Maximum Mom

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Kara McKeage. Kara McKeage is the founder of Pepper’s Personal Assistants, a sourcing and placement agency for highly vetted personal assistants. 

With the belief that support is not a luxury, support is a necessity. She is dedicated to helping professional women let go of the shame around outsourcing household tasks so they can find more time, feel organized and have peace of mind. 

Kara provides a framework and mindset shift in releasing the fear of delegation and outsourcing household tasks and how to have a successful relationship with your personal assistants. 

With a team of 24 employees, Kara can share the importance of embracing support, leadership for remote teams, and taking actions that align with your core values. You can expect Kara to share lessons learned and key takeaways on life and business. 

01:20 Meet Kara! 

04:11 Getting support 

09:30 When starting to delegate to a personal assistant 

14:57 Accepting that you actually cannot do it all

18:30 When you are worried about providing too much care and raising entitled kids

21:42 Personal work need to happen in order to grow a business

23:48 How to create your core values

29:47 Feedback - one of the biggest leadership failures 

🎧Listen to the podcast here.  

📹 Watch the interview here.

Connect with Kara:

• Website 
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Books Mentioned:

• Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky 

• The Fair Play Deck: A Couple's Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What's Important Cards by Eve Rodsky 

• Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World Paperback by Eve Rodsky

• Radical Candor: Fully Revised and Updated Edition: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean by Kim Scott 

Resources:

• Join the Guild Membership
• Subscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube Channel
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join the Facebook Group
• Follow the Facebook Page
• Follow us on LinkedIn

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Michelle Bomberger. Michelle founded Equinox in 2005 to provide business leaders a more transparent, responsive, and business focused solution for their legal needs. 

Over the past 17 years, she’s morphed the business model to offer a fixed fee General Counsel Services solution giving business leaders the confidence and freedom to include legal in their strategic and tactical planning -- they have a relationship with their lawyer and they know what they are paying, when they'll get a response, and that the solution is right for their business. 

It's a tough model to manage and she’s learned a ton about how to make this work for her clients and for her own business. When Michelle started Equinox in 2005, she had a 1 year old at home and was pregnant with her second child. 

Michelle’s kids have grown up with Equinox a part of their lives -- but also having their mom in their lives! While they've seen her work a lot over the years - and seen the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and employer, she’s always been there for them. 

Michelle committed early on to picking them up from school, taking them where they needed to go, and participating in what was important to them. These were priorities for Michelle and forced her to make decisions in her business and her life to make these work for her family. 

Michelle has an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Notre Dame and a JD/MBA from Northwestern University. She is an active member and member of the Board of Directors of the Seattle Chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization and a member of the Board of Bellevue LifeSpring and Youth Theatre Northwest.

04:42 The start of the law firm and having little children 

11:55 When the firm office encourages the flexibility needed for motherhood and work 

14:07 Strategic misses that are happening right now

17:47 Using fixed price 

23:42 Books recommended by Michelle that have really shifted her thinking 

29:25 How does Michelle streamline the administrative burden 

37:55 Tips for how to succeed in life as “mom” and as a law firm owner! 

40:55 Tips for handling email inbox #rabbithole 

Connect with Michelle:

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Links Mentioned:

• Book: Range by Daivd Epseen
• Book: Traction by Gino Wickman 
• Book: Crucial Accountability by Kerry Patterson and Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillian, Al Switzler, David Maxfield
• Book: The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

🎧Listen to the podcast here.  

📹 Watch the interview here.

Resources:

• Join the Guild Membership
• Subscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube Channel
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join the Facebook Group
• Follow the Facebook Page
• Follow us on LinkedIn

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Steph Tuss. Women in particular are burdened with a double edged sword – society tells us that our values are built on being a mother to our children, but it also says we should go out and have a career or business of our own. 

Raising children and excelling as an entrepreneur at the same time are two barely synchronizable endeavors. Mothers don't even have to fail in one of these areas to feel mom guilt.

Steph Tuss – CEO of the multimillion-dollar global consulting company Life Is Now, Inc – has been pretty familiar with this mom guilt feeling, all too well.

Before joining Life Is Now, Steph left her career as an educator to launch her own holistic nutrition business, having been inspired by her first daughter’s growing health challenges and her quest for the root cause. 

Her sole focus when starting her business was to replace her teacher salary of $37,000/year. In spite of the people around her not being confident that she was going to make it, Steph was willing to do anything necessary to continue forward. 

So much so, that she was working early mornings, late nights and weekends – it got to a point where she literally couldn’t do more and started to resent her business. She started her business because she wanted freedom, but ironically, she had created a jail for herself.

Steph realized she was diminishing her returns by not hiring someone to help in her business and with her kids. She let go of mom guilt, sold her business, and joined Life Is Now as the Director of Sales. 

She was frequently traveling the world with the new company and during one of their events, she realized her ideal life would involve her daughters traveling with her. 

Steph and her husband then made the decision to go for it: They pulled their kids out of school and hired a tutor + nanny that would travel alongside the family, regardless of people constantly questioning their decision.

What does "success" mean to you? What is your vision for your life and business? Listen in!

01:05 Meet Steph and the the unexpected ups and downs of empty nesting 
05:20 The issue of hiring and firing and the emotions around the people piece of business and the standards that are agreed upon
10:21 How often do you check in with your team = micromanage vs. good management 
14:33 How does a law firm come up with a 3D vision?
18:26 Running a business while running a family
26:00 Let’s deep dive into your mindset!
31:35 Finding so much opportunity on the flip side of a bad thing
41:20 Value conflict and how it will kill your business

Connect with Steph:

Website: https://www.lifeisnowinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeisnowinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidNeagleCommunity

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-is-now-inc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeIsNow/videos

Links Mentioned:

• Create your 3D vision for your life video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaoaZdWJLcE
• Challenging Your Mindset With Daivd Neagle https://share.transistor.fm/s/8a8fb056

🎧Listen to the podcast here.  

📹 Watch the interview here.

Resources:

Join the Guild Membership

Subscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube Channel

Follow us on Instagram

Join the Facebook Group

Follow the Facebook Page

Follow us on LinkedIn

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Melanie Lippman. Melanie is an Image Consultant and Personal Branding expert who helps high-powered women in male dominated fields use style to communicate confidence, build connections, and achieve next-level visibility.

Navigating the duality of motherhood and building your firm, Elise chats with Melanie about ‘How style can encapsulate both your leadership and motherhood persona’”. Deep diving into:

• The challenges women face balancing their role as a boss and a mom when it comes to style (and how they can ensure neither get left behind)
• Getting out of the ‘I should wear a suit’ funnel women in law often fall into
• How to discover your own powerful personal style (and put it into action) based on your personal priorities and style goals
• The types of opportunities that women pass up because they don’t have the clothes to suit the occasion
• The transformational impact that showing up authentically as you can has on your career
• And more!

Listen in!

02:00 Meet Melanie who believes that the only way to feel free is to know that it’s yours!  

07:28 Finding power in dressing the way you feel is the “real” you …

09:40 How to pull out peoples' styles of clothes out of them when they are hiding. 

14:36 When you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear — what do you do? 

19:44 How do finances play a part of dressing yourself 

23:33 Hacks and tips for clothes shopping

29:07 “I don't have time to learn how to dress myself” 

38:35 Teaching your kids how to dress for themselves

Connect with Melanie:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Group Coaching

🎧Listen to the podcast here.  

📹 Watch the interview here.

Resources:

Join the Guild Membership

Meet us in Austin, TX! The ZAPATHON Automation Workshop featuring Kelsey Bratcher! Become a member to purchase your ticket.

Subscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube Channel

Follow us on Instagram

Join the Facebook Group

Follow the Facebook Page

Follow us on LinkedIn

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Latrice Latin. Latrice was a single mother, and law firm owner for over 13 years. She finished law school with one child and had a crazy career ride going from working for a firm to starting her own firm, all while navigating motherhood.

Latrice has secured millions in settlements for her personal injury clients over the span of her career.  She works hard for her clients and gets the results that are needed on their behalf. 

She has recently established a virtual law firm which allows for efficiency and easy access for her clients through the pandemic. She has recently taken on representing misdemeanor criminal clients for low rates to help them keep their records clean.

01:30 Meet Latrice 

05:30 Running your law firm virtually --- the pros and cons of it!

09:57 How to get everything set up?! 

17:23 Fulfilling your destiny … even when things are unconventional 

25:04 Finding balance as a single mom 

28:23 Taking care of mental health and self care … making sure you take the time

🎧Listen to the podcast here.  

📹 Watch the interview here.

Connect with Latrice:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Subscribe to Maximum Mom on your favorite podcast player, so you never miss an episode!
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Resources:

Join the Guild Membership

Meet us in San Diego! The final quarterly mastermind of 2022 still has tickets available! Become a member to purchase your ticket.

Subscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube Channel

Follow us on Instagram

Join the Facebook Group

Follow the Facebook Page

Follow us on LinkedIn

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Nishea Clark. Nishea is not a lawyer but the is Founder and Owner of NVC Consulting, LLC market research and strategic planning customized services.

Since 2002, NVC Consulting has provided insights and analysis for customers in pharmaceuticals, consumer package goods, media and entertainment and financial services. Nishea experience spans from the most elite advertising agencies such as EURO RSCG, Leo Burnett and DDB to premier Fortune 500 clients including, Pfizer, IMG, Procter & Gamble, McDonalds, SiriusXM, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Microsoft and many more. Her team of seasoned professionals is equally skilled at delivering excellent insights with the highest level of customer service.

Nishea received her BS in Journalism from Northwestern University. She also earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern, where she has consulted and returned as a visiting lecturer to the business school. NVC Consulting is currently based in New York.

NVC Consulting has partnered with numerous pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Novo Nordisk and Eisai, conducting novel market research and strategic projects in areas such as rare disease, cardiovascular and mental health. 

Nishea and her associates have provided a viewpoint that allows her clients to better anticipate issues/opportunities with the target audience prior to going into market. The philosophy of delivering actionable strategies led to an output that empowers the entire team to be more proactive versus reactive.

01:00 Meet Nishea
12:14 Being a mom is the most humbling journey in my entire life
17:48 Getting a parenting coach so you can parent the kids you have
21:38 Personality archetypes in the workplace are so valuable … here’s why!
27:40 Have the label of intimidating — and coming to terms with people about it
33:13 Making it work for you! — back to boundaries
36:15 What does marketing research look like

Connect with Nishea:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Reading: Find Your Unicorn Space by: Eve Rodsky

🎧Listen to the podcast here. 

Subscribe to our channel so you never miss an interview, presentation or training! 

This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie is joined by Bridgette Bennett.

Bridgette is the CEO & Founding Attorney at the Bennett Law Center. Bridgette, or Attorney B as clients call her, is a U.S. immigrant. While she will tell you that her immigration story was a positive experience, the same could not be said for her husband's immigration experience.

After immigration authorities attempted to deport her husband, Attorney Bennett realized she had a higher purpose in life. She left her corporate job to attend law school with the risk that she would lose everything she had built. Now, she is living her own American Dream.

As an immigration attorney, Bridgette can now tell clients that she knows exactly what they are going through, and will do everything in her power to help you achieve your own version of the American Dream.

01:00 Meet Bridgette … 

08:55 Getting started in immigration law by being an immigrant herself.

14:26 Fascinated by the practice of immigration, for all the people.

16:41 Working with a team of 14 people. 

18:49 How does the business of immigration work during coivd and recession.

23:05 How education can help what we are facing today. 

29:00 Self care in the form of travel. 

Reading the book: 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman which is about accepting that you can not do it all. What do you want to do?

Reading the book: The Gap in the Gain by Dan Sullivan which is about intentionally taking time to look where you came from and to stop chasing the next goal. 

Listen to the podcast here.
Watch the interview here.

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This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie joined Stacey Freeman.

Stacey is a New York City-based writer and journalist and the founder of Write On Track LLC, a full-service consultancy dedicated to providing high-quality content and strategy to individuals and businesses.

She has written extensively on lifestyle topics including career reinvention, health and wellness, personal finance, divorce, and parenting. Her work has been published or syndicated in The Washington Post, The Lily (published by The Washington Post), Forbes, Entrepreneur, MarketWatch, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Town & Country, InStyle, PBS' Next Avenue, AARP, SheKnows, Yahoo!, MSN, HuffPost, Popsugar, Your Teen, Grown & Flown, Scary Mommy, CafeMom, MariaShriver.com, and dozens of other well-known platforms worldwide. And is frequently called on for her expertise and insights and have been quoted in media brands such as The New York Times, The Seattle Times, HuffPost, and SheKnows.

A storyteller at heart, Stacey also writes engaging personal essays and reported pieces on her clients' behalf for submission to well-known magazines and newspapers boasting a global readership. With Stacey’s guidance, industry experience, and proven track record, her clients have seen their bylines, backlinks, and quotes appear in highly recognizable names that include Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, MarketWatch, The New York Daily News, American Bar Association, Above the Law, Yahoo, MSN, PBS' Next Avenue, HuffPost, ParentMap, Marin Magazine, Marin Living, Better, Your Teen, Scary Mommy, and Mantra Wellness.

Her book, a memoir-in-essays, is scheduled for release in November 2022 from Unsolicited Press. Waking up every day to do what she love allows her to bring that same energy to her clients as she advises them on building their businesses and personal blogs to boost website traffic. 

She helps her clients grow their presence and increase brand recognition by creating valuable SEO-rich website content, compelling profiles and bios, winning ad copy, and eye-catching press releases. Over the years, and as a direct result of her legal education, life experience, and voice in the divorce community, Stacey developed a subspeciality working with family and divorce and estate planning lawyers. By capturing each law firm's unique tone using education, example, and story, Stacey connects potential new clients with the legal professionals best-suited by skill and personality to represent them.

9:35 a book about betrayal 

11:08 the blog: an online resume

13:55 a book deal

16:17 figuring out your tolerance level

29:38 keeping a connection 

31:52 tips for co-parents

Listen to the podcast here.

Watch the interview here.

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This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie joined Jeena Belil.

Jeena is one of the first female owned personal injury law firms on Long Island, which started back in 2007 as a virtual office, while other firms looked at her sideways. She thinks of being a solo attorney not as a job, but as a lifestyle. She was able to create a successful practice on a shoestring with a smart business plan. She was able to stay home and make sure her daughter actually saw her mom for more than an hour or two a day.

Jeena’s areas of practice include Plaintiff's Personal Injury, New York No-Fault and Uninsured Motorist Law, subrogation, medical and auto insurance coverage disputes. She is admitted to the New York State Bar. She received a B.A. degree from Rowan University and J.D. degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

Jeena is formerly associated with AutoOne Insurance as Managing Counsel and Travelers Insurance as First Party New York Regional Coordinator. In those positions, Ms. Belil was responsible for the management and organization of the New York No-Fault case handling structure that serves as the template for the defense of first-party claims. In addition, Ms. Belil has been instrumental in the management and preparation of many cases that have established the benchmark for defending arbitrations and suits and investigating and prosecuting No-Fault fraud.

She has presented seminars and round table conferences on diverse topics such as First Party Examinations Under Oath, Using Evidence at Uninsured Motorist Framed Issue Hearings and Arbitration, and Insurance Fraud. Ms. Belil has also represented the interests of Plaintiff clients in Personal Injury litigation from inception through trial.

Since 2007, Jeena has used her prior insurance defense experience in representing New York State Healthcare Providers and the patients they treat in the areas of personal injury, no-fault, and worker's compensation collections.

4:24 you’re not going to have a brick-and-mortar practice

7:05 the younger generations don’t need to be face-to-face

12:33 go where you’re needed

16:32 I consider myself lucky

20:52 people will be happier where they work

24:39 you may not remember exactly what happens

29:01 this accident gave me a perspective

34:58 times have just changed dramatically

38:24 shut it all down

Watch the interview here.

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This week on Maximum Mom, your host Elise Buie joined Pamela Grady.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve the people and businesses of Madison Parish, Louisiana, and Warren County, Mississippi, Pamela co-founded Crews Grady PLLC in 2013 with the desire to empower her clients and her community. She utilizes her love of communication, technology, research, and planning to create successful outcomes for her clients and economic prosperity for her community.

She has a heart for public service and economic development and uses her relationships with her colleagues on the Bench and in the Bar in service of those causes. Committed to access to justice and to educating her clients, she is constantly searching for ways to utilize technology to reach those in need.

Pamela brings her background in agriculture and experience as an environmental and floodplain manager for the Department of Homeland Security to her real estate practice and is a licensed title insurance agent in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. With offices ideally located in Madison Parish, Louisiana, and Warren County, Mississippi, her real estate practice often involves the purchase and sale of large agricultural and recreational tracts situated in both the states of Mississippi and Louisiana on the Mississippi River. 

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In addition to maintaining a real estate practice, Pamela has prosecuted and defended civil and criminal cases in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia in State Courts, Federal Courts, and before the American Arbitration Association. 

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Pamela and her husband, James "Bud" Grady, live in Madison Parish, Louisiana, where they are raising their two children, Wyatt and Genevieve.

4:33 federal judge in Texas 

7:55 It’s been a real shift

12:34 you’re conducting yourself a certain way 

16:19 you’ve got to be upfront with people

20:40 she’s a great partner

24:30 who is this person 

29:05 you can take another step

34:17 yes ma’am

38:00 that was a fun game

Watch the interview here.

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