Ambitious But Exhausted with Ash Hartney
For ambitious women who are running a business, a household, and on empty.
I'm Ash Hartney. I've helped build multiple businesses to 7 and 8 figures while raising a family, and I did most of it burnt out before I worked out there was another way.
This channel is about the part nobody teaches you: how to keep building without running yourself into the ground. Stress. Burnout. Guilt. Releasing control. Money worry. Doing the school run and a client call in the same hour. The stuff you're carrying on your own because nobody around you seems to get it.
You'll find:
• Solo episodes on burnout, stress and running a business without losing yourself
• Ambitious but Exhausted Podcast, honest conversations with women in business and wellness
• Behind the scenes at The Bathhouse, our wellness venue in Douglas Park, Sydney
New episodes every week.
Ambitious But Exhausted with Ash Hartney
Episode 23 - Why Success Isn’t About Big Offices and Bigger Teams
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In this episode we sit down with Saffron Mead, a seasoned design and marketing professional with over 25 years of experience helping businesses of all sizes turn their ideas into impactful customer experiences. From her early days in website design, transforming a small studio into a full-service agency, to running her own thriving graphic design business with notable clients like The Botanic Gardens and NSW Health, Saffron has been a powerhouse of creativity and strategy.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Saffron’s heart for community shines through her initiative, Kidabout in Macarthur, which raised $20,000 for charity and earned her the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2014. Today, she balances her work as a hands-on business owner with family life, fitness, and mental well-being, all while guiding passionate entrepreneurs to build meaningful brands and successful ventures.
In this conversation, Saffron shares her entrepreneurial journey, insights into the evolving design industry, and practical advice for business owners navigating modern challenges. Whether you’re curious about starting with a solid brand, exploring AI’s role in graphic design, or redefining what success looks like, this episode is full of inspiring takeaways!
Listen in for more on:
4:00 – Saffron’s background and journey into design and entrepreneurship.
7:00 – Why more resources, like offices or large teams, don’t always mean more success.
14:30 – AI’s impact on graphic design and the future of business.
22:00 – The biggest pain points business owners face today.
31:00 – How to build a strong brand on a small budget.
If you’re a business owner looking to align strategy with creativity or a dreamer ready to bring your ideas to life, this episode is for you!
Saffron’s Links
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/saffronandcocreative
Website- www.saffronandco.com.au
Let's Connect:
Website: https://www.thebathhouse.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashhartney
https://www.instagram.com/the_bathhouse_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-hartney-609a1911a
TIktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_bathhouse_
