Seasons in Business

In this episode, I'm taking a pause at midsummer to share some gentle prompts for reflection. As we move into the second half of the year, this is an invitation to look back on the last few months, check in with where you are right now, and think about what you want your summer to look like. Key takeaways from this episode Why the summer solstice can be a helpful time to pause and reflect Gentle p...

In this episode, I'm exploring the idea of growth in business — and questioning whether getting bigger is always the goal. From defining success on your own terms, to staying small by choice, this is a gentle reflection on growth, comparison, and building a business that supports the life you actually want to live. Key takeaways from this episode Why success and growth are closely connected, but n...

In this episode, I’m reflecting on social media fatigue, online overwhelm, and why I’ve started rethinking my relationship with the constant connection we find at our fingertips. From analogue nostalgia and creative pressure, to evergreen content and real-life community, this is an honest conversation about trying to build a slower, more sustainable way of living and working online. Key takeaways...

In this episode, I'm getting vulnerable about the ideas I've been holding back on — and how fear has been quietly getting in the way. If you've been hesitating on something you really want to do, this episode is a gentle reminder that you don't need all the answers before you begin. Key takeaways from this episode How to recognise when fear is disguising itself as something else The shift from ask...

In this episode, I’m exploring what’s really going on when we avoid the things we know we need to do. From small admin tasks to bigger, more meaningful projects, the resistance to begin can be strong. So we're taking a look at procrastination, what it might be trying to show us, and why it often appears when something feels important, unfamiliar, or a little bit overwhelming. I share some of my ow...

In this episode, I’m exploring seasonal planning — a gentle way to plan your business by working with the natural rhythm of the year, rather than against it. Building on episode four, where I shared what a slow, seasonal business can look like, this feels like the next step — turning that idea into something practical and supportive. I talk through how I combine the Wheel of the Year with a simple...

In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when we ask everyone else what we should do — before asking ourselves. It’s something many of us do, often without even realising. We look for reassurance, perspective, or a sense of certainty… but somewhere along the way, our own voice can get a little lost. This isn’t about never asking for help — it’s about gently shifting the order. Letting your pers...

In this short intermission episode, I’m sharing a quick update as I prepare to move house and studio — and reflecting on how beautifully timed it feels as we approach the shift from winter into spring. After recently talking about work/life balance and building a slow, gentle business that moves with the seasons, it felt important to follow my own advice and take a small step back. I’ll be back so...

In this episode, I’m talking about work-life balance, and what to do when it suddenly shifts. I share practical, gentle strategies I use to stay steady when life or work demands more of my time and energy. This isn’t about achieving a perfect balance (because I’m sure we can all agree that’s almost impossible). It’s about small, manageable ways to respond to tipping points. So if things are feelin...

In this episode, I’m talking about business finances — gently. I share the simple routines I use to stay on top of my numbers, and some honest thoughts on money, confidence, and fear — especially as women in business. This isn’t about big income milestones or complicated systems. It’s about small, manageable habits that help make business finances feel a little less scary, and a lot more doable. K...

In this episode, I reflect on the first ten episodes of Seasons in Business and share what I’ve learned about starting and growing a podcast. From early worries and technical challenges to small wins and steady growth, I talk about the lessons that have surprised me and why it’s worth starting even if you don’t have everything figured out. Key takeaways from this episode Fewer than 10% of podcasts...

January often comes with pressure to set big business goals, start new routines, and feel motivated — but for many of us, the deepest, coldest part of the year is better suited to rest and gentle beginnings. In this episode, I share why I don’t set business goals in January, and how I approach the start of the year more slowly — noticing what’s unfinished from last year, reflecting on how I want t...

The end of the year can feel like a whirlwind. December is often a blur of final orders, new year bookings, and festive plans, before we suddenly leap into fresh goals and projects. In this episode, I explore winter as a season for reflection and replenishment, sharing gentle prompts and questions to help you notice what has supported you, the challenges you’ve faced, and what you might want to ca...

Discounting can feel like one of the trickiest decisions in a creative business — especially at this time of year, when inboxes and socials are full of sales and “last chance” offers. In this episode, I’m exploring the realities behind discounting: when it can genuinely support your business, when it can quietly drain your energy or margins, and how to make pricing choices that feel aligned with y...

We all do it — sign up for courses, workshops, or resources that promise to solve a problem or spark inspiration… and then never actually do the work. In this episode, I’m exploring why that happens, the psychology behind it, and giving some gentle permission to ease the guilt. Key takeaways Why we sign up for courses, workshops, webinars, and resources we never finish How “future-self thinking” a...

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps. Sometimes, work just… slows down. Enquiries stop coming in, sales quiet, and the studio feels a little too still. In this solo episode, I’m talking about the slow seasons we don’t choose — the ones completely out of our control — and sharing gentle, practical ways to navigate them without panic or guilt. You’ll hear...

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps. In this solo episode, I’m talking about what it really means to run a slow, gentle business — one that moves with the seasons, honours your energy, and creates space for creativity to flourish. We’ll explore what slow business actually looks like day to day, how the seasons can shape our rhythm and focus, and why ba...

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps. In this solo episode I share three of my favourite mantras — simple phrases that have helped me stay grounded, keep perspective, and keep moving through the ups and downs of running a creative business. I talk honestly about the challenges of comparison, perfectionism, and the isolation that can come with working al...

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story of how my love for letterpress printing grew from a hobby into a stationery business — and what happens when your passion becomes your full-time work. It can be thrilling, but it also brings challenges you might not expect. I’ll talk about the shifts I noticed in my own cr...

Welcome to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps. Thanks for joining me for this very first episode, where I introduce myself and the podcast, share a little behind the scenes of how it came to be, and talk about why now felt like the right time to start. Episode themes: • My journey from design student to running a full-time letterpress stationery studio. • Why now fel...

Introducing Seasons in Business — a podcast for creative business owners who want to build something thoughtful and sustainable, at a pace that actually feels good. This podcast is for anyone who wants to grow their creative business with a little less chaos — and a lot more intention. We’ll explore everything from building a brand and navigating burnout to content creation and finding community,...