The Boss Mom Podcast

Being a mom and running a business can be really hard. We often feel guilty because we're not sure if we're doing the right things for our kids or our jobs. Guilt is a common emotion, particularly among mom entrepreneurs juggling dreams and responsibilities. It can be a motivator and a hindrance, and learning how to manage it effectively is essential. Why do we feel guilty about caring so much for our families and our dreams? I know how hard it is to balance both, and it can really make us question our decisions. In this episode, I will introduce a special tool which I use that will help you think about what you want to achieve with your money, how you want to feel, and what kind of environment you need to be happy and productive. "It's legitimate to feel guilty if you've made choices that you aren't sure were right. That's a completely natural human way to feel." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Understanding the Root of Guilt Guilt is tied to the uncertainty of making the right decisions in parenting and business. Have you ever questioned whether you're making the right choices for your family or your career? -Implementing the F.E.E. Test Use this test to evaluate your decisions. How can breaking down your goals into 3 categories help reduce your feelings of guilt? -Creating a Supportive Environment Adjust your environment for better productivity and less frustration. What small changes can you make to balance work and family life effectively?

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant decision-making, juggling business tasks, and the never-ending responsibilities of motherhood, you're not alone. Balancing business and motherhood means constant decisions I have to make and the feeling of always being behind. That's why it's important to find real advice and true connections in a world full of repeated ideas. So, how do we decide which option to take when we're overwhelmed with choices? In this episode, join me as I open up about what it really means to be a Boss Mom. I invite you to reflect on your own experiences and consider what truly resonates with your lives and values. "I want a business that is scalable no matter where I am, that ebbs and flows with how my life is going to ebb and flow." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Balancing Business and Motherhood The flexibility of running a business can actually lead to more disruptions. How do you manage the unique challenges of being a mom and an entrepreneur? -The Importance of Genuine Connection In a world full of repeated content, how do you find real advice and true connections? -Building a Supportive Community BossMom+ can provide the support and advice you need to navigate the complexities of life and business. Why is it important to have a home base for moms building businesses?

Many people think that online courses and social media are the best ways to grow your business, but smaller, close-knit groups can be even better. Building strong, personal connections is really important in today's business world. For moms, this is very helpful. Moms can make strong connections and grow their businesses by joining smaller, personal groups, without the stress of trying to be everywhere online, all the time. With your busy schedule, how can you find the right people and groups to help you? Can small, close-knit groups really help your business grow? In today's episode, I talk about the big changes in business trends over the past 30 years. From the blogging craze of the 2000s to the boom of online courses in the 2010s, I see a move towards intimate networking and smaller communities. I'm sharing how these changes affect where you should focus your business efforts today, especially in an uncertain economy. "I think we're moving into a space of finding your loyal space, growing with that, and becoming micro famous there, because there's not enough energy, especially for moms, to be everywhere." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -The Evolution of Business Trends Business trends have changed a lot over the past 30 years. How can you adapt to these changes for better business growth? -Adapting to a Hesitant Economy In uncertain times, people are more careful about spending money. How can you show clear value in your offerings to attract customers? -The Future of Networking Smaller, paid communities are becoming more effective than broad social media strategies. How can you build strong, loyal connections in these intimate groups?

As entrepreneurs, we've been tricked into believing that a successful brand is all about having the perfect strategy or the best marketing techniques. So we work tirelessly, pouring their heart and soul into our businesses, only to feel disconnected, overwhelmed and burned out on marketing. Have you ever wondered why, despite your hard work, your business isn't growing as you hoped? The reality is that nurturing genuine connections and creating a loyal community takes more than just effort—it requires a deep understanding of your audience and a commitment to authenticity. In this episode, I share my journey of building a strong and connected community over the past decade. I reveal the proven ways that have helped me foster a sense of belonging among my followers and also talk about the mistakes I made along the way. "You can't help everybody, sometimes the people that need you the most don't have the bandwidth to do and implement what you want to teach them. You can't build a profitable business on the people that need you the most." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Separate Yourself from Your Content If you don't take your content too personally, you won't be afraid to share your ideas and connect with others. How do you create a separation between your content and your identity? -Help Those Who Are Ready We want to help the people who need us the most but you can't build a business on people in survival mode. Who should we focus on instead? -Share a Common Goal When people believe in the same goal, they work better together. How do you tap into what you and your community want to change in the world?

Most people think profit is all about money. They work tirelessly, sacrificing their time, energy, and well-being, only to find themselves burnt out and unfulfilled. Society has conditioned us to believe that just having enough is acceptable, but this mindset keeps us trapped in survival mode. Have you ever asked yourself why you never seem to have enough time, energy, or emotional freedom? The truth is, you're probably stuck in a cycle of just getting by. You might think, "If I just work a little harder, I'll achieve financial freedom." But even with more money, the exhaustion and emotional drain continue. It feels like there's no way out. In this episode, Heather Chauvin returns. As a business owner who defines profit in a way that goes beyond just financial gains, she shares how to align your actions with your desires and truly thrive. "Profit is not just about money but it's about time freedom and emotional freedom." -Heather Chauvin 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Profit Is More Than Just Money Profit isn't just about making money but it also means having more time and feeling good. Have you ever thought about how having more time and energy can make you feel richer? -Stop Just Getting By Many people think they only deserve just enough to get by, but this keeps them stuck and tired. What if you could feel happy and have more than just enough? -Match Your Actions With What You Want To really change, you need to do things that match what you want in life. Can small daily actions really make a big difference in your happiness and success? Guest Bio Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach who helps 'successful' women courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. Heather started her career as a social worker helping adults understand children's behavior. But it wasn't until 2013 when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis pushed her to take a deeper stand for change, uncovering how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. She has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Real Simple Magazine, Mind Body Green, Google, and more. When Heather isn't working, you will find her living out what she teaches which may include kayaking Alaska, snowboarding, hiking, or anything else that challenges what she believes is possible for herself (and inviting her children along the journey). Life is full of opportunities. It's time to feel alive. Listen to her podcast at https://www.heatherchauvin.com/podcast. For free tools & resources from Heather, visit https://heatherchauvin.com/freegifts. Follow Heather Chauvin on Instagram: @heatherchauvin_

Being a mom is hard, and sometimes it feels like nobody understands. We see perfect moms in books and movies, but real life isn't like that. This makes moms feel even more stressed and lonely. We try to do everything and be perfect, but it's exhausting. It's easy to feel like we're not good enough. Real-life moms are not perfect, and that's okay. We need to support each other and find help when we need it. We need to remember that every mom is doing her best. Books and real-life experiences help us understand what being a mom is all about. In real life, we learn from our own moms and the people around us. What role do books play in helping moms feel seen and understood in their struggles? In this episode, I talk with Carrie Mullins, a mom and writer who wrote a book called The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood. We discuss timeless tales, what they mean for real moms today, and how we can be kinder to ourselves and find support from others. It's not just that moms get mad, but good moms get mad too. The recent adaptation of Little Women surprised people with a good mom getting angry, showing we haven't really made that connection yet. -Carrie Mullins 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Books Shape Ideas Stories in books help shape how we see moms. These ideas can stick with us for a long time. What lessons about motherhood can we learn from our favorite books? -Finding the Balance Moms often feel torn between what they think they should be and what they really are. How can moms find a balance between their own expectations and reality? -Support is Key Understanding how tough being a mom can be helps us support each other better. What are some ways we can offer more support to the moms in our lives? Guest Bio Carrie Mullins is a writer and mother of two whose work has appeared in publications such as Parents, Food and Wine, Scary Mommy, and Lit Hub. She is the author of The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood, an exploration of fifteen classic novels and how they have shaped our cultural understanding of motherhood. She is always on the lookout for nuanced, inclusive, and realistic conversations around parenting--and a good book. Go to https://www.carriemullins.com/the-book-of-mothers.html for more information.

A lot of marketing strategies today feel cold and don't work well. This makes it hard for busy moms to connect with their audience while taking care of their families. What if there's a way to market that not only helps you build real relationships but also helps your business grow? Many traditional marketing methods leave moms feeling tired and disconnected, making it tough to manage both work and family. How can you create a business that really connects with people and lasts a long time? In this episode, I'm interviewed by Krista Lockwood and we talk all about how important it is to build relationships and create a community-focused business. "Nurture marketing is the idea of cultivating a relationship over time with people you don't know." - Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Nurture MessagingBuild relationships by making your audience feel noticed and important. What can your business gain from taking care of your audience? -Results MessagingTo build trust, show your results and prove you're good at what you do. What can you do to increase the trust of your audience? -Conversion MessagingGet people to take action by solving their problems. How can learning to do this well help you sell more and get more people interested?

Life is cyclical and seasonal, but adapting to these cycles can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Many moms put a lot of energy into trying to maintain control, only to end up overwhelmed and out of sync. The truth is, being in control shouldn't be our ultimate goal. Embracing the ebbs and flows of life should. We all deal with life's complexities and a rollercoaster of emotions. Striving for constant control can be exhausting. What does it mean to truly let go and embrace life as it comes? In this episode, I talk about dealing with life's chaotic moments and managing the challenges of being a mom and an entrepreneur. "Every single human being has an ebb and flow with times in their lives that are slow, calm, and peaceful, and then sometimes people get antsy." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Embracing the Ebb and FlowLife has its ups and downs. How can you come to terms with not always feeling in control and find peace in the chaos? -Dealing with OverwhelmWhen juggling multiple responsibilities, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. What strategies can you use to manage the feeling of being out of control? -Redefining SuccessSuccess isn't about always feeling in control. How can you learn to accept the ebb and flow as a normal part of life and business?

Summer is fun but let's be real, it can also turn our usual routines upside down—especially for us Boss Moms balancing our businesses with family life. It's super important to understand that our lives change with the seasons. There are ways to keep your business moving forward during the summer, all while making sure you still have loads of family time. How can we, as moms, plan our work around these ups and downs? In today's episode, I share my take on seasonal shifts, my own stories, and tips on how to make the most of them. "I have to be serious about what I can and can't do during the summer and I have to plan ahead for it." -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -Rolling with the seasonsSeasons affect our mood and schedule. What can you do to keep up with business when life gets busy or slows down with the kids? -Getting ready for summerSummer is fun but can throw your routine for a loop. What are some easy ways to plan ahead and get your business ready for the chaos of summer? -Keeping things movingLife doesn't pause just because it's summer. How can you tweak your work tasks so they fit better with your summer lifestyle?

While many people think being online all the time is the best way to grow your business, there's a reason why the old-school way of meeting people face-to-face can be even better. Moms can use networking to make strong connections that really help their business, without making life more stressful. Even with your busy schedule, where can you find the right people to support your goals? Does networking really lead to more meaningful business growth? In today's episode, I talk about why meeting people and making friends can help moms grow their businesses better than just using social media. Networking is about connecting with a series of people who would be a good fit for some aspect of YOU in your life or your business. -Dana Malstaff 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode -The real value of networking What makes networking so effective at providing more support and growth opportunities compared to just being on social media? -Making networking work for you Without feeling overwhelmed, how can you network effectively? -The strategic approach to networking Make friends who really get what you're about and help your business grow. What are some easy ways to connect with the right people?