Central Business Associates

Central Business Associates Supporting small business through perspective, partnership and practical calm. I’m Celia. Your Small Business GP. We begin exactly where you are. Energetically.

Helping you find clarity and sustainable ways forward - through safe, unhurried space, practical systems, and courageous conversations. I create safe spaces where you can be honest about work and life, and discover sustainable ways forward you can feel proud of - through stories, systems and courageous conversations. Expect perspective, partnership, and a sense of practical calm - no rush, no judg

ement, no unnecessary complexity. A warm welcome -
This is a safe, private space to speak honestly about what’s really going on - at work, in business, and in life. There’s no need to perform, defend, or tidy things up before you arrive. From there, we work together to gain perspective, steady the foundations, and discover sustainable next steps that fit your real life - not someone else’s definition of success. What this space is (and isn’t) -
This work is thoughtful, human, and grounded. It’s for people who care about integrity, sustainability, and the experience of the people they serve - not quick wins, growth at any cost, or surface level fixes. If you’re looking for shortcuts, hype, or someone to tell you what to do, this probably won’t be the right fit. If you’re looking for somewhere to tell the truth and work things through properly, you’re in the right place.
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If this feels familiar…
Most people who find their way here are carrying one (or more) of these quietly heavy things:

*Everything feels tangled - and you can’t see the wood for the trees*
You’re doing so much, wearing all the hats, spinning all the plates… and yet nothing feels settled. The To-do list is growing arms and legs. Your brain is going round in circles trying to make simple decisions. You’ve probably tried a few new platforms along the way – the ones that promised to fix everything. You don’t need another platform. You need space to step back and make sense of what’s really going on.

*You keep thinking, “I should be able to sort this out myself”*
You’re capable, smart and resourceful. You’ve built this business from the ground up - surely you should be able to fix this too? I know that voice well because it was mine, a few years ago. It’s the same story I hear from so many small business owners who struggle quietly, carrying it alone, and edging closer to burnout – somehow fearful of asking for help. Not because they’re stubborn - but because they care.

*The business is starting to cost more than it gives back*
Maybe not financially - but emotionally. Mentally. You’re tired in a way sleep doesn’t seem to fix, and Monday morning is starting to feel like there’s lead weights in your usually springy step. The business you built that was supposed to support your life and give you flexibility is starting to compete with it. Something needs to change.
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A different perspective -
Here’s something I wholeheartedly believe - needing support isn’t a sign of weakness. And it’s one of the biggest things holding back hard-working, caring small business owners - because they wait far too long. The people who do this work best aren’t the ones who carry everything alone. They’re the ones who know when to pause, get perspective, and ask for help before things get chaotic. You don’t have to have the right words, or know what kind of help you need yet. And you don’t have to be “ready”. You just need a place where you can put things down for a moment - and start from there. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not behind. You’re human - like all the rest of us. And you’re very welcome here.

Six years on from burnout, I'm still riding the occasional wave. The difference is that now I know how to ask for help -...
12/08/2026

Six years on from burnout, I'm still riding the occasional wave. The difference is that now I know how to ask for help - and where to find it.
I wrote a couple of articles about it, exploring how I recognised that collaboration was one of the most important contributors to business resilience.
Thanks to Ladies Who Long Lunch for allowing me the opportunity to continue the conversation in their Lunch Mag last month. If it helps even one person to see the signs, ask for help, or reshape how they balance their business and life, it was worth writing!

You can read my ongoing thoughts on the subject on my website below, which links through to the original articles on the Ladies Who Long Lunch site - where you can also see more articles and their upcoming events.

Small business resilience starts with vulnerability. Explore lessons in burnout recovery, collaboration, boundaries and sustainable growth.

Ah, the ego…. 🙄😏 - so hard to keep it quiet when we really, really, really want to help. But sometimes, all the other pe...
20/05/2026

Ah, the ego…. 🙄😏 - so hard to keep it quiet when we really, really, really want to help.

But sometimes, all the other person wants is to be heard.
So listen - carefully. 🥰



Tara Shannon

"One of the hardest things about empathy," said Bear, "is having to step outside of ourselves and leave our ego behind."

"What does that mean?" asked Rabbit.

"Not judging, not giving advice, not trying to fix or talk over someone that's struggling... someone who has trusted us enough to be vulnerable with us about their pain or worry," said Bear.

"So...," began Rabbit, "what's left to do?"

"Listen," said Bear, "and feel."

"And, that's enough?" asked Rabbit. "That sounds easy."

"It's not easy," said Bear. "But, to the one you're listening to and feeling with, it's everything."

©️Tara Shannon, 2023

I always get the trolley with the wonky wheel! 🛒🙄 Looking forward to hearing how to manage it better, along with the hig...
18/05/2026

I always get the trolley with the wonky wheel! 🛒🙄

Looking forward to hearing how to manage it better, along with the highs and lows of confidence that come and go…. 🥹

This Thursday I’m speaking at the upcoming BWIB Lunch & Learn and presenting Cycle-Savvy Leadership: Rethinking Confidence for Women in Business.

It’s a conversation about how our natural biological rhythms can impact confidence, decision-making, communication, energy levels, leadership and business performance.

So if you’ve ever wondered why you feel completely on fire one week and like you’re pushing a shopping trolley with one wonky wheel the next, this session might make a lot of things click.

As usual, I will be bringing a grounded, practical and human approach to this topic. You can expect useful takeaways, meaningful conversation, and a fresh way of thinking about confidence in business that doesn’t rely on constantly pushing harder.

Get your tickets here:
Thursday 21st May 2026
11:30am – 1:30pm
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly

Secure your spot now:
https://www.trybooking.com/DLZUH

I hope to see you there!

    🥰 A reminder of why these are so important, especially to me - it can be easy to forget or not recognise the privile...
17/05/2026

🥰 A reminder of why these are so important, especially to me - it can be easy to forget or not recognise the privileges we have in our lives 🥰

Seems like a good day for this reminder.

Can’t wait to hear more about this!
06/05/2026

Can’t wait to hear more about this!

✨ Meet Our Guest Speaker – Amy Jackson ✨

We’re excited to welcome Amy Jackson to our upcoming BWIB Lunch & Learn on Thursday 21st May at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron 💛

Amy is a leadership coach with over 18 years’ experience supporting middle managers and business owners to build confidence, clarity and sustainable performance. She is also the founder of Cycle-Savvy Leadership — an emerging body of work helping women understand and leverage their natural biological rhythms to lead and grow their businesses with more ease, confidence and self-trust.

🌿 Topic: Cycle-Savvy Leadership – Rethinking Confidence for Women in Business

We’ve been taught to build confidence as if we’re the same every single day… but what if that’s the problem? 👀

In this practical and highly interactive workshop-style session, Amy will explore how different phases of the menstrual cycle can influence:
✨ Energy
✨ Decision-making
✨ Communication
✨ Self-belief
✨ Leadership style

Together, we’ll unpack how understanding these patterns can help reduce Imposter Syndrome, improve wellbeing and support more sustainable success in business 💡

This isn’t just a “sit and listen” kind of event — you’ll walk away with practical tools you can start applying to your business and life straight away 🙌

Expect insight, meaningful conversations and plenty of those “oh wow… that makes so much sense!” moments 💫

📅 Thursday 21st May 2026
🕚 11:30am – 1:30pm
📍 Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly

🎟️ Book now via the link below:
https://www.trybooking.com/DLZUH

We can’t wait to see you there 💕

👏👏👏🥰🤝🤝🤝
19/04/2026

👏👏👏🥰🤝🤝🤝

Address

Sage Room Co-op, First Floor, 455 Esplanade
Manly, QLD
4179

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+61431639217

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