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
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.
“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: 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.