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Because you don’t need to have it all together to be successful...

Hosted by Business Therapist and author Libby Langley, Messy Business is the podcast for solo business owners who are brilliant at what they do, but sometimes feel like their business (or brain) is a bit of a mess - and wish they could just turn everything off and on again! 

Each week, Libby shares pep talks and perspectives to help you make sense of the chaos, rebuild solid foundations, and find more clarity, focus, and sanity in the way you work.

Absolutely no hustle culture vibes. No jargon. No pretending you’ve got it all worked out.

Plenty of honest talk, grounded advice, and the occasional well-timed laugh to remind you that you’re not the only one.

Expect episodes on:
• Getting clear when everything feels complicated
• Rebuilding your business around who you are now
• Finding peace and profit without burning out
• Making decisions that feel right (not just "right for Instagram")

🎙️ Messy Business - the weekly reset button for solo business owners!

Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.

Helpful links:
🔶 Stop Feeling Stuck - free download
📙 Read Libby's book - Life in Business
🧡 Work with Libby - Join Rebootcamp

Connect with Libby:
- on Instagram
- on LinkedIn
libbylangley.com

Messy Business - the weekly reset button for solo business owners!

Libby Langley - Business Coach
Self-Improvement
159 episodes
158: #158 When Your Business Feels Out of Sync
If your business feels heavy, misaligned, or like it’s draining you - it’s not you, it’s your business. In this episode of Messy Business, I’m talking about what really happens when you and your business fall out of sync (and how to get back on the same page again). You’re not flaky, inconsistent, or lazy - even if it sometimes feels that way. What’s more likely is that your business simply do...
26m • Nov 04
26m
157: #157 Welcome to MESSY BUSINESS!
Welcome to Messy Business! It feels so good to say that. After 156 episodes of Life in Business and Unstuck, this new chapter is all about embracing the beautiful chaos of running a business - and finally letting go of the idea that you need to have everything perfectly together to succeed. In this episode, I share why the podcast has evolved, what Messy Business stands for, and how it connect...
24m • Nov 03
24m
156: #156 You're Not Too Niche - You're Not Niche Enough!
Ever worry that if you niche down too far, you’ll scare people off or have no one left to sell to? In this episode of Unstuck, I’m breaking down why that’s a total myth — and why you’re probably not niche enough. We’ll talk about the real reason so many business owners resist specificity (spoiler: it’s usually fear, FOMO, or people-pleasing) and how broad, vague offers are the reason your mark...
25m • Oct 30
25m
155: #155 The Flaw in the ‘Know, Like, Trust’ Theory
You’ve probably heard the phrase “know, like, and trust” a thousand times — it’s the golden rule of marketing, right? But there’s a crucial fourth step that everyone forgets… buy. Because no matter how loved, trusted, or respected you are, if no one actually buys from you, you don’t have a business. In this episode, I dig into what’s missing from the classic know, like, trust model and how to ...
27m • Oct 23
27m
154: #154 Has Your Audience Friend Zoned You?
You know that awkward moment when you realise people love your content, open every email, and tell you you’re brilliant — but they still don’t buy? Yep, that’s the business friend zone. In this episode, I’m unpacking why that happens, what it really means, and how to shift from being “nice to have” to being seen as essential. I share my own experience of building a business full of trust but n...
26m • Oct 16
26m
153: #153 What to Do When You Hate Marketing Yourself
Do you secretly hate marketing — or feel completely frozen when it comes to putting yourself out there? You’re not alone. For many solo business owners, marketing feels awkward, overwhelming, or downright terrifying. But here’s the truth: there’s no one “right” way to do it, and you can find an approach that actually fits you and your business. In this episode, I break down where the fear of m...
28m • Oct 09
28m
152: #152 Why 'Go Big or Go Home' is a Trap (and What to Do Instead)
Ever felt like if you’re not chasing 10K months, six-figure launches, or scaling at lightning speed, then you’re somehow failing? That unspoken pressure to “go big or go home” is everywhere in the online world — but it’s also a trap that can leave you exhausted, paralysed, and disconnected from what you actually want. In this episode, I share why I’ve moved away from the hustle of huge goals, ...
27m • Oct 02
27m
151: #151 What Happens When You Outgrow Your Clients
What happens when you realise you’ve outgrown your clients — or the way you work with them? It can feel scary, uncomfortable, and even disloyal, especially when these are the people who’ve helped you build your business. But sometimes, the truth is that you’ve evolved, your needs have changed, and the services or relationships that once lit you up no longer do. In this episode, I share my own ...
27m • Sep 25
27m
150: #150 How to Combat Boredom Without Breaking Your Business
Feeling bored in your business doesn’t always mean it’s time to burn it all down. In fact, boredom can be a sign you’re craving more creativity, variety, or challenge — not that you need to start from scratch. In this episode, I’m sharing why boredom often has more to do with the way you’re running your business than with the work itself, and how small shifts can reignite your interest without ...
27m • Sep 18
27m
149: #149 The Hidden Cost of Saying "I Should Just be Grateful"
Have you ever told yourself you should “just be grateful” for what you have? On the surface it sounds positive — even virtuous — but there’s a hidden cost to gratitude when it becomes a muzzle. In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet guilt that can keep you stuck in situations that don’t truly make you happy, and why being grateful and wanting change can absolutely coexist. I share the ch...
27m • Sep 11
27m
148: #148 How I Knew I'd Never Work for Someone Else Again
Do you remember the moment you realised you were never going to work for someone else again? That powerful, spine-tingling moment when you knew you were done with the corporate world for good? In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey — from selling pom poms to the neighbours as a child, to walking out of my last job and starting my business from scratch. I take you through the early signs t...
27m • Sep 04
27m
147: #147 Why You Don't Need £10k Months (or 10,000 Steps) to Succeed
We’ve all heard them: 10,000 steps a day. £10K months in business. The magic numbers you “must” hit if you want to be successful. But what if these targets are nothing more than marketing myths — and chasing them is actually holding you back? In this episode, I’m breaking down the surprising truth behind the 10,000-step rule (spoiler: it was invented for a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign, no...
27m • Aug 28
27m
146: #146 How a Fear of Judgement Can Keep You Stuck
Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something in your business because you were worried about what other people might think? Whether it’s strangers on the internet, a partner who doesn’t quite get it, or family members who’ve always made you feel “less than,” the fear of judgement can be paralysing. In this episode, I’m talking about how that fear shows up — from shrinking your ideas to ...
27m • Aug 21
27m
145: #145 The Productivity Lie That's Keeping You Stuck
Busy doesn’t always mean productive — so why are we still chasing it? In this episode, I’m unpacking the productivity myth that keeps so many solo business owners overworked, overwhelmed, and stuck in a cycle that doesn’t actually move their business forward. We’ve been sold the idea that the busier you are, the more successful you must be. But the truth? A full calendar doesn’t necessarily me...
27m • Aug 14
27m
144: #144 Why Being Stuck is a Signpost, not a Problem to Solve
If you’ve ever felt like your momentum has disappeared, your motivation is nowhere to be found, and you’re not sure what to do next… you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m inviting you to look at being “stuck” in a completely different way. Rather than seeing stuckness as something to panic about or rush to fix, I’m encouraging you to treat it as a message — a moment to pause and reflect. So o...
28m • Aug 07
28m
143: #143 Talking Ageing and Image with Nicky Hambleton-Jones
Does your image affect your confidence and success as a business owner? Today I’m diving into this fascinating topic with Nicky Hambleton-Jones - stylist, author, and former presenter of the iconic TV show 10 Years Younger. We’re exploring how what you wear and how you feel about ageing can influence not just how others see you, but how you show up in your business. In this episode, Nicky shar...
30m • Aug 05
30m
142: #142 Are Your Goals Keeping You Stuck?
Feeling unmotivated in your business? Struggling to stay on track with your goals — or wondering if they’re even the right goals anymore? If you’re stuck in a cycle of resistance, procrastination, or feeling out of alignment, it might be time to take a closer look at the goals you’ve been chasing. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when your goals stop feeling exciting and start f...
27m • Jul 31
27m
141: #141 When Indecision is Keeping You Stuck
Indecision is one of the biggest energy drains in business. I know how it feels to have 57 tabs open on your computer (and in your brain), wondering which path to take and feeling like every option could be the wrong one. In this episode, I’m talking through the weight of indecision — how it builds, how it keeps you stuck, and why doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. We’...
26m • Jul 24
26m
140: #140 How to Get Unstuck from a Business that Doesn't Feel Right Anymore
Your business isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It’s something that evolves as you do — and in this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about what I’ve changed in my own business lately and why. After months of sitting with a niggling misalignment, I’ve made the big (and beautiful) decision to rename my coaching space from Confidence to Grow to The Unstuck Community. This isn’t just...
27m • Jul 17
27m
139: #139 Are You Scared Stuck of Wasting Time and Money?
Today I’m talking about something that stops so many brilliant solo business owners in their tracks: the fear of making another bad investment. Whether you’ve spent thousands on coaching that didn’t feel right, or downloaded freebie after freebie without seeing results, that lingering sense of shame, regret, or frustration can keep you stuck for far too long. In this episode, I’m sharing how t...
27m • Jul 10
27m
138: #138 Getting Unstuck from Knowledge Paralysis (AKA You Don't Need to Learn Anything Else!)
If you’ve ever said, “I know what I need to do - so why am I not doing it?”, this episode is your wake-up call. Let’s talk about knowledge paralysis, the sneaky trap that convinces you to download yet another freebie or course, instead of simply moving forward with what you already know. In this episode, I’m getting to the heart of why you’re feeling stuck - not because you don’t know enough, ...
27m • Jul 03
27m
137: #137 How to Stop Feeling Stuck in Your Business
If your brain feels foggy, your motivation has vanished, and everything you try leads to overthinking and second-guessing… you’re not broken. You’re just stuck — and it’s totally normal. In this episode, I’m digging into what being “stuck” really looks like for solo business owners, how it creeps in, and why it has nothing to do with being lazy or lacking strategy. From the pressure to keep up...
25m • Jun 26
25m
136: #136 Burnt Out By Your Business? Here's What To Do
If you're dragging yourself through your to-do list, doubting all your decisions, or wondering where your spark has gone… it might not be you — it might be burnout. And no, it doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes burnout looks like tweaking your website for the 400th time, staring blankly at your inbox, or feeling completely flat for no obvious reason. In this episode, I’m talking honestly ...
25m • Jun 19
25m
135: #135 Balancing Supporting Others with Needing Support Yourself
This week, I’m speaking directly to the women who always seem to have it together — the ones who are calm, capable, and endlessly supportive. You're the go-to for your friends, your family, your clients. You’re the one who says, “My DMs are always open,” and people take you up on that. But when you need support… where do you go? Being the strong one is exhausting. It's not that people don't ca...
26m • Jun 12
26m
134: #134 Can You Really Run a Business Without Social Media
Ever wondered if your business would crumble if you stopped showing up daily on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn? In this episode of Unstuck, I’m sharing the honest truth about what’s happened since I made the decision to step back from social media — and why it’s been one of the most refreshing, grounding shifts I’ve made in years. After more than a decade of daily posting, I quietly stopped....
26m • Jun 05
26m
133: #133 Why You Don't Need a 90-Day Plan to Make Progress
Welcome to Unstuck formerly Life In Business! We’ve all heard it: make a 90-day plan, set quarterly targets, forecast your growth. But for many solo business owners — especially those who are neurodivergent or juggling midlife chaos — rigid long-term planning can do more harm than good. It can feel overwhelming, demotivating, and like you’re setting yourself up to fail before you’ve even start...
27m • May 29
27m
132: #132 The Real Reason You're Not Showing Up (and What to Do About It)
Showing up in your business can feel like a monumental task. Not because you’re lazy or unmotivated, but because it can feel deeply vulnerable to put yourself out there. Whether it’s hitting ‘publish’ on that post, sending an email, or recording a video, it’s normal to feel that tightness in your chest and wonder, “Who even cares?” In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really means to sho...
27m • May 22
27m
131: #131 How to Stop Talking Yourself Out of Your Own Ideas
Welcome to Unstuck formerly Life In Business! You’ve been told to map it all out. Set the goals. Forecast the income. Create your 90-day plan. But what if all that planning is actually making you feel more stuck, more overwhelmed, and more likely to give up before you’ve even started? In this episode, I’m flipping the script on rigid business planning and sharing a gentler, more effective app...
27m • May 15
27m
130: #130 How to Simplify Your Offers so They Actually Sell
Welcome to Unstuck formerly Life In Business! If our offers are confusing us, they are definitely confusing my audience. And confused people do not buy. Today, we’re talking about how to simplify your offers so they actually sell. Because, let’s be honest, this is the whole point of being in business, right? It’s not just for the sake of it; we're here because we want to support people, but we...
26m • May 08
26m
129: #129 Why You're Not Broken (You're Just Ready for Something to Change)
Feeling flat, foggy, or like your business should be further along by now? You’re not broken — you’re just stuck. And that’s okay. In this episode, I’m gently calling out the myth that something has to be wrong with you to want change. Spoiler alert: nothing’s wrong with you. You’ve just reached a point where the way you’re doing things doesn’t feel good anymore — and that’s your sign to pause...
27m • May 01
27m
128: #128 What To Do If You're Feeling Stuck As A Solo Business Owner
Feeling stuck in your business, but not sure how to get out of the fog? You’re not broken, you’re just tired of trying to do everything alone. In this episode, I’m talking about what being stuck really looks and feels like as a solo business owner, and how you can gently start untangling your way back to clarity. This is actually the final episode of Life in Business… but don’t worry - it’s j...
29m • Apr 24
29m
127: #127 When You've Tried Everything and You're Still Not Where You Want To Be
You’ve taken the courses, bought the planners, followed the strategies — so why are you still stuck? If you’re feeling mentally fried and like nothing’s really working, this episode will help you understand why more tactics aren’t the answer, and what to do instead. In this honest and gently rebellious episode, I share what’s actually going on when you feel like you’ve tried everything in your...
27m • Apr 17
27m
126: #126 The Hidden Cost of DIYing Your Business
We solo business owners are a fiercely independent bunch — we figure stuff out, wear all the hats, and keep the wheels turning. But what if trying to do everything yourself is actually slowing you down? In this episode, I’m sharing the hidden costs of DIY-ing your business growth — from wasted time and money to missed opportunities and total overwhelm — and why investing in the right kind of su...
27m • Apr 10
27m
125: #125 The Ugly Truth About Business Coaching (and Why You Might Not Need a Coach)
As a business coach with over 13 years' experience (and a fair few hard lessons along the way), I’ve seen it all — the “proven formulas,” the overpriced programs, and the subtle ways some coaches make you feel like you’re the problem. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and having an honest conversation about what coaching should actually be, how to spot the red flags, and why not eve...
27m • Apr 03
27m
124: #124 How To Be Your Own Best Boss - Staying Motivated, Focused, and Accountable as a Solo Business Owner
Being your own boss sounds like a dream — until you’re sat in your slippers wondering what on earth you actually did all day. In this episode, I’m sharing what it really takes to stay motivated, focused, and accountable when you're a solo business owner, and how to stop the faff and start making real progress. We’ll talk about separating yourself from your business, why setting your own office...
27m • Mar 27
27m
123: #123 In Conversation with Denise Duffield-Thomas
What does it look like to do business your way — even when that means breaking every rule you once believed in? In this special episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Denise Duffield-Thomas for an honest, funny, and quietly rebellious chat about navigating business, boundaries, and being your full self in public. We talk about everything from neurodivergence and saying no, to navigating visibili...
51m • Mar 20
51m
122: #122 How to Stay Motivated in Business (Even When You Feel Stuck)
Some days you’re on fire — full of ideas, focused, excited — and other days, you wonder why you ever started your business in the first place. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m talking about what it really takes to stay motivated in business when everything feels heavy, stuck, or like an absolute waste of time. We’ll break down the myth of always being motivated, why feeling uninspired is c...
27m • Mar 13
27m
121: #121 The Truth About Business Freedom: What It Really Takes to Work Less and Earn More
Ever wondered if it’s really possible to work fewer hours and still hit your income goals? In this week’s episode, I’m sharing the real truth behind business freedom — and spoiler alert: it’s not what the online gurus are telling you. This isn’t about flashy £10k months or selling your soul to hustle culture. It’s about you deciding what freedom means and making conscious, strategic choices th...
28m • Mar 06
28m
120: #120 How to Play to Your Strengths and Build a Business You Love
If growing your business feels exhausting, chances are you’re building it in a way that doesn’t actually suit you. In this final episode of my four-part mini series, I’m showing you how to build a business that aligns with your energy, your preferences, and your version of success — by playing to your strengths. We’ll unpack what it really means to choose ease, how to stop doing the stuff that...
28m • Feb 27
28m
119: #119 How to Identify What Makes Your Business Uniquely Brilliant
If I asked you what makes your business truly stand out — beyond your services, beyond your logo — what would you say? In this episode, we’re diving into your unique brilliance and how to embrace what makes you different, so you can attract the clients who are truly right for you. This is the third episode in my mini series on building a business you truly love, and today’s focus is on you. We...
27m • Feb 20
27m
118: #118 What Your Numbers Are Really Telling You About Your Business
Numbers don’t lie — but they don’t always tell the full story either. In this episode, I’m sharing how to actually understand your business numbers so they help you build something sustainable, joyful, and profitable — without burning out or feeling like you’re always behind. We’re continuing the mini series on the building blocks for creating a business you truly love, and this time we’re loo...
28m • Feb 13
28m
117: #117 How To Build a Business You Love (Without the Hustle) Using My Sustainable Success Structure
You don’t need to burn out, push harder, or work 14-hour days to build a business you love. In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new mini series sharing the key elements of what I call the Sustainable Success Structure — a framework I use with my clients to create a business that’s joyful, profitable, and actually suits your life. We’re starting with the foundations — and no, I don’t mean ...
28m • Feb 06
28m
116: #116 Ask Me Anything: Honest Answers to Your Life and Business Questions
What do I really think about Mondays? What’s my biggest fear? And have I ever seriously wanted to quit my business altogether? In this candid Ask Me Anything episode, I’m answering your questions — the easy ones, the awkward ones, and everything in between — about life, business, neurodiversity, money, motivation, and the very human side of being a solo business owner. You’ll hear about my rea...
28m • Jan 30
28m
115: #115 Choosing Your Challenges in Business (And Making the Right Choice)
Ever wondered why some habits stick easily while others feel impossible? In this episode, I’m unpacking the real reason behind that — and how understanding yourself better is the key to making lasting change. Let me tell you — quitting smoking and drinking? Surprisingly easy for me. But daily exercise? That’s a whole different story. It got me thinking: some things are harder than others becau...
28m • Jan 23
28m
114: #114 How to Find Your 'Why' and Stay Motivated in Business
Your why is more than a marketing soundbite — it’s the compass that keeps you going when business feels hard, messy, or uncertain. In this episode, I’m diving deep into why your why matters more than you think. This week’s episode is a heartfelt one. I’m sharing how my own understanding of my why has shifted massively over the past 13 years in business — from simply wanting to do things differ...
28m • Jan 16
28m
113: #113 Balancing Life and Business: How to Prioritise What Matters
Let’s ditch the hustle-first mentality and start building your business in a way that actually supports your life — your energy, your values, and your reality. In this episode, I’m sharing: What a life-first business actually means (hint: it’s not about doing less, it’s about doing what matters) Why acknowledging your real-life responsibilities and limitations isn’t negative — it’s smart and ...
28m • Jan 09
28m
112: #112 How to Set Business Goals You Can Actually Achieve
We’re not here for fluffy resolutions or overwhelming “10k months” unless they truly mean something to you. In this episode, I’m talking about how to set goals that you’ll genuinely want to stick to — because they matter to you, not Instagram. We’ll explore: Why traditional goal setting often fails (and what to do instead) How to create goals based on how you want your life to feel — not just...
27m • Jan 02
27m
111: #111 Life In Business Looking Back, Moving Forward - 2024's Wins And Wisdom
As 2023 draws to a close, I’m inviting you into a moment of honest reflection — not the “look how much money I made” kind, but the real, grounded, human kind. In this bonus episode, I’m sharing: Why leading with heart (not just head) was the most uncomfortable — and transformative — shift I made this year How saying no to 1:1 work and fully committing to Confidence to Grow has been my proudes...
28m • Dec 31, 2024
28m
110: #110 Social Media Balance: How to Market Without Burnout
I’ve been teaching social media since 2009 — yep, I’m a bit of a veteran — and I’ve seen it all. The trends, the algorithms, the obsession with follower counts, and the pressure to show up constantly. But here’s the truth: social media is just a tool. You’re allowed to use it on your own terms. In this episode, we’ll explore: How to work out why you're really using social media (and if it’s e...
27m • Dec 26, 2024
27m
109: #109 How to Say No in Business (Without Guilt)
We’re diving into one of the most transformational tools in business (and life): saying no — kindly, confidently, and without spiralling into guilt or people-pleasing. If you've ever found yourself saying yes when you really wanted to say no, or booked something future-you just knew wouldn't feel right, I get it — and you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing: Why saying no is essential ...
28m • Dec 19, 2024
28m

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