Consider the Wildflowers

Whether it’s fear of rejection, not booking the client, or mental barriers to know your worth; as business owners it can be hard to charge others for the work you provide. But as a single mom of three, today’s guest had a lot riding on each client and every paycheck. For years she would take on more work without ever raising her rates out of the fear of losing a client.

Casey Norfolk runs a bookkeeping practice serving small business owners. She has a passion for helping business owners succeed and loves unlocking the power that knowing the numbers in your business provides. Today’s episode is for anyone who has ever struggled to know the value of the work they provide and battled to overcome the fear of raising your prices.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/casey-norfolk

From marketing director for a real estate company, to wedding photography, to fine art, to a dream job working as a photographer for Magnolia, Kelli Kroneberger has dabbled with many mediums in many creative industries. As someone who has always been a little embarrassed by the twists and turns in her own career path, Kelli shares how she is learning to embrace the journey and give up her natural tendency for people-pleasing and seeking the validation of others. 

I think as entrepreneurs we can all fall prey to striving out of the need for approval and today’s conversation is a permission slip to do what makes sense for you even if no one else understands. Embrace the journey, though it will likely not be a straight path, and have fun along the way! 

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/kelli-kroneberger

Just four years into her floral design business, Amy knew it was up to her to make money for her family. Newly divorced, single-mom with three young boys, the financial pressure was on her to make this thing work. She turned to a financial advisor for help…

“It was a disaster. He told me my business was bankrupt and I should shut the doors.”

Back against the wall, Amy’s story is one of perseverance, triumph, and beating the odds. From the brink of bankruptcy to building a 7-figure world renowned floral design business in just ten years, how she turned it all around in today’s interview.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/amy-osaba

I believe most of us set out on the path to entrepreneurship with a lot of hope, energy, and excitement but it doesn’t take long on the journey to realize we’re not just expected to be great at our craft, there’s a lot of other tricks we have to add to our bag. Marketing, sales, pitching, PR, bookkeeping to name a few. Not to mention the tough skin needed to overcome obstacles, comparison, hurt feelings, and setbacks. 

It’s a bumpy road we’re traveling and with time it can be hard to hang on to the hope, the excitement, the fun, and most of all —the creativity.

In a black and white business world that says success is … Money, achievement, power. Do it this way! Follow this formula.

How do you hang on to the wonder and creativity?

In today’s interview, Anita shares a compelling story of starting, pivoting, and starting again. Even though the path may look like wrong turns and failures, how each part of her journey taught lessons she would need for the next part.

If you’ve ever felt you were losing your creativity, stuck in a role that no longer seems to fit, or just a creative robot for hire…  I hope Anita’s story of bravery and courage to start again is just what you need to hear today.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/anita-cheung

While money may be a hurdle most entrepreneurs have to overcome when growing a business, confidence ranks right up there with it. In the midst of learning to understand profit & loss statements and price for profit, it feels a little unfair to also battle the mental hurdles of confidence, self-doubt, and talking truth to our own inner critic.

From helping high school students feel comfortable and confident dancing on stage to helping educators know their worth and overcome imposter syndrome, Laylee Emadi is passionate about helping others find confidence, seeing themselves as capable and amazing.

We dive deep in today’s interview, unpacking money mindsets, cultural influences, confidence, insecurities, and becoming comfortable in your own skin.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/laylee-emadi

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying” In the business world, “success” is often directly or indirectly tied to this idea of “more”. More sales, more profit, more growth, a bigger team, or more franchises. Translation? Success = more MONEY.

But what if “bigger” isn’t always better. In fact, what if small is actually the business model that keeps you thriving, happy, being creative, and having fun. Is that not success as well?

From stay at home mom to bakery owner with two brick-and-mortar stores in less than 2 years… In today’s interview with Sarah Blackburn, founder of Free Reign Bakery, get a behind the curtain look at how unexpected quick growth taught this entrepreneur what she did and didn’t want. And why she’s giving herself the permission to stay small.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/sarah-blackburn

According to many sources, most businesses fail within the first 5-10 years. How do you beat the odds and build a business that withstands the test of time? Through the economic recession of 2008 to the global pandemic of 2020, KT Merry has seen a lot during her 20 years in the photography industry. From the introduction of digital photography, the start of Instagram and rise of social media, to life before fancy website platforms. She remembers the days when business was built on making phone calls and knocking on doors. 

Early in her career, she learned the power of perseverance, persistence, and good ole’ fashioned hard work. Through everything the past two decades have thrown her way, she has learned to roll with the evolving landscape and continue to push the boundaries toward excellence.

How to build a business that withstands the test of time? An inside look in today’s interview with world renowned photographer, KT Merry.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/kt-merry

“We don’t get more than one lifetime to create these big visionary ideas. We have to take the years that we’re given and just go for it.” 

As an art student she was given the expectation that a career in art would be a constant struggle. “Struggling artist” is a social norm that Emily Jeffords just doesn’t believe. And though she set out on her art career journey with a tenacious attitude and audacious dream to beat the odds, at the height of success she was met with a mental battle she didn’t expect. 

I’m not worthy of this. Am I worthy of this? A need to constantly prove her worth. 

We are taught to hustle. We are taught to expect to struggle. But we aren’t often taught what to do when we succeed! 

If you’ve ever felt you were not old enough or mature enough to accomplish some of your big, audacious dreams. Today’s interview with Emily Jeffords will challenge you to dream even bigger even before you feel quite ready or qualified.

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/emily-jeffords

“That’s not a real job”. 

As entrepreneurs it’s a thought that simmers underneath the surface that many of us have to battle against. When “replace corporate salary” becomes the goal less out of financial need and more to prove to ourselves (or a family member) that it's “ok” to pursue our dreams. It’s far too easy to find our identity in our resume and believe we have to do something important, social proof our way to Forbes magazine, and have a list of metrics a mile long before others will take us seriously—let alone take our own selves seriously.

Owning our story, believing our worth, pursuing dreams and overcoming limiting beliefs. Well. That’s a storyline today’s guest, Mary Marantz, knows all too well. From a trailer in rural West Virginia to graduating from Yale Law School, her story is captivating and will help us all find more comfort in our own skin. 

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/mary-marantz

As entrepreneurs it’s easy for life to become Eat. Sleep. Breathe. your business. We wake up to the sounds of “you’ve got mail” (not in the romantic Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks) kind of way but more in the Dolly Parton working 9-5 kind of way. Without even realizing it, our identities become wrapped up in the work we do, leaving no room for identity (or hobbies) outside of work! 

In today’s interview, Hope opens up about what it’s like to literally grow up with her business. Starting her photography career as a 16 year high school student, it’s taken years for her to learn how to create healthy boundaries for work and life.

As I’m sure most of us can attest: working is a habit that can be hard to break. And while “work” isn’t to be vilified, not being able to turn off work is a fast pass to burnout. I am so grateful for the insights Hope shared in today’s conversation about protecting her mental wellness and practical ways she promotes healthy work/life balance. 

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/hope-taylor