My DIY Home Studio Setup

Some of you may remember I started podcasting last August, interviewing other entrepreneurs who also happen to be parents from my home studio, in between looking after our kids on weekdays during the start of the pandemic.

I blocked off my lunch hours, started pitching to people, booking in guests and editing during the evenings and weekends.

I planned it around full-time child rearing on weekdays and the freelance client work I was doing (around 10-20 hours per week), until we could get childcare in 2021.

The idea was to replace my face-to-face business events for parents, by interviewing guest experts and sharing their stories and insights in a safe and accessible format.

I refreshed my Audacity broadcast editing skills (hadn’t touched it in over five years), bought a mic for under $100 CAD, did some Googling, had a lot of tech fails but resolved to keep going even if I felt awkward at times.

The major goal: To keep it low budget, DIY the whole thing end-to-end and NOT burnout in the process.

Since then, I’ve spoken about and shared my setup with other audiences and networks, including Digital Main Street, Global InvestHer, WE-CAN Project at Queen’s University and a couple of private business groups I’m in.

It was selected as a Finalist for one of Canada Top 100 Recovery Projects in 2020, I was asked to join the Startup Canada Communities national network and secured some sponsorship for Season 3.

I’ve also been selected by a local college in Ottawa as a client for the students to work on over the Fall – they’re going to help me come up with marketing strategy and promotion ideas…how cool is that?

All because I decided to start, even though I technically didn’t feel I had a lot of time to spare.

I’m sharing this with you, in case there’s a seed of a creative project or idea that’s been nudging you, waiting to burst forth.

Who knows what could happen if you gave it a bit of TLC, time and attention…

Spill it! Are there any creative projects you’ve been meaning to try this year or plan on making time for in 2022?

– Amy (+ Family) xx
Founder of Mixing Babies And Business™

Launch Your Podcast:  
Express Program

Looking for more info, support, templates and scripts to help you get started?

I’ve decided to host an online course with 1:1 creative strategy session going into more detail.

It will give you everything you need to research, plan, record, edit (if you decide to DIY), launch and promote your podcast from home!

Those who decide to join in will get access to all of the content, templates and resources, including our 1:1 call recording, for the remainder of 2022, so you can work at your own pace.

Learn more and register online here.

P.S. My baby’s due in January, this will be the only offering 1:1 I host for a while.

Boost Your Business With Podcasting:  
Online Workshop Recording

This past week I presented an online workshop for WE-CAN Project at Queen’s University called, ‘Boost Your Business With Podcasting’. 

Over 90 minutes, I shared the pros and cons of podcasting, how I got started, how you can pitch yourself as a guest, my DIY workflow and home studio setup, including the tech, tools and other resources to help attendees get a better idea if podcasting (or being a guest on podcasts) is right for them.

You can watch the replay on their YouTube channel here.

Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?

I’ve steadily chugged along to 31 episodes of the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast (hosted and produced by me, Amy Lynch, from my home during the pandemic).

Remote work with kids on a compressed schedule

A group for freelancing parents I’m in recently had a question pop up in regards to transitioning to more work hours as the kids go back to school / daycare.

It’s something I’ve experienced many times as a remote worker, between contracts, lockdowns and the yo-yo effect of it all but the advice I gave also applies to those without kids.

These are the basic things I try to incorporate into my everyday, in order to make flexible work more efficient (and enjoyable!):

– I use time blocking and have created a free template with a how-to video if you’re keen on downloading it for your own work or homeschool schedule (kid-friendly)

– I set up calendar invites for my partner and I with notifications and an alarm for pickup especially if I’m out running errands

– Lately I also prep the last 10-15 mins before I leave by getting my stuff ready and bringing a snack for them on the drive home so there’s less chaos when we all land there

– Turn my phone on airplane mode or silent for chunks of the day if / when I can

– I don’t answer calls from friends and family who assume I have free time now

– Focus on doing what I want to do and set good boundaries with clients / coworkers / friends / family now, so I don’t have to have awkward conversations later

– Also, take away, go out for or make a nice child free lunch for myself and enjoy it solo or with a friend…chew slowly and enjoy not having to share or cut up my meal into tiny pieces.

How about you? Any tips for making the adjustment to a more ‘open’ schedule while also pacing yourself in the event of interruptions or distractions?

– Amy (+ Family) xx
Founder of Mixing Babies And Business™

Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?

I’ve steadily chugged along to 31 episodes of the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast (hosted and produced by me, Amy Lynch, from my home during the pandemic).

Download the free template:
Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [DOWNLOAD]

Subscribe to receive my free monthly Work + Life newsletter focused on travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work: http://bit.ly/AmyMaureenLynchNews

I wrote a book:

Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.

You can download the Amazon Kindle app for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can then purchase, download and read the eBook version of my book from your mobile, tablet or device!

Just a woman working quietly from home with a vision board to keep her going. ✨

I made this in late 2020 and slowly most of it is coming true…manifesting/making it real never ceases to amaze me but the regular reminders and visuals really help.

Some of the things which have come to fruition:
– 🐣 a healthy pregnancy…I didn’t specify ‘easy’ though, my bad!
– ⚱ pottery time, I’m currently working with a local studio and taking more classes soon
– 🐳 swimming and outdoor activities with the family, we’ve been accessing free swim times, were gifted a set of kids golf clubs and our local neighborhood opened free tennis courts
– 🎤 paid speaking gigs and a business partnership, including sponsorships and grant funding
– 🌊 travel to warmer climates, we have a future wedding invite to Australia and many friends to catch up with
– 🌺 more fresh flowers, books, simple pleasures and beauty in the everyday, I’ve received unexpected bouquets, borrowed fiction, baked goods and we’re near many local conservation area trails

And that’s all within the last eight months. There’s more (including this ‘What Would Chad Do?’ mug from Vivian Kaye that I won in an IG competition…something I never usually enter!) but you get the idea.

I’ve long believed what you write down, illustrate or visualize, you can make real but it still catches me by surprise when it jumps off the page and becomes part of my everyday life.

Do you have anything you’re hoping to manifest over the coming days, months or year?

I’m being nosy…but curious if you have any regular practices you love to do!

– Amy (+ Family) xx
Founder of Mixing Babies And Business™

Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?

I’ve steadily chugged along to 31 episodes of the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast (hosted and produced by me, Amy Lynch, from my home during the pandemic).

Download the free template:
Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [DOWNLOAD]

Subscribe to receive my free monthly Work + Life newsletter focused on travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work: http://bit.ly/AmyMaureenLynchNews

I wrote a book:

Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.

You can download the Amazon Kindle app for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can then purchase, download and read the eBook version of my book from your mobile, tablet or device!

From earlier this week:

My rainy work day involved a craft supply run, grocery shop, pottery business meeting, entrepreneur caucus virtual roundtable with cross party representatives, bit of activism and scheduling various family member medical appointments.

And everyone is at home on summer break.

But from this tiny room and our other home office, I was able to publish a trans-Atlantic quarterly newsletter, get a local bricks and mortar business featured by Global News and I may also get to work on developing solutions for Canada’s universal childcare plan for parents who are entrepreneurs / freelancers / remote workers.

Disclaimer: Yesterday I ate chinese food and a cupcake from my bed before taking a nap and attending a pottery class, it’s all about moderation.

– Amy (+ Family) xx
Founder of Mixing Babies And Business™

Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?

I’ve steadily chugged along to 31 episodes of the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast (hosted and produced by me, Amy Lynch, from my home during the pandemic).

Download the free template:
Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [DOWNLOAD]

Subscribe to receive my free monthly Work + Life newsletter focused on travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work: http://bit.ly/AmyMaureenLynchNews

I wrote a book:

Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.

You can download the Amazon Kindle app for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can then purchase, download and read the eBook version of my book from your mobile, tablet or device!

How wonderful is this!?!? 🚼📊

Thank you to the team at Future of Good for commissioning Chris at Loogart to create pieces representing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of #my2030.

This artwork represents SDG 5: Gender Equality

It features my Babies, Business and Breakfast parent-friendly professional development alongside four other community projects from across Canada: BuildUpWomen Series, Colours of Mama, Feminist Economic Recovery Plan, and Parkdale Centre for Innovation. 

Thanks to the members of the public and selection committee who voted for the 2020 Top 100 Recovery Projects in Canada – you can now explore the projects and artwork online!

Thanks to the organizations who’ve helped me experiment, share and grow this initiative over the past five years from England to Canada: 

• Startup Canada
• Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards
• Algonquin College
• Dovercourt Recreation
• Impact Hub Ottawa
• Synapcity
• City of Ottawa
• CreativeMornings Ottawa
• Google for Startups (Campus London)

Learn more about my event series and join the movement at: Mixing Babies And Business™

Thank you for your support, encouragement and participation in this project and initiative so far,

– Amy (+ Family) xx
Founder of Mixing Babies And Business™

I’ve steadily chugged along to 31 episodes of the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast (hosted and produced by me, Amy Lynch, from my home during the pandemic).

My work has been named one of Future of Good‘s Top 100 Recovery Projects in Canada in 2020, all episodes are free to listen to with Season 1 and 2 now live, streaming and available where you listen to all of your favourite podcasts.

Download the free template:
Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [DOWNLOAD]

Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?

Subscribe to receive my free monthly Work + Life newsletter focused on travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work: http://bit.ly/AmyMaureenLynchNews

I wrote a book:

Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.

You can download the Amazon Kindle app for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can then purchase, download and read the eBook version of my book from your mobile, tablet or device!