We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna MacDonald and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Sometimes it’s a run, sometimes it’s a sprint, but it’s always at least a jog. This is how I think about the pace of my life. I have a funny relationship with this concept of work/life balance because I love what I do and I’m a natural born hustler. I will find a way to do just about anything when I put my mind to it – sometimes to the detriment of this idea of balance, but always for the common good. But with three young kids and clients that need me at my best I’ve had to make a conscious effort to slow down, pace myself, and only sprint when necessary.

In the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey I went non stop – trying new ideas & taking any new course I found – but none of it was actually moving the needle. I was introduced to a more laid back approach to life & business and swung the pendulum totally to the other side – thinking that if I just believed strongly enough, everything would work out. That was the missing piece, right?

I took more days off, worked just a few hour per day, and felt like I was really living the life. The truth was my income and impact were depleting faster than than a politicians promise on election day. Belief, manifestation, and visualization are all super powerful mindset tools, but I glossed over the inspired action piece and lost the spark I had – the love of the hustle. I needed this time to grow intellectually and spiritually, but I think I also lost a bit of the determination I once had.

Over a year into business, I am just now getting to the balanced part. I had to learn that for me it’s not “or…” it’s “and.” The belief AND the action. The mindfulness AND the hustle. Family, friends, AND business.

What should our readers know about your business?
My entrepreneurial journey has been anything but linear. Many times over, but always following my gut, I hit the brakes, pressed the gas, pulled a U-y and took the unconventional path…all at the same time. But now Stella’s Desk feels like home and I could not have reached this place without my avid exploration of all the wrong ideas.

The mission of Stella’s Desk is to empower women to start & grow their own business and to live life on their terms – doing, saying, and being whoever the hell they want. I spread this message both through the Stella’s Desk brand and also through my podcast, To The Fullest Podcast. This mission has never changed, but how it’s delivered has. I’ve bobbed and weaved between membership, subscription box, coaching, and now settled on a digital product model that fits the needs of my audience and this season in my life.

Think of Stella’s Desk as the encouraging big sister, the aunt you can confide in, and the fearless gal pal to every female entrepreneur with wildly ambitious dreams. Stella’s Desk is the no-nonsense, anti-bullshit, tell-it-to-you-straight, business bestie that every woman needs in her pocket — and she’s never going to let you forget to keep your eyes on your dreams.

Stella’s Desk couples my love for online business with my knack for systems & operations and equips female entrepreneurs with the tools, systems, and strategies they need to run their businesses with easy and success.

Stella’s Desk was inspired by my mother, Kris, who passed away in 2011. Kris was a calming, nurturing, and down to earth woman, but when she saw an opportunity to be her fullest self, she stepped into her alter ego, Stella.

Stella was bold, loud, fearless, and could take on the world — and she inspired other women to do the same. Her energy and charisma were contagious and uplifting. Now Stella, by way of Stella’s Desk and spearheaded by the one girl she inspired most, is reaching, inspiring, and helping women around the world!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I’m not in LA, but I am close to the next best city…Portland, Maine!

We are definitely spending time at the lake & steaming fresh lobsters (no over priced lobster rolls at the touristy spots for your visit)! Hitting up some live music and happy hour downtown. And then closing out the weekend with time at the beach and cocktails at The Brunswick in Old Orchard Beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh gosh, there are so many!

My friends Jamie and Molly for encouraging me to take the giant leap of faith out of Corporate and never ceasing to believe in me
My parents for instilling in me ambition and work ethic
My daughters for just assuming their mom will succeed without question

We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers completely changed the way I think about money and using it to change the world

Jeanne Omlor, Business Coach who has taught me everything I know about grit, mindset, and fighting the law of average

Virginia de Assis, Copywriter and Business Coach who pushed me to create more vulnerable and unique marketing content

Marley Rose Harris, Business Coach who helped me find alignment between my purpose, my passion, and my business and question every belief I have around money

Sarah Cordiner, Course Creation Expert who was the very first online coach I had and invested her time, attention, and encouragement in me when I had no idea what I was doing

Silvia Moontana, Breathwork & Feminine Energy who inspired me to embrace my emotions, find adventure, and look for joy in every little thing.

Website: www.stellas-desk.com

Instagram: instagram.com/stellas_desk

Facebook: facebook.com/stellasdesk

Other: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-the-fullest-podcast/id1633507127

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.