French Kissing Life

Ep 32: Why Giving Generously Is So Important With Inbal Claudio

• Shawnna Stiver • Episode 32

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What if the secret to success isn't about what you get, but what you give? In this episode, serial entrepreneur and community-building expert Inbal Claudio reveals why generosity is her superpower. Discover how Inbal's selfless approach has not only fueled her own success but also empowered thousands of female founders. Learn why embracing a giving mindset can skyrocket your personal and professional growth, foster genuine connections, and create a thriving ecosystem where everyone wins. Get ready to challenge your perspective and unlock the power of generosity in your life and business!

Topics covered:

  • Inbal's background and role as a community builder and connector.
  • The story behind the creation of Like-Minded Collective.
  • The importance of community in business and personal life.
  • Strategies for maintaining engagement in online and in-person communities.
  • Challenges and lessons learned in building a tech platform from scratch
  • The value of giving generously and supporting other women in business.


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Connect with Inbal:
Website: http://www.likemindedcollective.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inbalclaudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/like.minded.collective

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Until next time, muah!

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to French Kissing Life. I'm your host, shauna Stiver, and I am thrilled to help you discover what makes your heart race, your soul dance and your spirit soar. Every week you'll get a fun dose of inspiration, laughter and a sprinkle of magic as we explore stories, insights and conversations that empower you to ignite the spark within, in a world that demands you be anything but yourself. This is your permission slip to be a little more you. Together, let's shed the shoulds, embrace our unique brilliance and welcome more joy. Are you ready to French kiss life? Welcome back to another episode of French Kissing Life. I am your host, shauna Stiver. How's everybody doing?

Speaker 1:

There's a lot going on in the world. Summer is one of those times where it's just like you love squeezing every ounce of energy out of the long days. The vacations are both jam-packed with activities and relaxing, but it just all still feels like a lot. The Olympics are here. They're fun to support, but if you're like me, it's like it can be so hard to know where to focus. What do I get done in a given day? Have I done enough? Is the rabbit hole of negativity sucking me in? If this is you right now, I see you. It's a lot. The various ups and downs you might be feeling are a thousand percent normal and while it can be super duper hard to remain positive in times of overwhelming stress and also sometimes the moment doesn't call for positivity either, it calls for just giving into, whatever those emotions are. But in those times where you're maybe struggling to see the good in the world or just feeling generally hopeless or down, I want to share this quote from Mr Rogers, who talked about looking for the helpers. So he said, when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping, which basically means that even in the midst of extreme suffering, heartache, despair, negativity, just general there are people all around us with good hearts who exist to help uplift others. And that's who my next guest is, down to her core, and why I was so excited to have this very overdue conversation with her. We had to reschedule about a million times because of our schedules In ball.

Speaker 1:

Claudio is a female founder of three different businesses and she's also a mom of three whose mission is to make sure every single female founder, no matter what stage of business they are in, knows how incredible they are and has the support they need. She has cultivated a community of over 2,500 women in two years and has seen the impact in her life and business. She's now a business consultant who helps female founders increase demand and visibility through the power of community to create more referrals, loyalty and growth. So I met Imbol through a networking group and when we jumped on the call I was instantly impressed by her just selfless and giving nature. I can honestly say that she truly wants everyone to succeed and she's building community that helps get you there.

Speaker 1:

So in our conversation we talk about how giving generously is so important, why women genuinely rooting for other women should not be surprising, and how we can all take a page from Inbal's book to build more connected communities. She is one of the sweetest souls around and I can't wait for you to experience her on the podcast. So please enjoy my generous conversation with my friend Inbal. Hello, my friend, how are you? It's so good to see you.

Speaker 2:

It's so, so good to see you.

Speaker 1:

I feel like I've been waiting for this conversation, just to hang out with you, I know. Well, I mean, we tried like scheduling it for a few weeks and of course, you know, had to reschedule and so we were talking about it a while ago, and so it's finally here, and it's also just nice to catch up with you because I haven't talked to you in a while.

Speaker 2:

I know, I know. I'm really, really excited to chat, really excited to see here, see you, and hopefully we don't have tech issues like we were experiencing about five minutes ago.

Speaker 1:

I know Well, technology is always one of those things where it's like it either works or it doesn't. So we're just going to wing it here and, regardless, it'll be a great conversation. I think people will love this. Yeah, excited. Okay. So I have a question for you. I've never asked you this, so I want to know the story behind your name. So your name is Inbal and I remember the first time that, like we got connected, you said to me because I asked you, I said how do I pronounce your name? And you said it's like pinball, but without the P. So I want to know the story behind your name.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so that's the easiest way, and people are like oh, I was born in Israel and it's a very common name over there, so I was born there. I moved to the United States with my family when I was three and, yeah, it's funny cause my sister was born here and her name is Danielle Um, so she got a much easier name to pronounce Um. But it's nice because it's memorable. Like people from high school, I'm like in ball.

Speaker 1:

Oh yeah, in ball right.

Speaker 2:

It's not like Danielle who, Danielle F, Danielle G, you know. So that's a little bit of where my name came from.

Speaker 1:

Okay, okay, I figured it was probably something to do with where you were, you know born and stuff, but I just didn't know if there was any more of a meaning behind that. I just didn't know if there was any more of a meaning behind that. So when we first got connected, do you remember, was it some type of a Facebook group, is that?

Speaker 2:

how we got connected. I don't even remember how, but I remember our first conversation. We talked about the field of dreams.

Speaker 1:

Yes, that's right, I forgot about that. Yeah, we were talking about baseball. That's so funny. I forgot that part. Yes, that's right. That's right, okay. So I do remember that there was something about like what you were probably already building, like-minded at the time, which we're going to get into, but, um, I just remember that you I think we're asking for some market research or something like that and what I recall from the conversation was that you were this like just super connector, like you had all these people that you like wanted to tell me about and like had you know just this warm, um inviting and like welcoming presence about you. And then, like you made good on all of those people that you wanted to connect me to and I was like, holy crap, like this girl is so awesome and just like a champion for other people, and I just like instantly loved that about you. Um, and so I want to know, like, have you always been that way, or was that sort of a skill that you like just learned how to do?

Speaker 2:

Oh my gosh. First of all, thank you so much. Like my biggest joy truly is connecting women together who can benefit right, whether it be for a personal benefit if they live close by and hang out and become friends, or business benefits. So I appreciate you saying that I truly, truly believe that community building, connecting, has just been in my blood. I remember having birthday parties and I would invite my school friends, my work friends, my Jewish friends, you know friends from all over, my family friends, and everybody would always, always leave with a new best friend and that truly was what brought me so much joy. Um, and so I I think that it's in my blood naturally. However, I really do make an attempt to like think about ways that I can connect to people now, whereas before it was like very natural, but now I'm like OK, now I like really think, like who can I connect them with? That would make like total sense. So it's a little bit more intentional now, but I feel like it's always been in my blood.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I am just imagining you as a little girl and like being that, that little like connector to everybody and, um, you know, that social butterfly, um, it shouldn't be surprising that, like women, really like the so many women, really are rooting for each other, because I think that we, we sort of are taught that you know it's this like competition and we can't just be, you know, lifting each other up all the time. But like I really truly think that like the types of things that, um, you do and certainly what you're building is helping to really like change that conversation and I just I love that. But I want to know, like, when did that sort of become? Okay, I'm really kind of good at this. Now I want to actually like make a business out of this. What happened for you, or what was it that sort of made that switch?

Speaker 2:

So I started a candle company. Now it's been about eight years, um, but it was great in the beginning. Um, I was in Orange County, where I was raised, and so I was doing lots of shows and markets and in person events. And then my husband got stationed in North Carolina and we moved and I had to basically start over and that was going. I was about a year in and then my first daughter was born and I'm like okay, I can't do in-person events anymore. It just is not working. I need to pivot to the online space.

Speaker 2:

And I had no idea how to do that. I didn't have any entrepreneur friends and I felt like everybody looked at me like a dollar sign, like buy my course, join my program, join my Facebook group page, but don't ever post about your business. You're not allowed to do that. And I felt this like just ick factor everywhere I turned. And then there were some communities that I couldn't even join because I couldn't afford them, and that's kind of what drove me to go from candle making to tech and create this social networking platform specifically for women, because I didn't like that competition.

Speaker 2:

I really knew that there was a space for everybody, and I mean the complete opposite of competition. You know, when you're collaborating with women who do exactly what you're doing, you grow so much faster. And I learned that you know with my, who do exactly what you're doing, you grow so much faster. And I learned that you know with my three really good girlfriends who I met through my community. They all do in-person events, they all have communities, they're all coaches and consultants, and the four of us together just create magic whenever we get together, and that's the kind of vibe that I bring into my community and I see the benefit of it, and so I really preach about that all the time and that's why, also, when I connect people, sometimes I'll connect to people who do the exact same thing because there's so much magic behind it, and so I think it's because something that I truly believe in and one of my core values. I think that's why it's, you know, very top of mind and like-minded collective yeah, yeah, okay.

Speaker 1:

So I want to come back to the magic piece, but first tell everybody exactly what you have built.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so a like-minded collective is a social networking platform for female founders. So think of like Facebook meets LinkedIn, but just for women.

Speaker 2:

And it's completely free to join the community. Completely free to join our networking calls. We do co -working once a month. We have community calls where you can hop on a network, and we also have a membership which is more business focused. So we do masterminding and coaching once a week, hot seat strategizing, and I built it completely from scratch with my developer. I've gone through four, but now I have an amazing one and it's just been amazing to see almost 3,000 women sign up for this from all over the world and collaborate.

Speaker 2:

And then one year ago I wanted to hug my virtual friends in real life and I started my in-person community in Orange County and that's been going amazing. And last month we just launched our second chapter, in Charleston actually. And so that's you know, my two communities, both virtual and in-person. And then I also help women build out communities of their own like coach them whenever I can.

Speaker 1:

Yes, okay, so this is such a loaded question, but how on earth does one create a social networking platform that feels like a very heavy lift.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, I will tell you, shauna. If I knew how long it would take and how much it would cost, I would not do it, but I'm glad that I didn't know, because it was like it's so amazing, right. So I went about it first by looking for a developer through a company that I had worked with in the past when I was in the restaurant industry. The ownership had changed. It was not who I worked with in the past, it just turned into a mess. I ended up firing them. They told me they could launch it in three months and it was five months later and it was not near anywhere where it should be. I ended up firing them. They were outsourcing it overseas, and so I basically had like trial and error with these like managers of tech development companies that I just couldn't connect with. I couldn't work with them. It was just very difficult to get my point across and eventually they were like you're looking for perfection and we can't give that to you, and I'm like, okay, well, I'll find somebody who can. So I eventually stopped working with the middleman and I just found a developer on my own Um, but it's a really big learning curve and my developer that I work with now like brought me into everything.

Speaker 2:

He's like you need to create these accounts, you need to do this, you need to give me access to this. This is where everything is stored. Don't give me access to this. Um, he was like very straightforward and really taught me, and so it took two and a half years to build out from idea to launch. Like I started off with a six month old and I ended up with two kids. So it was, it was a lot, it was a long time.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, and it sounds like I mean at the time you were thinking like do something for from scratch versus utilize another platform that may have provided similar functionality. Is that like what was your reason for doing something from scratch, just to make sure it had everything that you wanted it to?

Speaker 2:

that you wanted it to. Yeah, um, that, and I wasn't too familiar with any of them before because I hadn't joined any Um, so I didn't really know about mighty networks and circle Um, I didn't know about these amazing, you know softwares that I could utilize. But looking back now, I have gotten so much feedback from people on how easy the platform is to use, how easy it is to navigate, and that's because I'm able to take people's feedback and alter and change and implement. I've also been able to put ad spaces in between to allow our members to, you know, promote their own businesses, which is also another way for me to create revenue. We also have kind of like a community section, so these are member run communities where people can start their own communities for free, and so I was able to implement that. So, like I said, looking back, I would not have done it, but I'm so glad that I did, because I'm able to really create the space and the software and the platform that women want and need and eventually maybe even license that out.

Speaker 1:

Oh, amazing, yeah, that's awesome. Well, and whether it's an endeavor like this, a business related or anything that we, like you know, decide to do, we learn. You learn so much, even about yourself, too, along the way, that makes it kind of like, okay, you know, I learned a lot of lessons about, like this actual project, but I also, like learned, you know what I'm capable of doing and that to me, you know, a lot of times like I can't really think of an example for myself where I would be like, no, I wouldn't do that again because of the growth and lessons that you learned, you know.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. I mean everything that. I've done a lot of stuff like I was a restaurant manager, a bartender, I worked at a helicopter flight school, I worked in fast food, I worked at a project development company. Everything that I did honestly has made me who I am today and the reason why I'm able to run this company the way that I can, because of the experiences that I had. Um, what I have liked to work at a helicopter flight school again, looking back at the horrible boss that I worked for now but I'm glad that I did and I'm just taking what I can and utilizing it now.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah for sure. Oh, my God. I have some of those experiences too where I'm like uh, nope, I would do pretty much anything but work for that company again. But, um, and, if nothing else, there are good stories from that that I can share at the very least what not to do as a boss.

Speaker 2:

That's why I feel like I'm a really good leader, because I've had really horrible leaders and know what not to do.

Speaker 1:

Yes, yes, same. Like the absence of compassion or the absence of kindness, or like treating someone in a way that like builds them up and that I like see their value versus all of the other things. I'm like I talk about it a lot on here about like treating each other better in business and in life, but it's to me it's like a no brainer that that I'm going to operate from that way, and it's like crazy to me to think about some of the environments that that I was in and yeah, it's, it's, you're exactly right. It's like I'm definitely not doing that once.

Speaker 2:

I'm in a position to, you know, mentor people or whatever it is I know, and the sad part is is those people are probably still running these companies and managing these people, which is so unfortunate that people have to be in our shoes, where we were, you know, yeah.

Speaker 1:

You built this platform and you talked a little bit earlier about this magic that sort of comes up whenever you connect women that are like-minded together. And I would love to know because in an earlier episode we talked about community and we talked about like the real strength lies in the way that the community members show up. So how would you say you're able to really kind of inspire that for the members Like how does that magic happen? I know that's kind of hard to ask or answer, but I'd love to know your thoughts on that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's funny because I have this conversation quite often and it really starts with excuse me, it really starts with how you start to show up in your community, right, because the way that I show up and the women that I bring in and the way that I handle the events and make sure that everybody's included really showcases what my values are for the community in general. And so, as it grows, I have now ambassadors that know the values and the mission of Like-Minded Collective and they're able to share that with other women that come in. You know they're connecting offline, they're helping people in the community, they're showing up to the events virtually and I think it starts with the community builder and then, as you slowly grow, you bring on people who are also in alignment with that and that's how it grows. There's always going to be issues, right, with people, but you kindly tell them you know this is, we're not vibing and maybe this is not the community for you and you, you know, graciously tell them to find somewhere else or that this is not what your mission is about. And if they're interested in staying, then they can. But this is what you know you're all about, but that's really what it is Really staying true to your core, your mission and your values and bringing in as many people like that as you can.

Speaker 2:

One of my for in-person events my community there was this girl who showed up through word of mouth last our big event last month and she posted about it and she has all these friends that want to come and I told her I was like you know what I'm, I would love for you to be in like an ambassador and I'd love to comp you a membership if you just keep sharing, because I love how you showed up and I love the people that you it feels like the people that you surround yourself with are going to be that way too. So she was so grateful and I'm like thank you for showing up so authentically and engaging and you know just being that person who will volunteer, and so I'm saying thank you in a way that she's grateful for and she's showing up in a way that I'm grateful for, and so it's really just finding those people to help you build your business like that, and then people who show up will just be in alignment.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, well, and I think you you mentioned it, but like it's so important to have those boundaries, it's like it, I mean it's definitely not easy, like it doesn't come naturally necessarily to me in some ways it does, but it's like you have to make sure that that culture stays intact, because the second it wobbles or you might, you know, waver on something, that's when, like, the trust that you've already built with everybody you know could start to corrode, and then you know, like then things just kind of start to break down from there, I think.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, I mean, it takes so long, you know, sometimes to build that trust with your members, and you're absolutely correct. The last thing I want is for them to say, oh well, I thought she said this was for female founders only. Why are people pitching me? You know MLM companies, or I had a guy actually sign up when I first launched.

Speaker 2:

He's amazing and his company is incredible, and so he was one of the only guys who joined and he hadn't posted in a really long time and about like I would say, a year ago he popped up and he posted something and I had people reach out to me and say like oh, I thought this was for women only. And I had to reach out to him and say, hey, I am so sorry, but like this was fine. But now it's not because I have people coming up to me and he totally understood. You know, it's absolutely something that you have to really keep true and that's they're like my kids right, like I would hold boundaries for my children any day and I hold boundaries for the members of my community any day, and if somebody is going to come in and kind of ruin that, then it's a hard no, and then I become like mama and ball.

Speaker 1:

I love it. I love it. Well, it's so funny because I am a Libra and so I am seriously the most laid back person almost to a fault, I think in a lot of situations. But, like the second, somebody is like not held accountable or I feel that like a fairness has been, I don't know, like broken or something like that. I become very like focused on it because I'm like, oh, I'm a Libra, like it's got to be fair and anything that like tips the scales, like really bothers me. So I hear that, I hear that Like I'm all for you know, enforcing that, Um, and I think you know the Testament is just what you've built, and having 3000 people that are like, yes, like she's built something really incredible and special here.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's. It's really cool to see and then even more so in person where people show up and, um, I was actually going to do a. I was thinking about doing a collaboration with this other community in orange County, cause she had reached out to me and I saw that one of my members was a member there too, and so I asked her. I said, hey, like what is the vibe? Cause what I'm seeing on Instagram like doesn't vibe with me really. Like tell me what it is from your eyes. And she was like no, it is not a good fit, like it is not the same. People do not do a collaboration because it's going, you're going to bring people into your community that don't belong there and you've created something super special. So seeing that and hearing that from her meant a lot. You know, she's really also very protective of my community, which, um, is amazing to see too. But, yeah, you have to really make sure that the people that you put yourself in the room with will align.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah for sure. I'd love to know your thoughts generally on community. So why do you think that community is something that you know, whether it's a business owner or it's just a person? Like? Community is essential to being human, in my opinion, but I'd love to know like your perspective on that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean there's so many avenues to go down with this question, but, as a business, having a community as an extension of your business in some capacity can basically solve all your business problems. I truly believe that. Anything that you need to ask questions about, market research, the you know people rooting you on because they care about your community and they want you to continue.

Speaker 2:

It's the best way to bring people into your business. It's the best way to retain existing customers and it's the best way to generate revenue and to get referrals. So any sort of business problem that you have can be fixed by creating an engaged community, and that can be free, it can be virtual, it can be in person. It could be a paid community, and that can be free, it can be virtual, it can be in person, it could be a paid community. It's just how do you make people feel seen, heard and appreciated in your world so that they love you truly and want to send business your way, keep working with you. Maybe they're not the right fit anymore, but they know people who are, and that's why I truly think that community is.

Speaker 2:

I think from a personal standpoint I mean I could not do anything without community right, like my village, my tribe, my people who helped me out, people that I can vent to just about anything, right, there's so there's so much gold in being a part of community and starting community. Um, I've just always been that type of person that needs to be around people. Um, like I was just talking to one of my girlfriends and she's eight months pregnant and she's like am I gonna? I don't know how it's going to be after I have a baby Am I going to want people around? Am I not going to want people around?

Speaker 2:

I'm like I always wanted people around. I'm like I literally don't care. I'm like nursing on the couch, come by and hang out Like literally zero cares in the world, because I need to be around people and that's that, for me, is very important. Even introverts, who do not like to be around people, I hear how important community is for them. They may need it in smaller quantities, but they still need it and they're able to utilize it in whatever capacity they need, but they're driven by it, they're motivated by it, they're they love being around people who support them and truly want to see them succeed. Um so, in any capacity life or business I think community is crucial.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah. And like, certainly from the business standpoint, it's like if you can be connected to people who, for one, just to you, know like go back again to that first impression I had of you. Like here's this person who is wanting to help me and expecting nothing in return. Like you know, you just have that like giving energy about you, and so to have that in your life and also then to benefit from people who have probably encountered the things that you're going to go through for your business or whatever, who can say like hey, you know, I did XYZ and here's what I learned from it. That's going to like get you ahead more efficiently and faster than if you didn't have it, you know, yeah.

Speaker 2:

I mean, it's almost like you have a mastermind, right? I was talking about my three girlfriends earlier. We get together once or twice a year in person and we brainstorm with each other and we truly, truly just want each other to succeed, brainstorm with each other, and we truly, truly just want each other to succeed. So we will give anything Like I've given a licensing agreement that I created over to a couple of my girlfriends who want to start chapters for their in-person events. You know, there's no gatekeeping whatsoever, and so finding people like that, where I don't even know how long it would have taken them to create that, where I needed something, they've given me too.

Speaker 2:

It's time and money that you're saving and the support. So yeah, it's, it's, and you can't want anything in return. That's the difference, right. As somebody who's building community, I do it because I genuinely want to and I genuinely care. I'm looking to start more chapters for my in-person community and I'm just nervous because the person who is going to start more chapters for my in-person community and I'm just nervous because the person who is going to start a chapter has to have that mindset as well, and it's not easy to come around right. You're asking somebody to pour into a community and not be salesy about their own business, where you know if they bring in people organically it's going to turn into sales. But it's hard to find people like that who just really, truly want to give.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, well, and it's also, I think, you know, I think, too, like one thing that I'm encountering personally right now is just um the dating landscape, and there's apps, yes, but the apps, even lately, are like I don't know if they've changed the algorithm or like what they're doing with it, but I'm like not even having any kind of luck there, and so it's like having those other people that understand like what, like what you're feeling frustrated about, is also very beneficial to be like oh, this person like gets it. You know I'm not alone in whatever. This like struggle is that I'm going through. Yeah, there's this actual oh, this person like gets it. You know I'm not alone in whatever this like struggle is that I'm going through.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, there's this actual. There's a this lady who I just talked to yesterday. She's creating this community in New York called met through friends and it's for single people who want to meet in real life, because people are so over the apps, right, and I was talking to her about community building and I'm like there's so many more avenues that you can go down in your community because it doesn't have to be just like you bring a friend to this event in the hopes of meeting somebody. It's just like you create a space for women to come and like talk about how shitty it is to date. You know what I mean. Like that could also be an event. Um, event, because you need that right. You need to be able to talk to people about God. I went on this like absolutely horrible day or this guy did this, or this guy did this, or this girl did this, or God, like that was so annoying. You know you have to be able to talk to people about that.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah. Well, I mean, when you're ready to bring a chapter to Des Moines, I know Des Moines is like high up on the list for metropolitan cities when you're ready for Des Moines, you just call me and I'll I'll build a chapter here, cause there's so many things like Des Moines. Is that like city that's the size of like we don't get any of like the cool things for like another couple of years, because that's just the way it goes here.

Speaker 2:

Let's start in. Like my collective chapter over there. Yes.

Speaker 1:

Let's, let's do it. I think we need those kinds of things. We're like, yeah, we should chat, okay. So the other thing that I want to know, okay, so the other thing that I want to know, how do you ensure the success of the group? So I think about things that, like I've signed on for before and you know, if it's a course or something like that, and I do really well at first, and then, like life kind of gets in the way and then I start to waffle on going to the meetings or whatever, and then I decide that the thing is like no longer worth like investing in because I haven't shown up in the way that I would have liked. So how do you sort of do things in a way to to hopefully ensure that people stay like really intrigued and inspired and committed to the value that's?

Speaker 2:

very difficult because there's so many people, right, and the only thing that I can do and this boils down to engagement, right the only thing that I can really do is try to bring people back in. So, like today, somebody posted an intro on the feed and she was looking to be on more podcasts and I tagged a few people that I thought she would be a really good fit for and maybe some of those people haven't logged on in like a month or two. That's going to bring them back in. So doing things like that but I do my best to be very what's the word I'm looking for Engaged with my audience. Just in general, Like I send weekly emails with the events that are coming up. I send monthly emails with events. I send day of emails to people who the event would make sense for and I just hope that they see it and they show up if it works for them.

Speaker 2:

But it's hard because I can't force people to come in and I understand that life changes right for some people and so sometimes it may just not be a good fit anymore, and that's totally fine too, but I really focus on providing as much value and talking to people. So we used to do workshops every single month and people stopped showing up and then I would get like 40 people on a networking call and so I'm like, okay, we're dropping the workshops, we're adding another networking call. Right, that's what people are wanting. So I really tried to adapt what my members want and what my community wants. I regularly have conversations with people, I regularly do market research, I talk to people on Instagram, I see the data and the analytics and I just really try to create a space that the majority of people will continue to stay in, and if not, that's totally fine too. But I really try not to dwell on it, yeah.

Speaker 1:

And I think, too, it's like you know you are, you're no matter what it's like you're always welcome to come back, or you know what I mean. It's like you can't force it with people and like the, the ones that are, um, you know, meant to like stay will, and then you know, you just sort of put in your energy and time to those that are still there.

Speaker 2:

Yes, absolutely. That's the only thing you can do. I remember that I was so focused on membership count and are people you know retaining their membership. Are they canceling? Why are they canceling? Why are they not upgrading? And it really like it killed it for me. And so now whoever wants to stay can, whoever wants to cancel their membership totally understandable. But I'm focusing on ways, other ways to generate revenue. So I created a program. I'm creating a really low ticket workshop that everybody can benefit from. I created my in-person community. I still have the membership. I altered it a little bit and there's more people who want in now. I still have the membership. I altered it a little bit and there's more people who want in now. And you just keep going based on what people want and based around like what's going to bring you joy too right. You can't dwell on your income and revenue all the time. You just have to alter and change and cater your resources and products and services to who's there.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, for sure. Okay, so you touched on this a little bit, but what's next for like-minded collective?

Speaker 2:

So like-minded collective for me is. I'm really happy with where it's at currently the virtual. My goals are bigger for in person, like I want more chapters, I want more women to feel a place that they can go to and really be themselves and build business besties and grow their businesses together. I would love to create a co-working space in Orange County that has like a creative studio, a podcast space, a room where people can do like Pilates and yoga and wellness and breath work and journaling and come to work, and so I really feel, since the last year that I launched my in-person community, like my pull is for in real life. I think things are moving in that direction. Anyways, I love my virtual community. I think it serves a purpose because I love meeting you. But I think, as far as growth, I'm looking at more in-person and then more helping women build out communities.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, I'm not kidding, I wish that you had that co-working space here. Just not going to lie Because, like honest to God, I have so many business friends. None of them are in Des Moines. None, I'm not kidding, and it's not because there's not entrepreneurs here. I can think of a couple of people that I know, a couple of friends who have businesses but that, like the ones that I meet through you know, the various groups that I'm a part of, none of, I don't, none of those are are. None of those women are here in DeWine. So it's like I think you are onto something. For sure is what I'm saying.

Speaker 2:

Or you should just move to Orange County.

Speaker 1:

That too, After the weather that we've been having here, I'm telling you I'm thinking about it. We have been having terrible tornadoes and like the all rain all the time, wind all the time it sucks. So I'm going to give that some thought.

Speaker 2:

Do it? Would love to have you.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so in ball. My last question before we go to our rapid fire questions how do you do all of this Like you have three babies you are, I think do you still have your candle company as well?

Speaker 2:

I do still make candles, um. I don't market it though, so the sales have declined slowly, which is totally fine, but I just basically get like repeat customers, and I'm thinking about selling the business too, because I'm like I can't do this anymore.

Speaker 1:

So how do you do it all? That's so much to navigate for you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's a really good question and I like to say like it's gradual, right, I didn't wake up with three children one day. I was first like pregnant, had a baby, was pregnant again, had another baby, pregnant again, had another baby, and you slowly adapt, right, like I have. My virtual community is going well and it's like flowing, like I have everything set. Um, what I do need to do more of is social media, and I hate it and I've been telling myself to do it for a year and a half and I finally have am having somebody create content for me. I'm like you know what I need to do? This? This is the only thing that I know can move the needle forward and I'm paralyzed by it. So I I'm outsourcing, right, I outsource in my life and my business, Um, and then for my in-person events also.

Speaker 2:

it's been a year. I have things streamlined, but there's also there's still things I need to do in ways that I need to grow, and then my coaching and consulting. That's just like. I bring people in as much as I can, Um, but I have. My girls are in school. My husband used to travel 70% of the year. Now he's home almost every single day, which, like I feel like now I have more time, Um, but I really like I'm 80% across the board, which is why, now that I'm bringing in revenue, I'm able to hire people so I can get like to 90%, 100% in certain areas of my business. So it's not easy. I've dropped the ball multiple times, but I do my best and I show up and I really just continue to create relationships with people because I know that that is what's going to move the needle forward for my business, just in general. So it's a lot and I don't I just take it day by day.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, and continue to bring positive energy wherever you go, and to me, that is just like it's such a simple thing that people can do, but I promise you that it just like reaps rewards, and it's not because you're you're doing that with the expectation of getting something. It's just that that's who you are and therefore you attract the same thing in return.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, thank you so much, john, I appreciate you.

Speaker 1:

Yes, well, I appreciate you. Uh, before I let you go, we have to do a round of rapid fire questions Are you ready? If you were a drink, what would you be and why?

Speaker 2:

So the first thing that comes to mind recently, which I've been loving, is lemon water with salt. I can no longer drink water without salt in it. It's so, so good. Um, and I just feel like it's refreshing, hydrating, Um, I love the color of it and it's just like reminds me of summer in California.

Speaker 1:

Hmm, salt in the water. I've never tried that. I mean I've had, like, the electrolyte packets, but I've never just tried to put salt in water. I'm going to do it, yeah.

Speaker 2:

So, like whenever you drink filtered water, it filters everything out, so the bad and the good, and so you need to add salt into it, like Himalayan salt sea salt, to bring some of the minerals back into the water that should be in the water. So I basically just do like like three little chooks of salt, um, and it's super good. It's so good and it keeps you hydrated a lot longer, so your body actually holds on to the water.

Speaker 1:

Wow Gosh, I did not know any of that. That is so interesting. I've just so I I joined the Stanley tribe. I told my nieces that I was going to become an influencer next, and then I and they were just like, auntie, I, if you do, I will not be seen with you, and I was like just I'm kidding, but anyways, um, I, because I'm terrible about drinking water and I have a really bad soda habit that I'm trying to kick, and so I got a Stanley which keeps my water really cold, and I got these like water enhancers that are not made of crappy chemicals, and so now I'm kind of in that vein where I'm drinking more water. So I'm totally gonna try the salt now.

Speaker 2:

Okay, wait, let me tell you something else. So, like my girls drink quote unquote soda and we make this like concentrate with organic lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, equal parts and um, stevia and it's natural sugar. It's so good. So we pour like a little bit of that and then the rest is soda water, so it's bubbly, it's sweet, it's really good, because apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and stevia is good for you, right? So that when I want something like bubbly and soda-y, I will make that. So we always have that concentrate in our fridge with soda water ready to go.

Speaker 1:

Wow, okay. So this is awesome because the drinks, the drink enhancers that I have now, are made with Stevia and they, they, uh, they do something different so that it doesn't taste like Stevia in like other things, it's like not bitter, it's just definitely more like natural tasting.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, gosh, now I'm inspired to try that you should. It's super, super good, it's delicious, like, and then anytime my husband and I eat anything like sugary, um, we'll drink some soda, because the apple cider vinegar will kind of like level out your blood sugar too. So it's really good to eat, to drink after, even just like to take a shot after you have something sugary.

Speaker 1:

Gosh, I'm learning all kinds of things today. Um, definitely looking these up when we hang up here, okay, so next question is when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Speaker 2:

I was never like one of those kids that wanted to be something specific, but I remember my dad was a software engineer and I always said like I never want to be in front of a computer. And then I started tech company, which I find to be really hilarious, cause I'm like he wanted me to learn how to code and I'm like, why didn't you, why didn't you push me more into coding? Like I would have saved so much money by being my own developer. Um, but yeah, I, I didn't really have anything specific that I wanted to be when I was a kid. I should actually ask my parents to see if, if maybe there was something that I don't remember.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, oh my gosh, that's so funny. Um, okay, so what's a book that you would recommend to everyone?

Speaker 2:

Um, I think that if you are a community builder or have any sort of membership, so this wouldn't be to everybody, but everybody who wants to have a subscription or membership. Retention point is the best book I've ever read when it comes to how to retain customers through membership. Um, it's very short. It's a very easy read, Um, so highly highly recommend retention point. Very easy read, Um, so highly highly recommend retention point.

Speaker 1:

Retention point. Okay, I keep telling people that I'm going to put all these like book suggestions in like a list and give them out to um everybody who listens to the show.

Speaker 2:

Same with the songs too. I'll send you the link, so you have the author too.

Speaker 1:

Perfect Okay. So if you could teleport to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Perfect Okay. So if you could teleport to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? I would go to Israel.

Speaker 2:

Love it. Have you been? When's the last time you were there? So I went five years ago. I took my husband with me, but before then I used to go every single year for like a month at a time. But then my daughter. When my daughter was six months, my husband deployed and I was going to go with her, but it was March 2020. So we had our ticket, we had everything ready to go, um, but we obviously canceled our trip. And then another baby, then another baby.

Speaker 2:

And now I'm like I'm going to hopefully take my my two girls um next year.

Speaker 1:

Okay, okay, I hope that happens. I'm sure you're like dying to get back there. Yeah, um, okay, so what is a song? What is the song that, when it comes on, you immediately want to get up and dance, preferably on a table.

Speaker 2:

Anything by Missy Elliott I like, literally like I just can't contain myself. The shoulders start to move and then I'm like where's the table? That's hilarious.

Speaker 1:

In my other one other conversation, we were talking about how, whenever you hear the let's go girls by Shania Twain, you just are like I think I could pick up a car right now. Yeah, now, yeah, it's the same kind of feeling. I love it.

Speaker 2:

Um, okay, if you could instantly master any skill, what would it be? And is it coding, you know? In hindsight, yes, Um, no, my. I always say like I wish I knew how to sing. I feel like singing is so beautiful and just a way to like, soothe yourself, soothe your children, connect on a different level. Like you see the world in a different way, I feel like. So singing is something that I mean. I love to sing, especially like super loud in my car, but I wish I was really good at it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I know I actually want to learn how to sing a song and I want to learn a choreographed dance. Those are like two of my my play uh things on the list. Um, and one of my friends who actually is a singer, um, she, she has told me that, um, that I'm not bad because I think I used to play music. You know, I'm an accomplished saxophone player. I say that every time and she's like no, I think you have the ear for it, and so I'm like huh, I really need to like check into this. I just want to do like one song, like one dance, and then I'm good.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I think you 100% can do that. You can hire a singing coach to help you.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, think you 100% can do that. You can hire a singing coach to help you. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly, it would be so fun. Okay, so name a mantra, quote, affirmation or words that you live by.

Speaker 2:

So I truly say this and shout about this from the rooftops Do everything you can to make people around you feel seen, heard and appreciated, and it will just completely amplify your life and business.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, that's so true, I love that so much. Um French kiss or French fry.

Speaker 2:

French kiss 100% I think about French kissing. My husband and I get like chills everywhere.

Speaker 1:

Oh, I love that the. You know the French fries have like really kind of taken the lead again, and the last couple of conversations I've had, the kiss is coming up from the rear, so I like it. If you could do anything right in this moment that would make you feel free, what would you do?

Speaker 2:

Cannonball into a pool.

Speaker 1:

That's such a great answer. Nobody's given that one. And now I'm like why? Why has nobody given that answer?

Speaker 2:

I just like feel like I just want like to be engulfed by water, you know, and just like come out and just like right.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah. Well, it's so funny that you say that, because that is the feeling that I got when I had the skinny dip moment, which, you know, changed the whole trajectory of my podcast. It was like, oh my gosh, I just like went for it, plunged in sans clothes and there I was. So I get that feeling. Um, I'm just shocked. Nobody said, nobody has said, cannonball before now.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, I like skinny dipping in a pool. Would probably be like a top second.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, it's wildly freeing, um, okay. So my last question that I ask everybody who comes on the show what does French kissing life mean to you?

Speaker 2:

Like I truly envision just massively pouring everything I have into life and making sure that I enjoy every single ounce of it, while experiencing like all the feels right, I'm just like, oh, like I want to experience everything. I'm giving everything I have and just enjoying every second.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, that's so good. It's so fun to hear everybody's interpretation of that, because I wouldn't I wouldn't even say anybody has been like off, it's you all get it, which is really cool, because that is essentially the the vibe of the show and it's like the thing that I want everybody to take away from. It is like the answer to that question.

Speaker 2:

I love it. I mean, I will tell you like just thinking about that just brings a smile to my face.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, oh, I love that so much. Well, inball, you bring a smile to my face because I just love your energy and I love what you're doing, and if anybody wants to connect with you, check out what you have going on, start a chapter in their city, how can they connect with you?

Speaker 2:

Everything is on my website, inballclaudiocom. There's links to everything in there. I love hanging out on Instagram, so at InBallClaudio, and then there's also links to everything from there. But I would love to connect with anybody. Just. I love meeting new people and just chatting with founders everywhere, so I would love to connect.

Speaker 1:

Yes, well, thank you so much for coming on French Kissing Life with me today. I'm so glad we had the chance to connect and catch up, and I'm just so excited to see how this all evolves for you.

Speaker 2:

Thank you so much, shauna, I appreciate it.

Speaker 1:

One of the things that Imbol and I talked about in our conversation was this idea of how to give freely, without any expectation of getting something in return which, by the way, I'm not advocating for someone mistreating you, treating you poorly or overstepping your boundaries and just being fine with it. That's a completely different conversation but rather to just go into interactions with people leading with kindness, generosity and compassion, because when you give that energy as your way of being in general, I promise you it'll not only feel good, but you'll inspire the same coming back to you in return. So, with that wonderful reminder for our kindness in action segment, where you can take what you've heard in the episode and apply it to your lives, whether you have five minutes to spare or 50, here are some steps you can take right now. If you have five minutes, I have an article from entrepreneur on nine ways you can attract good energy. And then, if you have 50 minutes, I have another article, this time from life hack, called 20 simple ways to bring positive, positive Energy into Life Right Now. And then, of course, if you want to connect with Inbal to experience her generosity firsthand and see everything she has going on with Like-Minded Collective, I will, of course, share the information in the show notes.

Speaker 1:

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Inbal, and the conversation I have for next week is going to blow your socks off. It is, without a doubt, my favorite conversation. You will absolutely see why. It is just so smile-inducing and the best little pick-me-up that you are ever going to have. So stay tuned. That conversation is coming next week. Thank you so much for tuning into French Kissing Light each and every week and for leaving reviews and just generally supporting this little idea that I've had. So I appreciate y'all so much and I will see you next time.

Speaker 1:

Thank you so much for listening to this week's episode of the French Kissing Life podcast. I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. If you're enjoying the show, shower us with a five-star rating and hit that subscribe button to make sure you never miss a future episode. And if you would be so kind and give the show a review, I'll sweeten the deal for you. Since you know I live for good conversation, I want to hear from you. Share your favorite takeaways, an aha moment you had or a fun emoji that represents this week's show, along with your Instagram handle or email address, and you'll be entered to win this month's giveaway. The French kissing life movement is gaining momentum, and your ratings and reviews play a pivotal role in propelling the show to new heights. Until next week.