Get A Handle On It

Thinking about management? Feeling overwhelmed by your inbox? Or just wondering if an agency is worth it? This episode is for YOU.

Today, I’m diving into behind-the-scenes of what management actually looks like as a content creator, how to know when you’re ready, and the major green and red flags to look out for when choosing an agency. After nearly 7 years of running It Girl Agency and a decade in the influencer world, I’ve seen it all, and I’m not gatekeeping any of it.

Listen in to hear:

• The biggest red flags I see in agencies (and what a great one actually looks like)
• How to tell if you’re ready for management
• What questions to ask before signing with an agency 
• The ideal talent-to-manager ratio you should be looking for
• How working with the right agency can boost your income without you having to put in more hours 

Whether you’re drowning in brand emails or just trying to figure out what the next step looks like for your creator biz, this episode will help you make an informed decision with confidence.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency 

For the girlies who are creatively cooked - this one’s for you.

If the thought of making another reel makes you want to vomit, or you’ve been staring at your phone thinking “I literally can’t post, I’m too tired,” welcome. You’re not lazy, you’re not unmotivated… you’re probably just burnt out. And yes, it happens to everyone –  myself included. 

In this Episode, I’m getting real about:

• How to tell if it’s burnout or just fear/resistance
• Why taking a break will not break your account
• How to show up without going full production mode (hello, soft content!)
• What I tell every creator at It Girl Agency when they’re running on fumes

Plus, I’m answering your Qs:

• Is this just a bad day or actual burnout?
• Will taking a break tank my engagement?
• What if I feel guilty for resting?

If you’re tired, snappy, or just not excited about your content right now,  take a breath. You’re not broken. You’re just spent. Let’s talk about it.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency 

What happens when the girl who does it all decides to slow down?

Her brain screams “Wait, this feels wrong!”

Take it from Ashley Henson. She’s been there, but she’s glad she pushed through. 

Ashley is a former HR exec, full-time mom of five(yes, triplets included), and content creator who managed to build a platform and become a full-time influencer just by showing up and being herself. 

In this Episode, she’s opening up about how hard it was to untangle her identity (and self-worth) from her fast-paced career. 

She’s also sharing her best tips for slowing down, settling into a more flexible career with more work/life balance WITHOUT feeling like you’re worth less because you’re working less. 

We’re also getting into:

• Why quitting her job was scary but soright (especially after triplets)
• How she literally manifested her influencer era by putting “I make money by being me” on her vision board 
• The pressure to be “on” 24/7 as a content creator and how she protects her peace so she can be a present mom 

If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting or low-key panicked at the thought of doing less, this one’s for you. Let's be friends! 

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

Let’s bust some myths, shall we?

After 10+ years in the influencer game, I’ve heard it all. Things like:
“You have to post 24/7.”
“You can’t grow unless you’re everywhere at once.”

And honestly? That advice is exhausting. Especially for mom creators trying to juggle it all.

Here’s what I wish more motherhood influencers knew: You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do more of what actually matters. 

That’s why in this episode, I’m breaking down:

• Why more content ≠ more growth (and what to focus on instead)
• The rise of “comfort creators” and how to lean into your personality
• Why long-form content is back (and better than ever)
• What brands are really looking for in 2025 (hint: it’s not a picture-perfect, aesthetic feed)
• How many platforms you actually need to be on to succeed as an influencer

Plus, I’m answering your biggest Qs:

• Do you really need to niche down?
• How do you keep brand deals from feeling forced?
• Is TikTok Shop still worth the hype?
  
  

If you’ve been feeling stuck, burnt out, or straight-up over it… this one’s for you.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

This week, I’m chatting with my girl Emily Vondy, and we’re getting into the messy, honest, sometimes hilarious reality of being a mom on the internet (without relying on your kids for content). 

Emily’s built an audience of over a million by being wildly relatable and hilarious, but she’s also chosen to stop showing her kids’ faces online. We talk about what led to that decision, how it’s impacted her brand, and how to stay true to yourself (and your values) even when it’s hard.

If you’ve ever felt torn between “this is too good not to post” and “this doesn’t feel right,” you’re gonna love this one.

Listen in as Emily gets real about: 

• The moment she knew she was never showing her kids’ faces online again
• How she finds that sweet spot between sharing honestly and keeping things private
• Why she’s okay with a brand deal falling through if it doesn’t align with her values
• The pressure that comes with knowing your kids (and everyone they know, teachers, peers, etc.) will see your content 
  
  

About Emily Vondy:
Emily is a creator, mom of five, and everyone’s favorite golden-retriever-energy bestie on the internet. Whether she’s writing songs, reenacting toddler drama, or just keeping it real about life in the chaos, she’s here to remind you that you’re not alone.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency  https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

Tired of fighting to secure brand deals (and to get paid GOOD money for the work you put in)? Say less. 

Today, I’m bringing in our resident Queen of Negotiation here at ItGirl Agency, Eve, on the show to break down: 

• How to stand on business with brands: Why lowball offers from brands don’t fly at IGA
• Eve’s secret to badass negotiation (and why she never backs down) 
• How Eve knew she was meant to work in influencer management
• What it’s really like to be a content creator, and how to know if influencing will be sustainable for you (hint: it wasn’t for Eve! More about that in today’s episode) 

About Eve Hlavatovic:
Eve Hlavatovic serves as the Head of Talent at It Girl Agency, a boutique management firm specializing in motherhood influencers. Based in Brooklyn, Eve is known for her passion for negotiation, exploring local bakeries, and anything people-based. Eve is dedicated to fostering authentic relationships and delivering tailored support.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

It’s easy to feel like the only one struggling. Social media makes it seem like everyone has their perfect mom group chat, their family down the street, their village locked in. But the reality? So many of us are still out here trying to find our people.

That’s why I’m sitting down with my friend Brielle Cherie, who went from being a young mom with no village to building a rock-solid support system from the ground up. We’re talking about the courage it takes to put yourself out there, the reality of making friends as an adult, and why having a community that truly gets you makes all the difference.

Because let’s be real: making friends as an adult is awkward, vulnerable, and sometimes just plain exhausting. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing life solo, this episode is for you.

Listen in as we get real about: 

• Why making friends as an adult feels like dating, but somehow more stressful
• The myth of the “supermom” and why we need to stop wearing burnout as a badge of honor
• How to build a village when you don’t have family (or your besties) nearby
• How to find real connections on social media without falling into the comparison trap
• Faith, friendships, and why Brielle prays for the right people to show up in her life

Oh, and stick around until the end for a little rapid fire Q&A where Brielle spills the details on the most unhinged brand collab she’s ever been pitched. I promise, you won’t see this one coming.

About Brielle Cherie:

Brielle is a content creator, mom of two, and the owner of Abide Studios, a bright and airy creative space in Minneapolis designed to bring women together. Whether she’s sharing about motherhood, faith, or the highs and lows of everyday life, Brielle is all about keeping it real and making sure women never feel alone.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency  https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

Get a Handle On It is HERE! In this first episode, I’m your host, Lydia Jean, and I’m spilling the tea on why I started this podcast, what to expect, and my journey as a mompreneur and founder of It Girl Agency. 

We’re talking:

• Building community in a gatekeep-y industry
• Juggling motherhood, business, and influencing
• The struggles, wins, and behind-the-scenes of securing and managing 6-figure brand deals and helping our roster of creatives thrive 

I’m also answering your burning Qs—like how I transitioned into motherhood, set (or struggle with) boundaries, and what I was most proud of in 2024.

Let's be friends! Find us on Instagram @itgirlagency  https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/

Welcome to Get a Handle On It—the podcast where motherhood, influencing, and entrepreneurship collide. I’m your host, Lydia Jean: a mompreneur, content creator, and founder of It Girl Agency, where we’ve helped hundreds of creators secure six-figure brand deals and build thriving careers.

Each week, I bring you candid conversations, actionable tips, and real stories from moms who are balancing mom life and building their brands. Together, we’ll navigate the messy, rewarding world of influencer life because balancing it all is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. So, grab your oat milk latte and AirPods, and listen in each week as we work to Get a Handle On It together!

Let's be friends! Find me on Instagram @itgirlagency  https://www.instagram.com/itgirlagency/