The Refreshed Moms Podcast

Building a business as a stay-at-home mom is a very unique experience.

The juggling act to keep all the balls in the air is never ending.

And, sometimes we are misunderstood by our mommy peers, because they don’t always understand why we would choose to do something as challenging and time consuming as running a business while our kids are young.

Mompreneurs are a special breed of women, and as Kelly and Deanna have worked on and in many ventures, they’ve realized just how important finding a community that understands them impacts their success.

So much so, Deanna has crafted a mastermind community for boss moms in order to help them not only sharpen their business savvy, but to create the skill set and habits needed to integrate their family and self-care needs well as they scale.

What you’ll hear:

• Deanna’s former entrepreneur journey with her non-profit Examples Family Resources and as Publisher of TRU Teen Magazine, and how Refreshed Moms was born.
• How CRAZY Kelly thought Deanna was as she watched her over the years running her businesses.
• Why creating community is so important for our success in all areas of our lives.
• How integrating time management, work-life balance, and business strategy come together to help you create business longevity and sustainability.
• What Deanna really means by living a balanced life as a mompreneur.
• Find out if you're a perfect fit for being a part of The Balanced Life Mastermind community.

RESOURCE:
If you need help making working at home with your kids a little easier and more manageable, download Deanna’s Top 10 Productivity Hacks for Moms.

Connect with IG fave and Self-Care Therapist Faith Broussard Cade 

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

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Banter shout-out: Black Dog Running Company, Myrtle Beach

What is a fantastic freebie - and why should I spend time creating and offering one? 

What should my freebie be and what should it accomplish?

How much time should I spend creating a free offer?

These are the questions we answer as we take you through the necessary components of your lead magnet.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect lead magnet to grow your email list - indeed, a fantastic freebie, this episode is for you, as we discuss the anatomy of your freebie and share ideas on how to attract your ideal clients by incorporating this very useful tool into your business.

What you’ll hear:

• The four main components of a freebie.
• Why you want to “slay” needs with your freebie.
• Why your freebie doesn’t have to change the world, but just maybe transform the moment.
• How freebies help you hone your offerings and find your audience, but you don’t have to have “everything together” before you begin putting yourself out there.
• A quick sidebar on the power of methodology and coaching to help us figure it out.
• Ideas and examples of freebies that work.
• Reminders to be your authentic self in all content creation!
• QUOTE: “Strategy and skill can be taught, but your authentic business… that has to be created.”

Bonus Material!:
Kelly and Deanna offer you 10 Summer Meal Hacks to keep your family fed during the late-summer haze when you’d rather be doing… well, lots of things besides cooking!

And as promised in the bonus banter: Nickie Snyder’s 10 Ways to Use a Costco Chicken

RESOURCE:
Deanna’s Top 10 Productivity Hacks for Moms

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

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Entrepreneurship - is hard. Very hard.

There are many ups and downs along the way. The downs tend to make us feel discouraged, and sometimes like calling it quits. But the ups, oh how sweet they are.

The amount of consistency, dog-on-it-ness and stick-to-it-ness needed is abundant, but that doesn’t mean the journey to success can’t be enjoyed along the way. And even more, there is absolutely no way we can get to where we desire to be with our business without embracing that journey - because our unique path is handcrafted just for us in order for us to learn the things we need to learn, grow where we need to grow, and touch the people we were meant to touch.

Our path, with all of its ups and downs, is our very own, and we should all embrace every single part of it each day.

On this episode, Kelly and Deanna chat with Wellness Coach and Patient Advocate Dr. Claudia Cometa about her journey to surrender with her business. From stressing about funnels and social media to trusting the process, Claudia shares about how she has learned to work with intention while yielding to whatever the outcomes may be.

What you’ll hear:

• How Claudia balances it all with her family and business.
• Claudia’s recent mastermind experience - she shines light on her state of mind at the beginning of the  mastermind in contrast to the woman she is today.
• Claudia shares about her own spiritual journey to living a surrendered life, and shares some advice with Kelly on her writing and publishing path.
• Deanna and Claudia banter about their personal transformations this past year and the impacts to how they do business now.
• Tips for mompreneurs that may be feeling a bit frustrated with the pace at which they are moving or with their results.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

BOOK: The Surrender Experiment

BOOK: The Untethered Soul

Article: How the Sun Makes You Tired

CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA COMETA

Podcast: Wellness with Claudia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithclaudia/

Dr. Claudia’s Free Offer: How to Organize Your Medical Information

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

Apply for The Balanced Life Business Mastermind for Moms

Work With Deanna: Schedule a free appointment

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“It is summer, and maybe we have time to read.”

Part of our Refreshed Life is the joy of reading! We love books, and we love talking about them! Come along on a brief, informative, and fun book tour with us as we each discuss a few selections that have been important to our development as women and mompreneurs.

Our Prologue:
A brief discussion of the summer vibe - and how both of us are paring back some of our business efforts in order to work on a few specific goals -  and, ahem, better meal planning.

Our book discussion
Approximately 14 minutes: reading resources & preferences
Approximately 24 minutes: book recs begin

Books:
(Will take you to author websites where available)

Refreshed Life Featured Pick:
The Emotionally Healthy Woman, Geri Scazzaro

Deanna’s Picks:

The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money, & MIracles  By Marianne Williamson
Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Your Customers Will Listen, By Donald Miller
The Seven Laws of Enough: Cultivating a Life of Sustainable Abundance, Gina LaRoche and Jennifer Cohen
The Untethered Soul and The Surrender Experiment, Michael A. Singer

Kelly’s Picks:
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels and Tractor Wheels, A Love Story By Ree Drummond
Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing By Jennifer Weiner
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely By Lysa Terkeurst

Library Apps - You must have a card with a local library to access.
Hoopla
Libby

Other mentions:
Super Soul Conversations with Oprah podcast
An exploration of the thorn in Paul’s side

We’d love to hear some of your picks - or some of your favorite takeaways from any other books above. Interact with Deanna & Kelly at our social media links:

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

Apply for the Balanced Life Business Mastermind for Moms

Work With Deanna: Schedule a free appointment

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CONNECT WITH KELLY BURTON, KELL OF A STORY

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We all are well aware of the addiction our modern culture has with cell phones. It only takes standing in line at the grocery store to see the multitudes of people with their heads down as they disconnect with the present while they escape for a few minutes into their cyber world.

The problem is, our phone screen habits are infiltrating our productivity with our daily tasks, and even more significant, with our ability to connect deeply with our families.

In this episode, we’re sharing ways on how to approach decreasing our screen time by giving simple tips and suggestions on putting the phone down to make more mental and emotional space for your important work and your amazing kids!

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED
Article: Teens & Screens - How much is OK?

Study: Everything in Moderation: Moderate Use of Screens Unassociated with Child Behavior Problems

"No Screens" Challenge: in the Refreshed Moms FB Group

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

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Work With Deanna: Schedule a free appointment

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Melissa is a connected parenting coach who specializes in helping parents at the end of their rope as they work to manage their child's challenging behaviors. She describes herself "the owner’s manual" you wished had come with your child!​

As we chat, she walks us through her strategies for understanding why a child behaves as they do, staying on our kid's team, and collaborating with our children for solutions that lead to success for the entire family.

Melissa injects laughter, experience, and honesty into a conversation that touches on a variety of topics relevant to mompreneurs with kids at home - including navigating hard behaviors, setting boundaries, multi-generational living, business travel, self-care, balance, social media, routines, and even sugary drinks!

Our favorite nuggets:

• The place where both kid and parent feel respected is where the magic happens!
• Behavior is a function of the brain, and understanding the reasons behind that behavior helps us to deal with it.
• Fear drives many of our parenting fixes. Look for collaborative solutions - and stay on your kid’s team!
• “Laugh more, yell less.”
• Our relationship with our own parents is lifelong - so we should parent in a way that supports a lifelong connection with our child.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED
The Refreshed Life Podcast: Routines episode

CONNECT WITH MELISSA CORKUM:
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Free ADHD Behavior Handbook

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Enroll in Deanna's Balanced Life Business Mastermind

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Why in the world should anyone desire morning or evening routines? We believe routines and rituals are key tools in setting our days -- and in maintaining work-life integration and balance, especially in the lives of entrepreneurial moms. We're going to walk you through how we create and maintain daily practices, for morning or for evening, and how these habits help us accomplish goals and hold space for the unexpected.

This is not always easy. In fact, this is the second time we attempted to capture this subject for Refreshed Life! Recently, I (Deanna) simplified my morning routine and vastly cut down the number of items I was trying to accomplish. 

We both agree that routines help us be more positive, allow us space to process what is weighing heavily on us, focus us toward gratefulness, and even give us energy for the day ahead (or peace for a good night’s sleep!)

What we discuss - don’t miss it! 

• How Kelly went from “We don’t need routines” to “We failed without routines.”
• The spiritual rewards of rituals, and how prayer looks different depending on our seasons.
• How our routines can help us so much that even our children notice we are better for them.
• Why having routines in place help us to shift when unexpected needs arise.
• How to start and end your day with structure in order to keep you focused.
• How journals and planners can be a strategic part of your routine.
  
  

QUOTES

“We need predictable milestones that we can count on every day. We just work better when our minds and our expectations are organized.”

“When you have an intention for your day, you’re much, much more likely to hit the goal.”

“My routines are at the mercy of my neediest child.”

“Our boundaries and routines are not meant to be legalistic. They are there so when a need arises, your habits are strong enough to withstand a deviation.”

“Self-care rituals are designed to make sure your cup continues to overflow.”

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED
Time & Task Management Toolkit for Moms

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

Work With Deanna: Schedule a free appointment

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CONNECT WITH KELLY BURTON, KELL OF A STORY

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For work-at-home mompreneurs, summer break has a very specific meaning. Deanna and Kelly address the challenges of mompreneurs during their kids’ summer break, and offer solutions and tips in the areas of scheduling, transitioning, childcare, and taking breaks.

Speaking from past experiences & current circumstances as well as concerns submitted by podcast listeners, the conversation covers how to:

• Create a realistic summer schedule and routine. This might include getting up before our kids and certainly, shifting parts of our work schedules. 
• Use the Time & Task Management Toolkit - created by Deanna for the non-routine lifestyle of WAHMs. 
• Merge a summer-bucket-list with a work schedule.
• Smoothly transition between work life and home life by identifying which of your tasks require “buffer time.”
• Handle child care - because affordable, part-time child care in particular is like a rare unicorn! Be prepared to see this as an investment, or to barter.
• Approach our own desires for time off and summer fun using forecasting, environmental changes, and our beloved pomodoro method.

What we discuss - don’t miss it! 

• The unique challenges of being a mother and trying to run your business when your kids are sharing your work space
• We are not all “summer bucket-list moms." The chasm between what we think we should be doing with our kids and what we are gifted and capable to do can create mom guilt. Let’s minimize it!
• Every year, our kids get older and we have an opportunity to improve how we “do” summer. 
• Knowing our own personalities as well as our kids’ personalities and expectations helps us create an environment and opportunities to thrive.
• Give yourself grace over needing childcare!
• Most mompreneurs can't take the whole summer off, but by forecasting and recycling content, we can give ourselves such extra break time.

QUOTES

“Without any sort of boundaries, childcare, or schedule to follow, I fell apart.”

“I (now) respect the need I have physically, mentally, emotionally to slow the heck down during the summer.”

“I don’t want to build my business during the summer into something I can’t sustain once school starts.”

“My kids are growing up in a different world that I did. I have to put some effort into making sure they are getting some engagement during the summer.”

“We cannot let the kids maintain the schedule.”

“When you don’t switch your work and home modes, they end up bleeding into each other and you don’t operate well in either space.”

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

Time & Task Management Toolkit for Moms
The Pomodoro Technique for Work
Insight Timer - Meditation App
BLOG: How to Get Work Done When You Don't Want to Work
Brandyn Campbell interview - (Repurpose your content)

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

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If you’re a mompreneur that works from home while your kids are present, then you are extremely familiar with the work-life balance juggling act that accompanies any effort to get your tasks done in a reasonable amount of time.

As much as we try to pull our husbands in to help direct kid traffic (“Honey, PLEASE keep the kids out of my office for just one hour… I’m begging you!”), our crafty little cubs know how to stealthily bypass daddy radar with the skills of an escape room artist - they still find their way to us no matter what.

Although we love them with all of our mommy hearts, not even they are immune to our need to set healthy boundaries with them so we can invest in other things that matter to us, like our businesses.

Kelly and Deanna talk about some of their struggles with creating work boundaries at home with their children, and give tips on how to successfully and lovingly overcome them

What we discuss - don’t miss it! 

• How creating a dedicated work space not only helps you stay focused and organized, but communicates a boundary to your entire family.
• Why how your spend your “not-working” time is just as important as how you spend your work time.
• Although working from home allows for time flexibility, learning to say NO to others without feeling guilty is vital to protecting our work.
• The #1 tool in creating necessary work boundaries: communication.
• And, we give some tips on how to maneuver your workflow with small kids hanging around.

QUOTES

“A dedicated work space communicates boundaries to your children without you having to say a word.”

“If you’re distracted [with work] when your supposed to be spending time with your children, don’t expect them to respect your boundaries when you are working.”

“We don’t have to get defensive when someone doesn’t understand what our working from home looks like. We just need to understand our boundaries and communicate them.”

“Attention-seeking children are often actually seeking connection, and that connection is actually emotional-level attention - they need a little more than a pat on the head.”

“If you need to integrate small children into your work, pair that time with no-brainer or low-brainer tasks.”

“We need boundaries with kids because we are raising kids who are loving and responsible.”

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

BLOG: How to Create Work Boundaries With Your Kids with Vanessa Wright

The Pomodoro Technique for Work

Setting Boundaries With Your Attention-Seeking Child

Julie Stoian - The 100-50-10 System

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS

Time Management Toolkit for Moms

Work With Me:Schedule a free appointment with Deanna

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CONNECT WITH KELLY BURTON, KELL OF A STORY

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Mompreneurs, shifting priorities in your life may require you to pivot your business goals --it’s important to recognize and embrace when it’s time to change. Nickie Snyder of The Things She Does Podcast joins us on Episode 109 to talk about the shift she made in her life and why she is so much happier for it. There’s no shame in changing goals that no longer fit your life. Give yourself permission to change.

What we discuss - don’t miss it! 

• Why we all need more than motherhood to sustain us.
• How being clear on your priorities helps define your goals -- and helps you know when to shift.
• The importance of knowing how you’re using your time so that you can identify where you’re not acting in alignment with your values.
• Why you should focus on what you love doing and the rest will come.

QUOTES

“Yes, being a mom is important, and it’s the number one thing in my life. But I’m more than that.”

“Do whatever hobby you like, but find something that is yours and that you can carry with you through various phases of life.”

“I had to realize that life is different now, and my goals are different, and I need this to align with my goals.”

“I’ve scaled way back and I’m back to loving [what I do].”

“Give yourself permission to change.”

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

Opening Banter Mentions

5 Easy Ways For Busy People to Eat More Healthy by Kimberly Marie B.

Nickie Snyder: The Things She Does
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Pinterest
Episode #81: What to Do with a Costco Roasted Chicken
Episode MIW2 - Time Tracking
Episode #38 - Interview with Deanna

CONNECT WITH DEANNA MASON, REFRESHED MOMS
Time Management Toolkit for Moms
Work With Me: Schedule a free appointment with Deanna
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