Juggling Kids, Business, and Healing: How Caroline Marshall Does It All

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, Rebecca welcomes Caroline Marshall, the founder of the multi-award-winning virtual assistant agency, Upsource. Caroline shares her journey of navigating the challenges of motherhood while building a successful business. From her personal experiences of workplace redundancy, motherhood, and the traumatic birth of her second child, Caroline opens up about how these life events led her to entrepreneurship and, ultimately, to creating her podcast, Bumped to Business Owner. Key Topics Discussed: The Realities of Motherhood and Career: Caroline and Rebecca discuss the societal pressures faced by mothers in the workplace and the difficult choices they are often forced to make between career progression and family responsibilities. The toxic narrative that successful women must sacrifice motherhood or rely on a partner who takes on the full parental role. Entrepreneurship as a Mother: Caroline shares how entrepreneurship has been both a blessing and a challenge, allowing her to maintain control over her work-life balance, though not without its struggles. The unique pressures of being a mother and a business owner, and how Caroline managed these dual roles during the early years of her children's lives. Dealing with Trauma and PTSD: Caroline's candid account of her second child's traumatic birth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent undiagnosed PTSD she experienced. The impact of this trauma on her mental health and family life, and her journey toward healing through therapy, particularly EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). Healing and Self-Awareness: The importance of self-awareness and checking in with oneself daily to maintain alignment with one's values and purpose. Rebecca and Caroline discuss the role of meditation and spirituality in their healing journeys, emphasising that healing is an ongoing process. Empathy and Support: The critical need for empathy in our interactions, especially when supporting those who have gone through trauma. Caroline reflects on the societal lack of empathy, particularly in the context of motherhood and mental health. Memorable Quotes: “Feminine energy is more subtle, but it is just as powerful and strong.” - Rebecca “Trust my instincts, sit with myself, and trust myself... If I am leading from a place that’s in line with my values and purpose, then everything will be okay.” - Caroline Marshall Resources Mentioned: Caroline’s Virtual Assistant Agency: We Are Upsource Caroline’s Podcast: Bumped to Business Owner EMDR Therapy: Learn more about this powerful therapy technique for PTSD here. Connect with Caroline Marshall: Instagram: @bumpedtobusinessowner LinkedIn: Caroline Marshall Call to Action: If you found this episode valuable, please leave a 5-star review and share it with others who might benefit from these powerful insights. Don’t forget to check out Caroline's podcast, Bumped to Business Owner, for more stories of entrepreneurship and motherhood.