Podcast

Entreprenista

Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing

The Entreprenista Podcast is a weekly show featuring the stories of successful female founders and what it's really like to run a business. Hosted by Stephanie Cartin & Courtney Spritzer, co-founders of Socialfly, a leading social media marketing agency, each episode goes beyond what you see on Instagram and into the nitty-gritty of growing and scaling a company effectively from women who’ve done it. Consider this the most fun business meeting you’ll ever have.

Episodes
419
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
47 min
On air since
2018
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

419 episodes, newest first

  1. Cassie Hughes, Grow Marketing: Pioneering Experiential Marketing for 25 Years

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    “You want to treat someone the same whether they are a VP or a CMO or they are a junior person whose job is to find the next agency to do this beautiful body of work.”

    What does it take to build a successful business that lasts 25 years? For Cassie Hughes, co-founder of Grow Marketing, the answer starts with trusting your intuition, building meaningful relationships, and defining success on your own terms.

    On this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Cassie joins Stephanie and Courtney to share how she took a leap of faith 25 years ago, teamed up with her former biggest competitor, and built a women-owned experiential marketing agency working with some of the world's biggest brands, including Google, Target and Meta. She takes us behind the scenes of the iconic Barbie Dreamhouse collaboration on Airbnb, shares how relationship-building has fueled the agency's growth, and reveals the secrets to maintaining long-term client partnerships.

    What We Talked About:

    Leap And The Net Will Appear [3:39]

    Relationships Over Cold Outreach [11:49]

    The Barbie Dream House With Airbnb [19:57]

    Referring Work And Reciprocity [28:21]

    The Comeback And Pivoting To Virtual [41:13]

    Community And Giving First [49:23]

    Connect with Cassie:

    @cassiehughesbahan on Instagram

    Cassie Hughes on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    1 hr 2 min
  2. Adley Kinsman, Viralish: Mastering Visibility and Viral Content

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    “There is a lot of failures along the way but all of them are learnings. And so it was without a doubt knowing that I am going to win. That is non-negotiable. That is the outcome.”

    What does it take to turn a viral moment into a thriving business? On this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Courtney sit down with Adley Kinsman, founder of Viralish, to explore her unconventional journey from competing on The Voice to building a social media powerhouse responsible for more than 75 billion views.

    After eight years as an independent artist, Adley found herself starting over financially and searching for a new path forward. One unexpected viral video featuring her chickens changed everything, sparking a passion for viral marketing that would eventually grow into a business helping entrepreneurs and major brands capture attention online. Today, through Viralish, Adley teaches business owners how to increase visibility, create compelling content, and build brands without relying on traditional gatekeepers.

    What We Talked About:

    00:31 Meet Adley and Viralish [00:31]

    07:21 The Chicken Video That Changed Everything [7:21]

    18:15 The Business Model: Getting Paid on Views [18:15]

    26:07 The Double Your Reach Challenge [26:07]

    38:25 Hiring a Sales Team with Integrity [38:25]

    46:09 Why Founders Need Each Other [46:09]

    Connect with Adley:on Instagram

    Adley Kindsman on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    52 min
  3. Elyce Arons, Frances Valentine: Building Two Iconic Brands and Finding Joy in Chapter Two

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    “Hearing their stories about their first Kate Spade bag and they would bring them to the events which was so much fun to see again.”

    What does it take to build two iconic fashion brands alongside your best friend and navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship? On this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, we sit down with Elyce Arons, co-founder of Kate Spade and co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, to explore her remarkable journey through fashion, friendship, resilience, and reinvention.

    Elyce shares how she and her best friend, Katie Spade, bootstrapped Kate Spade from an apartment into a globally recognized lifestyle brand, why building a business around strong relationships and a scrappy mindset made all the difference, and how she found the strength to carry Frances Valentine forward after Katie’s passing. She also opens up about launching her New York Times bestselling memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, and how sharing her story has helped her connect with women navigating their own experiences of friendship, loss, and entrepreneurship.

    What We Talked About:

    Rebuilding After Loss: The Birth of Francis Valentine [6:33]

    Financing the Dream: Bootstrapping and Beyond [14:50]

    The Power of Storytelling in Business [24:33]

    Navigating Trade Shows and Networking [30:46]

    Embracing Life in Your 60s [36:23]

    The Importance of Hard Work and Resilience [41:41]

    Connect with Elyce:@elyce_arons on Instagram

    Elyce Arons on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    47 min
  4. Stacy Tuschl, Well-Oiled Operations: Mastering Operations and Growing Through Delegation

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    Well-Oiled Operations® Masterclass

    “So if you are judging yourself, shaming yourself, blaming yourself. Its like listen you probably just haven't put in enough reps. And if you are committed to putting in the reps. You're going to be fine.”

    What does it take to build a business that can thrive without you at the center of it? On this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Stacy Tuschl, entrepreneur and founder of Well-Oiled Operations, to discuss her journey from launching a dance studio as a college student to building multiple successful businesses and helping entrepreneurs scale sustainably.

    Stacy shares how her dance business grew from just 17 students to hundreds, why learning to delegate and implement systems transformed her approach to entrepreneurship, and how investing in mentors and masterminds helped her navigate the challenges of business ownership. She also opens up about the unexpected identity shift that comes with stepping away from a business you built from the ground up and finding new ways to stay fulfilled as an entrepreneur.

    What We Talked About:

    The Journey of an Accidental Entrepreneur [1:21]

    Delegation and Identity Crisis in Business [12:26]

    Building an Invisible Business [21:35]

    Learning from Mistakes [26:06]

    Understanding Operations [31:25]

    Letting Go for Growth [41:15]

    Connect with Stacy:

    @stacytuschl on Instagram

    Stacy Tuschl on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    46 min
  5. Nicole Burke, Gardenary: Planting the Seeds for a Life Without Limits

    Show notes

    Resource mentioned:

    Join BIZ36 with Nicole Burke

    ‍

    “The magic is that those are universal topics that everyone in the world can relate to and then inside those big universal circles, you will find your people.”

    On this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Burke, founder of Gardenary and creator of Hey Nicole Burke, to talk about building businesses, embracing your whole life, and creating success on your own terms.

    Nicole shares how she went from a self-taught gardener building raised beds in her backyard to growing Gardenary into a nationwide brand, while raising four children along the way. She opens up about the pivotal moments that pushed her to move from a service-based business into digital products, how she knew when it was time to evolve her business model, and why she ultimately turned to her personal brand to help fund her children's college education.

    ‍

    What We Talked About:

    Building a Garden Business From Scratch [5:15]

    Knowing When to Scale or Pivot [10:48]

    The Content Categories That Reach More People [20:35]

    Launching Biz36: Waitlists, DMs, and Momentum [32:01]

    Business Tools That Save Time [42:55]

    Biggest Business Mistakes and How to Avoid Them [45:41]

    ‍

    Connect with Nicole:
    @heynicoleburke on Instagram

    Nicole Burke on LinkedIn

    ‍

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    ‍

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    59 min
  6. Zibby Owens, Zibby Media: Turning a Love of Books Into a Thriving Media Empire

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠⁠Entreprenista League⁠⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources:

    •

    Zibby’s Highlights

    •

    Zibby Media

    “...when people say "what's coming next?” I just wanna grow like I have been focused on growth from day one.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Zibby Owens, founder and CEO of Zibby Media, a growing company that includes her daily podcast Totally Booked, a publishing house, an independent bookstore in Santa Monica, an online book club, essays and newsletters, and a growing events and retreats business. Zibby shares the winding career journey that ultimately led her to entrepreneurship, from selling bookmarks as a kid to working in media and brand development, writing, and launching her own companies.

    Zibby opens up about how she started her podcast with no audience or revenue, how she turned a passion project into a business, and why she isn't afraid to launch something that might eventually need to be shut down. She also shares how she decides where to invest her time, what she's learned about building and delegating across a 24-person team, and why trusting your instincts is such an important part of being a founder.

    What We Talked About:

    Building Zibby Media: From Passion to Business [5:27]

    Deciding What To Pursue: Intuition in Business [14:08]

    The Zibby Media Platform: Expanding Horizons [20:20]

    Between Chapters: Zibby's Latest Book and Its Themes [25:27]

    The Secret to Success: Building a Trustworthy Team [34:55]

    Connect with Zibby:

    ⁠@zibbyowens⁠ on Instagram

    Zibby Owens on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders like you.

    41 min
  7. Jeri Doris, Chief People Officer at Justworks: Empowering Small Businesses to Grow

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources:

    Justworks is an Entreprenista Approved partner. Try 3 months free of PEO Basic or Plus plans on us.

    “And so often I think some of the best conversations that can happen need to be had and need to actually have that constructive conflict.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Jeri Doris shares lessons from her career helping some of the world’s fastest-growing companies build high-performing teams and cultures. She explains why “clarity is kind,” how constructive conflict can strengthen a team, and why founders shouldn’t wait to address people issues before they become bigger problems.

    Jeri also breaks down the essential people infrastructure every growing business should think about early, from payroll and benefits to compliance, operating systems, and company culture. She shares why small businesses can benefit from enterprise-level support without sacrificing the entrepreneurial spirit that makes startups special.

    What We Talked About:

    Jeri’s Career Journey [4:01]

    Giving Feedback That Lands [10:15]

    Payroll, Benefits & the PEO Advantage [18:08]

    Building Remote and Hybrid Culture [31:44]

    AI Tools and Intentional Learning [51:15]

    Connect with Jeri:

    Jeri Doris on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    57 min
  8. Vivian Tu, Founder of Your Rich BFF & Ask Dolly: Making Financial Knowledge More Accessible

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    •

    Ask Dolly

    •

    Networth and Chill

    •

    Rich AF

    •

    Well Endowed

    “I was thinking about this like a business. And to pretend like it was a little hobby and I just got lucky I think is a disservice to the amount of work I was putting in.”

    What happens when you turn your expertise into a mission to help people feel more confident about their money? Vivian Tu, better known as Your Rich BFF, joins the Entreprenista Podcast to share how a single social media post turned into a powerful media empire spanning millions of followers, two books, a podcast, and her newest venture, Ask Dolly.

    Vivian takes us behind the scenes of her journey from Wall Street and corporate media to entrepreneurship, revealing how she recognized momentum early, treated her side hustle like a real business, and ultimately built the financial runway that allowed her to leave her corporate career and go all in. She shares lessons on pricing your value, building a team, hiring for culture, creating systems, and surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you.

    What We Talked About:

    Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship [9:11]

    Building the Media Empire [16:41]

    The Challenges of Hiring as a CEO [24:18]

    Self-Funding vs. Raising Capital: A Personal Choice [31:02]

    Planning and Operations: How to Stay Ahead [43:02]

    Connect with Vivian:@your.richbff on Instagram

    Vivian Tu on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    50 min
  9. Denise Woodard, Founder & CEO of Partake: Girl Scouts' Newest Partner

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    “I would see brands on store shelves and think “oh those are big companies” she sees products and companies and is like “one day I could do that” because she sees so many amazing Entreprenistas building companies and changing the game.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Denise returns four years after her first appearance to share what’s changed in the decade since she launched Partake. She opens up about the journey from leaving corporate America and investing everything she had into her vision to building a nationally distributed brand and raising more than $30 million in venture capital.

    Denise also reveals the story behind Partake’s groundbreaking new partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA: Girl Scout Sparkables™, the first allergy-friendly Girl Scout cookie in the organization’s history. She explains why the partnership took six years to bring to life, what it took behind the scenes to develop the cookie, and why creating a more inclusive experience for children with food allergies is so meaningful to her and her daughter.

    What We Talked About:

    The Partake Origin Story [2:50]

    How to Build a Dream Brand Partnership [12:42]

    Founder Confidence After 10 Years [20:14]

    Retail Economics and Unit Margins [25:19]

    What’s Next for Partake [28:58]

    Connect with Denise:

    @densiegwoodard on Instagram

    Denise Woodard onLinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    36 min
  10. Betsy Fore, Velveteen Ventures: From $50K Grant to Raising Millions and Becoming a Bestselling Author

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠⁠Entreprenista League⁠⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    ⁠Framer⁠

    ⁠Willow⁠

    ⁠Granola⁠

    ⁠Joy⁠

    "The most important relationship you'll ever have is with yourself. More than your investors, your partners, even your co-founders — it starts there."

    In this episode, Betsy Fore shares her remarkable journey from first-generation college graduate and toy inventor to serial founder, venture capitalist, and nonprofit leader — all driven by an unwavering belief in the power of "why not me?" As the founder of Tiny Organics, which generated over $13 million in revenue in its first 24 months, and now managing partner of Velveteen Ventures, Betsy has built, scaled, and fundraised across multiple industries while breaking barriers as the first Native American woman to raise a Series A round.

    But her story doesn't stop there.

    Betsy opens up about the burnout that forced her to do the inner work, the mindset practices that rewired how she leads, and the Indigenous values of reciprocity and humility that have quietly shaped every business decision she's ever made. From pitching in front of the co-founder of Square to launching a nonprofit community for Native technologists and founders, she reveals what it really takes to stay in the ring — and why the founder who succeeds is often the one who simply refused to quit.

    What We Talked About:

    •

    Tiny Organics: $13M in 24 months 5:52

    •

    Angel vs. venture capital funding 21:25

    •

    How to pitch your three whys 31:24

    •

    Burning out and bouncing back 35:57

    •

    Natives Rising and Velveteen Ventures 31:24

    Connect with Betsy:⁠@betsyfore⁠ on Instagram

    Betsy Fore on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

    Buy ⁠Built on Purpose⁠

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    48 min
  11. Marcia Dawood, Angel Investor & Author: Rewriting the Rules of Who Gets Funded

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    •

    Marcia Dawood Website

    •

    Unapologetic Wealth: Rewrite Your Money Story from Any Beginning

    •

    Do Good While Doing Well: Invest for Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness

    •

    The Angel Next Door

    “At the beginning, you can offer entrepreneurs a lot of things…making one phone call could actually help an entrepreneur get ahead”

    In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with angel investor, author, and SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee Chair Marcia Dawood to demystify startup investing and fundraising—and explore why women continue to face major barriers to capital.

    Marcia shares her journey into angel investing, the biggest mistakes she’s made along the way, and what founders need to know before pursuing funding. She breaks down the difference between angel investors and venture capitalists, explains who qualifies as an accredited investor, and makes the case for education as a better path to investment readiness than income or net-worth requirements alone.

    What We Talked About:

    Marcia’s Journey into Angel Investing [3:04]

    Who Qualifies as an Accredited Investor? [9:09]

    Exploring Alternative Funding Paths [15:03]

    What Investors Look for in Pitch Decks [27:13]

    Balancing Yes and No in Business Decisions [36:10]

    Connect with Marcia:

    @marciadawood on Instagram

    Marcia Dawood onLinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    43 min
  12. Michelle Wahler, Beyond Yoga: A Levi's Collaboration Became an Acquisition

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    "But it is important to ask your wholesale partners for help and to say I cant give that but we are working towards it and allow them to be part of that journey”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Michelle Wahler, co-founder and former CEO of Beyond Yoga, to unpack the remarkable journey of building a beloved activewear brand from the ground up and ultimately selling it to Levi Strauss & Co.

    Michelle shares how she and her co-founder grew Beyond Yoga organically without outside investors, why saying “no” to major retail opportunities helped protect the brand, and how relationships with wholesale partners became one of the company's greatest growth engines. She also reveals how she navigated more than $6 million in canceled orders during the early days of COVID—and how that crisis ultimately accelerated the company's e-commerce growth.

    What We Talked About:

    From Graphic Design to New York City [3:39]

    Early Sales Reps and Brand Credibility [10:25]

    Partnering With REI [17:57]

    The Pandemic and $6M in Cancellations [37:37]

    A Memorable Last Day [54:41]

    Mentoring Female Founders [60:26]

    Connect with Michelle:

    @michelle.wahler on Instagram

    Michelle Wahler onLinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    1 hr 5 min
  13. Heather Monahan, Boss In Heels: Turning Reinvention Into a Thriving Brand

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the

    opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    “What I have realized is people can take your paycheck, they can take your title, they can strip you of these different external things, but your personal brand can never be taken from you.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and confidence expert Heather Monahan shares how losing her corporate executive role pushed her to reinvent herself from the ground up. She reveals the LinkedIn post that changed her life, how she turned a personal brand into a global speaking career, and why confidence is something you build—not something you're born with.

    Heather also dives into the practical strategies behind growing a business through authenticity, landing paid speaking engagements, leveraging viral content, using AI to work smarter, and creating products your audience actually wants. Whether you're navigating a career transition, building your brand, or looking to scale your business, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories.

    What We Talked About:

    Reinventing After Rejection [7:36]

    Monetizing Your Skills [21:21]

    Leveraging LinkedIn for Speaking Engagements [27:30]

    Building Your Signature Talk [33:32]

    Utilizing AI for Business Growth [42:05]

    Connect with Heather:

    @Heathermonahan on Instagram

    Heather Monahan on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    51 min
  14. Leah Solivan, TaskRabbit: From Creating the Gig Economy to Funding What Comes Next

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    DealScore AI

    “I realized that everything I had built at task rabbit gave me the credibility, gave me the value ad to be a great investor and to be a great partner to other founders.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Leah Solivan, founder of TaskRabbit and founder and general partner of Precedent VC, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that changes an industry.

    Leah shares the story behind TaskRabbit, from getting the idea while living in Boston and running out of dog food, to quitting her secure job at IBM, cashing out $27,000 from her pension, and launching what would become one of the companies that helped pioneer the gig economy. She opens up about building the first version of the platform from her apartment, recruiting the first taskers, raising capital during the 2008 financial crisis, and eventually scaling TaskRabbit to 44 markets before selling the company to IKEA.

    What We Talked About:

    An Early Entrepreneurial Spark [1:43]

    Launching TaskRabbit Locally [9:01]

    Scaling TaskRabbit and Selling to IKEA [15:49]

    What Investors Look for in Founder Pitches [23:17]

    JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out [28:13]

    Connect with Leah:

    @leah_solivanon Instagram

    Leah Solivan on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    39 min
  15. Katie Austin, KA App: Building Your Own Empire in Your Mother's Industry

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    “If you follow your own path and your own passion it will shine through and you will be successful.”

    What does it really take to turn a personal brand into a thriving business? This week on The Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with fitness entrepreneur Katie Austin to unpack the decade-long journey behind building the KA App—a bootstrapped digital fitness and nutrition platform with hundreds of workout classes, healthy recipes, habit tracking, and an engaged community.

    Katie opens up about growing up with fitness icon Denise Austin, forging her own path in an industry where comparisons are inevitable, and why slow, steady growth has been one of her greatest competitive advantages. From balancing a career in sports broadcasting while building her business from scratch to leading a remote team, navigating social media as the face of her brand, and preparing for motherhood, Katie shares the honest realities of entrepreneurship behind the highlight reel.

    What We Talked About:

    How Her Background in Sports Influenced Her Business Path [2:30]

    Managing Mental Health While Building a Personal Brand [8:12]

    The Power of Snapchat for Niche Marketing [14:59]

    Turning Social Media Followers into Customers [25:25]

    Embracing Your Own Path as an Entrepreneur [33:02]

    Connect with Katie:

    @katieaustin on Instagram

    Katie Austin on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    38 min
  16. Allison Maslan, Pinnacle Global Network: How to Build a Business That Scales Without You

    Show notes

    Resources mentioned:

    Get Your FREE Copy of Allison Maslan's Wall Street Journal Bestselling Book, Scale or Fail, Here

    “Why this is so important is that most business owners have no idea where they are in the scaling process and that's why they get stuck”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie and Courtney sit down with Allison Maslan—CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and entrepreneur who has built and sold nine companies—to uncover the blueprint for creating a truly scalable business.

    Allison shares the pivotal moments that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, from growing a successful advertising agency in her twenties to surviving a life-changing car accident that forced her to rethink what success really meant. She explains why so many founders become trapped inside the businesses they built and introduces her proven Five Phases of Scaling, revealing where entrepreneurs get stuck and how to move toward a founder-independent company.

    What We Talked About:

    Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Family [1:47]

    The Car Accident That Changed Everything [5:44]

    The Five Phases of Business Scaling [11:29]

    Designing a More Scalable Business Model [20:27]

    Becoming a Bestselling Author [27:26]

    Allison’s Morning Vision-Crafting Ritual [34:01]

    Connect with Allison:

    @allisonmaslan on Instagram

    Allison Maslan on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.
    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    42 min
  17. Nikki Scott, TikTok: Building for Where You're Going, Not Where You Are

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    “I just really think that the team at possible really puts together conversations that are future facing. Everything that I have seen happen here as stoked a little fire in my brain of how can build towards this.”

    In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Courtney sits down with Nikki Scott, Head of Partnerships at TikTok, angel investor, and creator economy expert. Nikki shares how she helped build TikTok's brand partnerships organization from the ground up, why saying "yes" before you're ready can transform your career, and the mindset shifts that separate successful founders from everyone else.

    From growing global teams and identifying standout talent to investing in early-stage startups, Nikki offers an inside look at what she's learned working at the intersection of technology, creators, and entrepreneurship. She also reveals how small business owners can leverage TikTok authentically, why storytelling is one of the most valuable business skills you can develop, and the simple confidence-building habit that has changed the way she approaches opportunities.

    What We Talked About:

    Nikki's Career Journey and Early Experiences [3:10]

    The Importance of People and Community [8:54]

    Mindset Shifts for Small Business Owners [14:51]

    Hiring for Grit and Etiquette [21:02]

    Advice for Building a Career [27:04]

    Tools and Secrets for Business Success [33:08]

    Connect with Nikki:

    @nikkibogoscott on Instagram

    Nikki Scott onLinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    40 min
  18. Valeria Lipovetsky, Valeria Inc.: Building a $25M Media Empire by Betting on Yourself

    Show notes

    “I want people to have the financial freedom and independence and really steer the boat when it comes to their businesses, by understanding how to market themselves properly and share their stories.”

    In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Courtney sits down with creator, entrepreneur, and CEO Valeria Lipovetsky to discuss how she transformed a passion for storytelling into Valeria Inc., a media company generating more than $25 million in annual revenue.

    Valeria shares the pivotal moment she decided to bet on herself, how her husband and co-founder Gary helped recognize the massive opportunity in creator-led media, and why protecting her creativity became the key to scaling her business. From hiring a CEO early to building long-term partnerships with brands like Dior and Paige Denim, she offers an inside look at the systems, mindset, and leadership required to grow beyond being "just an influencer."

    ‍

    What We Talked About:

    Scaling and Structuring a Creative Business [5:55]

    Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship [11:21]

    Creating Value and Long-Term Partnerships [17:19]

    The Dynamics of Co-Founding with a Partner [23:23]

    Future Aspirations and Investments 29:26]

    ‍

    Connect with Valeria:
    @valerialipovetsky on Instagram

    ​​Valeria Lipovetsky on LinkedIn

    ‍

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    ‍

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    35 min
  19. Alexis Contos, The Breadwinners: Why She Left the Top to Build What Actually Mattered

    Show notes

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    Resources mentioned:

    Entreprenista listeners can receive 30% off your The Breadwinners annual subscription here.

    “The end goal and the mission for why we exist is to create a safe space where the community replaces guilt with a sense of agency and confidence.”

    In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Alexis shares her journey from corporate executive to founder, the unexpected lessons she learned after stepping away from a career she spent decades building, and how a single dinner sparked a movement. She opens up about the realities of building a business while raising three young children, navigating the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and why she's committed to creating intimate, intentional spaces where women can connect authentically.

    Alexis and Stephanie also discuss the evolving definition of ambition, the power of community-first business building, leveraging AI tools like Claude to launch and grow a company, the future of education in an AI-driven world, and why meaningful in-person connections matter more than ever.

    What We Talked About:

    Creating a Safe Space for Women [2:11]

    The Birth of The Breadwinners [10:35]

    Building a Community from Scratch [23:15]

    Leveraging AI Tools for Business Efficiency [30:48]

    The Importance of Giving in Community [39:14]

    Exploring Substack as a Creative Outlet [43:29]

    Connect with Alexis:
    @wearethebreadwinners on Instagram

    Alexis Contos on LinkedIn

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    51 min
  20. Julia Hartz, Eventbrite: From 27 Rejections to IPO and the Leadership Lessons That Followed

    Show notes

    “I became really enamored not necessarily with the technology but with the people hosting the events and bringing people together. That was just the root of our mission.”

    In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie and Courtney sit down with Julia Hartz, co-founder and former CEO of Eventbrite, to unpack her extraordinary 20-year journey from aspiring ballerina to one of the few women to found and take a company public as CEO. Julia shares how a chance meeting with her future husband and co-founder led to the creation of Eventbrite, the lessons learned from 27 consecutive investor rejections, and how relentless curiosity, resilience, and customer obsession fueled the company's growth.

    Julia opens up about navigating some of the toughest moments in entrepreneurship—including leading Eventbrite through the COVID-19 pandemic when the company's revenue effectively disappeared overnight. She discusses the mindset shifts that helped her grow as a leader, the realities of raising capital, taking a company public, and the emotional process of stepping away following Eventbrite's acquisition.

    ‍

    What We Talked About:
    The Journey of Julia Hartz [2:17]
    Building Eventbrite: Idea to Execution [15:31]
    Navigating Challenges During Covid [22:08]
    Leadership During Crisis [29:27]
    Taking Eventbrite Public [37:45]
    Life After the Sale [45:52]

    ‍

    Connect with Julia:
    @juliahartz on Instagram

    Julia Hartz on LinkedIn

    ‍

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

    ‍

    Join our ⁠Entreprenista League⁠ community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website⁠ and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

    Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? ⁠Sign up⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.

    56 min