We were lucky to catch up with Bonnie Singleton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bonnie, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
My approach to self-care centers on something that might surprise people: boundaries. While most think of self-care as bubble baths or meditation apps, I’ve found that setting clear boundaries around my work has been the most transformative practice for both my wellbeing and business success.
This wasn’t always the case. In 2021, I hit a breaking point – working 12-hour days, struggling to make payroll, and watching my health deteriorate. I was trying to be everything to everyone, with no systems or boundaries to protect me. That experience taught me that true self-care isn’t just what you add to your life, but what you deliberately remove.
Now, my non-negotiables include strict office hours, clear pricing structures, and daily nature walks with my dogs. I’ve also developed specific eating and exercise routines that support my PCOS management – because physical health directly impacts my mental clarity and creative capacity.
The impact has been profound. I’m more focused in client meetings, more empathetic with my team, and find creative solutions flow more easily. Complex decisions that once felt overwhelming now come with greater clarity and confidence.
Perhaps most importantly, this approach has transformed our company culture. We practice what we preach with unlimited PTO that people actually use. Randy leads her Wednesday group bike rides, Jane prioritizes wellness as a mom of two, and Stephanie never misses her nieces’ gymnastics tournaments. By modeling that work exists to support life (not the other way around), we’ve built a team that brings their best selves to their work because they’re fulfilled outside of it too.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I founded Pollinate Marketing after seeing too many successful business owners drowning in data and the advice that “content is king” but starving for insights. These entrepreneurs had proven their concepts and were ready to scale, but found themselves paralyzed by conflicting reports and unclear ROI on their marketing efforts.
What makes our approach different is our relentless focus on measurement before expansion. While most marketing agencies chase the newest platforms or trends, we help businesses maximize what’s already working through disciplined testing and optimization. This data-driven approach has helped our clients double monthly leads while reducing marketing spend by 40% and transform modest 2% conversion rates into impressive 6% by reaching the right customers.
My journey to this methodology wasn’t straightforward. During COVID, we lost our largest client who represented over 50% of our monthly revenue – suddenly I was choosing between making payroll or paying rent. This painful experience transformed how we approach growth, both for ourselves and our clients. We now emphasize strategic diversification, building robust financial safeguards, and focusing on sustainable scaling rather than just rapid expansion.
This philosophy was reinforced during our sixth year in business. After doubling revenue annually for five consecutive years, we intentionally focused on strengthening our foundation – improving systems, developing our team, and refining our core offerings. This “pause” in revenue growth became our most transformative period, teaching us that sometimes the most powerful growth happens beneath the surface.
Today, we specialize in working with established service businesses with digital booking and hybrid delivery models. We offer two pathways to accelerate growth: Strategic Growth Consulting to transform confusing data into clear decisions, and Full-Service Marketing implementation for those ready to execute proven strategies.
What excites me most right now is watching our clients experience the same revelation we did – that sustainable growth isn’t about doing more of everything, but about getting better at what truly matters. When a business owner goes from feeling overwhelmed by marketing options to confidently making data-driven decisions, that’s when I know we’re truly pollinating growth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most transformative in my entrepreneurial journey are intentionality, personal success definition, and creating ease in business operations.
First, intentionality has been the foundation of every meaningful growth period. Early on, I was reactive—responding to whatever client came along or whatever marketing trend emerged. The game changed when I began approaching every decision with clear intention, from which clients we serve to how we structure our days. For those early in their journey: before making any significant business decision, pause and ask, “Does this align with the business I’m intentionally building?” This simple filter will save you from the exhausting cycle of chasing opportunities that don’t serve your vision.
Second, defining success on my own terms revolutionized my relationship with my business. Society pushes a narrative that success means constant revenue growth, but my most fulfilling year was when we focused on systems and team development rather than top-line numbers. For newcomers: take time to write down what success actually looks like for YOU—beyond revenue targets. Is it time freedom? Creative fulfillment? Community impact? When you clarify your personal definition of success, you’ll make decisions that actually move you toward fulfillment, not just impressive metrics.
Finally, building a business that’s easy to show up for has been my secret weapon for longevity. After experiencing burnout in 2021, I restructured everything around this question: “How can this be easier?” This led to better client boundaries, streamlined processes, and a team culture that values effectiveness over hustle. For early-stage entrepreneurs: regularly audit your business for friction points. What tasks do you dread? Which clients drain your energy? Then systematically redesign these elements. A business you love going to on Monday mornings is sustainable in ways that a high-revenue, high-stress operation simply isn’t.
These qualities aren’t typically celebrated in entrepreneurial circles obsessed with hustle culture, but they’re the true foundation of a business that serves your life rather than consuming it. Build with intention, define success personally, and prioritize ease—your future self will thank you.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When overwhelm starts creeping in, I’ve learned that it’s usually a signal that my brain needs a reset, not that I need to work harder. My go-to strategy is what I call the “brain dump and reclaim” method.
First, I grab a piece of paper and write down absolutely everything swirling in my head – tasks, worries, ideas, even random thoughts like remembering to buy dog food. Getting it all out of my mind and onto paper immediately reduces the mental static. There’s something powerful about seeing all those thoughts captured in one place rather than bouncing around my brain.
The critical next step is ruthless prioritization. From that messy list, I identify what actually needs my attention right now. The truth is, it’s usually just 2-3 items that are creating 80% of the pressure. Those essential tasks go straight into my calendar – not just on a to-do list, but actually scheduled with dedicated time blocks for deep focus.
What’s been game-changing is recognizing that overwhelm is often a boundary issue. When I feel that familiar tightness in my chest, it’s typically because I’ve let my calendar fill with other people’s priorities or haven’t protected my deep work time. So now, part of my reset process includes checking whether I need to reinforce any boundaries that have slipped.
My advice for anyone struggling with overwhelm: treat it as information, not a personal failing. It’s your system telling you something needs adjustment, not a sign that you’re not capable enough. The simple act of capturing everything, prioritizing ruthlessly, and recommitting to your boundaries can transform that overwhelming fog into a clear action plan, every single time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pollinatemarketing.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pollinatemarketing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-singleton-32652b92
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
