What Motherhood Teaches Us About Letting Go of Control in Business with Kristin Merron & Jennifer McKee, Mom Brain Media

Delegating something and letting go of it are two different things. For many women who build businesses, and for any leader who has been the "chief everything officer" for too long, the hard part often isn't finding help. It's trusting. In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I welcome Kristin Merron and Jennifer McKee, co-founders of Mom Brain Media, a marketing strategy company that also creates events for women in business. They met in an early childhood PTA while their youngest children were babies, and a coffee conversation eventually became a company and a true 50-50 partnership. Together, they explore what it takes to build something with another person, why "mom brain" is a strength rather than a liability, and how the thoughts we carry about competition, capacity, and our own titles can quietly hold us back. This conversation matters because so many capable leaders assume that holding on tighter is the responsible thing to do. Kristen and Jen offer a healthier picture: partnership built on trust, strengths named out loud, and strategy that fits the season your business is actually in. We discussed: Why they reclaimed "mom brain" as a strength and how it became the name of their company What it means to be each other's "who," and how the right partner can be the push that gets you to step out Why delegation only works when you mentally let go, and what to do when you can't Three things that make delegation work: full task ownership, letting people shine in their strengths, and honest communication The conversations they had before signing a 50-50 partnership, including how they'd handle a disagreement Why spending your thinking time on competitors is exhausting, and what to focus on instead Why so many women running real businesses still call them a "side hustle," and why owning what you've built comes first Because when you build a mindset of thinking that matters, you can build a business that matters. Something to consider: Where are you still holding tightly to something you've already handed off? About Kristin Merron and Jen McKee: Kristin Merron and Jen McKee are the co-founders of Mom Brain Media®, a creator-powered media company helping rising creators and small businesses build visibility, connection, and legacy through strategic storytelling and community-driven amplification. With backgrounds spanning journalism, public relations, marketing, business development, public education, and community-building, they help remarkable people and brands become impossible to overlook. Their Market Like a Mother™ philosophy challenges transactional, attention-at-all-costs marketing. Instead, they believe the strongest brands are built by listening closely, communicating with clarity, earning trust, and using your influence to create opportunities for others. Connect with Mom Brain Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbrainmedia/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomBrainMedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mom-brain-media/ Know someone building a business who could use this conversation? Share this episode with her, or with anyone ready to trust a little more and carry a little less. ________ 💡 Join the Women Growth Group for live, in-person training that empowers your potential and connects you with a vibrant community of growth-minded women! https://linktr.ee/gowithelizabeth Stay connected with Elizabeth on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbmahusay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmahusay/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethMahusay Website: https://elizabethmahusay.com/ ________ Ready to shift the way you think and lead? Pick Your Path by Elizabeth Mahusay is now available! Start learning how to break limiting thought patterns, strengthen your mindset, and step into more intentional leadership. 👉 Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Your-Path-Leadership-Course-ebook/dp/B0H24Q8DYX? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.