Member Moment — Brooke Nolly
Brooke helps people upgrade their relationships with themselves and their finances and in turn it shifts the world around them. She takes full advantage of the location freedom biz ownership offer and lives in a gorgeous spot near Auckland, New Zealand. In this interview, we find out how she started out in Silicon Valley and left the tech world to chase freedom, plus the habits and routines she swears by.
To kick things off, tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up working for yourself?
I started working in Silicon Valley when I was 23, at Pinterest and Dropbox, then onto Revolut in London. Pretty quickly, I realised that employed life wasn't for me. The soul cry has always been freedom and contribution so after a terrible situationship paired with a breakdown/meltdown/awakening, I decided to start my own coaching business helping women reclaim their power, confidence, finances and purpose.
Was there a defining moment when you knew it was time to make the leap and do your own thing?
I was at an Enneagram and Active Listening team offsite in Dublin in May 2017. The woman that facilitated the Enneagram workshop literally did that for a living, flying to different countries to teach people about themselves AND we did a magazine style vision boarding workshop. I felt SO similar to her - our enneagrams were actually the same - and I realised I was NOT meant to be in admin or non-leadership roles. November 2017 was the tipping point. It took leaving that job, taking another job and quitting that job to realise I was best suited to being my own boss.
What was your biggest fear before you started working for yourself?
Having to go back to corporate tech or working for someone else. Most people fear "not making enough money" and that was absolutely in the mix but wasn't the primary driver for me at the beginning.
“Outsource tasks you dislike or procrastinate on... Don’t feel guilty about what you don’t like, and let go of the ‘shoulds’. ”
What advice would you give to others to help them overcome fear and make the leap to self employment?
Just do it. There is never a good time. If you can, generate a liquid financial cushion for yourself (I had an investment property but no liquid $$) which made the pressure almost unbearable.
What is the best and worst part of working for yourself?
Best part: Time freedom, location freedom, do what you want, when you want with who you want.
Worst part: Loneliness, not seeing people on the regular as much, networks of 'your people' spread out all over the world. It does make it that much richer when you get to see them again, though.
Let's talk morning routines, what do you do to set your day up for success?
Every morning I scrape my tongue, brush my teeth, have some water and meditate for 40 minutes.
I either do yoga, pilates or barre everyday except Saturdays.
Before working I journal for 45 min to get clear on what frogs I need to eat and what I am procrastinating on.
I make a nourishing breakfast and begin working around 11:30am.
Name three qualities you need to succeed as a freelancer.
Commitment to your own needs FIRST.
Outsource tasks you dislike or procrastinate on. Early days for me, that was a bookkeeper, accountant, VA - I didn't want to create sales pages, carts, FB groups, Canva images or schedule email copy. Don't feel guilty about what you don't like, and let go of the 'shoulds'. What I do like is: being creative, writing my own copy and creating content.
Small steps daily. That's it. Breaks when your body/mind/soul is screaming at you (preferably before this point). Don't quit, just rest. Feel. Share. Love.
What habit(s) or tools help you to be your most focused self?
Journaling, meditation, nature walks without devices, 3 nourishing meals of protein, veggies, carbs, pomodoro timers, eating the frog (if I am resisting the frog massively, I then inquire and check in with myself, with compassion, it's usually a fear of outcome stopping me).
What role has community played in your success as a freelancer?
Massively. Whenever I have sought to connect over have an agenda, I've always made the best connections which in turn has the best ROI for both my bottom line and my wellbeing. I am an extrovert, so connection is something I really need a lot of. Quality over quantity.
Do you have any stand out books, podcasts or spaces that are inspiring you in business right now?
So many books. A few books every biz owner/freelancer must read are:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz (apply this to biz accounts)
Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape (apply this to personal accounts)
Intimacy by Osho
Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Finally, tell us a little about your business and where people can find you?
My business has evolved massively over the past 5 years. I help people literally upgrade their relationships with themselves and their finances and in turn it shifts the world around them.
Unhealthy habits, overwhelm, inaction and perfectionism are what keep women stuck, I call this the infinity loop of self destruction (there is an illustration and description of this on my website)
I help people move into the infinity loop of self actualisation which embodies messy action, clarity, momentum, motivation and a deep sense of accomplishment and connection to self.
Too many people are doing too many things they don't want to do and are hanging out with too many people they don't want to hang out with which is a huge reason why we have an addicted population: overeaters, alcoholics, procrastinators etc etc
You can find me at brookenolly.com and I spend most of my time on IG @brookenolly.
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View Brooke's profile on Cool Wow Collective here >
Visit brookenolly.com to explore Brooke’s work or conenct with her on Instagram @brookenolly.