With the end of the financial year (EOFY) 2025 approaching, I’ve been reflecting on how far Freshwater Taxation has come since its launch back in 2012. What began as a solo venture has grown into an award-winning firm I’m proud of — though it’s been far from easy.
Being a single mum, raising two young girls, and running a busy accounting firm (in one of the busiest industries you could choose!) has stretched me in ways I never imagined. There’s been joy, exhaustion, growth, tears, and plenty of late nights. But there have also been hard-won lessons that I know will resonate with anyone trying to balance business, parenting, and life.
So in honour of 13 years in business, here are 13 lessons I’ve learned that might help you too — whether you’re a fellow mum in business, a solo operator, or just someone determined to do life on your terms.
1. Always Prioritise Your Kids and Family
This is the big one. You can make the money back. You can rebuild anything. But you can’t get time back with your kids. I never want their memories to be of me glued to a laptop. Even in the busiest season, I always try to carve out real, present time with them — because that’s what they’ll remember and at the end of the day, when you die – your memories with them matter far more than anything else in life.
2. Screen Your Clients
In the early days, I took on almost everyone who walked through the door. And while that helped build momentum, it also came at a cost — my time, my energy, and sometimes my joy. These days, I screen clients not just for what they need, but for how they align with our values, how they treat our team, and how respectfully they engage. A red flag ignored is usually a regret later. Remember: a client relationship should feel like a good partnership, not a transaction you dread.
3. Prioritise Your Health
When you feel good, everything shifts — your clarity, your energy, your confidence. And when you’re running a business and a household, you need every ounce of it. Small, intentional changes — like cutting back on caffeine, prioritising protein and whole foods, or taking a daily walk — have a compounding effect. These things aren’t indulgent. They’re foundational. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your health is what keeps everything else going.
4. Back Yourself
Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear with success. It just gets sneakier. I’ve had moments before big speaking gigs or big decisions where that inner voice whispers, “Who do you think you are?” But here’s what I remind myself — and you: remember who you are, how far you’ve come, and the value you bring. You’ve earned your place. You’ve put in the years, the late nights, the learning, and the care. Confidence isn’t arrogance — it’s recognising your own foundation.
5. Push Yourself – Discomfort Is Where the Growth Is
The magic doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. Every meaningful shift I’ve made started with something that scared me—speaking up, saying yes, backing myself when it would’ve been easier to play it safe. Growth lives on the edge of discomfort. And while it never feels easy in the moment, those brave choices have always been the ones that changed everything.
6. Have a Business Plan (And Be Ready to Rework It)
Every strong business starts with a vision. A direction. A plan. But that plan? It’s not a contract — it’s a compass. The most resilient businesses aren’t rigid; they adapt. As your life changes, your goals shift, and the market evolves, so should your business. Sticking blindly to your original blueprint can keep you stuck. Instead, regularly check in: Who do I actually want to serve? How do I want to live? And most importantly, what does my business need to look like to support both? Your vision isn’t just about growth — it’s about alignment. When you get that right, everything feels more sustainable — and a lot more meaningful.
7. Surround Yourself With the Right People
The people around you have a huge impact on how you show up — in business and in life. You need people who lift you, not drain you. This goes for your team, your clients, your friends, even the voices you follow online. Energy is contagious. If you’re constantly managing difficult dynamics or explaining your worth, it takes a toll. On the flip side, the right support — people who get it, who cheer you on, who lighten the load — can be the difference between burnout and momentum. Choose wisely. Protect your energy. And remember: you don’t have to do it all alone.
8. Trust Your Gut
Every time I’ve ignored my intuition, I’ve paid for it. If something feels off, it probably is. Tune in. Your gut often picks up on what your brain is still justifying.
9. Don’t Underestimate People (In Good Ways and Bad)
Some people will surprise you with their brilliance, loyalty, and heart. Others will shock you with their lack of integrity. Don’t be cynical, but do stay grounded. Eyes open!
10. Long-term clients are GOLD
There’s something really special about the clients who stick with you year after year. But loyalty isn’t guaranteed — it’s earned, and re-earned, through consistency, communication, and delivering value in ways they still recognise. Over time, what they need may evolve, so staying proactive and ahead of the curve matters. If they do decide to move on, you’ll know you gave it your all — no regrets, no what-ifs. And often, the clients who truly value you? They don’t just stay — they refer, advocate, and grow with you.
11. Work Hard and Stay Disciplined
We live in a world obsessed with shortcuts. The quick fix. The magic formula. But in business? There is no hack. No Instagram reel or AI tool can replace the impact of showing up consistently, even on the days when it’s boring, unglamorous, or downright hard. Success isn’t built in bursts of motivation — it’s built through discipline. Through emails replied to when you’re tired. Through systems refined again and again. Through doing the unsexy stuff behind the scenes that no one claps for. The people who win aren’t the ones looking for a way around the work — they’re the ones doing it anyway.
12. Think Outside the Box
Innovation gets mistaken for having the latest app or automating everything to the hilt. But real innovation? It’s rarely loud or flashy. It’s about thinking differently — questioning the norm, listening closely to what clients actually need, and finding smarter, simpler ways to deliver value. Sometimes that means using great tech. Sometimes it means reworking a process that’s always been done a certain way. At Freshwater, Tax Done Differently isn’t just a tagline — it’s a mindset. It’s about making things easier, clearer, and more human — not just more automated.
13. Build Your Business Around Real Needs
It’s tempting to look sideways — to copy what competitors are doing, follow trends, or create offerings that look impressive on social media. But that’s not how sustainable businesses are built. The real magic happens when you focus on your clients: what they’re struggling with, what they’re asking for, and what would genuinely make their lives easier. Solve those problems. Speak their language. Keep showing up with solutions that matter to them. When you build with your people in mind — not your peers — you stay relevant, valuable, and in demand.
Running a business isn’t a straight line — it shifts with seasons, challenges, and growth. But if there’s one thing I keep coming back to, it’s this: be intentional. With your time, your energy, your offers, and the people you choose to work with. Don’t run your business on autopilot, or build a life that feels like it’s working against you. It’s easy to get caught up in what you “should” be doing — but the real work is building something that actually supports the way you want to live. One life. One shot. Make it count — on your terms.
