Through her website isittimetoplay.co.uk and social media community @isittimetoplay, Emma has built a vibrant space for educators who believe in the power of learning through play.

What began as sharing simple ideas on Facebook during lockdown has grown into a thriving online business offering downloadable planning packs, themed play provocations and time-saving classroom resources.

In this episode, Emma shares her inspiring journey from teaching in the classroom to running her own successful business, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From balancing part-time teaching while starting out, to navigating the leap from security to self-employment — her story is full of honesty, encouragement and practical advice for anyone considering turning their experience into a business.

Emma’s story is a reminder that with creativity, courage and a clear sense of purpose, you can build a business that reflects your values and supports others in meaningful ways.

In this conversation Alex and Emma explore:

• How Emma balanced part-time teaching while growing her business

• The challenges (and freedom) of leaving a secure job behind

• Turning a simple Facebook group into a full-time business

• The mindset, resilience and personal growth behind entrepreneurship

• Navigating freedom, flexibility and boundaries as a solo business owner

• The power of community and staying true to your mission

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Emma [02:10] Emma’s background and where Is It Time to Play? began [06:30] Balancing part-time teaching with building a business [10:45] Making the leap from secure employment to entrepreneurship [15:20] Growing a Facebook community into a full-time business [20:05] The importance of mindset, resilience and personal growth [25:40] Freedom, flexibility and the challenge of boundaries [32:15] Building a values-led, sustainable business [38:00] Advice for teachers and creatives starting a business [44:10] Final reflections and what’s next for Emma

• How Emma turned her teaching experience into a thriving online business

• The mindset shifts that helped her transition from employment to entrepreneurship

• Lessons on balancing passion with practicality

• Why play and creativity matter — in education and business

• Practical advice for teachers, creatives and early years professionals considering self-employment

🌐 Website: isittimetoplay.co.uk 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/isittimetoplay 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/isittimetoplay

💻 Book a Business Connection Networking Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession 📸 Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching 🌐 Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

Episode 28: How to Align Your Career and Life with Sarah Burrows

In this twenty-eighth episode of My Kind of Business Alex is joined by Sarah Burrows – Accredited Career & Business Coach and Founder of Achieving Ambition. Sarah helps women who feel stuck, lost or unfulfilled in their careers to discover a purpose-filled path, whether that’s a career change, developing leadership skills or stepping into entrepreneurship.

With a background spanning psychology, the British military and the charity and corporate sectors, Sarah brings both expertise and lived experience to her work. She shares openly in this episode about her own journey – the fears, the challenges and the joy of creating a business that aligns with who she is.

Sarah’s story is a reminder that building a career or business you love is rarely a straight line – it’s about tuning into your energy, giving yourself permission to rest and embracing the moments that make all the hard work worthwhile.

In this conversation Alex and Sarah explore:

• Using fear and uncertainty as a catalyst for growth

• Designing your business and life around your energy and priorities

• The power of mindset, support and allowing yourself to rest

• Standout “pinch me” moments of entrepreneurship

• Why alignment matters more than following a traditional path

• Practical advice for anyone considering a career change or new business

Whether you’re at a crossroads in your career, thinking about launching your own business, or simply looking for encouragement to create work that lights you up, Sarah’s insights are filled with honesty, warmth and inspiration.

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Sarah [02:15] Sarah’s career background and early influences [06:10] Making the leap into coaching and entrepreneurship [10:45] Using fear and uncertainty as growth fuel [15:20] Building a business around energy and priorities [20:05] The importance of mindset, support and rest [25:40] Standout “pinch me” moments in business [32:15] Navigating challenges and celebrating wins [38:00] Advice for career changers and new entrepreneurs [44:10] What alignment really means in work and life [50:00] Closing reflections and what’s next for Sarah

Key Highlights

• How Sarah transitioned from psychology and corporate roles into business ownership

• Why fear and uncertainty can be powerful catalysts for growth

• The role of energy, priorities and rest in building a sustainable career or business

• Standout moments that make entrepreneurship so rewarding

• Practical advice for career changers, leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs

Connect with Sarah Website: https://www.achievingambition.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/achievingambition

Connect with Alex Book a Business Connection Networking Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this episode of My Kind of Business, business coach Alex McCarthy shares five practical steps to help you attract more clients and grow your business with confidence.

From defining your ideal client to nailing your offer, building visibility, creating trust, and asking for the sale, Alex combines actionable business strategies with honest stories from her own journey and her clients’. You’ll discover how to make your marketing feel natural, how to connect with the right people, and how to turn conversations into paying clients.

This episode is perfect for you if you’re just starting out in business or looking for ways to grow sustainably without burning out. Expect real-life examples, clear steps you can take today, and reassurance that business growth doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

• How to define your ideal client (even if you’ve never worked with anyone before)

• Why your offer should focus on transformation, not just services

• How to build visibility that feels sustainable and authentic

• The role of trust, testimonials and storytelling in client attraction

• Simple ways to ask for the sale confidently without feeling pushy

business growth, client attraction, marketing strategies, business coaching, visibility, trust building, sales techniques, ideal client, offer clarity, personal stories

✦ Explore one-to-one business coaching (online or in person) ✦ Join a monthly Business Connection Session for networking and support ✦ Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com ✦ Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching

Growing your business and attracting clients doesn’t have to feel exhausting. These five steps will help you find clarity, build momentum and enjoy the process of creating a business that works for you.