Have you ever had a friend, client, or maybe even a family member come to you with what they see as a completely unsolvable business problem, and you can clearly see the answer staring them in the face? Or maybe, you’ve had that moment yourself? That’s exactly how I felt recently, and it inspired this episode of the Heart-Centred Business Podcast. I want to talk about self-sacrifice, bootstrapping, making do—and how those habits might actually be huge mindset blocks in disguise that are sabotaging you.
Let’s jump right in…
Here for the links referenced in the show notes?
Join Progress Art GYM before doors close 27 April 2026 – tashcorbin.com/gym
(If doors have already closed, you can register for the waitlist)
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The Facebook Post That Sparked Everything
This conversation started when I posted a question on my Facebook page: “If you had all the money you needed, would you still run your business? And if so, what would you do differently?”
The responses were fascinating, and some even turned into deeper conversations in DMs, client sessions, and emails. I want to shout out a big thank you to everyone who jumped into that conversation—you’ve given me so much food for thought (fabulous fodder, as I like to say) for this episode.
From all those comments and conversations, three things really stood out to me:
1. Most People Would Still Keep Their Business
The overwhelming response was “Yes, I’d still run my business, even if I didn’t need the money.” People talked about showing up for purpose and service, and just loving what they do. And honestly? I’m the same. Some said they might stop charging, and while I get that dream, I do think there’s something special about an energetic exchange—even if money is no longer your main motivation.
If you’re dreaming about giving your work away for free, awesome—but just think about whether it truly feels right for you energetically. For so many, there’s a real sense of alignment that comes when there’s an exchange, whatever form that takes.
2. “I’d Do Things SO Differently”—But Would You Really?
The next group said, yes, they’d keep running their business, but they’d do things wildly differently. Only, as I read their answers, I thought, “These changes aren’t actually that big.” In fact, most of them were things you don’t have to wait for. You could start those changes now, right where you are—even if you think you need way more money (or success) first. I wrote this on at least 15 comments: “You’re not that far off! You could do this now!”
3. Do You Want a Business, or Just the Work?
Some who replied reminded me of a client from my early business days. She ran a yoga studio and was a massage therapist but absolutely hated doing her marketing and sales, no matter how much fun or playfulness we tried to bring in. She’d always say, “I just want to massage people and teach yoga, not do all the business stuff.”
At some point, you have to decide if you want to do this as a business owner or not. If learning about your audience, offers, and what makes people book (and buy) is just never going to spark any interest in you, that’s okay! But you might actually want a job—not a business.
Opportunities have changed too. Ten years ago, roles for things like yoga teachers, Reiki practitioners, or coaches were pretty much only for the self-employed. Nowadays, there are legit jobs with studios or wellness clinics, sometimes even with full-time or flexible positions. So if being an entrepreneur doesn’t light you up, you have options now that didn’t exist before.
But, if you are committed to business ownership: being curious about your clients, enjoying at least some part of sales and marketing, and wanting to understand what draws people in really does matter. Even if you eventually outsource everything, you need to ‘get it’ first.
Finding Joy in Your Whole Business
Here’s something business mentors used to teach (and maybe still do): “Only show your best self—your zone of genius, your real teaching—for paying clients. Never give it away for free.”
I just cannot vibe with that! If I didn’t allow myself to show up in full teaching mode on this podcast, during my free trainings, or even in my marketing—I wouldn’t enjoy any of it! I want to find fulfilment and joy in the bits of my business where I spend most of my time, not just the paid stuff. I’m here to have fun teaching, sharing, and seeing results wherever I show up.
And if you worry that giving your best work away for free will mean people won’t ever want to pay you: that is not a real problem. That’s a value proposition issue, not a “too much freebie” issue. You could give away more value than you ever dreamed, and if you clearly show what’s special about your paid offers, and create clear steps for freebie people to become paying clients, you’ll still make sales. If your free stuff and your paid stuff are all mixed together and people can’t see why they should pay, that’s the problem to fix.
Are You Bootstrapping—or Sabotaging?
Let’s loop back to the original question: If you suddenly had all the money you needed, and you decided to keep running your business—how would you do things differently?
Take a second and really think about it. Would you hire a VA? Upgrade your laptop? Take Fridays off? Change how you interact with clients? Write them down. Then, ask yourself: Which of these are actually possible now?
So often, people say, “Well, I’d definitely get a full-time VA—but I just can’t afford it.” But are you denying yourself any support at all because you can’t afford a full-time person? Could you start with a VA for just a few hours here and there, or on a project basis, instead of going full on? Instead of all-or-nothing, what’s the smallest step you can take now?
Let me share an example…
I had a VIP client whose plan was to hire a VA by the end of the quarter. When I suggested, “Why not now?”—since she clearly had the workload and the cash flow—she told me, “I’m not giving enough to my business yet. I need to be more involved before I deserve help.” Even though she’s already a mum, busy, and making $5-7k a month, she actually felt unworthy of having support if she sometimes watched Netflix! We spent a big chunk of her session working through that mindset block. I’m glad to say she now has a VA for 10 hours a month and it’s making a world of difference.
The little things count, too. Another example: Someone told me their work laptop took 45 minutes to start up… so they never shut it off because they feared it wouldn’t come back on! (And yes, they’d once lost a whole day’s work to computer problems, but still didn’t upgrade.) You can’t just muddle along with tools that aren’t fit for purpose!
So ask yourself: Are you bootstrapping out of necessity, or are you actually just sabotaging your future success because of blocks around worthiness, guilt, or all-or-nothing thinking?
Self-Sacrifice: Not a Virtue When It Hurts Business
Sometimes, we justify scrimping on our business by saying we need the cash for family treats or fun adventures. I’ve been there—taking money out of my business for fun stuff, then having to ask my partner Davey for a mini loan when a bill popped up.
But when you choose to spend on things—whether it’s a tech upgrade or getting the support you need to actually grow—you’re not just “spending”; you’re investing in making your business more sustainable and freeing up time and energy for your life too.
The Two Parts of Resourcing Your Business
1. Where your money is going
Are you prioritising other people’s needs (kids, family, lifestyle), or are you investing back into your business first? Sometimes, we trick ourselves into thinking the spend is necessary, but is it really? Or is it avoidance, guilt, or old habits driving your choices?
2. Making the money for what you need
If your laptop broke and you didn’t have the money to replace it, what would you do? For me, I’d go out and make those dollars in the next few days. In my first year of business, I created my go-to process for generating $5,000 in five days (“5k in 5 days!”). You don’t even need a big audience to generate extra cash on demand—you just need to set your mind to doing it, and get into action.
Sometimes it’s not about the resources you lack, but the belief you’re missing. Are you looking for evidence you can’t do it…or that you can?
Finding Your Answers Instead of Your Excuses
You can choose whether you want to focus on the obstacles or search for the answers. Maybe someone online told you never to use the “Boost post” button for Facebook ads, so you don’t try anything at all—even when you have a $5/day strategy in front of you. Why accept the limits, instead of giving things a go?
I had several follow-up conversations with people from that Facebook post who said, “I can’t until I have more money,” and I challenged them: What if you could? Some are now running ads, and making progress—just because they shifted out of that all-or-nothing mindset.
So here’s my gentle nudge for you: Wherever you’re holding back, ask yourself if it’s really a matter of resources, or if there’s a mindset block hiding beneath. Find a way to take imperfect action now, or go out and make the money you need, rather than letting things stall for another six months or year.
Your Short-Term Cash Injection Strategy
If you don’t already have a strategy to make a little burst of extra money when you need it (and, trust me, every business needs one), maybe it’s time to create yours.
I’m running a program called “Get Your Money” in May and June, and the goal is to help business owners craft their unique plan for a short-term cash injection. Different businesses have different assets and strengths, but I believe every single business owner can make it work.
And usually, what stops us is simply not believing we can.
If you’d like to join us, check out the Progress Art GYM: tashcorbin.com/gym
Payment plans are available, and I’ve priced it to be really accessible. Whether you catch enrolment this year or join the waitlist for next, I want you to start believing it’s all possible, making the decisions and investments you need, and backing yourself because you are absolutely worthy.
Time to Turn Self-Sabotage Into Self-Belief
So, ask yourself: If you had all the money you needed, how would your business look and feel different? What’s one thing from that dream list you could do now—and what’s holding you back?
You are worth the investment. You are worthy of support, great tools, and a business that works for you—not just grinding through to make it work.
Let’s make the shifts that take you from self-sabotage to self-confidence and success.
Until next time, I cannot WAIT to see you SHINE.
