39: Balancing Life, Family, and Your Business

Today we have on our social media strategist and manager, Teah Hopper to talk about balancing life, family, freedom and your business. We dive into why we should’ve hired earlier to scale and how each new chapter in our business is another challenge with life, freedom, and balance. We also discuss the crucial game changing book that changed both of our businesses forever. 

Connect with Teah:
@teahhopper
teah@teahhopper.com
www.teahhopper.com

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Transcript

Teah Hopper: [00:00:00] I learned early on. I was not a good.social media strategist, owner or mother when I tried to at the same time. So just figuring out that schedule where I could do both and figure out how much I wanted to both. And honestly, I'm just so grateful that we live, you know, at a time where that's possible. 

Paden Squires: Welcome to Behind Their Success. This podcast is for people who are feeling stuck on their entrepreneur journey or in their careers. It's for people who want to scale and grow their businesses, learn about the power of mindset, or they just know there's more out there and they want to start making changes.

Paden Squires: I'm Paden Squires, the host of the podcast. I was never cut out to be an employee, and when I was an employee, I was bored out of my mind. So I made a plan. I studied and passed the CPA exam in eight months while working, all with the end goal in mind of quitting my job and starting my own business. I did that in 2014, and it has been an amazing wild ride since.

Paden Squires: So now let's hear from other entrepreneurs, and what mindsets, and probably more important, what actions they have taken that have created and led to their [00:01:00] success.

Hello, everybody. Welcome back to Behind Their Success podcast. I am Paden Squires, the host, and today we have on Teah Hopper. Teah  is a content and social media strategist. She helps business owners and entrepreneurs find joy In their social media. Again, she also loves helping clients discover their unique story and simplify their social media through a strategic approach.

She is the proud mother of three young children, and she has been able to build her business while being home part time with them, Teah. Good morning. Welcome to the podcast. Yeah, Teah. So tell me, uh, obviously I know you fairly well. You help me a lot with my social media or I say a lot, you basically run my social media.

obviously I know you, but for the listeners, give us a little more about your background and what you do.

Yeah, I studied marketing communications in college and my first job out just kind of wore the Jack of all trades hat. just a little bit of everything. And, I like to say that I kind of landed [00:02:00] into social media. it chose me. I didn't necessarily.that token young person.

and so I ended up going to work for, a great association and, as their director of digital engagement. So that was really when social media was taking off and, it was the first, I think at least locally jobs, that was really around social media. So that just gave me a great opportunity to learn more about it and get to know people and.

I always have always wanted to do my own thing. my husband and I, before we were even married, just said like, we don't want the typical nine to five. We don't want to get in the rat race of life. We had no idea what that was going to look like. but slowly it just happened where I started to have people asking me if I could help them with their social media.

And so I was able to. I'm not a risk taker. I'm not really a true entrepreneur. It took me a very long time to leave a full time position. I had to have everything just set up right, but I was able to slowly build my business, get clients. and then about, let's see, Probably for close to 10 years now that I've been, working in my business in some capacity, but eight years full time [00:03:00] now,with my business.

So I love what I get to do. And a lot of, you know, just goes back to freedom. I think that's what we're all after being able to work from home where I want, when I want to build my business around our life and values and kids. And so it's been such a blessing to be able to do that.

And, Yeah. And somewhere along there, really, it all changed for me, this, how I approach social media and how I work with people and that, I stopped loving it as much as I did when I was in my twenties and that scared the heck out of me. but it, I really was able to like, lean into that of like, oh my gosh, if I'm feeling this way, how are other people?

Feeling who didn't really like it that much in the first place. and since I've leaned into that, I, we've really been able to attract and work with business owners and entrepreneurs who feel the same way of like, I know I need it. I really don't like it. I don't, it feels like a waste of time.

And that's where, you know, in these last few years, I've really been able to step in and help people find success without it taking over their life. Yeah. That's interesting. I know, from knowing you, I know that You've built your [00:04:00] business intentionally, right? Intentionally around, the freedom and the kids.

can you provide a little more context to that or the why, or the kind of how you've done that? because, as entrepreneurs that are growing their business and doing all these things, most people get into entrepreneurship for the freedom, right? The freedom, the flexibility.

but often I am guilty as anybody, You see opportunities all the time and you take on more and more stuff. And then you might, build a business that doesn't, optimize for freedom, right? Yeah, it's hard. It's so hard. yeah, I mean, I think just really keeping that at the forefront, you know, that, like,this is why I'm doing it.

I only have so many years that they're home. My 2 little guys are still there. time in preschool, but I know, when they go to kindergarten, I'll have more time to for my business. And so just really knowing how fleeting that time is and keeping that wide the forefront. And so, for me, great advice.

I got early on from a mutual friend of ours. Amanda quick said, like, well, what does because I was really struggling with that balance. You know, I love [00:05:00] working. I mean, even if the long holiday weekend, it's I couldn't wait to get back and work. I love time with my kids. I want both. And sometimes it's heavier one way.

Sometimes it's heavier than the other. And I just try to keep that big picture in mind. But her advice was like, well, what does the perfect week look like? And so for me looking at, okay, it wasn't working part days that did not work for me. Cause it was like, as soon as I was getting into work, I was getting pulled out.

So finding childcare that was full days, but not five days a week, that had that flexibility and, so I knew that, you know, It's changed over the years. I work a little bit more now than I used to when I first started out, but I had two, three, whatever, how many days a week that I was full on in my business.

And I had childcare, I wasn't trying to do both at the same time. And then I had, days of the week where I just got to be home and focus on them. And that doesn't mean I'm not, checking email, keeping up with things, but I'm not in meetings. And, I know some people that are able to do both and that is not me.

So that was something 

Teah Hopper: I learned early on. I was not a good.social media strategist, owner or mother when I tried to at the same time. So just figuring out that [00:06:00] schedule where I could do both and figure out how much I wanted to both. And honestly, I'm just so grateful that we live, you know, at a time where that's possible.

I And. It is hard. There are times where I'm like, man, if I worked more, what would my business look like? I mean, it's, but I know that it'll come soon enough. And so, yeah, I just think really trying to keep that value, at the forefront.

That's something, you know, conversations my wife and I have a lot about the balance of all that, you know, we're both kind of hard driving, I guess, people, our careers are somewhat important to us. and it's, yeah, it's a constant struggle in a conversation of okay, we want to go after all these things because.

It's important to us, but like balancing all that and knowing that, we have three small children as well. And, we got 10, 15 years or something left with them, before they're gone. So the time is fast and trying to about, yeah, something I struggle with on the daily basis.

 and you know, my husband, who, you know, has his own business and they look very different and [00:07:00] the way we've built our businesses are very different. And it's, it's a struggle for us. I mean, he's more in the mindset of like, he's going to work really hard right now to have more time later. and I'm like, will that time ever come where you feel like, you know, like it gets addicted to the strong word, but I mean, you get into it and like, So I think, but for him, he is trying to build it in a way to have that freedom.

And so there's not one right way to do it, but I think like you said, it's constantly just revisiting that, you know, and making sure your every decision, they seem like minor ones, but every decision is leading to that. And so. Yeah, it comes to, begin with the end in mind, right? Like knowing what you were building there, like have your like North star, I'm heading in this direction.

And then every decision it's does that get me closer or further away? Yeah, absolutely. I know you love books, two books, and I'm sure you've read them too. But, for the listeners that really helped us early on one, it was the 40 hour work [00:08:00] week. So we read that, when I was just starting my business and Ryan was so Yeah.

Yeah. we ended up taking a year after that and he did travel nursing and we just traveled for a year and, it was so inspiring. It still is. And I probably should reread it. The other one that's that I, read, but also has been super helpful for Ryan as he's built. His business is built to sell.

So building a business With intention of what is the future look like and, setting it up in a way that, you know, yeah, whether you sell or not, just building it in a way that you aren't in the, have to be doing it all over again.

The whole business revolves around you and your labor and your skills. Right. And, in many ways, like my business over the transitioned or trying to transition from, I would say more of a business like yours, Tia, where it's like, I had kind of, I was, It was doing well, kind of had all the freedom in the world, but it was really just kind of me and not a scalable thing, right?

And then trying to make the transition to, okay, I'm building a firm now, right? And all these [00:09:00] processes and people and getting my name off the door. So. Not everybody's like, where's Peyton at?so it's the same thing building a business as scalable in the ability to operate without me. and that's, that's the ideal world, but it's tough and it takes time.

and a lot of slogging through that, which I'm in the middle of a lot of that right now.

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 So Tia, what would you credit as like,your best skill? So what skill do you possess that really helps you, be successful in the, In your business, in the social media world,

I would say,a couple of things come to mind and they're probably the same thing. I just not coming up with the one word, but, so like simplifying, I think social media has become really complicated and a lot of the reason why people don't want to do it for their business is because it feels overwhelming.

It feels, like I said, a waste of time. they feel like they're not getting results for their time. And so really being able to come in and, And just simplify it and like, learn their business, learn their goals and give them a game plan. That's going to help them have success without feeling like they're just spinning [00:11:00] their wheels.

And whether that's me empowering them to go do it and kind of staying in their corner as a coach or us taking on as a management, and doing it for them, but allowing them to like, say in their zone of genius. you love these podcasts, you love to do videos. So those are ways that great. We can, you really efficient with your time and get what we need and let you do what you enjoy, and then do the stuff that you don't enjoy.

And that looks a little bit different for everybody, but finding. The ways that they love to create content or how they want to get their voice out there and then sharing their story. So I, yeah, I just love being able to work with people that, that get it, that have like a business that they're passionate about and being able to help tell their story and get them success.

But. I think the other thing that, it kind of goes back to what we were talking about and with the business is just, I don't even think organized is the right word, but just being able to, be, efficient and, put the pieces together. So whether that's like organizing how to, How to be able to work and be at home and all that.

and working with clients is just, how do I do it? I get asked a lot, not working full time hours. And I think [00:12:00] it is just some organization that I seem to have in my brain that just happens really easily. I mean, like, you know,That's most of life is trying to turn like chaos into something that's somewhat organized.

And if you go and organize something like, or say small example, organize a room, right? And then your kids come in and the natural state is stuff starts to turn to chaos. like you mow a yard and eventually if you just let it go, it turns back into kind of chaotic and its own thing.

so that's, Tough skill, a skill that's very, very powerful of organizing and getting stuff lined out. and I think it's a really important In today's age, just because we live in such a world of distraction, right? and such these quick dopamine hits from like things like social media that people are just consuming all the time that they can never, take the time or take the long enough view, to get things organized and set up.

So Tia, what would you credit as the best decision you've [00:13:00] ever made in regards to your entrepreneur journey? 

Teah Hopper: Oh, that's a tough one. One, I think just taking the leap to, to go all in and do the thing. we were talking about scaling a little bit ago and it's, it's kind of a fun story. I was kind of stuck.

Teah Hopper: and it was such an easy, you know, fix when I actually figured it out. but it was, I don't know, probably 20, 18, 2019, somewhere in there. And I was, similar business. I wasn't doing social media management, just a strategy piece. And I was really maxed out with, the number of clients I could take.

Teah Hopper: It was me. I had one person helping me, they didn't have a lot of hours they were giving me or that I. That I was asking of them. and I just felt, yeah, pretty maxed out and was kind of at this, okay, how do I scale this? And,without, hiring a team, which is something I've never really wanted to do, didn't necessarily want to turn into the agency or without working more hours and giving up that kind of balance with kids.

Teah Hopper: and so there was somebody I followed and she was having an online conference, I think I had a Two month old at [00:14:00] the time. And so I attended this online conference and learned about the concept of like a VIP day. and it was just like, it was such an easy, like, yes, you know, so basically took my process for strategy and instead of doing it over a course of several meetings, combined it into a day and it just changed everything for my business, so I can't necessarily take credit for it, but.

Teah Hopper: But just, finding the idea and implementing it allowed me to scale and help so many more clients. but it's also just a better service for them. I mean, it's not something that just benefited me because most of the time when they come to me, they already, they're wishing they would have done social media, And 

Paden Squires: they 

Teah Hopper: want to meet it results.

Teah Hopper: So to be able to say like, yeah, give me a day. and also as a, as a typical busy business owner, like they can knock out a day and we can do that versus trying to find time, on our calendar over several weeks. and so it's just been such a game changer for both sides. it allowed me to scale and just also have even more freedom.

Teah Hopper: with the way I'm working and my [00:15:00] calendar and all those things. So, yeah, it's been amazing and it just still blows my mind sometimes that it was, I think the conference was like 10 bucks or something, you know, and it was just like, yeah, I heard it. And I was like, that's it.

Paden Squires: And there's, two things I would point out there. One, you said you were willing to make the jump as your, one of your best decisions, right? And that's, that's the obvious one. And you know,the one that for most people's the toughest is the very first one, certainly was for me. and then two, your best decision was revolved around.

Paden Squires: Being willing to learn or constantly looking, for new information, right? If you never attended that conference, you never would have get that idea. You never would have scaled, snowball, snowball, but it really, it's true. And that's why I'm a big proponent of podcast and books and just whatever consuming information.

Paden Squires: Because like, you know, earlier you mentioned the four hour work week with Tim Ferriss, that book changed my business.flat out. I read that book in I don't know, 2016, 17, something like that. And I was like, whoa, this guy knows what he's talking about. and I straight up stole stuff [00:16:00] straight out of that book and implemented it in my business.

Paden Squires: one big thing was, And you remember this was seven, eight years ago, but this was before people really had like scheduling links. and I stole that straight out of there and it was like, Oh my God, how much time would I have to, I have, and I was running a solo practice at the time, how much time would I have if I never had to schedule a meeting?

Paden Squires: If I just sent everybody a link and they pick the time themselves. And it was like 150 to implement that and saved me. I don't know, a hundred plus hours just immediately. and it's ideas like that, that, and I, I stole the voicemail script out of there. Basically it's like where you're trying to get everybody to do anything but leave you a voicemail.

Paden Squires: because it's, that's just such a slow clunky process. And especially if you're running a solo practice. But my voicemail script was like, Hey, you need a meeting, go to the website. Here's the link. Hey, you got a question? Okay. Best way to get that answer is to send me an email or three.

Paden Squires: Finally, if that doesn't solve your problems, you can leave a [00:17:00] voicemail and we check it, you know, at these times per day. So setting expectations of, you're not necessarily going to get immediate callback, but it's, it's just. All those type of things, I learned in a book that cost me, you know, 5 and probably made me thousands, right?

Teah Hopper: Yeah. Well, and again, it's like you didn't just read the book, though. You took the time to implement, which is the hard part. But I think it doesn't only save you the, the hours, but it's the energy, too. Those sound like things that just drove you crazy. And so not only to save you time, but like, you're not wasting your energy on them.

Teah Hopper: You could put them into other things, that are more important to your business 

Paden Squires: or even just revenue generating or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So on the flip side, all that to you. What's a big mistake you've made? 

Teah Hopper: Oh, I don't think I was prepared for this one. 

Paden Squires: Come on. You got to. Oh, I know. I have 

Teah Hopper: plenty. yeah, I would say,

Teah Hopper: probably. I mean, I can't think of one huge mistake. I can think of several small ones. And that [00:18:00] probably goes back to just the,not setting up processes. not hiring sooner. I think we all tend to keep our parts close and kind of wait till it's hard to know, you know, when that timing's right.

Teah Hopper: But, because I'm organized, I really just had my own kind of, System and process for, even just invoicing and contracts and client. And when I finally implemented a CRM, it was like, gosh, 

Paden Squires: what have I been doing? 

Teah Hopper: Yeah. And now looking back, it's like, man, I could not maintain, you know, where I'm at today, if I was still doing it that old way.

Teah Hopper: and it goes back to that energy piece of just I don't want to be spending my time on those things. So that's definitely one. and I think, When I worked full time and I ended up being VP of marketing. and I just did not love management experience for reasons I won't get into today, but, so I've been reluctant, I think, to have a team and to build a team.

Teah Hopper: And one, I just, because I wanted that time freedom, I didn't want people relying on me or bothering me when I [00:19:00] wasn't, on and in the office. But I think finding the right people, because now I have a team of, you know,three that aren't, again, they're not full time by any means, but, I definitely could not do today what I'm doing in the amount of time that I'm doing it for the clients without their help.

Teah Hopper: I mean, when I'm with my kids, they're still working and keeping things going. And so,Having the right people, I think, has not only just helped my business, but it's been a joy to, like, work with them and have them, and it's also, I think, different working with a team like that when they're not full time employees that I'm, managing.

Teah Hopper: So,and to be able to pour into them and help them, because they're wanting to learn more about this business and more about social media. And so that's been fun. So I think that's something that maybe, Having shifted my mindset earlier could have changed things. And, I was hesitant to not offer management for a long time and now we do. And it's. It's been amazing for my business and for the client to take advantage of it. So,I'm at another kind of,again, it's, and this is, I think, probably good for listeners to know. It's like, here I am, however many [00:20:00] years later now, um, kind of at a scaling place again, where it's like, okay, we're gonna have to figure this out before there's this bottleneck.

Teah Hopper: so trying to figure that out and, trying to do that sooner than later. 

Paden Squires: yeah,I have similar mistakes. A lot of people on this show share similar mistakes, right? Of, afraid to hire people, afraid of, you know, scaling and all those kinds of things. 

Paden Squires: I took forever to hire employee years because I don't know, I told myself I didn't want to do it or whatever. It was probably just fear or whatever it is. Right. Or didn't want people relying on me. but like, yeah, you can't scale, right. You can't scale at all.

Paden Squires: and that's fine. like you said, if you want to just run your business and do your own thing. I did that for a lot of years and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. it's just, you're much more like self employed and not. A business owner and trying to make that transition is a huge transition.

Paden Squires: and like you said, you're a place maybe in your business to where you might, you're kind of at a plateau or maybe getting too close to full capacity, right? And then you've got to figure out, [00:21:00] okay, where do we go from here? Are we good at this plateau or okay, we've got to break some things, right.

Paden Squires: And rebuild them so we can go to the next level. And that's what people don't realize. It's like, you can't really go to the next level without. Breaking some stuff, taking a step back and then going to the next level. people just think you go to the next level and I can attest. It doesn't work like that.

Teah Hopper: Yeah. And then, you know, you figure it out and you're good for a while. And then you go again. I mean, it's a constant evolving,you're never there, you know, cause whether your business is changing or just, you know,the world is changing technology. I mean, all of it is. So it's, I think that's one of the things we love about it, is that it is always changing.

Teah Hopper: And I know when I worked full time, it was like I would, after a year, two years, you'd start to get bored. Mm-Hmm. . And, um, I've never felt that way since doing my own thing. So that's, you know, there's both sides of it. it's a lot to keep up with. but yeah, you're never going to get bored. 

Paden Squires: Yeah.

Paden Squires: Same experience. I've talked [00:22:00] about on the show before, my, my last job was the most boring job I've ever had in my life. And now like I'm a hundred percent the complete opposite. I have junk flying at me constantly and trying to decipher all that and fly through it. So totally different world, totally different problems.

Paden Squires: it's, it's can be a fun ride. Um,when did you start your business, the consulting business around social media, like about what time? 

Teah Hopper: so let's see, 2016 is when I had my daughter. This is always my point that I go back to, and I'd been doing it a couple of years while working part time.

Teah Hopper: I planned to quit when I had her and the company I was with was just so amazing that I was able to do both for a year. and again, I was kind of scared to make the jump. So yeah, it was 2017 was when I went all in. And, so that's when I marked the anniversary. Yeah. 

Paden Squires: Very cool. So looking back at 2017, Tia, what piece of advice would you give her today?

Teah Hopper: Oh man, definitely just [00:23:00] to,to dream bigger, it's funny. Cause when I, mean, my dream was, again, it was, it goes back to that. Why being able to want to, work, but also be home. And I was like, yeah, I'm just, I'm just gonna be an internet contractor. I have a few clients I'll be helping, you know?

Teah Hopper: And it was like. Well, I probably need a logo. And it's like, probably need a website to be legitimate. And then it's like, I can't tell people to be on social media if I'm not on social media and all of a sudden it's like half a business, how did this happen? You know, like I'm legitimate. I think it would just be, yeah, I just continue to be amazed at like where we are today and where this, could go.

Teah Hopper: and all the while, it's just, I think I was just, Very in the day to day, you know, like I'm an achiever, I'm motivated, but I'm not necessarily, like I said, I did not start out as like with this vision. So I think probably, just to, yeah, to open my eyes a little bit more. 

Paden Squires: Yeah. and, knowing your personality a little bit, I could see that.

Paden Squires: and I have similar in some ways, people think I'm maybe this real high [00:24:00] a driving like type of person, but. Really I'm not. people perceive that to a degree, but I have to push myself to do that. That's not like a natural thing. and it's same thing like dreaming big,I started my business in my living room and like I had a few clients and I was like, wow, if I can just like replace my income or whatever, like this would be awesome.

Paden Squires: Um, and then you're like, is that, it's just tiny little steps from there. It's like, oh, Got to get a logo. Got to get a website. And then all of a sudden, here you are 10 years later and you're like, Oh my gosh, how'd all this happen? 

Teah Hopper: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I definitely wouldn't trade it. Like I'm grateful to be where I am.

Teah Hopper: but yeah, it's just funny. You started out, I was the same way of like, how many times we crunched the numbers of like, okay, can I do it? Can I, Step out and, you know, and be the same. And then it was like, yeah, it's just funny. I remember telling Ryan and we were in our kitchen table in our old house.

Teah Hopper: And I was like, I just want to like. Work less hours, but make more money. And he just laughed and he was like, [00:25:00] everybody's dreaming. I'm like, no, I'm serious. that's what I want to do.

Paden Squires: No. Yeah. And I, yeah, that's same here and you know, circle back where we're talking earlier is like, I feel like to some degree, I've lost a little side of that now, now I know I'm pushing and working harder to build the firm, but Originally, I came into all of this was to not have to answer anybody, get freedom, and make some money, right?

Paden Squires: And now, if you take a look at my schedule, the freedom is a little, a little lacking at times, but the idea is to push through into, get to that place where you reclaim that freedom, After you've hit that new plateau and kind of get everything established, and running, but it takes time and you're in the middle of it and you're just kind of like wish I could get to the end of this already and good to go.

Paden Squires: But yeah. 

Teah Hopper: Yeah, but you'll get there. I mean, I think that's the thing, right. Is like, just like we talked about the beginning, just having, keeping that wide, the forefront of like, you will get there cause you're, you're holding onto that, [00:26:00] like you haven't lost sight of it, it's not like you're just going and you've forgotten that, yeah.

Teah Hopper: So yeah, I'm excited to celebrate with you when you're on the other side. 

Paden Squires: So I have the freedom. So Teah, great conversation. What is the best way people can connect with you? maybe they're interested in social media services or, or just want to connect with you. What's the best way people can do that?

Teah Hopper: Yeah, it's pretty easy. It's all just my name. So you can go to my website, tiahopper. com, check out lots of free resources there. You can send me a message that way. my email is teah@teahhopper.com. And then, you can send me a message on Instagram. Same, just my name, @teahhopper 

Paden Squires: Awesome guys. So if you want to check out Teah, she's amazing.

Paden Squires: Like I said, she runs all my stuff. they really got me organized and keep me from having to spend much time on it and make me look way smarter than I am. So I appreciate that. Listeners, uh, thanks for checking out the show. We will catch you next time.

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. If [00:27:00] you found it valuable, please rate, review, and share it. That is the best way to help us build this and reach more people as we're trying to accomplish our goal of help creating more healthy, wealthy, and wise entrepreneurs. You can follow us on social media by searching for me, Payton Squires, or going to www.padensquires.com on the website and social media, we're always sharing tips of personal growth, and there we can actually interact. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks guys.