In this episode of Roots and Roofs, host McKenzie Shelton sits down with her friend Kim, owner of The Acres, a beloved wedding and event venue in southwest Iowa. From navigating zoning issues and major renovations to building a thriving business rooted in community, Kim opens up about the real behind-the-scenes of owning a small-town venue. They talk business, motherhood, boundary-setting, and how to stay grounded (and hilarious) even when life gets wild.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Kim went from Colorado transplant to small-town venue owner
• The surprising origin of The Acres (and how she found the property)
• The process—and obstacles—of getting the venue legally operational
• What sets The Acres apart from other event spaces in the area
• How BYOB weddings can be done right (and save couples thousands)
• Why boundaries matter when running a business and managing guests
• What it takes to get repeat, loyal customers in the event industry
• How Kim juggles entrepreneurship with raising four kids
• The importance of not losing your joy or becoming bitter in business
• Honest talk about parenting, marriage, and learning to apologize

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode of Roots and Roofs, we sit down powerhouse Ashley, a real estate leader whose journey from corporate burnout to brokerage ownership is as inspiring as it is insightful. Ashley shares the pivotal moments that shaped her transition from a part-time agent to the founder of a brand-new brokerage, Toast Real Estate Group. From her start in corporate healthcare to launching a team and ultimately stepping into brokerage ownership, she gets real about leadership, culture, systems, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful in the real estate world—without losing your personal life in the process.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Ashley made the leap from corporate operations to full-time real estate
• The story behind launching Toast Real Estate Group
• The three brokerage models she and her partner developed
• Why systems, culture, and people are the backbone of their brokerage
• How to balance motherhood, entrepreneurship, and leadership
• What makes their brokerage culture so intentionally selective
• Strategies for setting boundaries in real estate while still showing up for your clients
• The critical importance of hiring in your business growth
• How personal goal-setting translates to team success
• How they maintain presence and structure in a blended-family household

Questions Answered in This Episode:

• What inspired Ashley to leave her previous brokerage and start her own?
• How did she know it was time to transition from team leader to brokerage owner?
• What are the key systems that support their business and personal lives?
• How do they uphold high culture and standards across multiple team models?
• What role does personal boundary-setting play in running a successful real estate business?
• What are the biggest challenges (and lessons) of leadership in real estate?
• How do they determine who is the right fit for their brokerage?
• What should someone consider if they want to start their own brokerage someday?
• How do Ashley and her partner share responsibilities both in business and at home?
• What support systems keep everything running at Toast and in their household?

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this inspiring episode of Roots and Roofs, host McKenzie Shelton chats with her longtime friend Dr. Kristen Blott, a veterinarian, business owner, and mom. Kristen shares her journey from law dreams to veterinary medicine, what it was like purchasing an existing clinic, and how she juggles the beautiful chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship. With honesty and warmth, this conversation is a must-listen for working moms navigating purpose, passion, and priorities.

• How Kristen transitioned from a potential legal career to becoming a veterinarian
• What it’s like to purchase and run an existing veterinary clinic
• The differences between starting a business from scratch vs. buying one
• Honest insights into juggling business ownership and motherhood
• Why “letting go” is a powerful leadership and parenting tool
• How to prioritize and manage time as a multi-role working mom
• How veterinary care can evolve with technology in rural communities

• What inspired Kristen to pursue veterinary medicine?
• How did she end up owning her own clinic—and what challenges came with it?
• What’s the difference between rural and urban veterinary practice?
• How does Kristen manage family life with a demanding medical career?
• What mindset shifts helped her grow as a leader and mom?
• What advice does she have for women considering veterinary careers—or any demanding profession?

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode, I dive into one of the most important topics for busy women and mompreneurs—how to create leverage in your business. I break down the exact strategies that can help you gain back your time, reduce stress, and increase income as your business grows. Whether you're feeling stretched too thin or just want to work smarter, not harder, this episode will give you actionable tips and permission to let go of doing it all.

What you'll learn:

• What leverage actually means in your business and why it’s crucial as you grow
• How to automate repetitive tasks to free up time
• What tasks you should delegate or outsource (and real examples from my life)
• How to scale your income through digital products, affiliate marketing, or memberships
• The power of workflows and time boundaries, especially in real estate
• Why investing in your personal growth—through coaching, masterminds, or learning—is key to long-term success
• The one mindset shift that will help you stop being the overworked solopreneur and step into your role as CEO

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode, I share a huge update—my real estate team has officially moved to Realty One Group Sterling! After over a decade at our former brokerage, this was not a decision we made lightly. I sit down with Steve Menino, one of the owners of Realty One Group Sterling, to talk about why we made the move, what makes this brokerage unique, and how it supports agents and teams in growing thriving businesses. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to transition brokerages—or you’re curious about Realty One Group—this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

What you’ll learn:

• Why I moved my team after 10 years and what stood out about Realty One Group Sterling
• What the “Unbrokerage” model is and how it benefits agents through 100% commission and full support
• What makes Realty One’s culture, collaboration, and leadership different from other brokerages
• How Realty One supports new agents with daily huddles, mentorship, and robust onboarding
• The importance of work-life balance and how the brokerage encourages setting boundaries and building a sustainable business
• A deep dive into Realty One’s tech stack and tools, including OneLogin, OneSuite CRM, and marketing support

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this special episode of Roots and Roofs, I sit down with my husband, Jack Shelton, for a candid conversation about how we balance marriage, family, and entrepreneurship. We talk about how our personal and professional lives have become so intertwined, the challenges and successes we've had working together, and how we've built a strong foundation in both our businesses and our relationship.

What you'll learn:

• How Jack and I navigate marriage while both running businesses
• The importance of having shared goals and a common vision in both life and business
• How we handle disagreements and conflicts in a productive way
• The strengths we each bring to our partnership and how they complement each other
• How we support each other’s individual business ventures while staying aligned as a couple
• Why communication is key in both business and marriage
• How we make time for our relationship while juggling multiple businesses and family life
• Our best advice for other married couples who are working together or running businesses separately

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.comwww.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode of Roots and Roofs, I sit down with Jennifer Neill, a former healthcare professional who made the bold leap into real estate. Jennifer shares her journey from working in CAT scans and MRIs to becoming a top-producing real estate agent. We discuss the challenges she faced transitioning careers, the power of going all-in, and how she built a successful business by leveraging relationships and small-town connections.

What you’ll learn:

• How Jennifer made the switch from healthcare to real estate
• The mindset shifts needed to take the leap into a new career
• Why small-town networking is a powerful tool in real estate
• How setting goals and being intentional about lead generation transformed her business
• Tips for work-life balance as a full-time real estate agent

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode of Roots and Roofs, we chat with Sara Porter, a seasoned real estate agent, multiple business owner, and busy mom of three competitive athletes. Sara shares her journey of balancing entrepreneurship, parenting, and personal growth while staying organized and avoiding burnout. We dive into time management strategies, home organization tips, and the realities of raising kids in elite sports. Sara also opens up about her experience in bodybuilding and how discipline in fitness has impacted all areas of her life!

What you will learn:

1. How to juggle multiple businesses while managing a busy household
2. The importance of time blocking and prioritization for working moms
3. Tips for home organization and simplifying your space
4. The challenges and lessons of raising kids in competitive sports
5. Why creating systems in your home and business can prevent burnout
6. How small daily habits, like meal prepping and movement, can lead to long-term success

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

Today I'm chatting with Jamie Flanagan, to talk all things real estate, investing, and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. Jamie shares how she accidentally became a real estate investor, grew her portfolio to nearly 80 properties, and expanded into multiple markets, including Arizona and Colorado. We discuss her journey from being a brand-new agent to an experienced investor, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she and her husband strategically diversify their investments.

What you'll discuss:

• How Jamie got started in real estate and built her investment portfolio
• The ups and downs of managing single-family rentals vs. multi-family properties
• The reality of vacation rentals and what she’s learned from owning them
• Her new business venture in Utah and what excites her about the market
• The importance of setting boundaries and getting support as a mom and entrepreneur
• How hiring a virtual assistant transformed her business and personal life (And trust me, you HAVE hear this one!)
• Practical advice for moms looking to start a business or invest in real estate

Whether you are an aspiring real estate investor, a busy mom looking for balance, or simply curious about growing a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mahogany_acres_mama/

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode of Roots and Roofs, I sit down with Emily Dixon, a homeschool mom, ISR instructor, and business owner who shares her journey of balancing faith, family, and entrepreneurship. Emily opens up about teaching young children life-saving swim skills, homeschooling her four kids, and embracing the different seasons of life. We discuss finding peace in imperfection, the power of leaning on a support system, and staying spiritually grounded while juggling many roles.

What you'll learn in this episode:

1. What ISR is and how it teaches life-saving skills to children
2. How Emily balances homeschooling, running a business, and being a mom with grace
3. Why embracing the season of life you’re in can bring peace and clarity
4. Strategies for staying spiritually grounded and trusting in God’s guidance
5. The importance of letting go of perfection and focusing on what truly matters
6. How to model authenticity and emotional resilience for your children

Connect with Emily:

Instagram: @ISR.emilydixson

Website: www.infantswim.com

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mahogany_acres_mama/

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com