After dropping out of college and a short modeling career, small town Georgia native Gigi Howard landed in the public relations industry that included gigs in Europe, New York City and Dallas. While promoting other companies, she started thinking about creating one herself to solve her long-standing issue with chest wrinkles caused by side sleeping. Fear, lack of direction and life kept her from making it happen until her mid 40s when she decided to take the plunge after meeting some key players to help her make her dream a reality. Tune into this episode to learn how a single mother with no business background is building a giant beauty brand while staying true to her roots.

Lauren Essl has had an incredible calligraphy and custom wedding invitation design career; she even calls several lettering phenoms/artists former students. Last year, she picked up her life and moved to Seattle with her husband and dogs to follow their dreams of exploring a new city. Over the past year, she’s experienced some life highs and lows and is currently pondering a pivot from entrepreneur to employee as her business has hit some bumps in the road while away from her client base and comforts of home. This candid podcast is a wonderful story of success, perseverance, reflection and rebirth. Don’t miss Lauren’s inspiring story that reveals the real side of a self-employed creative person looking for what’s next.

Daniel Blaylock-Napolitan grew up in a single-wide trailer in a tiny Oklahoma town. Today he is a Dallas-based hairstylist and makeup artist to the stars after a fateful series of events and tons of hard work. We sit down with the wildly-talented creative and learn how he coiffed his dream career from scratch and by following his heart.

Alex Halbardier left a cushy corporate consulting job to follow her dreams of working for a startup after her personal life took an unexpected turn. We sit down with the Chief Customer Officer (and second employee) of ride share company Alto to discuss life in the fast lane of starting a new business. From expert advice from her days at Boston Consulting Group to life now running an early stage startup that raised 13 million in funding, the Princeton grad and mother-of-one offers loads of juicy small biz advice.

She was born and raised in Nashville, honed her professional chops in Dallas and now calls Waco home. Why? Because Joanna Gaines gave the 32-year old a fateful call that changed her life -- and location -- in a flash. Today Hilary Rose Walker is Magnolia's Director of Photography and Styling and helping make everything Joanna touches turn into pure magic (and gold). We recently visited with Hilary on her home turf -- the day she was moving into her new office! -- to chat about her recent role change with the company, life in small town Texas and everything in between. Don't miss this amazing podcast with the inspiring and open girl boss.

Longtime stylist Joanna Gott spent her entire life in Washington state making things pretty for brands from Esprit to Nordstrom. In her late 30s, she learned about the show Fixer Upper and her life changed forever upon discovering Magnolia was hiring a visual position via Instagram. After several months of persistent follow-up emails and a 24-hour interview trip, she landed the gig. Today Joanna calls Texas home and is helping spearhead all things visual for Magnolia’s brick-and-mortar concepts. We sit down with the 40-year old style expert to learn about her long career in retail and ways for creatives to follow their dreams — even if it means making a crazy lifestyle or location change.

In 2009, Adam and Alicia Rico left New York to put down roots in Dallas and start a family and small business. What started as an intimate brick-and-mortar floral shop and event space has morphed into an international traveling design biz focused on far flung weddings and fresh floral designs. The cool couple talks to us about the early days of their business, current challenges, hopes for the future and ways for others to leave the comfort of their current situation and start a dream business from scratch.

We all feel defeated or low, but Luxury Garage Sale CEO Trish Lukasik is a big believer you can’t let people see you sweat. This information-packed interview with the storied Fortune 500 company exec — that’s now happily in the start-up world — covers everything from ways to fund your idea to leadership tips, hiring hacks and ways to be successful in retail today. Do not miss this episode if you’re building a brand or considering the idea!

At only 29, Alanna Sarabia is the co-host of Good Morning Texas, a top media market morning talk show. The former Miss San Antonio and NBA dancer talks candidly about climbing the tough-as-nails TV industry ranks through good old fashion tactics from a relentless work ethic and willingness to ask for advice to always being nice and avoiding burning bridges. She also digs into the art of the media pitch and ways to get your message noticed and on air. Tune into this episode to get a deep look into the media industry and ways to break into the biz whether as a career or small business owner looking to get noticed and in lights.

To toast our 50th podcast episode, we invited some of our most riveting past guests to pick up where we left off and dive into their small business journey updates. From deals with the Dallas Cowboys to national art murals and major hotel commission projects, these gals have a lot to talk about and will leave listeners inspired to slowly but surely keep fighting for their dreams!