Podcast
The Sleep Consultant Blueprint
Hosted by Marli Klaus · EN
Welcome to The Sleep Consultant Blueprint podcast, where we unveil the secrets to breaking free from the 9-to-5 grind and making a meaningful impact from the comfort of your home as a pediatric sleep consultant. In this podcast, you’ll gain insights from inspiring women who’ve navigated this same journey, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to create your own success story.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Certified + Earning by August: The 90-Day Path That Changes Everything
1w ago00:16:10Tap to summarizeIf you’ve been telling yourself that starting a business is going to take too long, or that you’ll figure it out “someday when the timing is better,” this episode is going to shift that for you. This week, we are breaking down exactly how you can go from curious to certified to paid in 90 days, and why right now, heading into summer, is genuinely the best time to start. We cover: Why knowing your exit number is the non-negotiable first step (catch last week’s episode if you missed it) The real reason most women delay starting a business, and what it actually costs them How our 12 Week Certification Accelerator is designed to fit around your life on just 4 to 5 hours per week The three pillars inside our program: the Applied Sleep Framework, the Theory to Real World Bridge, and the Client Confidence Accelerator Why our students graduate already confident, because they’ve already worked with five real families before they ever receive their certificate What comes after certification, including the 90 Day 5K Sprint and the Scale Without Burnout method, so you’re not just certified, you’re profitable The reality is that if you start today, you could be a certified sleep consultant with paying clients before school starts back up in August or September. That is not hype, that is the math. If you are ready to take the next step, send me a DM on Instagram at @thecradlecoachacademy with the word READY and let’s talk through whether this is the right fit for you. Want a deeper look at how the program works from certified to paid? Grab the free Sleep Consultant Blueprint video series at thecradlecoachacademy.com/blueprint.
Transcribe →Why You’ll Never Leave the Classroom Without This Number
2w ago00:11:57Tap to summarizeYou already know you want out. You’ve been dreaming about it, researching side hustles, maybe even looking at Etsy shops and MLMs trying to find something that could make it work. But if you don’t know your actual exit number, that dream is going nowhere. In this episode, Marli breaks down the one thing that separates teachers who actually leave the classroom from the ones who keep saying “maybe someday” – and it starts with a number that is probably a lot smaller than you think. In this episode: Why your full teaching salary is almost certainly NOT your real exit number The dangerous jump most teachers make from “I want to leave” straight to “it’s never going to work for me” – and what to do in between The three-step Exit Plan Framework that turns a dream into an actual math problem you can solve How to reverse engineer your exit number into real sleep consulting clients The question you should actually be asking yourself about your skillset Why the women who left weren’t braver, luckier, or less busy than you The Classroom Exit Plan Kit — a $7 tool that walks you through calculating your exit number, translating it into real clients, and figuring out if sleep consulting is the right match for your skills. Grab it here: thecradlecoachacademy.com/exit-bridge
Transcribe →From the Classroom to Your Own Business in 90 Days
3w ago00:14:51Tap to summarizeOne of my students drove to work sick, pumping in the car, while her baby was home sick too. Not because she wanted to. Because she hadn’t finished her sub plans and it was easier to just go in. That message stopped me cold. In this episode I’m talking directly to teachers – about the guilt, the sub plans, the lesson planning at 10pm on a Sunday, and the moment you realize the calling you worked so hard for has quietly started costing you everything. We also talk about what comes next. Because the skills that made you great in the classroom? They transfer directly into sleep consulting, and I break down exactly what that timeline looks like from day one to your first paying client to a full income. In this episode: Why teachers can never fully be sick (and why that’s not normal) The “built-in guilt feature” of teaching, nursing, and corporate work Why your classroom skills are actually your biggest business asset The realistic timeline from zero to certified to first paying client Why you don’t have to quit before you start Mentioned in this episode: DM me the word EXIT on Instagram to grab the Classroom to Sleep Consulting Starter Kit — it walks you through your real numbers, transferable skills, and your 90 to 120 day exit timeline.
Transcribe →Jessica’s Story: How She Built a Business That Doubled Her PTA Income
Mar 1900:55:16Tap to summarizeWhat does it really look like to go from zero experience to certified, paid, and building a business that fits your life? In this episode, TCCA graduate Jessica Chennault shares her story of going from physical therapist assistant and overwhelmed mom to full-time sleep consultant. She opens up about what made her choose The Cradle Coach Academy, how she started signing clients early, and how she built momentum faster than she ever expected. This conversation is especially powerful for the woman who keeps thinking:I would love to do this, but I do not know if I have the time, the business background, or what it takes to make it work. Jessica’s story is proof that you do not need to have everything perfect to get started. You need the right support, a willingness to put yourself out there, and the courage to keep going before it all feels certain. Ready to take your next step? Apply now to start your journey: https://thecradlecoachacademy.com/apply
Transcribe →Fully Booked, Going Full-Time, No Going Back: Lindsey’s Story
Mar 300:47:59Tap to summarizeLindsey Heybroek is back and a lot has changed since her first episode. When we last talked, she was just two months into her business. Now, a year in, she’s fully booked, raising her prices, building a networking empire in her local community, and getting ready to leave her full-time job for good. In this episode, Lindsey gets real about what her first year actually looked like — the wins, the hard parts, and everything she wishes she had known sooner. In this episode we cover: ✔️ What pushed Lindsey to finally enroll after months of going back and forth ✔️ how she earned back her full investment in just six weeks — in December, which is typically one of the slowest months ✔️ why she has a waitlist of referrals despite having under 200 Instagram followers ✔️ the moment she raised her prices and why past clients told her she should have charged more all along ✔️ how she runs a thriving sleep consulting business while working full time and raising three boys ✔️ her brand new Bear Cub texting support subscription and how it came straight out of the Momentum Collective ✔️ what she believes truly separates the women who build this into something real from the ones who don’t. The quote from this episode that says it all: “If you have a passion for this, you will find a way to support every family you come across. You can’t just get into it for the income. But if you have that passion? Nothing is going to stop you.” Connect with Lindsey: Instagram: @SleepyBearConsulting Facebook: Sleepy Bear Consulting Website: SleepyLittleBear.com Ready to start your own sleep consulting business? If Lindsey’s story sounds like yours — you’ve been thinking about this, coming back to it, wondering if it’s really possible — this is your sign. Learn more about becoming a certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant at thecradlecoachacademy.com/training
Transcribe →The 90-Day ROI Sprint: How We Took the Guesswork Out of Getting Paid
Feb 200:09:25Tap to summarize“What if I get certified… and I can’t find clients?” If you’ve ever had this fear, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not crazy for thinking it. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how we solved this problem for our students with our 90-Day ROI Sprint. This isn’t theory or fluff—it’s the distilled playbook from students who actually got paid, fast. You’ll learn why clients don’t come from being viral (they come from being clear), why you don’t need a huge audience (you need a small, repeatable pipeline), and how our proven plan helps you earn back your full program investment in 90 days or less. In This Episode: Why the fear of not finding clients is valid—and what most certification programs get wrong about preparing you for business The 3 biggest reframes that change everything: clarity over virality, connections over followers, and removing guesswork instead of “trying harder” How I analyzed the success patterns of 30+ students I worked with 1:1 and turned it into a specific, actionable program The 3 parts of the 90-Day ROI Sprint: Confident Launch Framework, Your First $5K Plan, and the 30-Minute Connection Marketing System Why a plan doesn’t just help you get clients—it helps you believe you can Ready to get started? DM me “ROI” on Instagram or head to thecradlecoachacademy.com/apply to apply now.
Transcribe →Borrowed Confidence Is Keeping You Stuck (Here’s What to Do Instead)
Jan 1300:14:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I’m calling out a huge hidden problem in the sleep consulting world: trying to build a business on an identity you haven’t actually earned yet. We’ll talk about the difference between borrowed confidence (copying your mentor, hyping yourself up, hoping no one notices you don’t feel ready) and earned authority that comes from real client experience. I’ll walk you through how we use our Client Confidence Accelerator at The Cradle Coach Academy—working with 5 volunteer families with full mentor support—so you graduate knowing you can actually change lives, not just recite theory. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a sleep consultant or you’re already certified but don’t feel ready, this episode will show you what’s really missing (spoiler: it’s not more affirmations) and how to fix it. Already Certified and looking for more support? Message me on Instagram here – and let’s chat about how we can get you going quickly! Ready to learn more about our program and take your first step? Enroll in the Sneak Peek for just $44 here: https://thecradlecoachacademy.com/foundation
Transcribe →“I’m Not a Salesperson” — Why That’s Your Superpower as a Sleep Consultant
Jan 500:10:25Tap to summarizeIf the thought of selling makes your stomach flip, this episode is for you. Marli breaks down why being “sales-phobic” doesn’t disqualify you from becoming a successful sleep consultant — it actually makes you uniquely qualified. Instead of sleazy scripts or pressure tactics, you’ll hear how to approach sales as genuine service, build relationships with exhausted parents, and feel confident charging for the transformation you provide. Marli shares real stories from Cradle Coach Academy grads and clients that show how heart-led, service-first women can build thriving sleep consulting businesses without a traditional sales background. In this episode, you’ll learn: The #1 fear moms share when they’re considering sleep consulting as a home-based business Why you don’t need prior sales experience to succeed as a sleep consultant The mindset shift from “selling” to serving exhausted parents who are already searching for help A simple playground analogy that will change how you think about “offering” your services How one former kindergarten teacher landed her first client just by genuinely helping another mom Why sleep consulting is built on relationships and transformation, not one-and-done transactions A practical, non-intimidating way to talk to potential clients (what to ask, what to listen for, and how to share how you can help) Why charging for your expertise is not selfish — and how clients often feel grateful, not pressured, when they finally get real support Free resource mentioned in this episode: 👉 90-Day Sleep Consultant Blueprint (Free Video Series)Walk through what it actually looks like to become a sleep consultant and build a business that fits your life as a mom. Watch here: www.thecradlecoachacademy.com/video
Transcribe →100 Clients in Year 1: Yusra’s Story
Dec 2200:43:36Tap to summarizeWhat’s the difference between enrolling in a program and actually finishing it? For some people… five years and counting. But for Yusra? Three months from enrollment to certified and launched. In this episode, you’ll hear from one of our September 2024 graduates who went from full-time corporate employee and mom of two to serving 100 families in her first year as a sleep consultant…while still working full-time! Here’s what makes Yusra’s story so powerful: ✨ She paid back her entire investment in just 4 weeks after graduation✨ She hit 100 clients in her first year while working full-time✨ She went from zero business background to sponsoring networking events✨ She built her entire business on referrals and word-of-mouth (hardly posts on Instagram anymore and still fully booked) But here’s what I really want you to hear: Yusra talks openly about why having real-time support, live coaching calls, and a community learning alongside her made all the difference—and why she wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. The Power of Real Support: “You’re not actually left alone to figure things out. We’d go through actual case scenarios every week with other students, and even if I didn’t think of something, you’d hear different perspectives. Having that real-time support was everything.” – Yusra This is exactly why our program includes ongoing live coaching calls, a community of students learning alongside you, and lifetime access to mentorship—because we know that’s the difference between getting certified and actually building a thriving business. Ready to join a program that actually supports you from day one?Enroll here now to lock in your spot: https://thecradlecoachacademy.com/sleep-consultant
Transcribe →How This Mom of 3 Finally Found the Remote Biz That Works (Working Just 10 Hours Per Week)
Dec 1500:31:40Tap to summarizeThis episode is so valuable we are sharing it again! Meet Christina Carpenter – a former marketing professional who traded in her 40-hour corporate workweek for a 10-hour-a-week sleep consulting business that’s thriving on referrals alone. Christina is a mom of three who knew she needed more flexibility but wasn’t sure what that looked like. After Googling “jobs you can do from home” and trying (and failing at) a few different business ideas, she found sleep consulting – and everything clicked. Here’s what makes Christina’s story different: She hasn’t spent time chasing clients on social media or perfecting a six-page website. Instead, 100% of her business comes from word-of-mouth referrals through local Facebook mom groups and past volunteer clients. She’s stayed so busy that she’s worked with three families more than once (coming back for help with a second child). The biggest lessons from Christina’s journey: You don’t need everything “perfect” before you start. Christina had clients ready to book before she even had a website up. The credibility that matters most? Results and relationships. Starting local is powerful. Christina focused on her immediate community – friends of friends, local mom groups, and connections from where she used to live. This built-in trust shortened the sales cycle and created a referral engine. The right support system changes everything. Christina tried multiple business ventures before this, but they always stalled out. What made sleep consulting different? Having a proven framework, templates, and a community of people who’ve done it successfully. What Christina wishes she’d known: Stop researching and just decide. She got caught in analysis paralysis comparing programs and trying to find the “perfect” one. Looking back, she wishes she’d trusted her gut sooner and just started. If you’re someone who’s been that go-to friend for sleep advice, who’s tried other side hustles that didn’t quite work, or who’s ready to leave corporate life but isn’t sure what’s next – Christina’s story is proof that this works. Connect with Christina Instagram: @everyone_is_sleeping Website: everyoneissleeping.com
Transcribe →