Do you ever find yourself trying to fit into other people’s boxes? Instead of focusing on what makes you happy and lights you up, you are focused on how to make other people happy. That may be clients, family, friends… it seems like you always come last. Well I’m here to tell you from experience, when you live like you are the energizer bunny, eventually your energy will run out!

You may recognize today’s podcast guest, Petia Kolibova, is back again on Business Unveiled! Petia is the Abundance & Light Activation Coach of PK Media Solutions and will be sharing her knowledge in how to activate abundance and fufill your life’s calling. We are all here to be unique and our life experiences drive our story. Are you the energy that you want to receive back in life? If not, it may be time to check in with YOU:

Step 1: Be honest with yourself Step 2: Understand human design

I want to challenge you to think about what truly brings you happiness and how you can push out the negativity and give yourself the space and time to heal and feel the energy you are creating. Don’t live in the “What If” let yourself be guided, let yourself be loved.

*Take away points*

*How to create abundance *We are all here to be unique *Your body is your temple *Knowing what truly brings you happiness *You never know who is experiencing the same thing as you

More About Our Guest:

Petia Kolibova Burns is an abundance and light activation coach who guides women to intuitively connect with their inner vision so they can experience personal and professional magnetism and become unapologetically abundant.  Her mission is to empower visionaries who are on the path to embody their fullest self- expression to soulfully expand into a quantum leap in all dimensions of their lives. Petia gives immense clarity + exact steps to unlock women’s divine feminine and abundance mindset. Through subconscious work as a certified breathwork facilitator, reiki, NLP & Human Design practitioner, she leads her 6 and 7-figure clients to their next level in life and business. If she is not interviewing fellow experts on her podcast Unapologetically Abundant, traveling the world with her husband, hosting retreats, or reading, you will find her in nature disconnecting from the world, connecting even deeper to herself.

I was honored to be interviewed by The Decision by EO Nashville podcast. If you have been a long term listener of Business Unveiled, you have heard me mention EO just a few times!! The Entrepreneur Organization is one of the best investments I have ever made as a business owner.

The Decision by EO Nashville podcast was started by the EO Nashville chapter, out of the curiosity of how we can make better decisions with the help of the forum experience. A forum is similar to an advisory board, we share experiences and help each other through thick and thin. So today's podcast is going to be about how to use pain and drive change.

Are you experiencing burnout from a fast-paced lifestyle? Business owners often undertake every available opportunity and amass too many responsibilities at once. Joining an EO forum allows you to prioritize tasks and regain control of your life. But it’s your responsibility to make meaningful change. How can you transform your personal and professional life and help others in the process?

In today’s episode of The Decision by EO Nashville Podcast, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson invite me to speak about the power of transforming your life and business. We have observed that life-altering events drive radical change. After developing severe health issues from managing 250 events yearly, I was compelled to restructure my lifestyle. I attended EO forums to budget my time and reassess our priorities with calendar blocking and strategic planning. Through extensive coaching and accountability, we gained the clarity and experience to teach others the significance of self-care and prioritization. When coaching others with similar challenges, I recommend allowing them to seek help first before using your experiences to guide them. I also share business goals, how to embrace change through EO coaching, and how to coach new EO forum members without offering advice.

*Take away points*

• My background in psychology and how I joined EO • How I shifted my mindset through EO and transformed the business • Embracing personal and professional change through EO coaching • The key drivers of change and decision-making

*More About EO Nashville*

EO is a high-quality support network of nearly 15,000 like-minded leaders across over 60 countries. We help transform the lives of entrepreneurs through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. With EO, you'll grow beyond your personal limits. You'll make breakthroughs. And you'll redefine and realize your goals in life and business. EO Nashville is the largest EO chapter in the US, 3rd in the world, and currently has the most female members of any US chapter.Look behind the entrepreneurial busineses driving Nashville, and you’re likely to find members of EO Nashville. From architecture to apparel, health care to hair care, engineering to events, insurance providers to investment services – EO Nashville attracts the people who make things happen in this city and gives them the experiences, tools and connections to thrive.

Have you ever had a nightmare where you wake up in cold sweats in a panic totally disoriented? I’ll never EVER forget the first morning I didn’t show up for work…the night before I went to a Jessica Simpson concert.  And let’s just say there were too many pitchers of margaritas ordered. 

Sooooo, you won’t be shocked when I tell you I forgot to set my alarm to wake up for work the next day. And I am not one of those people that wakes up naturally. 

I honestly don’t even remember going to bed that night.  

Now, this is when I was in healthcare and worked at the hospital, not a business owner (this was over two decades ago and it’s never happened since).  I OVER SLEPT. Which to me, was a nightmare!!  

I woke up to my cell phone ringing.  My boss (at the time) had called more than 25 times.  I had not shown up to work yet and was two hours late.  I missed two important meetings that I was supposed to start my boss’s presentation (she didn’t know how to work the projector, etc…that’s because I did her presentation and was the “tech” girl that hooked everything up).

I don’t know if it was because I was hung over, or because of the phone call that just woke me up out of a dead sleep. 

After telling my boss I am so sorry and was feeling sick, she screamed at me and told me that I better get to work that people/patients were counting on me.  And she was counting on me.  I

ruined her morning meeting because I wasn’t there to hook up all the “tech” stuff. I didn’t work in IT department either.  I hung up the phone and vomited everywhere.  All over the floor.  All over my bed.  And I left it all.  Took a shower and drove to work. I pulled over twice to vomit.  

I will never forget how she handled it and HOW it made me feel.  It was the way she delivered the message to me. She did not even ask if I was ok.  What if I was dead in a ditch some where (which I don’t think that way).  Let’s just say it was the icing on the cake.  

It was time to jump. That’s what we are chatting about today at Best Little Hair House, with Karissa Paulk, in Nashville, TN. 

*Take away points*

-Why you want to Slow down.  Stop.  Listen. Educate

-How to keep it simple and create a better client experience

-Where are the gaps in your life that are driving any miscommunication and how are you handling it

-THE one thing you need to do to grow your business

-Why you want to set goals vs. micro managing

-Are you paying attention to the right things….like labels.  You could be using chemicals that are the leading cause of cancer. 

-Misconceptions about the beauty world and how it’s different from any other industry

My personal favorite take away was the 1 hr ADHD rule that our guest today is going to share. So let’s escape for 35 min. and dive in….

What is your #1 Time suck? What are you doing about it? Too large of a to do list between personal and business owning, prioritizing lists and making sure to schedule time for things that feed the soul. 

How do you manage your time? How do you make sure that you are productive? Lists, I have lists for days. Plus I have a 1 hour rule at home. 

Let’s crush some myths, what is a common myth about your industry, area of business? 1. You can’t make a great living 2. In order to make a great living you have to double book and triple book, work 6 days a week, etc. 

What is the biggest challenge you’re facing in your role/business/project right now and how are you tackling it?   Time management - prioritizing is key and keeping calendars and lists updated. 

In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait/strength someone would need to work in your industry/be successful in your job? Being driven, this is not an industry for the lazy 

Who has been your most important professional mentor? What have they shared with you that you still use in your business today? Angela- from social media, to referring me to an accountant, to helping me see a bigger picture and put systems and processes in place. She’s such an encouragement to those around her. 

At what time of day do you get your best work done? Midday or unfortunately 4am lol 

More About Our Guest:

With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Karissa has developed a keen eye for what works best for her clients. She believes in personalized consultations and ensuring that each client leaves feeling confident and happy with their new look. Her salon is one of the most popular in the area, known not only for its high-quality services but also for its warm and welcoming atmosphere.

In addition to styling and makeup, Karissa also offers bridal packages for those special moments in life. She understands the importance of looking and feeling your best on your wedding day and works closely with each bride to create a personalized look that reflects their personality and style.

 Karissa is a true professional who is passionate about her craft. She continues to attend training and seminars to further her education and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Her commitment and dedication to her clients have earned her a loyal following and glowing reviews.

If you're in the Nashville area and looking for a top-notch salon experience, look no further than Best Little Hair House and Karissa's expert styling and makeup services. 

What is your personal story? Have you thought about how it has shaped who you are as a business person? If not, it may be time to start uncovering it and how you can use your story as a tool for growth for your business. 

I am so excited to share today’s guest, Kay Cote, who I met at PodFest in Orlando of 2023. Kay is a podcaster and loves to dance, so you know we instantly clicked! Kay’s mission is to share how to live an elevated life by embracing your truest self. 

Main Topics:

*Use your story to create genuine connections *How to embrace vulnerability and create trust *How to uncover your lost talents

Key Takeaways:

*Forgive and release what holds you back *Learn how to talk to the childhood you *Embrace your truest you

More About Our Guest:

I am a speaker, podcaster and entertainer. My story began when  I was an enthusiastic 5 year old, full of energy and wanting to make friends with everyone. Despite my enthusiasm, after entering the doors to elementary school, I endured 9 years of chronic bullying and lost who I was the lies and harsh words I was told about myself.

I remember coming home, hitting record on my old cassette player and recording my thoughts as though I had a radio show. I would talk about encouraging other kids and reminding them that they would get through the hardships of being bullied. Creativity like this saved my life and allowed me an outlet to express myself during the years I endured being bullied. 

It wasn't until nearly two decades later that I started researching about the long term effects of bullying and realized that I had never addressed the negative inner dialogue that existed even years after the bullying subsided. Through this realization, I have discovered how to break free from the lies and embrace my true purpose.

Today I share my experiences in efforts to help others set themselves free from the lies to befriend their inner bully and discover their purpose.

Are you ready to take the plunge into entrepreneurship? Are you looking for the signs to get started? Starting a business is an exciting journey that comes with its own set of challenges, but you have to remember that nothing is impossible!

I met today’s podcast guest recently at a 2 day workshop in Chelsea, Michigan at The Collins Off Main. Brennan Stanford is the owner of Premier Pour Bartending, the ultimate mobile bar and bartending service. He’s sharing how he made the decision to change paths and start a business and the journey that has gotten his business to where it is today. 

Main Topics:

*The turning point in business *The importance of having policies and procedures *How to identify life changing health factors

Key Takeaways:

*How to get started when building a business *How to know when it is time to bring on team members to help *How to make your business unique and set apart from others in your space

More About Our Guest:

Brennan is the Owner, Founder, and CEO of Premier Pour Bartending. While bartending in college at Bowling Green State University, he had the bright idea ???? to start this company! Outside of bartending, Brennan spends his time hot air ballooning, traveling, sailing, and playing with his super cute goldendoodle, Kona.

Favorite Travel Destination: British Virgin Islands and León, Guanajuato, Mexico Favorite Color: Cerulean Blue Favorite Holiday: 4th of July Favorite Cocktail: Kentucky Mule with fresh grated ginger

We’ve all probably gone through a time when we feel like we want to change careers. The challenge is, how do you know if it's really time for a change? Change can be intimidating, and making a career switch can be daunting. However, if what you are doing isn't fulfilling your needs or providing value in your life, that just might be your sign that it’s time to jump into something new!

I’m so excited to share today’s podcast guests, Maddison Husted and Mallory Vredeveld, Owners of The Five Forks located in Jackson, MI. I recently met them at our two day GSD event at The Collins Off Main in Chelsea, MI and their story is amazing! After some unforeseen career shifts, Maddison and Mallory have grown a business, while utilizing their strongest personality traits to ensure growth and efficiency in their business. Listen in to learn more about their journey!

Main Topics:

*Remember to have fun while building a business from your passion *The best results sometimes come out of the biggest challenges *Defining what you have to do in your business and delegating the rest

Key Takeaways:

*Remember that change can be good *Set boundaries, they work! *Don’t be afraid to ask for help

More About Our Guest:

We are two sisters, Mallory and Maddison, who for different reasons both ended up becoming stay at home moms during COVID and wanted something we could do for ourselves!

We love making special treats for all different occasions and do most of our baking and creating after our five kids (the five forks!) go to bed! The oldest was born in 2014 and the youngest in 2020 - so we always have something going on!

The kids are our best taste testers and take their jobs very seriously!

Baking has always been a creative outlet for both of us - even as kids! Being able to create cakes for such special occasions inspires us every time to make our newest favorite design. From flavor testing, to design and color mixing then finishing with perfectly paired sprinkles or a custom topper - we love every step! Except maybe the dishes. 

Mallory is the older sister and is definitely the planner and task oriented one. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling, she spent 14 years in clinical and leadership positions in the mental health field before becoming a Stay at Home Mom and Small Business Owner. Mallory brings lots of creativity and outside of the box thinking to the business (and is also a strong advocate for family balance). Mallory and her husband Dan have three of the Five Forks, Emelia, Eloise and Elliot. Outside of cakes, Mallory enjoys other creative hobbies, traveling and spending time with her family and friends! 

Maddison is the perfectionist. With a Masters degree in Chemistry and a little over eight years working in biochemistry. Every single one of our recipes are written out with measurements down to the gram and baking times measured depending on the season all because of her left brain approach to the world. Maddison and her husband Keir have two of the Five Forks, Thea and Posey. While Keir doesn’t enjoy cake (who knows) Thea and Posey are happy to pick up the slack! Maddison loves trying new recipes and keeping up with current trends to always bring unique yet personal touches to all of our cakes!

Have you ever met someone who you immediately just click with? Well, that’s exactly how it went when today’s guest, Amy Collins, and I met at Wedding MBA in November 2022. Amy is the owner of Collins Off Main, a beautiful and unique venue in Chelsea, Michigan which is a city in the greater Detroit area. Since meeting we’ve planned and hosted a 2 day workshop at her venue where we shared the GSD Framework business owners from all over the country!

Opening a venue was definitely a shift for Amy and her family. Amy is an industry leader in event design with over two decades of experience. She and her family moved from California to Chelsea, MI and Amy was spending many hours traveling back and forth to continue working with her clients in the Santa Barbara area, however after months of this she decided there had to be a change. That’s when she and her husband decided to create something different, something new for the city of Chelsea, they brought their talent and knowledge together to create a space for everyone, The Collins Off Main, as well as, soon to open The Collins at the Clock Tower. 

By embracing change Amy has grown an amazing business and space that leaves a lasting impression on the guests who walk through its doors. Listen in to hear more about Amy’s journey!

Main Topics:

*Many times change is the pathway to growth, don’t let fear rule your path *Time is precious, spend your time doing what matters most to you *Growing a business is never easy, build a team who wants to see the vision through

Key Takeaways:

*Sometimes we don’t always know how to communicate with others until we dive deeper into their personality *Learn from change and grow from it *Knowing how to communicate with your team and vendors is key to success!

More About Our Guest: Amy Collins is a nationally recognized and award-winning wedding expert who has been featured in US News & World Report, Bloomberg, Value Penguin and the National Association of Women Business Owners along with other leading news agencies.

She is an industry leader on event design and build-from-scratch weddings, events and festivals. With over two decades of experience her knowledge is sought heavily by industry peers and colleagues alike.

Over the last two years Amy has been opening two of Detroit’s hottest wedding venues, The Collins off Main & The Collins at the Clocktower; urban, chic, industrial venues for today's trendy client.

Amy is an avid volunteer and spends her time working to end human trafficking through legislative advocacy in Junior League along with helping to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide by volunteering on two National committees for NAWBO.

As busy business owners and entrepreneurs we are running constantly. Am I right? We have our eye on the prize but sometimes our focus can be a little foggy. There are certain steps to the process when it comes to success, so are you focusing on the right things at the right time?

A common myth we hear from business owners is that “word of mouth is the only way to grow your business” or “all of my business comes from word of mouth, my website/digital presence doesn’t matter”. Well, we’re going to crush that myth RIGHT NOW. 

Your digital brand is so much more than throwing up a pretty website, and today’s guest Julie Novack is here to share with you all about her journey to growing a digital brand, and how you can too! Julie is CEO & Co-Founder of PartySlate, a platform that inspires people planning all types of events and connects them with the leading event professionals, vendors, and venues across the country and the world. She is going to share with us her top tips on how event professionals should prioritize their time to build a strong digital marketing program, while also saving time doing it. And y’all know what I say, time is precious and valuable, so make sure you are spending it the way YOU want to spend it!

Main Topics:

*How event professionals should prioritize their time to build a strong digital marketing program *How companies can save time on digital marketing *How small businesses can balance investing in social media vs. SEO

Key Takeaways:

*Breaking through the digital world requires great content *How to leverage marketing assets to improve your digital footprint *Breaking down the key areas of your digital footprint

Time moves fast and so do milestones. When was the last time you celebrated a milestone in your business? It’s so important to take note and take TIME to celebrate the journey. If you’ve been a listener for some time you may remember a very special guest, my brother, Robert Young, Owner of Covert Results. 

This year Covert Results celebrates 5 years! Most businesses don’t make it to five years.  Going from an undercover drug dealer listening in on wiretaps to an entrepreneur is a little different. You can’t do this alone. When something “bad” happens, there is always a silver lining.  Something better waiting for you. If there is a situation where you are forced to sit “still” there is a bigger reason. Could be you need the time (knocked on your ass) to reflect to make a bigger impact on your life and others lives.  If you want to go fast, get really clear. And if you want to go faster, go together. Speed is Clarity.

YEAR 1: Founded Covert Results, private investigations, armed security, cyber security company 

YEAR 2: Became a first time author with “The Good Line”

YEAR 3: Launched Online Course (online gun trainers) we didn’t mention this, but want to note it on the blog (this is more for me to document for future way to track years)

YEAR 4: Founded Operation Rose, non-profit to combat Human Trafficking Passed a resolution (politics will play out) 

YEAR 5: Follow along on the journey!

How valuable is your time? Many may say that their time is priceless, but have you broken down the real numbers to determine your ROT (Return on Time)? Time blocking is a process that has saved my business time and time again. It keeps me and my team organized and productive. 

Setting aside intentional time to Get Shit Done has fueled me in my life and business to prioritize tasks and have time to do the things I want to do and spend time with people I love. Time is precious. Listen in as I share how time blocking saved my business. 

Main Topics:

*Having a process and time blocking opens up space for growth *How to time block to increase productivity *How time blocking can increase your ROI

Key Takeaways:

*Prioritize time based on tasks *Make time for the things you want to do *Time is precious

Timing is everything. We all have a plan right? The way we think things are going to go. Whether it’s personal or professional, we all have a journey we are on and a path we have planned to take. But life is unpredictable and many times our path takes turns that we do not expect. How we respond to the unexpected is what determines our success in reaching our goals. 

Today I am so excited to share guest, Holly Carpenter, Owner and “Sales Queen” of Carpenter Hospitality Consulting. We’re talking all about Holly’s journey both within her business and personally and how she prioritizes her time to create the life she wants. 

Main Topics: *Why building relationships in & outside of your industry is so important *What CEO day is and why to do it every week *What a consultant really does

Key Takeaways: *Create Connections *Remember a Consultant is also your cheerleader *Drink Wine (Holly’s Favorite!)

More About Our Guest:

Holly Carpenter is a purpose driven relationship builder with a deep history in the hospitality industry. She got her start at 16 when her Dad drove to the local IHOP and told her to get a job. With over two decades experience in all facets of hospitality, Holly is well known for her incredible sales and management skills in her adopted hometown of Nashville, TN and beyond.

Holly has held a range of positions including Wedding Sales Manager for the historic Hotel Northampton and Catering Manager at Gaylord Opryland where she served on the evaluation and reopening team during the 2010 Nashville Flood.

Most recently she was Senior Catering and Sales Manager for A. Marshall Hospitality, opening their upscale steakhouse Deacon’s New South while also managing a team of four sales managers for the family-friendly Puckett’s Grocery.

In February 2022 Holly took the leap close friends and family had encouraged and launched Carpenter Hospitality Consulting. CHC focuses on supporting companies in the hospitality industry, increasing their sales through process and systems consulting. Whether finding the right CRM, creating customer friendly packages or menus, automating tasks or creating attainable goals, CHC offers the opportunity to uplevel all aspects of the sales and customer experience.

When Holly isn’t serving as Sales Queen for her clients she is traveling with her son Jameson. She and Jamo share their Nashville home with pups Smudge and Maggie.