You are a mompreneur, a solopreneur, an online expert, a work-from-home entrepreneur, a local-business owner, and some would not call you a CEO. But you're just Not That Kind of CEO. Here, you'll find practical tips and inspiring insights to solve the chaos in your business & life, all to prevent burnout. Because getting that work-life balance isn't easy for female entrepreneurs with little kids, but it's doable. Real-life strategies from Ayla, who lives in and renovates a 500-year-old castle in France, raises two little girls, has a coaching business, and still has a life she enjoys too.
You are a mompreneur, a solopreneur, an online expert, a work-from-home entrepreneur, a local-business owner, and some would not call you a CEO. But you're just Not That Kind of CEO. Here, you'll find practical tips and inspiring insights to solve the chaos in your business & life, all to prevent burnout. Because getting that work-life balance isn't easy for female entrepreneurs with little kids, but it's doable. Real-life strategies from Ayla, who lives in and renovates a 500-year-old castle in France, raises two little girls, has a coaching business, and still has a life she enjoys too.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I keep my house tidy?” while stepping over toys for the hundredth time, this episode is for you.
In this conversation, I sit down with my friend Heather Clark, founder of Declutter for Change. We start with the stuff. The toys. The cupboards you avoid. The mess that never seems to stay gone. But very quickly, we get to what’s actually underneath it.
We talk about why clutter feels so heavy for moms, why it triggers shame instead of motivation, and why so many women blame themselves for something that isn’t a discipline problem at all. We explore how motherhood, past identities, survival mode, and unspoken “shoulds” all pile up, both in our homes and in our heads.
This isn’t an episode about perfect systems or becoming more organized. It’s about understanding why letting go can feel so hard, and why clarity always comes before motivation.
If your house feels overwhelming and you secretly think that says something about you as a woman or a mother, this conversation will change how you see it.
If you don’t want to carry the same chaos into the new year, I’d love for you to join my WTF Reset, a free 5-day reset created specifically for mompreneurs who want clarity, direction, and momentum that actually fits their life.
Inside the WTF Reset, I help you:
This is not about pushing harder or doing more. It’s about resetting how you move forward so your business finally feels doable again.
The WTF Reset starts January 12 and it’s completely free.
👉 Sign up and give yourself a real reset before the year takes off.
You can find Heather:
@declutterforchange or on her website
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
Reflecting on your business goals can feel heavy, especially at the end of the year.
I see so many women look back at what they planned, what they didn’t finish, and what didn’t work, and suddenly reflection turns into self-criticism.
In this episode of Not That Kind of CEO, I talk about how to reflect on your business goals in a way that actually creates clarity, momentum, and peace, instead of pressure, guilt, or another round of unrealistic goal setting.
This episode is for you if you’re a mompreneur who is:
I don’t walk you through a checklist or another strategy. I share a different lens for reflecting on your business goals, one that takes your season of life into account and helps you understand what truly worked, what didn’t, and why.
The goal isn’t to judge your year, but to use it as information so you can move forward with clarity.
If you’ve been searching for:
…this episode will help you rethink how reflection is supposed to feel.
If you don’t want to carry the same chaos into the new year, I’d love for you to join my WTF Reset, a free 5-day reset created specifically for mompreneurs who want clarity, direction, and momentum that actually fits their life.
Inside the WTF Reset, I help you:
This is not about pushing harder or doing more. It’s about resetting how you move forward so your business finally feels doable again.
The WTF Reset starts January 12 and it’s completely free.
👉 Sign up and give yourself a real reset before the year takes off.
If this episode resonated, make sure to subscribe to Not That Kind of CEO so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
If Christmas leaves you exhausted, even after doing things you genuinely enjoy, this episode is for you.
For a long time, I thought I was relaxing by staying busy. Cooking, organizing, planning. All things that look productive, nurturing, and completely normal. But I started to notice that the things I called “relaxing” were often the same things that left me wired, snappy, and completely depleted.
In this episode of Not That Kind of CEO, I’m sharing the moment that cracked this open for me. The realization that what I thought was relaxation was actually a coping mechanism keeping my nervous system in overdrive, especially around Christmas.
I talk about the difference between coping and regulating, why staying busy can feel soothing without being restorative, and why this pattern shows up so strongly during high-pressure seasons like the holidays.
This isn’t about doing less or finally sitting down. It’s about understanding why your body never fully softens, even when you think you’re resting.
I also reference the work of Kate Northrup around nervous system regulation, and I share where to start if you recognize yourself in this pattern but don’t know what to change yet.
If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or constantly recovering instead of actually resting, this conversation might shift how you see your habits, your exhaustion, and yourself.
COMING UP IN JANUARY: WHERE THE F*CK SHOULD I EVEN START?!
Are you tired of collecting strategies and nothing really sticking? The FREE 5-day WTF Challenge helps you understand yourself first, so everything you plan after this actually works.
Join Where the F*ck Should I Even Start?! we're starting January 12th 2026.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
Planning your next year sounds like a good idea… until you try to do it in December.
In this episode, I talk about why planning while exhausted, overstimulated, and in survival mode often leads to plans that don’t stick, especially for mompreneurs.
We explore what’s really happening when clarity feels out of reach, why so many next-year plans quietly fall apart, and how timing plays a bigger role than discipline ever will.
If you’re feeling pressure to plan your next year but something in you is resisting, this conversation will help you understand that resistance differently, and approach your next year in a way that actually works for you.
When you listen, you’ll walk away with:
If this episode hit home and you want real clarity instead of another forced plan, join my free Where the F**k Should I Even Start? challenge in January.
It’s designed to help you get unstuck and move forward without burning yourself out.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
This episode is for every mompreneur who hits December and suddenly feels like she is three steps behind, exhausted, and somehow supposed to turn into a productivity wizard while the kids are decorating cookies in the background.
Everywhere online people are screaming about “finishing strong,” planning for 2026, or “what you should already have in place.” It's no wonder your system feels fried. The world is telling you to speed up while your body is begging you to slow the hell down.
In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening underneath the overwhelm. Why you feel behind. Why your brain is grasping for control. Why clarity feels impossible when your system is overloaded. And how to shift out of the frantic energy so you can end the year grounded, regulated, and proud of the woman you’re becoming.
You’ll hear:
If you’re tired of December pushing you around, this episode will make you want to grab it by the jingle balls again.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
If you’re a mompreneur, chances are big you’re constantly feeling ten steps behind. You try the new planner, the new course, the new tool, hoping this will finally make you consistent in what you do. And when it doesn’t, you immediately blame yourself.
You start thinking you’re just not good at this. You feel guilty. You feel like a bad mom, a bad entrepreneur, a woman who “should” have this figured out by now.
But the real problem isn’t you. It’s that you keep looking for answers in external solutions. New systems. New templates. New strategies.
All while ignoring the one thing that actually matters, which is how you’re built on the inside.
In this episode, I’m breaking down why planning never sticks for mompreneurs and why it has nothing to do with discipline.
It’s the same reason you waste hours setting up planners and funnels you never end up using. You’re trying to force yourself into structures that don’t match your wiring, your season, or your actual life.
It’s the productivity version of a crash diet. You think about it all day, you dread every step, and when it doesn’t “work,” you blame yourself instead of the system.
We’re flipping that story today.
I’m walking you through the shift from external solutions to internal alignment, and why everything becomes easier when your plans actually match who you are. I’m also sharing four things that have been working insanely well for me lately.
When your plans align with who you are, you don’t need discipline to stay consistent. It finally sticks. Not because you force it, but because it is aligned with who you are.
If you want support building that foundation inside yourself, make sure you’re on the priority list for my upcoming membership, The Foundation. It’s where this work becomes your new normal.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
If you’ve ever sat down to finally do “that one task” and somehow ended up doing everything except that task, this episode is going to feel like someone just turned the lights on.
Because procrastination isn’t laziness. It isn’t a character flaw. And it definitely isn’t proof that you’re a bad entrepreneur or a bad mom.
We dig into three real reasons women like us procrastinate. Inside this episode, I walk you through practical examples, the emotional undercurrent behind your avoidance, and how to finally stop forcing yourself through tasks that feel like running up a mountain.
You’ll learn how to read your procrastination for what it truly is, adjust accordingly, and move forward with clarity and ease.
In this episode you’ll hear:
• why your procrastination is smarter than you think
• the 3 hidden causes behind task avoidance
• how fear of failure and visibility sneaks into your business
• why misalignment makes everything feel harder
• how to know when to outsource, time-limit, or rethink the task
• how to shift from self-blame into self-understanding
If this work speaks to you, [join The Foundation](https://female-entrepreneurs.com/foundation), my upcoming membership for mompreneurs who want to build their business on a solid inner base instead of external pressure.
[Put your name on the priority list now!](https://female-entrepreneurs.com/foundation)
FOLLOW AYLA: [@ayladenhartog](https://www.instagram.com/ayladenhartog/)
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overthinking, or drowning in the pressure to “know better by now,” this episode is the kick in the ass you didn’t know you needed.
I’m breaking down why your expert identity is sometimes the very thing holding you back, and how adopting a beginner’s mindset can unlock clarity, ease, and momentum again.
From messy castle renovations to reinventing your offers, we’re going everywhere you’re secretly stuck… and showing you how to restart without burning your business to the ground.
If you’re craving growth, breathing room, and a business that feels like yours again, this one’s for you.
Get on the priority list for FENNE Membership!
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
You ever catch yourself trying to control everything? Your kids’ moods, your business growth, the damn algorithm? Same.
In this episode, I dive into Stephen Covey’s concept of the Circle of Influence and the Circle of Concern, and how it’s completely reshaped the way I show up as a mom, entrepreneur, and human.
I talk about the six areas where we think we have control but really don’t, how to stop wasting energy on things that drain you, and how focusing on what’s actually in your circle of influence can help you feel calmer, clearer, and more confident.
I share real stories from my own castle life, motherhood chaos, and business messiness, all to show you that control isn’t the goal. Clarity is.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, reactive, or guilty for not doing enough, this conversation will help you refocus your energy on what truly matters so you can lead your business and your life with more peace and purpose.
Tune in, breathe out, and let’s get clear on what’s really yours to influence.
🎧 Listen now and learn:
💡 Want to go deeper? Join my free 5-day Where the F**k Should I Even Start? challenge, it’s short, potent, and will get you moving again with a clear 30-day action plan.
Click here to register for the next WTF-Challenge
The prompt I’m referring to in this episode and that you can use in your own AI tool:
Can you explain to me in a short, and clear manner what Covey’s Circles of Concern and Influence are. After that, can you tell me 4 or 5 points where in my life I act as if that area is in my Circle of Influence, while in reality it’s actually in my Circle of Concern? For each area you find, can you also tell me how I can grow and improve this?
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
I’ve been thinking a lot about how nature moves through the seasons… and how we, as entrepreneurs, rarely give ourselves permission to do the same.
In this episode, I’m unpacking the idea of winter energy. That natural pull to rest, reflect, and restore before stepping into a new year. We’ll talk about what it looks like to stop chasing the next big goal, how to bring more calm into Q4, and how to build a business that honors your own rhythm instead of fighting against it.
If you’ve been caught in the frenzy of launches, holidays, and motherhood, this is your reminder that slowing down should be a part of your strategy.
Inside, I share the four practices I’m using this season:
It’s real talk for mompreneurs who are tired of running on empty and ready to create a business that feels calm, clear, and aligned.
Listen now to learn how to tap into winter energy, and step into the next season of your business fully recharged.
Join now: the priority list for my FENNE Membership is open to women who want to become a founding member.
We’ll soon start up this community of wonderful women who know what it’s like to have both a business and a busy family life. It will be a safe space to share and be seen by women who get exactly what you’re going through.Resource-wise, I want to make this the place where you can come to run your business in the smoothest and easiest way. All so you can take control back over your time and spend it where it matters most to you.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
You know that feeling when you’re doing all the things in your business, but still not really moving forward?
That’s what happens when you haven’t made a clear decision about where you’re going.
This episode will help you change that. You’ll learn why vague direction always leads to vague results, and how one simple mindset shift can unlock clarity, productivity, and momentum.
We’ll unpack what Stephen Covey says on decision-making and how that applies to every part of your business and life. You’ll also hear a story that might surprise you: what horseback riding taught about leadership, focus, and the power of commitment. And how saying yes to a big dream (before knowing how it would happen) created an instant shift in energy and results.
If you’ve been waiting for the “how” before taking action… this episode will show you why your next level starts with deciding what you want, not how to get there.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Tune in if you’re ready to move from maybe to momentum, and finally start leading your business like the Vision Driven CEO you’re meant to be.
Would love to do all this but don’t know where to start? Download my free guide “Where the f*ck should I even start?!” to instantly get a grip on where you’re leaking time and balance, and how you can improve it. GRAB IT HERE!
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
You know that voice that whispers, “I’ll start when I’m ready”? Yeah, she’s a liar.
In this episode, I’m calling out the myth that confidence has to come before action. Because it doesn’t. Confidence is built through action, not before it. I’m breaking down why so many women wait to “feel qualified enough,” how that quiet perfectionism keeps you stuck, and why messy, imperfect movement is actually your fastest path to clarity.
I also share the real research behind the so-called “confidence gap” between men and women, plus what’s really happening when we keep buying more courses instead of just starting. Spoiler: it’s not lack of skill, it’s lack of clarity.
If you’ve ever delayed launching your offer, posting online, or raising your prices because you didn’t feel ready, this episode is your wake-up call.
Let’s talk about how to stop overthinking, start moving, and build the kind of confidence that actually lasts.
Ready to stop circling the same to-do list and finally move?Join me inside the WTF Challenge and I’ll walk you through five days of short, powerful exercises to turn your chaos into clarity and momentum. You’ll walk away with a 30-day action plan that actually feels doable.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
What if the reason you feel behind… is because you’re doing it right?
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what real, lasting change actually looks like. Especially when you’re building a business while juggling motherhood, messy systems, and the reality of, you know, only having 3 kid-free hours a day.
We’re talking about why so many mompreneurs feel like failures when they’re actually in the early (and most important) stages of transformation. And why going slow isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
Whether you’re trying to switch platforms, lose weight, or completely overhaul your business model (been there), this one’s your reminder: real change isn’t fast. It’s anchored.
Here’s what you’ll hear:
💌 PS: If your brain is screaming “Where the f**k do I even start?!” — join my free challenge. 5 days, delivered via email, to help you cut through the chaos and walk away with a focused 30-day plan. Next round starts October 20th.
SIGN UP HERE for the FREE WTF Challenge.
✨ Final Note:
Your change doesn’t have to be fast to be real. And just because someone else is speeding ahead doesn’t mean you’re behind. It might just mean you’re doing it right.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
You’re juggling kids, clients, a house that never seems clean, and a business that wants your attention 24/7. No wonder “balance” feels like a mythical creature. But unfortunately for you balance isn’t a luxury, it’s survival.
In this episode of Not That Kind of CEO, I’m breaking down the five work-life balance tips that actually work when you’re an entrepreneur and a mom. These aren’t fluffy “light a candle and journal” tips. We’re talking about the real shifts that let you breathe again, enjoy your kids, and still grow a business you love.
Here’s what I cover inside:
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re failing at both motherhood and business, this episode is your permission slip to stop chasing perfection and start creating real balance.
And if you’re nodding along thinking, “Okay, but where the f*ck do I even start?” I’ve got you. Download my free toolkit “Where the F**k Should I Even Start?” and in 20 minutes you’ll know exactly where the imbalance is hiding and how to take your first step out of chaos.
I see you. I’m rooting for your vision.Keep going, mama, you’re building something beautiful.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
What if the secret to nervous system regulation for entrepreneurs isn’t another meditation app, breathwork practice, or productivity hack, but actually doing something completely useless… and fun?
In this episode, I share how one spontaneous horseback riding lesson after twenty years cracked me wide open to the truth: I’d forgotten how to have fun for fun’s sake.
And as mompreneurs, we’re guilty of the same thing: we schedule rest like it’s another task, optimize play with our kids, and convince ourselves the to-do list has to be done before we can relax. Which, let’s be honest, never happens.
We dive into why your nervous system never truly turns off when you’re stuck in “go mode,” how that constant on-state is wrecking your creativity and joy, and why silly, purposeless play — whether it’s lying in the grass, coloring with your kids, or building Legos late at night — might be the most effective form of nervous system regulation for entrepreneurs.
If you’ve been waiting for permission to drop the productivity badge and let yourself play, this is it.
Links + Resources:
Grab my free clarity starter toolkit: Where the F**k Do I Even Start?
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
You ever have one of those days where you’re in the same shirt as yesterday, the house looks like a bead factory exploded, and you’re still supposed to show up like a CEO? Yep. That was me recording this episode. Cap on, messy office, zero perfection… but still showing up.
Because here’s the thing: perfectionism is killing your momentum. You keep stalling your posts, your launches, and your dreams. Not because you don’t know what to do, but because you’re waiting for it to look perfect first. And while you wait, you lose time, confidence, and progress that could have been yours.
If you’re listening while juggling a toddler or sitting in your own messy office, I want you to know: you’re not behind, you’re not failing. You’re human. And you’re building something that matters.
🧭 Here’s what I cover:
🧰 Links & Resources:
👉 Grab my free Power Hour Planner — the fastest way to build momentum without overthinking.
🧡 From my heart to yours:
You don’t need a spotless house, the perfect reel, or another certificate to move forward. You need clarity, courage, and a little consistency. I see you showing up, even on the messy days. You’re not alone in this. Keep going, mama, you’re building something beautiful.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
💫 What if success in your business wasn’t just about strategy, but about energy?
In this episode of Not That Kind of CEO, I sit down with Julia Stapleton, a manifestation mentor and frequencies expert, to explore how aligning your energy can transform your business, your mindset, and your life.
Julia’s background is a fascinating mix of tech and spirituality, after years in telecommunications working with frequencies, she had a powerful awakening that led her to apply these same principles to manifestation and business growth. Now, she helps entrepreneurs tune into their own energy to create success on a whole new level.
✨ In this episode, we dive into:
✔️ How frequency alignment plays a role in business success and personal growth
✔️ The connection between science, manifestation, and the power of the mind
✔️ The biggest misconceptions about intuition and how to strengthen yours
✔️ How to navigate burnout and stay in high frequency. Especially as a busy mompreneur
✔️ Whether AI and tech are blocking or enhancing our ability to tap into intuition
✔️ Julia’s personal journey from a logical, analytical thinker to a deeply intuitive mentor
🔥 If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck at an income plateau, drained by daily stress, or just curious about how to tap into your own intuitive power, this episode is for you!
🎁 Resources & Freebies from Julia:
✨ Grab Julia’s free Masterclass on Frequency Alignment
✨ Connect with Julia on Instagram: @alchemyofcreation_
🔔 Enjoyed this episode?
Screenshot this episode and tag us on Instagram @ayladenhartog & @alchemyofcreation_—we’d love to hear your biggest takeaways!
💡 Ready to step into your vision-driven CEO energy? Subscribe for more episodes that help you create a business and life that truly align with YOU!
Ever tried to run your business on three hours of sleep? Same. This week, my husband was away, the full moon hit, and my toddler decided night terrors were her new thing — so I hit record in the middle of it all to talk about what it really looks like to be a mom and an entrepreneur when you’re running on fumes.
In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest mistake I see mompreneurs make when they’re sleep-deprived (and yes, I’ve done it too), plus a more compassionate, strategic way to navigate those exhausting days. I walk you through the exact plan I lean on when I’m not at my best — so you can still move forward without burning out or spiraling.
This one’s for the moms who are building something beautiful… even when they’re barely holding it together.
🧭 Here’s what I cover:
🧰 Links & Resources:
👉 Grab your Power Hour Planner — and stop wasting time on the wrong things, even when you’re low on energy.
🧡 From my heart to yours:
If you’re exhausted and trying to make sh*t happen anyway, I see you. You’re not failing — you’re human. Let’s take care of you, so you can take care of what matters most.
FOLLOW AYLA: @ayladenhartog
Better yet: Get your weekly love letter! 💌 Because you rock, and you deserve a love letter!
Grab your free Power Hour Planner and fuel the fire under your business with 3-5 focused hours per week.
You’ve probably heard the term Zone of Genius tossed around… but are you actually working in it? Or are you stuck doing everything else — the things that leave you drained, second-guessing, and wondering if you’re even cut out for this?
In this episode of the FENNE Podcast, I’m unpacking the Zone of Genius framework and explaining why it’s more than just a feel-good concept — it’s a game-changing strategy for mompreneurs who want to stop spinning their wheels and start building real momentum.
You’ll hear:
Whether you’re juggling babies and business, or just feel like you’ve lost your spark, this episode will help you reclaim your energy and fall in love with your business again.
🔗 Resources & Links
📘 Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
✨ Join the priority list for my upcoming group program
📲 Come say hi on Instagram @ayladenhartog
Are you working harder than ever, but still not seeing the results you crave? Feeling like something’s holding you back—but you can’t quite put your finger on it?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Reana Mulcahy, a master-certified neuro coach who helps entrepreneurs—especially mompreneurs—rewire their subconscious programming so they can thrive without burning out.
We dive deep into:
• What limiting beliefs really are (and how to spot yours)
• Why mindset beats strategy every time
• The hidden story behind imposter syndrome
• How subconscious beliefs form—and why they’re so damn hard to shake
• Tools to start reprogramming your brain today
Plus, I got real and personal as Dr. Reana walked me through uncovering my own limiting belief live on the show. (Yep, it got deep.)
If you’re a female entrepreneur ready to stop sabotaging your own success, this one’s a must-listen.
🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Reana’s program “Rewired to Thrive” (starts in April)
Free Mindset Audit: Link in her Instagram bio
📲 Share your thoughts & tag us on Instagram: @dr.reanamulcahy @ayladenhartog
💬 DM me if you want more episodes like this!