When I first started my business, I was a new mom with a one-year-old who had just discovered the art of toddler tantrums. The idea of launching a business at that stage seemed borderline lunacy—not just to everyone I mentioned it to but also to myself. So instead of diving in, I tiptoed. Here’s what I learned about balancing life and career as a working mom.

As a working mom and business owner, I’ve learned that focusing on my strengths and building intentional habits is way more effective (and less exhausting) than trying to bulldoze my perceived weaknesses. That’s why every January, I trade the pressure-cooker resolutions for my trusty “Intentional Habits Workbook.” Think of it as a roadmap to a year that feels like me—but a little more organized, intentional, and, dare I say… fun.

Whether you’re looking for page-turning fiction, soul-nourishing podcasts, or quick escapes between the chaos of motherhood, we’ve curated a list for every moment you can spare as you round things out for 2024 and look forward to 2025. Here are some of the best books and podcasts we couldn’t get enough of this year.

After years of getting it wrong, this serial mompreneur and podcast host is here to tell you a key lesson in the life of a busy woman: You will be way more effective, successful, and satisfied in life if you take moments of transition (like the end of one year, before moving into the next), to pause and reflect before jumping on board the plane of planning, setting resolutions, and goals, and launching off into the sunrise without checking your past-history fuel tanks – because let’s face it, you’re not jetting off anywhere with empty tanks.

The fantastic thing about finding and establishing relationships with women who can mentor you is that these guardian angels or fairy godmothers are not just career guides; they’re also life coaches, your most passionate cheerleaders, and the supportive besties you need. And, here’s the best part: the unrealized mentors in your life are already at your fingertips. You just have to tap into your desire to be mentored and your willingness to be humble enough to seek out the right one.

Here’s the deal. I can’t give you a magic pill to achieve your goals. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I have a secret formula to success or that you’re even necessarily on the right track. What I will tell you is that I’ve tried and failed at many things in life, from relationships to businesses. I’ve also tried and succeeded in just as many adventures. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about staying committed to goals in life and in business as a woman and a mother. Are you ready? Let’s dig in.

Over my many years of experience testing, failing, launching and relaunching my business ideas, I’ve found that there are some key elements to finding success with your growing business. Equip yourself with these strategies, designed to guide you through the bustling marketplace and help you serve up a feast of actualization.

If you’re dying to escape the professional trap you find yourself in. If you have a business idea that you are itching to start. Or, you just want more flexibility with your family, I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned as a woman business owner, and mompreneur with over ten years of experience starting businesses, failing at businesses, and getting back up to try again.