In this inspiring conversation, host Liz Kent, sits down with Marissa Axell, founder of Action Fitness and Coaching, to talk about how women—especially those over 40—are finding renewed strength, confidence, and community through cycling.
Marissa shares how her own athletic journey evolved from triathlons to founding a women-centered cycling business, and how she helps moms balance training, motherhood, and self-care.
Together, they explore the importance of prioritizing “me time,” embracing midlife fitness, and how small wins on the bike translate to bigger wins in life.
Key Takeaways
Rediscovering Strength in Midlife: Women over 40 are rewriting the narrative about aging, fitness, and what’s possible for their bodies.
From Surviving to Thriving: Many moms start cycling to support their kids, but stay for the empowerment, confidence, and community it brings.
Make Fitness Fit Your Life: Marissa helps women train efficiently by blending family time with structured workouts, which turns “extra hours” into shared experiences.
Protect Your Time Like a Meeting with the Boss: Scheduling non-negotiable “me time” can transform your mood, sleep, and energy levels.
Confidence on the Bike = Confidence in Life: Conquering physical challenges often sparks courage in other areas, like career moves or self-advocacy.
Quotes From the Episode
“How we do one thing is how we do everything.”
“Protect your me time. Even if it’s when your kids are riding beside you—you’re still doing something for you.”
“It’s not six extra hours a week. You’re already doing it; let’s just put structure around it.”
“When you prioritize yourself, everything else falls into place: you sleep better, you’re less irritable, and you show up better for everyone.”
“I did that hard thing on the bike I never thought I could do, so what else might be possible?”
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Marissa Axell
Axn Fitness & Coaching: https://www.axnfitnessandcoaching.com/
Cycling Success Podcast: https://cyclingsuccesssystem.com/private-podcast/
Other Resources
NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association): https://nationalmtb.org
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode, Liz Kent shares her passion for traveling with her kids and how entrepreneurship makes it possible. From local getaways to international adventures, Liz opens up about the joys, challenges, and growth that come from exploring new places as a family.
She discusses why travel is such a valuable investment in her children’s confidence, resilience, and worldview, and how running her own business gives her the flexibility to prioritize these experiences.
Whether you’re hesitant to start traveling with your kids or already planning your next big trip, this episode will leave you inspired to take advantage of the freedom entrepreneurship provides.
Key Takeaways
Start small and grow from there: If traveling with kids feels overwhelming, begin with local trips to build confidence and ease.
Travel teaches resilience: Navigating new cultures, languages, and challenges helps kids build problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Family bonding happens on the road: Shared experiences—both fun and frustrating—strengthen sibling and parent-child relationships.
Entrepreneurship makes flexibility possible: Running her own business allows Liz to stack her schedule, take time off, and prioritize family travel without sacrificing income.
Travel can be affordable and intentional: Using points, finding off-season deals, and rethinking vacation budgets can open up opportunities for international adventures.
Quotes From the Episode
“Some of our most frustrating moments as a family have come while traveling, but they’ve also been some of our biggest growth opportunities.”
“I want my kids to understand that the way we do things is not the only way to do them.”
“Traveling is a gift; it’s given us deeper connection as a family and a broader perspective of the world.”
“One of the greatest perks of being an entrepreneur is being able to schedule life around my family, not work.”
“You don’t have to start with a trip abroad—pick somewhere nearby and just start exploring.”
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
In this special roundtable episode, Liz is joined by five long-time members of her consult group—therapists and entrepreneurs who are also moms. Together, they reflect on 6+ years of showing up for one another in business, motherhood, and life.
They share candid stories about launching practices, facing tough decisions, finding confidence, and creating a sense of belonging in what can otherwise be an isolating path.
Whether you’re a therapist, entrepreneur, or busy mom trying to balance it all, you’ll walk away with encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder that you don’t have to do this alone.
Key Takeaways
Community reduces isolation. Private practice and entrepreneurship can be lonely, but a consistent support group creates a “colleague” network that makes the journey sustainable.
Motherhood and professionalism can coexist. Hiding motherhood to be “taken seriously” isn’t necessary—this group models a blend of business ownership and parenting without shame.
Flexibility is power. Running your own practice may not mean fewer hours, but it does mean shaping your schedule around family priorities and values.
Shared wisdom leads to better decisions. Trusted peers provide feedback that cuts through overwhelm and helps move past analysis paralysis.
Resilience grows in community. Normalizing both successes and failures reminds entrepreneurs that pivots and experiments are part of the process, not signs of weakness.
Quotes From the Episode
“We can be professionals and moms without hiding either part of ourselves.”
“This group has normalized the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship.”
“Sometimes the coaching world feels like a fire hose—this group helps me sort through it.”
“I knew I couldn’t manage the emotional strain of this work without having spaces like this to process.”
“Owning a business isn’t part-time—it’s all the time, but you get to make it work for your life.”
It's a lifeline in the fray- at the intersections of therapist and mother, business owner and friend. Addressing the constellation of complexities in motherhood– for ourselves and our clients.
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guests
Melissa Weinberg: www.openlinescounseling.com
Caroline Artley: www.sojourn-well.com
Sharon Fisher: https://nurtured-well.com/
Megan Furman: flourishingferncounseling.com
Sarah Saffran: sarahsaffran.com
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur Podcast, Liz Kent opens up about her decision to continue working just three days a week—even now that all three of her kids are in school full-time.
She shares why this intentional choice isn’t about doing less, but about creating more space, margin, and freedom in her business and family life. Liz unpacks how redefining success, setting boundaries, and resisting hustle culture help her thrive as both a business owner and mom.
Key Takeaways
Success isn’t only about hours worked: true success also includes freedom, fulfillment, relationships, and peace.
Boundaries create efficiency: limiting work to three focused days forces prioritization of the tasks that move business forward.
Margin matters: building space for rest, errands, fitness, and social connection prevents burnout.
Modeling balance for kids: working intentionally shows children that family and well-being are as important as ambition.
More time doesn’t mean more work: choosing not to fill every hour with productivity is a powerful counter to hustle culture.
Quotes From the Episode
“More time doesn’t always mean more work. Sometimes it means more space to breathe.”
“Scarcity of time forces you to prioritize the tasks that actually grow your business.”
“Our whole value isn’t measured by how productive we are.”
“I want my kids to see that my business supports our life, not the other way around.”
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, Liz chats with Tina Beliveau, founder of a successful real estate group in Lutherville, about navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising young children.
Tina shares her journey from starting in real estate at 20, weathering market crashes, building and leading a team, to creating a virtual business that allows her to prioritize family without sacrificing professional success. This conversation is full of insights on balancing ambition with motherhood, the power of authenticity, and building meaningful connections in business.
Key Takeaways
Authenticity is your superpower: Being honest about struggles and successes attracts the right connections and builds trust in your business.
Build before kids: Establishing a stable business infrastructure early allows more flexibility and freedom once kids are in the mix.
Leverage your network: Taking small, calculated risks to reach out and connect with others can open doors to new opportunities.
Balance ambition and family: Prioritizing what matters most each day helps navigate the tension between professional and personal life.
Mindset matters: Developing tools like therapy, recovery lessons, or coaching can help manage the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.
Quotes From the Episode
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
“I did build my business before kids, and that has made it possible to focus on my family now without losing what I’ve built.”
“Having a toolkit as an entrepreneur makes it a heck of a lot easier to not suffer, not give up, or get stuck.”
“True happiness and purpose isn’t about how your house looks, it’s about actual humanity—being seen and known.”
“Patience, self-compassion, and a little bit of courage to go beyond what you’re comfortable with—that’s how you get somewhere beyond where you are now.”
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Tina Beliveau
Real Estate Instagram: @highperformanceagent
Personal Instagram: @tinabeliveau
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Episodes released weekly.
Summary
Starting or growing a private practice doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, host Liz Kent pulls back the curtain on the exact steps she wishes she had when she first launched her own practice.
From nailing down your niche to setting up systems that save time and stress, she shares how to create a business that feels good, works with your family life, and actually attracts the clients you want to serve. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, this conversation will leave you with practical steps and a whole lot more confidence in building your dream practice.
Key Takeaways
Timing matters: The start of a new season (like back-to-school) is a natural opportunity to reset business goals and routines.
Get clear on your ideal client: Tailoring your website and Psychology Today profile to speak directly to client pain points will immediately improve referrals.
Systems are essential: Setting up processes early prevents overwhelm, saves time, and supports sustainable growth.
Scaling looks different for everyone: Growth doesn’t always mean group practice; it can also mean refining services, raising rates, or creating new revenue streams.
Mindset is key:Shifting from “therapist” to “entrepreneur” builds confidence and clarity when making business decisions.
Quotes From the Episode
“You can create a practice that works with your life, not against it.”
“Nobody teaches you the business side in grad school—you’re left to figure it out on your own.”
“When you set up systems from the start, you give yourself freedom later.”
“Your website should speak to your client’s pain points, not just your credentials.”
“Scaling doesn’t have to mean hiring a team—it’s about building a practice that’s sustainable for you.”
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Get your free Private Practice Blueprint Checklist here.
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, host Liz Kent catches up with her childhood friend, Lauren O'Connell, a former teacher who has built a successful DIY and home decor business.
Lauren, a mom of three with a fourth on the way, shares her incredible journey from staying home with her kids to turning a love for home projects into a thriving Instagram presence and local client business.
She talks about the power of authenticity, the importance of listening to your gut, and how she balances the demands of her business with the beautiful chaos of raising a busy family. Lauren's story is a testament to the fact that you can pivot your career and find a new passion while embracing the ever-changing seasons of motherhood.
Key Takeaways
You don't need a formal background to find your passion. Lauren had no formal training in design or DIY, but her passion for home projects and a desire for a creative outlet led her to build a successful business from scratch.
Embrace the seasons of life. It's okay to step back from your business when your family needs you most. Lauren shares how she took a break from her business to try a full-time job, but ultimately returned to her own flexible business when she realized it was the best fit for her family.
Trust your gut and be authentic. When Lauren felt the pull to return to her business, she listened to her instincts, and that's when things really took off. She emphasizes the importance of being authentic on platforms like Instagram, as people connect with real, honest content.
Flexibility is non-negotiable. As a mompreneur, your schedule needs to be able to adapt. Lauren highlights the challenges of balancing work with summer breaks, sick days, and daily life, and the importance of knowing your limitations and prioritizing your kids.
Connect with your community. The world of entrepreneurship, especially on social media, has room for everyone. Lauren encourages moms to reach out to others for advice and support, creating a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive.
Quotes From the Episode
"The beauty of entrepreneurship is you can kind of create something flexible around your family life."
"You know, you can't control the weather. You can't control the fact that the kids are off school for three months in the summertime…you have to just be able to take deep breaths and know that your business will change during those times."
"I think people want to see authenticity and not really anything else."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Lauren O’Connell
Instagram: @harryhomeowner
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Episodes released weekly.
Summary
In this candid episode, host Liz Kent opens up about her personal and professional journey, highlighting the transformative power of coaching.
She shares why, as a coach herself, she continuously invests in having coaches in various areas of her life, from fitness and nutrition to motherhood and business. Liz emphasizes that coaching is not just for getting advice, but for gaining an outside perspective, accountability, and the encouragement needed to make big, scary changes.
This episode is a must-listen for any mompreneur who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or is looking to grow and evolve, both personally and in their business.
Key Takeaways
You can't do it all alone. Even as an expert in your field, having an outside perspective from a coach can provide clarity, feedback, and accountability that you can't get on your own.
Coaching is a worthwhile investment. Whether it's a financial or time investment, coaching can help you navigate big transitions and implement sustainable changes that work for your unique life as a mompreneur.
Balance and boundaries are essential. A coach can help you find a business model that is both profitable and aligned with your values, helping you avoid burnout and focus on what truly matters.
Health and wellness are non-negotiable. Liz shares how working with a health coach helped her create a sustainable fitness and nutrition plan that supports her energy, mood, and ability to handle stress.
Don't undervalue your work. Liz tackles the "money mindset" head-on, encouraging fellow therapists and helping professionals to embrace being well-compensated for their valuable work.
Quotes From the Episode
"I really believe in the power of support and outside perspective, and that's part of the reason I have gone into therapy and love being able to help people in that way. But I think in coaching, you can get a little bit more personal."
"I don't just offer coaching, I use it because I know how powerful it can be in being able to make big changes and scary changes and to do hard things."
"It's not always about knowing what to do or what not to do, but having that as support and having somebody who just believes in you and wants you to do well... can make such a difference."
"I think the best coaches are also being coached to help us keep growing and becoming more in tune with ourselves so that we can support other people in a way that feels really aligned and grounded."
"Being able to help people is a really important job and does deserve to be well compensated."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Profit Power Session: Free 30-minute mini-coaching session for therapists and other mompreneurs looking for support in growing or scaling their business. Book here.
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
In this inspiring episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, host Liz Kent sits down with therapist Arielle Seidler to discuss her journey from working at an addiction treatment facility to building a thriving group practice.
Arielle, a mother of two young children, shares how she leveraged her ambition and desire for professional growth to create a career that also offers the flexibility needed for family life. She shares about her experience with gestalt therapy, the importance of community, and the heartwarming moments of watching her kids see her new office space.
This episode is packed with encouragement for any mompreneur considering a career shift or looking to grow their business.
Key Takeaways
Flexibility is key. Arielle's decision to move into private practice was driven by her desire for a flexible schedule that could accommodate the demands of raising young children.
Ambition and motherhood can coexist. Arielle's journey proves that you can be a dedicated mom while also seeking growth and new challenges in your career.
Community is crucial for entrepreneurs. Whether you're a solo practitioner or a group practice owner, having a strong community of fellow professionals is essential for support, advice, and referrals.
Embrace new experiences and modalities. Arielle’s love for learning led her to specialize in gestalt and experiential therapies, which has not only enriched her clinical work but also helped her practice being present in her own life with her family.
Moments of pride make it all worthwhile. Arielle shares a touching story about her daughter learning to swim, highlighting the joy of watching your children work through challenges and achieve their goals. These moments serve as a powerful reminder of the "why" behind the hard work.
Quotes From the Episode
"Having [my kids], in some ways it makes it more stressful to get the work stuff done, but I think in other ways they kind of force me to slow down and ground myself in being present too."
"It's a cool feeling to have your kids be proud of you."
"Even when you're doing it on your own, you can't actually be doing it on your own. You know, just having other people you can talk to, 'Hey, how did you do this? How did you do that?'"
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Arielle Seidler
Instagram: @reconnect_therapy_center
Website: (Re)Connect Therapy Center
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode, Liz sits down with Natalie Arsenault, a strategic planning consultant and coach who specializes in helping women entrepreneurs find their "why."
Natalie shares her journey from the non-profit sector to becoming an entrepreneur and discusses how she discovered the importance of aligning with your core values and purpose. Together, they explore the common challenges that mompreneurs face, from information overload to the "hustle culture" mentality.
This conversation provides a refreshing perspective on how to build a business that truly works for your life, emphasizing the need for self-awareness, permission to do things differently, and trusting your own unique path to success.
Key Takeaways
Finding your "why" is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Don't feel pressured to have it all figured out at once. It's an exploration that involves testing things out, tweaking your approach, and evolving over time.
Prioritization is key, but you must prioritize according to your "why." It's easy to get caught up in all the things you could do, but knowing your core purpose provides an anchor to help you decide what to focus on and what to let go of.
Give yourself permission to do business "your way." Much of the traditional business advice is rooted in a more masculine, hustle-focused model. As mompreneurs, it's crucial to create a business that aligns with your life, values, and capacity, not what you think it "should" look like.
Trusting the process is essential, even if it feels slower. It can be challenging to step back from the grind, but taking time for rest and self-care doesn't mean you won't achieve your goals. It just might mean your path looks a little different than you imagined.
Honoring your capacity is a non-negotiable. We often compare ourselves to others without knowing their reality or support systems. It's vital to accept that we can't do it all and to honor your own unique energy, resources, and circumstances.
Quotes From the Episode
"The alignment with why can really give a lot of clarity and direction."
"A lot of the business advice out there comes from a more masculine way of doing things. But I think what I'm observing is that it doesn't fit for a lot of us women."
"It's about giving ourselves permission to do it our way, or I'll call it like the feminine way."
"It's just about reevaluating what really is the core thing that matters the most."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Nathalie Arsenault
Instagram: @align_with_why
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, host Liz Kent sits down with Dr. Joy Noble, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health and the founder of Pelvic Pride.
Dr. Noble shares her journey of building a thriving business, from its launch just before the pandemic to its recent expansion to a second location in Baltimore.
She discusses the importance of de-stigmatizing conversations around pelvic health and the power of building a supportive community of like-minded providers. Dr. Noble also offers valuable insights on what to look for when seeking support for pelvic floor issues and the crucial role of self-care and team support in her business's success.
Key Takeaways
De-stigmatizing Pelvic Health: Dr. Noble emphasizes the need to normalize conversations about pelvic health issues like urinary leakage or pain during intimacy. She highlights that these are common but not normal, and you don't have to live with them.
Community Over Competition: Instead of being sidelined by the COVID-19 shutdown, Dr. Noble used the time to build a strong network of providers in the Baltimore community. This collaborative approach has become a key driver of her business's growth and referral network.
It's Never Too Late: Whether you had a baby six months or six years ago, it's never too late to address pelvic health concerns. Dr. Noble encourages listeners to seek help and not accept these issues as a permanent part of life.
Embrace Personal and Professional Growth: Dr. Noble shares that running a business is a continuous journey of self-discovery. It forces you to confront your weaknesses and areas for improvement, like communication, which ultimately leads to personal and professional growth.
Prioritize Your Team: Dr. Noble believes a happy and supported team is the foundation of a successful business. By investing in her clinicians through mentorship and regular check-ins, she ensures they can provide the best possible care to their patients.
Quotes From the Episode
"I love physicians... However, I found most of my patients were sent our direction from their mental health therapists, from their acupuncturists, from their chiropractors, from their other support systems."
"Leaking after you have a baby, this is what everyone's dealing with. And it's like, right, a lot of people have it, but you don't have to live with it. We can help make that better."
"Our biggest goal is to be checking in and to make sure that as we're working together, symptoms are changing. As long as we're making change, we're making progress, we're on a good path."
"It's not as awkward as you think... We do it every day. And it's what we love doing because we know how much data we can find and how much relief we can help our patients have."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Dr. Joy Noble
Instagram: @pelvicpride
Website: pelvicpride.com
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Episodes released weekly.
This solo episode with Liz Kent dives deep into the often-overlooked power of trusting your instinct, both in the demanding world of entrepreneurship and the equally challenging journey of motherhood. Liz shares personal anecdotes and insights on why it's crucial to tune out external noise and listen to your inner voice when making decisions, even when it's scary or goes against the grain. She emphasizes how fear and urgency can lead us astray, and how embracing our intuition can ultimately lead to more aligned and fulfilling choices.
Key Takeaways
The Cost of Ignoring Your Gut: Liz highlights how often we disregard our initial instincts, especially when faced with urgency or fear, only to later realize our first thought was correct. This can lead to backtracking and added stress in both business and personal life.
Battling External Messages: We are constantly bombarded with advice and opinions from social media, experts, and even well-meaning friends and family. Learning to filter these external messages and turn inward is essential for making choices that truly align with your values.
Values as Your Compass: Conducting a values exercise can be a powerful tool to ensure your time and decisions are aligned with your core beliefs and long-term goals. This can reveal areas where shifts are needed, even if they feel daunting.
Empowerment in Difficult Decisions: Whether it's letting go of a bad hire or advocating for your child's needs, trusting your gut can be incredibly empowering. It allows you to set boundaries, conserve energy, and make necessary adjustments even when it's uncomfortable to admit a misstep.
You Are the Expert: Ultimately, you are the expert on your child and your business. Even if you're not a professional in a specific field, your intuition and understanding of your unique circumstances are invaluable and should be trusted.
Quotes From the Episode
"So many times when I have not trusted my gut and made decisions out of urgency or out of fear, then learned that I probably was right with my first instinct."
"When it comes down to it, I think it's really important to be able to turn inward and look at what is right for you and how do you kind of make sure that you're following that gut instinct."
"We make a lot of business decisions out of fear or avoid making decisions out of fear, especially when you're looking to grow or scale."
"It's better to cut it off and move forward than to keep going in it and having things just get more stressful."
"You know your kid best and it's okay to keep trusting that you know what is right even if you're not a professional expert. You are the expert in your kid and you're the expert in your business."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur podcast, Liz Kent chats with Hannah Morgan, founder of Heron Works and Heron House Management. Hannah shares her journey of creating virtual house management services to help busy parents, especially moms, navigate the overwhelming administrative tasks of daily life.
She explains how her team tackles everything from meal planning and schedule management to vacation planning and gift tracking, all remotely. Hannah also offers valuable advice on defining success and building a supportive team to thrive as a mompreneur.
Key Takeaways
Virtual House Management is a Game Changer: Heron House Management offers a unique solution for busy parents by providing remote project management for household and family tasks, effectively relieving the mental load.
It's More Than Just a Virtual Assistant: Unlike typical virtual assistants, virtual house managers act as strategic thought partners, proactively managing big-picture projects for families.
Common Pain Points Solved: Highly requested services include meal planning and grocery ordering, comprehensive schedule management for families, vacation and summer camp planning, school search assistance, and even gift management for all occasions.
The Power of a Digital System: Utilizing a shared digital project management system like Asana provides transparency and allows clients to offload their to-do lists, knowing tasks are being managed efficiently.
Define Your Own Success (and Be Flexible): Hannah emphasizes the importance of defining what success means to you as a mompreneur and being open to changing that definition as you evolve. This vision helps filter opportunities and prioritize time and energy.
Quotes From the Episode
"The idea is that you need somebody that's more elevated than a virtual assistant to be a true thought partner and project manager and all of the management of your life as a busy person, especially for parents."
"The goal is really that the house manager is owning the success of the project, and they are telling your client, 'Okay, I need this login information, or I need this kid's birthdate to sign them up for camp, or I need you to make a decision,' etc. So that's kind of how we manage everything, is in this shared space that allows you to give your brain a break and not feel like you're constantly carrying around that to-do list, which is so exhausting.
"No one likes being in charge of the schedule. So that's why we do it."
"Figure out what success means for you and work towards that goal. But don't be afraid to change it as you change because we're all human."
"We really do need a team, even if it looks like other people are doing it by themselves. I can assure you they're not, they also need a team. And also sometimes a hug, like we all just need a hug."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Hannah Morgan
Instagram: @heronhousemanagement
Website for house management: https://www.heronhousemanagement.com/
Website for small business support: https://www.heronworksllc.com/
Podcast: De-Stress The Nest
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In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur podcast, host Liz Kent, a licensed therapist and life coach for overwhelmed moms, sits down with fellow licensed clinical professional counselor Allie McQuaid. They dive deep into the often-overlooked "mental load" that back-to-school season places on mothers.
From anticipating children's emotions and managing new routines to handling logistics like school supplies and activity schedules, Liz and Allie offer practical strategies and insightful tips to help moms navigate this demanding transition with more ease and less stress. They emphasize the importance of self-compassion, communication with partners, leveraging available tools, and redefining "outsourcing" to create a more balanced and thriving back-to-school experience for the entire family.
Key Takeaways
Anticipate and Process Emotions (Your Own and Your Kids'): Back-to-school brings a mix of emotions—excitement, resistance, and even guilt for moms. Acknowledge and create space for these feelings, recognizing that it's a significant transition for everyone.
Redefine and Utilize "Outsourcing": Outsourcing isn't just about expensive services. It can be as simple as using Target pickup for school supplies, ordering online from craft stores, or even delegating tasks to school-aged children. Look for ways to simplify and remove steps from your plate.
Prioritize Communication and Shared Responsibility with Partners: Implement regular "game planning" sessions with your partner to review schedules and logistics. Consider a shared email address for school and activity communications to ensure both parents are equally informed and can distribute the mental load.
Leverage Tools and Technology for Organization: Whether it's a shared digital calendar (like Google Calendar), a physical calendar, or an interactive display like the Skylight Calendar, find a system that works for your family to keep everyone informed and engaged in managing schedules and tasks.
Practice Self-Compassion and Adjust Expectations: The back-to-school period is a significant adjustment. Be kind to yourself, understand that you might "drop the ball" occasionally, and allow for unstructured time and simpler routines (like themed meal nights or even cereal for dinner) to reduce overwhelm.
Quotes From the Episode
"Anticipating what's coming...is part of that intangible load that moms carry."
"We put these expectations as moms to make these experiences and opportunities for our kids and we're anticipating they're going to react a certain way. And maybe it's not as big of a deal to them as it is to us."
"Making sure that both people feel heard and that not one is carrying most of the load."
"Moms do not have to just take all of this on. Like if you have school-aged kids, they can definitely participate in some things and both partners can definitely participate in managing all of the logistics."
"Be kind to yourself. This is an emotion for moms too. There's a lot of moving pieces and staying organized helps, but being kind to yourself and adjusting your expectations."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Allie McQuaid
Instagram: @millennialmomtherapist
Website: https://www.treehousetherapyllc.com
Google Calendar: A free, shared online calendar tool for managing schedules and appointments.
Skylight Calendar: An interactive digital family calendar display designed to help organize schedules, chores, and grocery lists.
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode, Liz Kent tackles the pervasive issue of mom guilt, a feeling most mothers have experienced. She explains why mom guilt is so persistent, especially for ambitious mompreneurs who are constantly balancing business goals and family needs.
Liz reveals how societal and self-imposed expectations contribute to this overwhelming feeling and how it can become a barrier to both business growth and personal fulfillment. Most importantly, she offers actionable strategies to reframe guilt as information, set healthy boundaries, and practice self-compassion to thrive without constantly feeling like you're falling short.
Key Takeaways
Mom guilt is common, but not helpful: Recognize that feeling torn between business and family is a widespread experience for mompreneurs, but it doesn't have to hold you back.
Expectations fuel guilt: Mom guilt often stems from societal pressure, the "default parent" role, and high self-expectations, particularly for high-achieving women.
Reframe guilt as information, not instruction: Instead of letting guilt dictate your actions, use it as a signal to understand your feelings and challenge limiting beliefs.
Boundaries are essential for reducing guilt: Setting clear boundaries with clients, family, and even yourself helps define what's acceptable and prevents self-sacrifice leading to burnout.
Practice self-compassion and embrace the "power of ands": Understand that you can love your kids deeply AND prioritize your own needs and goals. You can be a good mom and still desire personal pursuits and business growth.
Quotes from the Episode
"Guilt is common, but it's not helpful."
"Guilt can actually really become a barrier to your business growth, to your own personal fulfillment and joy."
"We really need to shift our mindset to reframe guilt as information, not just instruction."
"Asking yourself whether the guilt you're feeling is because something really doesn't feel right, or is it uncomfortable because you're doing something kind of brave and new?"
"You can love your kids deeply and still prioritize your own needs and goals and well-being."
"You can be a good mom and want adult conversation, want a night out, want to grow a business, want to do other things."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
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Episodes released weekly.
Join Liz Kent on this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur as she chats with Lianna Purvis, a therapist and parenting coach specializing in supporting parents of neurodivergent children.
Lianna sheds light on why meltdowns often seem to "come out of nowhere" for neurodivergent kids, explaining the concept of a "slow burn" of sensory and emotional buildup. She offers practical, proactive strategies for identifying triggers, helping kids decompress, and fostering open communication. This episode is a must-listen for any parent looking to understand and reduce meltdowns while strengthening their family dynamics.
Key Takeaways
Meltdowns are often a "slow burn," not sudden: For many neurodivergent children, meltdowns are the culmination of a gradual buildup of stress and sensory overload throughout the day, even if they appear to come out of nowhere to adults.
Parents are the experts on their child: You already possess valuable insights into your child's triggers and needs. The key is to organize this information and use it proactively to prevent meltdowns.
Proactive decompression is crucial: After a stimulating environment like school, neurodivergent kids often need immediate, unstructured downtime in a safe space to regulate their nervous systems. Observe what your child naturally does to calm down and facilitate that.
Separate feelings from behavior: It's essential to validate your child's feelings while still setting clear boundaries for unacceptable behaviors. Work with them to find healthy ways to express intense emotions.
Progress is non-linear and imperfect: Implementing new strategies takes time and will have bumps along the way. Focus on reducing the frequency and intensity of meltdowns rather than aiming for complete elimination, and remember that it's okay for both parents and children to make mistakes.
Quotes From the Episode
"For a lot of neurodivergent kids, it's often a really slow burn. So even though for us as adults, it absolutely seems like it's coming completely out of nowhere, for the kids, it's actually a buildup over time of a lot of stuff stressing them out and building up in their nervous systems."
"As a parent, you are the expert on your child and you know what sets them off, what they don't like, what they do like, their tolerance for certain things, their stamina for certain things."
"If your child is like naturally wanting to kind of hide in the closet in the dark and to do their own thing for a little while, that's really good information to have."
"We never want to punish feelings. Feelings are always okay. Feelings are always valid. And so we wanna validate that piece while at the same time redirecting certain behaviors that we know we don't want."
"You're not a bad parent because your kid had a meltdown. Like that's just what's going to happen. But, you know, what we can do is work on some strategies to change things up a little bit so that we can reduce how often those things happen."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Lianna Purjes
Therapy website: https://www.fuzzysockstherapy.com/
Coaching website: https://coachingwithlianna.com/
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Episodes released weekly.
Join Liz Kent and professional organizer Di Ter Avest for an insightful conversation about how a well-organized home and life can drastically reduce stress for busy moms.
Di, a mom of two and founder of Di Is Organized, shares her holistic "Organize Yourself Healthy" method, which connects physical organization with time management, self-care, and overall well-being. This episode offers practical strategies for decluttering, creating sustainable routines for the whole family, and embracing a mindset that prioritizes what truly matters.
Key Takeaways
Organization is Holistic: Di emphasizes that organizing isn't just about tidying your physical space; it's deeply connected to time management, well-being, and self-care. A harmonious home environment can significantly reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.
Prioritize and Schedule Self-Care: If you don't intentionally schedule time for yourself, it won't happen. Treat self-care activities, like getting your nails done or having a date night, as non-negotiable appointments in your calendar to ensure they don't get pushed aside.
Minimize to Maximize: Less truly can be more. Decluttering and minimizing possessions, especially toys with young children through methods like toy rotation, reduces the constant need for maintenance and makes cleanup more manageable for everyone.
Create Family Routines and Delegate: Involve the entire family in maintaining an organized home. Establishing clear morning and evening routines, and delegating age-appropriate chores, empowers kids and alleviates the burden on moms, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Outsource When Needed: Don't be afraid to ask for help or outsource tasks. Whether it's enlisting family members, hiring a professional organizer, or using cleaning services, recognizing when you need extra support can significantly reduce overwhelm and improve your quality of life.
Quotes From the Episode
"I believe that having that tidy space also helps moms reduce stress and create a space that really matters to them, and makes them feel good about themselves in their environment. So I see organization as a holistic approach, not just your home, but how it's connected to your time management, your well-being and self-care, it's all connected."
"If you don't put it on your calendar and set a time for you to do the things that you love and want, those things are not going to happen."
"It can't just be mom doing all the things, taking care of the house, like everybody in the family...everyone has to be a part of this."
"The less you have in your home that you don't have to spend all that time maintaining, it is important."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Di Ter Avest
Email: diteravest@diisorganized.com
Website: https://diisorganized.com/
Instagram: @diisorganized
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Episodes released weekly.
In this empowering episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, your host, Liz Kent, welcomes Lindsay Fletcher, a sales consultant, fellow podcaster, and co-owner of a successful pool maintenance business. Lindsay shares her unique journey from running a service-based business to recognizing a crucial need for sales and marketing education among entrepreneurs.
She dives deep into the common hurdles mompreneurs face, such as time management and wearing multiple hats, and offers practical strategies. From pinpointing your ideal customer to strategically delegating tasks using tools like Eisenhower's Matrix, Lindsay provides actionable advice. The conversation highlights the non-negotiable importance of tracking your marketing efforts and, most importantly, being passionately willing to talk about your business to foster growth and serve your community.
Key Takeaways
Master Time Management by Prioritizing: As mompreneurs, we often juggle countless roles. Lindsay emphasizes that effectively managing your time is critical, especially by recognizing that you wear all the hats (accounting, marketing, sales, operations) in your early stages.
Define Your Ideal Customer: While it's tempting to serve everyone when starting out, truly understanding and targeting your ideal customer is essential for long-term sustainability and preventing burnout.
Leverage Eisenhower's Matrix for Productivity: Utilize Eisenhower's Matrix to categorize your tasks into four quadrants: Urgent & Important, Urgent & Not Important, Important & Not Urgent, and Not Urgent & Not Important. This helps identify what truly needs doing, what can be scheduled, delegated, or even eliminated from your to-do list.
Strategic Delegation is Key: Free up valuable time for high-impact activities like sales and marketing by delegating or outsourcing non-essential tasks. This could be as simple as using grocery delivery services or hiring administrative and bookkeeping support.
Track Your ROI and Be Your Business's Biggest Advocate: Don't just throw efforts into the wind; actively track the return on investment (ROI) of your sales and marketing activities to understand what's truly driving revenue. Most critically, be excited and willing to talk about your business – if you don't promote it, no one else will.
Quotes From the Episode
"We wear all the hats at first, and so really managing our time well is something that I see a lot of business owners struggling with out of the gate."
"You need to know who your ideal customer is. If your target audience is a mom, who in that mom group is your ideal customer?"
"I would just about bet the farm that you have something on your list that you're doing that doesn't actually need to be done each week or each day or each month. And you can cross that off your list."
"You have to track what you're doing. You can't just throw out a post and then go, oh, I made $500. Was it from the post or was it from the networking you did?"
"If you are not willing to talk about your business, no one is going to talk about it either."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Lindsay Fletcher
Email: hello@lindsayfletcher.co
Facebook Group: Women In Business
Podcast: Grow My Business
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!
Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of Thriving Mompreneur podcast, host Liz Kent unpacks the often-hidden beliefs and societal pressures that prevent mompreneurs, particularly those in helping professions, from embracing financial abundance.
Liz shares her personal journey of dismantling detrimental money mindsets, revealing how deeply ingrained ideas about self-sacrifice can sabotage a thriving business and personal well-being. She makes a compelling case that generating income doesn't detract from your purpose; rather, it amplifies your capacity to serve, be present with your family, and cultivate a life characterized by less stress and greater impact.
Key Takeaways
Money Mindset is Crucial for Mompreneurs: Entrepreneurship, particularly for those in helping professions, necessitates a deep dive into personal beliefs about money to align them with professional and family goals.
Challenge the "Self-Sacrificial" Narrative: Many helping professions inadvertently promote a "badge of honor" for not prioritizing money, which becomes unsustainable and unrealistic for adults with families and responsibilities.
Financial Well-being Fuels Impact: Sacrificing your own financial needs and well-being limits your ability to serve effectively. Sustainable business growth provides both time and financial freedom, ultimately enhancing your capacity to help others.
Money Creates Opportunities, Not Just Stress: Having more financial wiggle room can significantly reduce stress, allowing you to be more present with your family, pursue hobbies, travel, and show up more fully in all aspects of your life.
Embrace Financial Literacy and Transparency: Avoiding financial realities due to anxiety can be detrimental. Running the numbers and creating a budget, even if the situation isn't ideal, provides clarity and empowers you to make a plan for moving forward.
Quotes from The Episode
"Sometimes the unknown creates so much anxiety for us that we can't even deal with it, and so we just avoid it. And when we really sit down, maybe it's not as bad as you think it is."
"My affirmation for the better part of the past year, six months at least, has been that it's safe to serve and make abundant income."
"I feel like I've done more work on money mindset in a couple of years of entrepreneurship than I have in years of being in therapy."
"As a 40-something-year-old adult with a family and a house and a life, not making money is not really a realistic attitude to be able to carry into our professional life."
"Being able to have a little bit more wiggle room in my budget creates more space for me to be able to show up for the people in my life, whether that's clients, family, whoever."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Monarch budgeting tool
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Episodes released weekly.
In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur podcast, host Liz Kent chats with Danielle Sangalli, a licensed therapist and relationship coach, about the concept of "single spousing." Danielle explains this term, which describes the feeling of being alone in your relationship, even if you love your partner, due to life's obstacles, unaddressed emotional wounds, or the demands of raising children. They discuss common patterns that lead to this disconnect, such as lack of time and viewing quality time as a luxury rather than a necessity.
Danielle introduces her concept of an "engagementship" – an upgraded relationship with more connection and quality time. She shares practical strategies for identifying what's missing in your relationship, challenging limiting beliefs about what's possible, and taking proactive steps to create a more fulfilling partnership. Danielle also offers advice for women whose partners may not be as willing to engage in relationship work, emphasizing the power of individual effort and self-advocacy. This episode offers valuable insights for any mompreneur looking to nurture their romantic relationship amidst the demands of life and business.
Key Takeaways
"Single spousing" describes the feeling of being alone in a relationship, often due to busy lives, unaddressed emotional issues, or the demands of parenting.
Many couples view quality time as a luxury rather than a necessity, leading to a mindset that the "fun days are gone" in their relationship.
An "engagementship" is an upgraded relationship focused on greater connection, engagement, and quality time, moving beyond the bare minimum.
Challenging deeply ingrained beliefs about finances or lifestyle can open up possibilities for creating more time and connection in your relationship.
Even if your partner isn't actively participating in relationship work, focusing on your own self-advocacy and growth can positively impact the dynamic and create space for future collaboration.
Quotes from The Episode
"There are a lot of people who are feeling very alone in their relationships, even if they love their partner."
"Let's upgrade to an engagement ship, a connected relationship that feels like higher quality and more satisfying."
"What's making you think this is as good as it gets?"
"Take care of you because that's going to help the relationship at the end of the day, too."
"How can you become a little bit stronger in bringing up what you have to say, even if you might not get the response that you're looking for?"
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Danielle Sangalli
Instagram: @single_spousing
Website: https://daniellesangalli.com/
Facebook Group: Single Spousing Group for Women
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Episodes released weekly.