Married to the Startup

Writing a Book Won't Make You Rich

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/fan_mail/new] Join Alicia and George as they explore the realities of writing and publishing books, the impact of media and marketing, and the importance of platform and passion in success. They also delve into personal insights on family, relationships, and the influence of social media on perceptions and opportunities. keywords book publishing, marketing, social media, author success, platform, passion, family, relationships, media influence, entrepreneurship Timestamps: 00:00 The Joy and Struggles of Writing 05:37 The Publishing Process and Its Challenges 11:05 The Reality of Being an Author 12:53 The Pay-to-Play Award System 14:18 The Influence of Wealth on Success 16:32 Expectations in Marketing and Promotion 18:33 Behind the Curtain of the Book Industry 20:32 Revenue Recognition and Payment Delays 21:44 Passion vs. Profit in Writing 23:23 The Role of PR in Book Success 25:20 Quality vs. Quantity in Parenting 28:24 The Balance of Metrics in Business and Relationships 30:49 Leveraging Substack for Writers 33:40 The Reality of Quick Rich Schemes ⸻ Sponsors:  She’s Built Different: https://shesbuiltdifferent.substack.com/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/support] Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother [https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother] https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup [https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/] www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother] https://liftlikeamother.com [https://liftlikeamother.com]

Does the American Dream Still Exist?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/fan_mail/new] This episode explores the nuances of social media influence, the reality of wealth, the American Dream, and the future of technology and content creation. The hosts share personal stories, insights on financial habits, and predictions about AI and media evolution. keywords social media, wealth, American Dream, AI, content creation, social media influence, financial habits, social media trends, future technology, family life Timestamps: 00:00 Betting on Yourself: The Entrepreneurial Mindset 09:37 Navigating Parenting Challenges and Expectations 19:10 The Illusion of Wealth: Social Media and Aspirational Poverty 28:10 Housing Market Realities and Financial Decisions 28:20 The Evolving American Dream: Home Ownership vs. New Aspirations 30:33 The Changing Perception of Home Ownership: From Asset to Investment 32:58 Multi-Generational Households: A Return to Tradition? 34:54 Influencers and Content Creation: Value vs. Grift 38:28 The Future of Media: AI, Content Creation, and Human Touch Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/support] Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother [https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother] https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup [https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/] www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother] https://liftlikeamother.com [https://liftlikeamother.com]

Is the Influencer Brand Trip Dead? The Pivot You Should Be Considering

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/fan_mail/new] This episode explores the evolving landscape of marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI innovations like Swan AI's mirror, and the importance of adaptability in business and life. George and Alicia share insights on how rapid technological changes and market dynamics demand quick pivots and authentic content strategies.  keywords marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI mirrors, Swan AI, social media strategy, business adaptability, brand trips, user-generated content, AI disruption, entrepreneurial journey Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Swan AI and Influencer Marketing 02:44 The Evolution of Influencer Brand Trips 05:49 Understanding the AI Mirror Technology 08:28 The Importance of Authentic Content Creation 11:36 Navigating Pivots in Business 14:11 Generational Perspectives on Pivots 16:53 Defining Success and Wealth 19:49 The Changing Landscape of Employment 22:26 The Future of Work and AI 25:03 Personal Stories of Pivots and Growth Sponsors:  Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ [https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/support] Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother [https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother] https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup [https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/] www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother] https://liftlikeamother.com [https://liftlikeamother.com]

In Conversation with the Host of Cake for Dinner - Keesha Scott

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/fan_mail/new] Keesha Scott is a co-founder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company with 800 employees and 17 facilities nationwide, a podcast host, and a soon-to-be published author. In this episode, she sits down with Alicia and George to talk about building a business with her husband, parenting through addiction and loss, and why leading with vulnerability is the most powerful thing she has ever done. Keesha and her husband bootstrapped Guardian Recovery from a two-person idea into a company rooted in a deeply personal why: both are in recovery, and her first husband died of a drug overdose. She opens up about what it looks like to build a business alongside a spouse when the mission is that close to home, including the terrifying moment during COVID when they thought the whole thing might sink. From wearing a weighted vest upside down to accidentally going viral, Keesha's approach to life and parenting is refreshingly unfiltered. She shares the story behind her podcast and upcoming book Cake for Dinner, why she stopped making herself small, and the one piece of advice she would give every couple running a business together: always remember your why. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Keisha Scott and Her Journey 02:56 Building Guardian Recovery: A Family Affair 05:38 Navigating Sobriety and Parenting 08:16 The Intersection of Business and Personal Life 11:05 Wellness Practices Amidst Chaos 14:08 Embracing Authenticity and Imperfection 16:53 The Meaning Behind 'Cake for Dinner' 19:38 Lessons from Parenting and Social Media 22:38 The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents 25:24 Preparing Teens for Real-Life Challenges 28:11 Upcoming Book and Future Plans 30:56 Insights from Podcasting and Real Stories 33:37 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts ⸻ Sponsors:  Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ [https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/] ⸻ Follow Cake for Dinner | Keesha Scott: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/ [https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod/ [https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/support] Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother [https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother] https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup [https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/] www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother] https://liftlikeamother.com [https://liftlikeamother.com]

MacKenzie-Childs Part 2 | The Dark Side of Rapid Expansion

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/fan_mail/new] What really happened to the woman behind MacKenzie-Childs? In this episode, Alicia and George go back to finish the story they started in episode 51, because it turns out there was a whole chapter the internet left out. Before private equity entered the picture, there was Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, who bought MacKenzie-Childs out of bankruptcy for $5.5 million on a $15.3 million debt. What she did next is the part that got glossed over and it is a masterclass in capitalism doing what capitalism does, regardless of whether it feels right. Victoria MacKenzie-Childs passed away on March 4, 2026 at 77, and her death brought the full story out into the open. Alicia and George break down the Roland era, the non-compete, the lawsuit over Victoria’s own first name, and what it actually looks like when a creative builds something extraordinary, loses it, and keeps going anyway. Plus: why your lifestyle is exactly like the elastic in your underwear and why that matters for your business too.   Timestamps: 00:00 - The underwear elastic theory of lifestyle creep 01:00 - Meet your hosts (and their new grand-chickens) 03:00 - Quick recap: Episode 51 and why we’re back 05:30 - Honoring Victoria MacKenzie-Childs and the creative spirit 07:30 - The origin story: a TikTok comment that started it all 11:45 - Pleasant Rowland enters: the chapter the internet skipped 15:45 - How Pleasant Rowland used debt as leverage (the non-compete) 20:15 - The Roland era 2001 to 2007: rebuilding and the lawsuit over their names 26:00 - Capitalism vs. the artist: protect the creative at the table 32:30 - Victoria’s comeback: the ferry boat, M-Prize, and making art anyway 37:00 - Lifestyle creep, debt, and why the elastic never snaps back 38:30 - Know your non-negotiables before you need the money 39:00 - The classic founder cautionary tale (and what to do differently)  ⸻ Sponsors:  Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ [https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324142/support] Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother [https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother] https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup [https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/] www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother] https://liftlikeamother.com [https://liftlikeamother.com]