Toni Gonzales has been in financial services for 30 years — and she did it as a new grad, a newlywed, a new mom, a single mom, and now a blended family matriarch with four thriving adult kids and a granddaughter. This episode is for every mom who's ever wondered if she has to choose between building a career and building a family. Toni is proof that the answer is no, and she'll show you exactly how she did it. From turning down a promotion that would've uprooted her family to calling out unconscious bias in real time, this episode is packed with great tips, real life and how you can show up to be the best version of you!

✨ The village is the strategy — not a nice-to-have

✨ Women are over-mentored and under-sponsored, know the difference

✨ Co-parenting with intention protects your kids and your career

✨ You can't be what you can't see — so show up, even before you feel ready

If you're a working mom, climbing in a male-dominated room, navigating co-parenting, building a blended family, or just trying to figure out how to be fully present at work AND at home — this one was made for you.

Toni Gonzales is a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry, currently a consultant with Simplicity DFG. She's a former national president of WIFS (Women in Insurance and Financial Services), a board leader and a mentor with the FinServ Foundation. She is a mom of four, a grandmother, and proof that you can build, lead , and still be present when it matters.

Instagram: @jessicaperez1123

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ToniGonzales

Instagram: @tonilgonzales

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AI, Blended Families & Building Without Burning Out

Lisa Mont-Ros is the Co-Founder and COO of Strategy Ninjas — an AI strategy and solutions company helping businesses implement artificial intelligence to reclaim their time and scale smarter. But before AI, Lisa built (accidentally) a 30-person, seven-figure transaction coordination company in the Pacific Northwest, scaled it, and sold it. Then she packed up her blended family of seven and moved to Arizona in under 60 days because of a Powerball ticket. (She did not win.) In this episode, Jessica and Lisa go deep on what it actually looks like to raise kids in a world full of screens, run a business with your spouse without losing your mind, and use AI as a tool instead of a threat — all while showing up as the mom you actually want to be. This one is real, funny, and packed with things you'll want to write down.

Key Takeaways

✨ AI isn't something to fear — it's a lever
✨ Protecting your kids from social media & platforms is a parenting decision, not a punishment.
✨ How they run a business together without it running their marriage

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for the working mom who is curious about AI but doesn't know where to start. It's for the mom navigating blended family life and wondering if there's a blueprint. It's for the entrepreneur who built the business she dreamed of and still feels like she's dropping balls. And it's for anyone who has ever looked at their kids and thought — I need to do this differently. This is your episode.

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez1123

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

Instagram: @strategyninjas

LinkedIn: Lisa Mont-Ros

Website: strategyninjas.com

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Rachel Cameron doesn't just hold a big title, she's built every piece of it intentionally. In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on what it really looks like when a working mom is the primary breadwinner, her husband is the stay-at-home parent, and the whole system is built to let her show up fully at work AND at home. We talk about how she and her husband Chad made the decision to retire him from the workforce, what the transition actually looked like (spoiler: it wasn't seamless), and how they stay connected as a couple when life runs fast. We also get into her daily routine, how she protects her mornings, her conference-season wardrobe hack that is genuinely game-changing, and what she does to stay present as a mom even when she's on the road. This one is honest, practical, and packed with the kind of realness that reminds you — you can build a life that works on your terms.

✨ The right partner at home isn't a luxury — it's a strategy.

✨ Protect your mornings like your career depends on it — because it does.

✨ Presence is a practice, not a personality trait.

This episode is for the mom who is the engine of her household AND her career and is trying to figure out how to do both without burning out. It's for the woman who has a partner who could step up more and doesn't know how to have that conversation. It's for every working mom who feels guilty for wanting something just for herself — and needs permission to stop apologizing for it.

Instagram https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-cameron/

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Nicole Kuck, founder of Prep and Peony, shares her journey from special education to legacy planning, driven by her passion for serving families with special needs. Her transition to legal planning and the support of her spouse highlight the importance of work-life balance and self-care. Nicole's approach to household roles and her dedication to serving others reflect her commitment to education and empowerment. The conversation covers workplace personas, estate planning misconceptions, asset protection, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, legacy planning for families, connecting with Prep and Peony, personal and professional tips, and a book recommendation for raising mentally strong kids.

Takeaways

✨Passion for serving families with special needs

✨Importance of estate planning for protection and security

✨The cost of waiting or not getting a plan in place

✨Why this is EXTREMELY import for neurodivergent families

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

https://instagram.com/prepandpeony

If this episode resonated with you:

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Nicole Kuck
• 06:08 Transition to Legal Planning
• 11:30 Day in the Life and Household Roles
• 29:49 Workplace Persona vs. Personal Persona
• 36:36 Protecting Your Assets
• 43:18 Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
• 51:03 Connecting with Preppin' Peony

In This Episode We Talk About

Chrissy's journey from social work to real estate, the impact of motherhood on her career decisions, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Chrissy shares insights on rebuilding herself in a new career, marriage and as a new mom again. The importance of setting boundaries, time-blocking, and the importance of being present in the moment. Additionally, she discusses her morning routine, fitness journey, and her approach to goal setting and competition in the real estate industry. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating comparison culture, finding balance between work and family life, prioritizing community and connection, and the importance of outsourcing and time management. Chrissy and Jessica share insights on self-reflection, setting boundaries, and the value of community in personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

✨ Rebuild personally and professionally

✨ Setting boundaries and time-blocking is essential

✨ Comparison Culture

✨ Prioritizing Community and Connection

✨ Outsourcing and Time Management

Instagram
https://instagram.com/myazagentchrissy

Website
chrissyvalentine.com

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

Website

beyondthebalance.co

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

If this episode resonated with you:

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⭐ Share this episode with a mom who needs it

Tag Jessica and when you listen and share your biggest takeaway. #Beyondthebalance

Chapters

• 00:00 Transition from Social Work to Real Estate
• 05:27 Impact of Motherhood on Career Decisions
• 12:25 Balancing Motherhood and Career
• 18:46 Setting Boundaries and Time-Blocking
• 24:05 Goal Setting and Competition
• 33:05 Prioritizing Community and Connection
• 43:44 Outsourcing and Time Management

In This Episode We Talk About

Katie Hubbard shares her career evolution from real estate and construction management to wholesaler at Walton. She discusses the challenges and successes she experienced in her professional journey, highlighting the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities. Additionally, she delves into the impact of motherhood on her career and the strategies she employed to balance both aspects of her life. The conversation covers topics such as overcoming impostor syndrome, visualization techniques for confidence, the power of brutal honesty in personal and professional growth, balancing work and family life, and empowering working moms to pursue their goals. It emphasizes the importance of feedback, mentorship, and the value of saying no to things that don't serve you.

Takeaways

✨Balancing Motherhood and Career Impostor syndrome

✨Visualization techniques for confidence

✨The importance of brutal honesty for personal and professional growth

✨The impact of feedback and mentorship

✨The value of saying no to things that don't serve you

✨Empowering working moms, you CAN have it all

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hubbard-ms-crpc-2446843/

Resources she mentions:

• The wheel of life
• Harada Method

If this episode resonated with you:

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Tag Jessica and when you listen and share your biggest takeaway. #Beyondthebalance

Chapters

• 00:00 Career Evolution
• 23:52 Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
• 35:31 Balancing Work and Family Life
• 45:29 Empowering Working Moms

In This Episode We Talk About

Jessica Perez and Charlotte Carson covers topics such as navigating a male-dominated industry, the challenges of motherhood, and the importance of support and identity. Charlotte shares her experiences as a working mom and the journey of raising her son as a young mother. She also discusses the struggles of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and the need for a strong support system. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of being a working single mom, highlighting the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience required to navigate this journey. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, grace, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

✨ Navigating a male-dominated industry as a girly girl

✨ It is not rebuilding it is REBRANDING

✨ Celebrate you journey, it's NEVER too late

✨ Importance of self-care

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow the show
⭐ Leave a 5 star review
⭐ Share this episode with a mom who needs it

Tag Jessica and when you listen and share your biggest takeaway. #Beyondthebalance

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of Support and Community
• 36:28 Prioritizing Self-Care and Finding Balance
• 46:28 Reflections on Motherhood and Parenting Challenges

In This Episode We Talk About

The conversation with Kris Moore covers her journey in financial services, her role as a leader and community builder, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Kris shares insights on leadership, personal growth, and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. The conversation covers the themes of prioritizing connection in marriage, investing in personal growth, overcoming life's challenges, and self-care and personal well-being. It delves into the importance of maintaining a strong connection in marriage, the strategies for personal growth, the impact of life's challenges on personal development, and the significance of self-care and well-being.

Takeaways

✨Key takeaway #1 Embrace the chaos

✨Key takeaway #2 Authentic leadership

✨Key takeaway #3 Overcoming imposter syndrome

Instagram
https://instagram.com/jessicaperez

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-consulting

Connect with Kris Moore

Instagram
https://instagram.com/kbmoore86

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/kristin-kris-moore

Gala Event

https://www.wifsphx.com/event-details/wifs-2nd-annual-gala-silent-auction

Tag Jessica and when you listen and share your biggest takeaway. #Beyondthebalance

Chapters

• 00:00 Leadership and Community Building
• 06:34 Balancing Work and Family Life
• 26:40 Prioritizing Connection in Marriage
• 32:42 Overcoming Life's Challenges
• 44:30 Self-Care and Personal Well-Being