I talk to women every week who work 50 or 60 hours in their business, then go home and run the whole house too. Nobody stops to ask them what they want.

In this episode of Tell Me About It, I sit down with Belinda Cook, founder of Brand Tales, fractional CMO, and marketing strategist.

Today she is a single mum of four who owns her home and runs a solo business on her own terms. In 12 months she took her profit margin from 20% to 80%, with fewer clients. And it all goes back to one question a pastor asked her on a beach in Mackay.

We also get into Bel’s late ADHD diagnosis and why medication changed her life, Hashimoto’s, hormones and stress and why most small business owners who say “my social media isn’t working” need to fix something else first.

If you’re a woman in business who feels the pressure to grow, scale and do it all, this one is for you. Hit play and hear the question that changed Bel’s life.

Content note: this episode includes talk of domestic abuse.

Find Belinda at Brand Tales on Instagram and TikTok.

Key Points

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:24 Buying a House Solo
00:07:22 When the Marriage Ended
00:10:41 Late ADHD Diagnosis
00:17:02 Stress and Her Thyroid
00:29:43 Business With Four Kids
00:36:04 From 20% to 80% Profit
00:45:47 Leaving a Cult-Like Church
00:51:34 The Question That Freed Her
00:56:09 The Date Seven Deal-Breaker
01:08:22 Her Life Vision

-

👉Find out more about how we can work together:

https://iconiccoaching.com.au/coaching/

-

👉Find out more about how we can work together:

https://iconiccoaching.com.au/coaching/

Support the show

-

👉Here’s how to connect:

https://www.instagram.com/tellmeaboutit__podcast
https://iconiccoaching.com.au

Blank space in my calendar is the most dangerous thing in my week. If a task isn’t booked in, it doesn’t happen.

If you live with ADHD, run a business, or feel like your brain works against you - tune in to this episode as I share the ADHD hacks I use to run my business and my home without falling apart.

You’ll hear how I theme my work days so one appointment doesn’t wreck my week, why I book tasks into my calendar like client bookings, and why I set alarms for everything.

I also walk you through my step-by-step ADHD cleaning order, how I set up my home so I can see what I need, and how I declutter without the guilt.

And I explain why getting an adult ADHD diagnosis is the most life-changing thing you can do.

If you’re tired of fighting your own brain, take one of my hacks and try it this week.

Key moments:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:00 Pregnancy and hyperemesis update
00:05:02 Meds and the ADHD brain
00:08:26 Set strict work days
00:11:34 Book tasks and set alarms
00:17:00 Set up your home
00:21:00 The put-away basket method
00:24:40 Cam’s medication wake-up call
00:28:27 Letting go of stuff
00:32:20 Get a diagnosis

-

👉Find out more about how we can work together:

https://iconiccoaching.com.au/coaching/

Support the show

-

👉Here’s how to connect:

https://www.instagram.com/tellmeaboutit__podcast
https://iconiccoaching.com.au

I was just named Business Coach of the Year at the 2026 AHIA awards (Australia New Zealand Hairdressing Industry Awards).

But this episode isn’t about bragging, instead it’s an inside look at how these awards work. Because I’ve actually judged industry awards for about nine years myself.

You’ll hear exactly how I rank entries, why I mark down fluffy answers, and why I want a “done-er”, not a “gonna-do”.

You’ll learn why proof beats promises, why I don’t check your social media, and how writing one award entry can work like a full audit of your salon, barbershop, or beauty business.

You’ll also hear why being a finalist is great marketing and branding, why one friend picks state awards over national ones, and how awards build social proof and trust with new clients.

Then I reveal why getting out to industry events and into your local business community still matters.

This episode is for salon owners, hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, and service business owners who want to grow, stand out and build a stronger brand.

Key moments:

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:40 Coach of the Year
00:02:14 Live competition glory days
00:05:22 Growth through scary things
00:08:05 Why losing isn’t losing
00:12:46 Awards = marketing gold
00:15:20 Audit your whole business
00:17:20 What judges look for
00:20:50 How judging really works
00:24:36 Geelong Awards story

-

👉Find out more about how we can work together:

https://iconiccoaching.com.au/coaching/

Support the show

-

👉Here’s how to connect:

https://www.instagram.com/tellmeaboutit__podcast
https://iconiccoaching.com.au