The Boss Mom Podcast

Going viral is something many business owners desire and even chase on social media, but does it actually help you and your business? Of course, going viral can draw more attention to your business, but it doesn't have to be the primary goal behind every piece of content we create. In this episode, I talk about the content that's best for you to create instead of focusing on going viral. A million of the wrong people are really unhelpful to your business. -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why "going viral" should not be your main focusWhat are the reasons we shouldn't lead our content creation efforts with going viral? The types of content that workWhat should we create for social media if we want it to help our businesses? How to use Truisms to make better contentWhat do truisms mean, and why are they effective in content creation?

If you have daughters, you've had at least one person say that they are going to be difficult in their teenage years. There are so many cultural stereotypes around teenage girls, and I'm tired of people telling me what kind of person my daughter will be. Where does this negativity come from? How do we raise girls who will break this stereotype? In this episode, mother-daughter relationship personal trainer, Dr. Michelle Deering returns, and she reveals how to respond to negative opinions about mother-daughter experiences. Just because you had a bad experience does not mean it's going to be another person's experience. -Dr. Michelle Deering 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to unpack our bad experiencesHow do we overcome our negative experiences instead of projecting them onto others? The best way to respond to negativityWhat should we do when someone projects negative experiences onto us? The importance of speaking with our daughtersHow can we engage our daughters in conversations about the things they are exposed to? Guest Bio Dr. Michelle Deering is a mother-daughter relationship personal trainer who believes every mother and daughter should have a thriving loving relationship. This refreshing approach has made her a sought-after speaker, online educator, and consultant. While Michelle is also a licensed psychologist in NC & NJ and a nationally board-certified sports psychologist, she has served as a Fortune 500 corporate trainer, business school admissions officer, and higher education professional. Nowadays, you'll find her speaking at conferences, training for her next Reebok Spartan Sprint Race, and practicing rudiments on her drum kit — all while coaching, serving clients, and recording her hit podcast, Mother Daughter Connections™. For more information, visit www.CurativeConnections.com.

I've never been a huge fan of doing our own summit because traditional virtual summits are typically a fire hose of content in your face – a massive amount of stuff that becomes overwhelming and ultimately unused. So, we're reinventing what a virtual summit is known for. In this episode, I share a little about how we're doing things differently so that it's valuable to you when building your own products and services. Think about the words you really want to own and be known for. - Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to plan your virtual summit differentlyIn what ways can you make your virtual summits truly yours instead of doing things like others? The downsides of sharing too much content at onceWhy is sharing too much content at a time not the best way to give value? Why we do things the way we do themWhat's the best way to give people long-lasting A-ha moments?

When our partners drive us crazy, we naturally get frustrated, and wait for them to fix themselves - which usually doesn't work. At the same time, we give our children the love and understanding to be different and to grow in their own way. What if we could apply this concept of conscious parenting to our relationships? Instead of thinking about how our partners need to change, we can actually create what we want by turning the lights on ourselves. In this episode, Beth Rowles, a certified conscious relationship coach and founder of The Authentic Wife, talks about the simple 3-step framework that has helped hundreds of women fix their marriages and how you can apply the same to your marriage. "Your husband responds to your concerns and not your commands." -Beth Rowles 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode What to do when therapy doesn't workHow do our attitudes affect our relationships? The 3-step framework of 'fixing' HimShould we focus more on fixing what's wrong with our partners or more on our behaviors? Practicing effective communicationHow do we interpret our feelings so that our partners can understand them clearly? Guest Bio Beth Rowles is a Certified Conscious Relationship Coach and founder of The Authentic Wife. Over the past five years, her books and online courses have helped hundreds of women uncage themselves & their families through their marriage. She speaks about the importance of the third option when it comes to marriage or divorce and how important it is that we end the divorce culture in order to raise healthy children who love & value all of who they are. She lives with her young kids and husband of 12 years, who would rather eat tacos than her cooking. You can find her at www.theauthenticwifeandmom.com

If you sprained your ankle and you couldn't walk properly, you'd take care of it so you could resume your life. However, when it comes to the pelvic floor, women struggle to do the same. The topic of the pelvic floor is often embarrassing, but if you look closer, it's only embarrassing because people feel it's not normal. Experiencing pelvic floor problems is actually very normal and way more common than you think. It's never too late to work on it, no matter how old you are or how long you have lived with it. What causes pelvic floor problems, and how do we work on them so we can return to what truly makes us happy without fear, worry, or embarrassment? In this episode, Julie Demers, an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist and creator of "Live with Confidence" shares why talking about this issue will help thousands of women improve their lives. "Hiding natural things that happen in our lives from our kids isn't helpful." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How taboos are created around certain parts of the bodyHow important is it to talk about natural processes in our bodies, especially with our kids? Why Kegel exercises may not help with pelvic floor problemsWhat determines the right kind of pelvic floor exercises we should do? The connection between the different parts of our bodiesWhy is it important to pay attention to messages from our bodies? Guest Bio Julie is an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist and the creator of the program "Live with Confidence." Her mission is to stop the silent struggle so many women experience with pelvic floor symptoms. She helps women who are feeling embarrassed with problems like incontinence or prolapse get back control of their pelvic floor holistically so they can return to the activities they love without worry, no matter how long they've been living with these issues. For more information, visit https://www.juliedemers.com.

Is it possible to have babies and successful businesses? Heck yeah, we can do whatever we want, but we can't pretend that there aren't challenges that come with running a business and raising kids. Don't ignore them - embrace them and allow them to exist. The more we acknowledge and lovingly accept the truth of being a parent, the less hard we are on ourselves, and that makes this journey a lot easier. What inevitable challenges will we experience as business owners with kids? What are some of the most rewarding and amazing parts of being Boss Moms? In this episode, we're having a real, candid conversation about how our kids impact our businesses. When you're hard on yourself, it makes it harder, and when you're telling yourself you should be further along, it makes success less joyful. -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The effect of being too hard on ourselvesWhy do we have to stop believing something is wrong with us when our journey is different? What do we need to lovingly accept about running businesses as parents?How do children change the way we build and run our businesses? The reward of having a business and childrenWhat do our kids learn from seeing us build something from the ground up?

As entrepreneurs and moms, our lives are made up of future plans, full schedules and urgency, which robs us of the ability to slow down and focus on what really matters. Sometimes it's necessary for us to pump the brakes, get quiet with ourselves and pay attention to what's happening internally. How do we make sure we're not packing our schedules to avoid our real feelings? In this delightful conversation, I'm joined by the host of the Goal Digger Podcast and author of the upcoming book, "How Are You, Really?", Jenna Kutcher. We talk about the importance of quietness, slowing down and being with ourselves more. I've really pumped the brakes in a lot of ways and a lot of spaces in my business, trusting that I know where the gas pedal is when I'm ready to run again. -Jenna Kutcher 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we struggle to slow downAre we packing our schedules and our days with procrastination tasks to avoid getting quiet with ourselves? The necessity of quietnessHow do we stop burying what we have to deal with? The importance of creating boundariesWhat do boundaries help us achieve, and why are they so important to us as entrepreneurs? Guest Bio Jenna Kutcher is a born-and-raised Minnesota wife, mother, and entrepreneur who aims for two things daily: helping others wake up to life and staying in comfy pants. Creator and host of the top-rated Goal Digger Podcast, she's helped thousands redefine success and chase bold dreams through her decade-long work as a leading online personality and educator. Her new book, "How Are You, Really?" comes out June 28th and can be bought at www.howareyoureallybook.com.

It often feels like not doing all the things means that we'll miss out, fall short, and fall behind. At the same time, we fail to play big because we don't want to trip and stumble in front of the world. Unfortunately, this makes us fall victim to both shiny object syndrome and getting stuck rather than making progress. In this heartwarming conversation with life coach Deb Blum, we reveal how to stay out of the FOMO trap and also stop playing small in our lives. "Everything ends up happening even slower when you don't allow space for things." -Dana Malstaff Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode Why many of us play small and what it means to play bigHow do we stop worrying about what other people think and learn how to say no in the face of FOMO? Simple ways we can start playing big and how to start doing itWhat is incremental growth and how do we practice it? The importance of templatizingHow does templatizing make our lives easier? Guest Bio Deb Blum is a life coach with over 12 years of experience. After coaching women 1:1 and in groups for the past decade, she has finally put her life's work into a group coaching program and course called The Whole Soul Way. Her mission is to push women up against their edges so that they can find, accept and love more of themselves. To find out more, visit www.thewholesoulway.com.

How do we raise wonderful, amazing sons if we do not necessarily understand all the things boys go through? First, we need to get away from the idea that boys are simpler. We have to stop thinking that they're not vulnerable, don't get hurt, or have a big emotional life. How do we create a safe space for our boys and ensure we do not box up their emotions? In this episode, Tosha Schore, a mother-son relationship expert, reveals how we can build a genuine connection with our sons, and help them feel loved and understood so we can create a more fruitful relationship with them. "We could have a huge impact on the world and create a peaceful world one sweet boy at a time." - Tosha Schore 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to recognize signs of a struggling kidWhy should we stop punishing kids in certain ways, and how do we connect with struggling kids to help them? What doesn't work in raising our sonsInstead of shaming, punishing, blaming, or isolating boys, how do we instill good behavior in them? What moms can do right now to start building sweet boysHow do we raise boys who will be successful emotionally in all areas of life? Guest Bio Tosha Schore is a mom of 3 boys and a mother-son relationship expert. She is on a mission to create a more peaceful world, one sweet boy at a time, by supporting you to care for yourself, connect with your boy deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly! A couple of times a year, she runs a course called "Out of Aggression," where she shows parents how to stop their boys' aggression and lift their parenting confidence. The course will be held again in September 2022. For more information, visit https://www.parentingboyspeacefully.com.

In today's world, there's so much information out there and people are too exhausted to implement what they have learned. How do we stand out, hook our audience, and remain in their minds so they can actually take action on what they learn from us? The answer is choosing your one thing and talking about it with a good story. In this episode, 35+ year advertising industry veteran, host of the Business of Story podcast, and the World's Most Industrious Storyteller, Park Howell talks about how to efficiently share your 'one thing' with people using the ABT story-telling framework. "Narrative is leadership. If you bore, you lose people. If you confuse, you lose people. If you obfuscate, no one is going to follow you." - Park Howell 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The importance of focusing on ONE thing in your storyHow do you go through the process of selling a singular narrative, so you don't confuse and lose people? The three forces of a good storyHow do you make people care about what you say and offer? How leveraging good stories help your businessWhat's the link between story-telling and business success? Guest Bio Park Howell is known as The World's Most Industrious Storyteller, having grown purpose-driven brands by as much as 600 percent. He is a 35+ year veteran of the advertising industry and hosts the popular weekly Business of Story podcast, author of Brand Bewitchery, and co-authored The Narrative Gym for Business. He is sought after internationally to help leaders excel through the stories they tell. For more information, head to https://businessofstory.com/. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkhowell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessofstory/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkhowell/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkHowell

As Boss Moms, we all have these big beautiful goals and things we wish for the world but we get so stuck in the logistics of our lives. How do we know if what we're doing right now is building towards what we want in the future? I recently turned 41, and there are so many things I'm excited about, including all the things I'm planning to do in my business. What is my true dream and desire for Boss Mom? In this episode, I'm going to give you a peek inside my 5-year plan and some of the amazing things I'm working towards. "My true dream and desire is that I can help a million women wake up in the morning and not question how valuable, needed or worthy they are." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we need to have a beacon of lightHow does having a vision help us to say yes or no to the right kinds of things? The little tiny things we've done over time to build the community we wantWhat makes us question our value, and how did we build our community to help women feel the value of contribution? Why I want to change mentorship and educationWhat is the bigger goal and desire behind the non-profit I want to build?

With information so readily available, we see people with no training and experience make it in business coaching and online content, and it begs the question: does integrity matter? If we want to be beacons of hope for our clients and build businesses that make an impact and stand the taste of time, integrity absolutely matters. How people see and perceive our businesses and what they're known for is important. What does having integrity actually look like in what we offer and how we sell it? In this episode, I'm going to share why we need to work hard to live up to what we're promising people. "Integrity is being clear on the result we're going to give people, whether or not we've actually experienced that result or if we're still in the middle of it." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why integrity mattersWhat happens when we don't build a business with integrity? Why brutal honesty isn't necessarily integrityTo have integrity, do we have to tell people how difficult and painful it will be to get the results they want? The importance of knowing the limitations of our helpCan we have integrity in our businesses if we're still in the thick of the problem we're trying to solve for people?

As parents, toys and play are a BIG part of our lives, but we don't often think about what goes into creating, designing and marketing them. The world of toy invention is incredibly fascinating and fun, and an interesting space to build a business. Creativity, invention, and using our brains to cultivate ideas and create wonderful things is something so many of us want to do, and today I'm joined by a woman who not only invents toys, but is also actively coaching toy inventors. What goes into taking a toy from idea to product? In this episode I'm joined by inventor, "The Toy Coach" Azhelle Wade to talk about the ins and outs of the toy industry. Toy companies realize that it's important for them to own certain properties that kids connect with so they can be NFT art or live in Roblox. -Azhelle Wade 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to objectively vet an ideaIf you want to invent a toy, how do you know if you have a good idea in the first place? The effect of digital play on toy designHow have online retailers, video games, NFTs and even YouTube impacted toys? The process from idea to a toy people can buyWhat steps can toy inventors take to get their creations carried in a large retailer like Target? Guest Bio Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach, is a 3x patented inventor and who has worked in the toy industry for over a decade. She's worked for Toys R Us, Party City, Madame Alexander, and Creative Kids. After climbing up the ladder from toy designer to VP, Azhelle decided to leave the corporate toy world to become The Toy Coach. Today, she helps educate inventors and entrepreneurs about the fun, crazy world of toys! In 12-weeks she can show you how to save time and money as you develop and sell your amazing ideas with her program Toy Creators Academy. Toy Creators Academy is the best solution to increasing your toy industry network and making your toy ideas REAL. For more information about Azhelle's program, head to https://www.thetoycoach.com/ and follow @thetoycoach on Instagram.

Success in business always comes down to one thing: branding. With the right branding, we can reach whatever goals we set for ourselves. The only question is, what does the 'right' branding actually entail? More importantly, is it possible to get that branding right without adding a ton of work to our plates? In this episode, brand strategist and StoryBrand Certified Guide, Naomi Gee shares the simple, yet effective way to come up with brand messaging that delivers results. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to strike a balance between verbal and visual brandingWhat's most likely to help us resonate with our target audiences: unbelievable images, or powerful words? One way to assess if your message is clear, todayAre we forgetting to share a vital piece of information that could determine if people choose to work with us? How to change the way we think about introducing a 'problem'How can we outline the problems our businesses solve without coming across as negative? Guest Bio- Naomi Gee is a Brand Strategist, Designer, and StoryBrand Certified Guide. She helps businesses transform from cute but forgettable into a recognizable brand their audience needs - all without adding 100 marketing tasks to your to do list. To find out more, go to: https://naomigee.com/ https://naomigee.com/15 https://www.instagram.com/naomigeedesign/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-gee

Being human, a woman and a mom comes with a whole lot of emotions, but we don't often give ourselves the permission to really feel them. When we suppress our feelings, we're hiding from ourselves, and operating without some very important insights. As uncomfortable as it is, learning to embrace our emotions is a life changing act that will create more alignment. How do we get into conversation with our feelings, and uncover what they are trying to tell us? Why is deep self-trust so powerful? In this episode, host of "Emotionally Uncomfortable", Heather Chauvin returns to talk about the important work she's doing - helping women and moms do the inner work to fully accept their emotions. "If we go to that inner world and use our language, behavior and emotional states to guide us back home to ourselves, this is how we create alignment." -Heather Chauvin 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we struggle to tap into our emotionsHow do we work through the need to be in control all the time and make space for our emotions? Two simple questions we can ask our own emotionsWhat makes a specific feeling show up, and how do you find out what it means? How to develop deep self-trust as a momAs moms it's so easy to obsess over our actions and choices and whether they are ruining our kids. Is there a healthier way to deal with this?

Social media often feels like something that diverts our attention and causes us to do more than we need to, but there's no denying that it has value in growing our businesses. The challenge is, there are so many social media trends constantly coming at us, it's hard to know what to take action on, and what we don't need to be paying attention to. How do we identify a trend that's worth following? In this episode, I'm going to share a simple way to decide what social media trends we need to be focusing on. "Instead of looking at trends, look at what feels right for you, authenticity will always shine through." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Marketing trends vs. marketing truthsWhat is the connection between human behavior and the trends that stick? How to identify a trend on its way outIs the best time to pick up a trend at the beginning or towards the tail end? If the dancing and pointing TikTok trend will be around foreverWhat social media trends do I see sticking around for years?

There is no 'right' way to talk about sex with our kids. How we choose to do it is deeply personal, and no one else should ever dictate how we do it. That said, sometimes, hearing how others have done it can be incredibly helpful. The only question is, in a world where it's so easy to be judgmental, where can we actually have those conversations? In this episode, Founder of Sex Ed Rescue, Cath Hakanson shares her suggestions on the matter. Disclaimer: because this episode deals with a sensitive topic, I'd suggest listening to it away from your children. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode When to have 'the talk' with our kidsThe 'birds and the bees' conversation used to happen with 12 to 13 year olds, but should we start having the talk earlier on? How to change the way we think about sex educationIs talking to our kids about sex giving them permission to seek it out, or is the opposite true? Why sex education is more important today than ever beforeWhat is it about today's world that makes sex education so vital? Guest Bio- Cath Hakanson is an experienced author, sex educator and mother of two who provides accessible and down-to-earth information for parents on how to talk children about sex. To find more titles and resources to help with sex education go to https://sexedrescue.com/ And join Cath's Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/cathhakanson

For moms juggling family and business, productivity and efficiency can feel near-impossible. Everything we have going on can leave us feeling overwhelmed and guilty about not meeting our goals, but we don't have to, if we have the right plan. Society tells us that we have to hustle around the clock to be successful, but that doesn't take a mom's schedule into account. Is there a way for us to work without burning out? How do we manage our schedules and to-do lists in a more purpose-driven, aligned way? In today's episode, I'm joined by productivity mentor, author and founder of A Purpose Driven Mom, Cara Harvey. She shares how we can conquer our goals and say yes to what matters without burning ourselves out. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why aiming for perfection leads to procrastination We won't always have large chunks of time to get things done. How do we use little pockets of time to make progress on our goals and move our businesses forward? The Learn, Plan, Do method How do we take on new tasks and gain new skills in a way that doesn't leave us feeling so overwhelmed that we end up quitting? How to say yes to what matters When you're growing a business, everything feels imminent and urgent. What strategies can we use to prioritize what needs our attention? Guest Bio Cara is a wife, mom to a 15-year-old stepson, 6-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son, woman of God, productivity mentor, author, speaker and founder and host of A Purpose Driven Mom. She works as a mom empowerment coach and her mission is to provide women with the tools, resources, and community to reach their goals, empower themselves, find their happiness, and live a life by design. She does this via her blog, podcast, virtual community groups, and e-courses that help women learn to balance their lives, finances, schedules, health, and themselves! For more information, visit https://apurposedrivenmom.com/, and follow @apurposedrivenmom on Instagram. Get Cara's free 15 Minute Formula action guide here.

Traditional, high-pressure, hustle-based live launches don't make sense for moms, but even in an evergreen model, we still have to release stuff. Is there a way to do a launch without the usual nail-biting urgency and stress? Instead of jumping straight into a launch, a pre-launch is a much better way to build buzz and momentum, while still creating the space to build a relationship with people. How do we use our content as the machine behind a launch? Why does a pre-launch strategy better serve our customers? In this episode, I'm joined by a Boss Mom I believe is doing launches the right way. Strategic copywriter, marketing consultant and launch expert, Brenna McGowan shares her approach to releasing stuff and why it's perfect for moms. A pre-launch gives you time to collect data, use your content in a fun and exciting way and move people along that awareness journey. -Brenna McGowan 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The 3 beliefs that make people want to buy from usWhat makes people decide to buy something from us and why do live launches work against this journey? Why the pre-launch planning process is so criticalWe don't have to put things out as quickly as humanly possible to succeed. Why do we achieve more by slowing down? If urgency is ever a good thingDoes it ever make sense for us to do a timed launch? Guest Bio Brenna McGowan is a strategic copywriter, marketing consultant and launch expert. She believes that hustle-based, high-pressure program launches don't serve you or your customers. Instead, she helps you leverage pre-launch content to show your customers empathy, credibility, authority, and personality—so you can launch with confidence, less stress, and more sales. Brenna also offers 1:1 Pre-Launch Plans where she creates a comprehensive and strategic outline from authority content to emails to social posts so you know exactly what you should be saying, writing, and doing before your launch to pre-sell spots and get people excited and ready to buy. For more information on Brenna's program, visit https://brennamcgowan.co/ and follow @brennamcgowanco. Get Brenna's free Pre-Launch Plan Cheat Sheet at https://brennamcgowan.co/cheatsheet/.

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

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?

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

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?

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?

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

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

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.

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

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

Building a business around something super specialized can be daunting, especially when we're worried we won't have enough people to serve, but the truth is, niching down can actually help us serve our clients at a higher level. The question is, can we build a profitable business around a highly niched concept? In this episode, post-adoption support specialist and Nurture to Convert Society member, Melissa Corkum shares how going all-in on her niche actually super-sized her business. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The importance of giving permission How can we create safe online spaces for our communities, where they feel comfortable opening up on topics not often discussed in day-to-day life? The key to building trust with vulnerable audiences How can we show skeptical, previously under-served communities that we're genuinely on their side and ready to assist them? How to build an evergreen business in a B2C setting It's one thing to build courses and systems around running a business successfully, but is it possible to do the same thing in an area like counseling or therapy? Guest Bio- As a post-adoption support specialist and Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Melissa Corkum has helped hundreds of families shift to a brain-based view of behaviors so they can laugh more and yell less. She's a mom to six kids by both birth and adoption. They've taught her a lot about what creates thriving parent-child relationships...and what doesn't. You can find her de-stressing at the end of every day by crunching on the half-popped kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bowl and binging something on Netflix. To find out more, go to: https://instagram.com/melissacorkum_ https://instagram.com/postadoptionresources?utm_medium=copy_link https://theadoptionconnection.com/ https://theadoptionconnection.com/listen/ More About the Safe and Sound Protocol: Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) employs a practical, bottom-up approach to help individuals regulate their nervous system more consistently and independently. Based on Dr. Porges' Polyvagal Theory, by calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for improved communication and more success with other therapy modalities. For more, go to https://www.thecorkboardonline.com/ssp

The new year is a time of hope, excitement, focus and intentionality. For entrepreneurs, it's an opportunity to move our businesses forward in a meaningful way, but how do we prepare for the next 12 months so we can actually achieve our goals? With so many ideas and strategies flying at us, it can be hard to really focus on what's actually in alignment with us. How do we make sure we're starting 2022 without the baggage of the last year? In this episode, I'm joined by Online Marketing Strategist, Business Growth Expert and The Lead Generation Genie, Meliss Jakubovic to talk all about planning for the year ahead and how to create a positive refresh for ourselves. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The connection between entrepreneurship and spirituality Why is it so important for entrepreneurs to dive into self-development and reflection? How do we make sure we achieve our goals for this year How should we be looking at our businesses this year so that it's better than the last? Why we need to devote a part of our day to mindset Entrepreneurship has good days and bad days. How do we strengthen our mindset muscle so we don't get knocked down longer than we need to? Guest Bio- Meliss Jakubovic, also known in the industry as the Lead Generation Genie, is an Online Marketing Strategist and Business Growth Expert to coaches and healers, the founder of Meliss Marketing, Author of #Expert, and Host of The Marketing Tips With Meliss Podcast. She helps coaches and healers add $10K+ to their months and scale their business in 90 days or less. She loves helping them end the feast/famine cycle and fill their 1:1 calendar and group programs so they can make an impact in the lives of others and abundance and freedom in theirs. She is also a single mom to 2 amazing boys. For more information, head to https://melissmarketing.com/. You can also listen to her podcast or sign up for her program, Marketing With Intention there.

'Tis the season of goal setting for the new year, and as moms who have a million distractions all the time, it's important to find the most efficient and effective way to get to where we want to go. How do we set goals that are aligned with our capabilities? How do we build off of what worked this year? There will be moments where we'll veer off the path, how do we get back on track when it happens? In this episode, I share a plan that will help us accomplish our financial, environmental and emotional goals in 2022. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to use the F-E-E test to set our goals Why do we need to consider financial, environmental and emotional outcomes in our goal setting? How to avoid goal setting strategies that make us feel overwhelmed and guilty Not all strategies are created equal - how do we create a plan that we'll actually follow through on? The importance of creating a daily focus What steps can we take to translate our overarching goals into daily actions?

As we near the start of a new year, many of us have begun thinking about what we want to achieve over the next 12 months, and for some, picking a 'word of the year' is their first port of call. When we can narrow down everything we want to accomplish into just one word, that can become our guiding light throughout the year; our North Star that promises to not only keep us on track with our goals, but can also play a role in decision-making over the coming months. The only problem is, picking just one word to encapsulate everything we want to achieve can be overwhelming in itself. Is it even possible to narrow our dreams down to such a degree? More importantly, is it really necessary? In this episode, Matt Johnson returns to the show to share how he's gotten better at defining his word of the year, and how it's impacted his business. Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to stay focused when we're multi-passionate Narrowing down our dreams to just one word is a great way to stay focused, but what happens when our dreams are all over the place? Is it even possible to be successful if we're multi-passionate? 1 thing to consider when picking a word of the year Is there a way we can ensure our word of the year continues to hold value for us over the full 12-month period? How to pick our words of the year Is there a fool-proof formula to picking a word of the year that genuinely resonates with us?

Niching down is by far the most effective way to make more money, while simultaneously making our lives easier, so it's no surprise why so many business experts are all for narrowing our scopes. The problem is, however, most of us already know this, but when it comes to actually carving out a niche, we're more than a little hesitant. What is it that's stopping us from niching down? Is there ever a good reason to forgo finding a niche and simply aim to serve everybody? In this episode, producer of the show and host of the MicroFamous podcast, Matt Johnson shares why most solopreneurs are reluctant to niche down, and why we need to do it anyway! 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why not niching down does our audience a disservice How much value can we actually offer if we're constantly trying to be everything to everyone? How to get over the fear of there not being 'enough' people to serve Is it really feasible to build a business so niche that only a very select group of people would buy in? How to pinpoint a profitable niche It's one thing to serve a very specific audience. How can we be sure that audience has the means to buy what we're selling? Guest Bio- Matt Johnson is the founder of done-for-you podcasting agency, Pursuing Results and host of the MicroFamous podcast. Also the author of the book of the same name, Matt is passionate about the benefits of niching down and becoming famously influential to a small group of people. To find out more, go to: https://pursuingresults.com/ https://getmicrofamous.com/

Black Friday has come and gone, and I didn't do a sale this year. Why? I just didn't want to. So many of us get wrapped up in doing seasonal sales because that's what we think we 'should' be doing, but we seldom give much thought to whether or not we actually want to do them. Ladies, I don't want that for us! Our lives should be full of the things we enjoy. That being said, choosing not to follow the trends isn't always easy, especially if we're constantly seeing and hearing what everyone else is doing. How can we get better at focusing on what's important to us? In this episode, I'm introducing the idea of business meditation, so we can stop feeling pressure to follow the trends and zone in on creating the kind of lives that bring us joy. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to use meditation in our businesses Many of us use meditation to re-center ourselves in our daily lives, but how could we apply the practice in our businesses? The key to re-evaluating what we really need to do How many opportunities are we actually losing out on by not following the trends, and what do we just think we're missing? How to approach the tasks we do need to do (but don't want to) Sometimes, there are things that have to be done, regardless of whether or not we enjoy them. Is there a way they could be handled without our direct involvement?

For most Boss Moms, taking two weeks off would put us two weeks behind. Wouldn't it be great if our businesses got better even when we're not there? The great news is, that's possible. We just have to think about our businesses from a different perspective, and shift from thinking day-to-day, to looking to what's next. That being said, that can be easier said than done. How can we think about the long-term and plan for it effectively, while staying focused on what needs to be done now? In this episode, I'm introducing 2 concepts spoken about in the Nurture to Convert society: focus milestones and increasing your levels of norm. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to sidestep shiny object syndrome Let's face it, it's tough to stay focused when shiny objects abound. How can we stay dialed in to what needs to be done, right now? Why giving ourselves time to think is more helpful than we realize Aside from short-term focus, how can letting our ideas marinate for a while benefit our businesses? The key to increasing our levels of norm We're so used to thinking in terms of what our lives look like now, but what if we started thinking in terms of how those norms shift?

Once upon a time, not too long ago, who we let into our worlds was based on who lived nearby, but that's no longer the case, and today, we can base our relationships on who really brings us joy, no matter where they are. However, let's face it: that can be super overwhelming at times! If the world is our oyster when it comes to the people we're closest to, where do we even begin? Who should we be bringing into our lives, and is there anyone we should avoid altogether? In this episode, I'm sorting through the 5 people everyone should have in their lives (plus, the people we should keep out!). 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode What to do about friendships that don't serve us right now When is it time to move on from a relationship altogether, and when is it possible to change the existing dynamic we have with certain people in our lives? How to seek out the kinds of relationships we need What happens if we don't already have the 'right' kind of friends? How can we start building relationships with them, and where do we even begin to look in the first place? The importance of becoming the friend others need Everyone wants to be surrounded by the right people in their lives, but what can we do to ensure we're that person for the people we love?

For many of us, Pinterest is a baffling conundrum inside of an enigma, and it's hard to pin down the kind of strategies we need to implement to market our brands on the platform. Is it a search engine or a social network? Can it work for people who sell business products? Well ladies, today I'm excited to be joined by a business owner who will answer these questions and more, and share how to implement a simplistic, aligned long-term Pinterest strategy. In this episode, founder and owner of Simple Pin Media, Kate Ahl talks about how Pinterest can serve your business, and simple ways to create great content. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to use Pinterest when you don't have a consumer-facing business Are there industries that have an easier time on Pinterest than others? The kind of content should we making for Pinterest How do we create content that aligns with what people are searching for, and get them to fall in love with what we do? How to build your "content library" on Pinterest What's Simple Pin Media's slow and steady but highly effective Pinterest strategy, and why is it so perfect for Boss Moms? Guest Bio Kate Ahl is the owner and founder of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management and marketing company. Through their work with over 700 Pinterest accounts, they take a data driven approach to crafting a Pinterest strategy that aims to help their clients and students find their perfect person on Pinterest. Kate teaches thousands of people about Pinterest marketing through various speaking engagements and her podcast, the Simple Pin Podcast. For more information and free resources, visit https://www.simplepinmedia.com/ and to binge on all the episodes of the Simple Pin Podcast head to https://www.simplepinmedia.com/simple-pin-podcast/.

As Boss Moms, we don't have to choose between having a meaningful business and our families. We can build what we want, grow it the way we want, and in the case of our guest, run a tech company while living on a farm! Being intentional about what we grow is super important, and when we want a particular life for ourselves, we often have to go against the grain of fast growth. In today's episode, I'm joined by the founder of AccessAlly, Nathalie Lussier. How has the lifestyle she wants for her family dictated her growth strategy? How is she helping people build thriving online communities? In this episode, Nathalie talks about how she built a very different software company, and the power of growing a business at the pace you want. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to build a membership site people love being a part of Nathalie put a lot of thought and intention behind every aspect of AccessAlly, what are some of the features that help people build thriving online communities? Why we don't have to build a great business by way of fast growth How does Nathalie's lifestyle dictate the growth strategy of her business? How Nathalie merged her high-tech business with farm living Why do our businesses give us so much freedom to build the lives we want? Guest Bio- ​​Nathalie Lussier is an award-winning entrepreneur who has been making websites since she was 12 years old. She graduated with a degree in Software Engineering and a job offer from Wall Street, but she turned down this job to start her own business right out of college. As the founder of AccessAlly, the powerful digital course and membership solution for industry leaders, she believes that access to education can help defy stereotypes and make the world a better place, while providing a sustainable livelihood for enterprising teachers. Nathalie has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Success Magazine, Entrepreneur, Venture Beat, and Mashable. For more information visit https://accessally.com/, and subscribe to Nathalie's YouTube channel. To keep up with Nathalie's farm adventures subscribe to Waykeeper Farm and Nerdery.

From dirty diapers to imaginary friends and dating as a single mom, motherhood comes with its own unique experiences. Raising happy, healthy children is something we take seriously, but that doesn't mean we can't laugh or joke about it too. There is definitely room for humor in the craziness of motherhood, and when we do it together, it's validating, liberating and uniting. In today's episode, I'm joined by the creators of the hugely popular podcast, Band of Mothers, Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee. In this delightful conversation, Shayna and Tracey give us a unique and hilarious take on being a woman who also happens to be a mom and share their mission to validate and support all the aspects of motherhood we don't often get to talk about. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to have more honest conversations about motherhood There's this preconceived notion that we're not allowed to talk about the less glamorous parts of motherhood. How can we use humor to get rid of this barrier? Why comedy gives us more freedom to express our feelings What makes humor such a validating and uniting experience? The story of Band of Mothers and why it resonates with so many women How did two friends build a great business by being their authentic selves? Guest Bio- Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee, are creators of the hugely popular, nationally touring comedy show for moms, "The Pump and Dump Show," continue their mission to support and validate motherhood through this binge-worthy, weekly variety-style podcast that's sure to make you laugh your C-Section scar open. Through fascinating interviews, live podcast recordings, original music, games, insights and mind-blowing stories from their #BandOfMothers, these two moms, and childhood friends, weave information and entertainment together into this unique and hilarious take on being a woman who also happens to be a mom. To submit your own motherhood story follow @bandofmothersofficial and visit https://www.bandofmothers.com/shareyourstory. To listen to the podcast, head to https://www.bandofmothers.com/podcast.

Trigger Warning: In this episode, we discuss sensitive mental health topics. As moms and as women, our mental health is incredibly important, and we should be having conversations about it. The problem is, many of us feel ashamed by the stigmas attached to the subject, and as a result, those conversations aren't happening. How can we banish those feelings of shame for good, so we can talk about our experiences with others and get the help we need, when we need it? How can we start giving ourselves permission to open up so we don't need to suffer in silence? In this episode, author of A Mouthful of Air and director of the film based on the novel, Amy Koppelman shares how to allow ourselves to feel true joy again. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The key to feeling less alone Baby Blues affect approximately 80% of all mothers, so why is it that most women experiencing it feel so alone? Is there anything we can do to change that? 1 small step we can take to make a positive difference today Mental health issues affect such a big portion of women across the world that 'solving' the problem can seem impossible. What can we do to help just one person, everyday? Why we need to re-think the impact social media has on mental health We hear a lot about the dangers of social media for mental health, but could there be a benefit to the platforms? Guest Bio- Amy Koppelman is the author of three critically acclaimed novels: A Mouthful of Air, I Smile Back, and Hesitation Wounds, a 2016 Independent Publisher Book Award winner. She produced and co-adapted the film adaptation of I Smile Back, starring Sarah Silverman, who received a SAG award nomination for the role. The film premiered at the Sundance, Toronto, and Deauville film festivals. Her latest film, A Mouthful of Air, is her first undertaking as a screenwriter, director, producer, and illustrator. An outspoken advocate for women's mental health, Amy lives in New York City with her family. To connect with Amy, go to: https://www.instagram.com/amy_koppelman https://www.instagram.com/amouthfulofair And to get a copy of her book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Mouthful-Air-Amy-Koppelman/dp/1931561303

Whether you're starting a business, growing a community or working through your entrepreneurial process, writing a book is a great way to clarify your purpose, ideas or brand. Many Boss Moms have a book in them, and even though writing a book is more accessible than ever, actually getting your ideas out of your head and onto a page can be quite daunting. We should always yearn to write something great, and that often means getting some help, even if you're a talented writer. Today I'm joined by a book writing coach who helps people create their own masterpieces! In this episode, Danielle Fetherson shares the 4-step book writing process she uses to turn a collection of ideas into page-turners. We also talk about how to intentionally design the reader's experience and why the process is so worthwhile. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How the ghostwriting process works If you're not the actual writer of your book, can you still claim it as your own? The importance of designing the reader's experience How do we make sure our books make people feel like they're having a real conversation with us? Danielle's 4-step book-writing process What are the steps involved in defining what you want to say, refining your ideas, and making sure your book accomplishes what you want? Guest Bio- Danielle Fetherson is a former college instructor turned ghostwriter turned book writing coach. She helps service-focused leaders and entrepreneurs turn their best ideas, stories and content into amazing books worth reading, even if they've been stuck for years and don't consider themselves to be amazing writers. Clients describe her four-step process for helping them finally finish their book as engaging, energizing and inspiring. When she is not helping authors make the world a better place with their messages, she is reading, dancing, or cracking jokes with her husband, their 1-year-old son or 5-year-old daughter. For more information, visit http://daniellefetherson.com/ or find her on Facebook.

Successful businesses come from the minds of people who notice what's missing in the world and create it. Julie Rice saw something that she wanted to make better in the world of makeup, and Inner Beauty Cosmetics was born! The products are a delightful clean beauty experience, from packaging to performance and especially, the natural ingredients that look and feel good without harsh chemicals and toxins. What's the story behind Inner Beauty Cosmetics, and how did Julie create a product that's warm, inviting, playful and elegant? In this episode, she shares the vision behind the business, and why she's so passionate about clean beauty. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why beauty shouldn't come at the expense of wellness Clean beauty products make you look good without harming you on the inside. How does Inner Beauty Cosmetics weave this into every aspect of the products from application to taking it off at the end of the day? How to use branding to make people fall in love with our products What is the true intention of branding, and the impact it makes when we're intentional about it? How to use PR and influencer marketing to grow your customer base What are some of the strategies Julie Rice is using to increase the visibility of her brand and get the products into the hands of the right people? Guest Bio- Julie Rice is a product developer, clean beauty advocate and the founder of Inner Beauty Cosmetics. With 15 years in the cosmetics industry, Julie Rice considered herself hip to beauty ingredients. That was until a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and news of her pregnancy drove her to a new level of precaution. Soon after, Inner Beauty was born. Julie's mission: help women reclaim their health through beauty. Inner Beauty Cosmetics are clean beauty like no one's ever seen. Formulated by toxicologists and naturopathic doctors alongside a woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) for people with sensitive skin (whether due to pregnancy, autoimmune disorders, or cancer). Inner Beauty is clean beauty that upholds the standards of mainstream beauty. To find out more about Inner Beauty and buy their awesome products, visit innerbeautycosmetics.com and use the promo code BOSSMOM to get a discount on your purchase. Follow Inner Beauty on Instagram and send an email to [email protected] to get in touch.

Many women are sitting on an idea for a product that thousands would buy in a heartbeat. The question is: how do you take it from secret brainstorming and napkin sketches, to a product launch complete with tons of press and influencers showing it off? How do you even validate if it's a good product idea in the first place? In today's episode, I'm excited to be joined by fashion entrepreneur, product designer and business coach, Sarah Shaw. She shares her incredible story of creating a million dollar product, and how she's helping female entrepreneurs do the same. "Make a sample so you can actually see your product. You can even make it out of paper to figure out the shape and size." -Sarah Shaw 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Sarah's amazing story of turning her own idea into a million dollar product How did Sarah go from costume designer to launching her own successful product? The importance of creating a tangible product sample If we want to validate our product idea, what's the very first step we have to take? How to get influencers and magazines to talk about your product What tactics can we use to effectively vet influencers, and make contact so they actually respond? Guest Bio- Sarah Shaw is a fashion entrepreneur, product designer and business coach that specializes in helping other women entrepreneurs to succeed. With her 20 years of experience - and 6 companies under her belt - Sarah has built a treasure trove of secrets for launching your product line, getting your products into stores and boutiques, getting your products to A-List celebrities, and getting massive publicity in order to grow her companies quickly. For more information, visit https://sarahshawconsulting.com/ and book a call with her.

Your big, beautiful brain creates amazing things that help people. If we don't mention these things, it's impossible to build anticipation and get people to actually buy them from us. The programs we offer are worthy of being mentioned, but how do we bring them up without sounding like we're selling in every blog or podcast? In the last of our solo episode series, I share simple statements you can incorporate into your marketing to effortlessly talk about your offers. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The mention-it-and-move on method that doesn't feel salesy We don't have to talk about our offers in paragraphs. What short but effective statements can we include in our conversations? Why we have to create anticipation through our mentions Marketing is a form of foreplay. How do we create anticipation, interest and intrigue so people want to get to know us and buy from us? How to get people other than you to validate the value of your offer In a world that's focused on the results we get for people, it's easy to become egotistical about what we do. How do you put the spotlight on your members instead?

Humanity may not be as dialled into our physical communities as we once were, but there's still a need for us to connect with one another regarding different parts of our lives. That's why building online communities around our businesses is so important. The problem is, many of us are holding back from doing that. What's causing us to pause and how can we push through those fears? How can we build truly great communities that bring our members value and increase our chances of doing business with them? In this episode, I'm busting the top myths surrounding Facebook Groups and sharing how we run the Boss Mom community. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The difference between Facebook Groups and social media, more generally If our communities are using social media platforms to connect with one another, is there really a need for a private group? The RIGHT way to run a Facebook Group Using our communities to 'train' our members is the quickest way to lose engagement on Facebook. What should we be doing instead? How to keep our groups focused (and disciplined!) Let's face it: running a community can feel a little like herding cats. How can we ensure the content posted in our communities is relevant and actually fosters engagement?

We can't get clients or grow our businesses without having conversations and getting on calls with prospects, but selling to someone in real-time can be overwhelming. Getting on a call will feel a lot easier when we shift our goals and change our approach. Instead of trying to close prospects in one call, a two-call strategy takes the pressure off, builds trust and helps you feel more in control of the process. How do we execute these calls in order to get the result that we want? In this episode, we're going to talk about how to prepare for calls and set them up for a higher conversion rate. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to triage your prospecting Not all prospects are created equal, and we have to assess who we can really help. How do we use our calls to triage our prospects? The power of multiple calls We don't have to get prospects to buy from us in one call. Why do we build more trust and increase our conversion rate by flipping to 15-minute calls? The key ingredients of a successful sales process Sales is about pacing and getting permission. How do we build these two critical pieces into all our calls, and lead people more effectively?

Labor Day is like New Year for Boss Moms: kids go back to school, and we have a chance to make some big sales ahead of the holiday season. The only question is, how do we make those sales? For those of us who aren't marketing and sales experts, it can feel a little overwhelming. How can we convince our audiences that they have a problem, and that we're the only ones who can solve it? More importantly, is it possible to do that without feeling sneaky and manipulative? In this clip, I'm sharing my guide to creating sales copy that actually converts. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The importance of creating great sales copy We know we're good at what we do, so why should we say anything other than that? How to identify what problem we're solving As entrepreneurs, we're problem solvers. How can we get a clear idea of the exact problem we're providing a solution to, so we can articulate it in our marketing? The key to building authority in our areas of expertise How can we position ourselves as the go-to experts in our spaces?

Using social media for our businesses is great, but it's tricky to stay consistent on those platforms without being present all day, everyday. Our best bet for sustainable growth is to get people into our email systems through a relevant opt-in. How can we create the kind of opt-ins that get people excited about what we have to offer, so it doesn't feel like we're pulling teeth trying to get people on our email lists? Where have we gone wrong until now, and what should we be doing instead? In this episode, I'm sharing how to create opt-ins that not only convert, but generate excitement about what we have to offer. "Keep hold of the ultimate goal, which is having an opt-in that works to set you free!" -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to nix opt-ins that lead to low conversions and wasted time What are the most common mistakes people make when creating opt-ins? How to find great opt-in topics How can we come up with great ideas for opt-ins without spending weeks (or more!) creating them? The secret to creating more enticing headlines for our opt-insWill a 'How To' headline generate enough buzz to convert, or should we be doing something else, instead?

Whether online or in person, children are bullied every single day, and as moms, we can sometimes feel a little powerless over the situation. How do we even begin to help them through the experience? Better yet, how can our kids find what they need to not only deal with the experience, but rise from it and assist others, through the help of their peers? In this episode, mother-daughter duo and co-founders of Girl Gang Strong, Kennishia and Kyree Duffus share how they turned Kyree's experience with cyberbullying into a platform to empower young girls. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode The first step to helping our daughters deal with bullies How can we equip our daughters with everything they need to handle bullies, online or in person? How to help our children stand up for their beliefs For kids and adults alike, it's easy to fall into a rut where we go with what our friends are doing or saying, even if we don't necessarily agree with it ourselves. What can we do to break that cycle? The best time to help girls grow their confidence When do young girls go from feisty and headstrong to doubting themselves, and what can we, as moms, do about it? Guest Bio- Kennishia Duffus is a Mom of three, an Event Planner and the owner of Girl Gang Strong Inc. Co-founded with her daughter Kyree, Girl Gang Strong Inc. is a subscription box & online community for preteen and teen girls. Kyree Duffus is the co-founder of Girl Gang Strong. After going through cyber- and real life bullying herself, Kyree partnered with her mom to create a community for young girls dealing with the same experience, so they can rise from the ordeal and help others in the same situation, too. To find out more, go to: https://girlgangstrong.com/ https://www.facebook.com/girlgangstronginc/ https://www.instagram.com/girlgangstronginc/ https://twitter.com/girlgangstrong_ https://www.pinterest.ca/girlgangstronginc/_shop/