#Smallbizchat Podcast LIVE is a monthly video interview show where small business owners can get answers to their questions.
The focus of #Smallbizchat is to end small business failure by helping participants succeed as your own boss.
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Executive Function Support
Trae Bodge is co-founder of Threadneedle Alley Foundation and an acclaimed lifestyle writer and TV commentator on smart shopping, personal finance, and parenting. As Ceo of Trae Bodge Media LLC, she’s appeared 1,000+ times on Today, Good Morning America, and NBC Nightly News, and written for Woman’s Day and Newsweek. She is frequent panelist and podcast guest on all things finance. If you would like to apply for a business grant learn more at www.threadneedlealley.org
SmallBizLady: How did you become an executive function coach?
Jared Kallen: I became an executive function and life coach through decades of experience as a teacher and coaching and mentoring students and adults. I consistently noticed that many challenges, procrastination, difficulty prioritizing, managing time, and maintaining focus, weren’t about intelligence or motivation, but about executive function skills (or lack thereof) and deficient self-awareness. By helping clients strengthen skills that always lead to better planning, organization, task initiation, emotional regulation, and follow-through, I empower them to take control of their responsibilities, achieve meaningful goals, and actually enjoy the process along the way.
SmallBizLady: How is coaching distinct from therapy or tutoring in your practice—where are the boundaries?
Jared Kallen: Coaching, therapy, and tutoring each serve distinct purposes, and in my practice, I make sure families get the right support at the right time—without unnecessary stress, confusion, or overwhelm. Coaching is all about building executive function, self-management, goal setting, motivation, and practical strategies. I team up with clients to create robust action plans, improve habits, boost focus, and develop self-awareness, accountability, and problem-solving skills—helping them take charge of life without feeling like they’re under a microscope. The goal is to equip kids (and adults) with real-world tools that make everyday tasks, schoolwork, and long-term projects manageable, productive, and even enjoyable.
SmallBizLady: What role do parents/caregivers play, and how do you involve them without creating dependence?
Jared Kallen: Parents and caregivers are essential partners in coaching, but the goal is always to empower the client and greatly diminish codependence. I involve parents as partners, providing frequent updates, and practical strategies so they can support their child without having to take over or micromanage.
I’m certified to coach parents using the DISC personality profile. For example, many neurodivergent children’s primary trait is “Dominant,” while many of their parents are “Cautious.” By creating tailored to-do and not-to-do lists for both child and parent, and communicating them clearly, we consistently achieve better outcomes and increased family harmony—helping the whole household function more smoothly.
SmallBizLady: As the parent of a neurodivergent child, I really struggle with my son’s procrastination, Is this common?
Jared Kallen: All my clients strongly dislike being prompted, reminded, or “heckled” about what they should be doing. A teen might respond to, “Did you start your homework?” with, “I’ll think about it…maybe…later.” Or, “That’s none of your business.” Or, “I got this,” when they really do not. Sometimes they promise, “I’ll do it after one more video,” and 45 minutes later…nothing. My approach respects that resistance, focusing instead on building self-motivation, independence, and accountability—so parents can support progress without feeling the need to constantly step in. We help parents understand the systems, routines, and executive function strategies their child is learning. Parents can reinforce progress at home—without ever feeling like a “nagging referee.” I also provide a neutral, non-judgmental zone where clients feel safe to share what’s truly on their minds.
Grants for 40+ Entrepreneurs
Trae Bodge is co-founder of Threadneedle Alley Foundation and an acclaimed lifestyle writer and TV commentator on smart shopping, personal finance, and parenting. As Ceo of Trae Bodge Media LLC, she’s appeared 1,000+ times on Today, Good Morning America, and NBC Nightly News, and written for Woman’s Day and Newsweek. She is frequent panelist and podcast guest on all things finance. If you would like to apply for a business grant learn more at www.threadneedlealley.org
SmallBizLady: Tell me about your foundation that you supported, which you just started this year! Tell us about it!
Trae Bodge: The idea for Threadneedle Alley was born during a long car ride from New Jersey to Buffalo, as my husband Chris and I reminisced about my mother, Sarah Bodge, who passed away in 2023. At her core, my mom was a natural entrepreneur. She founded Body Sense on Threadneedle Alley in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in the mid-70s and ran it for more than three decades. Whether running her shop or developing new initiatives within institutions, she constantly generated ideas, built programs from scratch, or elevated existing ones to new heights.
During that trip, we recognized how deeply entrepreneurship runs in our family and felt compelled to honor her legacy. That vision became Threadneedle Alley—a venture co-founded with entrepreneurial family members and supported by colleagues who share the same drive. Each of us is over 40, has launched at least one business, and understands the unique challenges of starting anew later in life.
Our mission is to champion U.S.-based entrepreneurs in their “second act,” a population often overlooked despite their valuable life experience. Each year, we will award at least three $5,000 grants and provide a year of mentorship from a board of 26 accomplished professionals—CFPs, graphic designers, publicists, and small business experts dedicated to lifting others up.
SmallBizLady: How can people apply for the grants?
Trae Bodge: We are looking for entrepreneurs 40+ who are from underserved communities or who are facing financial hardship. Your business must be registered, and we suggest that applicants have a website or at least one social channel for the business. We will also ask for a short video intro. We can’t wait to hear from everyone!
SmallBizLady: How can people get involved in your efforts?
Trae Bodge: Threadneedle Alley is a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible. We welcome donations and volunteers! My co-founders and I are committed to donating 5K per year (plus 5k a year from my mom’s estate), meaning that our three annual 5k grants per year are funded, plus some operating budget to pay admin and promotional expenses. But we would love to give bigger grants to more people. We also really want to have a podcast that provides valuable info for entrepreneurs, but I am not touching that until we have funding for an editor.
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