Untitled - September 18, 2026
00:00:00 Speaker: Working moms like you and I love to learn from those who have done it, are doing it, and continue to vision and strategize for the future, whether that looks like for your home, your life, and or your career. And I'm excited to welcome today with us. Beth Goff McMillan. Beth is here to chat all things life, as well as what made her a better leader through motherhood, what it looks like to be a CEO, and the incredible businesses that she has created over time. So Beth, welcome. Thanks for joining us. Thank you for having me. I'm very appreciative. You're so welcome. Okay, let's go ahead and start with your story. What does SKG look like? Tell us a little bit about who you are. What did that journey entail? Um, so SKG, the most simplistic way of describing us is we are a commercial dealer, but who we really are is we're, we're more like business strategists. Um, our output is furniture, but we don't lead with furniture. What we like doing is working with the decision makers and C-suite and really understand whether it's your corporate office, a healthcare education, K through twelve higher ed government office, whatever it might be. Um, we like understanding what's happening with the business and we like optimizing, um, the office for your employees, for your clients, um, to what's the demand of today's office is very different. So we really like setting up people for success. And now it's more about the soft skills than anything. Um, so how do we really infuse culture and productivity in a very different way? And we do that through furnishings. And so it's the workplace strategy. It's the furnishings, we do the ordering. Um, we do all the delivery and installation. So what does it look like for you to choose pieces based off a company. Do you get to know the people or do you kind of suggest things based on their type of work that they do? Where do you start in that process? Where we start is the why. Why does the business exist? Why do you want people in the office? Um, you know, we really start with the, the, the higher questions of why. And then we start talking about how, how do your people work? How do they collaborate? How do they engage with clients? How are you going to market? Then we worry about the what. Because if we know why and we know how, then we can say, these are the what's that you need? And that's how we never start with furniture. When people come and say, hey, Beth, what should I buy? And like, why are you in the office? MM. And a lot of times they're like, I don't even know. I haven't even thought about it. So we start selecting by, um, knowing what type of business they're in and how they function. Then we can worry about the functionality of the piece. We can worry about the aesthetics and the budget and the timeline. How neat. What's one of the most fun projects that you've gotten the chance to work on? We do a lot of work with Google. Oh, that's so cool. And, and we also do a lot with Charles Schwab. And there are two radically different businesses. Um, but they're both very focused on what's next. And they are very, very focused on their employees. And they also have very different return to work policies. They're always cutting edge. And so we always push our teams. We have to be ahead of where they're going because we have to blaze that trail for them. Um, and when you work with really sophisticated clients, the budgets are always tight. Doesn't matter how much money they have or don't have a budget is always tight. Um, because they're expect to every client's expectation is more than what their budget affords. Always like hard stuff. Um, but the more sophisticated the client, um, the more challenging the project. So that really pushes us and watching, um, organizations question themselves and think about their policy, think about how they can be better employers. It just, it's really, really exciting process to be part of. Oh so neat. Thank you for sharing that. What does it look like in this type of field? I'm going to assume that maybe traditionally it's been male dominated. Yes. Were there times that you felt as if you needed to lead like everyone else or others, and shift your mentality when really realizing that who you are and what you have to offer is enough? And so what did that look like in finding that? Oh boy. Oh gosh. A one hundred, all that you throw on the imposter syndrome. You throw it all into this big messy bag. Um, you know, it's interesting. It was in our industry. We're adjacent to corporate real estate architecture, interior design. We're all adjacent to that. And they are also, you know, our clients like we're kind of furniture comes at the very end of a project. So we're one of the lower rungs on the totem pole in corporate real estate is phenomenally male dominated. Um, and, and that even with that, I think the, where I questioned self was more when I was at the table with women versus men. I always say women supporting women is a gift, not a given. And I think some of my challenges in is if I showed up with, you know, my hair done and lipstick on, I was immediately more by women than men put in the, you know, you're a busy decorator. I don't even have a design degree. I had to kind of tap down who I was as a female, morphing into. I need to be more demure. I need to be quiet. I don't, I'm too bold. I'm too high energy. And more times that was because of females than males. And so I say that out there for, for all the ladies out there to listening because I know your audience is this is female based and I, I'm aware of my energy, but I started believing in myself. But it was in my thirties. I mean, I was in the workforce for a long time before I really could lean into, it's okay to be feminine and successful. And, um, and so, but that, that took, that took me a hot beat. I resonate so much with that in so many senses. I feel so comfortable around a table of men and leading them. And then sometimes I create an untrue story when I'm around women and then I start to look in the mirror, I'm like, wait, is that because I'm actually judging them, even though I'm truly do not believe it? And it's my shape shifting mentality that I have really had to work on over the years. And mid thirties is where it's finally like, okay, no, it's okay if they don't like me and yet I want and need to like me. So wear that lipstick or wear those red heels, right? Beth. That's right though. It's, it's very, it's very true. And I tell my kids, the hardest thing and the most liberating thing to be is yourself. Because when you're truly, authentically self and somebody rejects that, it's like, oh, but at the same time, that's how you find your people, right? It's and that's how you find where you're supposed to be is when you are authentically you, whether it's a leadership role, whether it's a personal relationship, when you're being authentic, that's when the people that you want to be part of your company, or people that clients you want to work with, they start showing up at. And you, you find your people when you're really you. I love that. How did you teach that? You've mentioned that your kids are a little bit more older, their adult kids now. You know, I socialized it very young. And truthfully, I did it when I was learning it myself. My kids are I had Ethan at twenty seven, Annabelle at thirty. And so in my thirties and my younger thirties or mid thirties, I was going through my own kind of like the most pivotal growth phase that I've gone through. And they were young. And so as I was learning these concepts, I would introduce them. I was never that parent that didn't think my kids could handle truth. And I always spoke to my kids the way I wanted to be spoken to, and I would socialize it even when they were very young and when they weren't invited and they were, um, didn't make a team, whatever it might be. We talked about it and I listened. I let them grieve that moment, feel that pain. But then we talked about the honesty of it. And you know, where like when you're around, when you feel good, who are you with? And when you feel pressure or stress, like every time I see my kids under pressure, I'm like, let's dig into that. Where is that seed coming from? And are you doubting yourself? Are you letting somebody else doubt yourself? So good. And isn't it crazy? How we lead at home is ultimately how our team wants to be led to one thousand percent. It's one thousand percent. You get to practice on one of them and then apply the different option. I guess that way to you. You do, you do. And like those skills, I think make the strongest leaders. Having those conversations doesn't matter if they're ten or if they're thirty, hearing where they are in that moment and listening and leaning into that and meeting them where they are, but then mentally removing some of those barriers and just let them think. And I say all the time, like, you don't have to answer me, but I want you to think about sitter this, explore this option. And like them, they're going to end up getting there on their own. I don't have to tell them what to think or feel or say, but if you lead them into what it is and dig into that, you know, the the whole Brene Brown rumble, you got to get in there and rumble with it. And if you let them kind of, if you open up and suggest concepts and then let them feel it and really get at the core of what they're feeling. They start figuring out, oh, that's, that's, that's it. And, and in a leadership moment at work, when somebody is struggling, I want them to figure out the path and I want them to start solving their own problems. And sometimes it's just having that conversation and removing those barriers and introducing concepts for them to say, okay, that's the problem. Now I can identify it. Now I can go solve it to coach them through it so that they come up with their own. And so you're not telling them it's such an impactful skill. Would you say that kind of sounds like this is almost like emotional labor? Wouldn't you agree in that phrase that we hear a hundred percent is both at work and in motherhood? What would you say? It looks like emotional labor for the people that you lead and honestly, the people that you help teach to lead others? I've thought about this and, and I, and I love, like you said a few things across for me to consider. Um, and I think for me, it comes down to meeting people where they are. And I think that's really, I think that's a skill that you first have to develop in self before you can give it to somebody else. Um, so for me, I can hear out and a lot of times I'll tell the team, I can take your poison. Like if you need to come in and vent, you can leave it here at the table. I'll hear you out. Um, but then there's this moment and whether, I mean, I had to do with my daughter last weekend. I've had to do it with leaders. I'm going to give you the moment to feel it. I'm going to give you the moment to grieve it, whatever it is. And then we're gonna, we're gonna set it down. Then we're going to move forward and we're not going to get caught in that washing machine and let it then define your next actions. That's really the only thing we're in control of. We are. The only thing we're in control of is how we respond to a situation. We cannot control, how somebody else is going to respond, and we have to be prepared for that. So if you can go into a room, cry it out, do whatever you need to do, then you got to set it down. Then you have to think, okay, how am I going to respond to this scenario? Um, and that that's what I feel like that emotional labor is for me when I'm having to invite that in and then coach it out, whether it's with my kids, whether it's with an executive, whether it's with, you know, a manager, because those being, you know, in the C-suite or a leader versus a manager radically different. Um, and having a ten year old versus a twenty year old, radically different, but at the same time, they all end up the same. But we have to let them experience the moment, need them there. But then at some point you have to you have to hit pause like, okay, now what are we going to do? How are we going to solve? How are you going to respond? Let's talk through, let's tell me what that looks like. And what I can't do is tell them how to respond. And why do you think that's so crucial to not tell them? Because then it's never theirs. And if I tell them, I'm literally what I did was I just enabled them. Mhm. And and I've done it, I, yeah, it, you know, I have enabled Pawlenty. Uh, people have enabled me. And once I started holding myself truly accountable, then I can hold somebody else truly accountable. If I, if I tell them what to say or what to do, I've given them a shortcut. and that's not fair to them. But if I can give them a shared experience of what it felt like or looked like for me to go through that problem. What I had to do to maneuver out, or a situation I've managed through, I can share in that experience. But they have to figure out the solution for themselves that's right for them. And I think that's where that's where you get confidence. I love the parallels that we are able to make between leading and owning and running a business and being a mother at home. It's two things that when people say, leave work at the door, leave, leave home at the door, you can't. There is no way that you can do that because emotionally we care so much about both. And that's okay. That's that's a dynamic of the invisible mental load, if you will. You have created successful teams and businesses and even a family Looking back, what are you most proud of? That has nothing necessarily to do with revenue and rewards, because I have no doubt that you have plenty of those. This past year, I really know. Let's say I'm fifty two. Two years ago, when I was fifty, I started writing blogs and putting them out there, and my first one was painfully vulnerable, and I'd never done that. But it was my daughter that said, mom, why are you talking to only people that are like your age? Why aren't you sharing yourself with girls my age that really need it? And their moms might not talk to them the way you talk with us. And, you know, and at that moment, I'm like, I didn't even know you were listening, let alone, you know, I, you know, like, your kids don't listen to you. So I was like, well, one, I'm really glad you're listening. And two, like, what? I never, I never considered that. And so through that, um, um, fortune magazine picked up an article and asked Annabel and I to be part of a Mother's Day article. And that was, that was. Yeah, that was exciting. But the moment that stopped me in my tracks was they sent over questions. I wrote mine, she wrote hers. We didn't do it together. Oh, cool. And then we sat and read them to each other to hear how she saw me as a mom and as a woman. I it chokes me up like I I've just like, you don't get that blessing very often in life. And and I'm on the heels of two very close friends passing away and hearing all the beautiful things that were said about them. And I'm like, did they know that when they were alive? So to be able to hear how you've impacted Somebody, um, where you can enjoy it and, and share in that love in that moment. Like that was just breathtaking moment for me to hear your, your daughter's, how she sees you. Um, and then like my son for my fiftieth birthday, he got me this beautiful blanket that had all this, all the sayings, um, and all the things that he thinks about me or loves about me. And it just in those small moments when we doubt ourselves, like, did I do enough? Did I show up enough? Did they see how hard I tried balancing it all? Mhm. When you hear or see from your kids that you they still saw you like those. Those are the moments. That's the goal. Like that's the season of life that I am in. And I, I know that you probably were like wondering at the time if you were doing it right. It sounds like you were, but it we, yes, we all I still question himself. Like he's still question like, you know, should I be calling them like their adult kids? Like what's too much? Do I call them every day? Is that too helicopter? Do I wait for them to call? Like you're still trying to feel out because it's all new to us? I might, I might be a parent for twenty five years, but this is the first time I'm a parent of a twenty five year old. Yep. It's changing. And so we're still learning. The best representation of a forever learner is our kids. I love to think about that. They're forever keeping us that way. Yeah, it's it's very true. So neat. So there's different divisions within your business, right? SKG has several opportunities. And like you said, we don't lead with furniture, but that's what you provide. You also do a lot of mentoring. How fun. Like that has to be so cool. What's the best piece of advice that you find yourself giving over and over again that you would share with us? Oh yes, you can do it all. But you could not do well all of the time. I like it, you can do it all, but you cannot do it well all of the time. What? Why does that stand out for you? I can remember what, um, a strong creative, but I'm very analytical. And it makes you feel schizophrenic at times because, um, like growing up, I was like, do I want to be an artist? But I want to be. And I, and I didn't understand what it meant, but I'm like, I, it was probably because I was raised on the show, Dallas and Dynasty and, you know, you see all these successful families. I'm like, I want a dynasty, but I want to be an artist. And I don't think those two things can be, you know, happening at the same time. Right. Um, so I think I always wanted it all and I thought I would have to sacrifice. I grew up thinking I want a big career, so I probably won't have kids, literally. And when I got pregnant with Ethan, I was actually on birth control and pregnant. So that's a public service announcement. Um, so, uh, but then once I had Ethan, I'm like, I want five kids. Like, I want all the kids in the world. Like, this is the best thing ever. Um, and in my twenties and I was, you know, later, like I said, twenty seven and then, and then third, I'm like, how am I going to do this? How am I going to be the perfect mom, a perfect wife, the perfect employee, while also being adventurous and taking on more, um, within my own career. And I literally almost pushed myself to mental break, like literally. And at thirty eight, I'm like, I'm losing, I'm losing grip. I'm losing grip of all of it. And, um, had to retreat. Like I had to retreat in terms of job, home, everything. I literally retreated back into me. Ethan, Annabel and two friends and then had to move forward from there. And I'm like, I'll never do that again. I will never get to the brink of losing self, um, in such a deep way. And I'm like, I can do this if. And I know it's so trite, this whole give self grace, but only we can set our own boundaries. And we're the only ones that can set our own boundaries, um, set everybody else's boundaries for what is okay for us. Um, in coming out, I called like my, when I was thirty, those were, that was like my dark year, like thirty six to thirty eight were my dark years And coming out of that. I was totally not just not only just okay with me, but I was okay that there could be a day that I was going to be an awesome mom. But if I was going to be an awesome mom, I might not have been the best employee that day. And that that where there is no work life balance, that is just life. And when we when that's when I started kind of folding it all together and I didn't try separating it anymore. And frankly, I stopped trying to make it okay for everybody else. I was single at the time. We had gone through a divorce. I couldn't make it okay for everybody else. This is who I am as a human and as a woman and as a mother, as a daughter, as all these titles that we wear that I had to live the life I wanted to live and be the best human I could be. And in that, and when I truly was authentic and honest with my family and tell the kids today at mom's got a really, really hard day at work. I'm going to have a really, really tough day today. I'm going to earn every penny of my paycheck. But when when I get home, like I can't, I'm, I can't come read at school today. I'm not going to, I'm not going to be there. Um, but this is how I'm going to show up. And I was honest with my kids, kids, I don't want to be part of PTA. I don't want to do that. I don't want to be a room mom. But I will show up to every event because I want to sit at the table with you. I want to color with you. I want to serve you a cupcake. Hate as cruel as it sounds, I don't care about serving thirty other kids cupcakes. I want to be here for you. That's the only reason why I'm doing this. I love this, your authenticity shines through, and I find myself being like, oh, I need to take some of this piece. Like, I find so many similarities, but I'm on the brink of what I mean. Not hopefully not close, but I'm. I'm you. What happened before you were in your dark years? And I'm thinking, oh, so I don't have to say yes to every room, mom. Like I don't have to be the head room mom. I can let them, you know what I mean? And like, I know that, but it's a choice as to whether or not I want to like the cupcake analogy was so good. Like, do I want to serve all of these kids cupcakes I do right now? Is that going to be the case in three years? Great. We'll see. That's right. You know, it's okay. It is okay to change your mind. I was a room mom one year and then. But I walked away and I was sad. I met my best friend. It was first grade room moms. Um, and it is now my she is my best friend and our kids are out of college. Um, but. I, I've looked back and I had less time with Annabelle. My time was so precious balancing. I was managing a big team, a big portfolio for a publicly traded company. So I only had so much time to give and I gave it to that class. But then I found it was my daughter that was sitting at the table without a parent eating her cupcake. That was the last time I was room mom. Not because I don't see value in the role. I couldn't be the parent I wanted to be and do do that. I love this. Something as simple as a room mom. And then that translates to different roles within the workplace. Beth, you have such a demeanor about you. It's it's respect of yourself and it is truly contagious. And if you're watching on YouTube, you can see Beth and her nicely decorated office. When you're I'm looking, I'm like, oh, shoot, I meant I was going to get a picture for that wall. I just haven't done it yet. And so your office is so nicely decorated and I can only imagine that translates into the workplace. But you have shared some, some fabulous nuggets of information that we can apply both at work and home. And I appreciate and am so very grateful for your authenticity. It shines. And I can only hope that in a few more years, I'll think of you and be like, I want to be like the cool furniture lady. Beth Gough McMillan, do this. You're you're a true role model for so many. So we always wrap it up each podcast with a lightning round style of questions. And so here we go. First thing that comes to mind. What is one leadership book that everyone should read Dare to Lead? Have to read it, and then you have to follow it up with, um, Strong Ground. She just released it. Both of those are Brené Brown. Yep. Um. Unreasonable hospitality, oddly enough, that book. So it's one of the best business books I've ever read. For every mom out there, you have to read up time up, time it it's a, it's, it's all around time management and it's very practical tools on how to pull your entire life together. I mean, it was written by a very, very successful female at Google and it's a short, quick read. It is it it changed my organization of life. Okay. Half the list has been read. I will add the other two. That's so okay. Great job. What is one habit that has helped you stay grounded over the years? Humor. I don't even know how I've put that into a habit, but I try to infuse humor and light heartedness in all aspects of my life. I don't know how to translate that into a habit, so I think I'm failing in this question. You find humor often. I laugh at myself like I just enjoy the even the silly things I do. Beautiful. That's It's a new one and I like it. What is one thing that you feel as if you are always consistently or constantly learning boundaries? I think personally hard. I was raised by an alcoholic father and thank God he when he when I was, um, leaving high school, he got sober. Um, and, and I'm just, I was in awe of his fortitude. But I think because of that, I have to be very honest with boundaries and, um, setting boundaries with self setting, um, honest boundaries with the people that I love. And I think as I mature in age and I think with my children, as they grow and experience different phases, boundaries look different. I think it's very hard to establish healthy boundaries, um, hold people accountable and hold myself accountable to the boundaries that I need to stay the human that I need to be. beautiful. What is something that our listeners would be surprised to know about you? I bought my first car because I sold a steer and two hogs at the four H fair. I showed pigs in forage. It's those silly things that you would be like, oh my God, that sounds embarrassing. But I'm like, nobody would ever, ever. People would expect I wouldn't go camping. And when I tell them how I bought my first car, they don't even know how to respond. They're like, I, I don't even know what to do with that. Beth. I'm like, I know. Keep it coming. I love it, I love it. Okay. Last. Last one. Finish this sentence. Leadership is blank. Humble. Leadership is being humble. Lead from the back. Yep. I love it. Oh! So good. Beth, what a wonderful time. Thank you for spending it with us. You are a very full woman with a big schedule, and we appreciate you leading us and being role models for us each and every day and through this moment. For us to get to learn from you has been a true joy. So thank you. How can people learn from you, connect with you? Yeah. LinkedIn. Um, go to, to LinkedIn. Beth golf McMillan. Um, I'm also on Instagram, but Instagram is both personal and, and, um, you know, I try to share a little nuggets of wisdom, but it's also where you can see me in real life. And, um, I'm also on Facebook, but yeah, yeah, LinkedIn is probably the, the best place. Um, but Beth golf McMillan are my handles and thank you. Thank you for what you're doing and creating this platform for women to feel seen and heard. Um, and letting us be vulnerable. That's, I think that's how we all build the communities that we want. You said it best. It is not always a given to have women. Supporting women is a gift. And I that really resonated because we got to create the table and then we do. Oh yes, I love it. Show notes are a place where you can also connect with Beth. Her links will be there directly, but we appreciate you taking time to listen to today's episode of the Working Moms Redefined podcast, where, as Beth said it best, as a reminder, we can do hard things. Thank you for listening to the Working Moms Redefined podcast. It is not lost on me that you chose to spend time together. Thank you. Let's connect outside of the space on socials. We'd love for you to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest. We've got it all to connect with you. If you feel as if someone in your life could be impacted by this message, feel free to share it. That is the biggest compliment. As we part ways together. Remember, you can do hard things.
