Charting Her Course

Iris Rideau is the owner and founder of Rideau Vineyard, an award-winning winery based in the Santa Ynez valley. Iris is the first black woman to own and operate a winery in the United States.

She began her journey in New Orleans and eventually made her way to California to start a career in the insurance industry. After a notable career in insurance, finance and politics, Iris decided to venture into winemaking. Fueled by her Creole roots, rock-hard determination and soul, Rideau Vineyards skyrocketed as one of the valley’s most renowned wineries.

Listen to Iris talk about her challenging upbringing in the Jim Crow era, career advice that actually works, and her new memoir: “From White to Black: One Life Between Two Worlds.”

This episode is one of our best yet. Please enjoy this talk with Iris Rideau.

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LaVada English is the Founder and CEO of Bright Places, a business consulting firm dedicated to embedding trust, inclusion and belonging within corporate leadership and development.

LaVada began her career in corporate talent consulting and took the leap into entrepreneurship in 2018 - a role she always knew she would end up in.

Now, LaVada is the president-elect of NAWBO Ventura County, and her company, Bright Places, is reshaping how businesses think and act.

Listen to LaVada talk about her journey, inclusion, and the importance of women claiming their economic power.

Please enjoy this talk with LaVada English.

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Hannah Bangs is the Founder and Owner of Idyll Mercantile, a plant, art and home goods store based in Santa Barbara, California.

After working in the coffee industry for 10 years, Hannah took the leap and established her small business during the pandemic. Since then, Idyll Mercantile has grown to be a community-driven space where people can admire art, other local products and most of all – plants.

Listen to hear Hannah talk about her entrepreneurship journey, why putting yourself on payroll is the smartest step a new business owner can make, and other important financial (and personal) advice.

If you're planning to start a small business and don't know where to start, this one's for you. Please enjoy this talk with Hannah Bangs.

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www.idyllmercantile.com

Gretchen Lieff is the Founder and President of La Lieff, a winery and tasting room opening soon in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.

Gretchen began her journey in broadcast journalism and has embarked on many different career paths. Over the years, she’s been an executive producer for an award-winning documentary, and has served on boards that champion animal advocacy and sustainability.

Now, Gretchen is making her own mark in the wine business. Listen as she talks about how it all came together and what it takes to move forward.

Please enjoy this talk with Gretchen Lieff.

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GetHooked Seafood is a Santa Barbara-based seafood subscription company and Community Supported Fishery (CSF*) founded by Kim Selkoe and Victoria Voss.

Before founding GetHooked, Kim and Victoria both had deep roots in fishing and marine life. Now, they're looking to uplift communities though making wild and sustainable seafood more accessible.

Listen to Kim and Victoria talk about their journey to entrepreneurship, being a woman in the fishing industry and the importance of community.

We hope you enjoy this talk with Kim Selkoe and Victoria Voss.

Rachel Sears-Casanta is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of HyperCat Cycleworks and HyperCat Racing, a brick-and-mortar bicycle shop and endurance sports training program based in Ventura, California.

Rachel started her career as a radio host, and has even competed as a professional triathlete for twelve years. Since then, Rachel and her husband set down roots in Ventura, where the HyperCat brand has grown into a Central Coast community staple for professional and recreational cyclists.

Rachel's entrepreneurial journey is unlike anything we've ever heard before. Her story hits close to our hearts at Charting Her Course, and we're so happy that you can tune in.

Please enjoy this talk with Rachel Sears-Casanta.

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You can find Rachel at hypercat.com or hypercatraching.com.

Rita Mounir is the Co-Founder and COO of Allthenticate, a cyber security startup based in Goleta, California.

Rita began her startup journey in her home country of Morocco, where she implemented one of the nation's first SAT preparation programs. During undergrad at UCSB, Rita developed Allthenticate along with Co-Founders, Chad Spensky and Evan Blasband.

Now, Allthenticate is a fast-growing startup with six employees and numerous mentions on national publications. Listen to Rita talk about what it takes to build a startup, the positive benefits of having multiple mentors, and much more.

Please enjoy this episode with Rita Mounir.

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Jill Agonias is the Founder and CEO of SolSeek Yoga, a yoga studio based in Santa Barbara, California. Jill started her career in nonprofit marketing, and eventually quit to travel the world for a year and a half. When she returned to Santa Barbara, Jill decided to buy Divinitree yoga, and in 2021, has completed a successful rebranding

Listen to Jill talk about how to rebrand a business logistically and spiritually, what it takes to own your own business, and how to find the fullest version of yourself.

Please enjoy this talk with Jill Agonias.

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Allison Costa is the Founder and CEO of Ventura Food Tours, a food walking tour servicing Ventura, Ojai and Santa Barbara.

Allison started Ventura Food Tours by herself in 2011, and has since grown her company to 5 tour guides and a vast list of restaurant partners.

Listen to Allison talk about how to start a customer service-based business, how to face finances as a small business owner, and how to structure your own small business from scratch.

Allison also recommends some great local dining later on in the episode, so tune in!

Please enjoy this talk with Allison Costa.

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Gayle Lassen is the Managing Partner of Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins, a health food store with locations all over California. Gayle began her career as an English teacher and eventually pivoted careers to focus more on the family business.

Listen to Gayle tell the story of her mother-in-law, Oda Lassen, who founded Lassen’s when she was 52-years-old. Oda created the much-loved Central Coast health food store after living through World War II, and seeing how important it was for communities to have access to higher-quality nutrients.

We hope you enjoy this talk with Gayle Lassen.

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