In this sixty-fifth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy explores jealousy in a way that might completely change how you think about it. Rather than seeing jealousy as something to suppress or feel ashamed of, Alex reframes it as valuable information — a signal pointing you towards what you genuinely want in your business and life. If you've ever felt that uncomfortable pang when someone else shares a big win, this episode will help you understand what's really underneath it and how to use it to your advantage.

Main Topics Covered:

• Why jealousy is a normal human emotion, not a character flaw
• How shame often makes jealousy feel heavier than it needs to

• The difference between the feeling itself and the story we create around it
• Why comparison can distort reality and keep us feeling behind
• How jealousy can become one of the most powerful tools for self-awareness and business growth

In This Episode:

• Why jealousy isn't something to fear or suppress, but something to pay attention to
• How shame keeps us stuck, while curiosity helps us move forward
• The difference between experiencing jealousy and believing the stories it tells you
• Why comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel is never a fair comparison

A simple five-step process for working with jealousy:

• Notice it without judgement
• Get specific about what you're actually jealous of
• Ask what that reveals about your own desires
• Turn the feeling into an open question instead of a conclusion
• Sense-check whether it's something you genuinely want or something you think you should want
• How jealousy can become valuable market research, revealing what kind of work, visibility, pricing, freedom or recognition you're really craving
• Why your feelings can become a roadmap for your next business decision instead of a reason to spiral

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome and why we're talking about jealousy

01:08 — Why jealousy is a normal human emotion

03:56 — The shame we attach to feeling jealous

07:42 — Comparison, highlight reels and the stories we tell ourselves

11:18 — Separating the feeling from the meaning you give it

15:10 — The five-step framework for handling jealousy differently

19:54 — Using jealousy as market research in your business

23:06 — Turning envy into clarity, curiosity and action

25:02 — Final thoughts and this week's takeaway

Resources and Links:

If you're looking for more clarity, confidence and direction in your business, I'd love to help.

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or ready for your next level of growth, there are several ways we can work together:

Website: www.alexmccarthycoaching.com

Book a Clarity Call: https://www.alexmccarthycoaching.com/clarity-call

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you subscribed to My Kind of Business and shared it with another business owner who might need to hear it. Remember, jealousy isn't proof you're failing—it's often pointing you towards what matters most. The more willing you are to get curious about it, the more clearly you'll see the path that's right for you.

In this sixty-fourth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jennie Bayliss, founder of Letterbox Cocktails, a serial entrepreneur whose story is packed with resilience, resourcefulness and a healthy dose of fun.

Jennie's journey has been anything but predictable. As a child she dreamed of becoming a solicitor, and her early working life took her through accounts roles and part-time jobs before a pivotal chapter saw her studying for a business management degree while raising a young family. Balancing motherhood, work and study taught her lessons she still leans on today.

But it's her latest venture that really captures the imagination. Letterbox Cocktails began with a search for a deliberately boring business idea and a LinkedIn mastermind, and grew into a vibrant cocktail delivery brand. Jennie shares the reality of those scrappy early days, from licensing and regulation headaches to the chaos of rapid growth, through to winning the VIP Launch Pad competition and building a colourful, recognisable brand with big plans for TikTok, Amazon and retail.

In this episode Alex and Jennie explore:

• Jennie's early aspirations and the jobs that shaped her pathway
• Balancing motherhood, work and a business management degree
• Starting a virtual PA business during redundancy
• Building a flexible team of mums and overcoming the loneliness of working alone
• The chance call that led to a project management company and fibre infrastructure work
• How a hunt for a boring business idea became Letterbox Cocktails
• Navigating licensing, regulation and the chaos of early growth
• Winning the VIP Launch Pad competition and evolving the brand
• Growth plans across TikTok, Amazon, corporate sales and retail
• Why asking for help and taking imperfect action matter more than being ready

Key Highlights

• How saying yes to unexpected opportunities can completely change the direction of your business
• The power of building a business around your life, not the other way round
• Why community, masterminds and networking can be the difference between an idea and a thriving business
• How scrappy beginnings can evolve into a brand you're truly proud of
• Why you'll never feel fully ready, and why you should start anyway

Connect with Jennie https://www.letterbox-cocktails.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniebayliss1/ https://www.instagram.com/letterbox__cocktails/ https://www.facebook.com/letterboxcocktails1 https://www.linkedin.com/company/letterbox-cocktails/ https://www.tiktok.com/@letterbox_cocktails https://www.youtube.com/@LetterboxCocktails

Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

In this sixty-second episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy tackles the trap so many small business owners fall into — doing more and more, being busier than ever, and yet somehow not seeing the growth to match. If you're posting everywhere, tweaking everything and still wondering why the clients aren't landing, this episode strips it all back to the three things that actually move the needle.

Main Topics Covered:

• Why "more is better" is a myth — and the real pattern behind business stagnation
• How to craft one clear, simple offer that people instantly understand and can refer
• Why one visibility channel done consistently beats being everywhere half-heartedly
• How to ask for the sale without feeling pushy or slimy
• The quiet power of the follow-up message in turning interest into paying clients
• Why support and structure are what turn knowing into doing

In This Episode:

• The difference between focus and effort — and why doing less can genuinely do more
• How to test whether your offer is actually clear (and what a confusing offer is costing you)
• Why clarity on what you sell builds pricing confidence
• How your last five clients tell you exactly where your marketing energy should go
• Why offline networking might be working harder for you than any online platform
• The problem with vanity metrics — and what to measure instead
• A simple piece of homework you can do today: reconnect with everyone who's shown interest recently and hasn't yet said yes

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome and what this episode covers 00:37 — The problem with doing too much in your business 01:12 — The myth of "more is better" and why busy doesn't equal profitable 04:27 — Focus vs effort: why doing less can do more 06:37 — Focus 1: One clear offer — how to test it, price it, and sell it with confidence 11:17 — Focus 2: One visibility channel done consistently — and how to work out which one 15:45 — Focus 3: Confidently asking for the sale and the power of genuine follow-up 19:49 — Ditching vanity metrics and focusing on real conversions 20:25 — The three strategies pulled together 21:25 — Why knowing isn't enough — support, structure, and doing the work 23:20 — Summer Business School and your homework for today

Resources and Links:

• Summer Business School — Alex's six-session live programme running on Tuesdays from 14th July, covering vision and values, your offer and ideal client, visibility, sales, mindset and Q4 planning. Available in Standard and VIP tiers. Grab your spot by emailing Alex on alex@alexmccarthycoaching.com

Connect with Alex McCarthy:

• https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/
• www.alexmccarthycoaching.com

Whether you join Summer Business School or not, this episode will leave you with three clear places to put your energy — and one piece of homework that could land you your next client this week.