I’m here for the business owners who are just plain tired of notifications, Slack pings, and that urge to check email (even when you’re relaxing on the couch—guilty, just like you). This episode is all about reclaiming some peace and reminding yourself that running a thriving business doesn’t mean you need to be “always on”—especially if your mental health has had enough of hustle expectations.

>> Thanks to our sponsor, Holly Tate!

Today, I chat with Elizabeth Quakkelaar—a real-deal accounting pro who kicked business apps off her phone and set boundaries that preserve her sanity. You’ll hear honest talk about the myths of flexibility, the rhythm of responding to clients without being on-call 24/7, and those sweet moments of deleting Instagram for weeks at a time. Spoiler: You don’t need all the shiny tools to serve your clients well.

→ Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com
→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠
→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Start by turning off every single notification (yes, even text alerts—your mom and maybe your dog sitter get priority).

• Set clear expectations with clients about when and where you’ll actually answer, so you’re not stalking the DMs while meal planning.

• Protect your peace and productivity by intentionally building in guardrails, and try deleting those “time-suck” apps—your future self will thank you.

This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

Let’s be honest—juggling preschool drop-offs, pick-ups, and client calls is not exactly what “business influencers” are Instagramming about. In this episode, I dive into the very real mess and magic of managing a service-based business while figuring out preschool logistics, family schedules, and the infamous car pickup line.

>> This episode is sponsored by Leah Bryant. Do you have a podcast that isn't being found by the right audience? Leah helps podcasters with her Get Found Audit, a deep dive into your show's discoverability so you can start attracting the right listeners. Head to leahbryantco.com/getfound and use coupon code "Ordinary".

If you’ve ever wondered how actual people get work done without a full-time team or celebrity nanny, you’re definitely my kind of ordinary business owner.

This chat covers the whole parade: why flexibility doesn’t always feel easy, what happens when your childcare situation flips upside down, and how I turned waiting in the car pickup line into a weirdly productive slice of my day.

→ Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com
→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠
→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Reframe childcare costs as part of your business decision-making, not just a family expense.

• Experiment with flexible work rhythms and stop stressing when your old systems don’t fit your new reality.

• Remember: You’re not failing just because you need to change things up—business (and life) are allowed to be messy and ordinary.

This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

Ever feel like marketing your business is just another frantic item on your never-ending to-do list—right up there with remembering to feed your kids and resisting the urge to rage-quit Instagram?

This episode of The Ordinary Business Podcast is with Andi Smiley, a fellow podcaster and mom who’s managed to escape the rabbit hole of hustle culture (and the clutches of Instagram) by leaning into the world of Pinterest.

Grab her "Is Pinterest Right for Me?" checklist: https://friendlypodcastguide.com/is-pinterest-right-for-me-checklist/

I’m getting real with Andi about what it’s like to juggle a two-hour workday (thanks, preschool pick-up), market a podcast without fancy funnels or complicated systems, and find clients on a platform you probably thought was just for dinner recipes and wedding ideas.

→ Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com
→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠
→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Start small and stay consistent—a single Pinterest pin a week can make a difference.

• Stop pretending Instagram is the only place to market your podcast (unless you love panic-posting).

• Prioritize platforms that actually feel easy for you and give you back hours (and brain space).

This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.