From Breakdown to Done-by-Three:
How Officially Em Rebuilt Her Business and Her Life
Ever stood in the kitchen, baby on hip, laptop open, tears brimming and thought, “I can’t keep doing this”?
Yeah, same. And so has Emily Holdaway, aka @officiallyem. In episode 71 of The Moxie Movement Podcast, Em and I get real about what it actually looks like to run a profitable business while raising babies, managing health curveballs, and choosing your damn self every step of the way.
This blog unpacks her journey from over-functioning and under-resting to running a community empire from paradise... all before the school bus drops the kids home. ✨
The Real Reason We Start These Businesses
It’s rarely just about the money.
Em didn’t set out to be a businesswoman. She started with a blog during maternity leave and stayed because the idea of going back to a 9–5 broke her heart a little. Sound familiar?
As the years went on, her online presence evolved into Embassy. An honest, vibrant community of women navigating parenting and later Empire, her social media mentoring arm. Why? Because she saw a need no one else was meeting: women like us building businesses while raising kids and trying not to drown in the social media noise.
“We were living for retirement when the kids were little and needed us now.”
– Em
That line hit me in the chest. Because THAT is why The Moxie Movement exists to stop women from waiting until “someday” to live the life they want.
Em didn’t set out to be a businesswoman. She started with a blog during maternity leave and stayed because the idea of going back to a 9–5 broke her heart a little. Sound familiar?
As the years went on, her online presence evolved into Embassy. An honest, vibrant community of women navigating parenting and later Empire, her social media mentoring arm. Why? Because she saw a need no one else was meeting: women like us building businesses while raising kids and trying not to drown in the social media noise.
“We were living for retirement when the kids were little and needed us now.”
– Em
That line hit me in the chest. Because THAT is why The Moxie Movement exists to stop women from waiting until “someday” to live the life they want.
The Invisible Load is Real. But So Is the Choice to Lighten It.
Turning Off the Noise = Turning Up the Volume on Your Life
Let’s Talk About Partnership (The Hard, Honest Way)
You Don't Need to Do It All. You Just Need to Start With One Brave Step.
Ready for Your Own Breakthrough?
What Changed Everything?
When Em’s family moved back to Northland, she was met with the harsh sting of old trauma, a pile of “shoulds,” and an overwhelming sense that she’d lost herself somewhere in the shuffle.
She wasn’t alone, and neither were you.
We talked about…
✔ The mental clutter of being the default parent
✔ That moment you realise your business is real (even if no one else gets it yet)
✔ The first time you say, “This is MY business” and actually believe it
✔ How boundaries (and door locks!) saved her work time AND her sanity
✔ Why your calendar should reflect your values not your guilt
“I used to feel guilty for resting. Now it’s my non-negotiable.”
– Em
(Pssst: if that line made your eyes water, you’re my kind of woman.)
She wasn’t alone, and neither were you.
We talked about…
✔ The mental clutter of being the default parent
✔ That moment you realise your business is real (even if no one else gets it yet)
✔ The first time you say, “This is MY business” and actually believe it
✔ How boundaries (and door locks!) saved her work time AND her sanity
✔ Why your calendar should reflect your values not your guilt
“I used to feel guilty for resting. Now it’s my non-negotiable.”
– Em
(Pssst: if that line made your eyes water, you’re my kind of woman.)
Two things:
Deliberate Vision Em sat down and wrote out her business vision for the first time ever (yep, the whole get it on paper thing I harp on about… works wonders).
The Story of Time She rewrote her internal story of “I don’t have enough time” and swapped it for “What matters most gets done.” (And yes, sometimes that’s folding laundry with a friend while body-doubling admin.)
“You don’t need more hours. You need better priorities and the permission to do less.”
Preach it, Em.
Deliberate Vision Em sat down and wrote out her business vision for the first time ever (yep, the whole get it on paper thing I harp on about… works wonders).
The Story of Time She rewrote her internal story of “I don’t have enough time” and swapped it for “What matters most gets done.” (And yes, sometimes that’s folding laundry with a friend while body-doubling admin.)
“You don’t need more hours. You need better priorities and the permission to do less.”
Preach it, Em.
One of the most powerful shifts Em shared was the decision to unfollow 1,500+ accounts on social media. Not because she didn’t care, but because she cared too much.
Her nervous system was maxed out. Her mental health was shot. She was absorbing the entire internet, and it was costing her presence, peace, and power.
So she tuned out... and turned inward. That, my friend, is moxie in action.
Her nervous system was maxed out. Her mental health was shot. She was absorbing the entire internet, and it was costing her presence, peace, and power.
So she tuned out... and turned inward. That, my friend, is moxie in action.
Em also got brutally real about the division of labour at home, how being “the default” for every school call, every outfit that no longer fit, every minor family logistics task… it adds up.
Her family did what many don’t: they intentionally rebalanced the load. Her husband AJ took the lead on school comms, stepped into community roles, and redefined what partnership actually means.
“Most women listening get all the school texts. Imagine what life could look like if that wasn’t your job by default.”
– Me (because I will die on this hill)
Her family did what many don’t: they intentionally rebalanced the load. Her husband AJ took the lead on school comms, stepped into community roles, and redefined what partnership actually means.
“Most women listening get all the school texts. Imagine what life could look like if that wasn’t your job by default.”
– Me (because I will die on this hill)
For Em, that first step was a funded Moxie workshop. She arrived, unsure, worn down, and tangled up in fear. She left with vision, clarity, and momentum.
The truth? She was always capable. She just needed someone to reflect that back to her.
That’s what we do inside The Moxie Movement.
We remind you of your power. We help you clear the mental clutter. And we walk beside you as you build a life and business you're proud to live.
The truth? She was always capable. She just needed someone to reflect that back to her.
That’s what we do inside The Moxie Movement.
We remind you of your power. We help you clear the mental clutter. And we walk beside you as you build a life and business you're proud to live.
If Em’s story stirred something in you, it’s not a coincidence.
You don’t need to do more. (I mean you have the capacity to of course.. It just probably isnt gonna help.) You need to do something different.
And the first step? Is booking a call.
👉 Click here to book your FREE Moxie Breakthrough Session
Let’s figure out what’s next for your business, your family, and you. No pressure. No noise. Just real conversation and simple actions that work.
Because you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days.
Now it’s time to thrive through the next chapter.
✨ Want more stories like Em’s?
Subscribe to The Moxie Movement Podcast and never miss an episode.
📲 And come hang out with us on Instagram and Facebook where you can submit your own Qs for future shows.
You’ve got this.
You always have.
Let’s do it with a little more Moxie.
– Sarah 💛
You don’t need to do more. (I mean you have the capacity to of course.. It just probably isnt gonna help.) You need to do something different.
And the first step? Is booking a call.
👉 Click here to book your FREE Moxie Breakthrough Session
Let’s figure out what’s next for your business, your family, and you. No pressure. No noise. Just real conversation and simple actions that work.
Because you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days.
Now it’s time to thrive through the next chapter.
✨ Want more stories like Em’s?
Subscribe to The Moxie Movement Podcast and never miss an episode.
📲 And come hang out with us on Instagram and Facebook where you can submit your own Qs for future shows.
You’ve got this.
You always have.
Let’s do it with a little more Moxie.
– Sarah 💛
It’s rarely just about the money.
Em didn’t set out to be a businesswoman. She started with a blog during maternity leave and stayed because the idea of going back to a 9–5 broke her heart a little. Sound familiar?
As the years went on, her online presence evolved into Embassy. An honest, vibrant community of women navigating parenting and later Empire, her social media mentoring arm. Why? Because she saw a need no one else was meeting: women like us building businesses while raising kids and trying not to drown in the social media noise.
“We were living for retirement when the kids were little and needed us now.”
– Em
That line hit me in the chest. Because THAT is why The Moxie Movement exists to stop women from waiting until “someday” to live the life they want.
Em didn’t set out to be a businesswoman. She started with a blog during maternity leave and stayed because the idea of going back to a 9–5 broke her heart a little. Sound familiar?
As the years went on, her online presence evolved into Embassy. An honest, vibrant community of women navigating parenting and later Empire, her social media mentoring arm. Why? Because she saw a need no one else was meeting: women like us building businesses while raising kids and trying not to drown in the social media noise.
“We were living for retirement when the kids were little and needed us now.”
– Em
That line hit me in the chest. Because THAT is why The Moxie Movement exists to stop women from waiting until “someday” to live the life they want.
From Breakdown to Done-by-Three:
How Officially Em Rebuilt Her Business and Her Life
Ever stood in the kitchen, baby on hip, laptop open, tears brimming and thought, “I can’t keep doing this”?
Yeah, same. And so has Emily Holdaway, aka @officiallyem. In episode 71 of The Moxie Movement Podcast, Em and I get real about what it actually looks like to run a profitable business while raising babies, managing health curveballs, and choosing your damn self every step of the way.
This blog unpacks her journey from over-functioning and under-resting to running a community empire from paradise... all before the school bus drops the kids home. ✨
Yeah, same. And so has Emily Holdaway, aka @officiallyem. In episode 71 of The Moxie Movement Podcast, Em and I get real about what it actually looks like to run a profitable business while raising babies, managing health curveballs, and choosing your damn self every step of the way.
This blog unpacks her journey from over-functioning and under-resting to running a community empire from paradise... all before the school bus drops the kids home. ✨
The Real Reason We Start These Businesses
Let’s Talk About Partnership (The Hard, Honest Way)
You Don't Need to Do It All. You Just Need to Start With One Brave Step.
Ready for Your Own Breakthrough?
The Invisible Load is Real. But So Is the Choice to Lighten It.
When Em’s family moved back to Northland, she was met with the harsh sting of old trauma, a pile of “shoulds,” and an overwhelming sense that she’d lost herself somewhere in the shuffle.
She wasn’t alone, and neither were you.
We talked about…
✔ The mental clutter of being the default parent
✔ That moment you realise your business is real (even if no one else gets it yet)
✔ The first time you say, “This is MY business” and actually believe it
✔ How boundaries (and door locks!) saved her work time AND her sanity
✔ Why your calendar should reflect your values not your guilt
“I used to feel guilty for resting. Now it’s my non-negotiable.”
– Em
(Pssst: if that line made your eyes water, you’re my kind of woman.)
She wasn’t alone, and neither were you.
We talked about…
✔ The mental clutter of being the default parent
✔ That moment you realise your business is real (even if no one else gets it yet)
✔ The first time you say, “This is MY business” and actually believe it
✔ How boundaries (and door locks!) saved her work time AND her sanity
✔ Why your calendar should reflect your values not your guilt
“I used to feel guilty for resting. Now it’s my non-negotiable.”
– Em
(Pssst: if that line made your eyes water, you’re my kind of woman.)
What Changed Everything?
Two things:
“You don’t need more hours. You need better priorities and the permission to do less.”
Preach it, Em.
- Deliberate Vision Em sat down and wrote out her business vision for the first time ever (yep, the whole get it on paper thing I harp on about… works wonders).
- The Story of Time She rewrote her internal story of “I don’t have enough time” and swapped it for “What matters most gets done.” (And yes, sometimes that’s folding laundry with a friend while body-doubling admin.)
“You don’t need more hours. You need better priorities and the permission to do less.”
Preach it, Em.
Turning Off the Noise = Turning Up the Volume on Your Life
One of the most powerful shifts Em shared was the decision to unfollow 1,500+ accounts on social media. Not because she didn’t care, but because she cared too much.
Her nervous system was maxed out. Her mental health was shot. She was absorbing the entire internet, and it was costing her presence, peace, and power.
So she tuned out... and turned inward. That, my friend, is moxie in action.
Her nervous system was maxed out. Her mental health was shot. She was absorbing the entire internet, and it was costing her presence, peace, and power.
So she tuned out... and turned inward. That, my friend, is moxie in action.
Em also got brutally real about the division of labour at home, how being “the default” for every school call, every outfit that no longer fit, every minor family logistics task… it adds up.
Her family did what many don’t: they intentionally rebalanced the load. Her husband AJ took the lead on school comms, stepped into community roles, and redefined what partnership actually means.
“Most women listening get all the school texts. Imagine what life could look like if that wasn’t your job by default.”
– Me (because I will die on this hill)
Her family did what many don’t: they intentionally rebalanced the load. Her husband AJ took the lead on school comms, stepped into community roles, and redefined what partnership actually means.
“Most women listening get all the school texts. Imagine what life could look like if that wasn’t your job by default.”
– Me (because I will die on this hill)
For Em, that first step was a funded Moxie workshop. She arrived, unsure, worn down, and tangled up in fear. She left with vision, clarity, and momentum.
The truth? She was always capable. She just needed someone to reflect that back to her.
That’s what we do inside The Moxie Movement.
We remind you of your power. We help you clear the mental clutter. And we walk beside you as you build a life and business you're proud to live.
The truth? She was always capable. She just needed someone to reflect that back to her.
That’s what we do inside The Moxie Movement.
We remind you of your power. We help you clear the mental clutter. And we walk beside you as you build a life and business you're proud to live.
If Em’s story stirred something in you, it’s not a coincidence.
You don’t need to do more. (I mean you have the capacity to of course.. It just probably isnt gonna help.) You need to do something different.
And the first step? Is booking a call.
👉 Click here to book your FREE Moxie Breakthrough Session
Let’s figure out what’s next for your business, your family, and you. No pressure. No noise. Just real conversation and simple actions that work.
Because you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days.
Now it’s time to thrive through the next chapter.
✨ Want more stories like Em’s?
Subscribe to The Moxie Movement Podcast and never miss an episode.
📲 And come hang out with us on Instagram and Facebook where you can submit your own Qs for future shows.
You’ve got this.
You always have.
Let’s do it with a little more Moxie.
– Sarah 💛
You don’t need to do more. (I mean you have the capacity to of course.. It just probably isnt gonna help.) You need to do something different.
And the first step? Is booking a call.
👉 Click here to book your FREE Moxie Breakthrough Session
Let’s figure out what’s next for your business, your family, and you. No pressure. No noise. Just real conversation and simple actions that work.
Because you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days.
Now it’s time to thrive through the next chapter.
✨ Want more stories like Em’s?
Subscribe to The Moxie Movement Podcast and never miss an episode.
📲 And come hang out with us on Instagram and Facebook where you can submit your own Qs for future shows.
You’ve got this.
You always have.
Let’s do it with a little more Moxie.
– Sarah 💛
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Get to know your host...
SARAH
is a business owner who has gone from overwhelmed and overbooked to successfully running a business AND being a great mum and wife.
Through years of trial and error and PLENTY of mistakes, she’s learned how to create powerful frameworks that help businesses run sustainably, giving back time and energy to their owners.
Now, she brings her knowledge to other female and mum entrepreneurs so they too can have a business that works perfectly with their life!
