Successfully Chaotic

Real Talk: We Make Our Own Magic

All right guys. So Maria here. Just me today. I just wanted to come to you all to say a few things about waiting. All right, you all. Listen, straight up. I have worked with so many of you that you are killing yourself just waiting for the moons and the stars to align. You're just waiting for that magical moment where the clouds part and angels come down from the sky and say, "Now is the time." I'm going to tell you right now, girlfriend, that doesn't actually happen.
So you need to stop waiting for the clouds to part and the magic to happen and you create your own magic, because far too often, we sit waiting and waiting and waiting for this perfect step by step process so we can reach our goals, or get there and get there, be this and be that, that we just wait and wait and wait and nothing's happening. Do you know why nothing's happening? Because you are the one that makes it happen. So stop it.
Get up, take one step, take another step, and then another step. I don't care how short your steps are or how much you feel that what you are doing is not going to matter. Just move, just do it. Once you get to a certain point that you can actually start to determine the needle movers from the non-needle movers, you can start to be a little more particular, but right now, just get up and start walking, girl. Because you're going to wait your life away. We create our happy, we create our reality, we create our processes ourselves. So get up, make some shit happen. You got this.

How a Teenage Mom and Felon Rose From the Ashes and Defined Her Own Success

Kash Lanier didn't let bad decisions define her. Through ALL of her struggles, she had a fire within her that allowed her to rise above the ashes and define her own success. 
 
Now she spends her time inspiring women to face their trauma, face their bad decisions head on and begin to build the life they dream of.  She now owns a business that helps businesses build the credit they need to guide them in the right direction. 
 
This link helps people get access to their 3 in 1 credit report for $1 http://www.identityiq.com/help-you-to-save-money.aspx?offercode=431129U2 Our website for credit education and to learn more about our company www.focusedcredit.com
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria
 
 

How to Fail Forward Even in Times of Crisis

Angela Buckley, of Creatively Efficient  joins us to talk about failing forward. We ALL have failures. If we utilize those to teach us, and guide us on HOW to move forward...we are WINNING!
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria

Real Talk on Navigating Small Business

Business ownership....whew! What a WILD RIDE! I have always called my business(es) my babies...and that it SO ACCURATE! I mean, we birth them into existence. During the "newborn" phase we are EXHAUSTED and just trying to make it through the day and not let them (and ourselves) die. Then we have the toddler phase where the business is taking off and trying to walk...maybe taking some face plants a here and there. THEN>>>FINALLY>> we make it to the childhood years where the business made it through the tough parts and we finally have it walking and talking and things are good...then BOOM! Enter in the tween and teen years..and LAWD JESUS HAVE MERCY...you are knocked for a loop.
In this episode we talk about navigating small business ownership, and you just may pick up a few nuggets of wisdom to help you navigate your own business journey. 
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. On Successfully Chaotic, we talk business, relationships, parenting and chat with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria

How to Stop Wearing Too Many Hats & Being Everything to Everyone

If you are anything like me (and if you own a business you probably are) then you probably are struggling through your day-today wearing too many hats. As a woman we are expected to do IT ALL and do it FABULOUSLY with a pretty little smile on our face. Doing this long term is not only not sustainable, but it is EXHAUSTING. So stop it! Sharon & Maria come to you with REAL TALK about how to stop wearing too many hats and being everything to everyone. 
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. On Successfully Chaotic, we talk business, relationships, parenting and chat with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria
 

Maria & Sharon on Crushing Self-Doubt

We recorded this episode and, WOW! It was great to talk so REAL! 
Self-doubt. It is a force like no other. It can take the strongest person and crumble them from the inside until they are merely the shell of the person they used to be. 
Self-doubt takes many forms, it can start in many different ways, and it can cause a snowball effect of decisions to be made. 
Personally, as a sexual abuse survivor I carried the shame, the hurt, the feelings of worthlessness for most of my life. It affected very decision that I made. It was why I hid from deep intimate relationships and ended up divorced (lamost twice). It was why I wore the mask of an outgoing self-assured woman, but was too afraid to ask for what I needed in relationships and gave without receiving. It was why I thought that I had to overcompensate for dropping out of school and getting my GED instead of walking in graduation because I just couldn't face all who knew and I chased any degree and certification that I could to prove I was valuable. It was why I always thought that I needed a man in my life. To protect me and tell me I was worthy.
It was why of so many things and I couldn't see it. 
How many of you are hiding from your shame? Maybe it's not sexual abuse. Maybe it is something else, but it is eating you from the inside. It is robbing you of joy. 
It's time to face the cause of that shame head on and start crushing your self-doubt. 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. On Successfully Chaotic, we talk business, relationships, parenting and chat with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria
 

Marketing, Strategy, & Success- with Jackie Kossoff

Meet Jackie Kossoff, Marketing Strategist & Success Coach, whose mission is to help fellow women entrepreneurs reach their business goals through integrated marketing strategies and community-based coaching!
She is also the host of the “Millennial Success Stories” Podcast and the “Millennial Women’s Mastermind,” which combines community and 1:1 coaching support in a high-level, six month experience.
 
You can find more about Jackie here. 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria

Meet Kelly Abanda & Design Your Detour ...Design YOUR LIFE!

Kelly Abanda leapt into life and now helps other women do the same! Do you feel like you are just going through the motions and doing what you are SUPPOSED to do or what you are MEANT to do? 
 
You can find out more about Kelly here.
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria
 
 

The Magic and Comedy of Eric Thompson & How He is Changing the World by the Gift of Entrepreneurship

Eric Thompson has been delighting and entertaining audiences since the early 1980’s with his unique style of comedy, magic, and illusions. Eric is an accomplished comedic magician, a veteran of hundreds of venues including comedy clubs, theaters, college campuses and corporate events. His distinctive variety of humor, his individual flair and his cleverly adept ability to amaze has brought rave reviews from audiences and media alike. 
While traveling abroad many years ago, Eric Thompson recognized that many families, especially those with children, lacked necessities that we often take for granted in the United States. Hearing about the impoverished nations and seeing the suffering are two different perspectives.
The seed was planted when Eric thought about the people he saw who were lacking consistently clean water, basic nutritional needs, and access to any medical treatment, schools, and jobs. He continued to search for a way he could help when a long-time friend approached him and offered a seat on a plane heading to meet up with a missionary group in Latin America. Eric jumped at the chance and the group decided the best way to use Eric’s skills as an entertainer would be to organize shows in each of the many villages they would visit. The news of a professional American entertainer coming to perform for them brought out large crowds and anticipation in every village they visited.
The children fell in love with his humor and magic tricks. In many villages, he quickly became known as “Senor Mago Loco,” translated that’s Mr. Crazy Magician. The children would see his show at their school during the day and bring their entire family to the village center or a large church for a second show that evening. It was here that Eric had the opportunity to meet and talk at length with many of the people. He learned of their plight and how they worked to combat the problems associated with poverty and hunger.
These people touched Eric in a way that no one else could. Having shared their homes, food, and fellowship, Eric knew what he would do to help. Upon returning to the United States, he began a campaign to raise money. The money would buy not just a handout for his new friends in Latin America, but an opportunity to grow their food. They could be able to sell or trade the extras at the market.
Eric quickly decided that this would become an obsession, and he named his program MILLION MILES MILLION SMILES. He made his promise to the world to visit as many remote and distressed destinations where people were void of joy and hope. Bringing his ability for magic and comedy performance, Eric helps them learn to laugh and forget their problems, even if just for a little while. At many of his MILLION MILES MILLION SMILES destinations, he tries to arrange a donation of food for the families in his audiences to take home.
Chickens And Eggs
Eric raised thousands of dollars by performing benefit shows where portions of the proceeds went to the charity. These donations were surpassed by the many fraternal, religious, and community organizations who have continued to support this cause with donations. Many of Eric’s oldest friends and clients have generously made private donations to some of Eric’s favorite mission groups.
Much of the money has gone to purchase pairs of chickens for families in Guatemala and West Africa. The families take care of the chickens, harvesting some of the eggs for food and allowing the others to hatch. Within a few months to a year, they have a flock that gives them an endless supply of protein via eggs and meat to feed their family as well as selling the other birds and eggs at the market. Eric’s passion and generosity have created dozens upon dozens of entrepreneurs in several nations around the world. This action is helping to eliminate poverty in many villages, one family at a time.
Continents Around The World
Eric has taken his talents to communities on several continents around the world in such far-reaching places as Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten,
Eric has taken his talents to communities on several continents around the world in such far-reaching places as Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, The Bahamas, Martinique, Burkina Faso, West Africa and more.
Eric has also spent untold hours raising money and awareness for the less fortunate in the United States, too. He regularly performs in homeless shelters, churches, and charities raising money and awareness for countless charities.
This past Christmas season, Eric wanted to send a few pairs of mating chickens to the families in Burkina Faso and Guatemala that befriended him during his time in their countries. Setting out to raise enough money to send two dozen pairs of chickens to each nation, Eric put the word out at a handful of his performances and via social media. Within a couple of weeks, he and his friends had collected enough money to purchase more than 220 chickens to help hundreds of people in the villages in Africa and Latin America where Eric spent time performing and making friends.
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced their OWN chaos and have come out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria

The Andy Grant, Founder of Real Men Feel

Andy Grant is the best selling author of a number of books and even have an online class that can teach you how to publish your own eBooks too. I also host a weekly podcast called, Real Men Feel, which encourages men to allow and express all of their emotions. Show focus on personal growth, mental health, masculinity, and spirituality.
 
 
ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY CHAOTIC :
I have a confession...I suck at lots of things...I mean it. As a business owner, wife, and mom of 7 kids (one on the autism spectrum) I get PLENTY of opportunities to mess things up. I have had my “go get ‘em” moments where I shine (for a moment) only to fall down a hill, burst into flames and drag myself back up the other side. I have had more than my fair share of life’s chaos. Some I had no control over and some I helped along. So how can I be successful in the midst of life’s chaos? I think the idea that someone reaches success is a unicorn. We are all constantly growing, and changing. What means success to us today isn't what it meant 20 years ago. The first step is defining how YOU define success. We talk with people who have experienced the OWN chaos and have came out on top. We want to share our mess ups, as well as our "ah ha" moments, all while giving you nuggets of helpful information that you can use in your own life and business.  Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us! -Maria