Intentional Strategies for Female Solopreneurs Balancing Life and Business: Balanced Business Formula

Hosted by Rosemary Dede

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to The Balanced Business Formula, (previously known as Thriving on Purpose), the podcast where business coach Rosemary Dede helps entrepreneurs, especially women, create thriving businesses that align with their lives, values, and aspirations. Each week, we dive into heartfelt conversations, actionable strategies, and real-life stories to guide you toward building a business that supports you—not the other way around. Whether you're just starting out, scaling to the next level, or seeking more balance in your busy life, this podcast offers practical lessons to help you find clarity, confidence, and sustainable success. Through personal insights, expert advice, and inspiring interviews, we cover everything from work-life harmony and personal growth to business strategy and community building. Every episode feels like a conversation with a trusted friend who truly gets the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur. You will love this show if you've ever asked yourself these questions: - How do I balance running a business and life without feeling overwhelmed? - How do I grow my business without burnout? - What systems do I need to scale my business? - How do I prioritize my time as an entrepreneur? - How do I make more money in my business without working more? So, grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let's explore what's possible when you create success on your own terms. It's time to grow, thrive, and build a business—and life—that feels as good as it looks.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 9, 2026Episode 8010 min

What problem does your business need you to solve right now? - EP 81

You sit down with two hours to work. Instead of doing the task, you spend 45 minutes checking emails, opening Canva, and resetting a password you forgot . For years, I thought this was a time management or discipline problem. But overwhelm usually happens because you have never actually decided what matters right now . When everything feels urgent, you react all day and accomplish nothing . This episode is about the one question that will clear the noise and get your weekends back. Key Insights The Visibility Trap: If you are already fully booked and exhausted, more visibility will only amplify your capacity problems. You have a delivery issue, not a reach issue. The Power of "Not Now": Focus is not about ignoring bad ideas. The harder skill is saying "not now" to really good ideas that do not solve your current bottleneck. Stabilizing is a Win: Not every season is meant for scaling. Sometimes, especially when life is heavy, keeping things steady and maintaining what you have is the ultimate success. Ready to stop guessing and find where you are actually stuck? Take the free Business Alignment Audit . It takes three minutes to identify your friction points and gives you a personalized roadmap to move forward with clarity.

September 27, 2026Episode 6918 min

You're Not Overwhelmed. Your Business Is Too Complicated. - EP 80

What if the reason your business feels so overwhelming isn't because you need to get better at managing your time? What if your business has simply become too complicated? If you're a few years into your business, you might recognise this: you have multiple offers, you're trying to show up on several platforms, your to-do list never seems to end, and somehow the business you created for freedom has started to feel like a 24/7 job. In this episode, I'm challenging the idea that growth always means adding more. Because more offers, more content, more platforms, more launches and more strategies don't automatically create more success. Sometimes they simply create more decisions, more maintenance and more things competing for your attention. We'll talk about: • Why complexity can confuse your clients and fragment your attention • The "Cheesecake Factory" problem and why having too many options can make your business harder to grow • How to simplify your offers, content and time • The difference between doing less and focusing on what actually matters • My simple Keep, Pause, Remove, Simplify framework for cleaning up your business • Why you should sometimes stabilise what is already working before trying to scale • How simplification fits into the Balanced Business Formula™: Clarify → Simplify → Systemize → Attract → Scale → Thrive Because you didn't start your business so you could become incredibly efficient at being overwhelmed. You started it because you wanted more freedom, flexibility, impact and ownership over your time. The goal isn't to build a bigger business just for the sake of being bigger. It's to build a better business, one that supports your life instead of running it. Take the Business Alignment Audit: https://www.balancedbusinessformula.com/bizz-alignment-audit It takes 2–3 minutes and gives you a personalised roadmap to help identify where your business may be working against you and what to focus on next.

August 21, 2026Episode 7914 min

Why Doing More Might Be the Thing Slowing Your Business Down - EP 79

Confession: I am genuinely excellent at adding new things to my business. New platforms? Yes. New AI tools? Always. But like many high-achieving women, I have historically been terrible at taking things away . In this episode, we are talking about the "mental load" of entrepreneurship and why your nervous system might be hanging by a thread because you have built a business with too many moving parts . If you feel like you have 47 browser tabs open in your brain and can't find where the music is coming from, it is time to stop adding and start subtracting . Key Insights The Difference Between Commitment and Attachment: There is a vital difference between being committed to a goal and being unwilling to let go of a strategy that no longer serves you . Plugging Energy Leaks: You do not have a consistency problem; you are diluted. When your energy is divided across too many "open tabs," you only have leftovers for your true priorities . Question the Model, Not Yourself: Before you blame your discipline or time management, ask if you have built a business that simply asks too much of you. You cannot color-code your way out of over-commitment . The July Shift: You are allowed to update your January promises. July Rosemary has six months more information than January Rosemary did, and you do not owe an old business plan lifelong loyalty . Ready to stop the leaks and find your rhythm? Take the free Business Alignment Audit . It takes just three minutes to identify where your business is fighting your life and where your energy is actually going. Remember: You are allowed to change your mind. Your business is allowed to evolve because you are evolving. 🌸

August 14, 2026Episode 8011 min

How to Build a Business That Fits Your Life, Not the Other Way Around - EP 78

Have you ever woken up and felt exhausted before your feet even touched the floor? Not just sleep-deprived, but emotionally and mentally defeated by a to-do list that feels like a prison? In this episode, Rosemary shares the raw, personal story of her 2021 breaking point, the moment she realized she had built a "successful" business that was actually a nightmare . We dive into why so many high-performing women feel like they're failing simply because they are trying to build a business using a blueprint designed for someone else's life . It's time to stop chasing the "Bali coach" strategy and start intentionally designing a business that honors your season, your capacity, and your values . Key Insights The Comparison Trap: We often compare our "nap-time hustle" to coaches who have teams of copywriters, designers, and housekeepers, making it an unequal and draining comparison . A Question of Success: There is a vital difference between asking "How do I build a successful business?" and "What kind of business do I actually want for myself? . Job vs. Business: If your business only works when you are working, you haven't built a business, you've created a job where you are the only employee . Design vs. Default: You don't need a new strategy; you need to stop building by default and start building by design, ensuring your business is actually capable of supporting the life you want . Ready to see if your business is actually supporting your life? Take the free Business Alignment Audit . It takes just three minutes and will give you a personalized roadmap to move forward with more clarity and ease. If you are tired of building by default, let's look at your current systems and boundaries together so we can start building by design . It's time to find a rhythm that honors your capacity and your values. Let's have a 1:1 Business Growth Audit . Remember: You don't need to do the most; you just need to do the right things consistently for YOU.

July 3, 2026Episode 7712 min

I Almost Did the Yap Challenge. Here's What Stopped Me - EP 77

If you've ever seen someone else's big launch number and immediately started questioning your entire strategy, this episode is for you. The Yap Challenge is everywhere right now, and the 1.2 million dollar launch attached to it is hard to ignore. But there's something worth talking about in how we process other people's results, and how quickly we reach for someone else's tactics when we see a number that makes our brain light up. In this episode: Why we do "selective math" when we see big launch numbers The difference between an engine and an amplifier in your business Why the Yap Challenge (or any trend) might be the amplifier, not the thing that actually builds your business The honest question to ask yourself before you pick up a new strategy or platform And yes, what I actually decided about the challenge Links mentioned: The Business Alignment Audit (free) Business Growth Audit Call

June 26, 2026Episode 7633 min

The Storytelling Shift: How to Share Authentically and Sell with Ease (feat. Michelle Knight)- Ep 76

If you have ever written an email about your offer and immediately wanted to unsend it, or posted something and then gone quiet for days because you felt too "exposed," this conversation is for you. Today, I am joined by a very special guest, Michelle Knight, founder of BrandMerry. Michelle has spent the last decade helping entrepreneurs turn their personal stories into magnetic brands that create space for the lives they actually want. In this episode, we peel back the layers on what "authenticity" actually means in the online space. It is moving beyond the buzzword and into the deep work of knowing who you are so you can show up that way consistent. We dive into the reality that selling isn't about "icky" persuasion or fake urgency; it is simply a form of human communication and presenting an opportunity . If you're ready to stop the rush, find your rhythm, and build a business that feels like a "profitable exhale," listen in as we discuss how to bridge the gap between your life and your business. What we cover: The "Build a Better Brand" Method: Why you must figure out who you are before you can effectively show up online. The 3 Key Transitions: A simple exercise to uncover the foundational stories that make your brand unique. Why Your Life is "Interesting Enough": How relatable, everyday moments Marketing is 90% of the Sales Process: Understanding the customer buying journey and leading your audience from "symptoms" to "solution" before the doors even open. Core Offer Stories: The specific types of content (transformations, testimonials, and misconceptions) that do the heavy lifting for your business. Consistency vs. Capacity: Why you must match your posting schedule to your actual life season, not an "imaginary" capacity. The Role of AI: Treating tools like AI as a team member to support your systems rather than replace your voice. Links and Resources: The Story Selling Starter Guide: Grab Michelle's framework for turning anything into a sales story. Take the free Business Alignment Audit . I t takes just three minutes and will give you a personalized roadmap to move forward with more clarity and ease. If you are tired of building by default, let's look at your current systems and boundaries together so we can start building by design . It's time to find a rhythm that honors your capacity and your values. Book a 30-minute free Business Audit with me.

June 12, 2026Episode 7527 min

Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret: SEO & Website Visibility for Service Providers with Barb Davids - EP 75

When did someone last find you through your website; not a referral, not Instagram, just found you? If you had to think about that, this episode is for you. This week on The Balanced Business Formula, I'm joined by Barb Davids of Compass Digital Strategies. She is a digital marketing expert who helps service providers increase their search visibility so they can get consistent traffic and leads from their website, without the overwhelm. Barb brings a refreshing, no-fluff approach to SEO: transparent, practical, and completely free of the fear-based marketing tactics that flood the internet. In this conversation, we break down exactly what SEO is, why it matters even if you're not a tech person, and the simple steps you can take this weekend to start showing up in search. In this episode, we cover: Why "I don't have time for SEO" is usually a mask for something else The difference between SEO and AI SEO — and why both matter now The biggest website mistake most service providers make with their headings Why blog posts are non-negotiable for building authority with Google How to write content that connects with humans and ranks in search The one thing you can do in 30 minutes this weekend to improve your visibility Free gift for listeners: Barb is offering her Instant Blog Planner (normally $147) completely free. Visit compassdigitalstratehttps://compassdigitalstrategies.com/digital-marketing-services/instant-blog-planner/gies.com/instant-blog-planner and use the code ROSEMARY at checkout. Connect with Barb: 🌐 compassdigitalstrategies.com 🎙️ Podcast: Small Business Marketing Sweet Spot 📸 Instagram: @compassdigitalstrategies The Balanced Business Formula is hosted by Rosemary Dede, holistic business coach and mum of three, helping women build thriving businesses and lives they love without the burnout.

June 5, 2026Episode 7411 min

When Your Launch Doesn't Convert: What the Data Told Me and What I Did Next - EP 74

I am back with a totally honest debrief of the first Balanced Business Formula Summit. While we celebrated 256 registrations and a week-long "exhale" for entrepreneurs, the backend launch of the Balanced Business Academy (BBA) didn't convert quite as I'd planned . Instead of moving on as quickly as possible, I sat down with the data to find the hidden insights . In this episode, I'm sharing the raw truth about the "stage mismatch" I discovered, how I pivoted to open one-on-one spots that filled without a sales page, and the four major shifts I'm making for my next summit to ensure it supports both early-stage and established entrepreneurs. A launch that doesn't go to plan isn't a failure, it's a data set. My survey revealed that 58% of registrants were still in the "figuring it out" stage , while my group offer was a high-ticket program designed for established CEOs. By listening to what the women in my world actually needed, direct, personal support over a group setting, I was able to fill 1:1 spots by simply responding to the data rather than sticking to a rigid plan. Success isn't about the perfect shortcut; it's about making aligned decisions based on where your audience actually is. Ready to build your foundation or scale without the burnout? Whether you are still in the "side-hustle" stage or an established CEO running on instinct, I have opened two 1:1 pathways, Lighter and Full, to help you structure your business for sustainable success. Let's talk 👉 https://rosemarydede.com/bizz-audit

March 18, 2026Episode 7312 min

Why Q1 Feels Harder Than It Should (And the Simplicity Shift That Changes Everything) - EP 73

If you have been staring at your Q1 goals and wondering why everything feels like you are wading through mud, you are not alone. If March has arrived and your year feels heavier or slower than you expected, you are in the right place. After a quiet season celebrating my 40th birthday and working behind the scenes, I am back to talk about why most business growth plateaus are not caused by a lack of strategy, but by a business that is simply "over full". In this episode, we unpack why adding more, more offers, more platforms, or more funnels is never the solution to complexity. We explore how to move from navigating the mess of a cluttered business to building real momentum by making simplicity your actual strategy What we cover: ✓ Overbooked vs. Over Full ✓ The Cooking Metaphor ✓ Why You Cannot Add Your Way to Simplicity ✓ Real Client Snapshots ✓ The Cheesecake Factory Effect ✓ Three Questions for Your Q1 Audit Simplifying is not about playing small or lowering your ambition. It is one of the most strategic moves you can make to ensure your business can grow even when life gets busy. Ready for more clarity? This April, I am hosting the Balanced Business Formula Summit. This event is designed to help you simplify the strategies that actually matter like your offers, systems, and visibility so you can stop the hustle and find your rhythm. You can join through the link below. Balanced Business Formula Summit

February 18, 2026Episode 7211 min

Why You Keep Attracting Clients Who Can't Afford You - EP 72

If your discovery calls feel more like emotional rescue missions than business commitments, you might be stuck in the Savior Trap. You finish a call and close your laptop feeling tight in your body. Your jaw is clenched and your shoulders are raised. You gave everything you had, shared your best ideas, and felt deeply connected. But then comes the familiar breath and the words: "I just can't afford it right now." In this episode, we talk about why this pattern repeats and why it usually has nothing to do with your pricing. We explore how your energy and positioning might be signaling that you are a "Sherpa" who carries the weight, rather than a "Guide" who leads the way. What we cover: ✓ Why attracting the wrong clients is a matter of positioning and energy, not just your price point. ✓ The Sherpa vs. The Guide: Learning to walk with free hands instead of carrying your client's weight. ✓ How the "over-giver loop" starts and why it keeps your business optimized for connection instead of commitment. ✓ Why leadership is not about being less caring, but about refusing to take responsibility for what isn't yours. ✓ How to use the "Red Velvet Rope" to curate your space and protect your business energy. When you change the signal you are sending, you change the room you are standing in. You do not attract better clients by doing more. You attract them by being clear about who you are here to lead. Ready for more clarity? If you are not sure where to focus or why your messaging feels misaligned, I created The Balanced Business Roadmap . It includes a simple Business Audit to help you identify your biggest bottleneck so you can move forward with ease Join the Balanced CEO Circle on Skool Grow in rhythm, not in rush. I will see you next week! 💛