How to Build a Business that Runs Without You with Chantal Louise

In today’s episode, we chat with the incredible Chantelle Louise, a successful entrepreneur and mom, who shares her journey of building a business that runs smoothly even when she’s not there. From navigating the challenges of running a business during the pandemic to learning how to set strong boundaries, Chantelle reveals the steps she took to create a sustainable business that doesn’t require her to be involved 24/7.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💼 Building a business that runs without you: Learn how Chantelle created a system where her business could thrive without her constant involvement.

🛠️ The power of delegation: How hiring the right team and trusting them can free you up to focus on bigger picture goals.

🧘‍♀️ The importance of boundaries: Chantelle talks about how she learned to set boundaries, focus on what matters, and stop overcommitting.

💡 Building resilience and growth during tough times: Discover how Chantelle grew her business during the pandemic, while also taking maternity leave twice.

Follow Chantelle:
💼 Skin Clinic: @chantallouiseskin
🧑‍💼 Personal Page: @chantellelouise

JOIN The Mind School: www.breannamay.com/tms
JOIN The Level Up Your Life Waitlist www.breannamay.com/LUL2025

✨ See you next week for more! 

As always, please don't forget to hit Subscribe! xxx

Transcript

Unknown: 0:00

Hello legend. Welcome back to another episode of the mind school. It is February. I don't want to, you know, get you too excited, but it is my birthday month, and I'm feeling like this year is a good year. This is the last episode that I'll record for a little while on Australian soil, because I'm off to Japan to learn to snowboard tomorrow. And I couldn't be more excited. This year is just off to such a freaking beautiful star, and I'm already feeling such a positive and optimistic energy. I can't wait. I cannot wait till the episode that I share with you that I am knocked the fuck up. Feel like it's been a long time coming, but I'm just feeling like things in that space are moving nicely. My body's feeling like it's ready. In the in the baby space, I feel really excited. In the business space, there's a lot's going on. We've got level up, starting really soon after a year in retirement, which is very, very exciting. We've already got over 30 people that have joined purely just alumni, and I can't wait to open the doors to that we are running the mind school method again in March, and that is going to be insane. I'm so excited to be back in the classroom for six days in person, just to teach all of the tools of NLP mindset, Shadow Work and the real tools of transformation for those who want to help others. And in today's episode, I am actually speaking to an incredible business owner, human mother, soon to be coach, who finished the mind school last year in the 2024 cohort. And I had to have her on because so often throughout the mind school, I would say to her, how did you do that? Like just super inspiring from a business perspective and from a lifestyle perspective, this is a human who built a beauty clinic and managed to get it booked out and doing really, really well, quite quickly. But not only that, also went on to have two kids in just the first few years of the business running, and managed to take six months maternity leave while raising a family, and sort of just going in as it suited her, as it suited her family and her lifestyle goals, and she just has made it all work for her in a way that really aligns with her values. And I think that's really, really cool. I've worked with so many different business owners who struggle to either relinquish control or move to the next level of business, where they start hiring a team, or struggle with mum guilt, or business owner guilt, or juggling all of the balls. And Chantelle just juggles very, very, very well, and so I wanted to have her on here so I could pick her brilliant brain. And I know there's lots of people listening who would find so much value in how she did it and her mindset toward it, and how she manages to have a business that runs without her, but she still gets to go in and, you know, increase the staff morale and make sure that the team culture is incredible, and the team want to be there. And I just found it really, really, really cool, and I know you're going to get so much value from this. So without me waffling on, here is Chantal Louise. I am joined by an incredibly beautiful and just like a breath of sunshine and fresh air, and that is Chantal Glen. And I want to dive straight in, because I've done in the introduction already. Can you tell me, as we start something that you are grateful for or celebrating today. One huge thing I am grateful for is that my business is still running right now, and I'm here at my house doing this, and my team are running the show and everything. So that's really something I'm grateful for that's so big. And I'm sure we're going to talk about that, because I've said this to you before, you just built this business of so many humans, dreams with two little kids, might I add. So we will get into that. What is something that is challenging for you at the moment, challenging for me, so for me, like, I'm still so, like, I'm a mum of two kids, and then I own a Skin Clinic as well, which I obviously started when I before I had my little two. So my youngest is 18 months. So yeah, I guess the biggest challenge for me at the moment would definitely be, which I do feel like I have 100% improved, but it's still, it's still not to my perfected standards. Is that, you know, just, I guess managing my time and productivity, that's probably the biggest challenge, because, you know, being a mum in general, without a business in any way, you like, have a lack of time, and then add in the business, and then managing team and all that sort of thing as well. I have to, yeah, I have to, like, block out my time and, you know, not just work wise, but also, like, personal life and organizing the things for the kids and dinners and all that stuff and house chores and all that sort of stuff. So that, I would say, but it's getting better, definitely. Holy Mo. Totally, it's actually, I've said this to you before, but it's actually goals, like, I can't imagine running a business and a team and all the things you're doing, and you're always upskilling and improving and learning, and you've got two little kids, you did it all. You just did it all, and so well. So I want to, I do want to dive into that, but before we get there, would you mind sharing, like your journey into business, what it's been like and sort of why you started your business, or what your journey has been to get you to where you are now? Yeah, so I started my business. I've had it for just over six years now, and this was before kids and I was working for people before that, and I just always, I think, actually, my whole life, I've just always been like, No, I want to do what I want, like, type sort of thing. And, yeah, so anyway, I went out and started my own business. I'm very much sort of, I guess, like a bit of a perfectionist, which has its cons sometimes. But, you know, I planned it. I'm a big planner, so I like planned this thing whilst I was working full time, and yeah, and then I just bit the bullet and went and did that I was working at the same time starting my business. And then it just got really busy. So I was it was only me doing clients. I had no client base, because I moved from Sydney back to like my hometown in Brisbane, had no clientele. So literally, started from nothing. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I had to build a website and all that stuff that I just had no idea about. But anyway, I just got on did it got fully booked within a year. And I did initially think I started my business because one of my huge personal values is freedom. And I was thinking, you know, yeah, I'm eventually going to have kids. And I was thinking, you know, I'd love to be able to do my work and, you know, do it with kids, and be able to, you know, finish work and go finish work early, and go see their school performances and things like that. So but anyway, I got in the business world, and I was like, Holy Jesus. I didn't realize it was this much. And I quickly realized that, okay, well, if I am going to have kids, there is no way I'll be able to have my business if it's just me. Because, you know, I was replying to people booking them in at night time, and it was just like a 24/7 thing, you know, in the beginning. So, yeah, I started to hire. We expanded into a bigger space with more treatment rooms, and then it just went from there, and I just kept, you know, in the process. And then I had my kids, I think, like, I had my daughter, like, maybe three, three years into the business, and I thought, as well at the time when I was pregnant, like, I thought, yes, it's cool. Like, I'll be able to be mum and do it all and help the team and stuff. I think I had about two team members at that point. And, um, yeah, well, when I had my daughter, it was a huge struggle for me, because I I couldn't, I couldn't do it all. I couldn't be, I was trying to learn to be a mum. I was, it was just too much. And, yeah, and then obviously, like, I learned along the way I've had my second son, and I, you know, obviously, knew what parenting was like then, and having a newborn and everything, and lack of sleep and all that sort of thing. So I sort of tried to prep my business, then, when I was pregnant, to, like, me do absolute like nothing, if I could and, yeah, I did get it to that point, and I act because I didn't have much of a maternity leave when I first had my daughter, so I, like, one of my goals was, like, I wanted to have at least a three month maternity leave. I ended up having six month maternity leave, and I did go in, like, once a week just to check in, like, with my manager and run through some things for like, an hour. And that was it. And it was amazing. And a lot of it was my mind as well, because, I think, because I'm so used to being in my business so much, it was such a shift going to be like, you know, not doing hardly anything at all. And it was, yeah, big mind, mind game. So, yeah, well, there is so much there. There is just so much there to unpack. I sort of see in that is like I see so many people start businesses, but when it comes to handing over control and handing over trust to team members. That's the part where, like, the grip gets tighter, and it's like, well, what's the business without me? I'm the thing I am. It will do they will. My clients still come to me. Do they need me? Can my team do it as much as, as as well as I want them to? Did you have to sort of navigate any of that stuff? Came up with allowing your team to take the reins. Yes, 100% I always say, if I didn't have kids, I probably would still be in there doing clients every single day and be in the business, probably still working full time hours like the kids pushed me to let go. I had no other choice. So yeah, and it's so hard, it is really hard to let go and but I think of myself now compared to, you know, a few years ago, and now, you know, like when we have team meetings or goal meetings or things like that, for the start of the year, and where we want to go with the business, like, I really involve the team, because it actually gets them excited. And yes, it's my business, but it's also their workplace, so, you know, I gotta keep them excited as well, and so, and it's just so much like, it's such a nicer culture. Wow, there's so much good goodness in this and good leadership and all of that stuff. How did you know when it was time The other question I can hear from business owners, and I've even had this experience myself, where I'm like, the more people I hire, the more income the business needs to make, because eats into your profit margins. How did you know when it was time to make the leap to hire staff, and what were the sort of stories that came up there around your finances? So Well, that one was a bit of a tricky one, I guess, like with the kids, I feel like, like I did have to sort of sacrifice a little bit for me to get my own time back, like when we're talking financially. So that definitely was a thing. And I just sort of like, for me, like, I need to get stuff down on a piece of paper. And I wrote down, sort of okay, what are the things that I am doing that is taking up majority of my space, and who can I outsource that to? So I would write that sort of stuff down, and then I'd be like, Okay, is it someone that's already currently in my business, or do I need to, like, hire someone to specifically do that? And what does that look like? How many hours and all that? And you know, then you go down the job role route. But yeah, that's sort of like, I guess how I would do that. But there was, again, I feel like, if you're going to have a baby, there's going to be some sacrifices. I mean, that's business in general. There's always, like, personal sacrifices. And, yeah, I sacrificed that. But at the time, my most important thing was time with my kids. You know, my business was still, like, ticking over and, you know, making profit, maybe not as much like at the time, but I was so happy with that. It sounds like you just had really clear values. And it was, the kids were number one, the family was number one, and the business was so fortunate that was able to compliment that. I've actually heard people say before it might I don't know if you'd agree. Someone said to me, having a business is kind of like having kids, and if you knew in the beginning how hard it was going to be, you probably wouldn't do it, but that ignorant bliss is like, what gets you into business, same as parenting. It's like, it's actually so hard, but you don't realize until you're in it. Yes, yes. So funny. So you came to the mind school in Queensland three months ago. I'm quite excited to have this chat, because I have not spoken to you since you've graduated, to know how it's helped, what you've implemented, and all of those things. Why? So you've got a Beauty Therapy Clinic. You're a mum of two. What was it that made you think I'm going to do the mind school for me? Like I, I feel so passionate about like working mums, or mums in business, specifically, like about them getting their freedom and having like, that work life balance, because it's so easy when you are in business for the business to take over your life. And I've been there like so many times. So I initially went to mine school because I wanted to look at a way of how I could maybe help mums in business to get that, like, freedom back in their life. But it was a whole different, other journey that I learned about myself, which was so amazing. So yeah, and then just even, you know, I do feel like mindset is, is everything, and I just always like to, like, improve myself and improve my mind and things like that. And, you know, I feel like, yeah, since I have had kids like, my mind has been just, you know, challenged a lot, and with business and the juggle, it's just been challenged a lot. So, yeah, I just wanted to improve that as well. And what have you implemented, or how has it sort of supported you since graduating? Yeah, well, one of the biggest eye openers, I think, from the training, was the difference in between logical and subconscious, because I feel like I. Definitely worked more in like a logical brain, where I would be my have my thinking hat on, you know, even with the kids and the stuff around the house, I'd be like, okay, yeah, let's do this, and let's do this. And you know, I'd just be like, go, go, go, go, go. And I'd never actually stop and give myself a break. And you know, if I felt a bit stressed, or felt a bit, you know, upset about something, or I just would ignore it and just keep going and go, go, go, go, go. And from the mind school, you know, I learned that, like, over life, like, if you keep ignoring things, like it just suppresses and that was a huge eye opener for me, because I just feel like I'm just I never literally stop. And since, like, mindful, I have been and I never was one to journal or put my feelings or anything like I did when I was, like, a teenager, I think. But like, dear diary never say I kissed a boy, yeah. And so, like, now, like, you know, I think if I'm, like, stressed about something, or there's a big challenge or something like that, like, I do think having that logical brain is good at times, but also being able to address the the feelings and how it's feeling, and acknowledging that and feeling them, because I just, I just would ignore them before. So, yeah, mm, which is such a powerful skill too, to know when to put it, almost compartmentalize it. You know, if you're a mum and you've like, Well, right now I can't feel my feelings. My kid needs me, or right now I need to be the business owner for my team, or whatever. It's a it's a skill, until we use it as a weapon. And I think that's just, yeah, a huge how has it impacted your the way that you parent? Yes, so much better for like, you know, like, every day with kids, there's some sort of, like frustration, like just getting out of the house and making sure I'm actually on work, like at work on time and things like that, and getting the bags ready. And then they pull the water bottle out, and it's all over the floor. And, you know, so that stuff is, like, a daily thing that happens. And so it's like, yeah, so you know, just like, okay, yep, I can see this is happening. Okay, yep, I'm going to be late. And then it's just sort of, you know, if I need to, like, you know, just remove myself for a second and take a few breaths and then come back to the situation. Because, yeah, I do feel like, you know, my kids definitely, yeah, they're like, I guess, more well behaved. I feel like they're a lot more I feel like they feel a little bit more secure as well. And you know, and I think if I'm if I'm able to address the challenges, whether it be work or personal or whatever, and accept and acknowledge the feelings and let it go, then everyone else around me, my team, my kids, my partner, like everyone else, my friends, they can feel it, and it just makes everything so much and nicer that just gave me goosebumps. It's like you become an internal safe space, and the kids feel that, and later in life, I think that it also means that they come to you with emotional things, because they know you don't just brush it aside the way you know, it's like, the way we respond to kids emotions is usually a mirror for how we respond to ourselves. And so when we learn to acknowledge our own emotions, it opens up space to acknowledge the emotions of kids so that we don't unconsciously, sort of send them away and be like, you'll be right. You'll be right. Yeah. So it's so it's such important work. And this is like, you know, I bang on a lot about how I want this in curriculums, but I think that it would create such a beautiful trajectory for kids. And I was so excited listening. I remember a few of the mornings in the circle, you would share things that you would like. You'd already implemented so many of this stuff at home, and you were already doing a lot of like, I think it was you that said you did sort of affirmations with your daughter, was that, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I was like, oh, and now you understand why in the first seven years, that's just so, like, so powerful. So you were just already doing it, and it's, it's so beautiful. How did it impact the way that you lead your team? Yeah, so cool, actually. So I've actually use some of the skills and coaching skills on my team, like, so once a week, I meet with the team, just one on one, and we, sort of, we just do a check in, like, how you what's going on in your world, what's been your wins and what's been your challenges from work wise. So I sort of do the personal check in first. And, yeah, for example, like, you know, just the other day, like, one of my team was like, Oh, she's feeling like, overwhelmed. She's got a lot going on. And, you know, I've been able to coach, coach them and sort of like, get down to the bottom and just like, give them advice on what to do. Also, another thing, like, because it's. Clinic, like, we recommend products and that, and a lot of them have been like, Oh, I'm too afraid that I'm going to be pushy. And so, like, I set up a whole little training session around the skills, and we did, like, a visualization and everything like that, to get to all the reasons why, you know, and got to some of the bottom reasons why. And it was really, like, it was actually like, transformational for some of them. Like, you know, they they were just, yeah, they were like, That's so stupid, but I think like that. So, yeah, that's amazing. I'm so proud. That is incredible. And I feel like I want to work for you. You just sound like the most nurturing and grounded boss. So that's a massive props off to you. Like, that's incredible. And I think what you said, No, I don't know if every leader does this, like, check in with the human first. How are you going on a personal level, connecting with them on a personal level, because we can't always compartmentalize our human with our workplace. If there's stuff going on at home, it's so beautiful that they've got a boss that is, you know, connected to that. So I love that. So good, so proud. This is a selfish question I've asked. I've asked everyone, because I'm like, help me describe it. Help me describe what the hell I started off when I launched the mind school, I was like, it's a coaching certification, so it's a lot of coaches. And then more and more and more people that came were not coaches. They were like, Nah, I just want to be here. And I was like, Okay. And then when a lot of people left, they're like, I thought I came for this, but I came for something else. What would you say it is, and who is it for? You've been there, you've done it. What would you say to that? And to answer that question, yeah, well, like, see, I'm not essentially even a professional coach. I mean, it's definitely somewhere I guess I want to move to. But for me, like, I just own a business, a service based business. But like, I do seriously think this can literally be for anybody, because, yeah, it helps your relationships. It helps you grow as a person. Like mindset is everything, like it like, if you don't have a great mind, you know, it stops you from going where you want to. And so I feel like it's literally for anybody. It's so rough when I go and I teach this. I teach whenever coaches are like, doing their content, I'm like, we need to be freakishly specific, so specific. And then I'm like, but the mind school is just for anyone with a heartbeat, so full stop. Yeah, I get that. I get that. And what would you say if there was anyone sort of, like, on the fence or thinking about doing it, or maybe even actually, what were some of the resistances that you had, or if you had any, what were they? Well, I didn't actually know. I to the my school, and I had no idea what I was signed up for. I knew it was going to be improving my mindset, but I didn't realize. Yeah, the whole in depth of it, but it was so good. I loved it towards the end, literally, I feel like you just feel amazing, like, on top of the world, like, it's the best. Oh, thank you. I just got, I just got put straight back in there. I remember your face, like, on the first day or something, like, I'm uncomfortable in this situation and on the last day, like, I really like this moment, like this sharing circle, like, I know, look at that. We're gonna feel our feelings instead of think and learn. It's always the people that come for the mindset and the learning and all of that that they're like, Wait, you're gonna make me feel stuff. That's not what I signed up for. I know. Yeah, and yeah, it was trend. It's so transformational. Yeah, life changing, literally, and it can be for anyone, which I know doesn't help you, but I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Just, it's all testament, I think, to your character. You're just such a go getter and such a can do person. So it doesn't surprise me that you managed to grow and build a business, maintain the business through COVID, hire your team, and take your big, long maternity leave, not once, but twice, and do it all. And that's why I've sort of, I said to Chantelle at the mind school, and I'll say this to anyone who's going to coach coach on the thing that you've done, the thing that you've done, that people are like, how did you do that? Because I'm watching your story, going, how did you do that? Chantelle, like, that's a lot, even now I'm like, Wait, how old are your kids? Like, you've just, you sort of just do it all, and you've got this, like, boss mum vibe going on, and it's so cool. So that's what I sort of suggested to you. I think that that's something that you could really help a lot of people with, because it's not easy, and you seem, seemingly make it look easy. Ish, so is that the next path for you? Like, how are you? What's going on with your coaching journey? What? Where are you at? Yes, so I definitely that isn't something that I want to start doing, but I'm super mindful of my time. So. So yes, I have started. I'm not like, taking any clients or anything like that at the moment, because I can't, but I am just sort of sharing the way I juggle parent life and running a business at the moment, and then possibly in the near future, I might open to help coach like mums and businesses. That is definitely where I would like to go, but I'm putting a boundary in place for myself. So yes, maybe next year, I may open up a couple of spaces, but it'll be super minimal. And yeah, again, that's just something that I look at like for future wise, and just planning again for like future wise, like future wise, down the track. So yeah, I just want to reflect what a breath of fresh air it is to hear someone who's so steadfast in their values and how you're you've been like for years now, nope. The kids come first, and now it's like, nope. This is my boundary. My time is the most important thing. And I think for a lot of business that's not always the case for business owners, so it's a massive testament to your integrity. And I just think it's really refreshing to hear. So thank you. Oh, thanks. Well, I know it hasn't been like that forever either, like I used to just go in and over commit to what I could do, and it's that serious, burnt out that I had, that I'm just like, I'm never going back there again. So, yeah, you did yourself a goodie. Yeah. Oh, Chantelle, thank you so much for being here. I I just love, I love your energy. You've just got this, honestly, you're like, sunshine in human form. And just so I don't know, guys go and check Chantelle out. And actually, where can they find you, both the Skin Clinic and your personal page, if you feel to share. Yep, so my Skin Clinic is Chantal with an Al Louise skin and they can find my personal page. Chantelle Louise, and you can keep your eyes out next year to see if Chantelle opens any spots when the boundaries feel like it's time to be released. That's totally I just I love it, I love it. I love it. Thank you so much for being here and thank you for being part of the mind school. It was so beautiful having you. Thank you. Thank you for tuning in to the mind school podcast. It is a massive intention of mine to continue to grow this show, because the more the show grows, the better the guests get, and I know that is going to be so powerful for you listening. So if I could ask this massive favor, it would mean the world if you could please leave a review, hit the Follow button or leave a rating on Spotify, so that we can continue to grow this show and bring you the juiciest, most thought provoking and expansive conversations through incredible guests. Thank you so much for tuning in. I'll see you next week. You.