There comes a point in midlife where we start looking at everything — our work, our energy, our relationships — and thinking, is this really working for me anymore?
For me, that turning point came when I realised my business, which I’d built with so much passion and drive, had started running me instead of the other way around. I was constantly working around my kids’ schedules, squeezing in calls at odd hours, and feeling guilty if I wasn’t doing “enough.”
I was addicted to my business. It was exciting and fulfilling, yes — but also draining. And at some point, I knew I didn’t just want to make more money; I wanted to make it with simplicity.
From Business-First to Life-First
For a long time, my business came first. I loved what I did, but my sense of success was tied to being busy — to proving myself through effort.
Then I hit menopause and everything shifted. My energy, my priorities, my body — all were calling for something softer, slower, and more intentional. I didn’t want a business that required constant hustle. I wanted one that supported the season of life I was actually in.
Now, I’m in what I call my season of simplicity. It’s spacious, grounded, and focused on what truly matters. I’ve redefined what success looks like, and it’s not just about hitting income goals — it’s about feeling calm, capable, and free while doing work that genuinely makes a difference.
And I can tell you this: when you simplify, you don’t lose success, you create more space for it.
Why Women’s Financial Empowerment Matters (Especially Now)
Part of my passion for this work comes from my mum. She worked incredibly hard in our family business, but she was never fairly compensated for it. Watching that as a girl left a deep imprint. I saw what happens when women don’t have financial independence.
And sadly, even now, the gender pay gap is still very real. In Ireland, women earn around 10% less than men on average. Combine that with the fact that we live longer and often take time out for caregiving, and it’s easy to see why so many women reach midlife feeling financially stretched or uncertain.
That’s why I talk about money so much. Not from a place of greed or hustle, but from a place of freedom.
We all deserve to have our own financial resources, pensions, and income streams that support us in living well, especially during and after menopause.
Redefining How You Make Money as a Coach
If you’re a coach or business owner in midlife, one of the most empowering things you can do is look honestly at your business model and ask:
“Is this still serving me or am I serving it?”
Maybe you’ve built your business around what used to work, or around what you’ve seen others doing online. But if it now feels heavy, complex, or misaligned, it might be time to simplify.
You don’t have to follow every trend or launch every offer to get coaching clients or make money as a coach.
In fact, the more aligned and intentional your business feels, the more naturally clients are drawn to you.
Here are a few simple questions to reflect on:
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What feels light and energising in my business right now?
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What feels forced, outdated, or draining?
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What would it look like to design my business around the life I actually want — not the one I used to have?
Sometimes the best strategy isn’t adding more, but letting go of what’s no longer needed.
The Power of Flexibility and Flow
In menopause, our bodies are changing, and so are our minds and priorities. Trying to operate the same way we did ten years ago just doesn’t work anymore.
I’ve learned to stay open and flexible about what my business looks like. Some months are about creation and growth; others are about rest and reflection. When we allow that natural rhythm, business starts to flow more easily.
That doesn’t mean you have to shrink your goals or make less money. It means you’re choosing a way of working that honours your energy and your values — and that’s where true abundance begins.
When I stopped pushing to “maintain” a certain level of productivity or income and started focusing on alignment and ease, something amazing happened:
more opportunities came my way.
More clients resonated with my message, and the money flowed in, without the burnout.
Making Simplicity Your Strategy
Here’s what I’ve discovered after years of coaching women through midlife transitions and business growth: simplicity isn’t a step back, it’s a strategy.
It’s about focusing on what works, letting go of the noise, and building from a place of clarity.
That might mean:
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Offering fewer, more focused programmes
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Streamlining your marketing instead of trying to be everywhere
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Building deeper connections with clients instead of chasing more followers
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Creating spaciousness in your schedule so creativity can actually breathe
Simplicity doesn’t mean doing less of what matters. It means doing only what matters. And more time to drink tea in my garden office & watch beautiful sunrises.
Your Next Season Awaits
I ended this podcast episode by inviting listeners to take a moment and reflect:
“What season am I in right now and what season do I want to move into next?”
We all have different rhythms, and business needs to flex around that. You might be entering a season of growth, or one of gentle recalibration. Either way, it’s worth pausing to make sure your work and income goals truly support the life you want to live.
If you’d like support exploring what that could look like for you — and how to design a business that fits your current season — I’d love to have that conversation.
Because making money in menopause doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple, spacious, and deeply aligned.
If you’d like to explore your next season with me, you can book a complimentary call here. No pushy sales tactics, just clarity, love and direction.
https://tidycal.com/sarahleather/connectcall
With love,
Sarah xo