Episode 562: Sophie Kovic of Seed and Sprout on being your authentic self and scaling sustainably

Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Building a Sustainable Business: From Problem to 7-Figure Success with Sophie Kovic, founder of Seed and Sprout. In today's episode, you'll learn:• How to validate your business idea before investing• Using Amazon and Kickstarter to test and fund your product• Building authentic personal brand without perfectionism• Scaling from solo founder to hiring better people than you• Maintaining work-life balance while growing a product business• Staying true to your values during rapid growthA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with Sophie and Seed & SproutInstagram: @sophiekovic | @seedandsproutco TikTok: @sophiekovic | @seedandsproutco Website: seedandsprout.com.auConnect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. In this episode, Fiona demonstrates the power of simply getting started by recording directly into her phone's voice memo app. She explores how perfectionism and overthinking can prevent us from taking action, sharing practical insights on overcoming the barriers that keep us stuck in planning mode.You'll learn:• How to start a podcast with nothing more than your smartphone's voice memo app• Why "starting where you are with what you have" is more powerful than waiting for perfect conditions• Practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism and analysis paralysis in business• The importance of taking imperfect action rather than endless planning• How simple tools can be just as effective as expensive equipment for content creation• Why embracing the Arthur Ashe philosophy can transform your approach to business projectsThis episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone who's been putting off starting something because they don't feel "ready enough." Fiona's authentic, unpolished approach proves that sometimes the best way to begin is simply to begin.A massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. In this episode, Fiona shares powerful business lessons learned from watching her son navigate competitive basketball tryouts, revealing how sports psychology principles can transform your entrepreneurial mindset and business success.You'll Learn How To:Master the art of consistent showing up in business, even when motivation is low and results aren't immediately visibleEmbrace uncertainty and put yourself forward for opportunities, despite competition and fear of rejectionStrategically surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge you to level up your business skillsDevelop internal discipline and self-motivation that doesn't rely on external validation or pressureRediscover joy and fun in your business journey while maintaining high performance standardsApply sports psychology principles to overcome business challenges and build resilienceTransform your mindset around competition and use it as fuel for growth rather than intimidationCreate sustainable business practices that prioritize both success and personal fulfillmentA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Are you actually focusing on the wrong metrics for success when it comes to your small business? Is comparison stealing any joy you havre left? What really matters to you and how does your business align with that? A massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  A massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comConnect with Jessie McLachlan:Instagram: @altrucharityInstagram: @jessiemclachlanVolunteer for Melbourne March 2026 Altru Sponsor Altru Melbourne March 2026Website: We Are AltruResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

In this episode you'll learn:How to maintain meaningful friendships when you transition from employee to business owner, especially when your friends were former colleaguesPractical strategies for redefining "regular" contact - why quarterly deep connections can be more valuable than frequent surface-level catch-upsCreative alternatives to traditional evening meetups that work better for busy entrepreneurs, including weekend activities, walking meetings, and annual friendship retreatsHow to use technology strategically for maintaining long-distance friendships without losing the personal connectionWhy being honest about your capacity strengthens rather than weakens your friendshipsThe crucial role friendships play in business success - providing perspective, emotional support, and a safe space to process entrepreneurial challengesA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersGroup CoachingMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon. Are you stuck in the hard middle bit of your business wondering if you should keep going or let it go? In this coaching episode, Fiona breaks down how to tell the difference between a challenge worth pushing through and a dead-end that's wasting your time.You'll learn practical strategies for navigating the tough times in business, including how to recognize when slow progress is actually progress, when to adjust your tactics without abandoning your vision, and most importantly—when strategic quitting is actually the smartest move you can make.Fiona shares personal stories about recovering from a serious back injury, building this podcast through multiple setbacks, writing her books, and other challenges that taught her the difference between persistence and stubbornness.Key topics covered:How to identify if your business challenge is temporary or permanent5 practical strategies for pushing through difficult periods without burning outThe signs that it's time to walk away from something (and why that's not failure)Breaking big goals into manageable milestones when progress feels impossibleWhy adjusting your tactics is different from quitting your visionThe questions to ask yourself when you're feeling stuck or overwhelmedPerfect for: Small business owners, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone questioning whether their current business challenge is worth the effort.Resources mentioned: Seth Godin's book, The DipConnect with Fiona: Website: mydailybusiness.com Group Coaching: mydailybusiness.comA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersGroup CoachingMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon. In this episode you'll learn:The surprising science behind why motivation actually comes AFTER action, not before itHow your brain's reward system and dopamine release work to create momentum when you take action firstThe role of the nucleus accumbens in triggering motivation through small actionsWhy waiting for motivation to strike is working against your brain's natural biologyPractical strategies to use your brain's reward pathways to overcome procrastinationHow to start the dopamine-motivation cycle with the smallest possible actionsWhy successful people don't wait for motivation - they create it through actionA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:How to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersGroup CoachingMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

Today, Fiona chats to Lucy Lumen - photographer, YouTuber, content creator, and creative business mentor who has built a thriving online business alongside her husband.In this episode, you'll learn:• How Lucy went from working in hospitality for 10+ years to accidentally building a photography and videography business• Why she decided to pivot away from client work and go all-in on YouTube content creation• Her process for creating 8 YouTube videos per month across two channels while managing Substack and social media• How sponsorships (not ad revenue) make YouTube financially sustainable as a full-time career• The reality of working with your spouse and managing business partnerships• Why developing a distinct personal style is more important than technical perfection in the age of AILucy shares honest insights about the realities of content creation, building a creative business, and how to turn your passion into sustainable income while maintaining work-life balance.A massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comConnect with Lucy LumenInstagram: @lucy_lumenSubtack: Love LucyYouTube: The Lucy Lumen ShowYouTube: Lucy LumenWebsite: lucylumen.com Resources mentioned:Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersGroup CoachingMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.  

It's spring in Australia, and Fiona's tackling the weeds in her garden - which got her thinking about the "weeds" that keep growing back in our businesses.You'll Learn How To:• Identify the recurring problems in your business that keep coming back like weeds• Create a seasonal approach to spring cleaning your business (don't try to do it all at once)• Invest in the right tools and systems to fix problems properly, not just temporarily• Plant something new once you've cleared out what's not working• Maintain your business "garden" so the weeds don't take over again• Turn this into a manageable 3-month process instead of an overwhelming overhaulA massive thank you to our sponsor and our fave AI tool, Poppy AI. Use FIONA at checkout for a discount Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: [email protected]: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersGroup CoachingMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️ GET MORE TIME BACK with our fave AI tool that has saved us HOURS. Use Poppy AI and code FIONA for a discount ⭐️ Get your 2026 small business marketing, brand and AI systems sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.  Build your personal brand and do something incredible for your small business with your own book. Learn how to land a publishing deal, write your book, launch and market it in our How to Get Your Book Published course and coaching program, kicking off soon.  Need some inspiration and tips today? Check out our new book, Business to Brand: Moving from transaction to transformation now.  Get started on a more successful and sustainable small business with our range of free tools at mydailybusiness.com/freestuff 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.  Ever wanted to write your own book and build your brand authority or start your own podcast to connect with and grow your audience? Check out our How to Start a Podcast Course or How to Get Your Book Published Course at our courses page.  Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.