Seasons in Business
Curious about running a creative business without the chaos? Seasons in Business is your space for building thoughtfully, growing sustainably, and finding a rhythm that actually feels good. I’m Sarah Phelps — designer, printmaker, and founder of letterpress studio Sarah and Maude. And in each episode I’ll be sharing reflections from my own creative journey alongside conversations with inspiring guests. We’ll navigate the ups and downs of business life together, through a seasonal lens that leaves more room to breathe.
What if growth isn't always about getting bigger?
In this episode, I'm exploring the idea of growth in business — and questioning whether getting bigger is always the goal.
From defining success on your own terms, to staying small by choice, this is a gentle reflection on growth, comparison, and building a business that supports the life you actually want to live.
Key takeaways from this episode
Why success and growth are closely connected, but not the same thingHow to define growth in a way that actually supports your life and workWhy staying small can be a strength, not a limitationStepping away from the scroll: Rethinking social media
In this episode, I’m reflecting on social media fatigue, online overwhelm, and why I’ve started rethinking my relationship with the constant connection we find at our fingertips.
From analogue nostalgia and creative pressure, to evergreen content and real-life community, this is an honest conversation about trying to build a slower, more sustainable way of living and working online.
Key takeaways from this episode
Why social media can start to feel more performative than creativeSmall changes I’m making to create healthier boundaries around technology and social mediaWhy I’m focusing more on...Feeling the fear and doing it anyway
In this episode, I'm getting vulnerable about the ideas I've been holding back on — and how fear has been quietly getting in the way.
If you've been hesitating on something you really want to do, this episode is a gentle reminder that you don't need all the answers before you begin.
Key takeaways from this episode
How to recognise when fear is disguising itself as something elseThe shift from asking "am I ready?" to "can I just try?"Making space to work on ideas without the pressure of having it all figured ou...Finding a way to begin (when you’d rather be doing something else)
In this episode, I’m exploring what’s really going on when we avoid the things we know we need to do. From small admin tasks to bigger, more meaningful projects, the resistance to begin can be strong. So we're taking a look at procrastination, what it might be trying to show us, and why it often appears when something feels important, unfamiliar, or a little bit overwhelming.
I share some of my own patterns and experiences, along with a few simple, supportive ways to approach starting — without pressure, perfection, or the need to have everything figured out.<...
Planning with the seasons: Finding a gentle 90-day rhythm
In this episode, I’m exploring seasonal planning — a gentle way to plan your business by working with the natural rhythm of the year, rather than against it.
Building on episode four, where I shared what a slow, seasonal business can look like, this feels like the next step — turning that idea into something practical and supportive. I talk through how I combine the Wheel of the Year with a simple 90-day approach, creating a way of planning that feels structured, but still flexible.
This isn’t about rigid systems or doing more. It’s about choo...
Have you ever… Asked everyone else, before asking yourself?
In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when we ask everyone else what we should do — before asking ourselves. It’s something many of us do, often without even realising. We look for reassurance, perspective, or a sense of certainty… but somewhere along the way, our own voice can get a little lost.
This isn’t about never asking for help — it’s about gently shifting the order. Letting your perspective come first, and then inviting others in.
So if you’ve been feeling unsure, overwhelmed by opinions, or a little disconnected from your own decision-mak...
Shifting seasons: A brief intermission
In this short intermission episode, I’m sharing a quick update as I prepare to move house and studio — and reflecting on how beautifully timed it feels as we approach the shift from winter into spring.
After recently talking about work/life balance and building a slow, gentle business that moves with the seasons, it felt important to follow my own advice and take a small step back.
I’ll be back soon with a deeper dive into seasonal planning, and explore how we can gently shape the next season in our businesses.
Thanks...
Work & life: Finding steadiness when the balance shifts
In this episode, I’m talking about work-life balance, and what to do when it suddenly shifts. I share practical, gentle strategies I use to stay steady when life or work demands more of my time and energy.
This isn’t about achieving a perfect balance (because I’m sure we can all agree that’s almost impossible). It’s about small, manageable ways to respond to tipping points. So if things are feeling unpredictable or overwhelming, this episode is a reminder that steadiness is possible — with a few intentional, practical tools.
Key takeaways from this episode...
Taking the fear out of business finances
In this episode, I’m talking about business finances — gently. I share the simple routines I use to stay on top of my numbers, and some honest thoughts on money, confidence, and fear — especially as women in business.
This isn’t about big income milestones or complicated systems. It’s about small, manageable habits that help make business finances feel a little less scary, and a lot more doable.
Key takeaways from this episode
Why I’m aiming to file my tax return in April this year — and what that shift has taught meThe simple tools a...Launching a podcast — Lessons from my first ten episodes
In this episode, I reflect on the first ten episodes of Seasons in Business and share what I’ve learned about starting and growing a podcast. From early worries and technical challenges to small wins and steady growth, I talk about the lessons that have surprised me and why it’s worth starting even if you don’t have everything figured out.
Key takeaways from this episode
Fewer than 10% of podcasts make it to 10 episodes — and why that’s worth celebratingHow a simple setup and an idea are enough to get startedThe challenges of consistency, scheduling, and invisi...Why I don't set business goals in January — and what I do instead
January often comes with pressure to set big business goals, start new routines, and feel motivated — but for many of us, the deepest, coldest part of the year is better suited to rest and gentle beginnings. In this episode, I share why I don’t set business goals in January, and how I approach the start of the year more slowly — noticing what’s unfinished from last year, reflecting on how I want the year to feel, and how choosing a word to guide me can be surprisingly powerful.
Key takeaways from this episode
Why January can be t...Before what comes next — A gentle winter reflection
The end of the year can feel like a whirlwind. December is often a blur of final orders, new year bookings, and festive plans, before we suddenly leap into fresh goals and projects. In this episode, I explore winter as a season for reflection and replenishment, sharing gentle prompts and questions to help you notice what has supported you, the challenges you’ve faced, and what you might want to carry forward — all while embracing the slow, restorative rhythm of this season.
Key takeaways from this episode
Nature takes time to rest and save energy for what...Pricing and pressure — Offering discounts as a creative business
Discounting can feel like one of the trickiest decisions in a creative business — especially at this time of year, when inboxes and socials are full of sales and “last chance” offers. In this episode,
I’m exploring the realities behind discounting: when it can genuinely support your business, when it can quietly drain your energy or margins, and how to make pricing choices that feel aligned with your values (not the pressure of what everyone else is doing).
Key takeaways
When discounting does make sense — and how to approach it intentionallyWhy small creative businesses often can’...Have you ever… Signed up and forgotten to show up?
We all do it — sign up for courses, workshops, or resources that promise to solve a problem or spark inspiration… and then never actually do the work. In this episode, I’m exploring why that happens, the psychology behind it, and giving some gentle permission to ease the guilt.
Key takeaways
Why we sign up for courses, workshops, webinars, and resources we never finishHow “future-self thinking” and “illusory progress” can cause problemsWhy doing the work can feel uncomfortable or scary — and why we avoid itReframing guilt: it’s okay not to start or finish everythingPractical ways to notice patterns...It’s oh so quiet — Moving gently through the slow seasons we don’t choose
Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.
Sometimes, work just… slows down. Enquiries stop coming in, sales quiet, and the studio feels a little too still. In this solo episode, I’m talking about the slow seasons we don’t choose — the ones completely out of our control — and sharing gentle, practical ways to navigate them without panic or guilt.
You’ll hear strategies for staying connected to your creativity, taking small intentional steps, and reaching out for support — all while being kind to yourself through those quieter times.
Episode t...
What running a slow, seasonal business really means — and why I love it
Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.
In this solo episode, I’m talking about what it really means to run a slow, gentle business — one that moves with the seasons, honours your energy, and creates space for creativity to flourish.
We’ll explore what slow business actually looks like day to day, how the seasons can shape our rhythm and focus, and why balancing structure and flexibility has been key for me. So if you’ve ever felt tired of the hustle and wondered if there’s another way, this...
3 simple creative mantras I always come back to
Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.
In this solo episode I share three of my favourite mantras — simple phrases that have helped me stay grounded, keep perspective, and keep moving through the ups and downs of running a creative business. I talk honestly about the challenges of comparison, perfectionism, and the isolation that can come with working alone, and how these little reminders can help steady our thoughts and ease self-doubt.
Episode themes:
How simple mantras can help steady your thoughts an...From hobby to business — without losing your passion
Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.
In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story of how my love for letterpress printing grew from a hobby into a stationery business — and what happens when your passion becomes your full-time work. It can be thrilling, but it also brings challenges you might not expect. I’ll talk about the shifts I noticed in my own creative life, and share a few gentle reminders that help me stay connected to joy and inspiration along the way.
Episode themes:
How a hobb...Introducing Seasons in Business
Welcome to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.
Thanks for joining me for this very first episode, where I introduce myself and the podcast, share a little behind the scenes of how it came to be, and talk about why now felt like the right time to start.
Episode themes:
• My journey from design student to running a full-time letterpress stationery studio.
• Why now felt like the right time to start Seasons in Business.
• Reflections on running a creative business at a gentler pace.
• Wh...
Coming Soon: Seasons in Business (Trailer)
Introducing Seasons in Business — a podcast for creative business owners who want to build something thoughtful and sustainable, at a pace that actually feels good.
This podcast is for anyone who wants to grow their creative business with a little less chaos — and a lot more intention. We’ll explore everything from building a brand and navigating burnout to content creation and finding community, all rooted in a seasonal rhythm that leaves more room to breathe.
Enjoy this sneak peek of the stories, ideas, and inspiration we’ll explore in full episodes.
New episodes...
