Most women wait too long to step into their potential - held back by fear, self-doubt, or the belief that success and motherhood can’t coexist.
In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Michelle Gifford - marketing strategist, founder of a creative agency, and mom of five - who proves that you don’t have to choose between family and ambition. She shares her no-nonsense approach to building a business that actually makes money, how to silence imposter syndrome, and why “microfails” (yes, failing on purpose!) are the key to long-term success.
From starting her first business while six months pregnant to helping women scale their brands using social media, Michelle breaks down the mindset shifts and strategies that turn ideas into income. If you’ve been waiting for permission to go all in, this is it.
Connect with Michelle Gifford:
Instagram: @iammichellegifford
Connect with Lizzy Jensen:
Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @Lizzy.jensen
Chapters:
00:00 – 00:48 | Introduction
\t•\tLizzy welcomes Michelle and shares their history in podcasting
\t•\tHow Michelle’s first podcast inspired Lizzy’s journey
00:48 – 02:46 | Michelle’s Entrepreneurial Journey
\t•\tHow she started her first business while pregnant
\t•\tHer transition from small-town life to building a marketing agency
02:46 – 04:51 | The Power of Social Media for Women
\t•\tHow social media empowers women to build businesses
\t•\tWhy embracing digital tools is crucial for success
04:51 – 06:38 | Balancing Business & Motherhood
\t•\tThe challenges of entrepreneurship as a mom
\t•\tHow to redefine success & build confidence
06:38 – 09:55 | How Women Approach Business Differently
\t•\tThe differences between male and female entrepreneurship
\t•\tWhy community and connection matter more than ever
09:55 – 13:07 | First Steps for Starting a Business
\t•\tThe importance of following the money
\t•\tWhy women must overcome the fear of selling
13:07 – 19:02 | The Reality of Work-Life Balance
\t•\tPractical strategies for managing family and business
\t•\tHow to design a life that works for you
19:02 – 23:29 | Redefining Motherhood & Success
\t•\tSeparating motherhood from caretaking roles
\t•\tMaking intentional choices about what work to do
23:29 – 30:12 | Confidence, Community & Finding Your People
\t•\tWhy confidence attracts the right people
\t•\tThe power of showing up authentically
30:12 – 39:49 | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
\t•\tHow practice eliminates self-doubt
\t•\tWhy doing the work qualifies you for success
39:49 – 45:23 | Taking Ownership of Your Achievements
\t•\tWhy women downplay their success
\t•\tHow owning your wins helps you grow and serve others
45:23 – 47:21 | Michelle’s Legacy & Final Advice
\t•\tEncouraging women to step up and use their voices
\t•\tWhy now is the time for women to share their light
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