It’s Family Business

In this heartfelt episode of It’s Family Business, we sit down with Charmaine Smith, Director of Cut It Out Hair Design, to unpack the realities of building a successful business while raising a family.

With over 23 years in business, multiple salon locations under her belt, and three children at very different life stages, Charmaine shares an honest look at what it really takes to juggle growth, staff leadership, motherhood, and the ever-present pull of mum guilt. From opening a second salon while pregnant, to navigating COVID, staffing challenges, and consolidation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t come without vulnerability, resilience, and a whole lot of grace.

If you're a business owner, a mother, or simply someone trying to balance ambition with family life then this episode is for you - because behind every “she’s got it all together” moment is someone quietly figuring it out as they go.

In this episode, you will learn:
How to navigate business growth while raising a young family
The importance of delivering exceptional service
Why mum guilt is inevitable—and how to manage it without burning out
The importance of building a family-first culture with staff and clients
How to lead confidently through change, even when you don’t have all the answers
Why giving yourself grace is essential to long-term success

A candid, relatable, and inspiring conversation about leadership, motherhood, and showing up—especially on the hard days.

Burnout doesn’t always arrive overnight — sometimes it builds slowly until one day, you simply can’t keep going. In this episode, Steph Neal opens up about her experience with burnout, the guilt of stepping back, and the hard but necessary changes she made to protect her mental and physical health.
Together with Cheryl, she explores people-pleasing, boundaries, and how learning to say no can be an act of self-respect. An important conversation for business owners, teachers, and anyone who gives too much of themselves.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How burnout can show up quietly — and why it’s often missed
The physical and emotional signs that your body is asking you to slow down
Why guilt and people-pleasing can accelerate burnout
How to start setting boundaries without feeling like you’re letting others down
The value of asking for support and not navigating burnout alone
Why stepping back doesn’t mean failure, and how it can lead to better alignment
Small, practical ways to check in with yourself before burnout takes hold

In this episode, Giants Netball star Amy Sligar joins Kirsten to unpack the high-performance habits and mindset tools that shape both her life on the court and her growth beyond it.

Amy shares her journey from junior netball to the professional arena, offering valuable lessons on self-discipline, trusting the process, dealing with pressure, building resilience, and staying grounded through big transitions.

Whether you’re an athlete, a business owner, a student, or someone navigating your own career path, Amy’s reflections on team culture, personal development, confidence, and overcoming setbacks offer inspiration you can apply to any part of life.

A powerful and uplifting conversation for anyone curious about motivation, leadership, wellbeing, and the mindset behind high-performance success.

In this episode you'll learn:
How to build high-performance habits that support consistency, discipline, and long-term success
How to trust the process even when progress feels slow or uncertain
How to bounce back from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth
How to manage pressure and self-doubt with practical mindset tools
How to strengthen your confidence in both personal and professional environments
How to communicate more effectively within teams, partnerships, and workplaces
Develop resilience when navigating big goals, transitions, or high expectations
The importance of prioritising wellbeing and balance, even in busy seasons
How to recognise the power of support networks — and how to cultivate them in your own life
How to find purpose in the journey, not just the end result

In today’s competitive business landscape, industries can shift from niche to saturated almost overnight. New competitors enter the scene, prices are driven down, and the pressure to stand out intensifies. So how do you ensure your business — or your career — doesn’t get lost in the noise?
In this episode, Adrian, Cheryl, and Kirsten dive into the realities of working in and around saturated industries, sharing practical insights that go beyond buzzwords. Reflecting on their own experiences running businesses in the Pilates industry, they unpack the challenges, successes, and inevitable lessons to be learned by those fighting to stand out amongst the crowd.

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Have you ever poured hours of energy into your business, content, or creative work but were met with silence? In this episode, Cheryl and Kirsten are diving into the tension between wanting affirmation and learning to create without applause.
Cheryl and Kirsten will explore why silence doesn’t always mean failure, how to measure impact beyond likes and comments, and why consistency and resilience matter more than instant feedback.
Through honest conversation and real experiences, this duo unpack the psychology of showing up in the quiet seasons, the hidden impact your work might already be having, and practical ways to stay motivated when results feel invisible.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or creative navigating social media, this episode will remind you that your efforts are seen—even if the recognition comes later. Because sometimes, the people who are impacted most by your work are the ones who never hit “like.”

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