Advertise on podcast: Mompreneur Guide Podcast

🎉 Kicking Off Season 5 in Style… Cleveland style that is! I can’t believe that we're already launching our fifth season! 🤯 It's been an incredible two-year journey of growth, inspiration, and celebration of the mompreneur journey, and I'm so grateful to have you along for the ride.🥰 This season we’re switching things up and going local! 📍 We're focusing on the amazing Cleveland-based mompreneurs who are making waves in our community. Their stories, insights, and practical tips have left me with so many golden nuggets so get your pens and notebooks ready! But that's not all! This season will also give you a chance to experience our brand new Mompreneur Co. Podcast Studio first hand.😍 🥳 Hear the mics, see the difference in conversation, feel the magic of the spaces we’re in and all that we’re creating… and know that when you’re ready to get consistent and batch your content in a space that allows your ideas to flow with the support of a creative team that’s got your back- we’re here for you!👍🏻 Because we’re SO MUCH STRONGER when we link arms together 💪 Here's a sneak peek of our next couple of episodes: ✨The Pandemic Pivot with @flipfort ✨ Leaving a Legacy with @twocompany ✨ Creating with Conviction with @the.vitrolite ….. and many more to come! Ready to dive into this new season with me? Make sure to subscribe to the Mompreneur Guide podcast and let's make Season 5 the best one yet! SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING Apple Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @mompreneur_co Check out our Podcast Studio for Mompreneurs Learn about our Mom Podcasting Retreats Join the Mompreneur Directory

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Ellen Velez and Sarah Filipovitz from Flipfort in our FIRST in-studio interview- kicking off our Cleveland Mompreneurs Season. These amazing ladies are not only Cleveland moms but also insanely creative entrepreneurs. I loved chatting about: the wild ride of launching a business during a pandemic what it's like finding the right business partner and, of course, the struggles of finding that "perfect" balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship My favorite thing about Ellen and Sarah is: how they leverage the power of support and community to grow their business in such unique ways. From reaching out to others for guidance to cultivating their own tribe through relationship building to leaning on local Cleveland Business Incubators like MAGNET- they shared that: "It's all about having that network of people who have your back and can cheer you on through the ups and downs." If you're a mompreneur who's looking to connect with women who just GET you and what you're going through- then this chat we had is for YOU! TIMESTAMPS Introductions and Backgrounds [00:02:01] Introduction of Ellen Velez and Sarah Filipovitz, their roles as moms and entrepreneurs, and their experiences with launching businesses during the pandemic. The journey of becoming partners [00:08:54] Sarah + Ellen discuss how they became partners, their journey so far, and the importance of seeking advice from others. The importance of finding support [00:10:10] Sarah, Ellen and Megan talk about the need for support in both mom life and entrepreneur life, and the challenge of finding a supportive community. Starting a business during a pandemic [00:13:48] Sarah + Ellen share their decision to start a business together, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their desire to make a positive impact in their community. The idea and conviction [00:17:55] Megan discusses the importance of having conviction and vision in your business and how it drives you forward. Trusting your gut and adapting [00:21:44] Collectively, Megan, Sarah + Ellen talk about the importance of trusting your instincts, being open to change, and not letting ego get in the way of making necessary adjustments. Challenges and timeline [00:23:26] Sarah + Ellen dive into the timeline of their business idea, the challenges of surviving and managing their businesses and personal lives during the pandemic and the impact the pandemic had on their manufacturing. Working with Magnet [00:29:07] Sarah + Ellen talk about their collaboration with Magnet, a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to encourage more manufacturing startups and entrepreneurs here in Cleveland. The next steps for FlipFort [00:31:50] Sarah + Ellen discuss their plans to expand their business, including social media marketing, approaching shops for wholesale, and getting their products on Amazon. SHOW NOTES Learn more about FlipFort: FlipFort Website Use Code: mompreneurco15 for 15% off Follow them on IG: @theflipfort SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING Apple Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @mompreneur_co Check out our Podcast Studio for Mompreneurs Learn about our Mom Podcasting Retreats Join the Mompreneur Directory

In this inspiring episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Shari Hunter of Two & Company, a family-run, mission-driven company based right here in Chagrin Falls, OH. Let me tell you…. her story is truly inspiring. Shari's journey as a mom and entrepreneur started with a love for her son, Derek, and a mission to make sure his medical diagnosis of Downs Syndrome never defined who he is. In supporting Derek, Shari realized there are so many other amazing men and women in our community who are looking for the same encouragement, support, inclusion and equity that she offered her son. Enter, Two & Company, where Shari and her team (including her 3 kids: Derek, Tiffany and Christian) not only run a cafe and boutique but use those spaces as job training grounds for those they serve. Through job readiness programs, Two & Company helps their graduates learn new skills, uncover their passions and then, through their partnerships with over 80 companies here in Cleveland, finds them a job they’ll love- kickstarting their independence journey. During our conversation, we specifically dove into: the power of inclusivity, the significance of hands-on learning and the results they’ve seen when pairing these together. Shari believes that everyone deserves to be seen for who they truly are, beyond any labels or limitations. Her vision for The Two is all about building a community that embraces diversity and celebrates the unique strengths of each individual. Let's support The Two and help build a community where everyone is valued and empowered. Learn more about Two & Company: Two & Company Website Donate to their Capital Campaign Follow them on IG: @2andcompany SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING Apple Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @mompreneur_co Check out our Podcast Studio for Mompreneurs Book a Studio Tour Learn about our Mom Podcasting Retreats Join the Mompreneur Directory

Today's episode is an inspiring conversation with two extraordinary women, Andria Loczi and Anne Hartnett. They are the founders of Harness Collective (a commercial real estate and business consulting firm for brick and mortar businesses), the Vitrolite Building (an 18,000 sqft neighborhood space for local makers, professionals and families in the heart of Hingetown) and Harness Cycle. These ladies have breathed new life into the historic Vitrolite Building- a space formerly closed to the public that was breaking up a newly vibrant section of Ohio City. However now it's nothing short of lively. They've transformed it into a wellness-focused space that not only supports other local businesses (like Patron Saint- an all day Italian Inspired Cafe, the Momprenuer owned Soul Yoga Studio, and the brand that started it all- Harness Cycle) but does it with moms and families in mind. I had the privilege of hearing Andria and Anne's rollercoaster journey in bringing this building to life. It's not only one we can all relate to (filled with synchronicities, growth and a deep conviction in their vision) but it's also one we can learn a lot from too. Specifically we chatted through: Expanding a business amidst the pandemic Finding strength in partnership and, of course, striking a flow between biz + mom life If you haven't visited the Vitrolite yet... you need to get yourself there ASAP! And if you have- then you know just how special this conversation is. A true testament to the incredible things that happen when we, as women and mothers, harness our potential and work towards our goals. TIMESTAMPS TO TUNE INTO: Introduction to Andria's Entrepreneurial Journey [00:03:23] Andria shares her story of becoming an entrepreneur, her involvement in an online magazine business and after being a long time Harness Cycle rider and then instructor- eventually partnering with Anne. Introduction to Anne's Entrepreneurial Journey [00:07:08] Anne shares her journey as an entrepreneur, starting with the creation of Harness Cycle and the birth of her children. The importance of vision and values [00:10:55] Discussion on the significance of having a clear vision and shared values in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and balancing personal and professional life. Trusting the process and following intuition [00:14:28] Exploration of the role of trusting the process and making decisions based on gut feelings, even in the face of uncertainty and chaos. Finding a CEO and partnership [00:18:11] Golden Nugget Spot- Anne shares a story of how her mentor suggested finding a COO for Harness Cycle business, leading to the realization that the perfect candidate was already within her community- "you already know your next COO." The "Unique Moment in Time" [00:19:11] The ladies discuss the unique moment when they realized they wanted to work together and pursue a bigger vision for their business. The Pause and Structure [00:20:19] The pandemic caused a pause in their plans, giving them time to put more structure behind their aspirations before moving forward. The Vision and Conviction [00:23:19] Anne + Andria talk about their vision for the Vitrolite, an historic building in the Ohio City neighborhood, and how their conviction and belief in the vision propelled them forward. The vision for Harness Cycle [00:29:32] Anne shared the vision for Harness Cycle and the process of acquiring a building for their business. Revisiting the guiding compass [00:32:13] We shared our joint agreement in the importance of revisiting your guiding compass and defining your purpose, vision, values, and beliefs. The role of vision in entrepreneurship [00:35:29] The significance of revisiting and staying true to their vision, and how it affects their work and life as entrepreneurs and mothers. The Vitrolight and its tenants [00:37:08] Anne describes the Vitrolite building and its current operational status, incl

I'm SO pumped to share this episode with you! I had the pleasure of hosting the brilliant Kaitie Nickel in studio (a.k.a. the creative mind behind Cleveland Vibes.) We had an engaging conversation about our shared love for Cleveland, the power of local businesses and the unique bond we share as mom entrepreneurs. Here are some highlights from our conversation: Cleveland: A Love Story Kaitie, originally not from Cleveland, moved to the city seven years ago and fell head over heels for it. Her husband, a Cleveland native, had always spoken raved about it, but it wasn't until she experienced it herself that she truly understood what we're all about. Kaitie saw the untapped potential and the disconnect between the national perception and the reality of Cleveland. This inspired her to create Cleveland Vibes, a platform highlighting local businesses and all that makes Cleveland so special. The Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster: Kaitie and I chatted about our journey into entrepreneurship and motherhood... and what a pivot that is. We candidly shared how we're transitioning from focusing on our own needs to prioritizing our family and business. It's a constant balancing act, but Kaitie has found that having her husband, Kyle, join the team has been a huge help. Widening Your Businesses Lens: Kaitie had a mic drop moment when she shared how she always knew this platform needed more voices. That she could never "share the full picture of Cleveland on her own." She believes in the importance of having multiple perspectives to truly represent our city. That's why she's grown Cleveland Vibes into a diverse team, not just including her husband and brother, but other fresh voices to help grow the business too. Instagram Magic: Kaitie shared some valuable BTS insights on how she's created content that goes viral. My biggest takeaway: the power of storytelling to create truly engaging Reels. BTS: Future Plans: Kaitie even shared a sneak peek on the newest arm of their business... a way to help local business and content creators grow with ease. This conversation is filled with passion, inspiration, and a shared love for our city- you're going to love it! Learn more about Cleveland Vibes: Cleveland Vibes Website Contact them about Vibe House Follow them on IG: @clevelandvibes SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING Apple Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @mompreneur_co Check out our Podcast Studio for Mompreneurs Book a Studio Tour Learn about our Mom Podcasting Retreats Join the Mompreneur Directory

Everybody has an opinion about chartreuse. Try this: mention the color to the next person you talk to -- we bet they'll tell you precisely how they feel about it and give you a detailed backstory why they feel that way. Somehow everybody has a chartreuse story. “Great branding and design strategy makes someone want to do something. It makes movement." That's how Charity D'Amato-Crawford described her creative philosophy to us when she stopped by the Mompreneur Co Studio this week. Her design studio, Studio Chartreuse, is proof of that philosophy in action. She's been keeping people in Cleveland talking about chartreuse for 20 years. Charity sat down with us for an hour to chat about those 20 years she’s spent running her design studio and refining her principles for her creative services. She talked to us about the behind-the-scenes for making some of the most creative brands and designs in Cleveland, the crazy coincidence the happened the day she told the team she was pregnant, and — of course — the chartreuse story. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Charity & Studio Chartreuse: Studio Chartreuse Website Start sparking more conversations about your business -- work with Charity! Follow Studio Chartreuse on IG: @studio_chartreuse SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING Apple Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @mompreneur_co Check out our Podcast Studio for Mompreneurs Book a Studio Tour Learn about our Mom Podcasting Retreats Join the Mompreneur Directory

Imagine knowing exactly when it’s time to try something different for your business. Or when it’s best to keep going and not make a change at all. You would know you’re always spending your time and energy as efficiently as you can. But it’s surprisingly even more valuable than that. Ashley Rector joins us at the Mompreneur Co. Studio this week and tells us how she’s built a thriving digital marketing agency on the back of knowing when “next” needed to become “now.” She talks about her first business selling organic tote bags — 50 of them, to be exact — and making the call to close it down with thousands of bags still in inventory. She grew her next business, Harness Magazine, to 6,000 writers while still maintaining her day job as an attorney. The workload took a serious toll on her mental health though; she left her career as an attorney and sold Harness, knowing it needed outside help to continue growing. She started her digital marketing agency Quimby, recognizing her passion for marketing and realizing how often people asked her for advice about growing engaged communities on social media. She’s targeting over $1,000,000 in revenue this year. Now what if Ashley had kept at that tote bag business. Or kept grinding in her career. Or kept plateauing at her magazine. It’s easy to get stuck at any of those points, whether out of pride, sunk cost fallacy, or a belief that sticking with it was the admirable thing to do. It’s hard to make a change. Ashley has a skill that sets her apart. Whether it’s listening to her market, to her community, or to herself, knowing when the time for change is “now” secretly also means knowing when the time is “not yet.” SHOW NOTES Learn more about Ashley & Quimby Quimby Website Get a team of beautiful brains on your brand - work with Ashley’s team! Follow Ashley and Quimby on IG: @itsquimbydigital and @ashleylaurarector Meet Ashley Rector, a savvy entrepreneur who's as comfortable in the boardroom as she is in the playroom. She's the driving force behind Quimby Digital, a marketing firm that's been recognized by Forbes, Nasdaq, and Inc Magazine. Ashley's journey from commercial real estate attorney to digital marketing maven is as unique as it is inspiring. She's a mom of two, a business leader, and a firm believer in the power of a well-crafted social media strategy. Her mission? To work with female founded and funded startups to thrive online.

Chagrin Falls local Kristen Thalman is in studio this week! We talked a little business, then we hit on a topic that flowed so naturally into an open and honest “mom talk” conversation — intuition. We got philosophical about what it means to be our own highest authorities in our businesses and in our lives. Plus we dove into how we’ve become so much more aware of the how we do our work and how we use our words as our kids have become our audiences, watching and learning from our every move. Kristen coaches women in real estate using the lessons she’s learned from decades of being an agent herself. She recognized how common it was in her industry to feel constantly overwhelmed from trying to do everything and saying yes to as many opportunities as possible. So her approach in her Advanced Agent Academy is simple: let’s find your own clear, simple path to earning and maintaining business. Just one! And watch how things grow when you can pour your focus and energy into one thing instead of ALL the things. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Kristen Kristen’s Website. Even if you aren’t in the real estate biz, give this a peek! We love how she outlined her clients’ pain points and their dream outcomes Follow Kristen on IG: @kristen_thalman

Professional gift-wrapper and gift-giver extraordinaire Bethany First is in studio today, sharing everything you never knew you needed to know about gifts! We’re talking gifts for all kinds of occasions and all kinds of people; friends, family, clients, or anyone else who makes an impact in our lives. She shares her creative process for gift selection, wrapping, and making the unwrapping an event and experience in and of itself. We also go deep below the surface-level “here, I got this for you” to uncover what a gift really means when it comes to connecting, communicating, and building relationships with the people we care about. Plus she tells us the path that brought her to start Revere Gift-Wrapping & Paperie and what she’s done to help it take off, plus the story of the most meaningful gift she’s ever helped someone give. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Bethany & Revere: Bethany's Website Tap into Bethany's immaculate sense of taste and personal touch for finding and/or wrapping your next extra-special gift: tell her what you're looking for here! Follow Bethany on IG: @reverecle

Soul Yoga owner and teacher Ylonda Rosenthal-Greene sits down with us at the studio this week, sharing how (and why!) she runs the most soulful yoga studio in the city. She tells us what she learned from taking classes at every single yoga studio in Cleveland before starting her own, and how she recognized she needed to create a space that said more than just “you’re welcome to be here” to students and instructors. It had to say “we’ve been expecting you. We’re prepared for you.” It’s a small shift in mindset that has made a world of difference. She designed every bit of the studio to support anyone who walks in the door. Her “soul space” markers, for example, relieve the anxiety of picking a spot to lay down your mat. And they double as a gentle way to tell instructors if you’re comfortable with hands-on assistance. There are so many more little details she shares (too many to cram them all into this summary) — the one about the flooring she picked with her kids in mind is so touching. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Ylonda & Soul Yoga: Soul Yoga’s Website Book a class with Ylonda! We did an evening Blaze class with her – the test of physical and mental endurance was an empowering way to end the day! Follow Ylonda and Soul Yoga on IG: @awaketomysoul and @soulyogaohc

Kathy Cruz from the Savvy Shopkeeper is sitting in the cozy pink chairs with us at the Mompreneur Co. Studio this week! Kathy is a retail business consultant for brick and mortar store owners, sharing what she's learned from nearly a decade of balance, profit, and growth at her own home decor boutique. We talk about how much has changed since we met in 2017 when Kathy was gathering up the courage to leave her job as a detective and go into business for herself. Back then, she said the fear of failure motivated her to keep her steady paycheck rather than trying to take the leap into entrepreneurship. And ironically here she is today talking to us about how she embraces failure as a core piece of her strategy. “If I try something new and it doesn’t work, it’s a winner because I learn what my clients actually need from me for the next time. Instead of getting stuck on it like I used it, it’s an opportunity for me to ask what else do they want? How else can I serve them?” Plus, as a shopkeeper herself, she talks about the call to share what she’s learned with others and how valuable it is to speak from a place of practice & proof rather than talking in theory. And she shares a quick story about the surprising overlap between her business and her past detective career. (02:07) 2017 Feels Like Forever Ago Meg and Kathy talk about how much has changed since they met in 2017. Meg was driving around the Style Foundry mobile boutique for her wardrobe styling clients (Kathy was one of them!) and Kathy was gathering up the courage to leave her job as a detective and go into business for herself. (05:44) Doing Then Teaching Kathy shares how once she figured out her shopkeeping strategies for herself, she just had to share with others. She talks about the value of speaking from a place of practice and proof instead of from theory, and how she believes it inspires action over procrastination because the results feel more within reach. Plus she tells us about the wholesome community in her mastermind group, bonded together by their niche. (10:03) Putting Her (Literal!) Detective Skills to Work It took Kathy several years to realize the surprising amount of crossover between her coaching business and her detective career. She tells us the story of her "aha" moment after a full-day in-store intensive with a shopkeeper in her group, comparing to how she used to listen to witnesses, keep a case file organized, and piece together the story. (13:51) “And That’s How I Know This Is Where I’m Supposed to Be” “My driving force is the feeling I get to give other store owners — sometimes it’s relief, sometimes it’s inspiration, and sometimes it’s just accountability. And that's how I know this is where I'm supposed to be.” We get a little philosophical for a sec here! And then Kathy goes into detail about her headline-worthy fearlessness towards failure. She embraces failing since it helps her figure out what her clients actually need. And the side effect is that she becomes virtually fail-proof: if she tries something and it works, it’s a winner because it works. If she tries and it doesn’t work, it’s a winner because she learns for the next time. (16:58) Mom Life We look back at the support and encouragement Kathy is so grateful to have from her husband, mom, and sister; how it made her feel comfortable trusting her intuition and taking the leap to be more present with her family. Plus we look forward at what's next for Kathy... which includes a lot of calendar color-coding! SHOW NOTES Learn more about Kathy & Savvy Shopkeeper: Savvy Shopkeeper's Website and Podcast Kathy's blueprint for increasing foot traffic to your store. See the details behind the strategies she touched on during this episode Follow Kathy on IG: @savvyshopkeeper

Five female filmmakers from the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival joined us for a panel discussion about a common thread in each of their films: agency. We talk about the control the people in their stories had over their lives and their bodies -- and the consequences when that control falls into someone else's hands. We also dug deep into how this manifests itself in the film industry and what these women are doing to change it "so that documentary filmmakers can tell the stories that need to be told. They don't have to only get the stories made that somebody else sees value in. Or that a corporation sees value in. Or that the person with enough money to fund it sees value in. There are other ways than just how the machine works right now." (00:32) Meet the panel! (02:29) Recapping the stories told by each film and how they show contrasting levels of agency (07:43) Advocating for the value of our time and what we’re worth (15:44) Stephanie talks about why she started her business to fund documentary filmmakers, which got the wheels turning for an incredible discussion about filmmaker empowerment Thank you to these amazing women for being a part of the panel! Kelley Wolf Griffith, Director: Junk Genius. Damon Drummond takes the ”junk” from scrap yards and transforms them into art. Also mentioned on this episode: Producer: Let's Talk About Death (podcast). Twin brothers -- one is a funeral director, one is a grieving psychologist. They fearlessly tackle a subject often considered taboo: Death. Producer: Yooper Wisdom (podcast). An inspiring wellness podcast about a resident of the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where locals are commonly referred to as "Yoopers," as she explores inner healing and self-love. Companion to the film of the same name showing at the Fresh Coast Film Festival Meg Vogel, Director: Taken: An American Hostage Story. Mark McAlister and John Hamen III had just landed in Yemen. They'd both been hired to renovate a hotel for the U.S. State Department in the Middle East. Amid a brutal civil war, they soon became bargaining chips. This is a story of what happens when one's worst nightmare becomes national news – after the spotlight fades, but the suffering doesn't. This is a story about the hidden cost of war. Stephanie Dattilo, Executive Producer for Williams & Mansell: Red 5. Nigel Mansell is recognized as one of the greatest race car drivers of all time, but how did he get there? He struggled through race after race, coming just short of winning, but he didn’t let that stop him. WILLIAMS & MANSELL: RED 5 tells the story of how he made it to the World Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, using not only his driving skills, but his engineering background and the help of the Williams Engineering F1 team. Also mentioned in this episode: BetaCandy: Stephanie is the founder and CEO of this creative studio that partners with forward-thinking companies to develop engaging experiences that resonate with audiences and real people, not just algorithms. Endora Media: Stephanie is also the founder and CEO of this advisory firm that connects capital with creative opportunities. They source purpose-driven content that specializes in content-producing ventures that seek to harness the power of the female voice. A’magine Nation, Director/Producer and Renee Bergan, Co-Producer/Editor: At Your Cervix. We are taught to trust medical experts to provide the best care and to honor our right to consent. But what if you discovered that medical students had used your body to practice a pelvic exam without consent? It has only been recently discovered that this practice has been going on for years. This eye-opening film takes us into hospitals and classrooms with the experiences of both victims and students and highlights the need for accountability within the medical community. The on-demand catalog of films featured at the festival is available through October 16, 2023.