How'd Her Career Get There?

On this episode, I talk with Saleema Vellani, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Strategist of Innovazing.  We talk about the experiences which led her to find and speak her true voice, all while learning 5 languages and building and selling a company along the way.  Her spark is the ability to take challenging circumstances and turn them into opportunity.  She thrives on using her creativity to make a positive impact and is wrapping up her soon to be completed first book!

Below are links to all the resources Saleema mentioned during the podcast. Check them out!

- Are you in the process of reinventing yourself or pivoting your business? We're giving away our Design Thinking Toolkit at: bit.ly/2XKzrTc

- If you are feeling overwhelmed by having to come up with new content to post daily on social media, we are with you on this one. We're giving away our Social Media Content Calendar at: bit.ly/2XdzlV8

- Are you starting out in your career or going through a career transition? We're giving away our 100 (Virtual) Coffee Challenge so that you can network more strategically at: bit.ly/2XG1Ael

Carolyn Walton Lynch joins me to talk about her journey and a new social network. Think a marketplace, but for events and going solo is the whole point! By the way, solo has nothing to do with being single or married or dating or any of that. An accountant by trade, her knowledge in finance and operations led her to start a business with 300 employees at its peak. The unwinding of that business propelled her forward to a new chapter and business idea. Shying away from challenges is not her style and as you'll hear, not believing in personal limits has been a constant in her life.

Link up at https://www.mixolo.io/

If you haven’t yet heard how Lynne Brick built a fitness empire with her husband, Victor, you’ll learn in this episode!  We talk about being in business with family, as well as health scares along the way, and of course Lynne’s own fitness tips to continue looking and, more importantly, feeling great!  We talk about making intentional decisions while raising two children and growing a regional, national and now global business.

Heidi Hiller joins me on this episode to talk all things party! As the Owner and Creative Director of Innovative Party Planners, we talk about what it takes to make it in a competitive business and why she chose creating event experiences as her career. Her path wasn't planned, but when you have talent, it tends to pull you in directions not anticipated. Learn how she works to integrate work and family as business grows.

Tammie Monaco joins me on this episode to talk about following your own true path. An equestrian college riding program brought to her Baltimore from New York, where she eventually started a business. She recently acquired a second business and still maintains her love of photography and horses as her side hustle. As a self-admitted "not great employee," she knew entrepreneurship was her path.

From a publishing powerhouse to starting a healthy snack food company with her daughter, Nancy Becker talks with me about her career.  To tell you Nancy's energy is contagious would be an understatement.  She is smart, humble, and enthusiastic all rolled into one.  She and her daughter, Bridget Greaney, started 2Betties – a healthy snack food company based out of Baltimore.  Nancy and I talk about scaling a company, the shift to starting a business, and of course, what it's like working with her daughter (spoiler alert- Mom's proud!).  If you haven't tried 2Betties products, now is your chance.  Order online and use the code created for this podcast- 15OFF to get the tasty treats.  

And what's the name about? “Betty” means a confident chick or a best friend in some female circles.  This business has 2!

On this episode, I talk with the uber talented Loretta Stokes. Her path led her to be one of the most talented leaders in the Nashville technology community. Her accolades of being named a Women of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal and Emerging Leader of the Year by the Nashville Technology Council are just some of the recognition she has received for being a driving force for women in technology. Her work ethic and desire to encourage future generations to be great leaders are just a few of her underlying motivators. This is a must listen episode for anybody trying to find their way in the tech space.

This episode Annette Walter joins me to talk about her journey.  Annette is a kick butt entrepreneur who helped build and sell her first business, only to start and run two businesses simultaneously following.  If you've met her, you know her energy can fill a room.  Hear her talk about the challenges business owners face and tips to overcome common setbacks in the workplace.  She talks about the trends she sees most entrepreneurs struggle with and offers her advice on how to overcome those hurdles.  Family is beyond important to her; so much that she's found a way to incorporate both her sons into the business she and her husband run.

This episode with Kara Redman is fan-tas-tic!  She thrives being “comfortable with the uncomfortable.”  Now as the CEO and Founder of Backroom (backroom.io), she continues her consultative and direct style to help brands grow.  The people Kara have learned from the most are the practical ones that quite simply have the trait of “not giving a…”  Hear her talk about healthy conflict in business and how her first job as a telemarketer shaped her approach to sales.  

Side note- The shout out Kara gives at minute 41:26 for Leigh George… you can catch Leigh on Episode 6 of the How’d Her Career Get There? podcast.

On this episode, the impressive Michele Eberle joins me to talk about a journey that takes her from east to west coast (and back again).  Her career started in healthcare, takes a turn into politics, and currently she is the Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.  Her inclusive leadership style and approach to employee engagement is beyond impressive.  She also throws in a few must visit places for those that love to travel.  After all, her never ending appetite to learn has taken her around the globe.  

*To be accurate, there are two small corrections Michele pointed out after we spoke- meeting her friend who was a field director was actually for the state representative race and Mike Miller was from the Senate.