This week on This Mother Means Business, Laura is having an honest conversation about the version of “freedom” so many entrepreneurs thought they were building — and why so many women still feel overwhelmed, overworked, and stretched thin inside their businesses.

Laura unpacks the hidden patterns and business models that quietly steal entrepreneurs’ time, energy, and capacity, especially for women building businesses alongside motherhood and real life responsibilities.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why entrepreneurship still feels exhausting despite building something successful, this episode will challenge the way you think about freedom, growth, and sustainability in business.

In this episode you will hear:

01:12 – The moment many women decide they want something different

02:30 – “How’s freedom going?” and the reality many entrepreneurs are experiencing

03:18 – Why so many women feel exhausted despite building successful businesses

05:20 – Why hustle culture assumes unlimited capacity

06:03 – The difference between a hustle model and a design model

06:48 – Freedom thief #1: Revenue that depends entirely on your time

08:54 – Freedom thief #2: A business that cannot function without you

10:05 – Why being the “system” in your business creates burnout

11:16 – Freedom thief #3: Tying your worth to being needed

12:42 – “The measure of a well-built business is how well it serves you.”

13:40 – Identifying what is currently blocking your version of freedom

15:05 – Building a business that supports your real life and capacity

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

Laura sits down with registered dietitian Hillary Ervin for a refreshingly honest conversation about nutrition, body image, motherhood, and the pressure women feel to “do it all perfectly.”

Together, they reflect on their shared history in the early online fitness industry, the harmful extremes many women were taught in the name of health, and how nutrition and wellness can look very different in a busy season of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

This episode is full of practical, compassionate advice for women who are tired of all-or-nothing thinking around food and movement and want a more realistic, sustainable approach to caring for themselves.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – Laura introduces registered dietitian Hillary Ervin

01:24 – Reflecting on their early online fitness industry experiences

04:33 – Motherhood, changing priorities, and how quickly life shifts

05:44 – The harmful “thin at all costs” mentality many women experienced

07:56 – What women actually need to know about protein intake

09:48 – Looking back at restrictive dieting culture and “protein fluff”

12:19 – Why trying to recreate your old body often creates frustration

15:13 – Why nutrition can feel harder than movement in motherhood

16:33 – The mental load of feeding yourself and your family

19:34 – Realistic nutrition strategies for busy moms

20:52 – Setting lower, more achievable expectations around food

24:11 – Letting go of perfection around meals and cooking

28:46 – Why nutrition doesn’t need to be complicated

30:54 – Focus on the basics before worrying about the “perfect” diet

33:36 – Why extreme challenges rarely create lasting results

34:42 – “Doing less” and being more patient often works better

Hillary's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.hillary/

Website: https://www.nutritionunbound.com/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura is unpacking a frustrating reality many entrepreneurs face: being incredibly good at what you do… while still feeling like your income doesn’t reflect it.

She explains why expertise alone is not what drives revenue, the business systems many women are missing, and the key areas to focus on if you want your business to generate more consistent income.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why isn’t this working the way it should?” — this episode is for you.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – The disconnect between expertise and income

01:35 – Why so many talented women are under-earning

03:03 – The myth that more skill automatically means more money

04:17 – The 3 things that actually drive revenue

05:21 – Offer clarity and why communication matters

06:45 – Pricing mistakes that keep entrepreneurs stuck

08:01 – Why a full client roster can still lead to burnout

09:04 – Creating a repeatable client pathway

10:35 – Revenue visibility and understanding your numbers

11:46 – Why this is a systems issue, not a personal failure

12:32 – A practical exercise to identify what’s missing in your business

13:10 – Support available through the Inner Circle & Ambition Mastermind

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura sits down with personal brand authority strategist Monique Bryan for a candid, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about AI, visibility, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the future of online business.

Together, they unpack how AI is changing the way people discover brands and businesses online, why traditional marketing strategies are evolving, and what entrepreneurs need to do now to stay visible in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Monique also shares her approach to personal branding, authority building, and positioning yourself as the obvious choice online.

This episode is packed with practical insights, honest conversations about motherhood and entrepreneurship, and powerful reminders about adapting, evolving, and embracing the future instead of fearing it.

In this episode you will hear:

01:13 — The pressure and judgment women face around motherhood

03:56 — Monique’s background in branding, entrepreneurship, and AI visibility

06:28 — How AI is changing search, discoverability, and online visibility

08:13 — Why blogs, podcasts, and long-form content matter again

09:13 — How to test whether AI tools can “find” you online

11:47 — Monique’s free AI authority audit and where entrepreneurs should start

13:14 — Why inconsistent messaging hurts your visibility online

14:21 — The importance of thought leadership and POV content

16:13 — How AI recommendations are changing consumer behaviour

18:03 — What a personal brand strategist actually does

20:22 — Why perception, styling, and authority matter in business

22:52 — Building a personal brand that aligns with bigger opportunities

25:24 — Why relationships, rooms, and proximity still matter

27:24 — Entrepreneurship, motherhood, and learning empathy after becoming a parent

29:46 — How AI tools can save entrepreneurs time and mental load

31:05 — Using Whisper, Claude, and AI workflows in daily business operations

34:00 — How AI design tools are changing content creation

36:17 — “Adapt or die” — why entrepreneurs need to understand AI now

38:07 — Why parents need to understand the AI tools their kids are using

Use code TMMB to get your free AI Visibility Audit: https://moniquebryan.com/audit

Monique's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquebryan_co/

Check Your AI Visibility: https://futureproofyourbrand.co/

Website: https://www.moniquebryan.com/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura sits down with Leslie Robertson, owner of Prime Personal Training in Ottawa, Ontario. Leslie shares the evolution of her 14-year fitness business journey — from grinding through long days as a solo trainer, to navigating motherhood, COVID, burnout, staffing challenges, and ultimately rebuilding her business in a more sustainable and aligned way.

Together, they talk about what it really looks like to shift from overwhelmed operator to empowered CEO, the mindset challenges that come with hiring and leadership, and how simplifying your business can completely transform your energy, capacity, and quality of life.

This conversation is honest, practical, emotional, and deeply encouraging for any entrepreneur who feels exhausted by the way they’re currently running their business.

In this episode you will hear:

00:03 — Introducing Leslie Robertson and Prime Personal Training

02:03 — Leslie’s background in teaching, athletics, and personal training

03:55 — The realities of running a fitness business for 14 years

06:28 — COVID, motherhood, and the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship

07:42 — Why Leslie knew her business model needed to change

08:53 — Burnout, exhaustion, and realizing something had to give

10:07 — The shift from online hustle to simplifying the business

11:26 — Losing a key team member and rebuilding after revenue loss

13:00 — Creating more simplicity, space, and CEO time

14:21 — The studio transformation that changed the business

15:31 — Hiring fears, team growth, and understanding business numbers

16:44 — The power of local marketing and community visibility

18:09 — Moving from business operator to true CEO

20:58 — How one DM led to hiring an incredible trainer

21:24 — Leslie reflects on burnout, stress, and constantly hustling online

23:49 — Why coaching felt different this time around

24:49 — Letting go of grind culture and creating alignment

25:24 — Building a business that allows for real life again

26:07 — Leadership, hard conversations, and managing a growing team

28:16 — The identity shift that happens when your business evolves

29:36 — Why investing in support changed everything

32:32 — Leslie’s philosophy on sustainable health and fitness

35:11 — Why women need support, not more extreme strategies

37:29 — How to connect with Leslie and Prime Personal Training

Leslie's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primepersonaltrainingottawa/

Website: primepersonaltraining.ca

Website: https://getfitwithles.com/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura sits down with Lianne Cawley, founder of Chapter 35, a branding and graphic design studio based in Edmonton, Alberta. Lianne shares the deeply personal story of being diagnosed with leukemia while raising two young children and running a growing business — and how the experience completely transformed the way she thinks about success, motherhood, boundaries, time, and entrepreneurship.

Together, they explore what it looks like to rebuild a business from a place of alignment rather than hustle, the realities of navigating entrepreneurship during a health crisis, and how redefining success can create a more meaningful and sustainable life.

In this episode you will hear:

00:09 — Introducing Lianne Cawley and Chapter 35

02:58 — Why Lianne loves working with women-led businesses

04:00 — The meaning behind the Chapter 35 rebrand

06:15 — Lianne’s leukemia diagnosis and navigating chemotherapy while running a business

09:23 — How cancer changed her definition of success

12:01 — Motherhood, entrepreneurship, and learning to prioritize time differently

16:44 — Finding perspective and clarity through trauma

17:24 — How cancer impacted family dynamics, relationships, and boundaries

19:07 — Why time became more valuable after her diagnosis

20:24 — The tangible changes Lianne made in her business after cancer

22:17 — Building deeper client relationships through branding intensives

23:55 — Boundaries, productivity systems, and protecting energy

26:25 — Learning to trust and empower her team during treatment

29:34 — What’s next for Chapter 35 and the future of the business

Lianne's Links:

Wesbite: www.chapter35.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chapter35.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liannecharlene/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liannecharlene/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chapter-35-creative/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura challenges one of the most common narratives in the online business world: that mindset work alone is enough to build a successful business. While personal growth, confidence, and belief absolutely matter, Laura explains why they can’t replace solid business infrastructure. She breaks down the difference between feeling good in your business and actually building a business that functions sustainably, profitably, and predictably. From offer clarity and pricing to client pathways and revenue visibility, this episode is a direct and honest conversation about what truly moves the needle in business growth.

In this episode you will hear:

00:05 — Why mindset work alone is not a business strategy

01:32 — How the coaching industry over-focuses on internal work

03:12 — Why you may not be blocked, just under-infrastructured

04:38 — What mindset can and can’t do for your business

06:15 — What business infrastructure actually means

07:42 — The four pillars of a functioning business

10:08 — Why many coaching programs miss real strategy

12:04 — The difference between feeling better and building better

13:21 — Three practical moves to strengthen your infrastructure

15:06 — Why mindset should support strategy, not replace it

16:12 — How Ambition helps build real business structure

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

In this episode, Laura sits down with Aimee Schalles, co-founder of Jointly, to talk about one of the most important — and often avoided — conversations in relationships: legal protection.

From prenups to cohabitation agreements, this conversation breaks down why these discussions feel so uncomfortable, how to reframe them, and why they’re essential for protecting yourself — especially as a woman navigating modern relationships, finances, and family life.

In this episode you will hear:

01:23 — What Jointly is and why it was created

03:52 — Why this matters: real-life examples of separation and lack of protection

05:12 — Why prenup conversations feel “sticky” (and the common misconceptions)

06:27 — Power dynamics, financial protection, and women’s autonomy

07:25 — The importance of recognizing unpaid labour and sacrifices

08:48 — The mindset barrier: why women hesitate to bring this up

09:54 — How to start the conversation in a healthy, collaborative way

11:31 — Cohabitation vs. prenup: what’s the difference

12:34 — Why AI isn’t the solution for legal agreements

14:45 — What makes an agreement enforceable

16:41 — When and how you can create or update agreements

17:25 — Aimee’s life as a mom, lawyer, and founder

19:20 — Setting boundaries and building a business that fits your life

21:32 — The inspiration behind Jointly’s business model

23:15 — The future vision for Jointly

Use code TMMB to receive 20% off Jointly prenuptial and cohabitation agreements.

Aimee's Links:

Website: jointly.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jointly.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jointlysolutions/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok