In this episode of 'Good Ideas and Bad Decisions,' host Ellen flies solo as Kat is out sick but joining in spirit. Ellen welcomes Chedva, lovingly known as Vivi, the CEO and founder of a consultancy, Consider. Vivi dives into her story of transitioning from her Orthodox Jewish upbringing to becoming a transformative entrepreneur. She discusses her ventures from running a marketing agency to establishing a tech startup named Emerge, aimed at democratizing mentoring in large organizations. Despite the setbacks of COVID-19, Vivi's resilience shines through as she embarks on a new journey with her latest venture, Consider. Explore her innovative approach to business transformations through introspection and question asking. Tune in for insights on navigating uncertainty, finding purpose, and forging a unique path in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Chedva "Vivi" Ludmir is the Founder of Consider Club, a one-of-a-kind consultancy that helps visionary leaders navigate big decisions through question asking.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas and Bad Decisions

00:55 Introducing Today's Guest: Chedva Ludmir (Vivi)

02:01 The Intersection of Business and Personal Growth

02:25 The Non-Book Club Book Club

03:11 The Journey of Consider

04:57 Ellen and Kat's Podcast Journey

07:47 Vivi's Entrepreneurial Path

14:18 The Birth of Emerge

17:23 Navigating the Challenges of Emerge

18:10 The Impact of COVID-19 on Emerge

24:03 Post-Emerge Identity Crisis

26:25 Rebuilding Through Consulting

28:20 Building a Team of Freelancers

29:34 Navigating Business Challenges

29:51 Impact of the Pandemic

31:12 Personal and Professional Growth

32:49 Life Changes and New Beginnings

36:04 The Power of Asking Questions

44:48 Launching a New Venture

53:54 Words of Wisdom and Conclusion

In this first episode of Coffee Chats, a mini-series by Ellen and Kat, the duo recounts their recent experiences, including Ellen's turbulent vacation return from Colorado and adjusting to a new recording schedule. They discuss the creation of the mini-series to bring back personal connection and behind-the-scenes stories. The episode also tackles the topic of cancellation policies for client-facing small businesses, offering insights and personal practices to manage cancellations and no-shows effectively. Tune in for a blend of vacation stories, business advice, and casual conversation.

Submit your business questions at the link below for us to tackle on a future episode!

Business Question Link

In this episode of 'Good Ideas and Bad Decisions', hosts Kat and Ellen are joined by the amazing Kae Sprung who is the Founder + Owner of Squish Marshmallows and host of Sprung On Food. Kae shares her journey from starting her handcrafted marshmallow company to winning awards and becoming a voiceover artist. We dive into Kae's creative process, the nitty-gritty of starting a small business, and the ups and downs of balancing multiple ventures as an entrepreneur. Plus, there's some delightful banter about being on reality cooking shows and the highs and lows of crowdfunding. Prepare for a sweet ride filled with laughter, insights, and a whole lot of marshmallows!

Kae Sprung is the Founder + Owner of Squish Marshmallows, host of Sprung On Food, and an award-winning pastry chef. Follow her journey on Instagram @iamsprung.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas and Bad Decisions

01:32 Introducing Our Special Guest: Kae Sprung

02:27 Kae's Journey: From E-commerce to Custom Catering

04:57 The Birth of Squish Marshmallows

09:28 Early Challenges and Market Strategies

22:41 Balancing Multiple Ventures

29:13 Navigating Fundraising Challenges

29:58 The Shark Tank Experience

32:17 Crowdfunding Woes

37:56 The Reality of TV Exposure

52:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of Good Ideas, Bad Decisions, hosts Ellen and Kat welcome guest Brittany Blumenthal, founder of Delightful Creative. The trio discusses the chaos and resilience involved in entrepreneurship, careers transitions, and mental health. Brittany shares her personal journey from working in tech to starting her own branding and website design company focusing on mission-driven businesses in the health and wellness space. The conversation also dives into managing the instability of business ownership, the importance of alignment in work, and how Brittany's experience with functional medicine has given new purpose to her career. This episode is filled with raw, relatable stories and insightful advice for anyone navigating their own business venture. 

Brittany is the founder of  ⁠Delightful Creative⁠, which creates brand identities for businesses that make people feel good. Her favorite projects involve helping small brands build something from scratch—something filled with purpose.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas, Bad Decisions 

01:34 Meet Our Guest: Brittany from Delightful Creative 

02:54 Brittany's Journey: From Tech to Entrepreneurship 

04:16 The Unexpected Layoff 

04:51 Processing the Layoff and Moving Forward 

11:06 Kat's Similar Experience 

17:22 Ellen's Story of Toxic Work Environments 

25:14 Navigating a New Manager and Job Threats 

26:26 Finding Impact in a Chaotic Work Environment 

27:47 The Struggles of Creativity and Design Work 

29:16 Current Work and Design Preferences 

30:52 A Journey into Functional Medicine 

32:19 Exploring Personal Health and Wellness 

34:30 Challenges and Discoveries in Health 

41:04 Embracing Uncertainty in Career Transitions 

51:20 The Importance of Alignment and Personal Growth 

52:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'Good Ideas and Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Naga Das (Palveshey), the compassionate Founder of Alternative Coaching Methods. Naga Das shares her deeply personal and transformative journey from facing immense personal struggles and rigorous academic challenges to finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose through the healing power of psilocybin mushrooms. The conversation touches on the stigmas surrounding psilocybin, contrasting traditional medications with natural plant medicines, and the remarkable emotional and physiological breakthroughs participants experience. The episode beautifully explores themes of self-worth, personal definitions of success, and the profound impact of empathy and kindness. It's a tender and insightful discussion filled with warmth, resilience, and hope for a better, more connected world.

Naga Das (Palveshey) is the Founder of Alternative Coaching Methods, guiding your journey from high achievement to high performance, through 1:1 coaching and Psilocybin retreats in Jamaica. You can also find more information about her journey at palveshey.com .

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas and Bad Decisions

00:57 Introducing Our Special Guest: Naga Das (Palveshey) 

01:55 Naga Das (Palveshey)'s Journey: From Struggles to Success

04:33 The Power of Psilocybin and Alternative Coaching Methods

06:52 Redefining Success and Overcoming Societal Pressures

12:01 Intuition and Decision-Making: A Personal Insight

27:25 The Elephant and the Dog: A Parable of Patience

28:03 Birthing an Elephant: Embracing the Journey

29:02 Retreats and Transformations

29:42 Healing Stories and Miracles

32:58 Consumption Methods and Preferences

34:35 The Power of Empathy and Kindness

43:30 Self-Worth and Legacy

47:24 Final Thoughts and Wisdom

In this episode of 'Good Ideas, Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome operations consultant Sarah McNamara. Sarah shares her journey from banking to small business operations consulting and emphasizes the importance of clear systems and processes. The discussion touches on various challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including managing finances, understanding taxes, and the crucial role of bookkeeping. Sarah also highlights her philosophy of approaching clients without judgment and the importance of business owners recognizing when to seek help. Tune in for insightful advice on improving your business operations!

Sarah is the Founder of  Sarah McNamara Solutions a small business consultancy on a mission to get business leaders back on track by aligning their behind-the-scenes with their business dreams.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas, Bad Decisions 

00:37 Morning Banter and Introductions 

01:08 Special Guest: Sarah McNamara 

01:50 Sarah's Business Journey 

03:39 Challenges and Solutions in Business Operations 

07:14 The Importance of Proper Bookkeeping 

11:38 The Role of a Systems Thinker 

21:02 Complexities in Different Industries 

27:33 Business Credit Cards and Their Pitfalls 

29:50 Exploring Small Business Loans and Grants 

30:33 The Importance of Clean Books for Financial Analysis 

31:56 Transitioning Business Roles and Client Types 

33:50 The Role of a Business Coach and Support Systems 

35:28 Building and Managing Business Processes 

43:46 Tailoring Business Solutions to Individual Needs 

48:47 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

In the third episode of Good Ideas and Bad Decisions, hosts Ellen and Kat welcome their first guest, Chelsea Rafferty, Founder + Principal Designer of Day Two Studio. They delve into Chelsea's journey in the commercial interior design industry and Chelsea shares her experiences of starting a business, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the challenges of firing clients. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent fires in LA on local businesses and Chelsea's perspectives on community, kindness, and the importance of supporting ethical companies. 

Chelsea is the Founder + Principal Designer of Day Two Studio a full service multidisciplinary design practice based in Los Angeles.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠kat&co⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

Want to apply to be a guest on the podcast?  Submit your inquiry below: 

https://organized-country-4e6.notion.site/1c950631201e806f868fed5f3d9b920e?pvs=105⁠⁠

Want to send us a question about your business to tackle on air? Submit your question below:

https://organized-country-4e6.notion.site/1ca50631201e81b19c0dc4cc2363d894?pvs=105⁠

00:00 Introduction and Exciting News 

03:08 Introducing Our Special Guest 

03:51 The Joy of Podcasting 

06:18 Chelsea's Journey in Interior Design 

16:25 Challenges and Triumphs in Business 

23:45 Collaborative Projects and Community Building 

28:34 Realizing the Need for Change 

28:51 Client Relationships and Self-Worth 

29:29 The Impact of Trust in Professional Relationships 

30:20 Valuing Yourself Over Money 

31:09 Navigating Client Compatibility 

33:12 Setting Boundaries and Opening New Doors 

35:11 The Importance of Flexibility in Business 

37:51 Community Support and Business Ethics 

48:29 Personal Growth Through Business Ownership 

55:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the second episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' business owners Ellen and Kat dive into the complexities of running a business and the inevitable setbacks that come along the way. The hosts then navigate a deep discussion on failure, reflecting on their personal business endeavors that didn’t go as planned. Ellen talks candidly about closing her sustainable maternity activewear brand, and Kat shares her journey with a failed wallpaper design business. Together, they explore the emotional impact of not meeting their initial expectations and how they redefined success and failure in their entrepreneurial journeys. They wrap up with advice on necessary financial systems for new business owners and offer resources for listeners facing similar challenges. Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical advice, and an authentic peek into the world of entrepreneurship.

Want to apply to be a guest on the podcast?  

Submit your inquiry here: ⁠LINK⁠

Want to send us a question about your business to tackle on air? 

Submit your question here: ⁠LINK⁠ 

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠kat&co⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas, Bad Decisions 

00:37 Catching Up: Weekend Recap 

02:47 Technical Issues and a Trip to Napa 

04:34 Dealing with Theft and Its Aftermath 

08:37 The Importance of Backing Up Data 

11:51 Discussing Failure in Business 

23:33 Struggles of Starting a Business 

24:08 Dealing with Failure and Moving Forward 

25:24 Transition to Consulting 

26:17 Forced to Start Consulting Full-Time 

27:03 Reflecting on Past Business Ventures 

28:23 Lessons Learned and Future Plans 

30:32 Supporting Women in Business 

33:13 Defining Failure and Self-Worth 

42:47 Financial Systems for New Businesses 

48:31 Final Thoughts and Announcements

Episode 001: Hello World!

Welcome to the very first episode of the ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions’ podcast! Join Ellen and Kat as they navigate the world of small business consulting with humor, authenticity, and a dash of chaos. In this introductory episode, you'll get to know your hosts, learn about their unique business journeys, and hear hilarious anecdotes and accidental text messages. They tackle the ever-relevant topic of setting boundaries in business and share their personal strategies for balancing work and life. Whether you're a creative professional or a service-based business owner, this episode is packed with relatable stories, useful tips, and candid conversations about mental health. It's the start of something real, unedited, and entirely genuine. Strap in and enjoy the ride!

Want to apply to be a guest on the podcast?  Submit your inquiry here: LINK

Want to send us a question about your business to tackle on air? Submit your question here: LINK 

Ellen is the Owner of  Ellen Hockley Consulting and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  kat&co and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes.

00:00 Welcome to Our First Podcast!

00:19 Meet Your Hosts: Ellen and Kat

03:19 The Birth of Our Podcast Idea

05:28 Balancing Business and Personal Life

10:38 The Importance of Therapy and Mental Health

17:48 Navigating Professional Boundaries

23:27 Morning vs. Afternoon Meetings

23:59 Structuring the Work Week

24:58 Challenges of Context Switching

26:21 Protecting Personal Time

27:24 Embarrassing Texting Stories

35:01 Group Chat Misadventures

41:16 Balancing Business and Life

46:05 Wrapping Up and Future Plans