Real stories from real business owners doing the work behind the scenes.
This series shines a light on the people holding it all together – the creatives, strategists, service providers, and operators who are building businesses with heart, boundaries, and a whole lot of figuring-it-out-as-they-go.
You’ll find honest reflections, delegation lessons, capacity wins (and misses), and a look at what it really takes to keep a small business running sustainably – without the gloss.
Cassandra Barrie, aka The No BS Therapist, works with women who are tired of holding it all together on the outside while silently falling apart inside. She helps them get unstuck, reconnect with their truth, move through their grief, release the anxiety, and actually feel again – all while rebuilding their confidence and momentum in life and business. Whether it’s through somatic therapy, business mentoring, energetic work, or good old-fashioned deep chats, Cassandra supports women in remembering who the hell they are.
Come and meet this vibrant Good Human bringing all the raw truths. You can connect with Cassandra at all the links below.
Share a snapshot of your business with us – who you support, and what you do?
My approach is a wild, grounded blend of traditional counselling, somatic therapy, psychic channelling, mediumship, and intuitive soul work. Some days, it looks like breathwork and movement. Other days, it’s full-body sobs, hard truths, and goosebump-level clarity from a message that hits straight in the heart. But none of this came from a textbook. It came from life cracking me wide open.
I became a widow while carrying my son. I buried my husband before I gave birth. And I lost myself in the process. The grief. The identity crisis. The burnout. The rage. I lived it. And then I let it reshape me. Because in those broken, brutal moments—I found something bigger: I discovered that desire isn’t selfish—it’s sacred. That grief is a portal. And that you don’t need to be fixed—you need to be remembered.
With nearly 20 years in industries like retail, salons, fashion, events, wellness, and e-commerce, I’ve built empires from rock bottom. I’ve worn all the hats and burned them all when they no longer fit. I now own Citrine Spaces, a coworking and creative studio in Ipswich. I’m also the creator of Cass Barrie Presents, where I run bold, soul-led events that awaken women to their power.
I work with women who are navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, heartbreak, and life’s “WTF is even happening” seasons. Whether you book a 1:1 session, show up to a breathwork event, or receive a channelled reading—I’m not here to fix you. I’m here to help you come home to yourself.
What do people think your work looks like – and what does it actually involve most days?
People think I just sit cross-legged with crystals and talk about feelings all day. Sure, sometimes. But most days? It’s holding space for women mid-breakdown, channelling messages that shake people awake, coaching someone through a massive business pivot, and juggling the 500 hats you wear when you run multiple businesses. There’s laughter, tears, spreadsheets, content creation, breathwork, DMs at 11pm, and lots of red bull.
What does “being supported” look like in your business right now?
Support for me isn’t a huge team — it’s a small, tight-knit crew who get me and go all in just like I do. I’m not afraid to say what I need or speak up when things feel off. I’ll ask for help without sugar coating it, and I’ll show up just as fiercely for them. Being supported looks like honest convos, shared chaos, and having people who’ve got my back when the juggle gets real. It’s not about numbers — it’s about energy, loyalty, and the knowing that I don’t have to carry it all alone.
What’s something you’ve delegated (or are considering delegating) – and what made you decide it was time?
Instead of trying to do it all myself and drowning in the never-ending to-do list, I finally delegated support — not just tasks. I brought in someone who could hold me accountable, keep me on track, and help bring the chaos into focus. It wasn’t about handing over the whole show, it was about having someone in my corner who could ask the right questions, remind me of my goals, and tell me when I’m avoiding the stuff I don’t want to do. Best decision I made. I didn’t need more hands, I needed the right energy beside me.
How do you manage your capacity – or at least try to keep things workable during busy seasons?
I’ve learned that pushing through isn’t sustainable, so now I listen to my body before I listen to my calendar. Movement has been a struggle in the past — but I’ve made it a non-negotiable. Regular walks, breathwork, and gentle resets give my brain the pause it needs so I can actually hold more without burning out. I build space into my schedule, not just for work but for me. That rhythm — of checking in, slowing down, and tuning in — is what helps me show up fully, especially when life or business gets loud.
Are there any boundaries or non-negotiables in your business that have made a real difference?
Absolutely. Mondays are off-limits for client calls — that’s my day to reset, create, and move at my own pace. I don’t answer DMs at midnight (anymore), and I’ve stopped saying yes just because I can. Working from home means having real structure, like closing the laptop when school pickup hits and keeping it shut during dinner.
But the biggest shift? I’ve stopped forcing connections. I don’t have to work with everyone. If I don’t vibe with someone’s energy — whether it’s a client or a collaboration — I trust that and say no. Collabs aren’t the holy grail if they don’t feel aligned. Protecting my energy is part of protecting my business.
What would you tell another small business owner who’s struggling to hand something over or make space for support?
Stop wearing “doing it alone” like it’s a badge of honour. I’ve been there — in the thick of grief, trying to keep the wheels turning, holding all the weight like if I dropped even one thing, it’d all fall apart. But here’s the truth: you can do it alone, sure… but you don’t have to. And honestly? You’re not meant to.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re smart enough to know your limits and brave enough to let someone in. Delegating isn’t about losing control, it’s about making space for growth, healing, and clarity. It’s about trusting that someone else can hold a piece of your vision while you catch your damn breath. Let it be easier. You’ve survived enough hard already.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through running your business?
That I’m allowed to evolve. The version of me that started this isn’t the version of me now — and that’s okay. I’ve learned that I can hold deep grief and big joy in the same breath, that I can shift direction without apology, and that my truth is always the best business strategy.
And now – some rapid fire Q’s ♥
Work soundtrack: silence, Spotify, or background chaos?
Really depends on the day and where my neurospicy brain is at.
Biggest distraction when working from home?
My phone! posting content and then getting trapped in the doom scroll while it loads.
Best time of day to get work done?
Before 12 noon
Go to snack..
Twisties (chicken of course) , chocolate and cold can of coke.
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