Call Me CEO: Moms Building Businesses, a Woman's guide to Balancing it All

Camille Walker
  • 5.0 (94)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Dive into the stories of extraordinary mothers who have built their own iconic businesses. I'm your host, Camille Walker, and in each episode, we uncover the raw, intimate moments of doubt and failure that these mompreneurs faced on their journey. From humble beginnings to eventual triumph, our founders share their insights and wisdom on navigating challenges of all kinds. "Call Me CEO” is your master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership, and finding YOUR perfect balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship.

  1. 5d ago

    319: How AI Can Save Your Business: Automation, Systems & the Future of Small Business

    Send us Fan Mail What do you do when the business you just bought starts falling apart—and you have 12 employees counting on you? That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Andrea Palacio. Andrea and her husband bought a landscaping company with a $500K SBA loan, believing they were stepping into a profitable business. But just days after closing, the seller disappeared, the business began to unravel, and Andrea found herself responsible for a company that was in serious trouble. She quickly realized she couldn’t simply hire her way out of the problem. Instead, she turned to AI and began building systems to handle the back-office work that was consuming her time—from scheduling and customer communication to invoicing and crew management. That experience eventually became the foundation for Run Crewless, where Andrea now helps other service-based business owners use AI and automation to build businesses that don’t depend on them doing everything. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to lead through a business crisis, how to recognize when you need systems instead of more people, and how entrepreneurs can use AI in a practical way without losing the human side of their business. If you’ve ever felt like your business has become a job you can’t escape from, this episode will give you a whole new perspective on what’s possible. In this episode, we talk about: Buying a business that quickly turned into a crisisWhat happened when the seller disappeared after closingLeading a team when everything feels uncertainWhy Andrea realized she couldn’t hire her way out of the problemUsing AI to automate the back officeThe business tasks that are perfect for AI—and the ones that aren’tHow systems can create more freedom for business ownersThe mindset shift from doing everything to actually leading as a CEOHow service-based businesses can start using AI todayBuilding a business that gives you your time and life backIf you’re ready to stop doing everything yourself and start thinking like the CEO of your business, this conversation is for you. Connect with Andrea Placio: Website: https://andreapalacio.ai/Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/andreapalacio/  Personalized gameplan: https://andreapalacio.ai/personalized-90-day-game-plan  Email: andrea@andreapalacio.ai   Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  2. Sep 22

    318: AI, Marketing: What is Working Now

    Send us Fan Mail AI is changing the way we work, create, market, and grow—and if you’re a business owner, it can feel like the rules are changing every five minutes. So what is actually working right now? In this episode of Call Me CEO, I’m joined by Shannon Kinney for a practical and energizing conversation about AI, marketing, and building a business designed to grow. We talk about what’s happening in marketing right now, where AI is genuinely helping business owners, and where human connection, strategy, and creativity still matter more than ever. Because AI can help you move faster—but speed isn’t the same thing as strategy. AI + Marketing: What’s Working Now AI is changing the way we build, market, and grow our businesses—but what is actually working right now? If you’ve been wondering how to use AI more effectively in your business, this episode is for you! Shannon’s work focuses on helping businesses use AI effectively and ethically to save time while increasing marketing activity and growth. (linkedin.com) Shannon and I dig into how entrepreneurs can use AI as a tool without losing their voice, how marketing is evolving, and what it takes to create a business that consistently attracts the right people and turns attention into growth. In this episode, we talk about:  What’s actually working with AI right now  How entrepreneurs can use AI to save time and increase productivity  Where AI fits into your marketing strategy  Why your human voice and perspective still matter  How marketing is changing—and what business owners need to pay attention to  Building a marketing strategy that supports consistent growth  How to create content that attracts the right audience  The difference between being busy with marketing and actually generating results  How entrepreneurs can stay ahead without chasing every new AI trend  What business owners should be focusing on as AI continues to evolve One of my favorite themes from this conversation is that AI isn’t the strategy. It’s a tool that can help you execute the strategy faster. The businesses that win won’t necessarily be the ones using the most AI. They’ll be the ones that understand their customer, communicate clearly, build trust, and use technology to amplify what already makes their brand valuable. If you’re wondering how to navigate AI without getting overwhelmed—or how to build a marketing engine that actually grows your business—this episode is for you. Connect with Shannon:  Shannon website: https://shannonkinney.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonkinney/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkin/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.kinney  Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  3. Sep 15

    317: Building Pip Pop : Earrings Every Girl Wants

    Send us Fan Mail From Sister-in-Laws to Brand Owners What happens when two sister-in-laws combine their ideas, creativity, and love for their girls? Pip Pop Post was born! In this fun episode of Call Me CEO, I’m chatting with the women behind Pip Pop Post, a playful jewelry brand created with young girls and tweens in mind. We’re talking about what it’s like to build a business with your sister-in-law, how they turned a real need into a brand, and why finding cute, stylish earrings for girls with sensitive ears shouldn’t be so difficult. Pip Pop Post is all about making earrings that girls actually want to wear while giving parents peace of mind with hypoallergenic options designed with sensitive ears in mind. But behind the earrings is an even better story: two women who saw an opportunity, leaned into their strengths, and decided to build something together. In this episode, we talk about:  How Pip Pop Post came to life  What it’s like building a business with your sister-in-law  Turning a problem into a business opportunity  Why they chose to focus on young girls and tweens  Creating a brand that feels fun, colorful, and made for girls  The importance of listening to your customer  What they’ve learned about entrepreneurship along the way  The challenges and fun of building a product-based business  What it takes to turn an idea into an actual brand And of course, we talk earrings! From cute styles to the challenge of finding options that work for sensitive ears, Pip Pop Post is filling a niche that moms and girls have been looking for. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the best business ideas come from simply noticing a problem and saying, “There has to be a better way.” Whether you’re thinking about starting a business with a family member, building a product-based brand, or simply looking for inspiration to turn an idea into something real, you’re going to love this episode. Come for the earrings, stay for the sister-in-law entrepreneurship story!   Connect with Pip Pop:  Website: https://www.pippoppost.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pippoppost/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pippoppost  Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  4. Sep 8

    316: Slay Your Way with Sandi Glandt

    Send us Fan Mail What if growing your business didn’t require you to work more hours? So many entrepreneurs build successful businesses only to find themselves completely buried in the day-to-day. They’re answering every email, managing every detail, remembering every process, and becoming the bottleneck in their own business. In this episode of Call Me CEO, I’m talking with Sandi Glandt about the power of systems, strategy, and support—and how these three things can completely change the way you operate your business. Sandi shares practical insights into knowing when you’ve outgrown your current way of doing business, what to delegate first, how to create systems that actually simplify your work, and why getting support isn’t a sign that you can’t do it all. We also talk about an important CEO mindset shift: moving from being the person who does everything to becoming the person who leads the business strategically.  In this episode, we talk about: Why entrepreneurs get stuck doing everything themselvesHow to recognize when your business has outgrown your current systemsThe difference between having tools and having actual systemsWhat to automate, delegate, and eliminateHow to decide what the CEO should continue owningWhy delegation can feel so difficult—and how to get better at itHow systems can help prevent burnoutBuilding a business that can grow without requiring more of your timeThe mindset shift from business owner to CEOSimple steps you can take right now to create more structure and freedom The Big Takeaway Your business should support your life—not consume it. Creating systems isn’t about making your business more complicated. It’s about creating enough structure that you can stop living in the weeds and start leading your business. If you’re constantly thinking, “I know I need help, but I don’t even know where to start,” this episode is for you. Connect with Sandi Glandt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiglandt Website: https://www.sandraglandt.com/  Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  5. Sep 1

    315: From Corporate Marketing To A Thriving Interior Design Firm, Anne Lopez, CEO of Studio 790 Interior Design

    Send us Fan Mail Camille sits down with Anne Lopez, founder and CEO of Miami-based Studio 790 Interior Design, to talk about building a purpose-led business through life's hardest seasons. Anne shares her journey from 20 years in corporate digital marketing to launching her design firm at 39 — just before COVID and a surprise divorce hit simultaneously. They discuss pricing strategy for service-based businesses, how to create purposeful spaces in your home on any budget, and how Anne transformed her firm into an AI-first operation that made the Inc. 5000 list twice. Key Topics & Timestamps: Anne's background & career pivot — 20 years in corporate marketing for luxury hotels, launching Studio 790 at age 39Surviving rock bottom — Navigating a surprise divorce and COVID in 2020 as a single mom and new business owner; "sink or swim, victim or victor"Learning on the job — Showing up to gut renovation job sites without knowing construction terminology, Googling "rough plumbing" on the flyPurpose-led vision — How living authentically attracts the right team and clients; building an all-women teamPricing strategy — Hourly model with min/max ranges, one flat rate, transparency for clients; "set it and forget it for one year"Client impact story — Designing a nursery that became a healing sanctuary for a mom during a difficult birthHome design tips without a designer — Start with one space, dream big, execute one thing; avoid buying piecemeal items that don't cohere; save ~$10,000 before furnishing a roomBudget reality check — $7,500 for an entry-level living room (Target, Amazon, West Elm level); factor in 7% tax + 10-15% shippingAI integration — Running an AI-first design firm: Archsynth for elevation drawings, Lovable for website building, AI for client emails and automated reportingInc. 5000 — Made the list twice; team grew to 8 full-time (up to 16 in busy season)Self-care as a CEO — Reading habits, Tony Robbins' "NET Time" (No Extra Time), exercise, WPO & Pinnacle Global Network, intentional family timeBook recommendations — Atomic Habits, Design Love In by Marcus BuckinghamMentioned Resources: Lovable (AI website builder) — lovable.devArchsynth (AI elevation drawings)Amplify My Portfolio — amplifymyportfolio.comTony Robbins' NET Time conceptWPO (Women Presidents' Organization)Pinnacle Global NetworkConnect with Anne Lopez: Instagram (personal): @annelopezlivingInstagram (business): Studio 790 Interior DesignWebsite: studio790.comEmail: anne@studio790.com Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  6. Aug 25

    314: Why Kids Need Meditation too, 5 Minutes a Day

    Send us Fan Mail What if one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is the ability to pause, breathe, and find a little calm? In this episode of Call Me CEO, we’re talking about why meditation can be such a simple and powerful tool for kids—and why it doesn’t have to take more than five minutes. You’ll learn how short meditation and breathing practices can help kids navigate big emotions, worry, stress, overstimulation, and busy days. And we’re talking about the important role we play as parents in modeling calm, rest, and self-care for our kids. Try It Tonight Start small. Take five minutes with your child to slow down, breathe, and reset. And if five minutes feels like too much, start with one. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating the habit of pausing. Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway.  5-minute meditations  Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  7. Aug 18

    313: What If Not Sharing Your Offer Is The Real Problem

    Send us Fan Mail Selling your services shouldn’t feel like you’re pushing people into something they don’t want, but that’s exactly how it can feel when you’re trying to create a signature offer for the first time. We sit down with Kimberly G Walker, an exercise physiologist and cancer exercise trainer, to unpack what’s really underneath the fear of sounding “salesy,” especially when you’re used to clients walking into your practice without you having to market yourself at all. We dig into the mindset work that comes before any funnel, offer page, or content plan. Camille walks Kimberly through the question that changes everything: “Why not you?” From there, we build real evidence. Years of being booked out, teaching and mentoring, and working with high-risk clients is not just experience, it’s proof of outcomes. We also talk about why staying in your scope of practice matters online, and how a professional, collaborative approach (like partnering with dietitians when needed) builds trust fast. Then we get practical about marketing an online coaching offer with integrity: share bite-sized value, teach what you know, and give people a clear next step when they’re ready. When your message is rooted in quality of life, longevity, resistance training, and honoring the body with a non-restrictive approach, selling becomes an act of care, not pressure. If you’re building a business as a mom, juggling life, work, and big goals, this quick coaching session will help you share your offer with confidence. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more women can find the support to lead and serve. Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

  8. Aug 11

    312: You Can Make School Season Easier Without Doing More

    Send us Fan Mail Back-to-school season has a way of turning even the most capable working mom into a full-time logistics manager. I’m Camille Walker, a mom of four with four different schools on the calendar this year, and I wanted a practical reset that doesn’t require me to become superhuman. So I did something fun and surprisingly useful: I asked ChatGPT for back-to-school tips, then I tell you which ones I agree with, how I actually do them, and where real life needs a simpler plan.  We get into the systems that reduce daily stress fast, starting with planning ahead using a family calendar. I share what’s worked for me with scheduling tools, plus why a big printed, color-coded wall calendar can beat digital invites when kids don’t live in email. We also talk meal prep for busy weeks, freezer and crock pot backups, snack bins, and keeping school lunches simple while still hitting the basics like protein, fruit, and a veggie.  From there, we move into routines that support both kids and parents: mornings that build independence, after-school transitions that make homework less painful, and how to adjust when attention and energy tank later in the day. I also share my core message for working parents: delegate, ask for help, and don’t carry it all alone, whether that means involving your kids, leaning on your partner, or even hiring a virtual assistant. We wrap with self-care that fits real life, staying flexible when the school year throws curveballs, saying no without guilt, and building stronger connection through check-ins and simple family meetings.  If this helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a calmer school year, and leave a five-star rating and review. Connect with Camille: Instagram: @CamilleWalker.coPodcast: @CallMeCEOPodcastTry the 5-minute routine tomorrow and tag @CallMeCEOPodcast on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Schedule a free discovery call with Camille! https://calendly.com/callmeceopodcast/discovery-call-with-camille

See All (324)

5
out of 5
94 Ratings

About

Dive into the stories of extraordinary mothers who have built their own iconic businesses. I'm your host, Camille Walker, and in each episode, we uncover the raw, intimate moments of doubt and failure that these mompreneurs faced on their journey. From humble beginnings to eventual triumph, our founders share their insights and wisdom on navigating challenges of all kinds. "Call Me CEO” is your master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership, and finding YOUR perfect balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Information