Small Business. Big Life. With Ilonka Ras

Hosted by Ilonka Ras

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Resources, tools, and support for business owners who want a business that gives more than it takes.

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October 7, 2025Episode 19911 min

#199 Being strategic vs failing in advance

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!In this episode, I share what failing in advance looks like, why we do it, and how it quietly sabotages growth. You’ll learn how to spot the pattern, challenge the false certainty that keeps you stuck, and take the next step even when you don’t feel ready.If you’re tired of overthinking, second-guessing, or waiting for the perfect time, this one’s for you. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

September 23, 2025Episode 19811 min

#198 Stop Abandoning Your Weekly Plan by Tuesday

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!If you’ve ever felt like your weekly plans collapse under client emergencies, procrastination, or overwhelm, this episode is for you. I break down the ALIVE Method, the exact weekly planning routine that helps me run two businesses, homeschool two kids, and still only work 4 days a week. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

September 9, 2025Episode 1976 min

#197 Cash Flow Peace: Escape the 30-Day Stress Cycle

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!Learn the simplest way to stop living invoice to invoice and getting out of the 30 day panic cycle so many business owners find themselves stuck in so you can feel some peace around managing the cash flow in your business and also free up headspace to think about the future and not just about surviving this month.Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 193 - This Mistake Will Make You Hate Your Business Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

September 2, 2025Episode 19711 min

MVP: Your Business Wants You To Take A Vacation

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!Enjoy this Most Valued Podcast episode on why your business needs a vacation from YOU. This episode 2 of a 5 part series. You can listen to the rest of the episodes in this series here:1/5: ✈️ Take A Vacation Your Laptop Isn't Invited To2/5: Why Your Business Needs A Vacation3/5: The 5 Simple Systems You Need To Step Away With Confidence4/5: How to Hire the Right People as You Grow5/5:The One Thing You Must Do if You Want Your Business to Run Independently Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

August 26, 2025Episode 1967 min

#196 The Hidden Work That Makes Everything Easier In Your Small Business

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!Most business owners think client work is the most valuable part of their business. But the truth? Design time - the hours you spend improving systems, empowering your team, and setting the future direction - is what makes client delivery easier, faster, and less stressful.In this episode, you’ll learn what design time is, why it feels unproductive, and how to start making space for it - even if your schedule is already maxed out. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

August 20, 2025Episode 1957 min

#195 The Sales Pitch You Don’t Know You’re Making

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!You can say all the “right” things in your marketing…but if your thoughts underneath are negative - like “clients always pay late” or “I’m not good enough”-that’s what your audience actually hears.In this episode, I’m breaking down how your hidden thoughts shape your marketing, attract the wrong clients, and push away the right ones. I’ll share a powerful exercise that shows you exactly what you’ve really been selling without even realising it.If you’ve ever wondered why strategy alone isn’t working, this is why. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

August 12, 2025Episode 19411 min

#194 5 Money Habits Sabotaging Your Business Without You Realising It

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!Most South African small businesses don’t fail because of one big mistake...they fail because of small, repeated money habits that quietly drain cash, kill creativity, and keep owners stuck in survival mode.In this episode, I’m sharing five money habits that sabotage small business owners and what to do instead so you can build a profitable, sustainable business - without the money worries. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

August 5, 2025Episode 1936 min

#193 This Mistake Will Make You Hate Your Business

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!If you’ve ever changed your policies, pricing, or offers because of one difficult client—this episode is a must-listen. I’m sharing how to shift out of reaction mode and start building for the clients you actually want more of. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

July 29, 2025Episode 1928 min

MVP: The Recapture Exercise

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!Today we're revisiting a most valued podcast - the quickest ways to free up cash in your business (and personal life). Join me on this episode and learn how to recapture money inside your small business. Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube

July 22, 2025Episode 1918 min

#191 The CEO Hour - 1 Hour That Frees Up 10

Did you enjoy this episode? Share you aha moment with us!If you're constantly working but still feel behind, this episode is for you.In this conversation, we're unpacking the real reason time feels so scarce, and it's not what you think. You'll hear why the usual fixes (like waking up earlier or getting a new planner) aren’t working, and what needs to shift instead if you want more space, clarity, and control over your week.This is the mindset shift my clients make before they reclaim hours of their time and start running their business like a true CEO.🎧 Listen in, then join me for the free webinar this Thursday 24 July 2025: The CEO Hour: The Time System That Takes 1 Hour and Frees Up 10 Sign up here → https://ilonkaras.com/ceohour Book a consultation here, and let's start designing a business that works FOR YOU.Link to Music Credits Track: Positive MotivationAuthor: AShamaluevMusic (ASM)Publisher: CD Baby (IPI 700570289)Connect With Ilonka On Social MediaInstagram | Facebook | YouTube