Hustle and overwhelm aren’t the only ways of running a business.
Discover a radically different way of doing business — one that’s slow, gentle and profitable.
1:1 mentoring for female small business owners, freelancers and creatives craving a slower, gentler and more profitable business.
If you already know you’d like to work together
There are currently two ways to work with me: a single 60-minute call (€280), or three months together (€1350). Both can be paid in generous instalments.
The single call is for when you want to someone to think things through with, like a decision, a project, or a general sense that something isn’t sitting right. Three months is for when you’re changing something bigger and want me alongside you while you do it.
If you’re been following along with me for a while, or just know it’s right–feel free to book below. If you’d rather have a chat first, we can have a free 20-minute chemistry call. I never ask you to make a decision during the call, and give you time to think about it afterwards.
And if you’d like to know more before you decide, keep reading — everything’s below.
Here’s what I know is possible for you
You can work at a slow and gentle pace and still make good money.
You can build a business without social media and grow organically and sustainably.
You can run a business alongside chronic illness, a job or family.
You can market your business in a way that is organic, human and all you.
You can shape your business around your rhythms, needs, desires and energy.
Because your business needs to support your life–not the other way around.
This is for you if…
→ You know you don’t want to build your business the hustle way—but you’re not sure what the alternative actually looks like for you, especially as you might be running your business next to a job, a family, chronic illness or with neurodivergence.
→ You’re at a crossroads: pivoting your offers, rethinking your pricing, or figuring out how to market yourself in a way that actually fits how you work.
→ You feel like you’re working hard but something isn’t clicking—your positioning feels off, your marketing isn’t bringing in clients, or you’ve lost the thread of what makes your business yours.
What my clients say
Big picture clarity
“Astrid is great at looking at the big picture. She helped me see where I could set more boundaries to protect my energy, as well as places I could monetize the work I’m already doing.”
Dacy Gillespie, personal stylist at mindful closet
Marketing peace of mind
“Before my call with Astrid, I felt overwhelmed by the ‘need’ to show up everywhere.
Our call eased those fears and helped me see how letting go of certain channels could create more room for better opportunities.
I was amazed by how much we covered in an hour. Astrid was so well prepared, which put me at ease and helped me actually enjoy the process.”
Sarah Robertson, designer and writer at These are the days
The single call
1 60-minute call
The single call costs €280, payable in full or in 2 instalments at no further cost.
One hour together to work through a specific question or situation, brainstorm a new project or get clarity on a knotty issue.
Many people who book a single call tell me beforehand that they’re not sure their question is specific enough. It doesn’t need to be. If you know exactly what you want to work on, we’ll go straight there. If all you’ve got is a knot you can’t untangle, we’ll untangle together.
What’s included:
- 1x 60-minute call;
- Questionnaire before the call, so we can use our time during the call as efficiently as possible;
- My detailed call notes after the call.
“I felt much more clear-headed about what I want and what I need to do to make that happen. I got a lot of clarity from some of the pointed questions Astrid asked— both around what practical steps I would take and why I wanted something.” — Ruth Werwai, Raincloud & Sage
3 months together
Deep, gentle support to build a business that works for you- not against you.
This three-month mentoring package costs €1350, with flexible payment options to make it accessible.
Tackling a big project, laying the foundations for a new business or making changes to your existing one takes time.
That’s why we’ll work together for three months to go deep in your business and your vision for it—and to make lasting, real changes with me at your side.
We’ll have room to go properly deep: make plans, try them, hit a wall, rethink, keep going. This package allow for change that has time to settle, with me alongside you the whole way.
What’s included:
- Anchor points: 4x 60-minute calls via Zoom. One to create our roadmap at the start, and three more to use whenever you need them most: a milestone moment, a tricky decision, a launch you’re preparing for, or simply when it’s time to take stock and look ahead;
- My detailed call notes so you don’t need to hold it all in your head (optional: recordings + transcripts of the calls);
- Guideposts: three months of weekly check-ins and ongoing support via Voxer or email. At the start of each week I’ll be in touch to support you and keep you gently accountable. And in between, I’m just a message away: send me your drafts, half-formed ideas or tricky situations whenever you need to. Some clients are in Voxer with me several times a week; others prefer a quieter thread. Either way, I’m there;
- Lifetime access to my two bestselling courses—Small business newsletter magic and Substack for small business owners—frameworks and foundations you can return to whenever you need them (and if you’ve already bought either course, we’ll talk about a discount);
- Lifetime access to the growing library of small business workshops, covering everything from money to selling and more.
“Our sessions turned into coaching for launching my very first writing cohort. I learned to weave my offers into my newsletter without seeming salesy—still in my voice—and gained the confidence to lead a cohort.”
— Kailey DelloRusso, author and writing coach
Working together, your way
I’m neurodivergent myself, and I know how much energy goes into masking and asking for adjustments in spaces that weren’t built with us in mind. Here, you don’t have to explain why you’re asking.
Some of what’s possible:
- Calls recorded and transcribed, with my notes, so you don’t have to hold it all in your head;
- Camera on, camera off, audio only, or Zoom chat—or skip the call entirely and have an ’email hour’ with me;
- Move how you need to—sit, lie down, pace, stim, knit, doodle. Pauses are thinking time;
- Topics and questions in advance if you’d like time to process before we talk;
- Feedback and in-between support the way it lands best for you: written or voice, bullets or prose. Just tell me;
- Reschedule when you need to. No guilt.
If there’s something else that would help that I haven’t mentioned, just ask.
Forging a business away from the norm of overwhelm, hustle and productivity culture is at the heart of the work we’ll do together.
Themes we can focus on in particular:
- Business foundations: creating new income streams; pivoting to self-employment; changing your business model; running a business next to a family, job or chronic illness.
- Marketing and visibility: expanding your marketing, especially beyond social media; using Substack for your small business; marketing in a slow, gentle and human way.
- Money: setting nourishing prices and rates; reframing old money stories.
- Mindset: rebuilding confidence; prioritising rest.
What we can work on together in your business
Why work with me
I’m a recovering productivity ninja with 20+ years of experience mentoring people—and seven years of running my own slow, gentle and profitable business without social media, without hustle, and without burning out.
I know what it’s like to unpick the habits and stories that keep us working in ways that don’t fit us. I’ve done that work myself, and I bring it to every client I work with.
What I’m particularly good at: finding the other way of looking at something, creating clarity out of tangled thoughts, and holding space for you to figure out what you actually need—without adding pressure or a longer to-do list.
I’m neurodivergent myself, which means I get it when things need to work differently.
“Astrid has an uncanny ability to simplify muddled messes and tease out practical solutions.” – Vanessa Simpson, writer, potter, photographer and all-round creative
“After our call, I had a much better understanding of my work–life balance issues—seeing them clearly, with steps to take to move forward, which felt exciting. I really liked that Astrid championed the way I work—gently, without adding pressure or more tasks.” – Freya Lines, paper artist and designer
You might be here because…
You’ve had the same question or plan in your head for months. You no longer want to feel alone in your business. You know there must be another way of running a business, but you don’t know how. You want to make changes, but don’t feel brave enough yet. All of these are situations in which mentoring can be magic.
A note on chemistry calls
A chemistry call is a free 20-minute call during which we can get to know each other. It is your chance to ask questions about working with me, and my chance to get to know you and your (potential) business.
Not sure which option fits, or whether now is the right time? In a chemistry call we can talk about it, with zero pressure to make a decision.
There’s no pressure to decide during our call — you’ll get all the details afterwards so you can take your time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know you’re the right mentor for me?
You can get a feel for my approach by browsing my blog and read my newsletter to get a sense of my style. My aim is to support you to create a slow, gentle + profitable business. I don’t believe in the hustle, ten-step plans, productivity hacks and get rich quick schemes. I do believe that we can all create and run businesses that deeply support the lives we want to live, in a pressure-free + aligned way. Read more about my thoughts on a slow, gentle and profitable business here.
I’d be happy to have a chat if you have further questions (no strings attached): send me a message at astrid [at] astridbracke [dot] com.
I find it hard to believe that if I don’t know the answer to my business question or struggles, someone else will.
That sounds familiar: I had the same feeling before I booked mentoring for the first (and second) times. But what I’ve seen, with myself and my clients, is the huge difference of having someone to brainstorm with, to make suggestions and to keep you accountable. Having someone by your side who gets it (and who is not a friend or partner), opens up space in your thinking. And if you’re still in doubt, feel free to chat about it during a no-strings attached chemistry call (free).
Who do you work with?
I work with all kinds of female small business owners and freelancers, from creatives of varying kinds to product-based business owners and service providers. Most of them have an online business. All of them want to create and run a business that’s different from the norm.
Are you neurodivergent-friendly? I’d need some adjustments to make this work for me.
Yes. I’m neurodivergent myself, and how we work together can be adapted to what your brain and body need—including recording and transcribing calls, camera-off or audio-only sessions, doing the whole thing in chat or in writing, getting the topics in advance, taking pauses, moving around, stimming, knitting and rescheduling without guilt. If there’s something that would help that I haven’t mentioned, please ask-you never have to explain why.
I’m just starting out / I’ve got several years of experience working in my business.Is working with you suitable?
Absolutely. Whether you’re just starting out or several years in, I’ve worked with small business owners at every stage.
What is Voxer and how do you use it?
Voxer is a voice-messaging service that you can use on your phone or desktop. I’ve found it a surprisingly joyful, easeful and gentle way of providing support and accountability. Voxer gives you the benefit of 1:1 support and the flexibility of having me at your fingertips: whenever you have a question, want my support or feedback, you just send me a voice message.
Voxer is also great for voicing muddled thoughts, thinking aloud or quick check-ins. It’s a lovely way of having a conversation, with the benefit of you being able to always come back to the messages if you need a reminder. Voxer allows a back-and-forth that is asynchronous and completely tailored to where you’re at and what you need, when you need it.
I’ll reply on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you’ll always get a response between 24 and 48 hours on weekdays.
What if I don’t want to use Voxer?
If Voxer doesn’t work for you, I’m happy to do the weekly check-ins and the asynchronous support by email.
Can I pay for in instalments?
Yes, you can 🙂 For the single call, you can pay in one or two parts. 1-month mini package, you can pay in two or four instalments. For the 3-month package, you can pay in two, six or eight instalments.
How and when do I pay?
You’ll pay through Stripe: either the full sum or the first instalment before our first session.
Do you offer a referral discount?
If you’ve worked with me, and then refer me to a friend who also books a call, you get a free 30-minute check-in call. Please make sure that your friend mentions your name when they book, so I can get in touch with you.
Find out more about my vision
Work with me
I’d love to know more about you! If it looks like you’ve found the small business mentor you’ve been looking for (yay!), do get in touch about working together.