Hannah Naismith had the pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer Cooper of Time Saver to discuss how being mentored by Erin at Life-Friendly Business transformed her approach to balancing life and work for the long term. As Jenny describes it, the experience was a ‘game-changer.’

Read on to learn about her journey and how her business evolved into the Life-Friendly, sustainable model it is today.

Hannah: Great to be interviewing you today Jenny for The Life-Friendly Business blog! To start off, I thought it would be good to get an understanding of what your life and business were like before working with Erin and how you became introduced to her?

Jenny: So I think I stumbled across Erin on Instagram fairly early on - probably a year or so into starting my own business. I was aware of her account; she had a podcast as well, so I listened to bits and bobs. Then I actually met her a few years ago because I was shortlisted for the Digital Women Virtual Assistant of the Year. I went to these awards in London, and Erin was there because she’d been shortlisted for a few things as well. I kind of recognized Erin from Instagram. So, I went and talked to her, and we spent most of the evening talking together and with some other ladies. I remember thinking, "This is a really nice person I can just chat to."

That was as far as it went at that time. She had her thing, and I wasn’t really looking for that sort of support. But I was always aware of her. Then, in 2023, the business had grown and grown. I got really busy, I’d taken on a team, but rather than being a CEO, I ended up feeling like I was just in a CEO role. I had no confidence that I really knew what I was doing and felt overwhelmed by everyone looking to me for answers when I felt like I was making it up as I went along.

Hannah: That sounds like a lot to juggle. Could you elaborate on what made you decide to work with Erin at that point?

Jenny: Basically, work was creeping into every corner of my life. I was in a cycle that wasn’t sustainable. I’d worry about money or panic over things, and I struggled to delegate. I just kept working all the time. It led to burnout, and I wasn’t getting the time I wanted with my family. I knew it wasn’t sustainable. I also realised I couldn’t change it on my own, as I tend to get stuck in certain cycles.

I think I must have seen some of Erin’s Instagram posts at the time and within a week, I had downloaded every free resource, looked at everything, read, and absorbed it all. Erin also has a free webinar and a podcast - I think I listened to pretty much every episode. Her content really resonated with me because she talked about exactly what I needed: a Life-Friendly Business. She clearly knew what she was doing with business, but she also understood the balance with life. That’s rare. Often, people focus on just business or just well-being, but Erin blended both seamlessly.

Hannah: That makes sense. Once you started working with Erin, how would you describe her mentoring style? What resonated most with you?

Jenny: Erin cuts through the waffle, which is a real skill. She can listen to someone’s stream of consciousness and pull out the key points, while considering everything. Some mentors or coaches come with an agenda, but Erin doesn’t. She’s focused on what’s best for you. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, which I appreciate.

She also really gets that life impacts business! If your child is struggling, for example, everything else becomes harder. Erin’s never dismissive of that, but she helps you avoid getting stuck in a “life is tough” mindset and instead encourages you to take action.

Erin’s also very good at making connections, being astute, and putting things together. She remembers everything we’ve talked about so it’s like having another brain - someone who understands both what's happening in your business and your life. She brings her own experience and learnings to the table, and she’s constantly growing herself. That’s invaluable.

Hannah: You mentioned Erin’s different levels of support - The Cocoon, The Visibility Commitment, and The 1:1 Mentoring. How would you describe your experience progressing through these levels?

Jenny: The Cocoon membership is great for dipping your toe in. There’s a huge amount of resources and training there so it gives you a good feel for how Erin works.

I moved on to the Visibility level because I needed accountability. It’s a 6 month program with two calls a month. It sounds simple, but it’s beyond invaluable. When you’re on your own, you don’t track things like website numbers or your email list because client work or family always comes first. But being on those calls makes you do it. Plus, you’re with other people at different stages as well, so you learn what works for them and you also get a sense of community.

Hannah: And how did The 1:1 Mentoring work for you?  

Jenny: I basically just went “I want more!” and it was brilliant. Erin gave me that extra push I needed. I was going through a transitional period, and within a year, I managed to transform my business from something that wasn’t life-friendly to something that truly is. It was exactly what I needed - setting better boundaries, delegating tasks, and changing the way I think. Erin helped me stop unhelpful patterns and trust myself more. It’s made such a huge difference. Now, I’m so much happier both in life and in business.

Hannah: It must be such a good feeling to have everything more balanced now. You mentioned delegation earlier. Were there any specific tools or strategies that Erin introduced that had a significant impact on you?  

Jenny: Yes, one thing that stands out is how Erin holds you accountable. For example, she gave me clarity on my pricing - sometimes you just need someone to go “Jenny, what are you doing?!” and I needed that tough love. After our mentoring calls, she would send a detailed action list. That was so helpful because I could print it out and keep myself on track.  

Another strategy she introduced was using Voxer. It’s a tool that allows for voice messages, and so if I had a mental block, I’d voice my thoughts, and Erin would listen or offer advice. At times, I did send a mini-podcast! Often, just articulating the issue helped me make better decisions. So, while there wasn’t a single magic tool, it was more about having that reliable system and accountability in place.

Hannah: Since working with Erin, how has your business evolved and how has that affected you personally?  

Jenny: Personally, I trust my instincts more now. Before, I felt like I had to do every single job myself. Now, even during calls with clients, I’m actively thinking about who on my team can handle the task. That mindset shift was huge for me. It’s helped me think ahead, plan better, and delegate effectively.  

Another impactful change was introducing CEO time. Erin encouraged me to take time - say, an hour on Monday mornings - to set intentions for the week rather than diving straight into emails. It’s a simple practice, but it’s made a big difference.

Hannah: I feel like I even need that even if I’m not a CEO! You also mentioned community earlier. Could you tell me more about how that played a role?  

Jenny: Erin really attracts a great group of people. For example, she organises an annual Momentum Day, which I attended last year. It’s a welcoming, friendly environment where people share advice and experiences. There’s a mix of different business stages and life situations, and it’s not cliquey at all. It’s just a great place to connect with like-minded individuals.

Hannah: That idea of connecting with others at different stages in their business sounds really useful. Was there anything else specific which you gained from the Momentum Day or CEO days?  

Jenny: Definitely. The Momentum Day does what it says, it’s really energising - you leave inspired and ready to take action. Erin carefully curates the speakers and ensures the day is interactive, so it doesn’t feel draining either. 

The CEO Days are more focused. Erin provides prompts, and you work through challenges with a small group. It’s like a mastermind session, where you discuss your business challenges and get fresh perspectives from others. That mix of immediate practical advice and bigger mindset shifts is incredibly powerful. It really works because it’s in person so you also have that connection and receptivity which you wouldn’t necessarily have online.

Hannah: It sounds like those experiences have really helped you grow. Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering working with Erin or adopting a more Life-Friendly approach?  

Jenny: One of Erin’s best pieces of advice was about not needing to constantly progress. She uses the analogy of a spiral staircase - you can stop on the landing for a bit before moving up to the next step. That mindset shift was so freeing for me.  

For anyone considering working with her, I’d say start with her podcast. It’s a great way to get a sense of her values and message. There’s also a lot of practical advice there, so it’s a fantastic resource. Then, if it feels right, book a call with her - she’ll guide you on the best way to move forward.

Hannah: That’s fantastic advice. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!  

Jenny: Thank you - it’s been a pleasure!

Erin Thomas Wong is the founder and mentor of Life-Friendly Business, helping women build successful businesses without sacrificing time with their families, or their wellbeing.
Connect with Erin on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. 

Jennifer Cooper is the founder of Timesaver, providing individuals with invaluable support, in many different forms, as they navigate their entrepreneurial path. Have a look at Jenny’s website or connect with Jenny on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook. 

Hannah Naismith is a freelance writer and editor who recently joined Timesaver as an intern. At the moment, she’s currently working on her first novel, but her experience also encompasses open access publishing, journalism and copywriting. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Medium.