Having a well thought out infrastructure in place will give your foundation a solid first layer you can continue to build on. But where do you start? 

Today we talk about 4 sublayers that make up an effective infrastructure, how to get started creating it for your business, and how to ensure it will support your business now, and as you grow.

Episode Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

A business should be built on a solid foundation, and there are several parts of a business that make up the building blocks. Today I talk high-level and give you an overview of the 4 basic parts of a service-based business.

Next week we'll start breaking them down into more detail, so you can start to build your solid foundation!

Societal conditioning, lack of opportunities, unfair division of labor in the home and motherhood leave most women ill-prepared to fully support themselves and their families after divorce. It’s time we change that.

Are you ready to become self-sufficient by starting your own service-based business? Today we talk about the Sweet Spot, where quality and demand meets profitability, resulting in success. You’ll learn the 4 qualities of a successful business and how to choose your type of service-based business to get you started down the road to self-sufficiency!

Links:

The Refined Rebels

Get Your Entrepreneurship Discovery Packet

Join the Support Group

Connect on LinkedIn

Michele Bates holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she’s currently the Global VP of Comms and Engagement at Instructure, she’s a Marketing Genius, Wife, Mom, Therapist, and Writer, to name a few.

Michele has been Refined By Divorce and many other very difficult life experiences, and yet she remains upbeat, engaged and willing to help. Listen in to hear our conversation, where she opened up about her life, and shared her wisdom and advice for women navigating the challenges of life, divorce, parenting and so much more.

Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

We all face challenges in life, but the obstacles presented by divorce are particularly difficult to overcome. 

In this episode, I talk about the nature of these obstacles, where they come from and how to defeat them.  By heading off these problems, you’ll be in a better position to get started on your new business venture! 

Episode Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

As a follow up to last week’s episode, I talk about how to use the information uncovered in the entrepreneurial discovery process to determine if starting a service-based business is right for you, and if so, what the next steps involve.  

I also talk about my own path to entrepreneurship after divorce, why I believe it’s important for women to earn money, and what I feel to be my own purpose.

Episode Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

As women and mothers, we’re used to playing the supporting role, but after divorce, you have to become the star of your own life. But where do you start?

In this episode, we’ll talk about the changes you can make in your thoughts and beliefs and how starting a small business is a great way to take control of your life. I talk about starting down the road of Entrepreneurship through a discovery process and walk you through the steps. I created a Discovery Document to help you with the process, and if you subscribe to The Kaleidoscope, you’ll receive a link to download the packet and financial spreadsheets.

Every wife and mother has developed the skills and experience necessary to start a small business. You’ve learned how to market, sell and negotiate. You know how to manage time, projects, resources and people. You’re an event planner, you work with budgets and forecasting, and you’re a pro in the HR department. You understand the concepts behind running a small business, and with just a little study, you will have everything you need to start a low-risk, service-based business for next to nothing. You don’t need to be a footnote in someone else’s life.

You can be your own star, so listen in to learn how to get started today!

Episode Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

What does home mean to you? With a divorce, you may have to sell your house and move. You may lose some or all of your belongings and, with it, your sense of safety and security. Separation and divorce can feel like an exile from your home, familiarity, and everything you’ve ever known. You’ve spent years building a home with your partner, and it can all come crashing down around you in a flash. As you sift through the rubble of your life, you wonder how you’ll ever be able to rebuild, especially now that you’re on your own.

I’ve been there before and understand the deep sorrow that comes with each and every change. The grief and loss are real, even if you don’t have to move your physical location. It’s an unsettling feeling where everything around you feels unfamiliar, and it takes time to establish that feeling of home once again. In this episode of the Refined By Divorce podcast, I discusses what home means to me, and share my perspective and the lessons learned as I navigated two divorces and rebuilt my home many times. Listen in to learn what actionable steps you can take today to find your home once again!

Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

Our first guest joins me on today’s show!

Dusti Ondryas was Refined By Divorce back in 2018, and she now shares how holding on to her personal strengths allowed her to get through the most trying times.

Our conversation focuses on her journey, what she has learned in the process, and how she handles the challenges we all face. Tune in as she explains how opening up their marriage made her realize her true sexuality and why she deserves even more. She also discusses how coming out as a lesbian unleashed her long-hidden authentic self and eventually started the online community Midlife Lesbian. Dusti’s calm demeanor will give you a feeling of peace, and her willingness to share will leave you wiser. Listen in to hear her message of hope!

Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope

What does Refined By Divorce mean?  This week, I talk about what the word Refined means to me, and why I named my consulting business Refined By Divorce. I explain why I reclaimed the word Refined, what it means to me, and how I want it to make you feel. I also reveal the purpose behind the podcast and what to expect in the future. 

Episode Links:

• Read More About The Refined Rebels

• Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

• The Refined By Divorce YouTube Channel

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Join the Inside Group - The Kaleidoscope