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SubscribeWe were lucky to catch up with Reka Leftridge recently and have shared our conversation below.
Reka , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?
Hiring a business coach and mentor is one of my best investments as a Solopreneur. Believe me, I went down the rabbit hole of YouTube University and downloaded the guides; you name it, trying to learn about business, my target audience, brand story, business structures, and systems, Which, when you are first starting, can be overwhelming. When I burned out from trying to be a wife, mom, and business owner, I knew things had to change. I was on the brink of saying screw entrepreneurship until someone recommended my mentor to me. In the military, I had always been accustomed to having a mentor, so when I had the opportunity to get one as a civilian, I jumped at the opportunity. Having a mentor for hands-on support was exactly what I needed to take my business to the next level. She helped me break down my workflows, assisted me with my mindset, and helped me with my blind spots. Sometimes, we get so focused on the goal that we forget there may be an easier way—having someone who has already been there and done that has been pivotal to my success.
Reka , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Of course, I’m Reka, Veteran, Speaker/Podcaster, and Mompreneur mentor. I started podcasting as this little hobby, a creative outlet to pass the time after retiring from the military. But let me tell you, it grew into something I never imagined! When I started the podcast, I wanted to create a space for everyday moms, a podcast where they could reconnect with who they are beyond being a mom – and rediscover passions. I always say, ” You had Purpose before Pampers.” As a mom of 4 and former Military Spouse, I know the struggle of trying to balance career and family while also taking care of self.
Originally, the podcast was called Eat Laugh Hustle. But, funny story, everyone thought it was about food! So, I rebranded it as the Martini Mamas Podcast. We’re all about that Pour, both figuratively and literally. We chat about the stories behind mom entrepreneurs, highlighting the incredible women steering the brands. And you know what? It’s about understanding that despite our differences, as moms, we’re all part of this exclusive club called Motherhood. And deep down, we all want the same thing as mothers which is to have our kids experience the healed version of ourselves and leave a legacy for them.
While building this podcast community, I realized something was missing – a place for mom entrepreneurs to find mentorship. That’s where The Mom CurateHer comes in! It’s a safe space powered by moms but curated with faith. The goal? Empowering moms to build lives filled with purpose, balance, and joy.
Mentorship is something that I truly valued during my time in the military. It’s about helping mothers propel forward without feeling like they got to have all the answers. Just like I received guidance, I’m here to provide support, give my knowledge, and a little push to incredible women in our community.
You know, what really hit home for me was when a mom brought her baby to our launch event, and no one even batted an eye. That was the moment I realized—this is it. It’s all about supporting the moms out there building their businesses and creating legacy for their family in the non traditional sense. It’s about showing up without guilt, knowing a solid crew is backing you every step of the way. That’s what I mean when I say Powered by Moms and Curated by Faith. Long as God is for you, who dare be against you.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
You know, there were a couple of tough lessons I had to unlearn. First off, I was so focused on reaching goals that I forgot to celebrate my wins. And secondly, the whole idea of perfectionism, that had to go too.
In the military, it’s all about goals, deadlines, policies, you name it. There’s zero room for error because people’s lives are on the line. We’re constantly checking off boxes, but hardly stopping to appreciate the wins before diving into the next thing because the mission doesn’t stop.
]You know, when I started my journey as an entrepreneur, I was way too tough on myself. I had this crazy idea that everything had to be flawless. If I didn’t hit a goal by the deadline, I’d beat myself up over it. Nevermind, the amazing things that I was actually doing.
Over the years I’ve learned that it’s absolutely okay to soak in your successes, take a breather, and reassess your goals if needed. Entrepreneurship taught me it’s about tackling one problem at a time, not juggling a bunch. It’s about honing in on your skills and being okay with making mistakes along the way. At the end of the day, failures are chances for us to grow, and sometimes getting things done is way better than chasing perfection.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes, so I am a life long learner and I love to read. There are quite a few books that have impacted how I operate in Business and life. I won’t give my top ten list but here are 3 books that I think every entrepreneur needs to read:
1. Crazy Faith by Michael Todd- Remind us that when we step out on Faith, and believe for greater, we give God the opportunity to do the impossible
2. Who not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. In entrepreneurship we get so caught up in getting the job done that we get lost in the details, Who not How emphasize the importance of find the person to help you get the job done rather than trying to do it yourself. It alls about Mastering your Strengths and outsourcing your weakness, you will reach your goal much faster and create abundance.
3. Atomic Habits by James Clear teaches you about your routine or lack they’re off. It will reshape the way you view success and progress.
Oh, and here’s a bonus for all my fellow female entrepreneurs: We Should Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers. This book is amazing step-by-step guide that helps women break free from imposter syndrome, especially when it comes to achieving financial success. It’s like a roadmap to owning your worth and paving your way to financial empowerment.
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Ryn Pitts https://www.serendipitysocialco.com/ Instagram: @serendipitysocialco
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