Mentoring for neurodivergent minds, tired bodies and full lives.
1:1 mentoring for female small business owners, freelancers and creatives craving a slower, gentler and more profitable business without the hustle and overwhelm.
Where we start
Deciding what to focus on
We’ll take an honest look at how you’re working in your business and what you’re doing: from creating a more sustainable work rhythm that allows for working fewer hours, to cutting out the offers that don’t give you the space to rest, be ill and go through flares. And, make the money you want.
What this might look like in practice: adding more self-led offers, and setting clear boundaries around availability with clients (like I did).
Marketing that keeps working when you don’t
Fewer channels, and the ones you keep will still be bringing people in on the days you can’t get out of bed. Together, we’ll shift your marketing from things that need you to be present all the time towards things that keep working while you rest.
What this might look like in practice: my blog posts have been attracting people through Google and Pinterest for years now, even during periods when my capacity is very low.
Plans with slack
We’ll work on creating plans for your business, including launch plans, that allow for lots of slack, unexpected setbacks and flares. I know what it’s like to run out of capacity before your to-do list is done–and having to make hard decisions about the shape, content and frequency of launches and new projects (like cutting offers or not showing up as you’d want).
Running a business with less capacity doesn’t mean you have to lower your expectations. It doesn’t mean making less money.
It means working with your realities, rather than in spite of them.
Who I work with
→ 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.
→ 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.
→ You want to start or continue a business and want to (re)build it from the capacity your have—rather than burning out along the way.
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
Working together, your way
In this video I share more about working together, from the difference between mentoring and coaching, to how to book, what a chemistry call looks like and what we do during and after the calls.
Read the transcript instead
What working with me looks like: transcript
Who I am and who I work with
Hi, I’m Astrid Bracke, and I’m a mentor for female small business owners, freelancers and creatives. I work with them to create a slower, gentler and more profitable business, particularly if they have neurodivergent minds, tired bodies and full lives.
In this video, I want to briefly walk you through what working with me through one-to-one mentoring looks like. Especially if you’ve never done mentoring before, I want to touch on a couple of questions I often get.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is essentially a professional relationship where you work with someone who, in this case, also has a small business, like you do or are building. It’s a kind of peer relationship, where I have a more expert role. I share experiences and strategies: not just my own, but also those of the many people I’ve worked with and got to know over the years. I help you stay accountable, and I ask you lots of questions.
The beauty of this kind of relationship, and what I often hear from my clients, is this. Sure, you can talk to a friend, a partner or a family member, but a professional relationship like this is different. You can share your doubts and your excitement without feeling you need to reciprocate, as you would with a friend, or worrying that it’s getting too much. And it’s really good to get an outside perspective on your business, especially if you feel stuck from looking at it so much.
Mentoring, as I understand it, differs slightly from coaching. Coaching often suggests a certain modality, a particular type of coaching such as body-focused coaching or cognitive behavioural coaching. I have lots of practical and theoretical experience, but I don’t use one modality like that. That’s why I use the term mentoring.
How I work
I do everything online: my calls happen through Zoom, you book them through Paperbell, my booking platform, and you can always email me as well.
My approach combines mindset and the practical. Mindset in the sense of challenging stories you might have. Lots of people feel inadequate or not good enough, or feel shame, fear or insecurity; we all get that at various stages in our business. But I also offer practical things, and thinking outside the box.
The chemistry call
If you’re thinking of working with me, the first step is booking a chemistry call. It’s a 20-minute call where we get to know each other a little and see whether there’s chemistry. I ask you questions about what’s going on, and suggest ways we could work together and things we could focus on if we decide to.
This is really gentle, with no strings attached. I send you notes straight afterwards, covering what we discussed and the options for working together. Usually about two weeks later, I check in to ask how you felt and whether you’d like to work together. I never, ever ask you to make a decision during the call. Most people who book a chemistry call do go on to work with me; some don’t, and that’s okay. You don’t need to be afraid of that.
When you’re thinking about mentoring, you might have a specific question, but you don’t have to. It can be a feeling of dissatisfaction: my business isn’t working for me. Or a feeling that you’ve done all the thinking, trying and experimenting you can by yourself, and you need more help.
Mentoring with me is for you whether you have a big, small or medium-sized business, or you’re just starting out. You can definitely come to me with your small business, as Freya did. She said she never felt inadequate about her small business or small earnings when working with me.
What calls are like
If the chemistry call shows that you want to work together, we can have a single call or a series of calls. Everything happens through Zoom, and calls are 60 minutes long.
It’s up to you whether you keep your camera on or off, and whether you fiddle with something, stim, knit, move, doodle, or whatever helps. I really want this to be comfortable for you. We can record the call if you’d like; just tell me. And I always send notes afterwards.
Before our first call
If we work together over a package of several calls, the first call is always about creating a bigger-picture plan: where do you want to end up? That’s also a question I ask in our onboarding questionnaire.
By the time we get on our first call, I’ve read your answers to the questionnaire and checked out any links you’ve shared. So I’ve already got to know you a little and have a good sense of who you are and what you might need. That allows us to get focused straight away, and you don’t have to repeat everything you’ve already shared.
That bigger picture can be very specific, like “I want to have a website and a newsletter set up,” or more like wanting to feel more confident. Usually the outcomes are both practical and about feeling: products people want to create or things they want set up, but also how they organise their weeks, the marketing channels they use, and so on.
The first call is about that bigger-picture thinking, and then we usually have enough time to dive into the foundations of whatever we’re working on.
How we work in a call
I offer lots of room for thinking, during the call and afterwards. And I ask lots of questions. I never start by bombarding you with strategies and things you should do, because the aim is that you build your business. I don’t want you to copy mine, because that would probably make you unhappy. So I ask lots of questions to figure out what you need. I’ve got really good at that, frankly: asking these questions and reflecting back to people.
Between calls
Throughout, there’s gentle accountability. If we work together over a longer time, we’ll have check-ins by voice message or email, whatever works for you. We can talk about how often, too: usually I do once a week, but some people prefer once every two weeks.
In those check-ins I keep you accountable to your goals, and I keep the bigger picture in mind. People often want to tweak things along the way, which is totally fine. Nothing is set in stone, and it’s my job to remind you of the bigger picture and your goals, and to see whether we need to adjust them or whether they still feel good.
If you choose a package, we’ll have a call about once every three weeks or once a month, so we can be flexible and see what works for both of us.
You’ll always leave a call with specific action points, or to-dos, or homework, as some clients like to call it. I send those to you straight after the call and gently remind you of them during our check-ins.
You can always send me an email or voice message between sessions with questions or requests for feedback. I can give feedback on specific things, like a newsletter, your website, or anything you’re thinking through. And you can always ask for a pep talk.
What we can work on
The topics I work on are all about building a slow, gentle and profitable business. That ranges from building or rebuilding a business, to structuring your business around chronic illness or conditions, care responsibilities or another job, to simply (it’s not that simple) running your business in a way that doesn’t burn you out.
Often, people come to me who’ve run their business for a long time and are now so tired of how they’ve been running it. They want to streamline and simplify, and that’s something we do too. It can be really helpful to have someone in your corner, rooting for you as you make changes to your business.
Next steps
If this sounds like something you’d like to try, I’d love to invite you to book a free 20-minute chemistry call, with no strings attached, or to send me an email. I’d love to get to know you.
Putting your needs first
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, no matter what your capacity or circumstances are.
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;
- 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.
The single call
1 60-minute call
The single call costs €280, payable in full or in 2 instalments of €140 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;
- 2 weeks of support (email/voice messaging) 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 with your capacity, not in spite of it.
This three-month mentoring package costs €1350, with instalments at no further cost (2x €675; 6x €225; 8x€169).
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 (often 3 weeks apart): 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.
-> Need to take a break from working together because of your health or other circumstances? No problem, just tell me and we’ll add the weeks you missed on to the 3 months.
“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
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.
Why work with me
As a recovering productivity ninja I explicitly built my business to prioritise rest and non-work. Since then (2019), my body and mind have demanded more rest from me as I experienced recurring mental illness, chronic fatigue and late-diagnosed autism.
All of this means that I have shaped my business to work with my reduced capacity–from how I organise my weeks, the limited hours I work, to the minimal marketing I do and the emphasis I put on self-paced offers.
I have 20+ years of experience mentoring people of all walks of life, and now focus on female small business owners, freelancers and creatives that are playing life on hard mode–without sacrificing their health or the (financial) possibilities of their businesses.
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.
“Astrid has an uncanny ability to simplify muddled messes and tease out practical solutions.” – Vanessa Simpson, writer, potter, photographer and all-round creative
“I have appreciated the flexibility Astrid has given me, as I have a chronic illness, I am not always able to stick to a plan if I am feeling unwell. Her understanding of this made me take the leap to commit to mentoring with Astrid. I really cannot recommend her enough – she goes above and beyond, in the most natural way, that does not feel like pressure.” – Bonnie Chung, founder, entrepreneur, cookbook author and mentor
You might be here because…
You think there might be a way of working with your capacity, but you just don’t know yet how. You’ve had the same question or plan in your head for months. You no longer want to feel alone in your business. You want to make changes, but don’t feel brave enough yet. All of these are situations in which mentoring can be magic.
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.
What’s the difference between mentoring and coaching?
Mentoring is a professional relationship with someone who has walked a similar path, in this case someone who also runs a small business. It’s a kind of peer relationship, with me in the more expert role: I share strategies and experiences, both my own and those of the many small business owners I’ve worked with over the years. I ask lots of questions, help you stay accountable, and give you an outside perspective on your business, which is especially helpful when you feel stuck from looking at it so much.
Coaching often follows a particular modality, such as body-focused coaching. I draw on lots of practical and theoretical experience rather than one method, which is why I call what I do mentoring. And unlike talking things through with a friend or partner, you can share all your doubts and excitement without needing to reciprocate or worrying that it’s too much.
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).
Do I need a specific question or goal before we start?
No. Some people come with a very specific question, and that’s great: we’ll go straight there. But it can just as well be a feeling that your business isn’t working for you any more, or that you’ve done all the thinking, trying and experimenting you can on your own and need someone alongside you. Untangling what you actually want is part of the work, and it’s what the questionnaire and our first call are for.
If you’re not sure, a free chemistry call is a good place to start. There’s no pressure to decide anything during the call.
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.
What happens after I book?
When you book a chemistry call, you’ll get a short questionnaire in your inbox. This helps me get to know you a little bit before our chemistry call. If you book a call or package, you get a longer questionnaire that asks about your goals and values. You don’t need to have precise answers here: your goal can also be simply feeling more aligned in your business. This preparation helps us to set goals for our work together, and to set priorities for next steps.
What does a call with you feel like? What happens?
Because I’ve prepared the call beforehand, we can make the best use of our 60 minutes together. We go gently: I ask lots of questions, leave room for you to think, and keep the bigger picture in mind. Sometimes I’ll gently challenge you. Everything is geared towards helping you build and run the business you need (not a copy of mine).
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.
Can I book a series of single calls instead of a package?
Yes, you can–and you can also tack one or more single calls on to a package. The main difference is that for a single call (or series of single calls) you won’t get access to the small business workshops and the two courses (Substack for small business owners and Small business newsletter magic). Feel free to reach out to discuss what’s best for you.
What if during our 3 months together I need to take a break because of my health of other circumstances?
This happens, and I understand. Should you need to take a break, just let me know: we can reschedule calls and add the time you’ve missed on to the 3 months, at no extra charge. For example: if you fall ill for two weeks, we won’t do any work during those two weeks, and just add two more weeks on to the 3 months so you get the support you paid for.
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 in instalments?
Yes, you can 🙂 For the single call, you can pay in one or two parts (1x €280 or 2x €140). For the 3-month package, you can pay in two, six or eight instalments (2x €675; 6x €225; or 8x €169). Most clients choose to pay in either 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.
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.