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As frustrating as it may seem, the reality is female business founders are significantly underfunded compared to male founders. Equity crowdfunding helps build community and excitement around a business.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Trieste Reading talks about effective marketing for equity crowdfunding. She introduces FrontFundr, a platform you can use to raise capital for your mission-driven business. She also talks about creating a great pitch deck to attract investors.If you’re a woman with a vision, aiming to create an effective market campaign for equity crowdfunding, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about FrontFundr as an online platform you can use to campaign for your business and raise capital.Discover the critical marketing pillars for raising capital.Know about the importance of a target capital raise as a predictor of a successful campaign.Episode Highlights[07:08] How Trieste's journey with FrontFundr Started[10:35] How to get over risky investments[14:22] How the funding landscape changed in the past year[16:44] How FrontFundr helps in marketing your business[19:32] What steps to take next[22:42] Which companies can raise capital with FrontFundr?[25:49] Customer vs. investor acquisition [26:48] Easy and hard industries in raising capital[29:37] FrontFundr's role in raising capital[30:15] Marketing pillars to raise capital[33:45] The minimum following needed[36:57] Successful vs. unsuccessful campaigns[42:44] Creating a great pitch deck[46:08] Advice on marketing for equity crowdfunding for female foundersEnjoyed this episode?As a mission-driven female entrepreneur, raising capital can be difficult. But if you market your campaign well, you can use equity crowdfunding to make your business grow and thrive. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, then hit subscribe!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and grow their social impact into the world.Connect With MeHave any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit:  Christina Sjahli WebsiteApple Podcasts  SpotifyStitcherTo fueling the life you want to live,Christina

What does it take to turn your business into a force for good? To start, you need to have a powerful mission. You also need to offer services and products that help people. And you need to make a profit to affect change. But that’s not all. You also need to incorporate sustainability into your business model and practices. Making your business more sustainable isn’t easy, but it is possible—especially with help.  That’s where sustainability expert and B-corp consultant Carolina Miranda comes in. With her company, she helps businesses take the step from dreaming to action. In our conversation today, Carolina explains in detail the process of becoming B-corp certified, what the impact assessment means, and how to begin incorporating sustainable practices into your work. You’ll learn how service-based businesses can rethink their sustainability, what challenges you might face when conducting an impact assessment, and why it’s critical to prioritize profitability. About my guest:Carolina Miranda is the founder and CEO of Cultivating Capital, a certified B-corp that helps small businesses implement more sustainable business practices. As an entrepreneur and certified green business, sustainability, and B-corp consultant, Miranda works with business leaders from the ground up to rethink their company practices, prioritize sustainability, and start the journey of becoming B-corp certified. Her company is currently in the process of launching the B Impact Collective, a membership community designed to unite business leaders who are passionate about B-corp certification. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Carolina was drawn to the idea of B-corps (6:01)➤ How to focus on sustainability in business (9:41)➤ The best way to become a B-corp (12:53)➤ How to take advantage of the impact assessment (16:07)➤ The challenges you might face in assessing your business (19:38)➤ How service-based businesses can score B-corp points (28:00)➤ Rethinking your business model and practices (31:56)➤ How to maintain your B-corp certification (37:00)➤ Shifting your perspective on business finances (39:44)➤ Balancing sustainability with profit (45:11)Relevant episodes:➤ Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk ➤ Episode 102: How a B-Corp Marketing Agency Builds a Better Future - The Journey of Kim Fuller➤ Episode 103: What Grow Ensemble Learns in Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Annie Bright and Cory AmesContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Carolina Miranda:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Certified B-Corporation

What qualities do you need to make a difference in the world? Obviously, you need passion, motivation, and persistence, but you also need something else. Adaptability. To make a true impact with your business, you have to be prepared to adapt your mission and goals. That’s what Cory Ames and Annie Bright did with their company, Grow Ensemble. What started as a digital marketing agency for businesses turned into a global community dedicated to social and environmental change. In our conversation today, we talk about how Cory and Annie built and adapted their business and why they’re so passionate about sustainability. Along the way, you’ll gather insight on the challenges of becoming a B-corp certified business when your business is at a start-up stage and learn why it’s important to choose your customers and strategic partners with care. About my guests:Cory Ames is the CEO and co-founder of Grow Ensemble, a company that shares resources and sustainable solutions for environmental and social causes. Annie Bright is the co-founder and director of partnerships at Grow Ensemble. With backgrounds in digital marketing and law, respectively, Cory and Annie have built Grow Ensemble into a global community of individuals and businesses eager to sustainable solutions to major problems. They have a podcast, blog, partnership program, and directory of impact-driven businesses to support. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Annie became interested in immigration and supporting refugees (5:48)➤ How Cory learned about the B-Corp community (7:11)➤ How Grow Ensemble evolved from digital marketing services to impact solutions (10:02)➤ The process of preparing to become a B-Corp (12:01)➤ Managing your finances as an aspiring B-Corp (15:52)➤ How Annie and Cory choose the people they work with (17:55)➤ Balancing profit and impact (22:04)Relevant episodes:➤ Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk ➤ Episode 102: How a B-Corp Marketing Agency Builds a Better Future - The Journey of Kim FullerContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Annie and Cory:➤ Website ➤ Annie Bright’s Linkedin ➤ Cory Ames’ Linkedin ➤ Exclusive offer from Grow Ensemble➤ Certified B-Corporation ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

Business owners are told we can’t have it all. You can’t give back and increase your profits. You can’t devote your attention to your customers and take good care of your employees. You can’t have a socially-driven business that actually makes good money. Right? Wrong. The truth is: your business can do it all. You can be a force for good and still grow your profits. All it takes is a little extra strategy and dedication. No one knows that better than Kim Fuller, a social entrepreneur who made it her mission to work exclusively with clients who are making a positive difference in the world. In our chat today, Kim talks about her journey as a business owner, how she infuses social impact into every aspect of her work, and what it took to improve her company’s revenue by 175%. You’ll learn the importance of creating a bottom-up budget, why it’s crucial to get your team inspired by your goals, and what it takes to become B-corp certified. About my guest:Kim Fuller is the founder and CEO of Phil, a Montreal-based marketing agency that specializes in serving non-profit organizations. Kim got her start in advertising as a graphic designer, then eventually got the entrepreneurial bug and opened her own agency. Over the past 20 years, Kim has doubled her team, tripled her company profits, and become B-corp certified. Through her company work, Kim and her team are dedicated to five critical UN sustainable development goals: health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reducing inequalities, and climate action. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kim started her agency (6:17)➤ How to advertise social impact businesses (10:41)➤ The challenges of getting certified as a B-corp (16:03)➤ What Kim learned about business financing and growth (21:05)➤ Working with a B-corp bank versus a traditional bank (25:16)➤ How to incorporate social impact into your financial projections (29:13)➤ Aligning your finances with ambitious goals (32:33)➤ Choosing a UN sustainable development goal (34:12)➤ Kim’s advice for entrepreneurs who want to become B-corp certified (41:47)Relevant episode:➤ Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kim:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Certified B-Corporation➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

Why did you start your business? Were you motivated to make more money? Were you eager to explore a new career path?Or were you driven by a powerful purpose? If you built your business with the goal of creating positive change, becoming a certified B-Corp could help you on your mission. B-Corp companies are businesses founded on a larger purpose. They’re businesses that care about their impact. And we’re not just talking about the impact of a single product or service. We’re talking about the way your business is run, how you treat your employees, and how you impact the communities you serve. Today, I sat down with Carla Heim and Kasha Huk, two B-Corp experts who’ve made it their mission to spread awareness about B-Corp and encourage interested entrepreneurs to undergo the certification process. In our conversation, you’ll learn what a B-Corp is, how you can become B-Corp certified, and why socially responsible businesses are actually more likely to make a profit.  About my guests:Carla Heim is the senior advisor of purpose entrepreneurship at the Business Development Bank of Canada, a B-Corp certified company. Kasha Huk is the country manager of B Lab Canada, the nonprofit organization that created the B-Corp certification for companies. Both Carla and Kasha are passionate about helping entrepreneurs join the B-Corp movement and build businesses that do good—for their customers, employees, and communities. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Carla and Kasha got involved with the B-Corp movement (6:57)➤ What a B-Corp is and how it’s different (10:09)➤ How to become certified as a B-Corp (14:32)➤ How you score your impact as a B-Corp (17:23)➤ What types of businesses can become B-Corp (23:26)➤ The challenges you might face getting certified (26:12)➤ Strategies to start improving your company organization (29:06)➤ How to set and measure KPIs (35:23)➤ How to manage your profit as a B-Corp (37:12)➤ Shifting the definition of “doing good” (42:26)➤ The challenges of running a socially responsible business (43:20)Relevant episodes:➤ How One Entrepreneur Started an Ethical Marketing Movement - The Journey of Sian Conway ➤ How Small Businesses Can Create Sustainable Impact in the World - The Journey of Masami SatoContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Carla and Kasha:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin➤ Carla Heim’s Linkedin ➤ Kasha Huk’s Linkedin➤ Certified B-Corporation➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

There’s one tool every entrepreneur needs to maintain growth and success. It’s not a special skill or an expensive product or even a team of amazing people. It’s accessible to everyone—at any time. The tool is simply the willingness to keep learning. After creating 100 episodes for this podcast, I’ve learned an enormous amount about what it takes to succeed in business while also creating a powerful social impact. But what it all comes down to is learning. Staying open to new ideas, furthering your knowledge on certain topics, and taking advice and lessons from your peers and mentors is critical to business success. I’m so grateful for all the incredible things I’ve learned from my guests over the course of 100 episodes, and I hope you’ve learned a lot, too. If not, it’s never too late to start! In today’s episode, I’m outlining the top five episodes that helped change my understanding or perspective on business and finance. In this episode I share:➤ The origin of the podcast (1:08)➤ What I’ve learned curating and compiling 100 episodes (6:00)➤ How my podcast and business visions have shifted (10:00)➤ My top 5 favorite episodes and what I learned, including the value of debt, using different types of financing, the importance of empathy, how to create sustainable impact, and how to balance profit and mission (13:35)Top 5 favorite episodes: 1. How the Canadian Government is Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses - A Special Interview with the Honourable Mary Ng2. Financing Your Small Business with Purpose - The Journey of Jill Earthy3. Scale your Company with One Powerful Tool: Empathy - The Journey of Sherry Deutschmann4. How Small Businesses can Create Sustainable Impact in the World - The Journey of Masami Sato5. How to Innovate, Adapt, and Grow Your Business - The Journey of Brandi DecarliContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Christina:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin Resources mentioned in this episode:➤ Apply Regional Relief and Recovery Loan (RRRF) for Canadian women entrepreneurs in BC➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

When you think about your business’s impact, you’re probably focused on the services or products you provide. But that’s not the only area where you have the power to make a difference. How you brand and market your business matters just as much as what you offer your customers. No one knows that better than Sian Conway, an ethical marketing strategist and founder of Ethical Hour, who’s changing the way businesses think about their growth strategies.By adopting ethical marketing practices, you can serve your customers better, increase your social impact, and boost revenue. In our conversation today, Sian breaks down the importance of ethical marketing and shares her strategies for appealing to customers, effectively giving back, and meeting your financial goals. You’ll learn how to set smart goals, how to evaluate your business’s sustainability efforts, and how to get started with giving back in your business. About my guest:Sian Conway is an ethical marketing strategist and the founder of Ethical Hour, a global online community for ethically-focused business owners. Sian worked in startup incubation and corporate marketing before starting her own business and community of impact-driven entrepreneurs. Now, she helps business owners around the world figure out how to market their companies more ethically and match their social impact to their profit. In this episode we talk about:➤ Sian’s pathway to accidental entrepreneurship (7:35)➤ Creating a community around the ethical business (11:08)➤ How Sian approach ethical marketing (14:37)➤ How to create a marketing plan that caters to your customers (20:41)➤ How to introduce new ideas to your audience (27:51)➤ How Sian gives back (35:29)➤ Talking about your business impact effectively (41:22)➤ Why Sian has a climate change disclosure for her business (46:25)➤ The financial tools and processes Sian relies on (54:31)➤ Sian’s advice for other entrepreneurs (59:54)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to christina@christinasjahli.com with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Sian:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ Twitter➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Does your business have a global impact? No matter how small your operation is—or how local—you have the power to make a difference on a global scale. You don’t have to change your mission, your customers, or even your location. You just have to be intentional about what you do with your time and money. That’s what Stacey Kehoe realized when she started her company nearly a decade ago with a goal to give back. Today, her company is 20% finished with their goal of giving 1 million days to combat global inequality. In our conversation today, you’ll learn About Stacey’s background and how she balances profit and impact in her business. You’ll also gain insights on how to analyze your finances, why it’s important to set ambitious goals, and how to encourage your team to get excited about giving. About my guest:Entrepreneur and marketing expert Stacey Kehoe is the founder of Brandlective, a digital marketing agency based in London. Originally from New Zealand, Stacey worked in the travel industry with a handful of global brands before starting her own marketing agency. Over eight years, she’s built her company into a giving powerhouse that focuses on tackling the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of inequality. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Stacey started her company (6:57)➤ The UN goal Stacey chose to work toward and why (10:37)➤ How Stacey’s travel experience influenced her work (13:42)➤ The various charitable projects she’s worked on (17:57)➤ How to promote your business contributions gracefully (22:02)➤ Stacey’s one million days initiative (26:24)➤ Setting specific goals (28:44)➤ How to balance impact and profit (31:48)➤ The value of good financial advice (34:31)➤ Stacey’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (36:05)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to christina@christinasjahli.com with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Stacey:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Have you ever thought of your business as one single domino in a long line of dominos? No matter how it might feel, the truth is that your business doesn’t operate alone. Your company is part of a larger ecosystem and economy, one that thrives on mutual support and generosity. That’s how CEO Helen Campbell runs her company. She believes in compassion and kindness over profit and bottom line. That’s why she created a circular economy of giving within her company, one that has a global reach. In our conversation today, Helen talks about her business philosophy, healthcare background, and financial goals. As you listen, you’ll learn how great leadership can help empower employees to do their jobs better; why small impacts make a massive difference; and how to balance financial success with achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals. About my guest:Helen Campbell is the CEO of Knox Audiology in Melbourne. A former nurse and lover of travel, Helen eventually moved to Australia where she began working in a medical-surgical hospital and later became fascinated with hearing. Now, as the CEO of an audiology business, Helen travels the world giving back through her work. In this episode we talk about:➤ Helen’s background in nursing (6:32)➤ What Helen wanted to change within her company (8:14)➤ The power of making small changes (11:13)➤ How to help support other small businesses (17:18)➤ The importance of creating financial systems (19:41)➤ Supporting your employees in doing what they love (22:29)➤ Helen’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (24:58)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to christina@christinasjahli.com with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Helen:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

How can you create a company culture that prioritizes giving back? After all, it’s hard enough to build a positive company culture, let alone one that centers around helping others. However, with the right attitude and resources, it’s completely possible. That’s the thinking that fueled entrepreneur and former nurse Victoria Sylvester to develop and scale her company. The first thing Victoria did to lay the foundation for a culture of giving was to put her employees first. Creating a people-centered business helped her employees feel empowered to give back.  Today, Victoria and I discuss her people-first mentality and the road that led to her becoming a CEO. You’ll learn why profit and loss isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to business success; Victoria’s philosophy on delivering value in business; and how to give back as part of your daily operations. About my guest:Victoria Sylvester is the CEO of Acacia Training, a UK company that provides specialized educational training to people in the health and wellness sector. Victoria started her career in nursing, where she began training student nurses and healthcare support nurses. After seeing a market for career guidance, she started Acacia with her mom, who worked in the private healthcare sector. Victoria has since transformed Acacia Training into a publicly listed company that focuses on education as one of the UN’s sustainable development goals. In this episode we talk about:➤ Victoria’s background in nursing (5:53)➤ Why people are the center of Victoria’s business (7:14)➤ Why Victoria partners with B1G1 (13:27)➤ How Victoria used giving to help improve the company (15:24)➤ A trick to keep employees incentivized (17:57)➤ The UN sustainable development goals Acacia focuses on (20:05)➤ How to value your business beyond profit and loss (22:59)➤ Victoria’s advice to other business owners (27:16)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to christina@christinasjahli.com with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Victoria:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Every small business needs help. Some business owners need financial assistance, some need resources and exposure, and others need mentorship. But no matter how much help you need, you always have room to give, too. Because at the end of the day, the small business ecosystem can only thrive when small businesses help each other. That’s part of business coach and philanthropist Jody Johnson’s ethos. She knows small businesses are the backbone of the economy—and small business owners need support. In our conversation, we discuss how Jody transitioned from the medical field to the business coaching world, her philosophy on giving, and how she got involved with B1G1. You’ll learn how small impacts can go so far, why cash flow projection is the key to stability, and why women entrepreneurs have an edge when it comes to giving. About my guest:Jody Johnson is a business and executive coach at ActionCoach in Miami, a global business coaching franchise dedicated to helping small business owners grow their operations. As a clinical manager in the emergency department of a teaching hospital, Jody started a nonprofit called Healing Through Art, a program designed for at-risk populations. After taking a few business coaching courses, she eventually transitioned to becoming a coach full time. Now, she uses her coaching to empower small business owners and to give back through B1G1 contributions. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Jody became a business coach (6:36)➤ The strategy Jody used to get her first client (11:57)➤ Why Jody is passionate about small business coaching (13:05)➤ How Jody started giving back with her business (14:47)➤ The difference between performative giving and authentic giving (21:15)➤ The number one financial tool every business owner needs (24:01)➤ How Jody stays on track with her financial and giving goals (28:05)➤ Jody’s advice for other women entrepreneurs (30:27)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to christina@christinasjahli.com with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Jody:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Is giving back part of your company’s business model? If it is, great! If it’s not, what’s stopping you? Building social impact into your business may seem tricky, but it’s totally doable.All it takes is a willingness to try.  That’s what Aisling Graham realized when she started her promotional marketing agency over a decade ago. Giving back was a part of her personal life, but she wanted to make it part of her business’s mission, too. In our chat today, you’ll learn how Aisling took a profit-driven business model and turned it into a giving machine. She also shares her philosophy on creating change; why tiny impacts help turn the tide for good; and the cash flow strategy that helps her business stay profitable. About my guest:Aisling Graham is the founder of Over the Top Promotions, a boutique promotional marketing agency that provides branding merchandise to IT businesses looking to stand out. With a strong marketing background, Aisling started her company in 2008. Over the years, she’s steadily grown it into a company that prioritizes sustainability and social impact just as much as it does client success. In this episode we talk about:➤ What Aisling’s company does for her clients (7:28)➤ How Aisling invests in sustainability through her work (9:35)➤ How she learned about global impacts (12:50)➤ Why splitting impact on global and local efforts is effective (14:57)➤ Aisling’s smart cash flow strategy (18:20)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Aisling➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

When you’re building a company, it’s normal to have a lot of goals. You probably want to put out a high-quality product or service, create happy customers, and turn a profit. But you probably also want to make a positive difference in the world. So, how do you do it? Building a business that has a strong social impact comes down to the small choices. Think: where you source your materials, how you package products, and how you brand your company.You can give back and make a difference by being intentional about your business’s processes and operations. That was Judit Banhegyi’s goal when she purchased her skincare company from a local business owner. In our conversation today, we discuss Judit’s immigration story, how her personal health journey inspired her to become a business owner, and what her social impact goals are. You’ll learn how to create a new kind of customer loyalty program, what it takes to stay profitable when you’re small, and why it’s important to start giving back now—no matter how much money you have. About my guest:Judit Banhegyi is the owner of Glowing Orchid Organics, a Canadian company that makes personal care products using organically sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. After moving to Canada from Hungary and experiencing health issues, Judit began changing her diet and reexamining the products she was using. Her interest in natural products eventually led her to purchase her company from a local business owner. Since then, she’s grown it into a sustainable organization with a strong social impact mission. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Judit started to change her health and daily habits (7:02)➤ How Judit came to own her business (11:05)➤ The importance of creating systems within your business (15:10)➤ The strategy Judit used to approach wholesalers (17:02)➤ How Judit made her company profitable (19:45)➤ Judit’s business sustainability goals (23:22)➤ Creating a loyalty program for customers to give back (25:36)➤ How other business owners can increase their social impact (29:12)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Judit➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

How can you create a positive social impact with your business? Making a difference might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it’s easier than you might think. You don’t have to change your entire business model to give back. And you don’t have to stop doing the work you do.You just have to commit to caring about a cause. That’s the philosophy that fuels entrepreneur Masami Sato’s global business movement. She realized you don’t have to do something drastic to make a big impact. You just have to be intentional with your time, money, and resources. In our chat today, Masami explains the revolutionary idea behind her business and shares how she got started as an entrepreneur. You’ll learn about the importance of giving back, why networking events are crucial to business growth, and how even the smallest changes to your operations can make a massive difference in people’s daily lives. About my guest:A longtime entrepreneur, Masami Sato is the founder and CEO of BUY1GIVE1, a global business giving initiative that helps companies create a stronger social impact with their work. After starting a food business 20 years ago and running several commercial enterprises, Masami had the idea for B1G1 in 2007. Since then, she’s turned the simple business concept into a global movement centered on giving back. In this episode we talk about:➤ Masami’s social impact food business (7:43)➤ How Masami created her business concept (11:15)➤ Her decision to make it a global business (14:28)➤ How to create value with a one-to-one model (17:40)➤ Masami’s two biggest struggles in growing her business (21:56)➤ The process of choosing charities to partner with (26:51)➤ How businesses can partner with Masami’s company (29:58)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs build a start-up later in life -  listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast SeriesContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Masami➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1➤ LinkedIn➤ Masami Sato’s LinkedIn ➤ Facebook ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Is it possible to bounce back from near-bankruptcy in business? The short answer, of course, is yes.The longer answer is that it takes an incredible amount of persistence and strategy to recover from financial instability and become profitable again. That’s what Leslie Bradford-Scott learned when she brought her company back from the brink of bankruptcy. In our conversation today, Leslie and I talk about why she started her company at 49 years old, what led to her perilous financial situation, and how she scaled her business.You’ll gather insights on running a mission-driven business and pricing products correctly; learn how hiring a CFO and third-party logistics company can revolutionize your company; and discover why revenue isn’t the best metric of financial success. About my guest:Leslie Bradford-Scott is the founder and CEO of Walton Wood Farm, a company that makes bath and body products that have natural ingredients and funny messaging. After years of nighttime baths and experimenting with non-toxic beauty recipes, Leslie decided to create her own products. She has since grown Walton Wood Farm into a seven-figure company with personal values at its core, namely preserving the local history where she lives and bringing jobs back to her rural community. In this episode we talk about:➤ The inspiration behind Walton Wood Farm (7:08)➤ How Leslie started scaling her business (10:56)➤ Using personal funds to finance your business (15:18)➤ Why revenue isn’t the most important metric (17:17)➤ The importance of pricing products right (19:53)➤ How Leslie’s company almost went bankrupt (26:07)➤ The value of using a CFO (30:20)➤ How the pandemic affected her business (34:57)➤ Leslie’s tough-love advice to other entrepreneurs (36:49)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leslie➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn

How do you maintain profitability in a business? You might think the key is simply to bring in more revenue than you spend. Or limit your overhead costs. Or hike up your pricing. Or widen your customer base. While all those strategies are helpful, achieving consistent profitability comes down to something much more fundamental. Specialization. To run a profitable business, you have to do something unique and do it well. That’s what Leslie Polizzotto has done with her business, The Doughnut Project. Instead of trying to mimic her competition or recreate a success story, Leslie decided to carve out her own unique niche. In my conversation with Leslie today, we discuss the career transition she made in her 40s, how she grew her business through influencer marketing, and what she did to survive the pandemic. You’ll learn the importance of regular financial analysis and review, why it’s crucial to price your goods correctly, and how communicating with your employees can lead to higher profit and retention. About my guest:Leslie Polizzotto is the co-founder and owner of The Doughnut Project in New York City, a hand-crafted, small-batch doughnut shop that prides itself on unique flavors and alcohol-infused glazes. A former attorney and lifelong foodie, Leslie moved to New York and left her career in law to throw herself into entrepreneurship. Now, she works at the doughnut shop full-time and has grown it into a beloved local establishment. In this episode we talk about:➤ Leslie’s career before starting her company (6:38)➤ What makes Leslie’s donuts unique (8:01)➤ The benefit of starting a business in your 40s (10:21)➤ What to know before opening a brick and mortar (15:02)➤ Figuring out how to price your products (19:21)➤ How business changed during the pandemic (25:23)➤ Why your finances determine the success of your business (28:36)➤ The key to business growth (31:14)➤ Leslie’s philosophy on teamwork and communication (33:00)➤ Leslie’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (36:20)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leslie➤ Website ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn

How do you successfully transition between two entirely different career paths? There are a few smart ways, including taking time off or educating yourself. But one often-overlooked strategy doesn’t require making any big changes. It just requires combining your interests. That’s what Leeza Zurwick did when she transitioned from her job as a special education teacher to the CEO of a mission-driven company. In our chat today, Leeza and I discuss the power of starting a company in your forties, and how you can balance social impact with profit as a business owner. You’ll learn why it’s important to maintain multiple streams of revenue, how planning ahead financially can help you grow faster, and what it takes to persevere through tough times. About my guest:Leeza Zurwick is the CEO and founder of Happy Gut, a company that produces and sells water kefir products designed to help improve gut imbalances and issues. Leeza was a special education teacher for over 20 years before starting her company out of pure curiosity and passion in 2017. After a successful trial run, Leeza quit her full-time teaching job and dedicated herself to growing Happy Gut. Today, she sells her water kefir products in stores and online to customers in Canada and the U.S. Her newest product is a flavor infusion water kefir. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Leeza became interested in water kefir (7:26)➤ What encouraged Leeza to take the leap into entrepreneurship (11:51)➤ What it means to run a social impact business (13:32)➤ The transition from domestic selling to international (18:05)➤ The difference between selling wholesale versus online (21:34)➤ Leeza’s key to successful growth (24:52)➤ The financial strategies that keep Leeza on track (28:23)➤ Leeza’s advice for other women entrepreneurs (33:13)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leeza➤ Website ➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn 

When is the best time to start your own business?  Is it when you’re straight out of college, when you’re entering your first job, or when you turn 30?You may think the opportune time is when you’re early on in your career, but the truth is: it’s never too late to start your own business. That’s what Nita Tandon realized when she had an idea for a product that would revolutionize her life. Though Nita had already built a successful career in health and pharmaceuticals, she decided to switch gears and become an entrepreneur. Today, Nita and I discuss how she started her company, why she’s such a proponent of asking for help, and what financial strategies led to her success. You’ll gather insight on building a passionate audience, tweaking your product, debt for business growth, paying off debt, and becoming even more financially savvy. About my guest:Nita Tandon is the founder and CEO of Dalcini Stainless, a company that makes chemical-free stainless steel housewares. After working in nursing homes and the pharmaceutical industry for years, Nita became curious about BPA and its widespread use in household products. After realizing there wasn’t a market for non-plastic chemical-free containers, she decided to try her hand at creating the product she wanted. Now, her company manufactures and sells award-winning safe, simple, and sustainable housewares.In this episode we talk about:➤ Nita’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur (6:10)➤ The benefit of starting a business in your 40s (10:14)➤ Nita’s unique approach to growing her business (12:36)➤ The financial lessons Nita learned (16:21)➤ The different factors to consider when pricing products (20:10)➤ How the pandemic has affected Nita’s business (24:47)➤ Why you should rethink your idea of debt (29:06)➤ The importance of understanding your financial statements (31:39)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Nita:➤ Website➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn ➤ Twitter

How do you turn a business disaster into a successful new career? You need humility, resilience, and drive, but you also need something else:Passion. Passion for your business’s mission and the work you do. That’s what Laura Wright figured out when she paid off the debt from her failed real estate business, and decided to change course. Today, Laura and I discuss her entrepreneurial background, her business philosophies, and her approach to financial management. You’ll learn how to sell your services better, why long-term forecasting is helpful, and how listening to your intuition can make all the difference to your success. About my guest:Entrepreneur Laura Wright is the Master Coach and founder behind Epic at Sales, a program that helps women business owners improve their sales skills. Before starting her company, Laura worked in real estate buying, renovating, and selling properties. When the 2008 financial crash shuttered her business, Laura had to figure out a way to pay off her debt and rebuild. Now, she gets to use her passion for negotiation and relationship-building to coach people on sales techniques that result in greater income and stronger impact. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Laura got started in real estate (6:13)➤ Laura’s experience with the 2008 financial crash (10:16)➤ How she unintentionally got into debt (13:49)➤ How Laura began paying off her debt (17:12)➤ Laura’s approach to managing her finances (21:02)➤ The revenue model Laura uses for Epic at Sales (23:15)➤ Laura’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (24:54)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Laura:➤ Website ➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram ➤ LinkedIn ➤ Twitter ➤ YouTube

What does it take to turn a company saddled with debt into a profitable powerhouse? It takes patience, resilience, and careful planning, of course. But the most important quality is financial knowledge. That’s what real estate coach Kathleen Black realized when she became a 50% owner of a company drowning in debt. To pay off the company’s debt and start earning money, she needed to get her financial ducks in a row—and create a realistic growth plan. In our conversation today, Kathleen and I talk about her background, her approach to debt, and the financial lessons she’s learned. You’ll pick up tips on how to improve cash flow, how to get on the same page as your business partners, and what to do to build a five-year profit plan. About my guest:Entrepreneur, author, and speaker, Kathleen Black is one of Canada’s leading real estate coaches and trainers. She started her company, Kathleen Black Coaching, and Consulting, in 2015 after spending years in both real estate and coaching. Now, she mentors real estate agents and teams across Canada and the U.S. and leads the Ultimate Team Sumit, which is the largest team-specific real estate event in North America. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kathleen got into coaching (4:51)➤ Why it’s important to share a similar business strategy with a business partner (7:21)➤ The 3 factors Kathleen looks at for business success (8:45)➤ The strategy Kathleen used to get her company out of the red (11:23)➤ The different financials you should review each month and why (15:15)➤ How the right team can help you get ahead (21:30)➤ Kathleen’s advice for women entrepreneurs (23:00)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kathleen:➤ Website ➤ Kathleen’s new book: The Top 1% Life➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram ➤ LinkedIn ➤ Pinterest ➤ Twitter ➤ YouTube