The EmpowerMoms Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Erika Oakes—educator-turned-entrepreneur and co-founder of Os and Oakes, a children’s clothing brand that evolved into something much bigger than expected.

Erika opens up about what it really looks like to build a brand from the ground up while balancing the beautiful (and often chaotic) juggle of motherhood and entrepreneurship. From the early days of slow, steady growth to the emotional decision to sell her business, she shares the real lessons behind the highlight reel.

We talk about navigating identity beyond the job title, why community support matters more than ever, and how to embrace the sometimes uncomfortable—but necessary—seasons of growth.

Whether you're a small business owner, a dreamer in the early stages, or a mama redefining what success looks like for yourself, this conversation is full of wisdom, warmth, and encouragement.

✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Starting a business requires passion and dedication.
✅ Growth is often slow and not an overnight success.
✅ Listening to customer feedback is crucial for expansion.
✅ Networking and building relationships can propel your business.
✅ It's important to not take things personally in business.
✅ Finding a balance between work and family is essential.
✅ Your identity is not solely defined by your business.
✅ Supporting other women in business creates a strong community.
✅ Embrace uncomfortable situations for growth.
✅ Future aspirations should focus on community involvement.

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📲 Follow along @empowermoms.podcast for more stories that speak to motherhood, ambition, and everything in between.
✨ Connect with Erika on Instagram: @behindthebrandldn / @erika.oakes

In this episode of the EmpowerMoms Podcast, we’re taking you from coffee chats to client calls, diving into what really goes on behind the scenes in service-based industries—especially real estate. We really dive into the deeper side of what it means to work in roles that often go unseen or are sometimes under appreciated. We talk candidly about the invisible work that professionals—especially moms—do to keep things running smoothly, from coordinating schedules and managing expectations to delivering exceptional client experiences. In industries like real estate, it’s so much more than just handing over keys. 

There are countless details, emotions, and moving parts that often happen behind the scenes. This episode is a real-time reminder that communication is key. When clients understand the value and effort that goes into what they’re receiving, everyone benefits. And as service providers, giving ourselves (and others) grace goes a long way in building stronger, more empathetic relationships. 

Whether you're a realtor, a mom juggling multiple roles, or anyone working in a people-first profession, this conversation offers validation, insight, and a few laughs along the way. 

✨ Connect with us on Instagram: @empowermoms.podcast 

🎙️ Key Takeaways: 

✅ Morning chaos is real—especially before coffee. 

✅ A lot happens behind the scenes in service-based work. 

✅ Real estate involves far more than just showing houses. 

✅ Communicating your value builds trust and clarity. 

✅ Clients won’t always see your effort—show them. 

✅ Extend grace: we’re all doing our best. 

✅ Transparency strengthens client relationships. 

✅ Never underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee.

Chapters 

00:00 Casual Conversations and Morning Routines 

03:37 Behind the Scenes of Service Industries 

14:09 Recognizing the Efforts in Service-Based Work

In this real and raw episode of the EmpowerMoms Podcast, we sit down with Berkley—a powerhouse mom of four and the visionary behind a women-only gym that’s all about community, confidence, and real connection. Berkley shares her incredible journey from working in a factory to becoming a certified personal trainer, and eventually launching a fitness space designed to uplift and empower women at every stage of life.

We dive into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the unique challenges of balancing motherhood with business ownership, and how the pandemic became an unexpected catalyst for change. Berkley gets real about the power of self-care, why representation in fitness matters, and how building a gym for women—by a woman—has sparked a movement of strength and support in her community.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to turn passion into purpose, build something from the ground up, and stay grounded in motherhood along the way—this episode is full of encouragement, insight, and real talk.

Connect with us on Instagram: @empowermoms.podcast and follow Berkley’s journey: @bfitness.training

🎙️ Key Takeaways:

✅ Turning passion into purpose takes courage—and community

✅ Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential, especially for moms

✅ Word-of-mouth and authenticity grow a business from the inside out

✅ Women thrive in supportive, intentional spaces

✅ Entrepreneurship is a journey of lessons, pivots, and perseverance

✅ Representation in fitness helps more women feel seen and supported

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Challenges and Lessons Learned

00:10 The Journey to Fitness and Entrepreneurship

02:21 The Impact of COVID on Business and Personal Growth

06:27 Building a Community in Fitness

09:56 Creating a Unique Space for Women in Fitness

20:51 Navigating Social Media Overwhelm

22:25 The Importance of Female-Only Spaces

23:33 Proving Doubters Wrong

25:08 The Reality of Balancing Work and Family

26:14 The Challenges of Parenting Young Children

26:57 Managing Business Growth and Debt

28:54 Self-Care Amidst Chaos

32:47 Future Plans for the Gym

36:50 Embracing Challenges in Business Growth

In today’s episode, we chat with our friend, Kathryn Thomas, about her bold decision to leave her 11-year career at Western University. As Manager of Undergraduate Recruitment, Kathryn faced burnout twice while trying to do it all. She was at a crossroads: continue chasing promotions while struggling at home, or make a change to reclaim her joy and balance? Kathryn learned from other moms that reliable support from family, friends, and neighbours is key. She stresses that no one can handle two full-time jobs alone; outsourcing help is crucial! She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that challenging seasons are temporary and provide growth opportunities. For Kathryn, routine and having time for oneself and family are vital. She believes in designing a life aligned with personal values and goals, not those of others. Find Kathryn on LinkedIn and reach out for a virtual coffee chat about making similar life changes.

In this bonus episode, we're chatting about the importance of unplugging from work to soak up precious moments with our families over the long weekend. As realtors, we're used to keeping our phones glued to us, but we’ve realized that most calls and texts can wait! We're all about getting intentional by flipping that 'do not disturb' switch on or even ditching our phones in another room completely, giving us the chance to really focus on hanging out with our kiddos without interruptions. We're sharing all our hacks for making the most of our time, from being all in with our loved ones to creating those sweet, unforgettable memories with our little ones. Plus, we're getting real about the struggle to actually take those much-needed vacation days. As moms and business owners, it's tough to balance, but we’re figuring it out together!

In this episode, we're diving into the heart of our team's mission, covering everything from real estate to the Village Mom Club, Village Women’s Club, and The EmpowerMoms Podcast. We chat about how our team name came about and how it inspired the different areas of our business, all rooted in our core values. It's been amazing to watch our Village Mom Club and Women’s Club grow from a simple idea to vibrant communities! We talk about how we got started with podcasting, initially exploring YouTube following the book, "Passive Prospecting" by Levi Lascsak & Travis Plumb, but we quickly realized podcasting was more our speed - for now! We share why our podcast means so much to us and how it's connecting us with people beyond our original niche, opening up exciting new opportunities for the Village Realty Team. Thank you for joining us. We’re so glad you’re here! Find us on Instagram @empowermoms.podcast or @village.realtyteam

In today's episode, we meet Julie Lounsbury, owner/founder of Julie Lounsbury Therapy Services. With over a decade of experience at the Children’s Aid Society, she took the plunge into entrepreneurship, focusing on normalizing “the mess that is Motherhood.” She discusses the misconception of "having it all together" and the importance of self-care beyond its mainstream popularity. Addressing maternal identity loss, mom guilt, and the need for support in all its many forms, Julie emphasizes prioritizing oneself amid the demands of motherhood. Collaborating with Forest City Midwifery Care, Julie offers crucial support to new mothers, acknowledging the many challenges they face. Connect with Julie on Instagram @julie.lounsbury.mswrsw or through julielounsburymswrsw.ca.

In this episode, we explore the art of pivoting when life takes unexpected turns. Through personal stories like Alex's surprise journey into motherhood with twins, we delve into the resiliency needed to navigate life's unexpected challenges, both at work and at home. Emphasizing the power of goal setting as a guide for adaptability, we advocate for a mindset shift towards becoming solution-based and making intentional choices about our behaviours and how we choose to approach our lives. From taking a moment to breathe in the face of adversity to embracing the belief that "things happen for a reason," we uncover practical strategies for fostering resiliency and embracing life's unpredictable nature. Join us for some great insights on navigating change with grace and determination!

Today we sit down with Jenna Zaika, the heart behind Intuition Nutrition, for a candid chat about her journey into dietetics and her love for all things holistic nutrition. Jenna is a Registered Dietitian who's all about helping you feel great in your body without guilt. From her days at Guelph University to now, she's been following her gut, creating a welcoming space in her practice for chronic dieters and anyone needing guidance on nurturing their bodies. We explore the importance of knowing yourself and your body's needs and finding joy in what you eat and do. Jenna's upcoming virtual workshop, "Nurturing a Positive Relationship with Food for Moms," touches on all of these themes, created specifically for moms. Jenna shares her dreams for Intuition Nutrition and normalizes the beautiful chaos that is growing your own business. Plus, she talks about guiding your kids to have a healthy relationship with food! Follow @intuitionnutrition.rd on Instagram or go to intuitionnutrition.ca!

In this episode, we talk all about adding that personal touch to your small business. We chat about why it's so important to let your customers see the real you—your values, your story, your interests, all that good stuff! We highlight Katie from Giftii, Karna from Brennan Baking Co., and Karolina from Roseford and Co., showing how they rock at putting a face to their businesses. Then, we dive into a fun and unexpected debate: long-form YouTube videos or quick social media posts—which should be a podcast's focus? We dish out tips on how to start showing off the person behind your brand and what makes your business special. And so that you can see OUR faces behind the mics, don't forget to check out our new Instagram page @empowermoms.podcast!