Leading Lady Podcast | Coaching and Accountability for Ambitious Women Entrepreneurs

Is the way you measure ROI actually costing you growth, clarity, and better opportunities?  In this episode, I challenge the traditional, dollar-only definition of return on investment and invite you to rethink how you evaluate networking spaces, communities, and business ecosystems. I break down the five dimensions of ROI and explain why focusing solely on immediate financial returns can lead you to miss the bigger picture. We'll talk about direct vs. indirect revenue, unrealistic expectations, and the importance of having systems in place to track where opportunities and referrals are really coming from. Topics covered in this episode include: Why immediate financial ROI can be a misleading metric The hidden returns most business owners fail to track How trust quietly outperforms large contact lists Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Book a Call: https://leadinglady-coaching.com/schedule/  Email AliceAnne at: aliceanne@leadinglady-coaching.com  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

What habits and behaviors do you want to keep, stop, and start this year?    You're going to hear a lot of advice online about how to make this your "best year yet." Every year in January we get flooded with it. I want to encourage you to analyze the information being presented to you and make sure it aligns with you before you decide to implement it in your life. You don't have to do everything that everyone says.    Topics covered in this episode include:   Discerning what online advice does and does not align with you  What habits you want to keep, stop, and start in your life Questions to ask yourself about information being presented to you  How to find systems, processes, and tools that you will actually use    Join me in this episode to explore how to decide what you want to invite into your life this year.  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:    Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

What does it mean to say you are either winning or learning? When we have challenges or setbacks, it's easy to let our thoughts become very negative and judgmental about the situation. However, we don't have to allow those thoughts.  In order to be our best selves, we should be working toward a growth mindset. In this episode, we chat about what that means, how you can recognize your current mindset, and how to intentionally choose your thoughts.   I hope after listening to this Fan Favorite Replay episode, you are better equipped with questions to ask yourself to shift your perspective about a circumstance in your life.  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Resources Mentioned:  Visit our website to learn more about Leading Ladies www.leadinglady-coaching.com  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

In this fan favorite replay episode, I'm discussing when I launched a new product in my coaching business. It was exciting and yet a little nerve-wracking to put myself out there by doing something new. After the launch, I began to get feedback about a typo found in one of my new product emails. It wasn't a big deal, but it did make me stop to think.    It caused me to reflect on how we interact with one another. We often point out mistakes to others because we want to be helpful, but is it really helpful or not?    This experience gave me an opportunity to think about how I respond to others, the feedback I give, and whether my intention is to empower women. I hope this episode gives you the same opportunity for reflection.   Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Resources Mentioned:  Visit our website to learn more about Leading Ladies www.leadinglady-coaching.com  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/  

We all experience struggles and trials. Despite the struggles, it is possible to find ways to celebrate every day.    In this episode, I share ways that I am choosing to celebrate even though this has been a difficult year for our society, my life, and my business.    In Today's Episode We Discuss:    Why the extraordinary is in the ordinary How to feel gratitude daily despite life's challenges How every day can feel special  What a gratitude inventory can do to shift your perspective   My hope in sharing the small and simple ways that I am celebrating each day is to help you see the things in your life that are worthy of notice. We all have things that we can be grateful for, so I hope you can choose to focus on those things more often in order to feel more joy.    I would love to know how you celebrate the little things?  Do you take time each day for gratitude?  Don't forget to share what you are thankful for right now.  DM me on Instagram @leading_lady_coach and share with me how you are celebrating!  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there!   Let's connect on Facebook and  Instagram!

I'm sharing a personal story about my little lemon tree and how it has helped me keep a growth mindset. Often, growth is internal and can't be easily measured. However, it still has great value.   Listen in for a loving reminder, especially during difficult seasons of life, that growth is not always linear. I hope after tuning in, you will be able to spot the situations in your life where you are actually experiencing growth that may not be easily seen. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there!   Let's connect on Facebook and  Instagram!

I once came upon a beautiful quote by Marianne Williamson. It said, "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to realize how good things really are."  What does it mean to have joy in your life? It is so easy to confuse joy and happiness as the same thing, but are they? Recently, I spent some time coaching a client on how to bring more joy into the everyday activities of her life. This is one of my favorite topics to coach on since I strive to live my life with the intent of having joy - extreme happiness, fulfillment, and savoring moments of bliss.  Listen in as I discuss easy ways to find joy in the everyday tasks where you spend your time so that you can feel greater satisfaction in your daily life.    In Today's Episode We Discuss:  How to replenish energy and find more joy in your day The difference between happiness and joy  Questions to ask yourself to determine what brings you joy  My favorite Marianne Williamson quote about joy  How to bring joy into the little moments of your day A grounding exercise to foster feelings of joy  I hope that by spending a few minutes listening to this episode, you will feel inspired to bring more joy into the day to day activities of your life. It is truly the secret to feeling fulfilled and satisfied with your life - no matter the circumstances. 

What happens behind the scenes when three interns step into the heart of the Leading Lady ecosystem? In this episode, I sit down with Katherine, Madison, and Molly as they wrap up their four-month internship and share what they learned, what challenged them, and what surprised them most. From planning major events to navigating communication, community, and confidence-building, this conversation offers an honest, uplifting look at leadership through their eyes. Topics covered in this episode include: The unexpected lessons interns discover inside a women-centered community How real responsibilities build confidence and clarity What healthy work environments actually look and feel like The surprising skills that matter most in leadership and collaboration Tune in for a warm, candid reflection on growth, teamwork, and the power of supportive female spaces. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Visit our website to learn more about Leading Ladies www.leadinglady-coaching.com  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

What happens when the person who creates all the holiday magic realizes she's running on empty? In this episode, I'm getting honest about a moment when I completely unraveled over something as simple as a Christmas tree—and why that moment revealed so much more beneath the surface. I share the invisible emotional labor so many high-achieving women carry this time of year, how "good enough" never feels like enough, and why holiday cheer can so easily hide burnout, resentment, and exhaustion. I'm also breaking down the shift from being the holiday magician—the one who makes everything sparkle—to becoming the holiday architect who designs the season with intention, boundaries, and shared responsibility. From identifying your real non-negotiable magic to releasing the things you've outgrown, this episode is a grounded, compassionate look at reclaiming joy during a season that often asks for more than it gives. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

In today's episode, I am going to walk you through the 3 questions you should ask yourself daily if you want to feel focused and in control of your time.  I love waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee in silence before the rest of my house gets up for the day.  This quiet time allows me to sit with myself and think about my core values.  I think about my priorities, plan out my day, and get in the right frame of mind so I can move throughout my day with purpose and intention.  I developed these questions for myself and now use them as one of the first exercises I do with my coaching clients.  These questions lead them to feel more focused and in control of their time. For many people, including myself, to-do lists can often feel daunting and heavy.  I have actually gotten away from using a to-do list and now spend my energy on my top priorities that will move my business and life forward.  How do you spend your morning?  I encourage you to start using these questions as you start your day.   Reach out to me on Instagram and share your answers with me and I will share mine! I love hearing from you!  Full show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast

It's the time of year when so many of us are doing a lot of retail shopping. I know that with the crazy year we've all had, it feels so simple just to order everything online and call it a day. However, I'm here with a short episode to remind us why it's important to support the small business owners in your community.  I have so many business owners in my Leading Ladies Facebook community, and I am a small business owner myself. Support from our local community is truly the lifeblood of our business.  I am excited to share the many ways you can support local business owners in this episode.  I hope this quick episode serves as a reminder for all of us to shop small wherever possible. Find ways to support your friends and neighbors in business in whatever way you are able.  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there!   Let's connect on Facebook and  Instagram!

What are you doing to build and lead your online community? How do you nurture your audience and sustain positive engagement without coming off salesy?  I have been asked these questions by others looking to build a thriving Facebook community.  They are interested in finding out how I have grown my group and kept it relevant month after month.  They wonder how I come up with content that keeps the community engaged.  My biggest secret….. Showing up as myself.  I nurture these relationships just like I would if I were meeting someone in real life, face to face. I created my Facebook group, Leading Ladies with AliceAnne Loftus, and in just two years, we've grown to over 4,500 members.  This community is filled with women leaders from all walks of life who encourage and empower each other.  In this episode, I'm revealing six strategies to put into practice to enhance the overall social-emotional health of your community.  I hope this episode inspires you to create a community filled with the leading ladies (or men) you are here to lead.  If you haven't joined the Leading Ladies Facebook group make sure to check it out!  For the full show notes visit www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast

What if the expertise you already have is more than enough to scale your business? In this episode, I sit down with course and membership strategist Jen Howat to talk about the shift from simply sharing information to creating real transformation for our clients. We explore why so many high-achieving women overcomplicate their offers — trying to reinvent the wheel or pack in everything they know — when the truth is, the expertise we already have is powerful, proven, and capable of serving more people than we ever imagined. We dig into how clarity, simplicity, and intentional design help your audience actually move forward — without overwhelm. Jen also breaks down why perfectionism is a silent growth-killer — and how "doing it messy" is the only way to gain clarity, improve your programs, and create the bigger impact you're meant to have. If you've ever questioned whether you're ready to scale, this conversation will have you rethinking how you package your brilliance, how you support transformation, and what's possible when you finally go for it. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Download Jen's Free Guide: https://www.jenhowat.com/ready-to-scale Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

What does it really take to create a cohesive, memorable brand experience at a live event? In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow Leading Lady Ambassador, Jennifer Osterhouse, to pull back the curtain on everything that went into creating the stunning marketing materials for our recent We Lead conference. Jennifer is a graphic designer with over 25 years of experience, and she's the creative genius behind all of the Leading Lady's marketing assets. You'll hear about the strategy sessions, timeline, and thoughtful planning that went into every single piece, plus why certain design choices (like those Leading Lady bags people spot in the wild!) make all the difference in how your business is perceived and remembered. This conversation isn't just about an event—it's about the bigger picture of how you show up for your business. Jennifer and I discuss the importance of investing in quality swag that people actually want to use, creating evergreen marketing pieces that serve you again and again, and why planning your marketing assets months in advance will save your sanity. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Schedule a Call with Jenn: https://jenniferosterhousegraphicdesign.as.me/schedule/afdde3fd Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

One of the most enriching experiences of life is creating strong relationships with the people that are important to us. That is why relationships are such a large focus of my work with many of my coaching clients.  One fascinating tool that we often use for strengthening relationships is in regards to a person's response style.    Tune in to learn what response style is, the types that people fall into, and which type is the most beneficial to strengthen YOUR relationship.  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there!   Let's connect on Facebook and  Instagram!

What truly makes a community thrive and last? In this episode, I'm diving into the heart of what it takes to build something that goes beyond connection and turns into legacy. I'll share how vision, collaboration, and belonging have shaped every step of my journey—from launching Leading Lady Coaching and The Annapolis Collective to creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. Whether you're leading a business, a team, or a movement, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on your own vision and the impact you're creating through your community. As I unpack how collaboration transforms isolation into innovation, you'll hear real examples of partnerships that deepened trust, expanded networks, and sparked lasting change. Together, we'll explore how community evolves—from connection to collaboration to collective impact—and why belonging is the thread that holds it all together. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Join Our Online Community: https://leading-lady.mykajabi.com/offers/DzjLaMb8/checkout Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

Have you ever thought about how something as simple as buying flowers or adding color to your day could actually improve your leadership and wellbeing? In this episode, I'm diving into The Science of Whimsy — the intentional art of adding surprise, beauty, and delight into your daily life. I share a personal story about how a spontaneous bouquet of fall flowers shifted my entire mindset, and explore the real neuroscience behind why these small acts of joy matter. Join me as we uncover how whimsy isn't frivolous — it's a powerful leadership tool that regulates your nervous system, sparks creativity, and helps you lead with light instead of pressure. You'll hear how to intentionally weave moments of play and beauty into your work and life, and why doing so can boost productivity, collaboration, and overall happiness. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

Have you ever wondered what lessons you'd go back and teach your younger self in business? In this episode, I'm sharing ten truths I wish I had known earlier in my entrepreneurial journey and insights learned through both wins and hard lessons over the past 20+ years. From navigating criticism and burnout to building systems, setting boundaries, and separating your identity from your business, these are the real strategies and mindset shifts that keep you growing and thriving. As I reflect on the journey, I invite you to consider which of these lessons resonate most with you. My hope is that by sharing what I've learned the hard way, you'll be able to skip some of the struggle and step into your success with more clarity, resilience, and confidence. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Join The Hub: https://leading-lady.mykajabi.com/the-leading-lady-business-hub?_gl=1*1s4a4xr*_ga*MjU0MDQzMTcyLjE3NTA3NjgxOTQ.*_ga_SNX3LH5T78*czE3NTM0NzE4NzEkbzY5JGcxJHQxNzUzNDcxODgwJGo1MSRsMCRoMA..  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

Have you ever noticed how the more you grow, the more criticism you seem to attract? In this episode of the Leading Lady Podcast, I dive into the connection between growth and criticism—why it happens, how it impacts us as leaders, and what we can do to navigate it with resilience and confidence. I open up about my own experiences as a business owner, from handling personal attacks and misconceptions to reframing criticism into opportunities for growth. We'll explore the emotional sting of criticism, why it often comes from unexpected places, and how to build healthy boundaries while still staying open to meaningful feedback. If you've ever felt like judgment or fear of being misunderstood has kept you from stepping fully into your potential, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone—and that growth and criticism are often two sides of the same coin. Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Join the Hub: https://leading-lady.mykajabi.com/the-leading-lady-business-hub?_gl=1*1s4a4xr*_ga*MjU0MDQzMTcyLjE3NTA3NjgxOTQ.*_ga_SNX3LH5T78*czE3NTM0NzE4NzEkbzY5JGcxJHQxNzUzNDcxODgwJGo1MSRsMCRoMA.. Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

I have been in business for a long time now. One thing that I learned early on in my business journey is the importance of having a professional help you with your accounting and taxes.    There are so many things that we have to handle and worry about as entrepreneurs. If there is one thing that is important enough to outsource and get help, this is it.    In this episode, I am chatting with my dear friend Jaime Thompson about the importance of getting help with your business accounting.    Jaime Thompson is one of Nicholynn Advisors owners, a full-service accounting firm whose focus is on being the trusted business advisor for small businesses and nonprofits. Jaime's experience working first in a CPA firm and then later as the accountant for a private company gave her unique insight into both sides of the accounting partnership. Jaime is a Lifetime Girl Scout, a role that taught her service above self and always to leave things better than when you found them, both of which Jaime applies to her relationship with her clients. When she's not working, Jaime enjoys hiking, boating, and spending time with her family, and as a true Marylander, she loves eating crab!   If there is one thing that you outsource, I encourage you to consider your business accounting. The peace of mind you will have in knowing that your finances are handled properly is well worth the cost.    Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there!   Let's connect on Facebook and  Instagram!