From NHS burnout to llamas in bow ties… Celia Gaze’s story is one hell of a plot twist.

Celia didn’t set out to be a founder. She set out to survive stress. But what started as a piece of coursework about wellbeing turned into The Wellbeing Farm – a wedding and events venue in Bolton where the llamas wear bow ties (yes, really) and joy is stitched into the brand.

In this conversation we get into:

• How burnout sneaks up on us and why we need to notice the “small creaks” before the big crash.
• Why proving yourself is a never-ending treadmill and owning your worth is the real liberation.
• The power of tiny, quirky decisions (like bow ties on llamas) to transform a business.
• Celia’s “Book of Joy” – a running list of the little and big things that make her feel alive and why every woman needs one.
• Declaring your boundaries out loud – to yourself as much as anyone else – and the permission it creates.
• Why space, solitude, and saying no are not indulgences but essential checks and balances if you want to crack on without burning out.

Celia’s six-word memoir? “Burnout, bow ties on llamas, chose conscious.”
And that sums it up perfectly.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Stress creeps in through the little things until suddenly you’re gripping the steering wheel wondering if it’s a heart attack. Catch it early.
2. Declare it. Boundaries only stick when you declare them – to your team, your family, but most importantly, to yourself.
3. Joy needs scheduling. Whether it’s buying flowers, walking in nature, or sitting with a brew – joy doesn’t just happen. Make it intentional.
4. The quirks are the differentiators. A bow tie on a llama turned The Wellbeing Farm from “just another venue” into something unforgettable. Your small, authentic quirks are your brand edge.
5. Legacy > busyness. Building the business is only half the story. What you’re remembered for goes beyond the spreadsheets.

Sarah is the founder of FoundHer Fire—a membership space for experienced women in business who know real success isn’t just about strategy, it’s about self; a place, a space, a community where women find their fire, for women who aren't done yet and who are ready to write their own rules of success. Sarah also co-founded The Plot Twist (un)Awards, celebrating female founders and women smashing through glass ceilings with purpose, passion and joy.

Find out more about me and how I can work with you:

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• Or drop me an email sarah@mindthegap.academy