We recently connected with Renee Bauer and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, thanks for joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

I was in the midst of negotiating the sale of my business in 2023. In an effort to protect my employees, I kept them involved every step of the way so they felt comfortable with the transition.

On November 1, my key employees all gave their notice and told me they were leaving the business to go work for the same person I had talked to about a sale.

On that day, my business was brought to it it’s knees and I had no idea what would happen next.

So, I did all I could and just started taking consultations, interviewing new employees and getting back to work without any idea what would happen.

In 6 months, I completely re-staffed, I opened a second location, added a Partner, and have the most financially healthy business that I ever have in my 15 years of business.

The thing that almost destroyed what I built was a catalyst for major restructuring and re-examining the business process and procedures and I was able to make it into something so much better.

It was the thing my business needed that I was blind to until I was forced to face it. It was a gift.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m twice divorced and that fact brought me so much shame for years. I could help people through their own divorces, but I was so embarrassed about my own.

One day a friend invited me as a guest on her podcast and I accepted with a bribery of sushi and martinis. After we ate, she clipped the microphone on me and started asking questions about my divorce and much to my surprise, I answered them truthfully and with a vulnerability I never allowed myself to have before. After that interview, I had countless women reach out and tell me that was their story too and thank me for sharing my story so openly. I knew at that moment, I needed to speak about the shame. I knew I needed to drop the perfection act. That was the start of my UN-motivational speaking.

When I speak. I share authentic stories of heartbreak and challenges. I don’t filter my words. I throw myself under the bus and invite people to acknowledge that sometimes the only thing we can do to move forward is to embrace our messy pasts. I’ve had many listeners tell me how refreshing my keynote it is because it’s not filled with toxic positivity or false modesty. Every single talk I’ve ever given, ends up with someone crying and sharing their own unique story.

I’m also a writer and my book, SHE WHO WINS, was a work of love and authenticity. There isn’t a week that goes by when someone doesn’t reach out and tell me they laughed out loud and sobbed reading my book. Bringing readers or audience members through a range of emotions is what I’m so proud of. We are human and we should feel things proudly.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn my lack mindset around money. Growing up in a house where money was a major concern for so many years, I went into my own business worried there would never be enough. Because of that, I made decisions that stunted it’s growth such as not hiring support staff quick enough or even cleaning my own office to save a few hundred dollars. When I dropped my old money story, I started to use money to help me grow and scale. I spent money so I could bring in more money. Changing my mindset around money carries me through the times when I worry the phones slowed down or we haven’t been retained in a couple of weeks.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I have another business – a technology business, called The Tarot Bridge. It’s an online platform connecting tarot card readers with those seeking guidance in an ethical way. I met my co-founder because she often referred divorce clients to me because they would come to her for guidance about their marriages. It seems like an unlikely referral source but many women turn to spiritual arts to help them through a difficult time which is why it’s a billion dollar industry.

One day, my co-founder approached me and said she was tired of watching people be taken advantage of by unethical tarot card readers. She has been a reader for 40 years and integrity mattered to her. She asked if I’d be interested in creating a technology platform. I had no idea what that involved and I immediately replied, “I’m in”.

The rest is history. We launched in 2023 and are actively growing and are proud to provide a service people seek in a way that genuinely helps them rather than take advantage of their challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msreneebauer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msreneebauer/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbauer1/

Image Credits

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