No, this isn't one of those posts. You know the kind of post I mean...

“This one mindset shift made me $89K in 3 weeks!!”

“I only work 2 hours a month and I make a full-time income!”

Cool story, boss babe. But I live in the real world — where growth isn’t always explosive, shiny, or instant.

And while yes, I love money (who doesn’t), when I talk about business growth, I’m also talking about momentum, brand clarity, bigger opportunities, projects I actually want, audience connection, and confidence.

So here are three things I’ve done this year that have grown my business in ways that feel sustainable, strategic, and very anti-icky.

1. I worked hard on my funnels

Funnels — buzzwordy, yes. But when done well? They're the quiet, behind-the-scenes engine of your business.

At their simplest, funnels are the journey people go on with you. Someone discovers you (via Instagram, a blog, a referral), they download a freebie, get a series of helpful emails, feel genuinely connected to your brand and boom: they’re ready to work with you, buy from you, or recommend you.

This year, I’ve tightened mine up. Each blog, email, lead magnet and page has a purpose and a next step. Nothing random, nothing floating. Everything leads somewhere, and it’s shown in my engagement, conversions, and quality of client enquiries.

Think about the journey your dream facial client could go on — from downloading a freebie on your website to receiving a series that showcases your results, philosophy and client experience, which leads to them booking a consult. This is the power of a strong, considered funnel. They help make that process seamless and intentional.

2. I prioritised comms platforms beyond Instagram.

Socials are great, and I still show up there, but they’re not the whole show.

In 2025, I committed to a weekly blog, a weekly email to my growing list, and one LinkedIn post a week to grow my business. I’ve treated my email list like gold (because it is) and used my website like the digital front door it deserves to be.

LinkedIn has been quietly powerful. It’s expanded professional opportunities and opened doors, especially as I continue to make my name in the media and thought leadership space within our industry.

The result? My audience beyond Instagram is growing and more engaged than ever. I’m building trust before people even hit “send” on an enquiry form and when they do enquire, they already get what I do.

If Instagram went down tomorrow, would your clients still know what offers are live, what your salon or clinic offers and even how to book for the first time? If that's a big "nope!", you've got some work to do.

Insta is a vibe, but rented land is rented land. I’m planting roots somewhere I own.

3. I took on a smidge less paid work to grow my business

I know... you're thinking I've made a typo in that heading right there, but hear me out. This move alone has probably been the biggest contributor to my long-game growth.

I took on one less client project a month, just one, and used that time to work on my business instead of constantly working in it. You know — that thing fifty billion business coaches have said since the dawn of time? Turns out, they weren’t wrong.

Less chaos. Less “OMG I need a post for tonight” panic. More breathing space, planning, strategy, and intention.

This shift has made my content better, my offers clearer, and my client experience stronger.

Also, spoiler: the money didn’t disappear. In fact, it felt more aligned.

So, if you’re not seeing explosive growth this year (or you are, but it’s stressing you out), here’s your gentle reminder that growth isn’t just about the numbers.

Sometimes, it’s about space, systems, strategy, and finally, making peace with the fact that it's okay to work on your business when the sun is up.

Want to chat about funnels, email strategy or finding your tone of voice outside of social media? I’ve got tools, templates and the time carved out just for this kind of work. Click here to connect!