March is when reality sets in.

The holiday bonuses have been spent. First-quarter pressures are mounting. Revenue targets loom. And for many business owners, the question quietly shifts from “How much bonus did we give?” to “Why does my team still feel disengaged?”

Here’s the hard truth: Bonuses don’t build loyalty. Leadership does.

In a recent “Profit by Design” podcast episode, “Be a Gift Through Your Leadership: Small Habits That Create Big Impact on Your Team,” we explored what truly retains A players. It’s far simpler and more powerful than most owners realize.

Recognition Isn’t a Trophy

Gallup research shows that well-recognized employees are far less likely to leave their organizations. But “well recognized” doesn’t mean plaques or bonuses. It means being seen.

When was the last time you sat down with a team member and asked:

• What part of your work gives you energy?
• Where do you feel drained?
• How can we design your role around your strengths?

The 20-Minute Habit That Changes Everything

One of the most practical tools we teach is creating 20 minutes of distraction-free, one-to-one time with each direct report every week or two.

No phone. No multitasking. No rushing.

Just presence.

When leaders slow down long enough to listen, problems surface earlier, ideas flow more freely and team members feel safe bringing solutions instead of hiding mistakes.

Which brings us to the next shift.

From Judgment to Curiosity

Most workplaces operate in the “judger pit.” When something goes wrong, the first reaction is: Whose fault is it?

That shuts people down.

High-performing cultures replace blame with curiosity:

• What happened?
• What was the intention?
• What can we learn?

When mistakes become learning opportunities, innovation increases — and stress decreases.

This is the Right Time to Reset

Spring is a season of growth. If you want retention, engagement and performance to improve this year, don’t wait for December to show appreciation.

Create an environment where your team feels safe, seen and supported year-round.

The most valuable gift you can give your team members is becoming the kind of leader they never want to leave.

This article originally appeared in our sister publication, Arkansas Business. Sabrina Starling, Ph.D., PCC, BCC, is the author of “How to Hire the Best” and “The 4 Week Vacation” and founder of tapthepotential.com. Melissa Kay Schwarzweller is the lead strategist at Tap the Potential and hosts the top-ranking “Profit by Design” podcast with Starling. Tap the Potential helps entrepreneurs take their lives back from their businesses.

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You may be hearing the term “matrescence” — think: maternal + adolescence — more often, and for good reason. Coined by anthropologist Dr. Dana Raphael in 1973, matrescence describes the profound transition into motherhood, often described as “the birth of a mother.”

Much like adolescence, it’s not a single moment, but an extended period of physical, emotional, hormonal and social change that begins in pregnancy and can last for years after birth. Even women who have read books and taken classes to prepare often find themselves feeling overwhelmed, because nothing can fully equip you for the reality of caring for a brand-new human while also becoming a new version of yourself.

One of the biggest misconceptions is how quickly mothers are expected to “bounce back.” While a six-week checkup may signal medical clearance, true recovery — both physical and mental — can take longer. The body is healing, hormones are recalibrating, sleep is disrupted and the brain is adapting to caregiving. Simultaneously, many women are navigating a complex identity shift: balancing career, relationships and a new sense of self.

As a postpartum doula, I see this often. Mothers from all walks of life often experience the same fears. The pressure to be a “good mom” feels immediate and heavy, and it comes with a disorienting mix of emotions: joy and grief, confidence and doubt, gratitude and exhaustion. Many mothers describe a gap between their imagined version of motherhood and reality. While sometimes unsettling, that emotional turbulence is a normal part of the transition.

This is where postpartum doulas can play an important role. Doulas provide practical, emotional and informational support during a time when many mothers feel overwhelmed or unseen. They help normalize the feelings that come with matrescence, offer reassurance that recovery is ongoing and create space for mothers to process these changes.

I frequently offer this advice: Build community with others who understand your journey. Let go of comparison. It will only steal your joy. And most importantly, give yourself permission to define motherhood in your own way. Feeling unqualified doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing. And that growth is exactly what makes you the right mother for your child.

As a marriage coach, I often help spouses better communicate during this transitional phase of motherhood. The best advice I can give is to allow mothers space to work through all their soft, hard and confusing emotions. Practice listening to the deeper issues like fear, anxiety or frustration. Keep talking, and don’t give up. It does get better.

For working women especially, understanding matrescence can be empowering. It reframes the postpartum period not as a brief recovery window, but as a meaningful developmental stage that deserves time, support and care. Feeling overwhelmed does not mean a woman is doing motherhood wrong. Often, it means she is in the very real process of becoming.

Charlotte Williams-Jackson is a certified doula, member of the Doula Alliance of Arkansas and board-certified mental health coach.

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The first question most people ask when they get a job offer: How much will it pay? While salary is clearly important, there are other factors you might not immediately consider such as location, benefits and the potential financial consequences of leaving your present employer. Each could have a significant impact on your long-term financial security.

We caught up with Melissa Wyman Bradley, CFP, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, to get answers to the frequently-asked questions she receives and learn what to consider when switching jobs.

What are some questions people should ask themselves before making a final decision about a job offer?

MWB: The first thing to consider is whether you will be giving up an annual bonus, equity compensation or deferred comp at your old job. Suppose a portion of your current compensation is tied to a yearly bonus, equity compensation or deferred compensation plan, such as a retirement or stock option plan. In that case, you may have to forfeit those assets when taking a new job if they aren’t vested or exercised.

What about the importance of benefits?

MWB: You need to find out not just what benefits are available, but what you actually qualify for. A pay hike is important, but if you lose access to benefits, you may end up worse off. For example, losing a company-funded pension or switching to a company with a smaller matching amount for your retirement savings account might negatively impact your finances long-term. Other benefits to consider are health care coverage, disability income insurance and life insurance.

What else is crucial to consider before accepting an offer?

MWB: The last major question to ask yourself is whether there are any unanticipated costs that affect your income. If a job involves relocating, look closely at housing costs and regional tax rates, as these can have a significant impact on your net income. See if your new employer might be willing to pick up the relocation costs, and ask your financial advisor to help you calculate what your net income and cash flow might look like in a different area.

Retirement is a huge consideration for many professionals. How do you advise clients, friends and family members in that regard?

MWB: Depending on your financial circumstances, needs and goals, as well as prior retirement plan design, you may be allowed to leave the funds in its existing account, roll the balance into a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, roll over your 401(k) account under your prior employer’s plan to a 401(k) account under your new employer’s plan or even cash it out. The best course of action for your situation will depend on your account balance, the investment options and fees in your old and new accounts, your tax bracket and more.

Many people take new jobs because they want to earn more money. How should that factor into your investment strategy?

MWB: Overall, job transitions present a good opportunity to meet with your advisor to assess your progress toward specific financial planning goals and to consider potential adjustments.

Melissa Wyman Bradley, CFP, is the vice president and wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has more than 20 years of experience helping clients achieve their goals and aspirations.

A version of this article was originally published in the May 2024 edition of The Work Wife.

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We’re less than a month out from the eighth annual Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium and now have details on the big day’s lineup of speakers and panels.

The half-day event will again take over the Statehouse Convention Center with main stage sessions and three breakout tracks (entrepreneur, executive and leading ladies), as well as the option to add on specialized post-symposium workshops.

Here’s a full rundown of topics taking the stage on April 24.

Main Stage

“How Often Do You Rehearse the Best-Case Scenario?”
» Cindy Jones-Nyland, CJN Consulting Group
We are excellent at imagining everything that could go wrong, the question we won’t be able to answer, the moment we might be exposed. But the version we walk in grounded and exactly who we need to be? Both outcomes are equally real, but only one gets most of our practice time. What if confidence isn’t something you find, it’s something you rehearse?

“The Community Quotient: Designing Workplaces for Connection & Impact”
» Liz Bohannon, Sseko Designs, Noonday Collection
The focus on creating connected workplace cultures has been building momentum over the past few years, and now is the time to create a fusion between why it’s important and how to do it, and that is at the heart of this energizing and soulful presentation from entrepreneur, best-selling author and podcast host Liz Bohannon.

Women’s Wellness Panel
» Alyssa Frisby, RDN, LD, UAMS Health
» Leslie McCormack, MSN, RN, APRN, Perspective Health
» Julia Turner, DPN, APRN + Dr. Amanda Novack, Baptist Health
This panel discussion will provide insights into a range of topics impacting our overall health and wellness including infectious disease, preventative cancer care, food as medicine, perimenopause and hormones.

Entrepreneur Track

“Social Media for Small Businesses”
» Aly LaBanca, FLEX360
Social media has moved beyond “nice to have” into a core growth channel for established small businesses, but most teams are too busy running the business to keep up with every new trend. In this session, FLEX360’s digital marketing director will break down what actually works now for growing visibility, driving leads and nurturing loyal customers without requiring a full‐time content team. You’ll walk away with a simple, repeatable framework you can plug into your existing marketing to get more return from the time and money you’re already investing online.

“What Businesses Need to Be Thinking About in 2026: A Panel Discussion”
» Christine Scarlett + Lauren Weaver, upSKILLery
In a year of rapid change, even established small businesses can’t afford to “set it and forget it” when it comes to their business model, relationships and use of technology. This session will explore what smart owners should be thinking about in 2026, from diversifying income streams and integrating AI in practical, human‐centered ways to setting boundaries that protect your time and energy. You’ll also learn how to have better, more strategic conversations with your attorney, accountant and banker so your advisory team is aligned with where you want your business to go next.

Executive Track

“Personal Branding for Executives”
» Lauren McKinnon, Project Mockingbird
This session helps leaders build a personal brand rooted in authenticity, clarity and confidence. Learn how to align your values, strengths and professional story into a cohesive narrative that elevates your visibility and positions you as a trusted voice in your field. Through guided exercises and real-time feedback, you’ll walk away with a clearer sense of who you are as a leader and how to show up consistently across digital and in-person spaces. McKinnon will guide you to define personal brand pillars, craft a compelling leadership narrative and discuss how to show up on LinkedIn and other platforms with confidence.

“Creating Family-Friendly Workplaces: A Panel Discussion”
» Angela Duran, Excel by Eight
» Sarah Riffle, Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
With funding support from Ingeborg Investments, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas recently commissioned a research initiative exploring the intersection of maternal economic security and early child care access in Arkansas, building on the foundation’s work to advocate for and support working moms. This research will be at the center of this interactive session where you can share and generate actionable items that can and should be taken into consideration to create family-friendly workplaces. You’ll leave this session with creative ideas, policies and benefits that can be implemented and discussion points to take back to the table within your own organization.

Leading Ladies Track

“Mind the Gap: Communicating Effectively Across Generations”
» Melissa Bandy + Robbi Riggs, Mitchell Williams
» Dana Silaski + Anna Grace Mills, Stephens
Five generations are now working side by side, each with different expectations for communication, feedback and what “professional” looks like at work. In this session, panelists will share strategies for giving feedback that lands across generations and receiving it with an open mind. Whether you’re managing a multigenerational team or navigating feedback dynamics with colleagues and clients, you will leave with actionable insights to strengthen relationships and drive results in your organization.

“Beyond Your Day Job: Becoming a High‐Impact Board Member”
» Kandi Hughes, JD, MBA, MISO
Serving on boards is one of the most powerful ways women can expand their influence, grow as leaders and shape the future of their communities and industries. In this session, Hughes, a managing senior corporate counsel at Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and an experienced board leader, will demystify what boards are really looking for and how to position yourself as a high‐value candidate, whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur or executive. You’ll walk away with practical guidance on identifying the right boards for your goals, articulating your unique value and taking concrete next steps to get “board‐ready” and into the rooms where decisions are made.

Workshops

“The Rehearsal Lab: Practical Tools for Training Your Brain Toward Possibility”
» Cindy Jones-Nyland, CJN Consulting Group
The keynote introduced a powerful question: How often do you rehearse the best-case scenario? This workshop is where you build the skills to change that pattern. We will explore the neuroscience behind why worst-case thinking dominates, then practice research-backed techniques to systematically retrain your brain.

“Media & Presentation Training 101”
» Susanne Williams, Project Mockingbird
A practical session designed to help leaders communicate clearly, confidently and effectively with the media. Participants learn how to stay on message, handle difficult questions and represent their organization with professionalism and ease.

“PR & Social Media for Nonprofit Communicators”
» Lauren McKinnon + Jillian Bowman, Project Mockingbird
This two-for-one session gives nonprofit leaders a foundational understanding of public relations and social media and how to leverage both to elevate their mission. You’ll learn to build strategies rooted in clarity, dignity and storytelling, as well as what makes a story newsworthy, how to develop relationships with the media and how to craft pitches that resonate with reporters and editors.

Registration for SWLS and the VIP networking event are open now. Click here to reserve your spot.

Learn more about the Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium at the event website, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

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Raise your hand if you set a goal to be more organized this year. Now keep your hand up if you’ve actually made progress. If your hand just went down, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Studies show many people abandon their resolutions within the first few months of the year. But some goals are too important to set aside, like securing your family’s future.

The best way to prepare is by setting up a will or trust. No matter your age or how established you are, this is an important step in safeguarding your family’s financial future. Setting up a will or trust allows you to specify how your assets will be distributed after your death. This ensures your loved ones receive what you intend and minimizes potential familial conflicts. Without one, state laws dictate how your estate is handled, which may not align with your wishes.

This includes you, new parents of Gen Beta babies (children born 2025-2039). As parents of new generations, it’s more important than ever to confirm you have the right plans in place for their care and well-being in the event of the unexpected. A will or trust is a critical tool to provide this security.

Benefits of a Will

A will is a straightforward document outlining how your assets should be handled after death. Unfortunately, a surprising number of Americans don’t have one. Wills must be signed by you and witnesses, depending on your state’s requirements. Some states also require notarization for added validity.

» Cost-effective: Wills don’t have to be expensive to create. While online tools are available to create a valid will, consulting an attorney can ensure it is comprehensive and effective.

» Choosing an executor: A will allows you to name an executor to oversee the distribution of your assets and carry out your wishes. Informing the executor ahead of time is essential so they understand their responsibilities.

» Guardianship: Parents can name a guardian for children younger than 18 in their will, ensuring their kids are cared for by someone they trust.

» Flexibility: Wills can and should be updated after significant life events such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child.

Benefits of a Trust

Trusts are more complex but offer greater control and benefits, such as managing assets during one’s lifetime and potentially avoiding probate court altogether, depending on the trust’s structure.

» Probate avoidance: While a will must go through probate — a potentially lengthy and costly legal process — a properly structured trust can bypass probate, allowing beneficiaries quicker access to assets. This can be especially important for families who may need immediate financial support after a loved one’s passing.

» Customization: They can include specific conditions for distributing assets, such as providing for a beneficiary’s future education or allocating funds in increments to prevent financial mismanagement. Trusts are particularly useful for beneficiaries who are minors or individuals with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met without granting them complete control over the assets.

» Protects vulnerable beneficiaries: Trusts can restrict how and when funds are accessed. This is crucial for ensuring that minors, individuals with disabilities or even beneficiaries with poor financial habits are provided for without risking the depletion of their inheritance.

Benefits of Both

» Control of asset distribution: A will or trust gives you control over who receives your assets and how they are distributed. Without these documents, Arkansas laws will determine asset distribution based on predetermined formulas, which might not reflect your intentions. For instance, without a clear plan, unmarried partners, stepchildren or close friends might be excluded entirely.

So which one is right for you?

Most people need at least a will, so that is a good place to start. If you have young children, a will is essential for naming guardians. However, a trust may be the better option if you want more control over your estate or have complex financial goals. Combining both tools can provide comprehensive protection for your family and assets.

It’s never too early to start planning for the future. Whether you’re a new parent or someone looking to get their affairs in order, setting up a will or trust is one of the best ways to protect your loved ones. Don’t let the year pass without taking this critical step. Your family’s future depends on it.

SaraCate Moery is a partner at PPGMR Law where she helps families with estate planning, probate and family law.

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A version of this article was originally published in the February 2025 edition of The Work Wife.