Church planting is the process that establishes a local Christian church, and it looks a lot like starting a business. Ashley Hales is the wife of a pastor who established a church in south Orange County, California.

She explains why they chose Orange County to plant their church, how they manage the stress that comes along with ministry, and how she juggles her own passions and career with family and being a pastor’s wife.

Ashley is a writer, speaker, podcast host and PhD. She’s the wife to a church planter and mom to 4. Her first book is: Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much. Listen to The Finding Holy Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and connect with Ashley at aahales.com or @aahales on Instagram and Twitter.

Resurrection OC website: https://www.resurrectionoc.com/

Ashley’s website: https://aahales.com/

Ashley’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aahales

Ashley’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aahales.writer

Ashley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aahales/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

Do you wonder what life is like in an entrepreneurial family? Do you want to hear the reality rather than just the social media highlights? Erin Hoff discusses what it’s like working in the same industry as her husband, how they juggle being two working parents with raising three young children, and how the road to entrepreneurial success is not what you think it is. Erin is a mom, a real estate transaction coordinator, and the wife of a real estate agent. 

Erin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-hoff-114960109

RERAW website: reraw.com

RERAW Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/realestateraw/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

“Love or work? Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, and have a healthy family?” That’s the question that André Shinabarger and her social entrepreneur husband, Jeff, explore in their podcast, Love or Work, where they interview and learn from other couples in the journey of marriage, purpose, and parenting.

André sat down with me to discuss her own story as the wife of an entrepreneur, as well as lessons she’s learned from couples they’ve interviewed on their podcast. We discuss how she and Jeff have taken turns in their careers, what it’s like raising kids while working, and her process for working through Jeff’s many, many new ideas. We also talk about the biggest struggle for entrepreneurs in their Plywood People community, and - hint, hint - it’s not business-related.

André and Jeff have a book coming out next year, so follow them for updates on when it will be released! Here’s a quick book synopsis: “Is it possible to pursue your dreams, stay in love, and raise great kids? In Love or Work, popular podcast hosts and founders of Plywood People Jeff and André Shinabarger share proven research, insightful practices, and stories from 100 working couples in this new vision for the modern, working, and purpose-fueled family.”

A little more about André: She is an adventurer who loves seeing the world. Born in Bolivia, she has a deep passion for building community with marginalized people groups. She works for Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as a Physician Assistant and is an adjunct professor for Emory University. She is an advisor to Plywood People and host of the Love or Work podcast.

Love or Work Podcast: https://www.loveorwork.com/podcast

Love or Work website: https://www.loveorwork.com/

Love or Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveorwork/

Plywood People website: https://plywoodpeople.com/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

Are you frustrated and overwhelmed by the “simple” meal planning tips that are actually really complicated? Are you looking for ways to save time, money, and stress while still putting good food on the table for your family? You know meal planning is important, especially for wives of entrepreneurs, but you may not know where to start.

You’re in luck because I’m sharing five of my best meal planning tips that don’t include keeping a fully stocked pantry, buying in bulk, or making dozens of freezer meals. These are ideas to help people who don’t like to cook and people who are starting out. It can even help people who have been cooking for a while. This episode is all about meal planning made simple.

Plan To Eat affiliate link: https://www.plantoeat.com/ref/mealplanningsecrets

Natural Resources Defense Council’s report titled “Wasted: How America Is Losing up to 40 Percent of Its Food From Farm to Fork to Landfill”: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/wasted-2017-report.pdf

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

Are you and your spouse in alignment? Are you open and transparent with each other? Do you know what’s going on in your husband’s business? Does he know what’s going on with you or at home?

Cadey Charfen is here to explain why alignment, transparency, and communication in a marriage are incredibly important for growing together as a couple while growing a business. Cadey and her husband, Alex, have two rules for entrepreneurial success: your marriage comes first; and transparency in your marriage is absolute. We talk about a lot of things, but it all comes back to what Cadey and Alex call an alignment process. In other words, couples need to be on the same page in life and in business.

Cadey Charfen is the president and co-founder of CHARFEN, a training, education and membership organization helping entrepreneurs identify and live in their strengths. Cadey directs strategy and systems development for the company, with a focus on marketing and customer experience. Under her leadership, CHARFEN was recognized among the Inc. 500 fastest-growing private companies in America three years in a row, reaching as high as #21. Cadey currently lives in Austin with her husband, Alex, and their homeschooled daughters, Reagan and Kennedy.

Momentum Podcast Episode 564 (Part 1: The Marriage Process): https://www.charfen.com/podcast/564-part-1-the-marriage-process/

Momentum Podcast Episode 565 (Part 2: The Marriage Process): https://www.charfen.com/podcast/565-part-2-the-marriage-process/

CHARFEN Web site: charfen.com

Momentum Podcast: https://www.charfen.com/podcast/

CHARFEN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charfen/

Cadey Charfen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cadeycharfen/

Alex Charfen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexcharfen/

Alex Charfen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexcharfen/

CHARFEN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7h9ePRONYnfrPmLWAq2Lw

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

I’m dealing with a lack of motivation right now, and I’m sharing what I’m doing to work through it. I don’t subscribe to the idea that I just need to keep showing up. Instead, I discuss five things I try when I’m not motivated, including muting motivational speakers and doing things unrelated to what I’m supposed to be doing. 

Dr. Ellen Vora’s sleep tips: https://ellenvora.com/better-sleep/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

Money issues are often cited as a top reason couples fight, as well as a reason they divorce. So why do we think hiring a financial planner is a luxury? I believed this, too, until I interviewed Brittney Castro, CFP®, AAMS®, CRPC®, the founder and CEO of Financially Wise Inc., a Los Angeles-based financial planning firm whose mission is to teach individuals and couples the art of managing their money the fun and simple way. Brittney is a Certified Financial Planner™, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, entrepreneur, and speaker.

I went into this chat with Brittney expecting some DIY tips on managing money, and I came out convinced that every marriage needs a financial planner, especially if you’re married to an entrepreneur. Investing, saving, budgeting - there’s a lot that goes into managing money and owning a business only makes it more complicated. A professional expert can help you and your spouse avoid mistakes and save you money in the long run. Plus he or she can serve as a neutral third-party during financial discussions, which really helps relationships.

Brittney also shares common financial mistakes she sees entrepreneurs make, how women and men think differently about money and business, and how to create a money mindset. Most importantly, she explains why your marriage needs a financial planner.

Brittney’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittneycastro/

Brittney’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanciallyWiseWomen

Brittney’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brittneycastro

Financially Wise, Inc., website: www.financiallywiseinc.com

The Money Class: http://www.fwwmoneyclass.com/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

Are you considering a break from social media? Are you curious about its role in your life? I took a break from social media for two days recently, and on this episode, I’m sharing the results of my experiment! Here’s a quick tease of what I learned: I start my day off completely wrong; my problem is more my phone than social media; and it’s okay to be bored. Plus I share some things I’m doing differently to fix some of my problem areas.

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

If you’re looking for ways to remain grounded in your faith during the ups and downs of your husband’s business, this episode with Heather MacFadyen is for you! You’ll hear about the many twists and turns of her husband’s entrepreneurship, and how her relationship with God has helped her through some difficult seasons. 

We talk marriage, family, and faith, and Heather shares how her husband, Bruce, keeps her “on her toes with his energy and entrepreneurial pursuits.” (I love that description of him from her website bio.)

Heather has been married since the turn of the century, which she says sounds more impressive than it is. She is the mother of four young boys born exactly, to the day, within 6 1/2 years . . . just like she’d always planned. She hosts “The Don't Mom Alone Podcast” weekly, interviewing fellow journeyers on the topic of motherhood. Her heart is for moms to know God's great delight over them and how He sees the unseen eternal work they do every day. And through mentorship, friendship, and discipleship, she wants to remind gals that they “Don’t Mom Alone.”

Don’t Mom Alone Podcast: https://dontmomalone.com/podcast-show/

Don't Mom Alone website: https://dontmomalone.com/

Don't Mom Alone Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontMomAlone/

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontmomalone/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/

If you’re anything like me, you may think that being an entrepreneur’s wife means you have to do everything because your husband is busy building his business. But how do you know when to draw the line at home, at work, in your marriage, and with your kids? How do you know when to say no?

If you have trouble figuring out when to say no, I’m revealing five lessons I’ve learned about setting priorities and figuring out what matters. I talk about why saying no is important, how we need to compromise, and how occasionally saying no to social media might be what you need.

Mrs. Startup Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mrsstartup/

Mrs. Startup website: https://mrsstartup.com

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howellkaren/