Ep 6: Claiming Your Seat, How Nicole Hart Helps Women Build a Personal Brand Worth Being Known For

Ep: 7 Finale: Letting Go of the Plan and Entering the Chat

Starting a podcast wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but here we are, wrapping up Season 2, and I'm so proud of what Taking Five is becoming! In this episode, I'm sharing some behind-the-scenes moments of what it was like to start, fine-tune, and eventually trust what was happening naturally. I talk about what it looked like to loosen my grip, and why the messy, fumbling parts are necessary to get to the other side. If you can see what's waiting on the other side for you but haven't quite stuck the landing yet, pull up a chair. This one's for us. In this episode, we talk about: * Why overpreparing almost got in the way of the podcast I actually wanted to make * Why I had to go back to Kaitlyn Parker with my tail between my legs * What "Life of Leisure" means to me this season and how it shows up in the way we build This season wouldn't have been what it was without some really incredible guests. Go show them some love: Dalia Soles at Design Assisted [https://www.instagram.com/designassisted/] Intuition Coach Kaileen Elise Sues [https://www.instagram.com/kaileenelise/] Krista at Krista Reynolds Photography [https://www.instagram.com/kristareynolds.photography/] Haley David Wilson at Money Rebel [https://www.instagram.com/themoneyrebel/] Nicole Hart at The Nicole Hart [https://www.instagram.com/thenicolehart/] Thank you for being here this season, truly. Now go take five, boo. You've earned it. In this episode: In the Margins: Private Sessions. An exclusive seasonal audio series to anchor into where you are right now and who you are becoming. 👉 Sign up to listen to Life of Leisure [https://willowandjax.myflodesk.com/newsletter]

Ep 6: Claiming Your Seat, How Nicole Hart Helps Women Build a Personal Brand Worth Being Known For

In this episode, I'm chatting with Nicole Hart, the founder and personal brand advisor behind Heart Brand Studio. Nicole helps women get crystal-clear on their mission, claim the seat only they can claim, and show up in the world in a way that feels true to them. We talk about what it really means to build a personal brand from the inside out, why hiding behind your business brand is costing you more than you think, and the difference between visibility and performance. We also get into: * The $20 moment in the back of an Uber that changed everything for her business * Why barrel jeans and talking head videos belong on the same list of things to stop forcing * Her approach with personality tests to reveal more than just your strengths * Putting her ranty pants on at 11 pm to post a story about something that wouldn't leave her alone If you've ever felt like you're shouting into the void or wondered what it would look like to finally let people know who you actually are, this one's for you. Connect with Nicole Hart: Website: nicolehart.com [https://thenicolehart.com/] Instagram: @thenicolehart [https://www.instagram.com/thenicolehart/] Never miss an episode: New episodes drop regularly and the easiest way to stay in the loop is by subscribing below. You'll get episodes delivered straight to your inbox, plus occasional resources and behind-the-scenes insights. 👉 Come take five with us [https://www.willowandjax.com/podcast]

Ep 5: Decentering Money, How Hayley David Wilson Left a Thriving Business and Started Over

In this episode, I'm joined by Hayley David Wilson, founder of Money Rebel, a business development and education hub for women entrepreneurs. Hayley spent nearly a decade scaling a customized cleaning company from a college dorm room in Iowa before walking away at its peak to build something that checked more than just the money box. We talk about what it really looks like to leave something that's working, the slow realization that a business can be profitable and still feel completely wrong, and what she calls "decentering money" — and why it's not as scary as it sounds. We also get into: * The Liquid Death rabbit hole and why the dumbest idea is sometimes the best one * How a commercial client bailing a week before their contract changed everything * Staring out the window with coffee in silence as the ultimate flex of a toddler mom * Why Frozen 3 is basically a masterclass in patience, trust, and long-game thinking If you've ever opened a check, felt nothing, and quietly wondered what that means, this one's for you. Connect with Hayley David Wilson: Website: moneyrebelco.com [http://moneyrebelco.com] Instagram: @themoneyrebel [https://www.instagram.com/themoneyrebel/] Podcast: Bad for Business [https://moneyrebelco.com/podcast] Never miss an episode: New episodes drop regularly and the easiest way to stay in the loop is by subscribing below. You'll get episodes delivered straight to your inbox, plus occasional resources and behind-the-scenes insights. 👉 Come take five with us [https://www.willowandjax.com/podcast]

Ep 4: Starting Fresh, How Krista Reynolds Moved Cross-Country and Reset Her Business

In this episode, I'm joined by Krista Reynolds, a photographer of 19 years who recently uprooted her entire life—her business, her family, and her rhythms—to move from Minnesota to Arizona. Krista shares what it's like to run a business while raising three kids (plus fostering four more), teaching nine fitness classes a week, and juggling every client request that came her way. We talk about the slow burn of burnout, the guilt that comes with saying no, and how moving across the country forced her to finally ask: what do I actually want my business to feel like? We also get into: * Why hiring an editor was the first step toward reclaiming her time (and why it took two years to do it) * The difference between reacting to your business and intentionally building one * Why fitness became her non-negotiable (and how waking up at 4:15 a.m. made it work) * Navigating the mental and logistical challenges of moving with kids while running a business * Finding community in a new city without forcing it If you've ever felt like you're just keeping your head above water, or wondered what it would take to start fresh without burning it all down, this conversation will remind you that you can rebuild on your own terms. Connect with Krista Reynolds: Instagram: @ [https://www.instagram.com/kristareynolds.photography]kristareynolds.photography [http://kristareynolds.photography] Website: Krista Reynolds Photography [https://www.kristareynoldsphotography.com/] Never miss an episode: New episodes drop regularly and the easiest way to stay in the loop is by subscribing below. You'll get episodes delivered straight to your inbox, plus occasional resources and behind-the-scenes insights. 👉 Come take five with us [https://www.willowandjax.com/podcast]

Ep 3: Writing Your Own Rules, How Kaileen Elise Sues Leads Through Self-Trust & Evolution

In this episode, I'm joined by Kaileen Elise Sues, a podcast host, mother, and intuition coach who's redefining what success looks like on her own terms. Kaileen shares her journey of self-discovery through motherhood, and how becoming a stay-at-home mom challenged her to question everything she thought she knew about achievement, creativity, and purpose. We talk about what it's like to carve out your own path when it doesn't look like what you expected, and why trusting your intuition matters more than following someone else's blueprint. We also get into: * Navigating motherhood when you don't fit the traditional mold * Why your definition of success should evolve as you do * The power of trusting your intuition and leading yourself first * How repetition in your messaging builds trust (not boredom) * Finding creativity in unexpected places, even when you don't see yourself as an artist If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough, or wondered what success really means for you, this conversation will remind you that you get to write your own definition—and it's allowed to change. Connect with Kaileen Elise Sues: Website: Kaileen Elise [https://www.kaileenelise.com/] Instagram: @kaileenelise [https://www.instagram.com/kaileenelise/] Podcast: Celebrate Cultivate [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/celebrate-cultivate/] Never miss an episode: New episodes drop regularly and the easiest way to stay in the loop is by subscribing below. You'll get episodes delivered straight to your inbox, plus occasional resources and behind-the-scenes insights. 👉 Come take five with us [https://www.willowandjax.com/podcast]