This is a blog from the Purpose and Pixie Dust Podcast episode: Can Women Have It All? Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship with Olivia Ratcliffe.

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About Olivia: Olivia Radcliffe is a much sought-after expert in authentic marketing and business strategy for mompreneurs. Olivia is also a 5-time international bestselling author, women's empowerment speaker, certified Life Coach, co-creator of the Like a Mother Movement, and co-host of the Marketing Like a Mother podcast.

 Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Olivia Ratcliffe

In a recent episode of the Purpose and Pixie Dust podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Olivia Ratcliffe, a fellow Ohioan, and a successful entrepreneur. Olivia is a single mom who has managed to build two thriving businesses while also raising her three-year-old child. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a refusal to choose between being a great mom and a successful entrepreneur.

The Bluebell Group: Empowering Moms in Business

Olivia's core business, the Bluebell Group, is a testament to her belief that women can have it all. She focuses on helping moms create stand-out businesses that enhance their lives instead of becoming overwhelming time and energy drains. This venture was inspired by her own experience as a solo mom and her neurodivergent nature.

Like many of us, Olivia has always been an entrepreneur at heart, with a strong desire to help people. Her message resonates with me, as I too have often grappled with the notion that one has to pick one thing and can't do multiple things. Olivia's success in managing two businesses, being a mom, and pursuing other passions is a testament to the fact that this notion is far from the truth.

The Art of Prioritization

When it comes to prioritization, Olivia admits that it can be chaotic at times. She relies heavily on her to-do list and calendar to keep track of tasks and ideas. Writing things down helps her calm down and ensures she won't forget anything. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the most urgent and important tasks that will move the needle in her business.

The Power of Systems and Software

In our conversation, Olivia shared some of the systems she uses in her business. She loves using Calendly to adjust her availability and streamline scheduling. She also emphasizes the importance of finding software that can eliminate unnecessary steps and save time. Other systems she uses include ClickUp, Airtable, and Notion. These platforms help with organization and task management, especially when working with a business partner who is located in a different time zone.

The Like a Mother Movement: A Successful Partnership

Olivia's partnership with Michelle, a woman from France, is another testament to her entrepreneurial spirit. They met in a business group and connected over their similar work patterns and goals. They started a podcast together, which allowed them to test their compatibility as partners. Eventually, they decided to start a business called the "Like a Mother Movement," which focuses on supporting multi-passionate entrepreneurs. Their partnership has been successful because they complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Networking and Collaboration: An Authentic Approach

Olivia's approach to networking and collaboration is authentic and aligned with her values. She prefers collaborating with others through podcasts, freebie swaps, bundles, and speaking engagements. This approach allows her to bring value to different platforms and attract potential clients without feeling like she's forcing anything.

Incorporating Human Design into Business

Our conversation also touched on the topic of human design. Olivia shared that she knows someone who has considered adding human design to their practice, specifically for their business. We both agreed that honing in on human design and understanding the types of her clients could lead to positive results, particularly for women in business who are often manifesting generators or projectors.

Growing Businesses without Social Media

Despite not enjoying the social media aspect, Olivia was able to grow her businesses through word of mouth, collaborations, and networking. She also emphasizes the importance of her email list, where she sends out emails 1 to 3 times a week. Olivia also mentions her involvement in business groups on Facebook, where she spends around 20 minutes answering questions and supporting others before intentionally stepping away. Additionally, she shares her love for writing and how she became an executive contributor for magazines and guest published in various blogs.

A Shared Love for Writing

To my surprise, Olivia has a background in journalism, and we share a love for writing. This passion has opened doors for her, leading to opportunities to contribute to magazines and guest publish on various blogs. Some of these opportunities came from networking in business groups, while others were magazines she admired and reached out to.

In conclusion, my conversation with Olivia Ratcliffe was a testament to the fact that women can indeed have it all. Her story is a beacon of hope for all the moms out there who are trying to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Olivia: