52. Why Chasing Success Without Direction Leads to Burnout with Jemma Broadstock

In this episode, I’m joined by Jemma Broadstock, a coach for entrepreneurs with a background in psychology. Jemma specializes in helping business owners create a happier and more aligned version of success. 

We discuss the crucial shift from chasing external markers of success—like money and clients—to focusing on what truly makes you happy in business. 

Jemma opens up about her own journey as a service provider and how she grew into a coach focused on empowering others to define their own version of happiness and success. Whether you’re a service provider, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode will inspire you to find more joy and fulfillment in your work.

Key Points Covered:
✨ Redefining Success: Helping entrepreneurs move from the hustle to building a business that feels aligned with their values.
✨ Psychology Meets Business: Using psychological insights to improve decision-making, productivity, and overall happiness.
✨ Creating a Happier CEO: Jemma’s approach to building a business that makes you genuinely happy, not just successful.

Connect with Jemma:
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🎧 Podcast produced and edited with love by @FerAssists 🩵

Transcript

[00:00:00] Andrea Elibero: Andrea here, your host and passionate business coach and scaling strategist for Soulful Service Providers and Coaches. Welcome to another episode of Soulpreneur Scaling Stories. Have you ever wanted to look behind the curtain of your fellow entrepreneur's business to see what actually went into scaling it?

[00:00:22] Well, you are in for a treat because that's exactly what we are doing here. In each episode, we will be uncovering the truth behind the lessons and the stories behind what it truly takes for sole preneurs to scale their businesses intentionally. I'm hoping that their stories will help you to unlock the true potential of your business so you can create your own soulful, abundant and aligned laptop lifestyle through intentional scaling.

[00:00:46] So whether you're just starting out on your scaling journey or you're a seasoned entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode has something incredible in store for you. Are you ready to rise, grow and create? Create a business that fully supports your dream life. Well, let's [00:01:00] dive in before we begin.

[00:01:02] Make sure to hit that subscribe buttons. You never miss an empowering episode filled with real stories and soulful insights.

[00:01:11] Hello, my friends, and welcome to another episode of Solpreneur Scaling Stories. I'm really excited to have Gemma Brostock here with me, who is a coach for entrepreneurs and is going to share something I think that a lot of you guys can relate to and will be really interesting. So, hey Gemma, how are you?

[00:01:29] Jemma Broadstock: I'm so good. Thank you for having me.

[00:01:31] Andrea Elibero: Yes, I'm really excited. Um, please introduce yourself. Let us know what you do, what your business looks like today.

[00:01:38] Jemma Broadstock: Yeah. So I'm Gemma. I am a coach for mostly service providers, but I do work with a range of entrepreneurs. Um, my background is psychology. So actually everything that I do is very kind of psychology infused, very research led. And my whole thing is creating happier CEOs because I have been on a journey over the years and I have been the person [00:02:00] that's not been particularly happy.

[00:02:01] And I've also worked with a lot of clients who are kind of thriving from the outside, but not necessarily happy behind the scenes. So my whole thing is how can we make you happier and make you love your business even more?

[00:02:12] Andrea Elibero: And I love this for many a reason and one is because yes success doesn't necessarily equal happiness and So I love that mission that you have to be like, you know What like that's actually the most important thing is to be happy and not necessarily just to be you know successful which Depending on how you define success right, because if you're not happy, are you successful like I don't know

[00:02:38] Jemma Broadstock: Yeah, and I think part of the problem is maybe that we don't take the time to define success. We kind of just assume, Oh, success is, you know, it's money and it's the nice house and it's, you know, the nice clothes and the holidays, because that's what we're told success is. And I think a big part of the problem is we don't stop to ask, is that our version of success?

[00:02:57] So you end up chasing something, getting it and being like, [00:03:00] Oh, This doesn't actually feel good. I don't feel any better than I did, you know, years ago. Um, so yeah, that's something that me and my clients work on a lot. It's what is success to you? It's a, it's a big question, but an important one.

[00:03:11] Andrea Elibero: Oh super important because exactly because I'm sure we've I mean I've been down the road of a Few different roads of creating something and being like, oh, yeah like I'm making them the money that I'm quote unquote supposed to make right some of the goal money and Still being unhappy doing it and being like, why am I doing this?

[00:03:28] and it's not until you define until for me I define what is success for me and then It And it's not all focused around money and the money then then flows even more easily because you know the why behind it, you know, and there's more purpose there and so you're more excited and it's such a huge, a huge piece of all of this.

[00:03:48] Jemma Broadstock: Yeah, exactly. And I would be naive to think that people don't really care about money or any of those things. Money is important. You know, when we run businesses, we do need an income. We do need to be making money. It's, it's really [00:04:00] important. But I think the thing that I always remind myself at least is, you know, research has shown really clearly that.

[00:04:07] If we are not happy on the way towards something, we're not going to be happy when we get the thing either. And so if you stop and look at your business right now, and you, you're telling yourself, I don't enjoy this, but I'll be happy when I get there. We know that's not true. And so it's just like, well, if you're not happy now, and you're not going to be happy when you get there.

[00:04:25] It's time to change something because otherwise you're just going to be so unhappy that, and we all see this, that you end up getting a job or you end up walking away from it all, and you think that the problem was you. And actually the likelihood is you were just looking for the wrong things.

[00:04:40] Andrea Elibero: And it's funny too, because, um, Most of us have had jobs, had the nine to five, the corporate or whatnot, and left because we weren't happy in those jobs for this life. So getting down to the root core of the why and really living that is is, I would argue, one [00:05:00] of the most important things, right? Because otherwise, exactly why are we doing this?

[00:05:04] Why are we working so much? Why are we like, you know, putting our blood, sweat, and tears into building this thing, if it's just to make money, but there's nothing behind it? You know, because that's kind of, because then you might as well just go get a job, because that's a lot easier than what we're choosing to do.

[00:05:20] Jemma Broadstock: And I do think it's easier said than done, right? Because we, we start businesses for this idea of freedom and flexibility and being able to do what we want. And then when you get into business, it's actually completely different. It's like quite a hustle mindset and it's like work, you know, a hundred hour weeks and keep going until you get there and do all of the things and juggle all of the social media platforms.

[00:05:40] And it's like, What are we doing here? Like we're kind of just creating a life that we don't enjoy and telling ourselves, well, one day we'll get to the life that we enjoy. How long do we chase one day for before we realize actually it's, it's not coming on, we need to do something different.

[00:05:56] Andrea Elibero: Right, and do you even know what this [00:06:00] life is that you, that there that you're going for, right? That there that doesn't actually exist, but not even having an idea of what it actually means to you. To be happy, quote, unquote, what it means to you to like, what does freedom actually look like for you?

[00:06:13] Because it's different for everybody. So knowing those things and having this goal and it also helps you to make decisions right for your business when you know What? the quote unquote end goal is when you know what freedom looks like when you know what happiness looks like for you, then it's so much easier when you're in your business to be like, Oh, that's a yes to that, you know, that leads me directly to that thing or not, right?

[00:06:34] Like, like everything is so much better once you figure out figure that piece out.

[00:06:38] Jemma Broadstock: Yes, exactly. And I think when you're struggling to make decisions in business, or you don't know what the sort of right or wrong thing for you is, that does tend to come back to that lack of. Um, clarity around your vision and your big goals and what you're here to do and what you're trying to achieve in the world.

[00:06:54] Because when you're super clear on where you're going and you know what your destination is, it's actually quite easy [00:07:00] to look at a, an option, an opportunity, and say, does this get me closer? Yes or no. But actually when you don't know where you're going, it's like, how can you answer a question when you don't know the destination?

[00:07:10] And so I think actually, as much as, It's kind of, I guess, more sexy to work on the money and the offers and all those kinds of things. This sort of work, it trickles down into everything else. And I do really believe that knowing what you're doing, knowing why you're doing it, having that purpose, it, it's kind of like the foundation everything else is built on, in my opinion.

[00:07:31] Andrea Elibero: No, I 100 percent agree with you 100 percent because I've been on both sides of it and I tell you it's much better on this side. It's much better on the side of, I know what happiness is for me. I know what freedom means for me. I know what my mission is. I know what my vision is. And I'm, everything that I do is in service to that versus the, okay, I started this business and I'm going to grow to, you know, and make money and then do it all these random ways that like, let my business lead me or somebody wants this thing [00:08:00] and say, okay, I'll do that service too.

[00:08:02] And like, you know, and just like, like, and just feel so like you're chasing your tail. You're like your squirrel, squirrel, squirrel, you know, and just like not having any of this and along the way of getting really burnt out. And because There is no clarity there. So it is very important and I think it is sexy.

[00:08:20] I'm going to challenge you on that. I think it is sexy to be like, I know what my vision is. I know what my mission is. I know it's going to make me happy in this world. I think not a lot of people can say that. So I think it is sexy.

[00:08:30] Jemma Broadstock: I, I love that. And I love that you're challenging me on that. Because I, I do agree with you. I think so too. And I think that, that's kind of what gets me out of bed in the morning. And I'm like, how can we? How can we share that message more? And how can we get more people saying, actually, that's really sexy.

[00:08:44] And I know exactly what my big dreams are. I think there's fear a lot of the time around saying, actually, my vision is this. My really big dream is this. I want to change the world in this way. But actually, like, there's nothing I enjoy more than those conversations. We love to hear what people are passionate about.

[00:08:59] I love, I [00:09:00] don't care what the thing is. It could be cycling or bird watching. If you're gonna tell me how excited you are about it and how it's gonna change the world, I'm in there with you. I'm excited too. And I think the more people that are able to confidently share those big dreams, the better for everyone else.

[00:09:13] Andrea Elibero: Yes. We're paving the way. Okay. So on that note, I would love to get back as you were back in the day, a service provider. So I would love to hear about your journey and all of the twists and turns along the way. So if we go back in our time machine and go back to when you started your business, uh, what did it look like at the beginning?

[00:09:34] And when was that?

[00:09:35] Jemma Broadstock: Oh gosh, chaotic. Um, so this would have been, well, depending on how far we go back. So I actually started, um, freelancing when I was 16, which is

[00:09:44] Andrea Elibero: my goodness.

[00:09:45] Jemma Broadstock: 12 years ago. Um, so I've been kind of in the online space for a really long time, but it was always a side hustle that I did on top of something else. And I didn't really have a niche or a speciality.

[00:09:54] I just kind of did whatever you wanted me to do. Um, Then in 2018, [00:10:00] I was made redundant and just was really struggling to find work, and so I started to do the freelancing a bit more seriously, was taking on more stuff, and so 2019 was when I was like, right, I'm going to do this as my full time thing. So that's kind of when my business started.

[00:10:15] I was a VA and that wasn't very intentional to be completely honest. I didn't sit there and think i'm gonna be a VA for the rest of my life. It was just a case of I need to make money. This needs to be able to work from home. What skills do I have? I am the kind of annoying person that organizes everything like I cannot walk past a mess without tidying up if you're messy I'm gonna like take your hand and organize your life for you.

[00:10:38] Like I just can't help myself So it made sense to be a VA And I kind of started signing a few clients. And at this point it was so messy. I can't even tell you it was chaotic. I was, I had no idea what to charge. I didn't know anything about boundaries. I didn't know anyone else in the business world. So I had no one to kind of compare notes with.

[00:10:59] I was signing [00:11:00] some nice clients, but also some not very nice ones. And it was just really hard, honestly, those first kind of. Six months or so. And so again, it was a situation where things were working, but not, not feeling very good.

[00:11:13] Andrea Elibero: Yeah, and I do want to it came to my mind that You said okay like I got into this and I became a VA because yeah, I had these skills and let's just see and I wanted to call attention to the fact that that's perfectly valid and and not for you to like I know, you know But like for people listening right like you don't have to So like that can be your entryway or it could be the thing that you really want to do forever.

[00:11:37] It doesn't matter, you know, so for, cause I had a similar experience when I started as a VA as well is not, I was like, Oh, you know, my original thought, cause I, cause cause I also have a psychology background, yay, is that, Oh, I can be a life coach or something, but I don't, it's like, I don't know how to run an online business.

[00:11:53] So I was like, you know what, like I can figure out this VA thing and see how people run their businesses. And then just like. figure it out from there, just [00:12:00] kind of like get in and like just start taking action. So for anybody listening who is like, Oh, well, you know, I'm doing this, but that I don't know what my end goal is like perfect, because you're going to figure out by doing stuff, like action leads to, to the next step.

[00:12:16] So, so I think that that is very common, you know, that people just kind of like fall into this thing, because it is a very catch all situation. And And I lost all of my train of thought. So we'll just continue on down with your story, or if you have any other thoughts, you know, on that piece as well.

[00:12:37] Jemma Broadstock: I agree. I, and I think that is really important to highlight alongside what we said at the beginning, because if you're an early stage business owner, you might be thinking, well, how on earth do I figure out my big vision and my dreams when like, I'm just, I'm just using a skill that I've got to try and get by.

[00:12:53] And I totally agree that. Initially, you've just got to move, I think, is my biggest piece of advice. Like, just move, do [00:13:00] what you can. And at that time, what I had was access to the internet and a very organized brain. And so I just used those two things to provide a service in order to get paid. And my focus was at that point, it was like, how do I survive?

[00:13:12] How do I pay the rent? Um, and then the next stage of like, what do I actually want to do had to come alter. And so if you're in a stage where you're thinking, how on earth do I feed my kids? It might not be the time to stop and think about what's the big dream. And I think there's a stage for everything.

[00:13:27] So yeah, I totally agree. Sometimes it's just, you do what you can and you move.

[00:13:31] Andrea Elibero: Yeah. And I mean, imagine if you hadn't done that and you just sat around thinking like, what's my perfect business? Like you would never know because you don't have the experience. So having all of those, you know, and I think too, like not having the boundaries is so like, it's such a rite of passage. And to learn how to put those boundaries in place as you're, you know, especially for service providers, it's such a big deal.

[00:13:52] And it's something to to be celebrated. And, and I have the same thing where it's like, okay, yes, whatever you want, I'm here for you. And you think that's [00:14:00] how it has to be at the beginning. And it feels really good when you figure out that no, that's not how it has to be.

[00:14:04] Jemma Broadstock: 100%. And I think that's where community comes in too, right? Because when you're just isolated on your own, you don't know what you don't know. But when you're surrounded by other people who are kind of going through the same thing, or maybe they're a couple months or a couple years ahead of you, you start to realize like, Oh, I don't have to say yes to that.

[00:14:21] Or, Oh, I'm really undercharging compared to the market. And again, those are things that you just do not know on day one. And that is fine. Like it gets to be messy because. I mean, I was going to say it's not always messy, but it's probably always a little bit messy behind the scenes, let's be honest. But it's a different kind of mess.

[00:14:35] It's a more kind of in control mess, organized mess.

[00:14:38] Andrea Elibero: yeah,

[00:14:39] yeah, totally. Okay, so you had your six months of not know what you know, like, okay, I'm doing everything with no boundaries and making money. And then what happened after that?

[00:14:49] Jemma Broadstock: So for some reason I signed clients really easily and I realize I'm not giving myself a lot of credit there, but I think I was just really. ambitious, and I was [00:15:00] like, this is gonna work. I think I'd had a few years of like being doubted by everyone. I was like, this is gonna work. I'm gonna make it work.

[00:15:06] And so I was doing all of the outreach. I was connecting with people. And before I knew it, I was sold out. And I started to figure out what the next step was. And this is so common. I know so many people do this. I was like, Oh, an agency. That's the logical next step, right?

[00:15:22] Andrea Elibero: Did we have the same business? Did we have the same journey? I think that we did.

[00:15:26] Jemma Broadstock: Honestly, I don't. And again, I just didn't stop and think. I didn't stop

[00:15:30] Andrea Elibero: No, because Okay, wait, but this is not your fault because this is the thing that I want to change and because if you I've did this Recently if you google, how do you scale a VA business? that's literally the only thing that comes up in Google or that's the only advice you hear until you connect with people like you and Like me who like like no, you don't have to do that Like there's a gazillion things that you can do So like when you're in these these, you know, kind of like the big giant programs or you know Like this is what you hear.

[00:15:57] It's like, oh you're a VA? You Then you're a VA [00:16:00] agency and like, that's just how it goes. So, so this is not your fault in any way and not mine either. It's just like, that's what we were told. That's like the way that you do it and you're like, okay. And like, without stopping and be like, do I actually want an agency, you know, or like, Oh, I'm getting all of these clients.

[00:16:13] I can't do the work. So I'll hire people to help. And then you're like, wait, why am I doing it? Like, you know, it's until afterwards and you're like, why did I do that? So, yeah.

[00:16:21] Jemma Broadstock: Yeah, definitely. And this is actually, I'm really glad that I did this because I now work with so many clients who are like, Oh, well, I guess I'm supposed to do this. And I'm like, wait a minute, do you want to do that? And actually I think it's really kind of, um, shifted how I work with my clients. So I'm glad that I did it.

[00:16:38] Um, but yeah, it was a headfirst dive into working with. So many clients I think our busiest we had 25 clients something like that Um, and I had a team who were amazing but like i'd never managed a team in that way before Um, and it was a lot like there was just it felt like every day I woke up and there was a new thing That I was having to deal with that.

[00:16:59] I'd never dealt [00:17:00] with before and It was really exciting at the same time I will say this like to see something growing and being successful and people wanting to work with me and being in that position where You know, we were getting messages every day. Like when can I work with you? It was a really good feeling but It didn't really give me any space to live.

[00:17:18] The agency was kind of my entire life and I didn't really have a life outside of that. And over time I was like, I don't know if this is where I'm meant to be, because like, as you know, my background is psychology and kind of helping people in a more, uh, mentor and coaching background. And so I was like, I kind of missed that.

[00:17:36] I want to be helping these people, but doing something differently. And I felt that a lot of my clients, they were thinking they needed a VA. But actually they hadn't done the other piece of work which was figuring out what they wanted out of their business and so I um Was kind of trying to figure out what to do my boyfriend actually was the thing that made me kind of put it all down for a minute because he We went on holiday together and I was just crying I was getting up at like five six in the [00:18:00] morning to do work before he got up And I had clients ringing me There was this one client who was in the middle of a launch and she was like making me cry because she was shouting at Me down the phone and he was just like You While I was on holiday and I was having the worst time and my boyfriend was like, this is not sustainable.

[00:18:16] Like this is, I don't care what you do, but it cannot be this. And so that was the first moment that I was like, maybe this is not where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.

[00:18:27] Andrea Elibero: It's so powerful when like you tell the story and you're like, yeah, it's kind of obvious, but it's not when you're living it at all, you know, and to have somebody point that out and to have it click, you're like, Oh, wait a second. You know, it's such a powerful thing.

[00:18:43] Jemma Broadstock: And I definitely resisted that too. I was

[00:18:45] Andrea Elibero: Yeah. Well, because you built this whole age, I mean, you built this whole thing from nothing, you know, which is amazing,

[00:18:52] Jemma Broadstock: and he also wasn't working in a business. He was employed and I was like you just don't get it Like it's meant to be hard. I'm meant to be crying every day. It's [00:19:00] meant to be this horrible hustle. I'm meant to hate my life So there was this like real push and pull of I know I don't feel good But also is this not how it's meant to feel?

[00:19:10] And what's the alternative? So it was a real, like, moment of first acknowledging, like, I'm not that happy, but also being like, well, what's, what else do I do? Because this is working really well and I think it's really hard to walk away from something that's successful.

[00:19:25] Andrea Elibero: yes. Oh, yeah, totally. So I think that's a such a point that to really just bring to the surface because Yeah, it's successful in that you're making the income, right? Like you have the money, you're making the income. From the outside, people would say, Oh, Gemma, like she has this agency, she has all these clients, like it's running, you know, like, amazing.

[00:19:49] Like, I want to be that I want to be like her, not knowing that you're crying when you're on holiday, but you know, people are yelling, but all these things are are going on. So what [00:20:00] made you so him telling you, obviously, hold on a second. And then What was the thing that was going on internally when you're like, should I do something else?

[00:20:11] You know, like what was kind of going on in that during that time? Cause that's a really scary time

[00:20:15] Jemma Broadstock: It was. Yeah, um, I'm gonna be completely honest. Internally, not a lot was going on because I was just ignoring it. I was just like, if I power through, there's something better on the other side. And so I didn't really stop to think about me or what I was feeling. And instead I was like, right, let me action something.

[00:20:34] And so I got rid of a bunch of clients that I felt were my kind of least fulfilling clients. And then what happened was I had less clients and less money, but I still felt just as rubbish. And I was like, Oh, maybe it's not the clients. And so,

[00:20:47] Andrea Elibero: that's interesting that yeah, you're like, okay, like, let me see me if I just get rid of these like shitty clients Then then it'll be fine and it wasn't so so telling

[00:20:56] Jemma Broadstock: And I started getting rid of like more. I was like, Oh, maybe if I get rid of this one, [00:21:00] honestly. And then I, um, I stopped kind of signing more clients. I was like, let me close the books for a minute. Cause I kind of just don't want any new clients. So what was happening was I wasn't consciously making a decision really, but I wasn't accepting new clients.

[00:21:14] I was gradually getting rid of my current clients to the point where I had maybe three left, which was a big drop from, you know, the agency before I'd had to let the team go. Um, and. It kind of just felt like I'd resisted for so long that, like, life was making it happen, because those final three all handed in their notice essentially at the same time.

[00:21:32] And so it wasn't even really that I was like, I'm closing this agency down. It was just that I waited so long and did nothing to the point where it happened, whether I liked it or not. And that was kind of

[00:21:45] Andrea Elibero: was like Yeah, the universe was like hmm. Okay, you're not making this decision. So we're gonna make it for

[00:21:51] Jemma Broadstock: exactly, that's exactly how it felt. Um, but it was at that point that it, all the internal stuff hit me because also. This was, [00:22:00] it was coming up to Christmas. We had just moved house, which was a big deal. Cause we moved to the beach, but our rent had like tripled. And at that point, my boyfriend had left his job.

[00:22:08] So it was all my income that was paying for everything. Um, I just hit my first six figure year, which felt like a big deal, but then I'd kind of let everything go. And I was like, I also won a business award and I was thinking, oh my gosh, I've just won an award for a business that essentially doesn't exist anymore.

[00:22:24] I was just, oh my gosh, my head was all over the place.

[00:22:28] Andrea Elibero: hmm I can't even imagine like it's crazy that all of that has crazy and not at the same time because this is how things go but i can't imagine what happened internally when all of this was happening externally because you hadn't you kind of pushed that all to the side so it i it must have been it must have been a whole just a whole thing you know that was going on

[00:22:54] Jemma Broadstock: It was a real identity crisis for me too, because like I said, the agency was my entire life [00:23:00] and. It felt like for the first time in my life, I was kind of proud of who I was. I was like, Oh, I'm Gemma. I'm the business owner. Um, and I was getting a lot of external validation too, from, you know, my family who was seeing me win awards and, you know, random cousins I hadn't heard from in 15 years who were like, Oh, I would love to work with you.

[00:23:17] This is really amazing. And I was getting all this like praise. And then I was like, but. If I no longer have that, what does that mean about me? Like if I'm only worthy when I am the successful agency owner, who am I without the agency? And so there was a

[00:23:32] Andrea Elibero: yeah.

[00:23:33] Jemma Broadstock: coming up for me.

[00:23:35] Andrea Elibero: And then what were you? Okay, so everything was gone. There were no more clients. You're here with all these expenses, the whole weight on your shoulders. So what did you do? What was going on in that time?

[00:23:46] Jemma Broadstock: So during that kind of last year, so this was, uh, maybe 2021, early 2021. Um, people had started asking me kind of like, how did you do it? How did you get clients? Like, how are you managing the client load? And although [00:24:00] I was struggling sort of mentally, I was very good at that side of things. And so I started helping people when I could, I'd run like free trainings here and there.

[00:24:08] Um, and I really enjoyed that. It was something that really lit me up. And it's something that I think people really enjoyed, um, as well. Like I was getting really good feedback from that. And so I kind of was like, well, maybe that's what I want to do full time, but because I hadn't planned it, and this is one of my, I don't like to have regrets, but if I was doing this again, I would definitely.

[00:24:27] Phase out one side of the business while I introduce the other, um, So it was very kind of clunky, but I was like, I think that's what I want to do full time I want to be mentoring other service providers helping them not do what I just did essentially Um, so I started doing like free trainings I ran like an end of year workshop and it just sort of was building very slowly I think because my confidence was so low and I was really struggling internally with like who am I?

[00:24:53] What are people going to think of me? Am I a failure and all that kind of stuff? I definitely was sort of like tiptoeing into it. Um, [00:25:00] Which then added to the stress because I wasn't bringing in enough money and it was all this kind of happening But it was that was the intention I was going to be a mentor for service providers and that was going to build up to the same income level

[00:25:13] Andrea Elibero: hmm. But you kind of got into this, but not really having a plan, it sounds like you're just like, okay, like, now I'm going to do this thing, but there is not a lot of planning behind it, which made it. Ultra stressful, I'm sure. And ultra, you know, very, I'm imagining a very unbalanced nervous system throughout this transition because essentially you're not bringing in income, right?

[00:25:37] Because you didn't have any more clients and now you're kind of transitioning into this piece. So it is, it is a, a very difficult time period. And like you were saying with the, with the low. self esteem and things like this. So, but you kept on, you kept on doing it. And what drove you to keep doing that and not kind of give up [00:26:00] during that time?

[00:26:02] Jemma Broadstock: Um,

[00:26:03] you know, it's funny because I didn't even question getting a job or anything like that Like it didn't even cross my mind. I think partly it was I'd seen how much I enjoyed mentoring other people and helping people in that way. And I knew that if I could make that my business, I would be significantly happier.

[00:26:19] I knew that I would just love to do that. So there was that. Um, but there was also, being completely honest, the fact that I had expenses. I didn't really have a choice. It was like, I need this amount of money to come in, even just to break even. And, You know, my boyfriend couldn't just go and get a job and fix the situation because it was also during COVID.

[00:26:38] So it was all like, there was a lot happening at once. Um, so it was kind of like, I have no option. It was very much like being at the start again. It was, I need to make this amount of money to live. What do I need to do to make that happen? And so I was just putting in so much effort, um, because I just felt like that was the only option.

[00:26:56] And I also knew that if I wanted to get to the life I wanted and the lifestyle I [00:27:00] This had to happen, like sitting around and feeling sorry for myself or having a cry I knew wasn't going to be productive for me. And so, yeah, I don't know. I just, I showed up every day and I continued. I think my boyfriend's answer would be that I was delusional, but yeah,

[00:27:16] Andrea Elibero: But you know what, what you said, I'd like so powerful. You're like, there was no other option. And you're like, I really like this and I'm going to do this and I need money and there then that's it. And it's funny that there was another option. You know, you could have been like, okay, I'll get another client to sustain myself while I do this.

[00:27:31] But that didn't even occur. That wasn't part of your plan. It was, I'm just going to do this thing. And the, I think the fact that there was no, or you didn't give yourself the safety net is potentially what kept you on track and kept you going and led to your success. If I had to guess.

[00:27:51] Jemma Broadstock: yeah. And as much as I don't recommend not giving yourself a safety net, I do think that both initially when I was made redundant and also at this point when the [00:28:00] VA business was kind of gone. In both situations, I was left with no backup plan. There was no plan B. I hadn't prepared for it. Both of them felt like they'd come out of nowhere, even though they probably hadn't.

[00:28:11] And I think that did push me to be like, well, I have to show up. And I think if I'd have been phasing out one business and phasing in a new one, or if I'd had a job and I'd been doing it part time, I don't think I would have pushed myself in the same way. And so as much as I'm not saying, you know, throw yourself out the plane like I did and be in a crazy situation, I do think it helped me to get where I was going quicker.

[00:28:33] Andrea Elibero: Yeah, yeah, right. I mean, yeah, I can see that. Like, I can see the benefits of doing that. Because like you said, like, I have to do this. And you didn't have any distractions. Like, this is what you focused on all day, right? It was showing up, figuring out this business, getting, coaching clients, like, things like this.

[00:28:49] So, uh, what else? Yeah. What else, with your story kind of continuing the journey, was it, yeah, like what happens next?

[00:28:58] Jemma Broadstock: So the big thing I had to get over [00:29:00] before I could do anything else was this block in my head that said you failed at business and therefore you can't mentor or coach.

[00:29:07] Andrea Elibero: Mm

[00:29:08] Jemma Broadstock: Because at that point, the story I was telling myself was you failed at everything and yet you're trying to tell people how to run a successful business.

[00:29:16] And that in my head was just such a big mistake. Thing and I get that because it's a valid question, right? It's a valid thing for me to think about Um, and I think the way that I had to get past that was looking at the evidence Like I know how to build a successful business. I know how to sign good clients.

[00:29:32] I know how to run the systems I know how to do all the things I just realized it wasn't for me That doesn't mean I can't help other people, but also it made me think about what I really enjoy. And actually what I realized was it wasn't necessarily the strategy side of things. It was the mindset stuff, which is what I'd always been really good at.

[00:29:49] Um, and so I decided rather than just doing how to get clients and how to set up your business and that kind of thing, which is what I've been focusing on, I was going to go all in on the mindset stuff. [00:30:00] And so then it required like a big brand pivot and, you know, new colors, new logo, all those kinds of things and.

[00:30:07] kind of just like relaunching myself as like this new person and also telling the world that I no longer have my VA business because it was something a lot of people were asking me about and that was really playing into am I a fraud? And so I knew I needed to share the story and it resonated with people really well and I felt just such relief after getting it out into the world and then it was a case of what?

[00:30:29] Kind of building from scratch again. I obviously had an audience. I had at that point about 10, 000 Instagram followers. So I had people there to work with, with my new services. Um, so it definitely wasn't as hard as it could have been, but it was a completely different style of business. I always say this, like, just because you can be a service provider doesn't mean you can be a coach or mentor because the marketing is so different.

[00:30:50] Andrea Elibero: Oh, the marketing is, yeah, for me, I'll say that that was the biggest learning curve was the marketing piece of it. And, and, yeah, kind of [00:31:00] growing into that and what to share and how to share and what that looks like. So I totally agree with you on that.

[00:31:05] Jemma Broadstock: It was, it was a real. It was slower. I will say that the VA stuff it kind of took off overnight Whereas it took a bit more time to build this and I do think part of that was probably my confidence and all that Kind of stuff that was going on mindset wise for me. Um, But yeah, so then it was just experimenting and essentially starting again with a whole new business Which was really humbling i'm gonna be honest Like it was such a good reminder of what it's like in those early days when you're not necessarily signing clients straight away Your content doesn't quite hit in the way you want it to um, and Yeah.

[00:31:36] And then I kind of just grew from there. The last few years I've refined my offering. Um, I've gone back into, um, my master's. So I'm doing another masters in, um, coaching psychology and positive psychology, because I really now know that what I want to help people with is, is that part of being happier in your business?

[00:31:51] Like how can you thrive? How can you feel joy every day? That's what I really love. Um, and so that's what I do now.

[00:31:59] Andrea Elibero: [00:32:00] Amazing. This was, thank you so much for sharing that entire journey because there's so many gems in there that people can relate to. And thank you also for sharing so vulnerably, because this is also a goal of mine is to actually share the truth behind what's going on, you know, to kind of combat these gurus who just like, you can make 10k in two days and it's so easy and all of these things, right?

[00:32:21] Cause it's. It's not, but it's so worth it. Do you feel so with all of these ups and downs? Do you feel like that? Like do you feel like oh, this was so worth it and I would do this again Because of all the growth that you had

[00:32:33] Jemma Broadstock: 100 percent and it's funny because I look back on some of the more challenging times and I now think oh have fun Because

[00:32:42] Andrea Elibero: I think this is yeah Because because of Um, being able to look back and be like, look at what I did and look at what I went through and how much I grew from that, not just in business, but it affects every area of your life and you [00:33:00] become such a more confident, or at least I have, you know, become such a more confident person who's been sort of forced quote unquote to like dig deep and learn all of these things.

[00:33:09] And it's so rewarding when you get to the other side and know that you did that. You know, not only did you build one business, you know, you built two successful businesses and yourself, like digging yourself out of the trenches and growing into somebody who is amazing and you get to share the story and to inspire other people.

[00:33:29] Like, what? You know what I mean? Like, what? Like, are you kidding? Like, that's amazing.

[00:33:33] Jemma Broadstock: It's we all know that when we push ourselves to do something that's a bit scary. We feel better afterwards It might be challenging in the moment But afterwards you think well I did that And I think the great thing about business is you get to do that every day Um, but in the moment it can often feel a bit like oh my gosh I just want to go for a nap or I just want to have an easy day I don't want to make decisions You Um, but when you look back on yesterday, you think, wow, I navigated that.

[00:33:55] I did that. And I think that's a blessing and a curse. Um, so when I look back, [00:34:00] I think, you know, there were really hard moments. There were, and there was a lot of self doubt and a lot of growth personally, but. I wouldn't change any of it because it was, it was good and bad at the same time. And I think that's a really important thing to remember is that with every good thing comes a challenge, like you may be grow to 30, 000 followers tomorrow, but then, oh, you get your first hate mail.

[00:34:20] It's, there's always going to be challenges with the good stuff. And I think it's just me remembering that just because a challenge happened, it doesn't remove the good thing. It's having both at the

[00:34:29] Andrea Elibero: hmm.

[00:34:31] Yeah, and Knowing that now you have the evidence right that you were able to get through those challenges So, you know, you trust yourself more that like, you know What like I know something's gonna pop up and I know that I can do it and growing that self trust is So important because then that gives you freedom to do what you want to play around to experiment and be like, you know I'm gonna try this because I know I can figure it out And that's where having a really successful business that you love You That feels [00:35:00] aligned, that, that, you know, like that's where all that comes from.

[00:35:03] So if everything was so easy from day one and you never had any challenges, then that would be one boring. It would, You would never get to the place for like you're so like excited and like in love with your business every day, you know?

[00:35:19] Jemma Broadstock: And you know, Bring in my kind of like nerdy psychology into it. Like everyone kind of has had a flow, right? And a big part of flow is that if the thing you're doing is easy. You're not going to enjoy it. If the thing you're doing is really hard, you're not going to enjoy it. There's like this sweet spot where you're being pushed, where you know you're capable, but it's like, Oh, this is a stretch.

[00:35:39] And that's the part where we get really lost in the task and we feel really fulfilled and it's really fun. And I think business actually requires us to kind of be in that zone a lot of the time. And. It's very easy to think, Oh my gosh, another challenge. But actually, like, that's where we thrive as humans.

[00:35:55] That's where we need to be. And if you were always in the kind of, Oh, this is easy stage. [00:36:00] Like you said, you would look back and you would feel bored. You wouldn't be fulfilled. You'd start to coast in your business. And it's not fun there. It's not a fun place to be.

[00:36:09] Andrea Elibero: I love that perspective. If it's too easy, that's not where you want to be. If it's too difficult, if it's too challenging, no, it's in that middle where you're right on the edge, where that makes it interesting. I love that. That's such a good perspective. Thank you so much for sharing that. Um, do you have any other tips or things that you haven't shared yet that you would love to share as talking about it growing and one's business and things like this?

[00:36:35] Jemma Broadstock: My advice is always, like, slow down before you speed up. We all want to get to, like, tomorrow as quick as possible. We want to tick the things off our list. And I get that because I am the person who wants everything, like, yesterday. But I think sometimes you've got to pause and actually ask yourself the right questions first.

[00:36:51] Like, sometimes I just sit here and I'm like, What am I doing? What do I actually need to do today? Where am I trying to get to? Because otherwise you end up just ticking through a long to do list. [00:37:00] And it doesn't leave you feeling any better because you know, you don't know whether you've done the right things.

[00:37:04] And so sometimes you do just have to stop and slow down and ask yourself, like, if I want to get to this thing by the end of the year, for example, what do I need to do this month? What do I need to do today? What makes sense for me to prioritize? And just ask yourself those questions before you then speed up again to get where you're going.

[00:37:23] Andrea Elibero: Yeah, amazing. And I'm going to add one thing to that, which is something that I learned earlier on that's so important is that there is no endpoint and there is no there. So we're always in a rush to do this thing and this thing, but it's never ending because there's always going to be another thing or you're like, Oh, I want to do this thing now.

[00:37:38] So To just reiterate what you're saying. Yeah, just pause and slow down because, and enjoy the journey. Because there is no there. Because the there always changes as you get there. Then there's another there, and another there, and another there. So yes, 100 percent agree with that. Um, and yeah.

[00:37:57] Jemma Broadstock: I was just going to say as well. Something I have to remind myself is [00:38:00] if I had achieved all of my goals tomorrow, would I actually be happy? And the answer is I wouldn't because I would be like, what do I do now? You know, my goals are the reason I get up every day. So also just reminding yourself that one part of you might want to achieve all the things as soon as possible, but actually the reality of that life probably wouldn't be what you want it to be.

[00:38:20] Andrea Elibero: Such a, such a good reminder. Yes. So let us know. Thank you so much for sharing all of this. It was really good. Let us know how we can stay in touch with you. If you have any gifts or anything else you want to let everybody know about, now is your

[00:38:33] Jemma Broadstock: Yeah. So I am an Instagram girl, so you can find me at instagram. com slash Gemma Broadstock. If you want to follow kind of me and what I talk about. Um, but also you can find me at the ultimate CEO, which is where I talk about business and I have all of my offers. Um, by the time this goes out, there will be a freebie.

[00:38:50] So if you head to my Instagram link in the bio, there will be some new freebies in there. Um, I also have my own podcast, which you are on. So, um, if you search behind the business, you can hear [00:39:00] our interview over there as well.

[00:39:02] Andrea Elibero: Amazing. Thank you so much, Gemma. This was really lovely. And yes, all the things will be linked in the show notes. So yeah, totally. Thank you so much for being here.

[00:39:10] Jemma Broadstock: you for having me.

[00:39:13] Andrea Elibero: Thank you so much for joining us today. I really hope you found inspiration and insights from today's episode. You know, scaling your business intentionally and from the inside out is a transformational process, but I'm here to support you every step of the way. Head on over to dancingleafsolutions. com slash resources for free tools to help you do just that.

[00:39:38] And thank you again for being a part of the Soulpreneur Scaling Stories community, your presence and dedication to growth, inspiring me every day.