On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, dyslexic Bedfordshire entrepreneur Katie Godfrey’s bestselling book Get Off the Tools empowers beauty business owners to scale smartly while balancing life.
Get Off The Tools
A dyslexic mother of two from Bedfordshire, Katie Godfrey, has achieved a remarkable milestone, transforming her life from £50,000 in debt to building a global beauty empire and now claiming the title of bestselling author. Her book, Get Off the Tools, has stormed the Amazon charts, hitting No.1 in five categories, including Sales and Marketing, where it surpassed BBC Dragon Steven Bartlett, renowned marketer Alex Hormozi, and Mel Robbins’ widely celebrated Let Them.
Katie also topped the Beauty and Fashion category, overtaking industry icon Liz Earle, a personal inspiration, and secured the No.1 spot in Management & Leadership. The book’s launch coincided with the 16th anniversary of her salon, marking a full-circle moment for the 35-year-old entrepreneur. With a mission to empower one million women in business, Katie’s story is one of resilience, self-education, and unstoppable ambition.
From Debt to Global Beauty Empire
Katie’s entrepreneurial journey began at 19, with no formal business knowledge or qualifications. Having worked as a model since age 13, she craved control over her career and future. Starting with nothing, she faced significant challenges, including £50,000 in debt and the responsibilities of single motherhood. Through sheer determination and self-education, primarily via books, Katie taught herself how to build and scale a profitable business. Today, her beauty empire spans globally, and she manages multiple companies while traveling the world. Her success is a testament to her ability to overcome obstacles, including dyslexia, which she once feared would hold her back from writing a book.
A Bestselling Triumph Over Industry Giants
Get Off the Tools has taken the Amazon charts by storm, achieving No.1 status in five categories. In Sales and Marketing, Katie knocked off Alex Hormozi and outranked Steven Bartlett, the BBC Dragon and host of one of Europe’s biggest podcasts. She also claimed the top spot in Management & Leadership, surpassing Mel Robbins’ Let Them, a book that has dominated media attention. In Beauty and Fashion, Katie overtook Liz Earle, an industry leader who inspired her own career path.
The book’s launch was perfectly timed with her salon’s 16th anniversary, adding a layer of personal significance to her triumph. These achievements highlight Katie’s ability to compete with and surpass some of the most prominent names in business and media.
Overcoming Dyslexia to Fulfill a Childhood Dream
Writing a book was a childhood dream for Katie, but her dyslexia made the process daunting. Despite her fears, she spent a year documenting her proven business strategies, which she now teaches through her coaching programs. With a podcast and a social media following of over 60,000, Katie has been repeatedly asked to share her knowledge in book form. Get Off the Tools is the result of her perseverance, offering a blueprint for beauty, hair, and aesthetics business owners to step away from daily tasks and build thriving brands with trusted teams. For Katie, seeing her book dominate the charts is a deeply personal victory, proving that limitations like dyslexia need not define one’s potential.
A Blueprint for Beauty Entrepreneurs
Get Off the Tools is designed to help salon owners and beauty entrepreneurs transform their businesses. Katie addresses the “what ifs” that many dream of—such as scaling operations, attracting ideal clients, and achieving financial freedom—and provides practical steps to make these goals a reality. Drawing from years of trial, error, and refinement, she shares proven techniques in marketing, sales, and business strategy. The book guides readers to move from working long hours to pay bills to working smarter, building trusted brands with recurring revenue. Katie’s mission is to empower young women, particularly those starting with nothing, to enter the market with confidence and a solid foundation.
Key Lessons from Get Off the Tools
- Step Away from Daily Tasks: Learn to delegate and build a reliable team to focus on strategic growth.
- Attract Ideal Clients: Use targeted marketing to build a loyal customer base.
- Create Recurring Revenue: Develop systems for consistent income, reducing financial stress.
- Become a CEO: Shift from being emotionally attached to the business to leading with vision and strategy.
Empowering One Million Women in Business
Katie’s overarching goal is to support one million women in starting, growing, and scaling their businesses. Through her book, coaching, and online platforms, she provides accessible resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. She emphasizes that success is possible even without formal education or resources, as her own journey demonstrates.
Katie describes her early days as “green” and “in awe,” but now she’s dedicated to helping others become confident CEOs. Her strategies focus on mindset, marketing, and business systems, encouraging entrepreneurs to grow their ventures on their terms without being trapped by daily operations.
Balancing Business and Life: Katie’s Top Five Tips
A core theme of Get Off the Tools is achieving business success while maintaining work-life balance. Katie recognizes the challenges of entrepreneurship, especially for those juggling family responsibilities. She shares her top five tips for growing a business without burning out, offering practical advice for finding a sustainable rhythm:
1. Accept Work-First Phases
Sometimes, business demands take priority—whether launching a product, opening a new location, or managing daily challenges. During these periods, give yourself permission to focus on work without guilt. Communicate openly with loved ones about why you’re prioritizing the business, setting clear expectations to maintain harmony.
2. Set Clear, Short-Term Goals
Intense work periods can feel overwhelming without structure. Break tasks into manageable steps and prioritize them based on urgency and impact. This approach prevents burnout and ensures you focus on actions that drive the most significant results for your business.
3. Escape the Perfectionism Trap
Perfectionism is a time-waster, especially in industries like beauty where precision is valued. Whether it’s tweaking a website or perfecting a client service, recognize when “good enough” is sufficient. This mindset frees up time for strategic priorities and reduces stress.
4. Prioritize Life When Needed
Just as work sometimes takes center stage, so must life. Whether it’s a family holiday, quality time with loved ones, or a much-needed break, these moments recharge your energy and creativity. Stepping back is essential for sustaining long-term passion for your business.
5. Find Your Rhythm
Instead of chasing perfect balance, discover a time-management rhythm that suits your unique needs. This might mean being home for family dinners, doing school runs, or taking a weekly day off to recharge. Align your rhythm with your values and adapt it as circumstances evolve.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Katie Godfrey’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and empowerment. From a 19-year-old with no business experience to a bestselling author and global entrepreneur, she has defied the odds and inspired countless others. Get Off the Tools is more than a business guide—it’s a call to action for young women to dream big and build success on their terms. As Katie continues her mission to reach one million women, her book remains a powerful resource for entrepreneurs in the beauty industry and beyond.
Find more from Katie Godfrey now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4mm9Drb
Paperback: https://amzn.to/43zQquH
Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4jYG6SK
https://www.instagram.com/kg_katiegodfrey/
https://www.instagram.com/kgprofessional/
https://www.instagram.com/kgsalon_bartonleclay/
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!