Why Messy Action Builds Better Businesses

Think collaboration is all about follower swaps and forced partnerships? Think again.

 

In this episode, I’m joined by the powerhouse duo Mandy and Jamie from Coffee with M and J—and we’re diving into the real, messy, magical side of collaboration, community-building, and saying “yes” to aligned action (even when it’s scary as hell).

 

From launching their podcast with zero experience to building a working relationship that’s rooted in values and deep respect, they’re sharing the mindset shifts, mistakes, and wins that have shaped their journey.

 

If you’ve ever second-guessed a partnership, felt awkward at a networking event, or wondered how to grow your business without losing yourself in the process—this one’s for you.

 

In this episode, we cover:

✅ What “messy action” really looks like (and why it matters)

✅ How to build community in business without sacrificing your authenticity

✅ The power of honest collaboration and communication

✅ Red flags to watch for before saying yes to partnerships

✅ Why staying true to your energy and values is the ultimate growth strategy

 

If you’re craving community that actually feels good—or thinking about launching your own thing—hit play and soak this one up. These two are the real deal.

 

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to lead, connect, and take bold, beautiful action.

 

🔗 Resources & Links

Follow Mandy & Jamie:

Instagram (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/coffeewithmandj

Mandy’s Business: https://www.instagram.com/mj.designsandmarketing

Jamie’s Coaching: https://www.instagram.com/newsoulrising

Podcast: https://coffeewithmandj.buzzsprout.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUmZqm2mz7Q

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@coffeewithmandj

 

Stay Connected with Me:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/

Newsletter: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/ajmiv1kyt1

 

📝 Want to suggest a topic or guest? Submit your idea here: https://airtable.com/appU5QUM7W3mu0EmM/shrQEcFbt0KspEQiC

 

📢 If this episode made you laugh, cry, or finally feel seen—send it to a friend and drop a review. Let’s help more creative minds build real community and financial clarity.

Episode Transcript

samantha-eck_2_02-20-2025_120206: Welcome to the Creative Minds Smart (00:01):
undefined
Money Podcast, where we turn financialconfusion into creative confidence.
I'm Samantha Eck, bookkeeper andfractional CFO for creative entrepreneurs.
Each week I'm sharing myfinancial expertise and actionable
strategies to help you builda thriving creative business.
Plus, you'll hear from industry expertswho bring fresh perspectives on growing

(00:23):
your business beyond the numbers.
Because building a successfulcreative business starts with
strong financial foundations.
Your next chapter starts now.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (00:32):
You are listening to the Creative Minds Smart
Money Podcast, and today I am so excitedto welcome Mandy and Jamie from Coffee
with m and j. How are you both today?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (00:44):
good, Jamie?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (00:46):
I am good.
Thank you for having us on.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (00:48):
Yes.
Thank you.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: absolutely. (00:50):
undefined
It's a beautiful day outside.
Let's kick things off.
Tell me a bit about who you are, whatit is that you both do, and kind of
like what lights up your work lately.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Jamie, you wanna go first or (01:01):
undefined
do you want me to go first?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: I can, it doesn't matter. (01:05):
undefined
I can go first.
Hi.
My name is Jamie Maddox.
Jamie Maddox.
Apparently my words are twisted today.
I am a daily habitscoach, speaker, author.
Co-host of the coffee with m and jpodcast, I am, a cancer survivor.
Lots of other health issues.
And all of that got me towhere I am today, and it is

(01:30):
really, practicing tools, right?
I teach people practical toolsthat they can fit into their lives.
And, the podcast is what wereally wanna focus on today.
So I'm just gonna keep it like supershort and let Mandy keep it super short
so we can talk about the podcast too.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (01:46):
Yes.
Mandy Hedrick with, MJDesigns and Marketing.
I almost forgot my businessname, which is crazy.
Sometimes I'll mix my businessname up and I was like, oh my.
Gosh, what is my brain doinganyways, do social media and graphic
designs, all things marketing forsmall businesses and nonprofits.

(02:08):
Jamie and I met networking and so we havea really big passion around community and,
we were having really deep conversationsthat led to why are we not recording
this and making it into a podcast?
So that's how Coffee with m and j started.
So, but lighting me upin my work right now.
I just went on a conference a fewweeks ago and my mind is still

(02:31):
spinning from the conference, soyeah, that's what's lighting me up.
Jamie.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: so exciting. (02:38):
undefined

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (02:39):
Yeah, sorry.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (02:40):
No, was I supposed to say something
that was lighting me up?
I'm sorry I missed that.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (02:44):
What's.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (02:45):
so, and I think you, you talk about
messing up your business name, Idon't even know if I said mine.
It's New Soul Rising.
And really, honestly, the thingthat lights me up the most these
days is, is working with people.
When I am actually withmy clients in session.
Like, that's like, I mean, I havelots of bigger whys as to why

(03:06):
I am doing everything I'm doingin my personal life, but the.
Oh my gosh.
When you get to not only witness,but assist people in changing
their lives, that lights me up.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (03:22):
Yes.
I love that you said that too.
'cause I feel like that's.
what lights me up in my work iswhen I get to change the lives of
the people I work with and likesee their progress and everything.
It's so exciting.
It's just an exciting feeling for sure.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (03:37):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (03:37):
But I know you guys are very community
focused, so I wanna talk a lot about like.
Yes, your podcast, butthe business as well.
What do you think the biggest turningpoints in your life or business were
and what role did taking action play?
'cause I know that you guyswant, of the things you wanna
talk about was taking action.
So what, what role did taking actionplay in those biggest turning points?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (04:01):
So when we started the podcast, we took messy action.
We didn't sit and hoe and hum andthink, and we literally went from
zero to 90 in like 10 days time.
Would you agree with that, Jamie?
It was really fast.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (04:20):
I.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: we can figure this out. (04:21):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (04:23):
From the conversation in my hallway,
where I was like, oh my gosh,why are we not recording this?
This is content gold.
To the first recording, Ithink it was three weeks,
like total from that conversation toactually having a podcast recorded.
Yeah.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (04:40):
Yeah, I mean it didn't necessarily air that fast, but
we were pretty quick on getting it upand ready to go and I think it was around
the same time you started your podcast.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (04:53):
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: were in that same mindset. (04:54):
undefined
Same like I think this is gonna happen.
And it really was just taking the actionand not letting the, don't wanna say
fear, but the unknowns or the whatifs or how do we stop you, right?
Like Google's your friend, YouTube's your

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (05:15):
Mm-hmm.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (05:15):
figure it out.
It's not, it's not anythingthat, just try something new.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (05:22):
yes.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (05:23):
Okay, so we did, when we started the
podcast, we did take messy action.
I think a big distinction thatI wanna throw out there is
Mandy and I are very different.
For as much as we have a lot of.
Common core values, and passions forserving the community and building
community and all of the things.

(05:45):
I especially historically havefound action so uncomfortable that
I've let the discomfort stop me.
And Mandy has a completelyopposite perspective on action.
She is just an action taker.
So I think your question was like, whatwas the biggest action or how did it.
What exactly was the wording?

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (06:06):
The

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: Oh, the turning point. (06:06):
undefined
So honestly, I'm in the middle ofthe biggest turning point right now.
And, the only way you can create anymomentum in your life is by taking action.
Take messy action, washone dish at a time.

(06:26):
If you don't have time to wash allthe dishes, wash one dish at a time.
And I know that's silly, but whenI tell you have to start the action
somewhere, you have to start anywherethat you can actually take that step.
It does not matter what it is, but action.
If you're not in action,you're not gonna go anywhere.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (06:44):
Yes.
No, I completely agree.
I think it, it's almost been a yearnow 'cause we're going, July was when I
released my podcast and was so scared.
I was like, I don't knowif this is gonna work.
But thing I also had at the backof my mind is, do I enjoy doing it?
Because I was like, if I enjoy it,it doesn't matter if there's 10,000

(07:06):
people listening, a hundred thousandpeople listening, I just want.
Myself to enjoy the content I'mproducing so that I feel good about it.
And then if the people comment and they'relike, oh my gosh, this is amazing, great.
But like at least I'm having fun creatingcontent and like getting out there and
doing something that I actually lovedoing to promote my business or like

(07:27):
even talk about what I want, I teach so.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (07:31):
agree.
don't know if you've had the ahamoments like we have where you're
seeing, conversations come full circle.
Back to your podcast and you're like,I made an impact, or we made an impact.
And it's really cool, just like

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (07:47):
yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (07:47):
you see the action being taken that,
you know, you talked about.
And so you're like, was thatfrom, and they're like, yes.
And you're like, oh my gosh.
Yeah.
I dunno.
That was totally random andlots of blah blah blahs.
But.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (08:01):
No.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (08:02):
No, but.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (08:02):
true.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (08:04):
Yeah.
And I think not just in podcasting, butI mean, Samantha, I think you touched
on the most important thing is the fun.
How much fun are you having with it?
Because we are having fun with it.
We both have very full schedules,but the podcast, it is fun.
And there was something else yousaid, Mandy, that I wanted to
touch on, and of course it's just.

(08:25):
Zipped right outta my brain.
But I think that, , having fun,seeing the impact in the community
play out in real life is notsomething we all get to witness.
I. Often, so I think Mandy andI are still basking in that one.
A community event.

(08:46):
Literally one of our guests was sharingthat they wanted to have an event, and one
of our listeners made that event happen.
So as long as your messages arereaching the right people, the
numbers aren't as important.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (09:01):
Yes.
I think that's so true too.
'cause I've had people who've approachedme and been like, you know, this
is exactly what I was looking for.
I just needed to know a littlebit more information on it.
Like I think one of my most popularepisodes was the quarterly taxes
one, because people like don'tknow what quarterly taxes are.
And I know, I know Mandy does becauseshe's used to work with the IRS, but like.

(09:25):
People don't know.
There's not enough education on it.
The IRS is just like pay quarterly taxes.
And people are like, Ihave to pay more taxes.
And I'm like, what happened was, it wasthat ripple effect exactly what you're
talking about, where people were like,oh my gosh, like I just needed to know
a little bit more information about it.
Now I'm not so scared or worriedabout it because like, you know,
sometimes all they need is just thatlittle push in the right direction.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (09:48):
Totally,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (09:48):
Mm.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (09:49):
totally.
Just like I, I listened to yourrecent podcast about, hiring a.
Contractor, which I've hired contractorsbefore, but they've always kind
of been under this $600 amount.
'cause it's just been likeone-offs here and there.
But I was getting ready to dolike a long term and I was like,
oh, it was so just, good to hear.

(10:10):
Like I was in the right going theright directions, the right steps.
Do you know what I mean?

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (10:15):
Yeah.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (10:15):
Yeah.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (10:16):
And I feel like that's, that's builds that
confidence because yeah, like you dowanna take action, but you wanna feel
like you kind of know what you're doingbefore you take action just a little bit.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (10:28):
Right.
At least that you're in the rightmovement and not necessarily like,
oh, I should have if I would've known,

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (10:34):
Yeah.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (10:37):
for sure.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: So you guys actually answered a (10:38):
undefined
couple of the questions I have, butlet's shift and answer maybe some
things like in your business as well.
What's a moment when you were scared totake the leap, but did it anyway, and
then kinda what happened because of that?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (10:55):
So.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (10:56):
Mandy.
Go.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (10:57):
I, Jamie always tells me I'm like the odd bird out here,
but really ever afraid to make that leap.
I am not a roadblock kind of person.
I am a Oh, that's not gonna work.
Let me pivot.
Let me adjust, let me go overunder to the left to the right.
Maybe I need to sprout somewings for a short amount of time.

(11:20):
But I don't really let obstacles stop me.
And it's just alwaysbeen a mindset I've had.
It's not necessarily something that, like I've worked on or, Jamie and I
have talked about this quite a bit.
In fact, we were reviewing all yourpodcast questions together it was just
one of those things that we were like.

(11:42):
I don't know how to answer thatone because it doesn't, I don't
really feel like it appliesto me, which is weird to say.
I don't know, but everyday's a new adventure.
Go for it.
What are you waiting for?

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: yes, yes. (11:57):
undefined

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: What about you, Jamie? (11:59):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (12:05):
I have trouble choosing one defining thing.
And I'm on the
polar, like I'm on the totalopposite side of Mandy.
Like I cannot stress this enough that I
from a very young age, started developinglimiting beliefs about myself and

(12:27):
about the world, and I can't tell youhow many times they've stopped me.
So when I tell you, justtake the first step.
Just take the first step,I can't stress that enough.
One of the first.
Pivotal moments for me inbuilding my business was
beginning to network in person.
It was terrifying to walk by yourself,walk into a room of strangers, and like

(12:53):
that day I learned what an elevatorpitch was and I didn't have one.
I was the person bumblingfor three minutes, but you
can't know until you go due.
So, um,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (13:06):
that Mandy's like, oh my gosh, just stop talking
already and get to your point and move on.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (13:14):
but Mandy was also the person because we started
networking around the same time.
Around the same time.
Mandy was the personwho would just be like.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (13:23):
Yep.
That was me, but I did it.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (13:26):
But you did it.
Yes.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: No, it's true. (13:27):
undefined
I felt the same way, when I went to myfirst one because, I think I told Mandy
this, but I always talk about the waythat I started my business was I was in
corporate accounting, but I wanted to.
I wanted to do something like, for myself,I just had no idea how to handle clients.
I was like, I don't knowhow to handle people.

(13:49):
I can do the work, but I'm like, I don'tknow, like the backend client part of it.
And so the course I took was like,yeah, go out, talk to people.
And I went out to a networking event,like my very first one, I don't know
if you guys have ever been to the onethat's in San Marcos at the , Kirby Lane.
That was the very first one I went to.
I had no idea what to expect andeveryone was clumped together.

(14:11):
So I was like, how do Igo and talk to people?
What do I say?
, I have a business card.
Do I just hand out my business card?
And then I also learned that'snot something you do either.
Usually people will ask for yourbusiness card and then , same
experience when they were like, Hey,tell us a bit about your business.
I was like, I'm a bookkeeper.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (14:29):
So good trick, good trick for anybody that's listening
that might, be starting their journey.
If you want to give your business card,ask for somebody else's business card.
First, and then you'llbe like, oh, here's mine.
And you trade.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: yes, yes. (14:43):
undefined
That's a really good one becauseI feel like you don't know that.
You're like, what?
What do I do?
Like you bring that in preparation, but.
I was also that I said like, I don'twanna be like sleazy, I don't wanna
be like, here, just take my business

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (14:57):
Yep.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: like, I wanna, I wanna actually (14:57):
undefined
engage and like meet people and likeget to know people around the area.
So I feel like that's such good advicebecause I feel like there's so much,
there's so much surrounding in-personnetworking that's like an unknown
and it's such a, like, gut reaction.
It's like that fear.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (15:16):
Yes.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (15:17):
that's something very messy that you take, but
you just kind of grow the way you do it.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (15:21):
Yeah.
Oh, for sure.
And you,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (15:22):
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (15:23):
each group has its own little nuances too.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (15:26):
Yes,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (15:27):
Mm-hmm.
And the more you doit, the easier it gets.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: yes, yes, (15:29):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (15:31):
And I mean, practice your elevator pitch.
Like if we're going for tips here,if you are a young business, if you
are like, know what you get, butyou're really clear on what you do.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (15:43):
Mm-hmm.
And who, who your ideal client is.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (15:47):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I feel like thatthat does come with time.
Like you're in that stage where you'relike, I don't know who my ideal client
is yet, but I'm just, I'm trying to getinto business and that does take time.
But the point of it is just liketrying to figure that out and trying
to work it out like I did BNI foralmost, well, for pretty much a year.

(16:08):
And like that boosted my confidencetons so that when I went to these
networking events, I definitely felt less.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (16:15):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (16:16):
Because, I used to also feel intimidated by the
fact that there was someone else therethat also did the same thing that I do.
I'm like, should I even say what I do?
Because there's someone else thatalready does what I do, but I'm like,
there's, there's no competition.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (16:28):
No.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: connect with people, they don't (16:29):
undefined
connect because you're a bookkeeper.
They don't connect 'cause you'rein marketing, you know, they don't
connect 'cause you're a coach.
They connect because of you.
They're like, I like you,I wanna work with you.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (16:42):
Yep.
Exactly, exactly.
personally like to network with othermarketing people because like if I've met
somebody and I'm like, it's not reallymy ideal client, I wanna be able to be
like, Hey, have you met this person?
I feel like they'd be a reallygood fit for your business.
I personally like to meet and talk withother people that do the same thing.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (17:04):
Yes, I do too, because I feel you only like
to what you only know, what you know.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (17:10):
Yep.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (17:11):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (17:12):
if you're living in a bubble and you're like,
Hey, this is the, I know everything Ineed to know, but like someone else who
has the same experiences, you can comein and say like, have you tried this?
And you're like, didn'teven think of that.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (17:25):
Yes, exactly.
Exactly.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (17:28):
It's the different perspectives.
It's the different perspectives.
I think it's hard for a lot of people.
I'm just going out on my own here, butI think it's really hard for a lot of
people to let go of the comparison.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (17:39):
Yes.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (17:40):
what they're doing, how far they've come,
how much money they're making, howmany followers they have, how pretty
their feet is, how, I can't post thisbecause it'll mess up my pretty feet.
I think the, what do they say?
Comparison is the robber of joyor the thief of authenticity.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (17:59):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: Yep, yep. (18:00):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (18:02):
Yeah.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: you just have to be yourself. (18:02):
undefined
Like no one is gonna, no one isgonna compare you to, another
bookkeeper because they're like, wow.
Like she's herself, but she's really cool.
Like they're looking atyou because they like you.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Yes, exactly, exactly. (18:15):
undefined
Last season we had a lot ofpeople on in the podcast that had.
Very similar things to say.
In a roundabout way, we dida whole season on, community,
which we've adjusted our podcast.

(18:36):
We're no longer doingseasons like randomly.
of season three, we're like, Ithink we're gonna drop seasons.
We're just gonna podcast.
I don't know if you've had one ofthose moments where you've grown your
podcast and all of a sudden you'relike, I think it's time to pivot.
or if you're just like, Nope,I'm sure we're good, but.
It's interesting because every singleone of them had something similar to

(19:01):
say, but they all said it differently.
What was the one phrase,Jamie, do you remember?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (19:07):
Givers gain.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (19:09):
Givers game.
Yeah.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: yes, yes, (19:12):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: show up, when you show up and (19:15):
undefined
you build the relationship,everything else falls into place.
We, I think, I can't remember who it was,we even talked about Field of Dreams.
If you build it, they will come.
But that is the relationshipwe're talking about.
Build the relationship withthe people, your people will.

(19:35):
Be attracted to you.
And I don't know, I think youtouched on something and I,
I think there's a lot that goes on innetworking where, I think most people
weed out the people that are like the,just trying to sell you something.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (19:55):
Mm. Mm-hmm.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (19:57):
I think there are certain people that that
really do get that reputation.
But yeah, season two in community,it was absolutely amazing to have
so many different people share somany different perspectives, and it
all came back to the givers gain.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (20:15):
It did.
It did.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (20:18):
I actually just, there's an episode coming
out at the beginning of May where I talkedto a lady and she was talking, she said
that one of her friends, Zoes told herit's like commission breath is what?
She calls it like, you knowhow you have coffee, breath?
She's like, when someone walks up toyou and you just know that they're
trying to sell you on something.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Commission breath. (20:34):
undefined
That's fantastic.
I think that might be like my new, like,oh my gosh, have you had that meeting yet?
Because they have commission breath.
I seriously though, because quitea few people in networking are
connected in our friends and.
Like literally, if you are just there tomake a sales pitch, it goes really fast
and then you don't make any more meetings.

(20:55):
'cause people are like, no, I'm gonnaneed to pass on that because they
know the sales pitch that's coming.
So I.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (21:03):
exactly.
And I think that's, that's another thingthat's like a great like tip, like go
in there with the intent of connection.
Don't go in there with the

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (21:10):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: of making a sale. (21:11):
undefined
Sure, you could make a sale, you couldwalk in and walk out with someone who's
like, I absolutely wanna work with you.
But that's not the intention that youhave to go in with because people can
tell the difference between your intentionand like what you're trying to portray.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (21:27):
Mm-hmm.
Completely.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: where do you personally draw the line (21:29):
undefined
between preparation and procrastination?
Especially like when it comesto things like the podcast.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (21:37):
I feel like it helps having two of us because
like I'm in a really busy season rightnow, which means Jamie's picked up
most of the podcast duties versus.
I know there will be a time whereJamie's gonna be really busy and I'll
be holding all the podcast duties.
So I feel like having two of usreally helps to balance that.

(21:57):
But as Jamie, she has acompletely different answer.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (22:03):
Oh.
I was waiting for you to say this doesn'tapply to me because I'm an action taker.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (22:08):
That too.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (22:10):
Right.
Mandy is an action taker, so it's reallyinteresting because I do often find myself
in that space where I'm asking questionslike, am I genuinely exhausted and I need
this rest, or am I. Putting off what Ireally need to do, but I don't want to
do, I find myself sometimes in that spaceevery day, like at you as a solopreneur.

(22:36):
Even if you have a, some employees orcontract employees, it's still you are
your main source of motivation 24 7.
Sometimes that's exhausting, likemotivating yourself always to
keep going and checking in withyour mindset and make sure you're.
When it comes to the podcast,I don't have that problem.

(22:58):
I love, like I'll stop, I will stop, wait.
Mandy will message me and belike, oh, something this, or
something that, and I'm like on it.
I stop everything I do and go directlyto the podcast and I think it's because
I just am having fun with the podcast.
And when you're not doing it solo it.

(23:20):
It's easier to take that action.
It is so much easier to just do it.
Not from a place of, I don't wannadisappoint Mandy, which I don't.
But, I don't know.
So the podcast is really interesting.
I think when you hit that passion,then you don't procrastinate.
You just don't.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (23:38):
Yes.
I think that's so true.
'cause I feel the same way.
Like every time I sit down todo like my bulk recordings, I'm
like, oh my gosh, I'm so excited.
Like I wanna edit them, I wannaget all the things for them.
And every time I go on threadsand I'm like, I can't wait for
you all to see what's comingbecause I'm so jazzed about it.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (23:57):
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (23:58):
true.
I just, I don't know whenit's a passion project.
I. It just, it hits different, just does.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (24:06):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (24:06):
Yeah.
'cause I think there's so much, so muchin business, like for, in terms of like
marketing avenues that are so serious,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (24:14):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: people consider serious like Instagram, (24:16):
undefined
like LinkedIn, like things like that.
People are just like, you have tobe like rigid and like fit into
a box in order to get anywhere.
And so it feels like itsucks the fun out of it.
Whereas like with podcasting,it's almost like your own platform
and you get to portray it inthe way that you see best fit.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (24:38):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (24:38):
I think what makes it fun is because like
you get to show off who you really arewithout the pressure of feeling like
someone's looking over your shoulderconsistently being like, that's not the
way a podcast is supposed to be done.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (24:51):
So true.
Here's the box or bubble and I'mlike, la, la, la, la, la, la.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (24:56):
yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: don't, I I'm not really a into. (24:57):
undefined
A check mark kind of person.
Yeah, we have a lot of fun with it.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (25:05):
Usually, I mean, usually I think there's, I'll,
I'll let you ask another questioninstead of answering it before you ask.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (25:14):
No.
Yeah.
Let's roll into collaboration.
What's one of your favorite ways youpartnered with someone in business?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: I think it's the. (25:20):
undefined

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (25:21):
Yeah, for sure.
I think you had some really goodquestions about collaboration.
So I feel like when you'recollaborating with other people, you
have to be very mindful of comingto a place where you are in sync.
With your goals and ideas, it can'tjust be, you're going rogue, right?

(25:44):
in your own business you can gorogue as much as you want 'cause
it only affects you or in yourown personal life, whatever.
But when you are collaborating withsomebody else, even on one podcast, right?
You have to be mindful of, eventhough it is your podcast, but
still you're having a guest on.
And as guests, we're gonna be mindful of.
What your vision is also.

(26:05):
Do you know what I mean?
And I think that's just the biggestpart of collaborating in any way.
Whether you're inviting someone tocollaborate on a post or you're doing
an event together, is making surethat everybody is on common grounds.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (26:21):
I actually had a lot of fun yesterday as we
were going through the questions.
I just read off the questions and we tookturns practicing What we may or may not
say, and I don't know about you ladies.
I. But it doesn't matter how many timesI practice something, it always comes
out a little bit different anyway.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (26:37):
Yeah.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (26:38):
the thing that I think, the thing that I loved
the most about our conversationyesterday in reviewing these questions
was we got really clear, not everycollaboration comes together the
way Mandy and I came together.
Like we have a contract, we communicate.
This was part of our conversationyesterday because I absolutely think

(27:02):
of Mandy when I am posting in stories.
Like when I'm on coffee with m and jand I am the one posting in the story
or post making the post or this orthat, it because the podcast is both
of us as a emerge, like I wouldn'tnecessarily just go out on coffee with
m and j and post a random video of metalking about whatever I'm talking about.

(27:25):
It's not on brand.
It's not what we do.
I have.
Respect that, man would knoweven the way we comment.
We keep each other in mind.
So I think if you're lookingto collaborate with people.
You have to be able tocommunicate with them

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (27:43):
You?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: and establish boundaries. (27:43):
undefined
And Mandy and I don'talways agree on everything.
So there's compromises thatare made on both sides.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (27:52):
Yep.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (27:53):
And Mandy, what have you had to practice
working with me who is not like you?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (27:58):
So at a networking event, we were able to present
our podcast, and we had three minutes andJamie wanted to like, practice a skit.
I'm like, can't do that.
I'm not skit material.
You have the wrong sister in thefamily if you wanna do a skit.
My little sister, she would'vebeen like all for it, right?
Can we bring outfits?

(28:19):
And I'm like, no, that,that doesn't work for me.
It's a compromise, right?
I was like, no, we can wing this.
It's three minutes, it'll be fine.
And Jamie's no, we gotta talk about this.
We gotta have, we gotta have a plan.
I'm like, no, no, no, it's fine.
so compromise was, we talked a lotabout what we were gonna talk about
and then we went for it, right?

(28:40):
That was the compromise.
But knowing on how far you can pushsomebody to meet that you're, that
you're collaborating with is important.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (28:50):
Yeah.
I love that and I love that you guysare really talking about getting into
it deep because I feel like thereare a lot of people who don't have in
their podcast, but I think this alsoapplies to people who are guesting
on a show, like being on the same.
And I feel like a lot of the timeswhen you put things out there like
on threads and things like that,like there was one guest specifically

(29:12):
that I had that I turned downwho just applied outta the blue.
They didn't comment on anything.
I didn't get to know them.
And that's why I start stopped postingjust my application everywhere.
'cause I was like, I want people whoactually like wanna be on the podcast
for the right reasons and not justbe like, I wanna be on the podcast.
I'm like, and it was one of the first.

(29:33):
Two or three interviews that Iwas doing, and I was like, don't
even know what I'm doing yet.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (29:38):
We actually have one sitting out
there that's very si similar.
I'm like, I don't even know that, likeyou fit into what our podcast is like.
It was totally
to be on the podcast.
Like, I'm like, itdoesn't really work like.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (29:56):
yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (29:57):
Yeah, I

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (29:59):
And running down the middle of the
road playing devil's advocate.
It's always a no if you don't ask.
And as business owners, wehave to be empowered in our
nose and our boundaries, right?
So,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (30:13):
valid.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (30:14):
Mandy and I have talked about, but not
yet experienced having someone thatneither one of us knows on the podcast.
So far, all of our guests,either we both know, or one of us
knows enough to know, and trust.
And the day's going to come when we havepeople on that we really don't know,

(30:34):
and we've even had that conversation.
Because, so what happens if you havesomebody on, I don't know what your
show is rated, so I'll keep my pottymouth aside, I'll keep it closed, but.
What happens if somebodyrecords and it's junk?
And that's the best I can say, you know?
'cause I wanna yell.
What if it's s. Like all dramaticMandy's looking at me funny.

(30:59):
She's like, Jamie, shut up.
I, but I think the wholecollaboration thing goes so far
beyond just podcasts, right.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (31:06):
Yes.
Yep.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (31:08):
okay.
One thing that I have really, reallylearned, like really learned in
my business is if you are doingcontract work, get the contract signed
before you start the contract work.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (31:22):
Yes.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (31:23):
a contract.
Mandy and I are friends and we havea contract for the podcast, and
what somewhere in that podcast is,you know, a clause that no matter
what happens, like it's all good.
Like no bad talking.
No.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (31:40):
in the podcast just like Vegas.
Yep, yep.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (31:44):
Yeah.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (31:45):
In

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: So I think that's important. (31:45):
undefined

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (31:46):
as we've started sending our guest contracts.
To be on the podcast, just knowing thatthey're accepting that we're gonna be
sharing their likeness and their voice andvideos for as long as the podcast exists.
So,

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (32:01):
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (32:02):
and I think that there's nothing wrong
with, being upfront with whatthat looks like for guests for us.
You know what I mean?
I think it's an important part.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: Yeah, no, I completely agree. (32:12):
undefined
I'm actually at that stage whereI'm gonna start doing that as well.
I'm pulling back a little bit from guests.
'cause what I've noticed is a lot of thetimes the guest episodes don't perform
the same as like the solo episodes.
And what I've learned is that.
From my like talking to theaudience a little bit is that
they are there for mainly to hearabout like what I'm talking about.

(32:38):
So that's what they wanna hear about.
So when you have a guest, they reallywanna like connect with that guest.
And I think that's why I'm solike picky when I pick people
to put onto the podcast.
'cause I'm like, them to bring value.
And I think this is such a, likethis conversation specifically
is so valuable because.
People just collaborate.
They're like, oh, I'll justcollaborate with whoever.

(32:59):
But I feel like youreally need to get that

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (33:02):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: otherwise you're just (33:04):
undefined
speaking out into the void.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: We totally learned that last (33:07):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (33:08):
I,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (33:09):
Yep.
Yep.
learned

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (33:11):
yes.
Yes.
And I, I absolutely love that youwent there because, a again, sometimes
when we can watch what other peopleare doing, valuable lessons there
too, not from a place of judgment,from a place of observation.
So how often do you see people ata networking event that you go to

(33:32):
all the time and then they're like,oh, let's do this workshop together.
And then you're asking one orthe other about the workshop and
they're like, oh, I don't know.
We just met last month.
And I'm always like, what the heck?
Like, excuse me.
But that's like getting in bedwith a total stranger, right?
Like you are preparing.

(33:56):
I'm sorry ladies.
I hope that's okay.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (33:58):
No,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (33:59):
But I mean, like you're preparing a workshop together
and you just met, you don't even know if.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (34:07):
Well, you don't even know how the other person presents,

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (34:10):
Yes,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (34:11):
Like, what if, what if they get up
there and talk the whole time?
You're like, well, there goes mywhole hour and a half gone because the
other person talked for three hours.
Like, you don't even know.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (34:22):
think that's so true because like you, you don't
know, you don't know them as a person.
They could go up and, and say somethingthat's completely off the wall and
you're like, what did they just say?
And you're like, I don't agree with that.
But then how do you, like,how would you approach that?
Like if you don't agree with it inthat moment, you're kinda stuck, right?
Like, especially if

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (34:42):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (34:42):
workshop

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (34:43):
You've already, yeah, you've already hitched
to the horse and you're stuck becauseyou're like, I philosophically do
not agree with what just came outof their mouth, they just sold it as
it's both of us agreeing to this andnow do I get up and contradict them?
I go, actually, that'snot how I feel about it.
Or, here's a different perspective,like you're really putting yourself

(35:03):
in a bind without fully vettingthe relationship before you jump.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (35:09):
Yes,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (35:09):
yeah.
And just because people come up to youand want to collaborate with you seriously
does not mean you have to say yes.
We could do a whole, we couldgo down the road of people
pleasing where everybody says yes.
To everything or like, I'm insuch a frenzy to get myself out
there, get myself out there.
I'm just gonna work with anybody.

(35:31):
I started working with thisgirl, this, she's not a girl.
She's older than me.
She's 50 something a couple years back.
And the more time, likewe, we became fast friends.
We started doing allkinds of stuff together.
And the more I was aroundher, the less I liked her.
And I had to break up with her as acollaborator first and then as a friend.

(35:54):
And she didn't like it verymuch and I felt like I was like.
In that role of like dumping aromantic partner and them like
texting you at 3:00 AM I'm so sad.
Why can't we be friends?
But it just gets so awkward andpeople are not willing to go
into the awkward the way I am.

(36:15):
So I know that.
But it can just, it can get So, Imean, but I guess maybe if there are
lessons you have to learn, as longas you learn the lessons from 'em.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: Yeah, exactly. (36:27):
undefined
Well, that's true.
Yes, there are lessons you have tolearn, but you have to actually like
garner the what you're trying to learn.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (36:34):
You have to

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (36:35):
Right,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (36:35):
was a lesson.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (36:37):
Yes.
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (36:39):
Yeah.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (36:40):
to bounce off of all this, what would you
say to someone who's really hesitantto collaborate because they're just,
they're afraid to give up control.
I.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (36:50):
Mm. I feel like making sure , personally
what your boundaries are andthat you communicate well.
Because if you can't honestly comeinto a collaboration relationship
and say, this is my boundary.
It's a hard no here.
How you can't expect the other person tobe able to respect that, and you might get

(37:10):
a few weeks into a collaboration and belike, oh, actually this isn't working out.
You have to be able toknow when to back out.
Right.
And be able to be upfront andbe like, Nope, nope, nope.
This isn't gonna work.
Or, you know, life's taking adifferent route and this isn't working.
I mean, whatever you need to sayfor yourself to feel good about it.
But I feel like being able to behonest is a super big part of that.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (37:35):
Yes.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (37:37):
I agree.
You have to be willing to be honest withyourself, honest with the other person.
Communication is keyin every relationship.
If you do not have communication,you do not have a relationship.
And that was just piggybackingoff of what Mandy said, but I
had a really great thing to say.
And of course it's gone again.
'cause this is my brain.
Like, I have my coffee and everything.

(38:00):
Ask the question againand maybe it'll come back.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (38:03):
It was, what would you say to someone
who's hesitant to collaborate becausethey're afraid of giving up control.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (38:09):
If you have the right person, if you are
collaborating with the right person,. I think it's easier to compromise.
I think it's just, I think wealready, it's just the compromise.
You have to be willing to compromise.
We can take this to the giver's gain.
What are you willing to invest?

(38:30):
But I mean, a true collaboration.
I guess I just wanna bring every singlepiece of this back to the quality of
your relationships because the qualityof your collaborate collaborations.
Is like Mandy has.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Mandy has.
The most wonderful marriage, likeI am not an envious person, and I

(38:54):
just look at them like, like thegreen Eminem and Santa commercial.
They do exist.
Like it does exist like,like it does exist.
That's not my experience, but itdoes exist and I also know that
because this collaboration isworking, that I can communicate.

(39:15):
But just, I'm gonna take Mandy's words.
Stop being scared and just go do it.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (39:21):
Yes.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (39:22):
Try it.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: Oh, oh, I remembered. (39:23):
undefined

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Ooh, I like this. (39:25):
undefined
Go.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (39:27):
I'm so sorry.
I finally remembered.
Okay.
This is actually a practical pip stop.
Stop and really ask yourself.
Is this in alignment?
Is this project in alignmentwith my core values?
Is this person in alignmentwith my core values?

(39:49):
Does this feel good in my body?
Does it feel safe?
Like if any of those answers are no, well,maybe that collaboration's not for you.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (40:00):
Unless you say no to everything, then you have to
be careful because are you just afraid?
And so everything's off the table.
you have to take some risks.
Maybe it needs to start small.
Maybe you're on someone's podcast ormaybe you collaborate on a post or a
small project before you do something big.
Test the waters.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (40:18):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (40:20):
Yeah.
No, I think that's reallygood advice actually.
If you're thinking of collaboratingwith someone, just start.
With like something small, maybe likean email swap or something like that,
just to get an idea of who they are.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (40:33):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (40:33):
like, you know, when we're going back to what
we were talking about with people comingonto the podcast, I've gotten to the
point where I've started getting pitchedin my email I don't know these people.
I've never interacted with these peopleand they're from, it's from PR people.
So I'm always hesitant 'cause I'm like,

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (40:51):
You're like,

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: are they? (40:52):
undefined
Who are they?
Like, I don't know the person.
And I'm like, I'm ha.
I'm like, I'm happy to have them onthe podcast, but the, they themselves
need to fill out my application

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (41:05):
and you're like, and also I'm not paying them.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: Yeah, yeah, exactly. (41:07):
undefined
Yeah.
If someone says that, because Ithink there was, there was one guy,
and I don't know, maybe they'relistening to this, but it was a, C,
it was the CEO of BlackRock coffee.
what the guy pitched me.
And I was like, that's random.
Like

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (41:23):
And you're like, that would be really cool.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: Yeah, that's, I told my (41:26):
undefined
husband, I'm like, that's cool.
I was like, that's cool, butlike does he fit really with
the audience that I'm going for?
Like what is he gonna teachspecifically my audience?
But then also like.
Does he really like, I don't know him.
Like I've, I've never met him.

(41:46):
I'm sure he's busy because he's theCEO of like this huge company and I'm
like, does he have the time to actuallyfill out the form and interact with me?
'cause I'm, I told them at every person.
I'm like, that's very important to me.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (41:58):
Mm-hmm.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (41:58):
and the one PR lady was like, well, that's
why she hired me so that she could,you know, focus on what she does best.
And I'm like, well, I get it.
But at the same point, like.
I wanna know the people who are comingonto my podcast and who are going
to be speaking to like my audience.
'cause I'm almost kind of likeprotective of my audience a little

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (42:18):
Yes.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: I'm like, I, I want them to (42:18):
undefined
actually learn something.
I don't want you to just come on soyou can like pitch your, your business.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (42:25):
Mm-hmm.
For sure.
That's interesting

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (42:28):
Yeah.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: We are not there (42:29):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (42:30):
It really is.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (42:32):
We're

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (42:32):
What do you mean we're not there?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (42:33):
we're not getting PR pitches yet.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (42:35):
I don't know if they're PR pitches.
We're getting a few emails.
I don't know.
I ignored 'em.
I ignored most of 'em like that.
I got one in my inbox this morning.
That I'm sure it's spam, but it seemslike it, like I wanna know more about it.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Click on the links. (42:53):
undefined

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (42:55):
I am not clicking on anything.
I am taking the namesand going over to Google.
Like, okay.
So there you go.
People like spam alert, likedon't click on the links.
You know, fact check on Google.
I don't know, I don't think peopleshould be scared of collaborations, but
when collaborations are with the rightpeople, I think it feels different.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (43:17):
Yes,

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (43:17):
I think you.
List.
If you are actually listening to your deepinner or knowing your intuition, whatever
you wanna call it, if you're reallylistening, you know if it's a good fit and
if you're not, well, I don't even know.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (43:32):
Yes, So whether it's launching something
new or working with others, how doyou stay grounded in who you are when
you're outside of your comfort zone?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (43:42):
This one would be really hard for me to
answer, so I'm gonna just say pass.
Jamie gets to answer.
I don't really have much of an outsideof a comfort zone unless it's public
speaking, which I do force myself.
That's part of why I network, is toget up and speak in front of people,
even if it's just for 30 seconds.
It's just myself to do the action,but that's about the only place where

(44:05):
I feel outside of my comfort zone.
Is public speaking.
Jamie, you up tag.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: How do, oh yeah, of course. (44:12):
undefined
I have a lot of words.
I always have a lot of words.
How do I stay groundedoutside of my comfort zone?
I, there's a lot of things.
I meditate, I walk, I practice yoga.
I teach yoga.
Basically I practicethe tools that I teach.

(44:33):
And it's, this isn't something that Italk about a lot, but I am an empath.
I feel a lot of things and keepingmyself in this bubble, like putting
myself in this energetic bubble.
It really helps me stay focusedbecause it's like putting on
noise canceling headphones, right?

(44:54):
Drowning out the noise and just, and Idon't think most people give themselves
enough breaks to go out and get 10minutes of fresh air or some vitamin
D from the sun or just to shut the.

(45:15):
The mental chatter that never shuts up.
Just I think a lot of peopledon't even give themselves
five minutes a day for that.
So I say, take off your shoes evenwith the chance of fire ants and put
your feet in the grass . or if you'resomewhere else, like wherever you are.
It is, I practice a lot of tools.
I practice a lot of tools and,sometimes lose the grounding anyway.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (45:40):
Yes.
I feel like it is hard, especially whenyou are outside of your comfort zone.
I find that too, like I've had totry and find my footing because like.
When I, what I tend to do when I'm outsideof my comfort zone, like with BNIA lot
of the time is I put up like a face.
I was like, this is my extrovert self.

(46:00):
'cause I'm super introverted andI'm like, this is my extrovert self.
I'm gonna be super bubbly and super happy.
And I'm like, but my introvertself is like, I'm like drained now.
Can I go home?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (46:13):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And you're like, and canthere be less words please?
Can there just be less words Nowdrive home, you have no music on.
You are like, I need nothing but silence.
Silence and coffee.
Silence and coffee.
Yeah.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (46:32):
yeah.
Yep.
Exactly.
So looking back on everything that's goneon in your business in the podcast, is
there a piece of advice or mindset shiftthat's really changed the game for you?

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (46:47):
Come on, Mandy.
You gotta have something.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Take the leap and go for it. (46:49):
undefined
I don't know that it'snecessarily a mindset shift.
We took the leap and went for the podcast.
In my business, I was doing somethingelse completely different, but I've done
marketing for like 17 years at this point.
Always freelanced, always on theside, always hustled for other people.

(47:10):
Like it's always been somethingthat I've not done for, like,
as a business business, right?
It's always been my side hustle.
And about three years ago Iwas volunteering and doing
social media, in particularmarketing for, a local nonprofit.
And it was one of those, I wasliterally sitting at a band competition.

(47:31):
I'm like, why am I not doingthis for myself full time?
Why am I not doing thisfor myself full time?
That was in October.
And by March I had jumped fulltime and took a chance on myself.
And start, like I had started my business,got my LLC, did all the things, but
from October to March, I quit my job.

(47:54):
So I would say like,what are you waiting for?
Go for it.
Like, jump, take action.
Go Jamie.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (48:04):
yes.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (48:05):
Well, I have experienced a lot of mindset
shifts over the last decade, alot more in the last five years.
And they're just, oh my gosh, I can'ttell you how many pivotal moments
or possible if you're willing to.
To just stay in the uncomfortable, right.
Just step into the uncomfortable.

(48:25):
But the biggest mindset shift, or thefirst mindset shift that I recognized
as part of my autonomic nervous systemfrom practicing every day was gratitude.
And I mean, if you are notgrateful for what you have.
How do you expect to get more?
Every morning?
The very first thing beforemy eyes are even open is.

(48:49):
I'm so grateful I'm alive today,and then I wiggled my toes and I'm
so grateful my toes are working,and so cultivating gratitude.
It it, you know, you use your consciousmind to remind yourself to be grateful
for things, and then you just are gratefulfor things and stuff Doesn't suck so bad.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: It doesn't suck so bad. (49:12):
undefined
Tagline stuff doesn't suck so bad.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (49:17):
So today I'm supposed to be a comedian.
I.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354: I feel that's good. (49:24):
undefined
That's really good advice though.
You know, and, and I feel like that's allso important and I love the conversation
that we've had today, and I feel likeit's really valuable, not just for
like us to also grow, because I feellike every conversation I have, we grow
from it, but also for people listening.
We kind of get into the wrap up,how can people stay connected with

(49:44):
you or dig deeper into your work?

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355 (49:48):
So you can find us on all the channels at Coffee
with m and j. That's the podcast.
And it's literally us two havingcoffee chatting about life business.
We have guests on.
So that's where you can connectwith us if you're interested.
my personal business is MJ Designsand Marketing and Social Media

(50:11):
graphic design, marketing tips forsmall businesses and nonprofits.
Jamie, your turn.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351 (50:18):
Yes.
So personally you can findNew Soul Rising N-E-W-S-O-U-L.
I don't know why people havetrouble with this rising.
They always wanna make it a SOL.
I'm like, no.
Anyway, new soul rising everywhere.
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
It's all very congruent.

(50:38):
So with coffee, with m and j, yes,you can literally find us everywhere.
Spotify, apple, iHeartRadio.
We are, getting all of the episodesonto YouTube video as fast as we can.
We would definitelylove for you to join us.
And, join our community news eventhough our seasons are both really busy,

(51:00):
we're, we are working on more excitingthings to come in the near future.
And, we would love for you to jointhat list so you can stay updated and.
I would be remiss to say like,I, we just want you to listen.
We want you to listen.
We wanna know what's in your cup.
We start every episode with what'sin your cup, and we really want to

(51:22):
have these conversations with you.
Like we really want to know how.
How, not how we're impacting you, butlike what aligned to action you're
taking because you felt inspired or,how a particular guest made you feel,
or, you know, so we just really, really,really want to encourage everyone

(51:46):
to, to download, to listen, to share,all the places, all the usual places.

samantha-eck_1_04-22-2025_100354 (51:54):
Yes.
Absolutely.
Well, I appreciate you bothcoming on today so, so much.
It was great to have you.

mandy_1_04-22-2025_100355: Thanks for having us. (52:01):
undefined
We appreciate it.

jaime_1_04-22-2025_100351: Thank you very much. (52:05):
undefined
Okay, y'all.
How good was that?
Mandy and Jamie brought the heart, thehumor and the real talk we all need
when it comes to collaboration, takingmessy action and building community
with actual intention, not from a placeof pressure or perfection, but from

(52:25):
trusting yourself, staying aligned,and knowing that fun and fulfillment
are just as strategic as any plan.
And if you're sitting on an idea.
A dream, a podcast you've beenthinking about for weeks, this
is your sign to start messy.
Start scared.
And just start because themagic happens when you move.

(52:47):
So if this episode gave you somethingto think about, remember that you're
not alone in the messy middle.
Share it with a friend.
Drop a review or DM me on Instagram.
Your favorite takeaway.
As always, get out there and sharethis episode on social media so
more people like you can find it.
If you have any suggestions fortopics, fill out the form in.
The description box and let's getsome more topics you guys love.

(53:11):
Like I've been saying in thepast few episodes, we will not
be having guests as of next year.
So any topics you guys wanna hear, letme know and we can chat about them.
As long as have a great rest of your week.
I will see you next week.
Farewell fellow Travelers.