Today, I Showed Up To Work
I’ll be honest—working from home as a small business owner can be a slippery slope. One minute you’re setting ambitious intentions for the week, and the next you’re answering emails in your trackies and Ugg boots, coffee in hand, wondering when you last brushed your hair.
So today, I made a decision: I showed up to work properly. I got dressed (yes, real clothes), brushed my hair, popped on a bold lip—and sat down at my desk with intention. Sure, I regularly get dressed for client meetings, working onsite, or jumping into Teams calls... but more often than not, when it’s “just me” in the home office, the temptation to go full comfort mode is real.
Truth is, I’ve always loved fashion. I grew up in a rag trade family—my mum was always in retail, and my dad worked in visual merchandising. As a kid, I was surrounded by colour, creativity, shop talk and styling. It’s in the blood. So yes, I find joy in pulling an outfit together.
And today, getting dressed and showing up reminded me of being 18, starting out at Emporio Shoes in Perth. Back then, getting ready for a day on the shop floor was half the fun—outfit planned, hair done, feeling energised and part of something. I worked with a great crew, learned fast, and loved every second of that fast-paced, customer-focused world.
One of the lessons that’s stuck with me ever since? Always offer options. If a customer asked for a size 8 black boot, we’d bring the black boot—but also a brown version, and an ankle boot too. People don’t always know what they want (or need) right away, and sometimes a little choice helps them feel more confident in their decision.
That simple sales wisdom—listen well, offer value, give people room to explore—is something I still carry into my work today. It’s in the way I present ideas, guide clients, and create space for collaboration that feels supportive rather than pushy.
That job gave me more than just a pay cheque—it gave me a foundation for how I show up: with care, curiosity, and a mindset that good business is really about good relationships.
So today wasn’t about reinventing the wheel. It was a small, personal reset. A way of reminding myself that how I show up (even when no one’s watching) still matters. And some days, dressing the part—whether it’s for a client call or just for myself—is enough to shift the energy and get the ideas flowing.
Here’s to all the small business owners doing their best to show up—however that looks. Some days it's polished and powerful, other days it's messy but meaningful. Either way, we keep going.
