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Episode 26: Re-Introducing Mommas Who Lead: Purpose, Mental Health, and a Fresh Start
32 Plays7 months ago
After a brief pause to take a much-needed mental health break, Mommas Who Lead is back with fresh vision, renewed energy, and powerful new pillars to guide every conversation.
In this re-introduction episode, host Laura Caroffino shares openly about why she stepped away for a month, how she reconnected with her purpose, and what listeners can expect moving forward.
You’ll hear:
- Why mental health breaks are not a setback, but a sign of strength
- The heart and mission behind Mommas Who Lead
- An introduction to the three new pillars guiding this season:
Mindset & Mental Health
Leadership & Legacy
Business & Purpose
This episode is for every momma and woman leader who has ever needed a reset, a reminder of her “why,” and the encouragement to keep showing up even when the journey feels heavy.
✨ Welcome to a new season of Mommas Who Lead — filled with courage, clarity, and community.
Connect further at www.lauracaroffino.com.
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Transcript
Introduction and Purpose of Mamas Who Lead
00:00:00
Speaker
Okay. Welcome back to Mamas Who Lead, the podcast where we believe women are made for more, created for impact, and called to lead boldly in every season of life.
00:00:10
Speaker
I'm your host, Laura Carafino. And if you've been here for a while, first of all, thank you Thank you. Thank you for listening. i know, and I know it's been a little minute,
00:00:21
Speaker
Um, and kind of quiet around here for the past month, month and a half, um, or sporadic, I should say. and I want to start today by being real with you about why, you know, the truth is i kind of, I just had to step back.
00:00:38
Speaker
Um, I had to take a mental health break. You know, there was a lot of, a lot of pressure. on me um for a multitude of reasons and um some personal, some professional.
00:00:52
Speaker
And, um you know, I, when I started this, i i wanted to promise to really just be authentic and And part of that is being honest when life feels heavy, when it's messy.
00:01:09
Speaker
And, you know, sometimes you just, I needed to take the time to breathe, to reset and to remember, remember why I'm doing what I'm doing. Why, why started this podcast in the first place.
00:01:20
Speaker
And As I was going, you know, the reminder kind of came quickly to me and clearly. And I'm here because I believe in the power of women's voices. I believe in your story. I believe in that ripple effect that happens when a mom, a leader, a dreamer,
00:01:40
Speaker
They decide to rise and live on purpose. And when you find that magic, that passion, and it just lights you up and helping others see that, that gives me life. And so today i am reintroducing myself, not because I've forgotten who I am, but because sometimes it's powerful to pause, to come back with clarity and to declare again, what we're
Laura's Background and Career Shift
00:02:07
Speaker
about.
00:02:07
Speaker
Okay. So for anyone you hear let me quickly share my background with you. I'm a mom of five, military spouse, a coach, and the creator behind this movement called Mamas Who Lead.
00:02:21
Speaker
yeah I've spent the past 19 years in network marketing. i rose to the top 0.1% in network marketing, multi- seven figure earner network marketing.
00:02:37
Speaker
Prior to that, I worked 10 years in government contracting with some high level military and political leaders. And along the way, I've learned that leadership isn't just about titles or positions or you know, chasing that, that shiny object, that next rank, that next goal, it's about impact. and you know, I heard today, um, and it really resonated with me is that the opposite of depression is not happiness.
00:03:13
Speaker
It is purpose.
00:03:17
Speaker
Purpose. The opposite of depression is purpose. When people are depressed, you feel like you don't have a purpose. And that was exactly how I've been. I, you know, if you've been following me for a minute, I resigned from ah company. um I loved the network marketing. i was multi seven figure earner.
00:03:37
Speaker
And I was still making close to six figures a month when I resigned. And I resigned for personal reasons and to even um launch this because um with that company or with a lot of companies, if you are um an employee or um even a contractor, independent contractor, there's certain things you have to um you're obligated to follow. And with this particular company, I could not do anything outside. Like I could not launch this podcast. i
00:04:12
Speaker
This was something I wanted to do. I wanted to go into coaching. And that was one of the things I was not um at the time, um was not permitted. And I kind of saw the trajectory where the company was going. And eventually I knew they were going to go to affiliate. And that's what is happening with a lot of companies. And when I tell you this,
00:04:32
Speaker
Um, when a company goes affiliate, it is usually the company is not necessarily, um was on the down track.
00:04:44
Speaker
It was, they're making decisions as best for them and not necessarily, um, the growth of the
Network Marketing Insights and Challenges
00:04:52
Speaker
company. Cause I feel whenever company goes from a network marketing business model, multi-level marketing, however you want to word it model to an affiliate market, they're usually going to close their doors very shortly after, um, within a few years, they're not going to last because,
00:05:10
Speaker
As most of us know, network marketing, word of mouth referral, and your, as a company, are rewarding those affiliates or those independent contractors for building sales organization. That is that multi-level marketing piece.
00:05:27
Speaker
Um, They do so much better. That's how they grow because you're you're in um you're rewarding that sales growth. Now, if you switch into affiliate market, they have other...
00:05:41
Speaker
other you know, really reasoning to build depth in a sales organization other than that one-off sale.
00:05:52
Speaker
And so that's where these companies are really, you know, losing the mark. And a lot of people that may be anti-MLM doesn't really understand what how powerful this business model is and what it can do. I still believe in the business model.
00:06:07
Speaker
absolutely love it. And you know I hope to find you know a company maybe in the future that I really align with and can um build in the field again, because it was very powerful, because it created a community that I needed at a time that I was um really lacking community, being a military spouse, you move often. And um our community is really small.
00:06:31
Speaker
And i do get to know um to other families and military families really well within our circle. And which is a huge blessing. However, when you do move, you have to start over. You have to build your network over again.
00:06:46
Speaker
And whenever I was in network marketing, I built this community online unlike any other. And at the height of my organization had 120,000. And yeah. um and The women I've met and and men all over the world is pretty incredible.
00:07:05
Speaker
And when I started, i didn't know anything about sales. I didn't know anything marketing. I came from a kind government contracting background, Department of Defense. And um it was, i worked with a lot of men.
00:07:19
Speaker
and And so um ever thinking I was going to go into a sales role was really, I would have told you no. There would have been like, there's no way I'm going to be in sales. Like, you know, I'm very comfortable with working who with who I am, with who where I'm at. And I kind of see a future in the government contracting.
00:07:38
Speaker
And um I really love that. But because of our move, I was forced to find something else. And network or marketing, multi level marketing was that vehicle for me that really helped me and shaped me.
00:07:54
Speaker
so i um kind of lost where I was going with it, but hey, you know what? we're We're just kind of flying at the cusp here, um reintroducing you guys to me, my story. And um you know my bit you know when I heard that message today that the opposite of depression isn't happiness, it is purpose.
00:08:18
Speaker
And that just, that resonated so deeply with me because when I left government contracting, And i was a stay at home mom because my career did not transfer, even though we were, you know, we're about 45 minutes from the base. My husband had about a 45 minute commute to base. And um that's where a lot of my type of positions were.
00:08:41
Speaker
And even though there was other avenues and other opportunities locally that it could applied for um I ran into this And it was crazy. i went from landing every interview, getting a job offer with every interview I had ever done.
00:08:59
Speaker
And I share a little bit about my story, how one time i in a span of three months, went on 39 different interviews and did not receive a single job offer. And that was mind blowing to me because that had never happened.
00:09:13
Speaker
And it was humbling experience. And what I kept receiving the feedback was I'm overqualified. i will be bored in this position. And, um, you know, or, and some of them was, well, we really want somebody that's going to be here long-term and not move in two years.
00:09:32
Speaker
And, and they boarded it better. So they wouldn't get, a, a what is the word I'm looking for here? The, um, or I wasn't being, um like pointed out and um disqualified because I was a military spouse, because that's obviously against the law. But in a roundabout way, that's what they were saying, you know, they wanted somebody that was going
Empowering Women Through Network Marketing
00:10:00
Speaker
to be here long term. And so i get that. And, but that's where I was struggling. And then I'm like, you know, I felt like I was made for more I was made to help
00:10:12
Speaker
people and i didn't really know how to go about it and so network marketing came into my life and at first it was direct sales party plan was with a jewelry company and we did the parties at the home and that's how i met my neighbors i literally went door to door introducing myself to people you know i moved 3 000 miles away from my friends and family knew no one didn't even know anyone out of my husband's squadron yet And I wanted to meet my neighbors. And so I had a party and I invited them over and that's how I got started.
00:10:47
Speaker
It was so much fun at the time and it really got me out of my shell and it was something that was for me. And we started making a little bit of money here and there.
00:10:58
Speaker
Um, you know, I covered enough, a car payment date nights. Um, my children wanted to do sports. And so I put, I was able to afford their sports and, It was huge for me because I went from making six figures to nothing and my husband only relying on my husband's income.
00:11:16
Speaker
And that was challenging at the time. And we had three small kids. um And so I was able to be there for them and present for them. And I'm like, this is so much fun.
00:11:27
Speaker
Maybe this is what I meant to do. And maybe, you know, government contracting isn't for me. And so, um you know, I started diving into this in that path and learning more about sales, more learning more about marketing.
00:11:41
Speaker
And I did a lot wrong for sure. And we're going to talk a lot about my growth in sales and business and marketing um throughout this podcast. And I'll share my tips ah with you along the way and my mindset and how to adapt and, um, you know, how we care for ourselves and when we're in this journey and how to also manage your family and the kids and, um, all of the, all of the things, because sometimes it can be overwhelming. And believe me, I have learned, I have failed forward, if you will.
00:12:17
Speaker
And, um, and I want that for you. I want you to be able to learn from my mistakes and, um, be able to start off better and um, You know, this is where, you know, I, you know, when I first started going into this, but I before right before I joined direct sales company, um i was I got into depression because I went from very, very successful.
00:12:43
Speaker
woman and not that being home with my children. i don't want to discount that. i We were incredibly blessed that I could stay home. um I really didn't have a choice because I did try to apply for jobs. It just so wasn't getting anything.
00:12:57
Speaker
Or if I did get something, it was a two hour commute one way down into San Diego. um, at, um, you know, a couple of government agencies there. And I just, we couldn't make that work. And, um, just with childcare arrangements. And then i also didn't want someone else to raise my children. Um, I did briefly have a couple of contracts working on the base close to where my husband worked, um, with some high profile military leaders. And, um, and we had a nanny for a short time, about a year or so. And, um,
00:13:32
Speaker
we were just like, okay, when that contract ended, I was like, all right, now what do I do? i want to make an impact. What can I do? And that's how that network marketing company came into the picture.
00:13:44
Speaker
And when I was doing this, I'm like, wow, this would help so many women that may feeling like I do feeling like they've
Vision and Future Topics of Mamas Who Lead
00:13:52
Speaker
lost their purpose because that's kind of how I felt. Like I always felt I was meant to make an impact and i supposed to help people. And this is my, one of my God giving gifts. And you know, I, you know, I'm praying like, God, what is it? What am I supposed to do? And, um, when this came along, I built a team and helped women, you know, find and, um, you know, set goals for themselves that, you know, help them achieve whatever they wanted for them, whether it was to put their kid through extracurricular activities, um, enough money to put groceries on the tables for the week or, um date nights that they may not have been ah experiencing,
00:14:33
Speaker
Um, prior to joining the company that I was with, um, or, you know, helping them find a way and a solution, find their voice, find their confidence. I'd helped women, um, build their confidence and speak on stages, something they never even pictured for themselves.
00:14:49
Speaker
Um, and building lifelong friendships. It was such an incredible experience and it helped me find, what I want to do how I want to make an impact. And that's how, you know, once I, you know, saw this vision that God was giving me of this podcast, you know, and I came to a couple of years ago, this name, Mom is Who Lead came to me.
00:15:12
Speaker
And, um you know, this is, what I wanted to do to make an impact. It's, you know, about showing up even when it's messy. Hello, it's been messy for the last few years for me.
00:15:24
Speaker
um It's been inconvenient. And, you know, I even started showing up when no one else is clapping yet. And maybe, you know, yes, I have an audience from years, 19 years of network marketing. I'm going to have an audience. I'm going to have a network.
00:15:38
Speaker
um And it doesn't happen overnight. And it took a lot of no's. It took a lot of, um you know, people... not clapping people, even laughing at my ideas and stuff. And that's okay. That's, you know, you are, you are meant for more, you're meant for impact and you have a vision and you have a purpose. And this podcast was born out of a vision to create a space where women can hear real stories, gain practical strategies, and be reminded that you're not alone. And so welcome to Mamas Who Lead podcast.
00:16:16
Speaker
you know And going forward, i will be diving into some brand new pillars that we're going to talk about um to kind of guide to every episode. I'm going to talk about mindset and mental health. We definitely need that, especially in our um industry, because we can...
00:16:32
Speaker
So lose ourselves in our business. And we need to also learn how to care for ourselves and um how we care for ourselves also determines how we lead. So I'm also going to talk about leadership and legacy because leadership isn't just about a position. It's about influence. And I don't mean...
00:16:50
Speaker
the you know the the next like Kim Kardashian or anything like that. um Not that you can't be that. Yes, you can. and Anything is possible. But this is about the ripple effect that you leave behind.
00:17:04
Speaker
um Your purpose, your impact, and finding your niche that wants to hear from you, you're super fans, and developing them in that community and making your impact.
00:17:20
Speaker
And then the the third one I'm going to talk about a lot is business and purpose. And because when women align their work their work with their calling, um they don't just build income.
00:17:33
Speaker
You're going to build lasting impact. Okay. So every episode is going to connect back to these and whether I'm sharing my own stories, bringing on a guest, to which I do have a lot of guest interviews or giving you just practical tools that you can implement right away. That's what this is going to be about. so Consider this a fresh start, a reset. And if you've been listening
Engagement and Closing Remarks
00:17:56
Speaker
from the beginning, just thank you so much for walking this journey with me.
00:18:00
Speaker
If you're new here, welcome to the community. My hope is that every time you press play, you will walk away, not just inspired, but activated. And because here's the truth, your voice matters.
00:18:13
Speaker
Your story matters. And before you start thinking that you don't have one, trust me, we all have a story. We are all uniquely gifted and uniquely made. Just like our fingerprints are all unique. Our stories are all unique.
00:18:30
Speaker
And the world needs your story. And this world is waiting on that, on that only story that you can bring.
00:18:41
Speaker
Your story is somebody is waiting on you. Somebody is waiting on your story to help them get through what they're going through. So what are you waiting on? And before I wrap up today's episode, I want to ask you a question.
00:18:56
Speaker
What's one area in your life where you've been waiting on permission to lead?
00:19:02
Speaker
I want you to think about it, write it down and maybe even send me a message because I would definitely love to hear your reflections. Find me on Facebook. um Send me a message. i would love to, or ah you know, hear what you have to say or find me on Instagram.
00:19:19
Speaker
And if today's reintroduction resonated with you at all, would you take 30 seconds, please, to share this podcast with a friend or leave a review?
00:19:30
Speaker
That's how we're gonna grow this movement together. You know, I am so grateful to be back behind this mic with you. Here's to a new season of Mama Sue Lead filled with courage, to clarity, and purpose.
00:19:42
Speaker
And until next time, keep leading, and keep growing, and keep believing in what's possible. And if you found today's episode up full of value and you want to learn more, go to lauracarafino.com to learn more about working with me or schedule a time that we can chat and talk about coaching,
00:20:02
Speaker
and or um get to be a guest on this podcast. Until next time.
00:20:10
Speaker
You've been listening to Mamas Who Lead with Laura Carafino. Thank you for joining us on this journey today. Each episode, each story, and every piece of advice we share is a step towards building a community of empowered, resilient, and inspiring people.
00:20:26
Speaker
Mama leaders, just like you. Remember leadership isn't just about the title or the workplace. It's about how we navigate our lives, uplift those around us and pave the way for future generations.
00:20:39
Speaker
As we close today's episode, I encourage you to carry forward the insights and inspiration you've gained, apply them to your life, share them with your tribe and continue to lead with heart and purpose.
00:20:50
Speaker
For more empowering stories, strategies, and support, make sure you subscribe to Mamas Who Lead on your favorite podcast platform. And don't forget to follow us on social media for behind the scenes content, community discussions, and much more.
00:21:05
Speaker
Until we meet again, keep embracing your unique journey of leadership and motherhood. You are capable, you are powerful, and you are exactly where you're meant to be.
00:21:16
Speaker
Lead on Mamas.