In this week’s episode Grace Esses Mamiye from Grace's Gymnastics shares how her lifelong passion for gymnastics turned into a thriving business. What started as backyard lessons quickly grew into hundreds of students packed into her Brooklyn basement and eventually into a beautiful, full-scale studio with a dedicated team. 

In this episode, Grace tells us what it takes to grow a business from the ground up, how she built systems that scaled, and why she still loves every minute of it. So many kids in our community have learned, grown, and thrived through Grace’s Gymnastics. Her story is all about passion, grit, and the magic of momentum.

This episode was graciously sponsored by Betty Esses Flowers

Meet Doris Dwek, a one-in-a-million talent and a truly special soul! What began with birthday parties has blossomed into a thriving career planning unforgettable bar mitzvahs, weddings, and milestone celebrations. Doris pours her heart into every event, bringing joy, beauty, and meaning to the happiest moments in people’s lives.
In this episode, she chats with Melanie Kule about the passion behind her work and her drive to give back, weaving community impact into everything she does.
Get ready for wisdom, words of advice, and inspiration from a woman who does it all with style and heart!

This episode is brought to you by the Margie Saka

School of Hospitality and sponsored by SylC Designs

Linda Levy is the powerhouse behind “Party by Linda,” a one-woman show that’s equal parts Zumba instructor, party planner, camp creator, and entertainer. In this episode, Linda opens up about how she turned her natural energy and creativity into a full-blown brand—all while raising a family, adapting through challenges, and staying grounded in her values. From singing telegrams to scavenger hunts in Bloomingdale’s, Linda shares what it takes to build a business around joy.

Highlights:

• How a post-chemotherapy fitness journey launched Linda’s career in Zumba and entertainment

• The growth from a three-person basement class to packed events and corporate travel gigs

• Confidence, kindness, and humility: Linda’s three pillars of success

• How social media and showing up authentically helped her business thrive

• The importance of creating balance, saying “no,” and prioritizing self-care

• Linda’s creative process behind customized events, songs, and experiences

• Giving back to the community as a core value—and what she’s learned from it

• Lessons her kids have picked up by watching her build a career with heart

This episode is sponsored by Victor Hakim in honor of his wife Michele and by Dans Desserts

Meet the inspiring woman who cofounded Embark Beyond, where every journey is crafted with heart and precision. In this episode, Melanie sits down with the incredible Julie Danziger as she shares how her passion became a profession and tells us about the magic that goes into planning unforgettable trips. She opens up about steering her business through the challenges of COVID with resilience and creativity and how she balances family with her profession. Tune in for her powerful advice to anyone dreaming of turning their passion into a lasting legacy.

Brought to you by the Margie Saka School of Hospitality

This week’s podcast episode is one you DEFINITELY don’t want to miss! Melanie sits down with the incredibly talented and super fun Esther Levy Chehebar! She gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process as she prepares to release her debut novel, “Sister of Fortune”, with Random House Publishing. She’s smart, inspiring, and full of stories you’ll want to hear. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation!

This episode is brought to you by the Grace Gindi & Stephanie Gabbay School of Licensing.

www.thepropelnetwork.org

Meet Eileen Missry—also known as Kardio and Kale—a superstar who turns every day into a master class in passion, organization, and balance. From baking cookies to running a full-scale culinary operation, she wears many hats: caterer, private chef, cooking teacher, and content creator. In this episode Eileen talks how she built her brand while staying rooted in family, Jewish tradition, and wellness. Tune in for an inspiring episode that proves you can turn your passion into a successful business and do it all with heart.

This episode is generously sponsored by Ouris Market, in memory of their mother Sarah who brought warmth, positivity, and true spirit of teamwork to her family run business.

Brought to you by the Cynthia Haddad School of Culinary Arts

In this episode, our host @melaniekule sits down with the talented and driven @alexiscohen to hear how she turned her passion into a thriving business. She shares the story of her organic growth, the exciting and challenging projects that shaped her journey, and how she manages the juggle of entrepreneurship and parenthood. Alexis opens up about the lessons she’s learned along the way and the advice she has for anyone starting out. Tune in for an inspiring conversation full of wisdom and heart!

Highlights:

- How Alexis goes from an idea to creating her magical desserts

- Memorable cakes including the one she baked for Paris Hilton’s 30th birthday

- The impact of social media on business

- How faith guides Alexis in everything she does

Meet Heleyne Tamir — founder and creative force behind a cosmetic line, a blooming floral shop, and four enchanting cafés.

On this week’s episode, Heleyne Tamir shares the real story behind building beauty and magic from the ground up. She talks to her about starting and running multiple businesses, managing family life and creating a life where passion and grit can go hand in hand. She also discusses how PROPEL Network has been a game changer in our community. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and energy.

Links & Resources:

Check out Bloom Bar on social media: instagram.com/bloombarflowermarket

Get started with a PROPEL Career Coach or Business Strategist:⁠https://www.thepropelnetwork.org/coaching⁠

Explore PROPEL's initiatives and upcoming events:⁠www.instagram.com/propelnetwork⁠

Host & Personal Development Coach Melanie Kule:⁠www.instagram.com/melaniekule⁠

Fortune Dushey, the creative mind behind Fortune Inspired, inspires us to find joy through fashion, wellness, travel, and beyond with her vibrant blog and engaging Instagram posts. In this episode, Melanie Kule sit down with Fortune Dushey to share how her curiosity and passion for life guided her journey to discovering her path (so far!) Tune in as she discusses the importance of staying true to your intentions and the patience required to build a successful business.

This episode is sponsored by Be Seated: Set your table with these elegant disposable tableware

Highlights:

Links & Resources:

Check out Fortune on social media: www.instagram.com/fortunedushey

Explore PROPEL's initiatives and upcoming events:⁠www.instagram.com/propelnetwork⁠

Host & Personal Development Coach Melanie Kule:⁠www.instagram.com/melaniekule⁠

Get started with a PROPEL Career Coach or Business Strategist:https://www.thepropelnetwork.org/

Record your own podcast or song at Hit Central: 

Mariel Dweck, also known as @marielody_, has become a well-known entertainer for children (and moms!) and a momfluencer who loves what she does! In addition to singing and dancing and bringing joy to her classes and YouTube videos, she shares creative family- based content – everything from parenting tips to her vodka sauce recipe. In this episode of Chapters Mariel talks about how she started a business, how she grew, and what comes next!
Highlights
⁃ How her  Mommy and Me class became like a family- Turning to PROPEL for guidance in creating her own Marielody YouTube channel 
⁃ The importance of authenticity and connecting with people
⁃ How vital confidence is when putting yourself out there
This episode is sponsored by Gluten Free Easy! www.gf-easy.com/

Links & Resources:

Check out Marielody on social media: https://www.instagram.com/marielody_/

Explore PROPEL's initiatives and upcoming events:⁠www.instagram.com/propelnetwork⁠

Host & Personal Development Coach Melanie Kule:⁠www.instagram.com/melaniekule⁠

Get started with a PROPEL Career Coach or Business Strategist:https://www.thepropelnetwork.org/

Record your own podcast or song at Hit Central: https://www.instagram.com/hitcentralmusic/