21st Mar 2026
Meet the Member – Fiona Spence – The Habit Hacker
Name, business name
Fiona Spence – The Habit Hacker
Tell us about your businesses, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
My business is a coaching business where I work 1:1, with groups and run workshops. I coach people who are about to give up. Their plans, goals, dreams aren’t happening and they are out of ideas. They are exhausted. Working with me, we get stuck into what’s really going on. Together we challenge popular trends, ignore the chatter and get creative with their specific situation. If they’re not a morning person, we won’t build a morning routine. The habits we build will be unique to them. That’s why they’ll work.
I’ve always had an interest in psychology and studied an honours psychology degree part time a few years ago while I was working. Through that, I discovered habits and motivation. This took me on a journey of learning and discovery which ultimately helped me to train as a coach and launch my own business so I can share my learnings and experience to help other people. I have been coaching for almost 2 years, but The Habit Hacker launched at the end of January this year. It’s a natural bringing together of habits, motivation and the reasons my clients have come to me.
Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
Best piece of advice was not to go down a learning and qualification rabbit hole. It’s very easy to keep focused on the personal development and continuous learning aspect of coaching. This is important, but there is a time to focus on it and a time to focus on your business.
What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
My biggest lesson has been managing the transition from full-time employment to full-time self-employed. This has been an interesting and challenging journey that has thrown up a whole range of unexpected things for me to deal with.
What is your number 1 business tip for success?
My number 1 tip is, unsurprisingly, to set yourself up with systems that work for you. Systems are created from habits, and everyone is unique, so you need to find systems that work for you.
What are the big business goals for the next year?
My biggest goal is to not end up in a situation where I need to find a job again. I want to keep moving forward with my coaching business.
How can the GGC Business membership help?
The GGC Business membership has already helped by challenging me and helping me get clear on what I offer and how I speak about it. More challenges when things appear unclear would be great. It would be good to have regular training style sessions or speaker-led events on subjects that are traditionally hard for solopreneurs. The Business Boost day is an example and I know there are lots of resources on the website, but a quarterly workshop type event with an expert speaker would be good.
What’s the dream?
The dream is to work for myself and be able to sustain my income and eventually be able to travel and work. Initially I want to travel with my partner as he is away a lot for work, but then we’d like to be able to explore together.
Fave mantra to get you buzzed up for business!
I can do hard things is a favourite. I also like If you’ve always done what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve always got.
Shout out to another local business you admire!
I really like what Heather Offord does, the clarity (no-pun intended) that she talks about her business with along with the organic growth you see as she builds her business. I find multi-income streams that are related and cohesive inspiring. GGC does this too, I like businesses that grow and develop new ideas and products.
Three fun facts about you!
Running is my passion. I run every day and have done for almost 1900 days. No days off. I’m a qualified Scottish Athletics run coach. My relaxing hobby is knitting which led me to run an Etsy shop because I’m not very good at relaxing!
