In this episode of Dare to Be Fearless, we're getting real about what it actually takes to be an entrepreneur. From behind-the-scenes challenges to unexpected breakthroughs, I'm sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about building a business — and giving you a life update along the way.

Whether you're just starting out or deep in the grind, this episode is packed with honest lessons, mindset shifts, and encouragement to keep going (even when it's messy).

If you've ever questioned whether you're cut out for this path, this one's for you.

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This might just be one of the funniest and most fun episodes we've ever recorded. A few months back, I was filming another pizza review in my home state of Connecticut when a guy named Tony unexpectedly jumped into the shot and shouted, "Get this girl a job!" That moment went viral—and the internet instantly fell in love with him.

Thanks to one of you, someone tracked him down and connected us. Now, he's officially a guest on the podcast! I'd call Tony a true Connecticut legend—and in this episode, we dive into everything from growing up in this underrated state to what makes the people here so real and unforgettable.

If you're new here: I'm Alexa Curtis, a content creator and mental health advocate born and raised in Connecticut. From building my career as a teen entrepreneur to connecting with changemakers across the country, I've always believed there's something incredibly special about this place—and this episode is proof.

Whether you're from Connecticut or just curious why it's so close to my heart, you're in for a ride. Let's get into it.

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This week, one of my best friends Nick joins the show to discuss one side hustle that I'm particulary intrigued by: vending machines. Can this $17K investment make you into a millionaire?

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Chief Swag Officer is alive on our website chiefswagofficer.com and thank gosh it is because Etsy closed down our store! It's been a chaotic week in business working to get our shop fully optimized online so people know where to buy us. But we went from 20+ sales a day to not even 2 (because of Etsy's SEO) so I've learned a lot about business this week.

PSA to aspiring and current founders: you always need a website.

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Welcome the most fearless Rosie Jane Johnston to Dare To Be Fearless this week! Rosie is the founder of the #1 clean perfume brand in the world, By Rosie Jane, sold at stores like Sephora and Nordstrom. Prior to founding BRJ, Rosie was a celebrity makeup artist who did makeup for celebrities like John Mayer and more.

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Solo episode with Alexa about how to network like a fearless and confident boss. In this episode, she covers:

Cold Pitching

How She Landed Her Radio Disney Show

How To Find And Scout Emails

and leaving London for a bit.

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I met Dara Huang at an event in London last year when I first moved to town. Dara is one of those people who lights up the room she walks into.

As a Taiwanese-American architect and designer, renowned for her innovative contributions to contemporary architecture, Dara was born in Florida to Taiwanese immigrants, where she pursued a master's degree in architecture from Harvard University.

In 2013, Dara founded Design Haus Liberty, an international architecture and design practice based in London, with additional offices in Hong Kong. The firm offers a wide range of design services across residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail sectors, establishing itself as a tastemaker and game-changer in the industry. On a personal note, Dara was previously engaged to British property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, with whom she shares a son, Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi, affectionately known as "Wolfie." Despite their separation, they continue to co-parent amicably, with Wolfie also being the stepson of Princess Beatrice.

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Andrew Stern is the Co-creator of Rumble Boxing, one of the most popular boxing studios in the world that is now a franchise model. Andy is the President of Talent & Programming Globally for Rumble Boxing, where he oversees over 100 studios & 1,000 Rumble Boxing Trainers. He was hustling out of his parents basement after high school and through college before the other Rumble founder approached him with an idea, and from there the creation of Rumble began.

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Emma Hinchliffe is a senior writer at Fortune, where she covers women in business and gender issues across business, politics, and culture. Emma and I met at SLUSH, one of the best conferences ever in Helsinki. Emma worked her way up from the school newspaper to landing an internship at USA Today to now being a senior writer at Fortune. Filmed at Metro Podcast Studio in NYC. Get a Chief Swag Officer microphone cover at chiefswagofficer.com with the code CHIEFSWAG10.

What happens when passion meets relentless hustle? Taylor Capuano, the powerhouse co-founder of Cakes Body, takes us on her wild journey from fitness fanatic to CEO of a booming wellness brand. In this exclusive episode, Taylor spills the tea on:

🔥 Her unexpected "Aha!" moment that sparked Cakes Body 💥 The fitness secrets that transformed her followers' lives 💡 The social media strategy that took her from unknown to unstoppable

Whether you're a fitness lover, aspiring entrepreneur, or just looking for that next spark of inspiration, this episode will leave you energized and ready to take on the world. Don't miss Taylor's raw, unfiltered advice that might just change your life!

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