Planning isn’t about control, it’s about clarity.

In this solo episode, Leslie shares the planning rhythm that’s helped her stay grounded as a business owner, wife, and mom — especially in seasons where life is full and the “perfect plan” isn’t realistic.

This episode breaks intentional planning into three areas:

1. Planning with your partner/spouse (alignment starts with honest conversations)
2. Planning for your business (vision that builds ownership, not burnout)
3. Planning for yourself (health, energy, boundaries, and a pace that fits your season)
   

You’ll hear:

• The mindset shift behind “clarity over control”
• What visionaries need to make space for
• How Leslie plans with her spouse to stay aligned all year
• How she plans with her team so everyone feels part of the build
• Practical ways to make planning simple and sustainable
  

🔗 Connect with the Host:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
Website:https://www.theshieldsagency.com

What’s the difference between delegation and abdication — and why does it matter so much as your business grows?

In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with entrepreneur, investor, builder, and self-described “process nerd” Logan Speights for a wide-ranging conversation about scaling businesses without losing control, testing assumptions before they cost you millions, and learning how to work on the business instead of being buried in it.

From early animation and advertising work to building multiple companies, Logan shares hard-earned lessons about leadership, automation, AI, exits, and the mindset shifts required when founders move from builder to leader. They also talk candidly about family life, personality profiles, woodworking, and why technology should always stay human-centered.

In this episode, they cover:

• Delegation vs. abdication — and why founders often confuse the two
• Knowing your role as a founder (and when to step aside)
• Testing assumptions before scaling
• Automation as a tool for freedom, not distance
• Building value for an eventual exit
• How personality profiles improve team culture
• Why AI isn’t the threat — ignoring it is

If you’re a founder, team leader, or entrepreneur trying to scale without burning out or breaking culture, this episode will challenge how you think about growth.

👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between

💬 Comment with the insight that stuck with you

📢 Share this episode with a founder who’s deep in the weeds

🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Logan Speights:

• Website: https://www.proxxy.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganspeights/

🔗 Connect with the Host:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
• Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com

#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Delegation #BusinessGrowth #Automation #FounderLife #ExitStrategy

What does it really take to grow a business from the ground up — and keep going when the path isn’t clear?

In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Gail Stouffer for a candid conversation about building a business from scratch, navigating pivots, and staying grounded through the messy middle.

From selling her work at craft shows to running multiple businesses that serve both creatives and large manufacturers, Gail shares the behind-the-scenes reality of entrepreneurship — including partnership challenges, mindset shifts, motherhood, risk-taking, and learning when to push forward and when to recalibrate.

In this episode, they dive into:

• Leaving the corporate world and betting on yourself
• Growing from a creative hobby into a multi-brand business
• Navigating partnerships, pivots, and hard lessons
• Balancing motherhood, leadership, and business ownership
• Why fear is often a sign you’re growing
• Building something meaningful without losing yourself

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a business owner in transition, or someone feeling stuck in the “messy middle,” Gail’s story will encourage you to keep going — even when the next step isn’t obvious.

👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between
💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway
📢 Share this episode with someone building something from the ground up

🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Gail Stouffer:

• Kilnfrog: https://www.kilnfrog.com
• Heat Treat Now: https://www.heattreatnow.com
• Instagram: @kilnfrog
• Kiln Academy: https://kilnacademy.com

🔗 Connect with the Host:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
• Website:https://www.theshieldsagency.com
  

What happens when the business you dreamed of starts costing you your health, your peace, and your joy?

In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with hairstylist and entrepreneur Sara DeBusk for a raw and honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, and the courage it takes to walk away — even when you’ve poured everything into building something.

Sara shares the behind-the-scenes reality of opening and expanding a salon, navigating financial pressure, managing contractors, and the emotional toll that hustle culture can take on your body and mind. She opens up about the moment she realized something had to change and how closing her salon became the first step toward rebuilding a healthier, more sustainable version of success.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The emotional and financial realities of salon ownership
• Opening and growing a business during COVID
• The physical and mental health impacts of chronic stress
• Making the decision to close a business — and grieving it
• Rebuilding with boundaries, clarity, and purpose
• Why women supporting women matters more than ever

Sara’s story is one of resilience, wisdom, and choosing yourself when the pressure to keep pushing feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, service provider, or woman navigating burnout, this episode will resonate deeply.

⚠️ Disclaimer: These are real, unfiltered conversations and may include occasional strong language.

📢 Share this with a friend who needs the reminder: You are more than your business.

🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Sara DeBusk:

• Instagram: @sarad.hair

🔗 Connect with the Host:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
• Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com

Referenced in the Episode:

• Find a curl expert stylist:
  • Ouidad: https://www.ouidad.com/pages/salons
  • Curl Maps:https://curlmaps.com

Welcome to the very first episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between. In this inaugural conversation, host Leslie Shields sits down with her friend Kaitlin for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the real journey of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and leadership — long before the highlight reel.

Leslie opens up about launching a business while raising a child, navigating self-doubt, and learning how vulnerability can actually become a strength. Together, they explore why community matters, how mindset shapes growth, and why small wins deserve to be celebrated.

This episode sets the tone for the podcast — real talk, real stories, and the “in-between” moments we don’t talk about enough.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The founder’s story behind the podcast
• Balancing business growth and personal life
• Motherhood’s impact on leadership and priorities
• Why vulnerability builds stronger communities
• Celebrating progress instead of chasing perfection

If you’re an entrepreneur, parent, leader, or someone navigating change, this episode will meet you right where you are.

📢 Share with someone who needs encouragement today

🔗 Connect with the Host:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
• Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com