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.
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.
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
3 months together
Deep, gentle support to build a business that works for you – not against you.
This three-month mentoring package costs €1634, 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.
Together, we’ll create your slow, gentle and profitable business and reshape your marketing – without any hustle in sight.
This package is the perfect blend of intensive support and spaciousness where I meet you where you’re at.
What’s included:
- anchor points: 2x 60-minute calls via Zoom at the beginning and halfway through our time together to do bigger picture planning together, reflect and look forward;
- my detailed call notes after every call plus gentle check-ins via email or Voxer in between calls;
- guideposts: 3 months of weekly hands-on support, accountability and feedback via Voxer (free messaging app) or email. This is where growth and change happens: when you share your in-the-moment thoughts and hurdles, talk through new ideas or tricky situations, and get peptalks right in your pocket;
- weekly check-ins: at the beginning of every week I check in with you through Voxer or email, to support you, keep you gently accountable and cheer you on;
- €500 worth of free access to:
- the growing library of small business workshops, covering everything small business, from money to selling and more (value >€200);
- my bestselling courses Substack for small business owners and Small business newsletter magic (and, if you’ve bought these before, you get a €50 to €250 discount, depending on the course).
What working together looks like in practice:
Anchor points
- Two 60-minute calls: one at the beginning to create our roadmap for the 3 months ahead, and a second whenever you need it most—halfway through, at the end, or when you’re preparing for a new project or launch.
Guideposts
- Weekly gentle check-ins to help you stay connected and accountable without pressure.
- Ongoing support through Voxer (free voice messaging app) or email—we can connect several times a week to work through hurdles, brainstorm ideas, or talk through situations as they come up. Or take it gentler, and just lean into the weekly check-ins.
Lifetime access to two of my courses—Small business newsletter magic and Substack for small business owners—giving you frameworks and foundations to return to whenever you need them.
Price for this package
€1634 in full, or in 2, 4, 6 or 8 instalments at no further cost.
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.
There’s no pressure to decide during our call — you’ll get all the details afterwards so you can take your time.
More than just calls
The calls are where we do big picture thinking, plan and reflect–it’s in between when the magic and growth happens.
This is when you’ll be doing the work, making real progress and be crafting the business you crave. And I’m right there with you.
During our three months together, I’m just a message away for feedback, gentle accountability and cheerleading whenever you need it.
I check in with you every week, send you feedback when you need it and respond to any questions or hurdles via Voxer and email–so you’ll never have to figure things out alone.
This ongoing support is what my clients love – here’s how it feels for them:
Cynthia Morris, author and coach
“In my mentoring calls with Astrid, I come with a list of things to cover, and we always manage to cover everything and more.
And as a coach, I know that so much happens in between calls. Astrid makes it easy to send SOS and celebrations. Being in touch helps me get her input, make decisions, and feel supported. This is what I want – to feel like my coach is on my team and is there for me.”
Amy Alpert, career and life coach
Having Astrid’s support between sessions is game changing. It allows me mini deadlines if I want them. It offers me the opportunity to get her insights, feedback and encouragement on whatever I am working on. Astrid is so supportive and knows just what to say between sessions to help me move forward. Having her support between sessions also means that our sessions are more productive and allow for brainstorming and strategy and big picture since she is already familiar with what I have done up until that point.”
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
What my clients say
Clarity from chaos
“Astrid has an uncanny ability to simplify muddled messes and tease out practical solutions.”
Vanessa Simpson, writer, potter, photographer and all-round creative
Clarity without pressure
“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
Support that feels personal
“To say that Astrid is supportive is an understatement. She helped me work through many things in my mindset and my business, and I could tell she genuinely wanted to help me.
My meetings with Astrid felt like meetings with a friend, and I appreciated her insight and encouragement.”
Bri Dunavan, business mentor + strategist
3 things my clients love about working with me
1. Getting permission – and practical support – to grow the slow, gentle and profitable business they crave.
2. The detailed call notes I send after every call, leaving them with a sense of clarity, accomplishment and next steps.
3. My support in between the calls: I’m always just an email or voice note away for questions, feedback or support.
My approach to small business mentoring
I bring calm, clarity and perspective to your business – helping you see other ways of doing business, without the hustle or productivity hacks.
I help you create overview of your plans and projects, support you to untangle thoughts and emotions and hold you gently accountable.
And throughout I’m by your side to empower you, cheer you on and remind you that the vision you have for your business and life is truly possible.
What my clients say
Turning insight into action
“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 (for example, how to spend less time on Instagram) and why I wanted something (like hiring help).
Communicating both my reasons for feeling a certain way and my plan of action around that feeling really helped me get clear on what exactly needs to happen.”
Ruth Werwai, Raincloud & Sage
Clarity, courage and calm support
“Astrid helped me organise my ideas and plan my launch strategy, while guiding me through some of the daunting emotional leaps in the project.
Her follow-up notes are stellar — I really appreciate that, and the gentle check-ins between sessions.”
Cynthia Morris, author and coach
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.
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.
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 the package in instalments?
Yes, you can pay in four, six or eight instalments for the package, at no extra charge.
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.