Closing a Business & Redefining Failure

Closing a Business & Redefining Failure

What happens when you’ve poured 6 years of your life into a business… and then have to let it go? Not pivot or scale back, but actually close the doors. In this episode of Off Script, On Brand, I sit down with Sian Murray, founder of Pleasant State, for an honest conversation about what that looked like. We talk about the reality of shutting down a business after years of building it from the ground up — the grief, the identity shift, the pressure to stay optimistic while things weren’t going well behind the scenes, and the moment she and her business partner admitted it was time to close. But this episode is also about redefining failure, untangling your worth from what you’ve built, and what happens when you stop gripping onto something because you’re scared to let it go. In this episode, we explore: • The emotional and practical reality of closing a business • The pressure of continuing to “show up” while struggling behind the scenes • Why optimism kept her going through the hardest seasons • The decision to be transparent with her community — and the response that followed • Motherhood, identity, and how her perspective has shifted • What “failure” means to her now • Moving into the next chapter with far less fear This one is raw, reflective, vulnerable, and incredibly important for anyone who’s ever tied their identity to what they create. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  PS — this is the final episode of Season 1 If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you. You're a legend!  And if you’re new here, welcome — there's another 9 episodes waiting for you to binge.   To follow along on Sian's journey head to: https://www.instagram.com/sianleee/ [https://www.instagram.com/sianleee/] To work with Sian, email: sianmurray3@gmail.com [sianmurray3@gmail.com]

The Reality of Growing a Purpose-Led Business with Kate Williams

Welcome back to another episode (the second to last of season 1!) of Off Script, On Brand!   Today's episode is with Retreat Yourself Founder and Director Kate Williams.   In this episode, Kate and I talk about the journey behind building a purpose-led, multi-million dollar wellness brand, and the life experiences that shaped it.   From spending seven years travelling the world after high school, to navigating a quarter-life crisis that led to a one-way ticket to Melbourne and a jump into corporate life, Kate shares how each chapter played a role in defining what she truly wanted, which is helping people actually enjoy their lives.   This conversation dives into her core belief that tomorrow isn’t promised, and how that philosophy became the foundation of her brand. We also get into the realities of leadership and what it looks like to run a growing team as a deeply empathetic person. Kate shares openly about the challenge of separating emotion from decision-making, learning to compartmentalise stress, and leading a business without letting it consume her.   In this episode, we explore: * How forgoing university and seven years of travel shaped her * The quarter-life crisis that led to a one-way ticket to Melbourne and a move into corporate * Building a team with flexibility and hiring from diverse walks of life * The challenge of leading as an empathetic person and making decisions without emotion * Learning to compartmentalise stress while running a multi-million dollar business * Balancing business growth with being a present mother to her two young kids * Her intense season of burnout and how it reshaped the way she approaches life, work, and success * Nervous system regulation habits that helped her manage pressure and responsibility * Why she's choosing to show more than just the highlights on social media Follow Kate & Retreat Yourself Retreat Yourself: retreatyourself.com [http://retreatyourself.com] Retreat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retreatyourself_box/ [https://www.instagram.com/retreatyourself_box/] Kate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katebuchannn/ [https://www.instagram.com/katebuchannn/] Use "OFFSCRIPTONBRAND" to get 20% off Retreat Yourself gift boxes!!

When Life Forces the Pivot with Erin Reinboth

Welcome back to Off Script, On Brand. We took a short break, and I’m SO excited to be back in your ears. In this episode, I sit down with Australian contemporary artist Erin Reinboth to talk about building a creative life, navigating life-altering moments, and what it really looks like to turn your creative art practice into a business. From growing up surrounded by entrepreneurial parents who championed creativity from day one, to making intentional decisions about her career path early on, Erin shares how she’s always approached her work with both vision and strategy. But this convo also moves into a deeply personal chapter, the birth of her second son and his undetected heart condition, which changed everything for her and her family. During her time in the NICU, she found herself returning to sketching and drawing as a form of processing. That experience became a turning point, eventually leading her to painting and into her first solo exhibition. We talk about the misconceptions of being a full-time artist and building a multifaceted, sustainable business with multiple income streams and creative outlets. We also chat about identity, growth, and the power of environment, from surrounding yourself with people who expand what you believe is possible, to stepping into a more honest, and authentic version of who you are. In this episode, we explore: * How growing up in an entrepreneurial, creative household shaped her path * Choosing textile design with a clear vision, and how being outcome-focused supported her early career * The life-changing experience of her son’s heart condition at birth and how it shifted everything * Returning to art and having a solo exhibition after her time in the NICU  * The realities of doing art full-time and building a sustainable, diversified creative business * Turning 40, letting go of people-pleasing and feeling more herself than ever * Realigning representation and partnerships to reflect her values * Building More House (a creative space for the community)  and Create Club in Ashmore Arts Follow Erin: Website: www.erinreinbothart.com [http://www.erinreinbothart.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinreinbothart/ [https://www.instagram.com/erinreinbothart/] More House: https://www.morehousetorquay.com.au [https://www.morehousetorquay.com.au] More House Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/more_house_torquay/ [https://www.instagram.com/more_house_torquay/] This episode is supported by Amanda Jane Copy. For business owners who are done overthinking every caption, email, and website tweak — if your brain’s full but your content isn’t converting, you need this. Clarity, structure, and someone in your corner → amandajanecopy.com [http://amandajanecopy.com]. @amandajanecopy [https://www.instagram.com/amandajanecopy/]

Art, Identity & Trusting Your Creative Flow with Jessi Rebel

Welcome back to Off Script, On Brand. In this episode, I sit down with Jessie Rebel, an artist, storyteller, and advocate,  to talk about creativity as a pathway to healing, identity, and self-discovery. Jessi is a proud Wiradjuri person, living and creating on Wadawurrung Country. Their life has been shaped by a connection to Country and Sea Country, and both are strong influences on the works they create. Jessi has a background as a youth/social worker and also draws a lot of inspiration from interpersonal relationships and the intersection of all things. Jessi works collaboratively in community, engaging in murals and workshops with youth and students and loves bringing other’s stories to life through art. Jessi has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Therapy and believes creativity and art has the power to heal the world, both within us and around us.  In this episode, we chat about: * Jessie’s personal and creative journey growing up Biripai Country *  How painting became a tool for processing their experiences working with at-risk youth * The influence of their Aunty Lisa Evans and the lesson behind not being given a piece of their art *  The moments she realised their work was growing into something bigger than they expected * Their recent season shedding shame and confusion, and feeling more expansive and aligned in their art practice * The impact of embracing their non-binary identity on their creative expression * Their artist residency in Tasmania  * Reflections on why they stays in a full-time job and allows their creativity to exist without pressure This episode is for you if: * You’re exploring your identity and want to express it more fully * You’re using (or want to use) creativity as a tool for healing or processing * You’re wondering if your “side creative passion” could become something bigger You’re learning to trust your intuition and stop forcing your creativity  Links & Resources: * Jessi's website [https://www.jessirebelart.com.au/] * Jessi's instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessirebel_art/?g=5] Yarrangany Exhibition:  FRI 08 MAY—SAT 11 JUL Curated by Jessi Rebel, this exhibition brings together First Nations artists from diverse countries, cultures, and nations, exploring identity as something relational and evolving. REGISTER [https://events.humanitix.com/yarrangany-opening-event?utm_campaign=multi_item_banner_YarranganyOpeningEvent&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio] Work With Leslie The Visibility Shift waitlist is open! The Visibility Shift is a live 6 week course where we’ll tackle mindset, strategy, and practical steps to make sure your work and story get seen by the right people. Spots are limited—join the waitlist to be the first to be the first to get all the juicy details and jump in. https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist [https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist]

From Caravan to Cookbooks: The Evolution of Natural Harry

Welcome back to Off Script, On Brand. In this episode, I sit down with Harriet Birrell -  author, creative, and the founder of Natural Harry -  to talk about releasing expectations, reconnecting with creativity, and redefining what’s actually sustainable in a season when life is very full.  From building a brand rooted in sustainability, whole foods, and conscious living, to stepping away from social media entirely, Harriet shares the evolution of her work and herself. We dive into the internal pressure of figuring out your “next thing,” and how her decision to take a full step back from social media became a turning point. Without the noise, the expectations, or the need to post and perform, Harriet found herself returning to her first love — creating with her hands, working with textiles, and reconnecting with what lights her up.  This conversation also explores the tension between creative ambition and surrender in motherhood. With two young children, Harriet shares how she’s shifted away from bigger projects and instead embraces smaller creative moments whenever she can. In this episode, we explore: * The story behind Natural Harry and how Harriet’s values around sustainability and conscious living were shaped * The journey of creating her cookbooks, including the self-publishing process and navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome * The pressure of constantly creating and consuming online, and what led her to take a full break from social media * What that “big pause” revealed when she stepped away from the noise * Letting go of the need to define your “next thing” and releasing attachment to outcomes * Motherhood, creativity, and the tension between ambition and surrender * Embracing smaller, intentional projects in seasons where time and capacity are limited This episode is for you if: * You’re a mother learning to balance creative ambition with surrender  * You’re feeling pressure to create your next creative project (but coming up blank) * You’re craving space, slowness, or a reset from being constantly online * You want to create in a way that feels sustainable, grounded, and true to you Resources & Links Website: https://naturalharry.com.au/ [https://naturalharry.com.au/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_harry/ [https://www.instagram.com/natural_harry/] Work With Leslie Feeling invisible while everyone else seems to be getting noticed? Time to change that. The Visibility Shift waitlist is open! The Visibility Shift is a live 6 week course where we’ll tackle mindset, strategy, and practical steps to make sure your work and story get seen by the right people. Spots are limited—join the waitlist to be the first to be the first to get all the juicy details and jump in. https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist [https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist]