Scaling, Redefining Success, & Living Your Life By Design with Ali Montoya

Scaling, Redefining Success, & Living Your Life By Design with Ali Montoya

If you've ever felt pressure to grow bigger, do more, scale faster, or follow someone else's definition of success, this episode is for you 🔥 I'm joined by Ali Montoya, brand and web designer, founder of Amari Creative, and co-founder of The Studio Co. Together, we dive into what it really looks like to build a business intentionally - one that supports your life, honors your strengths, and gives you permission to do things differently. This episode is a refreshing reminder that there isn't one "right way" to build a business. You get to define success, create your own rules, and build something that supports the life you actually want to live.   In this episode, we talk about: * Ali's journey into design, running a design studio for over 10 years, and more recently stepping into the coaching space * Why strong website copy matters just as much as great design (and why one can't make up for the other) * Navigating the ups, downs, pivots, and evolutions that naturally happen throughout business * The differences between being a solo business owner, growing a team, and taking on a business partner or co-founder * The importance of collaboration, community, and having other women to process ideas with * Building your business with integrity while intentionally breaking the rules * Why understanding the "rules" first helps you decide which ones are worth breaking * How human design helped me better understand myself and create a business that works for me * Ali's experience building her business outside of traditional corporate expectations * Living your life by design instead of by default * Choosing work you genuinely love and defining success on your own terms * Why burnout or something going wrong doesn't necessarily mean you need to burn everything to the ground * Giving yourself permission to change your mind * Creating more ease and space instead of building a business that consumes your life * What scaling actually means - and why it doesn't have to mean more employees, more hours, or more stress * Increasing profit, creating efficiency, and buying back your time * The concept of white space in design and how it applies beautifully to life and business * Why consuming less can often help you create more * Learning to sit with space and resist the urge to constantly fill every moment * The reality that you don't always have to be productive Connect with Ali on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alimontoya.co/] Learn more about her design studio: on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amaricreative/] and her website [http://amaricreative.com/] Learn more about her coaching: on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestudioco.co/] and her website [http://thestudioco.co/]   Join the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat]: Where you don’t have to choose between yourself and your business ⛰️✨ A 4-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to support both - through strategy, identity work, visibility coaching, embodiment, and real connection with other female founders so you can reset, expand, and actually enjoy how you show up in your business. July 30 - August 2. Breckenridge, CO. Only 4 spots left.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: only 2 Q3 start dates left. Payment plans available up to 6 months through me and with Affirm (for even more extended options) 💫 Grab a Design & Marketing Power Sprint [https://portal.illuminessencecreations.com/public/form/view/6898d80d35543f0ce435c640] to knock out your "I've been wanting to do this" business growth tasks that have been on your list for foreverrr in just 3 days ⚡ Join Magnetic By Nature [https://illuminessencecreations.com/magnetic]: my Visibility Expansion Space for female founders ready to break the rules, own their real-ass self, and create an online presence that actually reflects that (and gets results) - with 3 levels of support to choose from 🦋   → Check out my website [https://illuminessencecreations.com/] for more ways to work together and connect!   FREE RESOURCES You know I’m here for YOU and your success. And that includes offering a few different free resources to help you get there! 1. Website Hero Copy Prompts [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/herocopy] - Your no-BS guide to writing a website header that hooks in less than 7 seconds — complete with fill-in-the-blank prompts, click-worthy CTA ideas, and a quick vibe check so your home page feels like you (not some cookie-cutter template). 2. The Bold Expression Toolkit [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/boldtoolkit] - Your no-fluff, full-body yes to showing up online like the powerhouse you are. Think: scroll-stopping Canva templates, juicy content prompts, mindset + embodiment practices, and personalized feedback from a pro — all wrapped in a Notion dashboard designed to help you stop holding back and start saying what you really want to say. 3. Sign up for my Newsletter [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/newsletter] - Where you’ll get first access to any other new resources and opportunities to work with me, PLUS tips, strategies, and stories for how to navigate the online space in a way that feels good.   Support my show! I would love you foreverrr if you subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! 🫶🏻   → Connect with me on Insta: @abbybradetich [https://www.instagram.com/abbybradetich/] for alllll the juicy things @theunfilteredceopod [https://www.instagram.com/theunfilteredceopod/] for the podcast!

Fuck Around & Find Out: Hiring, Leadership, & Trusting the Process with Amy Giggey-Burns

If you've ever wondered whether you should hire, outsource, build a team, stay solo, or completely change your mind about what you want your business to look like... this episode is for you. This week I'm joined by Amy Giggey-Burns, founder and CEO of Talent to Team, a fractional HR firm that helps startups and small businesses with people strategy, recruiting, and HR operations support. What I love about this convo is that while we talk a lot about hiring, leadership, and growing a business, it's really a conversation about trust - trusting other people, trusting yourself, and giving yourself permission to build a business that actually fits the life you want.   In this episode, we talk about: * Amy's journey from nonprofits to HR professional to founder of a team of 25 * What fractional HR is and how it works * Why businesses choose to outsource HR support instead of hiring internally * The different ways Amy and her team support their clients * Hiring vs. outsourcing and how to determine what's best for your business * Managing a team, firing employees, and navigating the realities of leadership * My experience hiring a team in the past and why my vision for my business has shifted over time * How hiring often means doing less client work and more leadership work * Why you get to change your mind in business (and honestly just fuck around and find out) * The personal growth that comes from building a business * How our parents and experiences influenced our entrepreneurial journeys; the need for more education around it in school * Showing up as a real human online and in your business * Business acquisitions - what founders should know and the emotional side of selling your company * My husband's experience working for a company that was acquired * The importance of HR when preparing to sell a business * Planning for retirement and why legal, financial, and HR support matter sooner than you think * How pricing models evolve as businesses grow and technology changes - what that's looked like for us and how we're planning for the future * Why HR gets such a bad reputation (and why not all HR experiences are created equal) * Understanding your role as a leader and the impact you have on other people * How to know when it's time to bring in HR support * Why information and data are your friends - even if you tend to avoid them * Learning not to take numbers, metrics, and business decisions personally Connect with Amy on her website [https://www.talenttoteam.com/] Schedule a free 30 minute call [https://calendly.com/akgiggeyburns/officehours] with Amy   Join the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat]: Where you don’t have to choose between yourself and your business ⛰️✨ A 4-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to support both - through strategy, identity work, visibility coaching, embodiment, and real connection with other female founders so you can reset, expand, and actually enjoy how you show up in your business. July 30 - August 2. Breckenridge, CO. Only 4 spots left.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: only 2 Q3 start dates left. Payment plans available up to 6 months through me and with Affirm (for even more extended options) 💫 Grab a Design & Marketing Power Sprint [https://portal.illuminessencecreations.com/public/form/view/6898d80d35543f0ce435c640] to knock out your "I've been wanting to do this" business growth tasks that have been on your list for foreverrr in just 3 days ⚡ Join Magnetic By Nature [https://illuminessencecreations.com/magnetic]: my Visibility Expansion Space for female founders ready to break the rules, own their real-ass self, and create an online presence that actually reflects that (and gets results) - with 3 levels of support to choose from 🦋   → Check out my website [https://illuminessencecreations.com/] for more ways to work together and connect!   FREE RESOURCES You know I’m here for YOU and your success. And that includes offering a few different free resources to help you get there! 1. Website Hero Copy Prompts [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/herocopy] - Your no-BS guide to writing a website header that hooks in less than 7 seconds — complete with fill-in-the-blank prompts, click-worthy CTA ideas, and a quick vibe check so your home page feels like you (not some cookie-cutter template). 2. The Bold Expression Toolkit [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/boldtoolkit] - Your no-fluff, full-body yes to showing up online like the powerhouse you are. Think: scroll-stopping Canva templates, juicy content prompts, mindset + embodiment practices, and personalized feedback from a pro — all wrapped in a Notion dashboard designed to help you stop holding back and start saying what you really want to say. 3. Sign up for my Newsletter [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/newsletter] - Where you’ll get first access to any other new resources and opportunities to work with me, PLUS tips, strategies, and stories for how to navigate the online space in a way that feels good.   Support my show! I would love you foreverrr if you subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! 🫶🏻   → Connect with me on Insta: @abbybradetich [https://www.instagram.com/abbybradetich/] for alllll the juicy things @theunfilteredceopod [https://www.instagram.com/theunfilteredceopod/] for the podcast!

Real-Time Reflections: $10K Months, Money Mindset Wobbles, & Spacious Success

It's time for another juicyyy episode of Real-Time Reflections 🔥 These honest, in-the-moment solo eps have quickly become one of my favorite things because I’m such a verbal processor 😅 and this space lets me be REAL with you about what’s actually happening behind the scenes in my life and business - the wins, the mindset wobbles, the lessons, and the messy middle while I’m living it. And this month? Whew. There’s been a LOT to celebrate… and some really interesting mindset edges that came with it. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s looked like to navigate growth, money mindset, upper limits, big personal shifts, and intentionally creating more space without losing momentum.   I chat about: * What I’ve been loving so much about these Real-Time Reflections episodes and why this format feels so aligned for me * Booking over half of my retreat spots (!!) and the incredible response I’ve gotten so far * What I’m celebrating and loving about the retreat launch & creation process * Hitting my first $10k month in over a year and the mindset/energetic edge that came with it * What it feels like to hit an upper limit - and how this experience compares to a similar one after a $15k month in 2024 * The two biggest limiting beliefs/stories that came up for me around money and success * Understanding where those beliefs actually come from (hello childhood + past experiences 👀) * Why limiting beliefs don’t magically disappear - you just get better at recognizing and moving through them * The tools I use when mindset shit comes up: journaling, coaching, verbal processing, and questions to ask yourself * Why awareness is always the first step in changing anything * The mindset shifts that have made the biggest difference in my journey (and why I’ve started sharing them weekly on Instagram) * The belief that you’ve always got your own back - and the self-trust that creates * Choosing not to let fear of “what if something bad happens?” run the show * Other fun business wins and what I’m most excited about with the retreat this summer * On the personal side… my mom officially moved to Colorado this month 🥹 * What it’s been like helping her get settled and how surprisingly normal it feels having family nearby again after 10+ years * How BUSY May has felt - and why I intentionally created way more space for myself in June * My decision to stop doing the fucking most just because momentum is happening * What maintaining momentum without constant busyness actually looks like for me this next month   Join the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat]: Where you don’t have to choose between yourself and your business ⛰️✨ A 4-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to support both - through strategy, identity work, visibility coaching, embodiment, and real connection with other female founders so you can reset, expand, and actually enjoy how you show up in your business. July 30 - August 2. Breckenridge, CO. Only 4 spots left.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: only 2 Q3 start dates left. Payment plans available up to 6 months through me and with Affirm (for even more extended options) 💫 Grab a Design & Marketing Power Sprint [https://portal.illuminessencecreations.com/public/form/view/6898d80d35543f0ce435c640] to knock out your "I've been wanting to do this" business growth tasks that have been on your list for foreverrr in just 3 days ⚡ Join Magnetic By Nature [https://illuminessencecreations.com/magnetic]: my Visibility Expansion Space for female founders ready to break the rules, own their real-ass self, and create an online presence that actually reflects that (and gets results) - with 3 levels of support to choose from 🦋   → Check out my website [https://illuminessencecreations.com/] for more ways to work together and connect!   FREE RESOURCES You know I’m here for YOU and your success. And that includes offering a few different free resources to help you get there! 1. Website Hero Copy Prompts [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/herocopy] - Your no-BS guide to writing a website header that hooks in less than 7 seconds — complete with fill-in-the-blank prompts, click-worthy CTA ideas, and a quick vibe check so your home page feels like you (not some cookie-cutter template). 2. The Bold Expression Toolkit [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/boldtoolkit] - Your no-fluff, full-body yes to showing up online like the powerhouse you are. Think: scroll-stopping Canva templates, juicy content prompts, mindset + embodiment practices, and personalized feedback from a pro — all wrapped in a Notion dashboard designed to help you stop holding back and start saying what you really want to say. 3. Sign up for my Newsletter [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/newsletter] - Where you’ll get first access to any other new resources and opportunities to work with me, PLUS tips, strategies, and stories for how to navigate the online space in a way that feels good.   Support my show! I would love you foreverrr if you subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! 🫶🏻   → Connect with me on Insta: @abbybradetich [https://www.instagram.com/abbybradetich/] for alllll the juicy things @theunfilteredceopod [https://www.instagram.com/theunfilteredceopod/] for the podcast!

Trust Yourself More. Overthink Less. Build Your Business Your Own Damn Way with Chelsea Davis

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by what your business “should” look like, orrrr like you need permission to pivot, change your mind, or do things differently - this episode is for you 🔥 This week I’m joined by Chelsea Davis, a Fractional Creative Director + Channel Expert who helps business owners turn brand chaos into clarity. And while yes, we talk design and branding… this conversation goes way deeper into identity, self-trust, creativity, and building a business that actually works for you. This episode is such a good reminder that building a business isn’t about following someone else’s blueprint — it’s about learning yourself, trusting your instincts, and creating something that actually feels good to be inside of. In this episode, we talk about: * Chelsea’s journey into design — from loving it at a young age to corporate work, freelancing, and eventually building her own business * Why we both started our businesses and what we love most about the creative side of entrepreneurship * Chelsea’s “design basics for non-designers” content series and why she created it * Why inspiration, clear communication, and a strong brief matter so much in design projects * Chelsea’s experience being late-diagnosed with ADHD and how that helped her better understand herself * The permission slip that comes with understanding how you work best (whether through ADHD, human design, astrology, etc.) * Taking action vs. sitting with discomfort and allowing clarity to come * My astrology big 3 and what they reveal about how I move through life/business * Letting go of doing things just because you “should” — in life and business * Not putting yourself in a box, especially as a creative entrepreneur * How we’ve both shifted our schedules and businesses to make things more enjoyable and sustainable * Focused work vs. creative work — and how we approach both differently * Why you do not need someone else’s permission to pivot, make changes, or trust your intuition * Our thoughts on hustle culture, Black Friday sales, busy seasons, and end-of-year pressure * Why you need to support both yourself and your business in order to grow sustainably * Leaning more into trust, intuition, and what feels aligned as you grow in business * Finding freedom on social media and allowing yourself to show up your way * Why sustainable, long-term success is never one-size-fits-all * The growth that comes from investing in coaching, masterminds, and support * Asking yourself: where am I giving my power away? * Navigating the gap between where you are and where you want to be * Saying no to the wrong things so the right opportunities have space to come in * Doing the things that scare you, trusting the universe, and staying committed to your vision even when you can’t fully see it yet * The importance of community and not trying to do business alone * A final reminder that you get to give yourself permission to do what you actually want to do Connect with Chelsea on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heychelseadavis/], Threads [https://www.threads.com/@heychelseadavis], and her website [https://www.heychelseadavis.com/]   Join the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat]: Where you don’t have to choose between yourself and your business ⛰️✨ A 4-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to support both - through strategy, identity work, visibility coaching, embodiment, and real connection with other female founders so you can reset, expand, and actually enjoy how you show up in your business. July 30 - August 2. Breckenridge, CO. Early Bird pricing ends 5/20.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: limited summer start dates left. Payment plans available up to 6 months through me and with Affirm (for even more extended options) 💫 Grab a Design & Marketing Power Sprint [https://portal.illuminessencecreations.com/public/form/view/6898d80d35543f0ce435c640] to knock out your "I've been wanting to do this" business growth tasks that have been on your list for foreverrr in just 3 days (1 summer spot left) ⚡ Join Magnetic By Nature [https://illuminessencecreations.com/magnetic]: my Visibility Expansion Space for female founders ready to break the rules, own their real-ass self, and create an online presence that actually reflects that (and gets results) - with 3 levels of support to choose from 🦋   → Check out my website [https://illuminessencecreations.com/] for more ways to work and connect!   FREE RESOURCES You know I’m here for YOU and your success. And that includes offering a few different free resources to help you get there! 1. Website Hero Copy Prompts [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/herocopy] - Your no-BS guide to writing a website header that hooks in less than 7 seconds — complete with fill-in-the-blank prompts, click-worthy CTA ideas, and a quick vibe check so your home page feels like you (not some cookie-cutter template). 2. The Bold Expression Toolkit [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/boldtoolkit] - Your no-fluff, full-body yes to showing up online like the powerhouse you are. Think: scroll-stopping Canva templates, juicy content prompts, mindset + embodiment practices, and personalized feedback from a pro — all wrapped in a Notion dashboard designed to help you stop holding back and start saying what you really want to say. 3. Sign up for my Newsletter [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/newsletter] - Where you’ll get first access to any other new resources and opportunities to work with me, PLUS tips, strategies, and stories for how to navigate the online space in a way that feels good.   Support my show! I would love you foreverrr if you subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! 🫶🏻   → Connect with me on Insta: @abbybradetich [https://www.instagram.com/abbybradetich/] for alllll the juicy things @illuminessencecreations [https://www.instagram.com/illuminessencecreations/] for brand & web @theunfilteredceopod [https://www.instagram.com/theunfilteredceopod/] for the podcast!

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Self-Trust, Visibility, & Mindset with Cara Brzezicki

This episode is for the girlies who find themselves overthinking the “right” next move, waiting to feel ready, or wondering how to actually trust themselves more in business and in life. I’m joined by Cara Brzezicki, a certified Jay Shetty mindset and manifestation coach, for a conversation alllll about self-trust, visibility, mindset, and building a business in a way that actually feels aligned with who you are. It's the perfect reminder that the magic isn’t in waiting until you feel fully ready... it’s in trusting yourself enough to move anyway.   In this episode, we talk about: * Cara’s multi-passionate entrepreneurship journey — from products to books to coaching * The freedom (and infinite possibilities) that come with owning a business & the discernment required when you have a million ideas * Starting before you feel ready and figuring things out as you go * The difference between strategic planning and productive procrastination * Showing up authentically online and why people hire you because of who you are * How to use AI intentionally in your business without letting it replace your voice, creativity, or thinking * Warning signs you may be relying on AI too much - and what to do instead * Cara’s journey into intuitive and mindset coaching and the work she does with clients * What mindset, manifestation, and abundance work actually looks like (beyond the fluffy internet version) * Why money mindset work can feel so layered and emotionally tied to worthiness * Practical ways to work through mindset and money blocks * Defining success for yourself instead of chasing someone else’s version * Where confidence actually comes from (spoiler: not waiting until you magically “feel it”) * Collaboration and community over competition * Not everyone is going to like you - and why that’s actually a good thing * Handling judgment, backlash, and people-pleasing when showing up online * The reality that relationships may shift as you become more of yourself and own your power * Why self-trust is built by taking action and proving to yourself that you’ve got your own back Connect with Cara on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/icaralot7/] and her website [https://icaralot.co/] And check out her other businesses: Flusher Blocker [https://flusherblocker.com/], Jazzie Beans [https://jazziebeans.com/], The Coffee Stopper [https://thecoffeestopper.com/]   Join the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat]: Where you don’t have to choose between yourself and your business ⛰️✨ A 4-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to support both - through strategy, identity work, visibility coaching, embodiment, and real connection with other female foundersso you can reset, expand, and actually enjoy how you show up in your business. July 30 - August 2. Breckenridge, CO. Early Bird pricing ends 5/20.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: limited summer start dates left. Payment plans available up to 6 months through me and with Affirm (for even more extended options) 💫 Grab a Design & Marketing Power Sprint [https://portal.illuminessencecreations.com/public/form/view/6898d80d35543f0ce435c640] to knock out your "I've been wanting to do this" business growth tasks that have been on your list for foreverrr in just 3 days (1 summer spot left) ⚡ Join Magnetic By Nature [https://illuminessencecreations.com/magnetic]: my Visibility Expansion Space for female founders ready to break the rules, own their real-ass self, and create an online presence that actually reflects that (and gets results) - with 3 levels of support to choose from 🦋   → Check out my website [https://illuminessencecreations.com/] for more ways to work and connect!   FREE RESOURCES You know I’m here for YOU and your success. And that includes offering a few different free resources to help you get there! 1. Website Hero Copy Prompts [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/herocopy] - Your no-BS guide to writing a website header that hooks in less than 7 seconds — complete with fill-in-the-blank prompts, click-worthy CTA ideas, and a quick vibe check so your home page feels like you (not some cookie-cutter template). 2. The Bold Expression Toolkit [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/boldtoolkit] - Your no-fluff, full-body yes to showing up online like the powerhouse you are. Think: scroll-stopping Canva templates, juicy content prompts, mindset + embodiment practices, and personalized feedback from a pro — all wrapped in a Notion dashboard designed to help you stop holding back and start saying what you really want to say. 3. Sign up for my Newsletter [https://illuminessencecreations.myflodesk.com/newsletter] - Where you’ll get first access to any other new resources and opportunities to work with me, PLUS tips, strategies, and stories for how to navigate the online space in a way that feels good.   Support my show! I would love you foreverrr if you subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! 🫶🏻   → Connect with me on Insta: @abbybradetich [https://www.instagram.com/abbybradetich/] for alllll the juicy things @illuminessencecreations [https://www.instagram.com/illuminessencecreations/] for brand & web @theunfilteredceopod [https://www.instagram.com/theunfilteredceopod/] for the podcast!