Too Many Staff? Too Little Staff? How To Know If You Have The Goldilocks Team

My blossoms,

Ever feel like you’re drowning in tasks, doing all the things, and thinking, “I should hire help… but also… money?”
Or maybe you did hire help, and now your profits are quietly weeping in the corner?

Welcome to the staffing conversation almost nobody has honestly — because it’s messy, emotional, and doesn’t fit neatly into a hustle-bro Instagram post.

In this wildly practical poddy episode, me and my best mate, Tamara Protassow crack open the truth about hiring, firing, and finding your just right team size. I share what it was really like managing 25+ staff (spoiler alert: it was not the dream 🙃), and how I later ran a 7-figure business with just 1–2 part-time VAs — with more ease, profit, and sanity.

This is real talk for real business owners who want a business that supports their life, not consumes it.

Here’s what we cover:

• 🌱 The sneaky red flags that tell you you’ve got too little support — and how to know when it’s finally time to hire
• 🚨 The warning signs you’ve hired too many people (and how to gently, responsibly fix it)
• 🛟 The “rescue fantasy” that keeps you waiting for someone else to save your business instead of leading yourself
• 🧠 What to outsource first — and what you should absolutely keep doing yourself (even if you don’t love it)
• 💰 Income-to-staffing ratios that actually make sense in real life, not just spreadsheets
• 🔐 How to protect your business from “irreplaceable” team members (because no one should have that much power)
• 🗂️ Systems that save your sanity, your time, and your business when life inevitably lifey-lifes

If you’re ready to build a business that fits your energy, your values, and your actual human capacity — not some imaginary hustle robot — this episode is for you.

And if you want deeper support, workshops on hiring VAs, creating simple SOPs, and right-sizing your business without panic spirals, check out my Brilliant Biz & Life Academy — alongside a community of creative, neurodivergent, soul-led entrepreneurs who get it.

This one’s especially for creative women, neurodivergent business owners, and service providers who want profitable, sustainable businesses — without burning out, selling their soul, or missing the good bits of life. It’s SO doable!!!!

Listen here on:

• Spotify
• Pocketcast
• Apple Podcasts

Resources Mentioned In The Podcast:

• Leonie Dawson’s ⁠Brilliant Biz & Life Academy – includes “How to Hire and Manage a VA” workshop and SOP templates
• ⁠Previous episode: Interview with Claire Wood (accountant)
• Previous episode: Interview with Katie Chappell (illustration business)
• Tools mentioned: Gmail templates, Asana, Zero accounting software, Repurpose.io, HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, The Laundry Lady (Australia)

Here’s to finding your dream team!!!

big love,