Episode Summary: Starting A Business For More Freedom & Flexibility
Podcast: You Can! Inspiring Women In Business
Host: Sarah Jolley-Jarvis
Guest: Liz Stanford
Release Date: September 19, 2024
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
In this compelling episode of You Can! Inspiring Women In Business, host Sarah Jolley-Jarvis engages in an insightful conversation with Liz Stanford. The discussion revolves around Liz’s journey of transitioning from traditional employment to entrepreneurship, driven by her desire for greater freedom and flexibility to balance family life and business aspirations.
1. Introduction to Liz Stanford
Sarah opens the episode by introducing Liz Stanford, highlighting her dual entrepreneurial ventures:
- Calm Birth School: A hypnobirthing training business.
- BABA (Birth and Baby Business Academy): A membership platform assisting birth and baby business owners in growing their enterprises.
Quote:
“I have two businesses. One is called the Calm Birth School... and one is called Baba, the Birth and Baby Business Academy.”
— Liz Stanford (00:28)
2. Catalyst for Change: Motherhood
Liz shares how becoming a mother was the pivotal moment that led her to reconsider her career path. After the birth of her first child, she grappled with the idea of returning to her fulfilling role as a PA office manager, which demanded long hours and left little room for family time.
Quote:
“I don't want to go back... I can't do that anymore. I'm going to miss so much.”
— Liz Stanford (02:00)
3. Initial Struggles and Depression
Transitioning into entrepreneurship was not seamless for Liz. She candidly discusses experiencing postnatal depression while trying to establish her hypnobirthing business, highlighting the emotional and mental challenges that often accompany significant life changes.
Quote:
“I found myself in the pits of depression... trying to set up a business.”
— Liz Stanford (03:35)
4. Building the Business from Scratch
Despite lacking business experience, Liz persevered. She focused on training courses, developing a structured program, and leveraging limited social media tools available at the time to attract clients. Her dedication paid off as she expanded her offerings to train others globally.
Quote:
“I ended up now owning my own hypnobirthing training company... creating their own business.”
— Liz Stanford (06:15)
5. Desire for Flexibility and Family Time
A recurring theme in Liz’s narrative is her longing for a balanced life where she can actively participate in her children’s lives without the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 job. This motivation underscores the importance of flexibility in her business model.
Quote:
“I wanted to spend more time with my children... have more balance.”
— Liz Stanford (08:51)
6. Financial Planning and Safety Nets
Both Liz and Sarah emphasize the critical role of financial planning when transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. Liz details how setting clear revenue goals and having a financial buffer enabled her to leave her corporate job with confidence.
Quote:
“If in one month you don't earn X amount... here's what we'll do.”
— Liz Stanford (25:32)
7. Balancing Business Growth and Personal Life
Liz discusses the ongoing challenge of maintaining business momentum while ensuring she remains present for her family. She highlights strategies such as networking, continuous learning, and setting boundaries to sustain both personal and professional growth.
Quote:
“Every day is a networking opportunity as far as I'm concerned.”
— Liz Stanford (25:32)
8. Overcoming Employment Mindset
Transitioning from being employed to self-employed required Liz to shift her mindset. She reflects on the emotional liberation and vulnerability that comes with being fully committed to her own business, without the safety net of traditional employment.
Quote:
“Now my safety blanket is completely gone... it's not an option.”
— Liz Stanford (20:29)
9. Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Liz imparts valuable lessons from her journey, emphasizing resilience, the importance of a supportive partner, and the necessity of having a clear plan. She encourages women to take decisive actions when the time feels right and to continuously adapt to evolving business landscapes.
Quote:
“Keep that conversation going with your partner... create a better lifestyle for all of you.”
— Liz Stanford (15:15)
10. Resources and Closing Remarks
In the concluding segment, Liz provides listeners with resources to explore her businesses further. She directs aspiring hypnobirthing instructors and birth and baby business owners to her Instagram profiles and websites.
Quote:
“You can find me over at the Calm Birth School on Instagram or thecalmbirthschool.com... or Baba on Instagram.”
— Liz Stanford (28:20)
Sarah wraps up the episode by teasing an upcoming solo episode focused on business growth strategies, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more valuable insights.
Key Takeaways
- Motivation for Entrepreneurship: Balancing family life with career aspirations can drive women to explore flexible business opportunities.
- Overcoming Personal Challenges: Addressing mental health struggles is crucial when undergoing significant life transitions.
- Financial Planning: Establishing clear financial goals and having a safety net are essential for a smooth transition to self-employment.
- Continuous Growth: Networking and continuous learning are vital for sustaining and growing a business.
- Support Systems: Having a supportive partner and community can significantly impact entrepreneurial success.
Where to Find Liz Stanford
-
Calm Birth School:
- Website: thecalmbirthschool.com
- Instagram: @thecalmbirthschool
-
BABA (Birth and Baby Business Academy):
- Instagram: @bababusiness
This episode serves as an inspiring roadmap for women aspiring to create businesses that offer both financial stability and the flexibility to prioritize family life. Liz Stanford’s honest recounting of her challenges and triumphs provides valuable lessons for any entrepreneur navigating similar paths.