Live and Earn

Sicily South founder and CEO, Sarah Cate Patten, shares her experience starting and growing a travel business and working with her Sicilian husband. If you close your ears when you hear the words “group tour”, Sarah Cate’s business model and passion for Sicily may make you change your mind. Small groups, intimate, personalized experiences, and native guides who love the business they’re building. Helen and Sarah Cate talk about the pros and cons of working with a spouse and investing in your business. What we tackle in this episode: The pros and cons of working with a spouse How small investments can have a big impact Important lessons about customer service How paying attention to the things you love really can help you create the perfect business Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit bit.ly/selfmadeceojoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs

Merel Kriegsman is the founder and CEO of Merel Kriegsman Media. She provides high-end mentorship to women business owners, plus runs a conversion copywriting agency. While Merel is now on the verge of her first 7-figure year (in less than 5 years in business!), her story starts with: being in debt and underpaid, and scrubbing toilets to make ends meet… while 8 months pregnant. Helen and Merel talk about the unique relationship between power and money and why women shouldn’t be afraid to go after both. What we tackle in this episode: Learning how to sell is a rite of passage How essential it is to understand your ‘why’ when it comes to persevering in business The give and take of juggling your personal life while owning a business The benefits of peer mastermind groups Some of the ways women keep themselves small Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/selfmadeceojoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs

Confession time: I’ve never had a tarot card reading before. And quite frankly, I was a little bit skeptical before my friend, Lauren Kelley, offered to do a reading for me.  But I learned so much not only about the technical aspects of tarot itself but also how it can tell us about things ranging from our love lives to our businesses, and more. Lauren is the Founder of Digitarot and does a card reading for me (a tarot newbie) live in this episode. She does a fantastic job of educating us on what tarot is and what it’s meant to reveal. I encourage you to approach this episode with an open mind to see how tarot might be a new way for you to gain clarity in your personal and professional life. Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs. https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Career Coach, Nicole Amos, started The Career Oasis when her friends and colleagues told her she should start charging for the amazing career advice and strategy she was already providing.  A born networker, Nicole started climbing the corporate ladder by finding creative ways to “be in the room” with the people making decisions. When co-workers began to take notice, they came to her asking for advice on how to make the same happen for them. Nicole realized she had a gift for helping people identify their strengths and skills and open themselves up to new possibilities when it comes to career development. But for her, it wasn’t enough to stay in corporate with a comfortable six-figure paycheck. She wanted to truly enjoy the work she was doing.  She went for more and is now enjoying the payoff. What we tackle in this episode: Why thinking outside the box may be the best way to find a new career The important relationship between time and money How figuring out what you don’t want to do may be the quickest way to figure out what you do want to do How letting your career or title define you can keep you stuck Why we shouldn’t be afraid of sales How you can succeed by surrounding yourself with people who are trying to accomplish similar goals Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Founder and CEO of Proximity Partners, Jazmin Addy, started her business as a means to creating a better life for her children and leaving something greater for them than just the basics. With a long-term view of building generational wealth at the forefront of her mind, Jazmin made more money in her first year of business than she earned at her corporate job, a rare feat any seasoned entrepreneur would know. For her, starting a business meant more than just having the freedom to do whatever she wanted with her time and making just enough to pay the bills.  She wanted more and earned it. What we tackle in this episode: The necessary leap of faith to start a new business Why entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone and why it’s okay to work for someone else Why entrepreneurship is about creating for the next generation Why having failure as an option may be more beneficial than trying to avoid it altogether How you have to be picky about what advice you take from others (not all is good)  Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEO? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Serial entrepreneur, Ashley Monee Williams, shares her experience leaving a 6-figure job (right out of college!) to tackle marriage, motherhood, and the uncertainties of being an entrepreneur. Juggling all the things that life as a wife, mother, and business owner brings is enough to make most people’s heads spin. And while she’ll tell you she’s far from having mastered it, Ashley does a phenomenal job at navigating it all gracefully. Through her experience operating The League with her husband Terry, she also shares invaluable relationship advice that will help anyone who runs a business with their spouse.  Join Helen as she interviews one of the business owners she considers to be a “superwoman”. What we tackle in this episode: Staying in your lane when working with a partner Leaving a well-paying corporate job for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship The importance of surrounding yourself with a team of advisors How self-care is so much more than pampering Dealing with imposter syndrome Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEO? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs. https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Funny woman and Co-Founder of video production company, M-O, Loren O’Brien talks with Helen about her first year in business. It’s rare to catch up with someone who’s IN their first year of business, but Loren brings her frankness and stand-up comedian touch to the details of starting M-O with her partner. From returning to Atlanta from London and starting from scratch, to choosing the wrong business name, Loren doesn’t hold back. Join Helen as she talks to Loren about the ups and downs of growing a startup. What we tackle in this episode: Working with a partner (who’s also a significant other) Being selective about who you surround yourself with Not doing work that you don’t want to do or that doesn’t align with your values Avoiding burnout Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Wild Web Woman and CEO of Web Marketing Therapy®, Lorrie Thomas Ross, talks about leadership as an entrepreneur and growing a team. What does “leaving the confines of corporate hell” look like? For many of us who have made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, leadership skills is the last thing on our minds in mastering - especially if you just work for yourself at the beginning. But stepping up to be a leader for yourself is top of mind when Lorrie gives advice to new entrepreneurs. Because of the leadership she demonstrates, she has grown her business into a successful, stable employer over the last 15 years.  Lorrie shares a behind-the-curtain peek at her journey into becoming her own boss. What we tackle in this episode: Becoming an “accidental” entrepreneur The upside of being uncomfortable with being comfortable What an ‘insultant’ is and why you need to watch out for them How the victim mentality can hold you back in your business Developing flexibility and leadership skills as an entrepreneur The values we should all keep in mind as we grow our businesses Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEO? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Own Your Worth™ founder and CEO Ashley Paré talks about the difference between worth and value, and how the way we define them can shape our career path. The thought of negotiating a 5-figure pay raise is enough to make most people’s palms sweat. But it’s what Ashley helps her clients do every day. Women especially tend to struggle with attaching self-worth to the amount of their paycheck without realizing how inherently worthy they already are. Helen and Ashley talk about untangling our attachment to money and letting go of any guilt we might feel over being focused on money. What we tackle in this episode: How sometimes getting a ‘no’ feels better than not asking at all The importance of establishing corporate values and culture The fear surrounding entrepreneurship and how it never really goes away, but changes Why taking care of ourselves first needs to stay a top priority The misconception that focusing on money means you aren’t doing good Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Socialique Groupe founder and Instagram lead-gen expert, Deepshikha Sairam, shares how she got started in her business and the valuable lessons she’s learned about investing wisely. There is so much focus on growing your social media following, but few focus on what happens after you gain new followers. You might have over 10,000, but does that number even matter if no one is buying from you? Deepshikha is helping women business owners put on a different lense to use social media in a whole new way.  Helen and Deepshikha talk about investing in personal development, the desire for more money and why women should stop feeling guilty about it. What we tackle in this episode: The real key to gaining raving fans and repeat customers The freedom in being honest about WHY you started your business Why losing time can sting worse than losing money How you can increase your success by increasing the amount you invest in personal development Outsourcing to maintain sanity (both in business and in your personal life) Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Color expert and Elea Blake Cosmetics owner Darin Wright shares what it can really look like to follow your passion. Few of us realize just how much color affects our surroundings: from the color on the walls of our homes to the colors we put on our hair, skin, and nails. Finding the right colors for your unique chemistry can have a profound effect on everything from home decor to the clothes we buy, but how do you know if a color is right for you? Darin has dedicated years of her life and countless hours to developing a scientifically accurate color matching system called ebhues™. Starting in a rented 2x4 space in a local spa, Darin has grown her company to a custom cosmetics studio and color analysis brand that works with clients worldwide. Join Helen and this 22-year business veteran as they explore what it looks like to fill an industry gap by creating your own business. What we tackle in this episode: The financial reality of building a business and being the boss (hint: sometimes you don’t get to pay yourself for years) The questions Darin asks other aspiring business owners to think about before getting started How to handle burnout when you still have a business to run The surprising costs of not putting your talents to work Important questions to ask yourself when considering a trade with another business owner Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEO? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Eight-figure serial entrepreneur and founder of Peachdish.com, Judith Winfrey, shares the valuable lessons she’s learned from starting five businesses in under 15 years. Most of us don’t think beyond our own personal health and nutrition when it comes to the type of food we buy and where we buy it. But Judith sees the broader effects that choosing to support local farms can have on the economy and the environment. It’s no wonder she’s been able to achieve such longevity and success in business - a rare feat in the food industry. Helen and Judith talk about the unseen sacrifices that entrepreneurs make and how finding success as a Self-Made CEO™ sometimes means letting go of expectations. What we tackle in this episode: The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people How the entrepreneurial journey rarely ends up looking like we imagine it Why delegating can be one of the hardest (but most important) lessons to learn as a business owner Why the best leaders are those who put their own ego aside The stresses that come along with being CEO that most employees never see Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEO™? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs. https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Have you become a “Yes Woman” without even realizing it? You’re saying ‘yes’ to clients who you know are going to bulldoze right through your boundaries. ‘Yes’ to projects that aren’t in alignment with your business goals. ‘Yes’ to PR opportunities that will require hours of your time without much return for your bottomline. I’ve identified two common business scenarios where I’m almost always tempted to say ‘yes’. But the problem with saying ‘yes’ to someone else is that it usually means saying ‘no’ to me. So how do we flex our ‘no’ muscle in a kind way without eliminating all possibilities of collaboration and reciprocity in the future? How do we learn to say ‘no’ to others so we can say ‘yes’ more to ourselves? What we tackle in this episode: Why saying ‘no’ can really be an act of kindness for others and for yourself The importance of practicing saying ‘no’ more often than saying ‘yes’ Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

“What do you do for fun?” This simple question was asked of me by one of my interviewees in a previous episode. And it’s been throwing me for a loop ever since. I fill my life with lots of activity: running, lifting weights, hanging out with my dog, spending time with family and friends. But all of these things are still connected with some sense of responsibility or obligation. Either to others or to myself. But play… play is freeing. It’s active meditation, something that clears your head of all other thoughts, allowing you to be fully present in the moment. In this episode, I explore what play really is, how it’s different from passion, and why you should make time for it.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 24 of the Live & Earn podcast Episode 17 of the Live & Earn podcast   Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

“Don’t take tax advice from your friend. Just because your friend wrote off something doesn’t mean you can too.” – Ronica Brown Have there been times when you paid for something and wondered: “Can I run this through my business?!” Worse yet, your CPA – whom you thought knew what he/she was doing! – told you that you can write off your Gucci handbag as a “uniform?” Certainly, it may apply in some industries, but you may want to get a second opinion on the type of tax advice you’re getting. Ronica Brown, CPA and owner of the Ronica Brown Agency, demystifies what you can and cannot do (legally) as a business owner on your taxes. She schools us on tax mistakes we need to avoid and reminds us that not all CPAs are created equal. Some will cause more harm to your financial bottom-line than good. From deducting Guccis to Porsches, tune in now to hear what other tax missteps you need to avoid. Top 10 Questions answered in this episode: Do you really need to hire a CPA? If so, then when? What red flags should you look for when hiring a CPA? What questions should you ask before hiring one? What business expenses can you write off and how do you avoid red flags for an audit? What happens when you lie to your tax professional? How do you even know your tax professional is doing a good job? When should you review your taxes in the year? What’s the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant, tax filer, and tax planner? Should you hire just one person who can do it all? Can a CPA do the same things as a financial planner or vice versa? Should you hire a CPA before you open a business or when your business starts to actually make money? What are legal tax loopholes you can take advantage of? How can you avoid an audit?   Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Are you a Self-Made CEOTM? Visit http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin  to join the club and network with other women entrepreneurs https://www.instagram.com/MeetHelenNgo/ https://helenngo.com/

Kati: “I am so much more confident in who I am now in my thirties.” Helen: “How did you get to that point?” Kati: “Bending over backwards for too many people for too long and realize that it’s not fulfilling. I am getting back in touch with what I foresee for my future.”  We can easily get caught up in meeting others’ expectations that we tend to forget our own. And if you let it happen often enough and long enough, you end up forgetting about your goals. Your dreams. And what you make of yourself. I invited my college roommate, Kati Tatnall, to address the challenges of meeting internal and external expectations – reflecting on what we expected ourselves to turn out as teenagers versus what we expect ourselves today as adults. She’s challenged with meeting the demands of being a mom of 3, a wife, and a full-time career woman. It’s easy to ignore playing that fourth role in our lives well: being ourselves. What we tackle in this episode: How our outward dialogue with others influences the quite dialogue with have internally Carving out time to do what's meaningful to you How introverts find support vs extroverts Struggling with anxiety and not being able to address what’s waiting for you How not making enough money creates burnout, even if you’re doing what you’re passionate about Dealing with the guilt of being a mom vs choosing a career. Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Join the Self-Made CEOTM Club: http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin Instagram

We catch up with Mary Grace Phillips to see how she's progressed personally and professionally in the first 1.5 years since launching her own business from scratch, Be Well Studio .  We’ve been following her progress since the first day she opened her business. (Catch up on her story in Ep 15 and Ep 4) If you ask any business owner, the first two years are the most grueling.  It will break you down to your core. Almost every day feels like a battlefield of self-doubt and uncertainty. Had a bad day? Well, guess what? Those bills still have to be paid. Where’s the next dollar going to come from? You feel like giving up so many times. But when do you know when it’s time to let go and move on? How do you know it’s time to pivot? Mary Grace shares her tough financial journey through the initial stages of starting a business and how she’s learning to embrace the test of her mental endurance and resilience. What we tackle in this episode: Handling rejection and failure Allowing yourself to say “no” and how to take it from others Determining which noise to filter out and who to actually listen to Identifying when you should move on to another career or opportunity when what you’re working on no longer serves you Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Join the Self-Made CEOTM Club: http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin Instagram

How many times have you started the day with “I need to do this. This. This and that”?  Then, ending that day with “I didn’t get anything done today" -- feeling completely unaccomplished and overwhelmed with the amount of responsibilities on your plate. I was putting so much pressure on myself that everything was important and urgent resulting in burn out trying to accomplish everything. Realizing that if I carried this on for too much longer, I would lose myself even more. So, I started to change the question I asked myself at the beginning and end of each day: “What’s the most important thing that needs to get done today?” and “Did it get done?” In this week’s episode, I share with you how this new daily practice transformed my mental well-being. Ultimately, the most important thing at the end of the day is how you show up for yourself. Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Join the Self-Made CEOTM Club: http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin Facebook Instagram

What does it mean to be self-made? Straight out of the dictionary: “Self made is when someone who acquires her wealth and success on her own and does not inherit or win it. It takes time and persistence to become successful and if you've put in the work then that's declared self made. Someone who comes from some origin - rich or poor, and against all odds, breaks out of her inherited social position, climbs up the social ladder and creates a new identity for herself.” In this episode, Helen Ngo shares why she personally strives to live up to the definition of being self-made and how the money making process is part of the journey. Want to meet other self-made women? Join the Self-Made CEOTM Club: http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin As a member you'll get access to the CEOs Resource Library, join our private Slack group, attend office hours with members, and get discounts to events. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Website

There’s a lot of self shaming when we say to ourselves “I am bad with money.” Money is a resource, so how can you feel bad about a resource? We tend to feel “bad” about money, when how we use it doesn’t yield us the result we expect. Ever bought something and felt guilty about it later? Ever feel like you misused money or wasted it? When we use money in a way that doesn’t get us what we want, we tend to describe ourselves as “being bad with money,” especially if it gets us into debt. The financial self-shaming feels never ending because of how we continually manage the money, not so much money in and of itself. Maybe it’s not money you are bad with. Maybe you’re just not aware yet of how to best use money to your full advantage. In this episode, I explore how words we use to describe our relationship with money affects our personal outlook to get ahead financially. What we tackle in this episode: What words to use to improve our relationship with money How to refine your personal money management system Join the conversation and be part of the Made® community: Join the Self-Made CEOTM Club: http://bit.ly/SelfMadeCEOJoin Facebook Instagram