Monday Moxie: Recent Episodes
Megan
Entrepreneurship can be a tough journey, especially for women (who make up just 31% of small business owners). So how do successful female entrepreneurs find the moxie to build and sustain a successful business? Join host Dr. Megan Allen (founder of The Community Classroom) as she spotlights female entrepreneurs and unpacks their stories of resilience, leadership, and personal growth. If you need some inspiration and some practical tips + leadership lessons, kick up your high heels and come along for the journey.
In this special student episode we'll talk to Thea Piziali, a rising 7th grader at JFK Middle School in Northampton, MA. Thea has created her own podcast, Beauty Secrets XOXO, as a Community Classroom tutoring project. We are so proud of her work researching how to create a podcast, investigating a beauty question, writing her own script, practicing, and recording it.
In this episode of Beauty Secrets XOXO, we'll learn how to take better care of our nails. Enjoy!
In the last Monday Moxie of season 1 (episode 17), we talk to Kathryn Kothe, the owner/operator of Cycle Pottery. We'll learn about this community pottery hub, including 1) why it's named Cycle Pottery, 2) what other successful business she created (and sold), and 3) how she collaborates with other potters in this dynamic space.
To connect with Kathryn and learn more about Cycle Pottery, please visit:
- https://www.cyclepottery.com/
- IG: @cyclepottery
- FB: @cyclepottery
In this week’s episode, we talk to Lindsay Fogg-Willits, the owner/operator of Art Always. We'll learn about this gem of a creativity hub, including 1) how she has been running her business for 20 years, 2) why collaboration is an important pillar of her work, and 3) how she thinks about balancing her "business baby" and her other two babies (her kids!).
To connect with Lindsay and learn more about Art Always, please visit:
- https://art-always.net/
- IG: @artalwaysflorence
- FB: @artalways
In this week’s episode, we talk to Adrienne Bashista, the owner/operator of Passalongs Farm and Florist. We'll learn about this flourishing flower farm including 1) how she switched from being a school librarian to a flower farmer, 2) how her business has done during the pandemic and 3) how she thinks about work/life balance.
To connect with Adrienne and learn more about Passlongs Flower Farm and Florist (and her awesome flower share), please visit:
- https://passalongs.com/
- Florist IG: @Passalongs
- FB: @Passalongs
- Art IG: @yo.adrienne.art
In this week’s episode, we talk to Georgie Brunton of the Miss Florence Diner in Florence, MA, and the Stepsister Cafe in East Longmeadow, MA. We'll learn about what it's like to take over a historic diner, including 1) what it has been like running a restaurant in a pandemic, 2) how she ended up owning Miss Flo's, and 3) what barriers she's faced as a female business owner.
To connect with Georgie and learn more about the Miss Florence Diner, please visit:
- https://www.imissflorencediner.com/
- IG: @missflorencediner
- FB: @MissFlos
In this week’s episode, we talk to Annie Lynch and Maggie Shar, the co-founders of Little Roots. We'll hear about how they built a music business for kids that is a gem in the community (and grew a much larger reach during the lockdown in the pandemic). We'll learn about 1) how they met and decided to form a business together, 2) how they pivoted and grew during the pandemic and 3) how their not-so-little brand and business is growing.
To connect with Annie and Maggie and learn more about Little Roots, please visit:
- https://www.littlerootsmusic.com/
- IG: @LittleRootsFamilyMusic
- FB: @LittleRootsFamilyMusic
In this week’s episode, we talk to Myssie Lacharite and Rosalie Black, the co-founders of The Wild Chestnut Cafe in Florence, MA. We'll learn about this brand new bakery and restaurant, including 1) what it has been like opening a business in a pandemic, 2) how their mission drives their delicious work (vegan and compassion-driven!), and 3) what it's like to run a business with your bestie.
To connect with Rosalie and Myssie and learn more about The Wild Chestnut Cafe, please visit:
- https://www.wildchestnutcafe.com/
- IG: @wildchestnutcafe
- FB: @wildchestnutcafe
In this week’s episode, we talk to Marilyn Rivera, the owner/operator of the Florence Barber Shop. We'll learn about this all-female-run barbershop, including 1) what it was like taking over an established business), 2) why she took the plunge into working for herself, and 3) how she thinks about building a team.
To connect with Marilyn and learn more about Florence Barber Shop, please visit:
- https://florence-barbershop.square.site
- IG: florence_barber_shop_
In this episode, we talk to Jessica Carey of Online Fitness Rx, who started her business in the middle of the first wave of the pandemic! After a long career as a certified fitness instructor at MetLife Insurance and Mount Holyoke College, she was furloughed at the beginning of the pandemic. Because who was going to a gym to practice yoga (and there were no students on campus for her to teach). But with a nudge from her husband, she decided to make the work she was doing official: to start Online Fitness Rx.
Jessica will talk with us about the following:
- The strengths she brings to her online fitness business,
- What lessons she's learning every day, and
- Why it's important to embrace the pivots.
To connect with Jessica and learn more:
https://www.onlinefitnessrx.com/
onlinefitnessrx@gmail.com
FB: @onlinefitnessrx/
IG: online_fitness_rx
In this week’s episode, we talk to Siyana Huszar, the co-founder and creative director for Marcella NYC. She built a company around the idea of empowering women through simple and easy design (minimalism with an edge!). She found a way to do so while giving back to young women, empowering girls across the world through education. We'll learn about this company that spans from Florence, MA, to New York City to Bulgaria, including 1) how strong and brilliant women are a family thing (and why her company is called Marcella), 2) how she thinks about work-life balance, and 3) how she has always dreamed of being an entrepreneur.
To connect with Siyana and learn more about Marcella, NYC, please visit:
- https://www.marcellanyc.com/
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/marcellanyc/
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/marcellanyc/
In this episode, we talk to Gina-Louise Sciarra, the mayor of Northampton, MA. She never dreamt she would be the mayor of Northampton when she graduated from Smith College, but a path in politics and advocacy led her to City Hall. We will learn all about that and her leadership journey, the following: 1) how life's twists and turns take us to unexpected places, 2) how she has always had a passion for political activism, and 3) how she ended up in Northampton City Hall (and how the transition has been).
To connect with Mayor Sciarra, please visit this link.
And an answer to the pondering on the podcast! What percent of mayors in the United States are female? According to the Center for American Women and Politics, it is 22% for cities with populations 30K and up.
In this episode, we talk to Emily Fox of Emily Foxtrot in Florence, MA. She had always carried a special place for dancing in her heart, but only around the edges of her regular 9-5 job. But when she was let go, she took the LEAP into starting her own business, full time!
Emily will talk with us about the following:
- Why women might already have the upper hand with entrepreneurship,
- How she learned to identify her strengths and weaknesses as a business owner, and
- Why asking for help is everything to growth.
To connect with Emily Foxtrot and learn more:
- FB: Emily Foxtrot
- https://emilyfoxtrot.com/
In this episode, we talk to Lexi Walter Wright of High Five Books in Florence, MA. After a long career as an editor and working in the non-profit world, Lexi decided she was tired of her commute to NYC and wanted to be in close contact with her local community. So she opened a bookstore! Five months later, she was forced to close down in-person shopping due to the pandemic. But she's stronger than ever now!
Lexi will talk with us about the following:
- Why her mantra has been "pivot and hustle,"
- What it has been like operating a small indie bookstore in a pandemic, and
- Why it's important to embrace changing your mind.
To connect with High Five Books and learn more:
- FB: @highfivebooks413
- IG: @high_five_books
- https://www.highfivebooks.org/about
In this episode, we talk to Lora Ksieniewicz of Yoga of the Valley and Yoga on the Vine. In this thoughtful conversation, we learn about Lora's dynamic journey from corporate to the mat.
Lora talks with us about the following:
- How she ended up owning a yoga business (or two!),
- Why acceptance and hard issues are important to her work,
- How she thinks purposefully about community.
To connect with Lora and learn more:
- https://www.yogaofthevalley.com/
- FB: @yogaofthevalley
- IG: @yogaofthevalley
- Personal IG: @yogasankalpa
In this episode, we talk to Laurel Anne Boyd of Ascendance Inner World Arts. In this delightfully charming conversation, we learn about Laurel's business philosophy (as well as her favorite song to dance to and favorite dance movie!).
Laurel talks with us about the following:
- How she started her business after a career working in independent schools,
- Why children are the heart of everything she does in dance,
- Why her dance studio is different.
To connect with Laurel and learn more:
- IG: @ascendanceartists
- FB: @ascendanceartists
- https://www.ascendancearts.com/
In this Mini-Moxie episode, we explore the topic of out-of-power language, offering phrases that we shouldn't use as women, as well as suggestions of what to do if you find yourself giving away your power through your words.
To learn more, please check out these resources:
- This Forbes article on out-of-power language
- This Harvard Business Review article
In this episode, we mix it up a bit as Jess Thompson of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce talks to Dr. Megan Allen, founder and owner/operator of The Community Classroom (and host of this podcast). Megan serves the Florence community and communities nationwide with a business that offers PreK-12th grade academic tutoring and academic coaching. Plus, she loves to plan a fun community learning event or two!
Megan will talk with us about the following:
- How she finds joy in her work as a female business owner,
- How she started her business in a pandemic (and without really knowing what that business would be), and
- Why collaboration is the fuel to her business on a daily basis.
To connect with Megan and learn more:
- IG: @thecommunityclassroomtutors
- FB: @TheCommunityClassroom
- TikTok: @communityclassroomtutors
- Twitter: @TheCommunityClass1
- www.thecommunityclassroom.com
In this episode, we talk to Carrielynn Fournier, the owner/operator of Busy Bee Cleans in Florence, MA. After being let go from her job at a dental office, she googled "businesses to start with small startup funds." And she found that cleaning businesses were at the top of the list! So she opened Busy Bee Cleans, one of the gems of the Pioneer Valley (and social media).
Carrielynn will talk with us about the following:
- Why transparency is her number one lesson learned,
- How she's found joy in her work (though she doesn't love cleaning), and
- What the pandemic did to shape her business.
To connect with Busy Bee Cleans and learn more:
- FB: @BusyBeeCleansNorthampton
- IG: @busybeecleans
- busybeecleans.com
- TikTok: busybeecleans
- YouTube: BusyBeeCleans
In this episode, we talk to Tiffany Chapman of Tiffany Chapman Photography, who doubled down on her side hustle at the beginning of the pandemic. She now has a sought-after branding photography business in Florence, MA, where she works to highlight and empower female business owners.
Tiffany will talk with us about the following:
- Why compassion is important in her business,
- Why a community of women and a network have helped her grow, and
- What it means to be a luxury brand (and how she came to that conclusion).
To connect with Tiffany and learn more:
- http://www.tiffanychapmanphotography.com/
- IG: @Tiffchapmanphoto
- FB: @Tiffchapmanphoto
This pilot episode explains the mission and vision of Monday Moxie: spotlighting female entrepreneurs and their secrets to success, their stories of resilience, and celebrating their overall power and awesomeness. This season will focus on female business owners in Florence, Massachusetts as we collaborate with The Resilient Project, created by Tiffany Chapman Photography.