“What if I don’t have enough time?”
It’s one of the biggest questions I hear from women who dream about starting a business. They’re working full-time. They’re raising kids.
And somewhere underneath all of those responsibilities is a dream they keep putting off until “someday.”
In this episode of The Classy Career Girl Podcast, I sat down with Jennifer Pestikas, executive leadership coach, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Brave Women at Work. Learn how to build a business while working full-time with advice from Jennifer Pestikas on balancing work, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and family. Learn how to build a business while working full-time with advice from Jennifer Pestikas on balancing work, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and family.
Jennifer has spent more than 25 years leading in corporate America while simultaneously building multiple businesses, writing books, hosting a podcast, and raising two daughters.
Her story is proof that you don’t have to wait for the perfect season before pursuing your calling.
With over 25 years of leadership experience in financial services, Jen brings hard-won wisdom from the C-suite to every stage, coaching session, and page she writes. She knows what it takes to make a significant leap — because she’s done it, and because she’s helped hundreds of women do it too. Jen speaks to female audiences on moving from imposter syndrome to self-advocacy, negotiating the pay and benefits they deserve, and finding the courage to speak up and lead. Her coaching clients leave with sharper clarity on their strengths, what’s been holding them back, and the tools to take bolder, braver action in their careers.
She is also the host of the Brave Women at Work podcast — 280+ episodes, 110,000+ downloads, and listeners in over 90 countries — and the author of the Brave Women at Work anthology series, five volumes spanning resilience, confidence, leadership, letting go, and authenticity. Her latest release, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity, is available now in e-book with hardcover arriving June 2026. Jen holds a Bachelor’s in French and Spanish from Indiana University and an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
She is a Certified Professional Coach and an Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Master Practitioner through IPEC. You can find Jen at jenniferpestikas.com and bravewomenatwork.com, on LinkedIn, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Stop Waiting for More Time
One of my favorite moments from our conversation was Jennifer’s reminder that waiting often feels productive—but it’s really just fear wearing a different outfit.
Most women believe they’ll finally start when:
- The kids are older.
- Work slows down.
- They have more confidence.
- They have more money.
- Life becomes less busy.
But life rarely gets less busy.
Instead, Jennifer encourages women to start with one small action.
One client.
One podcast episode.
One social media post.
One chapter.
Small actions create momentum.
Build Your Business Around Your Life
Jennifer shared that she still works in corporate leadership while building her business.
Instead of searching for huge blocks of free time, she intentionally “bookends” her day.
She spends focused time on her business before work and after work while protecting time with her family.
It’s a reminder that consistency matters far more than having the perfect schedule.
Success Is Never a Solo Journey
One of the biggest myths entrepreneurs believe is that successful women do everything themselves.
Jennifer credits much of her success to building a village.
That includes:
- A supportive spouse
- Virtual assistants
- Podcast editors
- Publishing partners
- Contractors
- Coaches
- Mentors
You don’t need a huge team to begin.
You simply need to stop believing you have to carry everything alone.
Your Dreams Deserve a Plan
Jennifer also shared how important planning has been throughout her entrepreneurial journey.
She still uses annual planning, quarterly goals, and financial targets to keep moving toward her vision.
Big dreams become achievable when they’re broken into consistent weekly actions.
Planning creates clarity.
Clarity creates confidence.
Confidence creates momentum.
Writing a Book Starts Before You’re Ready
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Jennifer’s advice for aspiring authors.
She encouraged listeners to stop waiting until they feel qualified.
Whether it’s writing one chapter, contributing to an anthology, or working on a full manuscript, every author begins the same way:
One page at a time.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is progress.
Your Platform Matters
Writing a book isn’t enough.
Building a business isn’t enough.
You also need to build an audience.
Jennifer and I talked about why showing up consistently through content, especially video, helps build trust long before someone becomes your customer.
Your platform allows your message to reach the people who need it most.
You Can Do This
Jennifer ended the conversation with a message every woman needs to hear:
You can do this.
You don’t need unlimited time.
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow.
You don’t need every answer before you begin.
You simply need the courage to take your next step.
Your dream doesn’t have an expiration date.
It simply needs your decision to begin today.
Listen to the Episode
In this conversation you’ll learn:
- How to build a business while working full-time
- How to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship
- Why taking small actions changes everything
- How to create a support system that helps you grow
- The truth about writing a book
- Why consistency beats perfection
- How to pursue your calling during a busy season of life
If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to subscribe to The Classy Career Girl Podcast and share it with another woman who’s been waiting for the “perfect time” to start.
