Guest Podcasting on Living Visibly Over 50

If you could sit down and have a conversation with two successful entrepreneurs, what would you ask and how would it feel?

Well, I had the incredible opportunity to do just that when Lisa D Liguoria & Linda Waldon of “Living Visibly Over 50” invited me to join them on their podcast in an interview about my journey as an entrepreneur.

It was an amazing experience and I’m excited to share what we talked about in this blog post! Through our conversation, I offered real-life insights on starting a business, overcoming obstacles, staying motivated – plus much more. So if you’re looking for advice from someone who has gone through many of the same challenges as you have (as an ambitious multi-passionate female entrepreneur…or will soon face), then keep reading!

Question #1. You raised 3 children, they left the nest, and tell us what happened next.

Being a mother is truly an incredible experience and one that will stay with you forever. A mom will always be her kids’ mom even after her children grow up. The time leading up to an empty nest was scary because I didn’t know what to expect.

My identity was attached to being a mom. That empty nest feeling is strange, but it’s an opportunity to discover ourselves. I left corporate when my third child was born. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world, so I decided to make life easier for myself and become an entrepreneur! That way I could still be there for my kids without sacrificing any time away from them, while contributing to our family.

My situation is unique because I’m still waiting to become an empty nester  My oldest, 26, is on the autism spectrum and lives at home will eventually move on too. Importantly, early on we learned it was important to advocate for him. Today I learn lessons helping him advocate for himself, as well as advocating for myself.

Question #2. When we met you a few weeks ago, you had recently broken your wrist. You wrote about it in your blog. (We’ll link to it in the show notes) How are you doing and what did you learn from the experience?

Breaking my wrist was not part of my plan this year. I am a blogger, and these days I’ve been typing mostly with my left hand, and I’ve gotten really good at texting with my left thumb. Fortunately, my online business is automation and duplication.

In honesty, I found myself spinning with wrapping my mind around breaking my wrist. I am an ambitious multi-passionate female entrepreneur, with a busy lifestyle. I had to recognize I was spinning in order to slow down. Slowing down has given me focus at a deeper level and a greater appreciation for others. As people were checking up on me, I realized how it was time for me to show that same love and concern for others.

Question #3. As a female entrepreneur, what are some of the challenges you faced and that women entrepreneurs face today?

This question reminds me of the days when I interviewed in Corporate America. I don’t miss the glass ceiling. Female entrepreneurs have more opportunities for growth, however, being an entrepreneur comes with its own unique challenges.

1. My first mistake as a female entrepreneur was not having a clear vision or mission. I had no idea what challenges I might face. This was a huge learning curve for me. Female entrepreneurs are intuitively planners. But most don’t create a vision or have a clear mission. When an obstacle or shiny object gets in our way, we slip down a rabbit hole and another. Most give up without direction and a plan.
2. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. Sometimes it’s just you. As we are getting back into in-person events, I’ve noticed that women aren’t necessarily meeting just to pass out business cards. Instead, they’re looking for community and they’re looking for fun–not more training. Women continue to be in an endless search for external sources of happiness; they are often drawn to activities and habits that promise quick gratification. 
3. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the everyday grind, Self-care isn’t a stage or a tool where you work hard to heal what you believe is wrong, missing, or even broken. In our three-dimensional world, we diagnose our problems and then get busy treating them. Self-care builds our capacity to be powerful creators allowing us to move forward toward our success and transformation.

These are challenges female entrepreneurs have faced in the past and many still do today.

Question #4. Now you work with and help entrepreneurs who are building their businesses through a program called EPIK Mastermind. Tell us about the mastermind and what this program does for women in business.

EPIK Mastermind is unique. It is an intimate group of ten female multi-passionate entrepreneurs. It’s a paid program, yet affordable. EPIK is a word I leaned into. Our mastermind has a holistic approach to business. EPIK is an acronym, but it is more than just four initials. This acronym stands for Evolving, Purposefully Passionate. Intuitively Intentional, and Kindness because the world definitely doesn’t have enough kindness

The characteristics of our ambitious multi-passionate female entrepreneurs defines each member.

• Sets goals
• Surround themselves with other like-minded entrepreneurs
• Makes decisions easily and effortlessly–takes action instead of procrastinates
• Invests in themselves-including self-care
• Daily mindset attention
• Consciously grateful

While a female entrepreneur is more than capable of achieving success, limiting beliefs can sometimes stand in the way.

• Lack of time
• Marketing Overwhelm
• Imposture Syndrome
• Awkwardness in “selling” to potential customers
• Undercharging and undervaluing themselves
• Money Crunches
• Chasing Happiness

EPIK Mastermind is not for everyone, but it is the perfect place for ambitious female entrepreneurs who are looking to reach the next level in their business.

Question #5. You wrote a book — CONGRATS! “I Have Time for You.” Tell us about the book and how it can help women find confidence and face their biggest challenges.

Becoming a published author was a journey of self-love and gratitude. I started writing I Have Time for You pre-covid as I was facing an empty nest. I was ready to make a difference. I learned about affirmations and knew it was time to change the recordings of limiting beliefs I had created as a young bashful girl.

We speak negatively to ourselves repetitively. We listen to the recordings that we’re not brave, we don’t have time for ourselves, and we’re not grateful for what we have. Bob Proctor said it best when he talked about gratitude for the air we breathe and the beds we sleep in. Practicing gratitude can act as a lifting force and raise our vibration, creating more abundance in our lives. The Law of Vibration is similar to the Law of Attraction creating an energy that can be powerful and transformational.

Question #6. Because you worked at Nordstrom for a period of time, what observations did you make about the way women shop, what they spent their money on, and how women are judged by the clothes they wear?

I worked at Nordstrom for almost ten years. Not many can say they earned a 50-inch television and a Pacesetter.

Working with other women was interesting. I started when we competed with one another. I was trained by someone who took sales from me. When I realized that I was my best competition, that’s when I became an elite Gold Pacesetter.

The Nordstrom customer is special. She wears make-up and dresses up to shop.  We as associates wanted them to feel special. There was a bond…trust. My customers loved me because I genuinely loved them. I knew my brands.

Retail Therapy is real. People shop for different reasons. A woman likes to feel good. A new dress or a new outfit might make the difference. Retail therapy is more than just shopping–it’s an emotional experience. As a sales associate, the worst thing you could do is judge, but a woman’s handbag or belt, and even shoes speaks volumes. Another lesson I learned was my budget was not my customer’s budget, which is so true owning your own business.

We created a fun episode together. Be sure to check out ours and others on Living Visibly Over 50!

Every obstacle is a learning lesson. We can learn from those life lessons or we can sit in our fear. It’s a choice and if you can bridge that gap, I promise you will see a difference in every area of your life. The key is to remember we are all a work in progress. 

If you would like to listen to the recording of the Podcast, on Spotify => Living Visibly Over 50!

Lisa Carmichael ~ Owner & Creator of EPIK Mastermind
lisarcarmichael.com