Episode 595: Are we actually making time for creativity?

To celebrate 600 episodes of the My Daily Business Podcast, Fiona Killackey sits down with Sarah Sherry (co-founder of Clothing The Gaps) for a candid conversation about the realities of building a sustainable small business over a decade. From leaving a corporate marketing role to navigating grief, motherhood and entrepreneurship, Fiona shares the lessons that shaped both her business and her life. 600th Podcast Interview In this episode, you’ll learn: The biggest lessons Fiona has learned after 10 years running a small business and hosting 600 podcast episodes Why tying your identity to your work can quietly lead to burnout — and how to redefine success Practical insights for entrepreneurs on balancing business growth, family life and personal wellbeing How building community, support networks and honest conversations can sustain you through the ups and downs of business Connect with My Daily Business: Instagram: @mydailybusiness_ TikTok: @mydailybusiness Email: [email protected] Website: mydailybusiness.com Resources mentioned: Group Coaching 2026 AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business Owners My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Business consultant, coach and founder of My Daily Business, Fiona Killackey, explores how understanding the season of business you’re truly in can transform your strategy, reduce comparison and bring clarity to your next move. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to identify whether you’re in a growth, maintenance, transition or consolidation season • Why comparing yourself to someone in a completely different life stage can quietly derail your progress • How to align your business strategy with your real capacity, health, family and priorities • Practical questions to ask so your business supports your life, not fights against it ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business: Instagram: @mydailybusiness_ TikTok: @mydailybusiness Email: [email protected] Website: mydailybusiness.com Resources mentioned: Group Coaching 2026 AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business Owners My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Creative technologist and All Tribes Are Beautiful founder Maleik Njoroge joins Fiona to explore the intersection of chess, fashion, community and creativity and how standing out starts with self-expression. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Malik built a global creative brand from a dream — including the world’s first handcrafted Chess dhurrie • Why chess and fashion aren’t intimidating — and how both can unlock confidence, identity and community • Practical advice for creatives and small business owners on standing out, building community and backing your own ideas ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with All Tribes Are Beautiful Instagram: @alltribesarebeautiful  ATAB Lab: @atab.lab Connect with My Daily Business: Instagram: @mydailybusiness_ TikTok: @mydailybusiness Email: [email protected] Website: mydailybusiness.com Resources mentioned: Group Coaching 2026 AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business Owners My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   In this episode, Fiona explores the hidden cost of indecision in business and why waiting for the “perfect time” may be quietly holding you back. From sitting on ideas for years to overthinking launches, newsletters or new offers, Fiona shares why momentum matters more than perfection and how small action builds clarity, confidence and trust. You’ll learn: Why indecision carries an emotional and financial cost How delaying action makes things feel heavier and more overwhelming A simple way to break procrastination and create momentum today ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business: Instagram: @mydailybusiness_ TikTok: @mydailybusiness Email: [email protected] Website: mydailybusiness.com Resources mentioned: Group Coaching 2026 AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business Owners My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this episode, Fiona explores why showing up in your business is not the same as showing off and how cultural conditioning, tall poppy syndrome and fear of judgment may be holding you back from visibility and growth.If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable promoting your work, talking about your results or stepping into your authority, this episode will help you reframe visibility as service, not ego.You’ll learn:The difference between showing up with confidence and showing off from egoHow consistency builds trust and why disappearing damages momentumPractical ways to increase visibility without feeling salesy or inauthentic⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:Group Coaching 2026AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this Quick Tip episode, Fiona explores a simple but powerful question: are we actually making time for creativity?From putting physical limits on phone scrolling to rethinking what we do with small pockets of time, this episode is a gentle reminder that creativity doesn’t need hours, perfection, or big plans. Sometimes it just needs 15 minutes.Fiona shares practical ways to reclaim those moments, reduce friction, and make space for creativity, curiosity and calm in everyday life.You’ll learn:Why stopping scrolling isn’t enough without replacing it intentionallyHow 15 minutes, five times a week can change how you think and feelSimple, low-effort ways to bring creativity back into your routineHow to remove friction so creative habits actually stickA grounding listen for anyone feeling time-poor, overstimulated, or disconnected from their creative self.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:That Paper Joint collage classesGroup Coaching 2026AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Shelley Panton is a potter, ceramicist, and owner of The Panton Store, a beloved lifestyle and home boutique in Toora, Gippsland. In this episode, she shares the down-to-earth story of building her business from scratch and making the bold move from inner-city Melbourne to regional Victoria.You'll learn:How early collaborations (like the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival) helped put her store on the map with the right audienceWhy trusting your intuition combined with looking at the data is crucial for making big business decisionsThe reality of running a bricks-and-mortar retail business and why sometimes you need to see your space empty to know it's time to move onHow she's built a thriving business in regional Australia and what that tree change has meant for her family and the business⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Connect with The Panton Store: Instagram: @thepantonstoreOnline Store: The Panton StorePhysical Store: 31 Stanley St, Toora VICConnect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this Quick Tip episode, Fiona introduces the concept of regret minimisation and why it can be one of the most grounding decision-making tools for business and life.Rather than asking “what’s the safest option?” or “what will everyone else think?”, this episode invites you to look ahead and ask what future you would regret not doing. Especially when you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid of making the wrong move.This is not about reckless decisions or chasing every idea. It’s about clarity, perspective, and choosing in a way that aligns with your values and long-term wellbeing.You’ll learn:What regret minimisation really means and where it comes fromHow to use it when you’re at a crossroads in business or lifeWhy fear of short-term discomfort often hides deeper long-term regretHow to make decisions that future you will thank you forA reflective, practical listen for anyone navigating change, uncertainty, or a big decision.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this coaching episode, Fiona reflects on what 10 years in business has really taught her, beyond the highlights, milestones and metrics.This is an honest conversation about growth, adaptability, identity, expectations, community and the long road of building something that lasts. Fiona shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, what surprised her most, and why staying connected to your values matters more than ever as your business evolves.Whether you’re in your first year or your twentieth, this episode is a reminder that sustainable businesses are built slowly, thoughtfully, and often in seasons of uncertainty.You’ll learn:What 10 years in business actually teaches you that no course or shortcut canHow to adapt without losing yourself or your valuesWhy community and connection are essential for long-term business resilienceHow to rethink success beyond speed, scale and external validationA grounding listen for business owners navigating growth, change, or the quiet middle stretch of building something meaningful.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this quick tip episode, Fiona shares why adaptability is one of the most important skills you can build in business, and why being adaptable is very different from being reactive.Drawing on nearly a decade in business (and plenty of real-life curveballs), Fiona explores how staying grounded in your values allows you to respond to change without losing yourself in the process.You’ll learn:The difference between adaptability and reactivity in businessWhy adaptability is a skill you can practise, not a personality traitHow to stay flexible without constantly second-guessing yourselfA simple way to respond to change while staying aligned with your valuesPerfect for business owners navigating change, uncertainty, or decision fatigue.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersHow to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA.  We also love Descript.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.