The Reluctant Capitalist: Building a Business Without Selling Your Soul with Marisa Guthrie
Own Your Time
In this episode of Own Your Time, Sarah Stewart sits down with anti-capitalist business coach and upcoming author of The Reluctant Capitalist, Marisa Guthrie, for a radical conversation about redefining success, time and what it means to do business differently. Together, they unpack how small business owners can operate within capitalism without perpetuating harmful systems, why scaling small can be a bold and values-aligned choice and how ethical pricing, mindful marketing and time reclamation are not just buzzwords but revolutionary acts. If you’ve ever questioned the hustle, resisted...
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S2, Ep22: Work-life balance, time pressures and pivoting with Kat Wong
Own Your Time
Episode Summary: What if you could build a meaningful, impactful career without sacrificing your time, your health or your sanity? In this powerful episode, Sarah is joined by Kat Wong, whose career has spanned the BBC, Apple and now her own platform, Oh Yeah, supporting mid-career professionals navigating change. From hitting the “pips” live on air to leading international teams, Kat shares what decades in high-pressure, time-sensitive roles have taught her about boundaries, leadership and working with intention. This is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched thin, curious about...
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S2, Ep21: Digital detox with Florence Achery
Own Your Time
Retreat Like It’s 1999: Digital Detox for Real Life with Florence from Yoga Retreats and More What if your business grew because you put your phone down? In this conversation with Florence, founder of Yoga Retreats and More, we talk about digital detoxing without ditching your ambition. Florence runs “Retreat Like It’s 1999” weekends in Cumbria, where guests switch off, sink into nature and remember what it feels like to be fully present. No doomscrolling. No ping-induced panic. Just connection, breath and a proper night’s sleep. We dig into my love-hate relationship with technology,...
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S2, Ep20: The importance of setting boundaries with Sharon Smith
Own Your Time
What if boundaries weren’t just a self-care buzzword but the thing actually standing between you and burnout? In this episode, I’m joined by Sharon Smith, leadership coach and founder of Own Your Leadership, for a no-nonsense conversation about time, boundaries and why saying yes to everything is a fast track to overwhelm. Sharon shares the behind-the-scenes of how she went from burned-out teacher to boundary-setting business owner and what she learned the hard way about people-pleasing, capacity and leading well. If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no, if your calendar is packed but...
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S2, Ep19: Property, projects and hustle culture with Melissa Lewis
Own Your Time
What if your business didn’t demand all of your time? If you’ve ever chased a timeline, hustled yourself into burnout or assumed success required sacrificing your weekends, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Melissa Lewis - property investor, entrepreneur and co-founder of Venrus, a proptech platform making investing simpler, faster and way less confusing. Melissa's story is all about redefining what "success" looks like and learning how to design a business around time freedom. From hitting her goals early to facing full-blown burnout, her journey is a total permission slip to stop...
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S2, Ep18: Quietly bold + seasonally aligned with Sarah Philp
Own Your Time
What if rest wasn’t something you had to earn? And what if planning didn’t need to feel like pressure? In this beautiful, slow-paced conversation, I’m joined by the quietly bold Sarah Philp - psychologist, coach, and founder of Saorsa Psychology (Gaelic for freedom). Her work supports educators and leaders in making space for reflection, renewal, and a more seasonal way of living and working - yes, even within the rigid structures of the school year. We talk about so much more than education here. This episode is an invitation to reconsider how you approach time, rest, leadership, and...
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S2, Ep 17 How to Create Success Without Side Effects with Oli Cooke
Own Your Time
What if the very success you’re chasing is quietly draining the life out of you? In this episode, I’m joined by mindset and performance coach Oli Cooke, who helps driven entrepreneurs create success without the side effects. His “Rapid Root-Level Shifts” method helps untangle fear, anxiety and internal resistance that can sneak in as your business grows. Now, as a former pharmacist myself, I couldn’t help but fall in love with that tagline, success without side effects. Because let’s be real, success that costs your health, peace or weekends isn’t really success, is it? Oli’s...
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S2, Ep 16: Matt Wing
Own Your Time
What if feeling energised, clear-headed, and calm was your default… not just the rare exception? In today’s episode of Own Your Time, I’m joined by high-performance coach Matt Wing, who proves that it’s never too late to shake things up and feel better in your body, your schedule and your life. At 53, Matt ditched the burnout cycle, gave up booze and built a business helping busy people do the same. We talk about the habits that actually make a difference, what changed for Matt after an ADHD diagnosis and why strength training might be your best-kept secret for long-term health....
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S2, Ep15: Mette Baillie
Own Your Time
In this uplifting and insightful episode, Sarah chats with award-winning designer and dressmaker Mette Baillie, founder of Freja Designer Dressmaking in Edinburgh. With decades of experience crafting timeless, made-to-measure garments, Mette brings a deeply intentional and sustainable approach to fashion… one that goes far beyond trends. They dive into: Mette’s journey from childhood creativity to professional couture How what you wear can literally change how you show up and how others perceive you The surprising link between clothes and productivity Why a capsule wardrobe can...
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S2, Ep14: Why procedures in your business matter
Own Your Time
(The audio is a little funny in this episode, apologies - hopefully it's not too annoying. The content is important!). Let’s be real, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) sound like the most boring thing in the business world. But what if I told you that creating a few simple SOPs could be the reason you finally get to take a holiday without your laptop… and return to zero fires? In this episode, I’m walking you through a behind-the-scenes game-changer for reclaiming your time, avoiding overwhelm and giving your future self a step up. Because when everything lives in your head, even...
info_outlineIn this episode of Own Your Time, Sarah Stewart sits down with Amanda Hughes, a small business brand photographer, podcaster and bestselling author. Amanda shares her inspiring journey from wedding florist to brand photographer and discusses how she balances life as a twin mum - one of whom has significant medical needs with a thriving business.
Tune in to hear Amanda's insights on planning, time management, and her innovative social media planning strategies designed to help entrepreneurs streamline their workflow.
Highlights:
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Amanda’s journey from a wedding florist to a brand photographer.
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How Amanda balances family life with a demanding business schedule.
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The power of planning and time management in achieving work-life balance.
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Insights into Amanda’s bestselling Sunday Club Social Media Planner.
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Tips for small business owners to effectively plan and execute social media content.
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Own Your Time and introduction to the episode.
00:43 – Meet Amanda Hughes: her background and professional journey.
03:22 – Amanda discusses her mission to help small businesses thrive.
08:47 – How Amanda balances family life with running a business.
12:12 – Amanda’s experience managing her son’s medical needs and business.
18:32 – The evolution of Amanda’s career and her love for brand photography.
22:44 – How planning helps Amanda manage her week effectively.
34:22 – Social media planning strategies for small business owners.
38:55 – Amanda’s three-part approach: Attract, Nurture, Convert.
45:31 – Where to find Amanda online.
Key Takeaways:
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Prioritise with Planning: Amanda shares the importance of planning weekly to manage time effectively, especially as a busy parent and entrepreneur.
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Attract, Nurture, Convert: A simple framework Amanda uses to create social media content that builds connections and drives sales.
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Balancing Act: Amanda’s personal story highlights the challenges of balancing caregiving and work while maintaining personal joy and purpose.
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Adaptability is Key: Amanda’s career evolution underscores the value of embracing change and turning hobbies into successful businesses.
About Sarah:
I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management coach. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter.
If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place.
Sarah’s Links:
Group Coaching Programme:
Project Manage Your Life - Join the Waitlist:
https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/projectmanageyourlife
Get More Time Course (Self-Study):
This course is for the successful solopreneur or small business owner, and it lays out the steps you need to take so you can get more time for the things that really matter.
https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course
FREE Time Audit Workbook:
Where I share my framework to audit your time, so you can get more time for the things that really matter
https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook
Asana On-Demand Masterclass:
60-Minute Masterclass where I share how to get started with asana, some tips, tricks and ideas for using the system as well as peeling back the curtain to show you some of the ways I use it in my business (+ life)
https://sarah-stewart.ck.page/products/asana
Connect with Sarah:
Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management coach
Instagram - www.instagram.co.uk/sarahstewart.co.uk
Website - www.sarahstewart.co.uk
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow
About Amanda:
Amanda Hughes is a passionate small business brand photographer, podcaster, and bestselling author based in Ayrshire, Scotland. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Amanda is dedicated to helping small businesses grow and thrive through affordable, high-quality brand photography and strategic business resources.
Amanda's professional journey began with her own wedding and event floristry business before she transitioned into brand photography, combining her creative expertise with a deep understanding of small business needs. She is the host of the Growth Addicts Podcast, an Apple Top 50 show where she shares actionable business tips and insights from inspiring guests. Amanda is also the author of the Amazon number-one bestseller, The Sunday Club Social Media Planner, a tool designed to help small business owners streamline their content creation and grow their online presence.
Living on the scenic west coast of Scotland, Amanda balances her thriving business with her roles as a devoted wife, twin mum to Archer and Isobel, and dog mama to her rescue pup Walt. Her passion for supporting small businesses extends beyond photography, as she also offers eBooks, online resources, and a vibrant email and Instagram community where she provides free tips and advice to over 1,700 small business owners.
Through her work, Amanda remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level with impactful imagery, practical tools, and authentic community connections.
Amanda’s Links:
Website: https://www.amandahughes.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandahughes.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Amanda-Hughes/61559853500564/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU6f2kbpk56SuU0DGYM1qSA