Challenging the norm: His and Hers look at life and business

After a short break, Lindsey and Paul are back and ready to go for another season — having used the time to reset and catch their breath. To kick things off, Lindsey had thought this episode should revisit what success looks like. But Paul had other ideas, bringing the question: Who has control over your business? It's an important one — especially with the world feeling a little wobbly again....

We've all done it, got the client over the line, then, without thinking or intention, don't take good care of them afterwards. It's like we receive the money, breathe a sigh of relief, get cracking with delivery, while jumping back to the beginning to secure another client. A treadmill that can really take the shine off what we do and why. In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Paul and Lindsey...

From identity to boundaries… and everything in between. In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey shares an honest rant about not quite fitting right now. Whether it’s age, energy, running a business that doesn’t fit the “lifestyle” mould, or being the main earner, she’s asking the question many avoid: Where do you fit… and do you even need to? Paul relates, reflecting on a time when not sm...

A practical conversation that will make marketing feel simpler. Paul and Lindsey continue their practical discussions, and in this episode of Challenging the Norm, they unpick marketing — a big topic. Following on from recent conversations about pipelines, sales, and analysis paralysis (the mechanisms that move potential clients into your pipeline), this discussion is full of golden nuggets. This...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey takes the lead as she and Paul dive into the heart of business: sales. Lindsey kicks things off bluntly: “If we don’t sell, we don’t have a business.” Paul adds, “If you have a business, you are a salesperson.” Even with a website that sells, the owner still needs to actively talk about their business. Before diving deeper, they tackle common phrase...

In the last episode, Paul and Lindsey explored the heart of your business — your pipeline. Now, they take the natural next step: sales. After all, a pipeline only matters if it converts. In this episode, they tackle analysis paralysis—the invisible gap that keeps many business owners from taking action and having those crucial sales conversations. Here’s what you can expect from this episode: ✅ W...

Do a Google search, and you will most likely come up with a definition similar to the one below. “A pipeline shows you who you’re talking to, where they’re up to, and what’s likely to turn into a sale. It helps you keep track of conversations, opportunities, and sales.” Sounds simple, but every business is different, and that is where some of the challenges arise because there is no one-size-fits-...

In this episode, Paul and Lindsey set the tone for the year ahead, with reminders for business and life, but most importantly, wherever you are in your journey, it's okay. Paul talks about the cultural fixation we have on New Years Day and the pressure placed on that date because it marks the start of a new year. They explore why so often ‘resolutions’ focus on health and why Lindsey has eaten...

In this episode, Paul shares some stats because he has been and is the ‘stat-man’ of this podcast. And while Challenging The Norm is a passion project, Lindsey and Paul are doing it because they want to; there is much to celebrate, including a 30% increase infollowers. After Paul shares his stats, Lindsey takes a moment to recognise the ‘success of the podcast’, touching on what success is and isn...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey and Paul dive into the 26th November budget. Not as economists (because they’re definitely not!) but as two business owners trying to make sense of why “solutions” were kicked into the future. They start with the first and perhaps most significant lesson in the budget: why waiting is dangerous — in life, in business. Whether you’re running a busines...

Finally, a topic where Paul and Lindsey are poles apart. In this episode, Paul admits he doesn’t always get around to this ‘stuff’... stuff being planning. He is honest and holds his hands up. Lindsey, on the other hand, has become more organised over the years. Is that because she is a woman with two teenagers and has built a business around the family? Or did she realise the power of planning in...

With everything you know today, if you were twenty, would you start your business in the same way? In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey asks Paul the question above - and there is a reason for it - but first, Paul tries to answer Lindsey’s question. And yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and starting a business in your twenties is different from starting in your forties, which is whe...

In this episode we dig into what it means to focus on the basics to create consistent momentum in your business. This episode is packed with practical tips and insights on what it takes to be consistent, the red flags around busyness and what the basics are that have the greatest impact on progress in your business. If you want to know more about how Lindsey creates growth and opportunity in her b...

No soapboxes today, but we do get to the bottom of why immediate gratification can be at the centre of business challenges when you start out if you are not careful. In a world where you have almost anything at the click of your fingers, there are times when we need to be very careful about that leaking into your expectations in business. Another episode packed with tips and advice, as usual. If y...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Paul and Lindsey talk about what it really means to stop hiding in plain sight. From building genuine relationships to creating momentum, they share what actually works. Usually, Lindsey is the one on the soapbox — but this time, it’s Paul. After racking up 25,000 impressions on a joke, 400,000 on a bagel shop post, and a measly 150 on a value post, Paul is...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey is on a soapbox, and for good reason! Together, she and Paul explore how our perceptions shape how we respond, the actions we take, and, ultimately, the results we see in both life and business. It starts with a story from Lindsey’s holiday and ends with practical, thought-provoking business advice. Along the way, you’ll pick up lessons about choice...

Let’s hope not… but with the rapid rise of AI tools, it’s a question worth asking.   Whether you realise it or not, AI is already a part of your daily business life — from note-taking apps to platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, we’re all interacting with artificial intelligence in some way.   In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Paul and Lindsey dive into the big question:  Could an AI Coach ev...

How to Keep Going in Business When It Feels Chaotic   In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Paul shares that he is sensing a subtle undercurrent. Lindsey says it's more like full-blown chaos and kicks off the episode with an honest (and slightly angry) rant.   While Lindsey zooms out to global events, Paul brings it closer to home — focusing on what's really going on in the business wor...

Feeling Overwhelmed by Business Advice? Here’s How to Cut Through the Noise Are you a small business owner drowning in advice, strategies, and must-do marketing hacks? In this episode of  Challenging the Norm , Lindsey and Paul explore how to filter out the noise and focus on what really matters in business. With so many gurus, courses, and trending tactics, how do you know what to trust—and what...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey and Paul are diving into the elusive concept of ‘me time’. Not the hours spent on your business or in your job — but time that’s  truly  just for you. Personal, pressure-free moments that exist outside the constant drive to cram more in on the road to success. But here’s the challenge… ·       Where does that time come from when we’re all so busy? ·...

In this episode of Challenging the Norm, Lindsey and Paul get real and talk openly about the reality of building a business — and how it might not be the right path for everyone. And guess what? That’s completely OK.   There’s a common perception that running your own business means full flexibility, easy money, and more time to do what you love. But the truth? It’s not that simple.    While entre...

As your business grows, how do you stay focused on your own path—especially in a world filled with noise, fear, and negativity? In this episode of  Challenging the Norm: His and Hers Look at Life and Business,  Lindsey and Paul try to answer the question How do you stay in your lane when starting a business? Which requires you to know what your lane looks like in the first place. Paul kicks off wi...

Building a business isn't easy but we are bombarded with messages that its a simple, painless process to become super successful. Well, in our combined experience of over 50 years we see something very different. We both feel passionately that building a business should be something anyone who feels they have an entrepreneurial desire should be able to take one. But we want them to go into it...

All the research shows that women are more willing to undergo more training and learning than men in similar situations. We wrestle with why that might be the case and why it's so important to understand the mindset behind that behaviour. Paul talks about biases around this behaviour and how it can drive women to feel they need to continuously prove themselves against men. (Paul specialises in wor...

It's common practice to offer a potential client a freebie to help win the business but there is a line between it being a positive tool for business development and it becoming something that does exactly the opposite and hurts your business development. We look at this in detail and share our experiences, both good and bad, to help you avoid the freebie trap that damages your business. If you wa...