The Boss Mom Podcast Dana Malstaff

Marketing used to be all about newspaper ads and radio spots, now it's all about digital platforms, social media and AI. If you’re trying to grow your business, navigating these changes can be tricky, especially if you’ve been in the marketing game for a long time.
 
Because of how rapidly marketing is evolving, staying on top of all the changes can be overwhelming. How do you find the right strategy for your business with so many platforms and tools to grapple with?
 
How do you decide which tools and platforms are worth your time and effort? What unique skills do mom entrepreneurs have that might give them an advantage?
 
In this episode, marketing expert Dr. Colleen Kendrick and I talk about these questions and more. We discuss the unique challenges faced by mom entrepreneurs and highlight the importance of respecting and wisely using marketing tools.
 
Being an entrepreneur, you become a marketer in some capacity, no matter how involved you want to be. Whether you're the voice and face of your brand or working behind the scenes, there's always so much to do. – Dr. Colleen Kendrick
 
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
 
-Keeping up with marketing tech
Marketing has changed from old-fashioned ways like newspapers to modern ways like the internet, and this change has affected small business owners today. How do we keep up with new technology?
-Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood
Mom entrepreneurs face challenges in running a business while raising a family. What special skills do mom entrepreneurs bring to the table?
-Using marketing tools wisely
It’s important to use marketing tools wisely and spend your time and money on tools that help your business. How can you avoid getting too tired and stay focused on what really matters?
 
Guest Bio
Dr. Colleen Kendrick, CEO of Nonprofit Partners, has 25 years of experience in marketing communications. Colleen has a doctorate in business and has been an entrepreneur since 2010. She serves as an adjunct professor at Rowan University, is on the organizing committee for TEDxCapeMay, and is a married mom of two. Colleen is the host of The Mom Shuffle podcast.
 
Follow her on:
LinkedIn
Instagram (@colleenkendrickdba)
Instagram (@themomshuffle)
Facebook
 

Motherhood is a journey full of love, joy, and challenges. As moms, we often struggle to balance our dreams with taking care of our children.
 
People often think that having kids means giving up on our own goals. But is this really true? Can we balance our dreams and the needs of our kids?
 
In this episode, I talk about the challenges of being a mom with big dreams. I discuss the pressure from society, the sacrifices we make, and why it's important to go at your own speed.
 
Let's enjoy the slow and steady journey, finding happiness in both our dreams and being a mom.
 
"I have a problem with somebody saying that once you have kids you don't get to do anything you want and you don't get to really have your dreams." – Dana Malstaff
 
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
 
-Balancing Dreams and Parenthood
Most people seem to think once you become a mom, you can't follow your dreams. How can we still chase them?
 
-Going Slow is Okay
It's fine to take your time when reaching your dreams as a mom. How can we raise children mindfully and gradually accomplish our goals?
 
-Finding Joy in Both Roles
The time we spend with our kids can be just as rewarding as chasing our dreams. How can we shift our perspective to find joy in both?
 

Being a mom and running a business can be really hard. We often feel guilty because we're not sure if we're doing the right things for our kids or our jobs.
 
Guilt is a common emotion, particularly among mom entrepreneurs juggling dreams and responsibilities. It can be a motivator and a hindrance, and learning how to manage it effectively is essential.
 
Why do we feel guilty about caring so much for our families and our dreams? I know how hard it is to balance both, and it can really make us question our decisions.
 
In this episode, I will introduce a special tool which I use that will help you think about what you want to achieve with your money, how you want to feel, and what kind of environment you need to be happy and productive.
 
“It's legitimate to feel guilty if you've made choices that you aren't sure were right. That's a completely natural human way to feel.” -Dana Malstaff
 
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
 
-Understanding the Root of Guilt
Guilt is tied to the uncertainty of making the right decisions in parenting and business. Have you ever questioned whether you're making the right choices for your family or your career?
 
-Implementing the F.E.E. Test
Use this test to evaluate your decisions. How can breaking down your goals into 3 categories help reduce your feelings of guilt?
 
-Creating a Supportive Environment
Adjust your environment for better productivity and less frustration. What small changes can you make to balance work and family life effectively?
 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the constant decision-making, juggling business tasks, and the never-ending responsibilities of motherhood, you’re not alone.
 
Balancing business and motherhood means constant decisions I have to make and the feeling of always being behind. That’s why it’s important to find real advice and true connections in a world full of repeated ideas.
 
So, how do we decide which option to take when we're overwhelmed with choices?
 
In this episode, join me as I open up about what it really means to be a Boss Mom. I invite you to reflect on your own experiences and consider what truly resonates with your lives and values.
 
"I want a business that is scalable no matter where I am, that ebbs and flows with how my life is going to ebb and flow."
-Dana Malstaff
 
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
 
-Balancing Business and Motherhood
The flexibility of running a business can actually lead to more disruptions. How do you manage the unique challenges of being a mom and an entrepreneur? 
 
-The Importance of Genuine Connection
In a world full of repeated content, how do you find real advice and true connections?
 
-Building a Supportive Community
BossMom+ can provide the support and advice you need to navigate the complexities of life and business. Why is it important to have a home base for moms building businesses? 
 

Many people think that online courses and social media are the best ways to grow your business, but smaller, close-knit groups can be even better. Building strong, personal connections is really important in today’s business world.
 
For moms, this is very helpful. Moms can make strong connections and grow their businesses by joining smaller, personal groups, without the stress of trying to be everywhere online, all the time.
 
With your busy schedule, how can you find the right people and groups to help you? Can small, close-knit groups really help your business grow?
 
In today’s episode, I talk about the big changes in business trends over the past 30 years. From the blogging craze of the 2000s to the boom of online courses in the 2010s, I see a move towards intimate networking and smaller communities. I’m sharing how these changes affect where you should focus your business efforts today, especially in an uncertain economy.
 
"I think we're moving into a space of finding your loyal space, growing with that, and becoming micro famous there, because there's not enough energy, especially for moms, to be everywhere." -Dana Malstaff
 
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
 
-The Evolution of Business Trends
Business trends have changed a lot over the past 30 years. How can you adapt to these changes for better business growth?
 
-Adapting to a Hesitant Economy
In uncertain times, people are more careful about spending money. How can you show clear value in your offerings to attract customers?
 
-The Future of Networking
Smaller, paid communities are becoming more effective than broad social media strategies. How can you build strong, loyal connections in these intimate groups?
 

As entrepreneurs, we’ve been tricked into believing that a successful brand is all about having the perfect strategy or the best marketing techniques. So we work tirelessly, pouring their heart and soul into our businesses, only to feel disconnected, overwhelmed and burned out on marketing.
Have you ever wondered why, despite your hard work, your business isn’t growing as you hoped?
The reality is that nurturing genuine connections and creating a loyal community takes more than just effort—it requires a deep understanding of your audience and a commitment to authenticity.
In this episode, I share my journey of building a strong and connected community over the past decade. I reveal the proven ways that have helped me foster a sense of belonging among my followers and also talk about the mistakes I made along the way.
"You can’t help everybody, sometimes the people that need you the most don’t have the bandwidth to do and implement what you want to teach them. You can’t build a profitable business on the people that need you the most." -Dana Malstaff
3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode
-Separate Yourself from Your Content
If you don’t take your content too personally, you won't be afraid to share your ideas and connect with others. How do you create a separation between your content and your identity?
-Help Those Who Are Ready
We want to help the people who need us the most but you can’t build a business on people in survival mode. Who should we focus on instead?
-Share a Common Goal
When people believe in the same goal, they work better together. How do you tap into what you and your community want to change in the world?