20 QUESTIONS WITH MEGAN METZGER
Maraesha Scales, Megan’s previously full-time nanny turned right-hand office gal and Megan Metzger.
Part reflection, part prediction, full honesty. We put our Fearless Founder & Chief Consultant in the hot seat for a no-holds-barred discussion.
I rubbed my hands together with glee when Megan told me our theme for December was “reflections.” As a 2023 addition to her team, I saw this as a golden opportunity to press her insights and collect answers to (everyone’s) burning questions. Transparent to her marrow, Megan not only obliged but exceeded all expectations for a true CEO “AMA” (Ask me Anything).
2023 Tenacity.
Diana: “If you could summarize 2023 in one word, what would it be?”
Megan: “Perseverance.”
Diana: “Personal or professional, please tell me three good things that happened to you in 2023.”
Megan: “We added two kittens to our little family, which means I have four children and four cats running around the house! I was able to visit Paris again, which is my favorite city in the world. I also learned a ton about marketing and neuropsychology from my graduate studies and my work as a fractional COO for a client.”
Diana: “What were three of your favorite 2023 retreat moments?”
Megan: “Our spring retreat in Ellijay, Georgia was so beautiful, and the people were wonderful. We were surrounded by nature, got massages, and the beds were so comfortable that I BOUGHT THE SAME MATTRESS for my bed at home. I felt so comfortable and relaxed, and the group really bonded.
My dear friend and mentor Tanya traveled all the way from Australia to join our summer mastermind retreat in Durham, NC. That was our pilot program for an advanced-level retreat. I learned so much and felt so inspired by all of our attendees.
The fall retreat was life-changing, full of surprises, and was one of the best we’ve ever had, primarily because the participants showed tremendous vulnerability. Our guest speaker, Clint from Level, blew my mind and I hope to have him return often! Liz, my wonderful VA who does so much for MMC, came all the way from Thailand to join us. My dear friend Adam, from JA Knapp, treated us to a night out to see the musical WICKED, and we had access to the presidential hospitality suite!”
Diana: “How about celebrating your 2023 progress with ARISE?”
Megan: “This community is so unique and one of my favorite business decisions EVER! My business coach, Candice, suggested I start this a long time ago and I WISH I HAD LISTENED.
ARISE was inspired by the first agency conference I attended back in 2010. I was so excited to finally meet people who GOT IT and I was able to see how the industry was so much bigger than just me. However, the people were so rude, opaque, and clicky that I ended up going back to my room and crying.
So, I created ARISE to be everything I wanted and needed back then. A friendly, supportive community of agency owners who help each other with advice and encouragement. We learn together, solve problems, and bring new ideas to life.”
If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now…
Diana: “What's the gutsiest business move you ever made?”
Megan: “Besides starting the agency in college before I walked across the graduation stage??? I would say making that first full-time hire was scary. I had partnered with contractors but that’s different than being directly responsible for someone else’s ability to pay their monthly bills.
And speaking of reflections, I was an AWFUL boss back then. I was an anxious mess with NO boundaries and mistreated my team. Now I know and appreciate that they are the most valuable part of my business.”
Diana: “That’s a huge realization and course correction! In the same vein, is there a mistake you consistently see most nanny agency owners make?”
Megan: “Lack of foresight. These hard-working entrepreneurs often start their agency out of a desire to help families and nannies find each other. They pour their heart and soul into their company but never think about building a business that works *without* them.
Then, however many years later, exhausted and unscalable, they turn to a consultant like me to pull them out of the day-to-day weeds so they can excel in their zone of genius. If only they had considered that in the beginning—to build repeatable, predictable systems so others can run the operations—which is the true path to success and happiness. The good news is that this is MMC’s zone of genius and it’s never too late.”
Diana: “If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice during your first year in business, what would it be?”
Megan: “Ha! That first year was crazy. It would absolutely be to PUT UP BOUNDARIES. I missed the first two years of my oldest son’s life and was married to my work for many years. It’s one of my primary motivators for helping other agency owners avoid my mistakes.”
Shop Talk.
Diana: “Can you share one must-know hack that you learned in 2023?”
Megan: “Feedbird—a social media company that combines freelancers with AI and creates custom social media graphics for $100 a month! We’ve had great results and saved TONS of money and time!”
Diana: “What’s the one business tool you can’t live without?”
Megan: “FATHOM, which is an AI notetaker that summarizes all our meetings and provides a transcription and recording. It has been a game-changer for me! I learned about it from a client, Alison with My Household Managed.”
Diana: “You generously give back to the community. What made you pick the Backpack Beginnings program?”
Megan: “I spent most of my childhood here in the Piedmont Triad. I went to undergraduate school here and it’s the only place I’ve lived as an adult. Yet, it was not until a few years ago that I knew of the horrible statistics around childhood hunger in our area.
One in four children in my own hometown aren’t sure where their next meal will come from and that breaks my heart. So, I interviewed a few businesses and charities to see where we could make the biggest impact and decided on Backpack Beginnings.”
Diana: “You practice what you preach by also having a coach. What has that relationship done for you?”
Megan: “My coach is so much more than a coach; Candice is a sounding board, an encourager, the voice of reason, and my biggest fan. I’ve grown more these past two years working with Candice than the five years prior COMBINED.”
Looking Ahead.
Diana: “Do you have a word to prestamp 2024?”
Megan: “Intentionality.”
Diana: “So good! I know you're not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but name something you wish every client committed to doing in 2024.”
Megan: “I wish that every client would intentionally celebrate their successes, their bravery for even starting a business, and their impact on our industry.”
Diana: “What are you most looking forward to about your fancy April 2024 Getaway?”
Megan: “Fancy is absolutely the best way to describe it. I employ a ‘go big or go home’ mentality with my retreats. I want my clients to feel valued, eat well, sleep well, learn a lot, and make new friends.”
April is another advanced mastermind retreat, so it’s a small group of seasoned agency owners coming together to make magic happen in Asheville, North Carolina. I love witnessing these brilliant entrepreneurs perform organizational health checks, inspire each other, and have ‘aha’ moments.”
Diana: “Name one thing that really excites you about the future of in-home childcare.”
Megan: “The future of the in-home childcare industry is corporate care. The only way we can get Americans back into the workforce is to help the organizations they work for provide corporate childcare. I met with Congress back in November and there is consensus on both sides of the aisle that something needs to be done. I’m confident that corporate care is the solution.”
Just For Fun.
Diana: “I asked your staff to fill in this blank: ‘You can get away with a lot of things with Megan, but don't ever…’ Here’s what I collected. Don’t ever lie, ramble in your emails, keep her waiting, blame someone else, change a process without her approval, or post a picture of her without permission.”
Megan: “HA! That sounds about right.”
Diana: “What do people often get wrong about you?”
Megan: “They misconstrue my big personality as intimidating, yet I am a caring and honest person. I truly love people and helping others.”
Diana: “What's your favorite quote?”
Megan: “Imagine a world where we let the success of others inspire us without doubting our own.” Author unknown.
Diana: “Who would play you in the movie of your life?”
Megan: “Reese Witherspoon 100%. Not the Legally Blonde version but Reese from Sweet Home Alabama. Does anyone know if Patrick Dempsey is available?”
Diana: “What would be the title of that movie?”
Megan: “Unbreakable Resilience: A Mother's Triumph.”
Diana: “Wow. Thank you, Megan! ‘Tis the season, so we’ll conclude by honoring your heart of service and invite readers to learn more about your partnership with BACKPACK BEGINNINGS.
