Astra Patmore

15/10/2026

08/10/2026

Tough seasons in business will either build you or break you.
In my experience, what decides which one is whether you're carrying it alone.

I've led businesses through economic downturns, the pandemic, company restructures, a funding crisis and industry recessions. Some of those seasons built me. Some cost me far more than they should have. The hardest ones were the ones I tried to carry on my own.

When you're deep in it, you can't see clearly. You make big decisions tired, under pressure and too close to the problem. You miss the easy wins. You miss the red flags.

That's the work I do with my 1:1 clients. When a curveball hits, they pick up the phone and we think it through together.
When they're at a crossroads, we sit down and work out which way to turn.
And often I spot the pivot or redesign that makes them more money, because I'm not standing where they're standing.

It's why I was recently called The Next Move Strategist. I've made a lot of next moves over the years, and I'm bloody good at helping people find theirs.

I believe you can have BOTH. Business success AND a life you love. And it's easier when you're not carrying everything on your own.

I currently have 2 spaces left for 1:1 clients. If you'd like one of them, send me a DM with the word NEXT and we'll talk.

07/10/2026

A bit of a raw and real share that took me by surprise... I found myself in tears, not just a few, but proper crying, when I watched the recent video and read the post of Becki 💛🌈🌻🌞 . This hit me hard, and reminded me of why I'm building what I'm building. I lost my mum to cancer almost 2 years ago next month. And now I'm building the program i wish I had before it was too late. Today was a timely reminder that this work matters. Thank you Between Two Beers Podcast for sharing Becki's powerful story and also triggering me in the gentlest possible way.

03/10/2026

It's school holidays, the house is full but nobody is here... I love when I can sit and enjoy a quiet coffee before anyone else is up and have silence just to think, process, dream, be.
A while back d i f o s t e r talked to me about learning to oscillate. Infact her words were 'I've known you for all of 5 mins and I doubt you'll ever take your foot off the gas pedal...so you better learn how to oscillate!' It's a great concept and one I try to be much more intentional about as I reinvent my life again. There's so much noise and constant busyness almost all day, every day, especially if you have kids, a partner, a business, a dog, the list goes on. And these are all great things that we dreamed of growing up... but the challenge is in learning how to enjoy them all without getting swept up into the hustle, and finding yourself going 100mile an hour, but missing the journey because you're aiming for the destination. Oscillation is about learning to switch on, and switch off...it doesn't have to be for weeks on end. Sometimes its literally 30 mins or an hour here or there. But the point is it's important. Your body needs it, your brain needs it, and your better for it. So this morning i took the opportunity that presented itself, got out of bed and crept into my favourite chair as the sun began pouring into the lounge, and sat in the beautiful silence...And it was bliss. The kids will be up soon enough, and I'll power back up and do the family thing... But first, coffee for one. ☕️ Happy Sunday peeps ❤️

24/09/2026

Experienced founders don't usually need another opinion. They need someone who'll tell them which of their own ideas to drop.

That's most of the value in a good thinking partner. Not necessarily more input, but a sharper filter.

"Having someone with experience to bounce ideas off, combined with her strong judgement on what's actually worth pursuing, has been incredibly valuable."

What's one idea on your list right now that you suspect isn't worth pursuing, but haven't said out loud yet?

21/09/2026

I've been looping in my head A LOT lately, (the challenge of an ideas and discernment genius combo) and found myself aware that I do alot of different things, which is ok, until you need to niche. And nicheing is scary...it's also best done with data. I love strategy, problem solving, growing anything great, and I also love helping people do it in a way that doesnt cost them their sanity. I've walked the journey of leadership and paid the price over and over when its been out of balance. I know there are women who struggle to keep everything together being the CEO/Senior Management, the wife, the mother, the friend, the family admin person. I know there are also MEN who carry a lot working to build a business to provide for their family, achieve their goals and trying not to bring work to the dinner table, burning out quietly feeling like they have no choice but to keep pushing without letting on whats going on inside to anyone else.
There's a lot that happens inside leadership/business, and its hard. I know... I've been there.

So I'm really keen to know, what do you think i do? And what do you think is should do? What would be helpful for you? And what would you actually pay for?
Big questions...but they're important. Because this work matters. And so do you.

20/09/2026

Monday morning ramblings....If it holds your interest to the end, you might just be who this is for. 🫶

18/09/2026

Change your space, change your headspace... Highly recommend The Crate Flexible Office Space in the Hamilton C*D for an awesome community of people, good coffee and the perfect spot for getting focused work done 👌

16/09/2026

Last week, I spent a lot of time stopping people from making very expensive mistakes.

The kind where you can see the problem coming, but by the time it becomes obvious to everyone else, the damage is already done.

A decision that looks sensible on the surface.

A contract that seems fine.

A business move that feels like the obvious next step.

Until you slow it down and look at what's sitting underneath it.

That’s where discernment matters.

Knowing what to question.

Knowing where to look.

Knowing when something doesn't quite stack up — even when everything appears to be telling you to go ahead.

Last week, those conversations saved two of my clients tens of thousands of dollars EACH.

Not by doing more.

By not making the wrong move.

And honestly, that’s one of the most satisfying parts of the work I do.

Sometimes strategic advice isn't about finding the next opportunity.

Sometimes it's about seeing the cliff edge before you drive over it.