The Real Women Real Business Podcast

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon reframes what visibility actually means and why so many entrepreneurs feel invisible despite putting in consistent effort. Through a powerful real-life story, she illustrates how simply “being present” is not enough if your message is unclear or easy to overlook.

Shauna Lynn breaks down the common mistakes that keep business owners hidden, from vague messaging and trying to be clever instead of clear, to assuming people will connect the dots on their own. She also challenges the belief that more content equals more visibility, emphasizing instead the importance of clarity, repetition, and consistency.

Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on how to communicate what they do in a way that is obvious, memorable, and easy for others to understand without extra effort.

If you’ve been putting in the work but not seeing the results, this episode will help you shift from simply showing up to truly being seen.

This episode is brought to you by Kaivari.
Kaivari helps interior designers build a strong, strategic support network by connecting them with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and aligned peer communities so they can make smarter business decisions with confidence. Visit Kaivari.com and use promo code KOACHFRIEND to save.

Timestamps:
(01:51) - (06:00) - The cyclist story and why visibility is often an illusion
(06:01) - (10:45) - Why posting once is not enough and how people actually consume content
(10:46) - (15:54) - The ways entrepreneurs hide behind unclear or clever messaging
(15:55) - (18:17) - Visibility is not about doing more but being clear and consistent
(18:18) - (23:00) - Why repetition and niching down make your message stick
(23:01) - (27:10) - Making your messaging obvious in both online and offline conversations

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Connect Shauna Lynn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunalynnsimon/

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with financial coach Sherry Andrew to break down why so many entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by money, even when they are earning well. After losing her job and rebuilding her finances from scratch, Sherry transformed not just her income, but her entire relationship with money by shifting from tracking spending to creating intentional systems.

She shares how inconsistent income, avoidance, and traditional budgeting advice often fail - especially for neurodivergent entrepreneurs - and what to do instead. From separating accounts to creating spending buffers and planning ahead, this conversation reframes money management in a way that feels doable, not restrictive.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies to reduce stress, increase clarity, and take control of their finances without shame or overwhelm.

If money has ever felt confusing, frustrating, or just plain exhausting, this episode offers a fresh perspective that can change how you approach it moving forward.

This episode is brought to you by Kaivari.
Kaivari helps interior designers build a strong, strategic support network by connecting them with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and aligned peer communities so they can make smarter business decisions with confidence. Visit Kaivari.com and use promo code KOACHFRIEND to save.

Timestamps:
(01:50) - (03:52) - Sherry’s journey from job loss to starting her coaching business
(03:53) - (08:33) - The shift from tracking spending to planning ahead
(08:34) - (10:22) - Why money stress impacts growth and decision making
(10:23) - (17:22) - Giving your money a job and building intentional systems
(17:23) - (22:40) - Moving from scarcity thinking to proactive income planning
(22:41) - (30:25) - Why traditional budgeting fails and how systems simplify money

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Tax Cheat Sheet: https://www.moneymindsetfc.com/links
• Ep 108: The Confidence Shift That Turned 500 Dollars Into a Global Business with Jane Harris: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/rwrb-podcast-episodes/confidence-shift

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with Shannyn Schroeder, founder of EF Bomb Coach, to unpack the truth about executive function and why so many neurodivergent women feel like they are constantly falling behind. For women who were diagnosed later in life or are just beginning to recognize the signs, this conversation offers a powerful reframe that replaces shame with understanding.

Shannyn breaks down what executive function actually is and how challenges with planning, organization, and time management are not personal failures but patterns rooted in how the brain processes information. She also explains why traditional business advice often fails neurodivergent women and how learning to work with your natural rhythms can completely change your productivity and confidence.

Listeners will walk away with practical ways to regulate overwhelm, identify their biggest bottlenecks, and start building systems that feel supportive instead of exhausting.

If you’ve ever questioned your capability or felt like you’re working twice as hard just to keep up, this episode will shift how you see yourself and your business.

This episode is brought to you by Kaivari.
Kaivari helps interior designers build a strong, strategic support network by connecting them with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and aligned peer communities so they can make smarter business decisions with confidence. Visit Kaivari.com and use promo code KOACHFRIEND to save.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (06:15) - Understanding neurodivergence and why many women are diagnosed later in life
(06:16) - (14:20) - What executive function really is and how it impacts daily business tasks
(14:21) - (22:10) - The hidden cost of masking and burnout in high achieving women
(22:11) - (30:45) - Why traditional productivity advice fails and how to adapt it to your brain
(30:46) - (40:10) - Overwhelm explained and how emotional regulation affects productivity
(40:11) - (48:30) - Creating systems, accommodations, and workflows that actually work for you
(48:31) - (45:28) - Reframing identity and why you are not lazy, broken, or behind

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Take the Business Bottleneck Quiz: https://EFBombCoach.com/bottleneck-quiz

 Connect with Shannyn Schroeder:

• Learn more about Shannyn: https://EFBombCoach.com
• Facebook: https://EFBombCoach.com/FB
• YouTube: https://EFBombCoach.com/YT
• Other: https://EFBombCoach.com/skool

Shannyn Schroeder is the founder of EF Bomb Coach, where she supports neurodivergent women who feel overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in their business. With a background in executive function coaching and education, she helps women understand how their brain actually works so they can create systems that feel realistic and sustainable. Her approach blends practical strategies with self-acceptance, helping clients move away from self-criticism and toward building businesses that align with how they naturally think and operate.

In this two-year anniversary episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon shares a powerful and practical shift that changes how you approach both life and business - treating your future self like someone you genuinely care about.

Rather than framing self-care as something you earn or squeeze in when there’s time, Shauna Lynn reframes it as self-respect that shows up in everyday decisions. From how you manage your time and energy to how you speak to yourself internally, she breaks down how small, consistent actions either support or sabotage the version of you you’re becoming.

This episode goes beyond theory and into real-life application, with simple examples that highlight how procrastination, overbooking, and disorganization quietly create stress, while intentional systems, boundaries, and micro decisions create momentum and ease.

Listeners will walk away with a practical framework to reduce overwhelm, make clearer decisions, and create a business and life that feels more supportive instead of reactive.

If you’ve been feeling stretched, behind, or stuck in cycles that keep repeating, this episode offers a grounded way to reset and move forward with intention.
 
This episode is brought to you by Kaivari.
Kaivari helps interior designers build a strong, strategic support network by connecting them with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and aligned peer communities so they can make smarter business decisions with confidence. Visit Kaivari.com and use promo code KOACHFRIEND to save.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:30) - Two year anniversary reflection and the cost of putting things off
(05:31) - (13:00) - Why self care is not landing and the shift to self respect
(13:01) - (20:30) - How your inner dialogue drives procrastination burnout and guilt cycles
(20:31) - (28:30) - Treating your future self like someone you care about
(28:31) - (36:30) - Practical daily habits that set your future self up for success
(36:31) - (45:30) - How this shows up in business systems boundaries and workload
(45:31) - (55:00) - Simple tools to reframe self talk and make better decisions

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Connect with Shauna Lynn on Instagram: @shaunalynnsimon

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with Jane Harris, co-founder of The Virgin Hair Fantasy, to unpack how a $500 investment turned into a multi-million-dollar global beauty brand. But this conversation goes far beyond business tactics. Jane shares how confidence became the catalyst for everything, from increasing her income to transforming how she showed up in relationships, leadership, and life.

Shauna Lynn and Jane explore what it really takes to build a product-based business from scratch, including selling before you feel ready, leveraging personal story to build trust, and why relying solely on ads can hold entrepreneurs back. Jane also opens up about managing rapid growth, learning financial discipline, and creating systems that support both business success and personal fulfillment.

Listeners will walk away with a powerful reminder that confidence is not something you wait for, it is something you build intentionally through daily actions.

If you are ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start showing up with clarity and conviction, this episode will shift how you approach both business and life.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:30) - From $500 startup to multi-million dollar brand beginnings
(05:31) - (13:45) - Confidence as the turning point in business and life
(13:46) - (22:15) - Selling before you feel ready and building trust early
(22:16) - (31:00) - Why ads are not enough and what actually drives growth
(31:01) - (40:30) - Managing money, scaling fast, and financial wake-up calls
(40:31) - (52:30) - Balancing business, motherhood, and building supportive systems
(52:31) - (55:50) - Simple daily habits that build real confidence

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Shop wigs and use code THEREAL for a special offer: https://thevirginhairfantasy.com/
• Ep 40: The Link Between Personal Style & Success With Anastacia Haye: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/rwrb-podcast-episodes/style-and-success
• Ep 104: The Simple Financial Framework That Helps Business Owners Stop Guessing with Zahra Carol Baghdadi: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/rwrb-podcast-episodes/financial-framework

Connect with Jane Harris:
Website: https://thevirginhairfantasy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevirginhairfantasy/videos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevirginhairfantasy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVirginHairFantasy
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thevirginhairfantasy

Jane Harris is the co-founder of The Virgin Hair Fantasy, a luxury wig and beauty brand dedicated to helping women feel confident through hair and self-expression. She built her company from a small initial investment into a globally recognized multi-million-dollar business, while also balancing life as a homeschooling mother, mentor, and speaker. Through her coaching and training programs, Jane has supported hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs in launching and growing their own beauty brands, combining practical business strategy with a strong focus on confidence and personal growth.

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon is joined by business mentor and Boldheart founder Fabienne Fredrickson to unpack what it really takes to grow from six figures to seven without burnout. With more than two decades of experience mentoring women entrepreneurs, Fabienne shares why the strategies that helped build a six-figure business often become the very things that hold you back from scaling further.

Together, they explore the concept of leverage and how entrepreneurs can shift away from overworking toward building businesses that support their lives rather than consume them. Fabienne explains why team, systems, marketing focus, and intellectual property are key to sustainable growth, and how entrepreneurs can identify the small percentage of actions that actually drive the majority of results.

Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on scaling, including how to stop trying to do everything and instead focus on what creates true momentum.

If you’re ready to grow your business without losing your freedom, this episode offers a powerful roadmap to start thinking and operating differently.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:40) - Why six figure businesses often hit a growth ceiling
(05:41) - (13:20) - What got you here won’t get you there and the burnout trap
(13:21) - (21:45) - Leveraging your team and why hiring earlier changes everything
(21:46) - (30:15) - The four marketing paths and focusing on what actually works
(30:16) - (39:20) - Identity, authenticity, and becoming magnetically attractive to clients
(39:21) - (52:30) - The eight leverage activators and building a scalable business

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Get The Leveraged Business book: https://boldheart.com/the-leveraged-business/book/

Connect with Fabienne Fredrickson:
Learn more about Fabienne: https://boldheart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabienne
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiennefred/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FabienneFredrickson

Fabienne Fredrickson is the founder of Boldheart and has spent more than 20 years mentoring women entrepreneurs as they grow and scale their businesses while creating more freedom in their lives. Through her Leveraged Business methodology, she has helped thousands of women expand beyond six figures and build businesses that generate significant revenue without sacrificing their time, families, or well-being. Fabienne is also the author of The Leveraged Business, which outlines her approach to creating scalable, self-managing companies that allow entrepreneurs to earn more while working less.

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon challenges a belief many entrepreneurs hold without realizing it - that simply owning a business automatically creates long-term value. In reality, most service-based businesses are structured more like demanding jobs than transferable assets.

Shauna Lynn explains why planning for an exit should start much earlier than most people think, even if selling your business isn’t currently on your radar. Building a business that could be sold forces clarity around systems, financial visibility, repeatable client experiences, and brand equity that extends beyond the founder.

Drawing from her experience working with home staging businesses and conversations with buyers and sellers across multiple industries, Shauna Lynn breaks down the structural elements that make businesses attractive to buyers and sustainable for owners.

Listeners will gain practical insights into how stronger systems, cleaner financials, and consistent processes can reduce burnout while increasing both profitability and long-term value.
Even if you never plan to sell, building a business that could be sold changes how you lead it today.
 Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:05) - Why most entrepreneurs accidentally build expensive jobs instead of businesses
(05:06) - (11:10) - Why exit planning should start earlier than most owners expect
(11:11) - (18:00) - The emotional attachment that makes businesses difficult to transfer
(18:01) - (26:00) - Financial clarity and why buyers care about your numbers
(26:01) - (33:00) - Systems, delegation, and building repeatable client experiences
(33:01) - (36:00) - Why structure and brand equity make a business valuable
 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Sell Ready Business Evaluation Ebook: https://styledlistedsold.com/sellready
• Ep 104 - The Simple Financial Framework That Helps Business Owners Stop Guessing with Zahra Carol Baghdadi: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/rwrb-podcast-episodes/financial-framework

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with Sonia Barney, founder of Kaivari and Sonia Barney Design, to unpack one of the biggest decisions entrepreneurs face when growing their business - choosing the right coach.

With more than two decades in the interior design industry and over ten years running her own business, Sonia shares how her journey through multiple coaching programs shaped her perspective on what truly makes coaching valuable. Together, she and Shauna Lynn explore why many entrepreneurs hesitate to invest in support, how costly the wrong coaching fit can be, and why clarity about your needs is essential before committing to any program.

Sonia also introduces Kaivari, a platform she created to help interior designers connect with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and a supportive peer network so they can grow sustainable businesses without navigating the process alone.

Listeners will walk away with practical guidance on identifying business gaps, asking smarter questions during discovery calls, and approaching coaching with confidence rather than guesswork.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:30) - Sonia Barney’s design background and early business challenges
(05:31) - (13:40) - The real risks of hiring the wrong coach
(13:41) - (22:20) - Why time, money, and overwhelm stop entrepreneurs from seeking coaching
(22:21) - (31:45) - How Kaivari connects designers with the right support network
(31:46) - (43:30) - What to look for when evaluating a coach
(43:31) - (52:10) - The key questions every entrepreneur should ask before hiring a coach

Resources:
Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
Get the Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Coach Before You Hire Tip Sheet: https://kaivari.com/questions
Learn more about Kaivari: https://www.kaivari.com

Connect with Sonia Barney:
Learn more about Sonia: https://www.kaivari.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soniabarneydesign
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaivarico/

Sonia Barney is an award-winning interior designer and the founder of Kaivari, a platform created to help designers connect with the right coaches, resources, and community to support sustainable business growth. With more than 20 years in the design industry and over a decade running her own firm, Sonia combines creative experience with a systems-focused approach to help designers build businesses that are just as intentional and well-structured as the spaces they design.

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon is joined by fractional CFO and financial strategist Zahra Carol Baghdadi for a grounded, practical conversation about what it really means to stop flying blind financially. Zahra works with startup founders and small business owners who are tired of reacting to cash flow surprises and want to lead their businesses with clarity instead of stress.

Together, they break down the three numbers that matter most in business finances and explain why revenue alone is a misleading metric. Zahra shares how cash flow timing impacts daily decisions, why healthy profit margins determine long-term sustainability, and how understanding burn rate helps business owners make smarter choices about hiring, pricing, and growth. Rather than overwhelming listeners with accounting jargon, this episode focuses on using numbers as a strategic tool, not a source of fear.

Listeners will gain a clearer lens for spotting financial red flags, asking better questions, and making proactive decisions that support both growth and peace of mind.

If finances have felt intimidating or reactive, this episode offers a simpler, more empowering way forward. Share it with a business owner who’s ready to lead with confidence instead of guesswork.

Timestamps:
(00:01) - (05:55) - What it really means to be flying blind financially
(05:56) - (13:08) - Cash flow explained and why timing matters more than revenue
(13:09) - (22:45) - Profit margin mistakes that quietly undermine sustainability
(22:46) - (32:30) - Using numbers to evaluate services pricing and business models
(32:31) - (40:25) - Burn rate explained and how it guides smarter growth decisions
(40:26) - (52:10) - Building financial confidence and shifting from reactive to proactive leadership

Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• CFO Office Hours with Zahra: https://www.crunchtmz.com/your-money-lab/
• Ep 46: Mastering Profitability With Michele Williams: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/rwrb-podcast-episodes/mastering-profitability

Connect with Zahra Carol Baghdadi:
Learn more about Zahra: https://www.crunchtmz.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunch_timeZ_CFO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zcb/

Zahra Carol Baghdadi is a fractional CFO and financial strategist and the founder of Crunch TimeZ CFO Services Inc. She supports startup founders and small business owners who want greater clarity around cash flow, pricing, and sustainability without feeling overwhelmed by financial complexity. With a background in finance, accounting, and strategic advisory, Zahra helps growth-stage businesses strengthen their financial foundation so they can make confident decisions, plan proactively, and lead with clarity rather than guesswork.

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon tackles a common pattern among high-achieving women entrepreneurs - spiraling when a client goes quiet. When uncertainty creeps in, the brain fills in the blanks, often with stories that trigger defensiveness, overexplaining, discounting, or avoiding follow-up altogether.

Shauna Lynn breaks down a five-step reset framework designed to interrupt the spiral and replace emotional assumptions with clean leadership. She explains why silence is not feedback, how to separate fact from narrative, and why following up is not needy - it is responsible business ownership. The episode also outlines a practical follow-up cadence you can implement immediately to prevent lost revenue and protect your momentum.

Listeners will walk away with a structured process for regulating emotions, choosing useful assumptions, and communicating clearly without defensiveness.
 If you have ever hesitated to follow up because of the story you were telling yourself, this episode will give you a calmer and more strategic way forward.

Timestamps:

(00:01) - (06:30) - Why high achievers spiral when clients go quiet
(06:31) - (11:17) - The five step reset framework to stop emotional storytelling
(11:18) - (18:25) - Building a clean follow up process that prevents lost revenue
(18:26) - (23:03) - Sample follow up scripts and tone adjustments
(23:04) - (27:47) - Reframing common triggers and responding without defensiveness
(27:48) - (30:01) - Leadership, curiosity, and choosing calm over assumption

 Resources:

• Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
• Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
• Connect with Shauna Lynn on Instagram: @shaunalynnsimon