The Accidental Entrepreneur

In today's episode, I'm joined by Allie, a former special education teacher turned entrepreneur. From bartending and substitute teaching to becoming an Instagram marketing manager, Allie's path to entrepreneurship has been anything but linear. What started as a desire for flexibility turned into a thriving business and a life centered around faith, family, and freedom. If you've ever been curious about redefining success, pivoting careers, or building a business that fits your lifestyle, this episode is for you!

In this episode, Allie and I discuss:

• Her early career aspirations
• The pivotal moment that sparked her passion for helping others
• Facing rejection from grad schools and the emotional toll of redirection
• Life during her transition period, including bartending and working at a golf course
• The life change that came with her husband's job and the decision to stay home with their son
• Her journey through IVF and the financial, emotional, and spiritual lessons that came with it
• How joining the Fearless Chase Academy opened her eyes to Instagram marketing
• Her weekly business schedule that keeps both work and family time sacred and how she protects her time

About the Guest:

Allie is a Mississippi-based entrepreneur and mom whose path to business ownership started in the most unexpected way. Through a series of personal and professional challenges, including infertility struggles and a desire for more fulfilling work, Allie rediscovered herself and found a new path in Instagram marketing. With a background in special education and a heart for helping others, she made a bold pivot from the classroom to network marketing — and then into running her own business. She now supports clients with social media strategy and content creation, while keeping her family at the center of it all.

Connect with Allie:

📱 Instagram: @alliekslavik 🎥 Launching soon: a free workshop on creating effective Reels

Resources Mentioned:

• Fearless Chase Academy
• I Am Chosen Devotional

Follow along at @theaccidentalentrepreneurpod

And follow the host @kayliericks12

Do you have a question, comment or other feedback? Shoot over a DM or email me at hello@runawaywithkay

Today, we have the incredible Maija Malzacher joining us! Maija is an online business manager, devoted mother, loving wife, and the ultimate queen of all things systems. If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed with the "adulting" tasks in your business, Maija is here to simplify it all.

In this episode, Maija and I discuss:

• Maija's childhood and the unique jobs that shaped her
• The bold move at 37 weeks pregnant and its impact on her life
• Her career as an Exercise physiologist and unexpected marketing responsibilities
• Challenges she's experienced along her entrepreneurial journey
• Maija's core motivations and beliefs on balance
• Valuable entrepreneurial lessons that have influenced her path

About the Guest:

Starting as a marketing/brand strategist, Maija Malzacher made a pivotal decision to launch her own business. After 6-12 months of honing her skills, she transitioned into the role of Online Business Manager (OBM), a move that truly clicked for her. Now, she's embarking on the second arm of her business, dedicated to supporting not just business owners but moms as well. As a multi-talented entrepreneur, Maija launched an Etsy shop featuring motherhood apparel, and she's cooking up even more exciting projects.

Connect with Maija:

If you're interested in following Maija's journey, connecting with her on social media, or exploring her Etsy shop, you can find her on Instagram, catch her hilarious moments on TikTok, and check out her collection at AndMomCo on Etsy. Maija shares valuable insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses, making it a great way to stay connected with this multi-talented entrepreneur.

Resources Mentioned:

• Meredith Blake Candle (discontinued)
• Organic Olivia
• What's The Juice Podcast
• "You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero

Meet the wedding photographer behind the lens! I am so excited to introduce you to this week's guest, Tess of Tess Leslie Photography. Tess is a photojournalist and documentation photographer based in Austin, Texas. After quitting her first 9-5 job, she pursued a career in NY which led to her experiencing work-related panic attacks. Through this gig, she discovered that she needed to find a better work/life balance. This decision to walk away led her on a path to evolve from journalist to full-time photography - which was always her original passion. I am so excited for you to dive into our raw, vulnerable conversation about trying to balance it all and when you should ultimately choose to walk away.

In this episode, Tess and I discuss:

• Where she finds her confidence
• How her photography style differs from others
• What it's like being a photographer in the height of Tik Tok and Instagram
• What happens when you allow the wrong people to speak into your dreams
• Why you should pay more attention to what comes naturally to you
• Breaking societal norms if it means improving your mental health
• How getting fired was the lowest point of her life but ended up being a blessing
• Why photographers shouldn't be afraid to ditch the shot list

About the Guest:

Tess has been documenting the lives of her community since she was 13-years-old with a point-and-shoot camera. She graduated from UT Austin with a degree in journalism and cultural anthropology, and is now happily pursuing her dream career as a family and wedding photographer with a documentarian approach. She is most passionate photographing authentic moments as they happen.

Connect with Tess:

If you're interested in inquiring about Tess's travel availability, her services, or simply want to give this incredible human a follow, you can do so on her Instagram! You can also subscribe to her newsletter Behind The Lens, visit her blog, and check out her website!

Resources Mentioned:

• Stand Unshaken Collective - a Christian app jam packed with 300+ Christian yoga, barre & pilates videos. Get 30 days for free when you sign up with my code KAYLIE1240 or clicking HERE.
• Big Magic
• The Artist Way
• Cafe with Monica Podcast Episode: The Accidental Entrepreneur with Kaylie Ricks

On this week's episode, we have one of my favorite people EVER! Madison Anaya is the founder and CEO of The Fearless Chase, an intentional living lifestyle brand that helps creative women build a life they LOVE around their own unique values, dreams, priorities and goals. In this episode, we discuss: + How Madison tried out just about every single job before finally becoming her own boss + The many pivots she's made over the past three years from becoming a VA to content strategist to where she has landed today (let me tell you - her story is far from finished) + Giving yourself grace and permission to change your mind without shame + Our definitions of success + What intentional living truly means (no, it's not just a buzz word!) + Becoming your own version of "that girl" + and so much more! Follow along for more at @theaccidentalentrepreneurpod Follow the host @kayliericks12 and this week's guest @madisonbaileyanaya @thefearlesschaseco Do you have a question, comment or other feedback? Shoot over a DM or email me directly at hello@runawaywithkay. Read the shownotes to this episode here!

Monica Denais, a Latinx Licensed Professional Counselor, grew up in a predominately hispanic neighborhood that didn't exactly prioritize mental health. After the loss of her cousin, Monica decided to dive headfirst into studying psychology and, more importantly, aim to find a way to help as many people as possible. She now works with ambitious women and entrepreneurs in Dallas, TX. She helps them overcome anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout so they can feel confident in both life and business.

In this episode, we discuss:

+ All the different career paths Monica considered going into before becoming an entrepreneur

+ What led to her decision to pursue rehabilitation counseling

+ The impact Monica has had on her family by becoming a therapist

+ The conception of Cafe with Monica Podcast

+ How difficult it was to leave an amazing job in order to pursue her business full time and the fears that came with this departure

+ Why we (especially women) struggle to set boundaries so much and why we should revisit them often

Plus, the lessons Monica learned by taking a social media hiatus, being content exactly where you are, and feeling fear but doing it anyway.

Follow along for more at @theaccidentalentrepreneurpod

Follow the host @kayliericks12 and this week's guest @cafewithmonica Do you have a question, comment or other feedback? Shoot over a DM or email me at hello@runawaywithkay

After working in the non-profit sector at the executive level for more than 15 years, Marilyn stepped away to create Next Frontier Parenting. Marilyn found she loved working with young high school and college aged students throughout her corporate career but felt she could be doing more. Today Marilyn works as a parenting advocate and is not afraid of having the conversations that every parent of teens should be having - the brave, loving, and optimistic. She is most passionate about helping people see their potential and believes there are no limits to what you can achieve in this life.

In this episode, we discuss:

+ Her decision to break the mold by working in a nonprofit rather than becoming a stay at home mom

+ How she worked her way up the ladder only to leave her 16 year job to become an entrepreneur

+ The exact moment she knew it was time to leave and pursue her passion

+ The hardships and uncomfortable feelings that come with leaving a job

+ How her business educates parents on how to support their teens mental health

+ How to find a balance and avoid falling into the pattern of work burnout

+ The most challenging part of entrepreneurship and what she loves most

+ How you can choose to simplify your life and give yourself limitless potential

Plus, the importance of boundaries, starting a true crime podcast with her son, and checking off all 50 states on her bucketlist.

Follow along at @theaccidentalentrepreneurpod

And follow the host @kayliericks12

Do you have a question, comment or other feedback? Shoot over a DM or email me at hello@runawaywithkay

Introducing The Accidental Entrepreneur with Kaylie Ricks! Whether you are a business owner, solopreneur or working in corporate America, this podcast is for you! Join Kaylie as she sits down with entrepreneurs who fell into their roles accidentally. Get ready to laugh, learn, and leave feel inspired.