Life, Business and Everything in Between

In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Megan Bond, owner of Panther City Marketing, for a candid conversation about preparing for maternity leave as a business owner and building a company that can run without you.Megan shares what she’s putting in place before baby arrives, including delegation, reducing approval bottlenecks, and building trust with her team. They also unpack what data-driven marketing really looks like, how to improve lead quality, and why protecting mental health through boundaries is part of building long-term business value.They dig into:Maternity leave prep as an entrepreneur (and how to plan for a season of reduced capacity)Delegation, team trust, and removing yourself as the bottleneckData-driven marketing decisions and lead qualityBoundaries that protect mental health (and the business)🔗 Connect with Megan / Panther City Marketing:Website: https://panthercitydigitalmarketing.comEmail: [email protected] / Instagram / Facebook: @panthercitymarketing🔗 Connect with Leslie Shields / The Shields Agency:Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/

In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Michelle Crim, founder of Dynamic Development Strategies, for a candid conversation about scaling a consulting business, building a healthy team culture, and setting boundaries that prevent burnout.Michelle shares her unexpected launch story, including how a major health crisis became the catalyst for starting her firm, and how she grew from a solo consultant to a team of twelve. They talk documentation and workflows, hiring intentionally, working across generations, client expectations, and the “not sexy” parts of entrepreneurship like financial anxiety and mental resilience.They dig into:Launching a business during a personal health crisis (and why it worked)Scaling from solo to a team of 12, including retired and part-time talentDocumentation, policies, and remote-work guidelines that keep teams alignedClient boundaries: their crisis is not your emergencyDefining success beyond revenue: impact, team satisfaction, and fulfillment🔗 Connect with Michelle Crim:Website: https://www.dynamicdevelopmentstrategies.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecrim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleWestCrim🔗 Connect with Leslie Shields:Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Keywords: nonprofit consulting, fundraising, entrepreneurship, hiring, scaling a service business, company culture, remote work, client boundaries, burnout prevention, Fort Worth, North Texas

What happens when your personal foundation changes and your business doesn’t pause?In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields welcomes back Tamara Carlen, founder of Ensemble Coworking, for a raw and honest conversation about leading through divorce, identity shifts, and grief.Tamara shares what it looked like to walk through a divorce after nearly three decades of marriage while continuing to run her business. They talk about self-care that actually regulates your nervous system, shifting leadership energy, vulnerability, and redefining success as alignment and peace instead of nonstop growth.Key Takeaways:Big life disruptions change how you lead, even when business can’t pauseNervous system regulation is a leadership tool, not a luxurySoftness and vulnerability can strengthen leadership and client connection“Rooted and aligned” becomes your decision filterRedefine success around peace and intention, not constant growthConnect with Tamara:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetamaracarlen/https://www.ensemblecoworking.comConnect with Leslie / The Shields Agency:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/https://www.theshieldsagency.com

Bonus note: This is a throwback conversation recorded in April 2025 (from our Facebook Live days), with the most timeless clips pulled for today.If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure where to find business support, or like you’re building alone, this episode is for you.Leslie revisits key insights from a 2025 conversation with Tamara Carlen, focused on how entrepreneurs can leverage community resources, navigate funding options, and reframe the mindset around debt and profitability.You’ll hear clips on:Ensemble’s mission and the power of community + collaborationWhat Sparkyard is and how it connects entrepreneurs to resourcesPractical tools at the Fort Worth Library and Tarrant County CollegeWhy debt isn’t automatically failureHow funding helps you scaleCash flow realities: payroll timing + why a line of credit protects your businessConnect with Tamara:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetamaracarlen/https://www.ensemblecoworking.comConnect with Leslie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/https://www.theshieldsagency.com

What does it take to go from scrappy to scalable in a service business?In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Jennifer Serra, founder of the Jennifer Serra Beauty Team, to talk about the grit behind the glow and how Jennifer is navigating a season of listening, alignment, and calm after years of building.Jennifer shares her pivot from nursing school to the beauty industry, how her background in sales and business development helped her gain traction early (even on a tight budget), and what it looked like to build a team of 11 artists while navigating motherhood, boundaries, and real-life seasons that tested her resilience.They dig into:Pivoting from nursing school to entrepreneurshipWhy great sales is really education (not pressure)Bootstrapping: making every minute and every penny countHow her client base evolved over timeBuilding a flexible, boundaries-first work modelWhy listening is the real secret to scaling a service business🔗 Connect with Jennifer Serra:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferserrabeautyteam/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.serra.332233🔗 Connect with Leslie / The Shields Agency:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comentrepreneurship, beauty business, makeup artist, hair and makeup, small business owner, leadership, networking, resilience, boundaries, working moms, Dallas Fort Worth

Success isn’t built on transactions — it’s built on real connection.In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Kathleen Alexander for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the moments when business gets deeply personal.Content Note: This episode includes conversation about mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the U.S. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.Kathleen shares how she approaches insurance as relationship-first work (“I want to know what we’re protecting”), why authentic networking matters, and how leadership looks different when you care about people beyond the policy.In this episode, they talk about:Authentic networking vs transactional networkingLeading teams with empathy and adaptabilityWhy insurance is about protecting people, not just selling policiesLife Insurance Awareness Month + “tomorrow’s not promised” perspective*Suicide Awareness Month and breaking stigma through honest conversationConnection & "Humanness”🔗 Connect with Kathleen (Kat):Website: Kat’s Got Your Back — https://www.katsgotyourback.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katgotyourback/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katsgotyourback🔗 Connect with Leslie / The Shields Agency:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/https://www.theshieldsagency.com*Timing Note: Recorded in September 2025 (released February 2026). Mentions of Suicide Awareness Month and business anniversaries refer to the time of recording.

What do you do when the path you thought was secure disappears and you’re forced to start over?In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with HR consultant, entrepreneur, and dad Mike Lyons for an honest conversation about reinvention, burnout recovery, and rebuilding when life shifts unexpectedly.From leaving a stable job to redefining success through major personal and professional transitions, Mike shares the real story behind the polished LinkedIn profile. They talk about the pressure of being everything to everyone, why niching down in a very specific niche changed everything, and how his GRAVEL framework became a practical tool for resilience and leadership.In this episode, they unpack:Career pivots and starting over (more than once)Burnout, mental health, and leadership responsibilityWhy niching down unlocked tractionFractional HR and the future of workSelf-care practices that actually workBuilding boundaries while raising a familyThis episode is for solopreneurs, service-based founders, and anyone navigating a transition while trying to keep moving forward.👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between💬 Comment with what resonated most📢 Share this episode with someone rebuilding in a new season🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Mike Lyons:Website: https://www.seasoned-advice.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelyonsEmail: [email protected]🔗 Connect with the Host, Leslie Shields:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com

What’s it really like when both partners in a marriage are entrepreneurs — building businesses, raising a child, and trying to stay grounded through it all?In this candid episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with her husband, Chris Botvidson, for an honest conversation about what it looks like to grow businesses and a family at the same time. From job loss and early bootstrapping to navigating a pandemic, parenthood, and long-term vision, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities most entrepreneur couples don’t talk about.They reflect on starting businesses in different seasons, the shift from hustle mode to team-building, and how priorities change when your “why” becomes more than just freedom — it becomes family.In this episode, they discuss:Being married to another entrepreneurThe difference between being self-employed and owning a businessBootstrapping, burnout, and learning hard lessonsRaising a child in an entrepreneurial householdShifting your “why” as life evolvesWhy asking for help is a leadership skillIf you’re juggling business growth, family life, or wondering how anyone actually makes this work — this episode will feel both grounding and encouraging.👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between💬 Comment with what resonated most📢 Share with a fellow entrepreneur (or entrepreneur couple)🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Chris Botvidson:Fuel + Spark Media: https://www.fuelandspark.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbotvidson/🔗 Connect with the Host:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com#EntrepreneurCouples #FamilyBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #SmallBusinessJourney #MarriedEntrepreneurs

Planning isn’t about control, it’s about clarity.In this solo episode, Leslie shares the planning rhythm that’s helped her stay grounded as a business owner, wife, and mom — especially in seasons where life is full and the “perfect plan” isn’t realistic.This episode breaks intentional planning into three areas:Planning with your partner/spouse (alignment starts with honest conversations)Planning for your business (vision that builds ownership, not burnout)Planning for yourself (health, energy, boundaries, and a pace that fits your season)You’ll hear:The mindset shift behind “clarity over control”What visionaries need to make space forHow Leslie plans with her spouse to stay aligned all yearHow she plans with her team so everyone feels part of the buildPractical ways to make planning simple and sustainable🔗 Connect with the Host:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website:https://www.theshieldsagency.com

What’s the difference between delegation and abdication — and why does it matter so much as your business grows?In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with entrepreneur, investor, builder, and self-described “process nerd” Logan Speights for a wide-ranging conversation about scaling businesses without losing control, testing assumptions before they cost you millions, and learning how to work on the business instead of being buried in it.From early animation and advertising work to building multiple companies, Logan shares hard-earned lessons about leadership, automation, AI, exits, and the mindset shifts required when founders move from builder to leader. They also talk candidly about family life, personality profiles, woodworking, and why technology should always stay human-centered.In this episode, they cover:Delegation vs. abdication — and why founders often confuse the twoKnowing your role as a founder (and when to step aside)Testing assumptions before scalingAutomation as a tool for freedom, not distanceBuilding value for an eventual exitHow personality profiles improve team cultureWhy AI isn’t the threat — ignoring it isIf you’re a founder, team leader, or entrepreneur trying to scale without burning out or breaking culture, this episode will challenge how you think about growth.👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between💬 Comment with the insight that stuck with you📢 Share this episode with a founder who’s deep in the weeds🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Logan Speights:Website: https://www.proxxy.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganspeights/🔗 Connect with the Host:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Delegation #BusinessGrowth #Automation #FounderLife #ExitStrategy

What does it really take to grow a business from the ground up — and keep going when the path isn’t clear?In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Gail Stouffer for a candid conversation about building a business from scratch, navigating pivots, and staying grounded through the messy middle.From selling her work at craft shows to running multiple businesses that serve both creatives and large manufacturers, Gail shares the behind-the-scenes reality of entrepreneurship — including partnership challenges, mindset shifts, motherhood, risk-taking, and learning when to push forward and when to recalibrate.In this episode, they dive into:Leaving the corporate world and betting on yourselfGrowing from a creative hobby into a multi-brand businessNavigating partnerships, pivots, and hard lessonsBalancing motherhood, leadership, and business ownershipWhy fear is often a sign you’re growingBuilding something meaningful without losing yourselfWhether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a business owner in transition, or someone feeling stuck in the “messy middle,” Gail’s story will encourage you to keep going — even when the next step isn’t obvious.👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about life, business, and everything in between💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway📢 Share this episode with someone building something from the ground up🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Gail Stouffer:Kilnfrog: https://www.kilnfrog.comHeat Treat Now: https://www.heattreatnow.comInstagram: @kilnfrogKiln Academy: https://kilnacademy.com🔗 Connect with the Host:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website:https://www.theshieldsagency.com

What happens when the business you dreamed of starts costing you your health, your peace, and your joy?In this episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between, Leslie sits down with hairstylist and entrepreneur Sara DeBusk for a raw and honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, and the courage it takes to walk away — even when you’ve poured everything into building something.Sara shares the behind-the-scenes reality of opening and expanding a salon, navigating financial pressure, managing contractors, and the emotional toll that hustle culture can take on your body and mind. She opens up about the moment she realized something had to change and how closing her salon became the first step toward rebuilding a healthier, more sustainable version of success.In this episode, they talk about:The emotional and financial realities of salon ownershipOpening and growing a business during COVIDThe physical and mental health impacts of chronic stressMaking the decision to close a business — and grieving itRebuilding with boundaries, clarity, and purposeWhy women supporting women matters more than everSara’s story is one of resilience, wisdom, and choosing yourself when the pressure to keep pushing feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, service provider, or woman navigating burnout, this episode will resonate deeply.⚠️ Disclaimer: These are real, unfiltered conversations and may include occasional strong language.📢 Share this with a friend who needs the reminder: You are more than your business.🔗 Connect with Our Guest, Sara DeBusk:Instagram: @sarad.hair🔗 Connect with the Host:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.comReferenced in the Episode:Find a curl expert stylist:Ouidad: https://www.ouidad.com/pages/salonsCurl Maps:https://curlmaps.com

Welcome to the very first episode of Life, Business & Everything In Between. In this inaugural conversation, host Leslie Shields sits down with her friend Kaitlin for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the real journey of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and leadership — long before the highlight reel.Leslie opens up about launching a business while raising a child, navigating self-doubt, and learning how vulnerability can actually become a strength. Together, they explore why community matters, how mindset shapes growth, and why small wins deserve to be celebrated.This episode sets the tone for the podcast — real talk, real stories, and the “in-between” moments we don’t talk about enough.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The founder’s story behind the podcastBalancing business growth and personal lifeMotherhood’s impact on leadership and prioritiesWhy vulnerability builds stronger communitiesCelebrating progress instead of chasing perfectionIf you’re an entrepreneur, parent, leader, or someone navigating change, this episode will meet you right where you are.📢 Share with someone who needs encouragement today🔗 Connect with the Host:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/Website: https://www.theshieldsagency.com