From Time Management Guru to The Batch Lady: Suzanne Mulholland’s Recipe for Success – Special Episode
In this episode of the podcast, I am spotlighting another incredible contributor to my new book, You’ve Got This. This time, it’s the one and only Suzanne Mulholland, better known to millions as The Batch Lady!
You’ve Got This, Suzanne Mulholland!
Suzanne has cultivated an significant online community around her batch cooking methods. From sharing time-saving tips, she’s built a thriving career encompassing bestselling books (including her sixth, just out in February!), TV appearances, and a massive, engaged following.
Not about the food…
What’s so fascinating about Suzanne’s journey is that her foray into the culinary world wasn’t driven by a lifelong passion for cooking. Instead, it came from her desire to reclaim time and streamline the daily grind of meal preparation. Her previous career as a time management expert in London perfectly equipped her to tackle this challenge, not just for herself but for countless others seeking a more organised (and less kitchen based!) life.
The Batch Lady began when Suzanne, a busy mum, decided to apply her time management skills to the monotonous task of nightly cooking. The pivotal moment came when fellow mums at the school gate, witnessing how organised Suzanne was, asked for her secrets. A charity event in her kitchen, demonstrating how to prepare ten meals in just an hour, showed the demand, and the feedback led to her launching her YouTube channel.
An opportunity to be an entrepreneur
Having studied entrepreneurship, Suzanne saw this as her opportunity. The Batch Lady was born in September 2017, and the rest, as they say, is history. Her YouTube channel exploded, leading to book deals, an audiobook, another book on the horizon, and even talks of a television program. It’s been a whirlwind six years, and Suzanne’s story is a testament to the power of identifying a need and offering a practical, life-changing solution.
Time management for entrepreneurs
One of the key themes we explored was time management. For those juggling a nine-to-five job with burgeoning business ideas, finding those precious extra hours can feel impossible. Suzanne gave some brilliant advice on this which you can find out about in the book and by listening to the podcast!
Staying organised your own way
Interestingly, Suzanne isn’t a tech devotee when it comes to organisation. Her notebooks serve her well, proving that sometimes the simplest tools are the most effective. However, she acknowledges that finding a system that works for you is paramount.
Overwhelm
As The Batch Lady’s online presence grew rapidly, Suzanne experienced moments of feeling overwhelmed. This often coincided with periods when, from the outside, her life seemed incredibly successful. Often, overwhelm is associated with negative situations, but hearing Suzanne speak about overwhelm when things were going well was really interesting. This resonates strongly with the themes of self-awareness and setting boundaries explored in You’ve Got This.
Just go for it!
For those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, Suzanne’s advice is simple yet powerful: just go for it. If you believe in your idea, take the leap. Think big and set ambitious goals, even if they seem crazy. Her initial goal of a book deal within 18 months, despite industry skepticism, propelled her forward. Even if you don’t reach that initial grand vision, you’ll likely achieve far more than if you hadn’t aimed high in the first place.
Key takeaways from my chat with Suzanne:
- Identify a genuine need: Suzanne solved a universal problem – the time-consuming nature of daily cooking.
- Time management is crucial: Even small pockets of focused time can build momentum for your business.
- Plan and prioritise: Break down your vision into actionable steps and tackle essential tasks first.
- Don’t be afraid to be different: Suzanne’s unconventional approach resonated with a huge audience.
- Protect your vision: Be selective about who you share your early plans with.
- Create a consistent online presence: Choose a searchable name and build a solid foundation.
- Think big and set ambitious goals: Even if you fall short, you’ll likely achieve more than you would have otherwise.
If you’re feeling inspired by Suzanne’s incredible journey and are looking for more stories and practical advice to fuel your own entrepreneurial spirit, be sure to check out my new book, You’ve Got This! You can find it online and in all good bookshops.
And of course, to explore the wonderful world of The Batch Lady and her time-saving recipes, head over to www.thebatchelady.com and follow her on social media – just search for The Batch Lady!
