Fun as North Star

The best things you've ever created didn't really come from hustling harder, but from having more fun. Fun has really been the north star since we began the very first episode of Mom Bosses Abroad.

And we really wanted to continue keeping joy at the center of everything.

Having fun is not just like a luxury thing or something that you do with your kids, but it really allows things to flow differently for ideas to spark faster, for collaborations to feel lighter.

It really allows us as well to feel that the impact that we're having, it expands naturally. So as we're taking a moment in this episode to really reflect, we also want to celebrate the power of fun as a frequency.

We are moms, we are bosses, and we're living abroad. And in this brand new season of this exciting podcast, we are boosting the woman to woman connection through deep, intimate conversations to pause, reflect, and go beyond the skin deep.

And we are here to celebrate your unique journey.

No matter how old your business or your babies or where you are in the world, you are not alone. It's time to go deeper, understand better, and lean into more harmony and fun along the way. We are Desiree and Iva, and this is Mom Bosses Abroad.

Hi, and welcome to a new episode of the Mom Bosses Abroad podcast.

I am Iva Perez, and I am here today in the studio with my podcast co-host, Desiree Gonzalez. Hi, Des.

Hi, Iva.

And, you know, we're here today because we have been really taking stock of how far we've come in our podcasting journey.

And we really have come back to the one value that has kicked things off for us during this podcasting baby that we have grown into five full seasons.

And I think it's that idea of realizing that the best things you've ever created didn't really come from hustling harder, but from having more fun. And fun really is at the core of my personal values, and also for my business.

And I think, Des, that for you, it is quite similar. So fun has really been the north star since we began the very first episode of Mom Bosses Abroad. And we really wanted to continue keeping joy at the center of everything.

Because it's also now, I think, for the two of us, part of our business strategy.

So having fun is not just like a luxury thing or something that you do with your kids, but it really allows things to flow differently for ideas to spark faster, for collaborations to feel lighter. And we're going to go into that a little bit more.

But it really allows us as well to feel that the impact that we're having, it expands naturally. So as we're taking a moment in this episode to really reflect, we also want to celebrate the power of fun as a frequency.

And we want, every mile mile listening today, that alignment and success are meant to feel good. Because here's the truth, when you lead with joy, the results take care of themselves.

So why don't we dive right in, into this fun, fun, fun, fun episode.

3:51

Fun-Fueled Partnership

Yes.

I love this. I've been looking so forward to speaking about this because, and I absolutely love how you describe the fun as the frequency.

And I think when the two of us met six years ago, it really, I can't believe it's with six years, Iva, we immediately felt that frequency between us, right? It was that energy.

It was like that first call already where we said, we can't get off the phone. Like we can literally not stop, stop talking to each other. And that is how our friendship and our relationship on so many levels has evolved.

And it's from the beginning on, it was always a lot of fun working together, which shows in the way we've collaborated so much with each other, but even though we have two completely separate businesses, right?

And we did it and we're like, what else can we do together? How else can we align? Because we just have so much fun.

And so of course, this is how the podcast was born, but even we have many more collaborations. And now, it's almost like that dream come true, that we're actually have really come together in business. And it's just like been the funnest thing.

And it is really something that is really, how do you say, embedded in purpose and impact. And it's so nice to be able to have someone that is entirely in your frequency to hold you accountable as well.

And to hold you aligned for what you're trying to build. I mean, we have found a partner in each other where we can bounce off ideas. It's like, Iva, what do you think?

Shall we do it like this? Or what do you think? Even something completely unrelated to her.

I know I can always go to her and say, what do you think? And because I know our values in that sense are so the same, it has to feel light, it has to feel purposeful, impactful, and just so much fun.

And that is really the promise that we've made to each other since the very beginning. And speaking about the podcast in particular, it's like, we're only doing this if this is fun for us.

If once it starts feeling heavy, and like, like an extra load, or we already approach it, like, you know, that feeling with we have to record now, or we have to do this. That's not the point of the exercise.

And then maybe we need to have a conversation. But I think five seasons later, oh my God, we're still having so much fun, aren't we?

You know, I reflect on what you share, and I think that this is not only us talking specifically about the podcast, although this is where we are, right? This is the platform where we're sharing from.

But it's this idea of how in alignment can you actually be in your life. And so those checking the pulse type of questions should be front row for most of us.

I think because they really can become that guiding energy, as you say, of expansion, of creativity and of true purpose and impact. So asking ourselves, are we still having fun doing this? Does it still feel expansive?

Does it get me through a hard day, bad day, sad day type of situation? It's really important to calibrate to. And I think that we have both been very responsible in the having fun department.

So absolutely, I think that the whole fun equation with the impact of what we want to do with the podcast, which is to really send this powerful message and really create a movement with women into, you can have your cake and eat it too.

You can really enjoy everything great that life has to offer, and you don't have to limit yourself. Only if you believe in limit, only if you believe that there's a part of you that doesn't deserve it.

Other than that, if you lean into that fun and that impact combo, it really unlocks something that feels ease and effortless.

And it's ease and effortless because it unlocks the creativity and because it unlocks the framework where you say, how can we design systems and a flow and a process that all we get to do is show up in our zone of genius and do what we know best,

which is to share from a place of service, is to share from a place of health and wellness and the abundance model that we are really diving deep into this season five. So I agree with you that there is a formula for fun because we are making fun

part of the business strategy. And so we don't just want to sit here and share from, oh, remember that one time that we had fun doing this.

Although there is a point where I guess you and I are going to be going back and reminiscent, but it's more using it as that business feel as well for our businesses and for what we're creating.

And this is the inspiration that I guess we want to transmit today in this episode.

Absolutely. Fun and impact can definitely co-exist with each other. And we've both in our own way have come from more of a hustle energy and in other things that we've done in the past.

But what we're choosing now and we have the power to choose this, is really to lead with inspired action. And so it is really a filter of a lot of decisions we make in business and in life.

And ever since we've crossed paths in life, it's really one question that I ask with whatever I do, with the family, with other things in my business, or on trips. And we're like, is this fun? Is this fun?

Does this feel good? Because we have the power to decide, are we gonna do it or are we not? And I think that alone gives us such, it's empowering to be able to hold that.

Hey, Mama, if you've been looking for a way to make an impact on health, create long-term wealth for your family, and design a freedom lifestyle, all while being part of an amazing supportive community, then listen up.

We found a business model that's not just about making money, but about doing soulful work that's truly aligned with who you are.

No more burnout, no more trading time for money, just a powerful, proven way to create real change for yourself and others.

If this speaks to you, head over to mombossesabroad.com and watch a quick 30-minute video that could completely shift your perspective on what's possible for your future. Because, mama, you deserve freedom, abundance, and purpose.

Let's create it together.

12:01

Guiding Values

How will you define inspired action for yourself?

Since we're on the subject, I think that it's also good to just really share as well that inspired action doesn't have to look the same for everyone. And sometimes we talk about it, but we don't go a little bit further into details.

That's true. Oh, so I think talking about business, perhaps it's about taking actions with what lights me up. And I feel that very deep inside of me.

I think when there's a task, like right now, we're putting things together for our mentorship, right? Like, every time I think about, oh, I'm going to sit down and like work on this or prepare my session, it lights me up.

It truly lights me up because I feel I am able to inspire others with my personal session that I will deliver, right? Or we as a collective are able to inspire others with this incredible mentorship that we're now putting together.

So I don't think we would go through with this big project that we're really taking upon ourselves. If we felt, well, it's kind of good to have, it's good to put out there, but is there, what's the deeper purpose of it, right?

But we are all, all six of us have such a like, oh my God, this is going to blow people's minds. This is going to really inspire them in their business journey. This is going to set them up.

This is going to want them to like be in our energy, right? We have that feeling. And so I think the actions that we're taking with building this currently, will also show in how we deliver it at the end.

So for me, it's, I think that's, that's a way of using a current example of how I like to explain that. How about for you, Iva?

For me, it's, it's definitely, yeah, that feeling of leaning towards something, the moment that you get presented with it, or you first hear about it.

For me, the process is a little bit more, it has more steps involved, but I think that I use a triangle where I really sat down for a couple of days.

This is already a while ago, and I sat down in my own energy, and I really pondered out of all the beautiful values that there are out there in the world, which ones are the ones, the top three that really call me out, the top three that I really

want to base my decisions and the way that I go about my day using as sort of filters. So in that pondering, I came across three main values that really are the ones that have stayed consistent.

But we do have a podcast episode that is all about values. And the reason why I bring it up is because we tend to think that we are married to our values, the same way that we're married to our husbands.

And it doesn't have to be a forever enterprise. I feel that it's good as we are talking as well about doing regular pulse check-ins.

It's also important to understand in the season that I am right now in my life, do these values still hold, or do they feel dense or heavy or difficult to sustain? So I'm always doing that pulse check.

And for me, the first value is to be of service and to be a kind human being. So there's a friend of mine that she has this saying, and I know it's very hardcore, but it goes into the realm of kill them with kindness. So be just a kind-

Oh yes, I love that.

Just be a kind human being.

And if there's anything that is really bothering you, killing someone with kindness can go a long way. So that's the first one. The second one for me is health and wellness.

I am a big mental health advocate, and I really feel strongly about mental health, but health in all of its forms as well. And we have also discussed that financial health is also part of that mental well-being and mental health.

And the last one is fun, is joy, enjoyment, is lightheartedness, is stepping into this frequency of expansion.

So whenever something doesn't pass the three filters, whenever something is healthy for me, and it's in the kind department, it allows me to be a good human being, be of service, but it doesn't bring me joy or fun, or it's not fun, then I don't do

it. That's inspired a line action for me.

If there's something that sounds like a lot of fun, but I know that it's not going to be good for me the next day because it's not healthy, or it's going to not allow me to sleep, or it's going to keep me sleep deprived, or whatever it is, right?

Then it's a no, because it has to actually touch all three edges of the triangles. That's a little bit of my rule of thumb of how I do it.

And I just wanted to go into this for a bit, because I wanted to showcase how different it can look for all of us.

But as long as it feels expensive, and as long as it feels like, yeah, this feels right, this is the direction that I want to go, because it's aligned with a purpose, because it's aligned with my values, then you're golden. You really are.

I love that you've laid it out so visually as well. I love that. And I think we should all go and really draw that triangle and really define what it is for us.

And really, you can use that triangle for absolutely everything, all the decisions you need to make throughout the day. And we know us moms, we make a lot of decisions. And it's fantastic.

So thank you for sharing that. Yeah. So I think bringing it to this episode, to this podcast again is definitely, oh, we're having so much fun.

We laugh so much doing this podcast. I mean, Iva has fantastic footage of behind the scenes of us. It's just, I love it.

It's so good. And every time we enter the studio, I'm excited. And every time we exited, I feel on such a high and so happy.

And I think that is also a testament of it's so good. It's so good. And we feel so happy to have taken inspired action for ourselves, for our listeners.

And it's really, really good.

19:07

Intentional Pause

Now, to share really openly is that we actually said, Oh my God, season five feels so, like it feels different. One, because it's the first time that we are actually really, we've partnered in business. We've partnered within Enagic.

We are now aligning our two brands, our two beautiful brands together in one business model and one purpose, right? And it's just, it feels more aligned than ever. Fun factor has gone up even more.

But so season five was really about, okay, this is cool because before it was really showcasing like other people, but are showcasing us in different ways and having conversations. But now we were together even more.

And we actually, our initial idea is like, you know what? I think we could let the season run indefinitely.

Like because we have so many people we want to talk to, our community is filled with so many beautiful people that we want to talk to, we want to learn from, we want to showcase, we want to pick their brains, also selfishly pick their brains a little

bit. And we're like, I think we could let this run forever and ever. However, we did, as we do, and we always stay true to this, we started feeling the pulse a couple of weeks ago, right? And we said, are we still having fun?

Absolutely, like 100 percent, right? We are both in such an interesting phase of our business, of growth, and where we're exploring so many different ways and paths of growing.

We've just completed two incredible courses, and we're now deep into integration as well on what we've learned in these courses. And there's a lot to be done, and so we're like, okay, we're in a really big season of business growth.

And we're also working towards some really, really nice shared goals as well towards, not only towards the end of the year, it's not like doesn't have a set date, but like we are getting there, right? Together on a journey.

So we want to honor that season as well, and giving that our absolutely full attention. Because we know as well, running a podcast, I mean, there's quite a lot of time involved in what we need to do.

And, you know, being in touch with the guests, booking them in, actually sitting down and having the conversation. We organically grow this. So we're editing this ourselves.

We're writing all of the content ourselves. We're uploading everything ourselves. We literally are doing it on our own.

We have a beautiful VA that helps us keep each other and check and just, you know, send out emails, you know, about everything else we do ourselves. And so we felt that we want to honor the growth that we're in.

And also, and so we decided to take a break. And to break, but to take a break super duper intentionally, so that we can focus on the season we're in. And so we will never even go into the danger zone of losing fun, because it should not feel heavy.

It shouldn't feel like, oh, I have so much to do, but now we have this, that we don't even want it to get near that point at all. Would you see it the same way?

23:02

Evergreen Content

I absolutely agree with being responsible in fun.

And as you say, when we are responsible in fun, we want, it's not that fun runs out. I feel that what happens is that you cannot run only on fun fuel.

So keeping something fun for the sake of keeping it fun doesn't have that added fuel of saying, okay, but what is the aim here?

Especially because we, in all transparency, we do use the podcast as part of our business strategy and as a part of our business funnels.

So there has to be a bigger intention, and we do have to wear not only our fun mama hat, we also have to wear the business owner hat, the CEO hat, the founder hat, and we have to say, okay, what is the best allocation, use of resources, energy,

intention, focus, all of the things. So one thing that I do feel is that we have become a podcasting machine to our credit, and I'm patting myself in the back, I'm patting Desiree in the back as well, because as you shared this, we have really done

this, just the two of us, two moms, a microphone, a laptop, and we have really grown this podcast beyond our wildest expectations, and we're going to get more into that in a bit. But it really has been us touching every single part of this podcast.

It has our signature, it has our energy behind it, it has everything. Everything goes into that. It's really Des and Iva.

And what I feel is also the case, which is a good problem to have, is that we have so much gold hidden, or sometimes hiding, into each and every episode. There's so, so many amazing key takeaways. There's so many amazing lessons.

There's podcast episodes from season one that I still refer back to, because they are that timeless.

So when you are creating something for the intention of outliving you, like this is a resource that I believe my children's children, my grandchildren, are going to be able to... I want to hear Grandma Iva just play an episode.

I mean, they're going to live forever. This is one of the best evergreen digital assets that you can create. It's not a social media post, it's not a newsletter, it's not an email that can get trashed.

It lives on forever. And so there is so much gold in what we share because we don't do things halfheartedly.

We really go, we really play full in, and we really want to deliver something that is up to part to our own standards and expectations when we hit play on somebody else's podcast.

So that also requires energy and resources that have to go to showcasing. Where are those golden nuggets? Where are those bread crumbs?

Where is that piece of value that our listeners can get and really capitalize on? And so it's a bit of trying to stay on track with so much output of gold. That's really where we are at.

That's how I would define it, is this output of gold that is coming in and it's coming out every week like clockwork. But the potential of really expanding and maximizing that is still in the works. And so this pause from my end is twofold.

It's a pause to reflect and refine to see where is that value, how to highlight it, how to guide it better within the rest of the things that we're doing, because it's all connected. You can connect the dots.

In my business, you can always connect the dots. There's always one trail that goes to the other, that goes to the other, that goes to the other.

You get the full circle and you come back again and you do another loop and you extract even more from that. So there's that.

And then there's also, as Desiree, you were sharing that we are entering a phase until the end of the year where we really want to give the best attention and we want to really give the best of our energetic output to the beautiful teenies that are

joining our community and that are coming in in the spirit of, okay, Iva, Des, and everyone else, the other beautiful teenies that we have in our community, and saying, okay, then show me the money. Literally show me the money.

Show me how this is done. And so to do that, we really want to just have fun and play there full on. And so this is a pause, but we always do it.

We always pause in our recordings. Every season has a hiatus. I sometimes feel like I'm in some Netflix shows, like the end of the season, right?

Where the actors go and regroup. They go on holiday and they do all the things, and then you come back. And so it does follow that same rhythm.

There's a thing that is out of the way it has been done. Right now, we're doing it a little bit early than how we usually go, but that is by intention. So it's all really, really their intention.

It's still 30 episodes.

It's going to be a 30 episode, a season. It's that short.

I mean, maybe 1% of people out there who decide to start a podcast barely make it past episode 10. And here we are saying, like, this season is so short. I mean, it's only 30 episodes, right?

And someone else could be wondering how can they even do this while running their own businesses? Having, you know, I have my own practice. Our kids, school runs, lunch, you know, prep and meal prep and everything that motherhood demands.

And so that is why we want to bring in all this know-how into this other container, which is the mentorship that Des has just shared.

And we really want to do it from that same space, from that same ethos of having fun and being intentional with purpose.

Right. There's so much to be prepared. There's so much that we're going to share in there and really add value.

And I think our new business partners are absolutely going to love it. And it's something that's being birthed. And so that requires a lot of attention.

And but with the podcast too, like exactly like you said, there's so much gold in there. And I feel personally in my sharing of the episodes and also the hope to, you know, touch more lives.

I haven't shared a lot of the episodes to what they deserve to be, you know, like it needs to be put out there.

All the golden nuggets, all the incredible guests that have showcased their journeys and given value, but also given their expertise on certain topics.

And I have gone back to several of our own episodes to learn and to re-listen and to really learn and to take notes, not as a podcast co-host, right, but actually as a listener.

And I'm doing that not only with season five, but like other things we've done.

So I feel there's a lot that we should now take the time, as we're not putting out new episodes for a while, to really take those episodes and shine them into the light because they deserve to be out there, because they're absolutely golden.

Also to, like you said, we're the actresses in this series, right? But like to recharge, I think we also need to recharge. And every time I think we do that, we have that break and take a step back.

There's always new ideas or new inspiration that comes to us and be like, hey, Iva, next time, let's, why don't we try this? Or, you know, I have an idea for an epic guest that we need to have on.

You know, it also takes time to curate this guest list and speak to them and, you know, have them on our, our roster, so to say, to be interviewed. And because they're all high-flying entrepreneurs, they're busy people.

So, you know, things like that also take time. And so we want to plan season six absolutely intentionally so that we can, like we have in other seasons, keep coming back stronger with more inspiration and even more value that we can give.

I mean, we are so proud that with our consistency and with the value we put out, we have actually hit rank eight globally in the Mompreneur podcast out there. And we're so incredibly proud.

And that deserves celebration for us and also for us to really reflect on that and like pick those fruits from the tree, have a picnic under the tree, eat those fruits, and then we can go back with even more energy.

Yeah, and to take a breather is one of the things that as busy moms and mom bosses, we find it that's the last piece of resistance, the last pièce de résistance as they would say in French, which is like, yeah, but let me continue doing it and let me

continue to do this and let me continue to do that. And here we are just walking the talk. Here we are saying, look, nothing is going to happen.

If we take a pause, nothing is going to happen if we regroup and gather creative juices to use in a much more exponential type of way in season six.

Nothing is going to happen with the incredible list of guests that we have on a radar that we want to bring on board. And in fact, on the country, and this is real, real time before we hit record today.

Des, you were just saying, oh my God, I'm so behind keeping up to date in the inbox of our podcast, because we have requests of so many people.

You said like a hundred people that really want to be guests in our podcast that are reaching out, agencies reaching out on behalf of their clients.

I mean, this, you know, if you have an agency reaching out, and it's not just the neighbor next door who, you know, who wants to be featured in, because she has a beautiful gift and message to share with the world.

And here we don't take a look at vanity metrics. We take a look at impact, and we take a look at is your message really something worthwhile for our listeners to share and amplify, right?

So it can be our next door neighbor, but it can be someone that is more established and that already has an agency working for them, or a manager, or a PR publicist, whatever it is you want to call it.

Taylor Swift, if you ever listen to this, you're welcome. You're welcome to share. And so in that vein, we already have people knocking out at our doors saying, when can I come on board?

When can I really share what I have to share? Because the platform that you have has been so dialed in, into your niche, into your listeners, into their world, into what they are experiencing on their journey. And we feel very proud of that.

And so nothing is going to go anywhere. This potential guests are still going to be waitlisted and we're still going to curate them.

And whoever is meant to be on board is going to be on board, so I just want to leave everybody today with this idea that the world is not going to end because you take a breather, because you take a pause to have fun somewhere else.

That's really what we're doing. We're having fun a little bit in a different arena, but it's still the same energy of let's do this because it brings joy and expansion and because we believe in what we're doing, right?

This mentorship, the upcoming mentorship that we're focusing on, is really going to be a great asset for our peonies coming in, and we really want them to have something that is of such great value, a point of reference to go towards every time that

they feel the, wait, how did that go again? What is it that Desiree said? What is it that Iva shared? Let me go back, replay it, listen.

And so, we want to feel proud of everything that we put out there, and that's why we are very conscientious, and we're very intentional in it. And we just want to also take that moment to feel grateful for everything that this podcast has given us.

It really is something to look forward to in terms of season six, and we cannot wait. So, yeah, yeah, it feels exciting. It feels like it's a good time to pause, and we encourage you to do the same.

Look around, look around you. What can you place down? What are those rubber balls?

And go back to our previous seasons where we spoke about glass balls and rubber balls. What are those rubber balls that you can just place on the floor and nothing is going to happen to them?

You can come back to them at a later stage and keep having fun with them.

Yeah. Oh my god.

38:21

Listener Engagement

I'm so proud of us, Iva, and I feel truly happy. This is what I mean every time that we end an episode. I feel so happy and so fulfilled.

And I couldn't think of a better co-host to do this with. I'm just so truly happy and honored and just yeah, lucky to have you in my life.

And so for all the moms out there listening as well, tell us what is the dream guest that you would love to say on this podcast? I know it's Taylor Swift for you, Iva.

Well, I would be the mom of the century for my kids, if that happened.

Well, absolutely. And she has an incredible story to tell. She's amazing.

So, but yeah, tell us what you want to hear, what more you want to hear of, you know, which topics you would like to dive in. And really, a podcast is really a community project, right? While we say it's the two of us really doing everything.

But it's also you, you're listening, you're evolving with us, and you're co-creating with us. And that is why also your feedback means a lot to us, and your rating, and your reviews.

And if you would like to help us soar up the charts even more, and increase the impact and the reach that we're having, please rate and review this podcast. Share your favorite episode with us, or a takeaway, and tag us in it.

And leave those comments for us. Stay connected to us as we're coming back, bigger, bolder, and stronger in season six.

If you want to find out, and want to actually come as a guest, you're not yet in our business, and you want to be in our business, and you want to be on our podcast, go check out mombossesabroad.com for all the next steps, and hear our mission and

what we're trying to create here. And so, see you all in season six in 2026. Keep shining, keep creating, and keep having fun, because that's the whole point.

If you found value, inspiration, or a nugget of wisdom in any part of our conversation, we would be so grateful if you could take a moment to show your support. Leave a rating and review, and share this podcast with another mom.

Remember, your feedback fuels our passion to continue delivering meaningful content that uplifts and empowers mom bosses around the globe. Until next time, keep being the amazing mom that you are!

Important Links:

Momergy Essentials - Home | Mom Bosses Abroad

Iva Perez - The Momergy Movement
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Hey, Mama! 🌟 If you’ve been looking for a way to make an impact in health, create long-term wealth for your family, and design a freedom lifestyle—while being part of an amazing, supportive community—then listen up!

We’ve found a business model that’s not just about making money, but about doing soulful work that’s truly aligned with who you are. No more burnout, no more trading time for money—just a powerful, proven way to create real change for yourself and others.

If this speaks to you, head over to https://www.oilyessentialsfamily.com/mombossesabroad-webinar

 and watch a quick 30-minute video that could completely shift your perspective on what’s possible for your future.

Because, Mama, you deserve freedom, abundance, and purpose—let’s create it together! https://www.oilyessentialsfamily.com/mombossesabroad-webinar