Welcome to the Virtual Antics podcast, where we help entrepreneurs streamline their business to six figures and beyond. These short, sweet and info packed episodes will inspire, educate and leave you feeling motivated to take one more step forward in your business. So put down your never-ending to-do list, because in this podcast we are interviewing the best of the best in the entrepreneurial world as they spill their secrets to success. This podcast is sponsored by Nandora, the all-in-one software for entrepreneurs to grow their business, with unlimited landing pages, automations, emails and text campaigns, and so much more. I'm your host, natalie Guzman. Now let's get into it. Welcome back to Virtual Antics podcast. As always, I'm your host, natalie Guzman. I am so excited because I have just the coolest person ever on the call today. So Rebecca Scott is here and she is a Midwest Mama serial entrepreneur. I can relate. Host of the Encourager podcast, designer and founder of a handmade purse and accessory brand for 15 years, and she is a coach for moms, committed to helping them thrive in their multi-passionate lifestyle without hustling.
Speaker 1Welcome, rebecca, how are you doing today Good? Thank you so much for having me on. Hey, I'm so excited you're here. I know when we first met, I just felt like this huge burst of energy from you and I can relate to that, I give off that too, and it was just like the coolest energy. So I'm so excited that you're here and to talk about something that I've experienced myself, but I feel like I definitely did a lot more hustling than I should have, so I'm so excited you're here to talk about it.
Speaker 1How'd you get into entrepreneurship?
Speaker 2You know, it's kind of that age old question where it's like you don't know how to answer it, because I think sometimes not always because I think it can be developed, but I would gather to say like, true, true, true entrepreneurship. They've been doing it since they were like four, like they just didn't know any other way of like, wait a minute, I could do this. And so, like, I started sewing at the age of four and then by fourth grade I was selling stuff on the playground that I had sewn. So for me it was really neat, like it was just born in me to be like, hey, I think I could make that and sell that. So started early on for me to answer that question. And then when I would get jobs, I would still be like, like, for example, I went to school for radio and TV broadcasting, totally random, but I met a man and he's still my husband and I just wanted to get married and have babies. So I was like, well, I'll just do radio because I already had a little bit of experience in it. So, anyways, I'm doing that and I'm at the radio station and they have me doing the 5am Sunday morning program or whatever. And I was like, gosh, this place is really messy. I'm going to ask if they need a janitor. So then they needed it, so that I would be in their janitor also. And then I'm like, gosh, you guys need a new paint job. So then I asked them if I could paint their stuff. So I was always like, no matter what job I was in, I was still looking at the fringe things around that could be done, that I could do. So that helps explain a little bit of the entrepreneur journey.
Speaker 2And then when I got my full-time job in radio, it just wasn't creative enough and so I was still doing the same thing where this was a bigger radio station. So I didn't need a janitor. But I was like, can I help write your copy, can I? And they couldn't. They couldn't say yes to things that I wanted, and part of that is just because it was more corporate. Like no, no, no, we have people. And I was like, well then, we're not, I'm not your person.
Speaker 2So I started making the purses just to create a outlet, realizing I'm just going to have to do this H5. Like this is just what it is. And so I would come home and sew because I love accessories. I love accessories and I thought, well, I'll get my sewing machine out at Creates Joy. And then we gave them as Christmas gifts and people started asking, like their friends and family were like, wait, where'd you get that person? It was a gift. And then they started placing orders. And so I'd love to say the rest is history, but there's 15 years of history in there, so we'll talk about that a little bit. But that is how it started. I started making these purses, people liked them and then they started placing orders and the alarms went off of like, yes, then I could stay home, raise babies, stay married to this cute guy and live my dream. So that's how my journey started. That's awesome.
Speaker 1So being a mom and an entrepreneur, I feel like is one of the hardest jobs, but you're a serial entrepreneur meaning you have more than one entrepreneur job, more than one business. So how do you kind of balance it all?
Speaker 2Well, I, you know, balance used to be this word that everybody's like don't say the word balance, it is true, because that's just it. I don't know that it can be balanced, but I do think we can harmonize our roles. So if we chose to be married and we are a spouse and we're a mom and we're an entrepreneur, and then we pick up another little side gig, I think they can be harmonized. But I think we have to be intentional about what it looks like, and so I think when we take that approach of balancing, it means one is doing better than the other, or you're trying not to get it to be like that. Well, that's exhausting. Like even just doing the motions is exhausting. So I like to think of it more as harmonizing the two of them.
Speaker 2I'm losing track of your question, natalie. You said, like, how do it is the toughest job to be an entrepreneur and a mom because there isn't a system already in place? Right, we're just for me, I literally started from scratch, like nobody was making custom purses and now we've been doing it, and so I do have systems that have developed, but I think, because I knew I wanted to still be a really good mom and be present and be a great spouse. I had to create systems, whether I created them myself from scratch or borrowed bits and pieces from other people. That's how I knew like I have got to have my own system if I'm going to do both of these and make sure that they harmonize together.
Speaker 1Yeah, and I feel like that's when things kind of started evening out. For us was like when I started creating like our SOPs, our standard operating procedures, and then handing them to our team, our virtual assistants, and then kind of just getting in this flow where I was able to take, you know, certain days of the week off and or able to, you know, my daughter go to all her doctor's appointments, so she can be overwhelming. But I like that. You said that it's not balancing, it's harmonizing, which is interesting because I do feel like there's always like a give or a take in all these sections of my life, right, because I'm a mom, I'm a wife to a first responder, I am a business owner, I am just me too.
Speaker 1I'm a daughter to, you know, my stepfather has Alzheimer's, all these things, right. And so I think before I had I started like delegating, even delegating to my children, my husband, which is a whole other thing. But once I started like relying on other people, it no longer felt like a tug of war, it felt more like almost kind of like, when those like balance means. So it's like, okay, I'm spending a little bit more attention here, and now I'm going to spend a little more attention here, and so I really like that you said harmonizing, because it is sometimes like just what you said right there, the harmonizing.
Speaker 2If you think of the word harmonizing and literally like somebody's hitting the A and somebody's hitting the C, it's just a lower vibration and a higher vibration and like those can sound still really beautiful together. But we'd be lying if we didn't say some work weeks are heavier than our whole lives and the reverse of that. I don't think that that has to happen for extended amounts of time, which is a lot of. What everyone says is like that's okay, you're a really good mom this week and then you'd be really bad mom next week. I was like no, that is not an option. So how do I in fact play the beautiful note and harmonize these two together?
Speaker 1Yeah, and another interesting point to that I had last night I heard a debate about to do less right and one guy's like don't do it don't have them.
Speaker 1He's like put things in your calendar, don't have to do less, and the other ones like, yes, have to do less, so you can schedule it out and, you know, organize it this way. It was just very interesting and I was actually thinking you know, sometimes work is a lot heavier and we didn't plan for it and so sometimes even I like on my to do this or my calendar just to schedule like breaks of free time. I started doing this thing where I have calls every other week, so whole week I don't have calls, which I was doing like 30 calls a week.
Speaker 1I think that that harmonizing, like what you're saying, like make one week heavier, make the next week lighter, so that way you can really focus on whatever area in your life and if you know there's a birthday coming up, make sure that's more, less work that week. Those birthdays don't stink up on you. And my kids are about to turn eight and seven, so yeah, I just had a birthday this week.
Speaker 2I could totally relate. That's an interesting thing about the to do list. I minus so satisfying. I gotta have it because I like to mark the things off. So if I didn't have what I would be obnoxious. I would be so obnoxious to people. I need my to do list.
Speaker 1Yeah, and another point one the one that didn't like the to do list was a man, and the one that did was a woman.
Speaker 2So that might say something right there.
Speaker 1Disclaimer disclaimer right there. So that was the but it was like a business coach of like 40 years versus, you know, a woman like in her 30s that is a mom and a wife and has multiple businesses as well. So it's very interesting.
Speaker 2One of my rules for that is do not take advice from anybody you wouldn't switch places with. Oh, so think about that. You know I'm not switching places with him. It's not that he's probably not a great guy and it has similar priorities and values that I do, but I wouldn't switch places. He's not living all the roles that I am living, so yeah, I love that.
Speaker 2I don't mind, somebody gave it to me years ago, but I use it when I'm always filtering, like if I'm hiring a coach or just visiting with anybody, attracting friendships and all that. It's like what I treat places with this person.
Speaker 1Yeah, understanding is very, very important. I have a lot of clients come to me and they're so overwhelmed because they've been the coach, the coach, the coach and I'm not really a coach and so.
Speaker 1But I do like strategize and I work them through scenarios. But there's a reason I don't label myself as a coach and for that scenarios because I'm like their last, their last hurrah. They're like I just need to get this done, but I can't do it, so my team steps in, we handle it and I kind of forgot where I was going with it, but anyways, so that is just, you know. Oh yeah, so that's why, like you were saying, I was thinking about like trying to get like a business coach so I can relate to and they really won't understand unless they've kind of gone through at least some of what I've gone through.
Speaker 2Oh my gosh, yes, 1000% guys. Don't hire a coach that isn't currently living or has lived where you want to be, and a ton of that. You guys don't be so dialed in on the certifications, but more about the experience. Yeah, so like I don't have a ton of certifications and coaching, but I have a heck of a lot of experience 15 years of running three different brands, kiddos, we farm in range, like you name it and so that speaks louder than the certifications, just the experience.
Speaker 1And just to back up that statement you know I've been running my business since 2015. And we have run so much marketing and website design and funnels and automations. I never went to college, I was a foster kid.
Speaker 1So yeah where'd you get your marketing degree? And it's never my clients to ask me this. It's like people that want to do what I do and I'm like I didn't. You know, I just self taught and you know trial and error and learning from other business owners, and that's kind of where I got to do. So I think it's also, you know, the experience is really important, because they actually have done the things that they're going to teach you to do.
Speaker 2And here's the best part that also probably tell you what they failed at. At least a good coach will tell you their failures and their successes so that you can learn and not have to do the really expensive lessons that failed.
Speaker 1Yeah, and I feel like a lot of coaches try away from like the negative aspect. But I think it's so important to like talk about the failures and talk about the negatives. And even, you know, I've been talking with a client of mine and it's really struggling in the hiring process and so we talk about the worst scenario and we talk about the best scenario and then we talk about the middle and I just think that something so therapeutic about that. So when she does experience the worst, if she does, if she is prepared for it, mentally, Absolutely.
Speaker 2I always put in my hiring process one of the lines in there and I will boldly say is unapologetically positive. Oh, that might be intimidating. I'm like, nope, not for the right person. I want like because I'm not going to like, come down from my little Pollyanna viewpoint. Guys, believe me, I'm not always a positive and energetic and stuff, but I need to attract the people that can still stay there and want to get there as well. Like their desire is for the positive.
Speaker 1Yeah, 100%, and you know that's what's going to really drive them to complete something. Their goal is having that positivity and that right energy?
Speaker 2Yeah, absolutely, plus, I'm the encourager. If you do have one of those bad moments, I'm going to encourage you up, Like I'll build you up. We'll do this, we'll finish the craft, we'll cross the finish line together.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's amazing. So what type of people do you coach and kind of help through?
Speaker 2A lot of them are women entrepreneurs. Or I actually do a lot of coaching of stay-at-home moms also who are running either nonprofits or just want to be more in tuned to systems within their home. But maybe they want to start a little side gig. So it might be an MLM, it might be volunteering more at their Christian school, it might just be they're doing something other, and I do not mean disrespect for stay-at-home moms, but they're doing something other than just the amazingness and the amount of work that's involved in the home, so usually have one other side gig that they're doing. Or I coach a lot of people like you said. They're on their last thread and they're like I just I need to take this home and I don't have the know-how. So mine is. I just feel completely chaotic in both home and work life and I don't know where to start. And they're my favorite because I have a framework called the five systems that just like walks them through it, but it's self-guided. So I can say like and I love when I get to coaching, especially one-on-one, because I pick up on the things that delight them. You've seen it on a client's face and their face lights up and you're like wait a minute. You just like really came alive there and they're like, and embarrassed to admit it, like I don't know why, but I love shopping for vacuum cleaners. But well, tell me more about that and then you know it also might cater. When I learn what they're excited about or what's lighting them up that they aren't even willing to admit to themselves, then I'm like, well, let's like pull that thread a little bit and talk about that. Maybe they love laundry and they're like I just don't allow enough days for laundry. Believe me, there is people out there that do that and I was like, oh, not me. But I'm like well, then let's reply a little bit more time to figuring out your laundry system. So it's not overwhelming and it goes back to that you get into binge, watch whatever while you fold laundry, you know. So that's a lot of.
Speaker 2Who I coach is people that are just very overwhelmed with home and work life and are receiving the message that you can't do both. Well, it has to be one or the other every other week or whatever. Like it's not, like we're not going to parent, and I'm like I don't believe that is true and I've been doing it for 15 years and I am not always joyful and they are not always beautifully harmonized, but for the most part we do them well together, which is why I can pick up another brand and I can pick up another pursuit, because we have systems in place. So that's who I like to coach and who I like to keep rallying around and telling them that, no, it is possible to do both well and with joy, cause they're like well, I guess it just requires more hustle. I'm like no, it doesn't. No, no, no, no, I try to remove as much hustle as possible. It's too exhausting.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's awesome. So I actually I think that's so needed because I had two children 12 months apart and then I had to find a side hustle to help contribute to the household and that's kind of how I got into my whole business and virtual performance and so having I always say that you know, I started being a mom at the same time I became an entrepreneur, which is sounds like that's like a lot of people who you coach that is so overwhelming. I actually got diagnosed with like sleep deprivation because I wasn't sleeping enough and oh man, it was horrible and I think that's also. We had the rockest time in my marriage was, you know, when the kids were babies, of course, because you really don't understand until you're thrust into it just like how much it is.
Speaker 2So we did absolutely yeah, when were you when my kids were little? I might just have to hire you now, even though there's almost seven and eight. I would love it because there's still, like I always say there's, I mean so far with my four kids. This has been true for me, but I don't know that's true for everybody. There is a sweet period in parenting, from about the age of five to about 10, 11. That is so awesome. They're like self-sufficient, They've got opinions, but they're still lovey-dovey. And then past 10, then there's a little bit more parenting. But you are in that sweet period. So just soak up every last minute of that sweet period.
Speaker 1Yeah, I love they'll do chore charts Like they love it. My daughter loves to know that she has to put her glasses on every morning and see it on a little paper and it's like the yeah.
Speaker 1And they got really cool personalities. You get to see what they're good at. I love. I love the stage. I did not like before five. I loved my kids, I loved my family, but under five was like. So someone is listening in their experience and saying that right now I'm with you, I'm just sending you positive thoughts, but it's hard and it does get better. There is that sweet spot.
Speaker 2So there's a sweet spot. I always wish they would have came in at the age of two, because that newborn stage to me I was like this is a seven pound sack of flour and I just have to keep it alive. So there was just like so much nervousness. Now I got better, obviously, with each one of them I'm like I just I would like to have a conversation with God about the age of two, on the little more manageable and a little less scary. Oh yeah.
Speaker 1I remember, you know, we've been through a couple of hurricanes and, as a former Massachusetts girl, we never had hurricanes in Massachusetts, so we had blizzards. I could take those any day, but hurricanes are a whole nother beast. And I remember, you know, my husband was a first responder, so he was working during the hurricane. So I was at home with two babies and a dog and I was like who gave me a license to take care of these human beings? Who certified me to do this? And then who gave me the permission to hire people, to be a boss and to like help people in their businesses that they're livelihood Like I'm like, who gave me permission to do this?
Speaker 2This is such a good segue. Now, luke, I can't help but think you saying that is so relatable, right, but the message out there is like it's all chaotic and it's gonna be fine, you're gonna get through it. And I'm like that is a crack of bull, if I be so bold. You were given these roles for a reason. I'm a woman of faith, so I know that God gave you these individual roles and he sees you fit to do them.
Speaker 2Do not let anybody tell you it is not possible. Even when they're teeny, tiny, like you talked about, if you are pursuing a side hustle, it may not look like when they're five, but you could still do it at 1%. You could still be having one client or one product or one social media platform. You guys like it's still doable, and you asking yourself because I still like, am I qualified to do this? And then you throw your shoulders back and you're like, yeah, I am, yeah, I am. I got through hurricanes with two babies and a dog while my husband was out serving everybody else. I can do this Like.
Speaker 2So, from leaving the fact that when you pursue a role or you're holding a role, that it's all in the big picture of what you're capable of, 100%, yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't. I don't believe it needs to be chaotic, because it's not like we can say no to some of the roles. You can't stop being a daughter. You can't stop taking care of your stepdad. You can't stop being a spouse, or we don't want to. You know, like. So how am I going to manage these wells, these roles? Well, and it's possible.
Speaker 1Yeah, 100%. So where can we learn more about you and find more about your?
Speaker 2services, oh, awesome. Well, there's tons of resources out there. So I do run three brands. So if you're interested in the coaching or my podcast, I have 250 plus episodes so you can binge listen to all kinds of my resources and my practical tips and actions at the encourage your podcast, calm, or if you search for the encourage around any of your podcast apps On my website, there's tons of these free resources where we have a habit tracker, probably similar to what Natalie offers as well.
Speaker 2We just have a ton of free resources on there, and I've also made a digital course called the encourage your Academy and that has the five systems that I run my life with and it's Less than six hours so you can absorb it in a weekend, you guys, and it's just so practical. You walk away with a worksheet from every system so that you can cater it to your unique lifestyle, and you can. You have lifetime access so you can go back to be like you know what I really need to revisit my food system. It's totally broke. You have lifetime access to the Academy and then I also offer One-on-one coaching.
Speaker 2If you're interested in that, I'd love to stand beside you because, again, I'll recognize when your face lights up and the different roles that you want to improve. I'll rally behind you and I've got tons of easy, practical things to start implementing them so you'll see the results that you want. And then, if you want a really cute purse as long as we are alive yeah, I'm a video guys. I make custom purses that are and so if you go to design your own purse comm, you get to customize your own person accessories, including some genuine leather products as well Awesome.
Speaker 1I'll make sure all that's in the show notes, as always as well. But thank you so much for coming on. It's been so much fun.
Speaker 2Yes, and guys, listen to the encourager, because Natalie's gonna be on mine. I can't wait.
Speaker 1All right, and we'll talk to you guys, next time on the virtual index podcast.