Personal Growth and Small Business: How My Past Shaped the Business I Run Today

This episode of Small Business Growth Addicts is a little different. The tables are turned, and for the first time on the podcast, I’m the one being interviewed. Two members of my mentorship community, Get Seen Get Sales, Faye and Dana, take the lead in a completely off-the-cuff Ask Me Anything conversation. We discuss my personal growth and small business, and how my past shaped the business I run today.

No prep. No pre-approved questions. Just honest answers in the moment.

Listen Now🎧

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A Behind-the-Scenes Conversation

This episode goes far beyond social media tips or business strategy. We talk openly about the personal experiences that have quietly shaped how I run my business today. These include childhood experiences, divorce, motherhood, and the moments that forced me to slow down, reassess, and do things differently.

This is a real, human conversation about how personal healing and business growth are often more connected than we realise.

What We Cover in This Episode

This conversation flows naturally, but here are some of the themes we explore:

• How childhood experiences shaped my independence, confidence, and determination in business.

• Divorce, starting over, and the moment I almost walked away from self-employment.

• Why healing and self-awareness matter more than hustle.

• How your past can influence boundaries, people-pleasing, and burnout.

• The importance of ideal client clarity and why it changed everything for me.

• Dealing with comparison and self-doubt on social media.

• Why I focus on long-term, sustainable growth rather than quick wins or viral moments.

• Motherhood, time management, and running a business around real life.

• The boundaries I still struggle with, especially around my phone.

• Lighter moments too, from comfort TV shows to hot chocolate orders.

  
  

It’s reflective, practical, emotional in places, and very honest.

Listen Now🎧

Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.

Meet Today’s Guests

Faye

Faye is a photographer specialising in maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography, based in Ayrshire. She brings thoughtful questions around confidence, comparison, and creativity, especially from the perspective of running a business in a visually competitive industry.

Dana

Dana is the founder of Snow Moon Therapies, offering holistic therapies and mobile personal training. She also runs Gather and Grow, a community-focused networking space for self-employed business owners. Dana guides the conversation into boundaries, mindset, and personal growth alongside business.

Together, they create a safe, supportive space for a genuinely open conversation.

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for you if:

• You’re a small business owner who feels shaped by your past.

• You want growth that feels aligned, sustainable, and human.

• You’re tired of performative hustle culture.

• You want to understand how confidence, boundaries, and clarity affect your business.

• You enjoy honest, behind-the-scenes conversations that go deeper than tactics.

  
  

Listen Now🎧

Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.

The Connection Between Personal Healing and Business Growth

This episode feels like a pause and a breath. It serves as a reminder that business isn’t built in isolation from life. Sometimes, the biggest shifts don’t come from strategy but from understanding ourselves a little better.

In this journey, I realised that personal growth is a vital aspect of running a successful business. The lessons learned from my past have been instrumental in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship.

Embracing Change

Change is often daunting. However, embracing it can lead to significant personal and professional growth. I learned that my past experiences, even the challenging ones, could be transformed into valuable lessons. This mindset shift allowed me to navigate my business with more confidence and clarity.

The Role of Community

Having a supportive community is essential. Faye and Dana have been instrumental in my journey. Their insights and encouragement have helped me to see things from different perspectives. Engaging with others who share similar experiences can provide the motivation needed to push through tough times.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Balancing personal life and business can be overwhelming. I’ve learned that taking time for myself is crucial. It allows me to recharge and approach my work with renewed energy and focus.

Conclusion

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like this blog I wrote about how I turned my PTSD diagnosis into a business.