The Playful Mompreneur

Get ready to make website development a breeze! In this episode, Shelley Tonkin Smith is diving back into the world of websites, showing us how to tackle website creation or revamp projects without the stress. She's applying Kendra Adachi's Lazy Genius principles to website creation, making the process fun and manageable.

Shelley walks us through the refreshingly simple Lazy Genius five-step process: Prioritize, Essentialize, Organize, Personalize, and Systemize. Whether you're building a new site or giving your current one a facelift, these steps will save you time and headaches.

And there’s more exciting news! Shelley introduces her upcoming beta program, Words+Web+Wisdom. Starting in July 2024, this program will help you write and design your own website at a fraction of the usual cost. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out! Sign up at: https://wordswebwisdom.carrd.co. 

0:00 – Welcome to TPM Ep 34: Lazy Genius Your Website
02:12 – Introducing the Words+Web+Wisdom Program
04:23 – The Lazy Genius Process Explained
08:23 – Step 1: Prioritize
11:44 – Step 2: Essentialize
14:36 – Step 3: Organize
16:04 – Step 4: Personalize
21:03 – Step 5: Systemize
25:49 – Wrapping Up: Lazy Geniusing Your Website

Tune in and discover how to build or revamp your website, the Lazy Genius way!

• Words, Web, and Wisdom Program. Shelley's beta run of WWW starts on 8 July 2024. Learn how to write and develop your own website in 6 intensive, but highly-supportive weeks.


• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi


• The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi


• The Plan by Kendra Adachi (coming October 8th 2024 - I've just pre-ordered a signed copy #fangirl)


• The Lazy Genius Podcast


• The Lazy Genius Collective

Whether you're just getting started in business, or you've been in the game for a while, a professional website is difficult to live without... I must say, I consider a "home on the internet" that you own and control, an absolute MUST for a business owner.

But building a website for your online business is not a one-and-done affair! Ask me, I know. I've been in business for going on 15 years, and my website has changed A LOT in those years. In fact, I'm currently in the middle of a website revamp!

So join me, Shelley Tonkin Smith, as I go through 20+ pages you could have on your website. And if you're just getting started and the thought of 20 web pages makes you want to run for the hills, you can stop lacing your takkies (trainers), because I'm going to be sharing a step-by-step, page-by-page process to get your website up on the internet. Starting with just ONE juicy beautiful splash page.

Whether you're just getting started, or you're looking to revamp or spruce up your website, this episode of The Playful Mompreneur is for you.

Here's the list of "jobs" your website needs to do, with a rough idea on when you'd implement each upgrade (or "hire" for that role):

[00:05:11] Upgrade 1: A Splash Page "Website" (The Receptionist)

[00:10:24] Upgrade 2: Expanded Static Website (Personal Assistant)

[00:17:29] Upgrade 3 (2A): Legal Pages (Lawyer/Legal Team)

[00:19:16] Upgrade 4: Content Marketing (Teacher + PR Team)

[00:25:24] Upgrade 5: Sales Pages (Sales Team)

Sales Page Step-by-Step Template: learn.shelleysmithcreative.com/sales-page-step-by-step

Shelley Smith Creative Website: shelleysmithcreative.com

Email Shelley at [email protected] if you're interested in joining the Beta Launch of Words+Web+Wisdom (WWW), starting in July 2024. WWW will equip you to be your own copywriter. You'll create a website that you think is fan-freaking-tastic (if you don't say so yourself!) and that helps you to SELL your services and offerings with ease and flow.

More details and the application form can be found at: https://wordswebwisdom.carrd.co/ 

Shelley's discovered a chilled approach to daily journaling, designed to bring clarity and joy to the lives of busy mompreneurs. It's called the LIGHTT Journaling Method.

Shelley shares her journey of rediscovering the power of journaling and outlines the six key components of her LIGHTT method: Lowlight, Insight, Gratitude, Highlight, Traction, and Tomorrow.

She'll take you through how LIGHTT journaling can help you navigate the chaos of daily life, cultivate self-awareness, and stay focused on your goals with just five minutes a day.

Time Stamps:
- Introduction: 00:00:00
- Overcoming Journaling Hurdles: 00:00:47
- The LIGHTT Journaling Method: 00:03:17
- Decoding the LIGHTT Acronym: 00:07:10
- Embracing the Benefits of LIGHTT Journaling: 00:14:50
- Take Action: Try LIGHTT Journaling Today!: 00:17:28

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith.

Get your free LIGHTT Journaling Cheat Sheet at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com.

Check out shelleysmithcreative.com for more info about Shelley's copywriting services.

And if you're looking for support to do your own copywriting, then browse Shelley's templates, workshops and other resources at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com. Products include Shelley's Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

Use the code: PLAYFUL or use this link for 50% all products through 31 May 2024.

Are you making one of the top 3 money mistakes in your business? Today, my friend and fellow business owner, Anne Gray and I talk through these three mistakes and share our best tips for avoiding them.

It's actually more like one BIG TIP, and (spoiler alert, it's the Proft First System, developed by Mike Michalowicz.

I'm going to be leading a Profit First Read-Along with Anne on her Leaders' Library Platform.

The Read-Along runs for 8 weeks, starting with a free introductory session on Thursday, 7 March 2024 at 12pm SAST.

Sign up for the FREE Introductory Session here.

Then, the practical application and accountability kicks up a gear with the full read-along experience, which is R1749 for the following 7 weeks.

Sign up for the Full Profit First Read-Along here.

Lauren Kinghorn gets very honest about what she thinks about social media in this, the third and final part of our interview. She shares about why she enjoys using Pinterest and LinkedIn; and then she goes into some detail about how she uses LinkedIn strategically for her business.

What I kinda love about this episode is that it was recorded several months ago and although Lauren casts a bit of shade on Instagram in the interview, I've seen her popping up in my feed recently! What I take from this is that we all have the licence to use social media in the way that suits us and the season of business we're in. It suits Lauren to do IG videos right now and it makes sense to show up there as she sets up her new business. At the same time, she's using the platform she's established on LinkedIn and Pinterest.

There really are no rules when it comes to social media. Instead, think about what makes sense for your personality, your capacity, and where your ideal clients are hanging out. And as with all things in business, be prepared for a little bit of discomfort as you either learn a new tool/platform, put yourself out there on audio or video, or do anything else that makes you grow and up-level!

Incidentally, this is part of the advice that Lauren has for new mompreneurs (get comfortable with being uncomfortable as you grow and notch up!). It's a great episode that's full of both practical tips and some deeper thoughts about the playful mompreneur journey.

Here are links to Lauren's websites: Inspiring Mompreneurs, Happy Human Pacifier, and LaurenKinghorn.com.

The best way to connect with Lauren is through LinkedIn, where you can also join her Fempreneurs Unite Group. She's also on Instagram @laurenjeankinghorn.

Connect with me, Shelley Tonkin Smith
@shelleysmithcreative on Instagram.
On my website, shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Don't miss out on any of our episodes! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list to stay in the playful mompreneur loop. In addition to that, please SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your podcast player (TPM is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — and a whole lot more players!)

Today, Lauren Kinghorn joins me again to talk about playful time management and productivity – basically an answer to that blanket question, “How do you do it?” With a playful edge...

Lauren is a serial entrepreneur and a mom. She’s such a bubbly and inspirational presence, so it’s no wonder that one of her other businesses is called Inspiring Mompreneurs, where she interviews mompreneurs and shares their journeys. At the moment, she’s building a fourth business to support moms with a plant-based eating lifestyle. 

In the interview, we talk about how important it is to find your Zone of Genius and to then operate in your Zone of Genius as much as possible. Lauren also alludes to what became something of a lockdown project from her – she read each lesson from the book A Course in Miracles and published a video and podcast a day for a year from March 2020 to March 2021. 

So while we absolutely talk about some great practical time management and productivity tips for mompreneurs, we also get a little deeper, as we consider the spiritual and emotional aspects behind how we manage our time. I’m starting to realise that greater self-awareness is key not only to being more successful in life, but also to enjoy life more and make a bigger and brighter impact amongst others.

Here are links to Lauren's websites: Inspiring Mompreneurs, Happy Human Pacifier, and LaurenKinghorn.com.

The best way to connect with Lauren is through LinkedIn, where you can also join her Fempreneurs Unite Group. She's also on Instagram @laurenjeankinghorn.

Connect with me, Shelley Tonkin Smith
@shelleysmithcreative on Instagram.
On my website, shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Don't miss out on any of our episodes! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list to stay in the playful mompreneur loop. In addition to that, please SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your podcast player (TPM is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — and a whole lot more players!)

In this first episode of 2022, Lauren Kinghorn shares how she started and monetised her first blog, and then went on to set up two more blogging businesses. Now Lauren is starting a fourth business (!) around her passion for plant-based eating and so we spend some time in this episode brainstorming ideas for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for this new business.

So if you’re looking for MVP ideas, or want to know what an MVP is in the first place (and how it could really help to simplify your business and reduce decision fatigue), then stick around for the second part of the interview.

It was such a joy to chat to Lauren -- so much so that we were still chatting after three hours! So I've split her episodes up into three parts. Tune in next week to hear how Lauren manages her time as a busy entrepreneur and mom, as well as some ah-ha moments that she's had about being playfully productive.

Here are links to Lauren's websites: Inspiring Mompreneurs, Happy Human Pacifier, and LaurenKinghorn.com.

But the best way to connect with Lauren is through LinkedIn, where you can also join her Fempreneurs Unite Group.

Connect with me, Shelley Tonkin Smith
@shelleysmithcreative on Instagram.
On my website, shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Don't miss out on any of our episodes! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list to stay in the playful mompreneur loop. In addition to that, please SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your podcast player (TPM is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — and a whole lot more players!)

Percolating is not just for coffee ;) Your business ideas can also benefit from a bit of percolation, and by that I mean some time and space to develop — before you run headlong into action. BUT... when is percolating actually procrastination? And how can we as playful business owners percolate on our ideas... productively? Is that even possible?

These are some of the ideas I'm discussing in today's podcast. Why? Because I've been doing a lot of percolating myself over the last few weeks. Listen in to hear how this has changed my approach to publishing my book, producing this podcast, and balancing life and business.

I also share how I'm percolating productively — I hope you'll pick up some ideas for your own business. It's easy to slip into procrastination mode when you percolate on an idea for too long; however, with the right intentions and structures, you can get so much value out of a period of percolation. In fact, I believe it's often far more productive to percolate on an idea than rushing headlong into action that's not aligned with you or the season of life you're in. 

Here are links to some of the people and resources I mention in the podcast:

• Rowena Mabbott, (my) Business and Life Confidence Coach (who uses the term "percolate" with me all the time and who also is taking a sabbatical over the Australian summer holidays to do some percolating of her own — walking the talk!). 
• The Lazy Genius Way, by Kendra Adachi
• More info on Bullet Journaling (remember to keep it simple and start small!).

Connect with me, Shelley Tonkin Smith
@shelleysmithcreative on Instagram.
On my website, shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Don't miss out on any of our weekly episodes! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list. When a new episode goes live, I'll let you know — and I'll share tools and insights for your Playful Mompreneur journey. In addition to that, please also SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your podcast player (TPM is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — and a whole lot more players!)

I don't need to tell you that life can be tricky. If you need any convincing, just consider the last 18 months or so, since we started living in pandemic times. (By the way, I've taken to using the term "tricky" after becoming an avid fan of Dr Becky's parenting podcast, Good Inside).

So in the midst of life's trickiness and challenges, how do you keep your business ticking over? Or — maybe you've started your business in these tricky times... How do you do that when at a moment's notice you may have to supervise your kids' online schooling or have to go into self-isolation?

In the past we've been told that we need to establish a healthy work-life balance. I've always found that concept to be elusive. With the pandemic, it has become impossible to achieve. Instead, in this episode, I propose that we embrace the messiness of life and drop the idea of achieving work-life balance.

I believe that you can create a business to support your life (with all of the trickiness that entails!). And I'm not just talking about any life. Your business needs to support your BEST LIFE (which yes, still includes the tricky parts!).

OK, so how can you create a business that supports your BEST LIFE? In the episode, I explain that you could choose one of two extreme options:

• You could Wing It, accepting that there's no use in planning for the future because anything could happen. Problem is, you can start feeling directionless and without a sense of purpose.
• You could Control It, accepting that "if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail" and taking the power back with a solid and detailed plan. The problem with this approach is that you'll never be able to plan for all of life's tricky situations and you'll be left feeling resentful when life doesn't go to plan.

But there's a third option that sits in the middle of this spectrum (which, for now, I'm calling the Business Approach Spectrum). And that is:

• Play It. When you choose the playful approach, you take some of the stability and structure from "Control It" and some of the spontaneity and creativity from "Wing It"... And you land in the sweet spot of "Play It". When you "Play It," you'll have a loose focus, you'll be driven by your own personal vision, and you'll be the one to make the rules in your business — so that it truly supports your BEST LIFE.

I share in the podcast that I've had to walk the talk over the last month or so, as I've had to deal with some tricky situations with some playfulness. From contracting COVID-19, to navigating the changes involved with a new job for my husband — plus trying to wrangle the manuscript I've written into the book it wants to become — I feel like life has been tricky (and exciting and awesome at the same time!).

But in the midst of this trickiness, I've had so many ah-ha moments, one of which is that this podcast is probably going to get a name change... The Playful Business Revolution. That's also going to be the title of my book. I'd love to know what you think, so drop me an email at [email protected] or DM me @shelleysmithcreative on IG and find more info at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Let's stay connected! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list. And please  SUBSCRIBE to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Get the Playful Sales Page Template at a 20% discount (before 30 September 2021) — that's $20 instead of the regular price of $25. This template will save you hours of time, approximately 10  grey hairs, and potentially thousands of dollars (or tens of thousands of rand!) on the services of a copywriter. That's because I've given you a proven sales page structure and packed the template full of my best high-converting copywriting tips.

Simply answer the prompts and voila — you'll have a sales page (or starter website) written up and ready to be plugged into your website builder of choice.

As you know, my favourite website builder for sales pages and starter websites is resoundingly Carrd*. And if you'd like to get some guidance setting up your Carrd site, check out my course, Sales Page Superhero. This course will be updated soon, and the price will go up. However, you can get Sales Page Superhero now for only $49 — and you'll get lifetime access to the course and all updates. So sign up today!

Timestamps for this episode, Sales Page Copywriting and Tech Tips
[00:04:10] Sales Pages turn browsers into buyers
[00:05:27] Copywriting tips for your Sales Page
[00:05:27] Use your audience's language
[00:08:04] Use the AIDA Formula (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)
[00:12:42] Make the problem clear
[00:15:45] Asnwer the question: "What's in it for me?"
[00:16:32] Long-form vs. short-form Sales Pages
[00:20:55] Get voicey
[00:23:34] Tech options for hosting your Sales Page
[00:27:25] Why Carrd is totally awesome for Sales Pages
[00:30:45] Get Sales Page Superhero to set up your Carrd site

Connect with me, Shelley Tonkin Smith
@shelleysmithcreative on Instagram.
On my website, shelleysmithcreative.com.

Got a question about this episode? Go to playfulmompreneur.com and record it. I'd love to answer your question and feature you on a future episode of the podcast!

Don't miss out on any of our weekly episodes! Go to playfulmompreneur.com and join my email list. When a new episode goes live, I'll let you know — and I'll share tools and insights for your Playful Mompreneur journey. In addition to that, please also SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your podcast player (TPM is on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — and a whole lot more players!)

Remember, get your copy of the Playful Sales Page Template at psptemplate.shelleysmithcreative.com.

Or, get Sales Page Superhero (which includes the Playful Sales Page Template) for $49 before the price goes up. You'll get all the updates for free.

* affiliate link — I'll get a small referral commission if you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you.