Amidst The Chaos

When I started this podcast, the goal was to bring mothers in different indutries to this community so that YOU can see the variety of ways you can either start a side hustle or jump right in to a new career with skills you may already have. Today's guest is not only an amazing listen, but selfishly so fun as she is in the photography space - so I got to geek out on somethings! Alisa McCormick is a private photography editor for weddings who started her career as a photographer! We talk about how she was a stay at home mom and wanted a way to reinvent herself, so teamed up with her daughter to start a photography business. She tells me how she transitioned to being a photo editor and how she made that her full time work. She has continued to learn and grow in the space and wanted to find a way to support and share her tips, so she created a course for photo editing! I love that so many of Alisa's tips are not only for those in photography. She talks about how important your network is and how she has really focused on finding careers for the different chapters of her life (serious goals)! I know you will love this episode just as much as I did, so make sure to check out her site and feed after you listen!

My guest today is on a mission to help mothers get back to feeling like themselves again through confidence and mindful eating. Karen Brein is a nutrition and wellness coach that used her own experience after kids to help other mamas feeling the same. We start talking about her life pre kids and company and how she came to find her passion as a coach to other women. She talks about how to form habits and her approach with her clients that TRULY help them succeed and maintain their goals. Karen also touches on imposter syndrome, which so many founders (and people in general) face. We also dive into how she got her first clients, when she realized she needed to set boundaries and the hardest part of starting a business. I loved hearing Karen talk about the harder parts of building a business - especially one that is built around a method YOU created. Make sure to check out her site and feed for tips and insights. We also have an exclusive deal for our listeners -- 10% off any offer with code CHAOS10.

Today's guest has brought a game changing product to the lives of all parents that are grocery shopping with their infants. Lindsey Fleischhauer is the creator of Totes Babies, which fits onto a grocery cart to help keep your infant carrier out of the bottom (hello, GENIUS idea)! Lindsey starts by telling me how she came to the idea after experience this problem every time she went to the store, and how her dad played a huge role in making it a reality. She then gets real about how she had some big naysayers that told her it wasn't a good idea -- and how she moved past that. We talk about how she found different partners she's worked with (hint - it's something you can all do) and then she opens up about changing her perspective on working motherhood which really resonated with! We finish with her Shark Tank experience and how that impacted her then and now. I love that Lindsey took a problem and found a way to make a solution, and continues to be so involved in getting this product into the hands of parents who need it! Make sure to check our their site and follow along on social. Also, for the Amidst the Chaos listeners, we have a special discount! Use code TOTES25 for 25% off and Free Shipping.

WOW, today's episode I got DEEP with our guest, Whitney Lundeen, on her journey to build her clothing brand Sonnet James. Whitney not only talks about the founder tips and hurdles, but gets really honest and open about her personal struggles, which I think will be really helpful for so many people. Whitney tells me about how she was a young mom and found herself in an unhealthy marriage. After making the scary decision to leave, she knew she had to do something on her own as childcare was so expensive. Instead of making excuses, she decided to jump right in and learn a new skill (sewing) to make fun, practical dresses for moms. She then walks me through the logistics on starting her brand, meeting and changing manufacturers and how she leans on her gut more than others do. Whitney talks to me about the mental shift she has had thanks to this company, and how she really aims to practice what she is selling -- more PLAY with your kids. Finally, she tells me about how one book changed her mindset on life and how these past few years have helped given her something she didn't know she needed. Make sure to listen for her tips and tricks, but even more so, for her story of courage and mental strength in life and business. Head to their site to check out the cute play dresses and give them a follow on Instagram to stay up to date on all things Whitney and Sonnet James!

I am so excited to bring another guest on the show today who had a skill/passion for something and after years of switching careers has found a way to turn that into her fulltime career. Today I am joined by Stacy Aguilar, a graphic designer who helps entrepreneurs with their branding and web design. We first talk about Stacy's background in public policy, where she was focused on helping people but found she was super interested in design and the visual realm, but she didn't know the best way to combine the two! Then she talks to us about how when she was working in ad agencies, and wanted to focus more on helping people, and took (what was at the time) her dream job as a graphic design teacher at an all girls private school. While teaching she continued with side projects, including teaching courses and creating products, but realized its time consuming and hard to scale. We talk about the hard decision of making a leap to the unknown and the fear of it not working out. Stacy talks about how she reached out to her network to help her, how she finds boundaries through the struggles of working from home and how COVID affected her and her business. She finishes up with an AMAZING time management skill -- one that you wouldn't normally think of! I love being able to speak with mothers who have skills that many of you may have, to help give you the confidence and tools to jump out on your own (or make it a side hustle) if you are thinking about it. Stacy's stories is so common, which I hope gives that extra push to have faith and trust in yourself. Make sure to head to Stacy's feed and page to learn more and connect with her!

I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to be more productive in one aspect of their life -- even my guest, who is a productivity coach! Meaghan Langston, the Meaning Mentor, joins us to kick off season two of the podcast! Meaghan has a similar background as previous guests in that she had a standard job but wasn't loving the hours, so was searching for something that was more flexible and aligned with her skills. While she was having these thoughts, her and her husband had just recently become foster parents to two littles (so not stressful at all). While at work, she benefited from a perk at her job that included a coach to employees. After seeing the benefits in coaching (and with the encouragement of her coach) she started to coach on the side. Meaghan dives into how she built her clientele, where she pivoted when she saw the need and how she chooses professional decisions. While Meaghan talks about her story, she highlights a common myth about coaches that you are going to want to hear! It was so fun talking to Meaghan and I know her unique story will be so helpful for many of you. Make sure to visit Meaghan's feed and take advantage of her gracious offer of 10% off coaching or calendar insight (I promise you will benefit from either!) with code AMIDSTTHECHAOS.

I am so excited to finish out this amazing first season with a guest who could essentially be the poster child for this podcast! Sarah Peck is the founder of Start Up Parent, which focuses on helping women feel less alone and gives them the tools they need to plan for families during busy careers. Sarah starts by giving me her long job history -- she legit has done it all! When she got pregnant with her first at a tech start up that she loved, she took her maternity leave in her own hands and set out to figure out what worked for her and the firm. As she was learning about this cross between work and family, she started recognizing how hard it is for women to make this happen. She started with the idea of a podcast, which lead to Start Up Parent and so much more! I love that Sarah talks about how things don't look pretty or glamorous, but you don't know how things are until you do them! She talks about how you need to be prepared for so many different scenarios and things can look different for each family. I am so happy to have her finish this season out! Make sure to follow along on her site for some amazing resources, as well as her instagram and podcast. 

When everything went virtual in 2020, all sorts of service providers found a way to make it work with a ton of different digital video platforms. But my guest today, Rebecca Featherstone, wasn't satisfied with 'just ok' when it came to her music lessons. Instead of dealing with it (like so many of us continue to do), she MADE A FREAKING APP (musicology) to help music teachers all over have better and more effective lessons with their students. Rebecca talks to me about her background in music and how the frustrations of teaching over zoom became too much for her and her students. We chat about how she decided to make the app and the amazing connections she's made through friends and her network. She also tells me the honest truth about pitching investments and how years of performance has given her really tough skin. Rebecca story is so relatable to anyone who is in the thick of things and building something important to them (and others). For any music teachers who are looking to connect better with their students, make sure to check out Musica.ly and follow along on her Instagram for some fun life updates.

How often have you pictured an exciting moment in your life and then it comes and is not at all how you expected?! Well, lucky for you, my guest today is here to help with one of those moments -- introducing a dog to your baby! Dominika Knosalla is a dog trainer and founder of Dog Meets Baby. She joins me to talk about her path to starting this brand and how her life has taken a completely different path than she expected! Dominika tells me how she had wanted to be a vet and met a dog trainer during her time and knew she found her calling. She left Poland to come to the states and really immersed herself in the industry; learning what she could from a range of experts in the space. When she found herself in San Francisco for a second time, she started working at a doggie day school that had lots of training request, then something surprising happened -- she had her twins and her well behaved dog had a predatory response to them. She realized if this could happen to her -- a certified dog trainer -- then it probably happened to others. That is when she started Dog Meets Baby! She's built an online presence through raw, honest tips and being open about her experience to help others going through the same thing. We finish with Dominika telling me about her clients, where they are in their lives and how they find her! It was so great talking to Dominika, I have been wanting to have a dog trainer on for a while and she did not disappoint. Make sire to head to her site and follow her on Instagram to learn some awesome tips.

I am beyond excited to bring our guest, Christine Lusk, on the podcast today because her business is not only GENIUS but so relevant to my life situation. Christine in the founder of Diplodash, which provides diplomats support services during and after transition to posts (UMMM HELLO, ME!!!). Christine talks to be me about her life pre- entrepreneurship and how life of a trailing spouse (though she has properly renamed it a trailblazing spouse) brought on a lot of challenges she hadnt realized. Once she was oversees, she was thinking how nice it would be to have someone send care packages and build shipments from home. She started with a system of information and insights from diplomats on what the would want and would pay for. then she started to build out each section and grew it from there. She tells me how her husband and kids play such an important role in the company as what the support has meant to her. Then we talk about how she is able to remove herself emotionally from the work, and how much stress that takes away from her clients. We end our talk with one of my favorite tips for anyone who is thinking of starting something but unsure if they should -- make sure you listen how she knew it was time to make the leap. It was so fun hearing Christine's story and geek over all the ways this is helping diplomats and their families! Make sure to check out her website and Instagram to learn more!

Today's guest has been on our wish list for a while and she DID NOT disappoint! Lindsey Laurain, the founder and creator of EZPZ fun is on today and she opens up to us about so many things -- building the brand and beyond! For those that don't know (if there are any, ha), ezpz creates innovative, developmentally-focused products that make mealtime less about mess and more about fun. Lindsey's story starts like so many mom founders; she had a problem and there wasn't a solution in the market, so she MADE IT! After years in the corporate world, she took the leap to find a solution to the constant mess she found around her during meal times with her little boys. Lindsey gets into the nitty gritty details of creating a product, including numerous copy cats (some that led to legal action) as well as how she found her manufacturing partners. She also tells me how she brought on her best friends from childhood to join her team -- and how they are still friends and working together! We finish with her diving into the insane trajectory of the company and how they have maintained their brand vision along the way. I am so grateful that Lindsey joined us to chat today and know you will LOVE hearing about her story and the brand. Make sure to check out their AMAZING products (both functional AND adorable) on their site, and follow along on their Instagram.

When I started this podcast, I wanted to highlight all the behind the scenes takes and insider tips on building something with kids along side. If 2020 taught us anything, it's that working while parenting is NO JOKE! I have loved getting to hear founders' stories, specifically how they handled the craziness of these last two years. I am so excited to have Lisa Curtis, founder of Kuli Kuli, on the show today. She talks all about her brand and what this last year brought up for her. Lisa tells me what kick started her brand -- she joined the peace corp after college and needed an alternative for her vegan lifestyle. She was introduced to Moringa by some of the locals and she realized she wanted to start selling it as a way to support them. What started out as a way to bring connection to a local community turned into a business after she went back to the states and found herself at a job she wasn't connecting to. She started playing around with different snacks and selling them at the farmers market, which, spoiler, lead to one of her biggest partnerships! We chat about what CEO life really looks like in the beginning and how she juggled bringing on multiple other founders. Lisa then tells me her plans for the brand going forward and leaves you with a tip for starting a company. Finally, we chat about this amazing contest she started with two other female founders to highlight working mothers, and celebrating all they have been juggling this last year. Check out her Pandemic Super Moms award here. I love talking with Lisa and know you will love her story. Head on over to her site to snag some of her amazing snacks-- psst, they have holiday flavored ones!

Be honest - how many of you have found yourself scrolling social media during the different pockets of your day? In between Netflix episodes, on your walk upstairs, waiting for your kids to get out of school -- anyone? Well, I definitely have, especially these past two years! I have found myself relying on social media to fill any void in my day. I realized I was subconsciously opening my apps and scrolling before I even gave myself a chance to sit with my thoughts (imagine!) or get something productive done.  After taking time to really understand how this was impacting my emotional well being, I knew I had to do something about it! I want to share the actionable tips and tricks I used (nothing crazy), that have worked for me these last few months. Take a listen and let me know which ones you use and if you have any more you think would be beneficial! Social media is amazing in so many ways -- as long as we make sure we are in control of the purpose for it!

Have you ever been to an amazing wedding, party or celebration and thought 'damn, I can't imagine what it took to bring this all together?'! Well, today, you get all the inside scoop on event planning and building a brand that allows you to plan and execute a range of celebrations. I am so excited to have Betsy McKay, founder of Salt events, on the show today telling me all about her experiences and tips on how she built her brand. Betsy has a super interesting background, from being an executive assistant, to the director of admissions. She found that many of these roles involved event planning and that she was REALLY good at it. She talks to me about how she juggles both a full time job during the day and Salt as it continues to grow -- time management is KEY for her. We then go into how COVID has impacted their industry and what she's learned from others as she is navigating the craziness. Betsy then tells me what her schedule looks like with work and coordinating her kids schedules. We finish off with my favorite part of the discussion -- setting boundaries with clients. She dives right into the mistakes she's made before and how she has had to set rules for herself and how/when to respond. Betsy was such an easy person to talk to and it was so great listening to how someone can build a service career from something they love and are good at. Make sure to check out her site, and socials - - and if you are in the Memphis area, be sure to reach out for all of your event planning needs!

There are some people who you meet and you realize that they are doing EXACTLY what they were meant to be doing!Kathy Bartelloni started Evolv Hol, providing integrative health tools to support women, mind, body and soul after years of previously professional lives. She dives into how her life has had some crazy pivots and how she has found herself right where she was always meant to be -- as cliché as it sounds, she is so open and honest about the difficulties she has gone through to begin helping others. Kathy's calm presence is so refreshing, I could have listened to her for hours! Kathy gives me a quick roadmap of her life; starting with life as a military wife, consisting of putting her life on the back burner over and over (ummm HI, me, right here). She then made a big change and went back to school to become a nurse. After years of seeing patients come in, she realized she wanted to be part of the bigger solution and set them up with tools they needed to avoid illness and pain they were going through. She had always loved health and wellness, so dove head first into many different modalities in the holistic wellness world. I was so impressed with Kathy's life path, and more importantly her outlook on it all. She continues to think outside the box on how to get things done, and fully embraces the moments of suck (because, hey, they're inevitable). Kathy encourages all of us to take the challenges and stages in our lives and let them evolve in different ways. Kathy offers a variety of support solution on her site and her instagram page. And if you are looking for someone who understands the ups and downs of life and wants to help you find your mind body connection, reach out to her!

Adding another product to my list of things I wish I had when my kids were little today -- all thanks to our guest, Beth Fynbo! Beth is the founder of Busy Baby Mat, which helps make life a little easier for Busy Parents everywhere! Beth starts off telling me about her childhood and seeing her dad run his own business, and how she knew at a young age she wanted to do something on her own as well. She then went on to serve 10 years in the Army and when she found herself back into a 'normal' routine, she could not get comfortable in the corporate world. After having her first child, she had a big wake up call -- she didn't want someone else experiencing his 'firsts'! It took a hectic dinner with fellow mom friends to give her the aha moment! She realized that kids are CONSTANTLY throwing things on the floor and forcing their parents to pick them up. She came up with the idea to create a mat to keep them occupied after she found it did not exists! Since Beth did not come from the toy industry, she really jumped in and took things piece by piece, slowly working towards the next step and asking 'what should i do to get to the next phase'. I found this so refreshing as it can be SO overwhelming to see your end goal and all the space in between you and that spot! She then tells me about her current day to day, how life has changed as her business has grown and how her family plays a role in all of this! She then tells me how her brother is not a part of the company and how that came to be. Finally we chat about her Shark Tank experience, and the insane way that things happened! Beth is such an easy person to talk to and it was so fun learning from her experiences. Make sure to check out her Busy Baby Mats as well as their other products, and head to her Instagram to follow along!

Any of you out there feel like there MUST be a certain product you are looking for, but when you search you can't find it? For most of us, after we come up empty, we find the next closest thing. But today's guest is not like most of us! Ashi Jelinek was looking for a vitamin infused drink for her kids instead of watering down the juice that was on the market. When she couldn't find anything, the woman MADE IT HERSELF!!! Ashi talks to me about her life pre Kidsluv and how she slowly starting making iterations and diving into flavors for this product. She dives into how she worked on the branding and really figuring out her audience -- I was blown away with how foreword thinking she has been throughout this whole process! She then talks about how she had these grand visions of launching and having a huge success, but that wasn't the case, and what she did next just blew me away. Instead of giving up, she really dove into making things better and figuring out how to build relationships with retailers. We then talk about the identify crisis you find yourself in as a founder -- where do you fall into this crazy founders world. We finish off with her telling me what a typical day is like and what her biggest tips are for developing a drinks, and then she hits me with a big admission -- she was so naiive as to what building this would entail at the beginning, and looking back she isnt sure if she would do it again! Ashi was SO SO easy to talk to -- she opened up, was honest and really introspective on her journey. Weather you have kids or not, you HAVE to check out her products (and be on the lookout for new ones soon). Head to their site or instagram page to learn more and enjoy 20% off 16pcks with code LUVVIP20 on Amazon.

Bringing another amazing human, mother and entrepreneur to you all for today's episode! Heather Greco is the founder of Chaos N Cookies, where she helps business owners increase their efficiency and social media impact through her organizational and automation skills, Her main goal is to make sure you are working smarter, not harder! Heather talks about starting her career in sales and marketing at an IT firm and how she found her way into health and wellness, which was right up her alley as she was a lifelong athlete! She then tells me about how she realized she wanted to help women get more organized and allow them to handle the juggle of life, health and relationships better. All of this lead her to the Chaos Manual -- everything you need to know for your house and how to help you understand how your home works! We then start to dive into how Heather realized her strengths and how she could use them to support others. She also talks to me about during COVID, when other coaches started reaching out to her about growing their online business as she was so successful and that allowed her to morph her focus into both home and business. Now she focuses on women who may find themselves on their own or need that extra time/organization for themselves. She finishes by telling me the HOW behind some of her great successes- building her email list and growing her Instagram boot camp course! Heather is truly a wealth of knowledge and I am so excited for you to hear some truth and encouragement to many different aspects of your life! We also take a great detour and chat about enneagrams and how impactful they are with the people in your life -- both professionally and personally. Heather was such a fun guest to have and I am so appreciative of how honest she was about her own personal struggles as well! Make sure to head to her site to learn more and check out her Instagram for endless pieces of knowledge and her bootcamp!

Today's guest has been on our wish list for months now, so I am SO PUMPED to be able to share her story with you all. Jacquelyn Rodgers is the founder of Greentop Gifts, which brings diversity to your celebrations with apparel, home décor and stationery. Jacquelyn dives into her past career at Mars, selling candy to retailers (umm, ok talk about FUN)!! She then jumps right in to why she started Greentop Gifts; she wanted to share the celebratory memories that she had with her mother with her son, but noticed none of the décor matched what their family looked like. She gives me the full details on how she made this idea come to fruition and when she took the jump all in to Greentop Gifts (and wishes she had sooner). She sheds light into how her past experienced helped her jump in so quickly and how she knew it was time to outsource. Jacquelyn then talks about who her audience is and how she markets to them. We then touch on how COVID has impacted her, but at home and with Greentop Gifts. She also tells me what her family thinks about her business (including the cutest story about her daughter). Finally, we chat about how she preps for holiday season and how that has changed and evolved year over year. Jacquelyn has tapped into something that is so necessary for our culture today -- she is celebrating diversity and allowing children and families to see themselves in the designs and décor they choose to celebrate with! You will love what Jacquelyn shares with me and as a fun bonus, she is giving our listeners a discount! Use code CHAOS21 for 15% off your purchase -- make sure to check out her site for new products and designs!! Also, for some fun, check out their Instagram and Facebook as well as her personal account for some family insights!

I am so giddy to bring today's guest on the podcast!! My Marketing Director, Lauren Lorow is here! She is my behind the scenes, right hand woman on all things podcast and today she is here to tell her story! I found Lauren through a friend of a friend off of an IG story post and what started as an inquiry to be a VA, has grown into so much more! Lauren tells me about her professional past, which was mostly in health and wellness in Manhattan. She talks about how she was able to mix her love for fitness (as a life long athlete) and passion of business into unique jobs that fit outside of the normal boxes we think of as careers. We talk about her family plans to leave Manhattan and how she had the foresight to build her skills for whatever was next work wise. Lauren talks about moving in the beginning of the pandemic and how it forced her to refocus her career plan and what was the best for her family. She started building relationships and was connected with some women entrepreneurs that needed marketing support. Since then she has built a strong collection of clients who she connects with personally and professionally. Lauren finishes off with some great insights on how she juggles multiple clients, teaching Pilates and a traveling husband. I have been waiting to bring Lauren on to hear her story and share her tips with all of you!! This is such a great listen for anyone who has skills and has thought about branching out to start something but is not sure if they can or should! Lauren didn't plan on building this to what it is, but used her connections and passions to do just that! Make sure to check out her instagram for some great insights on women own business and marketing, as well as her site to reachout about working together!!

I hope you are all ready to be blown away like I was during todays episode with Elizabeth Miller. I have enjoyed hearing from these amazing women talk about how they took a problem and built out a solution. Elizabeth did that and then found a way to monetize work that truly fueled her soul -- which is not an easy feat! Elizabeth is the founder of Happy Healthy Caregiver, which is a resource for all caregivers to help them bring self care and happiness into their lives and roles. Elizabeth starts off our call by telling me how she is such a people person, and I cannot wait for you all to see that come to life throughout our talk! Elizabeth became an unpaid caregiver after the loss of her father, and realized how all consuming it is to take that role on. Through her experience and talking with other caregivers, she has been able to work with companies and brands who are looking to talk to caregivers and the aging population, and provides them the tools to infuse selfcare into their lives. After years of working in broadcasting and IT, she was able to pull from her business management and project analysis experience to help her build this new business venture! Elizabeth also talks to me about how this business (and being a caregiver) has impacted her family as well -- she has raised some self sufficient kids! We finish with some great tips for self care and caring for others, as well as some CRAZY stats on caregiving in this country! Caregiving is going to impact all of us as some point, so this is a MUST listen for all the tips. You want more? Head to Elizabeth's site to get even more tools and insights, and check out her blog and Instagram!

Super excited to share my conversation with Ciara Stockeland today -- I had an idea of what she did and what we would talk about and WOW was I blown away by where things went! Ciara has taken her experiences, her failures (which she owns up to!) and her passions to help boutique owners thrive! We start on talk with all the steps that led Ciara to where she is today -- from starting her own theater company, to opening a maternity boutique in North Dakota with no retail experience, she dives into everything she experienced and learned along the way! After a chance opportunity she expanded into a wholesale business, and continued to build her knowledge and edged closer to her current coaching business. We then talk about a big change that happened, including losing her business and her house. Instead of pointing fingers and blaming everything and everyone else, Ciara looked at how SHE had a part in what happened, and used that to make sure she (and her now clients) didn't make the same mistake again! One of my favorite parts of her story is when she realizes that what she is doing now (and thriving at) is the EXACT thing that she told herself she wanted to stay away from. We finish with some talk around imposter syndrome and what she continues to bring to her clients! I truly loved hearing about Ciara's story and how she leans into things when they don't go the right way. Ciara left me (and all of you) with the courage to ask questions, to make things work when it seems like they wont -- and I cannot wait to see what that does for her, you and me!! Make sure to check out Ciara's Instagram and site to learn about all the amazing offers she has!

This was a real pinch me moment for the podcast! When I first thought of this podcast idea (years ago!), I had this vision of chatting with strong, independent and driven women and I have been BLOWN AWAY by the caliber of founders I have had on. Today's guest is no different -- I reached out to Allie Casazza's team pouring my heart out to get her on and .... NOW SHE'S HERE! For those that don't know about Allie, she is on a mission to empower women by decluttering and simplifying their spaces (physical, mental and emotional). We start with how she came to helping people out -- hint, it's similar to many of our guests! She realized her life was hectic, things weren't getting done and got fed up with constantly being stressed and frazzled. Allie then dives into how she turned this into a thriving business, with tangible tips -- they are so worth it, and not what you might expect from someone with her success! We end up having a super honest conversation about the importance we put on formal education and if that is always the best learning tool. Then we hit on how her business evolved, where her family plays into things and how she knew it was time to ask for help and bring people onto her team. We finish with my most favorite tip; Allie talks about her go to rule on being productive and efficient with her team. Finally, Allie gushes all about her book, how is came about, and the difference in leaving her strictly digital space. I am so fortunate to have had Allie on the show with me and I know you are going to take away so many tips just as I did! I have to give Allie an extra special shout out, because she has continued to support me and reach out even after recording which she most definitely didn't need to do! Make sure to check out her site, Instagram and her NEW BOOK which drops TODAY (9.7)!!!!

Who is excited for our first Shark Tank guest to join the show (aggressively raises both hands)?! Tara Williams is the founder of Dreamland Baby, which makes beautiful weighted blankets to help you stay calm, fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Tara kicks off with some background on her professional experience; she started in medical device sales, which included a lot of travel and was really exciting for her pre kids! She also talks to me about how she now realizes being in a start up environment gave her the confidence to start her own thing, and insights into what may happen when/if she started something of her own! We then dive into her path to Dreamland Baby, including the initial idea, the research and development behind it, and how to handle when it may not be the EXACT RIGHT time to start something. She gives some real honest talk about being an entrepreneur and how its not for everyone, and how she THRIVES in chaos which helps her in this entrepreneurial life. She also gets into the financials by telling me how long she went without pay and how they afforded to do so (all while her husband had just lost his job!). Finally, she tells me how the brand has grown and OF COURSE, all about her experience on Shark Tank -- make sure to check out her episode here. Tara was such a fun guest to have! I loved how open she was about building her business and brand. If you have kids or know someone with little ones you MUST check out their products!! Make sure to head to their site, instagram, Facebook and now you can join Tara on her own podcast, the Mom Manual!

I am super excited to welcome my first UK guest on the podcast today -- Cara Sayer is the founder of SnoozeShade, the world's best-selling range of sun and sleep shades. Cara talks about her extensive career in marketing, PR and event planning (and how being an inventor was not on her career plan). However, she had a need that she filled -- her and her friends wanted something to cover their babies and block out the sun while they were in the stroller. Since there was nothing on the market, she made it happen! We then dive into some personal aspects of her life that I really appreciated -- including struggles to conceive, divorce, breaking down and taking a step away. She also talks to me about shame and how she is a big fan of changing the way we speak about those who need to seek mental health and medication, which I feel is so refreshing to hear. We pivot to chat about why she focuses so much on safety (and how she's not willing to compromise on it), why she thinks competition is good and how COVID affected her this last year. We finish with her talking about how she built her tribe in the industry and what i means to her. Cara was such a fun guest, i loved how open and honest she was about a lot of things people glaze over when talking about their entrepreneur story. Plus, for all those looking for a perfect gift for mamas, THIS IS IT! Make sure to give her a listen below, check out her site and Instagram!

This is the first guest I've had that really melted my old career and entrepreneur life together! Debi Yadegari is the Founder and CEO of Villyge, which is an employer-paid benefit that sets families up for success and helps employees to thrive. I was excited to chat with her and as we got further into the convo I was continually impressed and in awe of her! Debi tells me about her first career path, as a big time lawyer! She had always wanted the big family and it up until a co-worker said otherwise, she thought she could have them both! After getting pregnant with her first, she found out first hand that there was not enough support for working parents (insert light bulb moment)! After having her next 3 kiddos in 5 years (yeah you read that right!), she started to dive into supporting working moms through corporate lactation support. As she started listening to her clients and their needs, the business started to expand their offerings. Debi gets super honest about the change in perspective she's been forced to have through being an entrepreneur. We also chat about how their business is a little different than most as their end use is not always the one making the financial decisions. Finally, she talks about something that so few business owners do -- hiring and firing, and the mistakes made along the way! She tells me about the first time she had to fire someone and how it was different than previous roles. Debi has started such an amazing brand to help working parents and the energy she has is something I need to find a way to bottle and take with me! If you are an employee or head the HR/Benefits department at a business, you should absolutely listen to this one! Make sure to check out Debi and the Villyge team's site and Instagram.

Ever leave a conversation with someone and you feel like you just got a free therapy session and were able to unpack/unload so many things?? Well, that is what happened with today's guest, Tina Unrue. Tina is a certified life and mindset coach and the founder of Selfish Mama, which helps moms stress less in life and motherhood by focusing more on themselves w/o the guilt. Tina talks about her desire to spend more time with her daughter while she was working her government job years ago. She was torn between going back to school and becoming a life coach -- I loved the way she broke down the back and forth, telling me that going with her gut wasn't easy, but she knew she had to do it! She explains what life coaching is (something even she hadn't heard about until she was being pushed into a different life trajectory). Tina drops some knowledge when talking about how you can't just project manage your life and sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture, even when you are plugged down in the day to day madness. We finish with her talking about purpose and how to find yours! I legit didn't even get to half the business questions I had planning to talk with Tina about because we connected so much on all the topics and truth bombs she was giving me. Make sure to visit Tina's Instagram, Facebook and site to learn more about her, find out about working with her and gain SO MUCH MORE!

I never thought I would be thanking my TikTok scrolling for finding me a guest, but here we are! Janna Hattingh is the founder of Booby Food, which (wait for it..) freeze dries your breastmilk into powder so you never have to worry about tossing your breastmilk again! Janna tell me how her personal experience led to her starting this insanely genius brand. She opens up about breastfeeding and PPD struggles, leading her to look into how she could preserve her milk and not waste as much when she started to give her son solids. We dive into how she got things started, what she learned along the way and how she took big steps to push through. Then Janna drops some real talk when she says that work-life balance isn't attainable and how she aims to be more flexible and less rigid in business. We talk about how her family plays into the growth and her plans for expansion (umm, yes please!). Finally, she tells me some of the most common questions/hesitations people have and how she caters to each client/mama. There were multiple times I legit questioned having another baby JUST to use this service! Whether you are a breastfeeding mom or not, this episode is filled with so much that you can use to take into your life and business! Make sure to follow Janna on Instagram and check out their site if you or someone you know could use this service!   Full show notes here.

I am excited to welcome our second co-founder story today! Mattye Woodcock and Rachel Coffey are the founders of Namesake Celebrations, which combines their love for thoughtful planning, family heirlooms, and classic beauty. For all my mamas and caregivers that have always wanted that beautiful, thoughtful birthday party but didn't have the time or creative eye to make it happen -- these are your girls! Mattye and Rachel start by telling me where the idea of Namesake Celebrations came about -- they loved throwing their kids bdays and noticed their friends did too, but were having a hard time finding all the things they needed in one space. They continue to tell me how their friendship grew throughout the years and through some really hard times personally. I was in such awe of how raw and honest they were with one another while they were going through different personal struggles that created some friendship tension at times. We then chat about the first brand they started, which was a collective for creative women to get together, and how this jumpstarted them working together and allowed them to understand how to work with a friend that has a different personality (and it wont take you long to figure that out)! We finish with them breaking down how they started Namesake while still doing their own things (which is true to this day) and an open talk about finances and family support. These two were so fun to talk to and I found myself just sitting back and listening to them feed off one another. I (obviously) loved our highlight on our Enneagram numbers and the way they lean into their differences! Whether you are looking for some inspiration or want them to take over your next big milestone celebration, don't hesitate to reach out to these two -- you (and your IG feed) will not be disappointed! Make sure to check out their site and IG for all the details!

So many of these mamas come on and I am blown away by their grit, passion and love for their industry. Many of my past guests have done some really cool things that many of us do, but they have found their niche and community to grow it. Today's guest, Sara Reese, is a jewelry designer and founder of Erica Sara Designs -- for those wondering, that is NOT something I can easily do, ha. Erica tells me how she has always wanted to be a designer, and initially found herself in the fashion world, working at Barneys and Coach. She then talks about how she felt a little stuck -- she was in an unhappy marriage and not loving her job. So, she made moves and changed that! She enrolled in a nutrition program and got a divorce. We then dive into how she started designing and making jewelry around different highlights and milestones in her life. She then tells me the craziest story of meeting her husband, moving out of NYC to PA, getting married and buying a house all within a year! Erica then gives us an insight into their schedules, which includes two kids, two parents with their own businesses who are both training for road races in the fall, and how they use this structure to optimize their businesses and goals. Finally, she gets real honest and blunt about how she stays true to herself while building her brand, even if it means losing followers. Erica is such a fun listen and has such a gift for designing, making and creating such beautiful pieces while also being so raw and honest about the not so glamourous parts of running your brand as a mom (hint, 5am wake ups)! Make sure to check out her site and follow her on Instagram and Pinterest.

Ever wonder where I find these amazing guests? Usually I scour the internet, stalk (no joke) and reach out to women I think would be a great fit for you all... until today! A couple weeks ago my sister in law called me to rave about a new brand of tortilla chips she found (and ate the whole bag), and continued to tell me that the founder was a mom who left her job to spend time with her kids -- UMM HELLO perfect guest!!! I am so happy to welcome Jennifer Davidson, Founder and CEO of Capital Chips. Jennifer tells me the story of starting Capital Chips -- spoiler, its not because she's a tortilla chip enthusiast!-- and how spending time and finding balance with her kids was her driving factor. She walks me through her early days, which included cooking in her kitchen and selling to local breweries (all delivered by HER!). We then talk about the 'hows' that I love diving into; the design, the regulations and the hiring that come with building your own brand, especially a food product. She also gets super honest with me about the loss of her mother and how is affected her decisions throughout her life -- this may be the first podcast your girl cries on! We finish up with her telling us about her podcast, Integrity Nachos! I am so appreciative Jennifer came on, got into some different aspects of her life and business and introduced all of you to Capital Chips. Don't miss out on these chips -- shout out to those who actually utilize the resealable bag and don't eat in one sitting (ha)! Make sure to follow Jennifer and the Capital Chips team on Instagram and Facebook!

When people think about entrepreneurship and building a business, they often think about the creative pieces and the awesome aspects that come along. What we forget to think about is all the strategic work that comes along with it (hello book keeping, invoicing and more)! Today's founder is Dorothy Kolb, CEO of DK East Associates, which provides high touch, c-suite level support in finance and business strategy to growth-stage businesses so they can focus on the work they love. Dorothy tells me about her previous work as an accountant and then in broadcasting and how she liked it because it gave a full picture of the business and not just the financials which many people look at. Then life hit and she was forced to start consulting so she could balance single motherhood and time with her kids while making money. She talks to me about how she has been working from home before COVID and how it has been better since, because people are now used to the kids and pets interrupting! One thing I loved about this episode is when she opens up about her continued struggle on weather to build her brand into something bigger or doing just enough so she can still be a mom and other things when work is done. We finish with her giving me some (much needed) tips on time blocking and a MIND BLOWING take on imposter syndrome. Plus she joins a growing number of guests who dive into getting rid of clients that don't fit with her and how it has opened doors for her to find ones that are better fit. Whether you are a business owner who needs a little insight on the parts of your business you don't like doing or not, this episode will give you so many insights and take aways. Make sure to head to their site, Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more about Dana and her team! Full Show Notes here. 

As I continue to talk with these amazing women, I'm hearing more stories of accidental entrepreneurship, which is so cool! Todays guest, Chantel Powell, is the founder of Play Pits, which she started out of necessity! Chantel gives a quick job history, which began in costumes for Tyler Perry Studios then transitioned to an Executive Assistant to spend more time with her family. She tells me how much she hated the EA job but used it as a way to learn and still uses a lot of the tools she took from that role. Then we dive into the good stuff -- she tells me how one day her 6 year old came home from camp and smelled BAD!!! She decided to make a paste for him to use as she couldn't find something else in the market she trusted! Chantel then tells me how her son was the one to push her to make this a business -- a trend that still shows up today. She tells me how this brand is not about money but about helping other people! One of my favorite parts of this episode is how Chantel has made this a family business. Her kids are a part of the process, she shows them numbers and each of them has an important role in the company. She is setting these kids up for so much success which is amazing!! We finish with her goals for the business and how she plans to transition from the day to day, and how her adult line came about! Chantel leaves us with a discount code for out Amidst the Chaos listeners! Make sure to head to their site and use code DANA15 for 15% off your order. Also, don't miss out on their Instagram page -- I promise it does not disappoint!!!

I am SO excited for our first medical professional to join us on the podcast! You may wonder how someone in the medical field, with years of schooling was able to change up her career path with tiny human in tow -- and don't you worry, I got ALL the details from our guest! Abby Bales is the founder of Reform PT, a private concierge service designed to help women remain active before, during, and after pregnancy. Abby dives into her introduction to physical therapy, where she was working at an outpatient facility and saw upwards of 70 patients a week!! She quickly realized it was unsustainable for her and her family, but recognized it was helping her gain the knowledge she needed to start something on her own. She then tells me how she came to specialize on the pelvic floor and her love for helping her pregnant and post partum mamas! Abby then tells me ALL about the women in her circle that helped support her emotionally and professionally, which was amazing to hear! She finishes by telling me how she uses what she has learned from OBGYNs, athletes and her students to create a 3D view of her clients. Dr. Abby was such an insightful guest and overall human! Even if you are not pre or post natal, there is SO much to learn about curating your brand, continuing to learn and develop to help her clients and find the time to be Mom through it all. Make sure to check out their site, Instagram (her preferred method to chat!) and Facebook. Full show notes here. 

The number of women I get to speak with who are tackling different businesses and brands continues to amaze me! Today's guest, Shannon McLay, is the founder of The Financial Gym, which provides you with a personal financial trainer to put you in control of your finances, one step at a time. Shannon starts by telling me how she was living life according to plan, checking all the boxes and making money, when she realized that she wasn't really happy or enjoying what she was doing. What Shannon did next is pretty bold -- she continued working her 9-5 at Merrill Lynch while taking on (what she called) pro bono clients that didn't meet her financial threshold but needed real help. This is what brought her to life! She started the The Financial Gym slowly, mainly working off referrals and building her team accordingly. Shannon and I jump into some personal development pieces that I LOVED -- my favorite being when she puts herself in time out and how she curates her social media. She also gives us insight into her schedule and when she forces herself to take off. We finish with her breaking down what The Financial Gym is and the three types of clients they service. Shannon has such a great story of someone who found her passion and continued to forge the path to make it a business. Whether you have your finances in a spreadsheet or have no idea what you are doing, this episode and The Financial Gym can help! Make sure to check out their site, Instagram and Shannon's podcast.   Full show notes here. 

YOU GUYS (!!!), I am so giddy about today's guest!! Beth, from Days with Grey, joins me to chat all the things behind her amazing brand. As a mom with two toddlers that need a lot of stimulation and little time to plan a full curriculum for them, I am so appreciative that Beth created Days with Grey! We start by chatting about her life before kids; she was a teacher and LOVED her job! However, when she got pregnant with her second, she realized she couldn't justify daycare, cost wise. We dive into the early times of Days with Grey and how it started as something she needed for herself. She then explains how long it was a hobby before an actual business (hint: it was a while, and that's ok)! We dive in to how this work is truly Beth's passion and calling, and how she has the tools for it. We finish with her giving the tactical approach she takes to get things done homeschooling her three boys and running this brand solo. Then Beth gushes about her community and how they continue to inspire her to keep finding new and unique things to do with their kiddos! For the very few of you that don't already know or follow Beth, what are you waiting for ha!! You will not regret this follow and you'll gain some fun family activates along the way. Head to her website, Instagram and Pinterest to learn more!   Full show notes here. 

When I first found this week's guest, Monica Lensink, I went down a HUGE rabbit hole of her site and recipes… and to be honest, the photography behind it!! Monica is the Founder and recipe developer of Nourish and Fete, an online food blog that is BEYOND delicious and (most importantly for me) practical for families. In this episode Monica talks about how she has always loved cooking and actually loved her 9-5, so assumed the blog would be a hobby not a business (ha, jokes on her!). We dive into how her move overseas coincided with the birth of her son and allowed her to see what she wanted out of her professional and personal career. She then gives one of my favorite tips throughout the episode -- how she continues to learn as she goes, educating herself along the way. I find this to be such a good confidence boost to those of you who don't have the perfect background/degree for what you want to do -- you can find ways to educate yourself and build on your passions! She tells me about the food blogging community and how she started to invest in photography once she realized this was going to be more than a hobby. We finish with her giving insight on how her schedule has changed since she had her daughter this past year, and how she uses SEO, social platforms and display ads to her advantage. This episode was amazing for SO many reasons -- Monica hit on a ton personal things I have often thought about, while giving tangible tips and tricks for businesses as well. Whether you are a master chef or simply a master toast maker, there are endless pieces you can take from this episode. Now, rush (yes, rush) over to Monica's site, Instagram or Pinterest to get all the yummy recipes she has been pulling together for you!! Full show notes here. 

I continue to be blown away by the passion, enthusiasm and grit the mothers I have gotten to speak with on this show have! When I started the show, I wanted to highlight these women, the tools they used and the mistakes they have learned from, so that those of you who are thinking of (or in the middle of) this shift to entrepreneurship can use them. One thing I didn't realize I would get out of this, is an in-depth look on so many different industries and possible careers. These women have helped open my eyes (and taste buds) to roles I didn't even realize existed. This week's guest is no different! Cristina Gordon is the founder and CEO of C Bee PR, an agency that works to bring a personalized approach to help elevate their brands image and awareness. Cristina gives me a full intro into the PR world and how she got her start at an agency (and the insane hours and expectations that came with that), then moved in house, and how it all helped her lay the groundwork for starting her own thing. We discuss how mistakes can help shape you and make your brand even better than you thought -- if you let them! Cristina then dives into why camaraderie within her team is so important, and how she set out to create a space that people WANT to come to work, yet can still enjoy their personal lives. Finally, we talk about how she tries (key word) to lean in when things are slower, even though she thrives in the hustle of the business -- girl is speaking my language here!! What I loved about talking with Cristina, is that you don't need to be in the PR industry to enjoy SO MANY different insights she gives. I know you will love hearing her talk about what it really takes to build a business while raising a family AND enjoying it from time to time, ha! Make sure to check our Cristina and C Bee PR at the website, on Instagram and Facebook!

Have you noticed that there seems to be a different type of kombucha or sparkling water launching every week, yet the non-alcoholic beer options are still the same (boring) brands?? Today's guest is on a mission to change that! Emree Woods is the founder of Rightside Brewing, a hand-crafted non-alcoholic beer that combines premium ingredients with authentic taste. She aims to help people prioritize themselves allowing you to socialize without sacrifice! Emree dives into her road to starting Rightside, how she manages to juggle the new start up with her current full time job... and two kids! She's open and honest about what she does and does not know and how she leans into that; outsourcing where she sees its most beneficial. One aspect in particular she talks about is the branding expert she pulled in to help her figure out the competitive landscape and having someone to talk to about the brand itself. We dive into one of my favorite topics, pushing through on the days that she doesn't want to and how she includes her kids in her business. Emree had such an amazing approach to things and a real self awareness that you don't often find when people are in the throws of starting a company. Not only will you get some great insights and tips, BUT you should check out their product -- I promise, its worth it, and Dana approved! Check out Emree and the Rightside Brewing team on Instagram, Facebook and their website!   Full show notes here.

Do you ever meet someone and instantly click with them on so many levels? Well that happened with my guest this week, Jill Cromwell. When I first came across Jill, I was very impressed by her professional path, then as we talked and got to know one another, I was able to confirm we were on the same wave length in other aspects! Jill is the founder of Cromwell Collective, a fill service media consultancy, mom of two, and overall awesome human. She dives into her career path; starting with her time at big publishers, and how the lack of support pushed her out on her own. Jill talks about how she grew so big organically (which is no small feat), how it took some time for her dad to come around and how she and her husband (casually) started their own individual businesses at the same time -- and still run them today! Jill had some great professional insights, but what I took most from her was her ability to come back to her North Star -- having time with her kids. She uses that as a check in when things get overwhelming or she has to make a decision. I love this idea of having your values guide your decisions -- it helps when things can get overwhelming with ideas, opportunities and big plans. I know you will take some great insights from this episode like it did! Make sure to follow Jill on Instagram and check out her website! Full show notes here.

Lauren is the Founder and CEO of Rent-a-Romper (cutest name ever!), a rental clothing company for kids. Lauren aims to take the work, struggle and worry out of dressing your kids -- which, who doesn't want to sign up for that?! Lauren talks about how she grew up thinking that work had to be one specific way; you have a full time job, with benefits and security. She never thought she would start her own thing, until she was diving right in. We talk about the company's trajectory, what is was like starting during COVID and how it was crucial to find consistency with clients. We end with her vision for this company, and the future of the clothing industry as a whole, as well as what keeps her motivated. Since recording this episode, Lauren and Rent-a-Romper were selected to the Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator (LACI) for start ups. This two year program will give her and the company the resources and support to grow even stronger and make a bigger impact on this planet and their customers! Lauren was such an awesome guest and really made me think about the impacts we have with our day to day decisions. I know you will learn a lot from this and maybe even snag one of their adorable capsules. Be sure to check out their website, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!   Find the full show notes here.

As a mom of two little humans, I know I speak for SO MANY of us when I say that we will do ANYTHING to get more sleep (both for us and our kids)! Sleep is so essential to our lives, our health and our relationships-- that's why I'm so pumped to have Brittney Stefanic from Sleeper Teachers on today's episode! Brittney walks me through her career path, from an education teacher to sleep consultant and how she was able to make the transition quicker than she thought. She also breaks down how she grew her niche business in a small mining town, including how she has built out her team (she is 7 consultants deep now)! Brittney then breaks down her personal mindset shift and how that has helped her to change the way that she tackles things, both personally and professionally -- side note, I am LOVING how so many of my guests have discussed this shift in their mindset and how it's impacted them! We end our chat talking about the relationship and role her husband plays with her business, which sounded eerily familiar to my bonus episode chat with Sean last week ha!! We didn't have enough time to dive into everything I wanted, especially the fact that Sleeper Teachers helps ALL ages, not just little ones! I know you will enjoy this episode as much as I did, so make sure to give them a follow on instagram, and head to their site for some more information and tips!   Full show notes here.

I am tapping into my Richmond mom entrepreneur pool again to bring you another AMAZING guest for today's episode. I am joined by Jammie Baker, a personal stylist who pivoted her career after realizing how difficult it was to navigate style postpartum herself! She aims to empower busy moms with confidence to crush their everyday goals through curated wardrobes.  Jammie tells me about her career path, which included jumping from one full time job to another, but always being pulled back to fashion. She also gives us three things you need to do/know when styling yourself (and it's not all about the clothes themselves)! One of my favorite pieces of wisdom (and there were TONS in this episode) was when she talked about being honest with yourself, shifting your mindset (similar to Ilana from Stylish Spoon) and making sure your style aligns with who you are and who you want to be. She encourages us to learn from other people, soak up what you can, and then pass it along so others can learn from you, which I found super insightful and selfless! You are going to learn SO MUCH more than styling tips -- but don't worry, they're in here too! -- in this episode. I know you are going to love Jammie's energy, life story and outlooks just as much as I did. Make sure to check out her website, Facebook Group, Instagram and her Style Guide. PLUS -- head to danagrahamphotography.com/guests-offers for a special code just for my listeners!   Full show notes here.

When it comes to quitting your job and starting a small business as a mom, your spouse is likely going to have something to say about it. In this episode, I walk through my journey in entrepreneurship with my husband Sean to get his insight and mindset from the beginning of my photography business to now. He tells us his reservations at the beginning, how he was able to overcome them, and some things he did to encourage and support me along the way. If you're having a hard time getting your spouse on board as you plan to start a new small business, we hope this episode provides you with some tools to help you two get on the same page. 

I was super excited to chat with Aubree for this episode as her story felt so similar to mine, just in a different industry. We had our kids at the same time and decided to make the leap after our second, so I resonated with so many of the thoughts, doubts and challenges she brought up. Hear Aubree discuss how she transitioned from teaching to becoming a Virtual Assistant and is now coaching other virtual assistants. She explains how she tried a lot of different things, but nothing stuck, which seems to be a commonality amongst so many of my guests! We talk about how her support system allowed her to have flexibility and how she shifts her mindset from losing time with her kids to allowing her husband to foster his bond with them (TOTALLY STEALING THIS)! She tells me about the growth she has made in the last 2.5 years and how she has gained so much power from it! Aubree then tells me what a VA does and how she has learned from her lessons ((which you KNOW I am a huge fan of!)), what her schedule looks like now, and how it's shifted from her time as a teacher, and even the first few months of her new role. I know you will find lots of relatable moments and feelings in this episode and for those that are currently VAs or looking to become one, this is your episode!! Make sure to follow Aubree on Instagram, Facebook and check out their website -- which includes her own podcast! Full show notes here. 

I continue to be impressed with the women who have taken time to come on this show, open up and give an in-depth look to some of the craziest times in their lives. Every guest has given me something new to take into my motherhood and career worlds and it's something I can't thank them enough for! Speaking of tips and tricks, this episode with Ilana Eck from Stylish Spoon is PACKED with honesty about the obstacles she has faced (personally and professionally) as well as one of the best pieces of advice I've heard in a very long time! Ilana tells us how she transitioned to gluten free baker after being an attorney for over 12 years, how her friends and family have helped in unexpected ways and how she has navigated through COVID. One of the best parts, she gives our listeners an exclusive code to get 15% off any purchase (including subscriptions)! I know you will find lots of action items and self confidence tips throughout this conversation! Make sure to follow Ilana and Stylish Spoon on Instagram, Facebook and check out their website!!

If you know me at all, or have been listening to these past few episodes, you know that I am not one for those cliché hacks that seem to be constantly thrown around in the self help world. Instead, I try to rethink and shift my approach towards things, which helps keep my sanity (for the most part)! Last week I was so fortunate to talk to Katie McNamara from Little Lentil about her motherhood journey and founder story. Though quite a few things stood out, the most lasting has been her approach to time management. Get this -- it's not a one size fits all hack that alleviates all stress and gets rid of time all together (( still working on finding that hidden gem))! Instead, she talks about how she has shifted her mindset and approach to time management in her day to day life. I am not going to sit her and tell you that I am a changed woman, who is stress free and that my days flow with ease (ha, I bet a lot of people wish they did), but I WILL tell you that I am making small steps to finding a place where I am happy and appreciative for what I have been able to accomplish in a day/week/month, while still striving to get more (and more and more and more) done. I am so grateful for Katie as she opened my eyes to something I have been actively working to incorporate in my day to day life, both as a mom and business owner.

I am so excited for you to hear my chat with Katie McNamara today because her big leap from a corporate finance career to founding a children clothing brand reminds me so much of mine! Katie lets me in on how she made such a drastic change, how starting her business two months before her first child was born was the greatest challenge and asset, as well as how her schedule and role has evolved. She sheds light onto how she leans on other female entrepreneurs for support and guidance -- because, as I've mentioned before, entrepreneurship can be lonely!! We talk about what her days look like now, as she has added to her family (HELLO 3 kiddos under 3.5!!) and continued to grow the business, and how she battles the pull between spending more time with both! We end by discussing what Little Lentil has become, how her hiccups along the way have made her wiser and what she views for this brands moving forward. I felt myself nodding along to SO MUCH of what Katie was saying about her entrepreneurial journey and I know you will too!  I hope you are able to take some tips and gain some confidence from this conversation with Katie. Make sure to follow her and Little Lentil on Instagram, Facebook and visit their website! View the full transcript and show notes here. 

Today we have our first co-founders on the podcast. It was so fun and enlightening to talk to Danielle and Wendy from sweatconnected. We hear from their backgrounds and how it led them to starting a fitness company in the middle of the pandemic (talk about being bold!). They even get me emotional discussing how the first class was cathartic and ignited them to bring their clients and colleagues together. I get an overview of what sweatconnected offers, their biggest hurdles (I feel SO many of these), and how the support of their friends and family (especially each other) helped them through. Finally, they talk about the emotional shifts of being an entrepreneur, what they bring to their clients now that they are in charge, and how ownership is empowering and terrifying! I hope you all enjoy this episode as much as I did. Make sure to check them out on their website, app, Instagram and Facebook.

This week we're talking about fear and how it can be completely crippling when it comes to starting a new business, or even once you've already become a business owner! I share stories of how I've moved through seasons of anxiety in my business, and my best tips for keeping going in those hard times as an entrepreneur. 

Anyone else feel like they keep seeing these beautiful before and after organization photos, shows and videos, then immediately get the urge to do it all yourself? Somehow the idea of doing it sounds great, yet, I've never made much progress. BUT, after talking to today's guest, Jessica Luck, founder of Inspiring Organization, I finally took the leap in organizing our back porch. Not only do I feel a weight lifted after decluttering and organizing, but I had the most amazing talk with Jessica! This episode starts with Jessica's life pre-organization, where she was a stay at home mom with her 4 kiddos while her husband was in the Marines. She then transitioned to a full time county government employee with hopes it would give her an in at her ‘dream job' (or so she thought) as a social worker -- she has always had a heart and passion to serve others.  Jessica tells me about the BIGGEST SHOCK that ended up sparking her decision to start Inspiring Organization. You'll have to listen to find out -- it's a good one! She gives one of my favorite pieces of advice, reminding everyone not to let a lack of business experience derail you! There is SO MUCH info on YouTube, internet articles and social media coaches -- if you have the idea in your heart and mind, it's achievable!!! Jessica breaks down the timeline of her business, the REAL highs and lows -- think months with no clients, followed by those with packed schedules. She reveals how she figured out the seasonality of her business and when she felt she had true success (pssst, it took a while and that's normal!) We finish up (are you still reading and listening?) with the details of her business and the process she uses. It's not ALL organizing and perfectly symmetrical bins! She leaves us with tips for those looking to get into organizing themselves -- though she drops some knowledge that everyone can benefit from! Find out more information on Jessica, Inspiring Organization and our full show notes here.