A Word About Business Archives - Page 4 of 5

Wanna Help Me Sleep Tonight, Make Some Money AND #FinishStrong?!

November 10, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

I stay up late. I stay up late a lot. Or wait…maybe it’s that I wake up super early? Hmmmm. Anyhow, let’s just say I work long hours, ridiculously long hours. And, you know what? I don’t mind one bit. I love what I do. Founding a company like Hot Mama, well…it’s a badge of honour I wear with pride. Incredible pride.

With 24 Hot Mama franchises now up and running, you bet your sweet buns I’m proud.

We empower women, inspire families, promote family fitness and build community. A community of women like no other. If you need a safe place to get fit or increase your fitness, if you need support as you struggle with Motherhood, or if you simply need a wild, crazy, silly authentically true group of women, Hot Mama should be your home.

My goal is to start a complete and total mass movement of family fitness with Hot Mama. I also want people to know that when they go to a Hot Mama business they will be welcomed with open arms, loving smiles and strong shoulders to lean on. I want all of that in every single franchise we open. Not only do we offer free classes to postpartum women to help combat postpartum depression, we provide incredible fitness programs and challenges and support and love and respect.

That’s Hot Mama. That’s who I am and that’s how I want to always be remembered.

So, I work tirelessly on this business. We have helped 100’s of women (if not 1000’s now) climb out of depression and anxiety. We have helped many women accept who they are. We have lifted women on the hard days and rejoiced with them on the good. I am so honoured and grateful that we have helped so many.

So what keeps me up at night?

I toss and I turn because I know there are women in communities that we currently do not have a location that desperately need us. Women who are in the depths of the darkness of postpartum depression. Women who have no idea how to begin their fitness journey. Women who are tired of being judged for their mothering choices and just want to find a safe place to land. Women who want to push and drive and dig and be role models of healhy living for their children. Women who want to drink wine, do burpees and laugh. Laugh a lot.

We have helped so many in the few franchises that we have. But, I know we have to help so many more. I know this is essential to who we are. I know the good that can be brought to a community with Hot Mama. I believe in us and what we do 100%. I believe in me. I believe in our franchise owners. I believe in our headquarters team. I believe in all the Hot Mamas in our community across Canada and now the UK. I believe.

So, I’m asking YOU to help us spread the word. We want to FINISH STRONG in 2016. I’m pushing to open at least 8 new franchises in the next two months. Gasp. I know, right? How can I do that? I’m going to ask YOU to help. I’m going to ask you to send people to our website and encourage them to apply for their own Hot Mama business. If you’re in the community and you know and love what we do, we’re asking you to think of at least three people you can send our way.

We can do a lot of good. But, we need you. I need you. I need help spreading the word. And, because I’m asking of something from you I’d love to offer you a referral of $500 – $1000 per franchise sale that you refer (um…they do have to purchase though, I can’t pay ya just to refer). That means if you refer someone to us by sending them our link www.hotmamafit.com/franchise, and they purchase before December 31, 2016…we are going to pay you. Oh yes we are.

So…do YOU know 3 people. Can YOU send 3 people our way that you think would embody love, support, community, fitness, role modeling and family? Do you know someone who is passionate about helping women, getting kids moving and is a lover of all things family? THEM. Those are the women we want to talk with.

Thank you. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for thinking about our community. Thank you for being you and supporting Hot Mama and all we are trying to push forward.

With incredible gratitude and much respect, I ask this favor of you. Please check out www.hotmamafit.com/FinishStrong for more information.

Please, help us spread the word so we can #FinishStrong in 2016

Why I Refuse to Apologize for High Expectations

November 4, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

There are moments in your life when you need to step back and reflect. You need to reflect hard. I mean turn into yourself and evaluate who you are, what you’re doing, the person you are and the person you want to be. These times and evaluations will be a product of another moment that will make you question everything. These are tough times. But, I’m recognizing that these moments are critical to growth. I’m embracing the reflection and loving my conclusion.

I’ve previously written about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. What it’s like to be the Founder of a company like Hot Mama. It’s all-consuming, empowering, inspiring…it’s all I am. I can say that because my family is heavily involved in what I do. But, I need to be honest here, it’s also incredibly lonely.

Building an empire of women, amazing women, strong women, smart women, driven women…well, it’s an honour and one I don’t take for granted ever. But, it’s still my baby. If something goes wrong, I’m blamed. If they fail. I fail. If a promotion fails, it’s my fault. If a program flops, that’s on my shoulders. It’s a lot of weight and a lot of pressure, but I accept it and I carry the burden. Some days the burden takes over, it knocks me flat and presses me down hard into the earth. Some days I lift it over my head and sprint. That’s what being the founder of a company is like.

Recently I’ve had to reflect on the person I am becoming. Am I good person? Am I kind? Am I thoughtful? And, the truthful answer is…most times. Not always. And, that’s the growth and reflection I’ve had to make these past few weeks.

Am I the same person I was 4.5 years ago when I started Hot Mama? No. Absolutely not. And, do I want to go back to being that person? No. 100% absolutely not. Why? Because, that person didn’t have the dreams I have today. She didn’t see the possibilities and the opportunties. She didn’t believe in herself. She didn’t have a mission. That person had no idea how her little bootcamp classes could change the world. Because I have started to do that. And so help me, we will change this world. One Mama, one Mini, one family at a time.

And I’ll do it because I now have a strong squad of women behind me.

But, here’s the problem: Has the core person, the person who I truly am, changed so much that I don’t recognize myself any longer?

The answer: no. I know me. I recognize me. You may not, but I do. I’m here.

I’m me. I’m goofy and silly and quirky and I love to laugh. But, when it comes to my business, my expectations are high. My expectations are obscenely high. And, I’ve finally realized that I have every right to have them there. If I want to create a movement of family fitness, if I want to change 1000’s, no…millions of women’s lives…my expectations NEED to be high. I’m demanding in my business. I work tirelessly. I dig and drive and push. And you know what? I’m finally okay with being the founder of a company who’s a bit of a hardass.

Why? Because…it’s who I am. And not accepting this part of me would hold me back. I don’t want to be the person I was 4.5 years ago…I want to be me. Here. Now. As I am. In all my demands. In all my expectations. In all my gratitude. Because although I’m demanding and my expectations are high as the founder of a rapidly growing company, I’m also so freakin’ grateful. I’m grateful for the growth of my company. I’m thankful for the women who’ve joined me. I’m grateful for the Hot Mama themselves who commit to health and active living. I’m grateful that I get to be nerdy and silly and that I get to laugh at myself.

I’m 100% grateful for the person I am today. I refuse to question that any longer. There’s business Lindsay and there’s personal Lindsay. One may not recognize the other, but they’re both still who I am. They both have dreams and goals. They both work hard and strive for greatness. The change now is that I accept both parts of me. I fought the business side for so long, but acceptance means growth. And, I accept who I am. I love who I am. I’m proud of who I am.

When you dig into yourself and evaluate all aspects of who you are, greatness can happen. I am greatness. I am greatness because of the women standing with me. I am greatness because I believe in what I am doing. I am greatness because I have evolved and learned and grown into a person with exceptionally high standards. I am greatness because I finally refuse to apologize for dreaming big and making it happen. I encourage you to accept your greatness. It’s incredibly freeing.

I am so grateful for these past few weeks. For the hard questions I had to ask myself. I’m grateful that I had the courage and strength to actually look into myself. I’m mostly grateful that that courage came from the community I’ve helped build. It is because of you, my Hot Mamas, that I continue to grow and push myself. You may not recognize me in business mode, but you’ll always recognize me over a glass of wine and some peanut butter cups.

With mad respect and gratitude,
Lindsay (Your OHM)

6 Ways to Help You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

September 21, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

Change doesn’t happen unless you do. How many times have you heard that?

Or, change happens outside your comfort zone. How about that one? You’ve heard that one, right?

And, as much as we know it, acknowledge it and “like” all the quotes and memes on Facebook about it, change and being outside your comfort zone is hard. It’s really hard. But, there will be a time in your life when you’ll have to accept that something’s gotta give and you’re going to need to step out of your bubble and go way past your comfort zone.

The power of letting go and moving yourself toward your goals is yours. It’s yours if you choose to dig in, step out and expose your vulnerabilities. You need to respect your limitations but push your boundaries and your comfort zone.

Think of your comfort zone like a balloon. You can expand it by putting more into it and you can shrink it by giving up and letting go. You can also pop it if you push too far. The further you try to push yourself out of your comfort zone, the harder it is. But it’s okay. You’re supposed to push. You’re supposed to constantly expand. Trust me. [Read more…] about 6 Ways to Help You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

The Selfish Acts of Giving and Gratitude

September 17, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

I like to think that I’m a giver. I give and give and give and I try to not take and take and take. But, I’m a selfish giver. I give to get something for myself. And, the more I give and get for myself, the more gratitude towards others I feel. However, I believe we all give to get, it’s just human nature.

We recently hosted a contest at Hot Mama where we gave away some pretty skookum prizes. The goal was to encourage Mamas to remain active over the summer and if they did, they’d win a great prize! Today we announced the winners and it unraveled this overwhelming desire for me to give and to inspire others to give. It’s the best feeling in the world to surprise someone with a gift. The gratitude is palpable. The energy is amazing.

That’s why I give. I LOVE surprising someone with a gift. I love to see their face light up, tears fill their eyes and I love to feel their gratitude as I’m enveloped in a hug. It’s the best. I’m an energy gal and your energy affects me like nothing else. The energy I feel when I give? It fills me with warmth and pure joy. I give and I give and I give because I need that energy in my life. It soothes my soul. I work tirelessly for Hot Mama and Lindsay Gee and I love it. But oh…the energy from giving that I receive? It’s beyond what words can explain.

I’ve read a lot of business books and a lot of gratitude books and there’s some science behind the act of giving. The hormones that are released, the more you give the more you get and blah, blah, blah…but I like to think of it in the most simple of terms: Do good for others and that good will bounce back to you. Energy out = energy in. I firmly believe that if you’re kind and generous to those around you, if you exude gratitude and positivity…it’ll come right back to you.

I see it over and over in our Hot Mama community. These incredible Mamas give to one another through ways I’m sure they don’t even realize. It’s the smiles, the high fives, the laughter and the sharing of tears. For every person you light up, you’re giving a piece of yourself. I get to do that every day…and that’s amazing.

What I don’t get to do every day is give a prize or a gift you can use or touch. Today I got to do that. And I am buzzing. It was time for me to be selfish and let the feeling of giving run through my body. I’m a gooey puddle of joy today and it’s because I gave something away to deserving people and I know they’ll use it. I (and our beautiful, strong and amazing Hot Mama franchise owners) gave away something that matters to someone. And that…oh baby. That’s an awesome feeling.

If you’re feeling crummy today, I encourage you to go be selfish. Go give of yourself. It doesn’t have to be an expensive give…it may even just be your time and some positive energy…but you’re going to change someone’s day today. Of this I am certain. Be a positive light to someone who needs it today and let their energy flow into your body. Give of yourself and be selfish. Take the energy and swim in it all day.

Go on…give selfishly. I approve.

Elsa – My New Entrepreneurial Mentor

September 10, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

No one ever told me that being an entrepreneur would be easy. But…they also didn’t tell me how freakin’ hard and lonely it could be, either. You win some, you lose some I guess. AND, I never thought I could relate entrepreneurship to a Disney character, but…Disney seems to always make magic happen.

I was watching Frozen (for the 1,496, 577th time) the other day with my little cherub and I kept thinking, hmmmmm, that Elsa she’s got it right. She’s on to something. She is powerful. She’s smart. Strong. Protective. She sang an entire song about letting go, for goodness sake.

Bear with me as I wheel around to my point…here are some lyrics from her super famous Let It Go song (and yes, I realize a person is behind the voice of Elsa, don’t be so picky…work with me here).

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation,
And it looks like I’m the queen.

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I tried!

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know
Well, now they know!

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!

I don’t care
What they’re going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!

I’m with her until the cold part. I dislike the cold a lot.

Anywho, let’s break it down. “A Kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I’m the Queen“. Okay. yes. Entrepreneurship is very similar to having a kingdom and it can be an extremely lonely kingdom. And, being the Queen, aka the Founder, can be pretty isolating, no matter how many super cool women surround you. Go Elsa. I don’t have a tiara though, mental note: work on getting a Hot Mama tiara.

Moving on: Wind howling, swirling inside, can’t keep it in? You got that right, sister! Entrepreneurs are inundated with thoughts, ideas, plans, strategies all day and all night long. And the crazy part? It’s all in our own brains. We create the madness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up at 3am with my brain zinging and howling at me to release my idea(s) to the world (or at least into the notebook on my bed-side table). It’s exhausting. But…incredible things happen by releasing them, so good job Elsa…lead on.

Next verse: Conceal, don’t feel (you’re losing me here a bit, Elsa). Don’t let them know. Okay. We’re back. You and me, girlfriend, we’re like ducks on a pond. Hoping to look calm and serene to the people watching (both believers and naysayers) but paddling and treading water like mad underneath. Working, pushing, driving the magic we believe in and know we possess with effort and force we hope looks calm and serene…magical. Okay, Ice Queen, still with you.

Let it go. Let it go. Can’t hold it back anymore. Oh Elsa! You dream-maker! It’s true! In order for us to grow we need to let it go. Let. It. Go. Everything we have inside of us, all the dreams and the ambitions, the goals and vision…THE FEAR…let it go. Release it to the world. Show them. Show them what you’re capable of! Oh yes! Okay! Go Elsa! Go Entrepreneurs.

It’s time to stop being afraid of who we are and what we want to do. It’s time to stop hiding in the darkness of self doubt, worry and confusion and just…let it go. Try. It could be beautiful. It could be magic. I have the ability to create magice…I AM creating magic. A kingdom of joy and wonder, of laughter and cheering. Of silliness and beauty. Oh yes, Elsa! We can do this!

You and me,

Or you could end up locked in a dungeon…but, let’s not go there.