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14. The One Where Life and Business Align
23 Plays1 month ago
Feeling like you’re juggling all the things? In this heart-to-heart, Victoria sits down with life & business coach Renae O’Neill to talk boundaries, seasons of motherhood, and building a business that actually supports the life you want. From “Renae Day” Fridays to the glass-vs-plastic balls analogy, this one’s full of practical ideas and gentle reminders to trust yourself.
What we cover
- Values first: getting crystal clear on what truly matters — and letting that steer your week
- Boundaries that stick: school-hours schedules, tech limits, and saying “no” without guilt
- Time tactics for busy mums: pockets of time, Power Hour, and the game-changing “Renae Hour”
- Juggle, don’t struggle: knowing your glass (non-negotiable) vs plastic (can drop) balls
- Intuition in biz: oracle/tarot cards, gut nudges, and running a heart-led business
- Protecting your work: why Renae trademarked Life Aligned Business and what she learnt
- Community over copycats: masterminds, support, and doing business with integrity
Listen for these gems
- “Start with your values, then design your week around them.”
- “Ten minutes for you can change the energy of your whole day.”
- “Trust your gut. You already have everything within you.”
Connect with Renae
Instagram: @renae.oneill
Website: https://renaeoneill.com.au
Podcast: Life Aligned Business
Connect with Victoria
Instagram: @the.victoria.r
Website: www.victoria-r.com.au
Subscribe to The Mindful Educator Podcast
Try this week:
Pick your glass balls for the next 7 days (3 max).
Block one Renae Hour just for you.
Schedule one mini Power Hour to clear the deck.
If this episode landed for you, share it with a mate who’s building a biz while raising kids — and leave a quick rating to help more mindful educators find us.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Renee O'Neill
00:00:39
Speaker
Hey, all right. Welcome everyone to the Mindful Educator. i have a beautiful guest, Renee O'Neill joining me today. um Renee and I have known each other for a few years now. We've done, um oh what was it? Level Up Together, which was Brianna May's program. And we're also in another group with Brianna May again. so Yeah, we seem to kind of come back around and run into each other at different things.
Balancing Ambition and Family Life
00:01:02
Speaker
So Renee is the owner of her own business. She's a mum of two. um She's an amazing woman, amazing coach, and I can't wait to chat to her today. So welcome, Renee.
00:01:15
Speaker
how are you today? So good. It is so nice to um not only see you, but like jump on the mics together. I can't believe it because it has been ah while since we first met and connected. And I love that we've been able to stay in touch and, you know, now we get to be in another space together as well. ah So good.
00:01:37
Speaker
ah and And we still have yet to meet in person, but that's okay. I do believe it's going to happen one day, whether you come over to WA or we go over to Tasmania or maybe somewhere in the middle, who knows? Yeah. Yes, I would definitely love that.
00:01:50
Speaker
Yes, for sure. So I'd love you firstly, if you can just tell us a little bit about yourself, Renee. So um a lot of the people that listen to the podcast are women and mums and all the rest of it. So I'd love to hear what you do, how you help us out. And yeah we'll go from there.
Clarity on Values and Priorities
00:02:06
Speaker
Yeah. So I am first and foremost, a wife to my husband, Lee, and a mum of two. So we have our daughter, she's 12 and our son is nine.
00:02:17
Speaker
And I'm also a life and business coach and also the host of the Life Aligned Business podcast as well. And so I have been a life and business coach now for five years.
00:02:30
Speaker
I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. ah fli by Yeah, I help my clients. find their dream life and business to really coexist because I know what it's like to be a woman, be a mom who has these ambitious goals and dreams that she's wanting to achieve.
00:02:51
Speaker
And I know what it's like to fill the pool as being a mom of also wanting to be with our kids and being home
Creating a Family-Friendly Business Schedule
00:02:57
Speaker
with them. And sometimes that juggle of life and business can feel like a real juggle yeah And I'm here to show you and and my clients that we can actually have there be a co-existent, that's not the right word,
00:03:14
Speaker
Cohesion? Is that the word? Coexisting? Yes. A cohesion of our life and business being able to actually work together. And so it is all about for me with my work that I do of finding a way to have your dream business, but have it so it actually allows you to have the kind of lifestyle that you want to lead as well. And so that is my jam and what I'm most passionate about and what i absolutely love.
00:03:43
Speaker
And you do it so well too, because I know, um obviously, I like I follow you on Instagram, and I see your stories, and you've got such good boundaries in place for keeping that.
00:03:54
Speaker
um Yeah, to to make it work. And I know that like, a lot of the time, you've always got your Friday, which is your Renee day, which I love. it's So good. and then I'll get into that more in a moment. But then I've noticed like your weekends, you're very much present with the family. Holidays, you make sure everything's organized so you've got that time with your family.
00:04:13
Speaker
Like how did you get to that point where you're able to do that? Because as you said, it is a real juggle. Like I know
Effective Time Management Strategies
00:04:19
Speaker
that's something I struggle with to have those boundaries in place and sometimes things do overlap.
00:04:24
Speaker
So how did you get to that point where you're able to be like, no, this is... This is mum time. This is my time with my kids. And then this is business time. Yeah. And honestly, it really is such a juggle. And I really get that. You know, my kids are a little bit older now. They're both full-time schools. So things do look very different to me now than what they once did. You know, there was very much that season of early motherhood of sitting on my computer and having my little one next to me with the Legos while I'm working. Yeah.
00:04:55
Speaker
And now I have the luxury and I call it a luxury because it is it is very different now of having full-time school-aged children. so I actually have those school hours available to me now to work on my business and have that business time. And so I know you that depending on the season of life that you're in and if you are a mum listening, depending on your children's ages and and the things that you've just got going on, will obviously look different person to person.
00:05:22
Speaker
But I think the biggest thing
Work-Life Boundaries and Personal Well-being
00:05:23
Speaker
here is getting so crystal clear on what's most important to you And again, there is no right or wrong here. It's only what is important to you And for me, i think because I had such a long journey and road to having my children, i just always knew that I wanted to spend as much time as I possibly could with those children.
00:05:47
Speaker
And so for me, I have very much really set up my business so that it works for me and my family. And so that looks like me being able to spend the mornings with my kids, take them off to school.
00:06:01
Speaker
Then I get to them being my business mode. And then I pick them up from school and the rest of the day is then completely shut off from business and I'm with my family. And that looks like weekends also being business is closed, it's down. I am now intentionally with my family.
00:06:17
Speaker
And I think it's easy because that's just the decision I've made. It's that yeah this is what works best for me. This is actually what I want. And this is what's aligned to the priorities that I have in this stage of life. You know I'm sure again, it's going to change as the kids get even older and look, let's be honest, as they really get into those teenage years, they're probably not going to want spend as much time with me. So it'll look different again, but I think that starting point is really that clarity around what is most important to you, what your values are, and then asking yourself, how can I align that with the life that I have? And maybe it is the business that you're creating for yourself.
00:06:57
Speaker
How can I make that work for me? And again, it'll look different depending on um where you're at in life. And as I said, you know, there was definitely a time when that juggle was a little bit harder.
00:07:08
Speaker
But again, with the juggle, it's also, and actually and a good analogy to bring up here is, When we have our life and our business or a career, whatever it is that you're currently juggling, we have different types of balls that we're juggling at once. Some of those balls are glass balls.
00:07:26
Speaker
They are your non-negotiables, those priorities, those responsibilities, those really important things that we have to keep juggling in order for our life to run, in order for our businesses to run, for our families to have a beautiful life.
00:07:43
Speaker
But we're also equally juggling a lot of plastic balls too. And those plastic balls are things like the washing that needs to be done, you know, the dishes that are piled up on the sink, you know, things that yes, are important. Don't get me wrong, but that things that in the scheme of things, we don't always have to be juggling either.
00:08:02
Speaker
And so I like to look at the juggling analogy and just get really crystal clear on what your glass balls are. Those really important things. Then equally, what are those plastic balls that when things are getting, you know, hard, you're in a season of things being difficult, what are those plastic balls? What are the things that I can just sit down for a little bit so that I can concentrate on the glass balls? Because I know what it's like being a mom. i know what a juggle it is. And, you know, everyone has different responsibilities too. And sometimes things can can feel like a lot. And so getting clear on those priorities, working out those glass balls is really a great starting point.
00:08:42
Speaker
Yeah. And I love that as well, because it's not often that we do sit that down and figure out what is truly important to us. It's not often that we sit down and work out what we honestly value. And I think that's such an important thing that you've brought up as well, because you're right. Like, you know, for us personally, we've had a big season of sickness this winter. Like we I'll say to you before we started recording, like we've kind of been hit with everything this year. And it's a case of, okay, yeah, the priority is my children and things like, you know, the washing or the house that may just be on the back burner for a little bit and that's okay. Like, it's still going to be there. Let's be honest, it's never going to go away, is it? So,
00:09:19
Speaker
I think that's absolutely spot on what you've said about making sure you know what your priorities are. And this is one thing that I really do admire and look up to you with what you do because, and I know you've said it a few times with the alignment and I know that you've even trademarked that now. So your life aligned, which I love. and so it's really good to see that you're living what you're saying to do, which is, yeah, living a life that's aligned with what you want.
00:09:45
Speaker
Yeah. And I think it's really important to be in alignment to what is most important to you and I think it's something that as you said we don't often just sit down and actually like sit with ourselves and ask ourselves these questions but equally it's something we need to reassess because I'm sure at one point or another we've sat down and looked at our values the things that that are most important to us but actually life changes we grow and evolve things change so it's always important to come back to them and just check in and be like is this still is this still right for me does this still feel aligned to me and if not how can we readjust so that we're coming back into alignment to those priorities again so yeah it's something that I really highly recommend everyone just come back to you
Intuition in Business Decisions
00:10:31
Speaker
Yes, definitely. And I think, I mean, obviously I know that you're quite the same when things aren't in alignment, you do, you don't feel right within yourself as well. Like, you know, that all there's that resistance or there's something that comes up that kind of makes you go, Oh, this isn't feeling quite like the path I should be going on. So yeah.
00:10:51
Speaker
I think that's ah often a indication that maybe something isn't aligned, especially the resistance part, because if you're feeling like it is hard to uphold boundaries that you're wanting to uphold.
00:11:06
Speaker
Why? You know, and underneath that, is it that maybe your you're trying to live up to an expectation someone else is putting on you? yeah And so that is always a good indicator that maybe I'm not as aligned as I thought and where where is that disconnection piece and how can i come back to myself? Yeah.
00:11:25
Speaker
And I think that's what alignment really is, is coming back to yourself, coming back to your core essence of who you are, what is it you want to do what's important to you what lights you up, and then having your whole life and business run off that as almost like you your compass of like this is where home is and then everything else gets to align to that.
00:11:47
Speaker
Oh, I love that so much. Honestly, like, oh, goosebumps. Because I think so much now, like, you just get fed so much crap when you're on Instagram and stuff. And people are like, oh, you should be doing this and you should be doing that and all the should-bes and, you know, this is what works for me. And I'm like, but it's not necessarily going to work for someone else. And you're absolutely right in that we've got, obviously, my children are now at school as well. And things are so different than when I had my previous business, like so, so different. And as you said, like we've now got that luxury of more time during the day.
00:12:21
Speaker
Whereas before it wasn't, it was a real juggle trying to run a business and have young children. And I know that you've been there as well. i know that you've worn many hats in your, in your life. Like how did you navigate that season of life when you were working as well?
00:12:36
Speaker
Yeah. So when my children were younger, I also had a part-time job in my local hospital. And so I, I mean, even, even recalling it, I'm like, wow, that was a lot, but I would work two days a week in that role.
00:12:53
Speaker
I had, you know, preschool children, so they weren't at school yet. And I was also running my business and look, that was a juggle. But again, still made it work for me at that time. And so what that looked like is really utilizing every pocket moment and opportunity I had to the best of my ability.
00:13:14
Speaker
And that is one thing I honestly feel like mums have a superpower because yes, it's a forced superpower and we are forced to manage our time, but we manage our time like no other because we're forced to. There is no other option or alternative.
00:13:30
Speaker
So for me, it looked like Whenever the kids were napping or were very focused and happily playing, I took that opportunity and I ran with it. So that might have looked like, as I shared, you know, my youngest sitting on the floor next to my computer area playing with Lego.
00:13:49
Speaker
It looked like when the kids went to bed of a night, I would allow myself an hour of time to get on my computer and do the work that I needed to. And sometimes it also looked like I would actually get up earlier than them, which please don't come at me. I'm not suggesting wake up at 3am. promise you are not.
00:14:09
Speaker
If you are in that sleep deprivation stage, get every bit of sleep you possibly can to not wake up earlier. But when my kids were in that sort of more consistent sleeping stage, I would wake up earlier then than them.
00:14:23
Speaker
and get a little bit of work done before they woke up for the day. And so it was just these pockets and moments and opportunities that I would take while I could, but also being so intentional with that time as well.
00:14:37
Speaker
yeah That's one thing, you know, and I'm sure you and the listeners will have experienced this when, when you allow yourself five hours to do something, it will take you five hours to do that thing.
00:14:49
Speaker
But if you have half an hour, my gosh, you make that half an hour count because you're like, I've got to get in and get this done. I don't have any other time to do it. It's almost like when you know that you've got a ah friend coming to visit or a guest coming to your home.
00:15:03
Speaker
And all of a sudden, what would normally take you three hours to clean your home takes you like 20 minutes because you're like, crap, they're going to be here soon. I've got to do it. So it's a similar principle in business as well.
00:15:16
Speaker
Just going, okay, what are those real needle moving tasks that I can do with this short amount of time that I have and the other the things you do. And I will say, will say that back in that season of life, when I really had such limited time in my business,
00:15:34
Speaker
It's so interesting that I would just get in and get things done without second guessing, without overthinking and just do them. Whereas when I stepped away from that job a few years ago and went fully in on my business,
00:15:48
Speaker
All of a sudden, because I have more time, I would find myself over critiquing or like, maybe I could do these extra things. So very interesting, you know, time and our intention. And sometimes having less time can be a little bit of an advantage. Yeah.
00:16:05
Speaker
yeah So i set that stopwatch and have that deadline. ah Yeah. Yeah. Oh, no. And that's so good because I know, yeah, there's people with children of varying ages and some that don't have children at all and all the rest of it that may be listening in. And I think it's no matter where you are and which phase of life that you're in, I think you're absolutely right. Like as long as you, you know how much time you've got and you utilize it to the best of your ability, which I know you're something you're very good at. Cause I did do um a session with you a few years ago where it was,
00:16:34
Speaker
talking about like mapping out the day and you've got your hour of power and is that something you're still doing Yes. But interestingly, have a different take on this now.
00:16:44
Speaker
So just to clarify what, what power hour is, it's an hour of day you schedule for yourself and it's just like your catch up day. It's where you set your timer for that hour. All distractions get put aside and you just get in and get shit done.
00:16:59
Speaker
yeah And if you don't swear on this episode, please blurb that out.
00:17:05
Speaker
But it's just an hour of catch-up time and you can use it to catch up in the home. You can use it to catch up on business, whatever it is that you need to catch up on. And it's always nice to have this hour that you have scheduled because if your day doesn't go to plan, which let's be honest, our days don't always go to plan, you know, you've got this reserved hour where you can play catch up in. And that really just helps you give a give yourself a bit of a reset for your day.
00:17:31
Speaker
But one thing that I have introduced and something that I'm loving now is actually have an hour of Renee every day. And so what I do again, because I have my school hours available for my business.
00:17:44
Speaker
So my first hour of every work day now is Renee hour. And so it's an hour I give to myself before I give to my business, before I give to my clients.
00:17:55
Speaker
So, Typically, it looks like going for a walk, coming home. It might be having breakfast because I tend to have it a bit later in the morning. so yeah my yeah It might be reading a book, listening to a podcast, whatever that looks like.
00:18:10
Speaker
And then I step into my business and, you know, i I can then give that energy to my business and clients. So, yeah, those hours, whatever you make your hour be,
00:18:20
Speaker
are so important. And it's just nice to have this like scheduled time for yourself or for catching up, whatever that looks like. Yeah. And like I said, I'm really loving the fact that you're doing things like this and having your Friday for yourself and all the rest of it, because obviously like that's something I kind of harp on about quite a lot is making sure we have that time to slow down. And I love how you're feeling like your own cup first before you're then going and giving to others as well, which is such an important thing to do because how often do we put ourselves last? And it's so nice that we're changing the narrative on that and we're making it that we actually need to put ourselves first because we can't keep giving all the time and not taking that time for ourselves because, yeah, that's what leads to burnout, it leads to resentment, it leads to all these not so nice things. Yeah.
00:19:09
Speaker
And it doesn't even have to be a lot of time. Like I'm saying an hour because that's what I have capacity for yeah at this stage. But if you only have 10 minutes, I promise you that 10 minutes you allow to give yourself will make such a difference. And you notice you show up in a different energy.
00:19:28
Speaker
You feel better. And all of a sudden you have capacity for more as well. And I know for me, when I wasn't giving myself that time, because there was definitely a stage in my life where I was not giving myself much time at all.
00:19:42
Speaker
yeah I would find that I was not showing up as the best version of myself at all. You know, I would find that I'd snap at the kids a little bit more. And it's interesting when you just start giving yourself maybe those 10 minutes a day for yourself, all of a sudden you notice that you're just showing up a bit differently.
00:19:58
Speaker
And when you get a taste for that, you're like, I want and need more of this. And so then you start looking at other ways you can incorporate little bits of me time throughout your day. Yeah.
00:20:09
Speaker
Yeah. And that's so good. And i think this is where um those that are maybe in the, you know, threshold with the younger kids that are kind of like, oh man, like 10 minutes seems like a lot as it is, you know, taking that time if they are, you know, having ah a moment sitting outside with a cup of tea or whatever it might be and just, yeah, being really intentional with making sure that you're stopping for yourself. So yeah, I think that's a really good, good reminder for all of us and your Renee days. Tell us about them.
00:20:37
Speaker
I love it. Okay. because again, we're coming back to the school hours thing. I have Monday to Friday, nine till two 30 available to me. And it's interesting because I couldn't wait to leave my job so I could go all in on my business. So I could really dictate my schedule completely.
00:20:57
Speaker
And I soon found that just want to work nine till two 30 Monday to Friday. Like leave this job to just spend the whole time in my business and trade ah a job for a job.
00:21:09
Speaker
yeah So I looked at it and was like, how can i give myself a little bit more freedom and flexibility in my days? And I thought, you know what, I'm going to dedicate a whole day to me.
00:21:21
Speaker
So on Fridays, 9 till 2.30 is Renee Day. And it's just a day where I'm like, I get a day off to have for myself.
00:21:32
Speaker
And it's interesting if you' you're working at a job, when you have a day off, you really make the most of your day off because you're like, it's a day off. It feels different to just a bit of white space in your calendar. It's actually like a real permission slip of this day gets to be mine and I get to spend it however I want.
00:21:48
Speaker
So I typically have nothing in the calendar on Renee Day and it is just such an intuitive day of like, what do I need? What do I feel like doing? what What does today look like? and It really varies because sometimes it is actually, i want to spend the day like cleaning and reorganizing my house, which I know that doesn't sound like something you want to do often, but sometimes I actually get the motivation. you might You play the old nineties music, you dance around while you're doing it. You make it a whole thing. actually did that the other week.
00:22:20
Speaker
Sometimes it looks like I go and visit my dear old Nan who's still with us. Sometimes it is catching up with a friend. Sometimes actually i still work in my business because I'm like, that feels good to me. I actually want to be doing this thing or I've got a message to share. I want to jump on the podcast, but it's just a day for me. And I do like it being a Friday. i will say because, you know, Monday to Thursday is very dedicated to my business and obviously yes, my family.
00:22:47
Speaker
Friday is me. And then I step into a weekend where my weekends really are designated and reserved for my family. yeah So it's a nice little reset for me to break up between, you know, business and then to diving fully into family mode as well. So Renee Day has become a thing. And what I love more than anything is I've had people on social media say, I'm doing a Vic Day today or I'm doing a Jenna Day today. And I'm like, yeah, makes it makes me so happy. but it's catching
00:23:19
Speaker
i met yeah i keeping the day off I know. And I love it because, you know, so many people that have started their own business, one of the main reasons is they want to dictate their own schedule. They want that time freedom, all the rest of it.
00:23:31
Speaker
And then you find yourself working like 24 seven, which totally defeats the purpose of why you started your own business in the first place. And this is where I really admire the boundaries that you have, because you have put these things in place over time and you've kind of gone, no, like this is, this is what I'm doing. This is what feels good for me.
00:23:48
Speaker
And I think it's a really good example for the rest of us to kind of go, oh, that's right. Like, you know, you can do this. It doesn't have to be working nonstop. And Yeah, I love it. I love seeing what you get up to as well because I think you had one with Lee the other day, didn't you? yeah Yeah, we went fishing, which sounds like, yeah, we had a date day, we went fishing, we had little picnic lunch and so I named that day was Lee Day. was like, I'll dedicate this day to you.
00:24:16
Speaker
important is that as well, like putting your relationship um as a priority too is so important because again, like, yes, you know, we're mums and we're businesswomen and all the rest of it, but we are still wise. We still have partners, you know, and it's important to make that time for each other too, which I think we often forget when we're caught up in the busyness of...
00:24:36
Speaker
Yes, absolutely. And my husband works shift work too. So he typically works a lot of weekends. So he might get a random Tuesday off and I will look at my schedule and go, I have no commitments today. I can actually take today off and then, you know, spend a bit of time with him. Like he's home today. So I've had to tell him, you know, you need to be quiet. I'm on a podcast. So like, don't be noisy banging around upstairs.
00:24:59
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. No, no home maintenance at the moment. Okay. Oh, I love that so much. And yeah, like I said, it's really, yeah, it's really a good example for the rest of us as well. And I love that you're living what you're promoting as well. So it's not no bullshit here.
00:25:17
Speaker
What you see is what you get, which is what I love. yeah And I think integrity is an important piece, especially, you know, in the coaching industry of what you and I do of like, you really need to walk the talk. You can't just be out here promoting something that you're not actively doing behind the scenes yourself. And so, and I know you're such ah an example of that too, Vic. I know you and your heart and I know you're exactly the same.
00:25:43
Speaker
Oh, thanks Renee. And I think, yeah, I actually did do a podcast episode on that a couple of weeks ago about like coaching and how to find the coach that's right for you. And I think, yeah, it's one of those things where there is a lot of people, there is a lot of noise and it's all right. Well, who's actually saying what they mean sort of thing, which can be a very tricky thing to find, but yes, I know there's, there's quite a few of us good ones out there.
00:26:09
Speaker
Yeah.
00:26:13
Speaker
Um, one thing I do want to chat to you about, I love, this is another thing that you do. You often have, um, your Oracle cards that you put up on, um, your stories and people can choose one. So I know this is a side that you haven't necessarily spoken about too much, but I know you're kind of stepping into it a little bit more. So this spiritual side of yours, like, how does that come into play?
00:26:35
Speaker
Yeah, it's really interesting because I feel like so much of that is more behind the scenes that maybe I'm not showcasing enough. So there might be something in that for me. But yes, every Sunday night, and I have been doing this for, I would say...
00:26:48
Speaker
probably seven or eight years now. It's been longer than my coaching. I do a weekly card reading on my Instagram stories where you get the opportunity to pick from two cards and then I reveal the cards to you. And i I love them so much because they are guidance cards. And so you can take whatever representational meaning from the cards that are there. But I do have a spiritual woo-woo side to me where I really morph spirituality with systems and structures and all the other logical side of things in my business and the work that I do. But I often will come to my cards, especially if I'm feeling like an internal pull with something or i feel like I'm lacking any kind of clarity
00:27:34
Speaker
I will pull a card for myself and I'm always amazed, which I shouldn't be, but I'm always amazed at like what the cards reveal because it always gives me the clarity that I need. Or there's always a little message or nugget in the cards that I'm like, oh, that is exactly what I needed in this moment.
00:27:51
Speaker
And it just helps me through. And I think it's a tool that we can utilize in our life, but also in our business too. you know, sometimes I've gone to my cards when I'm trying to make a business decision and I'm in the pool of like, do I, don't I, do I, don't try And I can use the cards to help me. But yeah, I use my cards quite a bit actually. And I do also use tarot too, which It took a little bit to delve into that world, which the beautiful Courtney, who I know has been on your podcast, I learned from her. So I literally learned from the best.
00:28:23
Speaker
yeah And Carrow really takes it to that next level as well, where, you know, I did a spread for the year. So at the beginning of the year, I did like a 12 month reading for myself and And I hit a and ah thing only a few months ago where I had ah a little situation present itself that was quite tricky to navigate.
00:28:44
Speaker
So I came back to my reading that I'd done and I literally had predicted it for myself, not the actual situation itself. yeah I predicted that there'd be a little bit of turmoil in my business and like something would be happening and And the card told me, but then the card also shown that that would be such like a growth moment for me. And I'd really kind of up level from that as well. So, yeah, I love using cards. They're my favourite thing to use. love it. and i think you're saying like you don't speak about it enough. I think it's obviously come through though a lot in your business and the fact that you are so aligned with what you do, you do follow your intuition, all the rest of it. Like it obviously comes through in that regard. So I think you're definitely using it, maybe not necessarily, you know, shouting it from the rooftops, but I know it's definitely there and kind of that but undercurrent, which is really nice to see because I know I've kind of got that woo side as well. I think quite a few of us do that probably end up in this industry as well, because a lot of it does rely on
00:29:38
Speaker
your intuition, you know, trusting yourself, trusting like all that sort of stuff. So I think there's a few of us kind of like, yeah, we need to promote it bit more. And I too, a lot of heart led business owners,
00:29:54
Speaker
really do have an intuitive side to us. And being able to strengthen our intuition, oh my gosh, it serves us so well in business in particular. I mean, as mums, we have this internal mother intuition about us. We know when our kids are going to get sick. We know when they're not feeling the best. We just have a knowing.
00:30:15
Speaker
And we seem to trust it so much as mothers. But we ealate equally have an intuition that we can utilize in our business. And honestly, my my opinion here is our intuition is our absolute superpower in business.
00:30:31
Speaker
Because when we have this feeling or knowing or nudge in our business, when we're making decisions, trust that. I cannot emphasize that enough. Trust yourself. Trust your gut instincts. If you have this feeling, this knowing, this nudge,
00:30:48
Speaker
Don't not listen to that. Don't don't hold yourself back. You need to follow that. It is there for a reason. It's trying to push you in a particular direction for whatever reason that may be. but anytime I have trusted my gut, my instinct, it has never let me down.
00:31:03
Speaker
Oh, that's so good. And I think it's, it's a hard one to start trying listen, like learn to listen to that as well, because there is so much outside noise and then the logical brain kind of kicks and it's like, oh no, like, you know, tries to over, like override what you're trying to, or what you believe is right.
00:31:20
Speaker
And I know Courtney, she was another one that kind of has helped. um This is Courtney Wilder for those that have I'm quite sure which Courtney we're talking about. And I know she's even got like a ah quick meditation that helps you tune into, you know, is it a yes, is it a no? Like, so you can listen to that gut instinct. And I think this is where it's been really good to, to kind of see you kind of pave that way as well. And,
00:31:45
Speaker
follow, as you said, like it is a heart led business that you run. It is, you know, from your intuition, it is, i don't know. I just love seeing how you've, you've kind of put this all together. And even just from a couple of years ago, when we first met each other to now, and just seeing that change and just kind of where you've ended up with it. It's really, like I said, I really admire it.
00:32:05
Speaker
i really admire what you've done. And it's really good to see that there are creatures out there that are doing this and that are yeah, being genuine in what they're they're wanting and wanting the best for their clients as well, because that isn't always the case.
00:32:17
Speaker
um You know, and I know that you're you're one of the good ones, Renee. Oh, bless you. Same goes
Renee's Diverse Career Experiences
00:32:24
Speaker
for you as well. You know, I know you and your heart and I love seeing the work that you're doing in the world and in particular for women, it's just amazing.
00:32:34
Speaker
Women need support more than ever. And I think in the world that we're living in now where, you know, connection doesn't always seem to feel like an emphasis on things. We we need that connection. We need that support and and that community. And I love that things like this podcast get to be out into the world to help others and just make people feel so much more or less alone in their journey and know that there's hope or know that there's another way or but just to give them something to like cling onto in those hard times is so important.
00:33:03
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. And I think this is it. Like, you know, you've been in the the trenches as well. We've all been in the trenches in regard to different things. So yeah, it is nice to have people to be able to relate to with that.
00:33:16
Speaker
So one thing I do want to ask you though, going back many careers of yours, used to be in the wedding industry. did. I loved it. When I found this out, i was like, this is such a cool little nugget of information.
00:33:32
Speaker
Like I said, you've worn so many hats. It's so funny because actually think I held a lot of shame around that though, because in, you know, sometimes I forget how old I am too. So sometimes I think, oh yeah, like I am actually in my late thirties now, but I think I held shame over the fact have done a lot of different things in my life, both from a career perspective, but also from a business perspective as well. Like I've had over 16 years experience in business and I've done a lot of things. And I think because I've done a lot of things, I almost had some shame around that I've hopped and skipped. You know, I've, I've not committed or seen things through because I've gone from one thing to the other.
00:34:14
Speaker
But also again, this is a bit of a superpower of mine that I've, I've done so much. I've been in different industries. I have all of this experience that that actually makes me really good at what I'm doing in being a business coach as well. And so, yes, I did once um own a bridal shop.
00:34:33
Speaker
And it's so interesting looking back because I brought this bridal shop when my daughter was a baby. And why we do these things.
00:34:44
Speaker
ah I had this illusion and I will call it an illusion that I could run this bridal shop with, with my baby in my arms. And that would just be perfect and amazing and how wonderful.
00:34:57
Speaker
And whilst for the most part, there was a lot of wonderful parts about having a bridal shop, being part of somebody's experience in choosing their wedding dress and their bridesmaid dresses and, just being in that love bubble with them is was so incredible.
00:35:12
Speaker
it also was different having a baby alongside of that journey as well. So I only had it for what I would consider a short time, but it's, it's funny how, when you look back on your experiences and your past, it always makes sense to where you end up because that bridal shop experience and and being part of that was I was actually helping women and supporting them in their journey of like their wedding day.
00:35:41
Speaker
And now I help and support women in a different way completely. But at this at its essence and its core, I've always been about helping other people and that being part of that experience.
00:35:52
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, that's so good. And I just love it because it you said that you've had many different things that you've done, which I think a lot of us, if we actually look back, we're like, oh, that's right. We have actually done a bit, but I think it's all led us to where we are now. Like all those experiences, we always take something away, even from the what we may deem as a bad experience at the time, there's always a lesson or there's always a skill or something that we take that we then can use and it helps get us to where we are
Current Work and Community Support
00:36:19
Speaker
now. So I know that, you know, the stuff that I've done in my life, all the different um careers and stuff that I've done, again, yes, there's a similar theme ah in everyone. it It's helping others, it's teaching others, it's, you know, working with children, whatever it might be. And it's kind of, you know, it led us to where we are now. So I love that you've kind of taken that
00:36:38
Speaker
what you've learned from working there and owning that and yeah, have brought it forward into what you're doing now. So what are you doing now? Tell us like, what is the main thing that you do now with your Life Align business?
00:36:50
Speaker
Yeah. So I have the Life Align business mastermind. And so that is an incredible space for women in business to come and get support because I know that we so much need that. And I think when you're running a business, it can feel like a bit of an isolating journey at times. and So often, you know, if you're running a business, you might feel alone in that because no one else in your inner world, the people that you're around, your family, friends are also running businesses.
00:37:19
Speaker
And so it can feel really lonely because you don't have anyone else to talk to. You don't have anyone else to share those experiences and those struggles and challenges with. And so it's I've created a community space where we come together and you can lean on that community. You can get the support that you need, not just from me as the coach that's facilitating, but also for the other incredible women in there as well. And I just, I love my mastermind so much because the the women that are in there are just incredible, doing incredible things. And
00:37:51
Speaker
I just love seeing them support each other and the community that really has built. And so that is my baby. That is the thing that I'm loving most. But also i do work one-on-one with clients as well. So I have some beautiful one-on-one clients at the moment as well.
00:38:06
Speaker
um And obviously the podcast too, because just like you, it's really fun to jump on a mic and and share and do guest their episodes with
Legal Protection and Brand Trademark
00:38:14
Speaker
as well. and And also a way to give back and help others in a different capacity too. Yeah.
00:38:19
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. And it's when you were just talking about it, then I could see your whole face lighting up when you're talking about your mastermind. ah You just got this like, this glow of happiness about you.
00:38:29
Speaker
It's so funny because I feel like our babies are often our babies. Our businesses are often like our babies. And so we just, we have this like warmth and love for our business and in particular our clients as well. And, you know, we've both touched on the fact that we're heart-led business owners.
00:38:48
Speaker
We really are out here just wanting to help others. And, yeah, so it's easy to light up and and feel happy when you talk about it. Yeah, and it's so, like I said, it's so lovely to see that as well. And, you know, and you can see that that's what you're wanting to do. You're wanting to help those and you're like a proud mom. You're like they're out there doing amazing things.
00:39:09
Speaker
I can see you getting all excited about it.
00:39:13
Speaker
um So you have actually trademarked this. I love that you've trademarked it What made you decide to do that? Well, there's actually a bit of a story behind that. So I had ah an experience, I've actually had two now, where I had a client come into my world, work with me, learn all the things, and then they went off and started their own business and mimicked pretty much everything of mine.
00:39:41
Speaker
And I'm talking copy paste website. I'm, you know, very, very similar. And so when i I transitioned from working purely with mums in business to expanding to women in business,
00:39:57
Speaker
I then had to rebrand my podcast because my podcast originally was the Mum Boss podcast. And so in this experience, and because all this actually was transitioning and and happening at the same time, i thought, you know what, I really need to protect myself more because, you know, unfortunately we live in a world where this can
Collaboration Over Competition
00:40:19
Speaker
actually happen. If you don't have any kind of legal protection,
00:40:23
Speaker
any kind of copywriting or trademarking, really anyone can come and take anything and copy and paste it as their own. Which is not cool, by the way. Yeah. Don't do that. No. Well, the people that would listen to this podcast are not the kind of people. So we're good here.
00:40:39
Speaker
But I thought, you know what? I need to protect myself. So when I came across Life Aligned Business, I checked everywhere that no one else was using it. No one else had it.
00:40:50
Speaker
Thankfully they didn't, but I also thought this is definitely for me. yeah So I went and trademarked it. so It felt like a big girl kind of move because I'm like, oh, I have a trademark.
00:41:01
Speaker
I love it. I do have a trademark and it's just that layer of protection. And i mean, also too, though, it is quite nice to be able to put the little TM there and know that yeah it's really mine. It feels a bit more legit now. Yes.
00:41:15
Speaker
I was like, oh no, enjoy it. Yeah. Yeah. That's so good. Not so good about what happened that led you to that point, but again, everything happens for a reason. So look, it's all as much as I wouldn't want that, wish that upon anyone else, because that was quite a lot to endure. But I'm also like, we do, we do learn from our experiences. We do learn through even the negative things that we have to go through and navigate.
00:41:39
Speaker
There's still, there's still a golden nugget of something we can learn and take that from that. And I have learned a lot and, you know, there was a lot that come from that. That's actually been really good. So as much as I don't want to ever experience that again, yeah I'm still grateful for that past experience.
00:41:56
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. And I love that you can, yeah, see that and take the wisdom from it. 10 now. but Yes. Probably during the time there was a lot more tears and cursing at the world, I'm sure.
00:42:07
Speaker
Yes. I definitely went through my reactive stage through that, but i have I have now gone through that process. I'm come out the other side. ah
00:42:17
Speaker
That is good to know. Like I said, I can only imagine how hard that is, but yes. And I love that. Yeah. You kind of, you've did that little pivot and you um rebranded the podcast and all the rest of it. So it's kind of, yeah, you're still helping people. Just you're, you're helping more women now, not just the the focusing on the moms. And I love that too, because yeah, there's a ah lot of amazing women out there doing lots of amazing things. And it's good to see that we're able to support and lift each other up that way.
00:42:46
Speaker
which is really good. So yes, I think we should always focus on that. Not copying, but community and collaboration, everyone.
Final Advice and Social Media Connections
00:42:55
Speaker
That's what we want to focus you on.
00:42:58
Speaker
So we're probably going to have to wrap it up because I think we've been chatting for a little while, but I did want to ask um one thing which I do ask the guests that come on. And if it's if you could leave the listeners with one piece of advice, what would that be?
00:43:11
Speaker
oh I think my biggest piece of advice would actually be just to trust yourself, just to trust yourself in in the decisions that you're making, in the things that you're wanting to do, in the goals and the dreams that you're wanting to chase after.
00:43:28
Speaker
Know that you have everything within you already to accomplish all of the things that you're wanting to accomplish. And if you've ever got something on your heart or this this vision for yourself that you're wanting to achieve and it feels so big right now, it was put on your heart for a reason and it is yours to chase and you just need to back yourself and trust your intuition and those nudges, listen to them and follow them all the way because we as women, we're capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.
00:43:59
Speaker
Yeah, I love that. I love it so much. And you're absolutely right. We are so much more capable than what we realize. And I think we let our doubts and our niggles and that itll inner voice sometimes take over a bit too much. Whereas, yeah, if we just trust ourselves, we, yeah, we've seen it.
00:44:14
Speaker
We've seen people achieve great things with it. So Renee, where can we find you? So my favorite place to hang out is Instagram. I do love the gram. You'll find me at Renee.oneal or at Life Aligned Business.
00:44:29
Speaker
um So come and find me over there. Chat to me. Let me know that you've listened to the episode. I'm i'm always down for a conversation. I do love to chat. It's why I started my podcast. but um So yeah, jump in my DMs and say hello.
00:44:42
Speaker
Yeah, awesome. Oh, and thank you so much for coming on, Renee. It's been really good to chat to you and just to, yeah. As I say, I always could probably talk so much longer everyone that jumps on with me, but I'm very aware of time. um So thank you so much. And yeah, like I said, if you want to follow Renee, make sure you jump on Instagram, follow her. She's very down to earth, beautiful. And you also get your um little car pic on the Sunday, which is always fun to do. ah all right. Thank you so much, Renee.
00:45:09
Speaker
Thanks, Vic.