Embracing 2024 Business Trends: Essential Insights for Women Entrepreneurs

Hey everyone! We dove into a Forbes article that's all about the business trends for 2024. We didn't just skim through; we dug deep to make these trends more relatable and useful for women entrepreneurs like us. We wanted to break down the tech stuff and mix it with that essential human touch, which we all know is the heart of our businesses.

In our chat, we explored how AI isn't just a techy tool but a real helper for any business, making our tasks easier without losing our personal voice. Remember Episode 71 where we talked all about using AI tools like ChatGPT? We're still all about making tech work for us without letting it take over.

We also got real about the economy's ups and downs and how, as women entrepreneurs, we can navigate these with savvy and style. We discussed the importance of keeping that personal touch in our businesses—how making our customers feel seen and understood is totally irreplaceable by any AI.

And you know, with all the talk about remote work, Julie reflected on how grateful she is to live in an era where she can work from virtually anywhere. It's a game-changer for maintaining that work-life blend (not balance, because let's be real, it's never perfectly balanced!).

So, if you're curious about making your business more dynamic and ready for the future, or if you just want some company while you tackle your entrepreneur journey, give this episode a listen. We're here to share what we learn, laugh a bit, and maybe just inspire each other to be a little braver every day. Because, let's face it, bravery looks good on you! Tune in and let's get excited about what 2024 has in store for us.

Links:

Episode 71 - Maximizing Creativity and Efficiency: How Chat GPT Transforms Our Podcast Production

Download our FREE eBook, ChatGPT: Unlocking its Potential For Your Business + Everyday Life!

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From Teacher to Cheese Artist, Kerry Hymas of Harvest & Graze Shares Her Incredible Journey to Entrepreneurship

We had a great time chatting with Kerry Hymas from Harvest and Graze. Her journey from being a public school teacher to diving into the world of charcuterie is really incredible. Kerry shares how her decade-long teaching career and her mother’s influence as a long-time educator shaped her own path before she took a creative leap into entrepreneurship.

Kerry’s venture into charcuterie began quite spontaneously at her mom's 60th birthday party, where she crafted an elaborate charcuterie board that spanned a 10-foot island. The board was a hit, inspiring her to consider turning this passion into a business. Despite the daunting aspects of starting up, Kerry’s love for hosting and entertaining fueled her decision to push forward.

The turning point came when her mother-in-law showed her an Instagram post that sparked the idea that this could be more than just a hobby. This led to a whirlwind of activity, from brainstorming business names on a drive home to navigating the complexities of food laws with helpful guidance from a surprisingly supportive health department official.

Kerry also dives into how she utilized a ghost kitchen to comply with food safety regulations, allowing her to expand her offerings from the comfort of a professional setting without the overhead of owning a physical space. Her story is a vibrant tale of community support, creative passion, and entrepreneurial spirit, showing how she turned a simple idea into a thriving business that combines her loves of teaching, hosting, and creating beautiful, delicious food.

For anyone who's ever thought about turning a passion into a profession or adding a little creativity to their culinary endeavors, Kerry’s journey from choir teacher to charcuterie connoisseur is truly inspiring. She wraps up by sharing some tips for anyone looking to create their own charcuterie boards at home, emphasizing the joy of mixing flavors, textures, and colors to create something uniquely satisfying. Tune in to hear how Kerry crafts not only beautiful grazing boards but also a vibrant, fulfilling life that blends family, creativity, and business.

Links:

Harvest and Graze Website

Cross Creek Sandwich Shop in Conway, Arkansas Website

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Mastering Daily Decisions: Navigating Life's Choices with Confidence and Courage

Welcome back! Today's discussion dives into a topic that resonates deeply with everyone: decision-making. Melissa shares her exhausting experience of making countless decisions during a recent two-week event, sparking a deeper conversation about the number and impact of daily decisions.

Did you know that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions each day? This episode explores not just the sheer volume of choices we face but also the distinction between two types of decisions:

1. Type 1 Decisions: These are significant choices with long-lasting effects, often requiring careful thought and consideration due to their irreversible nature.

2. Type 2 Decisions: More common and less impactful, these decisions should be made quickly as they usually don’t have lasting consequences.

We delve into the "51 Percent Rule," a strategy suggesting that for significant decisions, being just 51% sure can be enough to take action. We discuss how overthinking can paralyze progress and share personal anecdotes to illustrate the practical application of this rule in both personal and professional contexts.

This episode is not just about making decisions but about making them wisely and bravely. Whether it's choosing what to have for lunch or making a career-altering move, the way we make decisions shapes our lives. We encourage you to embrace both the small and significant choices with courage and to remember that not making a decision is, in fact, a decision.

Join us as we unpack these insights and offer encouragement for anyone facing decision fatigue. Remember that each decision, no matter how small, contributes to the larger picture of our lives. So tune in, get inspired, and remember—bravery isn't just about the big moments; it's about the many small choices we make every day.

Links:

Inspired by The Mel Robbins Podcast - The 51% Rule

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Turning Passion into Profession: Rhonda Bell on Art, Business, and Embracing the Beginner's Mindset

We're thrilled to have Rhonda Bell share her journey from embracing the gift of being a beginner to flourishing as both an artist and a businesswoman. Rhonda Bell Studio, based in Boerne, Texas, is where she creates art that celebrates the beauty of everyday life through vibrant colors and emotive compositions.

Key Insights from Rhonda:

• The Gift of Being a Beginner: Rhonda reflects on valuable advice she received during her artistic development: the importance of allowing herself to make "really bad art" as part of the learning process. This mindset has enabled her to develop her skills without the pressure of perfection, highlighting the idea that mastery in art, like in any field, requires patience and time.

• Transition to a Business Mindset: Rhonda shares her unexpected journey into the business side of art. Starting from a few friends noticing her art to being invited to sell in a local store, she navigated the complexities of pricing, inventory management, and establishing an online presence. This transition marks her shift from hobbyist to professional, illustrating the challenges and triumphs of turning a passion into a thriving business.

• Commissioned Art and Customer Interaction: Rhonda discusses her experiences with commissioned projects, emphasizing the personal and emotional connections that people have with art. She explains how she collaborates with clients to ensure that the art not only fits their space but also resonates with them personally, which sometimes involves aligning the artwork with the interior design elements of a room.

At the core of Rhonda's work is a deep appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of life, which she translates into her art. Her approach is intuitive and emotionally driven, aiming to elevate the human spirit through her pieces.

Rhonda's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in yourself and embracing every step of the creative process. We encourage you to explore your passions with the same openness and bravery that Rhonda has demonstrated on her artistic journey.

Links:

Rhonda Bell Studio

Fiddlin Frogs

Instagram: rhonda.bell.studio

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Swimming Through Fog: A Story of Resilience and Vision

We've got a story to share on today's episode that really inspired us. It's about Florence Chadwick, a swimmer who, in 1952, attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the California mainland. This story isn't just about her physical journey through 20 miles of open ocean, but about the mental battle she faced against dense fog and the unknown.

Imagine this: Florence, faces fog so thick on her swim day that she can't see the support boats nearby. Despite the adverse conditions, she swims for nearly 16 hours. But, overwhelmed by the fog and unable to see the shore, she quits, only to learn she was less than half a mile away from her goal. Florence later said, "All I could see was the fog. I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it."

This moment is a profound reminder of how easily we can become consumed by the 'fog' in our own lives—obstacles, fears, and the uncertainties that cloud our vision and goals. Yet, Florence's story doesn't end there. She returns two months later, conquers the swim, and even sets a faster time, proving that with determination and a clear vision, any challenge can be overcome.

Florence's journey resonates deeply with us, both in our personal and professional lives. It's taught us the importance of persistence, the need for a clear goal, and the value of a support system. Her story is a powerful testament to the idea that, even when we can't see the finish line, continuing to move forward can lead us to achieve greatness. And it's a great reminder that, no matter the fog we face, brave looks good on you!

Links

Florence Chadwick

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Embracing Your Dreams and Navigating Brand Identity with Suzette Garcia: A Guide to Personal and Professional Empowerment

In this episode, we have the incredible Suzette Garcia joining us. Suzette is a licensed certified coach, a creative consultant, and a beacon of inspiration for women navigating their brand identity and personal growth. Here's what we unpacked in this enlightening conversation:

• The Power of Permitting Yourself to Dream: Suzette shares her wisdom on the importance of allowing yourself to want what you truly desire, shedding the societal pressures and embracing your personal aspirations.

• Elevating Your Awareness: We discuss the significance of becoming conscious of your desires and the barriers that may stand in your way, offering strategies to shift your focus and overcome these challenges.

• Directing Your Focus: Suzette introduces the concept of using visual tools like vision boards to manifest your dreams and aspirations, emphasizing the role of visualization in goal setting.

• Taking Purposeful Action: We delve into the steps to translate your dreams into actionable goals, highlighting the importance of daily reminders and consistent effort towards achieving what you desire.

• Embracing Imperfection: We explore the liberation found in accepting imperfection, discussing how embracing our flaws and setbacks can lead to true growth and fulfillment.

• Suzette's Unique Background: From an art history graduate to a project management certificate holder, Suzette's diverse background contributes to her unique approach in coaching women.

• The Concept of Brand Identity: Suzette breaks down the misconception of a brand being a product, offering insights into how brands live in the perception of the audience and how to influence that effectively.

• The Role of Mindset in Achieving Goals: The conversation takes a deep dive into the conscious model taught at the Life Coach School, emphasizing how our thoughts about circumstances lead to our feelings, actions, and ultimately, our results.

• Practical Steps to Visioning and Goal Setting: Suzette provides a comprehensive walkthrough on creating a vision board, from permitting yourself to dream to taking purposeful actions towards those dreams.

We challenge you to take the first step towards embracing your dreams today. Start by permitting yourself to want what you want, and consider making your own vision board. Remember, Brave Looks Good On You, and it's time to step into the life you deserve.

Links

Book a Discovery Call with Suzette

Suzette’s Website

Suzette’s FREE Vision Board Template

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Melissa Takes on Pickleball: A Tale of Spontaneous Bravery

Welcome back to another "shorty" episode of our podcast, where today's story is a delightful mix of humor and unexpected courage. It's all about Melissa's first-ever foray into the world of pickleball—a sport that proves you don't need to be an athlete to have a blast... or to learn a thing or two about yourself.

Highlights:

• Pickleball and Perseverance: Melissa dives headfirst into a spontaneous pickleball lesson, challenging her dislike for spontaneity and her self-proclaimed non-athleticism. With a group of enthusiastic, albeit more experienced, players, Melissa finds herself in the thick of learning a new sport, complete with its own lingo like "dinking" and "the kitchen."

• Spontaneous Bravery: Julie applauds Melissa's unexpected decision to join the pickleball session. It's a reminder that sometimes, life's most memorable moments come from unplanned adventures.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the Unexpected: Life's richest experiences often come from the most spontaneous decisions. Dare to step outside your routine.

• Everyone Starts Somewhere: Trying something new is the first step towards growth. Don't be afraid to be a beginner.

• Find Your Community: Whether it's pickleball, podcasting, or any other pursuit, surrounding yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals can make all the difference.

• Be Kind to Yourself: Every attempt, no matter the outcome, is a victory in itself. Celebrate the effort, not just the achievement.

Have you ever taken a leap of spontaneity that led to an unexpected lesson or adventure? We'd love to hear your stories of spontaneous bravery and how they've shaped your journey. Remember, being brave looks good on you, in pickleball and in life.

Links

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Efficient Homes, Happier Lives: Alyssa Beaird's Guide to Mastering Home Operations

In this episode, we had the pleasure of diving into the world of home operations, organization, and emergency planning with Alyssa Beaird, the visionary behind A. Marie & Co. Alyssa's journey from the corporate realm to entrepreneurship is inspired by her childhood experiences and the realization that managing a home isn't vastly different from running a business. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional in our home lives to achieve our financial, family, and faith goals.

Alyssa shares her unique approach to transforming homes into efficiently run operations, underscoring the necessity of clear goal-setting, communication, and understanding the "why" behind our organizational struggles. Whether it's dealing with postpartum anxiety or simply feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind, A. Marie & Co. offers tactical tools to help families navigate through these challenges with grace.

One of the most impactful takeaways from our conversation was the concept of home operations - a term Alyssa believes she coined. This approach treats the home like a business, focusing on day-to-day management and making informed decisions that align with the family's overarching goals. Alyssa also touched upon the vital difference between home operations and organization, and the role of emergency planning in ensuring family safety and security.

We encourage you to reflect on how you can apply Alyssa's insights to your own lives, recognizing that being brave doesn't always mean taking grandiose steps; sometimes, it's about the courage to make small, intentional changes in our homes and lives. For those looking to dive deeper, Alyssa has generously offered a promo code for exclusive insights into leveling up home operations and organization!

Links

A Marie & Co.

Use code BRAVE24 for a free on-site (if you are local to the San Antonio area) or virtual consultation for any service!

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