The Direct Dish

I have decided to end my podcast … for now. Whether this is something permanent or temporary, I just wanted to take a few moments to tell you why I am making this decision and thank YOU for being a faithful listener over the last several years. ♥️ Let's stay connected! Follow me on Instagram  @mkoehler   This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.   

The game of social media is … well, a game. And if you are a small business owner, it can be really frustrating. But creating content online is essential for a small business, and I am going to break down why in this episode.

Do I really need to show up online for my business? YES. Do I need to be consistent? YES.  How do I keep up with the constant changes online? I got you.  In this episode we are going to talk about social media and being consistent because it truly does matter. Consistency breeds trust so if you want your audience to trust you and be all into what you offer within your business, you have to be consistent.  But more so, I want to challenge you. Take the next 30 days to show up online consistently. Commit to it and see what happens! I have a FREE guide that will help you. It's called Behind The Scenes: Insights of Growing on IG. Go grab it now + get started, friend. I believe in you!  In this episode we talk about: 

Is it possible to sell your content online without being pushy, salesy, or slimy? Absolutely

Can you relate??

I have stepped into a whole new struggle of raising my kids while running my business. Want to know what it is? Parenting teenagers.

Are you in a funk? Are you feeling less motivated to do … really, anything? Do you feel like you are just surviving? If you resonate with any of these questions and your immediate response is YES, that's me! You are not alone.  About a year ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto. And through it I have learned so much about my body – from my hormones (hello, perimenopause!) to my diet to my mental health. I was living in frustration and facing challenges because of all the changes I was having to make to support my body. I was in a funk and simply surviving.  Being in a funk can impact your entire life – from your motivation to your creativity, your social life and the perspective you have of yourself. There is no need for you to feel ashamed or embarrassed because these things we all experience when in a funk.  There is hope for you to come out on the other side! There are things you can do to get yourself out of a funk! And today, we are going to talk about them.   In this episode we talk about:  ✨ Being diagnosed with Hashimoto + how that has impacted my overall life  ✨ Ways your hormones can contribute to feeling like you're in a funk  ✨ What perimenopause is + what I am doing to support my body through it ✨ Dietary restrictions being equally helpful + frustrating (especially when you are in a funk)     Links to all the things mentioned:  Mega Biz Bundle Shop Young Living Products  Grab one of my other Digital Products!  Connect with Melissa: Instagram | @mkoehler Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Podcast Blog Post I Coming soon!  This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.   

“I am just so busy!” or “My life is crazy!” or “Today is just nuts!” These are things I hear a lot (and have said just as much). A lot of times we are truly busy. But what if being busy was less of a reality and more of an excuse?  In this episode, we are going to talk about time management – not just for your business, but for your life. Sometimes we don't have control over where our time is spent, because life happens. But we do have control over some things and YOU get to decide what those things are for YOUR life. Let's learn together so we can become better at time management, but more so, so we can become more balanced in our lives.  In this episode we talk about:  ✨ Why it is important to set clear goals and prioritize your tasks  ⌛ Different time-blocking techniques that will help you manage your time ❌ Setting boundaries that protect your time and energy 

Listen, I get it! I have found myself stuck in the planning phase of starting a business too. You are not alone!

Do you want success that is SUSTAINABLE? We all do!

Now that we know what limiting beliefs are … how do we overcome them?

What are limiting beliefs?

“How do I grow on Instagram?” This is probably THE most asked question for business owners with an online platform. I get it! Instagram is a game where things change far too often to keep up. But there are things you CAN do to learn to play the game to grow online!   I am not gatekeeping my secrets + tips anymore. If you are ready to challenge yourself to grow your social media, then tune into this episode! I am going to break down:  ✨ The importance of authenticity online  ✨ Whether or not you should boost your reels/posts to gain followers  ✨ The difference between organic growth and paid growth  ✨ Reel strategies I have tried … that have worked for me!  Let's take on this challenge together and watch our platforms grow!!  Links to all the things mentioned:  5 Things Your Business Needs Idea to Income  Idea to Action Shop Young Living Products  Grab one of my other Free Offers!  Connect with Melissa: Instagram | @mkoehler Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Podcast Blog Post I Coming soon!   This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.   

Are you overcomplicating starting or growing your business?

It's been a while since I have talked about the Enneagram so I wanted to do a fresh take on the Enneagram and how it can help you in both your personal and professional life.

The holidays are coming up

Yes, sugar season. We are in the season all things sweet; from Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pie to Christmas treats. Welcome to Sugar Season

Are you ready to do marketing BETTER? ✨  I know … just hearing the word marketing might bring up awkward or uncomfortable feelings in you. It may feel like a lot or too big, making you feel unqualified or overwhelmed. But friend, it doesn't have to. You don't have to be afraid of marketing! And in today's conversation, I have Jade Boyd joining us to tell us WHY.

Do you want to create a profitable business but find yourself overthinking … well, everything??

Do you have a business idea swirling in your head that you don't know what to do with? Or maybe you have a business and now you have an idea on your heart, but don't know where to start? Let's talk about that – in this episode, I am sharing my idea to action process with you. As a serial entrepreneur and multi-business owner, I know what it feels like to have ideas that go nowhere. So let's break down going from idea to ACTION

I am NOT a cook. Being in the kitchen is not one of my gifts, but the fall is a very full season for our family so I have to plan our meals or we will end up at the drive-thru every night

As women, it can be hard to feel like we are choosing between our work or our family. Running a business with children in the mix can feel like walking on a tightrope – a tough balancing act! Even hearing the word hustle can stir up some negative feelings, but I truly believe you can hustle in a much healthier way when you set firm boundaries and clear goals. Tune into today's conversation as we navigate together what it can look like to manage our time well while giving ourselves grace. Remember, if you have felt this way, you are not alone! We are all on this learning journey together. I firmly believe that you can be a great mom AND a great business owner

It's that time of year when we are shifting out of a summer mindset and into a fall mindset!

When this time of the year comes around, I focus on creating simple routines that keep our family in a healthy flow. And while my kids may not always agree with some of the routines, they know what to expect + align with them, as long as I keep them consistent. ♥️  So in this episode, I want to talk about healthy schedules + routines that keep things flowing well for us – from meal planning, packing school lunches, and healthy habits. In our home, we encourage our kids to build healthy habits because we want to empower them to take responsibility for themselves. I hope that by sharing what we do in our home, you leave this episode inspired to establish routines that work best for your family in this season.  In this episode we talk about: 

Do you enjoy routines? If you are like me, then you know how powerful they can be to your mental health, your family flow, and your business. Routines keep you organized, create a flow so everyone knows what to expect, and ultimately help you stay sane (especially if you have kids with full schedules, like me!)  … Or maybe you are listening to this because you want to figure out how to establish a routine in your home or business so that you CAN experience some sanity.  Whether you have established routines, want to switch up your routines, or need someone to help you get started, I've got you covered! I am sharing all my tips around routines – setting them AND keeping them. So grab something to take notes with, and let's get started!  In this episode we talk about: 

It's back-to-school season! And like me, you may feel torn. You love the freedom of summer schedules and the lighter routines but you also look forward to getting back into a rhythm and are craving some organization in your home. Can you relate??    I got you! We are going to talk about resetting routines in today's episode. But it's not just about resetting a routine for the sake of it. The routines I set support my family's wellness as we go into the school year. I am covering a variety of areas that I hope inspire YOU to prepare your home, family, and wellness for the school season.    In this episode we talk about: 

Welcome back to another episode of “The Direct Dish”! I am so excited to wrap up this series on 100 lessons from 100 episodes. In case you missed it, in episodes 100 and 101 I shared the first 66 lessons I've learned over the past few years of being a podcaster. And today I'm sharing the final 34 lessons – all things I've learned as a mother and entrepreneur, or nuggets of wisdom that have been taught to me by guests I've had on the podcast. I hope you take away something today that inspires and encourages you in your business, motherhood, and beyond! And I cannot wait for the next 100 episodes as we uncover all the truths to running a business and raising a family with joy!    In this episode you'll hear:    ⏲️ My “Take 20” approach to time management

Welcome to another episode of The Direct Dish podcast! I am so excited to keep the lessons coming as we dive into part 2 of my "100 Lessons from 100 Episodes" series. In case you missed it, last week I shared the first 33 lessons I've learned over the past few years of being a podcaster, and today I'm sharing the next 33! These are all lessons that I've learned as a mother and an entrepreneur or nuggets of wisdom that have been taught to me by guests I've had on the podcast. I hope you hear something here today that inspires and encourages you in your business, motherhood, and beyond! In this episode you'll hear: 

Welcome back to another episode of The Direct Dish! But not just any episode – can you believe this is the 100th episode?! Over the past two years of hosting a podcast, I thought I was showing up here to teach you what I've learned about life and business. But I've found that I've learned a thing or two along the way as well

Hi there! I am so excited to chat with you today about getting the most out of your summer by putting your business on autopilot – and no, I don't mean for the entire summer

As a business owner, I'd be willing to bet you could use a little more sleep, right? Well, that's why I'm so excited to have sleep consultant Tanessa Shears with us today! Tanessa is a kinesiologist, certified sleep science coach, and health consultant who helps entrepreneurs double their energy and focus so they can make more money in their business. She works closely with business owners to eliminate brain fog and wake up well rested so they can get more done in less time, maintain consistent and stable energy throughout the day, and feel better than they have in years. This conversation was so fascinating to me and I hope it intrigues and inspires you to make your sleep even just 10% better!  In this episode you'll hear: 

This is our first episode in May, which means it's almost time for one of my favorite things… summer! I love having my kids home, taking family vacations, neighborhood barbecues, and just doing all the sweet things that summer brings. But with the summer season comes a busyness that can often feel overwhelming. So today I'm sharing seven practical tips for taking a break from your business this summer to help you slow down and become more present in your personal life. I hope this episode frees you up to believe you do have the time to slow down. After all, there's nothing quite like a summer well spent!    In this episode you'll hear: 

Welcome back to another episode of The Direct Dish! Today I'm sitting down with “The Parenting Mentor” Susan Groner, and she is going to be such a great resource for you parents out there. Sue is an experienced mother of two young adults, so she knows how stressful and overwhelming parenting can be at times. She founded The Parenting Mentor to be an ally for parents in their quest to raise confident and resilient children. Sue is also the author of Parenting with Sanity & Joy: 100 Simple Strategies and is the host of The Parenting Mentor Sessions podcast. For those of you who are parents and also run businesses, you're really going to get a lot out of this. So without further ado, let's dive in!   In this episode you'll hear: 

If you're a mom, you're busy. It just comes with the territory, right?! As a mom and entrepreneur, I usually feel like I can never keep up. It wasn't until this year that I finally started to find a rhythm that worked for my family, and I am really excited to share those tips with you today. There is such a thing as momming smarter, not harder – and I want to help you learn how to do it. I hope this episode leaves you feeling encouraged to start new routines for your family and excited for how you'll manage your role as a mother. And more than anything, I hope you feel inspired by the truth that while motherhood is hard, it's also full of so much joy!   In this episode you'll hear:

Friend, I am so excited you're here because I have a feeling this episode is going to be the motivation you need in your business this week! Today I'm chatting all about a “second quarter refresh" and how you can get back to that New Year feeling – even in April. We've been given a brand new day, with a brand new sunrise, with brand new hope and excitement for what's to come. And I say that's the perfect recipe for a second quarter refresh! Whatever these first three months of 2023 have brought you, those days are in the past, and it's time to look forward to this next season with a fresh attitude and perspective. So, let's get started! In this episode you'll hear:

Welcome back to the podcast! I'm so glad you're here, because you do not want to miss this week's episode with Jess Massey! Jess is the host of the Hustle Sanely Podcast, a planner creator, and the founder of the community-centered productivity brand Hustle Sanely®. She uses The 5 Keys to Hustling Sanely™ to teach busy women how to release overwhelm and prioritize their mental health & relationships as they pursue their goals. From adopting a positive mindset to getting clear on your vision, to prioritizing your tasks and creating a schedule that honors your energy, Jess covers it all and is passionate about helping you create your most peacefully productive life. So without further ado, let's dive in! In this episode you'll hear:

Welcome back to the podcast! I am so excited to have you here with me today as I finish up this “Ask a Business Coach” series with a topic that is on every entrepreneur's mind: social media. Specifically, how can you best influence people with your online presence? You may be thinking, “I don't have a big enough following to be an influencer.” Well, let me tell you a secret – if you have even one follower, you are an influencer! My hope is that today's episode encourages you to use social media to help grow your business and impact those who are already following you. And if you missed any of the previous episodes in this “Ask a Business Coach” series, be sure to go back and check out episodes 89-92 for an inside look at some of my best advice as a business coach and mentor! In this episode you'll hear:

As a mom and a business owner, a question I get asked often is what sacrifices I have had to make in order to be both. I've spent a lot of time trying to find the answer to this question, and my answer probably isn't what you think. In today's episode, I'm excited to chat all about how to balance both roles with a few systems that I've created for me and my family over the years. I hope you use these tips to help you enjoy raising your children while showing them you can be successful at running businesses, all at the same time

Raise your hand (unless you're driving

I'm so excited to kick off a new series today! I recently polled my Instagram to find out what questions you would ask a business coach if you could sit down for a one-on-one chat. Over the next few weeks, I'll be answering the top four responses with my best tips, tricks, and next steps. This week we're kicking it off with all things organization to help ensure your success — not just as an entrepreneur, but also as a wife and mother (because let's face it, if we don't get our family organized first, we'll never have the mental capacity to keep our businesses organized as well!) So, here are some thoughts from a business coach on how to keep your busy family on schedule, your work life organized, and your mental health top notch. See you here next week

A few weeks ago we talked about how clarifying your brand message can benefit your business, and today I want to piggyback on that idea and chat a bit about the benefits of wireframing your website. (If you missed my episode on brand messaging, be sure to go back and listen to episode 86

What if I told you that you didn't have to niche down your business? Well, it's true! Today we are joined by Tara Reid, a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose work supports introverted VAs and online service providers so they can develop an authentic marketing and sales strategy. Since 2007, Tara has built her online business to serve women who are looking to grow freedom-centered businesses (and who doesn't want that?!) To date, she has led more than 6,000 creatives to more sustainable business strategy through her programs and is the host of her own podcast, Introvertpreneur. This episode resonated with me in a super personal way, and I hope it does the same for you! In this episode you'll hear: 

You may or may not have heard me talk about this before simply because it's one of my all-time favorite business topics… That's right, today we're diving into clarifying your brand message! Maybe you've taken the time to do this before, or maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about (that's totally okay). I am passionate about having strong brand messaging because I know just how crucial it is to the growth of any business. My hope is that this episode leaves you encouraged, inspired, and ready to get clear with what you want and how you're going to get it this year. And be on the lookout for more content about clarifying your brand message, because I have something exciting coming very soon! In this episode you'll hear: 

Today we're chatting about continuing your education as an entrepreneur and how working one-on-one with a coach can benefit you and your business. Only one month into 2023, and already it can be so easy to feel like you're falling behind (speaking from experience here

If you've been listening for a while, it's no secret that social media isn't exactly my favorite part of running a business. With near-constant algorithm changes and seemingly endless demands for content, it can feel less like a business tool and more like a business burden. That's why today I am so excited to welcome Holly Haynes, an industry expert with 20 years of business consulting experience (not to mention a Top 100 podcast!) who is passionate about teaching women how to build their dream job without relying entirely on social media. Our conversation is packed with a ton of value, so you may want to bookmark this episode for later!

Okay, so I know we already have a few weeks of 2023 under our belts, but as I have been reflecting on the past year I can't help but think of all the things I learned both in life and in business. So in this episode I am excited to share the handful of things 2022 taught me about myself as an entrepreneur! I hope you'll take some time today to reflect on the last year to discover the things you've also learned. And if you feel like you're walking away from 2022 without a single lesson learned, feel free to borrow mine. I am certain they will set you up for success in this bright, new year! Here's to 2023

Welcome to the final episode of the “Mastering Time Management” series! We've spent the last 5 weeks talking about all things time management and how important it is to master it in order to succeed. I hope the advice I've shared in episodes 77-81 has helped you not only better manage your time, but better care for your mental, emotional, and physical health as well. Now we're summing it all up as we chat about working smarter, not harder, in order to make the most of the time you have. No matter what life looks like for you right now, I think we can all agree that there simply just isn't enough time to do it all! So today I'm sharing my favorite tips from this series (plus a few new ones). While everything I've shared in this series will help you manage your time better, if you're looking for a simple place to start, start here! In this episode you'll hear:  7 tips for working smarter in your business How setting boundaries sets you free Wrapping up the “Mastering Time Management” series Links to all the things mentioned:  Ep 77 I Mastering Time Management: What Makes It So Difficult For Entrepreneurs? Ep 78 I Mastering Time Management: Setting Clear Goals Ep 79 I Mastering Time Management: Knowing Your Limits Ep 80 I Mastering Time Management: Don't Fear Failure Ep 81 I Mastering Time Management: Getting Healthy The Profit Plan Instagram | @mkoehler Join My Subscription I Direct Dish Community Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Read more about this episode HERE! This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

I am so happy you're tuning in with me today for the fifth episode of the “Mastering Time Management” series! Today's title may have you wondering: how can your health possibly help you better manage your time? When we're short on time, our health is usually the first thing that suffers. I want to take our time together today to reverse that once and for all (without robbing any more of your time!) I hope this episode gives you a whole new perspective on how to care for your body well in order to better manage your physical, emotional, and mental health. And please be sure to come back next week as we wrap up our time together chatting about mastering time management! In this episode you'll hear: My personal health journey as an entrepreneur How physical, mental, and emotional health affects productivity Being successful without sacrificing your wellbeing Links to all the things mentioned:  Ep 77 I Mastering Time Management: What Makes It So Difficult For Entrepreneurs? Ep 78 I Mastering Time Management: Setting Clear Goals Ep 79 I Mastering Time Management: Knowing Your Limits Ep 80 I Mastering Time Management: Don't Fear Failure Freebie: Launch Your Business Checklist Young Living Instagram | @mkoehler Join My Subscription I Direct Dish Community Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Read more about this episode HERE! This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

I am super excited to continue our conversation about time management with this fourth episode of the “Mastering Time Management” series! Today we're digging in deep to chat about the fear of failure and how not fearing it can actually help you master time management. Fearing failure is a real thing, and it's not easy for entrepreneurs to ignore. We can start by redefining “failure” for ourselves in order to find success in new ways. I hope this episode gives you a whole new perspective on the word “failure” and what it means to you. Together, let's stop fearing failure once and for all in order to make the most of our valuable time. And tune back in with me next week as we keep this conversation going and master time management once and for all! In this episode you'll hear: Redefining “failure” as an opportunity to learn Planning for failure instead of avoiding it Overcoming the fear of success as an entrepreneur Links to all the things mentioned: Ep 77 I Mastering Time Management: What Makes It So Difficult For Entrepreneurs? Ep 78 I Mastering Time Management: Setting Clear Goals Ep 79 I Mastering Time Management: Knowing Your Limits The Profit Plan Instagram | @mkoehler Join My Subscription I Direct Dish Community Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Read more about this episode HERE! This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

You hear it all the time: “Know your limits.” But exactly does that mean? Limits simply give you permission to not feel like you have to do it all. If you struggle with this, you're not alone – most entrepreneurs do! In this third episode of the Mastering Time Management series, I'm sharing my five best tips to help you know your limits and stick to them. So take a deep breath and let go of the idea that you have to take care of every little thing on your plate. Together we can change our mindsets, choose our priorities, eliminate distractions from our phones, assign a theme to each day, and make time for both focus and fun! In this episode you'll hear: What limits are and why they're important Giving yourself permission to not do it all Five tactics for knowing and sticking to your limits Links to all the things mentioned:  Ep 77 I Mastering Time Management: What Makes It So Difficult For Entrepreneurs? Ep 78 I Mastering Time Management: Setting Clear Goals Freebie: Launch Your Business Checklist Instagram | @mkoehler Join My Subscription I Direct Dish Community Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Read more about this episode HERE! This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

Hi there! Welcome back to The Direct Dish. I'm excited to keep the time management conversation going in this second episode of my “Mastering Time Management” series. Let's be honest, if you don't know where you're going or what you're working towards, it becomes very difficult to make good use of your time! That's why today's podcast is all about setting clear, “SMART” goals. While you don't need to walk away from this episode feeling like an expert goal setter, I hope you do feel much more confident in your ability to set realistic goals, create an action plan, and ultimately achieve them! In this episode you'll hear:  How having clear goals helps with time management Goals vs. Mission (And why both are important!) Setting SMART goals that lead to success Links to all the things mentioned:  Ep 77: Mastering Time Management: What Makes It So Difficult For Entrepreneurs? Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf The Profit Plan Instagram | @mkoehler Join My Subscription I Direct Dish Community Personal Website | melissakoehler.net Read more about this episode HERE! This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.