What if we could put our Slow Living values to WORK? What if we ditched Girl-Boss hustle culture for a gentler, more aligned approach to business? Here's how I broke all the business 'rules' - and still built a 6-figure business.
This is wonderful, Stacey! I'm going to print this out and pin it by my desk. So much goodness in it, but I think this might be my favorite part: "But my true activism lies in how I live my day-to-day life." YES to this a thousand times over!
Thanks, Jenna. :) We're very fortunate that we've been able to build a life so aligned with our values. Viewing activism this way is the only way I stay even remotely grounded in such turbulent times, especially as a Mama.
Wowow Stacey, this is SO good! I think a lot about the possibility of applying slow living to business, but to see it in action and successful as you've done is just the greatest testament to creating life on our own terms. I am so inspired by you!! Thank you for sharing this.
Hehe. It was *totally* an accident. Both the business AND doing it slowly. After I quit my career in human rights I promised myself I'd do work differently. So I just focused on taking the next step that felt right. One day I looked up and (much to my surprise) realized I'd built a thriving business. For the past number of years I've been more intentional about it, and the results have been stunning. Now I'm helping other do the same.
Inspiring! I re named myself a Slow Lived Entrepreneur as all my titles confused people anyway and it felt true for me. Would love to read more about your farm business. My husband trained in permaculture up at Tap o North Farm in Scotland - they have a great YouTube! ✨❤️
Yes, trying to explain it is always a little tricky, especially since Slow Living is still foreign to most folks, despite the fact it's been around since the 80's.
Ah yes the farm - I actually don't talk about it a ton on account of having had run-ins with activists in the past. We're very close to Vancouver, Canada. Our location makes us an easy target - another reason why social media has been a no-go for me for business. But its life-affirming work and we are so lucky to be close enough to town to sell direct-to-consumer which has made all the difference.
this was a lovely read, but especially the part about goal setting!! i think contemporary “productivity culture” approaches very “ends”-based goals but i like the way you prioritized the “means”-- how to be able to live ur days as u want and embody ur values!
Thanks Mia. You’re absolutely right. And the thing is - not everyone is motivated by that kind of goal setting. Focusing on process has helped me keep moving forward even when I feel unsure or afraid - which has been vital when building my business.
So glad to have come across you this afternoon Stacey!
What you've shared here landed so beautifully in my body, I seem to be working this way without having intended to, at least to some degree. I especially loved what you've shared here about how living your values can be far more powerful than catering to an imaginary ideal customer, that feels relieving and rejuvenating to me at once.
Thanks so much for this! I am on my way to my own version of a slow business, but you put it all together in a very digestible way. Like a North Star I can orient myself with, to use a different metaphor. Much appreciated!
This is such a great post and I enjoyed it so much. I love the outlook you have with your business. Being okay saying no and allowing the right customers to find you and appreciate what you do. This is how I want my work/business to eventually be. I’ve learned to be okay the journey rather than changing my ways to fit the needs of others. Reading this made be believe it even more.
This is such a beautiful read! I feel like it puts words to how I've been feeling as I grow my business in ways that look sooo different from the mainstream advice. It's been a true exercise in self trust and leaning into what feels good, over chasing success or achieving something 'impressive'. especially loved the goal of working at home in your slippers! your goals inspired me to sit down and make a list of my own too :)
Love this!!! I've been thinking a lot about the slow life and recently discovered the phrase slowpreneur... Something that you capture beautifully here. As a mom of a 15-month-old and a new entrepreneur myself, I will certainly be striving to embody this perspective as I grow my coaching business. I'll also be sharing this article with some of my clients who are interested in starting their own business!
That's the same age my first was when we moved to the farm and started this heart-centered adventure. Moming wee ones and building a business is TOUGH. For me, Slow Work was born out of necessity during that season and although it required sacrifices, I wouldn't change it for the world. My kids are 12 and nearly 10 now, and although I have been a far from perfect Mum, I have been present, which has made all the difference. Good luck with your new business - and if you're looking for a community of other Slow Business women navigating their way, please join us at Slow Folk. My goal is to create a space for women navigating exactly your experience to support and learn from one another. Hope to see you there! - Best, S
Ah, so lovely!! I love to hear how it's been for you after commiting to that path for so long. Can't wait to read more about your journey. I love your community & focus, I'll certainly look into it more!
This is phenomenal!! It resonates so deeply with me - it’s exactly what I would love to create in my life. Thank you for the inspiration to go against the grain when it comes to building your own business! ❤️
I hadn't thought about that before, but yes, it absolutely an ethical way to do business. Being a values-rooted entrepreneur can be a weird place to live - capitalism as such isn't exactly aligned . . . But I think there is a way to make a living that is neither exploitive nor extractive; that is rooted in relationships, not transactions. Seeking that as a north star has made all the difference.
So encouraging to know there are so many other folks out there doing the same - this is how change happens.
I loved this text just so. darn. much! I've been going through a tough time in my business lately: I've basically switched from part-time to fulltime artist without a business plan, simply because my mind and body couldn't take the work I was doing on the side anymore. I'm now in a big "now what?!" point, and I have no clear idea where to go from here, but what I do know is that I want my new business to be aligned with Slow Life values (which I'm also slowly implementing). First, I'm daring to dream I'll get there. We'll see how the rest unfolds. Thank you so much for the inspiration <3
Oh, I'm so sorry. You sound like me in 2010! I quit my demanding career in Human Rights after finding myself sobbing in the middle of a downtown street on my lunch break. I knew I just couldn't keep on that path without either destroying my health or becoming so hardened I wouldn't recognize myself anymore. I didn't have a plan, I just knew I needed to change. I simply put one foot in front of the other and now I have a 6-figure business, customers I adore AND I was able to be present for my babes while they were young. It IS possible. You will figure it out, I promise.
If you need help or just want someone to talk it through, give me a shout. My background is in the visual arts and in my previous life I managed a gallery. This summer I started Slow Folk as a passion project to help other creatives and solopreneurs make the leap into a life and a living they actually love. You can reach me through slowfolk.co anytime.
I love this so much, especially the saying NO part! That has been so hard for me over the years but whenever I have said YES to something that doesn’t align with those values it has always made me resentful! So inspiring, thank you for sharing. X
Saying NO is the worst, isn't it??? LOL. I still hate it, but it does get easier with practice. Once you allow enough time to see how your NOs play out, it gets easier. And the other key is cultivating trust in your own gut. Learning to tune into my own knowing through lots of somatic therapy has been so freaking helpful. Getting good at telling the difference between fear / self-doubt and a clear 'no, this isn't for me' has been so powerful and transformative.
Really love this mindset! you've outlined it so well I'm definitely going to be embracing some of this within my own (freelance) business.
So glad it was helpful, Isabelle!
This is wonderful, Stacey! I'm going to print this out and pin it by my desk. So much goodness in it, but I think this might be my favorite part: "But my true activism lies in how I live my day-to-day life." YES to this a thousand times over!
Thanks, Jenna. :) We're very fortunate that we've been able to build a life so aligned with our values. Viewing activism this way is the only way I stay even remotely grounded in such turbulent times, especially as a Mama.
Wowow Stacey, this is SO good! I think a lot about the possibility of applying slow living to business, but to see it in action and successful as you've done is just the greatest testament to creating life on our own terms. I am so inspired by you!! Thank you for sharing this.
Hehe. It was *totally* an accident. Both the business AND doing it slowly. After I quit my career in human rights I promised myself I'd do work differently. So I just focused on taking the next step that felt right. One day I looked up and (much to my surprise) realized I'd built a thriving business. For the past number of years I've been more intentional about it, and the results have been stunning. Now I'm helping other do the same.
Inspiring! I re named myself a Slow Lived Entrepreneur as all my titles confused people anyway and it felt true for me. Would love to read more about your farm business. My husband trained in permaculture up at Tap o North Farm in Scotland - they have a great YouTube! ✨❤️
Yes, trying to explain it is always a little tricky, especially since Slow Living is still foreign to most folks, despite the fact it's been around since the 80's.
Ah yes the farm - I actually don't talk about it a ton on account of having had run-ins with activists in the past. We're very close to Vancouver, Canada. Our location makes us an easy target - another reason why social media has been a no-go for me for business. But its life-affirming work and we are so lucky to be close enough to town to sell direct-to-consumer which has made all the difference.
this was a lovely read, but especially the part about goal setting!! i think contemporary “productivity culture” approaches very “ends”-based goals but i like the way you prioritized the “means”-- how to be able to live ur days as u want and embody ur values!
Thanks Mia. You’re absolutely right. And the thing is - not everyone is motivated by that kind of goal setting. Focusing on process has helped me keep moving forward even when I feel unsure or afraid - which has been vital when building my business.
So glad to have come across you this afternoon Stacey!
What you've shared here landed so beautifully in my body, I seem to be working this way without having intended to, at least to some degree. I especially loved what you've shared here about how living your values can be far more powerful than catering to an imaginary ideal customer, that feels relieving and rejuvenating to me at once.
Thanks so much for this! I am on my way to my own version of a slow business, but you put it all together in a very digestible way. Like a North Star I can orient myself with, to use a different metaphor. Much appreciated!
LOVED reading this and seeing the parallels to what I believe in.
Inspiring to see what you’ve built over the years. Stacey ✨
This is such a great post and I enjoyed it so much. I love the outlook you have with your business. Being okay saying no and allowing the right customers to find you and appreciate what you do. This is how I want my work/business to eventually be. I’ve learned to be okay the journey rather than changing my ways to fit the needs of others. Reading this made be believe it even more.
This is such a beautiful read! I feel like it puts words to how I've been feeling as I grow my business in ways that look sooo different from the mainstream advice. It's been a true exercise in self trust and leaning into what feels good, over chasing success or achieving something 'impressive'. especially loved the goal of working at home in your slippers! your goals inspired me to sit down and make a list of my own too :)
Love this!!! I've been thinking a lot about the slow life and recently discovered the phrase slowpreneur... Something that you capture beautifully here. As a mom of a 15-month-old and a new entrepreneur myself, I will certainly be striving to embody this perspective as I grow my coaching business. I'll also be sharing this article with some of my clients who are interested in starting their own business!
That's the same age my first was when we moved to the farm and started this heart-centered adventure. Moming wee ones and building a business is TOUGH. For me, Slow Work was born out of necessity during that season and although it required sacrifices, I wouldn't change it for the world. My kids are 12 and nearly 10 now, and although I have been a far from perfect Mum, I have been present, which has made all the difference. Good luck with your new business - and if you're looking for a community of other Slow Business women navigating their way, please join us at Slow Folk. My goal is to create a space for women navigating exactly your experience to support and learn from one another. Hope to see you there! - Best, S
Ah, so lovely!! I love to hear how it's been for you after commiting to that path for so long. Can't wait to read more about your journey. I love your community & focus, I'll certainly look into it more!
This is phenomenal!! It resonates so deeply with me - it’s exactly what I would love to create in my life. Thank you for the inspiration to go against the grain when it comes to building your own business! ❤️
Going against the grain is a good way to describe it! It isn't easy, but it is so, SO worth it.
I so love all of this and it’s how I’ve built and enjoyed all my businesses over the year, and how I see my husband doing his.
Slow business, is ethical business. There’s enough pause to connect to intuition and the heart. So into it. Thank you for sharing xx
I hadn't thought about that before, but yes, it absolutely an ethical way to do business. Being a values-rooted entrepreneur can be a weird place to live - capitalism as such isn't exactly aligned . . . But I think there is a way to make a living that is neither exploitive nor extractive; that is rooted in relationships, not transactions. Seeking that as a north star has made all the difference.
So encouraging to know there are so many other folks out there doing the same - this is how change happens.
I loved this text just so. darn. much! I've been going through a tough time in my business lately: I've basically switched from part-time to fulltime artist without a business plan, simply because my mind and body couldn't take the work I was doing on the side anymore. I'm now in a big "now what?!" point, and I have no clear idea where to go from here, but what I do know is that I want my new business to be aligned with Slow Life values (which I'm also slowly implementing). First, I'm daring to dream I'll get there. We'll see how the rest unfolds. Thank you so much for the inspiration <3
Oh, I'm so sorry. You sound like me in 2010! I quit my demanding career in Human Rights after finding myself sobbing in the middle of a downtown street on my lunch break. I knew I just couldn't keep on that path without either destroying my health or becoming so hardened I wouldn't recognize myself anymore. I didn't have a plan, I just knew I needed to change. I simply put one foot in front of the other and now I have a 6-figure business, customers I adore AND I was able to be present for my babes while they were young. It IS possible. You will figure it out, I promise.
If you need help or just want someone to talk it through, give me a shout. My background is in the visual arts and in my previous life I managed a gallery. This summer I started Slow Folk as a passion project to help other creatives and solopreneurs make the leap into a life and a living they actually love. You can reach me through slowfolk.co anytime.
Good luck!!
I love this so much, especially the saying NO part! That has been so hard for me over the years but whenever I have said YES to something that doesn’t align with those values it has always made me resentful! So inspiring, thank you for sharing. X
Saying NO is the worst, isn't it??? LOL. I still hate it, but it does get easier with practice. Once you allow enough time to see how your NOs play out, it gets easier. And the other key is cultivating trust in your own gut. Learning to tune into my own knowing through lots of somatic therapy has been so freaking helpful. Getting good at telling the difference between fear / self-doubt and a clear 'no, this isn't for me' has been so powerful and transformative.
Ahhhhhh, I love this! Thank you for the work you do. ❤️
Thanks for being here, Silvia. Appreciate you.