SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to episode two of the Enneagram NBA podcast. In this episode, you're going to be hearing an interview with a type three entrepreneur. And as a reminder, refresher, our type threes have that core desire to be seen as successful, to be seen as a role model, to have achievement, to be admirable. And they the worst thing in the world for them, the thing that they're running away from is that fear of failure, of being exposed. They have this image that they put out into the world, and they don't think that who they really are is worthy. And so that is the work of the three to undo that that we are you are already worthy, you were born worthy, and there was no point between then and now that you became unworthy. So no amount of doing or succeeding is going to make you worthy. And Melinda has identified as a three with a wing two. And this wing type is called the star. And as a reminder, your wings are the numbers on either side of your dominant type. So it's it won't be a number across the circle from yours. It will only be the number on your left or the number on the right of your dominant type. And this type three with a wing two is called the star. Um they tend to be a little bit warmer, more encouraging, maybe a little bit more sociable than the other subtype, a little bit more charming, and they're okay with being the center of attention. They enjoy it. Um, they might be creating an image of being kind and selflessness and helpful versus creating a different type of image. Um, but they are also really good at championing the success of others. So knowing that as we go into this interview with Melinda, I don't want you to think that all type three with a wing two is this exact profile or that Melinda is this exact profile. But I wanted to give you a little bit of background about that type and then specifically with that wing so that you can listen for certain things during this interview with Melinda and start to pull out if you are a three, the things that you also identify with. And if you're not, you can learn more about how the three shows up and how they see the world, especially with that wing too. So enjoy this one with Melinda Martin. Welcome to the Enneagram MBA Podcast, a show for aspiring and growing entrepreneurs and unfulfilled employees who know they are capable of playing bigger. If you are wanting to identify your gifts, find your purpose, do work that matters, and create a ripple effect that goes beyond yourself, you're in the right place. Each week you'll get resources, strategies, and support to help you get to know yourself, to get to know and understand others, like your future clients, and help you get known so that you can reach more people with your gifts and purpose. So grab your notebook or open up your notes app, and I will see you in class. All right, well, welcome back to another episode of Enneagram MBA. Today is going to be such a good one for us all, but specifically if you have been thinking about changing your mind and with a business idea or just pivoting or really evolving. And so we're gonna talk a lot about that today. And I have Melinda Martin here with me, who is a Enneagram three, wing two, which we're gonna get into that. But before we do, let me go ahead and bring you in. Melinda, welcome to the podcast.

SPEAKER_01 3:41

Thank you. I'm so thrilled to be here and getting to chat together.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

Yeah, and I will say really quickly before we get started, we met probably, I don't know if it's two or three years ago at this point, um, at a James Wedmore event. And I love that things are opening back up and we're getting to go to these in-person events again and network. And there is such um, there is so many benefits and fun and helpfulness that comes from getting to meet people in real life and go to these events and just, you know, I know it's sometimes hard and uncomfortable to meet new people, but I'm I'm so glad I did that event. I'm so glad that we connected.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

Yes, me too. I can remember like our initial conversation, um, you know, like where we were and all the people that we got to be around. It's amazing how even small conversations that you have and then you move and you reconnect online and continue those relationships have been so helpful in growing.

SPEAKER_00 4:37

It is, it has, it really has. Um, well, and today I'm I'm excited to talk about your new brand, mommy. We're gonna get into that. You're also an exclusive marketing consultant, which we'll get into like what exactly that means and how you landed there because I know that that's not what you stepped out of the gate doing. Um, but I thought to bring some context to some of the work that you do and to the some of the changes you've made recently. Um, I wanted to get into what it's like being an Enneagram three with a lean two in business. So for those of you um who are newer to the Enneagram or you don't, you're not a two, so you haven't paid attention, I still think you're gonna get a, or I'm sorry, a three, so you haven't paid attention. Um, I always say, you know, pay attention to all the types because it's gonna help you understand um other people and those around you, your clients, your coworkers, your family members. So um you're gonna get a lot out of this, whether you identify as a three or not. So um, Melinda, how did you get into the Enneagram and how did you know that the three was your type?

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Brilliant question. Trying to think back. I'm gonna get a minute for my dog to stop working, so yeah, it's a little easier to edit out. Someone rang the it's okay. That happens, and honestly, it's easier to like pause it at that point so that you can just like edit the clip out.

SPEAKER_00 6:14

Yeah, we'll just cut it out.

SPEAKER_01 6:16

I know your question though.

SPEAKER_00 6:18

Yeah. It's like dogs and kids, you just can never prepare.

SPEAKER_01 6:27

No, and I I can't get the kids out of the house to consider, so I was like, yes, uh, inevitably. How's your puppy, by the way? Doing it now.

SPEAKER_00 6:39

Not sure. Did he stay in here? Yeah, he's not there. Yeah, I was like, I'm locking in, I'm locking in, dude.

unknown 6:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:49

Okay, let me pause this real quick. Yeah. Okay, so Melinda, before we get into what you're up to, the changes that you're making, um, how you ended up here, to give us some context. I want to hear about being an Enneagram 3 in business. And then specifically, how did you how did you end up finding out about the Enneagram? What brought you to the Enneagram?

SPEAKER_01 7:12

Yeah, I love this question. Um, I feel like it just it was almost inevitable to stumble into it um within the entrepreneur world, in a sense. It just started sort of being like this buzzword that's being talked about and just following the natural curiosities of, okay, what is that? I love anything that like helps you get to know yourself a little bit better. Um, and so it just seemed like a really neat way to do that. Um and the, you know, just really cool that like it like understands you in a sense. And so it really mirrors back the things that you experience, but maybe aren't completely in your awareness. And so once you become aware of them, then you're like, oh my gosh, this is why I did this, or this was the reason I made this choice. Um, or I need to lean into my strength here and pass off this thing that's you know a roadblock in my business because it's not my strength. But maybe if I hire an eight, that's their strength. Like, you know, like so it's so fun to get to like just figure that stuff out and lean into what you're good at and and be understood in that way. And then you started talking about it and we had been connected for a while. So I think, you know, anytime you see your friends start to be interested in something, you're like, oh, tell me more. Like, let's let's hear about all that stuff. Um, so that's really how how it came to be um getting to know that and um and being a three, um, I think it's interesting because I don't know any of the other types just like that well. I just know who I am in a sense. Um, so the biggest thing I think as a business and being a three, um, that's come up is this piece that we're like, we're really people, people, people. Uh that's totally like I'm a people person, is what I'm getting at. Yeah. Um, and so I really like I can resonate with them. Um, I'm really good at um making people feel welcome to be inclusive of a group. And I also really want to like plea, like I have this desire to please and just to be light. Like I also want to be liked and accepted by the people I'm around too. So I'm really good at morphing to environments and who I'm around, whether that's I need to be a little bit more subdued, if I'm talking to someone who's a little bit calmer, or if someone's really energetic, like I can feel my energy like shift to match that. Um, but it got tricky though, because that desire and those innate things um also led me a little bit down this path in business that I really wasn't intending on. Um, in a way that I ended up making like a 180 degree turn at the beginning of this year because I kept saying yes to the things that people pleasing side of things, um, that they're like, oh, you're so good at this. Can you help me with this? Can you do this? And I knew that I was and I could, so I did. And that's not always the right reason to do things, but I think it takes a ton of self-awareness and self-understanding, you know, utilizing the Enneagram for these things, know, okay, I those were the things I said yes to for someone else, um, versus that was really what was value aligned and self-serving, um, and intent, you know, integrity and intention of where my goals are as well. So it's been an interesting roller coaster. Um, when we met, I was doing copywriting, which in all honesty was like a complete like people-pleasing three thing of me to do. Um, because we were at James's event. I got to speak for a little bit and I had multiple people coming up afterwards saying, oh my gosh, can you help me on this or that? And I was like, amazing. Like I was very new to business and being on my own. I had just left um my nine to five as a nurse educator and helping, um, you know, being on the sales team and doing marketing for them. And um, so I just was like excited for a yes kind of thing. And so I I just and that trickled for a good while um of saying yes to the people who were asking me to say yes to them. Um, because that's, you know, it it filled, oh, they like you, um, you know, you're serving a purpose, you're you're pleasing who they, you know, and then and then I realized it wasn't all of what I intended on um and what I wanted and where my goals were. And um the biggest thing is I I clearly you'll see I love talking, um, but I realized I don't like talking for other people. I like empowering them to use their own voice. And I like um that that's the the big piece of it. And so I pivoted in a really big way at the beginning of this year.

SPEAKER_00 12:03

Yes. Okay. So first of all, um, so much of what you were saying that resonated with you or how you knew you were a three is so much like textbook three. Um, because for those of you who aren't as familiar, maybe you're not a three, but this is new to you. You know, threes really value they're running towards success, admiration, um, the awards, like the gold stars. And then so the worst thing in the world for a three is failure of any kind. And so with that comes a lot of what what Melinda was saying, with even like the the they're known as the achiever, but they're also called the chameleon um because they have and it's honestly a skill.

SPEAKER_01 12:47

It's so helpful at times, um, yes to be able to adapt so quickly and blend like in any environment. Yeah, when you start disguising, you know, and it's not intentional, you know, it's not like this malicious thing, but like you just you realize you're like, oh, I'm just I'm not, but that's not me all the way.

SPEAKER_00 13:08

Yeah, yeah, which makes which is so interesting, just how you ended up doing copywriting at first, and then the the the idea of copywriting in general is kind of that morphing into somebody else's voice. Which is really why you were so good at it. Um, so I want to read just a couple of the the superpowers of a three, and then I would love to hear how you kind of see those playing out where you're at right now, and we're gonna get to where you're going as well. Um, and then we are gonna have um, I am gonna ask you a question on the flip side of this about some of maybe like the shadow side that's maybe blocked you from getting to where you wanted to go as and seeing that as clearly. Um, so for for threes, you guys are amazing at setting goals um and and actually meeting the goals. We have some types out there who have a lot of ideas. And Melinda and I were talking about this before we we hit record about all the ideas we have. Um, as a seven, no shortage. The difference between a three and a seven is going to be the ability to actually execute on those ideas. Um, and threes are really efficient at those. Um, you are working hard, so you probably have like that hustle harder t-shirt somewhere in your closet. Um, you have this image of success and competency, and you look good in all contexts. Um, you're striving to be the best, and you have this ability to inspire others to get the results that they want to get, which makes sense. And what you just said at the end, like I don't necessarily want to write for other people, I want to inspire them. Um, and so where do you, you know, and you've already kind of hit on that, but is there anything else on this list of kind of superpowers, qualities of a three that jump out at you for being able to um that have helped you to be to be where you are right now?

SPEAKER_01 15:04

Um, I mean, in my brain, I'm like nodding along, going check, check, check to each one of the things that you listed out because it all resonates so much. Um I think the biggest thing is is have being able to have a plan and achieve that plan and knowing that I can. Um in a lot of that's strategy, but it's also just sort of like this innate thing that comes up where people are like, oh my gosh, Melinda, how in the world did you do all these things? I'm like, I I could go back and like break down all the teeny tiny steps, but I really don't know. Like it it just is just a thought that I acted on and it happened. And that ability to really connect quickly with different people really serves you well there because they're they're jumping in and they're excited to tag along on the things that you're doing too, um, which then just matters, like you said, all of your goals.

SPEAKER_00 15:54

Um so and that made me think too, Melinda. Um just to add some more context to this, is our threes and sevens are an eights are in a group called the assertive group. And so they have this like very future focused energy, like kind of like what's next. And so what you said about like, I don't know how I got here, because I'm not thinking about how I got here, I'm thinking about like what's where we're going. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_01 16:22

So specifically, yeah, right now, um, I am the founder of Mommy. It is an inclusive lifestyle content for families with disabilities, not at all copywriting. Um, but all of those pieces serve me so well because I am creating content and messaging and this vision, right? That future focused. We have this really big, grand, world-changing vision. And the more we share it, the more we are bringing people together, the more this community is rallying forward. Um, and we are reaching those strides. And I am super confident that, you know, as as we continue with um with all of it, right? Just how the three in general, those things you lifted out, just supports the movement that we're making for the mommy platform. Um, so it's really like it's just it's really grounding and like um supportive to feel all of those things around the work that you're doing as well.

SPEAKER_00 17:17

Okay, and then before we go any further, um, I do just want to just kind of connect the dots for people because you're starting this new brand, you've done copywriting, and then I know you also are like excellent at branding and marketing. And um, I would love to hear just how you have moved through those or allowed yourself or like thought processes that either have helped you or you know, have have um have maybe I don't want to say hurt you, but have have slowed you down. Um, and the reason why I wanted us to have this specific conversation, in addition to like understanding what it's like to be a three for you specifically, we all have different experiences, different expressions of each type. Um, but is because I know, especially with COVID, it was like such an aha. Like, what do I really want out of my life? What am I doing? You had time to slow down a little bit. Some in some areas we we didn't have time to slow down. There was a lot of kids at home for us parents. Um, but I know there's a lot of people that I've been talking to in the last several months that have just completely changed what they're doing or added in something new. And so I thought this was such a relevant conversation. So tell us, tell us a little bit about like the mommy brand right now, and then how did how did you get there from what you were doing with marketing and branding?

SPEAKER_01 18:44

That is such a good question. Um, and so good. So I'll take it back to uh the point that I shared where I was I was writing for other people and I just realized like I want this to be, I want to inspire them to speak for themselves. I want them to care so deeply about something that they're ready to rally that and give them some guidance and advice around how to do that. Um, so I decided to make to just stop. Like, and I and I think the biggest thing was, you know, we we don't like, we don't like the no's and we don't like to feel like a failure. And so a lot of times when you're stopping something or you're evolving or you're pivoting, whatever it may be in that moment, it feels like a failure, which is really hard. You know, I think that's the biggest mental block that I had until you realize like everyone grows through life. Like life is always an evolution and who my life circumstances, who I was before and who I was, you know, two years after starting doing copywriting. Um, it's just there's more awareness around that in general. Um and and it was a little bit different, right? Like because as you evolve, why like why wouldn't your business evolve? And I think giving myself the permission to say, you know what, this is not what I want anymore. Um and I can choose for myself what's best um outside of whatever else might go be going around. So I just deleted my whole copywriting website because I'm sort of one of those two where it's like if you're like halfway in, halfway out, like I know I'm gonna, it's gonna be a mental load that just like is overwhelming. Um, and so I was like, we're just not doing copywriting anymore. So I deleted it all. Um, and it was so freeing. Like, and I think, you know, talk about like a moment to be like, okay, is this the right thing or not? Like jumping off the ledge. Like, um, I'm glad it felt expansive to do that because then you have the world of opportunities awaiting you. Um, and you're really able to open up to say, what is it that I'm building? What's on my heart to create and to empower change in the world? And where do I want to spend my each and every day? Because I think that's also a question that like we began to reflect more of in COVID too. You realize that like life is fleeting. Um and so it is a moment to really ground into like, what am I doing with my space in the world? And um it took a lot of getting really raw and honest. Um, as a mother of two kids with disabilities, myself. Um I couldn't also like I had to say, you know, this is what my life looks like. And it is not what everybody else's life looks like. And it feels like there's times where like this past week, we were at two different doctors appointments, getting um, you know, talking to a neurologist about um cerebral palsy and knitting MRIs and what lifelong things look like. And for me, like the personal effects, the business, because you're in all of your life together, right? And So just getting really honest through that, it I started to think what where I'm at, what supports me and what supports what's on my heart is to nurture those that are in my community and in my space and to move towards creating more representation and inclusivity in business, even too, because how many I can't think of a time where I was in a business training that talked about being a parent of a child with disabilities and how that affects you as a businesswoman or as an entrepreneur. And I think all of those conversations are really important. So I just was like, I'm just gonna take this on, right? I um throughout life, I was like, okay, I've been in lots of different situations where um I haven't seen or felt the things that were reflective of my whole life expression. Um and so I was like, you know what, it needs to exist, so let's just make that happen. Um and and it was the permission to evolve, right? That that opened up it being a free expression versus a constricted expression. Because I think if you had kept the weights on of a three of, well, I should do this for this person, or it would be I could really help them by doing X, Y, or Z. And it's but it's not being all of your fullest expression, then that feeling is keeping you more limited than expansive. And you want to move into those spaces that feel expansive because I think that's where you're at your highest good.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

Yes. Oh, so much goodness in what you just said. Um, and just like that permission and not feeling like it's a failure. And, you know, I think one one thing too, um, it's like there's no way that that could be a failure, or for anybody who's thinking about pivoting or or has and just like what that means. Because, you know, how would you have ever gotten to this point had you not gone through those two or three other things?

SPEAKER_01 24:24

Yeah, I think that's such a good thing to lean into as well. Um, it's sort of pinged two thoughts there because one, if you start think of, okay, well, I'm I'm having to say no to this versus I'm saying yes to all of this, right? And if I had stayed in the place where I was saying no to those, you know, couple clients a month that I was copywriting for, then I would have been saying no to the millions of people who are about to get impacted by the work we're doing at mommy. Um, like that's huge. Um, and but that was that was self-awareness, that was permission um to evolve and to pivot and to change to to be in the feelings of it all. Um and then oh, I'm trying to think of another thing that had popped up along the way too. But it fled already. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:12

Yeah, if you think of it, let me know. But the other thing I was gonna say about that is because you had those experiences as a copywriter going to events and then hearing, like, or not hearing that message that so resonated with you, but obviously a lot of people are dealing with.

SPEAKER_01 25:29

Yeah, that was exactly it. Um, thank you for reminding me. But it it was, it was those experiences that have made this current moment be so much simpler. Um, to be like, it's like now I feel like I'm in the driver's seat. Like I know which which pedal to push. Um, I know how to position. I'm I'm utilizing everything and everyone that I had in contact with me before um to rally forward on this platform, um, which is just amazing. So I think sometimes too, we think, oh, if I stop this, everyone's gonna be, well, just speak for myself. It's like, okay, if I stop this, are they gonna not want to be business buddies with me or are they not gonna like um, you know, just like what are they gonna say? And then I realized the people I'm helping to, some of them are moms with kiddos with disabilities. So it serves them in a whole different way to lean into the work that I'm doing, or how we're utilizing as a platform the brands that we have made connections with in order to serve as ad partners. We're using the nonprofits in order to as our give back through our as a social enterprise brand as well. So it's just like the way in which all of the experiences of business and of all of really the last five years of life, in a sense, um, are coming together and just like this beautiful like quilt work almost, these layers to to further the work that's been done. So I just feel like at this point we're just we're in the exact right moment, um, which you never I feel like it's hard to trust in the depths of it. But then once you follow those nudges and you you lean into it and you get to the place I feel like I'm at now, you look back and you just see how supportive even the hardest things you navigated were for your current circumstances. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 27:27

You know, um there's a lot of talk about, you know, action, action, action brings clarity. And there that is a part of it. But I also think it's the um the inaction sometimes, once you've acted, and then like looking back and reflecting on what is working, what is not working, how does this fit together, um, can lead you to, you know, doing something if you're if you're feeling burnt out or like, oh, this isn't it right now. And for those of you, you know, this might be it for you, Melinda. Like this is your forever brand, but like you might evolve. Oh, I am totally serious.

SPEAKER_01 28:03

I am so excited for what it is. I know I feel like, you know, I'm following this brand that we're establishing. It's gonna be a brand, it's like I'm we are setting down deep roots to be here for a long time. And I'm super excited for how this is just step one of all the opportunities it opens up. Like, you know, in building a successful foundation, one, we are creating a very known space where um disability representation and inclusion will reside. And from that, I'm hoping we can inspire more brands to do it. And then I can work as an angel investor in their works, bringing in my copywriting and my marketing and my branding and all the things that I love and I have done to nurture and support, you know, sort of in this niche genre of um, you know, empowering, empowering this community in different ways. I feel like it's just gonna soar forward. Um, so it's yeah, I again, it's the not locking in. It's I didn't, I don't have to say this is it forever. I'm seeing this is it right now. And I'm open to growing and evolving with life um as it as it calls me to.

SPEAKER_00 29:09

And what is your relationship with failure now? Like when you hear that word or you feel that way, like what yeah, how does that play out for you?

SPEAKER_01 29:20

Yeah, so it's so interesting. I just had a team call um before we got on this chat together. And so we're putting, we have a huge, you know, promo launch plan that we put together. And it's the first time we're doing it too. And so I told um, I told her, I was like, you know, we are just gonna make the best decisions for this moment because this is my first time in this specific situation as well. Um, so versus before I feel like it would have been like, oh my gosh, I have to do exactly this, this, or that in order for it to be a success. I'm like, we are going to take action. We're gonna make the best decision from this moment, and then we're gonna learn from that. If we get zero people signing up, we will just have learned something very, very specific from that versus it being a failure. Um, we'll know, you know, okay, that wasn't what they, you know, what we were wanting. Or um it's just, you know, it's so it's it's just different. It is, it is, and I think that's that's the biggest thing. It is choosing to live life and see what unfolds versus like tight gripping to it and saying it's gonna be this way.

SPEAKER_00 30:24

Yeah, that is so that's so good. Um, it's like you get the what is the saying? You either get there's no failure, you either get the lesson, the success that you wanted or the lesson that you needed. Something like that. Um, okay, so I gotta, I want to ask you, and and just out of curiosity, how so you know, you you have a lot going on at home, you're a mom of two, like you're starting this new business, um, and even just like working with kids, you know, at home. Like there's a lot of things um on top of like being a wife and a friend and all this other stuff, taking care of yours yourself, your health. Um, how do you that gets stressful? How do you handle stress? Like, how do you express stress? Like, what does stress look like for you? And then how do you deal with it?

SPEAKER_01 31:15

Okay, so this is probably like my Achilles to heal like a little bit. Um me and stress, we have a lot of time together. Um, in general, we are in a high stress household. So I think the big thing for me is like the creating awareness of it. And a lot of times stress will manifest like in a feeling in my body, right? Um, so it is it's not just like a headache or it's you know, it's just like stress is a sensation. So like I know when I start reaching that stress based off how I'm feeling. And the more you try to power through it, which has always been my stance for like most of my life, um, is well, you know, we're just gonna power through this. Like I'm pretty mentally tough, I'm pretty physically tough, like um, we're just gonna get through this, which is not always it's not the healthy way to go about it. And sometimes it's the necessary way though. So I want to like create space that like sometimes it's completely necessary, depending on the situation. Um, so now, and again, work in progress here, Stress and I just try to have like some chill time together. Um I feel like the more I can have like just alone space, because again, being a people person, when I'm in other people's energies, I tend to pick up on it, which like then heightens like all of the feelings going on, even that's like business meetings or or whatever different little things. So creating alone time in my schedule has been my biggest help here. Um, and in that alone time, giving yourself permission to just like sit and do nothing, um, or like lay down and listen to calm music is usually what I do. So my kids have started to pick up on like, oh, if mommy's calm music's on, and she's laying in her bed and just looks like she's like being lazy and I should, you know, they'd usually come jump on the bed or like mommy, do something. I'm like, now they know like there's a little bit of boundary room there.

SPEAKER_00 33:11

That's the cue, the cue. Yeah, the cue.

SPEAKER_01 33:13

We're gonna give her a minute. Um, it'll go for the good for all of us. Um, but that has been helpful. But as an achiever, right? The type three is that achiever piece. That's really like it takes some practice to just give yourself 20 minutes to like not, there's nothing you have to do in that moment to perform. You are just simply lying and being and letting go of those different things that are going on.

SPEAKER_00 33:41

Yeah, I know so many people can probably relate to that feeling that you were talking about. Um, the other thing that I know this is not unique to type threes, like by the you know, we all have all types inside of us, so we're gonna experience this at some level, um, especially with social media. And a lot of times threes will have a tendency to struggle this main with this more than others, is this idea of um comparison and like how do I measure up? Um, how how do you, I mean, is that maybe I don't want to, I don't want to assume, is that something you've struggled with in the past? And how is that, how have you been able to move through that or are you dealing with that right now?

SPEAKER_01 34:23

Yeah. Um, so I think definitely like I have always had an idea of how I look to others. And it's probably some of a felt perception, but I think once you get people that like tell you a lot of the same things over and over again, oh Melinda, you're you always look so good here, like your branding so good or your message is on point, it becomes an expectation that you're holding in your head for yourself too. And I have a really strong desire to meet that expectation every single time. Like there is no room for falter, like that has been the thing. Um, so especially on social media where you're in front of a lot of people and audiences, that same thing holds true. So, how much time I'm probably like at times I'll say, like spent over fussing about the copy on something, or is the graphic coming across in the right way? Are all my colors coordinating, right? It's like a whole like getting dressed outfit for the day, like, but it's like a social media presence in a sense. Um, like that, it matters a lot to me. And I, and at times it's it's a fun thing that I love. Um, and it's really fun to play around with and it's a strength. And at times that strengths also the weakness um when it becomes perfection versus authenticity. Cause I would say all those things come really natural to me. But then when you add the stress of it into when it comes to have to versus a want to, I think is when it switches up. Um, and it's actually not the thing for that moment. So the ways I've been working on that is to just start adding in, like giving myself permission to be raw and sharing that rawness openly. One, because that's the truth of my life, regardless of if it's picture perfect or sounds great. Like I think honoring the truth of your life is always gonna be a good move in a sense. Um and so trying to show up, you know, and some people think of it like I've been told, like, oh, I'm a little bit more on like the masculine energy than the feminine energy. So part of it's like sort of leaning into that feminine, like soft side of things too. But for me, the expression is just like it's it's real. So like the other day I posted um after the images, I I like took a video of myself sort of like mentally processing. And I um spoke in the video on like what was going through my head. And it was sort of like this inner self-talk of like, hey mommy, like you did it, like you are so strong. You walked in that appointment, like you did, you know, this or that kind of thing. And like that it was just real. Um and it was it was, you know, it didn't match my brand colors. It didn't like it, I didn't think over it, you know, and double check how it flowed with the rest of my sequence going on that month. Like it just was in the moment. Um, so I think opening yourself up to all of those pieces of you, whereas in business, sometimes I think you only you have the sense, the felt sense that we can only be part of all of who we are.

SPEAKER_00 37:39

Yeah. And and you know, it's so um, I saw that post on your Instagram, by the way. So um I think was it Instagram? Yeah. Okay. Um, because I think you had shared some of it in the caption, which was so good. So if this is at all like you have a, you know, can relate to what Melinda's saying, like you got to check that out. But um what is so interesting too about what you're saying, it's it's like, gosh, so so much growth in in your journey right now, because um typically the memes and the quote cards that you'll see on Instagram are like the average three or the average type of whatever number. And that's okay. We hear dogs in the background. Um, that is just fine. We have sometimes we'll probably hear my dog in the background, so no worries. Um but um what I was gonna say about that is that it's interesting because threes along with twos and fours are in this heart center of intelligence, so they feel first versus thinking or like a gut reaction. But for threes, that's typically suppressed repressed because they're so focused on the next thing. Yeah. And so just your ability to like tune in and like express, feel your own heart, and then like share a message from your heart, I think is such um a point of growth and so evident there. So, you know, kudos, kudos to you. That's new to me.

SPEAKER_01 39:07

So I love learning that as well.

SPEAKER_00 39:09

Yeah, yeah, it is. It's it's it's so interesting. Um, you know, how how we we think and come to decisions and kind of like what our go-to is, and um ideally the the goal is to integrate, you know, all of that, our head and and our body and our feelings. Um, but typically, you know, when as we're starting on this journey, we we're leaning into one pretty heavy or or repressing one pretty heavy. Um, okay, so so you know, looking at this, we've talked about your pivot. Um, we've kind of talked about how you've got here. Um, as a three, I know you have a lot of goals. Um, tell us as we look into the future, you know, what's coming next for your new mommy brands? And then for you, we we um always like to ask the question too, you know, what are what are what's something that you're working to learn right now and what's something you're looking to unlearn? So as we kind of start to wrap this up, I guess um tell us a little bit about that, the learning and unlearning for Melinda, and then tell us, I want to know what's next for the mommy brand.

SPEAKER_01 40:18

Thank you. Okay. Um, something I'm learning. Uh I'm learning a lot of PR right now. I think because we are just looking for a lot of media behind our launch. Um so that's been something that I'm learning um, in addition to perfecting my homemade tortilla recipe, which is a whole different thing. Um we recently moved from Austin to South Carolina and are totally missing out on our breakfast tacos. Um, so I'm like, you know what? We're just going to make this happen here. Um, so definitely have our learning to perfect that in a big way. Um, something I'm unlearning is um I'm unlearning indirect communication, like the soft, gentle, nice way to say things. And I'm trying to learn like just like sometimes I just want to say it what's in my head. And that comes out like a little bit feisty and bold. Um, but that's also like the truth. And I think the truth is okay to say. So I'm learning how to lean more into into that and sort of unlearn the conditioning behind being, you know, a soft woman that has to be X, Y, or ZY, um, all of that kind of stuff that it's layered onto us since we've been since I've been a young girl. Um, and I think, you know, that's part of also like, you know, my age, probably of where I'm at right now, right? Like we've I'm nearly almost moved through my 20s. I turned 30 at the end of this year. And so I think part of that too is just the transition of life and space as a, you know, in business and as a mom and as a woman myself and those types of things. Um, and then what's next for mommy is we our platform um launches September 1st. Uh, so we'll be the first inclusive, the first mainstream inclusive lifestyle platform for families with disabilities. Um, if you go to any motherhood or parenting website and you search disabilities, most of the time you just see um a handful of articles here or there. Uh, most of the time it's parents having to advocate for their kids versus truly being nurtured and supportive with content that supports our everyday lives. So I'm really thrilled to step into this space and to bring um all of those experiences forward. Um, and uh leading up to that launch, we are hosting a mommy mixer, which is just like a really fun um digital event, free get to know you, hang out, connect um on July 28th. Um, and super excited about that and the the community that will be evolving from there.

SPEAKER_00 43:13

Yes. Okay, so where are so anybody who's like, oh my God, yes, I need this, or I just want to, I I love just want to I love what Melinda shared. I want to drop a note. Where are you hanging out? Where can people learn more? Get on the list.

SPEAKER_01 43:29

Yeah, so um the majority of our time spent on Instagram. Um you can find me at Melinda K Martin um or come hang out with us on mommy. It's hey mommy mo M M E. Um, we're also on Pinterest too. So we have a lot of like fun content that's being generated there. So feel free to come hang out at Hey Mommy on Pinterest or Facebook. Um, or if you want a really simple way to just jump into our community, you can text mommy M O M M E to 512 790. We have like a community number where we send out like mommy love notes and like the most recent articles and just fun happenings or giveaways. So it's just a really easy way to stay connected and jump straight into the community.

SPEAKER_00 44:17

So good. Okay. And then just a fun way to sign off. I always like to ask people, what what are you reading right now? Or what's a business or or growth book that you would recommend to our listeners?

SPEAKER_01 44:29

Yeah. Okay. So my favorite book uh for business is called Essentialism. It like just helps my whole brain calm down from like all of the things to like the most important things. And I think once you can really focus on like the most important things, like all the things tend to take care of themselves. Um so it was really helpful in creating space both physically and mentally in our life.

SPEAKER_00 44:58

And that's something that a lot of threes um and like you are, I know, are tend to be really good at is that efficiency, um, the most effective way. And so I know that we could all probably a lot of us could probably tap into more of that. Yeah, that three energy and that book sounds like a great resource.

SPEAKER_01 45:17

I'm super curious now that the person who wrote it was a three. Like that would be interesting.

SPEAKER_00 45:23

Well, and you know what's so interesting is that, you know, once you understand, once you start to understand all of the types, and even you know, your type, it starts, it starts, but it's like, oh, I wonder, I wonder what book or I wonder what um their their type is. Cause if it's like, oh, like live your dreams, you know, it's like, oh, I wonder, I bet they're like, I don't think that that's like a person who's a one or a five, or yeah, you know, it's just really interesting. And I think that's just a reminder that there's no one way to do anything.

SPEAKER_01 45:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 45:56

There's no one right way to get to where you're going, um, to do what you're doing. And so um I love having these conversations just as you know, a reminder that there's no one way, and then as inspiration for different ways that different people are doing it. So um with that, Melinda, I'm gonna let you have the last word, no pressure. But is there anything that we haven't talked about as, you know, as someone with a lot of three energy or somebody that's recently pivoted, any words of or should say evolution evolved, which I which we we like better, um, that you want to leave the listeners with.

SPEAKER_01 46:35

Um, I love, I will ping off of what you just said. Um, in evolving, you have to know that there's not one way. And so many times, I think in business education and this digital educator space, we are we feel like we're being told this is the way to do it. And having to take that with a grain of salt of your personality type, your enneogram type, your life circumstances, all of those things, and um completely give yourself permission to do it the way that's best for you.

SPEAKER_00 47:08

So good. Such a good reminder as we sign off on this. Thanks so much for being here, Melinda. I'm excited to follow along um with the mommy brand and what all comes from it. And uh I appreciate you being here. And I'll see you soon, I'm sure, over on Instagram.

SPEAKER_01 47:23

Yes, thank you so much. I so appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00 47:26

Thanks, lady. Real quick before you go, if you got anything from today's episode, whether it be an aha around the Enneagram type or a part of their story that really resonated with you, reach out and let them know. I know as a podcast guest myself, that means the world to hear from somebody who listened to the episode, got something from it, and then took the time to follow up and let me know. I'm also gonna ask you another favor. If you haven't already, subscribe and leave a review for this podcast. And when you do, because I know that you're busy as a thank you for your time and your effort to do that, I'm gonna send you a type-specific reference guide. Um, it's 25 to 30 pages all about your dominant Enneagram type, how it shows up and what to do with it. And then I'm also gonna send you an invitation to a live training we're doing at the end of the month around your CEO style, how your type shows up in leadership and building your business, building your marketing strategies, how to leverage your strengths, blind spots to watch out for. So that's gonna be really fun. If you're listening to this after August 2021, still email me and I'll send you the link to the replay. My email address is hello at Sarah Lyn Co.com. Again, that was hello Sarah S A R A H L Y N N C O dot com. Thanks for being here, and I'm looking forward to hanging out again soon.