In this episode of the Freelancer's Teabreak, Emma Cossey chats with Katherine Pearse (nee Hall), fractional CFO, systemic coach, and movement facilitator, about what it actually means to go fractional. Katherine breaks down how a fractional CFO differs from a consultant, interim, or part-time hire, and why that distinction matters. She shares the journey that led her from full-time finance leadership through a major merger to building a multi-dimensional business that blends numbers, intuition, and embodied practice. They also explore the growing trend of fractional working, the rise of the "multipotentialite" professional, and why showing up as your full self is not just good for your wellbeing, it's good for business.

Whether you're thinking about going fractional, already working that way, or just trying to understand what the term actually means, this episode is packed with insight, warmth, and a few Cinderella references.

Timestamps:

0:00 Welcome & Introduction
3:33 Meet Katherine Pearse: Business, Finance & Beyond
3:43 Defining Fractional: What It Is (and What It's Not)
5:25 Fractional vs Consultant vs Interim: The Key Differences
16:04 How Katherine's Career Led Her to Go Fractional
17:49 Fractional in the Wild: Perceptions & Misconceptions
21:10 Selling Solutions, Not Labels
21:14 From Full-Time to Fractional: Why People Are Making the Move
22:44 The Three Pillars: Fractional CFO, Systemic Coaching & Movement
23:27 Finance, Human Behaviour & Why They're Inseparable
33:46 Key Takeaway: Show Up as Your Full Self
35:29 How to Work with Katherine & Where to Find Her

Katherine's Details: At Building Balance Services Limited, they believe true growth requires looking beyond the balance sheet. They empower businesses with a unique, three-pillar approach: Fractional CFO services provide the data-backed financial strategy for sound decisions; Systemic Coaching delves into the unseen organisational dynamics and intuition; and Embodied Business uses mindful movement to reconnect you with your body's creativity. They help you make decisions that are both financially smart and deeply aligned.

Name: Katherine Pearse (nee Hall)
Email: katherine@buildingbalanceservices.com
Website https://linktr.ee/buildingbalanceservices
Instagram @building.balance.services
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572865856121

Abi Moore's (Brand Photography and Marketing) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abimooreuk/

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Email: hello@emmacossey.com

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Feeling overwhelmed by rising subscription costs? In this rewind episode of the Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares practical, actionable tips to help freelancers and small business owners cut down on their software expenses without sacrificing the tools that keep their businesses running.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to audit your subscriptions and assess their return on investment
• Why some of your existing tools may already do the job of others
• How to haggle with software providers for better deals
• Where to find voucher codes and cashback opportunities
• How affiliate programmes can offset your subscription costs
• Alicia, Emma's Podcast VA's, simple system for tracking and budgeting annual subscriptions so you're never caught off guard

Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome & Introduction
2:22 - Why We're Revisiting This Topic
6:30 - The Subscription Cost Problem
3:30 - Tip 1: Review What You Actually Need
4:33 - Tip 2: Consolidate Overlapping Tools
5:18 - Tip 3: Haggle for Better Deals
6:26 - Voucher Codes & Cashback
7:13 - Use Affiliate Programmes
8:31 - Bonus: Tracking Your Subscriptions

Links from episode: Tools I Love

Emma's Podcast Editing VA: Alicia Cornell, The Admin Den and her Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and newsletter

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Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares her essential quarter two to-do list for freelancers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Making Tax Digital means for freelancers and how to prepare for it
• How to set up your bookkeeping systems and stay on top of your finances for the new tax year
• Why now is the perfect time to reflect on your quarter one goals
• How to set meaningful quarter two goals that go beyond just the numbers

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
1:35 Making Tax Digital — What You Need to Know
3:14 Organising Your Receipts & Folders
4:12 Building Good Financial Habits
5:11 Reflecting on Your Q1 Goals
6:17 Setting Your Q2 Goals
8:12 Recap & Final Thoughts

Episode Links: Harriet's Making Tax Digital advice

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Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode, I share my essential desk items that actually matter for freelancers, no aesthetic fluff, just practical tools that boost productivity:

• Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout your workday
• Second screen: Reduce overwhelm and boost productivity with dual monitors
• Desk snacks: Keep trail mix, protein bars, or grapes handy to avoid blood sugar crashes
• Stream Deck: Game-changing productivity tool for creating shortcuts (even has a free mobile app to try first!)

💡 My Pro Tips:

• Prep your lunch the night before to ensure you actually stop and eat
• You don't need fancy expensive tech, I worked on Chromebooks for years
• Treat your brain like a plant: keep it fed and watered

What are YOUR desk must-haves? Drop a comment below!

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
1:18 Number 1: Water Bottle - Stay Hydrated
2:21 Number 2: Second Screen Setup
4:05 Number 3: Desk Snacks & Lunch Tips
4:49 Number 4: Stream Deck for Shortcuts
7:28 Recap: The Four Essentials
8:50 Your Desk Must-Haves?

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Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

Can AI really replace human coaches and freelancers? In this episode, I break down why coaching, and many freelance services, require the irreplaceable human touch.

Key Points Covered:

• Why coaches facilitate rather than prescribe solutions
• The importance of body language, tone, and non-verbal cues
• How lived experience trumps algorithmic responses
• The ethics and values alignment you can't get from AI
• Why accountability works better with humans
• How this applies to other freelance services (graphic design, social media management, photography)

AI is a tool for information, not transformation. Real coaching, and most freelance work, requires empathy, adaptability, and genuine human connection that algorithms simply can't replicate.

Work With Me:

• Explore coaching packages
• Voxer accountability packages
• Traditional 1-on-1 coaching (Zoom or in-person in Berkshire)
• The Freelance Business Lounge membership - £30/month with 2 group calls per week

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction
0:26 - Why do we need coaches when we have AI?
2:15 - AI gives information vs coaching helps you process
4:24 - AI lacks lived experience and ethical considerations
6:29 - Human accountability and empathy matter
8:11 - Why AI can't replace creative freelance work
9:22 - Coaching packages and membership info

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Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

How easy is it for potential clients to find you online? In this episode, I'm challenging you to audit your discoverability across multiple platforms and search tools.

What we cover:

• SEO basics and why showing up in search results matters
• How AI tools are becoming a new discovery channel for freelancers
• Leveraging YouTube (both long-form and Shorts) to build connections
• The power of podcast SEO for attracting ideal clients
• Social media SEO strategies for TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn

Action steps:

• Test your search terms on multiple search engines
• Check your website analytics for incoming search terms
• Ask AI tools how to improve your visibility in their recommendations
• Optimise your YouTube content with tools like VidIQ
• Consider guesting on podcasts or starting your own
• Use strategic keywords in your social media content

Resources mentioned: Vid IQ

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction
0:21 - How easy is it for potential clients to find you?
0:52 - Google & search engine SEO
1:37 - AI SEO & discoverability through AI tools
2:13 - YouTube as a search platform
3:19 - Podcast SEO
4:02 - Social media SEO (TikTok, Instagram, Threads)
4:42 - Next steps for improving discoverability
5:08 - Closing & call to action

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Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

The freelance landscape has changed significantly in the last two years, making client acquisition tougher than ever. In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, Emma Cossey shares why shifting from reactive to proactive strategies is essential for finding clients in today's market.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why referrals alone aren't enough anymore
• The difference between looking for clients vs. finding clients
• Where to find quality freelance opportunities (and where to avoid)
• How to be more visible and tell people what you actually do
• Practical networking strategies that don't feel salesy
• Why platforms like Threads and LinkedIn are worth your time (and why Facebook groups might not be)

Key takeaway: If you're struggling to find clients, ask yourself: Are you actively telling people how you can help them, or are you waiting for opportunities to appear?

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:34 - Why finding clients is harder now
1:14 - The problem with relying on referrals
2:03 - Being proactive vs reactive in client search
3:31 - Where to find clients (and where NOT to look)
5:40 - Making yourself visible on social media
6:17 - Using Threads and pitching yourself
7:55 - The power of in-person networking
9:59 - Action steps: Looking vs finding clients
10:24 - Free resources and community

Free Resources Mentioned: 5 Ways to Find Your Next Client and 30+ Ways to Find Freelance Clients

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Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

This week on The Freelancer's Tea Break, I dive into the debate between freelancing and the term 'fractional'. Is it just a fancy rebrand for part-time work, or does it represent a distinct role, especially in the B2B space? I explore the nuances and implications of these terms, their impact on positioning and pricing, and whether this trend is reshaping how we view flexible work roles.

Share your thoughts and join the discussion!

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to The Freelancers Tea Break
00:17 Freelancing vs Fractional: An Emerging Trend
01:44 Understanding Fractional Work
03:07 Freelancing and Fractional: Overlaps and Distinctions
05:34 The Future of Fractional Work
07:20 Engage with the Community

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Email: hello@emmacossey.com

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business