The Simplified CEO

Claire Bartlett
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You didn’t start your business to feel trapped by it. But somewhere along the way, the passion that once lit you up got buried under the endless to-do lists, late nights, and the pressure to keep up with everyone else’s version of success. It’s time to change that. Welcome to @The Simplified CEO – the podcast for ambitious business owners who are ready to strip away the overwhelm, simplify their strategy, and build a business (and life) they actually love again. Hosted by Claire Bartlett, award-winning business mentor, speaker, and creator of the R.E.S.E.T.™ Framework, each episode feels like a heart-to-heart with a friend who gets it. Expect raw truth, simple strategies, and the mindset shifts that will help you reignite your energy, find clarity, and grow a profitable business without burning out. If you’re tired of overcomplicating your growth, second-guessing every decision, and wondering if you should just “burn it all down,” this is your safe space to reset, rebuild, and rise. So go ahead and hit follow, grab your coffee, and let’s simplify your way to success. New episodes drop every Wednesday on all major podcast platforms. 

  1. 12/10/2025

    Why You Shouldn't Wait Until January to Set Your Business Goals

    I can’t believe it’s already December. If you’re anything like me, the end of the year isn’t just about winding down — it’s about clearing the decks and setting the stage for a business that feels even better in 2026. In this episode, I’m walking you through my full year-end review process. This isn’t just about finances (although we’re absolutely digging into those too). I’m talking about the client dynamics that need to shift, the offers that no longer light you up, and the habits or expenses quietly draining your energy and profit. I’ll share how I review every area of my business — from speaking gigs and podcast guest spots to launches and new services — and the exact questions I ask to decide what stays, what goes, and what gets reimagined for the year ahead. You’ll also hear how I check in on alignment, not just analytics, and why emotional energy matters just as much as income when I’m planning my next moves. Whether you’re a notebook-and-hot-chocolate kind of CEO or someone who wants a clear, no-fluff way to make next year feel better from day one, this episode is your permission slip to get honest and intentional before January hits. 💼 SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Xero Accounting Software — the simplified solution for managing your business finances. Xero makes it easy to track expenses, spot profit drains, and prepare for tax season without the headache. Perfect for busy entrepreneurs who want financial clarity without complexity. 👉 Check out their special offer at https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/Episode17 📲 CONNECT WITH CLAIRE Ready to simplify your path to six figures? Let’s connect: Instagram: @theclairebartlett ✨ Did this episode spark a lightbulb moment? Share your biggest discovery from your year-end review and tag me — I’d love to hear what you’re clearing from your business. 💌 Join the Email List: Be the first to hear my strategies for building a spacious, profitable business https://www.claire-bartlett.co.uk/emailoptin-918730 ⭐️ SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you see your business review in a new light, please subscribe to The Simplified CEO on your favorite podcast platform. 💬 Leave a review sharing what resonated most — it helps more ambitious women find the show and build businesses that enhance their lives instead of consuming them. New episodes drop every Wednesday. 💭 FINAL THOUGHTS You’ve built something incredible this year. Now it’s time to honor that work by reviewing it honestly, clearing what no longer serves you, and building a strategy that genuinely excites you. Don’t carry energy drains into 2026 — clear the decks now so you can start the new year light, aligned, and ready to scale. Remember: Business doesn’t have to be complicated. Simplicity is the greatest form of genius.

    18 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    Why I Was Wrong About Productivity (This One Thing Changed How I Run My Entire Business)

    You're ticking off your to-do list, working harder than ever, but something feels... off. You're going to bed exhausted, not energised. You're losing that spark that made you start your business in the first place. Sound familiar? In this short but powerful episode, I'm sharing the exact tool I use to make sure I stay absolutely in love with my business – the Energy Matrix. This simple framework helps you identify which tasks are lighting you up and which ones are slowly draining your passion (and your profits). If you've ever found yourself cleaning toilets or organising drawers just to avoid certain business tasks, this episode is for you. Let's get you back to spending your days doing what actually fills your cup. What You'll Learn The three energy categories every business task falls into (and why this matters more than your to-do list) How to identify your "sweet spot" tasks that make you money AND bring you joy Why you might be spending 80% of your time in the wrong energy zone The quick exercise that'll show you exactly which task to eliminate this week Real solutions for those necessary-but-painful tasks (like bookkeeping) that drain your battery How to stop procrastinating on the tasks that actually grow your business The dangerous time trap that feels good but isn't moving you forward Resources Mentioned Xero Accounting Software – Make bookkeeping painless with automation https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/Episode16 One Action to Take This Week Identify the ONE task that's consuming the most of your time for the least amount of income. Ask yourself: What would happen if I stopped doing it entirely? You have permission to eliminate, delegate, or systematise any task that's draining your energy without moving your business forward. Connect with Claire This episode resonated with you? I'd love to hear which task you've identified as your biggest energy drain and what you're going to do about it! 📱 Instagram: @theclairebartlett – DM me your biggest takeaway 💌 Email List: Join for weekly strategies on building your 6-figure business in 20 hours a week https://www.claire-bartlett.co.uk/emailoptin-918730 About The Simplified CEO Podcast The Simplified CEO is for ambitious female entrepreneurs who've built successful 5-figure businesses but want to scale to 6 figures without sacrificing what matters most. If you're tired of the hustle culture and ready to build a business that enhances your life rather than consuming it, you're in exactly the right place. New episodes drop every Wednesday – Subscribe so you never miss a strategy that could transform your week. Sponsor This episode is proudly sponsored by Xero Accounting Software. If bookkeeping is draining your battery (and let's be honest, it probably is), Xero's automation features make the process so much easier. There's so much built-in automation that you just get the information in there and it does the majority of the work for you. Check out the special offer link here: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/Episode16

    18 min

  3. 11/19/2025

    How to Run Your 6-Figure Business During School Hours (Without Losing Your Mind) | Ep 68

    Discover 5 game-changing strategies to build your 6-figure business during school hours without burnout. Perfect for mum entrepreneurs seeking work-life balance. Are you exhausted before you even open your laptop? Feeling like you're constantly busy but never actually moving your business forward? You're not alone. In this episode of The Simplified CEO, I'm sharing my exact 5-step framework for running a successful 6-figure business entirely during school hours - without sacrificing your sanity or your time with your children. After years of being trapped in the hustle culture hamster wheel, working 60-80 hours a week while trying to be a present mum, I discovered a better way. Now I work just 20 hours a week, three days between school drop-off and pick-up, and I've never been more profitable or peaceful. What You'll Learn: How to uncover the hidden time drains stealing hours from your day (most entrepreneurs have NO idea where 30-40% of their time actually goes) The "3 Types of Work" framework that instantly shows you what's making money and what's just making you feel busy My exact daily non-negotiables that take 15 minutes but create massive momentum How to identify and focus on your "breakthrough work" that generates the highest income in the shortest time Why the 1:1 time-for-money model is keeping you trapped and how to break free Perfect for you if: You're a mum running a service-based business (coaching, consulting, VA services) You've built a 5-figure business but want to scale to 6 figures You're working way more hours than you'd like to admit You feel guilty for wanting both business success AND quality time with your family You're done with hustle culture but don't know another way Key Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: The entrepreneur's constant mental to-do list [02:45] Step 1: Track your time with brutal honesty [08:30] Step 2: The 3 types of work framework (Busy, Builder, Breakthrough) [15:20] Step 3: Define your daily non-negotiables [19:45] Step 4: Focus on money-making activities [24:10] Step 5: Stop trading time for money 1:1 [28:30] Recap and action steps About This Episode's Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Xero Accounting Software - the tool that saves me 4-5 hours every week on financial management and forecasting. Running your business during limited hours means every minute counts, and Xero's automation features let you track finances, create forecasts, and plan for growth with just a few clicks. Check out the special offer HERE. Connect with Claire: Instagram: @theclairebartlett Join the mailing list for more tips and insights into the daily life of an entrepreneurial mum! You can sign up HERE

    23 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    How to Build a Successful Business Without the Mum Guilt | Ep 67

    Feeling torn between building your business and being present for your family? You're not alone. In this episode, Claire Bartlett dismantles the myth of work-life balance and reveals why trying to separate your role as a mum from your role as an entrepreneur is actually creating more guilt, not less. Discover the intentional integration method that allowed Claire to build two 6-figure businesses whilst being fully present for school runs, swimming lessons, and family time - without the constant mental tug-of-war that exhausts so many working mums. If you've ever felt guilty for thinking about work whilst helping with homework, or stressed about missing family time because of a client deadline, this episode will completely shift your perspective on what it means to be both a successful entrepreneur and a present parent. Resources Mentioned Join the email list: Get weekly strategies for building a 6-figure business in 20 hours a week without the guilt - sign up HERE Connect on Instagram: @theclairebartlett for daily insights on intentional integration and simplified success About Today's Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Xero Accounting Software - the cloud-based accounting solution that helps busy entrepreneurs manage their finances without the stress. With automated bank feeds, invoice creation, and real-time financial reporting, Xero gives you complete visibility of your business finances in minutes, not hours. Perfect for service-based business owners who want to spend less time on bookkeeping and more time with their families. Click here for an exclusive offer for Simplified CEO listeners. About The Simplified CEO Podcast The Simplified CEO is your weekly dose of practical strategies for building a 6-figure business in 20 hours a week. Hosted by Claire Bartlett, a business mentor who successfully scaled two businesses whilst working part-time and being a present mum, this podcast challenges hustle culture and proves that sustainable success is possible. If you're a female entrepreneur tired of choosing between business growth and life balance, this is your permission to have both. New episodes every Wednesday. Connect With Claire Instagram: @theclairebartlett Join the Email List: Get weekly strategies for spacious success Work With Claire: Discover how to build your 6-figure business in 20 hours a week Share This Episode Know another working mum who's drowning in mum guilt? Share this episode and help her discover that she can be both a successful entrepreneur AND a present parent - without the constant mental tug-of-war. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Simplified CEO!

    18 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    5 Apps That Cut My Working Week in Half | Ep 066

    I used to be that business owner - drowning in to-dos, spending hours on stuff that didn’t move the needle, and constantly tempted to hire help I couldn’t afford. Then I found a better way. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact five apps that slashed my working hours in half - without hiring a single team member. These aren’t random recommendations. Each tool genuinely transformed how I run my business as a CEO, from social media scheduling to client calls to accounting. You’ll hear how I: Went from daily content chaos to scheduling a week’s worth of posts in 30 mins Quit the back-and-forth of booking meetings and started converting warm leads faster Built a visual project dashboard so I stopped micromanaging my team and deadlines Used AI to crush blank-page paralysis and actually enjoy content creation again Made peace with my finances using one accounting tool that does everything This is for you if you're running the show solo, scaling with zero spare time, or just desperate for some breathing room. These are the tools that let me create space, scale intentionally, and still keep full creative control. If you're ready to simplify and save serious time, hit play - then DM me on Instagram @theclairebartlett and let me know which app you’re trying first.   FREE Download: 3-Day CEO Audit Get my step-by-step framework to identify your £10, £100, and £1,000 tasks and reclaim your time. This is the exact process I used to cut my hours by two-thirds whilst maintaining six-figure turnover. 👉 Download the free 3‑Day CEO Audit HERE to start mapping where you’re leaking time and how to reclaim it. You’re the most valuable asset in your business. Treat your time accordingly, step into your CEO mindset, and let’s reclaim your life and business together. Connect With Me I'd love to hear about your biggest time-wasting task! Come and share it with me on Instagram - let's start the conversation about working smarter, not harder. ✉️ Join my email list for weekly strategies on building your six-figure business in 20 hours a week HERE *This episode is sponsored by Xero Accounting Software - the cloud-based accounting solution that helps you keep on top of your numbers, the simple way! Xero makes it simple to track your true profitability and make CEO-level decisions with confidence. Check out the special offer for Simplified CEO listeners HERE

    23 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    How to Get Featured in Forbes With Less Than 200 Followers | Ep 065

    PR can feel like this intimidating, insider-only world - like you need a degree, a giant following, or a publicist just to get noticed. But today’s guest is here to bust that myth wide open. Jenna Farmer is a PR expert and ex-journalist who built her own path into the media - starting with a personal blog and ending up in top publications like Forbes. In this episode, she shares how she turned her story into press-worthy content and now helps other small business owners do the same (even those with less than 200 followers). We dive into: What press and PR actually is (hint: it’s not just magazines and TV) The biggest misconceptions that stop business owners from pitching How to pitch like a human, not a headline machine The red flags to watch out for with shady “PR” offers How to use your press coverage after it goes live to build trust and sales We also unpack the emotional side of stepping into visibility, the fears of being misquoted, why many of us still carry limiting beliefs from the 9–5 world, and how PR can be a tool for advocacy, not just attention. Whether you’re product-based, service-based, brand new, or deep in your journey, if you’ve ever wondered how people “get featured,” this one will shift your whole perspective. Connect With Jenna Grab your free copy of '5 Business Publications Looking For Contributors' HERE Listen to Jenna's podcast HERE Connect with Jenna on Instagram HERE Connect With Me I'd love to hear about your biggest time-wasting task! Come and share it with me on Instagram - let's start the conversation about working smarter, not harder. ✉️ Join my email list for weekly strategies on building your six-figure business in 20 hours a week HERE *This episode is sponsored by Xero Accounting Software - the cloud-based accounting solution that helps you keep on top of your numbers, the simple way! Xero makes it simple to track your true profitability and make CEO-level decisions with confidence. Check out the special offer for Simplified CEO listeners HERE

    34 min

  7. 10/22/2025

    The Exact Mindset Shift That Got Me 6 Figures In 3 Days A Week | Ep 064

    In this powerful episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the exact mindset shift that transformed my business from a gilded cage into the spacious success I'd always dreamed of. If you're working 60+ hour weeks but telling yourself you're "part-time," this episode is your wake-up call. A few years ago I believed I was working “part‑time” in my business - four days a week, nine to three. But when I really tracked my time I realised I was actually working 60‑80 hours a week - evenings, weekends, on my phone, in my head. The moment I snapped at my daughter to say “I’m busy” made me wake up: I’d built a business for freedom and I’d lost it. In this episode I’ll walk you through: How I tracked every minute of my time (including sofa, mobile, wine‑in‑hand “just checking one thing”) The framework I use: 10‑pound tasks vs 100‑pound vs 1000‑pound tasks How I outsourced, automated and built systems so I freed myself AND still grew profit The mindset of switching from consultant to CEO: valuing your time, setting boundaries, protecting your diary My slow, six‑month rollout so the change stuck and didn’t back‑fire If you’re working too many hours, feeling like the business owns you, or you’ve lost sight of the “why” behind your business - this episode is for you. FREE Download: 3-Day CEO Audit Get my step-by-step framework to identify your £10, £100, and £1,000 tasks and reclaim your time. This is the exact process I used to cut my hours by two-thirds whilst maintaining six-figure turnover. 👉 Download the free 3‑Day CEO Audit HERE to start mapping where you’re leaking time and how to reclaim it. You’re the most valuable asset in your business. Treat your time accordingly, step into your CEO mindset, and let’s reclaim your life and business together. Connect With Me I'd love to hear about your biggest time-wasting task! Come and share it with me on Instagram - let's start the conversation about working smarter, not harder. 📱 Instagram: @theclairebartlett ✉️ Join my email list for weekly strategies on building your six-figure business in 20 hours a week HERE *This episode is sponsored by Xero Accounting Software - the cloud-based accounting solution that helps you keep on top of your numbers, the simple way! Xero makes it simple to track your true profitability and make CEO-level decisions with confidence. Check out the special offer for Simplified CEO listeners HERE

    22 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    Can You Actually Be Happy in Business? | Ep 63

    I used to think happiness in business was a given. I had all the checkboxes ticked: money, recognition, a thriving brand. But I was deeply unhappy. In this episode, I’m opening up about the moment I realised success on paper didn’t mean joy in real life - and what I did to change everything. We’re unpacking the myths around what it really means to be happy as an entrepreneur, how hustle culture and perfectionism steal your joy, and the key mindset shift that changed my entire business (and home life). I’m also sharing the silent “joy suckers” like comparison, should-ing all over yourself, and boundaries that don’t actually exist. You’ll learn: What sustainable happiness in business actually looks like How to integrate your work and life without sacrificing either The sneaky ways social media steals your energy (and how to take it back) Why perfection is procrastination in disguise My favourite practice for finding joy on even the hardest business days If you’ve ever wondered “is it possible to love my business again?” - this episode is your reset button.   *This episode is sponsored by Xero Accounting Software - the cloud-based accounting solution that helps you keep on top of your numbers, the simple way! Xero makes it simple to track your true profitability and make CEO-level decisions with confidence. Check out the special offer for Simplified CEO listeners HERE

    30 min
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About

You didn’t start your business to feel trapped by it. But somewhere along the way, the passion that once lit you up got buried under the endless to-do lists, late nights, and the pressure to keep up with everyone else’s version of success. It’s time to change that. Welcome to @The Simplified CEO – the podcast for ambitious business owners who are ready to strip away the overwhelm, simplify their strategy, and build a business (and life) they actually love again. Hosted by Claire Bartlett, award-winning business mentor, speaker, and creator of the R.E.S.E.T.™ Framework, each episode feels like a heart-to-heart with a friend who gets it. Expect raw truth, simple strategies, and the mindset shifts that will help you reignite your energy, find clarity, and grow a profitable business without burning out. If you’re tired of overcomplicating your growth, second-guessing every decision, and wondering if you should just “burn it all down,” this is your safe space to reset, rebuild, and rise. So go ahead and hit follow, grab your coffee, and let’s simplify your way to success. New episodes drop every Wednesday on all major podcast platforms. 

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Bartlett
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Claire Bartlett Ltd
  • Show Website
    The Simplified CEO