Meet SA Woman Member, Bridget Johns.
Business: Be Simply Free & Grants Simplified
Job Role: Time & Resource Optimiser
Tell us a bit about you:
I’m Bridget Johns, a grant writer, life simplifier and time & resource optimiser based on a wheat and sheep farm on the Yorke Peninsula of SA. I hold an Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Agribusiness, Association Management and Local Government), Bachelor of Food Technolopgy and Management (Honours), Diploma of Community Development and a Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. I’m passionate about practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce stress, the mental load and improve wellbeing for individuals, families and communities.
My career has included 16 years working across state and local government, supporting people through challenging times and helping programs and services create meaningful impact. I now work part-time in local government as a Grants & Investment Coordinator, alongside running my own businesses.
I’m committed to rural leadership and community development through various volunteer and board roles, and I’m passionate about building stronger regional communities where people feel supported, connected and empowered.
Tell us a bit about your business or organisation:
I run two purpose-led businesses, Be Simply Free and Grants Simplified, both designed to make life and work feel easier, clearer and more achievable.
Be Simply Free supports tired and overwhelmed women to reduce their mental load through decluttering, simple systems and realistic routines that work in everyday life. My signature approach focuses on using “1% pockets of your day” (14.4 minutes) to create progress without overwhelm, helping women save time, reduce waste, and free up more energy for what matters most.
Grants Simplified supports businesses, councils, charities and community organisations to secure funding through grant searches, strategy, writing and application support. I help clients turn great ideas into funder-ready submissions by clarifying their project, strengthening outcomes, tightening budgets, and making the process far less stressful, especially when deadlines are tight and capacity is limited.
Across both businesses, my goal is the same: reduce stress, save time, and help people use their resources wisely.
Services
Be Simply Free
* Be Simply Free Forever membership
* 1:1 private coaching to declutter and simplify
* Tools and resources to reduce mental load, save money, and create calmer routines
Grants Simplified
* Once-off grant searches
* Grant writing, editing and submission support
* Project scoping, budgets and funding strategy support
How can we best contact you:
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetjohns/
Website – Be Simply Free: https://besimplyfree.com.au
Website – Grants Simplified: https://www.grantssimplified.com
Instagram Page – Be Simply Free: https://www.instagram.com/be.simplyfree/
Instagram Page – Grants Simplified: https://www.instagram.com/grantssimplified/
Facebook Page – Be Simply Free: https://www.facebook.com/BeSimplyFree
Facebook Page – Grants Simpified: https://www.facebook.com/grantssimplified
What region of South Australia are you in?:
Yorke Peninsula
Let’s get to know you a little more.
What has been a lesson you learnt in your career or business that has stayed with you?
One lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career is that clarity creates calm, and progress doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
Whether I’m supporting someone through a tough season, writing a grant under pressure, or helping women reduce the mental load at home, I’ve learned that people don’t need more motivation, they need a simpler plan and the next right step. When we break big, overwhelming things into practical actions, confidence grows, stress reduces, and real change becomes possible.
What is your favourite place in South Australia to visit?
of course the Yorke Peninsula of SA
Why is being part of SA Woman important to you?
Being part of SA Woman is important to me because I’m passionate about supporting and championing South Australian women, especially those building businesses, leading change, and carrying a lot behind the scenes.
I love that SA Woman creates a space for connection, visibility and real community, where women can learn from each other, collaborate, and feel less alone in the juggle of work, family and life. It also aligns strongly with what I stand for through both of my businesses, helping women feel supported, empowered and more confident in the way they live, work and lead.
What is a quote or mantra you live by?
It has to be “Collect moments, not things.”
It’s my reminder to focus on what really matters, time with the people I love, meaningful experiences, and creating a life that feels lighter and more intentional.