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WHISKEY & WORK FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/whiskeyandwork WHISKEY & WORK PODCAST NOTES: www.kelseymurphy.com
Natalie is the founder and CEO of Star Kids Company and their flagship products are the Christmas Star From Afar and the Easter Story Egg. The Star From Afar comes with a book and wooden nativity scene. Each day, the star hides and the 3 Wise Man go find it. It is a Gospel centered alternative to the Elf On The Shelf. The Easter Story Egg also comes with a book and a set of nesting eggs. Each of the nesting eggs helps tell the story of Holy Week. I knew Natalie Ard before she was Natalie Ard. She and I grew up in the same small town in Northern IL where everyone knew your name and knew your business. Back then, she was Natalie Jeffords, her brother Aaron was a year ahead of me in school, her mom taught me to tap dance first in her garage and then in the town hall, and her dad started out as my high school shop teacher but by the time I was a junior, he was my principle. I invited Natalie to be a guest because she is someone who went from being a stay at home mom to CEO. And not only that, her job requires a lot of travel. In this episode we talk about: How something that started really as just a hobby turned into a company. How Natalie prepared her business to get her product in retail stores. How Natalie got her product on QVC. How Natalie handles heavy travel seasons at work while still making sure her family thrives. The importance of boundaries and priorities in life and business. How to she handles an intense season of travel for work. Our big takeaways from this interview. God puts the right people in your path to help you along the way. Natalie sent her first drafts of her manuscript to her former high school English teacher, Mrs. McGuire, who was delighted to help. She was a trusted expert in Natalie’s life. Grassroots marketing really works. In the very beginning of Star from Afar, Natalie posted about what she was working on on Facebook and emailed her family and friends to share her excitement. She asked them to forward on the information to anyone who might be excited about it. She tapped into her local market by selling at local vendor fairs and craft shows. There is no such thing as balance, but priorities are a great thing. As Natalie’s business grew, her priorities and boundaries had to shift. She had to say no to some social engagements while she was building her business. There wasn’t as much free time in her life as there was before she started. Natalie realized she needed to create margin and space for self care, time for her family, time with her husband and time with the Lord just as much as she needed to create time to work on her business. She realized everyone starts the day with the same 24 hours and it was up to her to decide how to spend them. Busy season work tips: Cross reference your schedule with your spouse or partner early. In Natalie’s case, she and her husband plan their January work schedule and calendar in October. Ask your community for help. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, family and neighbors to help with carpool, after school activities or childcare. Natalie often flies in her parents, so that her kids can keep their schedule the same. Bring your kids into what you’re doing as much as you can. Share photos and videos from your destination. Video chat with them as your schedule allows. Let go of control, you’re not at home. Don’t let things you can’t control consume you. Trust your that your care team has homework, school lunch and school activities handled. Be all in, wherever you’re at. If you’re traveling for work, but that hat on as much as you possibly can while you’re gone. When you come back home, put that mom hat back on and reconnect with your family (instead of coming home from a work trip and diving right back into work). Links Mentioned: Christmas Star From Afar The Easter Story Egg The Birthday Box Connect with our guest:. Natalie Ard is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Christmas Star From Afar® and The Easter Story Egg™. She is a wife and mother to three and has build the Star From Afar Kids company on the foundation of creating inspirational, interactive games and toys that help children play with a purpose. Star Kids Company creates toys and games that are both meaningful and playful. We desire to inspire children and to spark their curiosity and creativity. We strive to develop products that deliver positive messages and create lasting family memories. Connect with Natalie and Star From Afar: Website / Instagram / Facebook
Natalie Ard helps break down the “big subject” of life and faith for kids through fun games, books and toys. She’s an entrepreneur, a small business owner, creator of books and games for children, author and Illustrator, and believer. She’s also a wife, and a mother to three! A driven entrepreneur, Natalie built the Star From Afar Kids company on the foundation of creating inspirational, interactive games and toys that help children play with a purpose. Star From Afar Kids creates toys and games that are both meaningful and playful. Their mission is to inspire children and to spark their curiosity and creativity by developing products that deliver positive messages and create lasting family memories. Natalie is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Christmas Star From Afar® and The Easter Story Egg™. Growing the business from her dining room table, Star From Afar Kids products are now featured in Barnes & Noble, Cracker Barrel and on QVC. A former stay-at-home mom (which is hard enough work!), Natalie has developed into an inspiring entrepreneur, learning along the way what to do - and what not to do. She proudly wears the title of both callings as a “mompreneur.”
Natalie Ard joins me for Episode 103. With the turn of the holiday season, it was the perfect time to chat with her about what she does. She is a mother who quickly became an entrepreneur after creating a family tradition product called Star From Afar. She is the owner of Star Kids Company where she creates toys and games that help kids play with a purpose. We talk about why she created Star From Afar, tactical ways to make this Christmas meaningful and how is manages being a working mother. What did you enjoy about this episode? What was your takeaway. Let's continue the conversation on Instagram or Twitter or you can send me an email here. Thank you for following along life with me. I love being apart of your day. And as always, I hope this show helps you survive a little easier.
Natalie Ard is an author, artist, game & toy developer, and successful “mompreneur.” Paul and Natalie discuss Natalie's purpose driven story as it reveals her passion to inspire children and spark their curiosity and creativity. She has developed products like Star from Afar and The Story Egg that deliver positive, faith filled messages and lasting family memories. This will help you overcome obstacles to action and discover and launch out your own life purpose in 2018 and provide you with some great ideas for your family's holiday season. Visit GodZoneShow.com for show notes and to ask a question or leave a comment and answer the engagement question. To Leave a Message for Paul or Ask Paul a Question http://godzoneshow.com/contact/ Show Notes for all the tips, methods, and resources mentioned in this episode can be seen at http://godzoneshow.com/ Subscribe to The God Zone Show so you don't miss any episodes. Please Rate & Review the show on iTunes.
After feeling like the meaning of Christmas and other religious holidays were being lost throughout the bustle of the seasons, Natalie Ard took matters into her own hands to bring the true meaning back. Her company, Star from Afar, not only makes activities for Christmas, but now also makes other children's toys and activities for during the rest of the year. Her goal is to bring families together through meaningful play. She's awesome and I'm so excited to share with you an idea for you to implement this holiday season. Show Notes: Follow Natalie on Instagram Buy your own Star from Afar kit here Download some activities and coloring pages here And I love this Gingerbread house idea Connect with Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email: jessica@extraordinarymomspodcast.com
My guest today is a savvy business women who had an idea for a meaningful and playful activity/toy called The Christmas Star from Afar. Natalie Ard owner of Star kids Company shares her journey from idea to product on the shelf. We talk about everything from choosing a manufacturing company for your product to promotion. We also discuss our favorite tv show and how to be present with your kids as an entrepreneur. Links from the show The Shack Divergent The Girl on the Train Natalie's favorite things: Odd Mom Out Her new puppy Salt and Pepper Pistachios Natalie and Star from Afar is offering a free coloring book to start off your holiday season. Visit their site at Star from Afar /Rising Stories. Get your free 30 day trial and download from Audible Here. Connect with Corine Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest Show Notes Facebook Group Music is by Ben Sound Sponsor: Brentwood Life Coach
In this episode, I chat with Natalie Ard - entrepreneur, a small business owner, creator of books and games for children, author and Illustrator, and believer. She’s also a wife and a mother to three! Natalie Ard helps break down the “big subject” of life and faith for kids through fun games, books and toys. As a driven entrepreneur having built the Star From Afar Kids company, I speak to Natalie about the entrepreneurial lessons she's learnt along the way. Including why following your purpose is beneficial and how to build a business from nothing. We also discuss the importance of and how to inspire children to play with a purpose. This is an inspiring conversation for mums looking to start their own business but equally valuable for anyone wishing to turn passion and purpose into a dream lifestyle.
Everyone knows, the best way to learn is through fun and games. Well, some get that. Our feature guest today has coupled my fun and games with learning the true meaning of Christmas. Natalie Ard has already shared Star from Afar with thousands of families. Now she's here sharing it with you today. Meet our Feature Guesthttps://menofabundance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/SFA001-orignal_cb7f4472-b5d9-47cc-99ae-a5001ac0947a_1024x1024.jpg () Natalie Ard helps break down the “big subject” of life and faith for kids through fun games, books and toys. She’s an entrepreneur, a small business owner, creator of books and games for children, author and Illustrator, and believer. She’s also a wife, and a mother to three! Time Stamped Show Notes(click a time stamp below to time travel directly to that point in the conversation.) 7:35 So, where are you at in the World? 10:25 Attitude of Gratitude 11:30 Let's get Personal 18:25 Kick in the Gut Moment 22:10 Good News Story Paying it Forward 25:26 25:32 Action Steps you can take today. 28:10 What daily habits make the biggest impact in your life? 32:00 What are you reading or listening to right now and why? Start your 30 day Audible trial and get Your http://www.audible.com/t1/30trial_at?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R (Free Book) 35:27 What do you feel holds most people back from live a life of True Abundance? 39:13 What does Living A Life of Abundance mean to you? 40:35 Parting piece of guidance Connect with our Feature Guest https://starfromafar.com/pages/abundance (StarFromAfar.com/pages/Abundance) https://www.facebook.com/theStarKidsCompany/ (Facebook - Star Kids Company) https://www.instagram.com/starfromafarkids/?hl=en (Instagram - Star Kids Company) Wally's Take Away:As we come into the Holiday Season, it's even more important to get close with each other, pay attention to each other and just be there. Buying things for each others has nothing to do with Christmas. That's all marketing guiding your life. Do not be a pawn in the game of gifting. Your time and love are what your family needs. Just be there. You are the present. And take care of you. Resources Mentioned:Podcasts: How I Built This - NPR - The Way I Heard It - Mike Rowe Sponsors and Affiliates, Helping you live your Life of Abundance and helping me keep the mic on.https://menofabundance.com/shake/ ()Shakeology, Dense nutrition shake. Shakeology makes nutrition simple. And with 70+ ingredients and superfoods, it is the Healthiest Meal of the Day. "My family and I have been drinking Shakeology daily for the last 5 years. Even my six year old has been drinking it since he was two." ~ Wally https://menofabundance.com/shake/ (Click Here! ) To watch a short personal video I recorded with my little guy about our experience. https://menofabundance.com/bod/ ()Unlock the world's most powerful, life-changing fitness tools when you join the Team Beachbody Club. Get 24/7 digital streaming access to hundreds of world-class workouts via Beachbody® On Demand, exclusive discounts on Team Beachbody products, personalized meal plans, and one-on-one support from your very own Coach. Everything that helps Club members hit their health goals up to 2 times faster than those who don't join! As a Premium Club member, you'll have access to https://menofabundance.com/bod/ (Beachbody On Demand) for the next 30 days—absolutely FREE! http://tmschwab.ontraport.com/t?orid=935&opid=7 (Interview Valet) - Talk Directly to your ideal customer. Be a Podcast Guesthttp://tmschwab.ontraport.com/t?orid=935&opid=7 ()Executives, entrepreneurs, & thought leaders everywhere are learning how to reach tens of thousands of targeted interested individuals who are passionate about your area of expertise. Connecting with them through Interview Valet’s concierge-level podcast guest booking... Support this podcast
⭐️NEW podcast episode! ⭐️ Today on the Friends of a Feather podcast, I want to share with you the story of my friend, Natalie. Natalie is a wife and a mom to three children who live in sunny California!☀️Natalie came to be a creative "mompreneur" when she was searching for a meaningful Christmas tradition for her children that was FUN, also! Not finding one available, she created one! And, A Star From Afar was born!
Leave a review of the show on iTunes or Stitcher Natalie Ard is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Christmas Star From Afar® and The Easter Story Egg™. She is a wife and mother to three and has built the Star From Afar Kids company on the foundation of creating inspirational, interactive games and toys that help children play with a purpose. Star From Afar Kids creates toys and games that spark a child's curiosity and creativity while delivering positive messages and creating lasting family memories. In our conversation, Natalie talks about how God used an interest from her childhood—drawing and sketching—to build a dream in her heart that she didn't know to have. The dream was born out of her desire to create meaningful activities for her children around the holidays and now it's a full-fledged business. I loved hearing the joy in Natalie's voice when she talked about getting immersed in creativity and drawing again. She's also honest about the red-flags of self-doubt, insecurity and comparison that signal to her that it's time to take a break, talk to God and remember who she is and why she's doing what she's doing. This was such an encouraging conversation for anyone with a dream to create a product or who just needs to remember that our God is faithful and trustworthy. I pray you'll be encouraged today. You'll find the show notes, resources discussed, and contact information for Star From Afar Kids here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/39 OTHER USEFUL LINKS: Join the Devoted Dreamers Insiders Facebook Group Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Android
Watching someone walk out their passion using their unique giftings is inspiring. One of my favorite parts of having this podcast is finding those people and sharing them with you, the listener! Today's guest is Natalie Ard who is a mom who loves being creative. She found she had left that behind when she became a mom but, when finding a solution to her daughter's fear of Elf on the Shelf, hit on a new tradition that has expanded from just her house to homes all over the world! You're going to love this product but even more, you'll love hearing the story and the heart behind it. what we chat about: the (sometimes) difficult transition from staying home to working again what Natalie does to refocus when she's lost sight of why she's doing her ministry an easy way to discern which opportunities to take and which ones to skip some ways she's finding more time to be with her family in this transition season Share the struggle! I want to hear YOUR thoughts on this episode! If you've been encouraged by the show, please share it with another mom. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Head to momstrugglingwell.com for entire show notes! Follow along: Instagram // Facebook Support us: Shop // Amazon
The post LBR 022: A Star From Afar: Learning About the True Meaning of Christmas with Natalie Ard appeared first on Lu and Bean Read.
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