We recently connected with Megan Moore and have shared our conversation below.

Megan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The story of how my small business came to be is a personal one. It starts as a stay-at-home mom of 2 under 2 with a husband who travelled every week. Postpartum depression and anxiety were creeping in as well as thoughts of self-doubt. I knew something had to change if not for my own mental wellbeing, but for my family’s as well.

I did some googling and found an interest in affirmations as a way to combat my negative thoughts and self-doubt. I decided to dedicate my mornings before anyone was awake to journaling with affirmations. Time dedicated for me and to me. I spent the next 100 days journaling, specifically with affirmations. I would start with just one “I am” statement and then transform it into 3 new sentences that applied to the challenges I was facing at the time. For example, “I am learning”, became “I am learning to love and accept all parts of me”, “I am learning to slow down in the hard moments”, and “I am learning to ask for help”. Transforming the simple statement and negative thoughts into a positive loving statement. It was in these moments that I was giving myself deep love, grace, and acceptance.

I had shared my journey through my personal Instagram and it caught attention which gave me the idea to design and produce my own affirmation deck. You see, the affirmation decks that are widely available are more like positive statements. “You are worthy of a beautiful life.” Yes, you are! However, affirmations can be so personal to the challenges and successes you’re facing and it should be the drawer of the card to dig deep and ask themselves what that affirmation really means to them. This is what makes my product unique and powerful.

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 live in the Dallas area with my husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs, & 2 cats! I launched my small business on Valentine’s Day of 2021 and I design and sell affirmation cards, guided journals, and accessories that all support mental health and self-empowerment. My mission has always been to spread love and light and when we can fully, deeply, and authentically love ourselves, then we can fully, deeply, and authentically love others. It all starts with your love within.

Currently I offer 3 different affirmation decks that all have 34 powerful “I am” statements. My original deck displays a beautiful array of pinks, corals, and purples that I water-colored the design myself. I also offer a black and white deck that features beautiful photography of nature and architecture. My most recent deck is my Spanish deck. Each deck is unique in design, colors, and font.

I also designed 2 different guided journals using the exact templates that helped me so much. The first is my guided affirmation journal. This is meant to be used with my affirmation deck so each day you draw your affirmation, it guides you on how to write and think about this affirmation so you can ultimately manifest it throughout your day. The other is my guided gratitude journal. This journal offers daily thought-provoking journal prompts, as well as daily gratitude, affirmation, and intention setting. It is meant to be used at the start of your day to provide the best results. It’s uplifting and empowering.

My product line is unique and sets me apart from the rest because I have designed a journaling system. Journaling can be an intimate way to dig deep and get to know yourself. This is why my “Getting Started Bundle” is my best seller because each product works together to provide you with a system to help you overcome negative thinking and self-doubt.

In addition to my product line, I have designed permanent vinyl stickers, keychains, and cardstock prints that are a beautiful addition to your home and day as a constant reminder of how strong, worthy, and limitless you are. It’s not always just about drawing a daily affirmation card but also sprinkling affirmation and love throughout your most loved spaces.

Currently, you can find my products in a few storefronts around the DFW area including Mosaic Makers Collective in Bishop Arts and Rae of Sunshine in Denison, Tx. I am working on adding to my blog, starting a podcast, and expanding into the wholesale market. I have been featured on Good Morning Texas and a handful of online publications.

Spreading the awareness of mental health and helping others through affirmations and gratitude has been my greatest achievement within my small business. Knowing that my system can change lives is a beautiful thing.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

This is such a beautiful question and it is so important. I believe it’s important to always be learning and growing so I can be the best me so I can be the best for others. This goes for motherhood, small business, life, etc. I will share some of the books I have found transformative for me as well as a couple of podcasts specific to my small business growth.

Books like Atomic Habits and The Slight Edge has really transformed my routines, rituals, and actions. Creating habits that support the life you want to live is hands down the best. We all have 24 hours in a day but somehow others are blowing us out of the water? I want to be that person and it truly comes down to the choices we make and the routines we have in place. I now find I get more done in my day today with 10x more on my calendar than I could 5 years ago with half the activities. Highly recommend.

Atomic Habits by James Clear. Atomic Habits is the most comprehensive and practical guide on how to create good habits, break bad ones, and get 1 percent better every day. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system.

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. The Slight Edge is a way of thinking and processing information that enables you to make the daily choices that will lead you to the success and happiness you desire.

The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran. Traditional goal setting with a 12 month time frame has been proven ineffective. The 12 Week Year book will walk you through the proven step-by-step system for achieving more in 12 weeks than others do in 12 months.

Here are the Podcasts that I would recommend for product based small businesses looking for free content and information to grow!

The Product Boss by Jacqueline and Minna. Take your physical product sales and strategy to the next level to create your dream life. A business podcast for product entrepreneurs
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Proof to Product with Katie Hunt. A trusted resource for sustainable business growth. Learn strategies and solutions to enhance your sales and marketing so you can build a business that supports your best life.

eCommerce Badassery by Jessica Totillo Coster. This podcast is a business and marketing podcast for product-based businesses. Topics like email marketing strategy, social media, software tools, SEO, conversion and so much more!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

For me, if you have not built up the muscle of resilience, you will not make it long in small business. As a small business owner, you wear every single hat for the beginning years until you can expand and outsource or hire. It can be so challenging and full of fear and doubt and dare I say lonely? I go to my office which is inside my home and while making decisions for my business or working, I have no one next to me. No one to bounce ideas off of or turn to. My husband is my biggest supporter and we love collaborating and dreaming up plans and ideas but he also works which can be challenging when I’m looking for some quick advice.

For me, it’s the fear and the doubt. Going to an in-person market and not selling anything. Was it my product, crowd, price, day, etc? What if I receive negative comments? What if I don’t make any sales today? What if, what if, what if? And believe me, I’ve had all the days. Negative comments, zero sales, bad weather, you name it. But being in the affirmation business has really primed me for any situation. Reframing any negative thought or day into a learning moment or gratitude has really helped. There is always something to learn out of any situation and I can add that to my file cabinet of knowledge and move on.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelovewithinus.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_lovewithinus
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelovewithinus

Image Credits
Katelyn Truitt