Entrepreneuring while caregiving

Hosted by Jennifer Barrett Fajardo

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May 2024

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About the show

The Entrepreneuring *WHILE* Caregiving podcast showcases the stories of women navigating the balancing act of caregiving, business-building, and change-making. Perhaps you already had a business, and had to find new ways to sustain it (even if in a scaled-back way) while caregiving. Maybe you had to give up a job to meet the demands of caregiving and found side jobs, freelanced, or started a business. Or while caregiving, you were inspired to launch a service, passion project, or nonprofit. If any of these scenarios resonate with your current situation or a past season of life, you're sure to feel a sense of kinship with those who vulnerably share their lived experiences in our conversations. ABOUT ME I've been my own boss since 2012 but became a caregiver to my spouse in 2021 and made a BIG pivot in my business during the summer of 2023 that was driven by the realities (and challenges) of this juggling act. Since then, I've crossed paths with many others who either sought out flexible side-gigs or contract work to accommodate their caregiving role, or found themselves learning–or struggling–to sustain an existing entrepreneurial endeavor when they unexpectedly added caregiving to their responsibilities. These conversations share candid chapters of their stories. Learn more at https://jenbarrett.com/podcast

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4 recent

May 25, 202445 min

EP003: Mariely Sylvette Martinez

Listen-in on Jen's conversation with Mariely Sylvette Martinez, a bilingual business coach and communications consultant based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mariely has grown and sustained her business since 2010 while also stepping into the role of caregiver for her parents along her entrepreneurial journey.CONVERSATION MARKERS:00:00 Introduction and welcome00:52 Mariely's entrepreneurial journey01:57 The leap of faith03:38 Challenges and realizations06:53 Caregiving journey begins12:04 Balancing business and caregiving18:16 Lessons learned and advice19:43 Designing your business (and life!)25:14 The importance of support systems38:04 Final thoughts and encouragementRESOURCES + LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: ABOUT MARIELY:Mariely Sylvette Martinez is a Business Coach & Communication Strategist who specializes in assisting business owners to simplify their way to six figures and beyond while leveraging their Zone of Genius. Helping Business owners build their authority and influence on Linkedin as well as through Public Speaking has been one of her main focus over the past decade. She started her entrepreneurial journey in 2010 and has assisted clients in areas such as market research, personal branding, podcast production, and creating their Signature Talk, among many others. In addition, she's a trainer and sought after speaker for professional development and entrepreneurship events.Mariely Sylvette completed a Master degree in Strategic Communications and she's a Certified Coach since 2014 and trainer of the Success Principles by the Canfield Institute. She earned the credential of Mastery Practitioner (MP) from the International Association of Coaching (IAC) and she's also an active member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Connect with Mariely Sylvette on Linkedin. CONNECT WITH MARIELY:WebsitePodcastFacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTo connect with Jen or learn more, visit https://jenbarrett.com

May 18, 202445 min

EP002: Allison Breininger

Listen-in on Jen's conversation with Allison Breininger, a nonprofit founder based in St. Paul, Minnesota who is changing the way family caregivers are seen & supported, while caregiving for her husband who is living with the rare genetic disease Fanconi Anemia.CONVERSATION MARKERS:00:00 Introduction to Allison and her journey00:43 Allison's nonprofit: The Negative Space02:25 The evolution of Allison's career and nonprofit journey05:51 The significance of caregiving and The Negative Space's mission09:11 Allison's personal caregiving experience14:31 The challenges and realities of caregiving17:21 Sustaining The Negative Space amidst personal challenges20:40 The intersection of entrepreneurship and caregiving22:31 Navigating the complexities of caregiving and work23:21 Hustle behind flexibility23:42 The creative energy vs. exhaustion in caregiving24:02 Exploring nonprofit challenges and personal growth24:59 Facing the crossroads: growth or stability?26:21 The visibility struggle of non-senior caregivers29:01 The isolation and unpredictability of caregiving32:27 Managing personal wellbeing amidst caregiving37:19 Redefining work and life balance42:07 Concluding thoughts on caregiving awarenessRESOURCES + LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:In Sickness podcastThe Negative SpaceEnneagramABOUT ALLISON:Allison Breininger has a MA in Education and spent twenty years teaching, training, directing, coaching, and creating content in the realm of education. At 31, she became a caregiver for her husband, Sean, when he was diagnosed with the rare genetic disease Fanconi Anemia. In the eleven years since, she has been by his side through a bone marrow transplant and cancer of the tongue, throat, gums, bladder, and skin. In those years, she has experienced firsthand that caregivers are in the negative space: vital yet overlooked and unsupported. Fueled by what she has seen, Allison founded the nonprofit The Negative Space as a way to use her experience and skills to change the way caregivers are seen and supported. Through The Negative Space, Allison shines light on the realities of caregiving, provides direct services to caregivers and educates and equips those who support them with concrete tools and strategies. She co-hosts the In Sickness podcast, provides individual coaching to caregivers nationwide, facilitates support groups and education sessions, partners with multiple organizations to more intentionally support caregivers, and sells caregiver gift boxes. She and her husband, Sean, live in St. Paul, Minnesota with their teenage daughter, Bedeline.CONNECT WITH ALLISON:LinkedIn The Negative SpaceThe Negative Space on FacebookThe Negative Space on Instagram The Negative Space on LinkedInIn Sickness podcast To connect with Jen or learn more, visit <a href="https://jenbarrett.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

March 30, 202455 min

EP001: Cindee Conner

Entrepreneuring while caregiving by Jennifer Barrett Fajardo Listen-in on Jen's conversation with Cindee Conner, a retired Air Force Lt Col combat veteran and former Registered Nurse turned entrepreneur and franchise owner in Boca Raton, Florida, while caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.CONVERSATION MARKERS:[00:22] Military service to caregiving[02:29] The unexpected arrival of Cindy's father[05:33] Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship[10:50] The challenges of caregiving and running a business[12:33] Exploring the franchise opportunity[16:00] Balancing business, caregiving, and personal well-being[19:20] The power of support networks[22:26] Confronting anger and resentment in caregiving[24:16] Reflecting on entrepreneurship and personal aacrifices[27:22] Finding balance: self-care amidst caregiving[29:57] Creating systems for caregiving[33:17] The resistance to accepting help[38:41] Navigating medicaid and care resources[41:18] Supporting a caregiver's enterprise[48:00] The emotional journey of caregivingRESOURCES + LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:Daily Calm: 10 min meditation app by Calm - can be done anywhereGreen Noise Deep Sleep Hypnosis by Better Sleep - helps slow down racing thoughts at bedtime ABOUT CINDEE:Cindee Conner, a retired Air Force Lt Col combat veteran and former Registered Nurse, has transitioned into entrepreneurship as the owner of Graze Craze in Boca Raton. Her passion for catering and food inspired her to bring the art of charcuterie to the forefront of modern entertaining through Graze Craze.Specializing in crafting exquisite charcuterie boards and boxes, Cindee showcases premium meats, cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments with meticulous attention to detail and creative flair. Her commitment to using high-quality ingredients sets Graze Craze apart in the industry, aiming to create memorable culinary experiences with farm-fresh products and house-made ingredients.Outside of her business pursuits, Cindee is dedicated to her family, caring for her parent with Alzheimer's and supporting her husband, Paul, an AF veteran turned entrepreneur in the environmental industry. She's also a proud mom to a college student daughter studying at Auburn University.CONNECT WITH CINDEE:Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Group To connect with Jen or learn more, visit https://jenbarrett.com

March 26, 202412 min

INTRO: Meet Jen

INTRO: Meet Jen Entrepreneuring while caregiving by Jennifer Barrett Fajardo https://entrepreneur-caregiver.captivate.fm In this short introductory episode, Jen shares a bit about her unexpected path to entrepreneuring while caregiving and the inspiration for launching this podcast. [00:00] welcome to the journey[00:34] the accidental entrepreneur[02:28] rejecting the dream job for consulting[04:50] scaling back to scale up[06:28] life's unpredictable twists[09:06] adapting and evolving[10:00] the mission behind the podcastRESOURCES + LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:My entrepreneurial story | Jennifer Barrett FajardoTeam José (a blog about my husband's journey living with ALS) - José and Jen created this site as a way to keep friends and family updated, as well as to share ways to support + advocate for people living with ALSComms For Causes (membership)To connect or learn more, visit https://jenbarrett.com