An Interview With Melissa Llarena

One decision can change your life entirely. Melissa shares an anecdote from her book, Fertile Imagination, about her mom's one turning point decision moment back in the 60s. Melissa leads a 10-minute meditation to help you build a greater awareness of your body sensations. Melissa talks about the decision to raise bilingual third generation Latinos. Excerpt from Melissa's book: Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Every Mom's Superpower for Creating Maximum Impact - https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/ The wrong script for you can hold you back. My Puerto Rican grandmother, who finished school after the third grade, got impatient with my mom back in the ’60s. One of three girls, my mom attended a community college to earn her associate’s degree. No other daughter went that far. My grandmother once told my mom, that’s enough school! She saw school as a waste of time for a girl. Decades later, my mom enrolled in college because she really wanted to earn a bachelor’s. The problem was that my mom was working f

In this conversation, we will discuss why representation matters especially for children, how you can expand the perspective of someone as a mom or in other ways by being the first person in any category to use your special voice and get a look at what asking for precisely what you want is a good thing and how that contributed to the children’s book Your Special Voice.  Temi Adamolekun is the author of Your Special Voice. This empowering board book inspires young readers to use their own special voices to make a difference in the world. If you want to make a difference,  but you don’t know where to start  Begin by searching way deep down  to find what’s in your heart Whether your voice shines through singing, drawing, or dancing—whether it’s soft or loud, kind or proud—everyone has a voice that can effect change. This empowering and heartfelt message is conveyed through a beautiful, lyrical rhyme that will encourage even the youngest readers to think about what’s important to them. Temi is from Nigeria, grew

Welcome to episode 188 (Mom Summer Camp Series). Today, I’ll tell you a story that reflects how my summer plans are going, you’ll learn about this concept of transitions for yourself ) not only your kids, and then I’ll walk you through a 10-minute resource-building meditation. The 10-minute resource-building meditation is a sneak peek into my FREE 21-day imagination to impact challenge. Sign-up on www.fertileideas.com This is for you if you have elementary school-aged up to tween-aged kids and your intention is to create a new offering as a creative or passion-based business owner in this fall. This 21-day challenge aligns with my upcoming book entitled Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every’s Mom Superpower for Maximum Impact coming out this October! First the story... My typical trip to Target features one son lying down underneath my shopping cart, another one hanging on one side of my cart, and the third on the other side so that it doesn't tip over. I'm only trying to buy ponytail holders + TP

Ever wonder how a mom of four can juggle being a successful entrepreneur, author and still maintain her calm? Jenna Hermans, author of “Chaos to Calm: Five Ways Busy Parents Can Break Free from Overwhelm,” spills her secrets and takes us through her journey of becoming an entrepreneur, managing her energy and time, and how she inspires others to chase their dreams while keeping the balance of life intact. She even shares a real-life example of maintaining calm amidst the chaos of a messy situation with her teenager. Jenna Hermans is living proof that you can create a life of calm within chaos and overwhelm. She uses her bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in organizational management, and over fifteen years of Human Resources experience to build strong teams, both at work and at home. Jenna takes an intentional and inclusive approach to help individuals and teams implement tools that put organization and systems around their busy lives that infuse calm and more joy, helping them go from Chaos to

You left a conventional career to create your own entrepreneurial path. It's part of your goal to be around and stay flexible enough to be present with your kids and to raise them yourself as the primary caregiver.   So you are at this crossroads at the beginning of your freelancing, coaching, and services business and you've been bombarded with things to do.   Your mental load today would require more than a Tonka truck to unload and in the Fall your kids will be in school full-time. However, even then your kids are on your mind and obviously in your heart. So how are you going to do this? Where do you start?   Is there a way to avoid the mom guilt? Are there boundaries you can build now to put your best ideas out there without imploded from overwhelm? Will you have to miss sleep to squeeze in your hopes and dreams?   Do you have more questions about how to approach your entrepreneurial journey and mom life than answers?   Remember, missing out on your kid's school-age journey is N

Lauren reinvents herself at 50 and now pursues her dream of teaching others how to cook easily and entertain effortlessly. She inspires others to follow their passions no matter what their age. Lauren is a Culinary Influencer who has a passion for creating – expressed through her original content, recipes, photography, and storytelling. Her authenticity shows through her voice, as she genuinely enjoys engaging with her audience. Lauren teaches cooking classes and hosts private dinners in her home. She also works with select brands to build awareness by bringing the human element and a face to the brand. She creates content and shares it on her established social networks and in-person events to bring awareness and, ultimately, brand insistence. She’s worked with companies such as Wustof, Sprouts, Hexclad, ThermoPro, Belfonte, Wisconsin Cheese, and many others. Lauren Lane is a contributor to the FOX4 morning show and has recently appeared on the new Netflix cooking competition Easy Bake Battle. Lauren Lane's

What if YOU were the best teacher or coach to teach your kids THE life skills they'll need to become resilient, emotionally intelligent, or even better at advocating for themselves? What if... I believe that our kids can handle more than we can even imagine. Way more. Did you hear about the kids lost in the Amazon who fended for themselves and survived?  That's such an outlier situation and it's SO scary for me to imagine but what it did remind me is: our kids can be resilient and tougher than the obstacles life will present in front of them. Hasn't this been the case for you? You've been through some stuff yet here you are reading this and tuning into Unimaginable Wellness. There's something in you that helped you rise up or beyond several obstacles so why not teach your kids how to do the same this summer season? That's what I'm doing this summer....because I've got lessons and stuff to teach...you do too! This summer why not impart some of your skills intentionally to your kid/s? This week's episode is ver

Let’s get into the marketing side of writing a book to fuel your business from how you get and sustain the energy to do what it takes to reach more people to how you can find the funding to pay for the marketing tactics you can use to build awareness around your book.  Also, there’s a ton you can do so how do you prioritize what you will do if you are running a lean business or are a solopreneur. Pay close attention to how you can pivot from one audience into another if that’s also your specific situation – and you’re writing a book for an audience that is not on your email list yet. Meet Becky. Becky Robinson is the Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in supporting authors, business leaders, coaches, trainers, speakers, and thought leaders. Founded in 2012, Weaving Influence services include strategic consultation/coaching for authors and thought leaders, social media management, public relations, virtual meeting facilitation, and book launch service

This is episode 182. What if playing a supporting role in your own life is the single biggest mistake you can make as a mom? What if you will only be happy, fulfilled, and feel like the best mom possible if you took a chance on your own ambitions? What if taking a chance means that you will have to find a way to start playing the lead role in your life? What if your mental health and emotional well-being rely on making this mindset shift?? Let's talk about a very common change in perspective among moms. We begin by playing the lead in our lives to then becoming a mom and feeling like we can now only play a supporting role. Ever feel like your life had to stop when every else's gets to keep going or soaring? This was the memo I got when I joined the mom club twelve years ago. It’s also why I decided to write my book….Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact - get your free chapter: www.melissallarena.com/waitlist   Big ideas discussed in this episode   Insi

Are you curious about how other businesses are scaling and expanding while balancing family life? Look no further than Margaret Wishingrad, CEO and Co-Founder of Three Wishes, a cereal company that is taking the industry by storm. As a mother of two young children, Margaret knows firsthand the challenges of being a working mom, but she also relishes in the fulfillment that comes from her work. Margaret shares her story and offers valuable insights into how she balances it all. She tackles the unrealistic expectations placed on moms and entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of prioritizing what matters most. While she acknowledges the power of delegation, Margaret emphasizes the need for control and the satisfaction that comes from taking charge. Margaret Wishingrad is a mother of two, the daughter of immigrants, and the Founder and CEO of Three Wishes, a healthy-while-delicious breakfast that's unique in the cereal aisle for its nutrient-dense ingredients. Margaret has grown Three Wishes from conception

This is episode 180. How to avoid daily distractions to focus on your business growth (work-life integration). We are going to tackle a huge hindrance to business growth, especially as a solopreneur who wants to be a good mom too. This episode comes from a survey I recently conducted with moms in business. One insight that grabbed my attention was this one: a solopreneur had this to say: it's easier to see a clean kitchen than the impact of social media posts. Have you ever had this happen to you? You hire a social media expert who designs templates, gives you Mad Lib frameworks, and sources great stock art.  She even goes as far as telling you on Monday to share Behind-the-Scenes, on Tuesday to share an offer, Wednesday do a REEL, meanwhile throughout the days be sure to like, share, and comment on the posts that tackle the ideas you agree with or want to spread in the context of your zone of genius. Oh, and I want you to send authentic and relevant audiograms personalized to prospective clients as part of c

As a coach for 12 years now, I understand how a working mom feels when everyone else is counting down the days until summer. I have identical twins who are 9 and a 12 year old. All of them will be cared for in a mix of summer camps, by a babysitter, me, and my husband this summer. Sound familiar? This used to make me anxious until I started asking myself an important question that I'll share with you here. ​ If the answer is YES (Melissa, I'm anxious about this summer), then I want to share with you ONE tangible solution to help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or anxious when you look at the days flying by. P.S. This is the tip of the iceberg and if rethinking how you navigate your life as a mom in business is your top priority in 2023 then I will let you know how you can reach me for a free private and confidential consultation as a member of this newsletter community. Read through the note. ​ Some context: This note starts off my series of work-life integration for moms in business….because I don’t believe th

This is a special Mother’s Day episode because it includes the kind of gift that a lot of us working moms would LOVE. If you're on a career pause right now, consider the fact that this might be the perfect opportunity to uncover what might be next for you. In this episode, we talk about networking and why so few of us prioritize such a business-critical task. Then we discuss taking a pause in your career and why that needs to be on your resume.  Altogether, we go through what work-life integration is and why it might feel so hard in traditional business relationship-building settings. We then turn to an online/offline community that is creating the space we need to be both moms and professionals without feeling as if we have to hide half of who we are.  I want to give you as a listener a coupon code for 75 off of a HeyMama membership to get this coupon code just DM me @melissallarena or email me Melissa@melissallarena.com Amri Kebbler is a mom of two from New York and the visionary behind the 2014 launch of H

What does work-time balance even look like? Can you tell me right now who you know who is achieving such a blissed-out state? Who is actually juggling and keeping everything off the ground? I want to know and that’s why I wanted to bring this week’s podcast guest. Ingrid J Adams.  She has four kids. Lives in Manly Australia. Ingrid’s husband encouraged HER to find something that she was passionate about when their kids went to school. She also just published a book!  This is not about perfection or an unrealistic goalpost for superb balance. It’s about turning mom guilt on its head to publish your book or launch your business and about finding a way to teach your kids the lessons you’ve learned throughout life.  I want to hear from you! Listen in and DM on Instagram @melissallarena. Is balance within your reach or do you think it’s slightly BS? Maybe we just need to enjoy the pockets of time in the day when we feel we are in balance? Tell me. I want to know! Ingrid J. Adams is the author of Descended, an epic

In episode 176, Melissa discusses the art of delegation and how it can be the key to achieving balance and success in business and life. She shares insights from a survey conducted with moms in business, highlighting the desire for balance and the difficulty many face in being resourceful for themselves and asking for help. The episode addresses the hesitation, resistance, and unwillingness to delegate tasks to others and offers solutions, including bartering skills and creativity to find a solution that doesn't always involve money. Send Melissa a DM on Instagram @melissallarena if you have a hard time asking for help. You are not alone! Just type DELEGATE. I have a quick read-through of a chapter focused on precisely helping you ask the right questions to get the help you need and do so with courage! Want this free sample chapter on the art of asking for help? Meanwhile, if you'd like to weigh in please fill out this survey for moms who want to make an impact via their businesses. Quick survey and together

Are you on the verge of burnout and overwhelm? There are options for you as an entrepreneur who feels this way: you can quit, pivot, or pause. You are about to hear from a creative entrepreneur who left private practice in homeopathy after burning out, getting into a motorcycle accident, and being diagnosed with cancer at 58. Sometimes life whispers and other times shouts to get us to make some big life changes. Meryl Cook shares her story of how she came back and left her 20-year career behind and got into rug hooking. Oodles of hooking jokes abound. Color, texture, joy, and self-compassion define Meryl Cook’s work as a fiber artist and writer in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. As an emerging artist, Meryl is becoming best known for her use of the Chakra colors and her Wild Woman series. Her current mediums are rug hooking, spinning, wet felting, and journaling. What began as a way of holding space for herself following breast cancer treatment has led Meryl to a career as an artist and writer, inspiring others to co

This is episode 174. We are going to talk about imposter syndrome especially amongst moms in business. At this point in my coaching career, I want to ensure that I am bringing my superpower of an explosive imagination to my ideal clients and through the grace of God and the fortitude with which I’ve been writing my book the answer that I’ve heard whispered in my ear over and over has been moms…specifically moms with businesses. So I’ve decided and made a declaration that I am officially on a mission to empower, embolden, and encourage 1-million-plus moms with a business in the next five years. Now in the words of Oprah, what would be the absolute best next possible step when you have an idea? In my case, it has been to talk to moms with businesses. I’ve begun to do this and something came up just this week that I want to address for you my listeners. It’s the signs that imposter syndrome is hurting your income and why this needs to stop especially amongst moms in business, these are three I’ve heard and that

You have likely heard about ChatGPT or Bard. Those conversational AI chatbots can answer users’ text questions in everyday language. Well, I decided to interview Bard today to get a feel for how as a mom founder or entrepreneur, you can use it to achieve wellness beyond your imagination. Get ready to step into the future and use your explosive superpower of imagination to imagine for yourself how AI can help you find peace and contentment in your mom life and business.  Here’s Bard’s official bio as written by it. Meet Bard. Bard is a large language model, also known as a conversational AI or chatbot trained to be informative and comprehensive. Bard was created by Google AI, and trained on a massive amount of text data, and is able to communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of prompts and questions. For example, Bard can provide summaries of factual topics or create stories. Bard is still under development but has learned to perform many kinds of tasks, including: Following instr

This is episode 172. How to navigate social anxiety when talking to influential people is the scariest thing for you   Imagine these scenarios You want to launch a podcast and invite influential people as guests You want to strike up a conversation with speakers or panelists speaking at a conference You want to pivot into a new sector where you don’t have existing relationships These encounters can be the difference between your success and failure These moments can alter the entire trajectory of your life and that of your family A conversation with the right person at the right time can change your perspective and set you on a proven course rather than a makeshift guessing game adventure that often comes with building a new venture or sustaining it in a market that is constantly changing I’ve coached so many clients who would rather wait on the longest supermarket lines (i.e. privately and in around about ways) to approach influential people than strike up a conversation with someone on the phone or using th

In the spirit of achieving wellness beyond your imagination, I want to bring into focus the idea that you should be able to carry on this feeling of wellness with you when you hop onto a plane. You should be able to honor your mental, physical, and nutritional wellness needs en route to your travel destination and this brings me to this week’s guest:  Youmie Jean Francois is a transformational speaker, corporate wellness consultant, yoga instructor, and Founder/CEO of Flex-N-Fly, an award-winning travel wellness company that provides stretching, yoga, and relaxation classes to travelers before they board their flights in airports.  Along with her tactical steps for going from an idea to a commercially viable business set of offerings worthy of external investment dollars, she shared in this candid conversation, how she knew that her idea was necessary and not just a good idea. Know how to determine if your good idea is worth mustering up your finite mom energy to go after it. If you’re ready to pick one idea