Category: Work

Happy Fourth of July, mama!

I know it’s a holiday, so I don’t want to take up too much of your time — BUT, remember when I talked about an epic mompreneur retreat?

Independence Day seems like the perfect time to invite you to register for the amazing, incredible, epic 3-day Free Mama Retreat that’s happening in October. 

Yes, it’s July, but you know just how fast the summer goes, and I really, REALLY want you to be a part of the awesomeness that is going to be happening in just a few months.

See, the 3-Day Free Mama Retreat is not a typical conference. It’s the ultimate work at home mom conference. It’s not just about listening to inspirational speeches and feeling like you can achieve anything. I mean, yes, we’ll do that — BUT, you’ll also be taking action, right then and there. 

Over the course of the three days (THREE DAYS, MAMA. THREE EPIC DAYS), you’ll spend time with our on-site photographer, so you’ll walk away with professional headshots. 

You’ll have the help you need to create all the digital assets you need for your business — they’ll be online and ready to go before you leave.

And by the end of the three days, you’ll know your messaging and be ready to talk confidently with clients.

Thinking about offering a specialty service in your business? We’re going to have some incredible resources on hand for you — including a couple of other powerhouse women hand-selected to give you the BEST, most PROFITABLE business training around.

The entire weekend is about creating the catalyst you need to propel your business forward — whether that’s kicking off and landing that first anchor client or upleveling to 6 figures and beyond. You’ll get the inspiration — but you’ll also get the tools and the action steps so that you know what to keep working on even after the Free Mama Retreat.

Here’s the thing, though: space at the event is limited. I want you to get the personal attention you deserve so and have the on-site support you deserve so that you can take action on the spot — and rock it out in your business. 

That’s why you need to snag your Early Bird ticket now. I want to make sure you have a spot.

And you know how much I love action takers, so I’m going to sweeten the deal for you. 

When you grab your Early Bird ticket by July 31st, you’ll get exclusive access to a private community of Retreat attendees to network and bond with before the event.

You, me, and a handful of ambitious Free Mamas who want to have a BIG impact are going to virtually connect once a week for two months leading up to the event. And yes, there will be margaritas.

Make a weekend of it, Mama. Celebrate your independence and book your spot at the best work at home mom conference – The Free Mama Retreat!

I can’t wait to see you there!

P.S. Don’t forget — you MUST get your Early Bird Ticket by July 31st to get exclusive access to our private community and pre-Retreat connection calls. Don’t miss out!

Have you ever wondered how to avoid online scams? You LOVE the idea of working online, rocking your pajamas (#nojudgement), and earning money while still being present for your kids…

…but.

You are TERRIFIED of the scams you know are out there. You’re a smart cookie, but still, you’ve seen other people get taken in by the Internet con artists who are out there.    You want to learn how to avoid online scams!

It’s a scary, scary place. 

Mama, I’ve got you covered. 

Today on FreeMamaTV, I’m exposing the scams and setting the record straight, so that you can get out there and do your thing with confidence.

You’ll learn what scams are out there, what to watch out for, and how to be sure that you, your money, and your family are totally safe. 

Check it out — and let me know in the comments if you learned anything new about how to avoid online scams!

Don’t forget to watch last week’s episode on how to quit your 9-5 the RIGHT way!

Last week, I told you all about the glorious life of a freelancer on vacation and how awesome it can be when you plan ahead for that downtime.

But it got me thinking…

…about what could happen in your freelancing business when you unexpectedly have to take time off and you didn’t plan for it.

Let’s talk about how to handle being sick as a freelancer.

Last month, I woke up one day feeling awful. My head was throbbing, I was dizzy, and everything ached. To top it off, we had storms and severe flooding in Houston, so school was cancelled. And all that rain meant the WiFi was spotty, so I couldn’t just park the kids in front of some Netflix for the day.

First-world problems, to be sure, but I still had to figure out what the heck to do about it.

Mama, this is going to happen to you, much as I wish it wouldn’t. There will be a day when everything goes wrong.

You will get sick, your kids will get sick, school will be closed, the WiFi will go down.

And sometimes, all of those things will happen on the same day.

Back in your 9-5 days, maybe you had the option of calling in sick and letting someone else deal with the fallout. But now that you’re a freelancer, you’re the person who will have to figure all of this out — and the best time to do your disaster planning is well before disaster strikes.

Like, right now would be good.

Here’s how to set your business up for success so you can take the occasional sick day without causing a catastrophe.

• Set up systems now. Get systems, procedures, and automations in place well before you need them. Have an out-of-office response ready to go so you don’t need to figure out how to set it up when you have a fever of 101. Know what your plan is ahead of time. Spend a morning working through these scenarios and write down a simple-to-follow procedure you can pull out when you need it.

• Work ahead. Don’t save your assignments until the day they’re due — that’s just asking the universe to dump a freak snowstorm (or insane flooding) in your lap. Get in the habit of finishing things earlier than you need to, so you have time for the minor emergencies that are an undeniable part of life.

• Batch your work. If you’re a social media manager, make sure you have a handful of posts and images in reserve for each client that you can fall back on in an emergency.

• Have a back-up plan. Working in customer service? Serving clients as a VA? Don’t wait until you’re in the ER with your toddler to talk to your client about handing off your duties for the day. Plan ahead for what will happen on the occasional — but inevitable — times you’ll need a day off.

• Suck it up. Mama, I say this with all the love in the world — and I can already see the responses I’m going to get — but sometimes you have no choice but to suck it up and get the job done. As kind and understanding as clients may be, there are times when you will have to honor the commitments you made when you filed for that LLC and signed the contract. This is where having some posts in reserve and good systems can save you — you can do the work for the day with less effort, so you can get back to bed faster.

Here’s the thing, Mama: you’re human. So you will run into occasional human issues, like illness and family emergencies. But when you run a business, you have to remember that your actions affect other people.

But now you know how to handle being sick as a freelancer.Do the responsible thing. Set aside a few hours to figure out what you need to do to keep your business going and serve your clients when you’re sick, and how you can make that happen.

So, you’re getting ready to leave that day job behind and work for yourself… but you’re not quite sure how to have the conversation with your boss, or what you’re supposed to do to prepare yourself for the Free Mama life. So…how to respectfully quit a job?

No worries — today’s episode of FreeMamaTV has you covered. You’ll get my 10-step plan for leaving work on great terms — even if you hate your boss.

Even if you’re just starting to think about this whole freelancing thing, this 10-step plan will show you just what to do, starting right now, so that when you’re ready to step away, you can do it respectfully — and even potentially turn your boss into your very first client.

Yep, Mama, that’s a thing — and you’ll see exactly how to do it.

Let’s get you set up to rock out your Free Mama life and learn how to respectfully quit a job!

Have you ever wondered if you can make money blogging? I’m dishing all the secret’s in last week’s episode of FreeMamaTV!

Have you ever wondered about scheduling vacation as a freelancer? Well, this is coming to you from Kansas City where I am on vacation as we speak. I actually set the whole thing up ahead of time, so I could be binging on breakfast with my kiddos — or sleeping in — while you read this.

(I’m not sleeping in. I have three children.)

The beauty of the freelance life and self-employment means that you can have a flexible schedule — and control when and where you work. Scheduling vacation as a freelancer works on YOUR schedule. One of my big goals when I started freelancing was to be able to visit my family — a 12 hour drive — twice a year.  

Now, you may also have small children, as I do, which means we’re not lazing in bed until noon, but we can still have amazing vacations — with a bit of prep work.

Here’s what to do if you’re freelancing and you want to take a vacation where you actually get to relax and enjoy yourself.

1. Plan ahead. I started prepping for this trip back in April. I looked at what I had on my calendar for this week, and what my normal recurring tasks and commitments are, and categorized them into things I could do ahead of time, things that could be delegated, and things that I’d go ahead and handle from here in KC.

2. Time block. Once I knew what I wanted to finish before I left, I scheduled time to get that work done. The Daily Five is the perfect tool for making sure you have enough time to do the work that will have the biggest impact on your business.

3. Protect your time. I made sure to set up my calendar so that no one would be able to book a call with me during my vacation. Doing this in advance meant no one was inconvenienced, and I don’t have to worry about finding a quiet spot in the middle of the day to take a phone call, when I’d rather be licking ice cream off my fingers and bouncing on the trampoline with my kids.

4. Delegate. When I was a full-time freelancer, I didn’t have a team that could step up when I needed some downtime. But I knew other freelancers, and when necessary, I could outsource a task or two to them. You have access to an amazing network of freelancers, Mama, so you can connect with someone incredible  if you need to hand something off and free up time in your schedule.

5.Set up your systems. If you’ve ever emailed me on a weekend, you’ve seen my autoresponder in action. I’ve set it up to let people know that I’m out of the office — but I’ll get back them during my regular working hours. You can set one up for yourself in minutes.

You started freelancing so that you could have freedom, right? So scheduling vacation as a freelancer that works for you takes some smart preparation and planning.

And lest you think I was born knowing how to do this all — let me assure you that is not the case.

Last year, I took this same vacation. I had to do it without my husband, because he couldn’t get time off from work. I bought into that whole “I can work from anywhere” thing, so I basically just brought along all of my assignments.

I spent most of my time hiding in closets and bathrooms, balancing my laptop on my knees and hoping the wifi would hold up during my calls.

It was not fun. It was not relaxing. And I didn’t want to repeat that experience this year — hence the planning.

Have you taken a business break? I’d love to hear how it worked for you!

You’ve seen them, mama.

Those bloggers, who tell you that they’ve made loads of money from their blogs  — and you can too.

You wonder if these ladies are being up front with you, how fast you could see the kind of money they’re talking about, and what the heck you’d have to do to make it happen. You’ve wondered…can you make money blogging?

Today, on FreeMamaTV, I’m pulling back the curtain on blogging — and how much money you can actually earn.

This episode is packed with information you won’t find anywhere else:

• Critical questions you must ask if you’re serious about making money from blogging
• Pro tips for growing a loyal following
• How bloggers earn money
• Stats on how much bloggers really earn

And, you’re also going to discover the fastest path to making a profit from your blog, so you can start earning money right away.

So…can you really make money blogging? Check out today’s show if you’ve been thinking about starting a blog — or if you’ve already started one and you’re ready for the money to start rolling in!

Don’t miss last week’s episode all about the best calendar app for moms!

Mama, we need to have a serious conversation.

Lately, I’ve noticed a trend in our Facebook group.

Posts that look like this:

I tried this one thing and I still don’t have a client.

I joined all the Facebook groups and I still don’t have a client.

I had a discovery call and I still don’t have a client.

I applied for 47 jobs and I still don’t have a client.

Often, a few amazing mamas will jump in with advice and suggestions:

Engage. Provide consistent value. Focus on connecting with people. Stop “applying” and start seeking out the people who truly need your help. Stop trying to figure out how to build your freelance career, and start creating meaningful connections.

Sometimes the original poster will hear this advice and apply it. And sometimes, I’m seeing replies that boil down to:

Well, I’m not going to do that.

Mama. No. Just no. That’s… not how we roll here.

If you want clients, if you want to know how to build your freelance career, you’re going to have to put in the work to get them. You CAN do this, but you have to show up.

If you missed the training I ran on YouTube a few weeks ago, it boils down to this:

Get ready, by optimizing your profiles on social media. The moment I click over to your Facebook page (or Instagram bio, or whatever), I should be able to understand what you do and how you can help me — so be super clear. If I can’t tell what you do immediately, I’m going to click away.

Do NOT use the phrase Jill of All Trades.

Mama, I’ve been there and made this exact mistake. You think, But I want to appeal to ALL the clients! But the reality is that you don’t appeal to anyone if you’re not specific.

Be specific somewhere — either in the service you offer (I help with Facebook and Instagram management, graphic design, email management, or something else) OR in the market you serve (I work with online course creators, private medical practices, tech start-ups, or something else).

Get set, and out yourself out there. Yes, you should engage in Facebook groups. NO, that doesn’t mean you should join 97 groups. You should pick, like, three, so that you can actually show up consistently and strategically.

And liking and commenting on posts isn’t engaging strategically — it’s playing online. Your goal is not just to post so you can say, “I posted.” You want to be creating real relationships and providing actual value.

Answer questions. Ask questions. Join in conversations in a meaningful way.

GO, and make the most of the connections you’ve formed with people. Someone replied to your post and asked for more information? Keep the conversation going.

If someone walked up to you in person and said, “I’d love to hear more about what you said,” would you just stand there silently? No, you’d find something to say.  So find some way to engage and reply online.

Ask a question: What’s the thing you’re spending time on in your business that frustrates you and doesn’t pay off?

Invite them to a chat: Want to have a quick virtual coffee? Here’s my calendar link!

And when you don’t hear back right away, take a lesson from your toddlers: don’t give up.Persistence is key. Instead of making up stories about why a potential client hasn’t replied, or hasn’t hired you, or whatever, keep showing up.

Until the client flat-out says, “I’m not interested,” keep at it.

Mama, everything I say, I say with love. I want nothing more than to see you succeed. I’ve made it my mission to help you leave behind your 9-5 and never have to choose between family and finances.

I can tell you all day long how to build your freelance career, but I cannot do the work for you. That part is on you.

Are you ready to step up? Then jump into the Facebook group and tell us how you’re going to make it happen!

P.S. St. Louis Mamas! Are you coming to the FreeMama Meetup and Workshop on Friday, June 28? Click here to save your spot and get all the details.

Ever have one of those days where you’re bouncing from task to task, trying to juggle kids, work, your spouse, and maybe even find a second to pee? #selfcare

Well, this week’s episode of FreeMamaTV is just for you, girlfriend.

You’re going to get a step-by-step walkthrough of how YOU can set up the system that changed my life — time blocking on Google Calendar, it’s the best calendar app for moms!

Okay, It may not sound sexy, but I can promise that it will rock your world. This one change will make it easy for you to get more done with less stress Every. Single. Day.

That’s sexy.

And you’re also going to get my favorite free productivity tool — which just happens to work perfectly with Google Calendar. This tool is what made it possible for me to leave my 9-5 behind and start working from home — and it can do the same for you!

Do you need to stop feeling busy and start getting things done? Then start today with the best calendar app for moms, and be sure to tune in today and get my secret weapon for crushing your to-do list without running yourself ragged.  

Did you catch last weeks episode? If you’re trying to head back into the workforce after being a stay at home mom, it’s a MUST SEE!

Oh, mama, the DRAMA.

Last year, my daughter Daphne joined the swim team. I had no idea what I was in for when we started, and if you were here for that saga, you got to see it all unfold in real time.

Well, it’s time for the sequel. You can think of this as Swim Team 2: Henry’s in the Pool.

There are a few differences between last year and this year — and a big part of it is that this year, I have expectations.

For example, last year, I was stunned (and terrified) to discover that signing Daphne up for swim team didn’t mean she was on the swim team. She had to prove her worth by swimming the length of the pool, which is approximately the length of the Atlantic Ocean.

(Maybe I am slightly exaggerating.)

Anyway, last year Daphne gave me this whole teachable moment. It was amazing.

This year, I was super nervous about the whole “swim through the shark-infested ocean” thing… and then something incredible happened.

We were at the pool, and all the kids were swimming with their kickboards. Meanwhile, I was chatting it up on the sidelines, filling up my daily social needs, and not really paying attention.

Suddenly, I realized that all the kids had tossed their kickboards to the sides and were swimming the length of the pool.

Unassisted.

Just swimming.

No one said, “THIS IS THE SWIM TEAM TEST.” No one made it a big deal. The kids just…

… swam.

It was oddly calm.

We love to hype stuff up in our heads — but does it really help us when we do that?

Would it have helped if Henry were totally stressed out about the swim team test?

When I told Henry, “You just made the swim team!” his reaction was, “Okay, cool.”

Henry focused on swimming, and the rest just happened.

In other words, am I telling you to jump in the pool with your kickboard? In a manner of speaking, I guess I am. Here is some freelance business support:

When you’re trying to land clients, it’s easy to hype up every interaction in your head.

However, if you build up every single discovery call in your mind, and convince yourself that signing this client is a matter of life or death, you will be stressed and tense. As a result, you will NOT be at your best.

In short, you should keep your focus on making a connection. You will be amazed at how much less stress you will feel. You will be able to connect — and the clients will come. Here’s a little more on that.

Give it a try — and share your experiences in the Facebook group!

P.S. Have more questions about starting your freelancing business and landing clients? Wanting even more freelance business support? You can find lots of answers right here.

Let me guess: you want to start earning money again, but you feel like you’ve been out of the workforce for way too long.  

Going back to work after sahm life can be scary!! What exactly are you supposed to tell people when they ask about your work experience? How do your mad LEGO skills and your ability to get your toddler to eat her peas translate to something a client would be interested in?

You might be surprised to hear it, but motherhood is arguably the best possible preparation for rejoining the workforce. Parenting your kids has given you all kinds of skills.

In this week’s episode of FreeMamaTV, you’ll see exactly how being a stay-at-home-mom has trained you to serve you clients better than any college course or corporate program ever could. Plus, you’ll learn how to show potential clients just how qualified you are — even if you haven’t had a job in years.

Check out this week’s episode of FreeMamaTV right here — and get ready to show the world what a superstar you when you are going back to work after sahm life.

Last week’s episode was all about juggling motherhood and work – creating more time and energy! Does that sound like something you want? Check it out here!

Don’t forget to subscribe to FreeMamaTV so you never miss another episode!