June 27, 2024 • 19 mins
Unlock the mysteries of harmonizing motherhood with entrepreneurship as I, Natalie Guzman, sit down with Rebekah Scott, the Midwest Mama who's redefining what it means to be a serial entrepreneur. Rebekah takes us through her compelling transition from sewing on the schoolyard to curating a successful handmade purse empire, revealing how she marries growth opportunities with the realities of raising a family. Her heartfelt guidance on how to weave intentionality into every moment promises to resonate with anyone striving to integrate their personal passions with daily responsibilities.
Ever felt like you're conducting an orchestra with the myriad roles you play in life? Join us as we orchestrate a shift from juggling to harmonizing these roles, using the symphony of life as our guide. Rebekah and I discuss actionable tactics such as delegating tasks and flexible scheduling to create a life that sings in tune. We also share personal stories, emphasizing the weight of lived experiences over certifications, and offering a fresh perspective on selecting mentors who truly dance to the beat of your drum.
To wrap up, we illuminate the potency of positivity and customized support systems in empowering women entrepreneurs and stay-at-home moms to flourish amid chaos. Rebekah teases an upcoming collaboration that promises to extend this inspiring narrative, and she invites listeners to express their creativity through the art of designing a custom purse. It's not just about podcasts and purses; it's about planting the seeds of encouragement for a life that's as beautifully unique as the accessories we adorn.
Need a website? Get a free website designed by our team at nadora.org/freewebsite
Reach out to Rebekah:
Website: www.encouragerpodcast.com
Facebook: EncouragerPodcast
LinkedIn: shoprsd
YouTube: @RebekahScottDesign
Master the art of virtual business & create a life you love! Join Natalie Guzman, your host on Virtual Antics, a weekly podcast for digital entrepreneurs seeking work-life balance.✨
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Virtual Antics podcast, where we
help entrepreneurs streamlinetheir business to six figures
and beyond.
These short, sweet and infopacked episodes will inspire,
educate and leave you feelingmotivated to take one more step
forward in your business.
So put down your never-endingto-do list, because in this
podcast we are interviewing thebest of the best in the
entrepreneurial world as theyspill their secrets to success.
(00:23):
This podcast is sponsored byNandora, the all-in-one software
for entrepreneurs to grow theirbusiness, with unlimited
landing pages, automations,emails and text campaigns, and
so much more.
I'm your host, natalie Guzman.
Now let's get into it.
Welcome back to Virtual Anticspodcast.
As always, I'm your host,natalie Guzman.
I am so excited because I havejust the coolest person ever on
(00:46):
the call today.
So Rebecca Scott is here andshe is a Midwest Mama serial
entrepreneur.
I can relate.
Host of the Encourager podcast,designer and founder of a
handmade purse and accessorybrand for 15 years, and she is a
coach for moms, committed tohelping them thrive in their
multi-passionate lifestylewithout hustling.
(01:08):
Welcome, rebecca, how are youdoing today Good?
Thank you so much for having meon.
Hey, I'm so excited you're here.
I know when we first met, Ijust felt like this huge burst
of energy from you and I canrelate to that, I give off that
too, and it was just like thecoolest energy.
So I'm so excited that you'rehere and to talk about something
(01:28):
that I've experienced myself,but I feel like I definitely did
a lot more hustling than Ishould have, so I'm so excited
you're here to talk about it.
How'd you get intoentrepreneurship?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
You know, it's kind of that age old question where
it's like you don't know how toanswer it, because I think
sometimes not always because Ithink it can be developed, but I
would gather to say like, true,true, true entrepreneurship.
They've been doing it sincethey were like four, like they
just didn't know any other wayof like, wait a minute, I could
do this.
And so, like, I started sewingat the age of four and then by
(02:01):
fourth grade I was selling stuffon the playground that I had
sewn.
So for me it was really neat,like it was just born in me to
be like, hey, I think I couldmake that and sell that.
So started early on for me toanswer that question.
And then when I would get jobs,I would still be like, like,
for example, I went to schoolfor radio and TV broadcasting,
(02:22):
totally random, but I met a manand he's still my husband and I
just wanted to get married andhave babies.
So I was like, well, I'll justdo radio because I already had a
little bit of experience in it.
So, anyways, I'm doing that andI'm at the radio station and
they have me doing the 5amSunday morning program or
whatever.
And I was like, gosh, thisplace is really messy.
I'm going to ask if they need ajanitor.
So then they needed it, so thatI would be in their janitor
(02:44):
also.
And then I'm like, gosh, youguys need a new paint job.
So then I asked them if I couldpaint their stuff.
So I was always like, no matterwhat job I was in, I was still
looking at the fringe thingsaround that could be done, that
I could do.
So that helps explain a littlebit of the entrepreneur journey.
And then when I got my full-timejob in radio, it just wasn't
creative enough and so I wasstill doing the same thing where
this was a bigger radio station.
(03:04):
So I didn't need a janitor.
But I was like, can I helpwrite your copy, can I?
And they couldn't.
They couldn't say yes to thingsthat I wanted, and part of that
is just because it was morecorporate.
Like no, no, no, we have people.
And I was like, well then,we're not, I'm not your person.
So I started making the pursesjust to create a outlet,
realizing I'm just going to haveto do this H5.
(03:25):
Like this is just what it is.
And so I would come home andsew because I love accessories.
I love accessories and Ithought, well, I'll get my
sewing machine out at CreatesJoy.
And then we gave them asChristmas gifts and people
started asking, like theirfriends and family were like,
wait, where'd you get thatperson?
It was a gift.
And then they started placingorders.
And so I'd love to say the restis history, but there's 15
(03:48):
years of history in there, sowe'll talk about that a little
bit.
But that is how it started.
I started making these purses,people liked them and then they
started placing orders and thealarms went off of like, yes,
then I could stay home, raisebabies, stay married to this
cute guy and live my dream.
So that's how my journeystarted.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
So being a mom and an entrepreneur, I feel like is
one of the hardest jobs, butyou're a serial entrepreneur
meaning you have more than oneentrepreneur job, more than one
business.
So how do you kind of balanceit all?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Well, I, you know, balance used to be this word
that everybody's like don't saythe word balance, it is true,
because that's just it.
I don't know that it can bebalanced, but I do think we can
harmonize our roles.
So if we chose to be marriedand we are a spouse and we're a
mom and we're an entrepreneur,and then we pick up another
little side gig, I think theycan be harmonized.
But I think we have to beintentional about what it looks
(04:43):
like, and so I think when wetake that approach of balancing,
it means one is doing betterthan the other, or you're trying
not to get it to be like that.
Well, that's exhausting.
Like even just doing themotions is exhausting.
So I like to think of it moreas harmonizing the two of them.
I'm losing track of yourquestion, natalie.
You said, like, how do it isthe toughest job to be an
(05:05):
entrepreneur and a mom becausethere isn't a system already in
place?
Right, we're just for me, Iliterally started from scratch,
like nobody was making custompurses and now we've been doing
it, and so I do have systemsthat have developed, but I think
, because I knew I wanted tostill be a really good mom and
be present and be a great spouse.
I had to create systems,whether I created them myself
from scratch or borrowed bitsand pieces from other people.
(05:27):
That's how I knew like I havegot to have my own system if I'm
going to do both of these andmake sure that they harmonize
together.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yeah, and I feel like that's when things kind of
started evening out.
For us was like when I startedcreating like our SOPs, our
standard operating procedures,and then handing them to our
team, our virtual assistants,and then kind of just getting in
this flow where I was able totake, you know, certain days of
the week off and or able to, youknow, my daughter go to all her
doctor's appointments, so shecan be overwhelming.
(05:56):
But I like that.
You said that it's notbalancing, it's harmonizing,
which is interesting because Ido feel like there's always like
a give or a take in all thesesections of my life, right,
because I'm a mom, I'm a wife toa first responder, I am a
business owner, I am just me too.
I'm a daughter to, you know, mystepfather has Alzheimer's, all
(06:18):
these things, right.
And so I think before I had Istarted like delegating, even
delegating to my children, myhusband, which is a whole other
thing.
But once I started like relyingon other people, it no longer
felt like a tug of war, it feltmore like almost kind of like,
when those like balance means.
So it's like, okay, I'mspending a little bit more
(06:39):
attention here, and now I'mgoing to spend a little more
attention here, and so I reallylike that you said harmonizing,
because it is sometimes likejust what you said right there,
the harmonizing.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
If you think of the word harmonizing and literally
like somebody's hitting the Aand somebody's hitting the C,
it's just a lower vibration anda higher vibration and like
those can sound still reallybeautiful together.
But we'd be lying if we didn'tsay some work weeks are heavier
than our whole lives and thereverse of that.
I don't think that that has tohappen for extended amounts of
time, which is a lot of.
What everyone says is likethat's okay, you're a really
(07:10):
good mom this week and thenyou'd be really bad mom next
week.
I was like no, that is not anoption.
So how do I in fact play thebeautiful note and harmonize
these two together?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Yeah, and another interesting point to that I had
last night I heard a debateabout to do less right and one
guy's like don't do it don'thave them.
He's like put things in yourcalendar, don't have to do less,
and the other ones like, yes,have to do less, so you can
schedule it out and, you know,organize it this way.
It was just very interestingand I was actually thinking you
know, sometimes work is a lotheavier and we didn't plan for
(07:42):
it and so sometimes even I likeon my to do this or my calendar
just to schedule like breaks offree time.
I started doing this thingwhere I have calls every other
week, so whole week I don't havecalls, which I was doing like
30 calls a week.
I think that that harmonizing,like what you're saying, like
(08:04):
make one week heavier, make thenext week lighter, so that way
you can really focus on whateverarea in your life and if you
know there's a birthday comingup, make sure that's more, less
work that week.
Those birthdays don't stink upon you.
And my kids are about to turneight and seven, so yeah, I just
had a birthday this week.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
I could totally relate.
That's an interesting thingabout the to do list.
I minus so satisfying.
I gotta have it because I liketo mark the things off.
So if I didn't have what Iwould be obnoxious.
I would be so obnoxious topeople.
I need my to do list.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, and another point one the one that didn't
like the to do list was a man,and the one that did was a woman
.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So that might say something right there.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Disclaimer disclaimer right there.
So that was the but it was likea business coach of like 40
years versus, you know, a womanlike in her 30s that is a mom
and a wife and has multiplebusinesses as well.
So it's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
One of my rules for that is do not take advice from
anybody you wouldn't switchplaces with.
Oh, so think about that.
You know I'm not switchingplaces with him.
It's not that he's probably nota great guy and it has similar
priorities and values that I do,but I wouldn't switch places.
He's not living all the rolesthat I am living, so yeah, I
(09:25):
love that.
I don't mind, somebody gave itto me years ago, but I use it
when I'm always filtering, likeif I'm hiring a coach or just
visiting with anybody,attracting friendships and all
that.
It's like what I treat placeswith this person.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Yeah, understanding is very, very important.
I have a lot of clients come tome and they're so overwhelmed
because they've been the coach,the coach, the coach and I'm not
really a coach and so.
But I do like strategize and Iwork them through scenarios.
But there's a reason I don'tlabel myself as a coach and for
that scenarios because I'm liketheir last, their last hurrah.
(10:04):
They're like I just need to getthis done, but I can't do it,
so my team steps in, we handleit and I kind of forgot where I
was going with it, but anyways,so that is just, you know.
Oh yeah, so that's why, likeyou were saying, I was thinking
about like trying to get like abusiness coach so I can relate
to and they really won'tunderstand unless they've kind
(10:27):
of gone through at least some ofwhat I've gone through.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Oh my gosh, yes, 1000% guys.
Don't hire a coach that isn'tcurrently living or has lived
where you want to be, and a tonof that.
You guys don't be so dialed inon the certifications, but more
about the experience.
Yeah, so like I don't have aton of certifications and
coaching, but I have a heck of alot of experience 15 years of
(10:51):
running three different brands,kiddos, we farm in range, like
you name it and so that speakslouder than the certifications,
just the experience.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
And just to back up that statement you know I've
been running my business since2015.
And we have run so muchmarketing and website design and
funnels and automations.
I never went to college, I wasa foster kid.
So yeah where'd you get yourmarketing degree?
And it's never my clients toask me this.
It's like people that want todo what I do and I'm like I
(11:20):
didn't.
You know, I just self taughtand you know trial and error and
learning from other businessowners, and that's kind of where
I got to do.
So I think it's also, you know,the experience is really
important, because they actuallyhave done the things that
they're going to teach you to do.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
And here's the best part that also probably tell you
what they failed at.
At least a good coach will tellyou their failures and their
successes so that you can learnand not have to do the really
expensive lessons that failed.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Yeah, and I feel like a lot of coaches try away from
like the negative aspect.
But I think it's so importantto like talk about the failures
and talk about the negatives.
And even, you know, I've beentalking with a client of mine
and it's really struggling inthe hiring process and so we
talk about the worst scenarioand we talk about the best
scenario and then we talk aboutthe middle and I just think that
(12:08):
something so therapeutic aboutthat.
So when she does experience theworst, if she does, if she is
prepared for it, mentally,Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I always put in my hiring process one of the lines
in there and I will boldly sayis unapologetically positive.
Oh, that might be intimidating.
I'm like, nope, not for theright person.
I want like because I'm notgoing to like, come down from my
little Pollyanna viewpoint.
Guys, believe me, I'm notalways a positive and energetic
and stuff, but I need to attractthe people that can still stay
(12:38):
there and want to get there aswell.
Like their desire is for thepositive.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Yeah, 100%, and you know that's what's going to
really drive them to completesomething.
Their goal is having thatpositivity and that right energy
?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Yeah, absolutely, plus, I'm the encourager.
If you do have one of those badmoments, I'm going to encourage
you up, Like I'll build you up.
We'll do this, we'll finish thecraft, we'll cross the finish
line together.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Yeah, that's amazing.
So what type of people do youcoach and kind of help through?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
A lot of them are women entrepreneurs.
Or I actually do a lot ofcoaching of stay-at-home moms
also who are running eithernonprofits or just want to be
more in tuned to systems withintheir home.
But maybe they want to start alittle side gig.
So it might be an MLM, it mightbe volunteering more at their
(13:27):
Christian school, it might justbe they're doing something other
, and I do not mean disrespectfor stay-at-home moms, but
they're doing something otherthan just the amazingness and
the amount of work that'sinvolved in the home, so usually
have one other side gig thatthey're doing.
Or I coach a lot of people likeyou said.
They're on their last threadand they're like I just I need
to take this home and I don'thave the know-how.
(13:47):
So mine is.
I just feel completely chaoticin both home and work life and I
don't know where to start.
And they're my favorite becauseI have a framework called the
five systems that just likewalks them through it, but it's
self-guided.
So I can say like and I lovewhen I get to coaching,
especially one-on-one, because Ipick up on the things that
delight them.
You've seen it on a client'sface and their face lights up
and you're like wait a minute.
(14:08):
You just like really came alivethere and they're like, and
embarrassed to admit it, like Idon't know why, but I love
shopping for vacuum cleaners.
But well, tell me more aboutthat and then you know it also
might cater.
When I learn what they'reexcited about or what's lighting
them up that they aren't evenwilling to admit to themselves,
then I'm like, well, let's likepull that thread a little bit
(14:28):
and talk about that.
Maybe they love laundry andthey're like I just don't allow
enough days for laundry.
Believe me, there is people outthere that do that and I was
like, oh, not me.
But I'm like well, then let'sreply a little bit more time to
figuring out your laundry system.
So it's not overwhelming and itgoes back to that you get into
binge, watch whatever while youfold laundry, you know.
So that's a lot of.
Who I coach is people that arejust very overwhelmed with home
(14:50):
and work life and are receivingthe message that you can't do
both.
Well, it has to be one or theother every other week or
whatever.
Like it's not, like we're notgoing to parent, and I'm like I
don't believe that is true andI've been doing it for 15 years
and I am not always joyful andthey are not always beautifully
harmonized, but for the mostpart we do them well together,
which is why I can pick upanother brand and I can pick up
(15:11):
another pursuit, because we havesystems in place.
So that's who I like to coachand who I like to keep rallying
around and telling them that, no, it is possible to do both well
and with joy, cause they'relike well, I guess it just
requires more hustle.
I'm like no, it doesn't.
No, no, no, no, I try to removeas much hustle as possible.
It's too exhausting.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Yeah, that's awesome.
So I actually I think that's soneeded because I had two
children 12 months apart andthen I had to find a side hustle
to help contribute to thehousehold and that's kind of how
I got into my whole businessand virtual performance and so
having I always say that youknow, I started being a mom at
(15:54):
the same time I became anentrepreneur, which is sounds
like that's like a lot of peoplewho you coach that is so
overwhelming.
I actually got diagnosed withlike sleep deprivation because I
wasn't sleeping enough and ohman, it was horrible and I think
that's also.
We had the rockest time in mymarriage was, you know, when the
kids were babies, of course,because you really don't
(16:17):
understand until you're thrustinto it just like how much it is
.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
So we did absolutely yeah, when were you when my kids
were little?
I might just have to hire younow, even though there's almost
seven and eight.
I would love it because there'sstill, like I always say
there's, I mean so far with myfour kids.
This has been true for me, butI don't know that's true for
everybody.
There is a sweet period inparenting, from about the age of
(16:41):
five to about 10, 11.
That is so awesome.
They're like self-sufficient,They've got opinions, but
they're still lovey-dovey.
And then past 10, then there'sa little bit more parenting.
But you are in that sweetperiod.
So just soak up every lastminute of that sweet period.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, I love they'll do chore charts Like they love
it.
My daughter loves to know thatshe has to put her glasses on
every morning and see it on alittle paper and it's like the
yeah.
And they got really coolpersonalities.
You get to see what they'regood at.
I love.
I love the stage.
I did not like before five.
I loved my kids, I loved myfamily, but under five was like.
(17:20):
So someone is listening intheir experience and saying that
right now I'm with you, I'mjust sending you positive
thoughts, but it's hard and itdoes get better.
There is that sweet spot.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
So there's a sweet spot.
I always wish they would havecame in at the age of two,
because that newborn stage to meI was like this is a seven
pound sack of flour and I justhave to keep it alive.
So there was just like so muchnervousness.
Now I got better, obviously,with each one of them I'm like I
just I would like to have aconversation with God about the
age of two, on the little moremanageable and a little less
(17:53):
scary.
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
I remember, you know, we've been through a couple of
hurricanes and, as a formerMassachusetts girl, we never had
hurricanes in Massachusetts, sowe had blizzards.
I could take those any day, buthurricanes are a whole nother
beast.
And I remember, you know, myhusband was a first responder,
so he was working during thehurricane.
So I was at home with twobabies and a dog and I was like
(18:16):
who gave me a license to takecare of these human beings?
Who certified me to do this?
And then who gave me thepermission to hire people, to be
a boss and to like help peoplein their businesses that they're
livelihood Like I'm like, whogave me permission to do this?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
This is such a good segue.
Now, luke, I can't help butthink you saying that is so
relatable, right, but themessage out there is like it's
all chaotic and it's gonna befine, you're gonna get through
it.
And I'm like that is a crack ofbull, if I be so bold.
You were given these roles fora reason.
I'm a woman of faith, so I knowthat God gave you these
individual roles and he sees youfit to do them.
(18:59):
Do not let anybody tell you itis not possible.
Even when they're teeny, tiny,like you talked about, if you
are pursuing a side hustle, itmay not look like when they're
five, but you could still do itat 1%.
You could still be having oneclient or one product or one
social media platform.
You guys like it's still doable, and you asking yourself
because I still like, am Iqualified to do this?
(19:21):
And then you throw yourshoulders back and you're like,
yeah, I am, yeah, I am.
I got through hurricanes withtwo babies and a dog while my
husband was out servingeverybody else.
I can do this Like.
So, from leaving the fact thatwhen you pursue a role or you're
holding a role, that it's allin the big picture of what
you're capable of, 100%, yeah,yeah, yeah, I don't.
(19:46):
I don't believe it needs to bechaotic, because it's not like
we can say no to some of theroles.
You can't stop being a daughter.
You can't stop taking care ofyour stepdad.
You can't stop being a spouse,or we don't want to.
You know, like.
So how am I going to managethese wells, these roles?
Well, and it's possible.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Yeah, 100%.
So where can we learn moreabout you and find more about
your?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
services, oh, awesome .
Well, there's tons of resourcesout there.
So I do run three brands.
So if you're interested in thecoaching or my podcast, I have
250 plus episodes so you canbinge listen to all kinds of my
resources and my practical tipsand actions at the encourage
your podcast, calm, or if yousearch for the encourage around
any of your podcast apps On mywebsite, there's tons of these
free resources where we have ahabit tracker, probably similar
(20:29):
to what Natalie offers as well.
We just have a ton of freeresources on there, and I've
also made a digital coursecalled the encourage your
Academy and that has the fivesystems that I run my life with
and it's Less than six hours soyou can absorb it in a weekend,
you guys, and it's just sopractical.
You walk away with a worksheetfrom every system so that you
can cater it to your uniquelifestyle, and you can.
(20:51):
You have lifetime access so youcan go back to be like you know
what I really need to revisitmy food system.
It's totally broke.
You have lifetime access to theAcademy and then I also offer
One-on-one coaching.
If you're interested in that,I'd love to stand beside you
because, again, I'll recognizewhen your face lights up and the
different roles that you wantto improve.
I'll rally behind you and I'vegot tons of easy, practical
(21:13):
things to start implementingthem so you'll see the results
that you want.
And then, if you want a reallycute purse as long as we are
alive yeah, I'm a video guys.
I make custom purses that areand so if you go to design your
own purse comm, you get tocustomize your own person
accessories, including somegenuine leather products as well
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I'll make sure all that's in the show notes, as
always as well.
But thank you so much forcoming on.
It's been so much fun.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Yes, and guys, listen to the encourager, because
Natalie's gonna be on mine.
I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
All right, and we'll talk to you guys, next time on
the virtual index podcast.
Welcome to the Virtual Antics podcast, where we
help entrepreneurs streamlinetheir business to six figures
and beyond.
These short, sweet and infopacked episodes will inspire,
educate and leave you feelingmotivated to take one more step
forward in your business.
So put down your never-endingto-do list, because in this
podcast we are interviewing thebest of the best in the
entrepreneurial world as theyspill their secrets to success.
(00:23):
This podcast is sponsored byNandora, the all-in-one software
for entrepreneurs to grow theirbusiness, with unlimited
landing pages, automations,emails and text campaigns, and
so much more.
I'm your host, natalie Guzman.
Now let's get into it.
Welcome back to Virtual Anticspodcast.
As always, I'm your host,natalie Guzman.
I am so excited because I havejust the coolest person ever on
(00:46):
the call today.
So Rebecca Scott is here andshe is a Midwest Mama serial
entrepreneur.
I can relate.
Host of the Encourager podcast,designer and founder of a
handmade purse and accessorybrand for 15 years, and she is a
coach for moms, committed tohelping them thrive in their
multi-passionate lifestylewithout hustling.
(01:08):
Welcome, rebecca, how are youdoing today Good?
Thank you so much for having meon.
Hey, I'm so excited you're here.
I know when we first met, Ijust felt like this huge burst
of energy from you and I canrelate to that, I give off that
too, and it was just like thecoolest energy.
So I'm so excited that you'rehere and to talk about something
(01:28):
that I've experienced myself,but I feel like I definitely did
a lot more hustling than Ishould have, so I'm so excited
you're here to talk about it.
How'd you get intoentrepreneurship?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
You know, it's kind of that age old question where
it's like you don't know how toanswer it, because I think
sometimes not always because Ithink it can be developed, but I
would gather to say like, true,true, true entrepreneurship.
They've been doing it sincethey were like four, like they
just didn't know any other wayof like, wait a minute, I could
do this.
And so, like, I started sewingat the age of four and then by
(02:01):
fourth grade I was selling stuffon the playground that I had
sewn.
So for me it was really neat,like it was just born in me to
be like, hey, I think I couldmake that and sell that.
So started early on for me toanswer that question.
And then when I would get jobs,I would still be like, like,
for example, I went to schoolfor radio and TV broadcasting,
(02:22):
totally random, but I met a manand he's still my husband and I
just wanted to get married andhave babies.
So I was like, well, I'll justdo radio because I already had a
little bit of experience in it.
So, anyways, I'm doing that andI'm at the radio station and
they have me doing the 5amSunday morning program or
whatever.
And I was like, gosh, thisplace is really messy.
I'm going to ask if they need ajanitor.
So then they needed it, so thatI would be in their janitor
(02:44):
also.
And then I'm like, gosh, youguys need a new paint job.
So then I asked them if I couldpaint their stuff.
So I was always like, no matterwhat job I was in, I was still
looking at the fringe thingsaround that could be done, that
I could do.
So that helps explain a littlebit of the entrepreneur journey.
And then when I got my full-timejob in radio, it just wasn't
creative enough and so I wasstill doing the same thing where
this was a bigger radio station.
(03:04):
So I didn't need a janitor.
But I was like, can I helpwrite your copy, can I?
And they couldn't.
They couldn't say yes to thingsthat I wanted, and part of that
is just because it was morecorporate.
Like no, no, no, we have people.
And I was like, well then,we're not, I'm not your person.
So I started making the pursesjust to create a outlet,
realizing I'm just going to haveto do this H5.
(03:25):
Like this is just what it is.
And so I would come home andsew because I love accessories.
I love accessories and Ithought, well, I'll get my
sewing machine out at CreatesJoy.
And then we gave them asChristmas gifts and people
started asking, like theirfriends and family were like,
wait, where'd you get thatperson?
It was a gift.
And then they started placingorders.
And so I'd love to say the restis history, but there's 15
(03:48):
years of history in there, sowe'll talk about that a little
bit.
But that is how it started.
I started making these purses,people liked them and then they
started placing orders and thealarms went off of like, yes,
then I could stay home, raisebabies, stay married to this
cute guy and live my dream.
So that's how my journeystarted.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
So being a mom and an entrepreneur, I feel like is
one of the hardest jobs, butyou're a serial entrepreneur
meaning you have more than oneentrepreneur job, more than one
business.
So how do you kind of balanceit all?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Well, I, you know, balance used to be this word
that everybody's like don't saythe word balance, it is true,
because that's just it.
I don't know that it can bebalanced, but I do think we can
harmonize our roles.
So if we chose to be marriedand we are a spouse and we're a
mom and we're an entrepreneur,and then we pick up another
little side gig, I think theycan be harmonized.
But I think we have to beintentional about what it looks
(04:43):
like, and so I think when wetake that approach of balancing,
it means one is doing betterthan the other, or you're trying
not to get it to be like that.
Well, that's exhausting.
Like even just doing themotions is exhausting.
So I like to think of it moreas harmonizing the two of them.
I'm losing track of yourquestion, natalie.
You said, like, how do it isthe toughest job to be an
(05:05):
entrepreneur and a mom becausethere isn't a system already in
place?
Right, we're just for me, Iliterally started from scratch,
like nobody was making custompurses and now we've been doing
it, and so I do have systemsthat have developed, but I think
, because I knew I wanted tostill be a really good mom and
be present and be a great spouse.
I had to create systems,whether I created them myself
from scratch or borrowed bitsand pieces from other people.
(05:27):
That's how I knew like I havegot to have my own system if I'm
going to do both of these andmake sure that they harmonize
together.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yeah, and I feel like that's when things kind of
started evening out.
For us was like when I startedcreating like our SOPs, our
standard operating procedures,and then handing them to our
team, our virtual assistants,and then kind of just getting in
this flow where I was able totake, you know, certain days of
the week off and or able to, youknow, my daughter go to all her
doctor's appointments, so shecan be overwhelming.
(05:56):
But I like that.
You said that it's notbalancing, it's harmonizing,
which is interesting because Ido feel like there's always like
a give or a take in all thesesections of my life, right,
because I'm a mom, I'm a wife toa first responder, I am a
business owner, I am just me too.
I'm a daughter to, you know, mystepfather has Alzheimer's, all
(06:18):
these things, right.
And so I think before I had Istarted like delegating, even
delegating to my children, myhusband, which is a whole other
thing.
But once I started like relyingon other people, it no longer
felt like a tug of war, it feltmore like almost kind of like,
when those like balance means.
So it's like, okay, I'mspending a little bit more
(06:39):
attention here, and now I'mgoing to spend a little more
attention here, and so I reallylike that you said harmonizing,
because it is sometimes likejust what you said right there,
the harmonizing.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
If you think of the word harmonizing and literally
like somebody's hitting the Aand somebody's hitting the C,
it's just a lower vibration anda higher vibration and like
those can sound still reallybeautiful together.
But we'd be lying if we didn'tsay some work weeks are heavier
than our whole lives and thereverse of that.
I don't think that that has tohappen for extended amounts of
time, which is a lot of.
What everyone says is likethat's okay, you're a really
(07:10):
good mom this week and thenyou'd be really bad mom next
week.
I was like no, that is not anoption.
So how do I in fact play thebeautiful note and harmonize
these two together?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Yeah, and another interesting point to that I had
last night I heard a debateabout to do less right and one
guy's like don't do it don'thave them.
He's like put things in yourcalendar, don't have to do less,
and the other ones like, yes,have to do less, so you can
schedule it out and, you know,organize it this way.
It was just very interestingand I was actually thinking you
know, sometimes work is a lotheavier and we didn't plan for
(07:42):
it and so sometimes even I likeon my to do this or my calendar
just to schedule like breaks offree time.
I started doing this thingwhere I have calls every other
week, so whole week I don't havecalls, which I was doing like
30 calls a week.
I think that that harmonizing,like what you're saying, like
(08:04):
make one week heavier, make thenext week lighter, so that way
you can really focus on whateverarea in your life and if you
know there's a birthday comingup, make sure that's more, less
work that week.
Those birthdays don't stink upon you.
And my kids are about to turneight and seven, so yeah, I just
had a birthday this week.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
I could totally relate.
That's an interesting thingabout the to do list.
I minus so satisfying.
I gotta have it because I liketo mark the things off.
So if I didn't have what Iwould be obnoxious.
I would be so obnoxious topeople.
I need my to do list.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, and another point one the one that didn't
like the to do list was a man,and the one that did was a woman
.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So that might say something right there.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Disclaimer disclaimer right there.
So that was the but it was likea business coach of like 40
years versus, you know, a womanlike in her 30s that is a mom
and a wife and has multiplebusinesses as well.
So it's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
One of my rules for that is do not take advice from
anybody you wouldn't switchplaces with.
Oh, so think about that.
You know I'm not switchingplaces with him.
It's not that he's probably nota great guy and it has similar
priorities and values that I do,but I wouldn't switch places.
He's not living all the rolesthat I am living, so yeah, I
(09:25):
love that.
I don't mind, somebody gave itto me years ago, but I use it
when I'm always filtering, likeif I'm hiring a coach or just
visiting with anybody,attracting friendships and all
that.
It's like what I treat placeswith this person.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Yeah, understanding is very, very important.
I have a lot of clients come tome and they're so overwhelmed
because they've been the coach,the coach, the coach and I'm not
really a coach and so.
But I do like strategize and Iwork them through scenarios.
But there's a reason I don'tlabel myself as a coach and for
that scenarios because I'm liketheir last, their last hurrah.
(10:04):
They're like I just need to getthis done, but I can't do it,
so my team steps in, we handleit and I kind of forgot where I
was going with it, but anyways,so that is just, you know.
Oh yeah, so that's why, likeyou were saying, I was thinking
about like trying to get like abusiness coach so I can relate
to and they really won'tunderstand unless they've kind
(10:27):
of gone through at least some ofwhat I've gone through.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Oh my gosh, yes, 1000% guys.
Don't hire a coach that isn'tcurrently living or has lived
where you want to be, and a tonof that.
You guys don't be so dialed inon the certifications, but more
about the experience.
Yeah, so like I don't have aton of certifications and
coaching, but I have a heck of alot of experience 15 years of
(10:51):
running three different brands,kiddos, we farm in range, like
you name it and so that speakslouder than the certifications,
just the experience.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
And just to back up that statement you know I've
been running my business since2015.
And we have run so muchmarketing and website design and
funnels and automations.
I never went to college, I wasa foster kid.
So yeah where'd you get yourmarketing degree?
And it's never my clients toask me this.
It's like people that want todo what I do and I'm like I
(11:20):
didn't.
You know, I just self taughtand you know trial and error and
learning from other businessowners, and that's kind of where
I got to do.
So I think it's also, you know,the experience is really
important, because they actuallyhave done the things that
they're going to teach you to do.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
And here's the best part that also probably tell you
what they failed at.
At least a good coach will tellyou their failures and their
successes so that you can learnand not have to do the really
expensive lessons that failed.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Yeah, and I feel like a lot of coaches try away from
like the negative aspect.
But I think it's so importantto like talk about the failures
and talk about the negatives.
And even, you know, I've beentalking with a client of mine
and it's really struggling inthe hiring process and so we
talk about the worst scenarioand we talk about the best
scenario and then we talk aboutthe middle and I just think that
(12:08):
something so therapeutic aboutthat.
So when she does experience theworst, if she does, if she is
prepared for it, mentally,Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I always put in my hiring process one of the lines
in there and I will boldly sayis unapologetically positive.
Oh, that might be intimidating.
I'm like, nope, not for theright person.
I want like because I'm notgoing to like, come down from my
little Pollyanna viewpoint.
Guys, believe me, I'm notalways a positive and energetic
and stuff, but I need to attractthe people that can still stay
(12:38):
there and want to get there aswell.
Like their desire is for thepositive.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Yeah, 100%, and you know that's what's going to
really drive them to completesomething.
Their goal is having thatpositivity and that right energy
?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Yeah, absolutely, plus, I'm the encourager.
If you do have one of those badmoments, I'm going to encourage
you up, Like I'll build you up.
We'll do this, we'll finish thecraft, we'll cross the finish
line together.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Yeah, that's amazing.
So what type of people do youcoach and kind of help through?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
A lot of them are women entrepreneurs.
Or I actually do a lot ofcoaching of stay-at-home moms
also who are running eithernonprofits or just want to be
more in tuned to systems withintheir home.
But maybe they want to start alittle side gig.
So it might be an MLM, it mightbe volunteering more at their
(13:27):
Christian school, it might justbe they're doing something other
, and I do not mean disrespectfor stay-at-home moms, but
they're doing something otherthan just the amazingness and
the amount of work that'sinvolved in the home, so usually
have one other side gig thatthey're doing.
Or I coach a lot of people likeyou said.
They're on their last threadand they're like I just I need
to take this home and I don'thave the know-how.
(13:47):
So mine is.
I just feel completely chaoticin both home and work life and I
don't know where to start.
And they're my favorite becauseI have a framework called the
five systems that just likewalks them through it, but it's
self-guided.
So I can say like and I lovewhen I get to coaching,
especially one-on-one, because Ipick up on the things that
delight them.
You've seen it on a client'sface and their face lights up
and you're like wait a minute.
(14:08):
You just like really came alivethere and they're like, and
embarrassed to admit it, like Idon't know why, but I love
shopping for vacuum cleaners.
But well, tell me more aboutthat and then you know it also
might cater.
When I learn what they'reexcited about or what's lighting
them up that they aren't evenwilling to admit to themselves,
then I'm like, well, let's likepull that thread a little bit
(14:28):
and talk about that.
Maybe they love laundry andthey're like I just don't allow
enough days for laundry.
Believe me, there is people outthere that do that and I was
like, oh, not me.
But I'm like well, then let'sreply a little bit more time to
figuring out your laundry system.
So it's not overwhelming and itgoes back to that you get into
binge, watch whatever while youfold laundry, you know.
So that's a lot of.
Who I coach is people that arejust very overwhelmed with home
(14:50):
and work life and are receivingthe message that you can't do
both.
Well, it has to be one or theother every other week or
whatever.
Like it's not, like we're notgoing to parent, and I'm like I
don't believe that is true andI've been doing it for 15 years
and I am not always joyful andthey are not always beautifully
harmonized, but for the mostpart we do them well together,
which is why I can pick upanother brand and I can pick up
(15:11):
another pursuit, because we havesystems in place.
So that's who I like to coachand who I like to keep rallying
around and telling them that, no, it is possible to do both well
and with joy, cause they'relike well, I guess it just
requires more hustle.
I'm like no, it doesn't.
No, no, no, no, I try to removeas much hustle as possible.
It's too exhausting.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Yeah, that's awesome.
So I actually I think that's soneeded because I had two
children 12 months apart andthen I had to find a side hustle
to help contribute to thehousehold and that's kind of how
I got into my whole businessand virtual performance and so
having I always say that youknow, I started being a mom at
(15:54):
the same time I became anentrepreneur, which is sounds
like that's like a lot of peoplewho you coach that is so
overwhelming.
I actually got diagnosed withlike sleep deprivation because I
wasn't sleeping enough and ohman, it was horrible and I think
that's also.
We had the rockest time in mymarriage was, you know, when the
kids were babies, of course,because you really don't
(16:17):
understand until you're thrustinto it just like how much it is
.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
So we did absolutely yeah, when were you when my kids
were little?
I might just have to hire younow, even though there's almost
seven and eight.
I would love it because there'sstill, like I always say
there's, I mean so far with myfour kids.
This has been true for me, butI don't know that's true for
everybody.
There is a sweet period inparenting, from about the age of
(16:41):
five to about 10, 11.
That is so awesome.
They're like self-sufficient,They've got opinions, but
they're still lovey-dovey.
And then past 10, then there'sa little bit more parenting.
But you are in that sweetperiod.
So just soak up every lastminute of that sweet period.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, I love they'll do chore charts Like they love
it.
My daughter loves to know thatshe has to put her glasses on
every morning and see it on alittle paper and it's like the
yeah.
And they got really coolpersonalities.
You get to see what they'regood at.
I love.
I love the stage.
I did not like before five.
I loved my kids, I loved myfamily, but under five was like.
(17:20):
So someone is listening intheir experience and saying that
right now I'm with you, I'mjust sending you positive
thoughts, but it's hard and itdoes get better.
There is that sweet spot.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
So there's a sweet spot.
I always wish they would havecame in at the age of two,
because that newborn stage to meI was like this is a seven
pound sack of flour and I justhave to keep it alive.
So there was just like so muchnervousness.
Now I got better, obviously,with each one of them I'm like I
just I would like to have aconversation with God about the
age of two, on the little moremanageable and a little less
(17:53):
scary.
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
I remember, you know, we've been through a couple of
hurricanes and, as a formerMassachusetts girl, we never had
hurricanes in Massachusetts, sowe had blizzards.
I could take those any day, buthurricanes are a whole nother
beast.
And I remember, you know, myhusband was a first responder,
so he was working during thehurricane.
So I was at home with twobabies and a dog and I was like
(18:16):
who gave me a license to takecare of these human beings?
Who certified me to do this?
And then who gave me thepermission to hire people, to be
a boss and to like help peoplein their businesses that they're
livelihood Like I'm like, whogave me permission to do this?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
This is such a good segue.
Now, luke, I can't help butthink you saying that is so
relatable, right, but themessage out there is like it's
all chaotic and it's gonna befine, you're gonna get through
it.
And I'm like that is a crack ofbull, if I be so bold.
You were given these roles fora reason.
I'm a woman of faith, so I knowthat God gave you these
individual roles and he sees youfit to do them.
(18:59):
Do not let anybody tell you itis not possible.
Even when they're teeny, tiny,like you talked about, if you
are pursuing a side hustle, itmay not look like when they're
five, but you could still do itat 1%.
You could still be having oneclient or one product or one
social media platform.
You guys like it's still doable, and you asking yourself
because I still like, am Iqualified to do this?
(19:21):
And then you throw yourshoulders back and you're like,
yeah, I am, yeah, I am.
I got through hurricanes withtwo babies and a dog while my
husband was out servingeverybody else.
I can do this Like.
So, from leaving the fact thatwhen you pursue a role or you're
holding a role, that it's allin the big picture of what
you're capable of, 100%, yeah,yeah, yeah, I don't.
(19:46):
I don't believe it needs to bechaotic, because it's not like
we can say no to some of theroles.
You can't stop being a daughter.
You can't stop taking care ofyour stepdad.
You can't stop being a spouse,or we don't want to.
You know, like.
So how am I going to managethese wells, these roles?
Well, and it's possible.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Yeah, 100%.
So where can we learn moreabout you and find more about
your?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
services, oh, awesome .
Well, there's tons of resourcesout there.
So I do run three brands.
So if you're interested in thecoaching or my podcast, I have
250 plus episodes so you canbinge listen to all kinds of my
resources and my practical tipsand actions at the encourage
your podcast, calm, or if yousearch for the encourage around
any of your podcast apps On mywebsite, there's tons of these
free resources where we have ahabit tracker, probably similar
(20:29):
to what Natalie offers as well.
We just have a ton of freeresources on there, and I've
also made a digital coursecalled the encourage your
Academy and that has the fivesystems that I run my life with
and it's Less than six hours soyou can absorb it in a weekend,
you guys, and it's just sopractical.
You walk away with a worksheetfrom every system so that you
can cater it to your uniquelifestyle, and you can.
(20:51):
You have lifetime access so youcan go back to be like you know
what I really need to revisitmy food system.
It's totally broke.
You have lifetime access to theAcademy and then I also offer
One-on-one coaching.
If you're interested in that,I'd love to stand beside you
because, again, I'll recognizewhen your face lights up and the
different roles that you wantto improve.
I'll rally behind you and I'vegot tons of easy, practical
(21:13):
things to start implementingthem so you'll see the results
that you want.
And then, if you want a reallycute purse as long as we are
alive yeah, I'm a video guys.
I make custom purses that areand so if you go to design your
own purse comm, you get tocustomize your own person
accessories, including somegenuine leather products as well
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I'll make sure all that's in the show notes, as
always as well.
But thank you so much forcoming on.
It's been so much fun.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Yes, and guys, listen to the encourager, because
Natalie's gonna be on mine.
I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
All right, and we'll talk to you guys, next time on
the virtual index podcast.
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