The Boss Mom Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Finally, A stress-free way to store our memories: Vanessa Quigley on the story of Chatbooks & why their marketing is so dialed in with moms Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

Capturing those special, uncurated moments in our children's lives and holding onto their stories is on every mom's priority list. However, with everything we have going on as parents and business owners, traditional scrapbooking can be daunting and overwhelming.

Don't you just wish there was a really easy way to get all the photos out of our phones and into a book? Well…there is. Chatbooks is an app that's simplifying how moms capture memories, and the story behind its creation is as awesome as the product itself.

Chatbooks really understands how moms think and feel, how did they get so dialed in with their target market?

In today's episode, I'm joined by the co-founder of Chatbooks, Vanessa Quigley. We talk about how this business came to life, and why their marketing is so effective at reaching moms.

Overall our marketing has been successful because we're honed in on who our customer is. We are selling to ourselves. -Vanessa Quigley

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How Chatbooks' simplifies a very important jobWhat makes Chatbooks' process of capturing memories and moments so much easier than traditional scrapbooking?
The story behind the ad that made me fall in love with ChatbooksHow does the Chatbooks team craft marketing content that perfectly captures the reality of what it means to be a mom?
How to create a company culture that supports moms and familiesWhy is Vanessa so passionate about running a company that strengthens families?

Guest Bio

Vanessa Quigley is the co-founder of Chatbooks, a subscription photo book company that makes it ridiculously easy to share, print, and enjoy your family memories. As the Chatbooker-in-Chief, Vanessa is deeply involved in all aspects of the business with keen attention to all creative and product design choices. Chatbooks was founded in 2014 as Vanessa's brain child after realizing her youngest son didn't have his own childhood scrapbook. Chatbooks makes it easier than ever to get the photos off your phone and into your hands. The mission at Chatbooks is to strengthen families. The company started as a small family affair and has since grown to include team members across the country.

Throughout Chatbooks' growth, Vanessa has been firm in her commitment to promoting equality for parents in the workplace. She is proud to say that women hold the majority of leadership positions at Chatbooks. Vanessa was named Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017, authored Real Moms, Real Hacks, and hosts The MomForce Podcast. She has a degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University, sings (opera!) whenever she can, enjoys the theater, being in the mountains with her family, and finding the humor in life – especially while raising a growing family!

Follow @chatbooks and @vanessaquigley on Instagram, join the Mom Force Facebook group and listen to the Mom Force Podcast.

Get $10 off your first Chatbooks purchase when you use the link www.boss-mom.com/chatbooks.

The Mom Force Podcast

5 Ways You're Being SELFISH In Your Business (And What You Can Do To Stop It!) Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

No matter how much we want to succeed, our brains have a tendency to sabotage us, and sometimes, the only way to move beyond that is by completely breaking down our existing ways of thinking.

So, with that in mind, today I want to let you know the only reason you're overwhelmed or not getting the results you want is because…you're selfish. The real question is, how can you kick that self-defeating selfishness, once and for all?

In this episode, I'm sharing a tongue-in-cheek (but effective nonetheless!) guide to changing the way we think for the better.

Sometimes, a nonsensical angle can change the way our brain processes things and allows us to have a completely different experience. -Dana Malstaff

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why we need to stop thinking we can be everything to everyoneHow is trying to help everyone 'selfish'...and is it even possible to do that, anyway?
The importance of listening to our audiencesIt's great that we want to solve our clients' problems, but how clear are we on what those problems are?
How to draw the line between teaching and preaching When are we actually providing value, and when are we just sharing information because that's what we think we have to do?

Successful Branding Always Starts With A Powerful Story w/Ellie Dote Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

We try a lot of things to stand out to consumers, but at the end of the day, being ourselves and embracing our stories will always be the most effective way to capture their attention.

How can we get better at honing in on our personal stories, so we can use them in our messaging? Do we risk isolating anyone by going deep on the things that have meaning for us, personally?

In this episode, Founder of EllieGirl, Ellie Dote shares to leverage our stories in our branding.

Your brand really needs to resonate with you, because if it doesn't, people can tell! -Ellie Dote

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How to create a brand image that resonates with who we areWhat can we do to come up with a brand image and message that encapsulates the things most important to us?

How to use trends to our advantageIs it possible to build a deeply personal brand while being inspired by current trends?

The stories most likely to help bolster our businessesHow can we get into the habit of sharing powerful stories?

Guest Bio-

Ellie Dote is the owner and founder of EllieGirl, a business dedicated to helping female and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs gain confidence in their identity and success through effective graphic and website design. After spending much of her life in Church ministry, Ellie used her training in Evangelism, as well as her professional training in design to start EllieGirl with the understanding that our stories are what changes lives and sets us apart from other businesses.

Ellie is the author of Walking Towards Cordelia.

To find out more and to connect with Ellie, go to:

https://elliegirlcreations.com/

https://www.facebook.com/EllieGirlCreations

https://twitter.com/EllieGirl77

https://www.instagram.com/elliegirlcreations/

https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Towards-Cordelia-becoming-accepting/dp/057872569X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RT62F45W1987&keywords=walking+towards+cordelia&qid=1644994025&sprefix=walking+towards+cordelia%2Caps%2C394&sr=8-1

Ellie is running a special offer for a custom WordPress website built in a week for the next two months. Taking just one client a week, space is limited, and the price is $1,000 - that's 1/3 of their lowest price.

Find out more at:

https://www.elliegirlcreations.com/connect

Why Our Brains Won't Let Us Niche Down Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Niching down is essential for a successful business, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Far from it, finding a niche is one of the hardest decisions a business owner will have to make.

What is it about the idea of narrowing down our scope that scares us so much? More importantly, can we push past that hesitation, so we can see the benefits of niching down?

In this episode, I'm sharing why our brains don't want us to niche down, and how we can do it, anyway!

Our brains tell us we're different from everyone else and can help everybody, but not niching down HURTS you. -Dana Malstaff

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How to break free from the idea that we 'could' do more Are we diluting our impact by trying to be of service to everybody?

The key to getting more clarity in our businesses How can we get crystal clear on the exact person we want to serve through our businesses?

How to start niching down, today What tangible steps can we take right now to narrow our scope and define our audience?

How to Find and Invest in The Best Business Course for YOUR Needs Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

I want to live in a world where moms never need to feel guilty about purchasing business courses, because they know they've made the right decision. The only problem is, when everyone's marketing is so enticing, it can be near impossible to pinpoint what's right for our specific needs.

How can we look beyond the shiny marketing and identify the kind of courses that will work for our unique businesses? Is there a way to distinguish courses that wouldn't be able to serve us?

In this episode, I'm sharing what to look for in a course when you're at different stages of your business, using Marie Forleo's B-School as an example.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

1 thing to remember when picking a more established course Well-established, popular courses come with a ton of benefits, but are they able to provide the targeted assistance needed in the earliest stages of running a business?

What to be mindful of when investing in a course Are we in a position where paying for a course is doable, or would that add on additional financial pressures we might end up regretting?

Why short-term programs aren't always a great choice for moms Is it even possible to reap the full benefits of a 6-8 week course if much of our schedule revolves around our kids?

A Smaller Niche Doesn't Mean A Smaller Impact: How Narrowing Her Scope Helped Deb Blum Add Bigger Value Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

As entrepreneurs, and especially as women, most of us have a deep desire to 'save the world' and be of value to others, and that's beautiful, but it can make niching down incredibly difficult.

The problem is, narrowing down the scope of what we do is the key to running a successful business that doesn't consume every waking moment of our days, so we have to resist the urge to be everything to everyone.

However, that can be easier said than done. How can we possibly go deep on just a few things, and where do we begin to define what those few activities are?

In this episode, Founder of Age Awesomely, Deb Blum and I discuss how pinpointing her niche actually allowed her to provide more value to others.

The information world is saturated, and that doesn't mean you can't stand out, but it does mean you won't stand out if you don't choose to build businesses around a specific problem people have. -Dana Malstaff

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How to get clarity in our businesses How can we get so clear on who we are and what we offer, that it's easy for us to communicate that to the world?

Why having a massive scope sets us up for poor results We tend to think serving a small niche means smaller results, but could the opposite be true?

How to avoid building a business that depends on our constant involvement Does having a niched-down business mean we have to be present in it at all times?

Guest Bio-

Deb Blum (rhymes with plum) is the Founder of Age Awesomely and the creator of the Whole Soul Way and Self-Love Basecamp. She helps daughters of parents with dementia deepen their relationship even when it seems impossible. She also empowers these women to free themselves from societal and cultural expectations so they can live true to themselves and with good health and happiness, ya know, awesomely. Deb is one of those people who really loves to go deep and think about things like disease, death and loss and the existential meaning of life. So, as these daughters face the loss of their parents, Deb is passionate about supporting them to face their own mortality so they can live their lives fully and without regret.

To find out more and to connect with Deb, go to:

https://www.ageawesomely.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ageawesomely

https://www.facebook.com/DebBlumOfficial/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debblum/

https://www.youtube.com/user/inspire4lifecoach

https://www.youtube.com/debblumnow

https://www.instagram.com/debblum/

And to get a copy of Deb's concise, actionable and FREE guide that helps daughters of parents with dementia to know EXACTLY what to do and what not to do to create a calmer and more harmonious relationship, without having to do hours of research on the internet, go to:

https://www.ageawesomely.com/relatetodementia

Why Self-Awareness is the First Step To True Fulfillment In Your Business and Your Personal Life w/Sam Kabert Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

While running a business takes work, it should never come at the cost of our inner peace. In fact, the very idea that we need to 'hustle' to be successful does more harm than good.

The question is, where do we strike the balance between necessary, intentional effort and an all-out, harmful grind? How can we cultivate a better soul-life balance?

In this episode, Business Consultant at Clone Yourself, Sam Kabert opens up about his path to self-awareness as a recovering workaholic.

If we don't have awareness around our thought patterns, we're just falling victim to our programming. -Sam Kabert

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why moving beyond our past is a necessity for growth Is it possible to hang on to the people we once were, as we continue to grow and move forward?

The importance of approaching business from a state of flow How can we go from being constantly on the go, to a place where we can adapt as our lives require us to?

How to get onto a path of self-awareness How can we pinpoint the programming that holds us back from true fulfilment?

Guest Bio-

Sam Kabert is a Podcaster and the business consultant behind Clone Yourself. The first 8 years of Sam's career were driven by goals and motivated by success. The path culminated in building a million dollar business while working less than 4 hours a day in addition to being named to Silicon Valley's 40 Under 40 list at the age of 31. It took some time but Sam eventually realized that his work was just filling a void. Soon after meditation and next plant medicine, namely Ayahuasca, found Sam and since 2019 Sam has been on a path of deep self inquiry. Sam's mission is to reframe the way we look at our lives as it relates to work. The belief centers around "SOUL / Life Balance" in which we look at work as a component of life as we intentionally build in more practices to feed our souls on a daily basis which ultimately brings in more fulfillment and joy to our lives.

To find out more, go to:

https://wizardteams.com/

https://www.instagram.com/samkabert/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabert

https://www.facebook.com/Kabert/

SoulLifeBalanceBook.com

When Should My Kid Get An iPhone? The Guide to Safely Introducing Tech Into Our Children's Lives w/Anne Marie McDonald Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

Technology is brilliant, helpful and powerful, but it can also be a bit scary when it comes to our kids getting devices for the first time. For parents who grew up in a time where Siri or TikTok didn't even exist, how do we acclimate to tech being an ever-present part of our kids' lives, and how do we ease them into it so that they have a healthy relationship with it?

As parents, we can't ignore where the world is right now, but we can still set boundaries so that our children use tech when they are emotionally ready for it.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Vice President of Public Relations & Communications at Gabb Wireless, Anne Marie McDonald. She talks about tech, when our kids should have it, and the impact it can have on their lives.

Tech isn't going away, and we want to embrace it and teach our kids how to use it in a healthy way so they become healthy adults that are balanced. -Anne Marie McDonald

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How to introduce kid-safe tech to our children When do we know that our kids are ready for an iPhone, and if not, what foundational devices can they have?

Navigating tech when our children are in different age groups How do we handle introducing tech to one child when their younger brother or sister is likely to get some FOMO?

The importance of open and honest dialogue with our children When does tech work against our parenting?

Guest Bio

Anne Marie McDonald is the Vice President of Public Relations & Communications at Gabb Wireless. She leads the charge to educate media and families on safe-tech solutions. As a podcast host, speaker and content curator, Anne Marie continues to empower families to thrive in a digital age by providing information and trusted resources. She is the proud Mom of four, ages 6-16.

Head to https://gabbwireless.com/ to find out more about their kid-safe smartphone and use the code BOSSMOM for a discount.

If Your Business Feels Like A Chore, It's Time To Explore Something New! w/Bev Feldman Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

Running a business comes with its fair share of challenges, and there will be times when being an entrepreneur just isn't fun. The question is, when are those challenges a necessary evil, and when is it time to try something else?

Pivoting in business can be vital for our sanity, but how can we be sure we're moving into something we're actually going to enjoy, and is there ever a 'right' time to make that move?

In this episode, Founder of Your Personal Tech Fairy, Bev Feldman explains how she went from jewelry designer to marketing technology consultant and strategist (and why she hasn't looked back since!).

"If your business feels like an uphill battle everyday, consider that it might not be the business you're supposed to have." -Dana Malstaff

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why we need to re-think our identities as business owners Pivoting into a new space can be tough when we're known for something else. How can we stop letting our previous identities define us so we feel empowered to step into whatever we choose?

How to tell when making a move is a necessity Is there ever a 'right' time to try out something new?

The key to knowing when we're in the right line of work How can we know for sure if we're in the right business? Does that kind of certainty even exist?

Guest Bio-

Love your business but hate dealing with your email marketing platform? Then you need Bev Feldman -- Your Personal Tech Fairy. Bev helps service-based solopreneurs to build seamless automations on ConvertKit so that you can save time, have energy to help your clients, and increase opportunities to earn money from your business without using icky-feeling marketing techniques.

To find out more, go to:

https://www.instagram.com/your.personaltechfairy

https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonaltechfairy

And for Bev's Email Automation VIP Day, visit http://yourpersonaltechfairy.com/vip

The Possibilities When You Start as A VA w/Nicole Terrell Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

As Boss Moms, we all want to achieve big things, but that doesn't always mean we have a clear idea of what that might look like.

Luckily for those ladies who just aren't sure what their bigger picture is, Virtual Assistance can be a great starting point. There's no simple way to describe what a VA does, and for that very reason, it can be a great stepping stone to a ton of different opportunities.

So, how does one get started as a VA, and how can we adapt the role as we go? How can we use virtual assistance as a way to generate revenue while freeing up time, without compromising on professional fulfillment?

In honor of the new Nurture to Convert VA Certification, in this episode, Boss Mom's Director of Operations (and former VA!), Nicole Terrell and I discuss the amazing opportunities that come with being a virtual assistant.

For anybody who isn't sure what they want to do, virtual assistance is a really great entry point. -Dana Malstaff

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why virtual assistance is a great option for non-salesy entrepreneurs Could virtual assistance be the perfect solution for business owners who just don't feel comfortable doing sales?

The major benefit of virtual assistance for risk-averse Boss Moms Could virtual assistance be the perfect solution for the aspiring business owners who prefer to play it safe without sacrificing big results?

How to uncover your VA niche How can we build a VA business around the things that are most important to us, which align with our core values?

Guest Bio-

Nicole Terrell is the Director of Operations and Success Partner at Boss Mom. A former virtual assistant, Nicole also has a background in trauma-informed manifestation coaching.

To find out more, go to:

https://boss-mom.com/boss-mom-spotlight-nicole-terrell/

And for more on our VA Certification, go to:

nurturetoconvert.com/vacert

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