Entreprenista

“So many of us, me included, suffer from imposter syndrome. And it's so misleading because we know so much more than we think we do—and more importantly, we know how to navigate what we don't know.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Taryn Jones Laeben, president and founder of IRL Ventures, a bespoke early-stage advisory and investment firm focused on building operational excellence into startups. With a rich career spanning roles at companies like Kate Spade, Casper, and SoulCycle, Taryn has a proven track record of scaling businesses and driving growth. Her entrepreneurial journey began later in life, inspired by her parents’ real estate ventures and her extensive experience in the consumer and wellness sectors. At IRL Ventures, Taryn leverages her expertise to support and invest in mission-driven startups. She is passionate about empowering founders and unlocking rapid growth for innovative companies. Tune in to hear what Taryn has to say about overcoming imposter syndrome, her advice on starting conversations with major retailers, and her experience launching brands with IRL Ventures. 

We talked about: 

Connect with Taryn:

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“So often in the beauty world the purpose of the communication is to create a sense of fear and insecurity and I refuse to participate in that.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with April Gargiulo, founder and CEO of Vintner’s Daughter, a Nutritional Skincare brand founded on the principles of unparalleled quality and efficacy. When creating the brand, April was motivated by her own skincare struggles and the discovery of harmful ingredients in luxury skincare. She leveraged her winemaking background to create products focused on integrity, quality, and sustainability, combining the craftsmanship of Napa Valley winemaking with the beauty industry. Since launching in 2013, April has grown the company into a beloved brand with a closely curated product line, emphasizing efficacy and environmental responsibility. As Vintner's Daughter celebrates over a decade of redefining beauty norms, April continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to quality, integrity, and the transformative power of nature. Tune in to hear how April’s experience with skincare during pregnancy was the catalyst for Vintner’s Daughter, how she stays intentional about her team and company culture, and the evolution of her marketing strategy. 

We talked about: 

Connect with April:

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“Every email that goes out with a pitch to tell someone about the brand—they may not answer, they may not opt in for product, and we may not gift them, but I built one more touch point of brand awareness and maybe [they] read that email and discovered our brand. You have to be what 99% of the world is not, which is consistent.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Divya Gugnani, a serial entrepreneur and investor as well as the CEO and co-founder of Wander Beauty, a brand renowned for its clean multitasking beauty essentials designed for the modern woman on the go.  With 5 SENS, her latest business venture, Divya is creating a sensory experience with fragrances that emphasizes clean ingredients and unique mood encapsulating scents. Her commitment to clean beauty and innovative consumer focused products continues to drive her success in the competitive beauty industry and her leadership has earned her numerous accolades and awards, underscoring her impact as a visionary in the beauty market. Tune in to hear Divya’s advice on venturing into a new industry, building a successful business with a partner, and how she keeps her focus and balance with her growing family.

We talked about: 

Connect with Divya:

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“I realized with every business that I've ever had, that is my strength, being of service. I'm an excellent waitress. I am an excellent people pleaser. I will serve until the day I die because I genuinely love doing it so much.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Cassandra Thurswell, Founder and CEO of Kitsch, an international brand focused on sustainable hair care and beauty accessories for women. A self-described born-entrepreneur, Cassandra always knew that one day she wanted to own her own business. This wasn’t an easy feat for Cassandra, but, at the age of 25, she started Kitsch and with a lot of hard work expanded the company into over 25 countries and across 20,000 retail locations all over the world. Tune in to hear Cassandra break down how she started her business, what her favorite thing about Kitsch is, how she knows she’s doing the right thing as a CEO, and so much more!

We talked about: 

Connect with Cassandra:

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“Step after step, it’s like climbing a mountain. You don’t necessarily get to the peak really fast—it’s consistent, steady growth.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, a company specializing in kefir to support the gut microbiome.  Born in Ukraine, Julie immigrated to the US and watched her parents pioneer the introduction of kefir to the American market, taking over Lifeway foods as CEO at 27 years old. After her father's sudden death, she expanded the company's reach globally, introducing innovative products and promoting the importance of gut health. Julie's resilience, innovative business approach and strong intuition have made Lifeway Foods a household name in the probiotic industry. Tune in to hear Julie’s advice on scaling a company from $12 million to 8 figures,  why it pays to follow your gut, and her incredible journey to becoming CEO of Lifeway Foods.

We talked about: 

Connect with Julie:

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“That journey of self reflection and really being humbled by the business punching you in the face was not something I anticipated. I knew there were going to be hurdles to climb. But actually challenging yourself with ‘I might need to look at myself in the mirror and take a second to reflect on  how I can be a better leader’ and then actually doing the things that you’re fully aware that you need to do.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Jesslyn Rollins, CEO of BIOLYTE, a medical-grade hydration drink with as many electrolytes as an IV bag. Jesslyn’s father was first inspired to create BIOLYTE for her mother, who had breast cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy at the time. Jesslyn started as CEO of the company in 2017 and, by 2022, the company’s revenue increased from $157,000 to $22 million. 

Tune in to hear how Jesslyn first sold BIOLYTE to high school football players from the back of her Toyota, the pros and cons of being CEO of a family-owned business, and how an introduction to a major grocery chain changed the course of the company.

We talked about: 

Connect with Jesslyn:

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“There's a lot of beautiful healing things that we do and they're all amazing, but the thing that will heal those old versions of you the fastest and most effectively is when you embody the version of you who no longer believes that.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Tracy Litt, a rapid transformational hypnotherapist, best-selling author, and TEDx speaker. Tracy is also a certified mindset coach, success mentor, and the innovative founder of The Litt Factor and the School of Becoming, an institution dedicated to fostering higher consciousness and purposeful personal evolution. Her unique Mind Magic methodology merges together science and spirituality which she uses to empower trailblazing women leaders to confidently navigate life's pivotal changes with strength and confidence. As a successful seven figure entrepreneur, Tracy sets a powerful example and she is committed to guiding modern women to unlock their infinite potential for making an impact and achieving success. Tune in to hear about Tracy’s career evolution from self doubt to becoming a VP of HR, how it shaped her entrepreneurial path, and the launch of the School of Becoming. She also talks about the importance of self care and identity evolution and emphasizing the power of personal growth. 

We talked about:

Connect with Tracy:

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“You're pushing yourself beyond what you feel is comfortable, which means you're gonna have chapters of discomfort or feeling like, ‘I'm not really sure if I'm there yet. And sometimes that's true. Sometimes you're not there yet. It's good to tune into that because then you know where you should be focusing to improve.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Haesue Jo, Head of Clinical Operations for the world’s largest therapy service, online mental health platform BetterHelp. Haesue is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and in her role at BetterHelp, she oversees a team of therapists to ensure the delivery of high-quality mental health services and liaises between the clinical and technical teams to enhance the platform's capabilities with expert mental health expertise. She shows a true commitment to making mental health services accessible and affordable and continues to advocate for authenticity and self-care not only in her professional role but in her personal life too. Tune in to hear what Haesue told us about her pillars of wellness, the healing power of nature, and why research is so important when selecting the right therapist for you.

We talked about: 

Connect with Haesue

• BetterHelp

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.

“Keep the momentum going. And that's continuous meetings, continuous networking. And then set dates really set a, ‘We are looking to raise this by this time,’ so that you give yourself a deadline, and you give the investors a deadline, and you can hold yourself to it.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Emilie Fritz Veloso, founder of One Tribe, an integrative, expert-led community that provides best-in-class education, services, and resources to support women on their journey to motherhood and beyond. Emilie created One Tribe to address the challenges she faced during her own difficult pregnancies, where she struggled to find appropriate, convenient, and accessible resources and support. Emilie has an incredible Entreprenista journey which included her co-founding the successful coconut water brand One Coconut Water, which she later sold to PepsiCo and she also served as the CEO of Sacred Space Miami, a multidivisional holistic wellness center. Tune in to hear how Emilie’s career path took her from luxury consumer goods to One Tribe, the lessons she learned from her first business, and the very emotional experience of selling a business. We also talked about the 12 year process of founding One Tribe and Emilie’s number one tool for staying organized during her fundraising process. 

We talked about: 

Connect with Emilie:

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“[You’re] spending money and growing not at a sustainable pace, but at this hyper-accelerated pace in order to rapidly take up market share and drown out competitors. When you keep raising money to do that, you keep giving more and more people big chunks of your business. The only way it works is if you have a little bit of luck, but also great execution, the ability to fundraise, and a great product. Then you actually become that unicorn because then the pie is big enough for everybody.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Ooshma Garg,  founder and CEO of gourmet meal kit service Gobble. After experiencing the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet while running her first startup in college, Ooshma realized the importance of quick and easy home cooked meals for busy people. Her ability to identify and address consumer needs, coupled with a deep understanding of market fit has led Gobble to major success culminating in a strategic acquisition that’s allowed her to continue guiding and expanding the company’s vision.  Tune in to hear how Ooshma’s college days at Stanford shaped her success, her experience raising capital for the first time, and how she has leaned on advice from other CEOs and founders during tumultuous times in business. She also talks about navigating the M&A process through strategic planning and reveals her biggest business secrets. 

We talked about: 

Connect with Ooshma

Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:

Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

 Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.