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Entreprenista

Entreprenista Media

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.

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Today · 56 min
Jeri Doris, Chief People Officer at Justworks: Empowering Small Businesses to Grow
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: 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.
September 14 · 49 min
Vivian Tu, Founder of Your Rich BFF & Ask Dolly: Making Financial Knowledge More Accessible
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: 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.
September 9 · 36 min
Denise Woodard, Founder & CEO of Partake: Girl Scouts' Newest Partner
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. “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 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.
September 7 · 47 min
Betsy Fore, Velveteen Ventures: From $50K Grant to Raising Millions and Becoming a Bestselling Author
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.
August 31 · 42 min
Marcia Dawood, Angel Investor & Author: Rewriting the Rules of Who Gets Funded
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: 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 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.
August 24 · 1 hr 4 min
Michelle Wahler, Beyond Yoga: A Levi's Collaboration Became an Acquisition
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. "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 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.
August 17 · 50 min
Heather Monahan, Boss In Heels: Turning Reinvention Into a Thriving Brand
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. “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.
August 10 · 38 min
Leah Solivan, TaskRabbit: From Creating the Gig Economy to Funding What Comes Next
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: 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_solivan on 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.
August 3 · 37 min
Katie Austin, KA App: Building Your Own Empire in Your Mother's Industry
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. “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.
July 27 · 41 min
Allison Maslan, Pinnacle Global Network: How to Build a Business That Scales Without You
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 up ⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.
July 20 · 39 min
Nikki Scott, TikTok: Building for Where You're Going, Not Where You Are
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. “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 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.
July 14 · 34 min
Valeria Lipovetsky, Valeria Inc.: Building a $25M Media Empire by Betting on Yourself
“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 up ⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.
July 6 · 51 min
Alexis Contos, The Breadwinners: Why She Left the Top to Build What Actually Mattered
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: 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.
June 29 · 55 min
Julia Hartz, Eventbrite: From 27 Rejections to IPO and the Leadership Lessons That Followed
“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 up ⁠here⁠⁠ for a free info session.
June 22 · 53 min
Becca Berg, Dubsado: Building a 10-Year Bootstrapped Business on Your Own Terms
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: Entreprenistas get 35% off Dubsado with code ENTREPRENISTA35 at dubsado.com/entreprenista. “But at the end of the day we want to show who we really are as a company and we have a lot of fun as a company. So the strategy in our marketing is to just show up as who we are.” In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Becca Berg, co-founder and CEO of Dubsado, the all-in-one business management platform beloved by creative entrepreneurs. Becca shares how a childhood love of entrepreneurship, a successful photography business, and a personal need for better systems inspired her and her husband to create Dubsado from their kitchen table. From bootstrapping a SaaS company to serving more than 30,000 customers, Becca opens up about the realities of building a business alongside her spouse, navigating major business challenges, scaling a lean team, and maintaining profitability for over a decade without venture capital. She also reveals how Dubsado is leveraging AI to streamline operations, why customer trust is the foundation of every business decision, and the lessons she's learned about leadership, resilience, and taking time away from the business to avoid burnout. What We Talked About: Building Dubsado [7:11] Navigating Business with Family Dynamics [12:38] Self-Funding: The Path Less Traveled [18:34] Leveraging AI for Team Efficiency [25:41] Challenges in Subscription Businesses [36:17] The Importance of Self-Care for Founders [41:24] Connect with Becca: @beccaliz_ on Instagram Becca Berg 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. Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by Dubsado. We only partner with brands we believe in and think our community will love. As always, all opinions are our own.
June 15 · 48 min
Erika Sinner, Directorie & Tiny Superheroes: Building a Business That Runs Itself and a Movement That Changes Lives
“A lot of our kids are in and out of the hospital. They're not in school. They're not able to be on sports teams. So they don't really feel like they belong. And so we help them belong by welcoming them to the superhero squad.” In this powerful episode, Erika Sinner shares her journey from a challenging childhood growing up in a trailer park to becoming the founder of a two-time Inc. 5000 company and a nonprofit leader changing thousands of lives. As the CEO of Directorie, Erika scaled her business to 35+ employees, built systems that allowed her to step out of the day-to-day, and redefined what it means to lead with both strategy and heart. But her story doesn’t stop there. Erika opens up about launching and growing Tiny Superheroes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children facing serious medical challenges see themselves as brave, capable heroes. Through deeply personal stories and real-world impact, she reveals how mindset, identity, and human connection can transform lives. What We Talked About: Building Directorie [3:38] Systems for Success [11:52] Building a Personal Brand [19:55] The Impact of Tiny Superheroes [24:35] Scaling Nonprofits [31:09] Investing in Personal Growth [39:50] Connect with Erika: @erika_sinner on Instagram Erika Sinner on LinkedIn Celebrate Tiny Superheros on April 23rd! Resources: Slack Workamajig 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. 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.
June 8 · 36 min
Alexis Meruelo, Business of Her: From Rock Bottom to Building a Movement for Women
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. “When you're on the floor and you're like, what the hell is going on with my life? That's when I think you start to realize what you really want to do.” In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie and Courtney sit down with Alexis Meruelo, corporate social responsibility executive at The Meruelo Group, author, and founder of Business of Her, a thriving Las Vegas community and conference dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Alexis shares how a difficult chapter in her personal life led her to uncover her true purpose: helping women step into their power and build lives and businesses they love. From growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to helping oversee philanthropy across a portfolio of more than 20 companies, Alexis opens up about navigating leadership within a family business, creating meaningful community impact, and building a movement that brings hundreds of women together each year. What We Talked About: Finding Purpose in Crisis [1:17] Building Community and Empowering Women [7:07] The Importance of Mentorship [13:49] Event Planning Insights [21:05] Future of Business and AI [29:50] Connect with Alexis: @alexismeruelo on Instagram Alexis Meruelo 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.
June 1 · 37 min
Kim Perrell, Mistakes That Made Me A Millionaire: Why Your Worst Moves Build the Best Business
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. “If you don't have someone that actually wants you to be successful, then you should keep looking” In this inspiring live episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, serial entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author Kim Perell shares the real stories behind her success from building companies at her kitchen table to scaling businesses worth hundreds of millions. Recorded live at the Entreprenista Founders Weekend Retreat, Kim opens up about the pivots, failures, risks, and mindset shifts that shaped her entrepreneurial journey. Kim dives into the power of mentorship, knowing when to pivot, building a personal brand, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and why “failing fast” is one of the most important skills founders can develop. She also shares the five traits she looks for when investing in founders, the lessons she learned from burnout, and the importance of women supporting women in business. What We Talked About: The Importance of Mentorship [1:21] Navigating Life as a Serial Entreprenista [5:01] The Art of Pivoting in Business [10:09] Self-Care and Wellness [20:17] Overcoming Limiting Beliefs [25:03] Connect with Kim: @kimperell on Instagram Kim Perell on LinkedIn Order Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire 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.
May 25 · 35 min
Krista Watterworth Alterman, Krista Home: How to Sell a Business Built on Your Name
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: “You're going to actually become more successful if you're a great listener. And so I think that's probably skill number one. That is a very important skill. That was one of the first things that I learned.” In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Stephanie sits down with luxury interior designer and Krista Home founder Krista Watterworth to unpack her incredible journey from HGTV host to building one of Florida’s most highly valued interior design firms. Krista shares how she transformed her passion for design into an 18-year business empire, the mindset shift from creative to CEO, and the systems she built that ultimately led to her company’s acquisition by Vesta. From learning entrepreneurship on the fly to mastering the luxury client experience, Krista reveals the obsession, discipline, and preparation required to succeed at the highest level. She opens up about navigating the acquisition process with her husband, aligning with the right buyers, and what life and leadership look like after the sale. Along the way, she shares candid advice on networking, mentorship, scaling a service-based business, using AI tools like ChatGPT, and balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. What We Talked About: The Journey to Luxury Design Success [1:21] Building a Service-Based Business [6:33] Navigating the Acquisition Process [12:52] Post-Acquisition Reflections and Growth [19:54] Can’t Live Without Business Tools [22:14] Connect with Krista:on Instagram Krista Watterworth Alterman 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.
May 18 · 39 min
Elisa Marshall, Maman: How Small Details Built a 53-Location Brand
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. “And ironically, we created a to-go concept that was so cozy and so warm and welcoming and charming and something so different than what was offered in New York at the time that people wanted to stay.” In this episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Elisa Marshall, co-founder of Maman, shares the inspiring story behind building one of the most beloved café brands in the country. What started as a cozy Soho storefront in 2014 has grown into more than 50 locations across North America, all fueled by passion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to community and connection. Elisa opens up about her entrepreneurial roots, from flipping Spice Girls collectibles on eBay at 12 years old to balancing careers in fashion, baking, catering, and event planning before finally creating a business that combined everything she loved under one roof. She reveals how she and her husband bootstrapped Maman with savings, sweat equity, and help from family, hand-painting walls and sourcing vintage décor themselves to bring their vision to life. What We Talked About: Building a Business From Passion [1:55] The Magic of Opening Day [15:44] Going VIRAL [18:52] Expanding Beyond New York [28:45] The Importance of Personal Connection [30:37] Connect with Elisa: @_byeelisa_ on Instagram @_mamannyc_ on Instagram Visit a maman cafe near you! 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.

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