Little Hands, Big Plans - Motherhood and Business

Emilia Coto
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Are you a mama looking to make a career or business move after becoming a mother? Becoming a mama changes how we view work, career, and purpose. After this shift, you may crave more freedom, flexibility, and family time. You may still wish to, or need to, contribute financially to your home or continue to serve others and make an impact outside the home.  On Little Hands, Big Plans, I interview mothers on how their work changed after children. I wanted to encourage other moms by interviewing mothers that are building freedom filled lives. For some moms, this is achieved through entrepreneurship. For other moms, it comes with a career change. For other moms, it may mean taking a pause from the workforce to focus on family for a season. The overarching theme is that there are endless configurations of building a life where women can pursue their calling.  As a Christian mama, many of my interviews are with women of faith and we often discuss how our faith impacts our choices and decisions.  You’ll hear:- Stories from moms who’ve shifted careers, paused, pivoted, or started businesses- Actionable tips on creating time and financial freedom- Conversations about letting go of overwhelm, overcoming fear, and taking the leap to avoid staying stuck in a job, career or business that is not serving you (or your family) - Encouragement to build a life beyond the 9-5, if it’s not working for your family If you’re ready to embrace a motherhood filled with faith, fulfillment, and time and financial freedom, join me every week for encouraging conversations and real-life strategies.  To get your weekly dose of inspiration to get unstuck, subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

  1. Building Treehouse Schoolhouse: A Family Business, Vision, and Freedom

    JAN 22

    Building Treehouse Schoolhouse: A Family Business, Vision, and Freedom

    Send us a text What does it take to build a family business centered around family values and freedom?  Join Lyndsey Mimnagh, a homeschool mom of four and founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse, to talk about what it really looks like to build a family business rooted in vision, faith, and freedom. Lyndsey shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Treehouse Schoolhouse began, from writing curriculum during nap time and nursing breaks, to slowly and intentionally growing a business that now supports her entire family and a larger mission.  We talk honestly about early sacrifices, financial risk, seasons of tight margins, and the mindset shift required to pursue entrepreneurship as a vehicle for family mission and a life of freedom. We explore how Lyndsey and her husband have designed their life so both parents can be deeply involved with their children’s home education, how vision and willingness to “fail forward” shaped their journey, and why freedom of time, presence, and generosity defines success more than income alone. In this episode, we talk about: How Treehouse Schoolhouse grew from a simple Christmas study into a thriving family businessBuilding trust and serving your audience long before selling a productWhy preschool and early education should center on connection, stories, and joyLiving books, nature study, and biblical discipleship in the homeschool yearsDesigning work and income around family rhythms instead of the other way aroundNavigating seasons of risk, sacrifice, and uncertainty as vision-driven parentsTeaching children creativity, entrepreneurship, and courage through everyday lifeExclusive Listener Discount Use code LITTLEHANDS15 for 15% off your total order at Treehouse Schoolhouse. Terms: • One use per customer • Cannot be combined with other promotions • Expires six months after episode release About Lyndsey Mimnagh:  Lyndsey Mimnagh is a homeschool mom of four and the founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse. Before motherhood, Lyndsey worked in children’s ministry and special needs education, experiences that deeply shaped her approach to home education. Her homeschool philosophy centers on living books and ideas, hands-on learning, nature exploration, and biblical discipleship. Through her Instagram and blog, Lyndsey shares encouragement, practical guidance, and inspiration for families pursuing home education. She also creates curriculum and resources used by families around the world. Some of her most popular titles include An Expectant Easter, A Connected Christmas, and Treehouse Nature Study. Connect with Lyndsey & Treehouse Schoolhouse Website: https://treehouseschoolhouse.comShop: https://treehouseschoolhouse.com/collections/allInstagram: @treehouse_schoolhouseFacebook: /treehouse.schoolhouseYouTube: /TreehouseSchoolhousePinterest: /TSMotherhoodHomeschoolIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    1h 5m
  2. Building a Law Firm, Homeschooling Five Kids, and Faith with Shayna Beeksma

    JAN 15

    Building a Law Firm, Homeschooling Five Kids, and Faith with Shayna Beeksma

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Shayna Beeksma, founder of Beeksma Law, to talk about what it really looks like to build a law firm with your spouse while homeschooling five kids, prioritizing family, and living out your faith. Shayna shares how she and her husband went all in from the very beginning, turning their firm into a true family business without the safety net of a second income. We talk about how they divided roles inside the firm, how those roles have evolved over time, and why building strong systems was essential to creating flexibility, sustainability, and more presence at home. We also dive into their homeschooling journey, including why they chose to homeschool, how their learning philosophy has shifted as their family has grown, and what homeschooling multiple ages under one roof looks like in real life. Shayna explains how faith shapes their approach to education, daily rhythms, and long-term goals for their children. Shayna also shares a powerful testimony through her son Judah’s story, a life-threatening medical crisis that doctors believed he would not survive, and how God’s sovereignty and grace carried their family through. This conversation is for moms who are considering starting something, taking a leap of faith, and building a life where family truly comes first. Connect with Shayna: BeeksmaLaw.ca (use the Instant Booking tab) @BeeksmaLaw on Instagram and Facebook If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    59 min
  3. Career Planning for Moms with Career Coach Kendall Berg

    JAN 9

    Career Planning for Moms with Career Coach Kendall Berg

    Send us a text In this episode Kendall Berg, career coach, strategist, and author of Secrets of the Career Game, talks about how moms can plan their careers before kids, navigate work during the early years, and return with confidence after a career pause. Kendall shares her own journey of climbing the corporate ladder, becoming a mother of two, and building a successful career coaching business alongside a corporate leadership role. Together, they break down the practical, often unspoken strategies that help women grow professionally without sacrificing family priorities. In this episode, we cover: The most common reason women hire a career coachHow to plan your career before having kids so you have more options laterWhat to do during a career pause to protect your long-term growthHow to return to work after kids without starting overWhy promotions often depend more on soft skills than hard workThe importance of building a “village” when returning to workHow to advocate for yourself without burning bridgesWhether you’re early in your career, preparing for motherhood, returning after time at home, or feeling stuck despite working hard, this conversation offers practical guidance and clarity for navigating each season. Connect with Kendall: Website: https://thatcareercoach.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatcareercoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendallberg Kendall’s book: Secrets of the Career Game   If this episode resonates, share it with another mom navigating career decisions, and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations on building work that fits your family life. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    53 min
  4. Building a Criminal Defense Law Practice Part-Time and Homeschooling with Enje Daniels

    12/15/2025

    Building a Criminal Defense Law Practice Part-Time and Homeschooling with Enje Daniels

    Send us a text The interview features Enje Daniels, a criminal defense lawyer, business owner, homeschool mom, and mother of three, to talk about what it really looks like to build a part-time criminal defense practice while homeschooling. Enje shares her journey from traditional civil litigation to criminal defense, why becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with work, and how she intentionally downshifted her practice to prioritize family, faith, and flexibility. She opens up about leaving employment, starting her own firm, setting boundaries in a demanding practice area, and tripling her income while working fewer hours. This conversation also explores homeschooling in the early years, teaching children a second language through immersion, and why Enje chose to slow down during the season of raising littles. She discusses how she structured a “quasi maternity leave” as a self-employed lawyer, diversified her income through photography, and designed her practice to work around motherhood rather than compete with it. Throughout the episode, Enje reflects on how faith has guided her decisions, the importance of listening to internal nudges, and why success in this season looks different than it did before children. This episode is for lawyers, entrepreneurs, and working mothers who are asking: Is it possible to run a law practice part-time?Can I homeschool while still contributing financially?How do I build a business that supports family life instead of overwhelming it?What does it look like to design work around motherhood and faith?If you are navigating career shifts, entrepreneurship, homeschooling, or redefining success in the early years of motherhood, this episode offers encouragement, practical insight, and permission to build differently. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    51 min

  5. 12/06/2025

    The Lawyer-Mom’s Guide to Going Solo: How I Built a Flexible Firm

    Send us a text The Lawyer-Mom’s Guide to Going Solo: How I Built a Flexible Firm In this episode, I’m sharing the honest, behind-the-scenes story of how I built a part-time, flexible immigration law firm while raising little ones. If you’re a mother working in law and feeling stuck in a traditional workplace, or wondering whether starting your own law firm is even possible with young kids, this episode is for you. I walk through exactly how I structured my practice so that my work fits around my family. I talk about choosing flat-fee legal services, limiting case types, designing systems that allow me to work fewer hours, and keeping overhead intentionally low so the business supports my lifestyle. I also dive into the financial fears so many moms have when thinking about leaving a firm, how I chose case types that were profitable and repeatable, and why I rely heavily on technology instead of a large team. I share why I’m grateful I kept practicing instead of stepping out of the workforce entirely and the sacrifices and trade-offs that come with building a firm around motherhood. You’ll hear: Why I chose part-time practice instead of full-time growth modeHow I structured my firm using flat fees and systematized case typesThe financial mindset shift that helped me actually startHow to decide what cases to take (and what to say no to)The importance of community, mentorship, and paid lawyer groupsHow I used Google reviews, referrals, and simple marketing to get my first clientsThe pros and cons of contract-lawyering vs. building your own client baseWhy maintaining integrity and not burning bridges matters when launching your firmMy hope is that this episode gives you inspiration to imagine a different path,  one where you can stay in the workforce, contribute financially, keep your skills sharp, and still prioritize motherhood in this season. One where you don’t need to choose between being a present mom and being a lawyer.  If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to be a sole practitioner, a homeschool mom, and a business owner, this episode is for you.  If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    33 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    Natural Ways To Support Cancer Care

    Send us a text We share integrative tools we’ve used and researched while navigating a cancer diagnosis in our family, focusing on simple, accessible steps that can support conventional care or help you act while choosing a path. These are simple therapies that are accessible to most.  We’ll cover: Teas & Traditional Herbal Supports Soursop (guanábana) leaf teaDandelion root extractsAncient and cultural uses + lab researchFood-Based Anti-Inflammatory Support Black seed oilAged garlicHow families worldwide have used these remedies for centuriesNutrient Support Vitamin D3 + K2Why deficiencies are extremely common in newly diagnosed patientsThe Sunshine Trial and immune modulationImmune-Modulating Mushrooms Turkey tailMaitakeWhat research from Japan and Canada is showingSupportive Treatments You Can Ask Your Naturopath About Mistletoe therapyLocal hyperthermiaHow they’re used in Europe and integrative clinicsMetabolic Health & Fasting Research Fasting around chemotherapyTime-restricted eatingWhy researchers are exploring cancer’s metabolic pathwaysA Note for Moms: Breastfeeding & Childhood Cancer Prevention Research Throughout the episode, I also share parts of our family’s story—how traditional Honduran remedies played a role, how my uncle has lived with liver cancer for years, and how faith shaped so many of our decisions. If you or someone you love is facing a new diagnosis, I hope this gives you both comfort and practical next steps to explore with your care team. If this episode was helpful, please leave a review, your encouragement helps this show reach more families walking through hard things. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    35 min
  7. Courage and Authenticity in Motherhood and Life with Cynthia Overgard

    11/06/2025

    Courage and Authenticity in Motherhood and Life with Cynthia Overgard

    Send us a text How do we raise children who are brave enough to speak the truth, to act with integrity and to trust themselves and their values, even when it is uncomfortable?  How do we raise courageous children?   In this thought-provoking conversation, Cynthia Overgard, host and executive producer of the Down to Birth podcast, unpacks the difference between courage and fearlessness, what her parents did right in fostering self-trust, and how she’s carried those values into motherhood. Cynthia also shares her candid take on today’s culture of “scripted parenting,” and and we explore her fascinating career journey: from corporate vice president and university finance professor to birth education and podcasting. Her show, Down to Birth, now ranks in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide. If you have ever wondered... how much we could achieve and how much excellence we could pursue, if we allowed ourselves to fully follow our interests?What if we followed the things that scare us and also seem exciting? What if we allowed our careers to be fun and exciting? What if our careers could evolve with joy and freedom?This episode is for anyone craving more courage and authenticity, in motherhood and life.  In this episode, you’ll learn: Why courage matters more than fearlessnessThe simplest (and most overlooked) way to raise ethical kidsHow to model self-trust and emotional honestyCynthia’s perspective on cultural trends in parentingThe role of courage and honesty in motherhood and friendshipIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    1h 14m
  8. Building a legal career while raising six sons with Amy Johnson

    10/06/2025

    Building a legal career while raising six sons with Amy Johnson

    Send us a text Amy Johnson is a mother of six, family lawyer and managing partner.  We talk about leaving an unsafe marriage, building a career from scratch, and how faith and community opened doors when plans were unclear. Her lived experience now fuels a distinct approach to family law, safety planning, and raising good humans across different paths. We discussed:  • early life, independence, and love of learning • staying home, daycare math, and coercive control • the exit without a map and finding immediate help • faith, church logistics, and “don’t shoulder check” • safety planning, shelters, and community referrals • mature-student tactics for law school with six kids • hospitality as belonging and antidote to isolation • Windsor roots, articling, and firm-building • overnight shift to managing partner and operations • parenting philosophy and valuing each child’s path • practical hope for mothers feeling trapped Link to get in touch with Amy at Johnson Miller. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another mom who needs encouragement. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. For other episodes and resources, visit our website at https://littlehandsbigplans.co/pages/podcast To learn more about my law firm, Sisu Legal, check out my website.

    43 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Are you a mama looking to make a career or business move after becoming a mother? Becoming a mama changes how we view work, career, and purpose. After this shift, you may crave more freedom, flexibility, and family time. You may still wish to, or need to, contribute financially to your home or continue to serve others and make an impact outside the home.  On Little Hands, Big Plans, I interview mothers on how their work changed after children. I wanted to encourage other moms by interviewing mothers that are building freedom filled lives. For some moms, this is achieved through entrepreneurship. For other moms, it comes with a career change. For other moms, it may mean taking a pause from the workforce to focus on family for a season. The overarching theme is that there are endless configurations of building a life where women can pursue their calling.  As a Christian mama, many of my interviews are with women of faith and we often discuss how our faith impacts our choices and decisions.  You’ll hear:- Stories from moms who’ve shifted careers, paused, pivoted, or started businesses- Actionable tips on creating time and financial freedom- Conversations about letting go of overwhelm, overcoming fear, and taking the leap to avoid staying stuck in a job, career or business that is not serving you (or your family) - Encouragement to build a life beyond the 9-5, if it’s not working for your family If you’re ready to embrace a motherhood filled with faith, fulfillment, and time and financial freedom, join me every week for encouraging conversations and real-life strategies.  To get your weekly dose of inspiration to get unstuck, subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

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