Episodes
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When Michelle Choairy’s son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, she found that there were not enough resources out there for parents going through the same thing as her. This is when she founded Wisdom4ComplexKids, an organization focused on providing resources and building community with parents of children with similar needs. Now, Michelle’s goal is to create the best life for her family and other families who have complex children. - Chapters -
00:00:00 Introduction and Background
00:03:14 A Lack of Resources
00:05:26 The Catalyst for Change
00:08:55 “This is Awful”
00:10:57 Complex Kids
00:12:18 Deep Dive on Diagnosis
00:15:19 Putting Yourself Out There
00:16:57 The Big Picture
00:19:47 It Takes a Village
00:23:42 Misinformation
00:28:05 They Need You
00:29:40 Closing
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Stephanie Shanks has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from selling livestock in her youth to owning a message therapy practice. It wasn’t until her first child was born that she discovered her passion for photography. With the encouragement of her community, she founded Staphanie Shanks Photography in 2011. When she realized she wasn’t charging enough, she changed her rates and increased her revenue tenfold.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and background5:56 Photography background7:54 Going all in9:17 Setting rates12:47 Overcoming nerves14:38 Investing back in the business16:25 Balancing life and the business18:04 Finding your personal style21:11 Managing stress23:37 Setting boundaries25:15 Looking back25:50 Advice for other entrepreneurs26:28 Closing -
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Jeff Revilla started his entrepreneurial journey in the early 2000’s by opening a mail order skateboard shop. After that business went under during the 2008 financial crisis, Jeff’s entrepreneurial spirit never went away. In June of 2024, he opened Poduty Live, a podcasting and live event theater based in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. This space allows Jeff to connect podcasters and local and virtual talent to excited audience members.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and background6:02 Finding the right space for your new business11:43 Overcoming nerves13:23 Revenue18:02 Managing a side hustle while working full-time21:18 Looking back on the business22:57 Advice for other entrepreneurs26:28 Technology recommendations28:07 Closing and contact -
Formally a courtroom attorney, Amity Gleason first gained an interest in jewelry design when she was getting married. As someone with an appreciation of gothic style, she found most jewelry on the market didn’t match this style and instead followed the same cookie cutter patterns. This inspired her to start Amity Alexandra Jewelry Design, a jewelry company focused on making one-of-a-kind pieces that don’t break the bank.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and background
6:57 - Jewelry making process
10:35 - Overcoming fears and finding clients
14:11 - Work-life balance
16:14 - Building your brand
18:58 - Saving money
22:08 - Entrepreneurship and parenthood
25:39 - Setting boundaries
27:36 - Looking back
28:30 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
30:05 - Closing and contact
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As a military spouse, Bonnie Conrad was tired of starting at a new job everywhere she moved. In 2018, she decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship by founding I Built This, a furniture building company. Through selling furniture, she discovered digital marketing and decided to dive into it full-time by founding Second You. In 2023, she merged her business with Inn8ly, a website technology company, to expand her impact in the digital space. Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and background
8:10 - Entrepreneurial background
10:59 - Overcoming nerves and starting the business
13:15 - Balancing life and entrepreneurship
15:31 - Merging with another business
20:00 - Helpful technology and apps
20:40 - Looking back
23:46 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
25:53 - Social media strategy advice
26:49 - Closing and contact
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Ryan Klee is the Co-Founder of Rootstock, an organization dedicated to helping ambitious leaders and businesses expand their brands and scale their operations. Rootstock achieves this by harnessing the power of strategic thinking, refining compelling narratives, and sharing those stories with broader audiences. With a background in PR, Ryan grew tired of the traditional 9 to 5 routine and, along with a colleague, launched the business in 2021. Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and background
3:30 - Venturing into entrepreneurship
7:46 - Finding clients
9:18 - Origin of the company name
10:13 - Shifting business models
17:41 - Resonating with clients
22:30 - Looking back
26:31 - Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
28:34 - Closing and contact
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With a background in marketing, Chris Van Nostrand never envisioned himself becoming an entrepreneur. It wasn't until his late 30s, seeking a change, that he decided to transform his lifelong passion for powerlifting into a full-time career. This shift coincided with the pandemic, bringing numerous learning opportunities along the way, including owning a virtual business and customer acquisition. - Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction
3:10 - Entrepreneurial background
6:22 - Funding the business
7:30 - Impact of the pandemic
8:50 - Overcoming nerves
10:28 - Finding your market and services offered
14:55 - Tracking costs and customer acquisition
17:52 - Making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship
26:58 - Health and Wellness
29:47 - Reflecting back on the business
32:00 - Closing and contact
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When Samantha Mittman Besnoff started college, she had dreams of being an accountant at a one of the big 6 firms. However, after having children, she discovered that she wanted the flexibility that a traditional 9 to 5 cannot offer. She then turned her side hustle of helping folks with their taxes into her full-time gig. Now, Samantha runs Your Financial Maven, a successful accounting business. She also hosts the Your Financial Maven podcast.
- Chapters -
00:00 - Intro
4:15 - Entrepreneurial Background
8:28 - Overcoming nerves
12:10 - Your Financial Maven podcast
14:49 - Managing stress
20:12 - Looking back on the business
23:44 - Technology recommendations
25:02 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
26:46 - Closing and contact
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Monica Helvie started her career as a licensed therapist in community mental health, but found it challenging to balance her personal life with her work, causing her to experience intense burnout. In 2018, she decided to open her own private practice, giving her the freedom to set her own hours and choose her clients. Using the skills she learned with her burnout experience, Monica specializes in helping clients navigate their own experiences with burnout. - Chapters -
00:00 - Intro
3:02 - Entrepreneurial background
4:44 - Community Mental Health
5:41 - Making the leap into entrepreneurship
8:09 - Overcoming nerves and managing stress
14:17 - Setting boundaries
19:30 - Looking back on the business
22:20 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
23:50 - Closing and connect
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Tiffany Hopkins is a certified health coach and nutrition specialist. Having experienced substance abuse in the past, Tiffany has found her passion in helping individuals, and more specifically mothers, take back control of their lives by quitting alcohol. She is the founder of two companies: her own private counseling practice and Mind and Body Restoration LLC, a sober health coaching business. - Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction
4:21 - Entrepreneurial background
8:52 - Business challenges and nerves
12:35 - Looking back on the business
16:36 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
21:22 - Closing and Connect with Tiffany
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Bryson Tarbet is an elementary school teacher turned entrepreneur. While completing his Masters, Bryson discovered that many programs do not give you the necessary skills to become an elementary school teacher. To help solve this issue, Bryson founded That Music Teacher, an online platform that supplies elementary school music teachers with educational resources for their students and personal development content for themselves. - Chapters -
00:00 - Intro
04:39 - Entrepreneurial background
07:08 - Overcoming nerves
08:31 - Family reaction
12:08 - Going all in
14:15 - Building a team
15:10 - Looking back on the business
17:17 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
18:56 - Determining the name of the business
20:10 - Monthly membership
25:05 - Closing and contact
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Tim Holmes is the founder of Kingdom Quest, a toy company based in Columbus, Ohio. While working for another business, he discovered 3D printing and began creating small pieces that he would use dowel rods to connect. Initially, he didn’t think this would interest anyone, but after visiting local schools and STEAM events, the product, which is called Nurkl, gained traction fast and officially launched at the end of 2023. - Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction
03:43 - Sports background
07:28 - Entrepreneurial background
08:58 - Start of business and issues with business partners
17:09 - Managing stress
20:38 - Setting boundaries
23:45 - Looking back and regrets
25:21 - Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
27:16 - Closing and connect
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Matt Gluckman has worn many hats. From working at a produce stand to running a real estate company, Matt has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, Matt owns Think Fitness Life, a remote personal training company, with his business partner Eric. From his past job experiences, Matt has mastered the skills of communication and thrives on helping individuals become their best selves through personal training. - Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction
04:27 - Matt's work history and transferable skills
10:52 - Overcoming nerves
12:48 - Having a business partner in a different state
15:34 - Balancing stress
17:36 - Setting boundaries
22:40 - What Matt would have done differently
26:05 - Advice to other entrepreneurs
26:38 - Closing and contact information
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D.R. Fay is the Founder of Mouthy Broad Media, a podcast production company that specializes in editing, graphic design and strategy. Beginning her career as a musician, D.R. travelled Asia for close to a decade before coming home to the States and transitioning into corporate roles. When she was 62, while those around her were retiring, D.R. ventured into entrepreneurship and hasn’t looked back. - Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction
06:59 - First entrepreneurial venture later in life
09:37 - Overcoming nerves
11:29 - Managing stress & health problems
21:00 - Advice for other entrepreneurs
23:21 - Closing and contact
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Paige Stuart had been renting a storage locker for eleven years when she decided it was time to sort through and organize her belongings. This experience left her feeling so inspired that she founded Neat Organizing. Neat Organizing specializes in decluttering spaces, providing unpacking assistance for those who have recently moved, transforming rooms into more functional and pleasing areas, and more.
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[00:01:42] How Unpacking a Storage Unit Catalyzed a Business
[00:03:20] Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship
[00:05:32] Finding Clients: Social Media, Networking, Referrals
[00:07:06] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
[00:09:32] Handling Client Emotions
[00:10:38] Six Weeks On, Six Days Off
[00:12:40] Building Her Team
[00:13:46] Finding Time for Sun and Socializing
[00:15:16] Managing Accounting, Bills, and Expenses
[00:17:10] Hindsight Advice? Delegate More.
[00:18:50] Paige’s Repeat Clients
[00:20:58] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
[00:21:30] Connect with Paige -
Nick Courtright envisioned a life for himself in academia. However, after losing out on a teaching position in 2018, he was forced to dive deeper into his side hustle, book publishing. From this, Nick founded Atmosphere Press, an author-forward publishing company that has published over 1200 books. Now, Nick says losing out on that position in 2018 was the best thing that could have happened to him.
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When Dominique Elkind became a mother, she noticed a lack of third spaces available to parents of very young children. While on her second maternity leave, Dominique decided to take on a entrepreneurial venture vastly different from her career as a UX Designer, by founding Nixi City, a play centre for children aged 0-5. Not only is Nixi City a space for children, but includes a cafe for parents to meet and connect.
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[00:01:35] Dominique’s Design Background
[00:02:25] Side Hustling During Maternity Leave
[00:03:30] Entrepreneurial Experience at Google
[00:06:25] Founding Nixi City, a Children’s Play Space
[00:08:35] Identifying a Market Gap
[00:11:15] Scaling and Franchising
[00:12:37] Balancing Work and Family
[00:14:05] Setting Boundaries
[00:17:25] Sleep and Wellness
[00:19:48] Challenges of a Physical Space
[00:22:55] Finding Product/Market Fit
[00:24:35] Selecting Real Estate for Nixi City
[00:26:33] Dominique’s Advice: Find a Community of Potential Customers
[00:27:36] Utilizing Design Skills
[00:29:31] Connect with Dominque -
David Gaz has always wanted to be a nice guy. As a partner at his previous branding firm, where his client base included many Fortune 500 companies, he quickly realized that he still wanted to provide branding services, but for organizations that he saw as doing good in the world. It was at that point that he started The Bureau of Small Projects, a branding company that provides services to entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small companies.
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[00:01:34] Meet David Gaz
[00:03:06] Kindness is Contagious
[00:04:46] The Bureau of Small Projects
[00:06:31] David’s Ice Cream Truck Venture
[00:10:23] Navigating a Non-Compete Contract
[00:15:51] Partnerships Vs. Solo Decision Makers
[00:17:36] Embrace the Stress
[00:20:20] Losing One Million Dollars
[00:24:33] Following a Path vs Chasing a Goal
[00:30:26] What would David re-do?
[00:33:53] David’s Advice: Just start
[00:35:13] Connect with David -
It’s no wonder Joe Koufman sees himself as a matchmaker; three couples have gotten married after being introduced by Joe. In 2014, Joe realized that matchmaking is not only for couples, but can be used in the business world as well. Within 19 days of leaving his last job, Joe landed his first client for what would become Setup, an organization that matches marketing agencies to established brands.
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[00:01:27] Joe Koufman’s Background
[00:03:47] How a Sales Background Influenced Joe
[00:06:01] A Family of Entrepreneurs
[00:07:51] A History of Matchmaking
[00:09:20] Turning Matchmaking Into a Business
[00:11:50] Early Days of Setup and First Customers
[00:14:35] Setup’s Revenue Model
[00:15:42] Pursuing Hobbies
[00:18:19] Setting Email Boundaries
[00:19:57] 50 Pull-Ups Each Morning
[00:21:35] Sleep Struggles
[00:22:56] Setup’s Growth and Team Structure
[00:25:29] Writing a Book
[00:30:00] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
[00:32:19] Connect with Joe -
COVID-19 was a turning point in many peoples lives, including Kate Jacoutot’s. After working as a marketing freelancer for various companies, Kate noticed that she was making more money and had more control over her schedule than working a traditional 9 to 5. However, to learn more, she worked at a few different marketing agencies until deciding to launch ModusMark, a brand and messaging consultancy in April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic.
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[00:01:33] Kate Jacoutot’s Background
[00:02:46] Stumbling Into Freelance Work
[00:06:33] Decision to Start Modus Mark in 2020
[00:09:26] Overcoming Fears and Discovering Her Worth
[00:11:00] Kate’s Entrepreneurial Support System
[00:13:07] Managing Stress While Starting a Business
[00:14:43] Prioritizing Date Nights
[00:16:44] Kate's Daily Routine
[00:18:48] ModusMark’s Growth: Team and Technology
[00:21:00] Growing From Mistakes
[00:23:30] Advice For Prospective Entrepreneurs
[00:25:48] Finding A Niche: Cybersecurity
[00:27:30] Connect with Kate - Show more
