In this episode, Lucy chats with Korryn Haines, a tech systems specialist and founder of her namesake business, who helps solo and micro business owners feel calm and in control of their admin and tech. Korryn shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, sparked by an unexpected redundancy and the birth of her first child. She discusses the unique challenges small business owners face when transitioning from structured corporate environments to the often chaotic world of solo business ownership. With a deep love for Google Workspace and a knack for simplifying complex systems, Korryn offers practical advice on building sustainable workflows tailored to individual needs, emphasizing her “core four” pillars: operations, marketing, sales, and delivery. Beyond business, Korryn opens up about the realities of balancing work and motherhood, especially as a neurodivergent parent raising a neurodivergent child. She reflects on the evolving nature of her business and personal life, including her recent ADHD diagnosis and the impact it’s had on her productivity and energy management. From building her own backyard office to navigating school holidays without a local village, Korryn’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and authenticity. Her insights remind listeners that business isn’t a solo sport—and that embracing imperfection and asking for help are key to thriving both professionally and personally.

Credits:

Produced by: Lucy Kippist

Edited by: Morgan Sebastian Brown

Interviewers: Lucy Kippist

Guest: Korryn Haines, Founder Korryn Haines

‍ Key Takeaways

• Start Simple: Korryn recommends building systems around four core business areas—operations, marketing, sales, and delivery—as a foundational approach.
• Corporate vs. Small Biz: Transitioning from corporate to small business requires a mindset shift; small businesses often lack the built-in support systems of larger organizations.
• Tech Confidence Matters: You don’t need to be a tech expert to build effective systems—confidence and curiosity go a long way.
• Relearning & Adapting: Korryn is currently in a phase of relearning and recalibrating her business to align with changing personal and professional circumstances.
• Neurodivergent Insights: Her recent ADHD diagnosis has helped her better understand energy management and productivity, both for herself and her child.
• Boundaries Are Essential: Setting clear boundaries around work hours, especially during school holidays, is key to maintaining balance.
• Home Systems Help: Small home hacks like grocery delivery and occasional cleaning support can significantly reduce mental load.
• Peer Learning Over Hype: Korryn prefers learning from peer communities rather than loud, one-size-fits-all online voices.
• Imperfect Action Is OK: She embraces the idea that business and parenting are messy and that progress doesn’t require perfection.

Resources Mentioned

• Google Workspace – Korryn’s preferred tech platform for small business systems.
• Substack – Used to follow curated voices and avoid information overload.
• Digital Marketing Collective by Kate Toon – A favorite community for learning and peer support.
• Mums & Co – A key business community that Korryn is actively part of.
• Home Grocery Delivery Services – A personal productivity hack to save time and energy.

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