Holly Davies: Online Business Consultant

Quick one for employers…

Check your junk folder today. Seriously.

I did yesterday (very rare for me)… and I found a reference request sitting there about a previous employee.

And I just thought… wow.

No message.
No heads up.
Nothing.

Just my name being used as a reference.

The thing is…
That business closed 6 years ago.
I haven’t heard from this person in years.

So not gonna lie, it caught me off guard.

And it got me thinking…

How many opportunities are being missed because of this?

Emails going to spam.
References never replying.
Employers thinking they’ve been ignored.

When actually… they’ve just never been seen.

I’m always happy to support people I’ve worked with. Always.

But a quick message would make such a difference.

Just a simple:
“Hey, I’ve put you down as a reference, hope that’s okay.”

That’s it.

Because your reference isn’t just about your work…
It’s about communication too.

Can we talk about something that I know so many of you experience?

The constant messages from people trying to sell you “business success”…

When I first started my business 2 years ago, I had someone repeatedly messaging me saying they could help me hit 7 figures.

At first, I ignored it… but the messages kept coming.

Then it turned into:
“How much are you earning?”
“What’s your business turning over?”

And honestly… that didn’t sit right with me at all.

As a business consultant, I would never ask someone those questions, especially not before even working together.

Your finances are personal.
Your business journey is personal.

When I didn’t respond, the tone completely changed.
It became unprofessional, pushy, and quite frankly uncomfortable… and then I was blocked.

That situation taught me a lot.

There are people out there who:
❌ Sell unrealistic results
❌ Cross professional boundaries
❌ Focus on quick wins instead of sustainable growth

So here’s my advice to you…

There is no quick fix in business.
No overnight success.

Building something sustainable takes time, strategy, and the right support.

And please don’t compare yourself to others, most successful businesses take years to grow.

If you’re choosing someone to support you, look for:
✔️ Experience
✔️ Genuine knowledge
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Someone who respects boundaries

Not just someone who “sounds good” in your inbox.

You deserve better than that.

I was reading a business book today and one part really stood out to me…

It basically said to be successful, you need to look the part.

Dressed well.
Hair done.
Makeup on.
Confident, polished, put together.

Because people buy into you… and first impressions matter.

And I do understand that.

When you feel put together, you naturally show up with more confidence.

But then I looked at myself and laughed…

Joggers on, hair up, and makeup hasn’t even crossed my mind today 😂

And I realised, I’m just in a different season right now.

As a second-time mum, my priorities have shifted.
I’m building my business around my life, not the other way round.

And actually… that doesn’t make me any less capable.

Because confidence isn’t just about appearance.
It’s about knowing your value, your experience, and the results you can deliver.

There will be a time where I have more space to focus on myself again.

But right now?

I’m building a business in joggers, helping people, and making it work in a way that suits my life.

And I think more people need to see that side of business too.

Success doesn’t look one way and it definitely doesn’t have a dress code 🤍

Self-love. Confidence. Being unapologetically YOU.

Let’s be honest… showing up online can feel uncomfortable.
Hearing your own voice, seeing yourself on camera, putting your thoughts out there… it can feel cringe, awkward, even a little scary.

But here’s the truth 👇
That discomfort? That’s growth. That’s you moving forward. That’s you breaking boundaries and opening new opportunities.

So many business owners hold back because they’re worried about what people will think.
But the reality is… people aren’t looking for perfection.

They’re looking for:
✨ Realness
✨ Energy
✨ Connection

People buy from people.
And if you don’t believe in yourself or your offer… why should they?

Your audience can feel your energy.
If you feel confident, proud, and aligned with what you’re doing, that becomes contagious.

So instead of:
“I’m not good enough”
“What if people judge me?”
“I don’t like how I look/sound…”

Start telling yourself:
💭 I am confident in what I do
💭 I help people and that matters
💭 The right people will connect with me
💭 I am allowed to take up space

Not everyone will like you.
Not everyone will be your client.
And that’s not a problem - that’s clarity.

Because the sooner you accept that…
The sooner you stop hiding.
The sooner you start showing up proudly.
The sooner your people find you.

So today, show yourself some love.
Back yourself. Believe in your voice.

And remember - you don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. 💫

Happy International Women’s Day 🌸

To all the women out there…
The mums.
The business owners.
The dream builders.
The jugglers of a hundred responsibilities before 9am.

We are strong.
We are resilient.
We are focused powerhouses.

And let’s be honest… we are often the glue that keeps everything moving - families, businesses, communities, and the million little things in between.

From school runs to strategy calls.
From packed lunches to business plans.
From supporting everyone else to still finding the strength to chase our own dreams.

Women are doing incredible things.

In the UK alone, there are around 1.56 million self-employed women and over 2 million businesses owned by women, contributing billions to the economy.

And behind so many of those businesses are mums building something meaningful while raising the next generation.

So today we celebrate:

✨ The women building businesses
✨ The mums balancing family and ambition
✨ The leaders, the creators, the quiet achievers
✨ The women who keep going even when it’s hard

To every woman reading this:

You are capable.
You are powerful.
And you are doing better than you think.

Happy International Women’s Day 💛

2026 | New Year. Clear Intentions. Big Energy.

Instead of “resolutions,” I’m setting intentions for 2026 - for my business, my growth, and me.

✨ 2026 Goals ✨

✔️ Reopen my monthly business support membership
✔️ Invest in self-development & ongoing training
✔️ Grow my social media the right way - building an audience of my ideal customers
✔️ Reach and work with even more incredible business owners & entrepreneurs
✔️ Keep pushing my comfort zone and building confidence
(Yes… that includes public speaking 😳)
✔️ Collaborate with other business owners and build genuine connections
✔️ Prioritise my health - fuel my body better and, yes… aim to get back into my size 10 jeans 😅

Above all, I’m continuing to be the confident, carefree, don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks badass version of me.

All jokes aside - I take my goals seriously.

Some of these might sound “generic” (eat better, move more, look after yourself), but since becoming a mum, my children always come first and always will. That said, 2026 is about making better choices for me too. Becoming a better version of myself, for my family and my business.

I mix personal and business goals because, as a mum, they’re deeply connected. When I feel good, focused, and confident - my business benefits. And when my business is aligned, so is my life.

✨ Happy 1st January ✨

I can’t wait to watch this year unfold - for my business and for yours.

💡 Business tip to start 2026:

Don’t overlook free resources - email lists, guides, challenges, insights. Sometimes the free thing is exactly what you’ve been searching for.

Here’s to growth, confidence, and businesses that truly support our lives. 🚀

What are you focusing on in 2026 - business, personal, or both?
Comment below or drop me a message 💬

🚨 Can we talk about December for a second?

Because this month isn’t busy… it’s relentless.

Work.
Running a business.
Family.
Life admin that never ends.

And then December casually piles on:

🎂 My birthday
🎭 School nativities
🎄 Christmas fayres
✨ Decorating the house
🎁 Shopping, wrapping, cards
🎅 Santa visit

All on top of the already overflowing, never-ending to-do list.

If you’re a business owner, switching off isn’t easy. Your brain doesn’t clock out, it just jumps to the next thing. You’re constantly in survival mode. I know that feeling all too well.

So I’m changing the rules this December.

👉 Be present.
👉 Slow down.
👉 Stop living in survival mode.

At one of my son’s friend’s birthday parties, I surprised myself. I was 100% present. Not thinking about work. Not mentally ticking off tasks. Actually there.

Chatting. Laughing.
And somehow… holding cockroaches, snakes, lizards. Touching birds and even a skunk 😳

Was I shaking like a leaf? Absolutely.
Was it outside my comfort zone? Massively.
Did I break through barriers I didn’t think I could? Yes.

And that’s the mindset I’m taking into next year.

✨ Being relentless - without burning out.
✨ Being visible.
✨ Being the boss mum I already am.
✨ Stepping out of survival mode and into confidence.

You may have noticed, I’m often makeup-free. That’s not a lack of effort, that’s real life. My boys come first. I’m usually bottom of the list.

And let’s be honest, you’re not here because of how I look. You’re here because I help solve real business problems.

(Although when I do get chance to wear makeup… my confidence beams ✨ and yes, people definitely notice 😂)

Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared 12 Gifts of Christmas in my stories, all saved in my Instagram highlights.

Inside the 12 Gifts of Christmas, I’ve shared practical answers to the problems so many business owners are facing:

✔️ How to make consistent sales
✔️ How to stand out in an oversaturated market
✔️ How to stop running your business in survival mode
✔️ How to get clear on who you are, what you do, and who you help

And it’s all completely free.

I rarely give this level of support without charging but I want you starting 2026 strong, not playing catch-up.

All I ask in return?
🤍 Follow my page
🤍 Show it some love
🤍 Help me reach more small business owners who are done with survival mode

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers.

My DMs are open if you need help.

Let’s start 2026 organised, confident, and ready for business growth 🚀

💬 What goal are you setting yourself for 2026?
(And what would stepping out of survival mode look like for you?)