Life, Business and Everything in Between

Leslie Shields
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Life, Business & Everything in Between is a podcast for small business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the space between the vision and the day-to-day. Hosted by Leslie Shields, each episode brings together real-life stories, expert insights, and honest dialogue about what it takes to build something meaningful. Whether you’re learning to lead yourself, pivot through change, or simply trying to hold it all together—this show is for you. From candid solo episodes to expert guest interviews and roundtable conversations, you'll find practical tools, shared struggles, and a whole lot of encouragement to keep going. Real conversations about small business, leadership, and the chaos in between. About the Host: Leslie is a long-time crazy entrepreneur married to another crazy entrepreneur spinning in the tornado of raising a tiny human.   Disclaimer: These are real and authentic conversations, so we may drop a few ‘f’ bombs or other colorful language.

  1. 3h ago

    EP 15: One Key Conversation vs. the Cost of Staying Silent | Marcelle LeBlanc

    Sometimes the conversation you are avoiding is the one that could change everything. In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with Marcelle LeBlanc, creator of Conversation Architect, to talk about honest communication, personal growth, relationships, and the cost of staying silent. Marcelle shares how her years of listening to women through her luxury boutique business, Velvet Box, revealed a pattern she could not ignore: strong, successful women who knew what they wanted, but did not always have the language or structure to ask for it. That insight became the foundation for her new work helping people prepare for one honest conversation that can bring clarity, connection, or the courage to move forward. Content Note: This episode includes conversation about intimacy, relationships, divorce, infidelity, and occasional strong language. They dig into: How Velvet Box became a “listening library” for women’s real relationship strugglesThe difference between hoping things will change and asking for what you needWhy silence can slowly turn into resentmentHow one honest conversation can restart connection or reveal the truthThe loneliness of entrepreneurship and the importance of communityWhy investing in coaching, communication, and self-awareness can save time, money, and heartacheHow communication skills apply to relationships, hiring, business ownership, and leadership Connect with Marcelle LeBlanc: Website: https://onekeyconversation.com/growthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_conversation_architect/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theconversationarchitect/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConversationArchitect  Connect with Host, Leslie Shields: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/The Shields Agency: https://www.theshieldsagency.com Mentioned in the episode: Entrepreneur Organization (EO): https://eofortworth.orgCulture Index: https://www.cultureindex.com

    38 min

  2. Jun 1

    EP 14: Seasons of Transition - Staying Steady When Life Doesn’t Pause | Leslie Shields

    In this solo episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie talks about transitions, mental health, and what it takes to stay grounded when routines shift. From summer schedules and parenting to team changes and business responsibilities that don’t pause, this episode is a real-time reflection on building stability in seasons that feel disorienting. Leslie shares the coping skills and grounding tools that help her most, including movement, quiet, structure, and adapting routines without spiraling. Language Note: This episode includes occasional strong language. You’ll hear about: Why transitions can feel triggeringStaying grounded through summer schedules and reduced focused hoursMovement, quiet, and structure as mental health anchorsBoundaries and tools to protect your teamLeading through uncertainty when you feel uncertain too 🔗 Connect with Leslie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/ The Shields Agency: https://www.theshieldsagency.com

    22 min

  3. May 15

    EP 13: Entrepreneur vs Business Owner - Build Systems That Set You Free | Dr. Collette Portis

    In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with Dr. Collette Portis, founder of Red Development Group, for a powerful conversation about authenticity, sustainable systems, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Language Note: This episode includes occasional strong language.  Collette shares how her entrepreneurial journey started at age 11, why there’s a difference between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner, and why system-building is the path to freedom. They talk about root-cause problem solving, business assessment, strategy vs implementation, and why getting outside help is not weakness, it’s wisdom. They dig into: Why identity matters, you are more than your businessThe difference between entrepreneurs and business owners (systems = freedom)How Red Development Group assesses, strategizes, and implements changeThe cost of poor structure and a hard lesson in tax debtWhy women often over-serve at their own expenseGetting outside help and learning to trust gut vs heart decisions 🔗 Connect with Dr. Collette Portis: Email: collette@reddevelopmentgroup.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colletteportis/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colletteportis/ Books mentioned: Drama Free — Nedra Glover TawwabBusiness Secrets of the Bible — Rabbi LapkinOutwitting the Devil — Napoleon Hill Keywords: business systems, entrepreneur vs business owner, sustainable growth, implementation, KPIs, leadership, women in business, outside help, consulting, operations

    33 min

  4. Apr 30

    EP 12: Preparing Your Business to Run Without You - Delegation, Data, and Trust | Megan Bond

    In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Megan Bond, owner of Panther City Marketing, for a candid conversation about preparing for maternity leave as a business owner and building a company that can run without you. Megan shares what she’s putting in place before baby arrives, including delegation, reducing approval bottlenecks, and building trust with her team. They also unpack what data-driven marketing really looks like, how to improve lead quality, and why protecting mental health through boundaries is part of building long-term business value. They dig into: Maternity leave prep as an entrepreneur (and how to plan for a season of reduced capacity)Delegation, team trust, and removing yourself as the bottleneckData-driven marketing decisions and lead qualityBoundaries that protect mental health (and the business) 🔗 Connect with Megan / Panther City Marketing: Website: https://panthercitydigitalmarketing.comEmail: megan@panthercitydigitalmarketing.comTikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @panthercitymarketing 🔗 Connect with Leslie Shields / The Shields Agency: Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/

    38 min

  5. Apr 17

    EP 11: From Solo to a Team of 12: Hiring, Culture, and Client Boundaries | Michelle Crim

    In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Michelle Crim, founder of Dynamic Development Strategies, for a candid conversation about scaling a consulting business, building a healthy team culture, and setting boundaries that prevent burnout. Michelle shares her unexpected launch story, including how a major health crisis became the catalyst for starting her firm, and how she grew from a solo consultant to a team of twelve. They talk documentation and workflows, hiring intentionally, working across generations, client expectations, and the “not sexy” parts of entrepreneurship like financial anxiety and mental resilience. They dig into: Launching a business during a personal health crisis (and why it worked)Scaling from solo to a team of 12, including retired and part-time talentDocumentation, policies, and remote-work guidelines that keep teams alignedClient boundaries: their crisis is not your emergencyDefining success beyond revenue: impact, team satisfaction, and fulfillment 🔗 Connect with Michelle Crim: Website: https://www.dynamicdevelopmentstrategies.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecrim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleWestCrim 🔗 Connect with Leslie Shields: Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/ Keywords: nonprofit consulting, fundraising, entrepreneurship, hiring, scaling a service business, company culture, remote work, client boundaries, burnout prevention, Fort Worth, North Texas

    34 min

  6. Apr 2

    EP 10: When Life Shifts and Business Doesn’t Pause - Resilience and Leadership | Tamara Carlen

    What happens when your personal foundation changes and your business doesn’t pause? In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields welcomes back Tamara Carlen, founder of Ensemble Coworking, for a raw and honest conversation about leading through divorce, identity shifts, and grief. Tamara shares what it looked like to walk through a divorce after nearly three decades of marriage while continuing to run her business. They talk about self-care that actually regulates your nervous system, shifting leadership energy, vulnerability, and redefining success as alignment and peace instead of nonstop growth. Key Takeaways: Big life disruptions change how you lead, even when business can’t pauseNervous system regulation is a leadership tool, not a luxurySoftness and vulnerability can strengthen leadership and client connection“Rooted and aligned” becomes your decision filterRedefine success around peace and intention, not constant growth Connect with Tamara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetamaracarlen/https://www.ensemblecoworking.com Connect with Leslie / The Shields Agency: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/https://www.theshieldsagency.com

    39 min

  7. Mar 27 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: Community + Resources That Help You Scale | Tamara Carlen

    Bonus note: This is a throwback conversation recorded in April 2025 (from our Facebook Live days), with the most timeless clips pulled for today. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure where to find business support, or like you’re building alone, this episode is for you. Leslie revisits key insights from a 2025 conversation with Tamara Carlen, focused on how entrepreneurs can leverage community resources, navigate funding options, and reframe the mindset around debt and profitability. You’ll hear clips on: Ensemble’s mission and the power of community + collaborationWhat Sparkyard is and how it connects entrepreneurs to resourcesPractical tools at the Fort Worth Library and Tarrant County CollegeWhy debt isn’t automatically failureHow funding helps you scaleCash flow realities: payroll timing + why a line of credit protects your business Connect with Tamara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetamaracarlen/ https://www.ensemblecoworking.com Connect with Leslie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/ https://www.theshieldsagency.com

    16 min

  8. Mar 12

    EP 09: The Grit Behind the Glow -Building a Scalable Beauty Business | Jennifer Serra

    What does it take to go from scrappy to scalable in a service business? In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Jennifer Serra, founder of the Jennifer Serra Beauty Team, to talk about the grit behind the glow and how Jennifer is navigating a season of listening, alignment, and calm after years of building. Jennifer shares her pivot from nursing school to the beauty industry, how her background in sales and business development helped her gain traction early (even on a tight budget), and what it looked like to build a team of 11 artists while navigating motherhood, boundaries, and real-life seasons that tested her resilience. They dig into: Pivoting from nursing school to entrepreneurshipWhy great sales is really education (not pressure)Bootstrapping: making every minute and every penny countHow her client base evolved over timeBuilding a flexible, boundaries-first work modelWhy listening is the real secret to scaling a service business 🔗 Connect with Jennifer Serra: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferserrabeautyteam/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.serra.332233 🔗 Connect with Leslie / The Shields Agency: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com entrepreneurship, beauty business, makeup artist, hair and makeup, small business owner, leadership, networking, resilience, boundaries, working moms, Dallas Fort Worth

    36 min
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About

Life, Business & Everything in Between is a podcast for small business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the space between the vision and the day-to-day. Hosted by Leslie Shields, each episode brings together real-life stories, expert insights, and honest dialogue about what it takes to build something meaningful. Whether you’re learning to lead yourself, pivot through change, or simply trying to hold it all together—this show is for you. From candid solo episodes to expert guest interviews and roundtable conversations, you'll find practical tools, shared struggles, and a whole lot of encouragement to keep going. Real conversations about small business, leadership, and the chaos in between. About the Host: Leslie is a long-time crazy entrepreneur married to another crazy entrepreneur spinning in the tornado of raising a tiny human.   Disclaimer: These are real and authentic conversations, so we may drop a few ‘f’ bombs or other colorful language.

Information

  • Creator
    Leslie Shields
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leslie Shields