In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with author and business anthropologist Meghan French Dunbar to talk about her book “This Isn’t Working” and why our current work culture is leaving so many women burned out, anxious, and overwhelmed. They unpack what’s actually at the root of modern burnout, how leaders and companies can build human-first businesses, why defining “enough” in life and business matters, and how to create success that includes mental health, joy, and quality of life—not just revenue.

In this episode you will hear:

01:29 – Meghan explains who she is and what a “business anthropologist” means

03:20 – The core problem behind “This Isn’t Working” and why work feels broken

05:42 – Laura’s client story about wanting to burn it all down and run away

07:18 – What thriving leaders do differently: authenticity and sustainable performance

09:44 – The five elements of human flourishing and how we neglect them

10:24 – Laura realizes she’s been neglecting her basic needs as a founder and mum

11:58 – Human-first companies like Eileen Fisher and EO Products as real-world examples

13:50 – Meghan’s personal story: Conscious Company Magazine, hustle, and panic attacks

17:24 – Stepping down as CEO, becoming a full-time mum, and hitting burnout

18:59 – Clinical depression, starting therapy, and questioning what “normal” work is

22:35 – How Meghan researched the book and interviewed nearly 100 leaders

25:47 – Sharon Rowe, EcoBags, and building a “tiny business” around an ideal life

29:29 – Redefining success: extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation and Meghan’s Venn diagram

33:25 – Where to find “This Isn’t Working” and support local bookstores

Meghan's Links:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeghanFrenchDunbar

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: 

https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026 

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Laura's Links:
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2026 is coming in hot (and honestly, how?!), and the online business world is shifting in ways you can’t ignore — especially if you’re a mom running a business on an already overloaded calendar.

In this episode, Laura breaks down the 5 major trends shaping 2026 and how small business owners can prepare without burning out, chasing shiny objects, or blowing up the foundations of their business.

 These aren’t “cute predictions.” These shifts are already happening under the surface — and the businesses that adapt now will win.

What You’ll Learn

• Why AI and automation are now a baseline for small business success
• How short-form video + social commerce are reshaping how people buy
• What the trust recession means for your marketing in 2026
• How purpose-driven brands are outperforming everyone else
• Why collaboration and partnerships will be a core growth strategy next year
• The foundational work you must have in place before chasing trends

00:00 — Intro

 Why foundations matter more than trends.

02:20 — 2026 Climate Check

 Economic uncertainty + trust recession.

03:45 — Trend 1: AI & Automation

 Why AI is now the baseline for small business.

07:40 — Practical AI Integration

 Easy ways to save time + reduce errors.

09:15 — Trend 2: Digital-First Buying

 Short-form video + in-app shopping.

10:45 — Social Commerce Tips

 Make buying simple and frictionless.

11:40 — Trend 3: Trust & Transparency

 Why human-first marketing wins in 2026.

13:30 — Building Real Trust

 Behind-the-scenes, social proof, real results.

14:55 — Trend 4: Purpose Matters

 Consumers want brands that give a damn.

16:20 — Purpose in Action

 Small steps for sustainability + impact.

19:40 — Trend 5: Collaboration

 Partnerships as a core growth strategy.

20:45 — How to Collaborate

 Shared audiences + aligned partners.

22:00 — Final Thoughts

 2026 rewards the adaptable, honest, and visible.

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: 

https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

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In this episode, Laura chats with Canadian designer Heather Bolt, founder of Dotty, a Toronto-made clothing brand designing “real clothes for real bodies” for women in midlife. They cover local manufacturing, fit-first design (sleeves, tummy-friendly cuts, inclusive sizing), micro-influencer strategy, and the honest realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship. If you care about made-in-Canada fashion, body-confident style, and community-first brand building, this one’s for you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & guest intro (Heather Bolt, Dotty)

01:14 – Dotty: Toronto manufacturing (Scarborough & North Toronto)

02:22 – Canadian story & starting point

05:46 – The nudge that changed everything

07:20 – Early entrepreneur doubts; designing for real bodies

09:09 – Loyal customers & product thoughtfulness

12:31 – Showing up on camera; relatable founder

15:39 – Word of mouth, One of a Kind Show, micro-influencers

18:15 – Founder values, authenticity, buyer trust

25:18 – “Remember who the F you are”

27:18 – Midlife energy & the freedom of not people-pleasing

31:39 – Seasons of business & motherhood

34:36 – Presence over hustle; what matters at 80

Heather's Links:

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

Website: https://www.dotty.ca/

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

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Laura's Links:
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In this empowering finale of the 10 Lessons from 10 Years of Entrepreneurship series, Laura Sinclair closes out a decade of business and personal growth with one of her most powerful insights yet: you can do anything you want with your life.

Laura reflects on how belief, community, and self-trust have shaped her entrepreneurial journey — from PR and marketing to coaching and building a platform for women in business. This episode is a must-listen for female entrepreneurs, moms in business, and anyone ready to redefine success and start believing in what’s possible.

In this episode you will hear:

00:01 – Wrapping up 10 Lessons from 10 Years of Entrepreneurship

02:18 – Lesson 10: You Can Do Anything You Want with Your Life

04:31 – The Power of Belief and Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

05:27 – Becoming Your Biggest Believer

07:51 – Permission to Pivot Anytime

09:30 – No More Excuses

10:16 – Proof of Possibility

12:34 – Closing Reflections & Gratitude

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

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Laura's Links:
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In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with Canadian time-management expert Jill Wright @energyandhours — speaker, coach, and host of Grow Like a Mother. Together they unpack why traditional time-management advice often fails for moms, how to bring more flow and flexibility into your schedule, and what it really means to become the pilot of your time. From “time confetti” to ADHD-friendly planning tools, this episode is full of realistic, compassionate strategies for building a business without burning out.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – If only I had more time

01:30 – Jill’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship

04:00 – Rethinking time management for moms

07:00 – The concept of time confetti

11:00 – Prioritizing with the Eisenhower Matrix

14:30 – When time blocking doesn’t work

18:00 – The tough love truth about time

21:00 – Time management for ADHD brains

25:00 – The Time Magic Planner

27:30 – Time flies, but you’re the pilot

Jill's Links: 

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

Wesbite: https://jillwright.ca/

Energy + Hours Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/energy-hours-formerly-grow-like-a-mother/id1601675882

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
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In lesson nine of 10 Lessons in 10 Years of Entrepreneurship, Laura Sinclair shares one of the most grounding—and freeing—truths in business: everything works… it’s just going to take longer than you want it to.

In this solo episode, Laura breaks down why chasing “quick wins” often leaves entrepreneurs spinning their wheels, and how sustainable success actually comes from choosing your lane, staying consistent, and committing to the long game.

Drawing from her decade of experience and stories from real clients (including one who made $80K in 48 hours and another who hit $10K in a single day), Laura reveals the mindset and strategy shifts that make those wins possible—and why they never happen overnight.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to your next level, this episode will remind you to stay patient, stay focused, and trust your process.

In this episode you will hear: 

01:00 – What “Everything Works” Really Means

02:45 – Client Wins That Took Time

04:15 – The Myth of the One Right Strategy

06:10 – Picking a Lane and Staying There

07:25 – How to Identify What’s Actually Working

09:00 – The Role of Data and Low-Hanging Fruit

10:45 – Why Fast Success Isn’t Always Sustainable

15:10 – The Truth About “Passive Income” and Course Creation

17:30 – Every Marketing Strategy Works (With Time)

21:20 – Making Peace With the Pace of Growth

23:10 – How Long-Term Consistency Creates Results

27:15 – Why Early Entrepreneurs Struggle Most With This

29:00 – The Real Role of a Mentor

31:10 – Making Peace With the Timeline

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

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Laura's Links:
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In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with psychologist, couples therapist, and author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk relationships: partners, in-laws, business dynamics, and the messy middle we all navigate. From setting expectations and boundaries to “repair” and seasons of push/pause, Tracy shares practical tools you can use at home and in entrepreneurship.

In this episode you will hear:

00:01 – Meet Dr. Tracy Dalgleish: Psychologist, Couples Therapist, Author

02:06 – What Tracy Really Does: Breaking Cycles & Building Healthy Bonds

04:05 – New Book: You, Your Husband and His Mother (and Why It’s Needed)

05:43 – When Family Dynamics Become “You vs. Me”

07:50 – The VAULT Method: Becoming a Solid Team

08:44 – You, Your Husband… and Your Business: Changing the System

11:34 – The Dinner-Table Talk: Expectations, Desires, and Time

13:55 – Boundaries with the Business: Phone Time, Labels, and Clarity

15:03 – Values Conversation: Why Your Work Matters to You

16:43 – When Your Partner Feels Fear: Checkpoints & Safety

18:54 – A Season, Not Forever: Asking for Support with a Deadline

21:06 – Push, Then Pause: Teamwork Through Heavy Seasons

24:07 – Communication Patterns, Disconnection & Repair

26:24 – Mother/MIL Expectations: Old Scripts, New Realities

32:57 – Flexibility, Self-Honesty, and Burnout Checks

35:25 – Scrappy and Real: Learning What They Don’t Teach in School

Tracy's Links:

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

Website: https://drtracyd.com/

You, Your Husband and His Mother on Amazon

I Didn't Sign Up For This on Amazon

Integrated Ottawa: IntegratedottawaIntegrated Wellness | Psychological Health Services in Ottawa

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https

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Laura's Links:
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In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura shares Lesson 8 from her “10 Lessons in 10 Years of Entrepreneurship” series — and it’s one that hits home for many of us.

This one’s called “No Ego, Amigo” — a reminder that while confidence is necessary in business, ego can quietly sabotage your success if you let it.

Laura breaks down how ego doesn’t always look like arrogance; it often hides behind overworking, perfectionism, and control. Through real stories from her 10-year journey — from delaying delegation to chasing validation — she explains how letting go of ego creates space for growth, ease, and better leadership.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – Introduction: 10 years, 10 lessons, and why “No Ego, Amigo” matters

01:00 – Ego isn’t arrogance: how it hides as overworking, perfectionism, and control

02:25 – The subtle ways ego shows up in entrepreneurship

03:00 – Delaying delegation: how Laura learned the hard way that letting go brings growth

04:48 – Why refusing help keeps you stuck in admin mode instead of CEO mode

06:30 – When ego stops you from course correcting and costs you time (and peace)

07:11 – Vulnerability vs. polish: how showing your human side builds connection

08:40 – The importance of receiving feedback without defense

09:15 – Chasing validation instead of values: saying no to misaligned opportunities

09:37 – Reflection after 10 years: ego as a liability, not an edge

11:00 – Three reflection questions to keep your ego in check

12:00 – Freedom on the other side of letting go

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
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In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with emotional intelligence expert Hiba Tanvir to unpack what EQ really is, why it matters in entrepreneurship and motherhood, and how to build it. From “downstairs vs. upstairs brain” to the pause–paraphrase–pivot method, they explore practical tools for responding (not reacting), raising emotionally intelligent kids, and leading with compassion in an AI-driven world.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – Why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Matters Now

00:31 – Meet Our Guest: Hiba Tanvir

01:23 – Hiba’s Work: EQ Strategist with Unconventional Tools

02:36 – What Is Emotional Intelligence? A Simple Definition

04:13 – “Emotions Are Not Fluff”: Reuniting Emotion + Intelligence

05:35 – The Four Pillars of EQ: Self/Social Awareness & Management

08:14 – Do the Inner Work Before You Lead Others

10:46 – In the Age of AI, EQ Is the Real Intelligence

12:48 – Empathy vs. Compassion (And Why Empathy Isn’t Enough)

16:41 – From Reacting to Responding: Where to Start

21:03 – Downstairs vs. Upstairs Brain: Name It to Tame It

23:23 – Coaching Kids (and Ourselves) Through Big Feelings

24:49 – Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

27:51 – Boundaries, Safe Outlets, and Returning to Repair

29:10 – Modeling Vulnerability at Home

32:00 – The Invitation to Repair (Not Time-Out, Time-In)

34:45 – Why Lack of Repair Becomes Adult Shame

36:43 – Closing Gratitude & Next Episode Tease

Hiba's Links: 

Website: https://www.htcompassion.com/

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

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
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• TikTok

In this episode, Laura dives into one of the biggest truths of entrepreneurship — that success is built on relationships, not isolation. She shares how every pivotal moment in her 10-year journey — from her first clients to major collaborations — has come from the power of connection. Laura opens up about what it really means to nurture your network, align with the right people, and build genuine relationships that support both your business and your personal growth. This one’s a heartfelt reminder that your business will always grow at the speed of your relationships.

In this episode you will hear:

00:12 – Lesson 7: We’re All in the Relationships Business

01:05 – Your Network Is Your Net Worth (If You Nurture It)

01:48 – Building Community vs. Building Alone

02:32 – Choosing Relationships That Align With Your Values

03:40 – Overcoming Fear and Finding Genuine Connection

04:53 – Playing the Long Game in Relationships

06:40 – Relationship-Driven Turning Points

07:17 – Why Building Alone Slows You Down

08:45 – Growing, Outgrowing, and Holding Boundaries

09:41 – Relationships as a Business Rocket Ship

10:50 – How to Be a Connector (Without Burning Out)

11:35 – The Shortcut to Success

12:03 – Reflection and Wrap-Up

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
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• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
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• TikTok