Reclaiming Your Hue

Ep. 55 with Brenda Brusegard | Founder, InformedTech

• Kelly Kirk

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The Tech-Stress Solution

What happens when international travel, motherhood, and technology expertise combine? You get a fresh perspective on how women entrepreneurs can thrive while maintaining crucial boundaries between business and family life.

Brenda Bruzegard brings her unique global viewpoint to this conversation, sharing how 15 years in education across Ecuador and India shaped her approach to business. Her journey took an unexpected turn when, at eight months pregnant, her employer suggested she might not return after maternity leave – a pivotal moment that sparked her entrepreneurial ambitions. "If I was going to face this uncertainty anyway, I'd rather it be on my own terms," Brenda reflects, capturing the sentiment that drives many women toward business ownership.

Now living in Panama with her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Brenda helps women entrepreneurs manage tech stress and streamline processes so they can scale their businesses without sacrificing family time. Her practical approach to technology includes simple boundaries like turning off email notifications and protecting morning routines as sacred self-care time. Through personal examples – from optimizing client intake forms to creating AI-powered email systems – she demonstrates how small technological improvements create massive time savings.

The conversation delves into the stark differences between international approaches to motherhood support, building community in new countries, and the power of intentional goal-setting. Brenda's dedication to helping women implement systems that allow them to "not look at their phone after 5 PM" speaks to the work-life integration so many entrepreneurs seek.

Whether you're struggling with tech overwhelm in your business or curious about how AI can streamline your daily operations, this episode offers practical insights from someone who's mastered the delicate balance of entrepreneurship and motherhood across continents. Connect with Brenda at informedtech.io to discover how technology can help you reclaim your time while growing your business.

Connect with Brenda:

Contact the Host, Kelly Kirk:

  • Email: info.ryh7@gmail.com

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Credits:

  • Editor: Joseph Kirk
  • Music: Kristofer Tanke


Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue!

Speaker 1:

Good morning, Brenda, Good morning.

Speaker 2:

Kelly, how are you? I'm doing great. How are you?

Speaker 1:

I am doing fantastic. I am so thrilled to get started with this interview and have our listeners hear more about Brenda and her journey into entrepreneurship more about Brenda and her journey into entrepreneurship. But first, before we dive into all of that, the meat and potatoes I would love for you to share with the listeners how it is that the two of us are connected. Go Sure.

Speaker 2:

So we have this connection that spans continents now and pandemic challenges. Yes. So during COVID I was working at an international school in India and, like many people, I was essentially confined to my home from March to October, and in India it was very extreme. I couldn't leave my apartment until about August. I couldn't even walk outside with my dog. It was very locked down. So when we finally were able to get out, my husband and I decided to go back to the US. We're originally from the Minneapolis area, but we needed a place to live and I didn't want to stay in my parents' basement. So we ended up buying a house and my brother-in-law, who's a real estate agent, recommended you to help us with our mortgage. So we went through that process, which was complicated because we were not employed full time in the US.

Speaker 1:

Right, but somehow we made it happen. Yes.

Speaker 2:

Yes, it was. I feel like it was a small miracle, but we got it done and so that's great. We saw we've got that house and it's fantastic.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I do just want to take a hot second to walk the listeners to through some of the challenges that we encountered. One we're spanning time zones, right, so there's the time difference in like us being able to communicate back and forth one another, and I think we got it down, we dialed it in. However, that also came with complications of like you being able to get documentation. That was critical for us to be able to get in the underwriting phase and have all of that taken care of, and that comes with its own timeline. So I mean, it was just the international component plus how you guys were getting paid and the manner of which like getting that, that like cause it's not us dollars, right, it was there was this conversion that needed to happen.

Speaker 1:

It was logistically like looking back on that, I'm like for the listeners, I'm no longer in mortgage, like if you've been following the journey, I haven't been in mortgage now for quite some time a little less than a year but I am just astounded at the mortgage lenders that, like that's their primary focus is like people who are coming over and purchasing internet like on an international scope. It's it like it is a challenge, but like kudos to you guys that was like my one. We couldn't you for getting it done. We did it, we did it. But what's so cool is like here we are now and we are having like.

Speaker 1:

What I loved is that you reached out to me and thank you for doing that when you were making this transition yourself, as you saw that I had joined forces with my husband and we reconnected over zoom. You shared your journey, I shared my journey. So let's pick up there and um and talk the listeners through, like what came first for you, first and foremost, was it entrepreneurship or was it motherhood? And then let's let's dive further into it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, sure, so motherhood definitely came first in my journey. I spent the last 15 years in education as a librarian and science teacher and a tech person, and this, like sequence, has been significant because it's really informed how I am as a mother and how I approach business with empathy, with patience and a focus on creating systems that allow for better work life integration.

Speaker 1:

Ooh so good. Thank you for elaborating on that too, Cause I was going to ask, hey, can you elaborate on that? Because I think that that's. There's so many commonalities between, like, the world of entrepreneurship, right, and then how that applies to motherhood. And you're in this unique position where, like, motherhood came first right and you took some of what you had learned in education being a librarian the tech part of it, the science part of it and applied it to motherhood. But then how, how and what you're doing now. So what is it that you are doing now?

Speaker 2:

Basically, I help women entrepreneurs manage their tech stress and streamline their processes so they can scale their business and make more money.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so we leaped right Like and that's my apologies I like I kind of leapfrogged over like this humongous chunk of time, and so I think it was important for the listeners to like understand what it is that you do now. But let's, let's take a step back. So you had been in education and how long you were in education, for how long you may have mentioned it, but, apologies, can you refresh my memory? 15 years, okay, 15 years. And when did your son arrive?

Speaker 2:

Did your son arrive.

Speaker 1:

Two and a half years ago yeah, so two and a half years ago, and you have been overseas for a good chunk of time, so we had kind of filled the listeners in on how it is that we know one another. You had made your trek from being in the international scope back to the Twin Cities, but then you went back internationally, so can we give context to the listeners of what that looked like?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's kind of confusing, but it's so cool.

Speaker 1:

Like I'm like living vicariously through you always.

Speaker 2:

Yes, so about 11 years ago, I went to Ecuador. First I was there for four years and then I moved to India, and I was in India for a total of six years, but two of those years were online. So even when we lived in Minneapolis, we were still working in India, but also in real time. So I was working from 9 PM to 5 AM.

Speaker 1:

Um, and then and now, uh, we live in Panama which is so cool and and I'm sure like such a well, you tell me it feels like it might be a stark difference from that lifestyle that you lived in in India to what the lifestyle is now in Panama. Can you allude to it?

Speaker 2:

yeah. So India was very um, it was it's complete opposite, I feel what what my life here in Panama is like. India is very busy, hustle, hustle and bustle, big city, people everywhere, no space, no sidewalks. It was hard actually. We needed to leave India because it's not a great place to raise small children. We had to stay in our apartment complex all the time. To drive anywhere it would take an hour in traffic, so it just wasn't what I wanted. I wanted some more freedom, I wanted grass, I want parks, and I think this part of living abroad really shapes your perspective, and I have more of this global perspective and appreciation for how other people live 100% percent.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I mean, and and what's so cool, brenda, is like you you're the first person who I have had on that really is like true international scope.

Speaker 1:

I've had an individual on from Canada which I mean it is, it is international, but it's Canada, you know and like.

Speaker 1:

So there's a lot of commonalities between the lifestyle that's lived in Canada to the United States. There are a lot of differences, but like when you go across the pond and especially you know, like the India space, like wow, I'm sure that the lifestyle is just so different and how you live your day-to-day you know, and and you, what's, what's fun is like you had that perspective as what I like to call the independent Brenda. Right, like you and Matt were married, you were there together, but you had this mindset of like living in that, in that realm, on an independent status, like you could kind of come and go, go where you needed to, more freely than when you truly were like pushed into motherhood. Yeah, and it's just like everything just changes and I'm sure it gets, it gives perspective to like the lifestyle that's lived in India and how motherhood is approached too. I would love for you to share a little bit more about what you saw in that scope and then how that played into you becoming a mother as well.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so I had to. I needed a nanny, first of all because daycare is not really like a thing in India. Everybody has a nanny and the you know your baby stays at home. So well, first of all, I was lucky enough because it's a government regulation to have six months paid maternity leave. So I had the six months to spend with my son, which was incredible, to bond. But we brought a nanny on pretty early on I think a month in because I wanted to have like a smoother transition to train the nanny how I wanted to raise my son, because it's different how they treat babies there and kids in general, so I kind of needed to ease her into how I wanted to raise my son.

Speaker 2:

Um, babies there are like never set down, they're always in somebody's arms, for example, and I really wanted I have like a Montessori type um belief that you know independence and they I mean obviously not as a six-month-old doing things himself right, at least he's like not in somebody's arms all the time. Yeah, um, you know they do co-, co sleeping, so they they don't have cribs and they co sleep for a long time. It's an approach and that wasn't something that I wanted for me. So I know some people do that, which is fine. It's just you know, it's a personal choice.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, 100%, and neither good nor not good, it's just, it's an approach and it seems to work for some people and then for individuals like us, where we're like, I think that that's we're going to try a different approach, and that is allowing them to have their own space and us to have our own space as well and create that division.

Speaker 2:

Another thing that's interesting there is that people really feel like they can just tell you all these things about how to be with your baby or how to how to be a mom, which, even when I was pregnant, it was like it was a lot, because women that are pregnant in India they are kind of they're treated like queens, like you shouldn't be lifting a finger, you should barely be walking, um. So that was very eye-opening. And so when I was at work because I was working, um, and I was in the library anytime I carried like three books people were like, can I help you? Like, like, like no, I'm okay. Like I can give you these three books. Or in the lunch line it was like a buffet with fruit. I you wouldn't believe the amount of times where other women told me that I shouldn't be eating pineapple and I was like, cause they think that it's like, doesn't it like kickstart?

Speaker 1:

the it's like it's supposed to up your body temperature or something, hey, like a micro amount, I don't know yeah, but how cool like you've got this really interesting perspective of like the massive differences between what it looks like here in the States and what it's like internationally. And and I am like mind blown at the amount of time that was provided for you to have maternity leave, like cause that's. That was a sore pain point for me in terms of the amount of time that I was able to spend with Maddie versus going back to work, and the reality is is that I was consistently checking my email, even like within a couple days timeframe of Maddie arriving, like that's in my. For me personally, it wasn't healthy. Looking back on that. It was mentally for me too much of an overload.

Speaker 1:

But that's what it looks like here in the States for individuals, for entrepreneurs, for the mompreneurs of the world, and so I am just like a bit envious of this amount of time and I've, I truth be told, I had done some like digging into like what does it look like around the world for other countries and their maternity leaves? And it was just mind boggling to me like the stark difference between the United States and how we as women are treated versus other countries and and other parts of the world. It's just so you know, and I'm sure, like you said it, it didn't come without its own challenges as well, in terms of like when you were pregnant and all of this like unsolicited advice that was being given to you, and perhaps other components of that too. So can you speak to that, allude to that a little bit more?

Speaker 2:

that too. So can you speak to that? Allude to that a little bit more? Yeah, I like it was interesting to learn all of these like what I kind of consider like old wives tales, um, but I will say that the support for the mother in India is huge. Like the family comes together, they, they like do everything. Now I didn't have a family, so, um, I mean a big family to come take care of me, but normally, uh, you don't leave women. The new moms don't leave the house for 40 days, like that is like a standard. You stay in the house, you're with the baby and everybody is like taking care of you.

Speaker 1:

So that that's kind of like how do you feel you saw that play out in terms of, like the, the different seasons of lives, life that women and their children and the families went through after the fact, right Cause I'm sure, like you, had been there for several years and so you saw all of all of that around you. How do you feel that perhaps benefited?

Speaker 2:

I think the support for the women is like it's so strong that it's really powerful to see, although I will say that once you come back to work, there wasn't as much support. There, for example, I mean, I was working in an organization that employs mostly women. There's constantly it was a large school, so there's a. There's always somebody on maternity leave and like somebody coming back and there was no support for breastfeeding. Uh, when I came back, they told me I said okay, where can I go and pump? They told me I could go to the nurse's office. Now the nurse's office has like curtains around the beds that you can pull closed, but like there's no private room or anything, you're just like there's like eight beds in there with like curtains you can pull around. So the first time I went in there to do it, the machine's going and I can hear like seven-year-olds being like what's that noise?

Speaker 1:

yeah, don't worry, just meet over at the pump.

Speaker 2:

And I was like I can't do this, like I cannot, like a seven year old could just open the curtain right now. Like I can't like I'm not relaxed. I'm not in the mental state that I should be, so I really had to like push for a room, which they finally did give me a place that was more suitable. But like I was just shocked that there's no support, like nobody had asked for that before, like I don't know, I was very confused by the whole thing.

Speaker 1:

But you. But there were other women who were nursing, Like when coming back to work. Yeah, that is.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I think they would go in the bathroom.

Speaker 1:

Really interesting. Yeah, that's. That's fascinating the, the length of time that is provided for, that maternity leave and the support and sort of this, like bowing down to women as they're pregnant and then after the fact, but then that after, after is completely disregarded, which is like if you, if you're going to take in the full circle of like, all right, I've gone through the labor, now I'm staying home for maternity leave, I still want to continue to nurse, and a lot of women try to nurse for as long as humanly possible, which can be upwards to a year plus, you know. So it just, it completely depends. But really, really interesting, very interesting. Now your son is two and a half years old, very close in age to Maddie, like crazy close to the age of Maddie. And so when, when did you decide it's time to make a move? And what? What was the like decision factor for selecting Panama in that environment?

Speaker 2:

there's like a lot of factors that went into the decision. Um, well, we knew we wanted to get out of India because it wasn't as family friendly as we wanted it to be, so that was decision one. Then it was a process of, okay, where are we going to go? We go back to the states, but we go to another country. Um, we kind of really were favoring somewhere with Spanish speaking so that our son could learn Spanish. Um, and so my husband started applying for jobs. He's a administrator, he's in administration now. So I told him you know, why don't you apply? And I think I want to start my own company. So, like, you get the job and we'll go, based on what happens with you. So that's what happened. He had lots of interviews and Panama just fit, but like, checked all the boxes when he was going through the process Spanish speaking, really close to home, same time zone, um, cool. So I think we talked about that?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think we talked about that when we had reconnected. Um and I, I actually am like, wow, it's the same time zone, but that makes sense at the same time. So, um, I, I wanna. I caught that part where you mentioned I want to start a business. So was the business idea what you're doing now, or was it something different? At that time she said something else for the listener, for people who are listening, because we only have the audio, she was shaking her head. No, so, brenda, would you would you mind sharing a little bit more about, like initially, what that idea was and then how we got to where we're at now?

Speaker 2:

so my initial idea was I'm really I love technology, integrating technology. At my school. I did lots of professional development for the teachers and everybody there and I was really into AI at at the school I was at and helping shape the policy and get tools on board so that we could work with it, with the students. So I thought, okay, I can take this and I can help other schools and I could be like a consultant for AI in education. And as I started going into that journey, I realized that schools are really big and complicated and I had been working in schools for 15 years and I know how big and complicated they are and I just thought it takes forever for anybody to change, to really want to change. Um, and I wanted to be a change maker, like I really wanted to change lives, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought I don't think it's going to work in education Like well it's just a I need to do yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, we had a pretty extensive conversation about this and just to to refresh some of the listeners of what my my past looks like like my my degree is in elementary education. Looks like like my my degree is in elementary education and here in the states that the the world of education it's. It's a beast and it's different here than it is in other countries. And still you have somebody that is brenda, who has worked in the education space internationally, who's also saying the same thing like it's just like.

Speaker 1:

Once you get into, like the, the, even the higher ed component of it, trying to like break something that's like, or, let me back up, fix something that is, in essence, broken and implement something that truly could help benefit the system, benefit those who are working within the system but, most importantly, benefit the children, who are the reason education is in place. It's rearing of children, and so I feel like it's backwards. It's like we're not actually as a world, considering first and foremost the kids and the impact and then everything else around it. But I'm sure you can argue like the systems, processes, procedures, like, get that in place first and have really good systems, processes and procedures first and then. How does that go down? What do you think?

Speaker 2:

yeah, I think also one of the I'm. You know, now that I'm out of education, I'm sort of like questioning everything, like what is the point? Where is this all going? What are we preparing students for? Because the world is changing and disciplinary knowledge used to be king. It used to be what you know, and it's changing. As long as you know how to problem solve and find the information, you don't need to know everything.

Speaker 1:

it's more about skills and that's not what students are assessed on and measured on okay, so a little bit off the heels of what we're actually focused on here for the interview, but, you know, perhaps we can tie it in some way, shape or form, as, as a previous librarian, like that was something that you primarily focused on. Like librarians are the wealth of knowledge right, and so I. So, for you, having been in that position and where you're at now and having this like stark realization and this like aha epiphany of like what, what is happening, and like how do you see librarians? Like the future of of that within the education system, like going, when do you foresee that and what happens with them?

Speaker 2:

So for years now, I mean, we've been saying that digital citizenship skills in schools are really important, like students using the computers responsibly and how they're messaging people, like just how to work with your computer and along with that, it's how you're accessing information, questioning information where it came from, basically media literacy type skills, and we're going to need this even more in this new age of information overload, like there is information everywhere and it's exhausting to sift through it.

Speaker 1:

It truly is, and so, yeah, go ahead.

Speaker 2:

I was just going to say, having these skills of being able to cut out the noise, figure out what to focus on, what to pay attention to, who you can trust Because now I mean with AI and the images and the AI video, like being able to figure out what is real and what is not it's kind of crazy.

Speaker 1:

It really is. It's it's mind boggling to me just in, in what I have seen and the evolution, even within the last year, of those like digital images that AI has been able to create Like. At first I was like, oh okay, this is just not going to cut, it's not going to cut it. And now you know, even in a very short period of time and progression, of how AI is like evolving, I'm like I wouldn't, I would not have even been able to tell. And even with video, even with video, it is just, it's crazy cool, but it's crazy scary at the same time too. I'm sure that there's a warning in all of this as well. But let's get back to Brenda, and where you were at with initially making the transition to Panama, wanting to start your own business, tackle the education system, realizing that's just not going to cut it. And so let's, let's pick up at that point, and then I'll bridge over to what it is that you're doing now and really dive headfirst into that.

Speaker 2:

So I started working um on a contract basis with an ed tech company that I really liked and it's a very small company, like they don't really even have a marketing department and I was helping them with sales of their product in the K-12 space.

Speaker 2:

And that was a contract job.

Speaker 2:

I didn't want it to be full time because I knew I wanted to start consulting, but I kind of needed to dip my toes into the business side of a business because I've always been in education, which is different.

Speaker 2:

I've been on, like, the buying side but not the selling side, and I needed to hone those skills and learn. And so through that position I realized because it's such a small company and they didn't have the funds to like hire more people that I needed to make the job there more efficient by streamlining processes and implementing systems using leveraging AI where I could to help me get things done that were, quite frankly, time consuming and not money making activities. So I'm talking like email or making presentations or videos and just trying to get things running on its own versus me having to like do everything. So I started exploring how I could do this at that job and then through that I streamlined a lot of things. And I thought and I started talking to friends and family about like what I was doing there, and everybody was like, oh my gosh, can you help me family about like what I was doing there?

Speaker 1:

and everybody was like oh my gosh, can you help me?

Speaker 2:

and so that's how the idea came, because I just was like doing it anyway for people and like giving them ideas or sparking ideas for how they could use technology or AI more in their life in personal life or in their business life and every single person was like this is so helpful. Thank you so much, and I just realized I wanted to help more people.

Speaker 1:

And you've niched down even more so since the last time that we connected Cause I. I feel like at at that point, and that was only like earlier this year, not too long ago, like less than four months ago, where you were like I want to help you know, small businesses, I believe, is what you and now, yeah, each down even more, which is cool.

Speaker 1:

It can be super scary to niche down, but I don't think people understand that in doing so, you can get so clear in your messaging to people, that is, women, about how you can help serve them. So what? What caused the change for you?

Speaker 2:

I just realized that I've been sitting in lots of you know, tech trainings and meetings about tools and webinars and it's all men. It's all men and I was just like, where technology is? A lot of men, the male heavy position. Tech sales is heavy with men. I was just at a conference this last weekend and it was 90% men and I just thought to myself I really want to work with women because women business owners we're amazing. Like, not only are we running the family, you're also running a business, and I want to bring clarity to women and to help them streamline so that they can just be even more awesome and not have to look at their phone after 5pm. Like because you know things are still running in the background without you having to pay attention to it.

Speaker 1:

How cool is that and I'm sure that there is some like going off for individuals who are listening right now, like that's me. That is seriously me. Like I, I run the household, I'm the CEO, I'm the CEO of my household. I'm sure you're the CEO of your household, like I know, being the C. So it's, it's a load. You know, you really think about the load that we as women carry, and it is not to diminish or dismiss the load that men carry too, because if they are truly like the CFOs or like the heads of the households, then that's, that's a load too, and I mean it in in both a positive and then also, like you know, it's heavy Sometimes. It's a heavy, heavy thing to carry, but if you can get coefficient in the streamlining of, like what does everything look like, from chores to managing household tasks, to what you're doing within your business, amen, hallelujah, yes, yes, yes, you know it's like we will, we'll take that and we'll run with it as as, as quickly as we can, and so I love that you have one.

Speaker 1:

It really came out of like recognition of this tech space that it is heavily male dominated, and I think of a few people that I've come across here in the Twin Cities who are in that tech space, who I'm like unheard of Right, and we have this dialogue of like that's unheard of and they're even saying like yes, it is, and yet they're still able to make you know waves for themselves and kind of pave this pathway for themselves to help support in a way that otherwise you wouldn't initially get from a, from a man that is, it's just a kind of touch that you can get from, from working with somebody who perhaps is just a little bit more nurturing or has a firm understanding of, like the load as women that we carry.

Speaker 1:

Knowing that there is this idea of like managing the household as the CEO, but then also working in a business and managing the business as well, it's wild, it's crazy. This is a, this is a phenomenon and a dynamic that we can certainly explore. So let's do it. I want to, I want to go through this, because talk myself and talk the listeners through like what that looks, the dynamic of that, what it looks like for you in your household and then in making this transition into your business, into being a mompreneur. What has it all looked like or how has it shifted for you as well?

Speaker 2:

In terms of.

Speaker 1:

In terms of like. So you nodded your head like, yes, I'm the CEO of the household, right, but then you also are now managing a business. Like what does that dynamic look like?

Speaker 2:

yep. Well. So one thing is boundaries, yeah, needed in both the household life with my two and a half year old as well as in the business. So, like I said, said you know, checking email after 5pm.

Speaker 2:

I don't want to do that and I don't have notifications for email on my phone. I can only get to it if I purposefully click on the app, like I have email but I don't want to be prompted, because if you get the ding, if you get the notification, you're going to look at it, but if you don't get the notification you don't think about it, unless you're like waiting for an email and then, whatever, you open the app, but I'm out of sight, out of mind. I love that. So, making sure to set up these boundaries and being intentional about what do you, what do you want in your business, what do you want in your home life, and then working every day towards that, those goals, doing small things, what can I do today to get to this larger goal? And I write down in a notebook every morning like what am I going to do to get to this other goal today?

Speaker 1:

It's so fascinating. I can literally like look back and see, even from moments ago, when we were talking about being in education, versus what we're talking about now, and how your eyes light up, how you've perked up a little bit more, and so this is important. It really is. I was just re-listening to the episode that's going to be dropping this next Tuesday and, interestingly enough, we were talking about this intersection of like being passionate about what you do and having like it's the evidence is so clear. Like I'm so passionate about what I'm doing, I'm setting my goals and stuff. But having boundaries is so important too, because if you're one of your goals is to be able to spend quality time with your family which I'm just reading in between the lines, brenda, like I'm reading in between the lines of that that that's probably something that's pretty important for you. Like, if one of your goals is to be able to spend more quality time with your family, then you have to have boundaries set up no matter how passionate you are about what it is that you're doing.

Speaker 1:

Those boundaries are still very important, but I love seeing you light up, because I talk a lot on the podcast and with guests about, like, what's your aim, where are you aiming at? Like, what are your self guiding principles? Like, what's that overhead for you? And if, if you're setting your goals and you've got the passion and the drive behind it, it's hard for business to not follow so long as you've got the boundaries and the parameters set up in place. And what's so cool is now you are in the space capitalizing and utilizing AI, which is helping so many people to be more efficient, even down to like.

Speaker 1:

I'll give an example of how I'm, you know like, even down to like, how I'm responding in an email to have it sound a little bit more polished, just a little bit more polished. Like, have it sound like me, but just polish it up, you know like. And the efficiency of that communication, like, if you're not using AI, you're missing out, you're leaving money on the table. So I love seeing you light up in terms of like this, this area of working on something that you know is so beneficial for women women in business but beneficial for you because it, like you're a woman in business, helps your business, but it helps you in your home life and that CEO of the household too. Like the proficiency, the efficiency, I love it. So let's talk through like what have your what's your guiding principles looked like through all of this?

Speaker 2:

Um, so like there's sort of three things that I would say that are overarching, like the core of like who I am. One is global connection. I've always loved traveling, you know, going different places, learning, like when you travel you learn so much, and I've just learned a lot and I love it. Every trip is a learning experience and I want my child to see the world as interconnected and diverse and I want to approach business the same way, se different perspectives being open-minded. So one of the first pillars is global connection.

Speaker 2:

The second is technology has just always been my thing. I love. You know, when the iPads came out and I was in education, I loved, like playing with new apps and like being the go-to teacher to like show other teachers different apps and stuff, and I love evaluating technology to figure out is this really serving me and then figuring out if it's not finding something else that will serve my needs better Awesome. And then the third pillar is continuous learning and education. Like I, like I said, I love, I love reading, I love learning, I love talking to people, and then I like to share the information as well, because I want to help other people.

Speaker 1:

It's so evident that that's the case, and we'll be sure to drop in the show notes how people can get connected to you, but what I want to refer to is what you're doing on social media at the current moment, which is that educating of like ways to implement AI to allow this proficiency and the efficiency in day-to-day routines. The last one that I saw was like packing your travel bag and how quickly you were able to do that because of utilizing AI. I was like, oh my word, I don't travel that often, so that's like not applicable. But in those moments where travel has been a thing like the time that has been spent packing, thinking, wondering what's the weather going to be like else? Do I need to pack? Am I missing something? Did I pack this? Like, oh my gosh, it's like it takes a lot of brain power for me and it's it really is a mentally exhausting process, and so when I saw that, I was like, oh yeah.

Speaker 2:

I will be sure, especially getting kids packing their bags.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's just that adds just another mental load onto that. But, you know, I think it's so cool that you're taking a piece of your past that is education and kerplunking it on top of what you're doing now, and it's so cool to see that coming through with what you're doing on social media and and educating. And so I want to talk through like what has that education piece look like? Like the importance of that and people to understand how AI can truly support them. Like that education piece, like tying that into, like why it's important for people as well.

Speaker 2:

So I think one of the things is, with AI, it's not necessarily about the tool, it's about problem solving. So you need to have these skills to first of all, identify that you have a problem. I think that's step one. Like people actually don't realize they have problems that could be solved, Like you don't in your mind think it's a problem. So you need to like have this skill of being able to realize that this could be better.

Speaker 2:

Like packing my suitcase. Like it shouldn't take me, it shouldn't even take me an hour to pack my suitcase. This is something that you know. I go on a weekend trip. It should, it should take 10 minutes. There should be a system there in place where I know everything I need to pack. I can, I can. I can even speak to the AI and say you know I can document everything I'm going to pack today, and then when I come back, I tell that I can also go back into the thread and say everything I didn't use or what was I missing, and then the next time I pack, it's like done, like I just have the list.

Speaker 1:

Yeah it takes no time yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1:

So you've created a system. That's one you can make it like it's already efficient, but going back for the next go around whether it be travel or something else in business you can go back to it and go, uh, here's, here's what I've learned. Is didn't work, or am I missing anything here? And it can just keep. You know, like all I can think about is like just making things better, like narrowing it down, like funneling it down so much that it's just so precise in that, so it's so cool, I you know. One thing that I do want to start to weave into this conversation is what it has looked like in in starting the business. You've got a toddler, I've got a toddler. I know how busy body toddlers are, and so talk me through, talk the listeners through, the shift over to living in Panama. What does that look like in terms of like care? Do you have him going to daycare? Is he staying home with you? How does that kind of intermingle with how you're operating your business? Talk us through that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so we, I do have a nanny here in Panama. Anybody that's had a toddler knows it's really hard to get any work done when the toddler's at your feet. So thankfully, you know, we, we do have a nanny here. So she comes and she's here all day and then leaves around 430 or five around the same time my husband gets home, around the same time my husband gets home. So that support has been huge. But I will say like, so I have moved. This is my third country that I've moved, and creating this like village again, like starting over everything, is a lot, I mean new. You know, you have to figure out where to go to the doctor, you have to figure out transport, where you're going to live, and friends and a nanny, and it's just there's so much. And then on top of that, this time around I decided to start a company that I've. You know I've never owned a business before, so that was even more change. It's kind of crazy.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it is. You've got, you have two different panel windows that are operating right now, right Like you're transitioning into this new environment and we're going to go back and reference again the you know, being CEO or head of the CEO of the household and you it's you're in charge of, kind of creating this like environment for all of you, so that there's just like cohesiveness, and so working through that also working through everything with business as well, and then like having time for yourself too yeah you know that's yeah it.

Speaker 1:

It is a lot, and so, you know, one of the prevailing questions that is coming to mind for me is like what has what has the harmonization of that looks like for you, having some time to yourself, keeping the cohesiveness? I'm asking a couple different questions, so I'll let you kind of unpack as you see fit, brenda, but like time for yourself. You've started a business where you help other women be efficient and proficient with their businesses. How are you taking what you're learning and applying it to what you're doing in your day to day as well? And I do think somehow that can kind of play into that self care. So let's let's start with that last question and then maybe see how we can fit that into self-care for yourself.

Speaker 2:

I love learning and so I have to remember that I should just learn through my clients and what they need. And so every time that I work with somebody, they they have, you know, different problems in their business that they'd like to streamline or just make better. And then I think about we figured, we worked through that and I think about how I, how I could apply this to my business, or if I need to apply it to my business so that I can scale. Because recently I had a client where I helped them optimize I helped her optimize her intake form on her website so that she could get more follow-ups on leads, because the follow-up was not happening before, like they would get one email and then basically forgotten about and not reached out to again. And if you know sales, you have to reach out multiple times usually to actually make the sale yeah.

Speaker 2:

so once we got some of these systems in place in her business, she started getting way more clients and now drowning in emails and because she has so many clients which is a whole other issue to tackle.

Speaker 2:

So once we like solve one thing, it's like OK, now we have to move on to the next thing to solve.

Speaker 2:

Once we like solve one thing, it's like okay, now we have to move on to the next thing to solve. So I have worked with finding a solution to this email problem and you know, you don't know that things out there even exist. So I have found a solution for her that will label every single email that comes in automatically and draft a reply based on all her previous emails, because this is actually a she's a lawyer and so you don't want ai to just like search the open internet for an answer. It needs to be about, it needs to be trained on her previous emails and replies that she's written to other people so that it doesn't give the wrong information. So, anyway, it drafts the email and, it's incredible, it drafts it immediately and leaves it on draft. So you still have the power to send and edit, but like having things labeled like needs a reply or important, and then having the reply already done for you just have to open it, read it, send.

Speaker 1:

It's incredible it's so incredible. It it's so incredible like I am perplexed right now, but so fascinated at the same time, and and it you know I've I've been in the loop of chat GPT, for instance, because I know that there's so many other AI platforms out there, but chat GPT, like several years I've known about that, using for probably a year and a half myself. I'm using for probably a year and a half myself, more so now than ever, probably multiple times a day, right, but like I don't think I've ever gone to this like email is. Email is like a prevailing issue for me. Like so I this is triggering me a little bit. Like I'm like I want that. Like I want that, yeah, and so it's. It's really cool. It's cool for you to like realize this nice little loop that's happening for you as well. Like you're you're seeing how it's it's happening for you as well. Like you're you're seeing how it's impacting other people for their businesses and that the efficiency like I'm sorry that I keep repeating that word everyone, but like that is the best way to to put this, to label it as like efficiency and then being able to come full circle and go ah, but I can do that in my business too, and let's just kind of keep this really beautiful circle going.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so you, you, you did a really nice job of answering that, but I want to dive deeper. Like let's talk about that. I cannot help, but like think you've recognized that there's a way to utilize AI to ask some of these questions of, like what could self-care look like for me? Like how can I be better? I know you've talked about boundaries as well, but like, let's really dive into like what does self-care look like for Brenda in all of this? How, how have you like put I don't want to say put yourself first, but like, for lack of better words, I'm just going to use that because I do think that filling our cup as women, as mothers, like understanding we wear all of these other hats, but like, how are we focusing on Kelly, brenda, you know, go down the list of women.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so for me it's the morning time. Um evenings I'm too tired to focus on myself. You know, it's very draining full day. So the morning is the best because my husband leaves, he goes to work the nanny's here early and I go out, I take the dog for a walk that's when I can listen to my podcasts, and then, you know, I make my coffee and then I get ready for the day and I write in my my journal the goals, like I had said, and what I'm going to do today to get to those goals. So, and that is for me, the self care, is this morning routine.

Speaker 1:

I'm with you, sister. The the morning for me is like mission critical and I can tell like if even 15 minutes of that time is shaved off, it does, and it's not like it completely derails the rest of my day, but it certainly has an impact. Like I'm very rigid and disciplined about what that morning routine looks like for me, and so it's really interesting how impactful that can be to set the tone for the rest of the day. I love it. It's so cool. I like to call it the bookends. Like what does your morning routine, what does your evening routine look like? And I hear you. I hear you when you say, like the evenings I'm just drained. You're like trying to put the toddler down for bed and then, like, oh, my word.

Speaker 1:

So yeah, I completely understand that. Now we've talked a little bit, kind of briefed on, on, you know, your support, the support network. It's obviously being internationally, like you've got family here in the States, you do not have family there, so you're really relying on your husband and your child to seek that support, but like what has the support and that village looked like for you?

Speaker 1:

as you've, you know, created a foundation for yourself there in Panama, but then extensively too, like you know, as you extend and I can imagine that you know parents' support might be there as well as much as humanly possible.

Speaker 2:

So let's talk through that support might be there as well, as much as humanly possible. So let's talk through that. Yeah, so it's a little bit. It can be a bit isolating, especially this year, because I'm not in a school and usually the school is like that's your community. There's other teachers there, you can relate to them, they're going through all the same stuff as you and I in the library.

Speaker 2:

People are coming all day long and I can chit, chat and, you know, make these connections, but that none of that is happening this year because I'm at home. So I've discovered some other groups through Facebook and there's also this WhatsApp, which is like the way that people communicate outside of the US. I feel like it's like not really used in the US, but everybody outside is like WhatsApp and WhatsApp groups. So I've made connections through there to women and mothers and that has helped. I will say that, being global now and having those connections with people in Asia, I love that I can text somebody at any time of the day. Any time of the day there's always somebody awake. And that was really helpful for me when, at two in the morning when I was feeding my son you know, as a new mom, I could text home and people would reply, or if it was you know, vice versa. Like I just had connection 24 seven because of the time zones.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's always somebody I could message.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's so cool.

Speaker 2:

And even now.

Speaker 1:

I do love, though, that you are intentional, Like you have been intentional, about going. I know that in making this transition, it's been hard, right, Like that in in going into a new environment. There's already so much that is taking a mental load on you and that is like okay, the travel from India to Panama, getting stuff from India to Panama, it's so. It's like such a mental load having a toddler in the mix of all of that. What do travel plans look like? Where are we going to live? What is that environment going to look like? How do we ensure that we're in a safe area?

Speaker 1:

You know it's like it's such a mental load on you, but, yeah, I can imagine that incredibly challenging, but that you didn't go into this state of like victimhood by any stretch of the imagination, which can be easy to do when under a stressful situation like moving, but moving internationally adds a whole other layer of complexion to it, and so you were so intentional about going. I understand how important it is knowing that I'm not in an environment that supports like like building a community. Working from home is so different. You are, you're confined to your own space, and so, unless you're being intentional about getting out there to meet other people. You're going to sit and ruminate in your own thoughts, which can be a very dangerous place to be for some of us, and so I love how you've been intentional about getting on those apps, using WhatsApp to be able to, like, get the connectivity. Have you found success in all of that too, Brenda?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, um, I've there's a group of women that have we've connected, um, they're all, most of them own their own businesses here in Panama and live here, um, and we've met up quite a few times. We have like this little group, and I'm hosting a barbecue in like a week with a bunch of the women, so I feel like that's a big success. That group that has formed, and that formed recently, like it wasn't like I found I don't know. We all sort of found each other at the same time. It was kind, kind of interesting. We were all looking how we found each other.

Speaker 1:

No, it's so cool. I mean I you know, in just listening to my podcast up until this point, I, like faith is such an important component to me and so I like to take those instances as like little God winks, like that I don't think anything doesn't happen for a reason Like I don't think that there's coincidences by any stretch of the imagination, that's just who I am. I've found that that's actually a strength of mine, and doing the strength finders and having an analysis of that it's a strength of mine. So I'm going to embrace it in this moment and go. That is.

Speaker 1:

It's so cool that, like, again going back to that intentionality of understanding, I can't just sit here and work from home and not be around other people outside of my husband and my and my son. I need to get out there, I need to put myself out there. I need to put myself out there in a completely new environment where there isn't any like warm, like connection or thread of connection from anybody else. It's so cool and that takes a lot of courage, and so I just want to commend you in this moment for having the courage and intentionality. So I just want to commend you in this moment for having the courage and intentionality.

Speaker 2:

I mean. Making friends as an adult is hard, Like it's hard. You usually find friends because you're, you know, at ECFE together or something, but like I don't have that, so where am I going to find friends?

Speaker 1:

What's cool is technology has been such an integral part of that. Using an app like WhatsApp has been integral in being able to make that connection. And now look, what's being built from that is you've got this community of women who are in very, very similar positions right, like they own businesses. I'm certain that a lot of them are mothers themselves. So these mompreneurs, who there's so much relatability and then building on that community and going, hey, come on over, let's have, let's have a barbecue, let's you know, have some drinks together, whatever that looks like for that particular environment, and and let's just talk and connect.

Speaker 1:

It's so cool, I love it. I love it. Well, I think we have, we've covered so much ground. We're not quite done yet, but we're going to start to land the plane, as I like to say, and so one of my questions that I'd like to ask you as we are doing so is who would be like a really good connection for you right now? And it could be just on a personal note or it could be. You know, like I'm. This is what I'm focusing on in connection for my business.

Speaker 2:

I'm looking to connect with women that would like to up their technology game in their business. Love to just have a conversation like zero commitment. Love just helping people brainstorm. I think, like I had mentioned before, people a lot of times don't realize that things could be better. Like you, just kind of put up with it because you don't know that there are solutions out there. Totally so anybody that feels like they want to have more boundaries with their business because technology can help with that, so that's, that's the biggest one.

Speaker 1:

I love it. It's a really nice ask as well, so I appreciate it. You know, something that I just came to mind is I would like to, I would like to take an opportunity right now to actually go a little bit deep in in terms of like through all of this I can imagine just in, in making a transition and then living on an international scope. It's probably come with a fair share of amazing, amazing moments and complete ups or peaks, as I like to say, but it, it, it has had to have come with some of its valleys as well, and so are you willing to share maybe this moment in time that was particularly challenging for you and how you worked through that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

So I would say one of my darkest moments was when I was eight months pregnant in India.

Speaker 2:

It was just before the school year was going to end and I had a conversation with my male boss about my position that I was going to be coming back to after my six month maternity leave, because I gave birth during the summer when school was closed, and then I was going to be returning to work in January after the holiday break and he told me they'd hired someone to cover my role during my absence.

Speaker 2:

He told me they'd hired someone to cover my role during my absence and this person would be staying on when I returned in January. But I was sort of reading between the lines and that meant that my job could be eliminated at the end of the school year and I was still going to be staying one more year in India because of my husband's job. So when I expressed concern, his response totally stunned me and what he told me was most women don't come back from maternity leave to their jobs, like he's basically preparing for me to quit. And when I assured him that I would be returning, he said I'm sorry, but you're not a mom yet and you don't know.

Speaker 1:

Fascinating.

Speaker 2:

He also go ahead what you go ahead. I was going to say. He also was coming to India from working in Europe where women get up to three years leave, so not all of that is paid, but I think a lot of women take that and so they tell you they're going to come back and then they take their unpaid leave. So I think that was sort of his background. But like I was shocked and floored that he said that to me and the head of HR was sitting there and she didn't say anything.

Speaker 1:

The assumptiveness that was taken and I mean I can't fault him right, because he's just learning from the experiences that he's gone through, right. But I do think, wow, quite assumptive for you to to take that stance, to take that approach, and especially with a woman who is originally from the United States and again, not, it's not like a great mindset to like take a stance on, but like, coming from the states where we we work ourselves to death sometimes, like, yeah, buddy, I, I understand that perhaps you've been burned in the past, but I want, like there's, there's a desire here and there is something fair about like when we become moms, there is a mental shift. We just fundamentally change as women. But at the same time, at the same time, that assumptiveness is never fair, it isn't like. So that is tough, that's an incredibly tough place, especially when you are banking on a financial position to be in place and now you sort of feel like the rug's been pulled out from underneath you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so I the fear and uncertainty around that that was at the end of May, the fear and uncertainty around that that was at the end of May Then. And then I just had to not think about it. I had to like compartmentalize, like I had such fear and uncertainty about my job at the end of the next school year that I couldn't even think about it, and that really changed my perspective on employment, like I previously. You feel secure in your job and you that's part of the reason why you work for someone is this security. And then, when that's gone, I realized if I was going to face this uncertainty anyway, I'd rather it be on my own terms. And that's really when I realized that I wanted to be my own boss and take control of my own professional destiny, especially as a mother.

Speaker 1:

So the itch to become an entrepreneur really, really probably started even before your son was born.

Speaker 2:

But yeah, that conversation really changed me.

Speaker 1:

How incredible. But also, again, with with not having the certainty of what having a position could look like just is unnerving, completely unnerving. Having a position could look like just is unnerving, completely unnerving. I'm sure many, many women who are listening right now can, can relate in some way, shape or form of what that has looked like, because so many have actually come from an environment of a corporate setting and you know the there's so many women who I've had on that corporate environment is women who I've had on that corporate environment is a little, it's a bit sticky right and so it's tough when you go on maternity leave and, depending on what industry you're in, it can shift and change, which means your position is maybe no longer available.

Speaker 1:

And I think about what we go through just in terms of, like, the changes with our body, the hormonal changes that are happening, you know, going through that labor and delivery, and then you know you again, your world just fundamentally changes the second that your child is set on you, you know, or that you're able to hold them. It's things perspective, perspective changes, like you understand, you just become like something's something bigger is happening than just me myself and I, or me and my husband, or me and my significant other, like something bigger is happening and and when you also have, you know, uncertainty about financial security as well, oof.

Speaker 1:

So I'm sure that the listeners are dying to know like what did that?

Speaker 2:

to know, like, what did that? What did the story pan out to? Look like it was. Uh, there was no clarity for a very long time.

Speaker 2:

Um, at one point I got called in on my maternity leave in November and the the man told me that I'd be going to the other school and be the librarian at this other campus that the school had, which I was pretty upset about because I had been building this library program at my school for five years and they were just wanted to, like, transfer me, like it felt like they wanted to throw me away. That might make sense, like I didn't. It was like I don't. Clearly you don't understand what I've done here with the library program. Um, you don't know what it was like before I came, because this was a newer um male in the role, like he. He hadn't been there since I started, like he came in later, so I felt that made me feel really icky, that I could just be tossed aside, but it was, but I. But yet I could tell he me feel really icky that I could just be tossed aside, but it was, but I. But yet I could tell he wanted me to be grateful that I still had a job. So that was really hard.

Speaker 2:

And the person that came in to help during the maternity leave she actually went to that man and said I'm not going to take her job. So, yeah, she stuck up for me. She said, if it needs to be, then I'm not going to work here anymore. She was ready to give up her job, but at the end of the day it got worked out and they kept us on both the next year and then I left. Look at that, but without her standing up for me.

Speaker 1:

I mean that was really incredible that somebody would give up their job that she totally advocated for you, knowing the the hard work and the dedication that you had put into building what they had in place there in the library space, and I mean that's like it. You just don't hear of that happening all too often, and so what an incredible journey that you, that you experienced through all of that, I'm sure that it was. It was peace of mind and so much like profound appreciation for that.

Speaker 2:

That woman and her stepping up yeah, that took that took her as well yeah, it took a long time for that whole situation to sort of be resolved. So I would say it took almost a year, from that May until the next year in May, for everything to be like I get to stay in my job, because it was like a lot of back and forth.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, holy cannoli, that's again unnerving to be in a circumstance like that and and feel this uncertainty of, like, what could happen.

Speaker 1:

You know yeah so, but it all, it all worked itself out, and again I like to to do this. You know, like, hey, that's a little bit of a god wink, but at the same time, brenda, I am just floored that you had this, this nudge that happened to you and so, very early on, began this thought process of like doesn't have to be like this. It doesn't have to look like consistently being in this position of feeling unnerved or that having this uncertainty. Like I'm going to create you know, entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty Like you're really stepping out there, you're taking a leap of faith and so the courage to do so. Like you're created, you're going into an uncertain place to try to create more certainty for yourself in the long term and it to build it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it really does. But it first takes this leap of faith, and so I commend you, for, you know, sometimes it just takes working through some of that ick in order to come out on the other side and go, no more, I'm gonna do this, or making it, you know, making a transition to a different part of the world, for your eyes to be completely open and go, yep, now's the time, now's the time for me to do this. So thank you for thank you for your vulnerability and sharing that. Um, that that certainly is completely a relatable circumstance, though it looks a little bit different, you know, a little bit shade of coloring from one person to the other in terms of uncertainty and financial stability. So, all right, now we're going to start to land the plane. What is a piece of advice that you would give a younger version of yourself, knowing all that you know to date?

Speaker 2:

I'd tell my younger self that the global perspective you're gaining through these international moves is going to become your superpower. The challenges of rebuilding support systems and adapting to new environments are actually preparing you for entrepreneurship in ways you can't see yet. I'd also say trust your instinct and simplify. In technology, in business, in life. I mean. Going through these international moves, I've had to, like, get rid of so much stuff. You know, like, what do I actually need? Do I need this thing? And that the passion you have for learning and sharing knowledge is not just a personal interest. It's going to become the foundation of how you help others transform their businesses.

Speaker 1:

Beautifully stated.

Speaker 2:

And then and then, finally, I tell my version of my younger self when someone tries to put you in a box or tell you what you will or won't do as a mother, stand firm in your own knowing. You understand yourself better than anyone else ever will.

Speaker 1:

Mic drop oh good, I was like, oh my gosh, that's so good, so amazing. Thank you for sharing that your younger version of yourself is applauding right now. I'm applauding for you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 1:

Now how about a piece of advice you would give a woman right now? That's nibbling on the edges of entrepreneurship nibbling on the edges of entrepreneurship.

Speaker 2:

Oh boy, I would say go for it and make progress, take steps, take action. And so like this, this thing that I do every day with writing down a big goal and what I'm going to do today, just start with that, Like, what do you want to do maybe a year from now? Like what do you want in life, Because you're not going to get anywhere without knowing where you want to be. Like you cannot make steps to go there unless you actually have an idea of what you want. And what you want might change based on steps you take. But taking action and making steps on a daily basis is what you should focus on love it.

Speaker 1:

And for those of you who are listening, just go for it. I feel like every, every single woman that I have asked that question of has has just always been like, literally they're like, oh boy, and then it also becomes so crystal clear like, just do it. You know, it's like I like to, I like to say it like Nike slogan just do it, just go for it. But also understand that there's like actionable steps that can go to that and it's just taking those little baby steps, and sometimes it requires taking a little bit bigger step or that bigger leap of faith, but just taking, you know, small, little actionable steps at first, whatever your comfort zone is. You'll thank yourself later. Your younger, the younger version of you, looking at all of it, is going to go. Thank you, thank you so much. Just do it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's. It's really easy to get stuck in a like self-critical state where you're like, oh, this isn't good enough. Or you know, I've worked with business owners about their websites. You know like, oh, I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I want to fix this, I want to fix that. And it's like just put it out there and fix it later, like right, like just release it and then, and then iterate so good and a true testament to what they, what you're doing and how you're supporting people too.

Speaker 1:

You're kind of giving them the little like tough love, the nice little nudge like just whatever, who cares? Like nobody really is going to give you know a lickety split about like little nuances with your website, like you're going to look back on that and just totally regret not doing it sooner rather than later. So, brenda, thank you so much. I have appreciated doing this reconnection and knowing that you're in Panama. Just it's so cool. I love it. I'm so happy for you and taking that leap of faith for yourself and what you're doing and how you're supporting women in this tech space. That it's just it's it's evolving and changing at such a rapid pace and for you to be at the forefront of that and be able to like kind of filter that for people and put it into like layman's terms so that they can create this, you know, simplicity for themselves and the efficiency. It's just incredible and it's so, so needed. So thank you for spearheading that and and being at the forefront of that. How can people get connected?

Speaker 2:

so I have my website, which is informedtechio. I have my LinkedIn, which is Brenda Bruzegard, which will be in the show notes, because that's too complicated to spell, and then I think it's simple, but I also, I just let them click. And then I also have an Instagram that I've recently started. It's called AI by Brenda. And you can find me there.

Speaker 1:

You know we alluded to like one of your recent posts about the travel hacks, right, like hacking your travel, and in creating simplicity with that and doing that so in like 10 minutes or less, packing is incredible, so like that, and having that as like a quick reference point is so cool. So I would highly highly recommend for any of the listeners right now who just want some like tips and tricks on simple ways to implement AI into what you're doing, even on a day-to-day basis, personally, but then on the professional side as well. But we'll be sure to drop everything into the show notes so that if somebody is like interested in taking that a step further, then they can. They have access to your website, they can get connected to you on LinkedIn and then take the next steps to have a conversation with you. So, brenda, so good to see you.

Speaker 1:

I hope that barbecue goes well with all of the women who are going to be coming over. Barbecue goes well with all of the women who are going to be coming over. Good for you for hosting. I'm so, so happy for you and so glad that the women who are listening right now have the opportunity to connect with you further to really create those proficiencies and the efficiencies in the business.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and I'm excited to connect. I love it.

Speaker 1:

I love it. I hope you have a great rest of the day and we'll we'll obviously stay connected.

Speaker 2:

All right, sounds good. Bye.

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Kelly Kirk

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