The Kenza Pod

We set out to interview Paul Minors, Productivity Blogger and Virtual Consultant, to pick his brain about his best productivity tips for busy parent entrepreneurs. What we ended up getting was a whole lot more! This episode is full of all kinds of helpful stories, tips, and advice specifically for parents who are freelancers or consultants, or who are thinking of taking that leap.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Paul built his consulting business while working full time, and when he knew it was time to take the leap.
• How he evaluated his corporate experience to figure out what services he could offer, and how he then validated that he could actually get paying clients before he got too far into it.
• How he uses Time Blocking to plan out his days and seamlessly integrate his work life and family life.
• Why he uses content marketing to get clients, and how he splits his time between his podcast, blog, YouTube channel, and client work.
• How his consulting business has evolved over time, especially once he had his son in 2018.

...And tons of other super helpful tips and advice for parent-entrepreneurs!

Full show notes can be found here: https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog/time-saving-strategies-for-parents-with-productivity-blogger-paul-minors

Helpful Links mentioned in the episode:

• Paul’s website: https://paulminors.com/
• Paul’s podcast: https://paulminors.com/podcast/
• You Can Do This: A course to teach busy parents how to work for themselves: https://www.kenzacollective.com/youcandothis

Helpful articles & resources on Paul's site:

• https://paulminors.com/blog/how-to-time-block/
• https://paulminors.com/blog/12-productivity-tips-i-repeat-all-the-time/
• https://paulminors.com/blog/9-tips-to-get-more-out-of-your-calendar/
• https://paulminors.com/blog/how-my-consulting-business-has-changed-in-the-last-3-years/
  
  

It’s that time of year, folks: Time to start gathering and organizing your records for taxes!

We sat down with Kirstin Smith, Enrolled Agent and our go-to resource for all things business taxes, to walk us through how to get yourself organized for a successful tax filing. This is a MUST listen if you are a freelancer in the U.S., especially because we cover unique Covid-related tax implications like how to handle a PPP Loan and stimulus checks. 

But wait, there's more! We also include a checklist and Summary Sheet for you to fill out and turn into your tax preparer (if you’re using one)! Head to our website to snag it: https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog/how-freelancers-can-get-prepared-for-2020-taxes 

We covered the following topics:

• A checklist of time-sensitive to-dos that you don’t want to put off
• How to gather & organize all of your expenses and deductions
• Lesser-known deductions that you should be sure to include in your Summary
• 2020-specific topics like how to handle a PPP Loan and your stimulus check (for example, did you know that the stimulus check you received in January 2021 goes on your 2020 return?!)
• Important deadlines for business entities

...and lots of other super helpful advice!

Be sure to snag your FREE checklist and Summary Sheet to help you get organized! 

https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog/how-freelancers-can-get-prepared-for-2020-taxes

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

Upwork is a platform where freelancers can create a free profile to connect with potential clients looking for their skillset. They also provide benefits like using their platform to communicate with your clients, providing a clear and safe way to receive payment, ways for your clients to provide testimonials, and much more.

In this episode, Upwork expert Leah Meyers walks us through how you can use Upwork to kickstart your freelance business - whether you’re looking for a side hustle, or ready to jump in full time! We cover the following topics:

• How Leah built a business using Upwork and currently has a roster of 30 clients from all over the US and the world. She also shares what her day to day looks like as a mother of a 12 and 15 year old, plus a new puppy!
• How to set yourself apart on Upwork through an awesome profile and custom cover letter
• The features and benefits (and a few downsides) of using Upwork
• What you can expect once you publish a profile
• Leah’s 4 Pillars of Finding Work on Upwork
• How you can access her free Getting Started Guide

Be sure to check out Leah’s website The Freelance Solution for more information, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

Sarah Duran, Mama of a toddler, 2 dogs, and 4 chickens, and lover of all things Colorado, spills the beans on how and why she works for herself as a Project Manager. Throughout her career, she's been a third grade teacher, worked for K-12 nonprofits, and even got her real estate license! She then leveraged all of her experience to go out on her own as a freelance Project Manager!

Sarah resisted the freelance/entrepreneurial journey for a long time and tried to find the freedom and autonomy that she was craving. While doing freelance work on the side, she finally realized that the entrepreneurial life was calling to her. Now that she has a daughter, she knows that she made the best decision for herself and her family, and is confident that she’ll never jump back into the mainstream workforce!

In this episode, we cover:

• What it’s like to be a freelance Project Manager and how much you can make.
• How Sarah finds and keeps clients.
• How to leverage your existing skillset and network (no matter what industry you come from!) to create a sustainable business for yourself.
• How Sarah diversifies her income streams to help weather any storm.
• Who may be suited to be a freelance Project Manager.
• What Sarah's day to day looks like, juggling working from home with her husband and leaning on local family members for childcare.

You can find Sarah Duran’s company Fruition Initiatives at https://www.fruitioninitiatives.com, and be sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook for a regular stream of tips to help you on your freelancing journey!

For more inspiring stories from parents just like you, check out the rest of our "So ya wanna be a..." podcast series right here. 

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

• We dive into how to set yourself up for success by first setting an Intention, then looking at your schedule and availability. 
• From there, we help you determine where to spend your energy and money to support your intention! 
• We talk about our new course: You Can Do This, where we teach busy parents how to successfully kick off a freelancing business.  
• We get deep and talk about how to take stock of your inner energy and do some clean up (inspired from the book The Untethered Soul <-- highly recommend!) 
• We remind you of timely financial and tax tasks you should get started on now. Your future self will thank you!
• Get your copy of the companion worksheet to this episode right HERE!
• Links mentioned: 
  • You Can Do This: A course to teach busy parents how to work for themselves
  • Capacity Planning Tool: A free resource to help you map out your time
  • Info about the new 1099 NEC form
  • The 1099 NEC Form
  • The Gig Economy Tax Center page on the IRS website
  • How to Get Paid to Write Your Proposals
  • How and Why to Set Up a Cash Reserve

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

If you are transitioning out of the traditional workforce and feeling unsure of how to leverage your corporate skills and experience to start your own consulting business, this is a must-listen episode.

An Online Business Manager helps companies make sure that the right things get done by the right people at the right time. They do it all from the comfort of their own home and on their own schedule, all while making at least $65/hour.

As a certified OBM, you have access to a member directory to help you find clients, online communities for support, and an entire world full of businesses who need your help in organizing their customers, employees, and internal operations. If you like systems, efficiency, details, and productivity, then this might be just right for you.

In this episode, we’ll dig into what types of clients OBMs work with, hear what your day to day looks like juggling clients and kids, share how much money you can make, and outline what your next steps are if this is something that interests you!

This episode features Sarah Noked, Certified OBM Trainer, and mother of three. Learn more about becoming an OBM at www.sarahnoked.com, and be sure to check out her FREE Starter Kit to see if this could be a great fit for you!

If you're feeling stuck or unsure of what your next steps are in terms of getting your business set up, then check out our upcoming course - You Can Do This: A course to teach busy parents how to work for themselves. Learn more: https://www.kenzacollective.com/youcandothis  

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

If you are a small business owner who is considering having a baby, this is a must-listen episode! Mariah Stockman, Founder and Creative Director at Ms. Creative, a marketing agency for women, shares with us the four areas she’s evaluating and tightening up in her business as she looks ahead to starting a family with her husband. Plus, Tiffany shares tips from the other side of parenthood - things she wishes she had known going into it as it relates to juggling a career and parenting.

Even if you’re not planning to have a new baby any time soon, the strategies that we talk through in this episode can apply to anyone who wants to make their business more resilient should they need or want to take a step back.

Mariah’s agency, Ms. Creative, provides everything from social media marketing mentorship to full-service implementation. Her incredible team of women bring a wealth of knowledge, passion, and insight. You can check them out at www.mariahstockman.com!

We also announced more details about our signature course: You Can Do This!
This is a course for busy parents to learn the basics of starting their own freelance or consulting business.

If you’ve been on the fence about going out on your own, nervous about how to actually run the business and operations side of things, or not sure how you’ll find clients, price yourself, and juggle it all, now’s the time to educate yourself and get out there!

For just $29, this course will teach you how to:

✓ Figure out what service(s) you’ll offer to potential clients.
✓ Price yourself based on value, not on an hourly rate.
✓ Find clients and dispel the myth that you’ll always be hustling for business.
✓ Understand and set up a streamlined financial structure.
✓ Pay taxes and know when it’s time to get expert help.
✓ Get your online presence cleaned up and ready to go.

We’re also including multiple templates, additional downloads, podcast episodes and more, so that you can go deeper on any topic.

Plus, you will get free access to our online community of other parent entrepreneurs just like you!

Get started today: https://www.kenzacollective.com/youcandothis 

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

In this episode of So ya wanna be a…, we sat down with Lisa Cumes: a freelance copywriter, StoryBrand Guide, and Mom of three, who has built a 6 figure online copywriting business over the past 3 years. Recently, Lisa also launched a second business called Full Thrive where she coaches other freelancers on how to reach their full potential.

You are in for a real treat with this episode! Not only do we discuss what it’s like to be a freelance copywriter, but we go much deeper than that, discussing things like mindset, parenting hacks for freelancers, how to move from hustling to thriving in your business, how to leverage Upwork to find qualified clients, and so much more!

Lisa also shares with us how in her first year on Upwork, she earned $125,000. In her second year, she made $270,000, and now in her third year, she has been able to hire a team and is about to hit the $500k mark, with 95% of that work from coming from Upwork!

To learn more about Lisa’s copywriting business, be sure to check out Simple Story Solutions, and if you’re interested in learning how to stop hustling and start thriving as a freelancer, check out her other business: Full Thrive. And be sure to follow her on IG @lisacumes for regular tips and inspiration!

We also announced more details about our upcoming course called You Can Do This: A course to teach busy parents how to work for themselves.
If you’ve been on the fence about going out on your own, nervous about how to actually run the business and operations side of things, or not sure how you’ll find clients, price yourself, and juggle it all, now’s the time to educate yourself and get out there!

For just $29, this course will teach you how to:

✓ Figure out what service(s) you’ll offer to potential clients.

✓ Price yourself based on value, not on an hourly rate.

✓ Find clients and dispel the myth that you’ll always be hustling for business.

✓ Understand and set up a streamlined financial structure.

✓ Pay taxes and know when it’s time to get expert help.

✓ Get your online presence cleaned up and ready to go.

Get started: www.kenzacollective.com/youcandothis

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

In this episode, Beth explains to us why it's important for business owners to create and maintain a cash reserve. Beth has seen it all during her 20+ year career, and there are two tasks always starts with when she comes in to do a turnaround on a business: Getting a cash flow projection established, and starting a cash reserve.  Tiffany and Beth discuss practical steps you can take right now to start this process, how to maintain the reserve, and what your options are if you need cash now and don't have a reserve. Plus, Beth shares something that you should "never, ever, ever, ever, please don't ever do...". 

Full Show notes can be found here: https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog/how-and-why-you-should-set-up-a-cash-reserve 

Also, we released a big announcement in this episode!!

We published our very first course! It's called You Can Do This: A course for busy parents to learn the basics of starting their own freelance or consulting business. 

If you’ve been on the fence about going out on your own, nervous about how to actually run the business and operations side of things, or not sure how you’ll find clients, price yourself, and juggle it all, now’s the time to educate yourself and get out there! This course will teach you how to:

✓ Figure out what service(s) you’ll offer to potential clients.
✓ Price yourself based on value, not on an hourly rate.
✓ Find clients and dispel the myth that you’ll always be hustling for business.
✓ Understand and set up a streamlined financial structure.
✓ Pay taxes and know when it’s time to get expert help.
✓ Get your online presence cleaned up and ready to go.

We’re also including multiple templates, additional downloads, podcast episodes and more, so that you can go deeper on any topic.

Update: this course is now LIVE! https://www.kenzacollective.com/youcandothis 

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]

Ah, the proposal writing process. Love it or hate it, we all gotta do it. But what if we told you there's a way to not only write more accurate and better proposals that don't go over time and budget, but that you can also get paid to do it?! Check out this quick episode to learn how!

If you need to improve at your proposal writing process, we're here to help! We've officially launched 1:1 coaching at The Kenza Collective! Everything from proposal writing to managing projects, time, energy, and clients, to managing your finances, understanding your cash flow, and much more! Head over to www.kenzacollective.com/coaching to sign up for a FREE 30 minute intro call to get started!

Full Show Notes: https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog/learn-how-to-get-paid-to-write-your-proposals 

Stay in Touch with us!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzacollective
• Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kenzacollective
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.kenzacollective.com/newsletter-signup
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8FEO3DRAPfnCRI3Qrv-iw
• More resources to help you on your journey: https://www.kenzacollective.com/learn
• Browse & search our podcast: https://www.kenzacollective.com/podcast
• Get in touch: [email protected]