First name / Hello,, 

There's a hashtag I started posting a lot when I first started digging deep and sharing more about my life on Instagram: #honestmotherhood. At the time, I was trying my best to balance my growing, all-consuming corporate career work with having two little boys, which meant that so much of what I saw in people's posts and stories on social media was a version of motherhood that didn't align with mine.

 

I also had my first child earlier than the average mom, and thus I often felt isolated and alone at school events. I did not know how to relate with most of the moms, who were at least 10 years my senior. 

 

As I've gotten older and started my own company, I've grown a lot more comfortable with who I am as a mother, and I've formed a new identity that matters equally as much to me: my identity as a founder. But I found something else to be true between both of my roles and lives: there was still a lack of honesty in some of the places and spaces where I was showing up as an entrepreneur and as a mother.

 

When I first started scaling my business, the thing that was all the rage was to talk about becoming a “seven-figure entrepreneur” and “how you made your first million.” There was a lack of transparency around whether people were talking about a million dollars in gross revenue over a period of time, or in a single year. The biggest stat that was touted, though, was the fact that less than 2% of female founders ever make a million dollars of revenue.

 

So I set my sights on that hard-to-obtain goal, fueled by my Enneagram 3 energy and willpower to defy the odds. 

 

Over time, as many of you know, that goal nearly drove me into the ground.

 

While I came just $50,000 short of a million dollars in annual revenue in the year 2021, it was one of the most challenging years for me in business–emotionally, financially, and everything in between. This is why I feel it is more vital than ever to talk honestly about what it is like to be an entrepreneur, especially when it comes to finances.

 

This past week, I was lucky enough to sit down with a friend and colleague, Tricia Taitt, to talk about the ups and downs of my money journey as both an individual and an entrepreneur. In this LinkedIn Live conversation, I was able to speak freely about the struggles I faced, the things I've accomplished, and the hard lessons I've learned along the way.

 

I was grateful for the space to speak openly and to tell my truth, because to be honest, if I had heard more stories like mine when I was scaling my business, I wouldn't have felt like such a failure for falling $50k short of my million-dollar goal.

 

I do my best in this newsletter and the community we've cultivated to be as transparent as possible about what it takes to create a company that makes an impact and empowers you to make a meaningful living.

 

But one of the things I've learned over the last year is that making a living isn't just about the amount of money you cultivate in net revenue or take-home salary. 

 

It's about the quality of life that you're able to cultivate because of the freedom and liberation that the work creates for you, whether that's in the form of cash flow or in the form of quality time. Both really matter to me these days. 

 

As we shift towards Q4, a time when most business owners are pushing hard towards their end-of-year goals and whatever revenue number they are hoping to hit, this season should also be about figuring out what's right for you: for the life you want to live and for those you love in this season. As you measure your financial success in 2024, I hope you also reflect on your quality of life. 

 

Money can buy many things, but it can't buy back time. 

 

It can't insist that you hold space for your mental health and healing.

 

It can't hold together your relationships. 

 

I've learned these lessons in some of the hardest ways over the last couple years, and I'm sharing them openly in hopes that others don't have to.

 

Here's to the never-ending journey of entrepreneurship and to making more money and meaning in the months ahead.

- Madeline

 

Ready to align your business with your personal energy cycles? Madeline Reeves and Lauren Burgess are teaming up to present a powerful workshop where you'll learn how to build a business calendar that flows with your natural rhythms—whether it's the moon, your menstrual cycle, or astrology. They’ll guide you through creating a workflow that works for you, not against you, so you can avoid burnout and run your business with ease. Plus, you’ll get a free 2025 Fearless Woo Calendar to help plan your year! Sign up now to start working with intention and purpose.

Everyone knows that Madeline loves to lift up the people who lifted her up throughout her career journey. She loves to refer work to them and have them on the Finding Fearless podcast; it’s one of the ways she gives back to those who gave so much to her. The newest episode is a perfect example of that: Madeline sits down with Martin Moll, co-founder of Breakaway Advisors, to explore his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. 

 

In this powerful episode, Martin shares how leaving a traditional accounting path allowed him to embrace a more innovative and empathetic approach to advising, particularly through his work with Breakaway, a women-owned business. The conversation dives deep into the freedom of building an advisor-first business model, breaking the mold in the accounting industry, and how authenticity has been key to Martin's success. Tune in to hear his insights on mentorship, scaling, and the future of advisory work.

 

This special edition of Uplift is all about gratitude and amplifying the power of your connections. We're giving you a chance to shine a spotlight on someone in your network who has made a difference in your business this year.
 

A little prep is required, but don’t worry—it’ll be fun, and we promise it’ll feel amazing to celebrate those who have supported you!
 

Here’s how to participate:

✔️ Step 1: Make a list of everyone who has positively impacted your business in 2024.
 

✔️ Step 2: Reach out to say thank you—and invite them to join us at Uplift on November 13th by sharing the LinkedIn event below.
 

✔️ Step 3: Choose the person who made the greatest impact and personally invite them to attend. We recommend a heartfelt email followed by a quick phone call. 

Tell them:
"Hey, you’ve had such a big impact on my business this year, and I’d love to put the spotlight on you at Uplift! I’ve been given a chance to share a few words about someone who’s made a difference, and I want that person to be you! Will you join me?”
 

✔️ Step 4: Prepare a 30-45-second “commercial” celebrating this person and the impact they’ve had on your business. You don’t have to record it on video, just come prepared to share it with the group so everyone can hear how amazing they are and learn why others should connect with them too!
 

It’s that easy! And by participating, you’re showing true networking pro skills.

So go ahead—spread the love and gratitude. We can't wait to see you at Uplift on November 13th!