“Yes, the world feels like a hot mess right now. But what if the real power lies not in fixing the chaos ‘out there,’ but in finding our footing ‘in here’?”

That was the heart of my recent conversation on More Than a Few Words with the always wise and wonderfully grounded Deborah Sunderland. We didn’t talk strategy or spreadsheets this time—we talked soul. How we, as women business owners, can navigate the storms of our external world by coming back to the steady center within ourselves.

Because let’s be honest: things are weird out there. Between the economy, politics, and everything in between, it’s easy to feel like we’re being tossed around in a storm we didn’t sign up for. But as Deborah gently reminded me—and now, I’ll remind you—we’ve been through a lot, and we’re still standing. That resilience? It’s no small thing.

Key Takeaways for Women Business Owners:

You’ve already weathered storms. Recognize your resilience. The past few years have tested everyone, and you’ve made it through. That alone deserves a moment of appreciation.

Your mindset is your power tool. Our brains are sneaky little things—they’ll default to fear and scarcity unless we redirect them. When you catch yourself spiraling, pause and ask: “What thought is driving this feeling?” and then: “How might this actually be for me?”

Emotions aren’t the enemy—resistance is. Don’t stuff it down. Feel it fully. Most emotions pass in 90 seconds if we stop wrestling with them. Anger, fear, frustration—they're signals, not stop signs.

Shift the conversation with yourself. The most important conversations aren’t in the boardroom—they're in your own mind. Be kinder, more curious, and less judgmental toward yourself. And hey, extend that grace to others too (yes, even the annoying customer service rep).

Your breath is free medicine. Use it. Three deep breaths can shift your entire nervous system. It’s not woo—it’s biology. Take those moments of calm and reclaim your focus.

Try This Today:

• Grab a notebook and write down: “How am I OK right now?” List at least 5 things. (Yes, “I’m breathing” counts!)
• Close your eyes and take 3 slow, deep breaths. Let your body know: “I am safe right now.”
• Before reacting to someone, ask: “How might they be doing their best?” It’ll change the tone—and the outcome—of your conversation.

About Debra

Debra’s genius is creating a clear vision for CEO’s and their teams – making that vision a reality. With decades of C-level executive and team coaching, Debra challenges leaders by inviting them to create a collaborative, vibrant, responsible, and joy-filled culture, which fosters highly desirable results. Her practice is shared in a diverse range of industries: hi-tech, wealth management, engineering, healthcare, marketing and more.

Debra specializes in awakening leaders to transformatively solve their upper limiting beliefs, sabotaging behaviors, and unconscious biases, moving them into sustainable excellence and self-awareness. She coaches through the tough and uncomfortable work of removing the blockages preventing leaders from fully living their genius, equipping them with the thoughts and skills to bring their goals to fruition. She challenges leaders to own their results in all areas of life, to be present in the here and now, stepping out of leading with reactivity and into conscious leadership. The CEO’s chief purpose is to raise up their teams to practice radical responsibility and curiosity. Organizations achieve their optimal outcomes when they shift out of drama and create win-for-all solutions.

Debra graduated from Miami University, holds a degree in Psychology and is certified in The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, the Integrative9 Enneagram, Corporate Goal Coaching, and CTI Co-Active training. Debra’s work has been featured on Fox National/Local News, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun- Times, and 190 N Television. As a continual learner, Debra is a graduate of the Inner MBA – Mindful NYU program. Her base is Nashville and Chicago.

Andrew Laws has back in my guest chair (if you missed our first conversation, find it here) it, you’ll find the link in the show notes). This time we shifted away from SEO tips and took a different route—down a bumpy road lined with good intentions, disastrous mistakes, and a hacker with way too much free time.

Andrew’s story is packed with humor, hard-earned lessons, and a healthy reminder that if a business idea sounds too easy, it probably isn't really

Andrew thought starting a web hosting company would be a simple, hands-off business. Instead, he discovered that businesses built on the idea of “set it and forget it” rarely turn out to be easy—or hands-off.

The Danger of Blurring Business Boundaries: Hosting friends’ and acquaintances’ websites felt natural at first, but quickly became overwhelming. When you don’t set clear expectations with clients, small favors snowball into major responsibilities.

When Things Go Really, Really Wrong: A hacker infiltrated Andrew’s server, and when Andrew instinctively shut the server down, it triggered a full-blown meltdown. What followed was a two-year criminal investigation and a front-row seat to the importance of cybersecurity.

The Impact of Reputation Damage: Even though the hack wasn’t his fault, Andrew’s relationships with clients suffered. He learned that when you run a business, you’re not just managing services—you’re managing trust.

Life Lessons Beyond Business: After everything collapsed, Andrew realized he didn’t want a business that consumed his entire life. The experience shaped how he approaches work and parenthood today, favoring businesses that align with the life he actually wants to live.

Andrew’s story is a master class in why there are no shortcuts in business. If it sounds too easy, it probably hides a pile of trouble just waiting to unravel.

Set clear expectations with clients early and often, especially about what you will—and won't—support.

Understand the real risks behind your business model, and protect not just your income, but your reputation.

Most of all, build a business that supports your life, not one that devours it.

If you've been around here for a while, you already know—I’m an email marketing geek. Not the kind of geek who builds robots in her basement, but the kind who gets excited about subject lines and open rates the way some folks get excited about the first tulips of the season. That’s why chatting with Ellen McDowell Strauss felt like talking to an old friend who also happens to alphabetize her spice rack. Ellen and I first connected over our mutual affection for email, but our latest conversation had a more urgent tone—thanks to Microsoft’s recent announcement that could throw a wrench in the way we all send emails. If email is your small business’s secret weapon, it’s time to sharpen it.

Main Points from the Conversation:

1. Microsoft’s Email Policy Changes Microsoft has announced stricter deliverability rules—emails that don’t get opened or clicked may not make it into inboxes at all, even if the sender is marked safe. This shift will force marketers to pay more attention to engagement metrics like never before.

2. List Hygiene is No Longer Optional Holding onto disengaged subscribers could hurt your deliverability. Cleaning out your list—removing folks who haven’t opened or clicked in 6–12 months—isn’t just good housekeeping, it’s mission critical.

3. Quality Over Quantity Big lists are out, and meaningful lists are in. A smaller, engaged audience is far more valuable than a bloated list of people who aren’t paying attention.

4. Smaller Campaigns, Better Results Ellen suggests sending smaller, staggered campaigns to improve sender reputation. Large blasts might raise red flags, even if your content is solid.

5. Strategic Email for Every Stage Email can’t be one-size-fits-all anymore. You need tailored messages for prospects, new clients, and past clients—each stage should feel intentional and personal, not like you're just checking a box.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Audit Your List: Check who’s been opening and clicking. If someone’s been snoozing for over 6–9 months, it may be time to let them go—or offer a re-engagement path.

• Segment Your Sends: Break your list into smaller groups and stagger your email sends to improve visibility and avoid being flagged.

• Lean on Third-Party Tools: Ditch BCC blasts. Use trusted email marketing platforms (like Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or Robly) that work hand-in-hand with email providers to boost deliverability.

• Craft Content with a Purpose: Make every email part of a bigger story. Whether it’s educating, engaging, or asking for a review, know your audience and meet them where they are.

• Rethink “Set It and Forget It”: Email marketing isn’t a crockpot dinner. It’s more like sourdough—needs regular attention, care, and a little love.