Messy Minded Magic – Business Coaching from a Mom Whose Been There
Do you struggle with a messy mind in your business? I know I do, and before I met Trish, I thought I was all alone.
Trish, the Founder of Messy Minded Magic, is an amazing mom of 4 and mammaw to 5, who turned her desire to strengthen family bonds and character into a nearly half-million-dollar online product-based business in 4 years. Wait for it, working the business part-time.
She successfully exited her flagship business, Bored to Brilliant, and (as an entrepreneur at heart) prior to doing so, launched her coaching business for creative-brained individuals, Messy Minded Magic.
In this post, we delve into Trish’s experience with her online store as well as her coaching business. Advice from a successful, serial entrepreneur? Please, and thank you!
When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
You’re going to laugh at this, but when I was ten. I sold stationery. An ad in a “GRIT” magazine caught my eye, and I thought, “I can do that!” They offered glamorous prizes for selling, and boy were they tempting, but the coolest part to me was the $1 an item cash option. The idea of selling something and earning a part of the profit thrilled me.
Fast forward to your home-based business, bored to brilliant. Where did you sell your products?
All the places! Seriously, I had my own website, which is a necessity for building brand trust. I enjoyed marketplaces like Pick Your Plum, Jane, and Etsy for brand discovery too, and was quite successful on Jane.
Did you ever sell in person, why or why not?
I did on occasion at local festivals and such. I was looking to make the most of my time, and it was better for me to sell online and not be as customer facing. I did sell wholesale which allowed my brand to be represented in local markets as well.
One of the main platforms you leveraged to sell your products unexpectedly shut down. How did you pivot and what learnings did you take away from that?
I saw it coming, so I started learning Facebook ads to push my own website. I have always preached to never put all your eggs in one basket. Having multiple avenues of selling kept me from being left high and dry, although they did owe me about two thousand dollars when they closed their doors.
Are there marketing strategies or tactics you used on the different seller sites that you’re comfortable sharing?
The beauty of marketing is that it is multifaceted. Many find success through influencer marketing. Some love social media selling like TikTok shop. Some use Facebook ads and Google Ads.
I’ve used a combination of all of the above, but I found that getting my products on marketplaces where others are paying for the advertising produced good results with minimum time investment.
What advice do you have for other mamas out there who want to start their own online store? Which platform should they start with?
I feel like just picking a place and getting started is what matters. Etsy is a great place to get your feet wet with minimum investment. I honestly think everyone should sell some stuff on eBay or Facebook marketplace to get some experience with pricing, selling, and shipping!
If you had to start all over today with your online store, what would you do different?
I honestly think the biggest thing for me would be keeping better records. Because I am ADHD and I started the business to get my family out of a financial hard spot, I did too much intermingling of funds. Set up a business bank account and keep your personal funds separate. Document receipts as you go. Don’t do the shoebox method and work yourself to death at tax time.
Are there techniques you use to manage your time?
I’m ADHD. I have extreme periods of hyperfocus where I get more done in a day than I have all year. But then I have a slump where I’m super unproductive. You wanted real, correct?
I do recommend brain-dumping and prioritizing tasks, as well as making “dates” with yourself for time to work uninterrupted. I go to bed between 7:30 and 8 every night but I get up between 3:30 and 4 am. Those morning hours after my husband leaves for work, but before the kids get here are golden.
What’s your take on work-life balance? Is it attainable as a business owner? As an online store owner?
Absolutely. If not, why bother? One of my favorite scriptures talks about gaining the whole world but losing your soul. If I cannot be present as a Mammaw, Mom and Wife, there is nothing in business for me. Those things are my why, and my reason for living.
Let’s chat about Messy Minded Magic, can you share why you’re so passionate about coaching?
I’ve been coaching for about two years now in one capacity or another, but having my own business working with busy, creative brained women has given me a sense of peace and passion. I love watching them get their businesses started and making strides toward financial freedom. It’s life changing.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with other aspiring online business owners?
You are your own worst critic. Stop it. Find your peace. There is so much mindset training out there, and it’s not just woo woo. I spent the majority of my life believing someone else’s narrative about who I am. I have tried to prove my worth, my inner beauty to so many people who didn’t even matter- some looking on from a distance, and some that I lived with.
YOU ARE ENOUGH. Find whatever it was that shaped your inner voice and call it out for the liar it is.
You are amazing, you are worthwhile, and you can do whatever you set your mind to, if you can just love yourself enough to do it. Go listen to Tony Robbins, or find yourself a good coach. Get therapy and heal from your traumas if you need it. Whatever you do, stop listening to the lies and find your true worth. It’s massive. 💓
To learn more about Trish and Messy Minded Magic, visit her website: https://www.messymindedmagic.com. Follow her business on Facebook and take advantage of her free Messy Minded Magic community to connect with like-minded ladies!
I’ll see you there!
