Brandmerry Blog Archives
Episode 07 | Following the Excitement with Kelly Marcyniuk
Episode 07 | Following the Excitement with Kelly Marcyniuk
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 07
Today's episode is another guest expert and man do this girl and I have some stories.
Kelly is your go-to Freedom Life Stylist and the founder of The Freedom Babe. Kelly believes in traveling as often as possible, great wine, and living a life that feels totally free.
Kelly and I met for the first time in Paris as part of our mastermind and had so much fun. We share many of the same beliefs and values in life, including travel, and on today's podcast, Kelly and I are chatting about Following the Excitement and how when you do that you can create a truly FREE life.
Things we talk about in this episode:
• Following the excitement and not settling for "just enough" or "the should's" because of outside expectations.
• How Kelly turned down, what she thought would be her career and more schooling to start her own business.
• How to trust yourself and move through those scary decisions with full belief in your ability to succeed.
• How to follow the passion and leap, even when it's scary, and how it pays off in creating the freedom lifestyle.
TODAY'S GUEST
Kelly Marcyniuk is your go-to Freedom Life Stylist. She is the founder of The Freedom Babe where she supports women in creating freedom-filled lives and businesses on their own terms. She's also the host of The Freedom Babe Podcast where she chats with entrepreneurs and influencers about the freedom lifestyles they've created for themselves, and how they did it. Kelly believes in traveling as often as possible, great wine, and living a life that feels totally free.
CONNECT WITH kelly
Website: www.thefreedombabe.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefreedombabe
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefreedombabe
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
Important Links Mentioned
Episode 05: Building a Badass Brand + Business with Michelle Knight
Kid Box ‘Save 15% with code BrandMerry’
Own Your Story Challenge - Sign Up!
Airbnb ‘Get $40 off your next stay’
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
PODCAST FEATURED REVIEW of the week
Free to Be Podcast - Inspiring and Relatable by JustWayTooBoss
“Michelle Knight’s podcast is a definite must for women entrepreneurs and those needing inspiration to pursue their goals and dreams! Her podcast is so down to earth and full of so much honesty, while giving awesome insights into living the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Listen in!!”
Listen to More
Home Office Essentials to Keep You in a Great Headspace
Home Office Essentials to Keep You in a Great Headspace
October 18, 2018
I’m a big fan of batch scheduling and with that love comes my desire to basically schedule ALL my coaching calls on the same day. Since the beginning of my business, I’ve been coaching on Wednesday and Friday, which allows me to spend the rest of my time in my creative headspace (this is how I always come up with great content) and spending time with my family.
As my business has grown and I’ve taken on more clients, it’s REALLY important (stressing the really here) that I surrounded myself with things that keep me grounded.
Whether you are a service based entrepreneur or anyone that deals with a customer or client, it’s important to protect your energy. We give so much to our community and clients, that if we don’t have things in place to re-align ourselves, we take the risk of feeling depleted.
These tips and resources are easy additions to your home office and will make a big difference in your day to day when implemented.
Disclaimer: Some of this stuff is on the woo-woo side ;) what can I say I love it. Keep an open mind and take what you need from this blog post and leave the rest behind. Oh and some of the links are affiliates, if you buy it I might get a few bucks.
TOP HOME OFFICE ESSENTIALS
1. Diffuser and Oils:
I’m a big fan of essential oils when it comes to my family and nothing makes me feel more aligned than a nice lavender or sandalwood scent.
I have diffusers throughout my entire house, but love to use my office diffuser for long work days. The one I currently have is from DoTerra, but another favorite of mine is from Amazon.
2. Palo Santo (or Sage):
The benefits of Palo Santo are amazing, but for our office decor purposes I love Palo Santo to clear the energy. Nothing is more important before and after a call with my clients than to clear my own energy and the energy of the office. This allows me to head into my calls without carrying over something from a previous client.
3. Candle:
I’m a sucker for a good candle, can anyone say Pumpkin Spice?! Right now, that is my candle of choice, but honestly, any candle will do. I love lighting my candle to set the tone for the day. I love having the visual of a candle because it gives me a calm feeling, which is important for busy work days. Candles are supportive of a meditative state, decreasing stress and increasing self-awareness.
4. Crystals:
Yes, I’m a big fan of crystals, and although I’m not an expert there are three crystals I love to include on my desk during long work days. These crystals are easily accessible so you should have no trouble finding them locally or online.
A tip for choosing crystals is to position yourself in front of your options and pay attention to which one is pulling you in.
Bonus tip, because why the heck not, it’s important to cleanse/clean your crystals when you buy them; you can do this by smudging sage, putting them under a full moon or bathing them in a salt bath.
My favorite office crystals are:
Rose Quartz: This stone is great for self-love, removing anger and tension. It also opens your Heart Chakra making you more open to compassion.
Amethyst: Not only is amethyst one of my favorite stones to look at, it supports you in tapping into your intuition and brings tranquility and peace into your space. It’s great for opening your Crown Chakra.
Clear Quartz: When you think of a crystal this is probably the one that comes to mind. These basic white stones come in all shapes and sizes (I even carry one in the diaper bag). Quartz is great for removing negative feelings and welcoming in positive energy.
I also wear Citrine on a regular basis to protect my Solar Plexus which is connected to achieving goals, self-confidence and more importantly, for me anyway, to release my inner perfectionist.
5. Light:
I mean I feel like this is a no-brainer, but in no way do I want my office to resemble that of a cubicle. I welcome light into my space by facing my desk towards a big window and if working into the night I have a desk lamp for extra lighting. Natural light is your best friend here, so if you have the ability to face a window not only will your photos look better, but a better moot to boot.
6. Hydration:
Dehydration is no joke as an entrepreneur. It can lead to fogginess, decreased concentration, depressed mood and fatigue; none of which you want when working all day, especially with clients. One of the top tips I have for every entrepreneur is to drink more water, it’s so easy to forget but can make all the difference in feeling energized to take on all your projects. I’m a big fan of an old-fashioned mason jar, which is totally on brand by the way!
It’s really about creating the space around you that not only inspires you to show up and do your best work, but keeps you a positive headspace so you can show up as your best self and impact more lives.
Let me know in the comments your favorite tip above and if you have some essentials you love - I’m always looking to enhance my space.
I’m constantly sharing behind the scenes of my life and business over on IG Stories (my favorite place to hang out) are we connected on Instagram?
Head over to Instagram.com/brandmerrycoaching to follow me and DM your questions and favorite tips from this post. I personally respond to every single one!
EPISODE 06 | Minding Your Mindset
Minding Your Mindset
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 06
On this episode of The Free to Be Podcast Ben Knight sits down with Michelle to ask her some questions he believes her audience would love to know.
I'm an open book, but it's much easier to let my walls down when speaking to my partner Ben Knight. That's why we thought it would be fun to have an intimate conversation, while sitting on the floor, about Minding Your Mindset.
Join us to learn more about:
• One of my favorite personal development practices
• The author who not only impacted my life but completely changed it
• My beliefs around time and my suggestions for creating more of it in your life
• What I learned from my own transitions and why I believe they are always changing
• Where I hope to be in 5 years!
• Who I'm currently crushing on in the entrepreneur world
• A glimpse inside what my postpartum experience really taught me
• What I REALLY think about authenticity!
In this episode, I not so subtly share about my upcoming 5-day challenge happening in November to Uncover and Own Your Story for a Bold, Captivating and Money-Making Brand!
Join me for this 5-day challenge where you'll uncover:
↠ How to grab attention online using your story and effectively use your values to resonate and attract your ideal clients online.
↠ How to become clear on the most powerful parts of your story that should be shared with your ideal client to start building authentic relationships that lead to consistent sales (plus storytelling pitfalls to avoid to safeguard your expert status).
↠ Why powerfully capturing your story is the essence of an unstoppable brand and how every piece of your business from your branding, ideal client, messaging and even your programs fall effortlessly into place.
Sign up here: brandmerry.com/storychallenge
Important Links Mentioned in This Episode
Uncover and Own Your Story Challenge
Episode 1: Married to an Entrepreneur
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Podcast Featured Review of the Week
Incredible podcast by mucutiepie124
“Michelle is amazing! She is genuine, inspiring and has incredible tips and tricks for the female entrepreneur! I follow all things Michelle and so glad she has started this amazing podcast! So stoked for future episodes!”
Listen to More
Four Tips to Improve Productivity While Working From Home
Four Tips to Improve Productivity While Working From Home
October 11, 2018
When I was getting ready for my first week as a “full-time entrepreneur” I was freaking out! I turned to the power of the internet and reached out to other entrepreneurs asking, “What tips do you have for working from home?”
The response was overwhelming, ideas flooded in ranging from; don’t make a plan just go with it to only work 3 hours a day for better efficiency. However, there was a slight problem with these suggestions - no one who commented was a mother!
Now, whether you’re a mompreneur or not this post will still be super valuable to you, but it’s an important part of my productivity journey because I had no other option that to make it work. Over the past two years, I’ve freaking mastered productively working from home, even when some of the biggest distractions were injecting themselves into my day (thinking baby peeing on you during a live stream, mid-day screams and 💩)!
If you struggle with getting sht done while working from home, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing four of my top tips for Improving Your Productivity While Working From Home.
**Please note some of the links are affiliate links. I only recommend products I absolutely love, but I might receive a small commission from your engagement.
1. PLAN THE NIGHT BEFORE.
I can’t stress enough how important planning is for productivity - I mean thing about it when you fly by the seat of your pants you’re constantly bouncing from one thing to another. Did someone say squirrel?!
One of the best strategies I’ve used for productivity over the past 6 months has been to carve out 15 minutes to map out and structure my tasks for the following day.
The night before I hop into my Weekly Schedule on *Trello and sit with my schedule for the next day. Based on family plans and weather (I’m a big advocate for Zoo days) I’ll move things around on my board. I also like to rank my tasks in order of importance and put a time limit on some of them (i.e. things like writing this blog post).
This allows me to have a full picture of the next 24 hours before I even go to sleep, reducing the overwhelm, allowing me to feel on top of my sh*t and to get more things checked off.
Want to try Trello for your business? Grab a free account here: https://trello.com/michelleknight6/recommend
2. Set a timer
When I was a kid my mom used to set a timer in the morning, you know one of those old-school white timers for your counter? Every morning she’d set the timer and when that timer went off we knew it was time to leave for school. Ok, total disclaimer I was still late like 99% of the time, but just think how late I would’ve been if I didn’t have that timer.
This is such a great trick for increasing productivity in your business as well. When it’s time to dive into the black hole that is social media, set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes and when that timer goes off - GET OUT OF THERE!
I love to use the timer method in my business for:
• Social media engagement
• Writing my emails
• Writing my blog posts
• Answering emails
• Tech (SO important to set a timer with this one)
Think of the areas of your business that are major time sucks and set that timer!
3. Batch Scheduling
One of the hardest things to do when working from home is to jump from one project to another. My greatest strategy since day one has been batch scheduling. Rather than spreading out your writing over the course of 5 days, how would it feel to be in your creative zone for a longer chunk of time, rather than having to start over?
When I try to write a single email a day, over the course of a week, it takes me 2x longer for each than if I were to sit down for three hours and write all my emails and social posts. Batch scheduling will save your bootay if you are an online entrepreneur who has to write ANYTHING (so basically everyone)!
Get in the habit of scheduling your batch writing at least once a week, maybe twice, in the beginning, to start finding a rhythm and routine. Before you know it you’ll be writing 10-minute emails and blog post with ease.
4. USE YOUR TIME WISELY
Efficiency is all about looking for all the areas in which you can use up space. When my son was teething and needed to go on daily walks, I would bring my cell phone with me and create talk-to-text documents for my emails. If I didn’t have the time in the day to sit down, you better believe I was using this time to my advantage.
When I use to drive to and from my 9 to 5, I would listen to podcasts which inspired the crap out of me and would record small ideas and notes in my phone, so I didn’t forget a single idea.
Look for every single opportunity you have to tap into your creative space. We all have the same hours in a day, it’s about HOW we use those hours that makes the biggest difference.
How are you currently using your time? Where are your biggest time sucks?
Some people call me the Get Sh*t Done Queen (ok, not a lot of people, but you get the idea) - I’m really great at streamlining and being the most effective with my time.
It’s because in the beginning of my business I had to be! I built this business from zero to multiple 6-figures in two years while working a 9 to 5 in the beginning and raising a baby. Productivity is my jam and that’s why it is one of the main pillars of my signature group program Roadmap to Freedom.
The doors are opening for Roadmap to Freedom for the third time this November!
If you are a new or aspiring female entrepreneur who is ready to launch an online business that allows her to make money on her own terms then this program is for YOU! When you join the waitlist before October 19 you’ll get first dibs on all the amazing bonuses + save some serious cash when you sign up during pre-enrollment.
Learn more and join the waitlist at brandmerry.com/freedom.
EPISODE 05 | Living a Conscious and Glowing Life with Martina Fink
Living a Conscious and Glowing Life with Martina Fink
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 05
Today's episode is with my dear friend Martina Fink. Martina is the go-to girl for all things Glow. Her mission is to help others by sharing her love of natural beauty products, sustainable living, maintaining a healthy body and mindset and promoting self-love and confidence.
And in today's episode, she does not disappoint. Martina and I recently met this year as mastermind sisters and officially met in person in Paris in September. I freaking love this girl and the deep conversations we can have about life, living a full glowing and free life and how we can leave a lasting impression in this world. She is such a dear friend of mine and I know by the end of this episode you are going to want to be surrounded by her energy as well.
Things we talk about in this episode:
• The importance of following your heart, even when you're receiving push-back from the ones closest to you.
• How to start making small changes in your day to day routine in order to live a more conscious and eco-friendly life.
• How to become aware and conscious of what you truly want and take action to become more aligned in all aspects of your life.
Martina Fink
Martina Fink is the go-to girl for all things Glow. Her mission is to help others by sharing her love of natural beauty products, sustainable living, maintaining a healthy body and mindset and promoting self-love and confidence. She offers a couple of different glow inspired coaching programs, hosts retreats around the world and travels with her clients. Martina is a certified Health Coach by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and thrives on helping others live a more glowing life. She is fluent in German, English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese and travels the world 6 months out of the year.
CONNECT WITH Martina
Website: martinafink.com
Facebook: facebook.com/martinaglows
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/186958371725182/
Instagram: instagram.com/martinaglows
Pinterest:pinterest.com/martinaglows
Important links mentioned in this episode:
Martina's Retreat in Costa Rica
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Podcast Featured Review of the Week
Amazeballs by Wenders83
“I just got done listening to Michelle’s very first podcast! It was everything I expected and more. Michelle is so relatable, honest, and real. And let’s be honest she has an amazing husband that is amazing at supporting her. I’ve been following Michelle for a little while now and I was so excited to hear her podcast was finally launched! Thank you Michelle for your honest look into your relationship and how you and your husband communicate with entrepreneurial living. I am definitely going to use some of your wisdom in my life! Can’t wait to hear your next episode next Tuesday! Get it lady!”
Listen to More