253: A powerful behind-the-scenes interview with ALL of my private clients
Catch up on some related episodes:
Today’s talking points:
Let’s meet my incredible private clients who are doing boss things in the world of business right now.
Boy do I have an exciting one for you today.
I sat down on a Zoom chat with ALL of my private clients and got them to answer a question:
“How have you taken the strategies & frameworks I’ve taught you and implemented them into YOUR life and business?”
The conversation we had was absolutely transformative.
Every single one of my clients leads a different lifestyle and the purpose behind this was to really show you exactly how my methods and frameworks really can be customised to anyone.
I’ve wanted to bring my clients together in one space for so long. This is in celebration of them.
Introducing Katherine
Hey there, I'm Katherine, the founder of Debut Books, a small independent publisher based in Australia. I’m currently in the process of transitioning from a book publisher to a literary agency, which is sort of my massive transition for 2024.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and business?
Managing my energy has been crucial, especially with chronic fatigue syndrome. Holly's 90-day planning has helped me balance work and health, ensuring I keep moving forward, even on tough days. By incorporating Holly's frameworks into my daily routine—such as the 90-day, monthly, and weekly planning—I've been able to allocate my energy effectively, allowing me to tackle tasks while maintaining my well-being. Despite inevitable flare-ups, I've learned to adapt and keep pushing forward, celebrating progress no matter how small. This mindset shift has been instrumental, in helping me navigate both personal and business challenges with resilience and grace. Learning to be kind to myself and focus on progress, no matter how small, has made a huge difference.
One of your biggest wins so far?
Writing my own book has been a highlight. From initially resisting the idea to seeing it come to life, it's been incredibly rewarding.
I did an English degree, I've worked in publishing, I've worked as a bookseller, and I am a reader. All anyone have ever asked if when I am going to write a book, but it’s not something I ever used to want or think I’d achieve. And now I have written a book and it’s coming out!
It is the culmination of all of my knowledge, all of my passion, it is me on the page. It's the best version of everything that I do. It's just, it's awesome.
Where can people find Katherine online
Website (I have published six books so far. They can be shipped worldwide)
introducing Emily
Hey there, I'm Emily, a registered veterinary nurse and content creator. My journey began back in 2020 when I enrolled in the Busy to Boss Academy, long before I ventured into business. Initially, I focused on advocating for mental health and self-care in the veterinary space, topics I continue to explore today, albeit less frequently.
It was through building my personal brand that opportunities arose, with people reaching out for help with their own struggles. And so, what started as a side hobby blossomed into Empower Media Services, a content creation business aimed at supporting veterinary businesses with their marketing needs.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and business?
For me, much of it has revolved around mindset. Holly's systems and planning methods, like the infamous planning parties, have been invaluable. Despite the unconventional blend of veterinary nursing and marketing, Holly's guidance has helped me navigate self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Her sass and unwavering support have been lifelines during challenging moments. The concept of laser focus—channeling energy into specific tasks—has been particularly helpful in decision-making and time management, especially given my struggles with polycystic ovaries. By accepting and optimising my energy fluctuations, I've found a more sustainable approach to productivity.
One of your biggest wins so far?
If I had to pick one, it would be building a team. After shouldering the workload solo for so long, 2021 hit me hard personally, and I reached a breaking point. It was a now-or-never moment, and I took the leap to expand the business. The decision to build a team has been transformative, allowing me to share the load and breathe new life into my business endeavors.
Where can people find Emily online?
For mental health and self-care content, you can follow me at The Empowering RVN on Instagram.
If you're interested in content creation, check out Empower Media Services on Facebook and Instagram.
introducing Jamie
Hey, I'm Jamie, currently working full-time in IT and soon-to-be mum of two. When I first approached Holly, I had a rough business idea but lacked direction. Now, I've established myself as a productivity and habit coach, specialising in helping busy mums to optimise their time for both business and family.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and business?
Implementing a weekly planning meeting has been a game-changer for me. Previously, I'd often start my Mondays feeling overwhelmed by the week ahead. But dedicating just 30 minutes on a Sunday night to plan my priorities has transformed my productivity and alleviated that sense of overwhelm. Having a clear roadmap for the week ahead allows me to dive into tasks with confidence, knowing exactly what needs to be done.
Additionally, learning to prioritise rest has made a massive difference. As someone prone to overworking, Holly's guidance has encouraged me to schedule downtime and recognise its importance in preventing burnout. Just having someone go “Actually no, you do need to plan the rest and that’s okay.” has been amazing.
This shift in mindset has been liberating, allowing me to maintain a healthier work-life balance.
One of your biggest wins so far?
Finally launching my newsletter this week! It's been a milestone I've been working towards, and I'm excited to share valuable content with my audience. It's a step forward in building deeper connections and providing ongoing support.
Where can people find Jamie online?
introducing Cami
Hey there, I'm Cami, a multi-passionate individual on a journey of self-discovery. After transitioning from teaching to garden design, I sought Holly's guidance to hold myself accountable in my creative next steps.
Now, I blend my passions for planting, art, and writing to help others transform their green spaces and embrace beauty in their everyday lives.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and creative ventures?
Working with Holly has been so important in shaping my mindset and productivity habits. Embracing tools like the Boss Five and daily gratitude practices has allowed me to stay accountable and build momentum, even through mental health challenges. Through Holly's guidance, I've learned to reframe my thoughts and align my actions with my goals, fostering a sense of freedom within structure. I've really learned the tools that enable me to create systems to help me thrive.
Also just actioning small things. So like, if it's a two-minute task, I do a two-minute task. If I'm feeling really overwhelmed, I know how to take a step back figure out the priority and create a list from there. This has been an absolute saviour as it keeps me really focused and aligned. I really think that visual boards really serve me.
One of your biggest wins so far?
One of my biggest wins has been finding the courage to speak my authentic voice. As a creative person, it's easy to hide behind a facade, but Holly's guidance and tools have empowered me to embrace who I truly am. Through our work together, I've learned to navigate the fear of vulnerability and show up as my genuine self, both personally and professionally. This newfound authenticity has opened doors to exciting opportunities and connections, fuelling a positive momentum in my creative journey.
Where can people find Cami online?
introducing Eleanor
Hi, I am Eleanor Stones, a Squarespace and Shopify website designer and SEO strategist catering to coaches and creative business owners.
Originally, I started freelancing in various digital services but found my passion in website design. Now, I help clients create functional and visually appealing websites that reflect their personality and attract their dream customers.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and business?
Working with Holly has been transformative for both my personal and professional life. One of the key aspects I've taken into my life is the establishment of clear boundaries. I struggled with this, often saying yes to every client request and neglecting my own well-being. Through Holly's guidance, I learned the importance of setting boundaries to protect my time and energy. This has allowed me to maintain a healthier work-life balance, so I’m no longer close to burnout and feel happier with my work.
Additionally, Holly has helped me develop realistic expectations for myself and my business. I used to set unrealistic goals and would often feel disappointed when I couldn't meet them. With Holly's support, I've learned to set achievable targets and celebrate small victories along the way. This shift in mindset has boosted my confidence and productivity, as I now focus on progress rather than perfection.
Another thing was similar to what Jamie was saying about carving out time and rest being a productive activity that is so much easier to say than it is to actually feel it and embody it. But it's a work in progress and one that I'm proud to say is definitely well on the way.
And then a significant aspect, once again, is mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs. I utilide my journal to process a lot of thoughts and emotions, fostering self-belief and resilience to push past obstacles. Initially, these challenges would have felt overwhelming and halted my progress. However, Holly's unwavering support has been invaluable. She shines a light on my progress and reminds me of how far I've come.
One of your biggest wins so far?
All of the above has been a huge win, but another win has been the sort of clients I’m working with. Holly always reminded me how I can be picky with whom I work with and is really special because, to begin with, I was feeling like just getting as many people in the door as possible and now I can pick and choose and I can just truly enjoy what I do. That is really special.
Where can people find Eleanor online?
introducing gemma
Hey I'm Gemma, the founder of That's Her Business. My journey into self-employment began over six years ago. It all started when I took a leap of faith and followed a boy to Manchester, leaving my job behind. Initially, I delved into various aspects of design, including branding and web design, while also exploring graphic design and other creative services. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for designing websites, but I often found myself lacking essential resources like photos and copy. This led me to hire freelancers, and I fell in love with the collaborative process. Realising that many others might also need help bringing their online visions to life, I founded That's Her Business—a collective of freelancers offering comprehensive services for establishing an online presence.
How have you taken the systems and frameworks that I have taught you and coached you through and applied them to your life and business?
When I first started working with Holly, I was busy but not making much progress. Our VIP day together changed everything. Through strategic planning and accountability, I learned to focus on big-picture goals rather than just completing tasks. I had a realisation moment of like, “Oh, I actually can properly plan out all of this stuff and know where I'm going with it and actually get it done, as well as the other work that I'm doing.”
Our sessions have been a game-changer. They've helped me break down my goals into manageable chunks and create a clear roadmap to follow, especially with those 90-day planning sessions. The quarterly check-ins have been invaluable in keeping me focused and reminding me of what truly matters.
Then there's the aspect of boundaries. There have been instances where I've taken on clients who weren't necessarily the right fit, leading to some tricky situations. But being able to bounce ideas off you and gain your perspective has been incredibly helpful. Having you as a sounding board has allowed me to navigate those challenges with confidence.
Also, mindset. If I get stuck, I tend to spiral a little bit and feel like everything is going wrong. So that's like the big difference as I feel like you’re a business partner for me, so I always have someone to support and guide me when I’m having those moments.
One of your biggest wins so far?
One of my biggest wins has been employing my partner Jack full-time and achieving our goal of purchasing a bus to convert into a mobile home. It's incredible to see how far we've come in just over a year of working together. If anyone had told me a year ago that I'd be living this dream life, I would have thought it was insane. But here we are, making it happen.
Where can people find Gemma online?
a recap and a thank you
How incredible are my private clients? I wanted to take this moment to celebrate every one of you. I couldn't help but notice the common threads running through each of my clients’ experiences. It's truly heartwarming to see how the systems and frameworks we've worked on together have made a positive impact on all of them. Their stories are incredibly inspiring.
If any of what you've heard resonates with you—if you're longing to be in a community like this one—then the Embodied Boss Collective is where you belong. This program is designed to help you achieve your goals, tackle your most important tasks, and take control of your business growth in 90-day increments.
about the blogger
Hi! I’m Holly Bray
I’m an expert at online marketing, a nerd when it comes to the numbers, and my obsession is teaching others how to know what tasks to focus on so they can create a business that GIVES them life (not one that takes it away).
