And She Spoke

Most of us have been in debt at some point in our lives. Student loans, home loans, car loans, business loans - debt seems like a normal part of the 21st Century life. Despite that, debt is still associated with shame. We’ve been socialized to believe that our debt is something we need to be ashamed of, that there’s something inherently wrong with us if we have to pay off loans. Which means we treat debt like a dirty secret. And it’s something we never talk about. Today, we want to break free of those shackles and discuss, demystify, and unpack the concept of debt. We got the idea for this episode when we were speaking with a client of ours who was in debt from a previous business. It was extremely hard for her to not only bring this up in the first place, but to also continue talking about it. Why?Because the mere mention of her debt made her feel inadequate. She was making her debt mean a lot of negative things about her and her capabilities as an entrepreneur. This is why we want to say something loud and clear:There is NOTHING wrong with you if you’re in debt. In fact, you’re not alone. When you genuinely accept this, you’ll find that your mindset towards debt begins to change. You’ll start seeing debt for what it is - a neutral concept where you buy money to pay for something of value to you. That’s all. Once you make this mindset change, not only will you be happier, but you’ll also have the confidence to make some important decisions that involve parting with your money. But, we know it isn’t easy to undergo this massive mindset shift. Which is why in today’s episode, we’re sharing our own experiences with debt, what we learned from having to pay off 6 figures in student loans, why we think debt can be a good thing, and more!Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:Jeni'ss journey with educational debt and how it informed everything she didWhy you need to look beyond debt to make important decisions for yourself and your businessWhy it’s so important for women to unpack their thinking around debtHow to consider value and opportunity cost when you decide if your debt is worth itThe connection between privilege and debtAnd so much more!We believe talking about money and debt is a crucial part of attempting to demystify it. So, we’re taking the first step, but we’d love to keep the conversation going! Find us on Instagram (@heymarvelous) and talk to us about your experiences with debt and what your mindset around it is currently.ResourcesHey Marvelous - WebsiteHey Marvelous - InstagramWomen À La Mode: A Memoir Of Writing A Book About Feminists In Paris by Augustine BlaisdellThis week’s Joy: We love a good book, and Women À La Mode by Augustine Blaisdell is a great exploration of feminism in Paris, the conflict between feminism and falling in love, and the difference between American and French life. Reading about feminism through different perspectives is always a huge joy!This week’s Hustle: If you’ve been listening to us for long enough, you already know that our business grew exponentially in 2020. And as our business grew, we found that we had to do more high-level work, like managing systems or training employees to handle this new workload. This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

This week’s guest is a powerhouse with a mohawk - and so much more!She’s all about owning your creativity, stepping away from the stereotype, and above all else, being true to your authentic self.Sadie Nardini is an absolute force. She’s the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa (CSV) Yoga and The Yoga Shred, both of which have brought big, beautiful changes to the contemporary yoga game. She was one of the first yogis to take training to YouTube, currently runs the Fit and Fierce Club, and just when you think she can’t get any cooler - she’s also the lead singer of her band Sadie & The Tribe. But as audacious and spunky as she is, Sadie is no stranger to the world telling you who you should be. Too many female entrepreneurs have had to experience this, but the beauty lies in the way you fight back. And you can do that by simply showing up to work as yourself.In this week’s episode, Sadie gets into the nitty-gritty of how she kick-started her career as a fitness creator, her entry into the yoga scene of New York after moving from Seattle, and the exact moment she chose to embrace herself over what she was expected to be as a yogini.Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:Why you aren’t answerable to haters, and the importance of putting your voice out thereWhat joyful marketing looks like and how you can make it work for youSadie’s two-hour workday(!!!) and how she keeps her creativity intactHow having a lean team can be better than making it all an exhausting one-woman showThe power that comes with building an online empireHow Sadie navigated her business through the pandemic and came out shiningHow you can approach social media with creativity and optimismSadie is as real as it gets, and that’s just one of the reasons we had such a blast recording this episode. Her honesty, incredible sense of humor, and the grace with which she carries her truth inspire you to “be the mohawk on the inside”, as she puts it. If you’re feeling a little low on the creativity side and want to be jolted into action, you need this episode! So go grab a snack, and listen away.ResourcesSadie’s InstagramSadie’s Facebook pageLinks to Sadie’s programsThis week’s Joy: Sadie’s current joy (like many of us) is watching the world finally open up!. She’s looking forward to traveling to Sweden to make music, take a break from wellness, and to explore something new!This week’s Hustle: Sadie’s hustle these days is her perspective on digital creation. She urges business owners to refresh their attitude towards building an online presence to “I get to” and not “I have to”. She’s all about posting what you're truly passionate about. This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

It isn’t often that we come across an article that’s eye-opening, mind-blowing, and has us agreeing with every single word.But, that’s exactly what happened earlier this year. Back in February, we discovered an amazing article on Medium titled ‘Underrepresented Founders are Merely Collateral Damage’. After spending 13 minutes reading it (with our jaws hanging open), we immediately reached out to our podcast team. We knew we HAD to have Daisy Onubogu, the author of the article, on And She Spoke. And we’re so glad we did. Daisy works at Backed, a seed-stage fund based in London, and specializes in helping high potential founders at early stages build things that will change the world (or at least make it a better place to live in). She’s also responsible for Backed’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. And she’s committed to change the unequal world of Venture Capital. Here’s what she had to say about it in the article: “I like solving problems, and I also really like the feeling of making people happy, or at least un-sad. So VC’s big old diversity problem was perfect bait; an issue so messy and tangled it had defied solving for so long, and one which if solved would make lots of people un-sad”See why we had to have her on our show?Tune into today’s episode to learn more about Daisy’s efforts in understanding, tackling, and changing the diversity issue in VC (aka, the business world’s giant elephant in the room). She discusses everything from WHO benefits from the VC system (don’t we all know the answer to this one?), WHY our current methods of dealing with the diversity problem aren’t really yielding results, and HOW we can actually move forward. Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:+  Why it’s hard to affect change in the VC-world despite best-intentions+  How capitalism is the root cause of systematic oppression in business+  What led Daisy to write the Medium Article (and the reaction of her team when she did)+  The problem with a small group of people (*cough*white men*cough*) given absolute control over resources+  How the VC system is simply not set up for scalable approaches to diversityAnd so much more!Speaking with Daisy was so incredible because not only is she smart and passionate, but she’s also vulnerable. She admits that she doesn’t have all the answers to this giant systematic problem (and that no one should be expected to), and how we can work towards change anyway. This is something that affects everyone (even if you think it doesn’t!), which is why we think this is one of our most important episodes yet. So grab those airpods, settle down with a nice cup of tea and get listening!ResourcesUnderrepresented Founders are Merely Collateral DamageBacked Daisy’s TwitterZapierThis week’s Joy: Reluctantly, Daisy admits her joy these days is TikTok (hey, it’s our guilty pleasure too!). She likens it to those rare parties where every room feels like its own universe. She learns a lot and laughs more than she expected to during these times.This week’s Hustle: One word - Zapier. Daisy doesn’t particularly enjoy the mundane day-to-day tasks, which is why she gets excited about building automations that’ll take those off of her plate (and give her more time to go on TikTok). This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

A silly chat about overalls sparked an important discussion between Jeni and Sandy on the trap of “people pleasing” in work and life. Women are conditioned to value the thoughts and opinions of others above their own, and this can have negative implications for their happiness, their business’s success, and their willingness to take risks, build wealth, and take on meaningful work.The hosts know from experience that it is unrealistic to expect everyone to like you and the work you are doing all the time—so in this episode, Sandy and Jeni offer a healthier way to think about criticism, supporters, and success.Also, if you want to wear overalls, wear them with joy!Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:The focus of today’s episode: applying the concept of future people pleasing to your business. An overview of the ways in which women have been socialized, and the negative impact that this can have on the way we conduct business.A question to ask yourself, which will help you determine your reasons for doing (or not doing) something.The tradeoffs that you have to accept as your business grows.Why everyone should read—and reread—Kevin Kelly’s 1000 True Fans essay. How you should be thinking about criticism. You cannot control what other people think and feel about you and your work, so rather focus on what you think and feel.Some of the tactics commonly used on social media that you should avoid.Resources"1000 True Fans" by Kevin KellyMarvelousMarvelous on Instagram and TwitterThis week’s Joy: Jeni and Sandy share how overalls bring them joy. It symbolizes the importance of letting yourself wear what you want to wear and do what you want to do!This week’s Hustle: Kevin Kelly’s essay, “1,000 True Fans” as a timeless guide that helps you think about your body of work.This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

On today’s show, we have the pleasure of welcoming the woman who pioneered the field of self-compassion research over 20 years ago. Kristin Neff is an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Educational Psychology.Kristin explains how gender role socialization has led women to be self-sacrificing and men to suppress their tenderness, Kristin shares how it can benefit us, and everyone around us, to find a balance between the softer and more forceful sides of our nature, to treat ourselves with care, and to live our lives authentically.She is not afraid of getting personal, and in this episode, Kristin opens up about some of the moments in her own life that have demonstrated the importance of self-compassion. We discuss how self-compassion relates to the MeToo movement, the value of anger, and how we can change the system while working within it.We hope this episode is as enlightening and inspiring for you as it was for us. Your self-compassion is a superpower; don’t let it go to waste.Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:Self-compassion; the field of research that Kristin pioneeredCommon perceptions of self-compassion, and why this isn’t the full picture.How gender role socialization creates gender differences with regard to self-compassion.How self-compassion helps us to be more compassionate towards others.The link between mindfulness and self-compassion.Constructive anger versus destructive anger.Ways to offset society’s distaste for women’s anger.Your goal should be about opening yourself up, not getting everything right.What is a “self-compassion break” (and why we should take these regularly)?ResourcesSelf Compassion by Kristin NeffSelf Compassion WebsiteMarvelousMarvelous on Instagram and TwitterThis week’s Joy: Kristin shares the joy of vaccination (and the bonus joy of having a teenager that can drive himself around).This week’s Hustle: Kristin’s hustle is a practice she developed called a “self-compassion break,” which involves calling in the three components of compassion in an intentional way. First is mindfulness — being aware of what’s happening, being aware that you are hurting, that you are struggling, and kind of validating what you’re going through, then asking yourself what you need. Second is common humanity — remembering that you aren’t alone, that nothing is wrong with you, and that this is part of being human. Finally, kindness — asking yourself, “What would I say to a good friend I care about who’s going through the exact same situation that I’m going through?” and then saying that to yourself.This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

As we are all aware, there is a vast lack of diversity in the tech industry.Today’s guest, Melinda Briana Eppler, is trying to change this through her company Change Catalyst.Melinda started her career as an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a passion for social change. She is now channeling her passion into solving the diversity issue in tech (and tech-adjacent fields) through her work as a strategic advisor to tech companies and startups, venture capital firms, innovation hubs, and governments around the world.In this episode, you’ll hear about how Melinda left filmmaking for tech, how the tech industry came to be this way, and how we can change it. She explains the challenges and biases embedded within the venture capital model and how underrepresented identities are still being held to much higher standards.Learn about the importance of hiring outside of your network, what solopreneurs can do to become allies, and practical advice for diversifying your team from the beginning while Melinda also weighs in on what happened at Basecamp.More than ever, our world is shaped by technology, so it is crucial that technology is envisioned and built from more than one point of view.Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:An introduction to Melinda and her business Change Catalyst. Melinda explains why she chose the tech industry for her work in diversity and inclusion.Practices and advice for building a diverse team. How solopreneurs can be allies by incorporating diversity into their supply chains. Melinda shares her view on the employee exodus that happened at Basecamp.  How the tech industry came to be this way: people hiring people who look like them. The importance of looking outside of your network.How these ideas are received in the venture capital and startup worlds. Why VCs are more likely to diversify their portfolios than diversify within their own firms. Why people with underrepresented identities are still being held to higher standards.How the level of bias is more extreme in the tech industry than in other industries.How Melinda’s passion for motorcycles fits into her brand.This week’s Joy: Melinda’s joys are motorcycle riding and nature. She believes getting out into nature is really important.This week’s Hustle: Melinda’s hustle is Evernote. She finds Evernote a more convenient and efficient way to write notes compared to paper notebooks.ResourcesChange CatalystEvernoteMelinda Briana Epler PodcastMelinda Briana Epler on Instagram Melinda Briana Epler on LinkedIn Melinda Briana Epler on TwitterMarvelous, our online teaching & coaching platformMarvelous on InstagramMarvelous on TwitterThis podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses, memberships, and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

Selfish. It's a powerful word and a label that many women fear when we focus on our business success or self-care. But why is that?With her new book, "Selfish," Naketa Thigpen wants to challenge that, "change the conversation, and redefine the terms used to make so many women play small."Naketa is considered the number one balance and relationship advisor globally, a licensed clinical social worker whose expertise in trauma and psychotherapy has informed the basis of her professional career over the past 25 years. Her company, ThigPro, advises couples on having a happy marriage while also growing a business. One of the keys to success? Women need to work on their relationship with themselves before deepening their relationship with their partners.In her work, Naketa noticed that when women entrepreneurs focus on their business and start to succeed, their relationship with their partner sometimes suffers. We dive into why women always seem to be the ones addressing relationship issues and why Naketa only works with brave men who are willing to show up, take responsibility, and do the work. We also explore how trauma can cause disembodiment and how that can hinder our relationship with ourselves and our partners. Naketa shares her own experiences with trauma and how she had to build a business while simultaneously dealing with past trauma. She encourages listeners to acknowledge and accept their own trauma stories and to take responsibility for their healing, urging us not to compare and belittle our traumas. Listen to this fascinating discussion on accepting ourselves as multifaceted individuals and “Living in the space of “And.”This week’s Joy: Naketa’s joy comes from those small, deeper connections with family, currently online via video communication. Zooming with her grandbabies brings her joy!This week’s Hustle: Naketa shares her formula for joy:Balance + healthy relationships x intimacy(²).Listen to the episode for her full formula breakdown!Resources & Links:Naketa Thigpen on LinkedInNaketa Thigpen on InstagramNaketa Thigpen on TwitterThigProThigPro on LinkedInThigPro on FacebookThigPro on YoutubeMarvelous, our online teaching & coaching platformSelfish

Does building wealth simply equate to frugal decision-making? Will foregoing that Starbucks latte really allow you to fully fund your retirement account? What began as an exasperated conversation about the rife scarcity mindset among those of us socialized as women, evolved into a conversation about the history of female oppression and how women are taught to save and shrink, while men are taught to expand, take risks, and make more money.Why do we see so many conversations, workshops, and courses for women on budgeting and clipping coupons, but so few on building wealth and investing?In this episode, we explore how the society we live in has shaped our mindsets around making money, saving money, and building wealth.Women have typically been encouraged to scrimp and save, praised for knowing how to run a household on a shoestring. Being loud is not “good.” Even taking up space is a no-no. And building something big? How dare you.At the same time, men receive their own limiting beliefs of ‘provider or failure’ (go big or go home).Women get shamed for “splurging” while men are encouraged to show off that new car from that big deal or promotion.Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:How our cultures have shaped this behavior.How through thousands of years of history, women have been financially incapacitated. It’s not that long since women in the UK, US, and Ireland could not own property or even drink in a bar without a man! (seriously)How women’s magazines have (even recently) taught us how to look pretty, buy soap, and clean house – not build wealth or businesses.The cost of constantly being focussed on saving money in business.How the time spent over-thinking your expenses could be better used to grow your business.The importance of uncovering subconscious beliefs and normalizing conversations around women and money. The pitfalls of an “everybody else first” mindset.The importance of investing in yourself.ResourcesGuardian ArticleYou can hear our own money stories in episode 130 of our podcastFlow HiveGotta Have That Cute Mug? Act FastMarvelousMarvelous on InstagramThis week’s Joy: Sandy’s joy is bee-keeping. She spent the last weekend reading what she possibly can about bee-keeping because she wants to have a hive in her yard, which they are allowed to do in Calgary. The usual process of harvesting honey is very messy and takes a lot of work but she found this company called “Flow-hive” which made the process so much easier and less stressful for the bee-keeper and the bees.This week’s Hustle: Jeni’s hustle (which could also be a joy) is an article in the New York Times, called “Gotta Have That Cute Mug? Act Fast.” It is all about the cult behavior around “dirt drops.” Basically, there are all these artisanal potters that, during the pandemic, have seen an explosion in their businesses because people became obsessed with hand-made things and pottery. The article showcases some of these potters that have been participating and have seen their business explode in the last year. Jeni thinks this is a hustle because the business model is so fascinating and it’s a really fun way to support artists and local and small businesses.Know Your NumbersIn our business, we're big fans of financial literacy and accountability. Knowing your numbers is an essential aspect of building a successful business and inherent responsibility for any entrepreneur. What you focus on grows, so pay attention to your money. We use Bench for our bookkeeping. It's simple, elegant, and saves us so many hours that would otherwise be spent neck-deep in receipts on the other side of a spreadsheet. Each month our transactions are automatically imported into Bench and we get on-demand financial reports. We even enjoy opening up our profit and loss statement to review each month. When tax time comes around, we are up to date and ready to go. And this is what Financial Empowerment feels like.Use this link to save 20% off your Bench Accounting plan for the first six months!This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses, memberships, and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

In this episode, we’re delighted to be interviewing the phenomenal Martha Beck. For those of you who do not know Dr. Martha Beck, she is a New York Times bestselling author, a speaker, and a life coach, with an infectious humor. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey once called her the smartest woman she knows.Martha is passionate and engaging, and she is well known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality.Having a son with Downs syndrome caused Martha to really consider what human life was about and set her off on “a lifetime adventure of breaking the rules”.To quote Martha Beck “Emmerson said Beauty is its own excuse for being, and I decided that joy is the felt equivalent and the only real reason to be here”.In her new book, “The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self,” Martha explains why integrity, or being in harmony with ourselves is the key to a meaningful and joyful life, which is what we discuss in today’s episode.Martha perfectly helped us understand integrity beyond a virtue to strive for: “the word Integrity comes from the Latin integer, which means whole or intact, undivided”. We need integrity to function as a whole being. In the same way that an airplane needs to be in structural integrity to fly, we need to be true to ourselves in all situations and with all people to be wholly intact, to be in integrity.Possibly our favorite part is when Martha life coaches Jeni on navigating climate change activism, so make sure to listen out for that!We also talk about how social pressure can be a benevolent problem for entrepreneurs – “it’s forcing us to find ourselves”. We delve into what we can learn about mentorship from the hero’s saga, and how committing to your integrity can be a force for social change. Finally, the vital importance of self-care, which Martha sees as radical action.This is a remarkable interview with a world-renowned sociologist about what you need to do to find your integrity and, with it, a sense of purpose, emotional healing, and a life free of mental suffering, so make sure not to miss this episode!Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:An introduction to Martha Beck, from her formal education to her pursuit of joy.Learn about integrity, which Martha describes as a feeling of being whole or intact.Hear what Martha has to say about overcoming self-doubt, finding your truth, and then walking your talk.The idea of being at odds with culture for the sake of individuality rather than conformity.The different social pressures that men and women experience and how they affect us.Find out how entrepreneurs are affected by conflicting value systems and social pressure.What the hero’s saga has to teach us about change and receiving a mentor.How Martha found her way through conflict when she was pregnant with her son, Adam.Whether or not integrity coincides with happiness; turning suffering into joy.How going into your integrity relates to social activism; activating positive, not righteous anger.Martha emphasizes the idea that self-care in and of itself is radical action.Why self-help should not be about ‘fixing’ yourself but rather about letting the mess that culture has made of your mind fall away.ResourcesMartha Beck on TwitterMartha Beck on InstagramMartha BeckThe Way of Integrity by Martha BeckThe Divine Comedy by Dante AlighieriThe Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph CampbellTao De Ching by LaoziJennifer Barcelos on LinkedInSandy Connery on LinkedInMarvelousMarvelous on InstagramThis week’s Joy: Pretty much everything in Martha's life brings her joy and talking to other people is certainly a part of it.This week’s Hustle: Martha’s hustle is attention without effort - she goes towards what's pulling her and right now (she has no idea why) that's painting — she’s always been doing a lot of art. And she has noticed that “people who just go with their fascination end up creating things that sell well.” According to Martha, “When you are doing something you love in a place you love with the people you love in a way you love, love sells better than hate. So do whatever pulls on you, do it. See what happens.”Know Your NumbersIn our business, we're big fans of financial literacy and accountability. Knowing your numbers is an essential aspect of building a successful business and inherent responsibility for any entrepreneur. What you focus on grows, so pay attention to your money. We use Bench for our bookkeeping. It's simple, elegant, and saves us so many hours that would otherwise be spent neck-deep in receipts on the other side of a spreadsheet. Each month our transactions are automatically imported into Bench and we get on-demand financial reports. We even enjoy opening up our profit and loss statement to review each month. When tax time comes around, we are up to date and ready to go. And this is what Financial Empowerment feels like.Use this link to save 20% off your Bench Accounting plan for the first six months!This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.

On today’s episode, we get together with Veneé McGee to talk about her non-profit, Ebb and Flow Collective, a safe social wellness community whose mission focuses on inclusivity and accessibility for women and non-binary folks searching for spiritual empowerment.Veneé is a true visionary thought leader in the areas of spirituality, holistic wellness, and mindset. Veneé shares her difficult upbringing in the foster care system, and how being introduced to ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne gave her a sense of empowerment and agency over her life and decisions that she had never felt before. We discuss how she grew Ebb and Flow from the ground up, starting with wellness retreats, after identifying a need for more inclusive wellness spaces based on her own experiences of being excluded. Veneé explains how they became a non-profit during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the move was successfully facilitated by ifundwomen. We also dive into how her company is structured; from workshops, meditations, and personal sessions to a thriving, curated marketplace of various practitioners, all to help her clients find and embrace their individual power from within. We are exceptionally excited about what Veneé has created with Ebb and Flow Collective. We hope you’ll join us for an expansive conversation on the joy of diversity and the power of community!Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:An introduction to Veneé McGee, founder of the non-profit Ebb and Flow Collective.Veneé describes Ebb and Flow’s mission as a sacred and inclusive community that is accessible to all!Veneé shares the painful challenges of growing up in the foster care system.The story of Veneé losing her mom and becoming a seeking spirit.Veneé talks about her Christian upbringing and the revelatory experience of being introduced to The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.How Veneé started her spiritual journey and the spaces and teachers she found along the way.Why Veneé felt a need for a more inclusive and welcoming space for people like herself.How Veneé grew a new community organically through wellness retreats.How Ebb and Flow serves as a curated marketplace to find trusted practitioners who also remain autonomous.How Veneé utilizes meditation to keep her grounded during the curation process.The importance of having more diverse tarot readers due to the interpretive nature of the job.Veneé talks about the structure of Ebb and Flow, how it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the transition to a non-profit organization.How becoming a non-profit affected their business structure and how ifundwomen was successfully able to assist in facilitating that transition.Veneé shares how their memberships work and what is included when you sign up. The biggest hurdles that Veneé currently faces as an entrepreneur.Veneé shares what is giving her joy and helping her hustle!ResourcesThe Secret by Rhonda Byrneifundwomen: Ebb and Flow CollectiveEbb and Flow CollectiveEbb and Flow on InstagramJennifer Barcelos on LinkedInSandy Connery on LinkedInMarvelousMarvelous on InstagramThis week’s Joy: Veneé’s joy is exercising her privilege to have a choice. She thinks we really take choice for granted and believes she has been given choice. Whether it’s to fight for a black lives matter issue or not, she gets to have a choice on where she can get to spend her energy, which is super empowering to her. And this brings her joy because she has been on the other side of not knowing that she had a choice. This week’s Hustle: A hustle or tool that Veneé would like to share with everyone who’s listening is to get a mentor. She believes mentorship is so important, especially when you’re either just starting off or when you’re fixing your business. A mentor, hands down, is so powerful. Veneé has several mentors who give her advice on so many different things which is so helpful. Having mentors has been especially helpful during the times when she wanted to walk away and give up on Ebb and Flow. Because there were those times that, as much as she loves it, she is just human. She was able to call that mentor and share thoughts and things and not feel judged, and feel safe to share that with another human who can just listen and hold that pain for her and ask her what's next and keep her on that path. A good mentor is not just going to let you give up and walk away.Know Your NumbersIn our business, we're big fans of financial literacy and accountability. Knowing your numbers is an essential aspect of building a successful business and inherent responsibility for any entrepreneur. What you focus on grows, so pay attention to your money. We use Bench for our bookkeeping. It's simple, elegant, and saves us so many hours that would otherwise be spent neck-deep in receipts on the other side of a spreadsheet. Each month our transactions are automatically imported into Bench and we get on-demand financial reports. We even enjoy opening up our profit and loss statement to review each month. When tax time comes around, we are up to date and ready to go. And this is what Financial Empowerment feels like.Use this link to save 20% off your Bench Accounting plan for the first six months!This podcast is brought to you by the Marvelous online teaching platform.Marvelous is an easy-to-use platform that helps you build and sell your own courses memberships and live-streamed programs. Go from idea to open for business in just minutes. Unlike other startups, Marvelous was created by women for women. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined way to build and grow an online business. You can learn more at Marvelous.