Ep. 22 Brand Values for Online Service Providers: Go Beyond the Buzzwords and Build Real Trust

Running a business while having children is not for the faint of heart. Running a business while having two babies back-to-back is really not for the faint of heart.

But here’s the thing: those two seasons taught me more about sustainability, boundaries, and leadership than any online course or business book ever could.

I took two maternity leaves in two years. One in early 2023 and another at the end of 2024 into early 2025. Today, I’m sharing exactly how those experiences shaped my business, what I did differently the second time, and what every entrepreneur (parent or not) can take away from it.

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Maternity Leave #1: Figuring It Out as I Went

My first maternity leave started in February 2023. I’d never had a child before and never stepped away from my business for that long so to prepare, I hired a business coach who had run a six-figure design agency while taking multiple maternity leaves. I also brought on a graphic design contractor to keep client projects moving, outsourced Instagram content so something would be going out while I was away, and doubled down on SOPs so the business could run without me.

My daughter was born in late March, but I intentionally started my leave a month before my due date which gave me time to rest, enjoy the last weeks of pregnancy, and let my team practice running things without me while I was still reachable if needed.

Client feedback was incredible. They didn’t feel any gaps in support. The systems and team I’d set up worked exactly as planned.

Where I went wrong was marketing. I put all my energy into Instagram, even though I had the data showing that’s not where most of my clients come from. I neglected networking and visibility, which meant when I returned in June — my busiest season — I had zero leads. Just because your business can run without you doesn’t mean it will grow without you, and I learned that the hard way.

Maternity Leave #2: Doing It Smarter

By the time my son was born in November 2024, I had the benefit of experience. I focused on connection over content, engaging with my audience, commenting on posts, and joining Zoom events with my camera off when needed instead of obsessing over batching content that wouldn’t actually bring in clients. All the systems and SOPs I had built during my first leave were still in place, making the logistics far easier.

Timing my leave to overlap with the holidays was a huge advantage. Business naturally slows down in December and January, so I didn’t feel like I was throwing away months of potential revenue. I took less time off, returning in mid-February, and kept my expectations realistic. Some days I’d jump in for a quick task; others I didn’t open my laptop at all.

This leave wasn’t without its challenges. Juggling a toddler and a newborn meant less downtime and more complexity. I also found myself wanting to get back to work sooner than expected, but I made myself slow down and savor the season, trusting that the business would still be there when I was ready.

Why Rest Sparked My Best Ideas

Both maternity leaves brought unexpected creative clarity. During my first leave, I conceived the idea for The Six Figure Brand Society after realizing there was a gap between the way I was supporting clients and what they truly needed. This allowed me to design a scalable, more aligned offer for both them and me.

During my second leave, I finally mapped out The Six Figure Brand Podcast. I’d had “start a podcast” on my vision board forever, but never felt like it was the right time. While on leave, I suddenly had the clarity, focus, and mental space to outline exactly what I wanted it to be, brainstorm 30 episode ideas, and plan for launch.

It turns out the best strategy sometimes is rest, which is something I resisted for years but now fully embrace.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned In The Episode:

➡️ Follow me on Instagram @spechtand.co
➡️ Grab The Stand Out Brand Foundations Workbook
➡️ Book Your Stand Out Brand Strategy Session (use code SFBPOD for $100 off)

🎧 Listen to episode 22 of The Six Figure Brand Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube