On the Brink with Andi Simon

In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kimber Maderazzo, a remarkable leader whose journey through the Beauty and Cosmetics industry is nothing short of inspiring. Kimber's story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unyielding drive to succeed despite daunting challenges.

A Journey of Innovation and Leadership

Kimber's career spans over 25 years in the Beauty and Cosmetics industry, a field where she has worn many hats—from starting out at a makeup counter at the age of 14 to eventually finding herself in the boardroom of the world's leading acne brand. Her path was not linear or easy, but it was driven by a clear vision and a love for what she does. Kimber has consistently delivered innovation-driven revenue growth throughout her career in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Fortune-ranked companies. She has successfully defended against industry giants with significantly larger budgets, staged an 8-point market share comeback, and modernized business models to resonate with younger audiences, resulting in a nine-digit top-line impact. These achievements are not just numbers on a balance sheet—they are milestones that reflect Kimber's deep understanding of market dynamics and her ability to anticipate and adapt to changes. One of the most notable aspects of Kimber's career is her success in developing global expansion strategies, particularly in the lucrative Mexican and Chinese markets. This international perspective indicates Kimber's broader approach to business—one that is calculated, focused, and always focused on the long-term impact.

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Finding Your Way at Every Stage in Your Life's Journey

While many in the business world often rush to achieve academic credentials early in their careers, Kimber's journey was different. She earned her MBA in her 40s, long after she had already begun making significant contributions to her industry. Kimber's journey is a powerful reminder that success is not tied to a specific timeline. Her experience shows that talent, hard work, and a willingness to take calculated risks can propel you forward, even if you need to follow the traditional path. Kimber's story particularly resonates with those who may feel like they are "late bloomers." Her message is clear: it is never too late to pursue your goals, and you should always appreciate the value of your experiences, no matter when they occur in your life.

Learn more about Kimber Maderazzo here: Kimber L. Maderazzo Profile: linkedin.com/in/kimbermaderazzo Website: c200.org/ 

 Reach out and contact us if you want to become a woman entrepreneur with a business that has both great profits and significance.  Let's Talk!

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

 

In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I welcomed Ilene Rosenthal, the visionary CEO and founder of Footsteps2Brilliance, an educational technology company redefining early literacy and financial education for students across the U.S. Ilene and I explored how technology is revolutionizing the education sector, enabling transformative learning opportunities that bridge gaps and engage students in innovative ways.

Bringing Education into the Fifth Industrial Revolution

Ilene’s journey led her to create “Learn With Me,” the first transmedia educational program, eventually nominated for an Emmy. This innovation bridged educational media and interactive learning, setting the foundation for Footsteps2Brilliance. With her extensive background, Ilene has scaled her vision nationwide, serving over a million children to date. She has designed the Footsteps2Brilliance platform to be device-agnostic, ensuring accessibility on smartphones, tablets, and computers—essential for reaching diverse student populations in both urban and rural communities.

If you prefer to watch her video, you will love her story. Click here

I you would like to listen to other podcasts about women entrepreneurs creating companies of purpose:

412: Why is the Lipstick Journey Such an Awesome Company Helping Cancer Patients Thrive

406: The Greatest Journey of a Woman Entrepreneur in Mental Health: Dr. Barbara Brown’s Story

Reach out and contact us if you need work on becoming a woman entrepreneur with a business that has both great profits and significance.  Let's Talk!

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

 

In this episode of "On the Brink with Andi Simon," we engage in an insightful conversation with Chantal Cornelius, the founder of Appletree Marketing.  Together we delve into the intricate art of marketing strategies tailored for service-based businesses, particularly coaches and consultants. With over two decades of experience in the field, Chantelle's expertise is rooted in a unique approach that emphasizes fostering emotional connections with clients to create lasting and impactful relationships.

Why Should You Foster Emotional Connections in Business?

Chantal begins by sharing her personal and professional journey in the marketing world, painting a vivid picture of how she transitioned from a traditional marketer to a strategic advisor focused on helping service-based businesses thrive. Her early years were marked by learning the conventional aspects of marketing and understanding client expectations. However, through years of hands-on experience, Chantal discovered that the most effective way for businesses to resonate with their audiences was through meaningful emotional connections. This revelation led her to refine her approach and establish five key strategies at the core of her work today: Certainty, Connection, Contribution, Growth, and Significance.

You might like to watch the interview here:

Reach out and contact us if you need work on improving your business. Let's Talk!

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

In the latest episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we're thrilled to feature Anna Warner-Mayes, an inspiring entrepreneur whose company, The Lipstick Journey, is making waves with purpose and profitability. Anna's story is a testament to resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to making a difference. Her journey, marked by multiple cancer diagnoses and countless treatments, is a source of inspiration for all of us. Anna's decision to channel her adversity into something powerful and uplifting, The Lipstick Journey , is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her company, with its unique 'buy one, give one' lipstick initiative, is a living proof that even in the face of adversity, we can make a difference.

How Can Lipstick Turn Into a Caring Community for Cancer Patients?

The Lipstick Journey stands apart from typical beauty brands in its commitment to giving back to a community that has supported Anna through her own battles. Each lipstick purchase goes beyond the buyer to reach a cancer fighter, serving as a reminder of beauty, strength, and connection in the face of struggle. The concept is simple but powerful: each product bought gives a lipstick to someone battling cancer, offering them a small, meaningful moment of self-care and solidarity. As Anna shares on the podcast, 'Lipstick was always a little touch of normalcy for me, a way to brighten my day despite the challenges I faced.' This gesture embodies her desire to uplift others through beauty and kindness, and it's a call for all of us to come together and support those in need.

As Anna has said: "What sets me apart from others is my mission while fighting cancer myself. For every lipstick purchased, one gets donated and when someone purchases, I allow them to choose the recipient. This has been extremely rewarding and heartfelt as some of the recipients send me personal notes. In my mission to help thrivers know they don’t fight alone, I get the support from them knowing I also do not fight alone."

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Reach out and contact us if you need work on improving your business. Let's Talk!

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi SImon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we had the pleasure of sitting down with TaRita Johnson, Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity at The Right Place, a Michigan-based economic development organization. Throughout her career, TaRita has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and has helped organizations grow by embracing a more diverse workforce. She shared her insightful journey, revealing diversity's critical role in creating thriving, successful workplaces, and she introduced us to her powerful leadership model: VOICE.

Watch this podcast here

TaRita's Journey: A Commitment to Building Inclusive Communities

From the beginning, TaRita's path has been shaped by her passion for promoting equity and opportunity. She shared with us how her early career experiences, paired with her background in education, shaped her belief that talent comes from all walks of life and that it's the role of leaders to create environments where all individuals feel valued and heard.

Having spent years working in roles that intersect leadership, human resources, and diversity efforts, TaRita emphasized how essential it is to build intentional communities within organizations. She explained that DEI is not just a strategy but a core component of business success, enabling organizations to unlock new perspectives, ideas, and approaches. This philosophy has driven her work at The Right Place, where she is tasked with developing programs that help businesses attract, retain, and elevate diverse talent pools.

In her role, TaRita tackles not only the recruitment aspect of diversity but also the equally important work of fostering belonging within an organization. She stressed that companies must focus on hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds and creating inclusive environments where employees feel empowered to contribute their full selves.

VOICE: Vision, Open to New Ideas, Intentional Community, Compassion, Emotional Intelligence

One of the most intriguing aspects of our conversation was TaRita's introduction to her leadership philosophy, which she sums up with the acronym VOICE. She explained that This framework serves as a guide for how leaders can foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace while empowering their teams to thrive.

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

 

In the latest episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vicki Bradley, a seasoned leadership coach and the driving force behind many successful leaders, both women and men. Vicki’s work is rooted in the understanding that leadership is not just about authority or strategy—it's about connecting with people on a deeper level through effective communication and emotional intelligence. In our conversation, Vicki shared profound insights into how these elements are not just complementary but essential to effective leadership.

The Secret to Become the Leader You Want to Be

One of the key takeaways from our discussion with Vicki was the critical role that communication plays in leadership. She emphasized that clear, authentic communication is the cornerstone of trust-building. When leaders communicate effectively, they are able to inspire, motivate, and engage their teams. This, in turn, fosters an environment where people feel valued, understood, and committed to the shared vision.

The Heart of Leadership: Conversational and Emotional Intelligence

But communication alone isn't enough. Vicki argues that to truly excel as a leader, one must couple communication skills with emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. According to Vicki, leaders who possess high EQ are better equipped to handle the complexities of human behavior in the workplace. They are more empathetic, more adaptable, and better at conflict resolution—skills that are indispensable in today’s dynamic business environments.

Bridging the Gender Divide in Leadership

During our conversation, Vicki also touched on the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when working with both women and men to enhance their leadership skills. She noted that while the fundamental principles of good leadership—like communication and EQ—apply to everyone, the ways in which these skills are developed and expressed can differ between genders.

For women, Vicki observed that societal expectations often influence how they communicate and assert themselves in the workplace. Many women are taught to be nurturing and cooperative, which can sometimes be at odds with traditional notions of leadership. Vicki’s coaching helps women to leverage these qualities while also encouraging them to find their voice, assert their ideas confidently, and navigate the complexities of leadership without compromising their authenticity.

On the other hand, men might face different challenges. Vicki explained that some men are conditioned to suppress emotions or view emotional intelligence as a "soft" skill that doesn’t align with leadership. However, she emphasizes that when men embrace EQ, they often find that it enhances their leadership capabilities, particularly in building trust and fostering team cohesion. By helping men understand the value of EQ, Vicki guides them toward a more balanced and effective leadership style.

Watch our interview here

 

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Award-Winning Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

Welcome to our anniversary podcast that celebrates a year of empowering change with our book, co-authored by Edie Fraser, Robin Freedman Spizman, and Andi Simon, PhD. This book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success,  has become an amazing experience. I have often said that every book has its unique signature. A book's energy comes from the reader who opens the book and feels the power of the words, images, and ideas.

Celebrating a Year of Empowering Change with Women Mean Business

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since Edie Fraser and I launched Women Mean Business, a book that has become more than just a collection of stories; it’s a movement. Over the past year, the book has not only sold extremely well but has also been the catalyst for nearly 70 events. These have sparked meaningful conversations, inspired change, and built connections among women—and even some men—seeking to understand and harness the power of women’s leadership.

You can watch the video of our podcast here:

Read more about the authors and the book at www.womenmeanbusinessbook.com.

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we spoke with Kathy D'Agostino, a forward-thinking expert passionate about the intersection of AI and human potential. Kathy's approach to AI goes beyond its technical capabilities; she focuses on how AI can be harnessed to uplift and augment what humans can achieve rather than replace them.

AI isn't Replacing You -- Nothing can replace you if you don't let it!

The fear that AI is coming for jobs is a persistent narrative that Kathy is eager to dispel. "The first thing I like to address is the fear that AI is coming after your job," she says. "AI is not coming after your job, but humans who know how to use AI will be able to do your job better, faster, and more efficiently. And yes, they may eventually nudge you out of the way, but let's be polite about that."

Kathy's message is clear: AI isn't here to replace people but to help them. By understanding and embracing AI, workers can not only safeguard their roles but also enhance their ability to perform in previously unimaginable ways. AI can transform how people work, making tasks more efficient, freeing time for creative problem-solving, and ultimately strengthening companies. But this can only happen with a willingness to learn and adapt.

You can also watch our interview here

More about Kathy's Perspective on AI and the Future of Work

One of the most significant takeaways from Kathy's conversation is her emphasis on learning AI. "Always remember to learn it," she stresses. "Because you're going to be able to do your job better, and you're going to make your company better. And on top of that, you're going to feel better."

This sense of empowerment through learning AI is a central theme of Kathy's philosophy. She believes that instead of seeing AI as a threat, individuals should view it as a tool that can enhance their skills, making them indispensable in their roles. In her view, AI is an extension of human capability—an assistant, not a competitor. By integrating AI into everyday work processes, people can become more effective at what they do, whether that's improving customer service, streamlining administrative tasks, or even uncovering new market opportunities.

From Observation to Innovation,

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

Today, I'm thrilled to have Dr. Emily Springer with us, who embodies this idea of thinking, feeling, seeing—and most importantly, doing. Dr. Springer deeply understands AI, ethics, and how these shape our lives, but she goes beyond that to help us understand how to harness AI for good.

As Dr. Springer emphasized, more than learning about AI is required. You have to take action, and that's where the power of change comes in. Change is challenging. As a corporate anthropologist, I've seen firsthand how difficult it is for organizations and individuals to embrace it. But the future is moving quickly, and those unwilling to take action will be left behind. What excites me most about our conversation today is Dr. Springer's focus on inclusive AI—an approach that prioritizes equity, social justice, and improving lives. This philosophy goes hand-in-hand with our work, where I help organizations navigate transformation. Emily, too, helps people understand the often-intimidating world of AI, and she does so in ways that are accessible, not shrouded in technical jargon.

Let me tell you a little more about Dr. Springer. She was recently named one of the 100 brilliant women in AI ethics for 2024, a well-deserved recognition highlighting her commitment to making AI smarter, kinder, fairer, and more inclusive. She is an expert on UNESCO's Women4Ethical AI platform, bringing her expertise to help build a more equitable future. Emily is also the founder of TechnoSocio Advisory, an organization dedicated to inclusive AI consulting, working to develop policies and programs that prioritize social good and improve livelihoods.

And what makes her approach so compelling? It's that she's grounded in reality. While many focus on the technological marvels AI can create, Emily's mission is to understand what it means for the people who will live with these innovations daily. Her company, TechnoSocio Advisory, isn't about pushing AI forward—it's about making sure AI serves the people it's meant to help, especially regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. We cannot ignore this as AI touches more and more parts of our lives.

If you prefer to watch this podcast, you can find it here:

From Observation to Innovation,

 

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net [email protected] @simonandi LinkedIn

Building a Mental Health Legacy: Dr. Barbara Brown on Empowering Communities Through Purpose-Driven Practice

In the latest episode of "On the Brink with Andi Simon," I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Barbara J. Brown, a true trailblazer in the mental health field. Dr. Brown is the Founder and CEO of CapitolHill Consortium for Counseling & Consultation (CCCC) and Unicorn Health Care, LLC. With over three decades of experience, she has dedicated her life to building not just a successful practice, but a legacy that prioritizes community well-being, purpose, and significance over profit.

A Purpose-Driven Journey

Dr. Brown's journey began with a vision to provide high-quality, accessible, and culturally responsive mental health services to underserved communities. In 2009, she founded CCCC with a mission to offer comprehensive psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. What started as a solo practice soon evolved into a robust group practice with over 80 staff members, becoming a beacon of hope and healing for countless individuals.

Her success, however, is not merely measured by the growth of her practice but by the impact she has made on the communities she serves. Dr. Brown's approach to mental health is deeply rooted in the belief that true healing comes from addressing the holistic needs of individuals—mind, body, and spirit—and fostering a sense of belonging and support within the community.

If you prefer to watch Dr. Brown's video, please click here.

A Legacy of Leadership and Community Impact

Throughout our conversation, it became clear that Dr. Brown’s success is driven by her unwavering commitment to the communities she serves. Her work extends beyond individual therapy sessions; she is actively involved in training the next generation of mental health professionals. CCCC’s recent launch of a Clinical and Community Professional Development Program for early career social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists is a testament to her dedication to fostering excellence in the field.