhere the business is heading next, including in-person events and new programmes Key Highlights How solo travel built the courage that later powered her businessThe moment self-employment shifted into something aligned with who she isWhy investing in coaching and starting therapy changed everythingHow motherhood became a reason to build differently, not to slow downHer honest advice for anyone stuck at the start: take one step today and trust the process Timestamps: 00:01 - Flipping the rules to share my personal journey 01:29 - Childhood: confidence, imagination and early work 04:05 - Wanting to travel and work abroad 05:22 - How travel shaped my mindset and courage 06:23 - Meeting digital nomads and location-independent work 09:13 - From a PGCE to export sales and corporate life 11:29 - Overwork, boundaries and seeking new directions 13:43 - Long-term travel and life-changing experiences 17:52 - The fight for confidence and authenticity 19:00 - Moving to Australia and working in tech 20:48 - Back to the UK and setting up my first business 23:16 - Building and scaling my social media business 26:08 - Investing in coaching and facing self-doubt 27:37 - Aligning my business with personal development 28:48 - Starting therapy and shifting my mindset 30:23 - Pursuing NLP and coaching qualifications 31:48 - Navigating the pandemic and evolving my business 34:20 - Launching in-person networking and community 36:45 - Feeling aligned and embracing motherhood 38:18 - Travelling solo in Sri Lanka 40:00 - Meeting Dave and starting a new chapter 44:08 - Pregnancy, unexpected changes and big decisions 46:23 - Balancing family with business 50:23 - Staying purposeful through podcasting and minimal social 53:45 - Patience and trusting my timeline 56:51 - Future plans: scaling gently and in-person events 60:23 - Advice: start now, take one step and trust the process Resources & Links: Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown Connect with Alex: alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixty-fifth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy explores jealousy in a way that might completely change how you think about it. Rather than seeing jealousy as something to suppress or feel ashamed of, Alex reframes it as valuable information — a signal pointing you towards what you genuinely want in your business and life. If you've ever felt that uncomfortable pang when someone else shares a big win, this episode will help you understand what's really underneath it and how to use it to your advantage. Main Topics Covered: Why jealousy is a normal human emotion, not a character flawHow shame often makes jealousy feel heavier than it needs toThe difference between the feeling itself and the story we create around itWhy comparison can distort reality and keep us feeling behindHow jealousy can become one of the most powerful tools for self-awareness and business growth In This Episode: Why jealousy isn't something to fear or suppress, but something to pay attention toHow shame keeps us stuck, while curiosity helps us move forwardThe difference between experiencing jealousy and believing the stories it tells youWhy comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel is never a fair comparison A simple five-step process for working with jealousy: Notice it without judgementGet specific about what you're actually jealous ofAsk what that reveals about your own desiresTurn the feeling into an open question instead of a conclusionSense-check whether it's something you genuinely want or something you think you should wantHow jealousy can become valuable market research, revealing what kind of work, visibility, pricing, freedom or recognition you're really cravingWhy your feelings can become a roadmap for your next business decision instead of a reason to spiral Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome and why we're talking about jealousy 01:08 — Why jealousy is a normal human emotion 03:56 — The shame we attach to feeling jealous 07:42 — Comparison, highlight reels and the stories we tell ourselves 11:18 — Separating the feeling from the meaning you give it 15:10 — The five-step framework for handling jealousy differently 19:54 — Using jealousy as market research in your business 23:06 — Turning envy into clarity, curiosity and action 25:02 — Final thoughts and this week's takeaway Resources and Links: If you're looking for more clarity, confidence and direction in your business, I'd love to help. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or ready for your next level of growth, there are several ways we can work together: Website: www.alexmccarthycoaching.com Book a Clarity Call: https://www.alexmccarthycoaching.com/clarity-call Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/ If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you subscribed to My Kind of Business and shared it with another business owner who might need to hear it. Remember, jealousy isn't proof you're failing—it's often pointing you towards what matters most. The more willing you are to get curious about it, the more clearly you'll see the path that's right for you.

In this sixty-fourth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jennie Bayliss, founder of Letterbox Cocktails, a serial entrepreneur whose story is packed with resilience, resourcefulness and a healthy dose of fun. Jennie's journey has been anything but predictable. As a child she dreamed of becoming a solicitor, and her early working life took her through accounts roles and part-time jobs before a pivotal chapter saw her studying for a business management degree while raising a young family. Balancing motherhood, work and study taught her lessons she still leans on today. But it's her latest venture that really captures the imagination. Letterbox Cocktails began with a search for a deliberately boring business idea and a LinkedIn mastermind, and grew into a vibrant cocktail delivery brand. Jennie shares the reality of those scrappy early days, from licensing and regulation headaches to the chaos of rapid growth, through to winning the VIP Launch Pad competition and building a colourful, recognisable brand with big plans for TikTok, Amazon and retail. In this episode Alex and Jennie explore: Jennie's early aspirations and the jobs that shaped her pathwayBalancing motherhood, work and a business management degreeStarting a virtual PA business during redundancyBuilding a flexible team of mums and overcoming the loneliness of working aloneThe chance call that led to a project management company and fibre infrastructure workHow a hunt for a boring business idea became Letterbox CocktailsNavigating licensing, regulation and the chaos of early growthWinning the VIP Launch Pad competition and evolving the brandGrowth plans across TikTok, Amazon, corporate sales and retailWhy asking for help and taking imperfect action matter more than being readyKey Highlights How saying yes to unexpected opportunities can completely change the direction of your businessThe power of building a business around your life, not the other way roundWhy community, masterminds and networking can be the difference between an idea and a thriving businessHow scrappy beginnings can evolve into a brand you're truly proud ofWhy you'll never feel fully ready, and why you should start anyway Connect with Jennie https://www.letterbox-cocktails.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniebayliss1/ https://www.instagram.com/letterbox__cocktails/ https://www.facebook.com/letterboxcocktails1 https://www.linkedin.com/company/letterbox-cocktails/ https://www.tiktok.com/@letterbox_cocktails https://www.youtube.com/@LetterboxCocktails Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixty-third episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jo Taylor, founder of Mulberry Wellness, a holistic health business built around retreats, movement and mindfulness, and a woman whose warmth and energy are infectious from the very first minute. Jo's journey has been anything but a straight line. From a childhood shaped by travel and a love of movement, she went on to work as cabin crew, seeing the world and learning lessons about service, responsibility and what genuine contentment really looks like, before finding her way into fitness instruction and discovering the thrill of standing in front of a room and helping people feel better in themselves. Over the years she expanded from aerobics into water-based fitness, Pilates and yoga, developing specialist programmes for people with different health conditions and building a loyal community along the way. Then came a cancer diagnosis that changed everything, personally and professionally. Rather than stepping back, Jo found her work became a source of healing, taking her classes online during lockdown and eventually launching Mulberry Wellness, home to retreats, online classes and corporate wellness work rooted in connection and joy. Through it all, Jo has stayed true to her values, trusted her intuition and never lost sight of life's simple pleasures. Her story is a powerful reminder that business can be built around what genuinely matters to you. In this episode Alex and Jo explore: Jo's diverse early career, from travel and cabin crew to fitness instructionThe lessons travel taught her about contentment and life's simple joysBuilding confidence by standing in front of a room and facilitating changeExpanding into Pilates, yoga and specialist programmes for different health conditionsThe impact of her cancer diagnosis on her life and her businessMoving online during lockdown and building community through her classesLaunching Mulberry Wellness and hosting retreats for connection and growthBalancing business growth with personal values and healthy boundariesWhy trusting your intuition is her biggest piece of advice for fellow business ownersKey Highlights How a varied, non-linear career gave Jo the skills and self-belief to build her own businessThe therapeutic power of doing work you love, even through the hardest chaptersWhy boundaries and values matter more than chasing growth for its own sakeHow adversity can become the catalyst for building something truly meaningfulWhy seeking joy, in business and in life, is always worth itFeatured Resource ☀️ Doors are open for Summer Business School, Alex's six-session live programme, covering everything from vision and values to visibility, sales, mindset and planning your best Q4. Email [email protected] to sign up. Connect with Jo https://www.mulberrywellness.co.uk https://linkedin.com/in/jotaylor https://instagram.com/mulberrywellness Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixty-second episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy tackles the trap so many small business owners fall into — doing more and more, being busier than ever, and yet somehow not seeing the growth to match. If you're posting everywhere, tweaking everything and still wondering why the clients aren't landing, this episode strips it all back to the three things that actually move the needle. Main Topics Covered: Why "more is better" is a myth — and the real pattern behind business stagnationHow to craft one clear, simple offer that people instantly understand and can referWhy one visibility channel done consistently beats being everywhere half-heartedlyHow to ask for the sale without feeling pushy or slimyThe quiet power of the follow-up message in turning interest into paying clientsWhy support and structure are what turn knowing into doingIn This Episode: The difference between focus and effort — and why doing less can genuinely do moreHow to test whether your offer is actually clear (and what a confusing offer is costing you)Why clarity on what you sell builds pricing confidenceHow your last five clients tell you exactly where your marketing energy should goWhy offline networking might be working harder for you than any online platformThe problem with vanity metrics — and what to measure insteadA simple piece of homework you can do today: reconnect with everyone who's shown interest recently and hasn't yet said yesTimestamps: 00:00 — Welcome and what this episode covers 00:37 — The problem with doing too much in your business 01:12 — The myth of "more is better" and why busy doesn't equal profitable 04:27 — Focus vs effort: why doing less can do more 06:37 — Focus 1: One clear offer — how to test it, price it, and sell it with confidence 11:17 — Focus 2: One visibility channel done consistently — and how to work out which one 15:45 — Focus 3: Confidently asking for the sale and the power of genuine follow-up 19:49 — Ditching vanity metrics and focusing on real conversions 20:25 — The three strategies pulled together 21:25 — Why knowing isn't enough — support, structure, and doing the work 23:20 — Summer Business School and your homework for today Resources and Links: Summer Business School — Alex's six-session live programme running on Tuesdays from 14th July, covering vision and values, your offer and ideal client, visibility, sales, mindset and Q4 planning. Available in Standard and VIP tiers. Grab your spot by emailing Alex on [email protected] Connect with Alex McCarthy: https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/www.alexmccarthycoaching.comWhether you join Summer Business School or not, this episode will leave you with three clear places to put your energy — and one piece of homework that could land you your next client this week.

In this sixty-first episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Si Elliott, a strategic marketing and customer experience leader who has spent over twenty years helping brands build deeper, more meaningful connections, and whose career began less with a master plan and more with a series of happy accidents. Si's journey started with a childhood entrepreneurial streak and a business degree he took without any real idea of where it would lead. It was almost by accident that he found his way into marketing and agency life, working up from student to managing director, and learning to lead long before he felt ready to call himself a leader. Today he co-owns creative agency Diversity and is the founder of customer experience consultancy Fabricx, where he combines behavioural science with practical strategy to design experiences that genuinely resonate. He is also an award-winning guest lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and the Communication University of China, and has just published his first book, Customer Experience Thinking. Through years of organic growth, honest self-doubt and a deep belief in putting people first, Si has built a way of working that proves business can be both successful and genuinely human. In this episode Alex and Si explore: Si's childhood entrepreneurial spirit and his accidental route into marketingGoing from student to managing director, and growing into leadershipNavigating imposter syndrome and building confidence over timeWhy environment, team culture and trusted relationships matter so muchChoosing organic growth over aggressive scalingFounding Fabricx and bringing behavioural science into client workHow behavioural biases shape real marketing and customer decisionsBalancing multiple ventures and keeping variety in his workThe future of AI and automation, and why human connection still wins Key Highlights How a non-linear, accident-driven career can still lead somewhere brilliantWhy self-belief and the right environment are the foundations of good leadershipWhat behavioural science reveals about trust, loyalty and decision makingHow to grow a business organically without losing its human heartWhy, in a world obsessed with clicks and conversions, the human experience is what really counts Featured Resource 🗓️ Join Alex for the Mid-Year Business Reset, a free, live workshop on Tuesday 30th June at 10am to help you take stock, get clear on your business and finish the year strong. 👉 Book your spot here: https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/themidyearbusinessreset Connect with Si https://www.linkedin.com/in/si-elliott/ www.sielliott.com https://www.instagram.com/si.elliott Customer Experience Thinking out now: https://mybook.to/CXThinkin Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixtieth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Sian Brennan-Todd, a former dancer turned entrepreneur, host and presenter who built a cheerleading empire spanning 250 schools before transitioning into the world of media and presenting. Sian's journey is deeply rooted in her childhood love of dance. From performing arts college in London at 18 to working abroad in cheerleading and choreography, she has spent her career turning passion into profession. After moving to Australia and building a global cheerleading business, Sian returned to the UK with a renewed focus on hosting, presenting and helping others build confidence through performance. Through years of discipline, resilience and self-belief, Sian has created a business built on fun, passion and adding real value to the people around her. In this episode Alex and Sian explore: Childhood passions and how dance shaped her entrepreneurial mindsetThe discipline and professional skills learned through performing artsBuilding a cheerleading business from the ground up with 250 schools involvedNavigating lockdown and adapting to online sessionsThe move to Australia and building a global enterpriseTransitioning into hosting and presentingHow confidence is built through consistency and practiceBalancing family life with entrepreneurshipAdvice for entrepreneurs feeling stuck or lacking confidence Key Highlights How the skills developed in dance and performing arts translate directly into business successWhy self-belief is the foundation of everything Sian has builtThe power of adapting and pivoting when circumstances changeHow to overcome fear and self-doubt and keep showing up anywayWhat it really means to build a business around something you love Featured Resource 🗓️ Join Alex for the Mid-Year Business Reset — a free, live workshop on Tuesday 30th June 6am to help you take stock, get clear on your business and finish the year strong. 👉 Book your spot here: https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/themidyearbusinessreset Connect with Sian https://www.instagram.com/sianbrennantodd/ [email protected] www.sianbrennantodd.com Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this fifty-ninth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy walks through a proper mid-year business review — not a vague "how's it going" but a structured, honest look at the four areas that matter most. Are you approaching the halfway point of 2026 and wondering where the year has actually gone? This episode gives you practical questions, real examples, and a framework you can use today. Main Topics Covered: Why the mid-year point is the most important moment to stop and look at your business honestlyHow to evaluate your offer, pricing, and structure for clarity and alignmentThe difference between having a marketing strategy and actually executing it consistentlyThe operational systems and habits that are either supporting or quietly undermining your businessThe mindset patterns — including fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt — that create action gaps even when you know what to do In This Episode: Why most business problems aren't marketing problems — and what to look at firstHow undercharging affects your energy, not just your incomeThe watering-a-plant analogy that explains why consistency beats cleverness in marketingWhat "avoidance" in your marketing is actually telling youThe difference between being run by your business and running your businessWhy the gap between where you are and where you want to be is almost always an action gap — and what's underneath itA real client story about a programme that nearly never launched — and what changed when the real block was named Timestamps: 00:00 — Why the mid-year moment matters and what most business owners miss 02:15 — Introducing the four-area framework: offer, marketing, operations, mindset 03:00 — Area 1: Offer — is it still right, priced right, and simple enough? 08:30 — Area 2: Marketing — the difference between strategy and consistent execution 14:00 — Area 3: Operations — is your business running you, or are you running your business? 18:30 — Area 4: Mindset — the action gap and what's really underneath it 23:30 — Close and details of the free Mid-Year Business Check-In workshop Resources and Links: The Mid-Year Business Check-In Workshop — Free 45-minute workshop, Tuesday 30th June at 10am. Register here to secure your spot; https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/themidyearbusinessreset Connect with Alex McCarthy: InstagramWebsite Whether or not you make it to the workshop, this episode will leave you with honest questions and a clear framework to take into the second half of 2026 with more intention and clarity than you started it with.

In this fifty-eighth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jade Evans from Shrewsbury, a healer and mentor specialising in mother wound healing, generational trauma and postpartum support, helping women reclaim their sovereignty, reconnect with themselves and build lives rooted in authentic freedom. Jade's journey is deeply personal. From a creative childhood as an only child to a career in photography, she found herself drawn into family psychology and healing work, eventually stepping into postpartum support and ancestral energy work. Through her own experiences of motherhood and transformation, she has built an online healing practice dedicated to helping women break cycles, heal core wounds and step into their power. In this episode Alex and Jade explore: Childhood influences and how early experiences shape adult healing workThe mother wound and its impact on postpartum wellbeingGenerational healing and ancestral energy workReclaiming personal sovereignty and healing core woundsRites of passage in modern birth and motherhoodNervous system regulation and cyclical awarenessBuilding an online community for postpartum womenIntegrating cycle awareness into businessAdvice for women growing a soulful, values-led businessKey Highlights Why the mother wound is at the root of so many postpartum strugglesThe power of generational healing and breaking cycles for future generationsHow reclaiming rites of passage can transform your experience of motherhoodWhy nervous system regulation is foundational to both healing and businessBuilding a business as an authentic expression of who you are Connect with Jade https://www.instagram.com/the_nesting_space_community_/ Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this fifty-seventh episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Sharn Khaira, founder of the Asian Female Entrepreneur Collective, a global community dedicated to empowering Asian women to smash through cultural barriers, build thriving businesses and live the lives they truly deserve. Sharn's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in a strict Sikh family, she went from hiding in school toilets with no friends to becoming a seven figure subconscious and strategy business mentor. After escaping a toxic corporate role, she built Desi Bride Dreams into an award winning wedding planning business featured on BBC Breakfast, BBC Asian Network and the UK's biggest wedding publications, before founding the Asian Female Entrepreneur Collective in 2017. In this episode Alex and Sharn explore: Growing up in a strict Sikh family and challenging cultural normsThe journey from isolation and self-doubt to unshakeable self-beliefNavigating workplace bullying, anxiety and knowing when to walk awayLeaving corporate in 2014 and launching Desi Bride Dreams against all oddsTransitioning from wedding planning into coaching and community buildingFounding the Asian Female Entrepreneur Collective and its global missionSubconscious reprogramming and the mindset practices that changed everythingBuilding a luxury personal brand that attracts high value clientsCharging premium prices with confidence and knowing your worthNavigating grief, seasons in business and embracing change with resilience Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Sharn's inspiring journey [01:23] Childhood aspirations and societal challenges [03:26] Travel at 18 and breaking free from cultural restrictions [09:01] Transformative experiences from travelling and university [12:29] Workplace bullying and mental health struggles [14:38] Quitting corporate to start a wedding blog [18:30] Launching her first business and overcoming skepticism [22:08] Growing her wedding business into a high value brand [26:52] Transitioning into coaching and mentoring [33:16] Building a luxury brand and charging premium prices [35:22] Gratitude, visualisations and energy management [36:37] Navigating grief, seasons and resilience [41:18] Relentless drive, holistic strategy and subconscious programming [42:43] My business is expansion Key Highlights The power of knowing you hold the ability to change your own courseBuilding Desi Bride Dreams into a nationally recognised brand in under two yearsWhy subconscious reprogramming is the foundation of seven figure successStaying in an elevated emotional state during life's hardest seasonsBuilding a luxury brand rooted in consistency, authenticity and confidence Connect with Sharn afecollective.com instagram.com/sharn.khaira.mentor Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this fifty-sixth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Carl Darnell, founder of crdone, a search marketing agency based in Bedford specialising in PPC, SEO and web design for small and medium sized businesses. He began his career as a marketing apprentice at a local college before working his way up through well known brands, managing campaigns, working with data and presenting marketing performance to stakeholders right up to board level. In this episode Alex and Carl explore the full journey from apprentice to agency owner, the mindset shifts required along the way and the practical foundations that have allowed crdone to grow sustainably. In this episode Alex and Carl explore: Carl's early career as a marketing apprentice and the path that followedThe decision to travel and how freelancing abroad led to founding crdoneTransitioning from freelancer to agency owner and what that shift really involvesGrowing and managing a remote team through COVID and beyondBuilding SOPs and processes that allow a business to scale sustainablyHiring for attitude and what Carl looks for in the people he brings into the teamCreating strong company culture without a shared physical spaceThe books and frameworks that have shaped how Carl runs the businessHis mission to make digital marketing transparent and genuinely understoodAdvice for aspiring entrepreneurs and why starting with the end in mind matters Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Carl Darnell's story [01:09] Childhood aspirations and family influences [02:59] Discovering marketing through an apprenticeship in 2009 [05:08] Transition to Bourne Leisure and managing campaigns [08:33] Deciding to travel and take a sabbatical [11:02] Starting freelancing from abroad [14:54] Building a remote business and industry insights [17:20] Transition from freelancer to business owner [20:10] Growing the team from 1 to 7 members [22:46] Impact of COVID and recruitment strategies [25:43] Creating processes and SOPs for scalable growth [29:41] Building company culture remotely [32:07] Future vision, mission and growth strategies [38:07] The importance of mindset and attitude in recruitment[41:13] Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs [43:06] My kind of business is, Carl's vision Key Highlights Transparency and clarity as the foundation of great agency relationshipsBuilding processes and SOPs before you think you need themWhy attitude matters more than experience when growing a teamThe power of frameworks like EOS and Scaling Up for sustainable growthStarting with the end in mind as the foundation for building a business with purpose Connect with Carl crdone.digital [email protected] linkedin.com/in/carl-darnell Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com linkedin.com/in/alexmccarthycoaching instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching