Own Your Time

The Reluctant Capitalist: Building a Business Without Selling Your Soul with Marisa Guthrie

In this episode of Own Your Time, Sarah Stewart sits down with anti-capitalist business coach and upcoming author of The Reluctant Capitalist, Marisa Guthrie, for a radical conversation about redefining success, time and what it means to do business differently. Together, they unpack how small business owners can operate within capitalism without perpetuating harmful systems, why scaling small can be a bold and values-aligned choice and how ethical pricing, mindful marketing and time reclamation are not just buzzwords but revolutionary acts. If you've ever questioned the hustle, resisted bro-marketing tactics or wondered how to build a business that feels good, this conversation is your permission slip to opt out of the grind and into something more sustainable. What we cover: * The philosophy behind anti-capitalist coaching and why it's not anti-money * How Marisa's values-led path from philosophy grad to purpose-driven entrepreneur unfolded * The power of pricing ethically: balancing fairness, sustainability and self-worth * Marketing without manipulation: what it means to dissolve shame instead of amplify it * Why time is your most fragile resource and how to stop spending it on the wrong things * The radical act of scaling small and honouring your energy * How solopreneurs can build intentional ecosystems that support equity and collective care * The rise of the reluctant capitalist and why this business model is the future Resources and links: * Marisa's Website: https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/ [https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/] * Substack Newsletter: The Reluctant Capitalist on Substack https://substack.com/@marisaguthrie [https://substack.com/@marisaguthrie] * FREE Masterclass: Fair & Fearless Pricing https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/free-masterclass-ethical-fair-fearless-pricing [https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/free-masterclass-ethical-fair-fearless-pricing] Time stamps: * 00:00 – Welcome + The problem with hustle culture * 02:00 – What anti-capitalist coaching really means * 05:00 – Marissa's journey from philosophy to purpose-led business * 08:30 – Why time, not money, is your most fragile resource * 13:30 – Buying back your time: the true solopreneur dream * 17:45 – Ethical pricing: balancing fairness and fearlessness * 24:30 – How resourced businesses can do more good * 30:00 – Shame-free marketing: what needs to change * 38:00 – The rise of the solopreneur as the new standard * 41:00 – Marissa's book The Reluctant Capitalist and what to expect * 46:00 – Final words + quickfire "Time Crunch" round About Sarah: I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management expert. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter. If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place. Sarah's Links: Get More Time Course (Self-Study): This course is for the successful solopreneur or small business owner, and it lays out the steps you need to take so you can get more time for the things that really matter. https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course] FREE Time Audit Workbook: Where I share my framework to audit your time, so you can get more time for the things that really matter https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook]

S2, Ep22: Work-life balance, time pressures and pivoting with Kat Wong

Episode Summary: What if you could build a meaningful, impactful career without sacrificing your time, your health or your sanity? In this powerful episode, Sarah is joined by Kat Wong, whose career has spanned the BBC, Apple and now her own platform, Oh Yeah, supporting mid-career professionals navigating change. From hitting the "pips" live on air to leading international teams, Kat shares what decades in high-pressure, time-sensitive roles have taught her about boundaries, leadership and working with intention. This is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched thin, curious about career pivots or seeking permission to protect their time. In this episode, we cover: * Kat's 30-year journey from radio to tech to solopreneurship * What it really felt like to work in live broadcasting - and how it shaped her relationship with time * Pivoting into a global role at Apple and managing work across multiple time zones * How she created a "broadcast critical" mindset for managing urgency and protecting boundaries * The power of leading with intention and modelling work-life balance for your team * What Kat's learned about guilt, clarity and saying no with confidence * The somatic (mind-body) connection to decision-making and burnout * Why she built Oh Yeah - a platform and seasonal guide for experienced but time-poor professionals exploring what's next Resources & Links: * Visit: thisisohyeah.com * Follow Kat on Instagram → @this.isohyeah [https://www.instagram.com/this.isohyeah/] * Sarah's Time Management Tips & Tools → Explore here [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/] About Sarah: I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management coach. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter. If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place.

S2, Ep21: Digital detox with Florence Achery

Retreat Like It's 1999: Digital Detox for Real Life with Florence from Yoga Retreats and More What if your business grew because you put your phone down? In this conversation with Florence, founder of Yoga Retreats and More, we talk about digital detoxing without ditching your ambition. Florence runs "Retreat Like It's 1999" weekends in Cumbria, where guests switch off, sink into nature and remember what it feels like to be fully present. No doomscrolling. No ping-induced panic. Just connection, breath and a proper night's sleep. We dig into my love-hate relationship with technology, what actually happens when you go off-grid for a couple of days and how to set healthier boundaries with your phone when you still need to run a business (and keep the kids alive). What you'll learn * Why social media is designed to keep you hooked and how to get your power back * What a digital detox retreat really looks like * Simple swaps that improve sleep tonight * How to work in focused sprints without your phone calling the shots * Marketing without social media: what's working for Florence * A gentle starter plan for your first phone-free afternoon Resources & mentions * Florence's website: https://yogaretreatsandmore.com [https://yogaretreatsandmore.com/] * Retreats in Cumbria: "Retreat Like It's 1999" (check dates on site) * Time techniques mentioned: Pomodoro (20–25 minute focus blocks), phone in another room * Tool swap: a basic alarm clock for your bedside table Try this mini digital detox * Pick one evening this week = phone-free. * Move your charger out of the bedroom and set a "down tools" time. * Choose two specific windows to check social apps (not all day). * For deep work: notifications off, phone in another room, 25-minute sprint, 5-minute rest/stretch. Work with me If you're craving a calmer calendar and a business that doesn't demand your weekends, I can help you build simple systems and kinder rhythms that actually stick. See ways we can work together below. Your Next Steps: * Work with Me: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/links [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/links] * Self study course, Get More Time: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course] * Get my free Time Audit workbook: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook] Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/sarahstewart.co.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sarahstewart.co.uk] and https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow]

S2, Ep20: The importance of setting boundaries with Sharon Smith

What if boundaries weren't just a self-care buzzword but the thing actually standing between you and burnout? In this episode, I'm joined by Sharon Smith, leadership coach and founder of Own Your Leadership, for a no-nonsense conversation about time, boundaries and why saying yes to everything is a fast track to overwhelm. Sharon shares the behind-the-scenes of how she went from burned-out teacher to boundary-setting business owner and what she learned the hard way about people-pleasing, capacity and leading well. If you've ever felt guilty for saying no, if your calendar is packed but nothing feels meaningful or if you just need someone to tell you it's OK to not be available 24/7… this is the conversation you didn't know you needed. In this episode, you'll hear: * Why saying yes to everything nearly broke Sharon and what she did instead * The difference between managing and leading (and why it matters more than you think) * Why boundaries aren't selfish, they're a leadership skill * Sharon's brilliant concept of the "Curiosity File" for managing ideas + distractions * How to time block like a CEO * What it really takes to reclaim your calendar and your energy * The mindset shift that changed everything for Sharon (and might for you too) Resources mentioned: * Sharon's guest blog post on boundaries: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-boundaries-how-leaders-can-manage-time-and-boost-productivity [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-boundaries-how-leaders-can-manage-time-and-boost-productivity] * Sharon's website and links to connect: https://www.ownyourleadership.co.uk * Free Time Audit Workbook: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook] Your Next Steps: * Work with Me: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/links [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/links] * Self-study course, Get More Time: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course] * Get my free Time Audit workbook: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook] * Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/sarahstewart.co.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sarahstewart.co.uk] and https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow] About Sarah: I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management expert. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter. If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place.

S2, Ep19: Property, projects and hustle culture with Melissa Lewis

What if your business didn't demand all of your time? If you've ever chased a timeline, hustled yourself into burnout or assumed success required sacrificing your weekends, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Melissa Lewis - property investor, entrepreneur and co-founder of Venrus, a proptech platform making investing simpler, faster and way less confusing. Melissa's story is all about redefining what "success" looks like and learning how to design a business around time freedom. From hitting her goals early to facing full-blown burnout, her journey is a total permission slip to stop forcing everything to happen on a schedule and start creating from a place of alignment instead. We get into the realities of building something from scratch, the not-so-glamorous side of entrepreneurship and how Melissa is helping others access property investment without needing to be a millionaire. What we cover: * Why timelines can become toxic if you don't pause to question them * What burnout taught Melissa about business models and boundaries * Her philosophy of seeing work as "projects" and why it's a game-changer * How Melissa is bringing property investing and tech together to save time * Why your next big idea doesn't need to be perfect before you share it * Tangible time-saving tips that make the day-to-day feel lighter Follow Melissa: https://www.tiktok.com/@mlpropertyventure [https://www.tiktok.com/@mlpropertyventure] https://www.instagram.com/mlpropertyventure [https://www.instagram.com/mlpropertyventure] https://www.mlpropertyventure.co.uk [https://www.mlpropertyventure.co.uk/] Participate in Michelle's survey to help shape Venrus: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZCti8V_UQqeffyY1avlcAADNNmLHHOzMr_fD5wh31mU/edit?usp=drivesdk [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZCti8V_UQqeffyY1avlcAADNNmLHHOzMr_fD5wh31mU/edit?usp=drivesdk] About Sarah: I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management expert. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter. If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place. Get More Time Course (Self-Study): This course is for the successful solopreneur or small business owner, and it lays out the steps you need to take so you can get more time for the things that really matter. https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course] FREE Time Audit Workbook: Where I share my framework to audit your time, so you can get more time for the things that really matter https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook] Connect with Sarah: Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management expert Instagram - www.instagram.co.uk/sarahstewart.co.uk [https://www.instagram.co.uk/sarahstewart.co.uk] Website - www.sarahstewart.co.uk [https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/] LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstewartglasgow]