Meet Saskia, a minimalist entrepreneur who built a thriving business by simplifying life and work. From decluttering her lifestyle to optimizing business systems, her approach has helped countless freelancers and solopreneurs achieve more by doing less. In this inspiring portrait, she shares how minimalism fuels her business strategy, the secrets behind creating effortless workflows, and why "It’s not about getting more done—it’s about having less to do."
Q: Hey there, Saskia! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Australia and have lived in the Netherlands with my husband for over 13 years. On our way back to immigrate to Australia, we decided to stop off in my husband’s homeland, Bali, for a year with our family—but when the world shut down, back in 2020, we got stuck.
We fell in love with the island then, and now, five years later, we’re still here with no plans to leave.
In much the same way we accidentally remained in Bali, I also accidentally fell into minimalism over a decade ago. While preparing to travel the world, we realised our cupboards were overflowing, our bank accounts were empty, and something had to change if we were to make this trip a reality. That realisation sparked a journey of simplification that began with squeezing our life into a backpack. It’s since rippled into every area of our lives, shaping how we parent, run our business.
Q: You’ve mentioned your business; what is it that you do?
I help coaches and consultants simplify and systemise their business using minimalism and simple systems.
A big part of my work is answering the question, “What would it look like if it were easy?” and then making that a reality for my clients.
In my work, I’ve tried all the tools out there to make this happen—project management apps, to-do lists, sticky notes, you name it. But hands down, the best tool I’ve ever used is ClickUp. In my opinion, it’s the ultimate all-in-one task and project management tool. It’s like having your entire business brain in one place—streamlining workflows, automating the boring stuff, and keeping everything organised and crystal clear. I fell in love with it so much that I became a Verified ClickUp Consultant to help others experience the same transformation.
My clients often come to me overwhelmed, with successful businesses that look great on the outside but feel chaotic behind the scenes. By creating tailored systems, I help them save up to a day a week, increase their client capacity, and get back to the work they truly love. Whether it’s through ClickUp builds, mentorship programs, or strategy sessions, my goal is always to create a business that runs smoothly and feels effortless.
Q: Tell us about the dream you had (backpacking to Australia) that made you become a minimalist.
The dream was simple: my husband and I wanted to backpack around the world for a year and eventually make our way to Australia. But as we prepared, it became clear that something needed to change, and we needed to save more to fund the trip.
First, we became clear on our goal: we wanted to save €20,000 within a set timeframe. We looked closely at our finances––what was coming in, what was going out, and what was truly essential. We created a budget to track our spending and committed to only doing what aligned with our goal.
This meant making some tough decisions. Did we really need to live in the house we were in? Did we need to buy new clothes as often or go out for dinner as much? One of the best pieces of advice I received was that if you cut back in every area, you'll feel completely deprived. But if you're intentional about where you save and where you splurge, it becomes much more sustainable. For me, that meant cutting back on clothes and dinners out, but still enjoying a cappuccino at a café. If I couldn’t have that small indulgence, I would’ve felt like I was really struggling.
Another strategy that helped was setting milestones. For every €5,000 we saved, we treated ourselves to something special—a fancy dinner or a weekend away. It kept us motivated and made the process feel rewarding.
When it comes to figuring out what’s a need-to-have versus a nice-to-have, it’s all about being honest with yourself. Deep down, you know the difference. For us, it was simple: if it wasn’t something we’d take in our backpacks, we didn’t buy it.
And like anything, this new approach is a skill. You won’t be perfect overnight—you’ll probably slip up and make mistakes—but it’s something you improve on with practice.
Q: What is it about this minimalist lifestyle that speaks to you the most?
Minimalism quickly became more than just a necessity—it became a way of life. It taught me to stop following the crowd and to question whether the choices I was making truly aligned with what mattered most to me. By constantly asking, “Is this what I really want?” and “Does this support the life I want to build?” I naturally began to unsubscribe from the default way of doing things.
This mindset forces you to live by design, not by default—which often means going against the grain and ruffling feathers, but ultimately leads to a life that feels more intentional and fulfilling.
When you make decisions that challenge the status quo, people will project their fears and perceived limitations. When we decided to move to Asia, people told us it wasn’t possible because we had a mortgage, a child, and my husband had a salaried job. The same thing happened when we chose to homeschool our daughter—many people had strong opinions because we weren’t doing what everyone else was doing.
But because we made these decisions thoughtfully and intentionally, we felt grounded and confident in them, even when others questioned us. Over time, this minimalist mindset naturally expanded into every aspect of our lives—from how we work and parent, to how we spend and live our lives.
By continually questioning what truly matters and staying aligned with our values, we’ve been able to design a life that feels authentic, intentional, and deeply fulfilling.
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, be more, have more, and consume more than we need—creating more stress, overwhelm, and waste than ever before—minimalism offers a much-needed antidote.
Q: How have you been able to use it in your professional life?
The minimalist principles I used to prepare for our trip—visualise, prioritise, minimise, systemise and organise—are exactly how I approach my business. When I became a new mum while running a growing business, minimalism helped me create space in my mind and schedule, allowing me to focus on what truly mattered.
Now, I guide my clients through the same process: helping them clarify their goals, focus on what matters, and eliminate what doesn’t. Together, we build streamlined systems that save time, reduce stress, and allow businesses to focus on the work they love.
Mentorship and Strategic Focus
Many of my clients are visionary entrepreneurs with big ideas but struggle with follow-through and focus. They often juggle dozens of half-finished projects, constantly chasing new ideas but rarely seeing them through. I act as a strategic partner—helping them prioritise what will actually move their business forward and map out actionable plans to get there. This support provides both clarity and accountability, making it easier for them to stay on track.
Simplified and Systemised Operations
Beyond strategy, I help clients simplify and systemise their business operations. Many are running six- or seven-figure businesses through scattered tools like WhatsApp chats, Google Docs and Excel spreadsheets, with no centralised system in place. Often, critical knowledge is stored in a VA’s head, making the business vulnerable if that person leaves.
I solve this by building a centralised business hub in ClickUp, that brings together all tasks, communication, and processes in one organised space. This involves:
- Connecting tools and automating workflows so systems communicate smoothly.
- Automating repetitive tasks to eliminate busywork and ensure consistency.
- Creating step-by-step systems to avoid reinventing the wheel and ensure every client receives the same high level of service.
- Documenting workflows to clarify who does what, how and why, reducing reliance on individuals and increasing team efficiency.
By blending strategic mentorship with streamlined systems, I help clients build businesses that are scalable, efficient, and far less stressful to manage.
Q: What led you to your decision to quit traditional employment and chase down your 1st client?
Becoming a mum was my biggest motivator. I wanted more flexibility, the ability to be present with my daughter, and the freedom to align work with my family values. Knowing that we would potentially move internationally again also played a big role—having my own business would give me the ability to work from anywhere.
My first client came from a workshop I attended for creative entrepreneurs back in the Netherlands. Since then, most of my clients have come through word of mouth, which I think is the best testimonial you can get—it’s a reflection of the impact my work has had on others.
Q: You have a minimalist mindset exercise you frequently use to help filter priorities and stay organised. Would you tell us about this?
Deep down, most of us know what we truly want to do, but we get bogged down by what we think we should do—whether that’s fulfilling others' expectations or societal norms. My minimalist mindset exercise helps clients cut through that clutter by giving them permission to let go of what doesn’t align with their goals.
The process starts with visualising where they want to go and prioritising what’s truly needed to get there. Then we minimise the nonessential, systemise to bring ease and efficiency, and finally organise sustainable habits and clear business plans.
It’s so impactful because it shifts the focus from doing everything to doing the right thing. It’s like taking 10 steps in one direction instead of one step in 10 directions, creating clarity and momentum.
Q: What sort of impact have you had on businesses with this mindset?
The impact of my work goes beyond measurable results. Yes, I can help clients reduce their workload by 20%, increase their client capacity (often doubling or tripling it, sometimes more), and make their businesses more efficient. But the real magic is in the personal transformations.
It’s the client who finally gets a full night’s sleep, the one who attends family events fully present, or the one who works a day less each week to pick up a long-lost hobby. For business owners, the line between work and life is blurred at best, so the benefits spill over into their personal lives too. My work gives them the space to live the life they envisioned when they started their business, not just run it.
Q: How is it that you build awareness around such a unique and transformative service?
Too often, people think being disorganised or overwhelmed is just part of who they are, not something they can fix. If you need a photographer, you know to hire one. If you need help with social media, you hire a social media manager. But when your systems are a mess, and your business feels chaotic, most people assume it’s just something they have to live with.
My role is to show them that’s not true. I help them see it’s not about a personal failure or a lack of discipline—it’s a lack of the right systems. Entrepreneurs are visionaries, and the same qualities that make them great at growing businesses often make it hard for them to focus on the details.
I specialise in simplifying those details—mapping out workflows, eliminating inefficiencies, and creating systems that deliver the same amazing results for their clients, but with less time and stress. Building awareness is about letting people know that this type of support exists and that it’s okay (and smart!) to get help.
Q: How has your discovery of Xolo aided in your business and lifestyle?
Back when I set up my Estonian business, there weren’t many options, so I explored them all. Xolo stood out with its clear, transparent and hassle-free approach. Their fixed monthly fee meant no surprises—exactly how I like to run my business.
Over the years, Xolo’s service has been consistently excellent—quick responses, helpful support, and a real focus on solutions. Ease and simplicity are core values for me, and Xolo makes financial management feel effortless.
Q: What singular bit of wisdom would you hope our readers sign off with?
“It’s not about getting more done—it’s about having less to do.”
We’ve been conditioned to believe that busier is better and more is more, but that’s total nonsense. You don’t have to do it all, be it all, or offer it all.
Take the time to figure out what you really want to achieve, then focus only on what’s necessary to get there—not because someone else did it that way, or because it’s how you’ve always done it, but because it’s what works for you.
Let this be your permission slip to do less.
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