In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Nikki Butlin, entrepreneur, author of Driven to Achieve, and a powerhouse leader who blends resilience, authenticity, and candour with business acumen. Inspired by her father Peter’s journey of building a multi-million-pound company, Nikki forged her own path, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, leadership, and life as a single mother while launching her business, Athena Business Services.

Nikki shares her insights on what it really takes to succeed, from mastering cash flow and building confidence, to leading yourself before leading others, and embracing resilience in the face of setbacks. With her signature mix of compassion and sass, she delivers no-nonsense lessons for anyone ready to drive their own future forward.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Why character, confidence, and resilience matter more than credentials

• The framework of Cash Flow Mastery and how to apply it in your own life

• Why leadership starts with self-leadership

• The role of authenticity in building meaningful businesses and careers

• How to overcome overthinking and perfectionism to finally start

• Why confidence often outweighs credentials in creating real success

Nikki Butlin is an entrepreneur, director, and author of Driven to Achieve. She has decades of experience building and scaling businesses, turning adversity into opportunity, and inspiring others to take ownership of their future.

Take Nikki’s free quiz here https://driventoachieve.co.uk/the-driven-formula-quiz

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Key Takeaways for Listeners

03:01 – Turning Adversity into Your Biggest Asset

05:14 – The Importance of Self-Leadership

07:44 – Building Confidence Through Action (Why It Matters More Than Credentials)

10:09 – The Cash Flow Mastery Framework Explained

12:13 – Misconceptions About Leadership (What Young People Should Know)

13:46 – Building Resilience: Daily Habits & Mindset Shifts

16:25 – Finding Your Passion & Following It

17:50 – Advice for Overthinkers and Perfectionists

19:11 – Overcoming Fear and Taking Action

21:16 – Authenticity in Business and Leadership

23:43 – Following Your Own Path vs. External Pressures

26:59 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Career Changes

29:38 – Advice to the Younger Generation

31:53 – Imagining a Business Without Financial Constraints

33:12 – Taking Control of Your Life’s Journey

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📺 Watch the full episodes on YouTube: SMARTA Podcast Playlist

🌍 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree