The Classy Career Girl Podcast

Episoder

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  Want to Run Your Business Full Time But Still Need a Paycheck? 18.10.2026 14min

  "I want to run my business full time, but I need a paycheck." If you've ever said that, this episode is for you. You don't have to choose between walking away from your job tomorrow and giving up on your business. In this episode, I share how I built my business while I was still working full time, why that in-between season isn't a failure, and how to use it to get to full time on purpose. You'll hear: Why keeping your paycheck can be the smartest move for your business right now How to name the season you're in so you stop feeling behind Five practical tips for building your business while you still have a paycheck The signs your next career is already right in front of you Thinking about becoming a certified career coach? Applications for this year's Career Coach Certification close soon. Apply at classycareergirl.com/apply You've got this.  
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  How to Balance Life AND Make Time for Your Goals | Replay 15.10.2026 14min

  Replay: this one is for you if your week feels full and your goals keep getting pushed to "someday." I recorded this episode a few years ago, and I still come back to it because it is true every single season of life. You do not need a free year to go after the work you love. It takes about 15 minutes a day or 1 hour a week, as long as you are taking the right steps. In this episode: Why you should stop believing you do not have enough time How to balance your life with building your business Why the biggest mistake is thinking it will take forever to start How baby steps add up when you are doing the right things Want help getting started? Grab the Startup Kit: classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar You've got this!
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  The Scheduling Secret I Wish I'd Known When I Started My Business 11.10.2026 11min

  You know what you need to do. So why is it so hard to find the time—and energy—to actually do it? When I was building my business with a newborn, one simple question stopped me in my tracks: "What's your schedule?" My answer changed how I worked. In this episode, I'm sharing that story, why I still face this challenge as a homeschooling mom of three, and seven practical ways to make room for your goals in the middle of real life. You'll learn how to: • Choose work hours that fit your current season. • Protect your best energy for your most important work. • Give each work block a clear purpose. • Focus on three daily priorities. • Batch, simplify, and ask for help. Start with one protected block of time this week. Your dream deserves a place on your calendar. Ready for work that supports the life you want? Join my free live webinar, Break Free From the Wrong Career, on Wednesday, October 14, at 6 PM Eastern. Save your seat: https://www.classycareergirl.com/breakfree
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  Why You Keep Planning Your Business But Never Start 04.10.2026 17min

  Do you keep planning your business but never quite start? This week I closed the doors on CLASS and sat on coaching call after coaching call with smart, capable women. On almost every call, I heard the same thing: big plans with no finish line. In this episode, I share what those calls taught me: Why "join anytime" quietly kills momentum, and why I put a real deadline on CLASS How one new member gave her plan a finish line instead of another draft Why "I don't have time" is often doubt in disguise Why 90 days beats an open-ended commitment, for your clients and for you What's carrying me through a season where I'm doing too much If you've been sitting on a business idea or a dream of becoming a coach, this episode is your sign to give it a date. Ready to talk about becoming a certified career coach? Book a free strategy call: https://www.classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar You've got this.
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  Plan Your Next 90 Days: One Focus, Three Actions, a Real Strategy 29.09.2026 57min

  What would change if you spent the next 90 days focused on the one goal that matters most? In this episode, I'm sharing my Plan the Next 90 Days workshop. Grab a notebook and plan along with me. You'll look at what worked and what stalled, choose one focus, and turn it into three dated actions that fit your actual week. We'll also make a "not doing" list so you have room to follow through. If you'd like me to help you create your plan and execute it over 90 days with support from a coach, join us in CLASS at https://www.classycareergirl.com/enroll.
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  Why Coaching Matters More in the Age of AI 26.09.2026 22min

  A woman asked me a fair question: "Why would anyone pay a coach when ChatGPT is free?" I use AI in my business every day. It helps me plan and get through work that used to take hours. But I've also learned what happens when I make a great plan and have no one to help me follow through. In this episode, I share what a year of weekly coaching did for my business, why a conversation with an aspiring nutrition coach brought that lesson back to me, and what a human coach can offer when information is available to everyone. If you've been sitting on a business idea or a career change, I'll give you one small step you can take this week. **Join me for the free, live 90 Day Planning Session on Sunday, September 27, at 5 p.m. ET. We'll put your next 90 days on paper together. Register here: www.classycareergirl.com/planwebinar
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  How to Build a Business That Fits Your Life (Start With Your Life First) 17.09.2026 44min

  How to Build a Business That Fits Your Life (Start With Your Life First) What if you built your business around the life you actually want—instead of building your life around your business? In this special training from inside my CLASS membership, I'm sharing why one of the most important things you can do when starting or growing a business is to start with your life first. Before you decide what to sell, how much to charge, or which business model to follow, get clear on what you want your days, schedule, priorities, income, and family life to look like. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your life vision should come before your business plan How to choose a business model that supports your priorities Why career fulfillment and life fulfillment should work together How to stop building a business that requires you to sacrifice the life you wanted it to create How to think differently about success, flexibility, and growth Plus, Career Coach Certification starts tomorrow, and our pricing is increasing. If you've been considering becoming a Certified Career Coach, I highly recommend applying for the Fall cohort now. You can complete Certification in as little as 90 days, but you currently have up to one year to graduate. Apply for Career Coach Certification: www.classycareergirl.com/certification Watch the free Career Coach training: www.classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar
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  4 Steps to Build a Career You're Actually Excited About 08.09.2026 15min

  What if you could actually look forward to Monday? If your career looks good on paper but doesn't feel like the right fit anymore, this episode is your mini career clarity class. I'm walking you through 4 practical steps to get clear on what you want next — without quitting your job or having your entire future figured out. In this episode, you'll learn: How to identify the "career clues" showing you what needs to change The simple Money-Out Test I use to help determine whether you need to redesign your career or make a bigger change How to design your career around the life you actually want How to run a small 30-day career experiment instead of making a huge leap How your existing experience could become the foundation for your next career or business You don't have to start over. You may already have years of experience, skills and knowledge that can lead you toward work that gives you more purpose, flexibility and freedom. FREE TRAINING: Break Free From the Wrong Career Join me live on September 9 at 7 PM Eastern for a free training where I'll show you how to take the experience you already have and turn it into a flexible, profitable career coaching business. Register at https://www.classycareergirl.com/breakfree
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  Working Mom's Survival Guide #5: What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Working Mom 07.09.2026 10min

  If I could go back and talk to myself before becoming a working mom, there are a few things I would want her to know. Have patience. Give yourself grace. Keep moving toward your vision. And know that working fewer hours doesn't mean you're less ambitious or productive. In fact, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that cutting my work hours actually made me more focused, efficient, and happier. In this final episode of the Working Mom's Survival Guide series, I'm sharing what I wish I had known about balancing motherhood, work, business, and the life I actually wanted to create. We'll talk about: ✨ Why fewer work hours can actually make you more productive ✨ How to identify what really deserves your time ✨ Why systems at home AND at work are essential ✨ The simple phone changes that helped me become more present with my kids ✨ Why you don't need to check email, Slack, or social media all day ✨ How your 5–10 year vision can help you through overwhelming seasons ✨ Why taking a break can make you a better mom and business owner One of the best changes I ever made was removing work apps, email, and social media from my phone and creating specific times to check them instead. Because when work is done, I want to actually be DONE. You don't have to be available to everyone all the time. You don't have to do everything. And you don't have to sacrifice being present with your family in order to build meaningful work. Give yourself grace. Keep creating systems that support the life you want. And remember WHY you're doing all of this in the first place. Your action step: Ask yourself what is distracting you from being present with your family. Is there an app you need to remove—or a boundary you need to create—so you can truly log off?
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  Working Mom's Survival Guide #4: Create Systems That Reduce Your Stress 06.09.2026 14min

  If you constantly feel like you're putting out fires at work and at home, you may not need to work harder — you may need better systems. In Part 4 of the Working Mom's Survival Guide, I'm sharing one of the biggest changes I made after having my third daughter: creating simple systems and routines to eliminate as much last-minute stress as possible. Instead of relying on myself to remember everything, scrambling to meet deadlines, or constantly answering questions from my team, I started asking: How can I create a system so this is easier next time? In this episode, we'll talk about: → Identifying the areas creating the most stress at home and work → Creating systems for meals, groceries, laundry and cleaning → Batching work and content ahead of time → Delegating tasks instead of doing everything yourself → Creating processes so your team doesn't always need you → Building routines around your kids and family → Protecting your energy and scheduling what fills you back up → Creating boundaries when you work from home → Turning recurring stress into a repeatable system Your home doesn't have to be perfect. Your business doesn't have to be perfect. And YOU don't have to do everything. The goal is to notice what keeps creating unnecessary stress and build a simple system that makes it easier next time. Your challenge: Identify the top three areas causing last-minute stress in your life right now — and decide what system you can create for each one. And if you want to see how I plan my weeks, months and priorities as a busy mom and business owner, grab my free planning guide at ClassyCareerGirl.com/freeplan.
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  Working Mom's Survival Guide #3: Restructure Your Work Around Your Life 06.09.2026 10min

  What if you didn't need eight uninterrupted hours to make meaningful progress? In Part 3 of the Working Mom's Survival Guide, I'm sharing how to restructure your work around the life you actually want — instead of constantly trying to squeeze your life around your work. Because 15 minutes really does add up. In this episode, you'll learn how to: → Make progress even when you only have 15–30 minutes → Use timers and deadlines to get more done in less time → Create simple daily routines for recurring tasks → Identify your best times to work → Stop expecting yourself to do everything → Build more fun and breathing room into your days → Create a weekly work calendar that works for you AND your family You don't have to sit at a desk for eight hours a day to be productive. And you don't have to wait until you have the "perfect" schedule to pursue the work that matters to you. The goal is to get creative, focus on what matters most, and restructure your work in a way that supports your life. Go at your own perfect pace. ❤️ And if you want to see how I plan my weeks, months and priorities as a busy mom and business owner, grab my free planning guide at ClassyCareerGirl.com/freeplan.
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  Working Mom's Survival Guide #2: Set Priorities & Save Time 04.09.2026 8min

  You can't do everything. You have to prioritize. In Part 2 of the Working Mom's Survival Guide, I'm sharing how to get clear on what matters most, protect your time, and stop spending your days on things that aren't actually moving your life, career, or business forward. One of the biggest lessons I've learned as a working mom is this: If there isn't enough time, there isn't enough time. Something has to go — and it's not the kids. In this episode, you'll learn how to: • Identify your "big rocks" and top 3 priorities each day • Get your most important work done earlier in the day • Look honestly at where your time is going • Stop doing things that aren't working • Focus your career or business on the activities that are producing results • Make sure the way you spend your time actually reflects the life you want to create I'll also share how I track my time and why one of my goals has always been to figure out how to work less while focusing on what matters most. Your action step: Identify your top 3 priorities for tomorrow. And if you want to learn how I plan my weeks, days and months as a working and homeschooling mom, grab my free planning guide at ClassyCareerGirl.com/freeplan.
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  Working Mom's Survival Guide #1: Build Your Life Before Your Career 03.09.2026 16min

  Do you ever feel like you're trying to be a great mom, build a meaningful career, grow a business, take care of your family—and somehow you're still falling behind? You love your kids. You care about your work. But you're tired. Welcome to Part 1 of The Working Mom's Survival Guide, a special series I'm bringing to the Classy Career Girl Podcast. I originally created this training four years ago for our Corporate Rescue Plan members, but the lessons feel even more important to me today. And we're starting with one of the biggest: You have to decide what you want your LIFE to look like before you build your career or business around it. In Part 1, you'll learn how to: → Re-envision what you actually want your life to look like → Get clear on your WHY and the vision you have for your family → Decide how many hours you actually want to work → Set boundaries around your career and business → Stop building your life around work → Create a career or business that supports the life you want Your season may have changed. Your priorities may have changed. Your definition of success may have changed. Maybe it's time to create a new vision for what comes next. FREE PLANNING GUIDE Want to see how I plan my months, weeks and days as a busy mom and business owner? Get my free planning guide at classycareergirl.com/freeplan
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  You're Not Starting Over: How to Turn Your Career Experience Into a Coaching Business with Melanie Smith 02.09.2026 28min

  Think you're too busy to become a career coach or start a coaching business? Meet Melanie Smith. Melanie is a mom, finishing her undergraduate degree, running a recruiting and staffing agency AND building a coaching and consulting business. In this episode, Melanie shares how she stopped feeling scattered, got clear on how her recruiting and coaching businesses could work together, and learned how to turn her years of experience into meaningful, purpose-driven work. We talk about: Why becoming a career coach doesn't mean starting over How to turn your existing career experience into a coaching business What helped Melanie go from overwhelmed and scattered to clear and focused How she manages two businesses using 90-day planning How Career Coach Certification helped her clarify her offers and messaging Why you don't have to wait until life "slows down" to pursue work you're called to do How Melanie went on to sell out her VIP Days and build more confidence in her business One of my favorite reminders from Melanie's story is this: You're not starting over. You're taking everything you've learned with you and turning it into purpose. If you've been wondering whether your experience could become your next career, this episode is for you. Ready to become a career coach? Applications are now open for the Fall cohort of Classy Career Girl® Career Coach Certification. Learn more and apply at ClassyCareerGirl.com/Certification.
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  How to Succeed as a Career Coach | REPLAY 01.09.2026 59min

  What does it really take to build a successful career coaching business—and stand out in a growing industry? In this special replay episode, I'm switching seats! One of our Corporate Rescue Plan members interviews me about my journey becoming a career coach, what I've learned from more than a decade in the industry, and where I believe career coaching is headed next. We talk about: My experience building a career coaching business How the career coaching industry has evolved Trends shaping the future of career coaching What successful career coaches need to do differently How to stand out in an increasingly competitive coaching industry Why career coaching can be an incredible business for women who want more flexibility, freedom, and control over their schedules This is a replay from an earlier episode, but the strategies and insights are just as relevant today—especially if you've been thinking about becoming a career coach. Ready to Become a Career Coach? If you love helping people navigate career changes, find meaningful work, prepare for interviews, build confidence, or figure out what they want to do next, career coaching could be the business you've been looking for. Inside Classy Career Girl® Career Coach Certification, you'll learn the coaching frameworks, tools, resources, and business strategies you need to confidently coach clients and build your own career coaching business. Learn more about Career Coach Certification and apply here: www.classycareergirl.com/certification Please Rate, Review & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the Classy Career Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more women who want to find or create work they love that supports the life they really want. And make sure you subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes!
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  How to Grow a Side Hustle From Home While Working Full-Time | Replay 30.08.2026 14min

  Trying to grow a side hustle while working a full-time job—but wondering how you're supposed to find the time to do it all? In this replay of one of our most popular Classy Career Girl episodes, I'm sharing the time-management strategies I used while building my business alongside my day job—before eventually turning that side hustle into my full-time career. In this episode, you'll learn: How to use batching to get more done in less time The three types of time I use: Sacred Time, Administrative Time, and Focus Time How to identify the activities that actually grow your business Why your revenue-producing activities need to come first How to create a schedule that helps you build your business without letting it take over your life If you're building a coaching business, online business, or other side hustle while juggling a job, family, and a very full schedule, this episode will help you get clear on what deserves your limited time. You don't need unlimited hours to build something that can eventually give you more freedom. You need to know what matters most and make time for it.
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  Replay: How to Go From 1-on-1 to Group Coaching & Scale Your Business 26.08.2026 18min

  Ready to move beyond 1-on-1 coaching and start scaling your coaching business? In this replay episode of The Classy Career Girl Podcast, I'm breaking down how to transition from individual coaching into a group coaching model—without overcomplicating your offer or trying to scale before you're ready. In today's episode, I cover: The best business model to start with when you first become a coach How to know when you're ready to transition from 1-on-1 to group coaching The first steps to plan and launch your group coaching program How to structure and schedule your group coaching calls How to create the content and curriculum for your program How group coaching can help you serve more clients and scale your business If you're currently coaching 1-on-1—or dreaming about starting your coaching business—this episode will help you see the path from your first clients to a scalable coaching program. Want to become a certified career coach and build your own coaching business? Learn more about Career Coach Certification at ClassyCareerGirl.com/certification.
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  If I Had to Start Classy Career Girl From Zero, Here's Exactly What I'd Do | Behind the Business #13 24.08.2026 14min

  What if I lost everything I've built with Classy Career Girl and had to start again from zero? No email list. No programs. No website. No audience. No podcast downloads. After more than a decade of entrepreneurship, I know one thing for sure: I would build my business very differently today. And the biggest change? I wouldn't build a coaching business. I'd build a business around coaching. In this episode of Behind the Business, I'm sharing the exact business model I'd build if I were starting over today—and how I'd keep it much simpler from the beginning. We're talking about: Why I'd start with ONE person, ONE problem, and ONE offer Why coaching is one of the best ways to start—but shouldn't necessarily be where you stop How I'd create coaching, scalable, and recurring income Why you don't need multiple businesses to create multiple income streams The simple customer journey I'd build Why I'd focus on one primary content platform What I'd stop doing completely How to build your business around the life you actually want If you're starting a business, growing a coaching business, or wondering how you can turn what you already know into multiple income streams, this episode will help you simplify your next move. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: If I were starting from zero today, what would I build differently? Ready to explore becoming a career coach? Grab my free Career Coach Startup Kit to learn how you can turn your experience into a coaching business. http://www.classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar And if you're ready to take the next step, applications are now open for Career Coach Certification. http://www.classycareergirl.com/certification
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  How I Became a Career Coach (And Why You Should Consider It) | Behind the Business #12 22.08.2026 13min

  Have you ever wondered if you could become a career coach? I didn't start Classy Career Girl knowing that career coaching would become my career. I was actually trying to figure out my own career when I discovered how much I loved helping other women find work they loved. In this Behind the Business episode, I'm sharing the story of how I became a career coach, how Classy Career Girl grew from my own career journey, and why I believe career coaching is one of the best businesses for women who want meaningful, flexible work. We're talking about: How I accidentally found my way into career coaching The signs you may already have career coaching skills Why your career and life experience matter What career coaches actually help people do Why you don't need to coach clients 40 hours a week How one coaching expertise can create multiple income streams What I would do if I were starting a career coaching business today If people already come to you for help with resumes, interviews, career decisions, job searches or figuring out what's next, there may be a business hiding inside what you already know. And maybe the career you've been looking for is helping someone else find theirs. 🤍 Ready to explore career coaching? Grab my Career Coach Startup Kit to learn how to get started. http://www.classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar And if you're ready to become a trained career coach and build your own career coaching business, applications are now open for Career Coach Certification. http://www.classycareergirl.com/certification
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  You Don't Need to Hire It All Out to Build a Business | Behind the Business #11 20.08.2026 15min

  Do you really need a team, a virtual assistant, a housekeeper, expensive software, and a complicated funnel to build a successful business? I used to think so. In this episode of Behind the Business, I'm sharing why I followed the traditional advice to outsource and delegate everything—and why I eventually realized I was building a version of success I didn't actually want. We're talking about how to build a lean, profitable business that fits your life, especially if you're a mom building in the margins of a 9–5, homeschooling, raising kids, or simply wanting more flexibility. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hiring help doesn't always solve an overwhelmed business What I learned from outsourcing housekeeping, childcare, cooking, tech, and more Why systems should often come before hiring How AI has dramatically lowered the cost of starting a business What you actually need to make your first sale Why profit—not revenue—is what creates freedom How you can build a business in small pockets of focused time Why coaching can be one of the simplest, highest-margin businesses to start If you've been thinking about becoming a career coach, grab my free Career Coach Startup Kit to explore how you can turn the skills and experience you already have into meaningful, flexible work. Career Coach Start-up Kit: https://www.classycareergirl.com/coachwebinar And if you already know career coaching is your next step, applications are now open for Career Coach Certification. Certification for fall and fast action bonuses: https://www.classycareergirl.com/certification You don't need to build a huge company. You need a simple business that creates income, protects your margin, and supports the life you're building it for.