This Mom Knows

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Mompreneurs and their unique challenges
• Differentiating mompreneurs from working moms and work-from-home moms
• Defining what a mompreneur is: a mom plus an entrepreneur
• Distinguishing between owning a business and having a job
• Income differences between mompreneurs and traditional employment
• Accountability and decision-making as a mompreneur
• Contrasting working environments: outside the home, work-from-home, and within family life
• Various roles and businesses mompreneurs engage in
• Examples of mompreneurs and their businesses:

             Michele Holmes: Homeschooling Co-Op resources for high school students

             Rachel Fehrenbach: Teaching busy moms the power of Sabbath rest

             Melissa Tubergen: Starting a nonprofit for foster and adoptive families

             Amanda Cunningham: Creating a resource for families with special needs

• The commonality of mompreneurs solving problems or meeting needs through their businesses
• Balancing the dual roles of parenting and running a business
• Importance of simple systems to manage priorities and minimize mom guilt
• Benefits of having good systems and the ability to adapt to changes
• References to previous episodes discussing systems and essential systems for home and business
• Mention of a tool available for creating the right system to support mompreneurs

Resources mentioned:

Episode 2: Michele Holmes with Homeschool Directive

Episode 21: Rachel Fahrenbach and Sabbath Rest

Episode 41: Melissa Tubergen with Give Hope RV

Episode 45: Amanda Cunningham and The Glory Days Co. Planner

Recipe for a Perfect System download

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-52 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Sometimes as mompreneurs it feels easier to make things work better at home, but can be harder to know where to start on the business side.  Jenn Uren shares 3 business systems to support your growing business. And like with any good system, making just one change is enough to move you forward enough that it begins to feel more manageable.

Today's episode of This Mom Knows will tell you exactly what these are so you can decide where to start with supporting your business for growth.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• The three foundational systems for mompreneurs
• The importance of having a well-organized workspace
• Different types of workspaces and their requirements
• Tips for creating an efficient workspace
• Making tools and resources easily accessible, especially in transient workspaces
• The significance of managing email effectively
• The impact of interruptions and the benefits of batch processing emails.
• Strategies for managing email efficiently
• The role of planned email-checking times, reducing disruptions, and staying focused
• The role of the calendar in managing time
• Understanding the calendar as a tool for scheduling and organizing commitments
• Introduction to block scheduling
• Allocating specific blocks of time for different tasks based on energy levels and task requirements
• Maximizing time by multitasking 
• Utilizing spare moments to complete less demanding tasks or listen to audio while performing other activities
• The overall importance of systems in business: How the three foundational systems support efficiency and productivity
• Resource for designing effective systems 
• Mentioning a template recipe card-style resource to help create personalized systems

Resources mentioned:

Calendly

Recipe for a Perfect System download

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-51 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

If you're tired of pouring all your energy into keeping your head above water, ready to put your energy into the things that matter most, but don't know where to start, this episode is for you.  Jenn Uren shares 3 essential systems when it comes to a home that runs smoothly and any of them are a good place to start.

Today's episode of This Mom Knows will help you decide your best starting point.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Systems and their importance in managing time and energy
• The unique reality of mompreneurs and the importance of starting with home systems
• The three foundational systems at home: dinner, laundry, and mail
• The significance of dinner planning and its impact on budget, health, and family time
• The role of laundry in providing clean clothes and enabling daily activities
• The importance of a mail system in managing paper and reducing stress
• How these three systems serve as gateway systems to other home systems
• The interconnectedness of systems in supporting a well-organized home
• The benefits of having systems for grocery shopping, cleaning, and home maintenance
• Recommendations for resources and tools to help implement these systems
• A blog post on designing a laundry system
• A system template or recipe for planning and implementing systems

Resources mentioned:

Episode 48: What is a System (and Why Does it Matter)?

Episode 49: It's About Time

Plan to Eat Meal Planning Tool

Laundry system blog post

Recipe for a Perfect System download

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-50 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Jenn Uren often found herself saying things like "If I only had more time" or "I need to find the time" or "I just don't have time for that"? As a mompreneurs we are even more focused on the challenge of time than most. But what if we have it all wrong? What if it's not about time at all? Jenn proposes a new and different way to approach time.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• The misconception of time
• Energy allocation 
• The relationship between energy and tasks   
• Leveraging systems
• Routines and rhythms
• The impact of sleep
• Individual differences in energy
• Analyzing energy patterns
• Implementing one system at a time
• Maximizing time as a mom and entrepreneur

Resources mentioned:

Episode 48: What is a System (and Why Does it Matter)?

Episode 15: Rhythms and Routines

The Social Savvy Introvert Podcast

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-49 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Jenn Uren defines exactly what a system is and why it makes such a difference.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Misunderstanding of the term "system"
• Definition of a system and its components
• Importance of having a purpose or goal in a system
• Tools and ingredients required for a system
• Time estimation and allocation for a system
• Step-by-step instructions and the value of documenting them
• Example of a simple system: processing the mail
• Benefits of having good systems
  • a. Repeatable processes
  • b. Delegating tasks
  • c. Automatic execution and routines
  • d. Flexibility for adjustments and tweaks
  • e. Energy-saving and efficiency-enhancing effects of systems

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-48 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Alicia Michelle knows that as mompreneurs it can be frustrating when we want to do things differently but we keep making the same old decisions over and over. When you hear the word mindset, you probably think about beliefs and perspectives that shape how you see things. But did you know mindset also shapes how you experience and process things - and make decisions. Alicia Michelle (VibrantChristianLiving.com) is a mindset coach and today she shares how to change your mindset.

Meet our Guest Alicia:

Alicia Michelle lives in California with her family. She's an author, Bible teacher, podcaster and certified neuro coach. Known as the mindset makeover coach, she goes beyond identifying what mindset issues need to be addressed and actually teaches Christian women how to renew their minds with practical brain and biblically based tools that help them overcome negative thinking and cultivate godly confidence.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - http://www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Alicia's focus on mindset and helping Christian women
• The transformative shift in Alicia's mindset after a health crisis
• Alicia's journey of discovering the importance of mindset, becoming a certified neuro coach
• Understanding the connection between brain science and the Bible
• The role of subconscious and logical minds in shaping the mindset
• The distinction between mindset and ideology or worldview
• The importance of integrating brain-based and biblically-based approaches
• The relationship between thoughts and emotions
• The impact of negative thought patterns on behavior
• Interpreting biblical teachings on anxiety and fear
• The process of mindset transformation
• Aligning thoughts with God's truth
• Cultivating positive thought patterns and behaviors
• Integrating work with home and family
• Using scripture and daily Bible study as a source of truth and affirmation
• Journaling as a tool for self-reflection and understanding
• Navigating the tension between building a business and being a parent
• Understanding one's calling in the current season of life
• Embracing and affirming one's purpose and worth in business and motherhood
• Favorite gadget tool or system

Resources mentioned:

Listen to her Podcast and join Alicia for a free Mindset workshop  https://vibrantchristianliving.com/podcast/ 

Check out her website and sign up for a free training and workshop, https://vibrantchristianliving.com/never-enough-workshop/  

Listen to her Mindset Matter https://vibrantchristianliving.com/episode-117/

https://vibrantchristianliving.com/
(You can download the free training called "How to Manage Your Thoughts".)

Alicia's favorite resource is Evernote. 

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-47 

Connect with Alicia:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aliciamichellecoach/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/VibrantChristianLiving/
Website:  https://vibrantchristianliving.com/
Email:  [email protected]

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Scott Weaver is not a mom!  But he is a dad.  Men and women don't always see things the same way (shocker, I know!) and Scott joins me as we talk about the differences in how men and women often approach entrepreneurship. As we understand those differences, we can use that new knowledge to communicate better.

This is actually a continuation of a conversation started on Scott's podcast about the frontier where home and business meet. (You can hear that here.)

Meet our Guest Scott:

Scott Weaver works with business owners helping them plan and manage growth in their business. He does this through a process that gives clarity and certainty to what the business is focused on and then pulls together all the complex moving parts of their business into clear processes that move their business forward. That's a lot of business. He has been married to his wife who he calls his CSO, or his Chief Sanity Officer - I like that. He's been married for about 25 years, and together they call Tennessee home.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - http://www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Scott's favorite movies and books
• Scott's work with business owners and his focus on helping them achieve time and financial freedom
• The challenges faced by business owners and the pressures they experience
•  Difference between the scarcity mindset and abundance mindset
• Scott's transition from working as an engineer to becoming a business owner
• Scott's decision to quit his job 
• Planning and preparedness in entrepreneurship
• Financial attitudes and upbringing
• Differences between entrepreneurial finance and corporate finance
• Cash flow management and challenges with inconsistent income
• Balancing work and family life as a business owner
• Integration of business and family life
• Setting boundaries and managing time, thoughts, and energy
• Communication and inclusion of spouse in the business
• The importance of avoiding isolation and fostering personal growth
• Challenges of growth and maturity within a relationship
• Enjoying family time and cherishing moments with children
• Favorite tool

Resources mentioned:

The book the E-Myth Revisited, which is an excellent resource

This podcast episode of Scott's discusses how he learned to embrace his role as a problem solver.  https://arise2live.com/episode-003-you-are-a-problem-solver/

Schedule a call with Scott to go over his coaching packages, which offer solutions for your company. https://arise2live.com/coaching/

Scott's favorite resource is plain old pen and paper!

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-46

Connect with Scott:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Arise2IBO
Website:  https://arise2live.com/
Email:  [email protected]

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Amanda Cunningham knows how frustrating it can be to search for a solution to a problem only to discover that there isn't one to be found.  You have to solve your own problem and create your own solution.  It can be frustrating, but it can also be an opportunity. Amanda Cunningham did just that and shares her story with us today.

Meet our Guest Amanda:

Amanda Cunningham is mom of three and founder of the glory days company. When her daughter Rory was born with an unexpected diagnosis of Down Syndrome, she found herself overwhelmed as she faced a whole new world of multiple doctor and therapy appointments, all while figuring out at the same time how to become a stay at home mom of two. In her search for tools to support her in this new role as a special needs parent she didn't find anything. So out of her own desperate need, Amanda created an organizational system that is now the Glory Days Daily Planner, the first daily planner for children with special needs. This planner has now launched an entire line of products which serve parents who are living the day to day with a special needs child in their home.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - http://www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• Creation of the Glory Days Daily Planner
• The emotional response and adjustment to a diagnosis of Down Syndrome
• Her personal experience in piecing together an organizational system using various tools
• The importance of having a planner to manage appointments and therapy protocols
• The design and features of the Glory Days Daily Planner
• Dealing with mom guilt and the added layers of responsibility for special needs children
• Balancing the challenges of being a mompreneur with family priorities and home life
• The challenges of striving for perfection and the importance of accepting limitations
• Calling in support and asking for help to manage multiple commitments
• Launching various products by Glory Days Planner, including journals, sticky pads, and other resources
• The evolution of products based on feedback from the community 
• Encouragement for moms to create products that meet their own needs and to follow their passions
• Mention of the possibility of appearing on Shark Tank
• Favorite time-saving tools

Resources mentioned:

Check out Amanda’s website https://theglorydaysco.com/blogs/amandacunninghamblog to learn more about Down syndrome and to be inspired by her narrative of acceptance. 

Sign up and get a free PDF, The Caregiver Burnout  https://theglorydaysco.com/ 

Amanda's favorite resource is Instacart

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-45 

Connect with Amanda:

Website: https://theglorydaysco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theglorydaysco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglorydaysco/
Email:  [email protected]

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

As a mompreneur, one of the biggest lies, we believe, is that we have to do it all ourselves. We believe it, and then we run ourselves ragged trying to actually do it all. The truth is, you can do it all, just not by yourself. You need a mom team. Think about it. Behind every mom, there's a team. It is true. And it can be more obvious for high-profile moms with their personal assistants and their nannies. But look closely, and you will see that every mom has a team. Even you.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• The concept of a mom team and its importance for mompreneurs
• The composition of a mom team, including family members as key players
• The role of people, systems, and tools in supporting the mission of a mom team
• Identifying the need for additional team members based on individual requirements and skills
• Delegating tasks and embracing the idea of hiring help, such as a housekeeper
• The significance of efficient systems in managing time, including laundry and meal planning
• The impact of well-functioning systems on reducing stress and increasing productivity
• The role of tools and gadgets in a mom team, focusing on their ability to save time and effort
• Overcoming objections 
• Engaging with the audience and inviting them to share their mom team experiences
• Favorite gadget

Resources mentioned:

Episode 39: Emily Morgan on The Power of Delegation
Creating a Laundry Routine That Works for You!

One of my favorite gadgets is That Bug Bite Thing

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-44 

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.

Carolyn Dun is the founder of Community Purse and knows first hand that giving is as much a blessing as receiving.  She has a lot to share about why this is true as well as sharing how to be more impactful with our generosity.

Meet our Guest Carolyn:

Carolyn Dun is someone you should know. She and her husband currently live in the northern suburbs of Chicago from where they launched their now adult son and daughter. Carolyn is a connector extraordinaire and saw a gap between small locally focused nonprofits and the abundance of resources in the communities around her. So she started community purse, a giving circle that is fast approaching half a million dollars being donated to community organizations.

Connect with me and let me hear your thoughts:

Website - http://www.thismomknows.com
FB - www.facebook.com/thismomknows 
IG - www.instagram.com/thismomknowspodcast

Topics we cover:

• The concept and purpose of Community Purse, a giving circle
• How Carolyn and her husband became interested in stewardship and generosity
• The inspiration behind Community Purse
• The simple and effective model of Community Purse
• The impact of pooling resources for larger grants
• Overcoming objections and misconceptions about giving
• The range of nonprofits supported by Community Purse
•  Who is granted, gifted the grant
• The difference between a good ask and a great ask for grant recipients
• The power of stories and client testimonials in nonprofit presentations
• The positive reception of Community Purse by nonprofits and churches
• The challenges that Community Purse faced in making sure that there was this healthy balance between nonprofits and the donors
•  The basic steps involved with starting a chapter of Community Purse
•  Favorite time-saving gadget/system

Resources mentioned:

Community Purse https://www.communitypurse.org/
Generous Giving https://generousgiving.org/
National Christian Foundation https://www.ncfgiving.com/
Crown Financial Ministries https://www.crown.org/
Why Giving is Good for Your Health https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-giving-is-good-for-your-health/

Carolyn's favorite time saving tool is the donor advised fund National Christian Foundation, but she also loves her fitbit!

Link to transcript: https://www.thismomknows.com/blog/episode-43 

Connect with Carolyn:

Community Website: https://www.communitypurse.org/ 
(and find out how to start a local chapter of Community Purse where you are!)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communitypurse/

About This Mom Knows

Moms know a lot of things, and when we start talking, ideas form, energy builds, and we take action. This Mom Knows is a place for moms to mompreneurs to find encouragement, connection, and maybe even collaboration but most importantly community with moms who know.  So, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a paper and pencil to jot down an idea or two, and let's discover what This Mom Knows.