In this episode, Alex and Chauntelle share their journey of starting a podcast, even with zero technical expertise. Inspired by the book Passive Prospecting, they initially explored YouTube but decided podcasting was a better fit—audio editing felt far less intimidating than video editing! They break down their process, emphasizing that you don’t need to be tech-savvy to get started.

The duo highlights essential steps like researching microphone reviews on Amazon, exploring user-friendly podcast platforms like Podcastle or Riverside, etc. Tools like ChatGPT became their secret weapon for brainstorming titles, planning episodes, and crafting show notes, while Canva helped them create consistent branding for each episode.

Alex and Chauntelle also stress the importance of consistency. Posting episodes regularly boosts visibility in podcast algorithms, so sticking to a schedule is key. They remind listeners to keep things simple—no need for perfection, just commitment!

Their best advice? “Just f***ing do it!” Whether you're a creative, entrepreneur, or storyteller, this episode will inspire you to overcome hesitation and launch your podcast. Tune in for practical tips and encouragement to start sharing your voice today!

We’d love to hear if you’ve ever wanted to start your own podcast, so feel free to reach out! Find us on Instagram @Empowermoms.Podcast or visit our website at villagerealtyteam.ca.

Today we’re thrilled to chat with Michelle Gracey, a Certified Parent Coach and Educator at "Growing You," and the creative mind behind "The Calm Mama Series," an uplifting set of cards designed to support moms, especially during the challenges of early motherhood. Michelle shares her personal journey from a corporate financial advisor to leaping into e-commerce and then discovering her true passion for parenting education and coaching. Her transition to creating The Calm Mama Series was a pivotal moment, helping her realize her mission to empower mothers everywhere.

In this candid conversation, we dive into the raw and real experiences of being a mother, exploring the many ways this role can be both rewarding and challenging. Michelle emphasizes the importance of sharing our stories with one another and being open to learning from various sources—beyond just books—such as coaches and educators who can provide invaluable support.

We also discuss the significance of regulating and healing the nervous system through self-reflection and self-care practices. Michelle highlights how these techniques can help moms navigate the rollercoaster of emotions that come with parenting.

Throughout our conversation, Michelle offers practical tips for becoming a more self-aware parent, encouraging listeners to work towards breaking free from negative parenting patterns that may stem from their own childhood experiences. Her warm and approachable style makes it easy to see how her insights can be applied to everyday parenting challenges.

Join us for this inspiring episode filled with authentic discussions about motherhood, self-awareness, and the practical tools to foster a supportive community among parents. Whether you’re a new mom or looking for ways to enhance your parenting journey, Michelle’s wisdom is sure to resonate and uplift you!

Find Michelle on IG @_growing_you or online at www.growing-you.ca to learn more about her coaching, find resources for parents new and experienced, and to buy The Calm Mama Series card deck.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the concept of buying back your time and what it truly means for us as busy professionals and parents. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that accumulating wealth requires sacrificing our time, but we’re here to challenge that notion!

We emphasize the importance of prioritizing your personal time by scheduling it into your calendar FIRST. Once that’s in place, you can fill in the gaps with money-making activities. If you're feeling overwhelmed and struggling to find time for these essential activities, it might be time to consider hiring help.

Here's a little truth bomb: you’re not as irreplaceable as you might think! While you are undoubtedly special, someone else can step in to handle many of the tasks you do. A skilled hire might even exceed your expectations, bringing fresh ideas and expertise to the table. We acknowledge that finding and training the right person can take time, and if it’s not a good fit, don’t hesitate to let them go! Holding on to a bad hire can end up being a major drain on your time and energy.

We also discuss the crucial mindset shift needed from viewing hiring as an expense to recognizing it as a valuable investment in the future of your business and personal life. Plus, we dive into the importance of taking time off and the need for finding activities that bring us joy outside of work.

We get candid about the challenge of reconnecting with hobbies and discovering what we genuinely enjoy doing for fun, especially after becoming moms.

Tune in to join us for a refreshing discussion that encourages you to reclaim your time, invest wisely, and rediscover your passions! Find us @empowermoms.podcast and @village.realtyteam on Instagram—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Today, Alex & Chauntelle sit down with Cynthia Aguiar, an inspirational entrepreneur with many roles as a business and life coach at Coaching with Cynthia, the artistic director and owner of La Compagnie de Danse, and an energy healer/reiki practitioner! Cynthia’s mission is to help women reconnect with their bodies through storytelling and sensual movement, empowering them to heal and embrace their authentic selves again.

Cynthia’s journey has been an incredible one. She began working with the London Arts Council and facilitated a unique dance show on the beach in 2021 titled “Cleanse. Heal. Bookend.” This dance residency, focused on grief, was transformative for Cynthia and allowed her to share her art on a new level! The success of this project snowballed into multiple opportunities, helping propel her dance career forward.

With a background as a special education teacher for 12 years, Cynthia’s life took a dramatic turn after a major car accident caused a brain injury that forced her to reevaluate her career and realign with her true purpose. During our discussion, she opens up about her concussion recovery and the journey to heal her nervous system. Cynthia shares her mantra: “Whatever has the potential to take us down also has the potential to take us forward,” serving as an empowering reminder throughout her journey.

In this episode, you’ll gain so many deep insights that you won’t want to miss! We dive into the topic of EFT Tapping—“Emotional Freedom Technique”—exploring how it can help to heal the nervous system. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and how dance can support nervous system regulation, making it a powerful tool for healing.

We also discuss the leap Cynthia took to leave full-time teaching, embracing risk and uncertainty as she transitioned into coaching, dance, and reiki healing. She shares a poignant quote from Dr. Shefali: “Our greatest source of suffering is our attachment to the outcome,” which reflects her journey in navigating her own healing while letting go of expectations.

Cynthia speaks about the shift from feeling like a victim of trauma to recognizing how everything happens for a reason. After her accident, she found her way to coaching, where she specializes in nervous system regulation, limiting beliefs, and money mindset.

Additionally, Cynthia hosts a podcast called Moms with Concussions, where she discusses the importance of joy and healing in the healing process. We chat about how prioritizing joy can be critical to happiness and overall well-being. Remember, everything is energy, and like attracts like!

You can find Cynthia on Instagram @coach.cynthia.a for coaching, and @lacompagnie.dedanse for dance, or visit her online at cynthiacoaching.com for everything else. Join us for this enlightening conversation filled with insights on healing, the power of movement, and embracing the journey to joy!

In today’s episode, Alex and Chauntelle explore the essential question: what makes someone refer you or your business? They emphasize that the core focus should be on providing an outstanding experience for your clients, whether it’s through excellent customer service or creating memorable interactions in your store. Being top of mind is crucial, and Alex and Chauntelle suggest that this can be achieved by reaching out in genuine ways—coming from a place of contribution, kindness, and thoughtfulness. When you make a positive impact on others, it increases the chances that they’ll think of you when they or someone they know needs your product or service.

But what happens when you don't receive referrals? Alex and Chauntelle encourage listeners to view this as a blessing; if someone doesn't refer you, it might mean that you wouldn’t have enjoyed collaborating with that person anyway! They highlight the importance of staying connected with your sphere, showing that you genuinely care about your clients personally and professionally. By doing so, you’ll build a reputation that gets people talking about you in a positive light.

As they wrap up the conversation, Alex and Chauntelle express welcoming your referrals as well—whether it’s a potential guest for their show, a friend interested in joining the Village Mom Club, or someone thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate. The Village Realty Team is here to support you! Connect with them on Instagram @Village.RealtyTeam or visit them online at villagerealtyteam.ca for more information. Tune in for an insightful chat that could help elevate your business referrals!

Join us today as Chauntelle and Alex chat with Alyse and Heather of The Fold! Alyse founded this innovative business about a year ago while on maternity leave from her nursing career in the emergency room of a small-town hospital in St. Thomas, ON. She had always thought about being her own boss, and one day, while folding laundry at home, inspiration struck. She thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if someone else could do this?!” Suddenly, she realized SHE could be that someone else!

Starting exclusively as a laundry service, The Fold became the only private laundry service in the area. Alyse got busy quickly, and before long, her sister Heather, who was also working at the hospital, joined her part-time. Just four months in, Heather made the leap to join Alyse full-time, and together, they expanded their services to include cleaning. Their success even led them to purchase a laundromat in St. Thomas, which is open to the public but also serves as an essential resource for their laundry operations at The Fold.

These women are HARD workers! Much of their business relies on word-of-mouth referrals, showcasing the trust and satisfaction of their clients. With reusable laundry bags delivered right to your doorstep, the team at The Fold washes, dries, folds, and delivers your laundry back to you, all organized and ready to go by the next day. Truly, they are the laundry fairies you’ve always dreamed of!

In our conversation, we explore the reality of owning a business, including the illusion of having more time as a business owner. While it may seem appealing, many find they end up working around the clock. However, Alyse and Heather emphasize the incredible flexibility that comes from creating their own hours instead of being tied to someone else's schedule and expectations.

This episode is filled with inspiration and practical tips. To check out The Fold's services, visit shopthefold.ca or find them on Facebook as The Fold. You can book online, email, or message to connect with them.

Join us for a fun chat with Alyse and Heather as they share their journey and the magic behind The Fold!

In this episode, Alex and Chauntelle dive into the inspiring story behind The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon and Damon West. They discuss how this powerful book stems from true advice given to Damon West just 16 years ago while he faced a life sentence in prison as a convicted burglar and meth addict. Through engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, The Coffee Bean teaches readers how to transform their environment, overcome challenges, and create meaningful positive change in their lives.

Alex and Chauntelle emphasize the importance of not allowing the world around you to dictate your self-worth. Instead, they encourage listeners to harness their energy and light to positively influence those around them. By being strong and resilient, we can lift others and create an uplifting atmosphere grounded in our own truth and values. The conversation touches on a critical point: you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone who questions or dismisses your truth. Why let someone else’s perception affect your sense of self, especially when it’s not reflective of who you truly are?

They remind you to embrace the mantra “LET THEM”—let others believe what they will and let them talk! Ultimately, what people project onto you often stems from their own experiences and feelings, not your reality.

Tune in for a conversation that empowers you to sidestep the negative energy and ideas of others while enlightening others with your own positivity. For those who want to learn more, be sure to check out The Coffee Bean at coffeebeanbook.com. Join Alex and Chauntelle as they explore how to cultivate resilience and foster your own light in a world that often challenges it!

In today’s episode, we’re excited to chat with Nicole Kirkpatrick, founder and owner of Lunah Life, and a woman whose journey has taken her on a meandering path filled with adventure and personal growth.

With dreams of becoming the editor of Vogue, Nicole initially attended Ryerson University in Toronto, ON for fashion, but life had other plans for her. After a unique opportunity to travel and serve across the country, she decided to shake things up by moving to India for a different pace of life.

Nicole’s early adult years were quite interesting and a bit rebellious...so, armed with a Lonely Planet Guide and a sense of adventure, she left home and didn’t return for a remarkable five years!

During her travels, Nicole founded a clothing company called Hazel Jane, allowing her to support her passion for exploration and new experiences. Little did she know that life would eventually lead her back home to London, ON, where she would raise a family and establish a thriving business!

Along the way, her interest in skincare evolved. After training in wholistic aesthetics and wholistic nutrition, Nicole opened her own nutrition business. Ultimately, her passion for wholistic health led her to create a natural skincare line, focusing on products that nourish the skin from the inside out.

In our enlightening conversation, Nicole shares three essential things everyone should incorporate into their skincare routine to promote skin health. She provides practical tips for taking care of your skin starting early in the day, emphasizing the importance of setting aside time for self-care.

It’s no surprise that Nicole’s dedication and hard work paid off, as one of her products was awarded the prestigious titles of Breakthrough Product of the Year and Toner of the Year on the Think Dirty App for 2023!

Nicole also opens up about her decision to close her brick-and-mortar store in January 2024, reflecting on her vision for the business, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and how she leveraged social media and education to grow her following and maintain engagement, despite the strict restrictions on retail operations. Today, Lunah Life products can be found in 35 locations, with the main retailer in London being Purdy Natural.

To stay connected with Nicole and Lunah Life, you can find her on Instagram @lunahlife or visit her website at lunahlife.com for more information. Join us for this inspiring conversation that explores the intersections of passion, business, and the power of self-care!

In today’s episode, Alex and Chauntelle dive into the decision-making process and the often-overlooked phenomenon of decision-making fatigue.

They discuss how the expectation and the true need to make choices in our personal lives and in our businesses or roles can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained.

Together, they explore strategies for making decisions quickly and effectively, emphasizing the value of leaning on trusted friends and colleagues when the choices feel too many or too daunting.

They ponder the question: When is the best time of day to make decisions, and how does this influence your business and workflow? By understanding your peak decision-making times, you can harness that energy to confidently tackle your day’s most important choices.

Alex and Chauntelle highlight the power of focusing on just three key priorities every day. This approach helps streamline decision-making, allowing you to concentrate your energy on what truly matters and reduce the mental clutter that can lead to overwhelm.

They offer practical tips to help listeners cut through the noise and streamline their choices, touching on how having too many options can often make decisions harder—like the frustration of picking a parking spot in an empty lot!

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights and actionable advice to help you master your decision-making process and conquer the fatigue that often follows, transforming overwhelm into clarity and productivity in both your personal and professional life!

Find Alex and Chauntelle on Instagram @EmpowerMoms.Podcast or @Village.Realty Team and be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode when new ones are released each week!

In today's episode, we’re excited to chat with Yolanda Sharp, the owner and founder of Skin Sunday, a thriving medical spa in London offering a range of services including injectables, laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, and cool sculpting. Yolanda’s journey into the world of medical aesthetics began after her career in emergency medicine as a nurse. She loves being a part of her clients' journeys and brings out their natural beauty, ensuring they leave feeling empowered, beautiful, and confident in their own skin.

After moving away from London for her studies and career, Yolanda made the heartfelt decision to return home to be closer to her family. With her deep-rooted connections from growing up in London, she opened her clinic in May 2021 while pregnant with her second child, and on the very first day she opened her online booking system, she received an incredible 96 bookings!

Yolanda shares her marketing strategies leading up to the opening of Skin Sunday, highlighting the effectiveness of Instagram as a platform to reach potential clients. Just six months after opening, she welcomed her second baby, relying on a close friend and employee to help manage her growing clientele. However, she faced a challenge when crippling postpartum anxiety hit a few months after returning to work. Yolanda candidly discusses her experience and how she coped with the anxiety, revealing that “the veil lifted” about eight months postpartum, after getting help and making positive lifestyle changes, including incorporating more exercise into her routine.

Throughout our discussion, we emphasize the importance of hiring help to alleviate the burden and allow her business to flourish. Yolanda acknowledges the difficulty in letting go of control and finding the right people who reflect the values of her business. She’s also strategic and thoughtful about her investments in equipment, emphasizing the need to be mindful of spending decisions in a competitive industry.

We delve into the challenges of social media, addressing the trap of comparison and the pressure to keep up with the “highlight reel” of others’ lives. Additionally, we discuss family dynamics and the importance of making decisions that allow one partner to stay home, breaking the mold of traditional roles—a reminder that it’s perfectly okay to embrace unconventional setups.

To learn more about Yolanda and Skin Sunday, you can find her on Instagram @SkinSunday or @london_beautynurse, or visit her website at skinsunday.ca. Join us for this enlightening conversation filled with insights about entrepreneurship, self-care, and navigating the journey of motherhood while building a thriving business!