A tiny four dollar holiday gift revealed exactly how little I was valued in a job I had poured myself into. In this episode, I share the moment everything shifted for me and why that small, thoughtless gift became the final push I needed to leave and build something of my own.

This is a story about appreciation, leadership, morale, and the invisible ways companies lose their best people. Whether you’re leading a team or navigating your own career, this episode will give you perspective you can use right away.

• The quickest way employees feel unappreciated • How small actions shape morale more than big gestures • Why “gifts” and incentives only work when they align with real respect • The moment I knew it was time to walk away • What this taught me about leadership and running my own business

Connect with me: Substack: mindbizlife.substack.com Instagram: instagram.com/mindbizlife

Ever had a project drag on for months because your client kept delaying? You’re not alone, and it’s one of the most expensive lessons creative entrepreneurs learn the hard way.

In this solo episode, Lauren shares the one contract clause that completely changed the way she does business, the late fee/delay clause, and the powerful advice from her mentor, Sherile, that led her to include it.

She breaks down how client delays quietly drain your energy, income, and confidence, and why protecting your time is one of the most important forms of self-respect in both life and business.

This isn’t just a conversation about contracts... it’s about boundaries, energetic hygiene, and learning to lead your business like someone who knows their worth.

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What happens when you stop taking yourself so seriously and start taking your healing to heart? This week, I’m joined by the remarkable Hilary Powers, whose journey from Hollywood child actress to recovery mentor is as raw as it is redemptive.

Once the voice behind Sally in the Charlie Brown cartoons, Hilary’s life took a very different turn after the cameras stopped rolling. In recovery since 1983, she’s spent more than four decades helping others break free from addiction, trauma, and self-limiting patterns.

We talk about:

• Healing the inner child and reclaiming your story

• What recovery can teach everyone - not just those battling addiction

• The power of self-awareness and forgiveness

• How to find peace and purpose after pain

This conversation left me deeply reflective about the stories we tell ourselves, and the