Mindset For Success: Recent Episodes
WE Global Studios
A WE Global Studios podcast with host, Dr. Leslie Knutson, clinical psychologist, and executive coach, as she and her women entrepreneur guests explore the unconscious struggles and personal psychological obstacles they faced and overcame when building their businesses.
Mindset for Success showcases how sound decision-making and judgment are a direct function of being aware of those personal psychological obstacles. Successful female entrepreneurs are passionate and convinced about their business and know the importance of their emotional and relational health. Female business leaders share their journeys and insights on how they overcame their inner critic, their fear of failure and the Imposter Syndrome. For more info: www.weglobalstudios.com
Guest Jill Faherty Lloyd grew up athletic and a tomboy with an investment banker father who encouraged her to become a female banker. An “ADHD Survivor,” Jill’s father taught her early that her differences made her special; they were her “superpower” and would lead her to decades of success on Wall Street. Jill “leaped before” she, “thought,” was thrilled by risk, didn’t get stuck in the negatives, enjoyed the “game”, and she loved being the only
woman in the room. Through her studied clear communication, Jill found ways to lead and to “grow things;” she learned to “fill her shoes” and to be powerful and smart in the boardroom. In her current role at UBS Private Wealth Management, Jill helps founders and their families navigate successful financial transitions. Jill uses her banking expertise and personal
experience to help women normalize their power, ambition, and money, and their need to ask for help. To model this, Jill generously shares her Rolodex, encourages founders to seek out mentors, even surrogate moms, and dads, and recommends when you meet with a potential contact you close by asking how you can help them, even those more experienced than you.
Guest Christine Astorino was five years into her career as a trained landscape architect when she had an aha moment. Human-Centered Design and innovation were her passions, and creativity was her “north star." Christine joined her family business to redesign a children’s hospital and saw how transformational Human-Centered Design could be; even just entering a brightly colored parking space can create an emotional connection and contribute to a healing hospital experience. A long-time champion of solving challenges from different perspectives, Christine founded Fathom, a company that reflects passion and creativity through Human-Centered Design and development, allowing her to assist businesses she loves while inspiring her employees to lead. While holding a unique perspective can cause discomfort, Christine benefits from not being boxed into a single perspective. Her drive to develop emotional connections fosters collaboration, as Christine has developed her mindset for success by reaching out to people whom she knows well, being disciplined, and trusting her voice.
Guest Jennifer Freed founded her own company after obtaining her film degree at Stanford. Twenty years later, Jennifer decided to start a second business. An early realization of wanting to thrive at work, while still having a flexible schedule for her and her family helped to shape her entrepreneurial choice. Jennifer’s business success relies on finding the right people to help her grow her business. A top priority for Jennifer is for her employees to feel invested in the company. To do this, she chooses employees with strengths in areas that her company needs. Expanding her areas of expertise mitigates Jenifer’s fear of failing or not knowing enough. Jennifer takes care of herself by letting others help her and being with family and friends.
Guest Tiffany St. Bernard was a competitive figure skater from the age of eight to eighteen. Skating taught her determination, discipline, hard work, and the importance of getting help. Tiffany's father and grandmother were entrepreneurs, helping pave the way for her to become an entrepreneur herself. Since childhood, Tiffany preferred to “go against the grain” and not fit in. Instead, she sought challenges, thrived on doing innovative things, and was comfortable getting the answers to all the “stupid questions.” Tiffany can experience the fear of failing, but her conviction that she will accomplish what she sets out to do always pulls her out ahead. A female techie can be a lonely business, but parents, siblings, friends, and her puppy help her reset.
Guest Kate Pletcher grew up in a family of nine siblings and knew early on that she wanted to be an entrepreneur. Her large family taught her to barter for things that she didn’t have and accept what wasn’t available - both have helped her shape her boutique executive search firm. Companies needed amazing but part-time employees and moms wanted flexibility in their work schedules. Kate saw this as an opportunity to place moms in companies that needed their talent part-time – a win for both parties. Kate’s drive to learn and create empowering relationships helps her meet business challenges. To build her team, she seeks people with different skills than hers to problem solve. Kate also draws her support on the difficult days from her husband, family, friends, colleagues, and a flexible schedule.
Guest Ashley Reed had a successful marketing career for eighteen years when she felt something was “off.” A health crisis led her to reevaluate how her personal values needed to be reflected in her work. She went on to found her own business to support personal success in high-performers. Ashley’s curiosity, independence, and comfort with questioning the norms have helped her forge her path. Ashley is keenly aware of the toll of work stress. She sees a crisis as an opportunity to take care of yourself and to “scale back things without falling.” Supportive friends, colleagues, and coaches are how Ashley takes care of herself.
Guest Dr. Katie Kam is a vegan wanting to end animal slaughter by creating the win-win solution of providing cultured meat that avoids harm to animals and the environment. Her role as founder and CEO of BioBQ is the culmination of 25-years of cumulative experience as a biologist, chemist, civil engineer, community planner, business owner, science teacher, and engineering research professor. Through her experiences with the development of BioBQ, Katie has leaned into becoming comfortable in uncertainty. She highly values engaging her mind and is not afraid of pursuing what she feels is right.
Guest Jennifer Harris is the founder and CEO of Technology Management Concepts (TMC), a Gold-Certified Microsoft Partner specializing in ERP & CRM, and the “premiere” Microsoft Dynamics Partner in Southern California. With her solid foundation of over thirty years in the field, Jennifer is known as a visionary leader as she leads one of the fastest-growing women-owned technology companies in the nation. She believes that unknown strengths can be found in adversity, ultimately leading to the idea of failing forward. Jennifer relies on both gut feelings and her ability to pivot to embrace the possibility of failing.
Guest Victoria Betancourt currently runs Coneybeare, LLC, a staffing and recruiting firm she took over from her mother in 1990, and "Boutique Eco Resort" in the coffee region of Colombia, South America. With a bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University in New York, her business mission is to "create entrepreneurs" by teaching her employees how to run a business and sharing the company's financials. Her eco resort in Colombia demonstrates how to live sustainably, beautifully, and in harmony with nature. After her many experiences with near crises in her professional career, Victoria embraces the idea that persistence is born in necessity to make success happen.
Guest Dr. Cherie Banks is an Award-Winning Global Leader, International Speaker, Business Investor, and Enterprise Entrepreneur. She’s a Founder & CEO to many successful companies with a multi-million dollar brand dedicated to building businesses, creating generational wealth, and living-in-legacy. As an honored recipient of prestigious awards in business, law, education, and community, she has mastered the ability to trust not only her instincts, but also the journey her life brings her on. Dr. Banks excels at radiating happiness and confidence through times of hardship as she fearlessly pursues her interests. Understanding that failure feeds the pool of life lessons, she looks towards challenges for personal and professional growth.
Guest Linda Mbagwa moved to London from Nigeria at the age of six, where she and her six siblings and mother faced some financial and mental health hardships. At eight, Linda decided she needed to become rich to take care of her family and herself. After university, Linda achieved phenomenal financial success in a record-breaking six months, which demonstrated her determination and independence. Linda’s intuition – fostered by beginning to meditate at eleven - has been the bedrock of her decisions and self-confidence. To take care of her family, Linda learned to see criticism not as personal. She knows she is good enough but that the sometimes-unconscious bias limits how women of color’s capabilities are seen. Supportive female friends, family, coaches, meditation, and living by the ocean are how Linda takes care of herself.
Guest Kirsten Hund Blair enjoyed a culturally diverse and racially aware upbringing. Her parents modeled how to help people in different ways. Kirsten’s parents moved for her father’s work to Taiwan from the ages of 3 to 7. Kirsten understood that she didn’t fit in Taiwan, yet she benefitted from the culturally diverse community of support that her parents created. To this day, Kirsten is most at home in diverse settings. She seeks the contributions of different people to problem solve. Risk for Kirsten is offset by a deep, long-term commitment to make a difference in the world. Kirsten, like her parents, is invested in the education and empowerment of how people take care of themselves. She draws her support on the difficult days from her husband, family, friends, and the collaboration she obtains from the teams she builds.
Guest Samantha Lee’s father had epilepsy which prevented him from driving; as a young girl, Sam and her father talked about how automobile technology could change his life. Sam’s early independence and her drive to learn new things – even those not available to her – paved her journey to become an entrepreneur. Two years ago, Saw realized her mission was to help people who are not autonomous; she founded Meili Technologies. Sam’s stubbornness to figure things out on her own results in her obtaining the resources and networks she needs to meet challenges. Expanding her areas of expertise mitigates her fear of failing or not being smart enough in the room. When she is overwhelmed, Sam resets by learning how to be kind to herself, letting others help her, and being with friends, and her dog.
Guest Denetrias Charlemagne grew up in a non-traditional household of immigrant parents and strong female role models who valued education. At 13 Dee was accepted to an elite boarding school. There she experienced homesickness, in part because she didn’t always fit in with her peers. Dee’s determination to not be labeled means she doesn’t dwell on her or others’ differences. Instead, her innate enthusiastic curiosity for new people and experiences allows her to flow in and out of groups. Dee’s pursuit of independence led her to start her own business and, even if, for the first time, her success is not a guarantee. Dee’s passion for work is fueled by wanting to help close the black female gap. Her love for her family, the appreciation of the sacrifices made by her immigrant mother and grandmother push Dee to look forward.
Guest Amanda Hamilton left a successful 10-year career in Corporate Retail when she understood that she wanted to be more authentic and control her work. Amanda’s search for independence was tested when her new business website debuted the first month of the pandemic. Her remembering mitigates the risk that she has always been able to figure things out. Amanda also draws strength in her 27-member team at work. On those days where self-doubt crops up, her team’s support and reliance on her give her a sense of purpose and confidence. Her sometimes struggle with loneliness is also on the mend as she has learned to take care of herself with meditation and make time for friends and family.
Guest Sara Stender Delaney’s family lived in Anguilla for a year, where Sara remembers being the only white student in her classroom. Early diverse experiences shaped Sara’s awareness of being different from others. After a traumatic event in college, Sara saw a film on genocide and rape in Rwanda. Lost and unfulfilled by her traditional business degree Sara moved to Rwanda to open a restaurant with war survivors. Their warmth and inclusiveness, “no matter who you are,” made an impact on Sara. She returned to the States a year later, gave her first Ted Talk on hope and resiliency, and founded a non-profit to raise money for trauma survivors in Africa. Sara’s commitment to mental health and trauma evolved into her second company, “3Mountains.” Family, supportive, open colleagues and, a healthy lifestyle inside and out all contribute to how Sara takes care of herself and those around her.
Guest Kristin Lust figured out early that she yearned to be an entrepreneur. Always a self-starter and driven to do things her way, Kristin began a dog walking business as a young girl. Her independence and determination were tested when she first went to law school and nearly risked losing her hard-won scholarship by a falling GPA. Kristin realized that she did not want to work for a traditional law firm in her first law firm. Kristin’s strategy for her success is to stay true to her independent perspective to resolve conflict for others. As a female business leader, she shares the importance of choosing to do what you love, not what is expected of you.
Guest Angie Conley knew from childhood that she wanted to do something meaningful. Her father, a cardiologist, fostered an interest in science and biology and helping people. Angie realized in her first medical device consulting job that she thrived when challenged, not when she stood still like “a cog in a wheel.” Five years ago, Angie founded Albitech Medical, which helps people with disabilities live better lives with artificial devices. Angie’s long-term social capital skills enable her to ask for help when she needs it, and it makes her resourceful. When faced with the imposter syndrome, Angie tries to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Family, dear friends, a supportive husband, professional groups for women in medicine are all ways in which Angie enjoys her life.
Guest Alexa Hampton has always invested in doing hard things that she knew she wouldn't fail. A successful ten-year run in venture capital gave Alexa the "applause" she worked for, and it "made her look good on paper." In 2021, Alexa was ready for a new challenge and became a co-founder of SelfMade. In this new role, Alexa realized for the first time in her professional life that she chose a demanding role in which she is not guaranteed to succeed at. When Alexa is overwhelmed by things she doesn't know how to do, she focuses on the company's mission: to sell beauty products that are good for mental health. Alexa's passion for this mission fuels her desire to make the world a better place for the next generation, including her two small children.
Guest Zahra Al-Harazi’s inspiring childhood instilled an early need to find her path. Born in Uganda as an only child and raised in Yemen to a Yemeni father and an Indian mother, fostered a sense of deep loneliness and an outsider. It never occurred to Zahra that she would remain an outsider. Each new experience was an opportunity to try to fit in, even at the expense of breaking the rules. A marriage allowed Zahra to move to Canada, and, suddenly, a path came forward, which she took to find her life’s passion and independence. Zahra’s determination was not about courage but about what she knew she needed for her story to be complete. Family, dear friends, philanthropy, cooking, and eating well are ways that Zahra enjoys her life.
Guest Trish Torizzo figured out early that she yearned for success. While putting herself through college, Trish watched a female mentor who was a “doer and a shaker” in her field of technology and engineering; this was eye-opening and exciting. Trish’s strategy for her success is to be aware of the inherent, implicit bias around her, strive to be relevant and visible as a female business leader. As a corporate coach and consultant, Trish works to shape how being an individual in a group has different outcomes from acting solely as an individual. Family and supportive colleagues contribute to how Trish takes care of herself and those around her.
Guest Jillian Lappetito, at age twelve, set her compass to become a competitive water polo player. Her choice to pursue her dream was authentic from the start. This early authenticity drove Jillian's determination and acceptance of the sacrifices that her choice cost her. Co-founding Leaderology two and half years ago, Jillian expanded upon the strengths of other competitive athletic careers. She leads her days like a team practice calendar: setting a clear start and finish times to accomplish tasks during the day. She relishes her business partner's wisdom and experience and sees them as "stronger in numbers." When it is time to take time off, Jillian's well-trenched discipline allows her to be fully off to enjoy her infant daughter, friends, family, or a run.
Froswa Booker-Drew learned early on how the power of relationships can shape life’s trajectory. In college, a male professor who believed in her obtained a speaking engagement for her at a conference that led to an incredible first job. She feels that knowing that people are always watching you helps you look for the potential resources and opportunities out there. On the hard days when Froswa doubles down and bets on herself, she shapes her career choices to allow her to feed both her mental and financial well-being. If a salary increase is not possible, then more vacation or mental health days are other ways to better work-life. In her philanthropic work at the State of Texas, Froswa is the happiest when she can give back, offer possibilities, and create initiatives to improve the quality of life for others.
For years, Paula Burns, an Air Force pilot and now a successful senior executive with a large aerospace company, learned how to read the warning signs for a plane in imminent danger. As a highly successful female business leader she is still learning how to watch out for her warning signs of when she is overloaded and in imminent danger of being overwhelmed. She has found that being self-aware and listening to herself inching emotionally up towards a “yellow almost red light” reins in her feelings of being overwhelmed. Exercise, mentors, friends and therapy are all part of her routine to take care of herself.
Stephanie Lee grew up in the south to first-generation Vietnamese parents. The first time she experienced belonging to a community was when she was a staff member in the diverse, all-women-led office of First Lady Michele Obama. Exposure to an Asian woman in a powerful government position opened her eyes to what was possible for her. As the founder of Self Made, a beauty company, Stephanie can experience self-doubt. If this happens, she reaches out to another co-founder and gets clear on how to stay in the present. Stephanie also monitors how hard she works and how overwhelmed she feels; to overcome this she engages in itself-maintenance, which she has to remind herself is not the same as just getting more self-confidence. Tune in to learn.
Kim Manna was raised by bicultural parents and thrived in diverse settings and cultures. Kim’s love of learning and a long history of being athletic helps her forge ahead during immense challenges and stress. Kim’s preference for global concepts rather than details minimizes getting stuck in emotions. Her confidence is a function of both knowing what she does well and what her mistakes are. When Kim finds herself on a work difficult day, she overcomes this by extensive preparation, a routine, and a walk or long drive. website: weglobalstudios.com
“Life is Meant to be Lived” Mika Leah had a successful career in advertising at the Washington Post. After a life-threatening medical condition, she yearned for a better quality of life for herself; she wanted to make a difference in the world and manifest that “life is meant to be lived.” While Mika did not fit in easily with her younger peers, she values today the diversity that comes from knowing that everybody is different from you. When self-doubt creeps in, Mika advocates for herself through learning and practice. To be a support to her staff and run her company, she can overextend and become anxious. To re-balance, Mika reminds herself that before you take care of others first, you must take care of yourself. website: www.goomigroup.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/mikaleahp
Harper Miller left a successful career as an executive assistant at a full-service agency to open her own business, Bound. For as long as she can remember, Harper wanted to be a leader and her own boss. This knowledge, along with her ability to focus and execute the “end goal,” gave Harper the confidence to take a risk. Harper prioritizes self-awareness and mental health. On the days where she may experience that she is not good enough, Harper leans on why she is doing what she is doing. Saying no, putting down boundaries, or even allowing yourself to let it go today and try again tomorrow are ways that Harper takes care of herself. website: bounddelivery.com FB: Instagram - @bounddelivery and @harpermiller
After a successful 35 year-long career as a corporate lawyer and the first female partner in her firm, Vicki Dallas founded Dallas Innovation Law to advise early-stage work for emerging growth companies. Moments of self-doubt are overcome by her strong drive to be independent and learn all she can about whatever she faces. Growing up with social parents who leaned on their deep roots within the Greek immigrant provided Vicki with a sense of belonging and self-confidence. When told that she can’t do something, Vicki reacts by finding the grit to face the challenge to do it; long walks or visits with those closest to her decreases the risk of taking things personally. website: www.dallasinnovationlaw.com
Jaleh Bisharat is co-founder and CEO of NakedPoppy, a clean beauty company. She previously served as CMO/VP marketing at Amazon, OpenTable, Upwork, and Eventbrite. Jaleh speaks and writes frequently, primarily on topics of concern to women. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School, Jaleh also serves on the boards of Novi, Skillshare, and Wealthfront. Website: www.nakedpoppy.com
Jennifer has over 20 years of global management consulting experience, much of it focused on the life sciences & healthcare industries. She is a results-oriented consultant with a proven track record for partnering with leaders to define vision and business outcomes. She specializes in leadership alignment, executive coaching, organizational development, and change management and has recently launched her own podcast. Website: Concinnity (concinnityus.com) FB: (20+) Jennifer Cahill | Facebook
Linda and her husband, Bill, started Identity Creative in 1993. They help businesses build strong brands–equipping them with excellent design and branding services to improve their competitive edge. It’s accomplished through brand strategy, creative design, and messaging, so companies can connect with their ideal customers. They have four married children and eight precious grandchildren. Website: IdentityCreative.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindakleist/
Eliza VanCort is the best-selling author of A Woman's Guide to Claiming Space and an in-demand speaker and consultant on women’s issues and DEI. The founder of The Actor's Workshop of Ithaca is also a Cook House Fellow at Cornell University, an advisory board member of the Performing Arts for Social Change, a Diversity Crew partner, and a member of Govern For America's League of Innovators. Website: elizavancort.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/eliza.vancort
Elizabeth Owen worked 10 years as an educator using tech to teach children before becoming the Founder/Chief Data Scientist of Learning Data Discovery LLC. Elizabeth knew growing up that she was driven differently than her peers. In particular, she had strong convictions for wanting equity for women and POC. Her convictions led her to follow her voice and take responsibility to make a change. Despite three graduate degrees and ample experience, she can experience poor self-worth. When she feels foggy and slowed down, she knows that she is not listening to herself but, likely, to those around her. Meditation, exercise, and even a hot shower help her get back to being centered.
Willow Hill grew up with a single working mom who put herself thru college. Her mother’s hard-working example gave Willow the drive to become a solution-driven employee in several young companies, including Red Bull, Nike, and Airbnb. While as a child, Willow didn’t always feel like she fit in, as an adult, Willow has created a supportive community to lean on during challenging times. Instead of setting herself up to feel overwhelmed by details, which she doesn’t do well, she accepts this as her “Achilles heel” and finds others to do the details.
Lucia Mokres, a trained veterinarian, is a successful Life Science Consultant. Recovering from a serious bike accident, Lucia realized that her “scrappy,” resourceful confident childhood attitude guaranteed that she would survive financially even without a corporate job. As the Chief Medical Officer of the startup EpiBiome, Inc., Lucia saw how her experience added real value to a small company. It also gave her job satisfaction, independence, and control over her livelihood. Though her self-confidence is never in question, Lucia faces the fear of failure. To undo this, she flips through index cards she has made with inspirational phrases and real-life examples of how she has overcome difficult times.
Cath Earl’s diverse background, growing up in the Netherlands with a Dutch mother and English father, fostered a sense of flexibility, adventure, and determination. At 20, she left for the UK and had a good career in supply management at Heinz before opening her own business in marketing freight import and export options for companies. Despite her success, Cath often was anxious and sad, worrying that she would disappoint others by not doing or being enough. After she survived breast cancer for the first time, she knew that things were possible for her. Instead of setting herself up to be overwhelmed, now she has learned to say no and nurtures herself by embracing those close to her.
Pam Harris’s international upbringing fostered her ability to make successful transitions. Her formula for successful brand and team building is a sharp focus on what needs to get done and her innate ability to engage, listen, and motivate people. Sometimes her concern that she may disappoint colleagues and/or her tendency to feel personally responsible for the losses can cause her to self-doubt or fear rejection. To overcome this, she goes back to the basics: do what you need to do to get it done while leaning on her supportive husband and family.
Karen Lee knew early on that she wanted to differentiate herself from others. In middle and high school, she avidly pursued robotics, often being one of the few girls. And while engineering seemed a natural path, she decided instead to study art history and then business before becoming the founder of Glou Beauty. Though her self-confidence is high, she does experience anxiety that she will disappoint others. Social media and comparing herself to her friends’ successes can compromise the strength she draws from her independence and differentness. To undo this, Karen reminds herself that “this is not a race” and takes breaks from social media and work to re-gain her objectivity and enthusiasm.
Amber Fuhriman runs a successful law firm for criminal and immigration matters and hosts a podcast, “More than Corporate.” Amber grew up in a small rural town surrounded by close family. Early on, she knew that she wanted to be successful. Though popular and a good student, she never felt the pressure to fit in with her peers. This independence set her up to navigate a path to be different from what her small town may have expected of her. When faced with the Imposter Syndrome, she resets by focusing on “action steps” to get where she wants to go preferring to “invest in her success rather than her story.”
Leighanne Neville grew up with 5 brothers and learned how to be comfortable with competition and risk-taking. This served her as a CPA both in traditional accounting firms and then as a CFO in startups. When faced with the Imposter Syndrome, she convinces herself of her strengths and projects confidence, just as she was taught as a young girl. Over time Leighanne has learned that it is ok not to be “one of the boys.” She leans on her emotional side to facilitate authentic communication and self-care, especially during those IPO “cortisol rushes.”
Camille Jayne is a successful turnaround CEO and long-time mentor, and generous fundraiser of women in business. As the youngest of 5 children, she grew up wanting to be heard. This led her to be confident in her ability to talk and engage with people, creating career opportunities. Early in her career, Camille was preoccupied with failing, of being the first of her successful siblings to do so. As she achieved real success, this fear of failure turned into her fear of disappointing people who count on her. A hand-picked peer support group helps her navigate her emotional triggers.
Priscilla McKinney has built a successful company that opened credit cards for customers, but it did not give her the passion that marketing did. A colleague in marketing saw Priscilla’s potential, and off she went to found Little Bird Marketing. Growing up with missionary parents, she learned the difference between her work worth and her personal worth. A strong marriage, support system, and a “tribe” of (5) sisters keep her authentic and focused.
Kirsten Curtis has spent her successful career in supply chain and executive positions avidly searching out challenges and risks, often as a turnaround CEO. Though her self-confidence is never in question, she can face the fear of failure - often worrying that she is not doing enough for things to work out. To undo this, she works on not seeing things as either a success or a failure. Through supportive mentors and kinder and gentler self-care, Kirsten also has mastered being less concerned about how people see her and being more humorous and accepting of herself.
Mary Clavieres is the founder of Brief Transitions, the first to market mesh underwear for women after childbirth and surgeries. She leverages her 15 years of manufacturing at a Fortune 100 Pharmaceutical company to grow her business.
Mary also founded The Transitions Collective, a platform that provides resources and connections for mom business owners. She specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to work more effectively in their businesses using the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument®.
Eve Psalti is Google’s Head of Strategic Platforms, leading digital transformation initiatives with enterprise customers. She also held business development, sales, and marketing leadership positions at Microsoft and startups across the US and Europe. Eve is supporting female entrepreneurs through her role on the advisory board of the Women Entrepreneurs Global organization.
Juliet Scott-Croxford moved from the UK to the US to turn around the Guardian’s media content, only to do the same 3 years later for Worth’s media content. Throughout her career-high energy and ambition have pushed her to take on new challenges. Her fear of failure fuels an incredible drive to prove herself. The pandemic has slowed her down and to live in the moment while bringing her personal values back into focus.
Connie Kwan is a Management executive from Silicon Valley with 15 years of Product Leadership Experience spanning AI, blockchain, digital health, energy, hard tech, and software (Atlassian, MSFT, CY, SPWR). She is an entrepreneur, advisor, and active speaker on the topic of product storytelling. Her class Storytelling for Startup CEOs and Product Leaders has helped over 2000 leaders, most of whom identify as female and minority, build their storytelling skills. You may have seen her speak at e-Cornell, Product Management Festival in Zurich, Google Tech Talk, Health 2.0, and Atlassian Summit. She has founded 2 startups and helped many founders craft and deliver their product visions. She is a master at engaging different audiences through powerful narratives. Currently, she lives with her husband and daughter in California and enjoys partner dancing, snorkeling in tropical places, and camping in the great outdoors. Telling a great story starts with knowing your storyteller type. Find your storyteller type at: https://www.productmaestro.com/storyteller.
Nancie Simonet opened the Waterwheel Café & Bakery in 1989 in Milford, Pa. She previously attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and lived and studied in Paris during the early 1980s. She has held several jobs in the food industry. While managing a wholesale French Bakery, she called on some of New York’s finest restaurants & hotels, spurring her passion for food, culture, and design while providing her the drive to start her career as a restaurateur at the age of 27.
After earning an honors degree in astrophysics, Kristin Jekielek consulted for a Fortune 50 company for 12 years. During that time, she side hustled, launching diet apps and websites. To promote her products, she learned how to craft marketing videos from home. After mastering production techniques, demand for her videos and video expertise skyrocketed, which led her to launch ValueVideo.Marketing.
Britt is a Harvard Business School graduate, expert investor, and money mindset coach. She is on a mission to serve those who have traditionally been left out of the financial world. Britt heals her clients’ stories around money and simplifies finance with her signature step-by-step process. She makes saving fun and getting out of debt possible for women+ from all backgrounds.
Guest Jamie Lieberman left the corporate law world and made the big leap to open her own firm, where she advises small companies to flourish by providing them an easy way to understand legal structure. Important traits for her success include her love for learning new things and thinking outside the box. Jamie shares some of her psychological obstacles to success, such as her internal critic and the fear of failure, and offers that not to get stuck in the negative chatter; she doesn’t always read what her competitors are doing.
Guest Nicole Lipkin, a serial entrepreneur, grew up with parents who exposed her and her brother when they were young to understand business and marketing, which naturally led her to become an entrepreneur as an organizational psychologist. Important traits for her success are how to pivot and bootstrap in the face of adversity. To overcome bringing too many emotions into business decisions, she has learned the importance of building a team with diverse strengths in Emotional IQ and effective decision-making practices.
Guest Jia Wertz successfully worked in the glamorous corporate world of fashion for 20 years before stepping off to have her son and become a film producer for wrongful convictions. Important traits for her success include having a passion for her work and her strong family values: working hard and helping those in need. Jia shares that to overcome feeling like she is an imposter or doesn’t always fit in, she has learned how “to be fine with saying I don’t know.”
Guest Melissa Priest successfully worked in sales for 10 years at FedEx before she made the jump to open her own business for transportation consultancy. Important traits for her success include knowing “that I know what I know,” having a sense of integrity, and the ability to plan for the future. Melissa shares how finding support in a community of women entrepreneurs/friends has helped her overcome her internal critic and not always having the courage to be herself.
After a long successful career in tech/media startups, Guest Joanna Bloor began her own coaching business for executives to live up to their potentials. She has overcome her psychological using, long solitary walks away from everything, and remembering that work is an “adventure” where rules “must” get broken to usher in new opportunities.
Guest Candi Dalipe, after a long successful career as an executive search for Russell Reynolds, began her own executive search firm 15 years ago. In times of difficulty, she is reminded of her love of geometry and the “no one” solution out there. Good friends also serve as trustful sounding boards.
Guest Nisa Amoils left corporate Investing 7 years ago and became “mission-driven” to help fund women entrepreneurs thru Angel Consulting. She is the author of “Wtf Is Happening: Women Tech Founders on the Rise.” She overcomes her psychological struggles by her long-term determination to increase investment for women and minorities business, her supportive family, and learning from her failures.
Dr. Janet Aizenstros started a company at 31 to empower women through mentoring, technology, and a Research Institute. Good friends, family, spirituality, and her commitment to take care of herself daily are how she overcomes the psychological struggles she has faced while building her successful business.
Guest Delilah Panio describes how she spent a lifetime driven to be successful. She prided herself on how she worked at 100% and was “thinking big all the time.” A pandemic was the only thing that finally forced her to slow down and understand that to work well is not simply about working hard. To succeed in business, you need to be authentic and listen to your body and soul and those who work with you.
Guest Adrianna Smith describes the work and emotional challenges as a young and female entrepreneur business broker. To manage her stress levels, she works on clear communication with her business partner and clients. She also has learned to expect the lows and tries to see them as events to learn from. Remembering to take care of herself and celebrating the wins “even if they are small” are also important ways to remain competitive.
Guest Daniel Dobson-Smith explains how setting up a business comes with lots of setbacks. They overcame the “lamenting” factor by learning to look ahead of their failures; seeing as the Social Learning psychologist Alberto Bandura discovered, these “Oh Shit Dips” are just temporary and, therefore, places for growth.
Guest Lana Hout, a young female business broker entrepreneur, sees herself as a “warrior” who defends herself against those sometimes difficult work situations. When deals break down, she calms her inner critic that says that she could have done better. Instead, she focuses on who she is and pushes forward with endurance to feel strong and capable. She also pays close attention to the “red flags” that come with tough work situations. This allows her to lower her emotional exposure to these and remain strong and competitive.
Guest Fernanda Carapinha believes that women leadership's practical, directive real-time advice is critical to getting founders to the finish line. When women in positions of power mentor women through sharing their experiences and not competing, female entrepreneurs become quicker aware of their psychological struggles, such as the fear of waiting to get enough funding.
Guest Lucia Gallardo believes her long-term history of liking to problem-solve and work on social justice solutions has made her a strong entrepreneur in these areas. Lucia finds when her self-confidence sags to remind herself of her core strengths: problem-solving and addressing social justice. Fostering and building self-awareness is a key component to overcoming her psychological struggles.
Guest Stephanie Granato explains that being an entrepreneur gives her more creativity and flexibility and the opportunity to learn new things. To avoid her inner critic, she advises in negotiations that you have a good advocate, know your business, and your market anchors you in negotiations. Women tend to hear “no” in negotiations due to psychological struggles with personal value when maybe all that needs to be done is a counteroffer.
Velera Wilson is a speaker, author, and coach who almost twenty years leading marketing strategy. Now, she helps ambitious women lead with confidence in their career, relationships, and everyday life. From her latest book, You're Absolutely Worth It, to being a contributing writer for Thrive Global on women's issues, to publishing guides including “Six Steps to Negotiate the Salary You Deserve Without Letting Fear Override,” Velera shows women how to own their worth.