Taking Five

Luz Perez Brown
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship

Taking Five is the podcast for warm-hearted founders navigating the messy middle of business—where things are working, but you know they could work better. Hosted by Luz Perez Brown, operations strategist, designer, and founder of Willow and Jax, each episode features honest conversations with creative service providers who've made brave pivots, set boundaries, grown their businesses slow and steady, and learned to trust themselves along the way. You'll hear real stories about reinvention, sustainable growth, choosing the uncomfortable path, and what it really takes to build a business that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. If you're ready to rethink the rules, slow down to speed up, and build with more intention, this is your invitation to take five.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 02: Raising Twins, How Jade Pruett Scales Two Companies with a Toddler of Her Own

    In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO and co-founder of MetaMonster, who is scaling two businesses at the same time while raising a two-year-old. Jade shares how a ChatGPT rabbit hole led to a blog post, which led to a co-founder offer, and what it actually took to stop being the person who answers every email. We talk about building systems before you hire, training an intern slowly instead of looking for someone already perfect, and the identity shift that has to happen before you can hand off the work you're best at. We also get into: The ego death of the founder, or what happens when being the expert becomes the thing holding you backHow Jade isn't a tomboy but landed squarely in bro tech, and what she does with that nowUsing AI, and the equally important work of learning when not to use itKnowing you're in a season of push, and knowing exactly where to go for support in it If you've ever suspected you're the bottleneck in your own business but couldn't figure out what to hand off first, this one's for you. Connect with Jade Pruett: Website: https://helloseo.com / https://metamonster.ai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadefromhelloseo Mentioned in this episode: MetaMonster, WhisperFlow 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

  2. Sep 1

    Ep 01: Back Behind the Mic: Stepping Out from Behind the Brand

    In all honesty, Taking Five was only ever meant to be a limited series, but the conversations turned out to be too valuable to walk away from, so here we are at season three! A few things have shifted since the last episode, starting with my move to Alexandria, something I've been bittersweet about but am starting to see through a new lens. I've also started building my personal brand with Nicole Hart, since the projects I've taken on have outgrown the Willow + Jax umbrella. Here's the spoiler: Willow + Jax has served me so well, but it's time to step out and expand into who I've been becoming. This episode is a soft reset, an honest look at what it means to rebuild in a new city and make room for all the pieces at once. The thread running through this season is that a creative business is built best when you get still enough to hear your own goals through the noise. I'm sharing what's changed on my end, why I'm stepping out from an established brand, and what I'm building next. Ready for your own soft reset? Reclaim is a free 4-day async workshop to help you step back into your business with clarity and direction, designed to fit in the margins of life. We start Monday, September 14th. Save your spot: https://willowandjax.myflodesk.com/reclaim If you're catching this one later, come find me on Instagram! I'm documenting the pivot as it happens, so that's where you'll see all of this play out in real time. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/hellolucybrown/ Connect with Luz: Website: https://www.willowandjax.com In the DMs: https://www.instagram.com/hellolucybrown/ Mentioned in this episode: Nicole Hart, personal brand mentor: https://thenicolehart.com/ My conversation with Kaileen Elise: https://apple.co/4cWRayj

  3. Apr 28

    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 makeWhy I had to go back to Kaitlyn Parker with my tail between my legsWhat "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 Reynolds at Krista Reynolds Photography https://www.instagram.com/kristareynolds.photography/ Haley David Wilson at Money Rebel https://www.instagram.com/themoneyrebel/ Personal Brand Mentor Nicole Hart https://www.instagram.com/thenicolehart/ Thank you for being here this season, truly. Now go take five, boo. You've earned it.

  4. Apr 15

    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 businessWhy barrel jeans and talking head videos belong on the same list of things to stop forcingHer approach with personality tests to reveal more than just your strengthsPutting 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: https://thenicolehart.com/ Instagram: 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

  5. Mar 31

    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 oneHow a commercial client bailing a week before their contract changed everythingStaring out the window with coffee in silence as the ultimate flex of a toddler momWhy 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: http://moneyrebelco.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoneyrebel/ Podcast: 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 5: Decentering Money, How Hayley David Wilson Left a Thriving Business and Started Over

  6. Mar 18

    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 oneWhy 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 businessFinding 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: http://kristareynolds.photography Website: 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 4: Starting Fresh, How Krista Reynolds Moved Cross-Country and Reset Her Business

  7. Mar 5

    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 moldWhy your definition of success should evolve as you doThe power of trusting your intuition and leading yourself firstHow 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: https://www.kaileenelise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaileenelise/ Podcast: 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

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

  8. Feb 18

    Ep. 2: Leading with Stillness, How Dalia Soles Prioritizes Family, Mental Health, and Team Autonomy

    In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dalia Soles of Design Assisted, an interior design operations expert who's experienced some serious personal and professional transformation over the past year. Dalia gets real about what it's been like to navigate the shifts in her business while prioritizing her mental health, strengthening her marriage, and learning to create more space for stillness and patience. We talk about transitioning into a family business with her husband, and how that's changed the way she shows up as a leader. We also get into: How understanding your nervous system can change the way you manage stressWhy patience and stillness are essential for sustainable growthWhat it looks like to transition into a family business (and make sure your marriage stays strong)Rethinking marketing as connection, not just visibilityHow travel can shift your perspective and open new doors If you've ever felt stuck between who you were and who you're becoming, this conversation will remind you that change doesn't have to be rushed—it can be intentional, grounded, and deeply meaningful. Connect with Dalia Soles: Website: https://designassisted.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designassisted/ Mentioned on the podcast: Intuition Coach Emily Judice: https://www.instagram.com/thatgirlemilyjudice/ 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. 2: Leading with Stillness, How Dalia Soles Prioritizes Family, Mental Health, and Team Autonomy
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About

Taking Five is the podcast for warm-hearted founders navigating the messy middle of business—where things are working, but you know they could work better. Hosted by Luz Perez Brown, operations strategist, designer, and founder of Willow and Jax, each episode features honest conversations with creative service providers who've made brave pivots, set boundaries, grown their businesses slow and steady, and learned to trust themselves along the way. You'll hear real stories about reinvention, sustainable growth, choosing the uncomfortable path, and what it really takes to build a business that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. If you're ready to rethink the rules, slow down to speed up, and build with more intention, this is your invitation to take five.

Information

  • Creator
    Luz Perez Brown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Luz Perez Brown

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