How Can Small Business Owners Rediscover Joy in Their Work? With Emily Hawkins

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In this episode of Soulful Self-Care Conversations, Pearl sits down with Emily Hawkins, fractional COO and creator of LeaderShift, to talk about what really steals joy from small business owners—and how to get it back.

After 15 years of saving corporate giants millions, Emily now helps small business owners simplify operations, maximize profits, and fall back in love with their businesses. She shares how leaders unintentionally rob their teams of joy, why “death by five minutes” is killing productivity, and how clarity and curiosity can transform both business and life.

If you’ve ever felt buried in busywork, frustrated by team dynamics, or disconnected from the reason you started your business in the first place, this conversation will help you reset.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✨ Little Emily’s story – why a childhood declaration of “I don’t want a job” became the foundation for building a balanced life and business.
✨ Robbing your team of joy – how taking on every “quick” task kills your own joy and prevents your team from living their purpose.
✨ Death by five minutes – why constantly saying “I’ll just do it” sabotages growth.
✨ Comfort vs. security blanket – how familiar tasks can become suffocating if you never let go.
✨ Hourly worth – how to reframe your time in terms of revenue responsibility, not tasks.
✨ Dream employee list – why 15 minutes of quiet clarity before you hire can change everything.
✨ Onboarding for success – how a 90-day plan can either turn new hires into rock stars or help you gracefully let the wrong fit go.
✨ Rediscovering joy – how clients who let go of control end up golfing more, traveling with their spouse, and making more money.

Quotes to Remember

• “Right now, you are robbing your team of joy.” – Emily Hawkins
• “Tasks become a security blanket. But hold it too tight and you’ll suffocate.” – Emily Hawkins
• “Good help isn’t hard to find—it’s hard to define. Start with your dream employee list.” – Emily Hawkins
• “You don’t need another you in your business. You need someone different.” – Emily Hawkins

Resources & Links

• 🌐 Connect with Emily: emilyhawkins4u.com
  
  
• 📲 Find Emily on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook: @EmilyHawkins4U
• 🎁 Free resources for better leadership & saving time: emilyhawkins4u.com
  
  
• 🌐 Connect with Pearl & book a mini coaching session: wsliving.com/shero
  
  

Pearl’s Reflection

Emily’s phrase “robbing your team of joy” really hit home. Whether it’s in your business, your home, or your personal life—what are you holding onto that steals joy from others and from yourself?

When you stop trying to do it all, you empower others to live their purpose and free yourself to focus on what truly matters: leading, creating, and living fully.

👉 Subscribe to Soulful Self-Care Conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. If today’s episode sparked an idea, share it with a fellow business owner who needs a reminder that joy is still possible in their work.

Follow Pearl on
social media TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook: @Pearlchiarenza

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wsliving.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Remember to embrace your inner pearl, nourish yourself, and find balance in life. Stay
true to your authentic self and continue working on your personal growth.