Tea with the Queen

In this episode, I’m talking about one simple phrase that has completely shifted the way I think about generosity, boundaries, and leadership in business: commit to the committed.

As women in business, we are often generous by nature. We want to help, support, encourage, and open doors for others. But when that generosity isn’t paired with clear boundaries, it can leave us exhausted and overextended. In this video, I share why protecting your energy is not selfish; it’s essential for sustainable business growth.

I also take a look at how commitment changes results, why boundaries create better outcomes, and how to recognise the people who are truly re...

Stability is underrated. And if your income relies on one offer (or one good month), it’s no wonder your business can feel fragile.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how I’ve built multiple streams of income to create a stable business model. We’ll talk about why relying on a single offer is risky, how I structure my core offers, and what I recommend if you want to create multiple income streams without ending up with constant overwhelm.

I also share how I think about multiple streams of income beyond the business, includin...

I didn’t think I could learn leadership lessons in business from Taylor Swift…how wrong I was. I went to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as a mum (and a proud Swiftie) with my 12-year-old daughter, expecting glitter, sing-alongs, and a fun night out. What I didn’t expect was to walk out thinking: Oh. That’s what leadership looks like at scale.

In this episode, I share the leadership lessons in business I took from the Eras Tour and the documentary that followed. We’re talking about protecting your energy like it’s an asset, leading as a g...

Referrals have been the secret ingredient in my business for years, and they're one of the easiest ways to get new clients. If you've ever wondered how some businesses always seem to have a steady stream of new clients whilst others are left scrambling, it's rarely about having the flashiest website or biggest ad spend—the real magic happens through word-of-mouth. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than any other advertising method.

In this episode, I share how I keep referrals flowing year after year by building real relationships rather than ju...

Stability is underrated. And if your income relies on one offer (or one good month), it’s no wonder your business can feel fragile.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how I’ve built multiple streams of income to create a stable business model. We’ll talk about why relying on a single offer is risky, how I structure my core offers, and what I recommend if you want to create multiple income streams without ending up with constant overwhelm.

I also share how I think about multiple streams of income beyond the business, includin...

Business is unpredictable by nature, but what happens at home can either steady you or slowly drain you. I had a moment at a dinner table recently where I realised something that’s become true for me: when my relationship is solid, I can handle whatever my business throws at me, because stability at home is an anchor.

We talk about why women who thrive in business often have one of two things: real support at home, or the ability to block out tension. And blocking out tension isn’t free, it costs energy, focus, and confidence. I sh...

Obligation doesn’t usually kick the door down; it slips in quietly and starts rearranging your life. This episode unpacks how tiny social rules and unspoken expectations can slowly take over your calendar, your energy, and the way you run your business, without you even noticing.

You’ll hear my “polite ghosting” story and why leaving a party doesn’t need to be a full production just because other people want one more drink, one more story, one more moment. It’s not about being rude; it’s about protecting your rhythm and refusing to negotiate your peace for some...

Expectations are sneaky. They sit in the background of your life and business, shaping how you measure progress, success, and even your own worth. When reality doesn’t match the picture in your head, it can turn a good season into disappointment, even when things are objectively going well.

This episode explores the expectations we inherit and the ones we quietly create for ourselves, from how we imagine life will look to how we think business “should” feel. It covers how unchecked expectations can make wins feel like failures, and why it’s so common to feel behind w...

Fear of public speaking can hold you back in business, even when you know your work is solid. This episode shares practical tools to build confidence in speaking so you can communicate clearly on client calls, in meetings, on video, or on stage.

It covers how clarity creates confidence, how to choose one core message as your anchor, and why courage matters more than perfection when you’re finding your voice. You’ll also get simple ways to practise your message, reduce overthinking, and build stronger communication skills through repetition and a supportive community.

If you...

If you’re feeling stuck in your business, it’s probably not because you lack talent or brains. It’s those sneaky little excuses that quietly take the wheel and steer you off course.

Sometimes you’re avoiding the hard things and expecting results.

It’s not about lacking intelligence or drive it’s the small excuses, burnout, and comfort zones that quietly hold us back.

I’ll break down why businesswomen stay stuck by looking at the boring, repetitive actions that actually move the needle, like consistent follow-ups, tracking numbers, and sticking to your messag...

You know that month where you’ve delivered the work, the invoices are out, the client is thrilled and suddenly… silence? You check your bank account. It’s not panic. But it’s close. That, my friend, is the feast and famine cycle and it’s exhausting, financially and mentally.

In this episode, we’re talking recurring revenue in a real-life way, not a “make money while you sleep” way, because predictable income is what takes you out of survival mode and puts you back in the driver’s seat.

We’ll break down what recurring revenue ac...

Today we're chatting about a chapter in our lives that often gets swept under the rug, despite its monumental impact. We don't hear enough about perimenopause and business, even though so many of us are navigating both simultaneously. I'm sharing my personal story, starting with my mum's misdiagnosis at 37, then my own perimenopause diagnosis at the same age after multiple miscarriages. Now at 48, I've spent 11 years in this perimenopausal whirlwind, experiencing hot sweats, mood swings and everything in between.

Perimenopause is like riding an unpredictable wave that hits how we live and work. Hormones upend our routines...

I love sales. There, I said it. I genuinely, wholeheartedly love it, not just tolerate it because I have to. My love affair with sales started at 11 years old with a plastic table on my driveway, selling cordial and icy poles. That spark never faded, and this year I've embraced it fully, creating structures that teach sales for women in a way that feels authentic and natural, free of that salesy ick. Today I'm sharing my journey and why sales sits at the centre of every successful business.

This year has been massive for us. The BD...

If you want the year ahead to look different to the one that’s just gone, you need to design it differently.

It’s all very lovely to have wish lists of what you’d like to happen in a perfect world, but if you actually want to see change, you need a structured, intentional plan that excites you. Get that butchers paper ready because it’s time to create your road map for 2026 and get inspired for the year ahead.

Key Takeaways:

We all find ourselves procrastinating at some point, don't we? It's like there's this invisible force holding us back from tackling those tasks we know we should be doing. But have you ever paused to ask yourself why? 

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I procrastinate quite a bit. I know many of you might be surprised by that, but I too suffer from analysis paralysis at times. Especially if the task ahead of me is one I know will take me a while. 

So how do I push past the resistance? Here...

As we wrap up the year, I'm taking you through an honest reflection of what life and business brought me. The good, the challenging, the messy and the magic. Life and business rarely move in straight lines. They weave together, influence each other and shape who we become. Today I'm sharing my own reflection in the hope that you can reflect on your year as well.

I'm walking you through life first, the beautiful moments and the tough ones. This year brought a wonderful family trip to New York and Canada, moving into our eco-friendly dream house...

I love a good declutter. If I'm stressed, there’s nothing like removing the household clutter to make my mind feel at ease. 

The same goes for removing business clutter. It shows up as old habits, outdated systems and clients who just aren't aligned. Subscriptions you've forgotten about, anyone? 

If you want new results in your business, you need to create space for them to land. Decluttering is truly about who you can become once the clutter is gone.

You can't welcome the next version of your business whilst clinging onto the past. Ask...

From the outside, the Thriving Women launch looked like a success. You saw the gorgeous photos at events, the polished content, the celebrations. But behind the scenes, life was happening hard. I'm rolling up my sleeves today and sharing the real story of a 12-week launch: the planning, the pressure, the moments I had to dig super deep and the personal heartache I was carrying whilst still showing up.

In this episode, I'm walking you through what really happened during those 12 weeks. You'll hear about why a 12-week launch runway felt exhausting, the layers of strategy and...

If your closest friends can't clearly explain what you do, you've got a problem. Recently, a friend who knows my work well, said something that stopped me in my tracks: "Emma, I know you're a business coach for women, but I don't know which women you work with." The realisation hit me like a tonne of bricks. How could I expect people to refer me if even those close to me aren't clear on who I truly help? If people can't easily describe what you do and who you do it for, they can't refer you with confidence.

You've crossed that milestone $100K mark. Your friends and family think you're flying, but inside it feels like you're slogging through mud. Amidst the late night spirals, you find yourself asking, "Why does this feel so hard?" If you can relate, this episode is for you.

Today, I'm sharing the exact five-step process my clients have used to scale to $300K. You'll discover why clarity is the antidote to confusion, how community becomes an essential part of your growth strategy, and why what works at $50K won't work at $150K. I'll also share why consistent momentum is...

Recently, I was talking to a client, Anna, who perfectly summed up the feeling of being stuck. "I'm too busy working in my business to actually work on it," she sighed.

If that sentiment stops you in your tracks, you’re not alone. It’s an exciting (yet often daunting) realisation that every growing entrepreneur faces: You've outgrown the hustle of the freelancer mindset. You're not just delivering tasks anymore; it's time to evolve into a CEO, ready to focus on sustainable growth without the burnout.

For years, many of us get stuck running on that...

Recently, my lovely friend Emma said something that stopped me in my tracks. "Everything you do at the moment is turning to gold." Initially, it made me smile, perhaps even left me feeling a bit chuffed with myself. But then I started wondering if this was truly the narrative I was living by. 

What if I dared to believe it?

I want to explore how the stories we tell ourselves can change our lives and businesses. A single phrase has the power to alter our emotions, actions, and even what we attract. A simple comment f...

Cash flow pressure. Every business owner faces it, whether you've been in the game for three months or three years. That familiar tightening in your chest when a client delays payment, or the sinking feeling when you glance at next month's calendar and notice it's looking sparse. We've all been there.

Whilst it might feel like the end of the world, it's actually an opportunity in disguise. With a strategic approach, cash flow pressure can become a powerful catalyst for growth. In this episode, I talk through three practical steps you can take to turn that stress...

Fifteen years ago, I made a decision that left everyone scratching their heads. I gave up alcohol cold turkey. That choice didn't just transform my physical wellbeing; it fuelled my journey into bigger rooms, helped grow my business and according to my kids, made me the happiest person they know! This is just one example of the impactful choices I call my "secret sauces," significant yet simple actions that have defined me as a mum, businesswoman, and leader.

In this episode, I'm sharing the three secret sauces that changed everything for me and helped me to create...

Only 3% of people use video in their content. Can you believe it?? Even fewer pick up the phone to have actual conversations with potential clients. Which means, if you do both of these things, you're already miles ahead of your competition. Today, I’m giving you the secret sauce that we share on days three and four of the Business Development Sprint. I’ll admit, these days make most people squirm but I promise you, they deliver the biggest results.

Day Three: Lights, Camera, Action

In today's digital world, using video immediately makes you stand out...

I've had a shocker of a week. Yep, the kind where it feels like the universe truly has it in for me. It started with saying goodbye to my beloved 16-year-old Maltese, Spencer, and then things just kept piling on. Turns out, bad things really do come in threes sometimes.

In this episode, I share what happened during one of the toughest weeks I've had in a long time and the surprising lessons I learnt about showing up when life gets hard. You'll discover why I chose to host 75 women at our biggest Go-Getters Day ever instead...

Are you in the right room? Not the warm, familiar one where everyone knows your name, but the room that makes you squirm because everyone else seems miles ahead of you. When I first started my business, I was earning exactly zero dollars, yet there I was stepping into a business school surrounded by people making hundreds of thousands, even millions. Did I feel out of my depth? Absolutely. Were there tears? Yes, quite a few. But that intimidating room changed me completely.

In this episode, I share what I've learnt about the true value of being...

Working with family isn't for everyone, but it's been one of the best decisions I've made for my business (and my personal life). I recently jumped on a call with my sister, Serena, to chat about what it’s like behind the scenes at Emma McQueen Ptd Ltd —the perks, the challenges and the crazy in between.

Initially, Serena was hesitant to join me. She worried that working together might mess with our personal relationship, especially if things got rocky professionally. Fair concern, really. But once she stepped in, she never looked back—and neither would I want h...

Hands up if you have time in your diary to do business development. If you do, excellent! But everyone I speak to does not. It always drops to the bottom of the priority list, and here's what I've noticed: people think they're doing business development when they're writing content—they're not. You're creating content, posting regularly, but the sales aren't following. The good news? There's a way to cut through the noise and get straight to what actually works.

It's called the Business Development Sprint, and let me tell you, it works. We've run it live several ti...

Referrals have been the secret ingredient in my business for years, and they're one of the easiest ways to get new clients. If you've ever wondered how some businesses always seem to have a steady stream of new clients whilst others are left scrambling, it's rarely about having the flashiest website or biggest ad spend—the real magic happens through word-of-mouth. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than any other advertising method.

In this episode, I share how I keep referrals flowing year after year by building real relationships rather than ju...

Our recent trip to New York was a meticulously planned gritty, beautiful and amazing whirlwind. My daughter Evie had her heart set on one particular treasure: a Jellycat unicorn from FAO Schwarz. If you have an 11 year old, you'll understand the obsession with these adorable, fluffy toys.

So we get to FAO Schwarz and it was packed. No unicorn in sight. Evie was disappointed and she settled for an avocado Jellycat instead. But let’s face it, she really wanted that unicorn.

24 hours later, two girls walked past holding the exact unicorn Evie wanted. Her ey...

One of my clients was staring at a blank sales sheet on 20th July with zero sales for the month. Eleven days later, she had $14,000 in the bank. This isn't some magical funnel story or complicated sales system—it's what happens when you stop overthinking and start doing the work. In this episode, I share the exact step-by-step process we used to turn 40 cold Facebook leads into real revenue.

You'll hear about our small group coaching approach within the Thriving Women community that's been delivering incredible results—over 30% of our members had their best months and years in J...

Here's my dirty little secret: after five years of podcasting, I still get sweaty palms before hitting record. Every. Single. Time. In this episode, I'm joined by Brianna Ansaldo from Bamby Media, who has been gently pushing me toward sharing more of myself and my personal stories—away from the safe harbour of interviewing guests and into the terrifying waters of actually talking about me, my life and my mistakes.

You'll discover why those supposedly "inappropriate" or "unprofessional" parts of our stories are actually gold, creating those "oh my god, me too" moments that build real connection. We...

As we glide into the second half of 2025, I've been taking this mid year mark as an opportunity to go back through some of my most popular episodes from last year... This one was too good not to share again.

It's as relevant today as it was when I first released it. Enjoy!

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I am a raging introvert. Yes, I love getting out running business events, meeting new people and being around other humans, but I also need a lot of downtime afterwards.

As an introvert, I need a lot...

As we glide into the second half of 2025, I've been taking this mid year mark as an opportunity to go back through some of my most popular episodes from last year... This one was too good not to share again.

It's as relevant today as it was when I first released it. Enjoy!

If you had to choose between in-person or virtual offering, what would be your preference?

You might be sitting there thinking, well hang on there are pros and cons to both of them. I want to show...

I have a confession that might shock you: I am not a romantic. In fact, I might just be the worst romantic you'll ever meet—just ask my husband Mark, whose first ever birthday gift from me was a mop (yikes!). But this seeming shortfall in romance has actually emerged as a distinct advantage in business, and I'm here to explain exactly how my extremely practical nature has become one of my biggest strengths.

In this episode, I share how practicality drives everything from building intentional communities at our Go-Getter Days and Thriving Women dinners to obsessing ov...

Growing up with a mum who battled bipolar disorder taught me one crucial lesson early: I had to rely on myself. While other kids were playing, I was managing daily routines, providing emotional support and stepping into the role of the responsible adult. 

While still in highschool I had moved out of home and got a distress call from my mum. She was married to a man who was no good and I knew I had to act. I drove over there, packed her bags and took her to a safe house to escape domestic violence. Terrifying? A...

What happens when you commit to saying yes to everything for an entire year? In this episode, I share the story of my "Year of Yes" that began with a bold move from Perth to Melbourne in my early twenties, knowing absolutely no one and having no job waiting for me. This simple concept of saying yes to every invitation, opportunity and adventure that came my way led to some surprising places and invaluable lessons that shaped both my personal life and business approach.

We’ll explore how saying yes in those critical early business years can le...

I fainted during my own Masterclass. Yep, you read right! I'm mid-way through my own masterclass, trying to be the portrait of professionalism, when suddenly I decide it’s the perfect moment to perform a dramatic fainting act – right there in front of 50 Zoom participants. 

As you can imagine, this was extremely embarrassing. Thankfully, I can laugh about it now. I’ve also come to realise that even our biggest moments of ‘failure’ can lead us to some pretty awesome learnings.

In this episode, I share the story of how what started as a family weekend dea...

What happens when 65 ambitious women in business gather together under one roof? I’ll tell you what happens - pure magic. 

The feedback from our latest Go-Getter Day was that the event felt like family. Imagine a group of inspiring women gathered together to connect, grow and support one another through networking and expert bespoke coaching. It’s a day filled with collaboration and community where some real work gets done, leaving everyone feeling empowered and invigorated.

I never set out to become an event host, but watching women travel across Australia to be part of Go...