I have a special episode for you today and it's more of a personal one that you're probably used to!

I always get asked about my husband and our kids, so I'm sharing our love story today - the ups, the downs, and everything in between. We're celebrating our fifth anniversary and it's fun to look back to where we started and where we are now.

You not only get to hear all about our love, but about how I was a single mom before we started dating. And speaking of which, I have some important advice for the single moms out there. I've been there and I see you, and I promise it will be OK.

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking all things business and life with you guys more than anything, so don't hesitate to reach out.

In this episode, you'll learn…

[04:01] How my husband, MP, and our children from previous relationships all became a blended family

[05:43] How I left my first marriage and became a single mom

[09:32] How MP and I immediately connected and started dating

[31:33] My advice to the single moms out there

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/Reflecting-on-my-5th-Wedding-Anniversary-How-I-Found-Love-Again-After-Being-a-Single-Mom

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

It's been a while since I've done an interview, and I'm excited to bring this one to you today.

If you feel overwhelmed by finances and numbers and money in your business, you're far from alone. And if you own an inventory-based business, you may think you need to scale in ways that actually aren't necessary.

Today I'm chatting with Ciara Stockeland, expert profitability coach for inventory-based business owners. She's talking about why she focuses on financial literacy and profitability, how she helps her clients define success using the profit first method, and how a coach can help you get on track with your finances and your goals.

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking all things business and life with you guys more than anything, and I can't wait to hear from you!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[07:55] How Ciara operates as a business coach and why she helps inventory-based small business owners with financial literacy and profitability

[14:44] How Ciara helps her clients discover their definition of success and profitability (beyond chasing a dollar amount just because), and how the profit first method works

[23:38] Common money struggles of Ciara's business owner clients, and why hiring a coach is an investment (not an expense)

[28:21] How you can work with Ciara, and her advice for actions you can take now to get more comfortable with your numbers

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/How-to-Make-Your-Inventory-based-Business-More-Profitable-with-Ciara-Stockeland

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

In a previous episode, I talked about how I'm reigniting my creativity through The Artist's Way 12-week journey. Now I'm here to tell you about my very first artist date. The goal is to spend some amount of time all by yourself doing whatever you want. Sounds amazing, right? And also, maybe, a little bit impossible?

In today's episode, I'm sharing why I scheduled this "me day," how I prepared (including scheduling it into my calendar and sticking to it), what I learned, and how you, too, can have your own "me day," whether it's 10 minutes or a full day.

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking all things business and life with you guys more than anything, and I can't wait to hear from you!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[01:38] Why I scheduled a day all to myself to do what I want (shout out to The Artist's Way)

[05:51] How I prepared for my day off

[18:14] What I learned from my "me day," and my advice for you to prepare and prioritize your own "me day"

[24:51] A note on self-care for the moms in the audience, and the importance of not comparing yourself to other moms in different stages of motherhood

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/How-to-Plan-a-ME-DAY-Thatll-Reenergize-You-and-Maybe-Your-Business-Too/

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

I made a personal decision over a year ago to stop drinking. Not because I have a drinking problem, but rather because I was having a lot of anxiety and didn't feel like alcohol was doing me many favors in that area. I was curious. Sober curious.

In today's episode, I'm talking about why I stopped drinking and how that decision has made me feel (both physically and mentally), as well as what it's like to be sober in a world where so many social situations revolve around drinking.

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking business with you guys more than anything, and I can't wait to hear from you!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[02:00] Why I decided to quit drinking, and how drinking wasn't helping my mental health

[07:21] How, over time, not drinking made me feel better in a lot of ways, and how I realized drinking was more about being social than liking alcohol

[10:04] The judgment I've experience with not drinking, and how it has made me more mindful of conversations with others about (not) drinking

[15:30] What's been helpful for me on this journey

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/My-Sober-Curious-Journey

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

Do you have something that you do for yourself—a hobby that is just for you? That allows you to explore in new ways without pressure? If you don't, what are you waiting for? We spend so much of our lives focused on work and family … and, often, our own creative endeavors fall by the wayside.

In today's episode, I'm sharing how I've restarted an old hobby of mine, how The Artist's Way is inspiring me to get creative, and why and how I'm prioritizing creativity as a hobby. Doodling and art is something I have always loved, and in this season of my life, I'm allowing myself to explore this artistic medium. Not only that, but I'm making time for it. We all have busy lives, and a creative outlet is something you have to actively prioritize.

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking business with you guys more than anything, and I can't wait to hear from you!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[02:39] The hobby that I'm picking back up, and my journey starting The Artist's Way

[07:51] Why I needed a little mess and creativity in my otherwise more or less orderly life, and the importance of prioritizing this time in my schedule

[13:08] How I'm allowing myself to be creative and play with different mediums and see what sticks, and why it's important to explore what interests you

[26:15] Why you should give yourself permission to try new things and stretch your capabilities (take your crazy idea, and go for it!)

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/Its-Time-to-Reignite-Your-Creativity

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

If you struggle with overwhelm and negative thoughts in and about your business, you are not alone. That was (and still is sometimes) me too, but over time I've learned some amazing techniques to feel more in control of my life and business.

In today's episode, I'm sharing those simple methods I use to stay in control of my mindset (including getting mental health support). Plus, I'm giving you the system I use to organize all of my overwhelming business thoughts and tasks, my best tips for time management, and all the ways we can continue to stay in touch and work together!

As always, send me a DM @morethannicolej on Instagram! I love talking business with you guys more than anything, and I can't wait to hear from you!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[01:12] The negative thoughts your might have about your business and how to reframe your them into something helpful

[07:05] How to embrace mistakes and failures and use them to grow

[09:25] How to take back control of your mind by avoiding triggers, practicing gratitude, getting mental health support, and more!

[14:53] Why organizing your scattered business thoughts into lists can help you feel less overwhelmed, and the system I use to create and organize these lists

[21:07] My best time management tips – including how to make them realistic!

[22:38] My current business offers and how we can stay in touch! (Talking business with you guys is my favorite thing ever!)

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/My-Top-Mindset-and-Time-Management-Tips

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

Are you curious what it's like to be a part of my group coaching program TFE, short for The Friendly Entrepreneur? Whether you are just starting your business or you're more established and need some focused guidance, this group is fun, encouraging, and informative so members can accelerate their business goals.

In today's episode, I'm giving you a sneak peak into a coaching call—the most affordable way to get hot seat coaching with me on your business. We're talking about email lists and content, Pinterest, building a client list, how to utilize freebies, and some Facebook basics.

In this episode, you'll learn…

[01:12] An overview of TFE

[04:41] Creating an email series with a call to action, building an email strategy that is realistic for you, and my advice for writing email content

[18:08] Why you can post as many pins as you want in a day on Pinterest, scheduling with Tailwind, and testing your content

[22:39] Suggestions for building your business credit

[27:09] Building a client list from scratch, creating content for LinkedIn, more advice on freebies, a bonus tip on course creation, and creating an "I help" statement

[42:47] How to utilize your Facebook page vs. Facebook group, and the different features available on Facebook business pages vs personal pages

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/Email-Content-Social-Media-Platforms-and-More-An-Inside-Look-at-a-Coaching-Call-in-TFE

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

When thinking about increasing your sales, I want you to get back to the basics. Where you show up online is important to potential customers being able to find you. Even more important, though, is how you show up. And I'm going to share three ways that will help get eyes on you and your products or services and help increase your sales.

In today's episode, I'm talking about building trust with potential clients, getting really clear on your message and your offerings, and making sure that it's easy for interested customers to click on a link that takes them to sign up for your course, book a 1:1 call, or buy your products.

In this episode, you'll learn…

[03:06] Why it's important to focus on the strategy needed to increase sales (more than the avenues you use)

[05:00] Why you want to build trust with potential clients, what that has to do with increasing sales, and how to do it

[08:08] Getting clear on your message and offerings and what you do, how writing it down helps solidify your goals, and how an FAQ document can be helpful

[11:14] Why posting your links in multiple places is important, and why repetitive with links is actually a good thing

[14:29] Putting yourself in your customers' shoes and understanding your customers' journey from "start to continue," as I like to say

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/Three-Easy-Ways-to-Increase-Your-Sales

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

Do you ever have one of those days where you would just rather be in your bed? Or maybe you've been wearing the same comfy sweats for a few days in a row? I'm not talking depression here, that's a serious mental illness and you should seek help if you need it. I'm talking about the funk.

In this episode, I'm sharing what it's like for me when I get into a funk and things that help me to pull myself out of it. From getting a list of to-dos out of my head and onto paper to taking a shower to cleaning a space in my house, I'm giving you my best tips for fighting the funk, plus some great ideas that my lovely Instagram followers shared as well. I hope you find something here that resonates with you for the next time you need to pull yourself out of a funk too.

In this episode, you'll learn…

[01:12] How I recently got into a funk after being sick, and why being in a funk is the worst—but also very relatable

[05:39] What happens to me when I'm in a funk, and understanding the difference between being in a funk and depression

[09:17] How making a giant to-do list helps me to get everything out of my head and onto paper, and the importance of taking baby steps if you find it difficult to take action

[14:18] Why I always try to remind myself to be grateful for the little things, and why cleaning just one space around me helps to clear my head

[21:00] How listening to music helps to calm and center me, and why I like motivational videos to get me out of a funk

[23:43] What helps some of my Instagram followers get out of their funks

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicole-j-boutique.myshopify.com/blogs/podcast/what-to-do-when-you-re-in-a-funk

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!

This one is for the boutique owners! Whether you're an aspiring owner or you've got an established shop, I have some advice for you today that's going to help you build trust with your customers and create an environment for your business to thrive.

In this episode, I'm sharing my origin story first, because I have been right where you are now. And as someone who's been through the ups and downs of boutique ownership, I'm sharing some questions I ask aspiring boutique owners to gauge how serious they are about owning a business.

I'm also sharing why you need to get to know your ideal customer, all my best tips for using social media to grow your business, and — perhaps most importantly — why you shouldn't rush into more space, more staff, or more inventory too quickly. I'm so excited to share this episode with you and I can't wait to chat with you about it in my DMs @morethannicolej on Instagram!

In this episode, you'll learn…

[01:13] Hear me speak at the Profitability Summit, hosted by Ciara Stockedale

[03:25] Why I'm making an episode especially for boutique owners, and how you can chat with me directly (one of my favorite things!)

[06:02] My origin story, including some twists and turns on my journey as a boutique owner

[17:28] Two questions that help me determine how serious an aspiring owner is about opening a boutique

[20:57] Why you need to get to know the type of customer you want to support

[25:54] Why building a social media strategy that converts customers, instead of just posting pretty pictures, is going to be key to your success

[31:19] How to create stronger relationships with bloggers and fashion influencers

[34:54] How to build trust with your potential customers

[38:01] Why you shouldn't rush into growth or overhead

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://nicolej.com/blogs/podcast/My-Best-Advice-for-Boutique-Owners-at-Any-Stage-of-Their-Journey

If you're looking for more support from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, join us over in TFE and follow me on Instagram for more uplifting business tips!