Personal growth as a small business strategy

I recently had the joy of leading a workshop for small business owners living in Norfolk and I loved every minute of it. Not only did I love the experience on the day, but I also loved the journey to get there.

I was invited to do the workshop by Gabs at Coastal Media, in big part because of the work that we have done together over the last year. I have been supporting Gabs with one-to-one therapy regularly throughout 2025, and it has been a gift to see her journey so far.

When Gabs came to me she had a sense that there was so much to be grateful for, yet there was something blocking her from feeling it. This has been the core of our work together, unpicking the past trauma and stuck emotions, and helping her energy to flow again so she could reconnect to her true self.

Through EFT tapping and coaching, we've helped her to clear blocks and open to a fuller life. The results have been wonderful to see, and we have both been struck by the clear impact this has had on her business.

The media business that she runs with her husband, Matt, is flying into 2026 with abundance and she credits a significant part of this to the tools she has learnt in our sessions. Gabs got it from day one; Energy is everything.

So what has energy and self-growth got to do with business success?

I want to be clear and start by saying that I do not have all the answers and I am far from a business guru. I am a small business owner that wears many hats, perhaps just like you. I am CEO, teacher, therapist, coach, writer, accountant and more. I have bumpy weeks and lose my way often, whilst knowing that deep down I love what I do!

That said, I have learnt a great deal through my own journey and accompanying clients as they unpick their relationship to work. Work and purpose have always been at the centre of my life, and I am fascinated by their impact and meaning, the light and the dark.

I would like to share with you some key points from the workshop, that I have found to be important in growing authentically:

Reframe your business as a mirror

When we reframe the landscape, things shift. For example, can we see our business as a mirror that guides us to where we need to heal. Where can we learn from the challenges that come up? What if we see business as a platform for growth and resolving blocks? A gift for guiding us towards a more aligned version of ourselves? Let’s befriend our business on these terms, with curiosity. It isn't a problem to fix, but a mirror to show us where to look.

Energy and business

Your system is energy and the systems in your business are too. Imagine a web of circuits, connecting all areas of your existence. Emotions are energy in motion. They need to flow and be integrated and released. Bizz and emotions are connected and where focus goes, energy flows.

"If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration,"- Nikola Tesla

Is your inner child running your business?

Without awareness, we may find daily life to be a rollercoaster of emotions. Young wounded parts that have been stuck may be acting out in the way we run our business. Consider areas where you are reactive, defensive or avoidant. My inner child is most reactive around accounts!

I used to have a tantrum over my spreadsheets, but I have done a lot of work on clearing this energy. Now I feel calm...most the time anyway! With awareness, we can guide the child to walk beside us as we move forwards.

Common blocks that obstruct our realised passion

Self worth

Not good enough 

Unloveable 

Not worthy of success

Being seen/success has negative consequences

Generational money blocks and work patterns 

Resisting change 

I will get it wrong

I am not good at...numbers, sales etc

Chasing the dream to avoid the present

Stress addiction- adrenaline 

Too big for my boots

Workplace trauma 

I have to work hard or suffer to get paid

Sound familiar? It is easy for us to overlook self-awareness in business, but I believe that it is crucial for success in all areas of life. 'Success' is used lightly here and this leads onto my next point...

Awareness is everything. When we navigate from a place of balance, we can make aligned choices and create a sustainable business. For me, and many people I support, that is what success looks like. A balanced, aligned life that is more than just work and allows space to be healthy, and purposeful.

The success of your business (and life) depends on acting from a space of alignment, opposed to fear. This is easier said than done, believe me I know, but it is crucial if the steps we take are to lead us to where we're meant to be.

The foundation of your business is awareness. Without it you'll fall into unconscious patterns and miss the gold that you can create.

Burnout and work culture

For many of us there has been a previous workplace trauma or toxic culture that has led to taking the leap into self-employment. My personal story involved a stressful job that was too demanding, wore through my poor boundaries and added to a perfect storm for chronic illness. I see a version of this everywhere I look.

A key thing to be aware of is the risk of recreating these toxic cultures in our own businesses! I have done this so many times, and had to reset myself again and again. The unrealistic pressures and the drive to DO beyond what is healthy for you. Working yourself punishingly hard to get results, because the only way to make money is to put your nose to the grindstone.

Whilst it has a short term impact that might look like success, it is built on sand. If it causes harm, and drains our energy constantly, then it is not contributing to the life or kind of success we want. We want to build our business on a steady platform, and this takes sustainable growth from a soul and heart centred place.

Choose the culture you create!

A few thoughts to leave you with...

Your business will change when you change.

Inner growth is the catalyst for ‘success’.

If your business is stuck, (soften and) look within.

You can read more about Gab's story or how to work with me by clicking the button below.

I recommend checking out Gab and Matt's business, Coastal Media. www.coastalmedia.bizz

Gab's story

If you feel lost, frustrated or burnt out in your work, it doesn't necessarily mean you are on the wrong path. Just like the seasons, spring will come and you will feel everything coming to life again. A reminder to take a break, and return with a fuller cup. A suggestion to go within and do the work, in order to create a life that you actually want to live.

If you would like to work together, reach out and book a free call.

Do you know someone who would benefit from this blog? Please pass on and share. Thanks.

Work with me

Here is a photo of me after a wonderful morning of aligned Qigong teaching. I had cleared a lot of heavy stuff on the build up to this event, and the day flowed beautifully.