Being radically generous in business - Looks Like Work, Season 1, Ep 12
What does it really look like to build a values-led business—one that doesn’t just say it’s feminist, but lives it in practice? This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Amelia Hruby—founder of Softer Sounds Studio, host of Off the Grid, and producer of this very podcast—for a deep, intimate conversation about energy, intention, and doing business on your own terms.
From her nonlinear leap from academia to entrepreneurship, to her bold decision to leave social media entirely, Amelia shares how she designed a business that protects her energy, aligns with her values, and actually supports rest. We talk about what it means to “grow slow,” how to recognize when boundaries are doing too much (or not enough), and why radical generosity requires real energetic sovereignty.
This one’s for anyone tired of adrenaline-fueled hustle, and ready to rewrite the rules.
Key Topics:
Building Softer Sounds from PhD student to podcast studio owner
What it really means to run a feminist business
Why she ditched Instagram—and how her business grew anyway
Setting boundaries that protect joy and energy
The difference between urgency and alignment in marketing
“Grow slow” as a mantra, a sticker, and a business model
Creating systems that reflect your values—not someone else’s funnel
Saying no from abundance, not fear
Amelia’s Powerful Question:
“Is this a ‘yes’ because I want to—or because I think I have to?”
A deceptively simple question that cuts through scarcity thinking and helps you act from alignment, not obligation.
Key Lessons:
Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement.
You don’t have to prove your worth for your work to matter.
Systems can be values-aligned and energy-protective.
You are allowed to leave platforms that drain you.
Scarcity is sneaky—and it can make you rebuild the very systems you escaped.
Saying “no” can be the most radical growth strategy of all.
“Part of learning how we work best is learning how we rest best.”
Listen to this episode on Spotify | Apple | Wherever you get your podcasts
Resources & Mentions:
Courses Amelia mentioned: Feminist Business School, The Alignment Course, Laura Holway
Catch up on previous seasons of Looks Like Work wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple | Podbean
Subscribe to the newsletter: chedva.substack.com
Check out The Curiosity Lab and CuriosityGPT
