Ladies Kickin' Ass

#140 - Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Fields with Cathy Christen

• Tanya Wilson • Episode 140

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In this powerful episode of Ladies Kickin' Ass, host Tanya Wilson sits down with Cathy Christen, a dynamic entrepreneur, best-selling author, and coach, to discuss how women can thrive in male-dominated industries. Cathy shares her journey of creating GoBundance, a network for women focused on mentorship, business growth, and personal development. Together, Tanya and Cathy explore the power of community, embracing feminine energy in leadership, and the mindset shift required to transition from an operator to an owner.

Cathy emphasizes the importance of mentorship, training future leaders, and establishing boundaries in professional spaces. She also shares insights on how celebrating wins, supporting other women, and embracing an abundance mindset can lead to extraordinary success. If you're a female entrepreneur looking to level up in business and life, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Key Takeaways:

✅ Community is everything: Women need strong networks to thrive in business.
✅ Mentorship matters: Having guidance from successful women accelerates growth.
✅ Create safe spaces: Women excel when they feel supported and valued.
✅ Mindset shifts are crucial: Moving from operator to owner requires new systems and delegation.
✅ Feminine energy is a strength: Women’s leadership styles bring unique power to business.
✅ Boundaries breed success: Setting clear professional boundaries is key.
✅ Women supporting women leads to collective success: Collaboration over competition!

Connect with Cathy Christen:

🌐 Website
📲 Instagram
📘 Book

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Tanya Wilson:

Hey, hey, badasses, welcome back to another episode of Ladies Kickin' Ass. Today we are going to have a real good one for you. I can tell from previous conversation before we hit record this is going to be a good one because we just have already made lots of good connections and things that we have in common, and so I know she's going to resonate a lot with you. So today, Cathy Christen is our guest, and she has an incredibly extensive background from coaching, being a badass in male-dominated areas, sales, she's an author, she's a mom of three under five, so, hallelujah, she's running for businesses too. So none of us have any damn excuses after having this conversation today excuses after having this conversation today.

Tanya Wilson:

So, Cathy, thank you so much for being here with us on the podcast. I know you've accomplished so much. We just listed those off, but obviously there's some dots connected there. When did you decide to kind of step into the role of being able to coach women, and you were really interested in being able to help them and create the community that you have with GoBundance. Was it that really fired you off with that, to step into that role in addition to what you do professionally? Oh, I love that question, tanya.

Cathy Christen:

So for me it really didn't hit until I was getting close to my mid-30s, you know where. I think that in my 20s I liked being like the only woman in a male job, like kicking all the guys' butts. You know like there was this like yeah, excitement about that and I enjoyed it. And I think that as I started getting close, like to my 30s, and then in my early 30s I'm looking around I was like man. I don't have other women like me to talk to. A lot of my friends had kids young, or they were stay at home moms or just had a very different lifestyle.

Cathy Christen:

And I was, you know, running my company, which I've had now for 23 years. I was traveling the world. I was doing all these things. I wanted to do more, wanted to impact, and I remember, you know, having some of my best friends say like no one's going to want to marry you, like no one's going to want to. You know, like all these things, and I'm like whoa, that's harsh. I'm like whoa, that's harsh because I'm not the stereotypical like stay at home, you know, mom, and and the fact is, that's never going to be me. I mean, even right now I've got three kids and I do have it set up where I could spend some great time with them, but I'm a builder, I'm a shaker and a mover and, like I love being able to impact them, you know, and grow them as well, but I'm not wired to just stay home and not do anything, you know. So my husband's last, he's like, as you've stayed home on semi retirement with the kids, I think you've launched, help people launch three new companies and you've launched to like oh yeah, I know he's like I thought you were slowing down, you know, but I just I craved being around other I one I didn't know that things. I'm like where are women like me? Like there's no way I'm the only person like this, but I felt like that.

Cathy Christen:

I felt very isolated in my community and and I, you know, was just like kind of looking out there and I remember talking to a buddy of mine and he's like, well, you can't find a build it which sounds like similar to what you did, and I was like, all right, and so I was going to actually start my own group. That uh, I I'm not good with names and I had called it a holistic go-getter, but I was like I want people that are like freaking badass making shit happen, but they also care about like slowing down and connecting and being grounded and taking care of their health, you know, because there's too many type a go, go, go and they build, build, build, but they damage relationships, which I did in my early years. Their health is suffering, you know, and they've just become lonely workaholics in a lot of cases and they might say, well, my family's the most important thing. I do it for them and that was me in my early years. But my calendar did not reflect that and you know, and I unfortunately lost my cousin who was my best friend in the whole world, at 23. And that was kind of a wake up of like OK, what are you doing? And making sure I was more intentional with what I was doing.

Cathy Christen:

And then I think, when I lost my sister in my early 30s, she passed when I yeah, I was 30.

Cathy Christen:

Actually when she, when she passed right before I was 31. And I just remember that being like whoa, like we are not promised tomorrow, and and it really made me look inward to go like, do I love the life I'm living If I passed away today, do I? You know, like what would people say? And just really take time for self-awareness, knowing that, moving forward, like anything I was doing, I just wanted to be really intentional, that it was in alignment with who I wanted to be, how I wanted to be remembered. You know what I wanted to leave behind, and so a lot of things shifted. You know know, I went through the year after my sister passed away. I went through Tony Robbins entire program again, which I had been through in the past, and so I went through all the mastery program. I went to date with destiny, and that date with destiny, in December of 2014 you could actually watch it and I'm not your guru. You'll see me crying within five minutes. They like zoom in to be crying my eyes out nice.

Cathy Christen:

I've watched that several times, but that is an incredibly powerful event yes, um, but you know that that event really shifted a lot for me and wanting, you know, really, really wanting to live life, like I think that I was just building, building, building, and I wasn't taking time to like live as much in the process and I did when I travel, but when I was home, like there was just no structure that could even support a family, you know. And so things, little by little, just started shifting for me in my late twenties and then, you know, in my mid thirties, I was craving to be around women. I had younger women in our industry coming to me for mentorship and asking me who are your female mentors? I remember when one asked me that I was, I just froze Tanya. I was like, oh my gosh, I don't even know that I I don't have one.

Cathy Christen:

Like I've never really been around women and and they said, like, well, it's just different being a woman and being a man with this, that you know. They I'm like, oh for sure. But I just kind of had to figure it out on my own because the guys didn't get it, you know, or their wives were home with the kids or whatever it might be. And so that right there like made a big shift, like, oh my gosh, you know, like what, what could things have looked like if I had this? And I sought out female mentors in my mid 30s because I wanted to have a family and I wanted to and I'm like, what does that look like to? To be able to have my businesses continue the life that I, that I built, that I love, I love my life and also add a family to that. Like what does that look like?

Cathy Christen:

And so I went out and sought out people who had that, who had beautiful families, thriving businesses. You know were very busy, whether they were running marathons, doing non-profits, like just like very active members of our community. And I saw, okay, it exists, it's out there, you know, and I was really blessed through male friends of mine and colleagues of mine, that they knew the founders of GoBundance Men, which has actually been around unofficially for about 20 years, and they had said, hey, you guys need to meet Kat and they had told me about the group and I was ready to sign up and they were like, oh no, it's men only.

Cathy Christen:

I was like what? But they were looking to launch a women's division and had asked if you know if I would meet for a founders meeting to see if what it would look like and if I'd be interested. And that's been one of the coolest blessings you know, to be able to get involved serving women. But really the stimulation I've received and the support I've received, oh my gosh, like absolutely has blown away what I would have ever even thought could happen.

Tanya Wilson:

Yeah, isn't it amazing when you get into groups like this? You get in there and you're like I'm going to help people and this is like I'm coming from, like a service heart, you know. But you get so much out of that, like being able to see people that I talk with and mentor, like build these businesses and then start believing in themselves and they make those big first things that they need to do. You know, a lot of them are just starting in the home, service or trades industries, or they're trying to grow their business and you just see what they're able to do. It's just like that's the best feeling of being like, hey, I had some encouragement in helping them be able to get to this point. It's like all those struggles that you went through is somebody's survival guide somewhere along the line and it's so cool to be able to give that back to people.

Cathy Christen:

Yes, oh, I love that. I love how you said that somebody else's survival guide. That's awesome.

Tanya Wilson:

I really think that just the vulnerability that you get in a group of women that are these type A a cheaper go-go's, you know, want to accomplish and conquer the world stuff is a completely different energy and vibe than you get from some other groups that you are in. You know, and it's one of those things that I always encourage people if you're in a group of women and you don't feel supported or feel like they're, they're like your number one cheerleader sharing the wrong group.

Tanya Wilson:

Yeah, and I'm sure like at your level with stuff too, like is it difficult for you to be able to find these groups of people? Or if you're looking for that, how do you find them?

Cathy Christen:

Yeah it, it was a little bit more difficult, you know, and I think that that's where we are excited to build GoBundance. Gobundance, you do have to be an accredited investor to be in that group and you know we have women worth, you know, millions to tens of millions, and but what I love is that they're all conscious leaders and they're always like how can I grow, how can I learn more, how can I give you know? And? And just being surrounded by people that think like that, you know, like for me, I always I was brought up with like money's the root of all evil, all those things, and so I thought people that had money were like bad people, you know, and so, honestly, in Goldbundance I've been like just blown away.

Cathy Christen:

I'm like, wow, like the hearts of these people and what they want, to that feminine, you know, that feminine flow, because so many of us have built everything in our masculine, you know, and we're like we really want to be able to support each other, to slow down, you know, to be conscious of that, knowing that, like when you sharpen the ax, and we all know it, we're all into professional growth and development, but yet you still go, go, go and you want to help everybody and you have. You know, if you're moms and you have kids, like that's a full-time job in and of itself. You know, and like taking care of all the things and so being able to say, you know what, no, I need to slow down and pour into me so that I can serve from an overflow right, not from an empty cup, and so that's something that I think that these women and myself really understood. It's like man, if we're not taking time to just pour in, to network with others that really like stimulate us, that fill us up, that give us ideas, that give us support, because sometimes it's ideas, sometimes it's support, sometimes it's encouragement, sometimes it's, you know, sharing those stories, like you said, like the survival guides, like okay, you've been there, like, hey, I lost everything, or I lost this, or we have this deal go sour, and like here's how we got through it, and being able to share these stories with each other, that it does shorten your learning curve, it does give you, you know, stories of hope and resilience and knowing like, all right, cool, like I can get through this, right, like it's not the end of the world to lose.

Cathy Christen:

It sucks. You know, like to lose half a million dollars or a million bucks, but like and also so many of the greatest people have done that, but what's made them great is that that didn't define them and that didn't stop them. They learned from it and they grew stronger and they were better equipped, you know, and they were able to help others along the way, and I think that's really beautiful within our community. And you know, as we look at you know, even right now this year, we're like all right, we need to launch two more divisions because there are ultra high net worth women out there. You know who are in the. You know eight to nine figure. You know network personally. And then we also have women who might be at six figures, who are hungry, who are resilient, who want that mentorship, you know, who have not achieved accredited investor status yet, and so those are two.

Cathy Christen:

You know two groups that we're going to be launching in the second quarter for GoBundance that we're super excited about, and so that inner circle up top and because they're talking about different things, like they don't need to work, they don't need to do, and they're like how do we impact, how do we change the world? Like, how do we have social impact and the conversations they're having are so beautiful and I like love getting this the end. I'm like I how soon can I be at that table right when we're talking? You know, hey, let's donate half a million of this. Hey, let's donate this here? Like that excites the hell out of me. And so I love having those different you know groups for, and also the younger ones who are like I want to get to a million dollar plus net worth. I want to be around women thinking like this and having the guidance of.

Cathy Christen:

What does it take right Communication mindset wise.

Cathy Christen:

What does it take with habits of wealth building, right Of savings, not just saving, but like making your money work for you. What does that look like? And I think that a lot of women for many years didn't have these conversations. I mean, shoot, women didn't have bank accounts until the 70s, right, and so like these weren't conversations where guys are always talking about this and this investment and wealth building, and like that just hasn't been a space, that where it's been curated for women to have these like high level conversations, not like in our society.

Cathy Christen:

And now there are a lot of small groups that have popped up, you know doing this, but I think that our community is pretty exceptional at supporting each other, providing knowledge, you know, wisdom, really educating people. But also like giving guidance and watch out. No, here are the red flags, here's what to look for you, you know, here's what yes and no right like what to do, what not to do, like what's good, what red flags you want to watch out for, and being able to have people who've been there or done that be able to share their experiences with you. It's just amazing. It's like we all get to win together, and men have been doing this forever, yes, and women have not, and it's so, and we're excited to see that continue rising in our world.

Tanya Wilson:

Oh my gosh, there's so much goodness in that. I'm like I should have been taking notes here Like it. I, I truly I resonate with you a ton too, because I grew up like that too and it was an extra layer of oh, they must have fucked somebody over because they've got money. You know, there was no pure way or a good intention way of making money. They screwed somebody over in order to get it, you know. And so, regardless of whether they're saying money is good, money is bad, you start, as a young child, start drawing that conclusion of, like my parents are always fighting over money, like I'm not going to do this, and some of us develop at the point like I know I have done this where it's hard for me to be in a marriage and be in a partnership, because I'm like I will never, ever have to deal with like what my mom did and being like under somebody's thumb for a monetary situation.

Tanya Wilson:

You know, we're not going to be stuck because of money. So for me I think it's, and for a lot of women it's very interesting to define, like. Like what does having abundance mean for you? Because if you just want it, is it like? What's the inspiration behind it? For me it's freedom. Like you have freedom of choice, you have freedom of time. You can buy your time back because you've got some abundance to be able to do that. You know. Like that means the world to me, especially as a mother. Like no one's going to tell me what to do with my time or that I can't be here for my kids.

Cathy Christen:

So I think so huge so huge In my early career. Like I realized that so many leaders, including myself, like we're achieving success at the expense of their well-being and personal fulfillment right. Like I saw women in particular struggling to balance their ambitions with the demands of work and life and feeling like you had to choose one over the other. And I mean, I was told a million times you cannot have it all and I'm like I don't like that.

Tanya Wilson:

I want to have it all right.

Cathy Christen:

And I wanted to show that it doesn't have to be that way, like success can be aligned with your values and designed intentionally. And so my goal, you know, for years I've worked with youth. I love working with youth because for me, I'm like if I want to change the world, if we change our youth, we change the world. There are future leaders, the future parents, the future impactors, you know, and I love working with women, but helping you know these incredible leaders create systems that allow them to reclaim their time, step into their power and thrive in every aspect of their life, you know, and so like empowering others to truly live a life they love while achieving personal success. That's what drives me every day.

Tanya Wilson:

Yeah, and I think that's something that people in this industry struggle with big time we were talking about before we hit record. There's so many people specifically in the service industry. They get into it. They are the service advice for this audience in getting them to realize how important one systems are in order to get them out of that. And two, what's the mindset shift that you have to have in order to really go from operator to owner, because it is different.

Cathy Christen:

It is. It is so different. You know, I think that for me, everything starts with like life vision, like, what do you like in its perfect state? Everything's running beautifully. You know, you wave a magic wand and you're like, wow, I'm living the life of my dreams. What does your business look like? You know, how large is it? Or small?

Cathy Christen:

Some people prefer the small, boutique, local place that everybody knows their name and they love that and it's just perfect. And some people they're like I want to be known all over the world and I want to do this and we're going to be online and so great. There's no right or wrong. It's just knowing, like, what excites you like and what does that look like? Right, but what does your life look like? Like, how much time do you spend with your kids and grandkids? Like, how much time do you spend at your church or nonprofits? How much time do you spend on your health? Are you like training for marathons or triathlons, or are you just coaching your grandkids soccer team, or you know, what does that? What does it look like? And so, when you have this time freedom because I think that we all like that's the American dream, like you know you're like, oh, to have my time freedom.

Tanya Wilson:

But people go out to run their own business, and they create like three full time jobs for themselves or more business, or more have a couple of kids. Throw that in there too, you know their system's lacking.

Cathy Christen:

And and so I think that knowing like, ok, what do I want my life to look like? Right, and for anyone that's like service oriented and you know, I think about in the trades, like a lot of times, like there's a specialization you know that you have, or somebody has, and I've heard that as an excuse Well, like, well, I'm the you know, the master plumber, or I'm the this and I'm a great. I'm like, what do you want life to look like in five years? Like, do you still want to be the master plumber or do you want to own the company and be a mentor to master plumbers? Do we want to do this? And then, so how do we start training? Like, why don't you be known as, like, the best developer of master plumbers? You've been one, you've been there, and now you're coaching others to do that, mentoring, you know, bringing in people to your company and taking them under your wing. And when you're working, you're working to teach someone so that they are your apprentice, so that you can multiply yourself and multiply your efforts.

Cathy Christen:

And a lot of times they don't think they're just like, just do my work, do my work. And it's like, for me, I got to a point. You know I was doing that from 02 to probably 07. I was just doing my thing. I'm just going to do it. I'm just going to do it. Oh yeah, I got it, because it felt like it took more time to develop someone to do it as good as me, and so it was faster to just do it myself. Right, and yes, that is true in the short run, but that will never help you build the life that you want with ultimate freedom.

Cathy Christen:

That will not allow you to scale how you want, that will not allow you to step away and have the business grow when you're not there, because it's centered around you, and so that has to shift. And really look at okay, like if I, it will take a little bit more now, but that means literally within six months I can go, take a week or two off my family and the business will still thrive. Like, can you just put that in your head that this is what's going to open doors? It's like I'm going to spend time and so for me, it's I do, we do you do so when I'm, when I'm developing someone and multiplying myself and and this is something that I've coached a lot of people in different like AC company this I'm like there are people. There are trades people that are studying right now. They are studying at the universities or at specific trade schools as an airplane mechanic or as this or as that, or as a carpenter or whatever it might be. Whatever they're doing AC repair, you know carpentry, great, like there are people. So where do people get certifications for your industry? Where Look it all up? What are all the different places you know. Can you be there saying, hey, we have internships available within my company? Y'all that is an easy way to get some cheap labor. I hear all the time I don't have the money, we're still building. Great, get interns. Get student interns that need the hours to graduate anyway and need the mentorship and get them in there with you and have them watch you and how you do things right.

Cathy Christen:

If you haven't already create SOPs for all these processes and you can even have that intern help do that that could be their first task. We're going to help you create standard operating procedures. If you don't know what an SOP is, that's okay. If you're a newer entrepreneur, but these are your standard operating procedures and you're like, when this happens, here's what we do first, then we do this, then we do this. And if you're not good at you know I've had people say, oh, like I'm not going to document it. Great, have them record you. Or have them write down step by step as you teach. Hey, first we do this, then we do this. Have them writing it down so then they can put it in. Recording is great. Record you talking, because then you can just take the transcription, put it in chat, gpt and get something there now too, right. But they're watching you and you're teaching them all about the business and, at the same time, getting SOPs made and descriptions of everything. If you don't have that already, that's step one.

Cathy Christen:

If you don't have standard operating procedures for your company, there's no way for you to leave and expect things to be done just the way you like them. So you need to make sure you document just the way you like them so that then you can leave and you're like oh, they crushed you. Of course they did, because you told them exactly what to do. And if you're hiring people that are excited about making an, you know like moving up, advancing in the company, you know, making you proud, whatever it is like they want to do a good job. They just need to know how. So I do it. They're just watching me. And then it's the next time, and maybe it's the next week or maybe it's whenever you're in. Next it's we do, and we're doing it like I'm doing something and I'll let them do a little bit of it and I'm like all right, you know, and like letting them try stuff. But we're kind of doing stuff together where I'm guiding them through the steps or I'm going through, and then later it's they do. They do it on their own, and then I watch them and give them feedback on how they did Right.

Cathy Christen:

But that process does take. I always say I'm like people like how long do you think it takes to train? Like like what? And I'm like or a quarter, and they're like it's not a two day training and they're great. They're not great, they just got the information. You've got to learn the information. Then you have to get confident in executing what you learned. And then there's the mastery, which comes through repetition and proper feedback. And people don't take the time to do that. And if you do, you'll see how incredible the people you are, that you train, because you actually took the time to train them the right way and they have confidence in executing what you told them the way you told them to do it. And when you have that, I'm like get out of here, I got this, I don't need you here, you know. And that helps create open space in your schedule.

Tanya Wilson:

Yeah, and you have to be okay with somebody coming in and being able to do that, being able for them to do it better maybe than you, even do it.

Tanya Wilson:

I think, oh, it's so crazy to even say that out loud to me, because I'm like please take it, go. But a lot of people, especially in these in in these trades industries, they're like I can't teach them all my secrets, because and I'm like fantastic, if you don't want to do that, but then understand that you're going to have some people working on like semi what they could be if you actually taught them stuff, teach them all the stuff you know, and treat them really well so they don't go anywhere else. But you can't prevent that. What if you don't train them and they stay? That's a bigger, freaking problem than you had at the beginning in the first place. Now it's just dead, yeah, and you can put non-competes together and all that.

Cathy Christen:

But one of the things is that my mentors told me is that take pride in training the best people you know and I love that you just said that, because he's like it's better that they grow and move on than they quit and stay. You know you don't want someone checked out, that's with you, and so if you've developed them up to a point where they're like, hey, you know what, tanya, I'm ready to start my own. Or now I want to have one of your franchises and we've trained them like you should take pride in developing more leaders, the best leaders, take pride in developing new leaders, and if you do that, people keep wanting to work with you, because people hear it through word of mouth and like when someone leaves you, if you train them the right way and you have a good relationship and a good mentorship what they leave.

Cathy Christen:

They don't want to leave you high and dry and they always want to help make sure that their successor is up to par and that they didn't leave you hanging. You know, like if you have a good relationship and you're truly helping them, you know move forward and launch their company or whatever, Like it's a really beautiful thing when we think in that way and what can really happen when we have that abundance lens on.

Tanya Wilson:

You know, yeah, and that's what it is. It's a difference between having an abundance lens or a scarcity lens. Because you want to be able to do that, I want more people in my industry say my septic industry to be better operators, people that have better work cultures, people that treat their people and their customers better, because that just makes the industry look better as a whole and it's really the way that you just look at that makes such a huge difference. I want to ask you, because you've been in sales most of your professional career coming right out, learning that in college, coming right out, being able to do that. Now you're a trainer in this stuff.

Tanya Wilson:

A lot of times in conversations that we have here in the community, women will talk about how they're the only woman at the table or they're the only woman in the business and they have a hard time showing up authentically. I'm showing up authentically or being that respected boss lady, if you will, not that that's in a bad connotation, but that respected woman in that trades industry. Maybe she's not out doing all the work, but she's the one that owns the company or she's the one that's running that. What is your advice for these women, for showing up authentically and being able to stay, not be in their masculine all the time, but be able to bring that feminine energy in and create really amazing work cultures for a lot of guys to be working in okay, cool, so you're talking specifically to the female owner.

Cathy Christen:

Yes, uh-huh, men are always oh, I did that, you know, they're like blotting, where a lot of women like just kind of downplay things oh, not a big deal, or this, or their skill sets Like no, like find ways to bring value to the organization, you know, do things and like be vocal, you know, because there are so much more room for advancement and I think that a lot of women don't keep, don't grow at the levels, don't get the financial backing that they might need or want, because they don't ask for it, you know, or they haven't taken time for certain things.

Cathy Christen:

As an owner, as a female owner, where you have lots of men working for you, I think it's really important, you know, one, your level of professionalism, because, like that carries so much weight and it does allow you to be more vulnerable and be real and like just that, that, more nurture, you know. But that level of professionalism is just so important and that comes from attire around the men. It's really important. It's things that I talk to my women about all the time. I said, you know, unfortunately, like if you look like you're going to a nightclub or you look a certain way, like they're not going to have the same level of respect. They're not going to look at you through the same eyes, you know, and so I think that, as old school as it is, it does make a difference, because our male counterparts eyes get very wobbly.

Cathy Christen:

So how we dress, how we carry ourselves, you know, is really important, you know, being able to be there for people. I think that the feminine side comes out through the loving on people, how they like to be loved, right, and what I mean by that is really knowing, like love languages, like, is this person a words of affirmation person? Is this person acts of service? Is this person a gift where I just like, left them their favorite chocolate and said, hey, great job yesterday, or like you crushed it on this job, or great job with your leadership, or, you know, knowing these things, that's where I feel like the feminine can really shine, because the feminine isn't a caretaker, is the nurturer, and so knowing how your people feel appreciated, I think is huge Right, and being able to really share vision, that is is has a bigger perspective. I think women have an ability to see a bigger picture, and not only the bottom line but also how it affects the city, the world, you know, the environment, like they just have a larger view on things. I think that's one of our superpowers and so you know really tapping into that. But I think it starts with this because, honestly, tanya, I used to think the feminine was like the weaker energy of the two and and the feminine is even more powerful when stepped into properly. But a lot of women, for so many years we've been like put as the weaker, as the serve you know, the man is the head, like all these things and and I feel like women haven't stepped in, haven't had a space where they've been encouraged to step into their full power, and so a lot of times women have kind of downplayed or you don't want to be too much, or you don't want to be here, or you want to be nice to people, or you know whatever it is, and and so that they are just more quiet. So I think that one is really step into like your full, like what is you? And if it's eclectic and you like to dress all funky in different colors, like awesome, like do it right, like be careful again about depending like the people that you're around, but you can do all the things you know like be yourself. So like be your true, authentic self.

Cathy Christen:

So figure out what that voice is and really think about like when you're sharing vision. Here's where we're going, here's what we want to do, here's what it's going to look like one year, three year, like and you're a visionary people want to follow. And if you show paths for your people, for opportunities for advancement, to grow into these roles, it's like, hey, eventually want to have a director of this, a director someone who's doing new acquisitions for new clients, you know, for someone who's leading this department as we see growth, here's where we see things going and you're able to share those. You know that shows that professional person, that vision, and they're like, wow. You know like somebody wants to follow you, not just because your title, not just because of what you've done, not just because of what you've done for others, which is great, but also who you are, how you live your life, how you give back.

Cathy Christen:

And so I think that's where the vulnerability of like, hey, social impact being able to give I think a lot of women really carry that forth in a big way. And so how can you have your group, your community, your workers? You know like that will help you with like your crime scene cleanup, like my friend Laura. Or have something else for you. Do like a community, give back day, and everybody makes like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, like my buddy Michael Bromwoods, and then they go distribute it to the homeless, or you know, doing things like that. I think that it just it ties in again the feminine. It creates larger vision. People feel like they're a part of something bigger than themselves and I think that women have a superpower to do this, you know, and then being able to make sure they feel appreciated, that they're learning, but also being able to put down, you know that when needed and say, hey, this is not OK.

Cathy Christen:

And if someone crosses the line or people are late, people are not submitting reports they're supposed to, people are making snarky comments or maybe you know, not being professional like that has to be snipped in the butt immediately, like women that I work with in coach are like, oh, this person, they'll kind of like make remarks or like a little bit crossing the border where it could even be sexual harassment, you know but like make comments like oh, you look really good in that skirt today or in that dress today. We're like that's not appropriate. Oh, they were just complimenting. No, like a compliment. Is what a beautiful dress. That's a compliment. Well, a compliment's not. Oh, you look really good. Like that's, that's, that's not okay and like that's different if it's your husband or you know it's yours, like someone that you're close to, but like I I see too many women let things slide because it seems like, oh, that was harmless, they were just complimented.

Cathy Christen:

Like no oh, for sure like because people keep pushing it and they'll keep pushing it to see how far they can go, and so, like, when you cut that shit off right away, then they know okay, there's no effing around with boss lady, you know. And then you bring the heart, you bring the vision, you bring the support, you bring the appreciation. But there's also that don't eff with me and do not cross that line. And they see that and feel that it's a different energy, you know. And so I had once I was training a group of salespeople guys and one of them made a remark like oh miss, if we hit this level, do we get to go with you here?

Cathy Christen:

Or you know, they made a comment and I looked at them and I said I'm sorry, what did you just say? And he just kind of froze and everyone turned and looked. I'm like, do you want to repeat what you just said? I'm like I think I didn't hear properly. So I just I want to ask for clarity Like, what did you just say? You know nothing, nothing. I'm like, are you sure? I'm like because I thought I heard something completely inappropriate, but I just want to make sure I wasn't hearing wrong.

Cathy Christen:

And he was like oh no, no, you know he said guess what, no one else tried any stupid crap with me after that, right, and so it's really important that if someone's being, you know, in this way or snarky, or, you know, trying to see what they can push, you need to shut that ish down. Ladies, like, do not allow even a freaking millimeter of bullshit, because they'll keep pushing that over, and that's sometimes something I see lacking in women, because they don't want to lose the work, lose it. No, no, no, like I'm OK with losing somebody and having to be a culture fit, because a culture in your organization is something that's also going to allow for long term retainment of people. Right, like the retention aspect People want to be here, they love being here, they're going to stick around longer, even in high turnover.

Cathy Christen:

I have one of the highest turnover industries and I have one of the highest retention rates because people knew that I cared about them, that we were trying to figure out how my business and it could be cleaning toilets, putting in septic tanks, doing whatever, like how is my business going to help them get closer to the life of their dreams?

Cathy Christen:

Right, and that's something that in my book, I talk about with life as a masterpiece, like, regardless of what kind of industry you have, if you can utilize your business as a vehicle for people, you know, to get closer to the life of their dreams.

Cathy Christen:

But first you need to know what it is they care about, what are they excited about and that's a whole other topic we talked about another day uh, but it makes a really big impact because it's not that your trade job is like there. For some it is, but for others it's not their end ultimate dream job, but it's a means to an end for some. Why don't we make it a really fun vehicle in the journey, right and it and it's like oh, how can we save for this and help you buy your first house or help you send your kid to college or do all these things? And you know, being able to help your people with that. And that's something that, again, I think that women can do at an even higher level, because there's there's a more, there's an easier connection to heart, you know, and wanting to help and support, and I think that women tap into that more naturally, even though we all have it. It is very big in the feminine energy. But anyway, sorry, I could go on and on with all this.

Tanya Wilson:

No, it's wonderful. No, it's so good, because a lot of women do that. They make excuses for stuff and I think I hear often in in my community like they mistake my kindness for weakness and I'm like, because you're allowing them to, you're not saying anything, you're not holding them accountable, and that's where that is coming from.

Tanya Wilson:

So it's almost like one of those like, oh, you know, I, I know I'm in charge, but I don't want to be in charge of this and I get that sometimes you're in that spot where you're like shit, I don't want to lose this guy, so I'm gonna. Sometimes you're in that spot where you're like shit, I don't want to lose this guy, so I'm going to make an exception. But that exception is the role model for the next one. I was just listening to a podcast before we jumped on here and they were talking about being like sure, you want to be a role model for the people in your business. You want to be a role model for the people in your family, but what you need to be is a real model of what your standards are, a real model of what you hope or have expectations for them to be.

Tanya Wilson:

You know, if you're sitting here saying I need you to do this and I want you to be this kind of person, but you aren't doing that yourself and you're not showing them what that looks like, how is that expectation coming out? It's like you're playing a role, you're not really being real and I was like, oh, that's a great conversation to have, because if you really show up and show people what it looks like, they now have an idea of what it is. You know, it's like women in these groups talk about making a million dollars, talk about these big wins that you have anything financially. So many women are like so I need a million dollars to share these big wins that you have anything financially. So many women are like so I need a million dollars to share. You're like what the fuck like?

Tanya Wilson:

you should be shouting that off the rooftop somewhere to people, so women don't want to know they're like, but people are gonna look at me like who does she think she is? I'm like you're a fucking badass and people need to see that and they need to talk about it more often. So that that's a great conversation, just really stepping into the power that you have. I think a lot of times we feel like the weaker, the weaker part of this, and you're definitely not going into 2025.

Cathy Christen:

I had this vision and it just said power awakening in the feminine and I'm like so stoked to see and like be able to help move forward more and more women just really stepping into their full power and understanding how freaking powerful they actually are. You know, because again we've been made to be the weaker of the two sexes, energies however you want to look at it, whether male or female, it's the more it's the weaker and and it's so strong and we literally create life. Um, uh, you know, and if you chose not to have kids, that's cool. But what our bodies are able to do, and like the, the impact we have when you look at the ancient generations and like you look at the old indian tribes, like the women were the cornerstone of everything you know, because they understood the value and the support and like the life-giving and the caretaking and all these things. And it's time to get back to that and I really see it coming more and more where women are understanding like we cannot sit back on the lines anymore watching everyone else, like we've got to get up and get out there.

Cathy Christen:

Use your strengths, use your talents. If you're like I'm not so sure, find the coaches, find the mentors, work with Tanya, find the groups, whatever it is to have the support that you need to go out there and make things happen. You know, yeah, sometimes we just need to borrow someone else's belief in us until we have it on our own. And we've seen, you know, the success, and that's okay. You know, do what you need to do, but do not sit on the sidelines. Yeah, you got to take those bold moves, that's OK.

Tanya Wilson:

You know, do what you need to do, but do not sit on the sidelines. Yeah, you got to take those bold moves. That's our big thing this year. Like, what's your big bold move you're going to make this year? Something that makes you feel like fucking sick to your stomach that you're going to do this, like you're scared to death. You have no idea how the hell you're going to do it. That's, that's your bold move for the year. And if we'd make more of those we'd be not repeating the same year.

Tanya Wilson:

Over and over every year, it would look a lot differently. So we're gonna keep preaching that one this year. Make a big, bold move, the one that makes you want to throw up a little bit. Those are good things. Move your ass. That's the brass tacks of all of that one. So, Cathy, tell us, if people want to connect with you which you'd be crazy not to so definitely jump on our socials and wherever she's going to send you here, where can they connect with you?

Cathy Christen:

Yeah, Cathy. My website has all the links to my socials. That's probably the easiest way. So, Cathy, it's C-A-T-H-Y, and then Christen is like the name Chris, c-h-r-i-s and the number 10, t-e-n. So Cathy, and that has links to GoBundance and to our book. We've got some really exciting things coming up this year and some courses to really up-level female investors, entrepreneurs and just overall leadership, and some fun trips and things that we'll be doing as well. So love to connect and love to see how we can be more of support to your community. Tanya.

Tanya Wilson:

Yeah, that would be beautiful. I went to the GoBundance, I signed up for the newsletter because I saw the trip situation there and I was like, damn, I need to be a part of this, because, also, women, if you find yourself like you don't go on trips with women, you don't go out and have these women groups that you can spend time with and do life with, you don't just always have to be doing business, but that you can do life with.

Tanya Wilson:

If there's a magical shift that happens in your life. It is absolutely beautiful and it's really cool when you go on trips with like badass women who love building and have businesses and do partying.

Cathy Christen:

Like we were in Costa Rica and I think there was like two businesses that started and where were we? Just I'm like trying to think, where were we? Just I'm like trying to think, where were we just this fall? Oh, in Austin, and two of our like super elite inner circle women decided to go into business with each other and they're starting to do like home health, uh, um, or, excuse me, homes for the elderly and uh, and they're just going through and I'm like how cool. We're like sitting by the pool drinking daiquiris and it's like what are you working on? What are you doing with this? Oh, oh, my gosh, you gotta. And so you know the partnerships and things, like they're always like networking, and so it's really neat too, because we get to go have fun and do things. But also like when we leave these events, like there's such like one of our girls was sitting at lunch with someone and they're chatting about stuff.

Cathy Christen:

And she's like did you know if you did this, this? And like I just love how the women are an open book. They're like here's what helped me here, you know, here's my accountant, or here's my this, or whatever. It is like to see each other win, to see each other grow, and it's not like I'm not going to share this because I'm going to win and they're not. No, we can all win, and when we support each other, it's a multiplier effect and it's really incredible what happens.

Tanya Wilson:

Preach. That's beautiful, because I feel the exact same way. Well before we wrap up, I always ask a beautiful question at the end. It is something that is very inspiring to the things that we do inside of the community, because when people hear this phrase, they tend to resonate with it differently, and what we want to do is make sure that we're showing up for everybody in every community, at every stage in their life. So when you hear the phrase ladies kicking ass, what does that mean to you in your life.

Cathy Christen:

That means that women are actually stepping into their power and really seeing what's possible. It's that really tapping into the potential versus sitting back on the sidelines. So they're out there, they're making shit happen and really utilizing the gifts and tools that they've been given. You know like that's for me when I hear of ladies kicking ass, I'm like hell yeah, like they're actually stepping into what they were made to do or the gifts and talents they have.

Tanya Wilson:

Beautiful. Yes, well, go forward with that today, ladies. That's about all you can say there. It's been such a beautiful conversation with you today, Cathy. It's been such an honor to get to know you and get to have this conversation and to introduce you to the Ladies Kickin' Ass community. So thank you so much for your time. Again, everybody, make sure that you check out everything on her socials, get onto her website, check out, sign up for the newsletter so you can go on really cool trips with everybody and until next time, ladies, keep kickin' ass.

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