31. Lessons in Parenthood and Business for Mom Entrepreneurs with Kourtney Koenitzer
- Brittany Miller
- Oct 23, 2023
- 18 min read
Updated: Sep 30
I recently hosted an episode of my podcast, Go Get Great, with Kourtney Koenitzer from Niyama Love, and the conversation opened up so many practical and soulful tools that I couldn’t resist turning our chat into a blog. If you’re a mom entrepreneur reading this, welcome — this post is written with you in mind. I want to translate everything Kourtney and I talked about into an actionable, encouraging resource you can come back to again and again.
Throughout this blog I’ll walk you through the tools we discussed (journaling, oracle and tarot cards, cleansing rituals, meditation techniques), how parenting and entrepreneurship mirror each other, and practical ways to make these practices fit into the busy life of a mom entrepreneur. I’ll also include step-by-step instructions, my favourite prompts, book and deck recommendations, and a long FAQ for common questions I hear from mom entrepreneurs like you.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Now, let's dive into our insightful conversation!
Table of Contents
Why this episode mattered to me — and why it should to mom entrepreneurs
Shifting perspective: small changes that make a big difference
Journaling: the simplest, most powerful tool for mom entrepreneurs
How meditation helps Mom entrepreneurs
How to integrate these tools into a weekly routine (a sample week for mom entrepreneurs)
Words I want to leave you with — from one mom entrepreneur to another
Why this episode mattered to me — and why it should to mom entrepreneurs
As a mom of three (now 5!) and a digital marketing business coach, I’m always looking for strategies that help me balance heart and hustle. The conversation with Kourtney reminded me—and reaffirmed for many listeners—that the messy, beautiful work of being a parent actually gives you practice in the soft skills of entrepreneurship. If you’re a mom entrepreneur, you already have strengths you might be overlooking: patience, creativity, intuitive problem solving, and the ability to find joy in the small stuff.
That’s one of the first big takeaways I want to share: the crossover skills between parenthood and business are real and useful. In the podcast we dove into specific tools that Kourtney uses in her energy and healing practice—tools that help with clarity, presence, and consistency. I’m translating those tools into practical steps for mom entrepreneurs who want to bring more intention and less overwhelm into their days.
How motherhood relates to business: the unexpected overlap
When Kourtney and I started talking about parenting and entrepreneurship, it felt obvious to both of us: the two are intertwined. Mom entrepreneurs are constantly juggling roles, pivoting plans, and improvising solutions. Raising kids requires the same project-management skills, patience, emotional intelligence, and long-term vision that running a small business does.
Here are some parallels I often point out to mom entrepreneurs I coach:
Micro-scheduling is everything: You know how a toddler’s day is structured around meals, naps, and activities? Mom entrepreneurs can translate that micro-scheduling into work blocks, stretch breaks, and creative time. Those little pockets are where thoughtful work happens.
Turning chores into rituals: Kourtney emphasized making simple chores fun. The same approach works in business—turn repetitive tasks into mini-rituals (a favourite playlist, a cup of tea, a five-minute stretch) so they feel less like chores and more like fuel for your day.
Emotion regulation and conflict resolution: De-escalating a tantrum and negotiating with a client both require calm, clear communication and boundaries. The parenting practice of staying present under pressure is a business superpower.
Teaching and leading: You teach your children through modeling and small daily actions. The same is true for building a brand and team; your consistent actions communicate your values more than any flashy campaign.
If you’re a mom entrepreneur who doubts your ability to run a business because you’re not a “9-to-5 person” — hear me: the parenting experience is valuable expertise. You already have the resilience and flexibility business demands.
Shifting perspective: small changes that make a big difference
One of the simpler yet profound parts of our conversation was about perspective. As mom entrepreneurs, we can easily fall into the trap of believing there’s a “destination” — a version of life where everything finally fits perfectly. Kourtney reminded us there’s no final destination; there’s only learning to be present in the messy middle.
Three perspective shifts I want you to try this week:
Replace “I’ll be happy when…” with “I can find joy now by…” Try to identify one small thing each day that brings a smile—a favourite snack, a five-minute walk, a dance with the kids—and name it aloud to anchor it.
Work in seasons, not sprints: Your energy cycles. Treat business projects like seasonal crops: plan, plant, tend, harvest—and rest. That mindset will help you avoid burnout.
Embrace imperfection as data: When a campaign doesn’t land or a family plan falls apart, treat it like data. What happened? What can you do different next time? This makes failure less scary and more informative.
These shifts help mom entrepreneurs to let go of the pressure to be perfect and instead focus on consistent, joyful action.
Journaling: the simplest, most powerful tool for mom entrepreneurs
We spent a big portion of the episode unpacking journaling. Kourtney’s approach is practical, low-cost, and accessible—perfect for mom entrepreneurs who don’t have hours to decorate a journal or spend on Pinterest-perfect spreads.
Here’s the setup she recommends (and what I use too):
Notebook: A lined, ring-bound notebook (even a dollar-store find) so you can fold it and write comfortably.
Pen: A simple pen—nothing fancy required.
Frequency: Short, consistent bursts—5 to 15 minutes daily if possible.
Prompts: Use simple prompts to guide you so the blank page doesn’t become intimidating.
Kourtney’s absolute go-to prompt is beautiful in its simplicity: “What am I feeling today?” That one question opens a doorway to emotional clarity. It helps you recognize hidden feelings—anger masking sadness, anxiety masking exhaustion—and allows you to name the experience. Naming is where change begins.
Other practical journaling prompts for mom entrepreneurs:
What is one small win I had today?
What is one thing I can do tomorrow to support my business in 15 minutes?
Who did I serve this week and how did it feel?
What belief is holding me back right now?
What would I tell a friend in my situation?
Journal prompts are your friend because they keep you accountable and they create a running log of your growth. Kourtney mentioned that she creates a lot of prompts herself and that doing the same prompt over time helps you see how your answers shift with your energy and life seasons.
Journaling styles that work for busy mom entrepreneurs
Not everyone will enjoy the same format, so here are several to try and adapt:
List journaling (Bullet style): Quick, efficient, and perfect for the distracted brain. Make a gratitude list, a wins list, or a “what I need” list.
Freewriting: Set a timer for five minutes and let your thoughts flow. Don’t judge the spelling or grammar—this is private, intuitive work.
Prompt + reflection: Pick a specific prompt (like “What am I feeling?”) and write a focused answer, then ask a follow-up question and write again.
Tracker-style: A simple daily check (sleep, energy, mood, wins) to spot patterns over time.
There are plenty of books and guided journals if you want structure. During our chat, Kourtney mentioned a “52 lists” style journal she picked up at Purely Wicked in St. Thomas, that gives one prompt per week for a year—great if you prefer a guided, thematic path.
How journaling feeds business growth for mom entrepreneurs
Journaling isn’t just “self-care fluff.” For mom entrepreneurs, it becomes a performance tool:
Clarifies priorities: When you write down what matters, your to-dos fall into place faster.
Boosts creativity: Small daily prompts surface ideas that might otherwise get buried in the chaos of family life.
Manifests action: Writing intentions and next steps makes them more likely to happen than mere mental notes.
Records growth: You’ll be surprised when you flip back months later and see progress you forgot about.
As Kourtney said during our episode, don’t worry about a pretty setup. The content—the internal work—is what matters most. A single sentence on a page can be transformative.
Oracle and tarot cards for clarity: how to get started
If you’ve ever felt a little intimidated by oracle or tarot cards, I can relate. I felt so intimidated before I started, but I'm so glad I did because they are such a clarifying tool for me now! Kourtney and I unpacked this so that mom entrepreneurs can see cards as a practical tool—not mystical theatre. Cards are a way to tune into intuition, frame decisions, and invite reflection.
Here’s my short primer with Kourtney’s practical advice woven in.
Choosing your first deck
Kourtney encouraged me (and you) to pick something that resonates visually and energetically. Some starter decks she recommended and that I loved hearing about include:
Work Your Light Oracle by Rebecca Campbell (the deck I bought after Kourtney recommended it)
Angel card decks (great for connecting with guidance and supportive messages)
Energy or chakra decks (useful for people who work with energy and want direct guidance)
Zen Tarot (a gentler, less traditional tarot entry)
Theme decks: animal decks, starseed decks, goddess or fairy decks—choose what calls to you
Kourtney also joked (and I agreed) that once you start collecting decks it’s hard to stop. But that’s okay—start with one that feels right.
How to prepare your deck
Every deck comes with a booklet. Read it. The booklet often includes suggested spreads, the creator’s intended meanings for each card, and practical rituals for connecting with the deck.
Simple preparation steps:
Unbox and read the booklet. Familiarize yourself with the card meanings and suggested spreads.
Shuffle and hold the deck. Some people like to tap the deck or lightly knock on it to “greet” it. Kourtney suggested that you place your energy on the deck—shuffle, riffle, and let some cards fall if they do; that's often meaningful.
Cleanse the deck if you like. You can do a quick cleansing with smoke (sage, palo santo), sunlight, moonlight, or an intention to clear old energy.
Ask for help from your guides or higher self. A simple intention before reading sets the tone: “Please show me what I need to know for my highest good.”
How to do a simple three-card spread
Kourtney shared a beginner-friendly spread she uses often: Present — Near Future — Guidance. The steps:
Shuffle while thinking about your question or intention.
Spread the cards out, lengthwise, and use your left (receiving) hand to hover and intuitively select cards. Kourtney explained that the left hand is the receiving side; glide it over the cards and pick what you’re drawn to.
Pull three cards and lay them left-to-right: Present — Near Future — Guidance.
Read the booklet meaning and then tune into what feels true for you. The card’s imagery, colours, and symbols all speak; don’t rely only on the literal text.
We did a live reading on the episode with the Oracle of the Fairies deck. The cards that popped out hinted at a journey, the importance of reading or learning, and the invitation to ask for help—themes that resonated with the current season and offered real, tangible guidance for listeners.
How cards become a business tool for mom entrepreneurs
Cards aren’t about predicting the future. They are a reflective tool to:
Clarify next steps when you’re stuck
Tap into your intuition when you’re second-guessing a decision
Frame journaling prompts (pull a card and use it as a journaling prompt)
Create a mini ritual to start your work block or reset after a tough call
For busy mom entrepreneurs, the value is in the speed and intimacy of the practice: a three-card pull takes five minutes and can shift your energy in a way that’s hard to replicate with logic alone.
How to do a mini-card reading for a business decision (step-by-step)
Set an intention: Keep the question clear: “What do I need to know about X?”
Shuffle the deck: Put your energy into the cards while you shuffle.
Spread lengthwise: Lay the cards out and use your left hand to hover and pick intuitively.
Pull 1–3 cards: One card = focus for the day. Three cards = Present / Near Future / Guidance.
Read the booklet: Get the creator’s meaning and then tune into your intuition about imagery and colours.
Journal a follow-up: Write a quick action step based on the guidance (one specific thing you will do within 24–72 hours).
Cleansing tools: how and why to clear your space
Kourtney uses cleansing tools regularly—between clients, before meditations, and whenever she needs to reset. These practices are simple and portable; mom entrepreneurs can use them to clear a physical room or to shift mental and emotional energy quickly.
Common cleansing tools she mentioned:
Sage smudge sticks
Palo Santo
Incense
Myrrh and other resins
Essential oils (diffuse or apply to pulse points)
Sound tools (bells, singing bowls, clapping)
Practical ways to use them:
Between clients or calls: light a small bundle or spray a mist and move through the space with intention to clear lingering energy.
Before a focused work session: diffuse a calming oil blend and light a small candle to create a ritualized start to focused time.
After a stressful moment: use sound (clap loudly, ring a small bell) to create an audible break and reset for your nervous system.
Remember: these are tools to support your intention. The physical action is the anchor for your mental shift. If smoke isn’t an option (pets, kids), use essential oils or visualizations: imagine a white light clearing the room from corner to corner.
Meditation and driving hypnosis: the science and safety for mom entrepreneurs
One of my favourite parts of the conversation was when we dove into meditation and the phenomenon of driving hypnosis. I asked Kourtney whether the “I drove somewhere and don’t remember the trip” experience was a real thing, and she confirmed it absolutely is. People enter a deeply relaxed, alert state—what I call a meditative driving state—where the mind processes in the background while the hands and feet execute familiar actions.
Here’s what every mom entrepreneur should know:
Driving hypnosis is real: It happens often on routine routes. Your brain runs familiar motor patterns while deeper parts of your mind process information.
It’s not the same as being unaware: You’re often still alert and can react to the environment; however, it can feel like you “zoned out” once you arrive.
Safety first: If you’re sleepy or distracted, that’s different—stop the car. Driving hypnosis assumes you’re awake and attentive. Never push yourself if you’re drowsy.
I find some of my best business ideas come after I've experienced driving hypnosis because it gives my brain space to relax, reset and form connections I hadn't seen before.
How meditation helps mom entrepreneurs (and how to do it without quitting your life)
Kourtney broke down meditation in a way that felt freeing: you don’t have to force a blank mind. Trying to “clear your thoughts” can actually increase stress. Instead, she recommends allowing thoughts to flow—witness them without judgment. That approach makes meditation accessible to the busy, distracted mind of a mom entrepreneur.
Try these practical meditations:
Guided micro-meditation: Use a short, guided audio (5–10 minutes) for breath work and gentle visualization. This is great if your mind jumps around; the guide helps keep focus.
Walking meditation: A 10-minute walk where you consciously notice breath and bodily sensations. This is great for moms who find sitting still impossible.
Allowing-mind meditation: Sit or lie down comfortably and notice what comes up. Label thoughts (“planning,” “worry,” “to-do”) and let them pass like clouds.
Kourtney also told a powerful story about a chakra activation meditation in which spinal fluid was visualized moving upward, triggering a recovery of a forgotten traumatic memory. The lesson for me—and for mom entrepreneurs—was important: deep meditative work can release stored emotions and memories. If something comes up, it’s okay to let it surface; it’s better to process it in a safe space (perhaps with support) than to suppress it indefinitely.
When meditation brings up trauma: what to do
If a meditation surfaces a strong memory or emotion, follow these steps:
Ground: Focus on your breath and feel your body making contact with the chair or floor.
Journal: Use the prompt “What am I feeling?” and set a five-minute timer to write what comes up.
Seek support if needed: Consider talking to a counselor, therapist, or trained energy worker (like Kourtney) if the memory feels overwhelming.
Practice gentle self-care: Move your body, drink water, and do something calming.
As mom entrepreneurs, we often carry generational patterns and unprocessed emotions that influence how we run our businesses and raise our children. Practices like meditation and counselling create opportunities for healing and greater clarity.
Creating safe spaces—for family, for business, and for yourself
Kourtney emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces—both physically and emotionally. For mom entrepreneurs, that means carving out areas where the work can happen without constant interruption and also building emotional containers for family life where feelings can be expressed safely.
How to create safe spaces practically:
Physical boundaries: A corner of the house, a closed door during calls, a visible sign for children that the space is “in use.”
Ritualic starts and ends: Use a small ritual (lighting a candle, diffusing an oil, a two-minute breathing exercise) to signal the beginning and end of work blocks.
Emotional containers: Set a family practice where everyone checks in with one sentence at dinner. Modeling vulnerability teaches kids emotional literacy and builds trust.
Client containers: If you’re seeing clients, create a clear intake and wrap-up ritual to mark the beginning and end of sessions—this is also part of professional boundaries.
Boundaries are both practical and psychic. When you make a small physical change, like a closed door, the emotional signals follow and your energy shifts to match the environment.
When to ask for help: counselling and support
Kourtney and I discussed the complementary roles of spiritual energy work and professional counseling. For mom entrepreneurs, both have value depending on your needs.
Energy work (Reiki, generational healing): Helpful for subtle shifts, emotional clearing, and re-centering when you feel energetically depleted.
Counseling/therapy: Essential when patterns feel entrenched, when trauma is present, or when you want structured tools for relationships and emotional regulation.
When in doubt, ask yourself: is this an energy fluctuation or a pattern that interferes with daily functioning? If the latter, seek counselling. If the former, a short energy session might move the needle and be a great complement to therapy.
Making life happy: simple practices that compound
One of the recurring themes in our episode was that happiness is contagious. When you make small things joyful—turning chores into games, celebrating tiny wins, building gratitude into daily life—you positively affect your kids and your business. This is especially meaningful for mom entrepreneurs who juggle emotional labour and business development simultaneously.
Small, repeatable habits to build more joy into life:
Micro-celebrations: Celebrate finishing a task with a five-minute break or a small treat.
Family rituals: One upbeat family song during tidy-up time or a silly handshake to celebrate teamwork.
Gratitude lists: 3 things before bed—simple, quick, and scientifically proven to improve mood.
Learning together: Read a short chapter as a family or listen to an audiobook together during a long drive—these small shared experiences build connection.
As mom entrepreneurs, the more we model curiosity and delight, the more our kids internalize those traits—and the more our businesses benefit from a mindset that notices possibility and resilience.
Are you having a “Tower” moment? Handling big shifts
We talked briefly about tarot symbolism on the podcast—especially the Tower card, which often represents sudden upheaval and necessary change. If you’re experiencing a major shift in business or parenting (a pivot, a move, a new baby, losing a role), the “Tower” energy can feel disruptive but also liberating. It clears space for new structures that are better aligned with your values.
When the Tower shows up in life, try these steps:
Ground and breathe: The immediate response to chaos is to brace. Drop into your breath and protect your nervous system first.
Journal quickly: What changed? What pieces still work? What needs replacing?
Ask for help and resources: This isn’t the time to do it all alone. Delegate where possible and ask for emotional support.
Look for the gift: What is this clearing space for? Often an unexpected direction emerges.
Being a mom entrepreneur means you will meet Tower moments. They are uncomfortable, yes, but they often clear old structures that no longer fit to make space for something better.
How to integrate these tools into a weekly routine (a sample week for mom entrepreneurs)
Here’s a sample, realistic weekly routine that combines journaling, card work, cleansing, meditation, and focused business time. It’s structured but flexible—designed for the life of a mom entrepreneur, not a retreat centre.
Daily (5–15 minutes): Morning: “What am I feeling?” journal. Midday: 5-minute breathing break. Evening: 3 gratitude items.
Every other day (10 minutes): Quick oracle pull for daily guidance (one-card) and a short reflection in your journal.
Weekly (30–60 minutes): Longer journaling session on Sunday afternoon—review wins, plan main priorities, set one purposeful business action for the week.
Weekly (guided meditation): A 10–20 minute guided meditation midweek to reset energy.
Monthly: Energetic cleanse of workspaces and a 60-minute planning session where you set intentions and calendar big pockets for focused work.
This plan is adaptable. Start with one small habit (journaling for five minutes each morning) and build from there.
Creating a pocket ritual for focus
Mom entrepreneurs need rituals that are possible in five minutes. Here is a pocket ritual you can do before a call or work block:
Light a candle or mist your space with essential oil (optional).
Take three deep breaths in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for six.
Ask a short intention: “I will be calm, clear, and present.”
Pull a single oracle card if you have one nearby and note one word that stands out. Use it as a one-word anchor for the call.
FAQ for mom entrepreneurs (common questions answered)
Q: I’m a busy mom entrepreneur — how do I start journaling without feeling guilty about “adding one more thing”?
A: Start tiny. Set a timer for two minutes and answer one prompt: “What am I feeling today?” That’s it. Two minutes. You’ll notice momentum builds when you don’t try to make it perfect. The key is consistency, not duration. Keep the phrase “mom entrepreneurs” in mind: your life is busy; rituals should be compact and doable.
Q: What if I don’t believe in tarot or oracle cards—are they still useful?
A: Yes. Think of cards as reflective prompts or a creative problem-solving tool rather than prophecy. Even if you’re skeptical, the practice of choosing imagery and reflecting on its meaning can unlock new perspectives. For mom entrepreneurs, the cards are a low-cost, low-time investment that often yields surprising clarity.
Q: How can I pick a deck if I don’t know what to choose?
A: Go with what visually resonates. If you’re unsure, start with a gentle deck like an angel deck or Rebecca Campbell’s Work Your Light Oracle. Read the included booklet and play with the suggested spreads. If you’re local to St. Thomas, Ontario, visit a metaphysical shop like Purely Wicked and let your eyes land on a deck; you’ll know when one calls to you.
Q: Is meditation safe while driving? I often “zone out” on familiar routes.
A: The “zoning out” you described is often a meditative driving state where the brain runs automatic patterns. It’s common and not inherently dangerous when you are alert and rested. However, if you’re sleepy or distracted, that’s different and unsafe. Never rely on a meditative state to mask fatigue. If you find yourself regularly arriving without memory, consider alternating routes, increasing alertness with a playlist, or stopping for a short walk when possible.
Q: My journal entries feel repetitive—how can I get unstuck?
A: Change the prompt wording. Small shifts in language create different neural responses. Try a gratitude prompt, a “what would I tell a friend?” prompt, or a micro-goal prompt (“What one action will move my business forward today?”). You can also use a card pull as a prompt to shift perspective.
Q: I don’t have time for rituals. How can I incorporate these tools realistically?
A: Mini-rituals are the answer. Five deep breaths, one gratitude line, a single card pull, or two minutes of journaling are all rituals. The goal is to anchor your attention and set your intention. For mom entrepreneurs, the ritual’s brevity is its power.
Q: How do I decide whether to do energy work or counselling?
A: If you feel energetically depleted, stuck, or in need of gentle clearing, energy work can be highly supportive. If you have recurring patterns, trauma, or relationship difficulties that are disrupting daily life, counseling is essential. These approaches are complementary—many people find relief from working with both.
Q: Where can I find Kourtney’s offerings?
A: Kourtney’s website is niyamalove.com and her Instagram is instagram.com/niyamaloveyogaandreiki. She offers Reiki, Ohana generational healing, meditations, and workshops, including journaling sessions she runs occasionally.
Words I want to leave you with — from one mom entrepreneur to another
Mom entrepreneurs, you are already skilled in the art of managing complexity. Use small practices—journaling for five minutes, a single oracle card, a brief meditation—to move from reaction to response. These micro-habits compound: they give you clarity, build confidence, and create the internal space to grow a business that fits your life, not a life that fits your business.
Kourtney’s teaching reminded me that spiritual tools and business tools aren’t separate categories. They overlap. They support each other. And as a mom entrepreneur, you have permission to use whatever helps you show up as your best self in both spheres.
Here's a practical checklist to implement what you just learned about to have more confidence and joy as a mom entrepreneur.
Buy a lined, ring-bound notebook and a pen.
Start a five-minute morning journaling habit with the prompt: “What am I feeling today?”
Choose one deck that visually resonates and read its booklet.
Create a five-minute pocket ritual: three deep breaths + intention + one card pull.
Schedule a weekly 30-minute planning/journaling session on your calendar.
Learn one cleansing tool (diffuser with essential oil, sound, or a quick smudge) for quick resets.
If meditation brings up strong feelings, journal and seek professional support if needed.
Mom entrepreneurs, you are doing meaningful, hard, beautiful work. Use these small, accessible tools—journaling, cards, meditation, cleansing, and rituals—to create more clarity, confidence, and joy. If you enjoyed the episode and this deep-dive, I’d love for you to follow Kourtney and me, and let us know what you try first.
Thank you for reading. Keep showing up, one small ritual at a time. Go get great, mom entrepreneurs!
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00:00 Intro
1:30 How motherhood related to business
8:00 Shifting perspective
12:45 Having confidence in your business
18:30 Children teaching us about ourselves
22:30 Counselling
27:45 Making your life happy
40:30 Are you having a tower moment?
45:30 Creating safe spaces
52:30 Wrap up
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