010: Paws & Purpose: How Attending Business Retreats, Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone + Choosing Authenticity Skyrocketed Natali's Breeding Business

Jen Thyrion: Hey there, I'm Jen Thyrion and I'm so glad you're here. I'm a former nine to fiver that dove into entrepreneurship eight years ago with zero business experience.

I'm a wife, mama of two young girls, boutique owner, jewelry designer, and now the proud owner and coach leading GoldieLinks Permanent Jewelry.

I have a passion to empower fellow business babes. This podcast is made to equip you with everything you need to succeed from actionable marketing steps to digging deep on your mindset. I know firsthand the heart, hard work, and let's be real at times of struggle that makes up this amazing journey. You want to know what has enabled me to shine the brightest coaching plus community here at GoldieLinks.

We share openly educate and lift each other up, expect to get linked with fellow PJ owners that will do just that sprinkled with plenty of fun along the way. Competition is an old school thought and connection is the way get ready to feel inspired. Welcome to the GoldieLinks podcast.

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Jen: Hey, Natali, I'm so excited. You're with us today.

Natali: So excited to be here.

Jen: Yay. If you want to to start off by telling us about yourself,

Natali: Oh,

Jen: would you like for me?

Yeah.

Natali: my name's Natali. My business is Frecklepaw Family. I raise, train, matchmake puppies, do all that kind of thing. And I actually met Jen when we were at a Susie School retreat. We were like there to find our higher selves and just like connect with the world, connect with each other. Connect on a deep level and we've just been kind of like watching each other chatting back and forth ever since.

It's been so great. Yeah.

Jen: cool to see like where, you know, where your business has gone, which of course we're going to talk about. But, so how long have you been breeding?

Natali: Oh gosh. It's been over six years. I want to say seven or eight, but I was doing the research into breeding and seeing if it was like for us long before that, but it was kind of accidental. I hadn't like decided to get into it myself. We just wanted a family dog and I decided, like, I could not have a dog that shed, so we got into poodles, and it was accidental because the breeder wouldn't let me take her without breeding rights, and so then I'm like, okay, well, I guess we'll try a litter of puppies, and then fell completely in love with it, realized that people need, like, dogs that are health tested, that have temperament evaluations, that are raised, like, underfoot, have all of the things, and it just, like, has been a place that my family thrives, and so that's kind of how we got here, and we've

Jen: so cool. So did you have a lot of experience with dogs prior to

Natali: No, I would, I would say that, like, I was the person you always wanted to, and my mom just said no, and so, in retrospect, I'm like, I think I have, like, eight dogs because my mom said no my whole childhood.

Jen: Yes. Ha ha ha.

Natali: Payback, payback.

But, it's, it's kind of a hard juggle, you know, when you have a business that is so much caregiver. I have to caregive for my husband in a lot of ways because he's handicapped. We have three kids. They help with what we do, but it's like everybody's got their own, their own things that they feel like they're missing, you know, the things want their own love language and trying to Speak to all of our family and the dogs.

They're just, there's a lot going on. And so going to, you kind of, you can lose yourself in motherhood and your business. And so going to Susan's retreat was part of that. Deeper into myself, finding confidence, finding connection and acceptance in the world.

Jen: So, yeah, let's talk about that. So prior to, have you been to any kind of, even I know it's funny because we all went into it not really knowing what to expect. So if anyone's familiar with Susie, but you know, there were women there that didn't even really have a business yet. And I think it was all on her heart, and that's, the underlying sort of reason. And I think, I didn't really know what to expect. It was kind of a gut feeling of going, because I always appreciate, and I did take a virtual course with Susie, Susie's school, the year, gosh, like, I think, a couple years prior.

And and so I didn't expect, like, the soul searching to be as heavy as it was. I think we all cried. So was, was that your first experience like going to even a business type of retreat, but anything like that before? Yeah.

Natali: it was definitely me stepping out into the unknown, feeling like, what am I doing? This is not for me. I am for sure not going to thrive in this environment. So I went in knowing that. I felt like I was going to be the tiny little fish in an ocean of big fish and I'm like, okay, it's okay. I walked in going, all right, they're not going to eat me.

They're here to help me. We're here to help each other. Just like positive self talk the whole way. Yeah, it was my first time. I hadn't done any like virtual courses or anything like that. It had been very much, I'm isolated out here and I'm naturally an introvert. And so it took a lot. for me to build myself up to that point, but I got to this place where I recognized that I was getting in the way of my own self growth.

And so I could feel that I was saying no to myself and it wasn't helping me. Like there's healthy times to say no to yourself. Like that's actually not for me. I recognize that moving on. And so. When I was like, this is too much. I should probably not. And then I said no to myself. And that didn't sit well.

Getting past that was like, I just gotta go in. I'm going in scared. And it was like the best brave thing that I did. And it started me off on a new path. Like you can't, you can't anticipate how the ripple effect is going to affect the rest of your life when you go to an event like that

Jen: I agree. And like, honestly, and no matter where you are, even whether or not like introvert extrovert, but it's like, you still go in, but it's really a brave thing to do to go to a treat like that where it's like, you know, nobody, and you're just going in. And you're, you know, you don't know what to expect, you know, but from my experience, it's funny.

I've been to things like that prior, so it's almost like I kind of was used to that feeling knowing it, but still it's like every time it's nerve wracking, and I just know it. I know we were chatting before when we were chatting about this and I loved what you said about you can't go back because like once you open up and you have that growth, it's like you can't choose to shrink back.

Like you.\ , you grew, like, it's like you,

Natali: you look back at what you did to yourself, you're like, I blossomed. I can't unblossom. And now I'm figuring out what is next in life.

Jen: So this was March of: 2023

Natali: I felt, I think in a lot of ways, really burnout is real. Anybody, but I was feeling it really hard and I just wanted something that would kind of give me perspective, kind of set me off on the right foot. I wasn't sure if it was going to turn into something different, if I was going to like change course or if it was going to give me a sense of renewed confidence in what I was doing.

And what it did was In my business, I just had a lot of puppies that were about to arrive, puppies going home, all kinds of stuff, and it's a lot to juggle. So I was in this place of just like needing clarity and needing to feel that fulfillment again. I let myself get run down, and so in a lot of ways, this was also like my vacation.

So, so I went in with that kind of mentality, and I I found it, what I was looking for, I was looking for that sense of connection and a deeper purpose and I found that even though I had gotten into my line of business accidentally and it served my family, I'm like, there is a point where I do need to like see the breaks for myself and take care of myself better, you know, and see my value, not just the value that I have to other people. So it helps you see yourself so much more. Clearly, when you see yourself through the eyes of others.

Jen: And 'cause they have, especially like you, you're like a caregiver in every way, you know, like with these puppies and your children and your husband. Like that's, yeah. So it's necessary to like, fill your cup, you know, and, and trying to, and again, I remember before we left, like. We all didn't want to lose that feeling, you know, that's what's hard.

It's like you go to a retreat like that, you're on cloud nine, you know, you kind of deal with like face these self limiting beliefs or whatever you felt you need to go there for. And then you're like, how can I just, cause we're going to go back to doing laundry and, you

Natali: well, your life hits so hard.

Jen: and yeah, it's not going to be at this beautiful retreat all the time.

You know, like it's easy to kind of, you know, get into that zone when you're there. But so like, really trying to take to what you can from that and incorporate that in your daily life. , how do you feel you did that? Do you feel like you were able to do that?

Natali: I feel like in a really big way, I crave the connection of other people that resonate really. I feel like none of the people around me are like trying to achieve big things. They're just, you know, like taking care of their cows and, and we're out in the country. We're far apart and all the ladies near me just want to read books that I have no interest in.

I'm like, okay, this is not feeding my soul. This is not filling my cup. So in a big way, the connection that I made with you and all the other women that were at that retreat needed and being able to stay connected, watch what they're doing, see a big picture, know that I'm not alone has been what I needed.

Being able to stay connected was definitely what kept that high vibe going and I can always revisit that when I'm feeling like, ugh, for whatever reason. Oh,

Jen: or the person that's like hosting the retreat, you know, is obviously someone that you love that while you're going. But I have to say like almost just as good of that as the people that you meet. Like that's always been like priceless for me. So so what has happened in your business since I met you?

Natali: I feel like I've just gotten clarity with when I want to retire and what that looks like. And what I want to offer the world. What's my like legacy that I'll leave behind, how that's going to carry my family through into the next. It's chapter being okay with that because you get this preconceived notion of how people see you.

And then you kind of tie up your identity into some of the stuff that you do. Even by accident, you know, I'm like, I am Natali, I raise puppies, but I'm really not any of that. You got to like separate yourself. And just witness what you're doing without feeling that that's your identity. And so, being very clear about that, and being okay with that, and like, bravely soldiering on no matter what I think other people might think,

Jen: Yeah,

Natali: like, perspective that I hadn't considered before.

So, I think in my business, it's like, I know that I'm going to have smaller dogs, because I enjoy raising the smaller dogs. smaller size. And then I'm going to be offering a course and like a hands on in person mentorship for people that I feel like are really passionate and care about the health of dogs and stuff.

Kind of bring that further because connection is my piece that I want that I didn't even know was like the key portion of what I do. I'm like, Oh, I'm actually not in this for the dogs. I'm in this because I want to like adopt people into my family.

Jen: Yes.

Natali: Yeah, so I'm like, let's keep this piece and then we will move on from this to serve my family better.

So, it's

Jen: It's so true. It's

like really getting down to, yeah, of course you love dogs, but really it's like the why of it all. Like,

Natali: the wine.

Jen: feel the same way about permanent jewelry. Like the reason why I love it so much is like, yes, it incorporates this creative side. They've always made jewelry, but it's the connection piece for me as well.

It's like the in-person connection and like. Also, too, when they're getting the piece, it's a connection piece for them, whether they're getting it with a sibling or, you know, a best friend or whatnot. So it's like, just the whole meaning behind it feels so special and like, really it's yeah, what you're lending that to other families too, like the connection piece within their family.

Natali: Oh, we totally do the same thing. We're in the same business,

Jen: isn't it crazy, but you're bringing dogs and, yes,

Natali: to them forever. They don't have a choice.

Jen: yes, but I think that's so cool to really, because we can get caught up, like where, of course we all need to like, you know. Make money to like live our lives, you know, I mean, so we can get caught up in that, but it's like, really, if it becomes to the point where it's not feeling fulfilling, it's like, what's missing or.

Like, what am I searching for that maybe I'm not getting fulfilled from this, you know?

Natali: Yeah, there's so many aspects and facets to a human mind and heart that there's sometimes in a business where it's like a certain part is being ignored because it has to be, but there's a chapter for that and it's coming in planning for that. It's going to make all the difference.

Jen: So, what, I remember when you left, you did try to do something , but didn't like happen the way you wanted. Does that?

Natali: , I remember, so the idea was, like, the mother child connection because I love so much that a dog can bring a child closer to their mother, their parent,

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: a child that has a hard time connecting, has a lot of emotions, that's what I needed as a child, and I was like, I feel really drawn to this, but when I tried it, it was like, hard no.

And it was only because logistics. I'm like, I don't want to pull in a team of people. Basically, I have to have everything sterile. I have to clean the house. There's a high stress environment for me just to make it the ideal interaction. So it's like, even though I'm giving them what they need, I'm not getting what I need out of this.

Jen: right?

Natali: So That was really interesting and enlightening for me because I thought it was going to be something and it was completely something different. So I was like, shifting out of that, we're going into a different direction. But you can't know, you can't be confident until you make messy movement. Like actually doing the thing is going to tell you what you need to know if it's for you or if it's not.

Jen: Yes. And I, oh my God, I love that messy movement. That's so good. all these nuggets like, yes, because it's so true. I think, and I'll say this a million times, it's like you learn more from like quote unquote failures than you do successes. Granted, like that's not really a failure. You learned and moved on depending on how you like your perspective of failure. But I feel like you have like. just grown so much on like, just even social media, like your Instagram, right? Do you feel like that has just taken off this past year? Do you feel like it was different prior to like Susie's of where I met you last?

Natali: Well, I feel like I've learned a lot about social media, like how to strategically place yourself, timing of day, all of those kind of things that are, like, basic for a lot of people, but for me, it was like, okay, I'm diving into this because I don't have to put any energy into this other thing I was planning on doing.

But also, you Like, something that was a big, like, really hard for me to do is I love to sing around the house. I'm singing around my puppies and it's all good fun. I'm like, I don't share this part of myself. And I kind of feel like I'm hiding in the back room, not sharing this, like, big aspect of myself.

So I'm like, okay, well, I'm going to share this. And I'm terrified. I'm going to do it anyways. Could I never do anything the easy way? Because you can't go back. So I shared some of those and I'll continue sharing those because I feel like it's just so precious to show the environment that puppies are raised in when it's like truly that genuine and pure

doing that hard thing.

It's like singing is your soul, you know, for people who resonate with just being able to like share that part of themselves. It's.

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: So doing that, like, broke something in me that was just, like, hiding behind this glass wall. And I was like, it's broke. Okay, well, we're out of here. It's fine. I've shared everything.

I've shared my soul with you guys. And that was a big, that was a big deal for me. Being able to get past that resistance and just doing the thing. And it felt so good. Like, just do what makes you feel alive.

Jen: Yeah. And just like you said, I love that because just sharing, because you can look at like a breed, like you breed, right? So you could make a social media where you're just talking about what you do. You share a lot about how to care and all the things when it comes to, to puppies, but in dogs, but when you're sharing this personal side of you and really getting to know you.

It's so like, and even though you're, you're just raising this dog enough for me to take it from you, but it makes me want to get a dog from you, you know what I mean? Just because I'm like, oh my gosh, , this girl is so cool. Like, this is so fun. I really like the like, know, and trust factor basically, right?

And, and just showing who you are. And I don't care, again, what I feel niche you're in. I think that's so important. No, to, because I would think most breeders would have more of a dry. Social media, you know, they wouldn't be showing the fun side, you know, and I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, I guess, but I feel it's not really common,

Natali: no, it's definitely, it's a new thing that people are realizing that like the connection to the breeder is a piece that people really feel drawn to. They want to know who was the first mom of this puppy and like, how did, and what kind of influence does she have over their personality and stuff? And It's that connection piece again, feeling connected to the world, to my people, showing myself, like, showing, like, actually letting the world see you.

I have a hard time with this sometimes, like, in big groups in person. It's just, again, like, the introverted side, but I feel like I'm actually an extrovert, and it was just kind of beaten out of me in childhood, like, be quiet, be calm, sit still, and I'm all, you know what, I'm just gonna show up finally as I am.

As hard as it is, just get through and do new things, new habits, become the best version. Because you can't go back.

Jen: Yeah, that's awesome. So do you feel like your business has, I wouldn't say, has it been busier for you? I mean, obviously you only have so many litters and how does that work? Like does your, do you have a wait list? Like do you feel like, how does, how does that work for you?

Natali: Yeah, so I've run into this problem where and it's a good problem to have and I've learned how to manage it and I Want to share this secret with a lot of my families that are coming to me But it's more important for breeders to know how to do this where it's like you finally Share yourself. You're transparent.

You do all the things. You do everything right. If your puppies aren't selling, it's because you're not sharing who you are. And then once people connect with you and they realize what exactly is going on with your program and they want to be with you, they're committed to you, get this issue of having an overflowing wait list where it's like you have so many people.

You only have so many puppies.

Jen: Yes.

Natali: And so there's a nice It's really nice nowadays where we're in a community of breeders and generally a good breeder knows another good breeder and we can all help each other, especially if the family has a crunch, but having this overflowing wait list is a matter of knowing how to manage it.

And so yeah, that's going to be part of my program, all of that, how to do it and make sure that your families are happy and still feel connected to you through the entire process. So,

Jen: cool. Did you have a overflowing wait list when you went to Susie's in March of last year when I met you?

Natali: No, actually, Suzie got one of my puppies because we had Like these puppies that were just not finding their families, but they are magical dogs. And so it's just a testament that I was able to finally break free and Susie was able to recognize that that the dog was there and the perfect one, but like we had just not found her right family and it was really meant to be like, sometimes, sometimes puppies do take a while to find their homes, you know, and you don't, or you're overflowing waitlists.

Like your families have something come up. terrible timing. You just have to give them some grace. And so Belle and Yuletide took a little bit longer to find their homes, but it was just like, I just have a firm, strong belief that when that happens to a puppy, it's because their family is coming to you in their own

Jen: Yeah. Yep. But what do you feel like, so, you know, speaking, yeah, I know we're talking about puppies here and waitlists and everything, but when it comes to, again, I think this is why , it applies to any business really, you know, so what do you feel has the biggest reason of why you have an overflowing waitlist now and you did not before, like 10 months ago?

What changed between then and now?

Natali: That was a really good question. I mean, I feel like I've changed the most. My business hasn't changed a ton aside from like, showing. Showing the inner workings, being more transparent, showing the messy stuff, the good stuff, the silly stuff, the soulful stuff I think people connect with that, you know, and there's all of the strategy, the stuff on the back end, making sure that things are tight, but people will come to you whether or not that is up and running and perfect,

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: you have a strategy, you revamp it, but you show up as you.

And people will come. Your people will come to you. Oh

Jen: I love your videos by the way, and just even like when you share in stories, how you talk, it's like, and this is what I always say, when people are scared to show up in stories and and just talk, it's like, just pretend like you're talking to a friend. You know what I mean?

Like it's not.

Natali: Yeah, I like to think that all my best friends are on the other side. Just like, as

Jen: Yes. Like

Natali: you can.

Jen: get so. We get so inside of our heads when really it's like I relisten to myself, I can redo something a million times because of how I don't like I say something, but I'm like in the end. We're all the same way, so I, I don't really, I rarely edit anything.

I just put it out there. I don't, like, redo it. I just put it out there, you know?

Natali: It's always so good when it's the first one and it's raw and it's genuine and like, you know, do it once.

Jen: Yes. But, like, how you, you, like, just talk and you'll, like, be doing your nails and stuff and, like,

Natali: that was a good day.

Jen: How often are you posting on Instagram too? Do you strategize that way or do you just post when you want to post?

Natali: I feel like I just won't post if I feel like stuck that day. You know, women, we have hormones and things that we have to work through or big things will come up in life and I have to give myself space. That's one of those times when it's like, if I show up when I don't feel like I can show up, I will run out.

So I take that time to just have for me, I like to show up every day, but it's like. There are certain days that it works out better than others, and so I just give myself that space. And I wasn't giving myself that space before, but your mental health is totally worth it, and your people will stay with you if you're not showing up for a day or two.

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: And the algorithm, like, it'll all be fine. Like,

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: just live life.

Jen: I know.

Natali: like it's like pounded into us, do this, do that. But if you can't show up for that, show up for yourself and give yourself what you need. Because you'll show up so much better if you give yourself that time and space just to like breathe and move through whatever it is that you're working through and then show up for your people when you can show up the way that you would want to be shown up for.

I probably do like one post a week and then I do more reels because I think reels are more fun. And, and the video is really great. Just being able to. Give people a real sense and a real flavor of what's going on because posts are great and I can do a carousel. I especially love to do those when I'm doing puppy pictures.

Those always are big. But it's like, there's a whole back end working, making sure that those pictures are perfect and editing

it's just so much more organic if you do it real or you show a video of yourself, show up in stories. Like, that's just where it's at for me.

Jen: Yeah. I agree. And honestly, what you said, it just makes so much sense. Because Yeah. It's like, you know, as we know, we're not, if we're not taking care of ourselves, we're not, we're doing a disservice to people around us, even though we see it as the opposite and it's hard for us to see, like, if we're not taking care of ourselves and we're giving and giving to our family or our customers or whatever, but really not giving the best of ourselves.

So in the end, it's like, we're not serving them as best as we can be if we're not taking care of ourselves. So when you said, like, days where I don't want to post, thinking that you're doing it, you know, a disservice to your, , Customers or, you know, your following, but really, in the end, it's, it's the opposite, you know?

Natali: Yeah, and even if I have posts that are already prepared, like, I'll have a reel that I did, like, weeks ago, and I'm like, oh,

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: be good, but I just don't feel in line with it. I'm like, I don't want to work on this. I feel like if I put this out there, it doesn't feel like it's sliding into place like a puzzle piece.

Like, it doesn't feel like it's ready. I'm not ready for it. Just, like, give yourself space for that. And I think part of the reason why I feel That I have to show up for people is partly because as a child, I was the one who was like, I'm desperate for somebody to save me to show up for me this way to like, always be on time to be reliable.

And so I'm like, I put so much into it just because of that, but realizing that's just like, I can't be the savior and it doesn't even matter. Nobody's even paying that close of attention. So like, I'm too critical of myself. And so I don't know. I feel like your business gets into you and you heal from the inside out when you look to a deeper aspect of yourself and you get there by just like being being interested, you know, being curious about what makes you tick. And then moving past that, just on a deep level, like it's so easy to get stuck going into like the everyday routines and not looking deeper, but when you do look deeper, you kind of find out why you're doing what you do and how to f up better.

Jen: And that's why it's so cool to go to what we like, what, how we met last year to do things like that, to get out of your comfort zone because it might be harder to do that day to day life when you are just having to do all these things, but to like put yourself out again, like travel, go somewhere.

All these people you don't know.

Natali: Oh yeah.

Jen: Yeah. Because it's amazing also what a sense and other percent people get of you and we all went in there as strangers, but we left really feeling like we had a great sense of who each other were and,

Natali: And I felt like in a big way, it's like you're almost trauma bonded. You're like, I was so vulnerable, I was like raw and open and here for you guys and you all caught me. And so you're just like permanently glued together forever.

was this month in January of: 2024

Natali: Oh my gosh, it was so different. It wasn't so much a retreat as a mastermind. It was like, we did the hard work. It was so much more aggressive with just work strategy, business stuff. It wasn't like healing. We did a little bit of that. Like, you know, we did the mirror work where you look into yourself, you don't judge, you just.

See, you accept, you become,

we did a tiny little itty bitty bit of that, but it was mostly talking, getting to know people, talking about strategy, finding out what's next, really getting clear about like our avatar, our ideal client, moving from there. It was completely different. It was It was definitely like a business oriented.

That was the main focus and finding out exactly it's it was more for educators. So creating courses, doing a retreat, becoming a coach. And there were people there who are like, they've been doing this for a while and they were like, getting more in tune with. The things that were maybe needing to be shifted and other people like myself were like, I've never been a coach before, but I've been coaching people from the sidelines, but I haven't been paid for it.

So like, what does this look like? How does it work? What's the strategy? Learned so much. It was like every single day in my brain was like, I can't even contain all of this. I literally need to go to sleep, but then you want to go talk to everybody. And so you stay up late, you do the thing, and then you come home totally like wasted.

Jen: Yes. What? Yeah,

Natali: I felt like after that, I was like a slow processor. I came home and I'm like, I literally just need like a day to like, let my brain just be, but then I ended up going on a trip. And so then I was like really late, but I loved in the last mastermind, just zoom call that we had Susie was talking about how you just give yourself time.

It's in your own time. Give yourself space. There's no race. There's no like deadline. You just go at your own pace when it feels right. And it was so relieving to hear that because you do come back and life is hard and stuff comes up or like you have things going on and you go at your own pace and It was great to have the support of the classes knowing that those were there and the specialists that she had there with us to know that like we're all going to get our answers to our questions, we're all going to be able to go in and get out what we need.

So it was definitely different than the retreat. And. Really valuable in a completely different way. Both were, both were just, like, groundbreaking for me. So, it was worth going. A hundred percent.

onged to a mastermind back in: 2018

Natali: I love that you said that. You're just like, I'm just gonna call it now.

Jen: Yeah, like, I mean, literally, and I honestly, it's almost like, not saying a goal of mine to always be the dumbest person in the room, but it's like, it really is, like great because it just stretches you the most, you know, when you're surrounded by all these people that just are a little bit further and, you know, whether or not just even being clear about what they want, you know, I went in very, just again, deer in headlights for sure.

I was, I was blown away, but I have to say, and so it was funny because it was a year mastermind and I was almost like disappointed in myself that I didn't the next year or the year following where I didn't just take off and take all this information, but really. It's never wasted. I feel like it planted seeds that now are flourishing years later.

And so like, the knowledge, the connection, it's never wasted, you know? It's like, but again, like you said, everyone went there on different wavelengths, like different levels of where they were, the ready, whether they've already had courses, whether they're just thinking about it. So everyone's going to do it on their own time, you know, but it's because I think sometimes we're hard on ourselves.

Like we think. Everything has to happen right now, you know? It's like Amazon Prime, like we need to like

Natali: live in a world where we have to just like produce, we have to create content. We have to be there. We have to do this. We have to show up. But like knowing that shifts are coming. You just don't know what they're gonna turn into yet, and I love that you say it's not wasted. Those seeds are planted, and they're gonna come in their own time, and it's gonna be beautiful, and they do.

You just have to not force it. It's hard to not.

It's the hardest thing that I found. I'm just like, this urgency can just chill.

Jen: Yeah, yeah. Could you have done one retreat without the other? Do you know what I'm saying? Or vice versa? If you didn't go last March and you went to this one, like, you know, do you need one kind of, different, different types of like education when it comes to you, because I've always said this too.

Okay. Being an entrepreneur. I think the one thing that was really surprised by is how much it stretched me as a human being, you know what I mean? Cause I think when we go into it. depending on what niche it is. But we just think of the, masculine side a lot, depending on, strategy, , marketing, when really it's so much deeper than that, , and it's a lot of like mindset work and limitations we put on ourselves.

So do you feel like the , last year was kind of necessary in order to bring you to where you are now?

Natali: Me it was.

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: I needed that in order to be able to feel like I could do something big like the mastermind that I just went to. I don't, I, I for sure felt like the deer in the head like, like I didn't feel necessarily even prepared. I'd done everything to prepare to feel like I was in the right headspace and I was getting ready for that.

But I couldn't have done one without the other. And I know that a lot of people don't necessarily feel like they need that, but I definitely did. You know, we're all at our different levels. And so, there were some women there who were just like killing it. They, they were ready for all of the questions.

They had everything prepared. And I'm like, I don't even know what to ask. But I'm here to find out what those questions are so I can find answers I don't even know I'm looking for. Because I just have this idea. It's nebulous to me. So let's figure that out. You know?

Jen: Yeah. And again, it's not necessarily you need to go to a retreat like we

Natali: Oh, yeah.

Jen: comes to like, just getting clarity, like asking yourself like the right questions, because I think for me, when I started my business, I went in very blind. And then it took me a few years to finally then end up like backtracking and asking me this, asking myself those questions because then it's like, I ended up building this business that I wasn't really happy with.

So I was like, okay, what, what, why am I doing this? You know what I mean? So I, I ended up having to then dig deep and realizing how of an important component that was that I missed in the very beginning, you know,

Natali: Yeah. So what did you do different with your business, you know, how did that affect you

Jen: well, I mean, like when I started the boutique business and you know, I grew it to four locations really fast because I did love the creative side of it and everything. But. I, because I grew it so fast, I was unable to create jewelry, like hands on the things I loved and why, why even went into the first location.

So and then of course, you know, I had my girls too, which changes things as well, of course. But like, I was like, you know, it just felt very hollow to me. You know what I mean? I did feel like. I was just schlepping product is how I felt, you know, so I'm like, okay, yeah, now that I have these four locations and sure, you know, money's okay, you know, but I'm really not like, it doesn't, I'm not fulfilled, you know, so why am I doing this?

en I started slowly, probably: 2019

I feel like, really, I, I feel like I always take the long way.

Natali: Right? Yeah, definitely the hard way, the long way. The

Jen: I always do. I, you know, but I mean, hey, I learned a lot from it, which I feel like, you know, I have no regrets, but yeah.

Natali: say delegate, you know, in order to be able to do everything. You can't do everything, so you delegate, and then when you delegate out the things that give you that sense of wellbeing, that sense that like you're actually fulfilling your purpose in life, you take those things out, and you're like, why am I doing this?

Jen: Yeah.

Natali: You get out of alignment.

Jen: Yeah, exactly. And, and as we evolve as humans and things happen in our lives, like things, whatever fulfills us can change as well. You know, I mean, who knows what you'll be doing in a few years

Natali: I don't know if Who knows?

Jen: Like right now this is fulfilling and this is, you know, but who knows what, where life can lead.

Speaking of that? What can see from you, and what can we expect?

Natali: Well, I hope to be able to release a course, like, modules that are able to be done at self pace in the next year that's going to bring a person from the beginning of starting a program all the way to the end with, like, the goal of having an overflowing waitlist. And that'll probably happen, but I also want to do my I don't know when they'll start, but I want to have like an exclusive group of women that I work with.

Just have like a couple days where we all sit together. We go over like major things, anything they want to talk about. We'll go over like have a workbook just like a really great structure to it so that they feel like they are the asset that community needs for really great dogs and be able to provide for their families that way and create a lot of value in their lives there.

But I don't know, like who knows where life will lead, you know, it's It's just like, soldiering on, and going out into the adventure, like, get to the edge, find out what's beyond it, and don't be afraid to, like, stick your toe over, like, be brave in little ways, and then you'll find what's big for you next.

Jen: I love that. So how many litters do you have A year.

Natali: It totally fluctuates. It depends on a lot of things, but generally, anywhere from, like, Five to eight. So I'm still a little tiny program. I like it that way because you know, you're talking about like you get disconnected if you delegate too much You have somebody else doing the part that you love and I love the connection to my people knowing that I know them So I know that when I send them to their home I've sent them to the right one and that family will be so happy with the puppy that they got.

It's like complete, like, hardcore soul matchmaking. And you can't have that if you have, like, 20 litters a year. Like, you get disconnected. And I don't want to trust somebody else trusting that they know the puppy and that what they're telling me translates into that puppy having the right connection to a family.

I'm like, I need to know personally. So it's staying small and I want it small.

Jen: That's awesome. I love it. It's perfect.

Natali: It's funny how, like, sometimes what's big is actually what's small for you. What that makes the biggest impact in your life.

Jen: Yeah. For sure. Okay. So where can we find you? How can we get on your puppy wait list? All the things. You

Natali: Jen. I'm on, I'm on FrecklePawFamily. It's on Instagram and then it's FrecklePawFamily. com. Is my website and to waitlist, you just have to apply and I have to feel like there's the right, it's the right fit for your family and a lot of times I get people who come to me and are looking for something that I just don't have, don't plan on having, but

Jen: what I mean?

Natali: really good friends and it's good to know a braider who knows a braider who knows a braider because they will make sure that you don't get scammed and then you go to a person that they personally trust.

So I hope to see people on there. I hope to hear from people and then it's just a community of support and love. So that's like a huge value.

Jen: Yeah. If anything, you got to follow her because you get to see cute puppies all the time. Plus Natali is so easy to love and you get to like, yeah, witness her singing, doing her nails, chatting, anything, all, all the things, all the things she does.

Natali: You are the sweetest. If you're ever in Idaho, we can do nails together and sing together.

Jen: Yeah. That would be awesome.

Natali: Oh, I miss you, Dan.

Jen: love that. Oh my gosh. That'd be so awesome. Okay. So we're let's, let's leave it with one, what's your one piece of advice for someone who's starting out in business to grow their business, I guess, what is your one piece of advice? Okay.

Natali: man, just in general. I would say anticipate where this might go and if that's where you want to arrive. If that's going to stretch and push you the way that you want to be stretched and pushed to actually grow as a person. It needs to support your family, of course, but that's a detail that you can make.

You can make anything be successful, but make sure it serves you first. So that you can keep going in your best version of yourself as you move on and become. It'll be the stepping stone to whatever comes next. So make sure that it's the right stone for you to be stepping on.

Jen: Oh my god, Natali, you need to write a book or something.

Natali: I'll get there. Who knows, maybe that's the next thing.

Jen: There you go. Seed has been planted.

Natali: You've planted. So nice talking with you, Jen. You're the actual best.

Jen: Oh no, you are. Okay, thank you so much. I'll see you on your Instagram.

Natali: Alrighty, I'll be there. See ya. Bye.

Jen: Bye. Thank you.