Freelancer to Founder: Growing a Team, Without Losing Yourself

Work It Like A Mum

This week on Work It Like a Mum, I’m reunited with the brilliant Amanda Henderson, founder of Thread HR 💼

You might remember Amanda from an earlier episode where she dropped pure gold on how to go freelance (seriously — tip after tip after tip!). If you’re dreaming of leaving corporate behind, that one’s a must-listen — and we’ve linked it in the show notes.

But today? We’re talking about what comes next — Amanda’s incredible leap from solo freelancer to agency founder 🙌

🎙 In this episode:

• What sparked the shift from freelancing to growing a team
• How motherhood (and the school run!) influenced her business strategy
• The emotional AND practical side of hiring your first employee
• Tips for recruiting (and managing) with empathy and intention
• Why being radically honest is Amanda’s secret sauce for building culture
• Real talk on capacity, growth, and those scary-but-exciting firsts 💡

✨ Key Takeaways:

💡Growth doesn’t have to mean hustle 24/7 — it’s about working smarter

💡 Hiring? Recruit slow, hire thoughtfully, and lead with your values

💡 Building a team means stepping out of the day-to-day sometimes

💡 Honesty and clear expectations are everything — especially in small teams

💡 Flexibility isn’t a perk — it’s powerful business strategy

Show Links:

Connect with Amanda here

Visit Thread HR’s Website Here

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Listen to Amanda’s previous episode about freelancing here

Whether you're a solo business owner, team leader, or dreaming about your next chapter — Amanda’s story is full of insight, humour, and heart.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Work it Like A Mum (00:00:00)

2. Amanda's Journey from Freelancer to Agency (00:01:52)

3. Recruiting Strategies and Building a Team (00:05:23)

4. The Art of Being a Good Manager (00:10:30)

5. Navigating Flexible Working Arrangements (00:19:04)

6. Making Flexible Working Requests Successfully (00:25:19)

7. Future Plans for Thread HR (00:37:37)