429: CEO Mama: Redefining "Doing It All": Unpacking Ambition in Motherhood

Welcome to a masterclass in building a thriving business even while managing real-life challenges. Catherine Smith Licari, the creator of the Small Business Planner, joins Natalie to break down the tactical strategies behind creating a predictable sales engine and why intentional business planning is essential for long-term success. From sourcing and developing high-quality products to leveraging paid traffic and building customer trust, Catherine shares a wealth of actionable insights that any entrepreneur can apply. She also opens up about her IVF journey, revealing how she managed to grow her business during one of the most challenging years of her life. This interview covers how years of stagnant revenue finally led to a breakthrough of reaching almost 7-figures. If you’re ready to refine your operations, create consistent revenue, and scale your businesses with purpose – this episode is for you.  TIMESTAMPS 00:13 How Catherine identified gaps in the fashion industry and launched her first business. 02:08 Leveraging Instagram and early online trends to build brand awareness. 03:34 Pivoting from product sales to brand advising based on client demand. 16:23 The creation of the Small Business Planner: Combining luxury and function for entrepreneurs. 23:04 Sourcing and developing a high-quality product: Catherine’s step-by-step approach. 27:27 Why intentional packaging and customer experience drive repeat customers. 35:03 Features of the Small Business Planner designed to solve critical business challenges. 37:26 Balancing personal challenges, including IVF, while scaling a business. 46:04 Building a predictable sales engine with paid ads and intentional traffic strategies. 50:48 Insights from Freedom Fast Track that shaped Catherine’s business growth framework. 53:36 Addressing financial and operational blind spots for small business owners. 59:21 How to fully utilize the Small Business Planner and its digital companion course. 01:09:26 Exclusive Bossbabe Sales Engine Bonus Pack for Small Business Planner customers. RESOURCES + LINKS Grab Your Small Business Planner Right Here + Get Your Sales Engine Bonus Pack for FREE. Freedom Fast Track Doors Open Soon - Join The Waitlist Here. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based Business. Learn Natalie’s Proven Method for Building a Profitable, Predictable, Freedom-Based Business and Get Back to WHY you Became an Entrepreneur in this FREE 90-Minute Training. Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We’ll Send You Natalie’s 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997). FOLLOW bossbabe: @bossbabe.inc Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie Catherine + The Small Business Planner: @cashflow.for.creatives

*Trigger Warning: Joanne shares her story of being abducted from her office in this episode. In this candid episode, Natalie sits down with Joanne Bolt, founder of PodcastHer, to uncover how she turned adversity into opportunity and built a thriving podcasting business. Joanne shares the harrowing experience of being abducted by a client during her real estate career and how it profoundly shaped her perspective on success, safety, and resilience. You’ll learn: How to monetize a podcast from day one, even with a small audience. The power of Podcast Guesting to borrow audiences and scale your brand. Why visibility is the cornerstone of building authority and growing your business. How Joanne overcame personal and professional challenges to create a business aligned with her values. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Resources + Links Learn more about the PodcastHer membership. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based Business. Learn Natalie’s Proven Method for Building a Profitable, Predictable, Freedom-Based Business and Get Back to WHY you Became an Entrepreneur in this FREE 90-Minute Training. Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We’ll Send You Natalie’s 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997)  FOLLOW bossbabe: @bossbabe.inc Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie PodcastHer: @podcast_her.inc Joanne Bolt: itsjoannebolt

In this episode, Natalie is joined by Angie Lee, co-founder of Soul, to unpack her journey of building a direct-to-consumer (DTC) wellness brand. From humble beginnings as a CBD tincture company to an expansive product line that now includes gummies, microdose THC products, drops, and so much more, Angie shares the lessons learned along the way. Get ready for a masterclass in e-commerce as Angie dives into all the levers they pulled to really get the business off the ground — from leveraging community-driven strategies to pivoting based on customer feedback. She also offers actionable insights into partnerships, marketing, and scaling a DTC brand while staying profitable and purpose-driven. Whether you’re an entrepreneur in the wellness space or simply looking for inspiration on building a business from scratch, this episode is packed with gems. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction: Natalie welcomes Angie Lee, co-founder of Soul, to discuss building a thriving DTC wellness brand. 00:26 From CBD tinctures to a diverse product line, how Soul evolved by listening to customer needs. 03:03 The importance of staying flexible in product development and pivoting for growth. 04:57 Community-driven strategies and how Angie leverages customer feedback to build raving fans. 07:50 Early challenges in funding, product development, and building a foundation for long-term success. 11:33 Marketing that works, the power of partnerships, co-collaborations, and customer-centric campaigns. 13:57 The Founder's role in scaling while balancing creative input and operational strategy. 19:16 Finding your niche and building a brand identity that resonates with your audience. 24:42 Lessons learned and why simplicity and focus are key to success in e-commerce. 30:07 Staying profitable in a competitive DTC space with tips for sustainable growth. 34:43 Final reflections and Angie’s advice for building a purpose-driven, profitable brand. RESOURCES + LINKS Use this link for a discount on Soul products. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based Business. Learn Natalie’s Proven Method for Building a Profitable, Predictable, Freedom-Based Business and Get Back to WHY you Became an Entrepreneur in this FREE 90-Minute Training. Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We’ll Send You Natalie’s 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997)  FOLLOW bossbabe: @bossbabe.inc Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie Soul: @get.soul Angie Lee: @angieleeshow

In this soul-inspiring episode, Natalie welcomes Sarah Jenks, a priestess, entrepreneur, and advocate for women stepping into their fullest selves. Together, they explore the journey from conditioned expectations to authentic living, the erasure + resurgence of the sacred feminine, and how ceremony can unlock untapped potential. Sarah shares her personal story of evolution — from an advertising executive to an emotional eating coach to a fully expressed priestess — and how embracing her path led to profound transformation in her marriage, motherhood, and business. This episode’s candid reflections include navigating the fear of judgment, balancing motherhood with ambition, and building a niche business in a non-traditional field. If you are looking to align your business with your passion + create lasting impact while staying true to yourself, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to build a niche business rooted in authenticity and passion. Blending spiritual practices with entrepreneurship to create alignment and sustainability. Sarah’s journey from advertising to emotional eating coach to priestess, and how each step shaped her entrepreneurial path. Why embracing your unique calling can help you stand out in a crowded market. The power of ceremony to unlock creativity, clarity, and courage in business and life. Overcoming fear of judgment and redefining success on your terms. Balancing the changes that come with motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship while honoring your truth. TIMESTAMPS 00:31 - From advertising to emotional eating: Sarah's early career story. 02:26 - Building a successful business while feeling unfulfilled inside. 05:00 - The transformative power of ceremony and meeting your soul. 11:12 - Motherhood as a spiritual awakening and breaking free from conditioning. 19:59 - The erasure of the sacred feminine in history and its impact today. 27:23 - What ceremony is, and how it creates space for divine connection. 37:27 - Turning an unlikely path into a career: From priestess training to entrepreneurship. 43:40 - How to weave sacred practices into your business. 51:13 - Navigating marriage, motherhood, and authenticity in tandem. 55:02 - Advice for anyone feeling stuck in a life that doesn’t resonate. RESOURCES + LINKS Join Sarah’s retreat, Emerge here.   Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based Business. Learn Natalie’s Proven Method for Building a Profitable, Predictable, Freedom-Based Business and Get Back to WHY you Became an Entrepreneur in this FREE 90-Minute Training. Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We’ll Send You Natalie’s 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997)  FOLLOW bossbabe: @bossbabe.inc Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie Sarah Jenks: @sarahjenks

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Join Natalie + Lindsay as they reflect on their biggest lessons from 2024 + dive into how to redefine freedom in business while staying aligned with your values. This episode unpacks how freedom evolves over time, how Maslow's Hierarchy applies to entrepreneurship, and why your work is not your worth. The conversation is filled with practical insights on goal-setting, anti-goals, managing a lean team, and creating a sustainable and joyful business. Plus, hear about the exciting launch of the Bossbabe Planner (in Walmart stores now… what a freaking pinch me moment!) and how it can help you map out a fulfilling + intentional year. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What freedom in business actually means and how it evolves over time. Why less complexity and alignment can lead to more profit + joy. How Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ties into business and mindset growth. Lessons on navigating team dynamics and maintaining high standards. How to set anti-goals to avoid burnout and create a business you love. A behind-the-scenes look at Bossbabe’s most profitable year yet + the creation of the Bossbabe Planner in Walmart stores now. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro 00:13 – Kicking off 2025 with reflections on 2024 and setting intentions for the new year. 01:04 – The surprising results of 2024: How Bossbabe achieved its highest revenue and profit year without making it the primary goal. 01:57 – The power of saying no: Cutting non-essentials and focusing on what moves the needle. 03:19 – Lessons learned in hiring, firing, and aligning your team with your values. 04:57 – Why you don’t need a big team to run a successful business — simplicity is key. 07:47 – Navigating cancel culture and embracing confidence in setting high standards. 09:43 – Why authenticity and alignment are more important than ever in online business. 12:37 – The importance of building a freedom-based business that prioritizes alignment and integrity. 16:12 – Personal reflections from Natalie: Balancing motherhood, business, and personal growth. 18:33 – How Maslow’s Hierarchy applies to entrepreneurship: From survival to true freedom. 22:31 – The magic of white space: Why clarity often comes from slowing down and creating space. 27:09 – Freedom redefined: Choosing how you work today to create a life you love tomorrow. 28:34 – Why freedom is more about mindset than money — and how to break free from “moreness.” 31:28 – Your work is not your worth: The mindset shift every entrepreneur needs. 37:43 – Behind the scenes of the Bossbabe Planner: Why it’s the ultimate tool for intentional goal-setting. 45:12 – The importance of planning: How laying out your year helps you avoid reactivity and overwhelm. 49:39 – Wrapping up: Creating a proactive, intentional year and prioritizing what truly matters. RESOURCES + LINKS Get Your Bossbabe x Bly Sky Planner Here. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based Business. Learn Natalie’s Proven Method for Building a Profitable, Predictable, Freedom-Based Business and Get Back to WHY you Became an Entrepreneur in this FREE 90-Minute Training. Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We’ll Send You Natalie’s 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997)  FOLLOW bossbabe: @bossbabe.inc Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie Lindsay Roselle: @lindsayroselle