Embrace flexibility and messiness with Deborah Haile and Jonah Seyum

LESLIE ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY

As part of my interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jonah Seyum and Deborah Haile, mom and son duo who are bestselling coauthors.

Co-CEO of Tiny Global Footprints, world traveler, and bestselling author, Jonah is eight years old and has traveled to 10 countries. He is the first published Eritrean child author and enjoys spending time with his family. Passionate about sports and reading, Jonah plays soccer and basketball as well as loves reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. He also enjoys learning new languages and dancing to Eritrean music.

Founder and Co-CEO of Tiny Global Footprints, writing coach, and bestselling author, Deborah is a busy working mother committed to seeing the world with her son. She loves seeing the world through his eyes and sharing stories from their travels by writing Jonah’s Global Footprints: Book 1: The Search for Elephants in Thailand, and Book 2: Finding My Amigo in Cuba, and more to come in the series.

She holds a master’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Deborah is originally from Eritrea but grew up in Minnesota. She is passionate about teaching children about global cultures and wants to help make travel an essential part of every childhood. Deborah plans to publish more books based on the different countries she and Jonah visit. 

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path? 

Thank you for the opportunity. When Jonah was very little, he and I weren’t able to spend a lot of time together because of the long hours I spent at work (I had and still have a full-time job), not to mention the time required for my graduate school program. I’d work all day and then take classes at night, just trying to keep up--though I always felt like I was behind and not enough...never enough at work, at grad school, and as a mother. I hoped that if I just worked a little harder, things would somehow get better, but nothing seemed to help. And the harder I worked, the worse I felt until I began to burn out, the mental and emotional tax of “work harder” overwhelming. 

In the chaos, I’d found a respite in travel—I loved seeing different places and it was a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with work, school, and other responsibilities. After his first trip abroad to the Dominican Republic when Jonah was 17 months old and then his next trip at 20 months (this time to Dubai and Eritrea for a family trip), I could see that Jonah loved to travel too. I wondered if I was onto something; could there be the potential for travel to be a chance to spend some special time together, perhaps helping to make up for any time we’d lost?

Well, travel hit the spot I’d been searching for, creating a space for Jonah and me to share new experiences, go adventuring, and learn about ourselves, and the world together. (And the family travel trend continued).

Now at eight years old, Jonah has been to 10 countries around the world. Then from these travels and sharing with friends and family, we began to get questions about what it was like to travel the world with a young child and what Jonah thought.  

As we began to share more of our experiences, the idea to write books came up, and we started our book series: "Jonah's Global Footprints". Then that became a mother and son business with Tiny Global Footprints where we aim to share the educational impact of travel in childhood and inspire other families to travel with their children! 

Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey? 

There have been many times I struggled with my business (and continue to struggle!—a first big challenge has been working to balance my full-time job with being a mom and working on our mother/son business. I wish there were more hours in a day and that I had two of me! That's been a challenge from the beginning and that I keep working on—work/life balance and time prioritization.

Another has been on the tactical end: Jonah and I were starting to write books and there was interest, though did I really want to start a formal business? I was debating opening an LLC for publishing the books (and maybe other business ventures) or just writing and publishing my books on my own.

All of the to-dos for setting up an LLC sounded intimidating and overwhelming. However, as I thought about our plans and dreams and what we wanted to accomplish longer-term, I knew it'd be better to go the formalized LLC route. So I took a deep breath and got the paperwork and everything else that was needed together!

Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?

A huge part of my drive is from my son Jonah—his smile, hugs, and encouragement keep me going. Another part has been from the families and children who have started to follow our work. We regularly get new book reviews on Amazon (which amazes me) and I receive messages sharing that our books, website, and brand encourages them to travel and write books. They ask questions and share what they've done or are going to do. On a hard day, those messages give me the boost I need to keep going.  

So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?  

Today, things are going well. I won't kid you—it's difficult to juggle a business with a full-time demanding job (as well as being a mom and human—ing in general). However, I know our business and our books have a purpose. I've seen firsthand the impact of world travel on a child—the educational piece of visiting new places and experiencing different cultures including his own Eritrean culture.  

I love seeing the world through his eyes as we learn about history, geography, languages, and so much more. Jonah talks about his travels and is always excited about our next trip. He's also enjoying writing and has written his own book (Basketball or Soccer?), as well as has started to share tips, ideas, and suggestions to other kids (and adults!) interested in writing a book. His enthusiasm and growth have been amazing to see, as has the special bond we continue to develop through traveling and writing together. It's hard at times, though so rewarding at the end. 

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

A mistake from when I was first starting out? Oh my —the entrepreneur road is bumpy for everyone, and the bumps keep coming! Let's see. The first one was worrying about sharing that our books, something we'd made ourselves, were for sale. Friends and family had asked and expressed interest, though I know that I don't like feeling sold to, so I wasn't sure how that would turn out.

I was almost afraid to start sharing that they could buy the books once we started publishing the first one! It struck me as funny how much I'd worried about what others might think and then saw how delighted people were when they were able to get a copy. They would have been disappointed if we hadn't shared about where they could purchase them! 

This mistake about worrying about how to sell something we'd created has taught me a few things.  

1) Fears and worries will come up in business. Sometimes you have to sit with them and see what's really there.

2) Especially related to selling, there are people who are looking for what you're offering and who would be disappointed to not be able to find it! Sure, there may be some people who aren't interested, but that's okay. There are others who will be so excited when they hear about your book (or product/service/offer). So put it out there!

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

One big thing about Tiny Global Footprints is that it's a mother and son company (we're co-CEOs!) and that it started when Jonah was only six years old! A second really neat thing is that between the two books we've written together (The Search for Elephants in Thailand and Finding My Amigo in Cuba) and then the one he wrote by himself (Basketball or Soccer?) Jonah is now the youngest best-selling Eritrean published author ever. It’s great to watch his growth. 

On the story end, Jonah has started doing a "Monday Tips with Jonah" series on Instagram where he is teaching other children and families about travel, being an author and how to write and publish a book, how to learn a new language (he's currently working on Spanish), and more. The feedback we've been getting from his lives and posts has been amazing and heartwarming. We're hearing that it is inspiring other families to expose their children to being creative and opening their minds to entrepreneurship!

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

A first tip would be to prioritize self-care, however, that looks for you. If you love to travel, take the time for an afternoon, day, or weekend away, whether solo or with your family and/or friends. It may seem hard to juggle at the moment, though you'll be amazed how much better you will feel coming back with a rested and refreshed brain! And it doesn't have to be a long trip/break. What's important is that it is something different, that you get yourself away from the daily grind.

A second tip would be to remember that the road will be bumpy and to cut yourself some slack. You'll never get it all done (there will always be more to do because life continues)—and that's okay. When you feel the "I must get this done or I'm not enough/a failure/..." start to play in your mind, take a deep breath (and maybe a quick nap). Whatever you are able to get done today WILL be enough—and you are enough. And you can start again tomorrow.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

Jonah is the first person who I'd note. From when he was little and cuddling in my arms as I typed on my computer, working on schoolwork for grad school, or a project for my job, he would be the first person to smile at me, to kiss me, to tell me I could do it. A few months ago, I was on a work call and he came into the room. I could tell he needed something, so I wrote him a note: "What's wrong? I'm in a meeting, Jonah." He wrote back: "I just miss you." I responded: "OH, I MISS YOU! A lot & can't wait to kiss you! :)" to which he noted: "After you are done with your meeting, I can't wait to give you a big hug!" It just touches my heart. 

A second person is my second mom/BF, as she is incredibly important to me and has been there for me through so much. We recently took a trip together to St. Thomas and it was amazing. She helps me remember to have fun, laugh, and be kind to myself.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?  

On our social platforms and with our books (in the interviews, podcasts, and articles we've been honored to be a part of), we're working hard to inspire kids and families to see the world and go adventuring—whether through the pages of our books or by getting in a car, train, plane, or boat.

We also share the process of writing a book—the ups and downs, the how-to’s—to demystify the process so hopefully others will know that it's possible for them too! We hear from a lot of people that they want to write a book but that it feels too hard. We're working to show them that it is possible and that they can do it, that their story is worth sharing, (and important to share).

On a different note, we're also working to share everything Jonah is learning about his Eritrean culture because it's important for children to know the cultures, stories, and traditions of their families and where they are from! And we hope to inspire other families to share their culture with their children, too. 

What are your "5 things I wish someone told me before I started leading my company" and why? Please share a story or example for each.   

1. Keep going when it gets hard—I've felt (and still feel) discouraged many times, but going back to my purpose always helps me keep going.

2. Don't compare yourself and/or your business to anyone else. This is something that I've struggled with, especially around social media and followers! However, I am working to keep reminding myself that I don't really know where anyone else's business is or how it's doing (nor is it any of my business). What's important is to keep my eyes on my own business and show up for it.

   3. There will always be things you will need to figure out. I can't tell you the number of times something new has come up as an entrepreneur where I was like "What is that? I don't know how to do that!"—whether with things about my website and figuring out how to log in and make changes or coming up with a content calendar or figuring out what platforms are best for us to use. There is always something new to learn!

4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Following up on #3. There will always be new things to learn and I'm not going to be an expert in every tool, platform, and aspect of entrepreneurship. I do what I can, and when I am in over my head (or realize I don't have the time). That means it's time to ask for help from someone who specializes in that part of being in business. I've gotten help with my website, PR and marketing, social media, and more. It's okay to ask for help!

5. Embrace flexibility and messiness. The business may go in directions you didn't foresee or maybe your partner (like my co-CEO wanting to write his own non-travel-related books) may have different ideas about what they'd like to do. And that's okay! Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that seem to come out of nowhere and take some time to show how they fit into the bigger business picture. :) 

Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”? 

As a founder, there will be highs and lows—guaranteed. One thing that has been very helpful for Jonah and me has actually been our Instagram feed as it's been a journal or diary. While some days I've wanted to pull my hair out while figuring out what to post, it's been amazing to look back through our photos and posts and see everything that's happened over the past year! When I've felt down, seeing the pictures have reminded me of past challenges, as well as the wonderful times that came right around the corner, which has helped me remember that it's a messy journey and to keep showing up. 

I'd also recommend keeping a "testimonial" or "fan feedback" folder, doc, or file for the days when things feel hard, and you want to quit. When you receive a note or email or review that touches your heart and makes you smile, stick it in the folder, doc, or file. Then, when a hard day comes (which will happen), pull out the folder and read through it. Seeing the words I've received always helps me remember my purpose and why I'm building this business! 

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would want to go into schools and share a "Your words matter" movement, sharing with the children (especially those in under-resourced and underserved districts) what it's like to become an author and how they can become an author, writer, and/or speaker too. And whether or not they become a writer or speaker, it's more that I want all children to know that their words matter and that THEY matter. Imagine if every child (and adult) in the world right now knew that and believed it—that would be amazing. I'd love to go and share that message. Because I know its importance with every fiber of my being.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

They can visit our site: tinyglobalfootprints.com and follow us on Instagram @tinyglobalfootprints_ https://www.instagram.com/tinyglobalfootprints_

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much.

"Plant seeds. Lots of them," with Alexis Haselberger​

Alexis Haselberger​ is a time management and productivity coach who helps people do more and stress less through coaching, workshops, and online courses. Her pragmatic, yet fun, approach helps people easily integrate practical, realistic strategies into their lives so that they can do more of what they want and less of what they don't. Alexis has taught thousands of individuals to take control of their time and her clients include Google, Lyft, Workday, Capital One, Upwork, and more. She can be found at

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I spent the first 15 years of my career running HR and business operations in early-stage start-ups in the Bay Area. In a start-up environment, there is always so much more to do than people to do it. People work hard, they work long hours, and they burn out.

My super-power was always the ability to get A LOT done, and done well, with minimal effort and stress. I had a boss that used to tell people that I could do in 20 hours what most could do in 60 hours. Over time, people started recognizing these skills and starting to come to me for help with streamlining processes, creating systems, prioritizing their work, and general time management. When the last start-up I worked for went out of business (as more than 90% of start-ups do), I decided that the most impactful thing I’d been doing was helping others with time management, productivity, and stress reduction. And luckily, that was also the aspect of my career that was the most fulfilling for me.

At that point, I decided to open my own time management and productivity coaching and consulting business so that I could help others kill it at work, and have fulfilling personal lives as well. I haven’t looked back. Turns out, there are a lot of folks really struggling in this department so there was a strong product-market fit.

What inspired you to start your business?

Aside from the fact that I knew I had a skill set that could really improve the quality of other people’s lives, the real reason that took me from idea to reality was the increasing sense that I just didn’t want to work towards other people’s goals anymore. I wanted to get up every day and work towards my own goals. I wanted to know that what I was doing, every hour of every day, was my choice and for my own purposes.

Don’t get me wrong, I worked for great companies and awesome people, doing stuff that I thought was worthwhile. But it wasn’t mine. And over time, that’s what really inspired me to actually get started on my own thing.

Where is your business based?

I’m based in San Francisco, but my business was mostly virtual before COVID and is totally virtual now.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The very first thing I did was buy a domain name and get a basic website set up with Squarespace. It took just a few hours and it helped me to feel like “ok, I’m legitimate” even though I really had nothing yet. No clients, no product. But I wanted to have something to point to when talking about my new business.

Next, I set up the basics. I got a business license (which San Francisco requires), I set up a business bank account and I registered for an EIN.

Then, I started telling people in my life that I had opened up a business, while I started figuring out my first product, which would eventually become a time management and productivity coaching program. To create the product, I started by just writing down everything I knew about time management, productivity, management, communication, etc. These writings turned into a “Best Practices Library”, which in turn became the base for the coaching program.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

The tactic that I have used that has been the most beneficial for raising awareness has been for me to get in front of other people’s audiences. If you don’t have your own audience, you need to capitalize on the pre-build audiences of others. For me, that meant being a guest on podcasts, getting quoted in articles (using HARO to find leads), speaking at conferences, and partnering to do webinars.

The other thing I did that is just so simple but I don’t think that many people actually do is that when I first got started, I emailed every single person that I knew and told them what I was up to and who my ideal clients were. And I mean everyone. I emailed people I hadn’t spoken to since high school, the insurance agent of a company I worked at 10 years ago, coworkers from 4 jobs ago, my husband’s friends, my parent’s friends...everyone. It was uncomfortable, for sure, but it also got me my first few clients, which in turn led to other clients.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges for me has been to learn how to market myself and my business without feeling sleazy. I’ve taken a number of approaches to this. First, I just put myself in uncomfortable situations, over and over again, until they felt comfortable. I’d go to a conference and pitch myself to every single vendor (hey, they were captive audiences!). I used a social networking app called Shapr to learn how to talk about my business with a huge range of people. I took a copywriting class that helped me feel more confident in writing sales copy. Essentially, I decided that in order to grow, I just had to get out of my comfort zone and start practicing the stuff that didn’t come naturally. I’m still on the learning curve, but my business is definitely growing, so something must be working!

How do you stay focused?

I have a few different practices for staying focused.

First, I use a task/project management app to track every single thing I need to do in my business, as well as delegated items. I have a daily, weekly, and quarterly planning process to ensure that I stay focused on my top priorities. If it’s not in the app, I don’t do it. In that way, I steer clear of shiny object syndrome.

Every quarter, I review the backlog of ideas in my task app, and I choose a few things to focus on for the quarter. I add these goals into a quarter-long calendar appointment that appears at the top of my calendar so that I am constantly reminded of my focus. And then I add related tasks and projects for these goals into my task app so that I can properly prioritize the work to make these things happen.

On a more granular level, I keep all notifications (email, Slack, etc.) turned off and I keep my phone on silent. I don’t let the incoming distract me from my focus for the day. I’m still very responsive to others, as that’s crucial for my business, but I do it by batch processing my communications a few times a day instead of answering things as they come in.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

A big difference between my business and a lot of other productivity-related businesses is that I focus on meeting people where they are and fostering an environment for self-knowledge so that people can build skills and processes around who they are already instead of trying to fit themselves into a box. For instance, I’ll never tell a night owl to “just get up earlier before your kids wake up”. Could they do it? Maybe, for a short time. But that’s not going to be a habit that sticks, because it doesn’t fit who they are.

I also espouse a pragmatic, reality-based philosophy around time management and productivity. We assess where we are, and we move on from there.

My goal is to help people use their time intentionally, according to their own goals and values. It’s not to get them to use a specific tool or follow a specific schedule. I’m helping people build sustainable practices in their own lives, that fit who they are and that doesn’t make them feel bad about themselves for not being able to “get it right”.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

The most effective marketing strategy for me has been to simply ask my clients for referrals. When you do the kind of very personal work that I do, those personal connections are gold. Social proof is really key in my market.

Also, my blog has been a great marketing strategy for me. I produce weekly content that is truly actionable and takes less than 5 minutes to read. This allows me to provide real value to people on a regular basis, and stay top of mind by showing up in people’s inboxes each week.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Plant seeds. Lots of them. What I’ve learned is that you just have no idea where that next client will come from. You don’t know what seeds will grow. But if you plant a lot of seeds, your opportunities are greater than if you plant fewer. What do I mean by planting seeds? Talking to people about what you do, meeting new people, offering to help others, making mutually beneficial intros, etc. Aim to give more than you get.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

The app that I recommend most frequently to my clients is ​TickTick​. It’s a simple, yet incredibly powerful, task management app. You can think of it as an external brain. The reason I love TickTick so much is that it’s super easy to use, which means there’s a very low barrier for entry. No one needs to read a manual to start using it. Also, if you want it to do more, it can. It’s got a habit tracker, it syncs with your calendar, it has a Pomodoro timer, etc. But the features aren’t in your face, so if you don’t need them, you can start simply. Also, the free version is quite robust and it syncs seamlessly between web and mobile. It just a really good task app.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My favorite business tool, hands down, is ​Calendly​. Calendly is a scheduling app that syncs directly with my calendar and it probably saves me 5 hours a week in terms of just the back and forth of scheduling meetings and appointments. I also love that I can set up different meeting types with different amounts of buffer, for different purposes.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I always have a hard time answering questions about role models. Because I’ve never sought to emulate anyone else, I have a hard time identifying with this question. So, I’ll say this: I admire strong women who’ve built businesses around something that matters to them, and who’ve done it without compromising on their own values.

How do you balance work and life?

2 words: strong boundaries. I work pretty normal hours, usually from about 8 or 9, to around 5 or 6, Monday through Friday. When I’m working, I’m 100% focused. I don’t get distracted, I don’t check Instagram and I don’t take personal calls. But when I’m not working, I’m not working. I don’t check email, or do any work, on nights or weekends. Nights and weekends are for family and me. I’m what you’d call a “hard segmenter” and this compartmentalization is what helps me maintain balance.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

On the regular, I read and I run. I’m in 2 book clubs and I've been averaging about 1 book a week right now. Reading (often with a cocktail in hand, to be clear) allows me a little daily escape into a different world. I like fiction and non-fiction pretty equally. I also run almost every day; it’s my transition between work and home. I finish up work, go for a run, and then come back and make dinner.

When I REALLY need to relax, I love to travel. I have never, in 20 years of working, checking email during a vacation. So when I’m on vacation that’s a chance for me to truly decompress and not think about work at all for a couple of weeks at a time.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

In the next 6 months, I’m planning to launch my group coaching program, Take Control of Your Time; I only open it up twice a year. I’m also hard at work on a brand new online course for working parents about how to kill it at work and be present at home. I’m really excited about this product, which will be my third online course, because working parents are really struggling right now during COVID, with kids at home while trying to work from home. And it’s a self-paced course that people can do at home, in the time they’ve got.

How can our readers connect with you?

●  Website: ​https://www.alexishaselberger.com/

●  Youtube: ​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh9iAkCALqr3FsKfYOqjb3Q

●  Insta: ​@do.more.stress.less

●  FB: ​@domorestressless

●  FB Group: ​https://www.facebook.com/groups/domorestressless/

"Had to learn how to calm down and focus, and most of all be patient" with Kayla Goldstein

Kayla LLC is an interior design firm focused on helping new homeowners design set up their forever home.

Seeing all the stress anyone setting up a home was going through really irked Kayla. To her, setting up home should be about creating a place where you are going to create your best memories, let us make it so! So Kayla set about renovating homes in a way that the owners can feel confident. No more second-guessing, no more overwhelm. Kayla handles all the behind the scenes, deals with the problems and delivers a dream space.

No pushing styles, no “money shots” just you, your home, and your dream. Your family needs, your memories, Kaylas talent.

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

Sure, I grew up in a few different countries, mainly Israel where I got my degree in Architectural Engineering and Interior Design. The day after I graduated, with a four-month-old baby, we moved to New York where I worked in downtown Manhattan for a year in an architecture firm as a drafter and as an interior designer. When I got pregnant with my second child and did not want to be in the rat race anymore, I quit and opened my own interior design company in Rockland County and four years later it is going strong, thank God. 

What inspired you to start your business? 

I really wanted to be in control over the workload I had, the times I worked and the clients I worked for. Working for someone else in the design business means a real limit on your creativity as you are working on someone else's vision. Opening my own company gave me the creative freedom I needed as an artist, but also the time freedom I needed as a mom of two babies. 

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Rockland County, NY, specifically Pomona. I work in this area mainly but will travel to New Jersey or NYC for a big enough job. 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The first thing I did was to make a logo. It sounds weird but I doodled it on my desk at work and realized I wanted this faster than I thought. Then I sat up night after night building a website, creating pages of services, and making social media pages. I did not really know how I was going to do it, I just knew I had to. I remember watching Marie Forleo videos A LOT and anything else I could find on google about starting a business. Slowly clients came trickling in, slow and steady and then not steady and then slow—the way it always is in the beginning, but with each client, I learned a lot for my business and eventually it stabled out and grew. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Honestly, Instagram. It almost scares me that so many of my clients come from Instagram since I do not own the platform. However, I put out a lot of videos and helpful content all over Instagram and YoutTube and even Facebook still a bit. I show behind the scenes, and work that I do on Instagram and my client base is about 75% from there. The rest is word of mouth. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Number One biggest challenge ever was feeling like it was not moving fast enough. I so badly wanted the team, the big clients, the multiple projects, and the never-ending work. But I really had to learn how to calm down and focus, and most of all be patient. The second I stopped wanting it to the point of desperation was the second my business started growing. Jasmine Star told me a workshop she did that I should “focus on what I have and it will become enough” That became my mantra and I can honestly say a clear turning point for my business.

How do you stay focused?

I have a very clear spreadsheet called the Master list and on it is every category in my business. Clients, behind the scenes, social media, my online product of pre-designed rooms, every little thing is on that spreadsheet. Every morning I check it and it is color-coded for what is most urgent - I do it in that order.

I have a spreadsheet for anything needing more than one line in my master. So each client has a spreadsheet of all their products and selections and to-dos, social media has a spreadsheet with each platform, and topics and content repurposing, the pre-designed rooms have a spreadsheet with each room and what updates it needs, etc. 

In addition, I have an office in my house that is designed for my brand, is organized, and has a door! The most important part! I go in there, shut the door, and work. Nothing else matters while I am in my office. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

I am not a snob. I know a lot of designers are, and will only work with certain budgets or certain styles. I understand motherhood as I am in the trenches of it. I understand that function is just as important as form, and I do not force anything on anyone. I am not an intimidating super stylish high-powered designer who walks in and takes over. I am a friend, and I am here to help. 

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

I would have to say giving away free content. Giving tips, doing challenges, going live, and answering questions. I find that when I do that, people can see if they like my vibe, or if they feel that they trust me, and that helps them in their decision to hire me. I also give away consultations every once in a while for those on the fence hesitating, just to get in the door. I get 70% of the projects that I consult for. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Be patient. Sit down, decide what your niche is and what your strategy is, and then put your head down and do it. Do not worry about the pace, do not worry if you are doing the right thing. If you tried it for three straight months and you gave it your all and it is not working, then you can move on to the next strategy. But honestly, just be patient. If you are being real and good and have something to give, it will come as long as you put in the work.  

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Google Calendar. My whole life is organized there if it isn’t on there it isn’t happening. That is just a fact. 

My favorite blog—I don’t really read blogs, but my favorite blogger right now is Mrs. Amber Gill because she just gives so much value and tips and tricks for homeschooling, motherhood, and being healthy—all things I need to be a successful interior designer and mom. 

My favorite book is A Well-Designed Business by Luann Nigara. It is an amazing compilation of different experts on how to have a successful business, in particular interior design, and it is the kind that you keep on the shelf and check the category whenever you are having trouble with something. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

A favorite resource is Jasmine Star and being a Social Curator. It is a great support system, keeps you motivated, and gives you something to work on every month so you are always growing. Plus Jasmine is the sweetest, so ya :) 

Who is your business role model? Why? 

Dina Holland from Honey and Fitz interiors. She is so down to earth and not at all showy. Yet, she has managed to build a hugely successful career out of herself. She is super sweet, answers my DMs which always makes people nicer in my book, and I look up to her immensely. 

What is your beauty routine? What are some of your favorite products? 

I don’t use too many items in the morning. While the kids are getting dressed, I wash my face with water (I know, I should buy a face cleaner, it’s on the list). I color in my eyebrows, put on mascara, bronzer, and lip gloss, and sometimes a bit of blush. That is it! As a religious Jew, I actually cover my hair, so nothing to do there in the morning. 

Regarding what products I use, I honestly could not tell you. I told you I am not a high-powered fancy lady lol. 

How do you balance work and life? 

By trying, its always adjusting and changing especially with growing kids. I make sure that I set aside time every day for the kids, and for work. What happens in between is the best I could do that day. It isn’t easy but I wanted this business for so long there is no way I am complaining. 

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Taking a bath. Hands down. Glass of wine, a good book, and a bath bomb - that is my recipe for happiness. 

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

Well, I had planned to launch a better version of the pre-designed rooms online, to spend time with family in Israel, and to land a few big projects for the remainder of the year. But COVID-19 had other plans, so we are doing our best and hoping for the best. If all goes well those plans will still happen. 

How can our readers connect with you?

I am on Instagram @kayla_llc and on Facebook at Kayla Haber-Goldstein. I also have a youtube channel called The Designed Collection by Kayla LLC and a website www.kaylallc.com. 

"Never, never, never give up…..that is what the plaque on my desk says and that is my motto" with Anne Marie Cummings

Anne Marie Cummings Author of the book Baby Boomer Bonding – Luxurious and Meaningful Lifestyle without Breaking the Bank has reinvented herself 7 times in 30 years each time creating greater purpose and financial rewards for herself and her family.  Long before her name became synonymous with reinventing yourself in retirement (Retreats and Workshops she leads) Anne Marie was working 15-hour days in the technology industry squeezing in time before going to the office and on the weekends to work on her hobby of renovating and flipping homes. In addition to being an Author, Speaker and Real Estate Developer, Anne Marie has started building a community where like-minded people 55+ join together to share a home, known as the Marigold Mansion, and support and help one another live in place for as long as possible.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and received my B.A. in Psychology from Carleton University where I studied part-time at night while working as a full-time Executive Assistant at the Board of Education and Crown Attorney’s office.  Believing I could do more with my life I applied and was accepted to a prestigious law school; a dream I had from a very early age.   In the summer between receiving my BA and attending law school I took, what I thought would be, a summer job at a large software company.  The high energy of the technology sales environment captivated me and before long I abandoned my dream of becoming a lawyer and started my career as a sales executive in the technology industry. 

After 13 years in technology I decided to leave the hectic pace to spend more time with my son; who was 6 at the time.  During this hiatus from technology I opened a Decorating Den Franchise and started my reinvention as an interior designer which remains a passion of mine to this day.  After a few years of doing that I was longing to return to the corporate world and went back into the technology rat race and handed the reins of the interior design business to trusted employees.

For the next 16 years I worked for startups and large technology giants and it was an amazing journey yet I was getting bored and wanted to try something new so I started flipping houses part time in the evening and on weekends while I was working full-time in technology.  I took my passion for design and my head for business and combined them to create a successful real estate flipping hobby.  After a very lucrative year of doing that part time I was able to leave my technology career and concentrate full time on building the Marigold Mansion brand which started by writing the book Baby Boomer Bonding – Luxurious and Meaningful Lifestyle without Breaking the Bank an Amazon bestselling book.  I now lead reinvention workshops and speak on career transition, business reinvention, and Rescuing Your Dreams at various retreats and workshops; (see AnneMarieCummingsEvents.com for more details).  In addition to being an Author and Speaker, I am building a community where like-minded people 55+ join together to share a home, known as the Marigold Mansion, and support and help one another live in place for as long as possible. 

I have walked the walk when it comes to reinventing myself;  having done so 7 times in 30 years each time creating greater purpose and financial rewards for myself  and my family. 

What inspired you to start your business?

When I went to visit my paternal grandmother in her nursing home, I often reflected on the life she had previously lived and wondered how she must be feeling, living in a home where she wasn’t the hostess and the belle of the ball.  I couldn’t help but feel that her final years would have been more satisfying for her if she were able to live in her own home versus a nursing home. I wondered if she’d had the full-time companionship of supportive, like minded friends living with her would things have been different?  Around the same time, I saw the movie Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and I felt that that concept was exactly what was needed and from there the idea blossomed.

Where is your business based?

Currently the business is based in Canada; however, I am looking at heritage homes in the US and Italy to expand.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The first step was to write the book Baby Boomer Bonding.  I felt this was essential because I needed to do the research associated with aging and what is important as we age.  I then purchased a heritage home outside of Toronto and restored it to its glory days and from their the bootcamps began and the Marigold opened.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

The book was a great way to raise awareness as well as news articles, blogs and radio talk shows etc.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge to date was to raise awareness of both reinvention workshops as well as finding suitable house mates for the Marigold Mansion.  In addition, the restoration costs are generally high with heritage buildings so getting funding has often been a challenge.

 How do you stay focused?

I was an executive in the technology sector for 30 years; I use the same strategies running my business as I did when I was working in the corporate world.  I start each day with a plan and I execute on the plan with great precision.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I differentiate the bootcamps from my competition because my competition are life coaches but they have not reinvented themselves to the extent that I have over the past 30 years.  I have literally had 7 different careers in 30 years and each reinvention was financially successful.  I have walked the walk so to speak.

Secondly, with regard to Marigold Mansion, I differentiate myself from other home sharing competitors for two reasons.  First, I only use restored heritage mansions; homes with an abundance of character and second most of my competitors are people who are buying into a percentage of a house.  I think that model complicates things at a time when we should be trying to simplify your life.  With the percentage purchase model when a person wants or needs to leave the living environment it is difficult to sell a portion of a house.  With Marigold Mansion you simply lease a space in the house and when you want to or needs to cancel your lease you are able to without complication.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

The book and speaking engagements have been a good way to grow the business and of course I have been featured in news articles, radio shows and blogs which is also very helpful.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Never, never, never give up…..that is what the plaque on my desk says and that is my motto.  Also, do not listen to people who say it cannot be done.  “People Who Say It Cannot Be Done Should Not Interrupt Those Who Are Doing It”

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

At the moment I am reading a lot of Brene Brown as well as watching her podcasts + Joyce Meyer is also one of my go to books.  I spend 1 hour each evening reading or listening to them to get inspired and sometimes when the day is long and tough, I need some encouragement and both of these individuals provide that through their teachings. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I google everything; what did we do without it?  In addition, I am a spreadsheet junkie; everything I do I use a spreadsheet to keep it organized and on track. I also like to use notes on my iPhone to keep track of things I need to do.  Any tool that helps me stay organized I will use.

Who is your business role model? Why?

It is difficult to select just one; I have worked for some very inspirational leaders over the past 30 years from Charles Wang, Dr Goodnight to Larry Ellison.  They all had their own style but each one was driven, smart, willing to take risks and believed fully in what they were doing.  Larry Ellison once said that when you innovate you have to be prepared for people telling you that you are nuts.  I have been told this a time or two in my life but I did the thing anyway.

What is your beauty routine? What are some of your favorite products?

Well, I love to look polished even when I am staying home.  I do apply make up every day as well as wash and blow dry my hair.  I love La Mer products to keep my skin looking young and I use Lancôme makeup. 

 How do you balance work and life?

It is much easier to balance work and life now that I am working for myself.  I still work 8-10 hours per day but I do it on my terms.  I am a very early riser so I can get a lot accomplished before most of the world wakes up.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I decompress by playing the piano, watching motivational podcasts, reading motivational books or watching Netflix with a glass of wine.  Just depends on the day.

 What do you have planned for the next six months?

I am currently in the middle of a very large project to acquire a 12,000 square foot Heritage Mansion that has been left to ruin for many years.  It will take 28 months to restore the building and a lot of blood sweat and tears but I am passionate about bringing it back to life.

How can our readers connect with you?

BabyBoomerBondingBook.com

AnneMarieCummingsEvents.com

Twitter: AnneMarie45

Facebook:  Marigold Mansion