Real-Time Reflections: Owning My Value, Saying the Damn Thing, & Not Waiting to Be Ready

Real-Time Reflections: Owning My Value, Saying the Damn Thing, & Not Waiting to Be Ready

We're baaaack with another episode of Real-Time Reflections 🔥 These monthly solo episodes have become one of my favorite things because they give me a chance to pull back the curtain and share what's actually happening behind the scenes in my life and business - the wins, the lessons, the mindset shifts, the messy middle, and everything I'm learning in real time. And this month, there have been some BIG realizations around receiving, underpricing, trusting myself, and owning the value of the work I do. Plus a few tips I think every business owner needs as we head into summer. This episode is equal parts business, mindset, self-trust, and personal growth - and a reminder that sometimes the biggest shifts happen when you stop holding yourself back and start owning what you already know is true 🔥   In this episode, I chat about: * Why I've been loving these Real-Time Reflections episodes so much * Why NOW is the best time to grab your spot at the Embodied Expansion Retreat [https://illuminessencecreations.com/retreat] * A lesson in SAYING THE DAMN THING and what I learned from a vulnerable post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNsrheiY2Y/?img_index=1] I shared recently * How sharing your truth helps other women feel less alone and more empowered to do the same * Why going first matters * Reflections on reinvesting in private coaching and how I unexpectedly found my new coach * The importance of doing both the woo and the work * Why I chose this particular coaching container and why the timing felt so aligned * The ways I was underpricing my coaching offers (and the stories behind it) * How we downplay our expertise, experience, and impact without even realizing it * Why it's always easier to see other people's brilliance than your own * The reason I'll continue investing in coaching and mentorship throughout my business journey * Questions to ask yourself if you're underpricing, underselling, or minimizing the transformation you provide * The receiving wound I've been working through and how it has shown up in my business * The connection between childhood experiences, people-pleasing, human design, and receiving support * What it felt like to have space held for me to be vulnerable instead of pushing everything down * A powerful guided inner child practice and the shifts that came from it * The changes coming to my design packages [https://illuminessencecreations.com/brand-and-web] and pricing in July * Why I realized I was underpricing and downplaying that work too * A new mindset segment I'm adding to these solo episodes * This month's mindset shift: rest and fun are productive too * Why taking a break is often the most productive thing you can do * How your online presence can support you while you're offline enjoying your life * The new Unfiltered Thoughts segment I'm introducing to the podcast * Trusting intuition, following nudges, and taking action before you feel ready * Examples from my own life of investing, pivoting, letting go, and trusting what's calling me forward * Why you'll probably never feel completely ready for the things that matter most * A final reminder to keep choosing the path that lights your soul on fire ✨   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. Pricing increases 7/2.   WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER Inquire about Brand & Web Design [https://illuminessencecreations.com/connect]: 6 start dates left in 2026. 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]: Mastermind or Private Support 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) 🦋   → 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!

The Marketing Strategy That Works While You're Offline with Julie Ostmeyer

If your entire marketing strategy currently lives on social media... this episode is for you 👀 This week I'm joined by Julie Ostmeyer - a Pinterest and Email Marketing Strategist who helps business owners create sustainable marketing systems that generate leads, sales, and passive income without needing to be online 24/7. This conversation is packed with practical tips for building marketing assets you actually own - from email lists, websites, and Pinterest to collaborations and passive income opportunities - so your business can keep working even when you're not. This episode is a great reminder that while social media can absolutely be part of your strategy, it shouldn't be the entire strategy. Building assets you own creates more stability, more freedom, and more opportunities for your business to grow long-term.   In this episode, we talk about: * How Julie got started with email marketing and creating email bundles * What email bundles are and how they can help grow your audience and email list * Why collaboration beats competition when it comes to growing your business * The difference between renting your audience on social media versus owning your audience through your email list and website * Why you don't want social media to be your only marketing strategy * How Pinterest works as a long-term marketing tool and traffic source * Creating more freedom in your business so it can work in the background while you're offline * What to think about when building email workflows for freebies, products, and services * How to nurture, provide value, and convert subscribers through email * Tips for writing subject lines that actually get opened * Why testing and experimenting is one of the best things you can do in your email marketing (and business) * Where to start if you don't have an email list at all * Finding bundle opportunities and growing your audience through partnerships * How to show up on Pinterest even if you're not in a visual industry * Easy ways to repurpose and cross-post content to Pinterest * Our experiences using Pinterest in our own businesses * Quality over quantity when it comes to content and social media * The myth of the "magic pill" that will suddenly grow your business * Why diversifying your marketing matters so much * How Julie's client acquisition strategy has evolved throughout her business journey * The importance of creating multiple pathways for people to find and connect with you * Why coaching can accelerate your growth and help you see yourself more clearly Connect with Julie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/julieostmeyer/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/julie.ostmeyer], and Pinterest [https://www.youtube.com/@JulieOstmeyer] Grab her free guide on How to Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers [https://mamaofmultiples.thrivecart.com/your-first-100-email-subscribers/] Get her free guide on Pinterest for Peaceful Growth [https://mamaofmultiples.thrivecart.com/pinterest-for-peaceful-growth/]   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]: 6 start dates left for the year. 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!

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!