The Reluctant Capitalist: Building a Business Without Selling Your Soul with Marisa Guthrie

In this episode of Own Your Time, Sarah Stewart sits down with anti-capitalist business coach and upcoming author of The Reluctant Capitalist, Marisa Guthrie, for a radical conversation about redefining success, time and what it means to do business differently.

Together, they unpack how small business owners can operate within capitalism without perpetuating harmful systems, why scaling small can be a bold and values-aligned choice and how ethical pricing, mindful marketing and time reclamation are not just buzzwords but revolutionary acts.

If you've ever questioned the hustle, resisted bro-marketing tactics or wondered how to build a business that feels good, this conversation is your permission slip to opt out of the grind and into something more sustainable.

What we cover:

• The philosophy behind anti-capitalist coaching and why it's not anti-money

• How Marisa's values-led path from philosophy grad to purpose-driven entrepreneur unfolded

• The power of pricing ethically: balancing fairness, sustainability and self-worth

• Marketing without manipulation: what it means to dissolve shame instead of amplify it

• Why time is your most fragile resource and how to stop spending it on the wrong things

• The radical act of scaling small and honouring your energy

• How solopreneurs can build intentional ecosystems that support equity and collective care

• The rise of the reluctant capitalist and why this business model is the future

Resources and links:

• Marisa's Website: https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/

• Substack Newsletter: The Reluctant Capitalist on Substack https://substack.com/@marisaguthrie

• FREE Masterclass: Fair & Fearless Pricing https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/free-masterclass-ethical-fair-fearless-pricing

Time stamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome + The problem with hustle culture

• 02:00 – What anti-capitalist coaching really means

• 05:00 – Marissa's journey from philosophy to purpose-led business

• 08:30 – Why time, not money, is your most fragile resource

• 13:30 – Buying back your time: the true solopreneur dream

• 17:45 – Ethical pricing: balancing fairness and fearlessness

• 24:30 – How resourced businesses can do more good

• 30:00 – Shame-free marketing: what needs to change

• 38:00 – The rise of the solopreneur as the new standard

• 41:00 – Marissa's book The Reluctant Capitalist and what to expect

• 46:00 – Final words + quickfire "Time Crunch" round

About Sarah:

I'm your host, Sarah Stewart, Glasgow-based time management expert. My approach combines the wisdom of traditional time management strategies with the transformative power of mindfulness. My commitment is to help you get more time for the things that really matter.

If you are ready to ditch the hustle culture and overwhelm, and instead embrace peaceful productivity; you are in the right place.

Sarah's Links:

Get More Time Course (Self-Study):
This course is for the successful solopreneur or small business owner, and it lays out the steps you need to take so you can get more time for the things that really matter.
https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/get-more-time-course

FREE Time Audit Workbook:
Where I share my framework to audit your time, so you can get more time for the things that really matter
https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/timeauditworkbook