Ep13. Stop Playing Small, Make 2025 Your Year to Build the Business You Desire

Welcome to 2025!


This is your year to stop playing small and finally take that step toward building the online business you've been dreaming about.


In this first episode of the year, I'm sharing the mindset shifts that will help you kick off 2025 with clarity, confidence, and purpose.


We're talking about what it really means to stop "playing small" and start take action now - because you ARE ready, even if it feels messy and uncomfortable.


I'll also walk you through how to create time for your side hustle, why imperfect action is the secret to success, and how being just one step ahead of someone is enough to make an impact.


This episode is packed with personal reflections, and practical steps to help you embrace this new year with boldness.


If you've been holding back, this is your sign to step into your potential and make 2025 the year of your big leap.


To help you get started, I'm hosting a Free Live workshop on Saturday, January 18th: From Corporate to Online Coaching: How to Start Your Side Business in 2025 While Working in Corporate.

It's your chance to learn exactly how to turn your skills and expertise into a profitable business while still working your corporate job.


Links

Connect with me on LinkedIn here

Check out my Instagram here

Transcript

Welcome to the Hustle with Heels podcast. I'm your host, Cindy Excell, a corporate girl, start hustler, wife, and a mom of two. In 2020, I started my first start hustle as an online fitness coach while working in my corporate job as a private wealth manager. Over the years, I have been living proof that a corporate career And a side hustle can absolutely co exist in harmony.

Today, I'm helping corporate women and early stage entrepreneurs create wealth beyond their nine to five jobs and build an online business on their terms. On this podcast, I'll share my knowledge, strategies, and the stories that will help you start and grow your side hustle. Whether you are ready to diversify your income streams or are looking to build a start business that aligns with your goals, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Now, let's get started.  Happy New Year, my beautiful listeners. Welcome back to the first episode of Hustle with Heels podcast in 2025. This is your year to stop playing small and start building the start business you've been always dreaming of. And I'm so excited to kick off this year 2025 with you because I know it is going to be a game changer.

If you are tuning in to this episode, then I'm guessing somewhere in your mind, or maybe at some point in time, you have thought about starting a side business, a side hustle, or felt the nudge of exploring something else. Maybe it's a business idea, maybe it's something that you have been passionate about that is outside your nine to five job.

And if you are anything like most corporate professionals I have spoken to or worked with in the past year You've probably also faced challenges like lack of time Lack of clarity or the belief that you need to have everything figured out before you even start Well, today, I'm going to break all that down for you, and I'm going to show you that none of those challenges or obstacles can stop you.

And the only thing that stops you from getting what you want, whether it is another career path on your term, or whether it is a side business while you still work in corporate, is only you. That's why in this very first episode of 2025, I want to help you make that decision. I want to help you stop playing small and make 2025 the year of change and take that first step towards building a startup business you desire.

Now, playing small can look different for everyone. For some, it is staying in that job that no longer lights you up, but you stay there because it felt safe. For others, it is holding back from launching that startup business or speaking up about your big, bold ideas because you're afraid of what other people will think.

I want to tell you this, playing small isn't just about fear, it is about habits, routines, and those sneaky little self talks and thoughts that tells yourself what you have is good enough, or who am I to want more. Those thoughts and the little voices are keeping you safe. They keep you in your comfort zone and they are also blocking you from getting what you want, which is the financial security, the control of your own career path or an online business that built on your terms.

Every time you play small, you are sending yourself a subconscious message that says I'm not enough. And over time, that message chips away at your self belief. You start questioning your ideas, doubting yourself worse, or second guessing your ability to take on big opportunities. It is like slowing building a wall between you and the life or the career you really want.

What happens when you let fear, self doubt, or the it's not the perfect time mentality hold you back? You stay stuck. You miss opportunities, you stay in that unfulfilling job, and telling yourself, maybe next year. The truth is, playing small doesn't protect you, it keeps you stagnant. I've been there. For years, I've felt the safety of hiding behind my 9 to 5 job, staying quiet, staying in my lane, and afraid of speaking my truth because of the fear of being judged by others, and convincing myself that it was better to blend in than to stand out.

But every time I did, I felt a little piece of me shrink. If this resonates with you, then this is your sign to stop hiding and start taking up space. Imagine this. A year from now, you are in the exact same place, the same job, the same frustrations, the same dreams, still untouched. Is that really where you want to be?

Or do you want to look back and say, that was the year I decided to go for it? Playing small may keep you safe and comfortable in the moment, but it doesn't make your life easier, especially when you have bigger dreams, bigger visions, that is more than just your 9 to 5 job. When you want to build something that others cannot take away, it actually makes it harder.

Why? Because deep down, you know that you are not living up to your potential, to your desire, to a life or career that you truly want. And that nagging feeling, the one that keeps you up at night, dreaming of more, it doesn't just go away. Instead of silencing it, it is your choice to listen to it and do something about it.

By the end of this episode, I hope you will walk away with a powerful mindset shift to kick off your SATA business and make 2025 the year you stop playing small and finally go for it. Now, I want to start with the opportunity of the new year. The new year is always this beautiful time for reset. It's like the world is collectively giving us permission to start fresh.

So let me ask you this, where do you want to be this time next year? Think about the goals you set for yourself last year. Did you achieve them? If not, why not? And more importantly, what is going to be different this year so that you can actually reach those goals? So use this fresh start mentality of the new year and use that as your chance to do things differently.

To put that into context, let's say your goal is to start an online business of your own while you're still working your corporate job. Starting a startup business doesn't have to mean diving in headfirst with everything figured out. That's just not realistic. Think about how you can take one small step at a time and letting those steps add up to something big that is closer to your business goal.

I have spoken to a lot of corporate professionals in the past who wanted to start a startup business. They dreamt about it. They talked about it. They asked about it. They researched on it. Then six months or even years later, they still remain where they were. When I asked them, why haven't you started?

The most common answer I got was, well, I want to wait until I feel ready. Now here is the number one mindset shift for you. You are ready. Now. With a capital letters. So the idea that you need to have more experience, more knowledge, or more time before you start is holding you back big time. Readiness isn't about having everything figured out.

It is about deciding you are ready to figure it out as you go. Whether or not you are ready, it is a decision, it is not a goal or a destination. Waiting until you feel ready usually means that you will be waiting forever. You don't need to get all your ducks in a row to start. The key is to start where you are with what you have.

If you wait for everything to be lined up perfectly for you, you will never get started because that's not how it works. That's why not everyone is comfortable with starting their own business. That's why not every employee can become entrepreneur, because it takes courage. And you can only learn to start and grow an online business by doing it.

Yes, you will make mistakes. Actually, get ready to make mistakes and get used to it. Because that's part of being in entrepreneurship. You take risks, you make mistakes and fall over. You get up and keep going. Every time you fall over, you get up stronger. Every mistake is a lesson that brings you closer to success.

Think about the time when you learn something new. Was it perfect the first time? Probably not. But you get better by trying, adjusting, and trying again. Starting a startup business is no different. You have everything you need to take that first step. The first step will be different for everyone. And at the end of this episode, I will give you some examples as well.

There is this analogy I heard about, um, I can't remember where I've Where from? But imagine you standing on the edge of a pool. You can spend hours testing the water, checking the temperature, and convincing yourself you will dive in when everything feels right. Or you can just jump in. The water will always feel cold at the start, but once you are in, you will adjust.

Starting your sudden hustle is the same, it is about taking that leap. When I started my first fitness coaching business in 2020, I was juggling a demanding corporate job full time and family commitments as a mom of two school aged kids. I was also new to fitness industry. I tried working in the gym, working as a mobile personal trainer.

I had no idea what I, if I was doing the right thing with my little business back then, but I knew I needed to start some way. So I learned as I went and built that momentum, until eventually ended with online fitness coaching, then expanded to nutrition and mindset coaching. Last year, I pivoted to start hustle business coaching, which is what I'm building and growing that is also in alignment with my heart and what I love and my big vision for my business as well.

The lesson is taking the imperfect action is what leads to clarity and success. You will figure things out along the way, but only if you start. Mindset shift number two is if you really want it, you will make time for it. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. It's not about how much time you have, it is about how you use it.

Let's be real, how often do you actually catch yourself saying, I don't have time? Instead of letting that phrase stop you, Flip the question, ask yourself, how can I make time to make this work? Can you wake up 30 minutes earlier? Can you use a lunch break to work on your business? Can you dedicate one evening a week to planning or brainstorming?

Too often I hear people say to me, I just don't have time to do it. But what I'm really hearing is I'm quite comfortable with where I am and I don't really want it. Because if you really want it, you will make time for it. It's simple as that. Here's a quick tip. Start with just 15 minutes a day. Yes, only 15 minutes.

That's all you need. And use that time to brainstorm ideas, to talk to one person in your network, who may be your ideal clients. Ask her or him about the struggles, the desires, etc. Or create an outline of one piece of content that you can share with others later. Those small efforts will create momentum.

And before you know it, you will be building something real and something bigger. Let me share another story here. One of my clients was initially overwhelmed by her 9 5 job and thought she literally had zero time to start a startup business. We work together to carve out four 30 minutes blocks each week, just two hours in total, a week.

In those short sessions, she started reaching out to potential clients, brainstorming her office, and working on the foundations of a business. Within three months, she had landed her first coaching client. She didn't add hours to her day. She just used her time differently. Truth is, if you really want it, you will find a way to make that happen.

The question isn't do you have time, the question is how much do you actually want this. Mindset shift number three, if you are one step ahead of someone, you can guide them to where you are. It is true that there are many others, maybe tens of thousands of people or even more, are already teaching what you want to teach.

But that is okay. In the business world, especially the online business space, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Even though the industry, the field, what you are teaching may not be new, but there are over 8 billion people in the world, over 2 billion active users on Instagram, and over 1. 15 billion active users on LinkedIn.

But there is only one you. Your unique journey and experience, your struggles, and the way you teach, only you can do it. That makes you relatable to people who's a few steps behind, who needs your perspective, your voice, and your guidance. And these are your people. And your job is to find them, Attract them with your content and your authenticity.

You don't need to be expert to make an impact. But if you are one step ahead of someone, you can make an impact by guiding them to where you are. To make this actionable, write down three things you've achieved or learned in the past year. Oh yes, maybe you've developed a new skill, maybe you overcome a challenge, maybe you gained insights into something you are passionate about.

Now think about who could benefit from that knowledge. That is your audience. Remember, you don't need to know everything to help someone. You just need to be willing to share what you know and what you have experienced that can help others. Take one step forward and extend your hand to help the person behind you.

That is how you build trust, impact, and a business that truly resonates. Okay, to wrap up, playing small doesn't serve you. It doesn't serve the people who need what only you can offer. There are someone out there who needs your gifts, your ideas, your creativity. When you play small, you're not only just holding yourself back, you're also holding back the value you could bring to others.

So playing small isn't humble, it is, in my opinion, selfish. When you show up fully and boldly, you give others inspiration to do the same. To finish this episode, I want to leave you with these two questions. Question number one. In 2025, think about who do you want to be? Take a moment to visualize what your life could look like with a successful side business.

What would change? How would you feel waking up every day knowing you are building something that is yours? Spending 10 to 15 minutes today journaling about your ideal day a year from now. What does your work look like? How much time do you spend on your side business? What impact are you making? Write it down and put it somewhere you can see every day to remind yourself that is the new identity you are stepping into and to take a small action from that place every single day.

Question number two, what can you do to take that first step? So don't overthink and don't overcomplicate this. Your first step might be as simple as brainstorming the business ideas, talking to a mentor or dedicating one hour a week. to plan your daily actions. For example, take out a piece of paper right now and write down three skills you already have that the others could benefit from.

That's it. That is your first step. Action creates momentum. You can't steal a parked car. Once you're in motion, your next step will start to unfold for you. But you need to take that first step first. Whatever it is for you, just start. Lastly, if you want more hands on guidance to help you take step by step actions, on Saturday, the 18th of January at 11 a.

m. Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time, I will be hosting a free live workshop called From Corporate to Online Coaching, How to Start Your Startup Business in 2025 While Working in Corporate, where I will show you step by step on how to turn your knowledge and skills into a profitable online coaching business without burning out.

It is free and If you can't attend the live workshop, once you register, you will get the replay for a limited time. The registration page is in the show notes below. You already have what it takes. You don't need permission from anyone else. You've got this. 2025 is the year you stop playing small and start creating the life and the business you always desire.

I believe in you. Now it's time to believe in yourself. I hope this episode inspires you to make that decision and take that first step. And I'll see you next week. Thank you so much for listening to the Hustle with Heels podcast. I hope this episode has inspired you to take action towards your sad hustle dream.

If you enjoyed this episode, please Please take a second to rate and review it. Each review helps me help more corporate women and early stage entrepreneurs just like you. Don't forget to take a screenshot, share it in your Instagram stories or on LinkedIn and tag me at Cindy Excell. I will see you next week.