The Not-So-Secret Diary of a Self-Employed Woman – With Cats, Chickens and Zero Regrets

…aka: The Uncomplicated Life and Times of a Woman Who Just Wanted to Be Left Alone to Build a Life She Loves

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a business owner is like? 

Well, pull up a comfy chair, grab a drink and some popcorn because here’s a light-hearted (but 100% true) sneak peek behind the scenes and into the chaotic, fun and at times crazy life that I lead… chickens, cats, Ugg boots, imposter syndrome and all.

6:00am – Riverbank reset

Start the day with a walk along the river. It’s quiet, fresh, and beautiful – and it reminds me why I said yes to this path in the first place.

No commute. No clocking on. Just me, the morning light, and a bit of headspace before the day begins.

7:45am – Grandparent flex

Take my two eldest grandkids to school. That little moment of connection – the giggles, the chatter, the ‘love you Nanny ’ and the goodbye hugs – is everything to me.

Back when I was in the 9 to 5, I never thought this kind of life was even possible.

8:45am – Ugg boots and accidental public appearances

Head into town to grab milk. Realise in the supermarket car park that I’m still wearing my Uggs and quite possibly yesterday’s leggings.

Note: the self-employed dress code is 50% comfort, 50% Zoom-appropriate. Business shirt on top. Pyjama pants, leggings or trackies down below. It’s called balance.

Get bailed up by a random person I haven’t seen in years, who is obviously up for a chat.

Them: “Are you still doing that little business thing you were going to try?”

Me: Smiles sweetly while imagining unleashing a PowerPoint presentation titled ‘Actually, I run an industry-leading national training organisation and mentor thousands of women into sustainable self-employment.

Instead, I say: “Yes. And I love it.”

9:03am – First coffee, second cat

Sit at my desk with caffeine and ambition.

CFO #1 (Chief Feline Officer) strolls across my desk like a seasoned saboteur, then promptly throws up on my printer. CFO #2 is eyeing off the pot plant.

We are off to a flying start.

10:17am – Zoom, strategy, poultry

Jump on a Zoom call in business jacket and with makeup applied. Below the desk? Fresh leggings, mismatched socks, and of course the Ugg boots…

Just as I’m deep in a client strategy session, one of our free-range chickens casually strolls in and starts eating the cat food. I maintain eye contact with the client like a true professional while wildly waving cheeky chicken away with a notebook off-screen.

Life in regional Australia, folks. You can’t script it.

12:30pm – Midday connection

Lunch with a girlfriend. Because I can. I take my time. Laugh loudly. Order the cake.

Back in my employee days, this would’ve involved applying for leave, checking rosters, and bracing for side-eye. Now? I’ll just log back in later this afternoon and make up the time. Simple. Empowering. Sanity-saving.

3:40pm – Existential crisis o’clock

Question everything. Wonder if I’m cut out for this. Consider applying for an admin job with regular pay and no chickens.

Then I remember what it used to be like… being told I’d peaked as “great on the phones”… the bullying… the box I was meant to stay in.

And I shake it off because I built this and I’m not going back.

5:15pm – Grateful Chaos

Cats are fed and settled. Hubbie is home. Emails are done. Business is humming. Life feels full – not always tidy, not always perfect, but real.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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To the woman reading this who feels stuck, small, or unsure…  I see you.

This isn’t about overnight success or pretending to have it all figured out. It’s about choosing your life over someone else’s idea of success.

Because, yes, I work in Ugg boots.

And, yes, my chicken once interrupted a client call.

But I also get to walk by the river, take my granddaughters to school, take time out with my friends, and build a business I love – on my own terms.

And if I can do it – from regional Australia, with self-doubt, and a couple of entitled but much loved cats in the mix – so can you.

When you’re ready to start, we’re here.

No judgement. No pressure. Just the tools, support and belief you need to be able to back yourself – one step at a time.

Because you don’t have to do business the old way... and you certainly don’t have to do it alone.