2020 has been a sh*t show for most of us, hasn't it? Before the pandemic hit and changed everything for us, I was constantly wrapped up in MAKING the details happen.  Worrying over how it would play out,  when it would play out, and what exactly -step by step- it would look and feel like. I had no idea I was actively doing this and how stressful it was- it totally bummed out the creative process. But,  after coming the realization that my plans for 2020 were now dust, I found myself missing elements of my old life- even RETAIL. I'll never forget telling my husband "Ummmm....so I've been kinda thinking lately that I miss doing retail" and the look of complete shock on his face. This year has been filled with massive, MASSIVE pivots and embracing things that I said I would never do. The weird  thing? Those things I said I would never do have brought me so much joy and ease. When I stopped planning and started living, when I stopped saying why something wouldn't work and started thinking of why it would, when I stopped thinking "How will people like this?" and started just creating things that made my heart happy...... things launched in a completely different way. If you've been struggling with micromanaging the details and stressing over the how/ when.... I hope this episode sparks a little something in you! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

Wow, ok that grabbed your attention, didn't it? By now, you may know that this time last year I closed my boutique, had no income coming in, and 6 months later had a fully operational membership site that still has all of the original members in it! Its like Christmas every day! Going from the up and down sales cycle of retail to having a membership that literally DOES make money while I sleep has been one of the most freeing experiences that has allowed me to live a really, really, REALLY good life.  A good life for me means lots of time. Time to work on my farm, hang out with my animals, volunteer, support other small business owners through this podcast.  If you're thinking "No way, a membership won't work for me" I thought that, too! I attempted to create a box membership and couldn't get the numbers to work because I went about it all wrong and didn't look for help. I assumed. I guessed. I had no plan. Of course it didn't work! In these really uncertain times, I wanted to give a little ray of possibility and hope. If you've considered pivoting your business or opening a new one from scratch, you don't want to miss this episode and you DEFINITELY want to sign up for the free 3 day workshop put on by Stu McLaren of TRIBE. Workshop starts 4/23 and will not open again until 2021. Grab your seat HERE!! I'll see you inside the workshop- I am doing it again, too! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

What a wild, weird and uncertain time we are living in. I am so thankful I closed my boutique last year and am no longer a retailer with the weight of a physical location. I can't imagine the stress of having all that overhead looming over you at this time. Because I have been there (granted, without global pandemic), I wanted to offer some ideas and ways to pivot an offline business to an online. If you're someone with a physical location and have felt suddenly thrust into the arena of online, I go through some out of the box ways to offer products, service and collect payment. We don't know how long this will last and I am a firm believer in looking for the silver lining and opportunities in situations that feel...heavy. How fortunate that we live in an era that we can connect, inspire, educate, entertain AND collect payment online! Seriously! Its amazing! I also talk about how joining Stu McLaren's Tribe course was a huge catalyst in my online business journey and what I learned in that course has allowed me to look at life and business completely differently. It allowed me to create my own online membership, UNLEASHEDlife And very, very recently, my Patreon membership for my farm.  I know you are super smart, funny, inspiring and have something to offer that someone else out there needs right now- even if that is just to be entertained! We all could use a distraction or three to keep spirits high. If you want to hash out some ideas in a free mini brainstorm session- email me!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

If you've ever seen people hanging from the ceiling from fabric, seemingly defying gravity or marveled at the skillful grace of a trapeze artist or seen someone making gorgeous, bendy shapes inside a hanging metal hoop...well, that my friend is aerial. Chances are you have heard of it by now as aerial arts have been gaining a lot of momentum in popularity. With more people being exposed to this art, the more questions they may have. We dig into how someone like Tera, a serious grad student with no desire to join a traditional gym found herself ditching that life path for one a little less traditional. I'm all about the path less traveled! My love affair with silks began almost 5 years ago when I stepped into Monkey for the first time. It just felt like home. Little did I know at that point that my great great grandpa had actually ran away to join Ringling Brothers and played the drums in the band. No wonder why it felt so right! If you have ever been captivated by the thought of "running away to the circus" but think you're not strong enough, too old, too XYZ, not XYZ enough... this episode is a MUST listen.  Aerial arts can be such an empowering way to conquer fears, silence the inner critic, and enjoy the process of learning as an adult, and yes even those who think they can't do it (oh, we talk a lot about mindset, too!). Tera gives a lot of valuable information on how to find an instructor and studio who has your safety as a priority, because let's face it, aerial is cool as heck but it can be dangerous without proper education and equipment. If you're looking for more information on Tera and classes offer at Monkey Aerial Arts, click here! You can also see what she is up to on the ole Instagram. And of course, if you loved this episode- let us know! PSSST- come hang out in Soulful Boss Babes group! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

Woohoo! To mark the 1 year anniversary of The Foundry podcast, I am interviewing Michelle Motyka of 27 Houses; an interior design studio and retail boutique in the cute downtown of Grayslake, IL. Its the perfect interview for this occasion because Michelle gets down to how she left her full time job, opened her own business from her home, and later opened a studio/ store-front even though she was technically not looking for that at the time- NOT looking before leaping and taking messy, imperfect action always beats taking no action at all. She explains how her approach to business and life is very much "all in" and how there is no room for failure for her. If you have been considering starting a business or are in the beginning stages of one, she gives some excellent tips on how to get your first clients and how important it is to get face to face and network (hint: people like to recommend people they know!). Finally, she explains how design can transform peoples' lives and how her approach to working with clients is never one-size-fits-all, it is a collaborative effort that requires both parties to be open and honest to get the very best results, something that we all can take away even if we are not designers or the client of one! You can find Michelle at: Instagram: @27houses Facebook: @27houses The interwebs: 27houses.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

In an extroverted world, can an introvert not only compete, but excel in business? Or are they doomed to be "shy, socially awkward and people repellent" forever? In today's episode I examine the common myths associated with being an introvert and uncover the secret super powers that lurk just beneath that still surface. As an introvert myself (an INFJ on Myers-Briggs) and almost 20 years of entrepreneurship under my belt, I can safely say that YES, not only can you make it as an introvert business owner, but you can thrive if you push yourself to not let introversion be an excuse. Yes, even in an extrovert loving world. Also, how many fellow introverts are missing out on opportunities to grow themselves and their business because they are better at taking in information via reading vs speaking 1:1? Is that you? Do you better understand the people and things around you by either writing or listening what you want to say or understand? If you're nodding your head....Let me know I'm not alone! Maybe you'll be featured on the next episode (don't worry...you won't be interviewed I promise!" And of course, come hang out in the very introvert-friendly space that is Soulful Boss Babes! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

Ya'll into a little woo woo or what? If you're feeling stuck in your business and have tried all the course, listen to all the podcasts and have put in the hard work of following the funnels but you're still stuck... Oh baby, today is for you. Earlier this year I took Emily Aaron's Business Made Simple course and it legitimately changed my life. That is no joke- it gave me the tools to access my intuition and use it with left-brain strategy to speed pass my growth and reach the people who wanted and needed to hear from me. I 100% would not be here right now if I did not take a huge leap of faith and enroll. The course had such an impact on me that I will be the community manager inside the self-paced version of BMS private FB group- I'm there to help answer questions, cheer you on and help you get unstuck. The course is now open for just a few more days, so I HIGHLY recommend you check it out and enroll. As I mention in the episode, if you have questions or you are not sure if this is a good fit- reach out! DM me on IG: @unleashedlife_ DM me on FB: @myunleashedlife Sign up here: Business Made Simple --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

Its hard to escape the onslaught of Black Friday sales slapping you across the face, and if you're a business owner, Etsy shop, boutique owner you may be thinking "Well EVERYONE is offering a sale or discount, I should probably do that, too" But, should you? Is that strategy in alignment for you? In today's episode we discuss how leaning too heavily on sales can actually hurt your brand and what you can offer instead of a discount or mark down. HINT: think MORE not LESS! Wishing you a successful and fun holiday season! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

Have you ever seen a brand- personal or business- who just has a look and feel that is so tight? You know exactly what they do, they make you feel a certain way and you wish you could take a little of that magic and apply it to your own Etsy shop, online store, or boutique? Now, I am no expert but I am pretty good at dialing this in. People constantly asked if my boutique was a franchise because it was so "professional: looking , as they said. What it comes down to is keeping your message, fonts, colors and photos consistent. I give you actionable tips and tricks to get started on this right away, its easier than you think. And if you get started, I'd love to know! Come hang out on IG or on Soulful Boss Babes on FB and let us all know! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message

The snow came early this year, unseasonably so- we had only 4 months of "warm" and a lot of us are feeling bummed the F out over enduring another 6 months of dark, cold and wet. But, we don't have to. What if instead of bonding over bitching, we bonded over beauty? What if we found things to be excited about this winter? Iceland taught me so much, one of the things I learned is to lean into what sucks- those thermal pools would not have felt nearly as good if we didn't have to shower with strangers and wander out into the cold outdoors before getting into the pools. We can learn to have that approach with more things in life that feel UGHHHH. Are you with me? Speaking of- are you joining me inside SOULFUL BOSS BABES for World Kindness Day November 13th? Yeah man! We've got a challenge going and the winner will receive a free month of UNLEASHEDlife membership! Come on in, lady!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefoundrypodcast/message