Info

Moms with Dreams Show

Moms with Dreams is the go-to podcast for women who want to pursue their dreams in the midst of motherhood. A positive, upbeat show that provides empowerment, education and inspiration for moms, Moms with Dreams delivers success strategies and actionable steps. Listeners will meet successful people who are living their dreams, and in turn, become inspired to begin their journey toward business ownership, becoming a published author, or pursuing any other passion that's burning inside of them.
RSS Feed
Moms with Dreams Show
2021
July
June
April
March
February
January


2020
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
January


2018
December
November
October
September
July
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2016
Dec 28, 2016

I’m not a fan of making New Year’s resolutions, but I am a fan of learning from my experiences and looking at undesired outcomes as lessons rather than mistakes. 2016 was an interesting year, both personally and professionally. I finally decided to tackle three important goals that have been on my list for a few years.

In this final episode of 2016, I share important lessons that propelled me forward to living out my dreams. My hope is that you are inspired by my journey and apply these lessons to your life so you can go after what you really want in 2017.

As always, keep pushing forward to your dreams! Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! I will talk with you in 2017.

Dec 21, 2016

This week on the Moms With Dreams podcast, we’re talking about the hot topic of public speaking.

Women often tell me how they want to speak and get paid, but they’re afraid to put themselves out there. I remember how scary it was the first time that I spoke in front of an audience. So I thought it would be neat to have Angela Lussier, an award-winning speaker, three-time author, two-time TEDx presenter, and trainer join me on the podcast.

Angela is the founder of the Speaking School for Women, an online program that trains women to become paid speakers. She is also the founder of the Speaker Sisterhood, a network of speaking clubs for women, and the host of Claim the Stage, a public speaking podcast for women.

You’re going to love Angela’s bubbly personality and gain a ton of value from our conversation.

During this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How Angela became a speaker on purpose but a paid speaker by accident
  • What she did during her first 6 months in Toastmasters
  • The truth about what you must do to become a great public speaker, get over your fear of public speaking, and improve your presentation skills
  • The steps Angela took to book 16 workshops in 5 minutes and 32 workshops on her 2nd day in business!
  • Why Angela thinks rules shouldn’t apply to brand new speakers
  • What you can do as a new speaker to get comfortable on stage
  • The #1 reason why business owners (especially new ones) should be speaking
  • How to find speaking gigs (thanks to my listener, Cheranissa Roach, for asking this question)
  • Why you should start out with unpaid speaking gigs that add value for your target audience
  • What should be included on your speaker one sheet

Angela’s Tip for Improving Your Presentation Skills

Videotape yourself then watch it in 3 different ways:

  1. Watch without sound so you can see your facial expressions and body language.
  2. Listen without watching so you can hear what you’re saying
  3. Watch and listen at the same time to see how it all comes together

Angela’s Recommended Reading:

Purple Cow, by Seth Godin. According to Angel, this is “a great book about marketing, standing out and taking risks so you can become that person or company that people remember.”

Angela’s Parting Words of Wisdom

“Stop waiting - start creating. The longer we wait for opportunity, the longer we wait to start, and the more time we’re wasting. We need to get started now. Then you can start experimenting and the adventure begins. We’ll get to learn more about ourselves and about the world.”

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.toastmasters.org/

http://thumbtack.com

Speaking School for Women (you can get on the waiting list for the upcoming February session)  

Angela’s website: http://angelalussier.us

I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Moms With Dreams Show. I love to hear from you, so please leave your comments below.

Have an idea or topic for an upcoming show? You can email me directly at Erica@momswithdreams.com.

As always, keep pushing forward to your dreams. Get out there, do what you love and make a difference.

I’ll be back next week with a special end-of-the-year episode to close out 2016 with a BANG!

xoxo

Erica

 

Dec 14, 2016

Shakesia Morgan is the founder of Just Simply Hair Care Products. When she noticed that her daughter inherited the same scalp ailments that she’d suffered with since the age of 12, Shakesia decided to do something about it. Determined to end the cycle, she became a hair enthusiast. Inside her kitchen, she created an all-natural hair care product line that helped her hair and her daughter’s hair grow back healthier than ever. Shakesia’s living her dream by helping others experience healthy hair and regain their confidence.

In this episode,…

  • you’ll hear how Shakesia overcame her struggle with androgenetic hair loss
  • Shakesia shares how she recovered from an earlier business failure and the lessons she took away from that experience
  • you’ll learn key steps that entrepreneurs should take to lay a solid business foundation
  • Shakesia talks about how she funded her business and manages her finances
  • She reveals the steps you can take to start your own hair care business
  • and more…

Shakiesia suggests that you read the book, The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. This is a best-selling, self-help book based on The Law of Attraction, and it will change your perspective on life.

Shakesia’s Parting Words of Wisdom:

“Always remember your why for your dream. Your why is your driving force to get you up and moving every single day.”

Where You Can Find Shakesia Online:

Website: www.justsimplyhair.com

Facebook Fan Page: Just Simply Hair-Hair Care Products

Instagram: @justsimplyhair

I hope you enjoyed this episode! Please leave your comments below or feel free to email me at Erica@momswithdreams.com. I can’t wait to be back with you next week!

Keep doing what you love and making a difference,

Erica

 

 

Dec 7, 2016

Annett Bone is the founder and host of the DancePreneuring Studio podcast, where she guides her listeners on a journey of transformation inspired by dance, life and business. Annett’s podcast is a reflection of her personal adventure of overcoming her fears and returning to her passion for dance after a 20-year hiatus. In her podcast, Annett lovingly shares the lessons that she’s learned along the way, proving that it’s never too late to be great.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

…how Annett struggled with a victim-life mentality, low self-confidence, a negative self-image and hated the sound of her own voice

… the moment that changed everything and what she did to never go back to living in fear and doubt

…what was really in Annett’s way and how she worked her away around it

 … how she used to think that her business and passion had to be separate and how she naturally blended the two

… and much more

Annett suggests that you read, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. This book offers a unique and mindful approach to productivity and organization.  

Annett’s Parting Words of Wisdom:

  1. Do what you can with what you have. Some progress is better than no progress.
  2. Be careful of information constipation (she explains what this is in her interview).
  3. Honor the season you’re in and don’t compare your worst with someone’s best.

Where You Can Find Annett Online:

Website: http://annettbone.com

Twitter: @AnnettBone

Instagram: annettbone

Facebook: http://facebook.com/annett.bone

Google+: http://gplus.to/AnnettBone

Thank you for listening and being a part of my dream. If you have any questions or comments, send me an email at Erica@momswithdreams.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Keep doing what you love,

Erica

 

 

Nov 29, 2016

This week I introduce you to Dr. Stephanie Iglesias, the founder of Tasteful Art, an interactive business using art therapy to enhance lives. Stephanie is a single mom (of two sons), has worked for over twelve years for the state of New Jersey as a child welfare worker, and is passionate about using creative art for transformation and healing.

During our interview, I asked Dr. Iglesias what inspired her to go back to school to earn her PhD and how she made it through her program. Instead of sugar coating it, Stephanie lets us know how challenging it was – especially as she got closer to the end of her dissertation.

In this episode, …

…you’ll get Stephanie’s tips to succeed in school as a working parent.

…you’ll learn about art therapy and what it means to “transcend positive behavioral expressions”.

…you’ll be inspired to keep pushing toward your dream even when it’s hard and you want to quit

…and more…

At the end of our conversation, Stephanie reminds you to:

“Don’t allow yourself to get in your own way. Keep pushing forward.”

To learn more about Dr. Iglesias and her beautiful mission, visit www.tastfulart.com

Thank you for listening! I appreciate having you here with me. Post your comments, questions, and feedback below. Or you can email me at Erica@momswithdreams.com.

Keep doing what you love,

Erica

 

 

Nov 24, 2016

This week we’re celebrating Thanksgiving here in the United States, which kicks off the holiday season. This is one of my favorite times of the year – spending time with family and friends, eating lots of delicious food, and exchanging gifts. But it’s also when new side business owners fall into a “holiday slump” and struggle to stay on track with their businesses.

I’ve struggled with this before, and it’s not fun at all. That’s why I created this episode in which I share five easy tips to help you enjoy the holidays without losing momentum in your business or getting stressed out.

You’ll have to listen to find out what they are, and make sure that you have your pen and notebook handy to take notes.

After you’ve listened, feel free to email me with any questions, comments or feedback that you have at Erica@momswithdreams.com.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Erica

Nov 15, 2016

I’m SUPER-EXCITED to share this week’s episode with you! I finally got a chance to sit down with the one and only - Dr. Nyali Taylor!!

Now, just in case you don’t know who she is, Nyali is my best friend since 7th grade, and she also happens to be a rockin’ mom, wife, and vascular surgeon!

You may have heard me talk about Nyali before – about the pact that we made back in the day. She would grow up to become a doctor and I would become a lawyer. (I’m pretty sure that I was heavily influenced by Claire Huxtable, the mom from The Cosby Show, who happened to be beautiful, educated, and the “perfect” mom and wife in my eyes.)

Life took us on different paths, but Nyali stayed on course. She went straight to college then to medical school and spent the majority of her young adult years in school working toward her dream of becoming a doctor.

In this fun episode, I help Nyali pull the curtains back. I wanted to know HOW she stayed on the same path she outlined for herself since she was a little girl.

So many people go through life and never discover their passion or settle into doing something totally different from what they feel they were born to do. That’s exactly why I invited Nyali on my show – so she could peel back the magic curtain and let us in on:

  • How she knew what she wanted to do at such a young age
  • How she stayed on course with her goals
  • The event that changed the way she approaches life
  • Her next big move that she’s getting ready to take (something that is completely out of character for her)
  • And more…

I also created an action guide that asks you some pretty deep questions and gives you a chance to reflect on your life. At the end of the guide, there’s a challenge that you can take and share your answers with me in my private Facebook group, Side Biz Success and Life Mastery.

Download your action guide here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and find out what resonates with you from my interview with Nyali. You can email me at Erica@momswithdreams.com or leave a comment below.

Enjoy and keep doing what you love!

Nov 9, 2016

This week I introduce you to Contessa Louise Cooper. She is an author, speaker, mother, and creator of the #WeAllHaveAStory Movement, where she encourages people to share their stories to change their lives and the lives of others. Her movement originally began from advocating for her son who has autism but has grown to include anyone who wants to transform their pain and challenges into a platform to uplift others.

We covered a lot in this interview - from parenting with an autistic child to becoming a bestselling author and a thriving business owner. 

Contessa’s story about having an autistic son:

I love Contessa’s warmth, caring heart and realness. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you hear how she became an advocate for autism, what she did to overcome her anger, and her process of learning how to forgive. She offers great suggestions for parents with autistic children to help them overcome their challenges.  

“The easiest thing to write about is what you know.” ~Contessa Louise Cooper

Then we got into her journey as an author and what inspired her to write her first bestseller, Mad at the World: How to Move on and Find Peace When You’re A Special Needs Parent. She shares awesome tips to help you begin your journey as a new author.

In less than one year, Contessa has built a thriving business and community.

She tells you how she did it and gives simple steps that you should take, before you even start writing, to build your business and be a successful “authorpreneur”.

To get the most out of this powerful interview, be sure to download your writeable action guide with key takeaways, self-reflection questions, action steps, and a challenge – all geared to help you begin writing your story.

Download your action guide to deepen your learning here.

You can find Contessa online at http://Contessalouise.com.

Thanks for listening and for being a part of my community - I’m truly honored.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions email me directly at Erica@momswithdreams.com.

 

 

 

Nov 1, 2016

I’m honored to introduce you to my guest, Joel Boggess, who’s an expert podcaster, speaker, bestselling author, and mentor. Joel is the go-to guy for clarity, confidence, and direction as he teaches people how to find productivity, meaning and success by using the power of their voice.

Joel’s podcast, ReLaunch, has passed the 1.5 million listeners mark and was named Most Inspirational for 2014 and 2015.

In this episode, Joel talks about:

  • The biggest reason why most aspiring podcasters never launch their show
  • 3 specific questions that you should answer before you start your podcast
  • The difference between launching a podcast for passion and for business
  • How to attract listeners and build your audience
  • Why you shouldn’t even attempt to launch your podcast without support or guidance
  • And more…the conversation got pretty deep, as you’ll see when you listen to the full episode.

If you’re listening to this episode on the day it airs, you can check Joel out on November 4-5th as he delivers his keynote speech at DC Podfest in Washington, DC.

You can click here to listen to Joel’s wildly popular podcast, ReLaunch. I promise that you will enjoy it.

Visit Joel’s website: www.relaunchshow.com.

Connect with Joel on Instagram: @joel_boggess

 

 

 

 

Oct 26, 2016

In this episode, I decided to switch it up for a change. Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m being interviewed on my own show for the first time ever! That’s right! I brought my amazing colleague and sister-friend, Porsha Hargrove, on my podcast to ask me about my decision to go back to school for my doctorate degree.

You may not know this, but I LOVE to learn and I’m passionate about educating, inspiring, and encouraging women to pursue their biggest goals and wildest dreams. I’ve always wanted to complete the highest level of education so I wouldn’t have any limitations or be forced to settle for not having the right qualifications.

In middle school my best friend, Nyali, and I made a pact with each other – she would become a medical doctor, and I would become an attorney. My life took me down a few detours along a non-traditional path of education. As I learned more about law, I decided that it wasn’t for me. As an undergraduate student I took my first psychology class and instantly fell in love with the idea of studying people.

While going through a devastating divorce in 2011, I started graduate school. It wasn’t easy, but I earned my masters degree in psychology in 2013. No matter how many times I tried to ignore my dream of going back for my PhD, it kept resurfacing. It got so bad that I would lay awake at night contemplating if I had what it takes to actually do it

Every now and then I would research a new school, look into its doctoral programs and dream. I had spoken with admission counselors and was about to settle for another masters degree, but something wouldn’t let me do it. The truth is that I was trying to convince myself to play small because of fear.

In July of 2016 I finally made the decision to pursue my PhD. I realized that I was procrastinating and making excuses. I was afraid of not being able to manage school. But even with the fear, my dream would not go away.

In September 2016, I started my first class as a PhD student. Some people think I’m crazy for adding school to my overflowing plate. Some are amazed by my ambition and ability to do so much. But I can’t take the credit – this is how God made me. I’m just walking in the path that He designed for me.

In this episode, Porsha holds nothing back as she tries to get to the root of my “addiction to education” and why it means so much to me to achieve this goal. We had a lot of fun while uncovering my truth. I shared my best tips for ambitious working adults who want to go back to school.


I also created a special bonus for you. It’s a downloadable and “writeable” PDF that accompanies this episode. This worksheet was designed to help you sort through your dreams and goals and includes:

  • Action steps
  • Key takeaways
  • Self-reflection questions
  • A challenge to help you take inspired action
  • Resources for adults who are considering going back to school

Once you sign up, you’ll become a VIP member of my community and will have lifetime access to all worksheets as they’re added to my Moms With Dreams library.

 You can click here to gain access to this worksheet and library.

 **I’ve also included an extra special bonus that you will only get as a VIP member. Be sure to get your worksheet so you don’t miss out on this special offer.

 Remember that you can always write me at Erica@momswithdreams.com. Follow me on Twitter @Momswithdreams and on Instagram @EricaGordonLive. If you love listening to these episodes each week, subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

If you’re not a member of my awesome Facebook group, Side Biz Success & Life Mastery, I invite you to join the fun today!

See you next week!

Xoxo

Erica

 

Oct 19, 2016

Kym Kennedy is a personal development coach and mentor with 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. As a child who grew up as a “latch key kid” with both parents working outside of the home, Kym knew that she wanted to raise her children differently.

 

Soon after becoming a mom, Kym created a successful home business based on her passion for cooking. Her business gave her the best of both worlds – an opportunity to contribute to her family’s income while being present for her children.

 

In this episode, Kym shares her secret for success, which begins with asking these two questions:

  1. What is it that I love?
  2. What am I good at?

Answering them in this order will ensure that you are looking into your heart and giving yourself space to connect with your passion.

 

You don’t need a formal education in business to be a successful entrepreneur.

Kym built her business using trial and error. She got started and figured things out as she went along. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the how-to of things, but you don’t need to know it all – you just need to have an end goal (or know what you want to achieve) and be open to learning new skills

 

How to remove feelings of overwhelm:

When you start thinking big, you can quickly become overwhelmed at the thought of all that you have to do in order to accomplish that big goal or dream. Instead of trying to do it all in one step, Kym suggests that you take a step back and choose one step that you can take right now that will get you closer to your goal.

 

How to get out of your own way and get closer to your dream:

You have to work on your mindset. When doubt or fear shows up, you have to raise your vibration. Tap into information and resources (such as books, podcasts, etc.) that remind you of your ability to create and have anything that you want. Raising your vibration will allow you to see different opportunities – doors will open up for you.

 

How to reconnect with your passion:

Take a moment and think back to when you were a little girl and what you dreamt about doing when you grew up. Getting reconnected with that part of you will open up your heart and help you get out of your head.

 

Kym’s recommended reading:

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

She loves this book because it’s about our hearts, our own personal legends, finding your truth and encourages readers to follow their heart and go after what they truly desire.

 

Kym’s Projects:

She’s currently writing her book and expanding her alchemy coaching practice to help others enter into the life coaching industry.

 

Kym’s Parting Words of Wisdom:

“You are perfect as you are. You have within you everything that you require to fulfill your deepest dreams. Dream big and surround yourself with people who will support you and encourage you to play the biggest game that you can play.”

 

Where You Can Find Kym Online:

Website: http://www.kymmkennedy.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KymMKennedy
Instagram: kymmkennedy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct 11, 2016

“Life is full of lessons, even if pain is the teacher.” ~Dr. Samone Brown

Dr. Samone Smith-Brown is a certified life coach with a doctorate in psychology. She is the CEO of Your Symmetrical Self Life Coaching Services and host of Beacon of Light podcast. Her expertise in coaching and psychology enables her to help clients remove personal roadblocks so they can life full, joyful lives.

 

In this episode, Dr. Samone talks about abusive relationships, trauma and how she stopped herself right before committing suicide. Dr. Samone also teaches you how to achieve your “symmetrical self” and accept that you are deserving of all that you desire.

 

How Samone Discovered Her Calling

Right as she was about to take pills that would end her life, Dr. Samone heard a voice. That voice spoke directly to her about the pain she would cause her loved ones, especially her daughter. In that moment, she realized her purpose – that her pain caused by sexual and physical abuse could be used as a blessing to save others who were also suffering.

 

How Samone Picked Herself Up After Attempting Suicide

  • She had to learn how to encourage herself and became her biggest cheerleader.
  • Samone worked on letting go of other people’s ideas about who she was and started redefining herself from the inside.
  • She prayed a lot and worked hard to “see light” in herself.
  • She created positive affirmations that enforced her self-love.

 

The Story behind Samone’s Brand, “Your Symmetrical Self”

Unbeknownst to her, Samone was developing the foundation of her brand while going  through her own healing process. “Your Symmetrical Self” is the concept of achieving harmony within by learning how to balance your inner self with your outer self. She talks about the process of creating this symmetry and how you can align your inner feelings of confidence and self-worth with your outer beauty.

 

Steps You Can Take to Balance Your Inner and Outer Self:

  1. Love yourself first.
  2. Realize that you are worth it.
  3. Accept that your life is not perfect, but don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
  4. Take the first step toward the life you want.

 

Samone’s Current Project:

She is working on her first book about helping you discover and accept your total beauty. She’s including tips, strategies, and anecdotes to help you achieve holistic, symmetrical living.

 

Samone’s Parting Words of Wisdom:

“Life is a lesson, even if pain is the teacher. Don’t be afraid to encourage yourself.”

 

Where You Can Find Samone Online:

Website: www.yoursymmetricalself.com

Facebook: Dr. Samone

Twitter: @drsamone1

YouTube: Dr.Samone 1

Instagram: Dr.Samone

 

 

Oct 4, 2016

“Once you figure out what works and how to run a successful business, you can easily do it over and over again.” –Ann M. Strout

 

I had a chance to catch up with Ann Strout, who’s known as the Freedom Girl. Ann went from being an unemployed single mom, living in subsidized housing, and on food stamps to the owner of a thriving, six-figure coaching business.

 

Ann gave us a glimpse of her childhood as an orphan growing up. Her confidence was low as a result of abuse and neglect. Ann felt trapped by her limited resources. She endured treatment that no mother wants her child to experience. But she had an unbreakable spirit and an ability to see the possibilities in life.

 

The life-changing choice that Ann made:

Everything changed for Ann when her son was born. She felt free for the first time in her life. In that moment, Ann realized that she had a choice – she could either go back to the life that she’d been living and take her son through that, or she could create a different life for the two of them. Although she had no idea what that would be or how she would do it, Ann was willing to explore it.

 

How Ann began her journey of personal development:

Far too often, people stay in situations that aren’t good for them because of their limiting beliefs and lack of confidence in their ability to change. Ann admits that she had to work on her limiting beliefs before she could change her life. After a conversation with her mom, Ann started researching the internet and came across the book, Law of Attraction. This book changed everything about Ann’s life. Since then, she’s been on a continuous journey of personal growth and development.

 

3 Steps Ann took to change her life:

  1. She created a routine, which includes meditating, journaling, visualization, and reading affirmations. Ann only works 20 hours a week in her business. She has plenty of freedom to spend time with her children and do what she loves.
  2. She removed people from her life that didn’t support her or believe in her.
  3. She got really committed to her dream and accepted that she had to do things that made her uncomfortable in order to build a successful business.

 

Ann’s 4 tips for starting your small or side business:

  1. Never say that there’s no way that you can do it.
  2. If there’s a desire for something, then the way to fulfill it is always available to you. The means for you to achieve your dream are already there – you just have to take action.
  3. Make a decision and be so committed to your dream that you stay in action no matter what.
  4. Don’t worry about the “how” of doing it. Seek out the knowledge, and you’ll learn what you need to know as you go.

 

What Ann’s working on:

She’s in the middle of launching a new 12-week group coaching program. She invites you to join her in her new Facebook group, Marketing that Creates Freedom. In this group, Ann focuses on massive content around marketing strategy, planning, and time management to help people maximize their time and achieve greater results.  

 

Where you can find Ann online:

Website: www.annmstrout.com

Facebook Group: Marketing That Creates Freedom

Twitter: @annmstrout

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t by Michael J. Losier

 

 

 

Sep 27, 2016

My guest this week is my beautiful sister, Teresa Robinson, who is the founder of Teresa Robinson Yoga. This is where she challenges and inspires her students to realize their unlimited potential.  In addition to taking care of her family and keeping up with her corporate job, Teresa teaches several yoga classes and offers private lessons.

 

For Teresa, yoga is so much more than a way to stay fit. While learning the basics of yoga, she learned how to connect with her breath, which helped her overcome stress, anxiety, and depression. She focuses a lot on the benefits of yoga in her classes, teaching her students how to manage stress, get through crises, and rebuild their lives after hitting rock bottom.

 

During our conversation, Teresa shared how she structured her lifestyle and made yoga a priority without sacrificing her family. While many moms struggle with mom guilt, Teresa understands that pursuing her goals and passion is not selfish. Becoming a certified yoga instructor has made her a better mom, wife, sister, daughter and woman all around.

 

How She Manages Everything with a Side Business

Teresa was intentional about getting her family on board with her business. She asked for support, and everyone chips in. Her husband and children alternate cooking meals. Her husband picks their kids up from school. Her older children check their younger siblings’ homework, which makes her life a lot easier when she gets home after an 8-hour day at her corporate and teaching yoga afterwards.

 

Teresa’s Advice for Starting Your Side Business

Teresa encourages you to start right now, right where you are. Don’t wait until the kids get older or until you get that promotion at work. There are steps you can take to begin your journey, and they don’t have to be giant leaps. You can take baby steps until you feel comfortable, but just keep going.

 

Teresa’s Ongoing Projects

Teresa hosts monthly challenges on her Instagram page that encourage regular yoga practice and offer accountability. Her challenges are mixed-level, which means that you can participate as beginner, intermediate, or advanced student.

 

She also teaches classes at Lotus Mind & Body in Bernardsville, NJ; Burn Fitness Studio in Piscataway, NJ; and Onyx Yoga Studio in Warren, NJ.

 

Where You Can Find Teresa Online:

Instagram: @Yoganubia

Facebook: Teresa Robinson Yoga

Website: http://teresarobinsonyoga.com

 

 

 

Sep 21, 2016

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with a woman who I admire and love, and who has coached and mentored me throughout my journey -Tracy Lee Jones. Tracy is a women’s business mentor and Founder of the Feminine Business Model. She has coached, trained and supported women in over 27 countries around the world in growing their businesses.

Tracy believes that business was meant to be fun, filled with passion, and a magical journey where you get to share your gifts, experience deep fulfillment, and help make the world a better place.

During our conversation, she opens up about the steps she took that allowed her to transition out of a high-profile corporate job into the life she dreamed of living as a full-time entrepreneur. It wasn’t until after Tracy tried many different business ventures that she discovered her true passion for helping women build thriving businesses. Tracy encourages you to be ok with where you are. As you try new things, you’ll discover hidden parts of yourself and ultimately, get in touch with your essence.

Tracy believes that your business should be an extension of who you are. Before you can build your business, you have to know who you are and what’s important to you as a person. As you become more connected with your essence, you’ll be able to build a brand that allows you to be who you are, freely allowing your personality, values, and goals to reflect in your business.

Challenge: Figure out what it is that is going to have you light up like a Christmas tree, where your passion, energy, and enthusiasm rubs off onto other people. *Note: That is what you need to pursue.

Tracy reminds you to have a clear picture of who you want to work with and why. When you’re getting started in your new business, you may not be at liberty to turn clients away. But as you gain more experience, you’ll land in your “sweet spot” and know who is and who is not your dream client.

Tracy’s tip to help you launch your side business:

The biggest mistake that people make when starting out is spending tons of money and time working behind the scenes to create a product only to be disappointed when nobody buys. It’s best that you don’t wait and get your idea in front of real people. If you have an idea, test it out with some of your friends, or a small group of 3-4 people. Ask for honest feedback and use that feedback to improve your product before your launch.

Tracy recommends that you read The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks. This book has been recommended before on the podcast because it’s such a great read. Hendricks teaches you how to break through your upper limits and achieve the success you desire most in your life.

What Tracy’s Working on Now:

She’s focused on helping female entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. During this episode, Tracy shared a special gift. She’s offering a 1-hour complimentary vision plan session (valued at $500) where she’ll help you figure out the next steps for your business. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, you can take advantage of this special offer by visiting http://tracyleejones.com and Jennie, Tracy’s assistant, will schedule your session for you.

Tracy’s Words of Wisdom for You:

“You don’t have to wait until your life is perfect to start enjoying it. Be appreciative and have gratitude for what you created right now. You can do small things to create your dream life right now. Everything that you’ve experienced in your life has led you to this moment and the possibility of your vision.”

 You can find Tracy in the social media realm at:

@Tracyleejones (on Twitter and Instagram)

Visit her website at www.TracyLeeJones.com

 

 

Sep 14, 2016

In this episode, I share my big takeaways from Mid-Atlantic Podcast Conference (MAPCON), organized and hosted by Joe Pardo of Dreamers Podcast. This was my first time attending a conference for podcasters. I had such an awesome time that I decided to share what I learned with you.

These 7 lessons are especially helpful for new and aspiring podcasters. But even if you have no plans for launching a podcast of your own, I’m sure that you will find value in what I share.

Here’s a quick recap of my big takeaways:

  1. Don’t be boring.
  2. Stay in control of your interview.
  3. Be yourself.
  4. Take your show on the road to build your audience.
  5. Attend live events to find guests.
  6. Never lie about your downloads.
  7. Your business needs to have a podcast.

If you’d rather read about my experience, you can hop over to the blog.

Links to all podcasts mentioned in this episode:

Dreamers Podcast, hosted by Joe Pardo

ReLaunch, hosted by Joel Boggess and Dr. Pei

Solopreneur Hour, hosted by Michael O’Neal

She Podcasts, hosted by Jessica Kupferman

School of Podcasting, hosted by Dave Jackson

All Things Post, hosted by Niel Guilarte

For more information about MAPCON, visit http://podcastmidatlantic.com

 

Sep 7, 2016

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jen Riday, the Women’s Happiness Expert and mom of six, about achieving happiness in your busy life. Jen transitioned from not having time for herself to making self-care a priority. You’ll get her three tips to help you make self-care a priority and achieve happiness in your life.

Jen also shared how she felt when she accepted her calling as a life coach and what steps you can take to discover your calling.

One of the struggles that moms face when building a home-based business is finding time to work without disruptions. Jen talks about the dangers of disruptions, creative ways to minimize disruptions, and how to stay focused on your business.

Jen recommends reading Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly, to gain more insight on being vulnerable and living an authentic life.

She created her Vibrant Happy Living membership program to support women through guided meditation and coaching. You can learn more about Jen’s membership program at http://vibranthappyliving.com.

You can get to know Jen and listen to her podcast at http://jenriday.com.

Jun 15, 2016

While Vanessa Merten was expecting her first child, she had a hard time finding information that she wanted. During her pregnancy, Vanessa spent many hours goggling and researching online. She decided that she wanted to make it easier for new parents to get the information they need all in one place.

That’s when Vanessa created the Pregnancy Podcast, which “helps moms and dads navigate all of the crazy awesomeness that is pregnancy, birth, and being a new parent”. The Pregnancy Podcast is a resource where parents can turn to for reliable information that goes beyond the typical pregnancy manual. Vanessa shares perspectives of moms, midwives, doulas, and the latest research to support new parents in their journey.

In this episode, Vanessa shares the inspiration behind her work and helpful tips for new and expectant parents.

Fear of the Unknown:

This is common for pregnant women as they undergo lots of tests, read information on what to expect when they become moms, but really have no idea what to expect since this is their first time bringing a child into the world.

Vanessa believes that the more educated you become about your pregnancy, the less intimidating it is.

You have the right to ask questions and make choices during your pregnancy.

Vanessa encourages women to speak up about their concerns during pregnancy and ask questions. She reminds you that you have a choice when it comes to certain tests, and that you don’t have to go along with everything your doctor says, if it doesn’t feel right to you.

How she manages her weekly podcast, full-time job, role as a new mommy and a wife:

Vanessa’s husband is at home with their son while she works. But beyond that, managing everything on her plate is “really just about being able to focus on one thing at a time”.

Quality time with her son and husband is a priority. Vanessa makes sure that she’s present during the hours that they spend together in the evenings. After her son goes to bed, Vanessa starts working on her podcast.

To make the most of her time, Vanessa sets a daily objective in the morning to keep her focused on what needs to be done that day. She uses her lunch break to get some tasks done. In the evening when she starts working on her podcast, she’s not distracted by checking her email or Facebook because she sticks to her daily objective.

How Vanessa stays motivated to keep going with her podcast:

When she feels frustrated or tired, Vanessa reminds herself of her why – that all of her hard work will pay off and ultimately allow her to spend more time with her family.

Vanessa’s biggest lesson so far:

That action trumps perfection. She’s learned that you have to take consistent action, keep moving forward, and not be so focused on making everything perfect.

Vanessa recommends that you get a copy of:

The Freedom Journal, by John Lee Dumas. This journal helps you accomplish a goal in 100 days.

Vanessa is working on…

Her new podcast, 40 Weeks, which is a series of (40) 5-minute episodes for expectant moms that end with a tip for dad. She’s continuing to produce the Pregnancy Podcast as well.

Where you can find Vanessa online:

http://pregnancypodcast.com

Vanessa’s parting words of wisdom:

“Just start and take that first step.”

 

 

 

 

Jun 8, 2016

A few months ago, I was given the vision and assignment to create an event for women who were looking for direction and guidance to help them live out their dreams and fulfill their purpose. On June 4th I hosted my Design Your Dream Life Workshop along with my two amazing speakers, Marcella Moore and Donna Izzard.

This episode is inspired by my workshop and the women who were there with me during this special event.

At the workshop, we focused on having faith vs. fear, knowing your identity and what you want, gaining clarity around your dream, your why (motivation), and the steps you can take to manifest your dream into reality.

More than half of my guests shared that they dream of starting a business, but they were afraid of getting started. They admitted that wanted to get started but didn’t where to begin. They are afraid of making mistakes, being judged, or no one paying attention to them.

We spent a lot of time discussing fear and how it can be deadly to your dreams and life vision. We talked about how fear has a way of making you feel like you aren’t good enough, that you don’t know enough, that people will judge you, talk about you, or not pay attention to you if you put yourself out there.

Everyone agreed that, if you’re not careful, you could wake up one day with no more time to follow your heart and be full of regrets

I don’t want that to happen to you. I want you to live an abundant, fulfilled life – the life that you deserve.

Here are 3 tips to help you manage and overcome your fear so that it doesn’t stop you on the road to your dreams:

  1. Tap into your faith or higher power. Connecting with your source will help you gain clarity and mental strength to believe that you can do anything that you put your mind to. All things are possible when you have faith.
  2. Prepare for success. When you’re prepared, you’re confident. Fear doesn’t stand a chance when you know your stuff and have prepared for your time to deliver. Fear is a natural part of the human experience. However, you can manage it by preparing and practicing.
  3. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Like Nike, you’ve just got to do it. Fear will not disappear. You have to acknowledge that it’s there, and at the same time, take away its power. Fear can only win if you allow it to. Learn to do it afraid, and it will get easier every time.

One last bonus tip is to give yourself permission to not be perfect. This will automatically take away your fear of messing up. Remind yourself that you are human, and that no one walking this earth is perfect. Allow your mistakes to become valuable lessons that enable you to learn, grow, and get better at what you do.

I hope this mini-training was helpful. If you’d like to read more about managing fear, check out my article in the blog.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Simply leave your comments below, and I’ll be sure to get back with you. If you know someone who needs to read this, please share.

Remember - reclaim your dream; do what you love, and make a difference.

 

 

 

Jun 1, 2016

With over 15 years of experience in the creative marketing industry, Felicia Wright enjoys mentoring mompreneurs and military spouses. She is the founder of Mygani, LLC, a marketing firm that helps entrepreneurs develop engaging brands. Her team shows businesses how to create a professional presence by aligning their personal brand with their company brand.

In this episode, Felicia shares her experience as an entrepreneur and how she repositioned her brand after realizing that it wasn’t the best fit.

How Felicia transitioned back into her home-based business with a newborn daughter

Felicia admits to not having a concrete plan at first. But once she made the decision to get back into her business after having her daughter, Felicia started reaching out to old clients and colleagues to get a feel for what was going on. Just by asking around, she landed her first contract with a local school district.

First steps a new entrepreneur should take to brand her business:

Felicia believes it’s important to create a personal brand first, and to position yourself as an expert or reliable source. People will always remember you as a reliable source, even if you start a new business down the road.

To get started with developing your personal brand, Felicia suggests that you write down three adjectives that describe you. Then think about how you would want someone to describe you using those three words. Continue to use those words in your content and messaging so people will associate you and your brand with those attributes.

Your personal brand and business brand should be in alignment.

When they are out of alignment, your brand may come across as being inconsistent. You may confuse potential clients, or turn them away.

You have to establish your brand before you can create a marketing strategy.

If you don’t know who or what you’re serving (who your dream client is and what your products and services are), then it will be difficult to create an effective marketing strategy. Once you know your brand attributes, you can create messaging and a strategy to attract your dream clients

How to set yourself apart from the competition:

Rather than focusing on your products and services, focus on the audience you’re trying to reach and who needs what you’re offering. You’ll create powerful content and images that speak directly to your dream clients, ultimately attracting them to your brand.

Felicia suggests that you read:

Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch- Naturally, by Miko and Titi Branch. Felicia enjoyed reading their back story about how they started their hair care products as well as savvy business tips and inspiration.

Where you can find Felicia online:

Website: http://mygani.com

Parting Words of Wisdom:

“Your confidence is your number one asset; it’s important that you learn to embrace that.” ~Felicia Wright

 

 

May 25, 2016

 “I felt so strongly about this concept and this business, that it never occurred to me to not go full force with it.” ~Leigh Kellis

Leigh Kellis is the proud owner of The Holy Donut located in Portland, Maine. She built her business from scratch after craving the comfort of a “deeply satisfying yet healthy comfort food – specifically a donut.”

As a newly divorced mom, Leigh experimented with donut recipes in her kitchen that eventually became her signature Holy Donuts. Five years later, The Holy Donut has two locations in Maine and has been featured in Elle Magazine, Boston Globe, and was named one of the 10 best donut shops in the U.S.

In this episode, Leigh shares her journey from humble beginnings to a highly successful brand, and some of the key lessons she’s learned along the way.

Putting herself (and her donuts) out there for the first time was scary.

Leigh took us back to when she offered her first batch of homemade donuts to the owners of her local coffee shop. She was nervous, but she was all in at that point. The fear was there, but she wanted it more than she was afraid of it.

She felt a strong sense that if she was craving that comfort food, other people probably were, too. She felt that a “handcrafted, rustic product” would be well received. Leigh also realized that donuts create a nostalgic feeling of comfort much like the feeling you get from eating your grandmother’s food. She wanted to create that feeling for people and allow them to indulge in a healthy, wholesome sweet treat.

Her orders quickly grew from one dozen per day to 40 dozen per week, then to 100 dozen per week. That’s when Leigh knew that she was on to something and would have to do something to keep up with the high demand.

Leigh took a leap of faith…

After five months into her wholesale donut business, Leigh could no longer keep up with the demand and work her job. So she did what any single mom would do, right? Not quite. Leigh stepped out on faith. She quit her job and decided that she would live off of the profits of her business. This was a courageous move, but one that had to be made.

“I felt so strongly about this concept and this business, that it never occurred to me to not go full force with it,” Leigh explained. Quitting her job felt like the right thing to do so she would have the energy to put toward this “thing” that she felt so strongly about.

When you feel a strong desire to do something…            

Go for it! Leigh encourages you not to stop at go – just keep going at full force because that thing is calling you for a reason.

You have to show up every day.

Be prepared to “work your butt off” in the beginning, to lay the ground work and really get your business going.

In the beginning, Leigh did everything – she made all the donuts, iced them, cleaned up, hired and fired employees. You name it – she did it.

Test your market with your business idea before forging forward, which will reduce some of your risk.

Biggest Challenge as a Mompreneur

Leigh had to invest a lot of time and energy into her business, which often made her daughter feel a little left out. It was hard figuring out how to balance her time and attention between being a single mom and an entrepreneur. Leigh admits that she is getting better, but she’s still a work in progress, as we all are.

Leigh’s 3 Tips for Success

  1. It’s ok to make mistakes and welcome them. That’s how you learn and know how to do better.
  2. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t try to do everything on your own, and you don’t have to know how to do everything. Leigh has joined a women’s support group, which is helping her find balance between her life and business.
  3. Being in business isn’t about donuts (or your product or service). It’s about fulfilling your mission and bringing something good to the world.

Leigh recommends that you read

The Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life by Barbara Stanny – this book is about the spiritual side of allowing yourself to have abundance and feel good about earning money

Where You Can Find Leigh Online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Holy-Donut-256219337742023/

Or you can search for “The Holy Donut”

Website: http://theholydonut.com

Leigh’s Parting Words of Wisdom

“It takes a team to build an empire of good.” In other words, it takes a team, and you need to build a tribe. Ask for help so you can bring more good to the world.

May 18, 2016

Yoli Tamu helps mothers and their teen daughters create a genuine heart-to-heart relationship. As a seasoned high school and college educator and founder of the nonprofit Unity Theatre Foundation, Yoli often met young women who struggled in relationships with their moms.

As a result of her many conversations with teen girls, Yoli created HeartVERSATIONS, a groundbreaking coaching program that helps mothers and daughters transform a mediocre or toxic connection into an unbreakable bond.

In this episode, Yoli shares some of the common issues that teen girls are facing, how she supports them, and how she heals fragile mother/daughter relationships.

How Yoli Supports Troubled Teen Girls

Yoli has worked with girls with different issues such as teen pregnancy, “cutters”, suicidal thoughts, abuse in the home, parents with addiction, and more. Yoli shares her personal trials with the girls so they see that she can relate to what they’re facing.  

Small group settings help the girls bond with each other and realize that they’re not alone. By the end of her program, her girls have a new outlook on life, have grown, and are ready to work through their issues.

How Yoli Supports Mothers with Teen Daughters

Yoli helps moms develop healthy self-care and wellness rituals. You can do this by setting aside just 20 minutes out of your day to meditate or take a break, which will help you transition from your work day to being mom.

She reminds mothers of how important they are to their daughters, and that they have to learn how to be open and transparent with them. She encourages them to write out their past experiences (good and bad) and write the lesson learned from those experiences. This is cleansing for the mothers while it helps their daughters see that they are not perfect, and that they can talk to their mothers about their issues.

Yoli speaks directly to moms who feel like their teen daughter would rather be with her friends. She reminds you to not take it personally and to give her a little space to explore her independence.

Create a mother-daughter ritual that the two of you do together. This will create special bonding time that you can both look forward to sharing.

Yoli Recommends that You Read:

Mothering and Daughtering by Sil and Eliza Reynolds. This mother-daughter team gives great insight on how to understand one another from their own perspective.

Where You Can Find Yoli Online

Web site: http://yolitamu.com

Twitter: @YoliTamu

Instagram: @YoliTamuOfficial

Yoli’s Parting Words of Wisdom

“Your child will help you resolve the unfinished business of your past.” ~Unknown

May 11, 2016

“You can’t reflect the best of who you are on the outside when the inside is not right.” ~Uchenna Eboagwu

Uchenna Eboagwu, popularly referred to as “Queenchenna”, is a pacesetter on a mission to help people discover, claim, and live out their dreams.

She is the visionary and founder of The Life Circle, a marketplace ministry with a vision of raising and establishing a circle of passionate, compassionate, world-changing women around the globe.

A preacher and dynamic leader, Uchenna currently serves as associate pastor at Open Door Missionary Church in Laurel, MD. She’s also the CEO and founder of VIP Image Consulting, where she specializes in helping individuals and organizations create an image and/or brand that conveys their vision, ingenuity and purpose (VIP).

Above all that she does, Uchenna loves being a mother to her beautiful six-year old daughter.

In this episode, Uchenna and I discover that we have a lot in common with regard to our past experiences and the challenges we were able to overcome. She opens up about an extremely difficult chapter in her life and reflects on how her pain inspired her to begin her journey as a life-changing mompreneur.

Your Pain Leads to Your Purpose

Uchenna has learned that your painful experiences and challenges get you closer to your dreams, even though it feels like you’re getting further away, as you go through the process.

How She Manages Her Busy Lifestyle as a Business Mogul and Mom

Uchenna doesn’t have a specific system that she follows to manage her life; she relies on daily prayer to stay centered and moving in the right direction. She has learned that everything doesn’t have to be perfect or get done all in one day.

To manage her busy schedule, Uchenna chooses the 3 most important things she needs to do daily in 3 specific areas – her family, her church, and her business. This strategy, along with her mindset shift from trying to do it all, has helped a lot.

Uchenna encourages women to replenish and take a break so they don’t have to serve others when they’re empty. To replenish, Uchenna treats herself to regular manicures and pedicures, and she enjoys spending quiet time with The Lord.

Her Greatest Accomplishment So Far

Finding her purpose is Uchenna’s greatest accomplishment. Nothing compares to the peace and joy that she has found from walking in her purpose.

The First Step You Can Take to Find Your Purpose

The first step is to go to the one who carved out your purpose. Uchenna knows that the answer about your purpose is with God, and that’s where you must go first. When you ask, He will answer you.

You may not hear the “voice” that you expect, and it may not happen quickly. Be patient and listen. Slowly, you will begin to get a nudging feeling in your heart that will keep showing up to guide you in taking small steps toward your purpose.

Also, think about the things that you do well and write them down. Often you’ll find your purpose is intertwined with your gifts.

Uchenna’s Suggested Books

The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth am I Here for? by Rick Warren. She found this book to be life-altering.

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, which was an excellent read that has helped her with personal relationships as well as being a mom.

From the Pit to the Palace, is Uchenna’s forthcoming book, and she’s very excited about releasing it soon.

Projects

Uchenna is excited about her VIP Image Consulting shows, where she partners with models for Philadelphia Fashion Week in June and popular brands, helping them convey their vision, ingenuity, and purpose.

Where You Can Find Uchenna Online

Instagram: @queenchenna

Twitter: @Iam_Queenchenna

Facebook: www.facebook.com/queenchenna

Email: Queenchennaofficial@gmail.com

 

 

May 4, 2016

This year I stepped up my game and attended Lisa Nichols’ Speak and Write to Make Millions event in La Jolla, CA. I’ve wanted to go for the past three years, but every year I found a way to talk myself out of it. I decided that I wasn’t doing that this year. I made up my mind that if I would go as a VIP attendee.

The conference was incredible! The speakers were great, and I got so much out of this experience. On my plane ride back to New Jersey I decided that I would record an episode to share my takeaways and golden nuggets from Speak and Write.

I hope you enjoy this episode and get something that you can use to help you take your life and business to the next level.

Apr 26, 2016

I often get asked the question, “Erica, how do you do it all?” People look at me and think that I do it all because I work a full-time job, run my side business, host and produce this podcast, and am a mom of three busy teenagers.

In general, women believe that they have to do it all in order to achieve what they want in life. I used to think the same way, but I learned that this simply is not true.

In this episode, I share my approach to getting things done, and it might just surprise you.  The purpose of this mini training is to help other women escape from the trap of trying to do it all. It really is a trap that can lead to frustration or giving up.  I certainly don’t want you to give up on your dreams.

My answer to that question is that I don’t do it all - I do what’s important.

I focus my time and energy on things that get me closer to my dreams and to living the life that I want to live. I know that my time is a limited resource, so I do my best to use it wisely. I could easily spend hours on social media, watching TV, or talking on the phone in the evenings after work. But that wouldn’t be an effective use of my time, and it certainly would not help me build my business.

How to Escape the Trap of Trying to Do It All

One of the first things you can do to escape the trap of trying to do it all is stop beating yourself up. If you don’t get everything done on your list, it’s ok. Tell yourself that you did your best today, and that tomorrow is a new day.

Give yourself permission to not be perfect – no one is.

Setting unrealistic expectations can easily lead to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Be realistic and set goals that coincide with your lifestyle.

Figure out what’s important to you. Start investing your time and energy into what’s important and will get you closer to living your dream.

Delegate tasks to free up more time to focus on what’s important.

Start where you are and take small steps along the way.

Action Step:

What can you do today that will get you closer to your dreams?

What will you do on a regular basis to build the momentum you need to achieve your dreams?

Write your answers down and commit to doing one thing daily for the next 7 days. After that, add something else from your answer above. Continue this until you feel that you are making the most of your time AND making consistent progress toward your goals and dreams.

 

1 2 Next »