Big News (and Three Lessons)

Yes, we’re back! Not as regularly as usual, but back nonetheless - and now I can finally tell you why. Things have slowed down and reduced in capacity around here for a very good reason.

It all started with me and my husband trying to record a video. What should’ve taken five minutes took about five takes and 30 minutes. But it was for an important announcement, and you can even watch it on Instagram (if you’re into watching two 30-somethings dancing in front of a Christmas tree). If that’s not your vibe, fair enough - I wouldn’t blame you.

Here’s the long and short of it: there’s a bun in the oven. In the pudding club. Joining the party this season. Adding a new little pumpkin to our patch. Or however many creative ways we can say in this great language: I’m pregnant!

This is incredibly exciting, but now that I’m four months into the journey, it’s been less about the initial discovery and excitement and more about navigating the learning curve that comes with it. Cooking a human is a wonderful experience, but also a wildly taxing one (at least for me personally, the first trimester was anything but a smooth ride).

And while my diet has finally moved on from beige foods (hallelujah!), I’ve learned some big lessons along the way. Lessons that I think you can take on board, no matter if you’re cooking a bun, want to cook one, or will ever cook one in the proverbial oven.

As soon as I felt comfortable sharing the news with my team, I had a frank conversation with them about what this meant for the business. I announced it earlier than I might have with friends and family because it felt necessary to set clear boundaries and expectations upfront.

The first major step? Delegation. Having written an entire book on the subject, I had a decent playbook to follow, but this was still a big shift.

The process began with identifying areas of the business that needed immediate simplification. I broke it down into three options:

For example, we had initially created four separate links for new students joining our certification program - two cohorts with two payment options each. While this seemed user-friendly, it created extra manual work for us behind the scenes.

With limited working hours and unpredictable energy levels, I realised the trade-off wasn’t worth it. Instead, we simplified things with a thank-you page linking to both cohorts, trusting our students to choose the right option.

It was a reminder that while customer experience is always important, sometimes you also need to prioritise what works best for you and your team.

Outsourcing went into overdrive. I recorded dozens of videos showing exactly how I handle specific tasks, turning these into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) so the team could step in confidently. We even had team members take the lead on hosting events and running key projects - putting themselves in my shoes so they’re ready to carry the torch when I’m on maternity leave.

For anyone looking to build effective SOPs, I highly recommend checking out our podcast session with Bethan Wright. I’ve also included a worksheet (linked in the class in session section) to help you create your own SOPs. Trust me, this prep work is a game-changer.

One of the most important adjustments I’ve had to make is planning ahead. It’s not just about knowing what’s coming up - it’s about identifying the areas where you can map things out now to give yourself breathing room later.

Take the podcast, for example. I knew this was something I needed to get ahead of, so I built out the entire schedule for the first half of 2025 (and I’m so lucky we’re on top of that). But I didn’t stop there - I also brainstormed ideas for series and mini-episodes that could carry us through the end of the year. This way, if I want to record something, it’s because I genuinely feel like it, not because I have to.

When I do record, I know my time will need to be prioritised. After maternity leave, my focus will be on training and educational content for the school.

So this period - where my energy has finally come back - has been all about front-loading as much as possible.

Other examples include:

Here’s the thing: being forced to plan ahead reminded me of how easy it is to stay stuck in our ways.

We often assume we have all the time in the world and keep doing things the same way, even when they’re time-consuming or energy-draining. It’s only when your time becomes limited that you realise there’s a better way. Planning and simplifying now can save you so much stress later.

One of the most humbling lessons I’ve had to learn - or, let’s be honest, relearn - is how to prioritise my workload and energy. Saying no is the classic cliché that’s been repeated a thousand times, but for good reason: it’s hard to do, even for someone like me who’s been at this for a decade. But the truth is, every time I say no, I feel the weight lift off my shoulders, and I can focus better.

I didn’t have much of a choice when working just 3-4 hours a day before needing to crawl back to bed became the norm. Time-blocking saved me during these stretches because the limited time I had had to be intentional.

The other side of this lesson has been communication - not just with my team, but also with clients. Transparent, honest communication is key, especially when navigating big life changes.

But here’s the trick: always come to your clients with solutions, not just problems. For example, we’ve already put contingency plans in place for my maternity leave, so clients know exactly who to turn to and what’s covered while I’m away. Approaching situations like this with solutions not only keeps things professional but also helps you feel more confident.

My favourite communication hack, though, has been using Slack statuses. I let my team and clients know when I’m out for a doctor’s appointment, off for the day, or simply unavailable. It’s a small thing, but it’s been such a simple way to set expectations and keep everyone on the same page.

Of course, flexibility is the greatest perk of being your own boss, but it’s easy to take it for granted. On weeks where Friday was only a three-hour day, I’d sometimes work a little over the weekend to catch up, but only when I felt like it. Balancing flexibility with structure has been key to managing the unpredictability of this time.

Running your own business is stressful even on the best days. Add in something as unpredictable as pregnancy, and it’s a whole new level of chaos. But remembering that flexibility is an asset - one that not everyone has - is what’s helped me navigate this chapter with a little more ease.

Tune in for a conversation featuring social media expert Bethan Wright, who shares her delegation secrets and introduces "brain dumping" to spark creativity.

You can download our SOP worksheet here.

Navigating this new chapter has been a rollercoaster - full of lessons, challenges, and moments of growth I didn’t even know I needed. Whether you’re juggling your own big life changes or simply trying to make it through the week, I hope these lessons inspire you to approach your work and life with a little more intention, flexibility, and grace.

As the year winds down, I want to thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your support means everything, and I’m so excited to see where 2025 takes us - both in business and beyond.

Wishing you a joyful, restful, and very Happy Christmas. Here’s to a new year full of growth, connection, and maybe even a little magic.

Always cheering you on,

Fab ✌️