For Amy Miller, entrepreneurship began with an unexpected turning point.

The New Mexico-based president of AMM Communications Coach and AMM Consulting spent more than 25 years building expertise in public affairs, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement before being blindsided by a layoff.

After jumping into another role that wasn’t the perfect fit, Amy decided to build a business of her own rooted in helping organizations communicate with clarity, confidence and purpose.

In this episode, Amy shares the challenges of learning how to price her services and the fulfillment of working with values-aligned clients as well as doing pro bono work with young people. She also talks about the communications coaching framework she uses with clients and the common challenges they face when trying to connect with their audiences.

To learn more about NAWBO, visit: https://nawbo.org

Judi Firestone Roth, NAWBO Lifetime Member, past Cleveland (now Northeast Ohio) Chapter President and former National Board Member, has spent decades championing women business owners and building a legacy of leadership, mentorship and service.

Now a member of NAWBO Indianapolis, Judi reflects on receiving the 2026 Susan Hager Award and what the honor means to her after more than 40 years of involvement with NAWBO and being nominated by her peers.

In this episode, Judi shares memories of briefly meeting NAWBO founding president Susan Hager, the responsibility women have to lift one another up and the three legacies she hopes to leave behind.

To learn more about NAWBO, visit: https://nawbo.org

For Monica Roca-Quesada, numbers aren’t something to fear. They’re pieces of a bigger picture waiting to come together. A Florida-based fractional CFO and financial operations strategist, Monica helps growth-focused entrepreneurs turn financial chaos into clarity by understanding the story behind the data.

Surprisingly, one of her favorite ways to unwind is building Legos, and she sees a lot of similarities between constructing a Lego masterpiece and building a business: there’s a vision for what’s possible, but the real magic happens through the process, problem-solving and lessons learned.

In this episode, Monica shares how women business owners can remove the fear around finances, start interpreting what their numbers are really saying and even discover that financial strategy can be empowering and fun.

To learn more about NAWBO, visit: https://nawbo.org

For Kathy Rudkin, entrepreneurship has always been part of the wild adventure.

The San Antonio, Texas-based founder and CEO of Rudkin Productions and Top 3 Finalist for Woman Business Owner of the Year grew up in a zoo in Oklahoma, where raising chimpanzees, tigers and even bringing baby jaguars to school sparked a fearless curiosity and creative spirit that would shape her future.

Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs, Kathy launched her own marketing and advertising agency at just 24 years old and spent the next 34 years growing it into a thriving business while adapting through every industry shift, including the rapid move to digital marketing during COVID-19.

In this episode, Kathy also shares the deeply personal story behind her nonprofit, Aid the Silent, created after her daughter became deaf at age 3, and how it now helps provide hearing aids and resources to deaf children.

To learn more about NAWBO, visit: https://nawbo.org

Licensed clinical psychologist, practice founder and “builder of bigger tables,” Mirjam Quinn, PhD believes care should extend far beyond the therapy room—it should shape how we lead, hire and live.

Born in Germany, raised across three continents and arriving in the United States at 17, Mirjam went on to found Mirjam Quinn and Associates on the south side of Chicago, where her practice now serves patients from age 3 to well into their 90s.

A Top 3 Finalist for NAWBO’s 2026 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award, she’s redefining what it looks like to care for both clients and clinicians. In this episode, Mirjam shares how investing deeply in her team—from 32-hour work weeks to employer-provided childcare—creates a ripple effect of extraordinary care.

To learn more about Top 3 Finalist Mirjam Quinn, visit: https://nawbo.org/blog/a-human-first-philosophy-mirjam-quinn-leads-with-purpose-and-connection 

Latina founder, restaurateur and community advocate Diva Name is building more than a place to eat—she’s creating an experience rooted in culture, connection and bold leadership that’s worth slowing down to savor.

As the owner of La Mexicana Taco Bar and The Local All-in Catering in South Florida, and a Top 3 Finalist for NAWBO’s 2026 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award, Diva brings together her love of food, music and art to create something truly unforgettable.

In this episode, Diva shares what inspired her journey, how she’s weathered the ups and downs of the restaurant industry by expanding into catering and why community-centered events she hosts like her annual Cinco de Mayo festival are just as important as what’s on the menu.

To learn more about Top 3 Finalist Diva Name, visit: https://nawbo.org/blog/finding-flavor-and-building-community-diva-name-turns-a-dream-into-la-mexicana 

For women business owners, the ability to vote is a business imperative.

In this episode of NAWBO On the Go, we’re joined by Thresette Briggs, NAWBO National Advocacy Chair, for a clear breakdown of the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Act) and why NAWBO is paying close attention to its potential impact on women, especially women business owners who have experienced name changes due to marriage, divorce, or other life events.

Thresette explains:

• What the SAVE Act is and what it would require for federal voter registration and voting
• Why NAWBO supports election integrity and free, fair elections while raising concerns about added documentation burdens
• What forms of proof could be required (and why common IDs like standard driver’s licenses may not qualify in many states)
• The potential unintended consequences, including time, complexity, and access issues for eligible voters
• Why fewer voices at the polls can shape the policies that directly affect women-owned businesses

To read NAWBO and WIPP’s joint statement on the SAVE Act:

https://nawbo.org/blog/womens-business-groups-thank-leader-thune-for-removing-save-america-act-from-pending-business

Learn more about NAWBO:

https://www.nawbo.org

Learn more about NAWBO Advocacy:

https://nawbo.org/advocacy

Lindsey Paulsen, Vice President of Digital Innovation at Opportunity International, is working at the intersection of technology, funding and purpose to expand access to opportunities for women entrepreneurs around the world.

In this episode, she shares how her organization is investing in women living in extreme poverty, supporting small businesses, and what those efforts reveal about the universal drive women share, no matter where they live. From wanting to provide for their families to creating better futures for their children, the goals are the same, but the barriers are not.

Lindsey also reflects on a powerful truth: potential is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. She explores what it takes to close that gap and how we can all think differently about access, equity and impact.

To learn more about Opportunity International, visit: www.opportunity.org

Behind every great experience is someone making it all work, and for NAWBO, that’s Katie Hatfield.

As Executive Assistant to the CEO and a key force behind the NAWBO Institute, Katie plays a central role in organizing, expanding and bringing to life the resources that support women business owners at every stage.

In this episode, Katie pulls back the curtain on the NAWBO Institute’s educational Journeys—designed to meet women where they are, from just starting out to scaling beyond $1M—and shares how a common challenge sparked one of NAWBO’s most exciting innovations yet:

Susan, a new AI-powered chatbot guide who cuts through the overwhelm and helps women business owners quickly find the right resources, tools and next steps based on their unique goals.

To learn more about NAWBO Institute Journeys, visit: https://nawbo.org/nawbo-journeys

To access the Institute and start your journey with Susan’s help, visit: https://nawbo.org/institute

What happens when advocacy efforts hit a roadblock, but the mission is too important to pause?

Elle Patout, Director of Advocacy and Public Relations at NAWBO, returns to share insights from the latest visit to Capitol Hill and continued efforts to advance a national microbusiness definition. While the issue gained traction across party lines, it’s not a current priority for Congress.

So what’s next? Elle breaks down how NAWBO is shifting from a federal legislative push to building coalitions, expanding state-level momentum and equipping chapters with the tools to drive change where it matters most. She also shares updates on NAWBO’s regional advocacy efforts and offers ways for all members to get involved, lend their voice and help shape the future of policy for women business owners.

To learn more about NAWBO, visit: https://nawbo.org

To learn more about Advocacy, visit: https://nawbo.org/advocacy