The Boss Mom Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Nurture Your Business: The Death of the Newsletter (Why you should stop, and what you should do instead) Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

The newsletter is no longer effective, and business owners should start exploring different options. What could you do in place of sending a newsletter? What do you need to keep in mind as you move forward with new types of communication? On this episode, I share why you need to focus on the human aspect of your approach.

You need to understand the human beings in your audience. What do they want? -Dana Malstaff

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

If you send your audience the same thing at the same time every week, people will switch off. Be careful not to be too consistent.
Stop targeting demographics. Think about who your audience is and how your content can exist in their lives.
Rationality is unrealistic. As much as we'd like to think business is business, as long as people are involved, it can never be completely rational.

No matter how foolproof regular communication might seem, there are significant drawbacks. While algorithms reward consistency, if you're sending out the same communication at the same time each week, you're not going to convert an audience into loyal customers. You'll be at risk of becoming background noise detached from your fanbase. The newsletter is dead: it's time to start looking at real people.

How to Build a Business People Trust w/Mark Schaefer Jun 20, 2019

Show notes

Social media and online platforms have brought a lot of changes to the business world, but many brands are slow in adjusting. How can we build an online persona that connects with our customers? How has the role of the customer shifted?

On this episode, author, blogger, and podcaster Mark Schaefer explains why human connection is so important, even with the increasing popularity of virtual spaces.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Respect your customer (07:16- 08:08)

Customers are aware that they have more power now than ever before. The problem is, many businesses don't act accordingly. To get ahead with the new consumers, it's vital that businesses respect their customers' time, resources, and spending habits.

Build a brand personality and forge real connections (10:19- 11:27)

No matter how advanced technology becomes, people trust people. It's important to give your customers a human face they can get to know, like, and trust. Foster loyalty by sharing stories about what you're going through and by being open.

Your customer is your marketer (20:37- 21:56)

Marketing isn't about the advertisements anymore— it's about the customer. Businesses are no longer able to buy their way in. We all need to start finding ways to assist our client in their daily lives and build real relationships with them.

While the customer has always been important to businesses, their influence on the sales process has changed significantly. Build relationships with your customers that ensure that they know you value them.

Guest Bio-

Michael Schaeffer is a keynote speaker, educator, podcaster and business consultant. Known globally for his work, Michael is celebrated for his approach to marketing and is the bestselling author of six marketing books. Michael is adamant that personal touches are vital for effective marketing in the age of social media.

To get in contact with Micahel, head to

https://twitter.com/markwschaefer

https://www.facebook.com/mark.schaefer3

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

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

You can also email him on mschaefer700@gmail.com

Or call him on (865) 456-1939

Head to his website, https://businessesgrow.com for more information on his business, and look at https://businessesgrow.com/mark-schaefer/ to see information about his books and career.

How to Create a Community of Belonging in the Classroom w/Marie Morris Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

Creating a community can be extremely overwhelming, but there are very specific and strategic ways of thinking and planning that can help us break it down into manageable chunks. What can we do to help people feel like they belong? How can we be more inclusive? How do roles and rules help people feel more comfortable?

In this episode, Marie Morris explains how she developed a community in her classroom, and how social media can be a web of support for educators.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Communities of support on social media (07:40-08:46)

We can use social media to situate ourselves in a space that is collaborative and non-threatening, whether it's in the business world or in the education world. Instagram and YouTube are spaces where teachers can share and support each other and they can help build our confidence as educators.

What we need to put in place to create a community (26:09-28:41)

We can begin to create a community when we think about how our physical space functions and what interactions can happen within it. We also need to go beyond the layout by putting clear expectations in place of what is required of every person in every role in the community.

How rules help people feel comfortable (28:40-28:53)

We need to make ground rules when bringing big groups of people together because when there is uncertainty, people get anxious and afraid of doing the wrong thing. Rules help a community of people know what's expected, which makes them feel more comfortable.

As teachers, we can facilitate a holistic shared experience for our students by creating a community. When we create communities for our students, we foster better learning, excitement and retention. Having rules helps them feel comfortable and aware of boundaries. When we build a community, we must think about the physical space as well as the interactions between people. We just need to break it down into specific and manageable steps that work for our context.

Guest Bio-

Marie Morris is a teacher in the Poway Unified School District, in San Diego, CA, and has been teaching for 12 years. She has taught all four grades of English (9-12), as well as both the performance and technical side of theatre. Marie has a blog, YouTube channel, and Instagram profile focused on classroom teaching. Being part of an online community has changed her perspective on how she runs her classroom as well as her confidence as a professional educator. Her teaching style is energetic and fast-paced, but she constantly checks for student understanding. She likes to engage students with references they can connect with and give students a sense of belonging to her classroom community. Marie earned her BA in French, a Single Subject English teaching credential, and an MA in Theatre Arts all from San Diego State University. Teaching is in Marie's blood. She has been unsure of many things over the course of her life, but of two things she has always been certain - she wanted to be a mom and she wanted to be a teacher.

marie@thecaffeinatedclassroom.com

https://www.thecaffeinatedclassroom.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thecaffeinatedclass/

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCaffeinatedClassroom?sub_confirmation=1

How to Be at Peace with the Person You Are Right Now w/Shannon Kinney-Düh Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

Never underestimate the importance of being in touch with yourself and valuing who you are right now. How can you become more in tune with yourself? Should you be working on yourself constantly- or giving yourself some space?

On this episode, holistic life coach Shannon Kinney-Düh shares the importance of being at peace with yourself.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Stop listening to the negative voice in your head (06:00- 08:07)

Saying that you're not good at something has a huge effect on your ability to get it done. You hear what you're saying, and start believing that negative voice. Become an observer of your mind and be conscious of what you're saying to yourself.

Don't just 'do': you need to 'be' (10:53- 12:27)

Ours is a culture of constant 'doing'. We fill up our time trying to do everything and fail to just be in the moment. The problem with this constant doing is that you ultimately risk depleting yourself.

Build a healthy foundation (14.47-15.47)

For a garden to grow, you have to provide a healthy foundation. Once you've done that, you also need to give it some space to grow on it's own. Treat yourself in the same way: create a good foundation but allow yourself the space to see results.

Allow yourself space to breathe and to consider who you really are. Often, we find distractions to avoid feeling certain emotions. The reality is, sometimes we're scared to be truly alone with ourselves. Start accepting the person you are. Awaken to your greatness.

Guest Bio-

Shannon Kinney-Düh is an holistic life and spiritual coach. She's also a yoga instructor and artist who believes that women need to become more in tune with themselves. Shannon is passionate about teaching women how to unleash their greatness, and to stop shying away from the different seasons of life.

To find out more about Shannon, head to: www.afreespiritlife.com. Find her eye pillows on the website here: https://www.afreespiritlife.com/eye-pillows/. Use the coupon code Boss Mom for a 15% discount when you buy 3 or more eye pillows.

You can also find Shannon on Instagram at @afreespiritlife

And on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AFreeSpiritLife/

To listen to the song Dana references in this episode, head to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM

Episode 391: Nurture Your Business: 6 Reasons Why You Should Love Facebook May 31, 2019

Show notes

Business owners often bash Facebook for having bad intentions, but if you look at it carefully, Facebook actually wants everyone to succeed. How does Facebook's transparency work in our favor? What targeting tools does Facebook have that makes marketing easier for us? How do Facebook groups help us with engagement? In this episode, I explain why I love Facebook and how authenticity and community are key to building success on Facebook.

Facebook has been so exponentially important and instrumental not just in my business, but in my life. -Dana Malstaff

3 Takeaways

We may think that the transparency of Facebook works against us as businesses. However, if we run good, authentic, caring businesses, our audience sees it. Facebook rewards this, and it works in our favor.
When family and friends engage with our Facebook posts, it limits our ability to be visible to our target audience as similar profiles are targeted for further engagement. We need to engage with the right people in the right way.
Facebook groups work better as platforms for engagement. Group members can post and start conversations which also relieves the responsibility of the business as the only contributor.

Facebook has changed the way we communicate with each other by allowing us to identify who we are and what we care about, as well as by finding other people who love and care about those same things. By running an authentic and caring business, and targeting and engaging with the right people, we can create a community on Facebook that helps our business be visible and successful.

Episode 390: How to Rewire Your Brain and Stop Feeling Overwhelmed w/Dr. Shannon Irvine May 23, 2019

Show notes

So many entrepreneurs are overwhelmed by the number of things they want to achieve, and often their health is affected because of it. How can you stop feeling that overwhelm? Why is it so important to know how you're wired?

On this episode, Dr. Shannon Irvine shares her experience with changing her approach to something that suited her better.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Learn how you're wired (03:22- 05:17)

Too many business-owning moms are spoken about as superheroes. This is a very intimidating belief, and also inaccurate. You don't need to be a superhero to get your business to work. All you need is to know how you're wired and how to work in a way that is effective for you.

Get your kids involved (09:34- 11:54)

A great way to make sure your kids understand what you're doing is by letting them see you do business. They'll start seeing how it works, and they might even get excited about entrepreneurship. You're not necessarily bringing them into your dealings to create mini entrepreneurs— you're just exposing them to the possibilities out there.

Fail in front of your kids (13:00- 15:02)

No one wants to fail, but it's almost always inevitable. Allow yourself to fail, and see every failure as a learning experience. Treat it as a lesson for your kids, too. Encourage them to try everything they're interested in, and to keep persevering even when they fail.

The way we do things is linked to the way our brains function. A lot of the time, that means we're on autopilot. Start being more aware of how you think. You may not be able to stop having certain thoughts, but that doesn't mean you're powerless. Learn how your brain is wired and allow yourself to fail. Then, teach your children that they can do the same.

Guest Bio-

Dr. Shannon Irvine has been a serial entrepreneur all her life. After realizing she was overworking herself, she thought she would have to give up something in her life. However, then she realized that so many people before her had been able to balance all the things that were important to her. Since that moment of clarity, she dove into learning the science of success. Today, she's a strategist, mentor and neuropsychology PhD. She's passionate about rewiring entrepreneur's brains to be the best they can be.

To find out more about Shannon, go to: https://drshannonirvine.com/

You can also find her on Instagram: @drshannonirvine

And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drshannonirvine/

Episode 389: Following Your Intuition w/Ashley Meyer May 16, 2019

Show notes

Something that holds a lot of moms back from starting businesses is a fear of not being able to deliver what everyone needs from you. How can you stop yourself from being overwhelmed? When will you know if it's time to take a break?

On this episode, founder of Mompire, Ashley Meyer, is here to share how you can protect your mental health and deliver a great product.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Follow your intuition (11:50- 13:41)

Your intuition is a powerful tool, and you should pay attention to any negative feelings you may have. When you ignore your gut feeling, bad things tend to happen. Listen to yourself, and don't be afraid to let your intuition guide you.

You don't have to do everything (17:39- 18:43)

When you live out of alignment with your goals, dreams and ambitions, you are going to crash. Understand that you don't have to give everyone what they need, all the time. Give what you can, but don't allow it to cause you fatigue.

Allow yourself to step back if it's the best decision (19:22- 21:28)

It can be hard to step back from your business- especially if you've invested a lot into it. Allow yourself to overcome your guilt at not using a degree, a business or anything else you've spent a long time to attain. If you know you want to step back, give yourself that opportunity.

A lot of moms feel guilty about starting businesses. However, many also agonize over the decision to step back, when necessary. Remember that despite all the demands you may feel at work and at home, you do need to prioritize your intuition and mental health. Whichever route you decide to take, make sure you're choosing the path you want to.

Guest Bio-

Ashley Meyer is the founder of MOMpire. After training and practising as a lawyer alongside her husband, Ashley made the decision to step back from their practice to create a business for other moms. Ashley is passionate about empowering moms, and believes it's important for those using her platform to speak directly to their family lives.

To find out more about MOMpire, head to: https://the-mompire.com

You can also reach out to Ashley on Instagram: @themompire and Facebook: MOMpire

Episode 388: How to Gain Career Clarity w/Tracy Timm May 09, 2019

Show notes

There are so many career options available to us, that sometimes choosing what's best for us can be overwhelming. How can you choose a line of work that will keep you fulfilled and take advantage of your talents? Should you check in with yourself to make sure you continue to feel fulfilled by those choices?

On this episode, Career Clarity Catalyst Tracy Timm shares her advice for choosing what's right for you, specifically.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

You don't have to go all-in immediately (11.12- 11:52)

Don't feel like you have to invest everything in the beginning. Take small steps that allow you to build the company without going broke in the process. It doesn't all need to be completely black-and-white at the start of the venture.

Know your core values (15:48- 18:40)

Before you can be sure of what you want to do with your business, or in your career, decide what your core values are and commit to honoring them. Think about how you'll prioritize each of these. Do the work to make sure you're able to take the opportunities that present themselves to you.

Check in on yourself (20:00- 21:40)

Once a year, schedule time to check in with your core values. Make sure they're still working for you and adapt where necessary. Your values will change depending on what's happening in your life, so it's important to have a list that stays relevant to you.

From the time we enter the education system, we're taught to base our decisions on impersonal factors. This stops us from doing what's best for us, as individuals. Wouldn't it be great to make the right career choices earlier on, with fewer bruises along the way? Set up your core values and work towards fulfilling them one step at a time.

Guest Bio-

Tracy Timm is the founder of Nth Degree Academy and Tracy Tim, LLC. After graduating from Yale unsure of what she wanted to do, Tracy found herself in a Wall Street job, miserable. She then quit to study on-board a cruise ship, with the intention of discovering her passion. After one more unhappy position, Tracy decided to start her own business, helping others find career clarity. Tracy is passionate about helping women find their paths earlier in life, so they don't need to prolong their fulfillment.

To find out more about Tracy, head to: www.tracytimm.com/clarity

And to hear more about what we discussed on this episode, visit: www.tracytimm.com/bossmom

You can also find out more about Tracy's academy at: https://nthdegree.tracytimm.com/

Episode 387: How to Use Processes to Scale Your Business w/Brittany Dixon May 02, 2019

Show notes

When you're an entrepreneur, it can be overwhelming to think about all the things you must do to take your business to the next level. Do you have the right systems in place yet? How do you know where to start?

On this episode, Brittany Dixon is sharing her advice for scaling your business.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Pay attention to processes (09:49- 11:14)

Every single thing we do has a process— from running a business to making a sandwich. Go into as much detail as you can when considering your processes. Even the most basic step is important.

Get everything in one place (14:46- 15:27)

When you're just getting started in your business, try to have everything in one place. Use systems like Trello to put all your work, clients, and progress in one spot. This creates much-needed structure.

Hire a business consultant when you're ready to scale (18:53- 19:24)

If you're at the point in your business where you're able to scale, it's time to hire a consultant. This will allow you to step away while your business is taken care of.

There are so many moving pieces involved in building a business that it's bound to get confusing at some point. As you grow, make sure you're taking stock of everything you do. To take your business to new heights, you have to pay attention to what got you off the ground in the first place.

Guest Bio-

Brittany Dixon is a business consultant. After finding out she was pregnant with twins soon after starting a new job, Brittany decided to start her own company. Today, she is the owner of Brittany and Co. Consulting. Brittany strongly believes that building a great business requires great documenting of processes. She's also adamant that the reason she has more time with her kids today is because of the consistent processes when she started her business.

You can find Brittany on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Consulting-Agency/brittanyandco.consulting/about/

And Instagram: @brittanyandco.consulting

To find out more about Brittany, head to: https://brittanyandco-consulting.com

You can also try out her free content planner at: bit.ly/bco-contentplanner

Episode 386: Why Scaling is Non-Negotiable for Success w/Barbara Turley Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

We've all heard that scaling is important for businesses to grow, but it's also beneficial to your family's wellbeing. How can scaling impact your children? What can you do to make the process easier?

On this episode, CEO of Virtual Hub, Barbara Turley, is here to discuss why you need to build a company you can step away from.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Build a saleable asset (07:00- 07:49)

Scaling your business turns it into a saleable asset. That doesn't mean you have to sell it—just that you have the ability to. Creating a saleable asset can also be especially helpful to moms, as you're creating opportunities for you to step away if and when you need to.

Embrace your inner "control freak" (21:40- 22:35)

While we might not like to admit it, most entrepreneurs are control freaks. That's okay—this is the baby you've built! Being a control freak doesn't mean you have to look over your employee's shoulders, though. All you have to do is build systems and make sure they're being followed.

Start with your personal vision, then look at the business (27:32- 29:02)

We spend so much time concentrating on our business visions, but we still have lives outside of work. Instead of building your life around your business, start by thinking about what you want personally. By paying attention to the lifestyle you want, you'll build a business that can fit the vision.

Most entrepreneurs want to scale their businesses, and with good reason. But it's important to check in with your 'why'. Why do you want to scale your business? You may think building a saleable asset requires a certain degree of objectivity, but saleable or not, your business is your baby. Think about how your business will fit into your life— not the other way around.

Guest Bio-

Barbara Turley is the CEO of Virtual Hub, aimed at helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses as easily as possible. Barbara is also a mom to a daughter, and attributes a lot of her success with scaling her own business to her decision to be a hands-on parent. Barbara is passionate about helping entrepreneurs have an easier journey to success.

To find out more about Barbara, head to: www.thevirtualhub.com

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected