The BizChix Podcast: Female Entrepreneurs | Women Small Business | Biz Chix

Join Natalie for this on air coaching call with Sarahna Fernandes on expanding her business, hiring, and setting up procedures and routines that will allow Sarahna to step away from her business as needed. Key Takeaways: [1:20] Natalie shares how she plans to unplug for a week while on vacation with her family. [4:01] The realities of preparing to leave for vacation as an entrepreneur and a mother. [10:55] Natalie introduces part two of her conversation with Sarahna Fernandes from episode 227. [12:19] Sarahna shares her dream of expanding her business and designing procedures to prepare for business growth. [15:33] Natalie encourages Sarahana to train people to do what she does or train them to do the tasks she doesn't like to do. [19:21] What are the pieces of your business you don't enjoy doing? How can you hand off that relationship or task to someone else? [22:33] Solutions for passing tasks off to others when people have requested you specifically to offer a service. [28:45] The software, Sweet Process, can help you to train employees and have a productive workflow. [30:30] What should you consider when you are hiring someone? Mentioned in this Episode: Listen to Episode 210 with Kate Ericson (workflow) Sweet Process (software) Podfly Bizchix.com/227 SBA/Score mentoring This content originally appeared on BizChix.com

Natalie coaches Sarahna Fernandes, a successful wedding planner from Trinidad & Tobago, on how to manage her business finances like a boss! Sarahna is a busy mom of a two year old daughter and her husband is also an entrepreneur. This year her business has taken off and she needs to figure out how to manage the money coming in and out of her business. Can you relate? These topics...money, bookkeeping, bank accounts, taxes are not sexy but so important to run a successful business. **The content in this episode is general business coaching advice and not meant to meant to take the place of the individualized and expert advice a Certified Public Accountant, Tax Professional or Attorney can provide. Consult with a CPA or Attorney in your region if you have questions related to your specific situation.** Key Takeaways: [6:18] Sarahna describes Simply Organized, her business focusing on organizational services and wedding planning. [12:08] Sarahna's side business is turning into something more and she wants to take care of things like a Pro, but is not sure where to start or how far to go back in her accounting. [27:51] The benefits of running your business and personal accounts separately is not only the right thing to do, but helps you feel like a BOSS! THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY MY MASTERMINDS. NEW GROUPS ARE FORMING ALL THE TIME SO GO TO BIZCHIX.COM AND APPLY TODAY! ---> Biz Chix - Work with Me Mentioned in This Episode: Biz Chix - Small Biz Reality Series Simply Organized on Facebook Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Tweetables: "Hear how to manage money like a Boss on @bizchixpodcast" **This content originally appeared on BizChix.com.**

Join Natalie and her co-hosts at Podcast Movement ( #PM16 ) where they discuss the challenges of balancing motherhood and business. We recorded this live in a booth on the conference floor. Hear us share how we each manage childcare as busy working Mama's and how sex changes after baby. Thank you Elsie Escobar, Jessica Kupferman, Jessica Rhodes and Katie Krimitsos for your vulnerability and honesty in this episode. Also, special thanks to the women in the Business and Babies secret Facebook Group who inspired this conversation. You are AMAZING. Key Takeaways: [4:42] Natalie introduces her co-podcasters while recording at Podcast Movement. [9:13] Advice for first time mothers who have an online business. [11:46] Running a business post-baby necessitates a new approach. [12:34] Elsie shares how she needed to step away from her work and the importance of asking for support. [17:12] Many mothers need to adjust their expectations and understand that they may not feel ready to leave their baby with anyone for awhile. They may also need to get creative with a childcare solution that they feel comfortable with. [22:34] Natalie acknowledges the advantages of having her office outside of the home now that her children are more independent. [24:27] What is your why behind working from home? [26:45] How intimacy changes after you become a mother. [29:23] The lack of interest in sex is often a phase after having a baby and it's often difficult to be present. [32:45] Getting away with your partner will help you to think of yourself as a WOMAN and not as a mother. [33:31] Connect with other mompreneurs who understand what it's like to be pregnant, have a baby, and run a business. [34:02] Natalie encourages listeners to create their own private groups to share ideas and to discuss specific challenges and successes. [37:49] Context-shifting is a real difficulty for mothers and the reason why it takes longer to get work done once you become a mother. [38:45] Be loving to yourself as a new mom who is not getting a full night's sleep. [40:21] Post-partum hormones play a big part in a women's lack of desire for sex after having a baby. [40:48] Suggestions for making sex pleasurable again post-baby. [41:55] Communicate what you need and why to those around you. Mentioned in this Episode: BuzzsproutTweet this: Thx @YoGeek @JessKupferman @katiekrimitsos @JessRhodesBiz for keeping it real on @bizchixpodcast. BizChix.com/226 #PM16 This content originally appears on BizChix.com.

Are you struggling to sell your current product or service offerings in your small business? If so, you might not be solving a big enough problem. Host Natalie Eckdahl digs into how to examine your own business and turn things around. MASTERMINDS New masterminds for women entrepreneurs and women podcasters are launching in August, so be sure to apply now. If you are interested in a future group, apply for that now too so I can keep you on an interest list and help match you to the best group when you are ready. Go to BizChix.com/workwithme for more info and to apply! Key Takeaways: [7:02] Are solving a big enough problem with your product or service? [13:40] Do your clients believe your fee is worth the benefit they will receive? [15:33] Why is timing important and what triggers someone to purchase your product or service? [18:34] Real life examples: People are willing to pay more if you are fulfilling a fantasy they have. [26:47] Consider who your target market is and have you specifically targeted them? [28:11] Need help with the next steps? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Naomi Fournier of Birdsong Farm (http://www.naomisbirdsongfarm.ca/) Naomi on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/naomisbirdsongfarm/) Small Business Reality Series (BizChix.com/smallbiz) WORK WITH NATALIE If you are struggling in your business and don't know what to focus on or if you have a business or new product idea and just want someone else to bounce the idea off of, I would love for you to book a 90 minute strategy session with me. There is no long term commitment and it is the most affordable way to work with me. I do these with entrepreneurs at all stages and have also been working with podcasters who want to align their podcast to their business or find a way to monetize their podcast. Go to BizChix.com/workwithme to book a Strategy Session. This content originally appeared on BizChix.com.

In today's episode, Natalie coaches one of her clients, Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD, about whether or not she should launch a podcast. Blair works full time as a pharmacist and is the founder of Pharmapreneur Academy, an online teaching platform that guides pharmacists entrepreneurs through the process of building a pharmacy consulting business. She is also the author of How to Build a Pharmacy Consulting Business and guest host on the Pharmacy podcast. Blair shares how she launched her online business while balancing a full-time job and a young family. Even if you don't plan to launch a podcast, the principles Natalie shares in this episode can be applied to launching any type of program in your business. Skip straight to the PODCASTING conversation at time stamp 25:00. Key Takeaways: [6:23] Natalie introduces Blair Green Thielemier. [7:41] What Blair was like as a little girl. [10:35] Blair shares what she does as a pharmacist consultant and coach. [14:10] Natalie shares Blair's success in building a minimum viable business. [18:13] How is one-on-one work beneficial to your business? [19:12] Blair talks about her different streams of income. [20:22] Are you using the right social media strategy for your business? [21:42] Why it is important to build an email list from the beginning. [25:45] Should Blair launch a podcast? [30:35] Natalie shares how she consciously choose to change her podcast to align with her business goals and the work that goes on behind podcasting. [41:40] Blair quizzes Natalie on how she prepares for a podcast. [43:06] How might a sponsored podcast vary from a typical podcast? [47:05] Natalie recommends that Blair start with a podcast that relates to her current business or to her future business goals. [50:05] Blair shares an experience that made her want to start her own podcast. [51:08] How podcasting can be used as a networking tool. [52:12] Natalie encourages Blair to be intentional with starting her podcast and shares ideas for getting started. [56:13] Natalie addresses specific questions Blair has about launching a podcast. [1:03:41] Understand your audience and cater your podcast to their needs. [1:06:05] Blair shares some of her hesitations with launching a podcast and gets advice from Natalie on interviewing skills, strategy, opportunity cost, branding, and hardware. Mentioned in this Episode: BT Pharmacy Consulting Website Pharmapreneur Academy Blair's book, How to Build a Pharmacy Consulting Business Pharmacy Times Blair on LinkedIn Libsyn Canva Podfly Music Radio Creative Work with Natalie If you are struggling in your business and don't know what to focus on or if you have a business or new product idea and just want someone else to bounce the idea off of, I would love for you to book a 90 minute strategy session with me. There is no long term commitment and it is the most affordable way to work with me. I do these with entrepreneurs at all stages and have also been working with podcasters who want to align their podcast to their business or find a way to monetize their podcast. Click here: Bizchix.com/workwithme This content originally appeared on BizChix.com.

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to replicate someone else's success when launching your own business? Join host Natalie Eckdahl as she shares the six lies of six figure launches and how you can have the right set of expectations for your small business. Key Takeaways: [5:35] Natalie shares personal insights regarding the emails in your inbox that claim you can replicate someone else's success. [9:25] What are your salary expectations as an entrepreneur? [10:06] Natalie encourages entrepreneurs to consider the cost of pushing for a six figure salary during the beginning stages of their business. [13:07] When you hear other's success stories, are you getting the whole story? [13:59] The profit formula will give a more complete picture of a successful business. [14:48] What underlying business costs are you not aware of? [16:02] It may appear that profitable entrepreneurs are making things happen on their own. [20:15] What is the likelihood that you will replicate someone else's success by following their suggested course of action? [22:11] Pay attention to bottom line numbers and top line numbers. [25:24] Consider how many businesses the entrepreneur you are following may have already launched prior to you ever finding them. [26:29] How can you verify that someone is telling you the truth about their business? [28:04] Natalie shares an online course case study published by previous Biz Chix Podcast guest Val Geisler. Val openly shares the numbers behind her recent launches. [34:48] How to manage your expectations for your business. Mentioned in this Episode: John Lee Dumas: Podcasters' Paradise Claire Pelletreau: Get Paid podcast Episode 148: Systems Expert Val Geisler of Aspire & Grow The Real Truth Behind Most Course Launches by Val Geisler Unroll.me Work with Natalie If you are struggling in your business and don't know what to focus on or if you have a business or new product idea and just want someone else to bounce the idea off of, I would love for you to book a 90 minute strategy session with me. There is no long term commitment and it is the most affordable way to work with me. I do these with entrepreneurs at all stages and have also been working with podcasters who want to align their podcast to their business or find a way to monetize their podcast. This content originally published on BizChix.com.

The Small Business Reality Series continues with Nutritionist, Julie Hefner who seeks host Natalie Eckdahl's advice on how to grow her practice. Julie has a powerful personal network, yet many of her friends and family do not know the depth and breadth of her expertise or how they can work with her. Natalie shares ways she can authentically use her personal social media channels to define herself as an expert in her niche. They also discuss how Julie can document her business tasks so she can decide what to delegate and what are CEO tasks she should always do. Key Takeaways: [7:24] Find out where Julie grew up and what she was like as a little girl. [8:25] Julie describes her business as a nutritionist and how she became an entrepreneur. [10:54] When does Julie find time to work on her business with three kids? [12:26] The best way to market and get potential customers for your business. [15:30] How can Julie authentically use her personal social media channels to talk about her business? [19:52] Find a friend who can help monitor how you use your personal network in your business ventures. [24:24] Natalie suggests specific social media strategies for Julie's business and to consider capitalizing on "seasonality." [26:19] Julie shares business success stories. [29:15] Natalie and Julie discuss the challenge of prioritizing business ideas and how to keep from getting distracted. [30:43] Natalie suggests how Julie can map out business tasks and delegate them to others. [38:13] How do you capture dreams and ideas for your business? [50:23] Natalie recaps her conversation with Julie and shares her own personal success with Julie's nutrition coaching. Mentioned in this Episode: ● Biz Chix Small Business Reality Series ● Join the Biz Chix Community Connect with Julie: ● Nourish Nutrition and Health ● Call or text Julie at: 949-345-5885 ● Julie's email address: [email protected] Sponsor Info: This episode is brought to you by my Strategy Sessions. They are my favorite way to work with new clients. We spend 90 minutes together on a video call and cover three big topics in your business you need help with. You leave with clarity, focus, new ideas and an action plan. Go to BizChix.com/workwithme to learn more. This episode was first published on BizChix.com.

In this fourth episode of the Small Business Reality Series, host Natalie Eckdahl provides on air coaching to Tara Lynn Foster, a paid speaker, executive coach, and consultant. Tara left a multi-six figure job two years ago to launch her own business. Tara shares some of the challenges of transitioning from a structured corporate environment to the freedom of an entrepreneur. Natalie provides coaching on how Tara can focus on activities that monetize her business and launch a group coaching program. Key Takeaways: [6:34] Tara shares where she grew up and what she was like as a little girl. [9:26] The first steps Tara made toward becoming an entrepreneur. [14:19] Tara's desire to be a landscaper, not a gardener, in her corporate job pushed her to work toward something that fit her personality and strengths. [22:14] How to move beyond planning and bring in revenue for your business. [24:46] How do you change the tires on the bus while the bus is still moving? [27:37] The entrepreneurial path involves risk and much is self-taught. [31:39] How to plan the week and organize networking, planning, etc. [34:50] Tara discusses why she decided to offer group coaching. [37:50] Who is your current audience and how can you put out leads to attract your target audience? [42:56] Natalie shares ideas for connecting with your audience. [49:14] How to make your idea or product "good enough," not necessarily perfect. [53:10] Extend a personal invitation for a beta launch to get things off the ground. [1:00:05] How to define your avatar and determine what your audience really wants. Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 218: On air coaching session with Sarah Snider of Nutty Snacks Episode 215: Top Productivity Tools and Books Biz Chix MasterMind Series Zoom Tara Lynn Foster Tara Lynn Foster on Twitter Tara Lynn Foster on Facebook

Product entrepreneur Sarah Snider shares an update on her business Nutty Snacks. If you have not listened to the coaching session Natalie did with Sarah, please go back to episode 218 (the one right before this) and listen first. In this episode you hear: What has happened since Sarah had a coaching session with host Natalie Eckdahl? Four months later, she shares an audio update of all that has transpired in her business and the impact the coaching call had on her personally and professionally. Call to action --> Let's help Sarah have her best week of sales ever! Go to her site and make a purchase. Her product is delicious and there is a sample pack you can buy for just $12. Could you use help in your business? Natalie offers a 90 minute Strategy Session where she digs deep into your business and creates an action plan of next steps. You can find out about the strategy session and Natalie's 12 week programs by going to BizChix.com/workwithme. Tweet this--> Hear @nuttysnacks founder and #productentrepreneur Sarah Snider get coached on how to prioritize her biz with @bizchixpodcast. BizChix.com/218

Welcome to our very first on air coaching call with Sarah Snider of Nutty Snacks. Sarah is a single Mom of 4 who currently runs her product business part time. In this call, host Natalie Eckdahl coaches Sarah on how to prioritize her time and resources so she can grow her business. Sarah's goal is to be able to quit her day job and work in Nutty Snacks full time. ABOUT NUTTY SNACKS I sell an all natural snack mix…it's gluten free, no artificial ingrediens, kid approved. I am in a spot where it's time to grow. I've spent a year doing "proof of concept" and testing things out. Now I gotta grow! A huge piece of our business is our "do good" component. We are committed to giving back through our philanthropic arm The Amani Project. We don't want to be a non-profit, instead we want to support organizations who are already doing good. Call to action --> Let's help Sarah have her best week of sales ever! Go to her site and make a purchase. Her product is delicious and there is a sample pack you can buy for just $12. http://www.nuttysnacks.com/shop/ Could you use help in your business? Natalie offers a 90 minute Strategy Session where she digs deep into your business and creates an action plan of next steps. You can find out about the strategy session and Natalie's 12 week programs by going to BizChix.com/workwithme. Tweet this--> Hear @nuttysnacks founder and #productentrepreneur Sarah Snider get coached on how to prioritize her biz with @bizchixpodcast. BizChix.com/218

Two seasoned entrepreneurs and moms share their best practices for juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship. Great for WAHM and anyone else trying to maximize their time and stay focused. Holly Homer, mom of 3 boys, and the owner of KidsActivitiesBlog.com and Business2Blogger.com share the creative ways she organizes her home and her life around her strengths. Host Natalie Eckdahl also shares how she manages 3 kids and running an online business from home. This episode was originally recorded on Blab as part of Women Entrepreneur Conference (WEcon) which took place in December 2015. It was organized by Hannah Russell-Goodson who is the founder of Pod Clear which was acquired by Blab and Alexandra Black-Paulick who hosts the Positive Impact Podcast. Special thanks to Hannah and Alex for allowing me to share this excerpt with my podcast audience! Holly and I are both avid Twitter user so please tweet us @TexasHolly and @BizChixPodcast. The full show notes are available at BizChix.com/214. I'd love to work with you and help you grow and monetize your business. Learn more at BizChix.com/workwithme. Also check out the Women in Podcasting Mastermind that is forming for female podcasters who have launched their show and want to take it to the next level.

The best productivity tips curated from 200 interviews of female entrepreneurs on The Biz Chix Podcast. Welcome to my new podcast series on Productivity! I have such a fantastic series planned which includes a few solo episodes from me as well as some brand new interviews with productivity experts in different facets of our lives. We are going to talk about how to be productive with our inbox, social media, style, working from home, relationships, networking, systems and more. To kick us off, I pulled the ten best productivity tips ever shared on The Biz Chix Podcast. Please Join The Biz Chix Community text bizchix to 33444 or go to BizChix.com and click the join the community button. Click for Full Shownotes If you enjoy the tips shared by these guests, be sure to check out their original episode. 1. Create a NOT to do List Vanessa Van Edwards Website: scienceofpeople.com Twitter: @vvanedwards Episode 101: Human Lie Detector and Expert Behavior Analyst, Vanessa Van Edwards leads the Science of People 2. Harness the Power of 3 Michelle Prince Website: michelleprince.com Twitter: @motivateinspire Ep 133: Michelle Prince is Best-selling Author, Zig Ziglar Motivational Speaker, Business Owner of Multiple Companies 3. Schedule Everything Danielle Botterell Website: sparkconsulting.ca Twitter: @Spark_biz Episode 35: Mom Inc. Author and Consultant Danielle Botterell 4. Set a Timer Karen Yankovich Website: karenyankovich.com Twitter: @karenyankovich Episode 37: Social Media & LinkedIn Evangelist Karen Yankovich 5. Eat That Frog Lisa B. Marshall Website: lisabmarshall.com Twitter: @lisabmarshall Episode 32: Author & Noted Speaker Lisa B. Marshall (plus Podcaster, Consultant, and Mom to twins) 6. Delegate Pei Kang Website: findingyourvoiceradio.com Twitter: @drpeikang Ep 137: Escaping Golden Handcuffs with Pei Kang of the ReLaunch Show 7. Get Help Julie Cole Website: mabelslabels.com Twitter: @juliecole Episode 41: Mabel’s Labels co-founder Julie Cole on Productivity, Partnership and Parenting 8. Find Your Triangle of Services Lynn Perkins Website: UrbanSitter.com Twitter: @urbansitter Episode 109: UrbanSitter.com co-Founder & CEO Lynn Perkins – VC Funded Entrepreneur, Mom, Parent/Sitter Matchmaker 9. Reduce Decision Fatigue Gail Warrior Website: gailwarrior.com Twitter: @gail_warrior Ep 119: Largest Minority Owned Construction Firm Founder Gail Warrior 10. Change Locations Natalie MacNeil Website: SheTakesontheWorld.com Twitter: @nataliemacneil Episode 29: Natalie MacNeil of She Takes on the World

Learn how to say I love my business, it couldn't be any better and really mean it! Let's take a break from comparing, regretting and goal setting and just be thankful for what we have and acknowledge where we are at. You've come a long way baby!If you have not subscribed yet, please click subscribe so you never miss an episode. It also tells iTunes that we are popular and helps us get featured in search results. Thanks so much for subscribing.One of the best parts of starting this podcast has been getting to know each of you better through the private Facebook group I host for female entrepreneurs.It is free to join, so if you have not done so please text bizchix to 33444 or go to bizchix.com and click on the yellow join the community button at www.BizChix.com.Show note for this episode are found at BizChix.com/203.Tweet this:I love my business, it couldn't be any better! via @bizchixpodcastBizChix.com/203#thankfulbizchixListen to the full message on thankfulness from Kenton Beshore of MarinersChurch.org here http://mariners.aspireonemedia.com/1850/4166/17003.Happy Thanksgiving BizChix!I love my listeners, they couldn't be any better!

Today we’re wrapping up our series on Masterminds networking and teams with some quick tips and final thoughts on masterminds.1) Choose smart people.2) Mastermind with people who are different from you3) Members need to be headed in the same direction at a similar pace4) All have a strong commitment to the group and to each others success5) You get out what you put in6) Your group may make you mad (that is good)7) The Relationships Develop Between Sessions8) Be accountable and provide accountability9) It’s OK to leave a Group that is not working for you10) You can start a paid mastermind in your nicheIf you are interested in launching your own Mastermind (paid or unpaid) and could use some help thinking this all through I have opened up a few blocks of time for a Mastermind Power Session. These are one hour laser focused sessions where we will cover everything you need to launch your own paid mastermind, including a boost in your confidence and a huge dose of encouragement to get started right away.BizChix.com/coachingI’m also facilitating paid masterminds in the new year so if that interests you, make sure you are getting my emails. Just text bizchix to 33444 or go to bizchix.com and click on the yellow join the community button. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” - Jim RohnPlease click the SUBSCRIBE Button so you never miss an episode.Click to join the Biz Chix Community or text 33444 and get access to our Private Facebook Group for female entrepreneursTweet me: https://twitter.com/bizchixpodcast

Ever want to start your own mastermind? Host Natalie Eckdahl shares the step by step process to design your ideal group and get started. Please click the SUBSCRIBE Button so you never miss an episode. Click to join the Biz Chix Community or text 33444 and get access to our Private Facebook Group for female entrepreneurs ----------------------------------------------- Get the free Quick Start Guide companion to this episode at BizChix.com/masterminding or text masterminding to 33444. For those of you that want help putting a mastermind together or prefer to have a professional facilitator like me in the group, I am excited to share that I will be launching two different mastermind programs at the beginning of 2016. If you are part of the bizchix community you will be the first to hear about those. If you have any questions on designing your mastermind email me [email protected] or tweet me @bizchixpodcast! Resources Google Hangout On Air - with Hangouts On Air, you can host and broadcast live discussions and performances to the world through your Google+ Home page and YouTube channel. You can also edit and share a copy of the broadcast. Zoom – video conferencing and web conferencing service Skype - is for doing things together, whenever you’re apart. Skype’s text, voice and video make it simple to share experiences with the people that matter to you, wherever they are. Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe in iTunes and leave a rating and or review. This helps the show rank higher in iTunes search results! Click here to join the Biz Chix community (free) and get an invitation to our Private Facebook Group for Female Entrepreneurs

Click for Shownotes Welcome to a special Father's Day edition of the Biz Chix podcast where I have a surprise announcement for you so stay tuned. Hey Biz Chix, this is your host Natalie Eckdahl and I am joined today by my husband Mark Eckdahl. Listen to the next part of the story at Wisdom From Dad's. Help support this new show by subscribing and leaving a rating and honest review. This help the show gain visibility in iTunes and new listeners find it. You can tweet Mark Eckdahl at https://twitter.com/meckdahl. Website: http://wisdomfromdads.com/

Click for Shownotes As the copywriter + strategist behind Kira Hug Inc. — and your fellow Pirate — Kira is your rebellious curator, your storyteller, your art director, and your challenger. And sometimes, she’s even your therapist. Under Kira’s care + wordsmithin’ wizardry, your story will be translated into copy that highlights the shiniest parts of your personality to the umpteenth degree AND sells, sells, SELLS. Kira’s eclectic background in marketing and visual communication led her to work for startups like ActionableBooks.com, luxury brands like Estée Lauder, and a handful of global nonprofits. Inside This Episode Motivational Quote Must Read Book Productivity Tool/Tip Create 15- or 30-day challenges for yourself to force yourself to operate at a higher level and achieve things you didn’t think were possible in your life and business. Developing a tight timeline for yourself will increase your productivity levels, for sure. Other Resources Click Here to get our FREE material: “HOW TO PITCH A PODCASTER” BizChix Episodes mentioned in this episode Connect with Kira Kira Hug Inc. Twitter Facebook LinkedIn iTunes Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider subscribing in iTunes and Stitcher and leaving a rating and or review. This helps us continue to be featured in New & Noteworthy so that more people can find us. Click here to join the Biz Chix community (free) and get an invitation to our Private Facebook Group for Female Entrepreneurs Thank you to our Sponsors:

Click for Shownotes Ladies this is message to you, but the truth is it is first a message to myself because it is what I need to hear most right now. You know how they tell you on a plane to put your own oxygen mask on first before you help anyone else. It seems so counterintuitive. As women we are raised to think of others before ourselves. But if we don’t follow those very important instructions in an airplane emergency, we may endanger ourselves and our children. I find the same true in day to day life. If we don’t take time to take care of ourselves, it impacts our whole world and may endanger our relationships and our own health. My Breaking Point In the last 3 years I have had two babies and launched a new business. That was on top of raising a teenager, running another business with my husband, running a home and being a wife. To say the least it has been a busy time. Recently, I hit a breaking point. I had baby Jett almost 9 months ago and feel like my home, my health and even my relationship with my husband has gotten out of control. I started thinking about changes I could make and who I could use as a guide. Guess what – the role model was right there in front of me. My awesome Mom, Roseanne Cook. I realized my Mom had unknowingly passed on lessons on how I could “put my oxygen mask on first”, without ever speaking a word about it. She passed on this wisdom by how she lived, what she made a priority and what she did not. 7 Important Lessons from My Mom How to Take Care of You So You Can Take Care of Others Take Care of Your Body My Mom has always taken care of her body by working out and eating healthy food. She has a slight leg up in this in that she was a combination English/PE major in college and was teaching middle school PE when she had me and later was an adaptive PE teacher (which means she is skilled in adapting activities to kids with down syndrome, autism and other special needs). When I was growing up in the 70’s, there weren’t a bunch of gyms and yoga studios around, but my Mom would work out at the YMCA or speed-walk around the neighborhood. In the 80’s she got into Jazzersize and the last 10 years she has been doing a lot of low impact workouts like water aerobics and yoga. What I realized is that my Mom makes working out a priority in her week. Even when we had a crazy busy schedule of after school activities, she would often walk the track at the school where my brother and I had swim practice. Next Step: My takeaway is that I need to schedule workouts and mark them on my calendar. If I don’t plan them and arrange for childcare or my husband to help, they are not going to happen. I’m happy to report that I have gone to spin class 3 times in the last 7 days (twice at 5:45AM). Maintain Your Friendships Earlier this year I had a tear fest crying to my husband about feeling really lonely. I have a lot of friends “online” who I interact with every day, but have struggled to find time to meet a local girlfriend for lunch or coffee. The root of this is feeling that I need to use the time I have my nanny here to work (not workout or see a friend). My Mom is huge on connecting in person with people and throughout my life I have observed her cultivating and making time for her friends. She used to have regular lunch date with her BFF Kay or they would just pop by each others houses for a cup of coffee and a chat. She also would go shopping and out to lunch once in a while with her friend Mary. My parents were part of a Bunco group that met once a month at each other’s homes. If you don’t know what bunco is you can google it. But basically it is a dice game and they would share a meal each time and have prizes. I remember it being fun when it was hosted at our house because I got to hang out with my parent’s friends while they snacked on yummy appetizers and desserts, then see my parents having fun with their friends as I headed off to bed (make no mistake I often got snuck of bed to see more of the fun…at least until I got caught). Next Step: I don’t need to feel guilty about using time I have childcare to see a friend. Also, this is something that I need to plan ahead and schedule for. There are also a few women I have met that I want to get to know better. They have kids my boy’s ages so I can reach out to them to meet at the park for a playdate and don’t need childcare for that. Mark and I really enjoy hanging out with other families and we need to be more intentional about that. I’m happy to report that I have started meeting a local business friend for coffee once a month and am being intentional about scheduling time with my girlfriends and it just fills me up when we get together! Date Your Husband One of the things I appreciate most about my parents marriage which is closing on 45 years strong is that I know my Mom and Dad are still in love. They truly enjoy each others company and have maintained a passionate relationship through the ups and downs of life. My parents always dated

Click for Shownotes Roseanne Cook is a teacher, wife, mother, best friend, grandma, sister and admired home maker. She is also host Natalie Eckdahl’s Mom and Mimi to Natalie’s three kids. Join this special conversation as Roseanne shares how she created efficiency in her home from the time she was in college through her current empty nest stage and everything in between. Inside This Episode Motivational Quote Must Read Book Productivity Tool/Tip Keep a 5×8 index card on your refrigerator and fold it into fourths. Write the name of the 4 stores you visit most at the top. Then as you think of things you need from each store, write them in. Other Resources Emilie Barnes Books on Organization BizChix Episodes mentioned in this episode Episode 174: The Peaceful Home with Joanne Miller Productivity Episodes Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider subscribing in iTunes and Stitcher and leaving a rating and or review. This helps us continue to be featured in New & Noteworthy so that more people can find us. Click here to join the Biz Chix community Thank you to our Sponsors:

Click for Shownotes Joanne Miller has been married to a serial entrepreneur for over 47 years. She and her husband, author Dan Miller, are often asked how they manage to keep their family strong through the pendulum swing of financial, emotional and physical changes ever present in their chosen lifestyle. In answer to these questions Joanne is currently working on her new book, Creating a Haven of Peace……(Surviving The Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster and Learning to Love It!) She is the author of four children’s books and the co-author of Be Your Finest Art, Unleashing Your Creative Self. She is a speaker, artist, mother of three and grandmother of 14. Her main career, however, has been to create a peaceful sanctuary for her family and friends where life is safe, happy and full of laughter and where everyone who enters knows they are loved unconditionally. Inside This Episode Motivational Quote Must Read Book Productivity Tip I think clutter creates a feeling of unrest and chaos. I look at keeping the clutter at bay by taking small areas at a time and organizing, cleaning, purging. I may clean out a drawer or closet with my ear buds in while carrying on a conversation on my iPhone. If I take a room at a time, or a drawer at a time, eventually everything gets cleaned out and my house stays uncluttered. I have a real sense of accomplishment in knowing I am keeping on top of things. Other Resources BizChix Episodes mentioned in this episode Connect with Joanne Twitter Facebook YouTube Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider subscribing in iTunes and Stitcher and leaving a rating and or review. This helps us continue to be featured in New & Noteworthy so that more people can find us. Click here to join the Biz Chix community Thank you to our Sponsors:

Click for Shownotes I Wanted a Million Dollars and Instead Got a Million Dollar Network Recently I had the honor of interviewing Racheal Cook for The Biz Chix Podcast and we had a very real and at times raw conversation on what it is like to be a Work at Home Mom, run a business, a home and take care of our children. I felt immediately like I had connected with a kindred spirit across the country (a cool bi-product of this job and not the first time I have bonded quickly and deeply with a guest). When Racheal asked if I would participate in her Biz That Loves You Back blog tour, I couldn’t raise my virtual hand quick enough. In fact, be sure you check out Claire Pelletreau (http://clairepells.com/biz-love-blog-tour/) who posted yesterday and Kimberly Riggins( kimberlyriggins.com) tomorrow. Back when I “only” had one business and two kids in 2013, I got the idea to launch a podcast. There are many reasons I wanted to become a podcaster. Podcasting fulfills a childhood dream I have of being a talk radio host. I also wanted to give voice to more women’s stories and create the kind of content I was yearning to hear. Of the male hosted podcasts I was listening to at the time, women were only being interviewed about 10% of the time. When they were interviewed, the young, single male host didn’t ask the types of questions I wanted to have answered. But if I am honest, really honest with you, the truth is I thought I could do all the above and have another big bonus. I thought I could make piles of money too. There are a few podcasters out there right now that are killing it and making multi-six figure and 7 figure incomes from their podcast So fast forward from my launch Januay 2014 to now April 2015. Am I rolling around in piles of cash simply from launching a podcast. No. I am not a millionaire. I am not making a six figure income from my podcast. In fact, I am not even making a 5 figure income from my podcast and the BizChix brand. It took me a full year to even start monetizing in any way. I could have monetized a lot sooner, but Baby Jett changed my focus. Towards the end of my pregnancy the time was right to test the monetization waters. But I was too tired and trying to prepare for a maternity leave from interviewing. Once Jett arrived, I didn’t feel like hustling to work with clients or build a digital product when I had a newborn to hold and cuddle. At the beginning of this year, I began working with the Biz Chix community. I have launched two paid masterminds, engaged a few coaching clients and even experimented with sponsorship of the show for one month. I decided not to continue with sponsorship for now because I want to promote programs I am offering through Biz Chix or have my other biz ScheduleMAX.com sponsor the episode. While I have certainly been disappointed with the slow build to monetization, podcasting has had a surprising effect on my life. I haven’t built a million dollar bank account, but I have built a million dollar network. The show has expanded the depth and breadth of my network. I have been able to interview women that I would never meet otherwise or even have access to. A special report is built during interviews and almost every time the guest ends our call by asking me to let them know how they can support me in the future. I have called in a few of those favors with winning results. The podcasting community is another huge bonus. I have never been part of a more supportive or collaborative community and the women in this community are the best. I have new besties all across the country that completely understand my business and my life in ways many local friends can’t. The best thing I did relating to the Biz Chix brand was launch a private Facebook group for my audience that is filled with female entrepreneurs and women that want to be entrepreneurs. I get to see relationships developing and women doing business with each other all as a result of the podcast. This year I have learned something about myself that has come as a big surprise. I really want to teach more people how to podcast. It is so powerful to get your voice out there and I want to help more people do that, especially bloggers. Bloggers already have an amazing pool of content and adding audio to their blogs is really a no brainer. It also allows their audience to connect with them on a more intimate level. Podcast listeners tend to listen through their smartphones using earbuds and you can’t get much closer to someone’s heart,mind and soul. I think the more senses we can connect with people in this New Media age, the better. We all really need to be considering blogging, podcasting and video in that marketing toolbelt I mentioned before. Video is my next frontier! So in answer to my new friend Racheal’s question on how is my business loving me back? Right now BizChix isn’t throwing piles of cash at me, but there is huge potential in the foundation I built so far. Podcasting gave me access to an industry full of n

Click for Shownotes I have been podcasting for over a year now. I did not have a background in radio or TV or journalism. I just believed I could do it and went for it! As a consumer of podcasts and an entrepreneur myself, I loved hearing the journey of other entrepreneurs. In the lonely world of my own software startup, these stories kept me going. But what was missing for me was hearing from women. The majority of podcasts I listened to were of 30 year old single men interviewing other 30 year old single men. Usually they were single. That was so different from my life as a wife and Mom. When a dude would interview a woman (about 10% of the time), the questions they would ask were not the ones I needed answered. So I launched The Biz Chix Podcast to give voice to woman entrepreneurs and to get answers to my own questions. I have interviewed over 150 women and I walk away each time inspired by the women, the businesses they run and the lives they are living. But the truth is (and this is hard to admit publicly), I considered quitting, throwing in the towel, giving up on at least 3 different occasions during this first year. I’m going to be honest, podcasting is way more time consuming than I ever imagined. The majority of podcasts that launch never reach the 10th episode (I just released #160). The term“Podfading” was even invented to describe the act of quitting a podcast. In January 2014, I launched The Biz Chix Podcast, when I was 7 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child (I now have a daughter that is 13, a son that it 3 and a 6 mos only baby boy). I wasn’t planning on launching while pregnant and if I had not already committed to a launch date before I found out we were expecting a new blessing, I would have delayed the launch. If you or yours has ever been pregnant, you know that the first trimester is tough. A woman’s body diverts all energy to help baby grow and to create the systems needed to sustain baby for 9 months. Let’s just say I got really tired during the first trimester, was prone to fall asleep while sitting straight up on the couch and I ate a lot of cereal. I mean a lot! I launched the podcast by releasing 3 episodes on the first day (1/31/14) and then 1 episode a day for the first two weeks. So for the 3 weeks leading up to this I was interviewing guests 5-6 days a week to start to build up an inventory of guests. I also needed to get intro music, voiceovers and podcast artwork produced. I was initially planning on editing and doing all the post production myself, but in order to pull off this aggressive schedule and run my other biz and household, I needed help. My husband, Mark, is a software developer and super techie, so he easily slid into the role of editor and producer for the show. I started my normal schedule of 5 episodes a week after my initial launch. Once I passed the 50-episode mark, I started to get worn down by this schedule. We had grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take to produce a single episode. It actually takes 4-8 hours (for our team of 3 – myself, Mark and our virtual assistant Liza May) to produce one episode with the greatest variable being the time it takes to edit. Looking back, I cannot believe I kept up this rigorous schedule during my first trimester of pregnancy. Often I would take a nap from 8pm to 10pm and then get up and finish the next day’s episode. Mark would often be editing past midnight to release the episode 2-3 hours later. An exciting early win during this launch period was being ranked as a #1 New Business podcast by iTunes. If you are not a podcaster, you may not realize that this is like being ranked an Amazon bestseller. It helps people discover you and give you some “bragging” rights. An interesting note about the graphic above. Of the 12 podcasts fully visible below, 3 are no longer being produced, one did not release an episode for 5 months and two were produced by veteran podcasters who had other shows (Pat Flynn’s Ask Pat and Tim Paige’sConversion Cast). So I am clearly not the only one that has struggled with podcasting endurance. I Want to Quit Round #1 About mid-April (or 4 months in), I decided something had to change or I was going to burn out. I decided to move to a 3 day a week schedule once I reached the 75th episode milestone. This gave me room to breathe and to think about how to interact more with my audience (something I was desperately craving) besides just releasing episodes. ... see shownotes for more

Click for Shownotes Inside This Episode Join host Natalie Eckdahl and her husband Mark Eckdahl (who edits and produces and edits the show) as they celebrate 1 year of podcasting. They share the ups and downs of getting started and continuing the journey. In addition they reveal how they have dealt with difficult guests, requests for show edits from guests and why not every download is created equally. Motivational Quote Must Read Book Other Resources BizChix Episodes mentioned in this episode Connect with Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider subscribing in iTunes and Stitcher and leaving a rating and or review. This helps us continue to be featured in New & Noteworthy so that more people can find us. Click here to join the Biz Chix community

As a best-selling author, Zig Ziglar Motivational Speaker, business owner of multiple companies, wife of 16 years and mother of two young boys, Michelle Prince had to learn the art of juggling her personal and professional life successfully. Most people are juggling too many things, procrastinating and not getting as much done as they want, which leads to a life of frustration and unfulfilled goals. Michelle is passionate about helping people live with purpose, follow their passion and take action in big ways! Michelle has learned the secret to living a happier, more abundant life and she’s on a mission to show you how to stop juggling, overcome procrastination and get more done in your business, leadership and life!

Sharon Lechter is the bestselling co-author of the Rich Dad Poor Dad series, editor of Napoleon Hill’s Outwitting the Devil, and the author of Think and Grow Rich: Three Feet From Gold. She is also the founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organization and has served both presidents Bush and Obama on the first President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. Her new book, THINK AND GROW RICH FOR WOMEN: Using Your Power to Create Success and Significance takes Napoleon Hill’s bestselling classic Think and Grow Rich and puts it in a modern context geared towards women.

Vanessa Van Edwards is the lead investigator at Science of People, a human behavior research lab. She is a Huffington Post columnist and published author. Her innovative work has been featured on NPR, Business Week and USA Today. She regularly gives keynotes and appears in the media to talk about her research. She has written for CNN, Fast Company and Forbes.

The tables are turned! The Biz Chix Podcast host and entrepreneur Natalie Eckdahl is interviewed by listeners of the show. Get intimate with Natalie as she answers questions about her life, her family and her business. Natalie also shares how she stays productive running two businesses and being a mom to soon to be 3 children. Finally, hear some of Natalie's top takeaways from the first 100 episodes!Thanks to Listeners for their Questions April Lacey, pinupcosmetics.net Jaime Slutzky, fitwithflair.com Enya Hixson (10 years old), entrepreneurkidsacademy.com Brianne Grogan, femfusionfitness.comThanks to Previous Guests for their Shout Outs Julie Busha John Lee Dumas Jenn Paige Katie Krimitsos

Natalie interviews amazing women entrepreneurs, and a few cool dudes, five days a week. Each entrepreneur shares work life balance and productivity tips as well as their journey! Natalie shares why she started this podcast while balancing an already hectic life. Biz Chix Website: www.bizchix.com