Our Beef with Client Boundaries (And Why We’re Finally Doing Something About It)
Ever catch yourself replying to Slack messages on a Saturday night, juggling a stack of “quick” client requests, and wondering if this is really what running a business should feel like?
Yeah, same. Welcome to boundary burnout—population: us.
In this episode of the Deeply Rooted Business Podcast, Jess (sustainable growth strategist) and Rachel (email marketing wizard) get brutally honest about setting boundaries with clients—why it's so hard, where we’ve fumbled, and how we’re rewriting the rules for healthier client relationships.
Whether you're a coach, online business owner, or service provider, this convo is your permission slip to ditch the “chill” business owner badge and start protecting your time, energy, and peace. 🙌
Why Setting Boundaries with Clients Feels So Tough
Let’s be real: client boundaries for service providers often feel like a foreign language—especially if you’re a recovering people-pleaser. (No judgment—we’re there too.)
In the corporate world, there were managers, job descriptions, and office hours. As your own boss? It’s just you, your overloaded calendar, and a latte that’s been reheated three times.
And it’s not just about saying no—it’s about the mental ping-pong that happens every time a “quick ask” lands in your inbox:
“It’s just five minutes… right?”
“Will they think I’m lazy if I push back?”
“Should I charge for this or let it slide?”
These tiny decision points eat away at your energy—and over time, they derail your work-life balance as an entrepreneur.
Myths We’ve Bought Into About Client Communication Boundaries
On the podcast, we spill the tea on the lies we’ve told ourselves (and each other) about maintaining healthy client communication boundaries:
“If I don’t reply immediately, they’ll ghost.”
“I have to be available 24/7 to seem legit.”
“It’s too small to charge for.”
Spoiler: Over-serving clients doesn’t build trust—it chips away at it. Ignoring professional boundaries in business leads to resentment, burnout, and ironically… the very client churn you were trying to avoid.
The CEO Energy Shift: Managing Client Expectations Like a Boss
Here’s the wake-up call that changed everything:
You’re either managing your business like a CEO—or letting your clients manage you.
If you’re a solo service provider or coach, you’re also the project manager, legal team, and finance department. Which means setting clear expectations and holding them is your actual job.
In the episode, we share:
Our exact scripts for out-of-scope convos
How scheduling Slack messages helps us respect boundaries (and our sanity)
The mindset shift that finally got us out of “task rabbit” mode
Client Boundary Strategies That Actually Work
This isn’t just a vent sesh. We’re sharing the client boundary strategies that finally helped us reclaim our time and raise the standard for our businesses.
From onboarding guides that force clarity upfront to client contract essentials that spell out your scope and communication hours, here’s what’s been game-changing:
Clear response time policies built into contracts
Using tools like HoneyBook or ClickUp to create scope clarity
How we gracefully reset boundaries mid-contract
Why automation = boundary support (hello, payment reminders)
These strategies work whether you're hourly, retainer-based, or offering high-ticket packages.
Feeling the Client Boundary Burnout? This Episode’s for You.
You’re not alone. This one’s filled with “OMG same” confessions, awkward learning curves, and the kind of real talk we usually save for the group chat.
But more than anything, it’s your cue to audit your energy leaks, reset how you think about client care, and show up like the CEO of your online business—not the assistant.
🎧 Listen now: Our Beef with Client Boundaries on the Deeply Rooted Business Podcast
👉 Click here to listen and subscribe
Want More Support with Setting Boundaries?
Follow us on Instagram, drop your wildest scope creep story in the DMs, and send this episode to a fellow business owner who needs a boundary boost.
We’ll be cheering you on—with inbox autoresponders ON. 💁♀️
