Being a woman in business has its challenges, especially when you’re a mom… surviving a global pandemic… and running a business with your spouse! This week’s guest has climbed these mountains (and more) and she’s here to reflect on it all.

In this episode of The Climb, Natasha welcomes Erin Coles, Head of Operations at birthFUND and Executive Director of the Million Dollar Women Fund. But before she became a badass business expert and non-profit leader, Erin and her husband started a wedding band (The Metropolitan Players) and scaled it into a sustainable business.

Now, two kids, one scary burnout, and a few pivots later, Erin’s sharing the wisdom she’s gained from her roller coaster ride in entrepreneurship.

Mountains we’re climbing in this episode:

• How Erin and her husband started a scalable wedding band business.
• Overcoming the challenges of running a business with your spouse.
• How they made it through COVID as a wedding business.
• How entrepreneurship prepared them for parenthood.
• Finding female mentorship and community as a woman in business.
• Navigating pregnancy, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.
• The scary moment Erin realized she was burning out (at 8 months pregnant).
• What’s in Erin’s “mindset toolbox”?

Key Takeaways for Female Entrepreneurs:

• If you work with your spouse, be sure to find ways to connect as a couple outside of work (without talking about business!).
• Entrepreneurship can be very lonely and isolating, but know you’re not alone! Find groups and mentors to be motivated by and to commiserate with. It’ll make all the difference.
• Striving to get to know your clients/customers in new, better, and different ways will greatly benefit your business down the road.
• Being pregnant and having children as a business owner is A LOT. Prioritize time for yourself to slow down and be present & build a support system around you to take over when you’re tired/busy.

Reflection Question:

• Look at the pace of your life right now. Are you pacing or chasing? How content are you with that? How might you change it?

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Resources:

Million Dollar Women: https://www.millionwomen.com

Million Dollar Women Fund: https://mdwfund.org

Follow MDWFund on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfund

We Are Women Owned: https://www.wearewomenowned.com

birthFUND: https://www.thebirthfund.com

Follow Erin Carpenter of Nude Barre: https://www.instagram.com/_erincarpenter_

Check out The Metropolitan Players: https://www.instagram.com/metplayers

Connect with Erin Coles:

Website: https://www.erincoles.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin.coles

Climb with us!

Website: www.innermountain.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/inner_mountain_foundation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheInnerMountainFoundation

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@InnerMountainFoundation

The Climb Podcast is proudly presented by The Inner Mountain Foundation. This episode is produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.