Podcast Summary: The blondEST – Episode "Married to the Boss"

Release Date: February 24, 2025

In the "Married to the Boss" episode of The blondEST podcast, host Savanna Boda engages in an insightful and candid conversation with her husband, Lance, discussing the dynamics of their marriage, the challenges and rewards of balancing business and family life, and offering valuable business advice for estheticians. Interspersed with moments of humor and interactions with their child, Cyrus, the episode provides a comprehensive look into the personal and professional lives of Savannah and Lance.

1. Navigating Public Perception and Personal Relationships

Hate and Public Image

Savanna initiates the discussion by addressing the topic of receiving hate, prompting Lance to share his experiences:

Savanna [01:03]: "Do you ever receive hate?"
Lance [01:06]: "Do I ever receive hate? No, not directly, but probably indirectly. But no. Nobody, like. Nobody, like, messages me hate."

Savanna reassures Lance about his likability, emphasizing their positive public image.

Business-Related Arguments

The conversation shifts to the strain that business operations can place on personal relationships. Savanna reveals:

Savanna [01:24]: "Do we ever argue because of the business? It's so hard for my boyfriend and I."
Lance [01:38]: "Well, yeah, I'm sure. Yeah, I'm sure we do."

They discuss conflicts arising from financial decisions and differing approaches to business growth, highlighting their complementary personalities:

Savanna [02:04]: "I could never be a kept woman."
Lance [02:13]: "I'm the yin to her yang, so it's her soaring to the moon and me being like, let's maybe take some precautions."

2. The Role of a Stay-at-Home Dad

Decision to Transition

Lance elaborates on their decision for him to become a stay-at-home dad, shedding light on the practical considerations involved:

Lance [03:23]: "It wasn't just like that I decided, obviously, but it was... either me working 70, 80 hours a week with a newborn and a business owner wife."

Savanna adds context about their differing career passions and financial planning:

Savanna [05:04]: "He picked accounting not because it was his passion, but because Lance is, like, again, very, like, a safe person."

Challenges and Rewards

Lance discusses the challenges of adjusting to a new role while Savanna shares her favorite aspects:

Savanna [05:55]: "What's your favorite thing about being a stay-at-home dad besides Cyrus?"
Lance [06:00]: "Having a hot wife... probably just that you don't have to deal with a bunch of office nonsense..."

They also touch upon personal growth and balancing household responsibilities.

3. Journey of Love and Partnership

How They Met

Savanna and Lance recount their unique meeting story, involving mistaken identities and college reconnections:

Savanna [12:50]: "This is how mommy and daddy met... you thought you were messaging me? Yeah. But it was his friend."

Lance clarifies the chronology of their relationship development, adding humor to the narrative.

Building Their Relationship

They reflect on their early relationship dynamics, including missed dates and rebounds:

Savanna [13:20]: "My favorite was, like, the first time we were supposed to go on a date... you wouldn't take me out because you weren't in a good emotional headspace because the cowboys lost the night before."

4. Business Insights and Advice for Estheticians

Day-to-Day Operations

Lance provides a glimpse into their daily routines, highlighting the balance between family and business responsibilities:

Lance [18:27]: "I wake up when Cyrus wakes up... drink coffee, take care of Cyrus... clean around the house and help Savannah with stuff."

Business Structures: LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship

Lance explains the fundamental differences between LLCs and sole proprietorships, emphasizing liability and tax implications:

Lance [19:55]: "The biggest one that's typically said is that your liability is not... you could basically, you know, be sued for more money..."

He advises working with professionals to navigate complex business structures.

Top Business Advice for Estheticians

Offering practical tips, Lance shares his top five business recommendations:

1. Start Small:

   Lance [21:38]: "Start on the smaller end... try to get your clients and not take on too much debt."

2. Simplify Bookkeeping:

   Lance [22:32]: "Use QuickBooks... keep things organized."

3. Manage Taxes Wisely:

   Lance [23:26]: "Hold back like 30% for taxes... do your estimated quarterly taxes."

4. Avoid Unnecessary Sales Tax Charges:

   Savanna [24:14]: "Make sure you're not getting charged sales tax from your companies."

5. Employee Management:

   Lance [24:20]: "Always make sure... keep stuff organized."

Employee Benefits and 401(k) Plans

Lance delves into the complexities of offering employee benefits, including 401(k) matching and health insurance options:

Lance [30:52]: "We run payroll twice a month... automatic matching of... how to set it up."

He stresses the importance of consulting with CPAs to ensure compliance and optimize benefits for employees.

5. Marriage Dynamics and Personal Growth

Balancing Roles

Savanna and Lance discuss the evolving dynamics of their marriage, particularly the shifts in responsibilities as Lance adapted to being a stay-at-home dad:

Savanna [41:10]: "It's a learning curve for men because they're not used to it... feel like we're finally like, this year, 2025."

Challenges of Isolation

They address the emotional and social challenges faced by stay-at-home parents, especially fathers:

Lance [43:24]: "It's very isolating."
Savanna [43:37]: "I think a lot of it was like just a learning curve for you and I think just really isolating."

Strengthening the Relationship

Reflecting on their efforts to establish routines and support each other, they emphasize resilience and mutual support:

Savanna [44:05]: "This year, we finally kind of have like, our dynamic down... helping our marriage a bit."

6. Family Interactions and Lighthearted Moments

Throughout the episode, interactions with their son, Cyrus, add a playful and endearing element to the conversation. Cyrus occasionally interjects with cute comments and attempts to participate in the podcast activities, such as singing into the microphone and expressing preferences.

Savanna [17:12]: "Cyrus, you need to sit your booty next to mommy."
Cyrus [27:11]: "Hi, besties."

These moments provide a glimpse into their family life, balancing professional discussions with personal warmth.

7. Concluding Thoughts and Final Advice

As the episode wraps up, Savanna highlights the importance of preparation and organization in business growth:

Savanna [28:39]: "My biggest business regret... hadn't set up anything for my success and growth."

Lance reinforces the need for meticulous planning and the challenges that come with expanding a business, encouraging listeners to learn continuously and adapt to evolving circumstances.

Lance [30:23]: "Employees are very hard. Like I would say probably a lot of stay at..."

The episode concludes with heartfelt acknowledgments and playful interactions, leaving listeners with a blend of business wisdom and personal insights.

Notable Quotes

• On Business and Personal Balance
  Savanna [02:13]: "I'm risk averse."
  Lance [02:15]: "I could never be a kept woman."

• On Marriage and Support
  Savanna [40:31]: "What's it like being married to Lance?"
  Lance [40:33]: "Having a supportive husband who loves you and supports you..."

• On Business Advice
  Lance [21:38]: "Start on the smaller end... try to get your clients and not take on too much debt."

• On Personal Growth
  Savanna [44:05]: "This year, we finally kind of have like, our dynamic down... helping our marriage a bit."

Conclusion

The "Married to the Boss" episode offers a heartfelt and informative exploration of Savanna and Lance's intertwined personal and professional lives. Listeners gain valuable insights into managing a business within a marriage, the challenges of role transitions, and practical advice for aspiring estheticians. The episode seamlessly blends business acumen with personal anecdotes, making it a relatable and enriching experience for those seeking both inspiration and practical knowledge.