Episode 23 - Feminist Business & Redefining Success with Clara Wilcox

Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced (doubly qualified) coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.

We discuss the exhaustion of “good girl conditioning,” the power of self-employment, and the importance of working in alignment with your values.

Clara shares her journey from corporate life to self-employment, how she structures her business to align with her values, and why deprogramming from traditional career expectations can be so liberating. We also dive into neurodivergence, menstrual cycle mapping, and the myth of ‘having it all’.

What we talk about:

• 01:17 - Jumping right in: Did you ever think you were a ‘good girl’?

• 03:34 - Compliance vs. honesty: Why challenging norms is exhausting

• 05:55 - Fawn response, people-pleasing & burnout

• 08:58 - How self-employment helped deprogram ‘good girl’ conditioning

• 13:43 - Running a feminist, anti-capitalist business

• 17:05 - Pricing based on equity & fun: Can work feel good?

• 20:24 - Honesty in business & why saying no is a radical act

• 26:56 - Neurodivergence & why Clara started tracking her menstrual cycle

• 31:10 - The illusion of work-life balance & why corporate life is outdated

• 34:03 - Final Question: What can you do today that your future self will thank you for?

Follow Victoria on social media:  

Clara’s website - https://thebalancecollective.co.uk/blog/ 

Clara on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarawilcox/ 

Follow Michelle on social media:  

Website - https://www.michelleminnikin.com/  

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/  

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming  

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin

Buy Good Girl Deprogramming

Ebook and Paperback available at all good bookshops (and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3AQHuFf) 

Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0D9MKBDBW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-406719&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_406719_rh_uk 

Take the Good Girl Quiz

Find out if you’re a Good Girl athttps://goodgirlquiz.co.uk/ 

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