Starting a business can be a winding journey filled with unexpected turns. For Joanna Shu, co-founder of FreezeNit Inc, her path from finance to founding a life sciences company aimed at combating head lice was anything but traditional. Joanna recently shared her entrepreneurial journey with HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed, offering valuable insights on career pivots, resilience, and startup fundraising.

Joanna’s career began in finance at Fidelity’s trading desk, but she soon realized it wasn’t her true passion. Following her interest in skincare, she launched Refresh Skin Therapy, a natural skincare brand that gained retail success at stores like Costco and Walmart. After Shu sold her interest to her business partner, she faced the challenge of redefining her career. What do you do once you’ve been a CEO? 

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to partner with Dr. Carol Spangler Vaughan, whose scientific research on cooling technology inspired the idea behind FreezeNit, a device using CO2 gas to treat head lice. Despite not having a background in biology, Joanna leveraged her expertise in consumer products to cofound FreezeNit. 

Like many entrepreneurs, Joanna found significant hurdles to fundraising, especially as a female-led startup in a competitive life sciences market. She explained that less than 2% of venture capital goes to female founders. Facing the odds, she embarked on a pitch competition tour, earning seven checks from various contests including the most recent HAYVN Hatch event! 

Takeaways from Joanna’s journey:

• Embrace Feedback and Adaptability: Joanna emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback and staying open to new approaches as key elements of her entrepreneurial journey.

• Leverage Support Systems: She actively participates in accelerators and collaborates with pitch coaches to refine her skills and gain valuable insights.

• Seek Innovative Tools: Joanna uses cutting-edge resources like AI-based feedback tools, including Virtual Sapiens, to enhance her pitch performance and drive progress for FreezeNit.

The company is now navigating FDA approval while Joanna is laying the groundwork for strategic partnerships with urgent care centers and lice treatment services. Her dream is to see the FreezeNit device on store shelves, bringing a non-toxic, efficient lice treatment option to families.

Joanna’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to embracing change, leveraging past experiences, and persisting through obstacles. She sees FreezeNit as a great resource for families, providing a solution for a problem that’s not life-threatening, but one that can cause chaos and is often misunderstood. Staying curious, creative and flexible is part of her on-going strategy to bring FreezeNit to market. 

Connect with Joanna Shu on LinkedIn

FreezeNit website

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What does it take to pivot from a promising medical career to inventing a product that could revolutionize motherhood? In this episode, host Nancy Sheed chats with Pia McGrath, founder of Ainara Designs, about her remarkable journey of reinvention. From her beginnings as a medical student in Spain to becoming an entrepreneur driven by creativity and necessity, Pia’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of asking, “What do I truly want?” Tune in to hear how she turned personal challenges into opportunities, creating a groundbreaking necklace for breastfeeding moms and building a business from scratch.

McGrath’s journey began with her dream of becoming a surgeon. She graduated from medical school in Spain in 2019 and moved to the U.S. with her husband. However, life had other plans. Amid the uncertainties of COVID-19 and her first pregnancy, Pia took a hard look at her future and realized medicine was not the right path.

“I finally stopped and asked myself, Pia, what do you want for you? And I had the courage to answer that correctly.”

Motherhood and its challenges reignited Pia’s creative spark. Struggling with the complexities of breastfeeding, she designed a functional yet elegant necklace that helps lift a mother’s shirt during nursing, eliminating the need for extra hands.

Starting from basically nothing, Pia leveraged free resources like SCORE, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, and UConn’s IP Clinic. Despite facing product development hurdles, she pressed on with determination, eventually securing several grants through pitch competitions.

With final product samples on the way, Pia is preparing for a big launch. She also has filed a non-provisional patent to bring her innovation to market, fueled by the support of mentors, family, and the HAYVN community.

Pia’s advice is heartfelt and practical:

• Be Resourceful: Use every free resource available.

• Network: Building connections is invaluable.

• Stay Curious: Learn constantly and ask questions.

• Take Care of Yourself: Especially for new moms, self-care is essential.

Pia also shares that the HAYVN energy and community has given her the belief that anything really is possible. Her path may be unpredictable and the support from everyone has been key in her belief and confidence moving forward. 

Connect with Pia:

Ainara Designs 

[email protected]

Instagram

SCORE 

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Ever wish parenting came with a playbook? In this episode we hear from Andrea Anderson, a conscious parenting consultant, coach, and author, and explore the transformative practice of conscious parenting. Andrea shares with host Nancy Sheed her personal journey, practical strategies, and holistic insights into supporting children with neurodiverse needs while creating a thriving family environment.

Andrea’s journey began with her two sons, both of whom are neurodiverse. She delved into nutrition, holistic health, and emotional well-being to support them better. She explains that she wanted to do everything possible to help her children thrive and never stopped looking for solutions and resources. 

Andrea discovered how nutrition plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and behavior. By incorporating the right foods, families can foster calmer, more connected environments. She wants parents to know how much food can make a difference. She encourages introducing foods gradually to see their effects and to accommodate personal tastes.  

She went to school to study holistic nutrition and how it could help her kids, and then began coaching others. She explains that our gut health and our emotional health are connected and helping others understand the way to minimize problems was just one step to less anxiety and healthier minds and bodies. 

She explains the concept of conscious parenting which involves a combination of mindset shifts, nervous system regulation, and emotional connection. Andrea emphasizes how even small changes made by parents can ripple through the family.  

Conscious parenting doesn’t require giving up on traditional medicine. Instead, Andrea’s approach complements other interventions, offering an avenue for parents to explore alternative ways to support their children and their own health. 

She reminds us that the “it takes a village” approach is a good one. She coaches people and encourages them to also talk with their doctor, understand what prescribed medications can do, and find the solutions and resources that work best for you. 

Connect with Andrea: 

Instagram

Website

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In the latest episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed chats with Debra Hertz, managing director of The Strategy Group, LLC (link) to uncover her unique insights into nonprofit leadership management, strategic planning, and value-based culture. An experienced “in the trenches” nonprofit consultant, Debra provides a compelling perspective on what it takes to build, sustain, and grow impact-driven organizations. 

Here’s a recap of some key themes and takeaways from their conversation.

Many nonprofits struggle with balancing ambitious visions and realistic capacity. Debra emphasizes that planning should go beyond dreaming to actionable, realistic strategies. She urges nonprofit leaders to be clear on what success looks like for their organization and to align their visions with the resources at hand. Her advice: recognize strengths, cut down on less impactful programs, and collaborate with organizations that can do certain tasks better.

Measuring impact is crucial. As a former foundation head, Debra highlights that while stories are essential, they need to be supported by measurable outcomes. It’s challenging to quantify success in human services so nonprofits should set realistic expectations and transparently demonstrate their impact to stakeholders. This kind of accountability builds trust and paves the way for sustained support and growth.

Organizational culture as the "personality" of a nonprofit, is shaped not just by leadership but by everyone within the organization. Her advice is to define a clear set of values and embody them in day-to-day interactions. At The Strategy Group, they value excellence, integrity, joy, and courage; guiding principles that underscore the firm’s work with nonprofits.

Nonprofit leadership needs to seek feedback and hold themselves accountable. In the early days of The Strategy Group, Debra refined her consulting approach by meeting with over 40 nonprofit leaders and stakeholders to gauge their needs and get feedback on her ideas. Today, she recommends that leaders incorporate a variety of voices into strategic planning and maintain a willingness to adapt to changing conditions.

Debra’s insights provide a roadmap for any nonprofit looking to deepen impact, strengthen culture, and operate with greater transparency and accountability. For those interested in learning more, connect with Debra where she brings her years of experience and passion for the social sector to help organizations and their leaders strategize their next steps to thrive.

Connect with Debra: 

Website

LinkedIn - personal

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In this episode host Nancy Sheed sits down with Mike Duda, co-founder and managing partner of Bullish, an early-stage consumer investment firm and marketing agency. He's also been a judge at HAYVN Hatch, the signature female founder pitch event. Mike's background spans nearly two decades in marketing and advertising, and he has leveraged this experience to create a unique approach to consumer investments.

Mike’s journey from marketing into investing is what makes Bullish stand out in the venture capital landscape. Rather than seeing marketing and finance as separate worlds, Mike recognized the power of aligning them to build stronger, faster-growing businesses. Bullish has backed household names such as Peloton, Warby Parker, and Harry’s, and is currently excited about the potential of Bubble Beauty. Mike explains that blending marketing insight with financial discipline offers a unique advantage, particularly when working with early-stage startups.

A recurring theme in Mike’s approach is the importance of people. He believes in investing in talented entrepreneurs who can lead their companies with passion and conviction. 

This is where the Bullish approach differs from traditional venture capital, which often focuses primarily on financial outcomes. Mike stresses that understanding human behavior and consumer motivations is key to building successful brands, a philosophy that is ingrained in the Bullish investment strategy.

The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Despite progress, women still face obstacles in raising capital and navigating the business world. However, Mike remains optimistic, noting that women's strengths—such as pragmatism and resilience—are vital assets in entrepreneurship.

Mike's firm, Bullish, actively invests in women-led companies, with 43% of its portfolio founded by women. He emphasizes that finding exceptional entrepreneurs is not about gender but about identifying talent and potential, regardless of location or background. 

Mike’s insight into the intersection of marketing, investment, and human connection offers a refreshing take on entrepreneurship. By combining his marketing expertise with early-stage consumer investment, he has created a model that is as focused on building strong, relatable brands as it is on financial success. 

Connect with Mike: 

Website

LinkedIn

Twitter

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Knowing what we want to be when we grow up is a gift, but for most of us, our careers take us to unexpected and surprising places—just like our guest for this episode.

In this episode we hear from Dominique Johnson, Connecticut State Representative for the 143rd District, covering parts of Norwalk and Westport. Dominique takes us through her unexpected path into politics, starting from her days as an aspiring violinist to becoming a social scientist and finally, stepping into the world of public service. 

With her skill of analytical thinking combined with a deep commitment to education and the youth, Dominique discovered social science and worked with nonprofits, eventually transitioning into a political career where she could directly impact her community. 

She shares valuable insights about her dedication to making a tangible impact in her community through coalition-building and thoughtful legislation. 

Topics Include:

Using Past Experiences for Future Success: We can never truly know how the things we know and the skills we develop now will help us in the future. Dominique’s background in social science and the analytical mind developed by music gave her the skills to address real-world issues through data-driven solutions.

The Power of Community: It is incredibly important to have a community that supports and recognizes your potential —especially when pursuing paths you never imagined for yourself.

Building Coalitions for Effective Governance: An approach to policy making is to emphasize collaboration and listening to diverse voices. Bipartisan efforts and coalition-building can lead to meaningful change, even in politically divided environments.

Dominique’s story is a reminder that the most meaningful careers often result from life’s unexpected twists. As a dedicated community leader, her work aligns with the values of HAYVN—advocating for women’s economic mobility, sustainability, and workforce development. Her ongoing efforts continue to support her constituents and contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient society.

Tune in to hear more about how Dominique is bringing her skills, passion, and heart to the political arena while keeping her community's well-being at the center of everything she does.

Connect with Dominique Johnson: 

Website

Facebook

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

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Many entrepreneurs never planned on starting a business. Sometimes it begins with a simple idea, a project for fun or creativity, that unexpectedly evolves into something bigger. Today’s guest, Kelly De La Rocha, shares the story of how her creative passion turned into PoemRenovation.com, and tells us what happens when your creative project becomes your business.

Kelly’s company, PoemRenovation.com, is a daily word challenge platform designed to stimulate creativity and foster literacy. With a background in journalism, Kelly has always been deeply connected to the power of words. Her journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly when she started playing with poetry during the pandemic, shared them with her community, and realized that it can actually be an entrepreneurial opportunity.

Main topics in this episode include:

From Pandemic Project to Entrepreneurial Venture: We hear how Kelly’s lockdown project evolved from rearranging words on her refrigerator to a full-fledged platform designed to help others reimagine their connection to language. She shares how a chance encounter with a coder led to the development of PoemRenovation.com.

Poetry as a Tool for Social-Emotional Learning: Kelly discusses how her platform has found its place in schools and elder care communities, helping students and seniors use poetry as a tool for self-expression and emotional well-being. The impact of PoemRenovation on these diverse groups is an example of the importance of creative literacy.

The Challenges of Balancing Creativity and Business: Kelly shares her challenge in balancing her creative drive and the need to grow PoemRenovation into a sustainable business. From managing time to learning new skills in business management, she shares the lessons she learned with creative entrepreneurs.

Kelly’s journey is an example of the power of creativity and the importance of community support in business. Having taken the jump herself and applying for the HAYVN Hatch as her first move to entrepreneurship, she’s shown that launching a business is possible, even if you don’t know exactly how to do it. Her work continues to evolve, and she’s now exploring opportunities to bring PoemRenovation to a wider audience. 

Connect with Kelly De La Rocha: 

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In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy Sheed sits down with Catherine Avery, an expert in ADHD productivity coaching, to explore the unique challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals. Whether you're running a business, managing a household, or simply trying to make sense of how your brain works, this episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking questions that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like their brain just works differently.

Catherine is an ADHD productivity coach with a rich and varied background, initially starting her career in commercial interior design. Her path took an unexpected turn after a cancer diagnosis, prompting her to transition into the world of productivity consulting and coaching. 

Through her journey of dealing with chemo brain, Catherine became deeply interested in understanding how her brain functions, ultimately leading her to specialize in ADHD and neurodiversity coaching. With a personal experience of growing up undiagnosed, Catherine has now dedicated herself to helping others maximize the strengths of their unique brain wiring. Her expertise spans working with individuals who are “neuro-zesty,” including those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and even those on the autism spectrum.

• Understanding ADHD in Women: Dive into the nuances of how ADHD appears in different people, and how it presents differently in women, particularly as they navigate major life transitions such as motherhood and menopause. Catherine discusses how these stages can often bring underlying ADHD symptoms to the forefront.

• The Gifts of an ADHD Brain: Explore the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals can bring to their work and lives, from creative problem-solving to thriving in high-pressure situations. Catherine highlights how these strengths can be leveraged for personal and professional success.

• Personalized Productivity Systems: Catherine explains why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for productivity, especially for those with ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of customizing tools and systems to fit your individual needs and how to adapt them over time to maintain effectiveness.

Catherine leaves us with a powerful message: embracing your neurodivergent brain can unlock incredible potential. By recognizing and nurturing the unique strengths that come with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity, you can not only manage your challenges but also excel in ways you never thought possible. 

At HAYVN, we celebrate these differences and strive to support all women in finding the systems and structures that work best for them. Catherine’s work is a testament to the power of understanding and adapting to our unique brain wiring, and her story is an inspiration for anyone looking to make the most of their strengths.

Connect with Catherine Avery: 

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

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It’s way too easy to be overwhelmed by the daily grind. In today's fast-paced world, many of us forget to take a moment for ourselves, to play, create, and recharge. The process of creating, especially creating art, is a truly effective form of self care - and even work care. 

In this episode of HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy Sheed sits down with Asami Green and Tracy Visceglia. Asami is an intuitive life artist and Reiki master, and host of Visions of Healing. Tracy is a full-time public-school teacher, a fine artist, and an art teacher. 

Together, they are the co-collaborators of the Creative Café at HAYVN, a space where you can connect with your inner artist, regardless of your skill level, and find a supportive community that nurtures your creative spirit. Here, you can unblock your creativity and are encouraged to embrace the power of play.

3 key points of the episode are:

• Art vs. Creativity: Asami and Tracy discuss the difference between being an artist and being creative. They explore how art is just one facet of creativity, and how everyone, in their own way, is an artist with different forms of expression.

• Creating a Nurturing Community: The Creative Café fosters a supportive and nurturing environment. Asami and Tracy talk about their vision for the Creative Café as a space where people can come together, share stories, learn from each other, and most importantly, have fun while engaging in creative activities.

• The Power of Play: Incorporating play into our lives is important. Tracy shares her experiences in guiding recent Sketch and Sip sessions, highlighting that creative play is about the process, not the product and that it can rejuvenate and unblock our creative potential.

The Creative Café at HAYVN isn’t about what you’ll be able to create. It encourages you to be present in the process as a part of self-care and personal growth. By making time for creativity, you can unlock new levels of joy, productivity, and well-being in your life. 

As Asami and Tracy continue to facilitate these enriching sessions every month, they invite you to join them and discover the transformative power of creativity.

Connect with Asami Green:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Tracy Visceglia:

Instagram

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A lot of people suffer from stage fright. Most are uncomfortable with putting themselves out there. For entrepreneurs and professionals who have to do this as part of their job, it’s a skill that needs to be mastered. Public speaking is more than just body language, tone, and use of words. More important is understanding your authentic self, what you can do, and effectively communicating that, no matter who might be listening.

In this episode of HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy Sheed sits down with Shannon Malkin Daniels, a public speaking and authenticity coach. From a young age, Shannon’s involvement in dance and performance developed her confidence to be on stage and in front of an audience. Initially pursuing a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering (only to discover that she has a hate-hate relationship with math), she eventually found her love in communication and public speaking. During her time in the corporate world, she worked in marketing, and sales, and reached senior-level positions at a young age, only to discover that ladder climbing is not for her.

Leaving the corporate world allowed her to pursue two of her dreams: writing a book and teaching at a university. She also started her own business, and in the process now helps individuals find their authentic voice and deliver their messages with confidence.

“When I broke out of that box and just started being me… that's when I started connecting with people.” -Shannon Malkin Daniels

• A different approach to communication and public speaking

• The importance of authenticity

• Customized coaching according to each person’s needs

“An idea is just an idea until someone buys into it, supports it, sees your vision, and wants to get behind it.” -Shannon Malkin Daniels

As a public speaking coach, Shannon goes beyond the theatrics. She digs down with her clients and finds out what's meaningful to them, what makes them different and unique, and the message they want people to hear. From there, she helps them figure out how to get that message out to a wider audience in an authentic way.

Shannon’s also an active member of the HAYVN Community. She talks about the creation of Drop the Mic Night, an event for aspiring speakers to practice in a supportive environment. This initiative with collaborator Jen Lederer, has become a valuable opportunity for speakers to gain experience and confidence.

Connect with Shannon Malkin Daniels: 

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Nancy:

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Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter