Opportunity Knocks by EmpowHer Purpose

My guest this week on the Opportunity Knocks podcast was named by TikTok as one of the Top 100 Women to Watch on the platform (yes, really). 😲 From accidental blogger to an international television reporter, morning show radio personality to corporate marketing executive, she’s now the Founder & CEO of Action-Forward. Plus she is a fellow Trojan! Fight On so you know we USC Alumni always support one another!

Giselle Ugarte is a:

🔹 Top motivational speaker

🔹 Marketing consultant

🔹 Executive coach

known for giving signature Action-Forward strategy and no-bs feedback to forward-facing influencers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who want to use the power of social media to launch new businesses and attract meaningful communities, online and especially off. And she’s been featured in publications like AdWeek and Business Insider. She blew me away with the wisdom she possesses (far beyond her years) and the candid PROVEN approach she takes with her clients. And I especially enjoyed our chat because of how candid she is about how she learned to embrace herself in every form and apply that to her work in helping to transform others into the best versions of themselves.

During our chat, we covered topics that will definitely open your eyes and change the way you think about your life and career - such as:

💠 What if you didn't have to work so hard?

💠 Being busy vs. productive

💠 Delegating more of your life to give you back more time

💠 The importance of minding your own business and avoiding judgment

💠 And what social media success really looks like and how to use it to grow your brand

As Giselle mentions, her DMs are always open so if you're interested in learning more about her social media programming, and if you have the RECEIPTS 🧾 she asked for that prove you're implementing her tips, hit her up. 📲  Your life will never be the same...in such a good way! 🙂

Don't forget, you can also check out this episode (and every other AMAZING episode of Opportunity Knocks on your favorite podcast platform. Happy Thursday everyone!

My 53rd guest on Opportunity Knocks is a SELF-MADE rockstar. 🌟 Get ready to learn how to be open. 👐 Open to loving yourself, 🤗 open to new opportunities, 🆕 open to receiving and giving support to the women around you.  👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏽

Romina is just such an incredible person. She’s a successful entrepreneur and one of the 50 most important digital influencers in Mexico. She's also the author of the best-selling book “Lo sensibles no nos quita lo chingonas," where she shares with other women how to be themselves, create their own life choices, and break all the rules that our 
parents, family, and society have created for us. Her most recent projects are "Sensibles y Chingonas," (@sensiblesychingonas on Instagram) a digital movement where her vision, humor, and lifestyle are shared with her community through a podcast and various content on digital platforms and "DOGLOVE Project," a community for everyone who loves dogs. 

❇️ Why we shouldn't be afraid of suffering (that's deep so you'll want to hear exactly what she means)

❇️ Learning to give while setting healthy limits

❇️ How therapy changed her life and why she's an ambassador for it

❇️ How she's giving other women a voice

❇️ What feminism means to her

❇️ And which member of the Spice Girls is her favorite 🤣 (guess)

She's a breath of fresh air and a prominent face of the movement to love yourself, be yourself, and celebrate yourself. She has the biggest heart! 💓 Go follow her on Instagram 📲 @rominasacre. She's kind of the (full) Mexican version of me. 🥰 I absolutely adored our conversation, Romina. Can't wait to see you in Mexico City!

When 2021 was coming to a close (just a few weeks ago lol 🤯) I promised you I would return in 2022 with more impressive, outstanding female entrepreneurs filled with tips, tools, and truth to help you kick start your year and beyond with your business ideas or desires for change and growth.

Consider my word delivered! The lineup for the Opportunity Knocks podcast in 2022 is truly awe-inspiring and I'm coming in HOT. ❤️‍🔥

The first Opportunity Knocks episode of 2022 is simply amazing. 🤩 Your going to finish it feeling inspired, motivated, in awe, and ready to take on the world, learning more about YOU and what might be limiting you from reaching your goals.

Sarah Deane, is the Founder of MEvolution (formerly EMQ). MEvolution is the first diagnostic and development system to accurately identify the mindset and behavioral blockers that drain your capacity, and create a personalized roadmap of the tools, activities, and content needed to relinquish your blockers, restore your energy, and ultimately, redefine your potential. She is highly recognized across the industry, is frequently invited to high profile speaking engagements (think SXSW, America’s Women Leadership Conference, etc.), authored a great book called "The Wellness Formula," and has been featured in a number of well-known publications. 

I was gratefully introduced to Sarah through our mutual friend and her business partner Stella McShera who knows I love brain science and learning about peak performance. Hence, the clear necessity and opportunity to connect me to Sarah. It was an immediate match. Her story is incredible and it was such a treat to spend ~40 minutes with her learning about:

💠 Her path to success

💠 Identifying the things that prevent success and how to remove them

💠 How she stays motivated but also how she knows when to pull back and take a breather

💠 Core values and why they're important to unlocking your best self

💠 Her travels around the world and what she learned from them (fascinating)

💠 And so much more!

Every week I release a new Opportunity Knocks podcast I am consistently motivated to do and be more in this world! I am in awe and amazed by the women I am honored to share a seat at the table with on this podcast. Remember when Opportunity Knocks, you open that door! 😉 Sarah, I'm so grateful for you and the amazing wisdom you shared. Thank you for being so candid which is just such a part of who you are (clearly one reason we connect). I look forward to following along as you change the world.

👇👇👇
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Sarah was kind enough to offer this incredible opportunity EXCLUSIVELY to listeners of Opportunity Knocks.

The first 200 people to sign up using this link (https://effectux.typeform.com/to/jZly6xm5) will get a 🆓 full evaluation and analysis report from MEvolution to assess your energizers, blockers, and opportunities. This is such an incredible opportunity. Trust me, you want to jump on this!

Ladies and Gentleman - Guess What? This amazing episode is the last Opportunity Knocks of 2021 (sad but true - time to take a break sisters), and it's fit for a rockstar 🌟...which is certainly what our guest is (although she didn't bring her guitar, she did bring her strong voice 🙂). In this episode, I sat down with Ashley Lewis, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fleur Marché (dubbed the Sephora of CBD 😍). Honestly, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed learning about her, but Ashely's resume speaks for itself - 
 
🤩 She launched the wellness business vertical at Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop @goop (this is when she first became obsessed with CBD)
 
🤩 She launched @classpass's Los Angeles business working on partnerships Nike, Reebok, Sweetgreen, Outdoor Voices, and more 
 
🤩 She was a brand manager on the Barbie Global Brand Team @mattel (let's face it most Ex-Mattel people are rocks stars we may have been there together🌟)
 
🤩 Oh and she has an MBA from Stanford and a BA from Penn
 
Clearly, this is an episode you don't want to miss! Ashley and I crossed over so many categories of her journey (including the real-life of motherhood and working from home as an entrepreneur) I truly did not want this interview to end. Listen in to find out more about -
 
✨ Her path from corporate executive to startup builder
 
✨ Why she wanted to reframe the narrative around cannabis and CBD
 
✨ How she and her partner built a cannabis-focused company that overcame stigmas and focused on women in ways most other companies weren't
 
✨ The benefits of CBD and why she's such a proponent
 
✨ Why simplicity sells and how to talk to a target audience
 
✨ How to succeed in a partnership with your close friend
 
✨ And so much more!
 
Simply put, Ashley is the epitome of the female entrepreneur we champion on Opportunity Knocks and EmpowHer Purpose. 🌟 Her story is incredible. 🌟 You're going to learn a lot from this chat and feel so inspired.😍😍😍🙌🙌🙌
 
This will be our last NEW podcast for the year but wow, was it the perfect ending to an incredible year. Every interview I leave feeling more educated and elevated than the last!  So many amazing women in store for 2022 you will not want to miss out! Thank you Ashley for all that you're doing in the cannabis space and for women around the world. 🌎
 
Fleur Marché is truly a brand that has become known for its high standards, rigorous vetting process, and impeccable curation when it comes to CBD and plant-powered wellness. So if you want to try the wellness patches or any of their other amazing products (you know I am a sucker for good marketing and Fleur Marche is bomb!) they launched this year 🙋‍♀️ use code: OK15 for 15% off now through December 15, 2021 at fleurmarche.com. The reviews are in and these things are amazing! 🤗

How does one of the top transformational coaches in the U.S. think about
💸 evaluating opportunities
👩🏻‍🤝‍👩🏽 creating communities that integrate business and wellness
⚖️ leaning into values
🙏 and the importance of gratitude?

We made it 50 episodes ✨ and we're celebrating 🍾 by flipping the mic and interviewing...ME 🥳 where I dig into each of these topics and more. If you like seizing opportunity - listen in!

For this special podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with my friend, an Emmy award-winning journalist and incredible podcast host herself, Nina B. Clarke, to flip the script and dig into my own thought process on a variety of topics.

I get a lot of questions about
👉 my methods
👉 how I achieve success with clients
👉 how I practice what I preach
👉 and why the integration of business and wellness is so important

So I thought it was time to open up and get raw with my amazing audience. And Nina has such an incredible way of pulling out the best from the people she interviews. It was an honor to do this with her.

So let's celebrate 50 episodes together! And if you want to learn even more, ask away in the comments or DMs.

The gratitude I have for all of my listeners and guests cannot be overstated. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I have so many more amazing guests coming. Here's to 50+ more! 🥂

 “Take that step. So many times people are afraid to take the step because they think they might fail… you’ll never know if you don’t take that step.” 💓

Happy Thursday!! It’s time for Opportunity Knocks!! 🚪✊🏼 This week, I had the amazing OPPORTUNITY to speak with Sheila Michail Morovati  🌟🌟 Her episode is now available for you to listen to via podcast - on both Spotify AND Apple podcasts! ⁠ 😍⁠ Give her non-profits a follow @howchangers & @crayoncollection 🙏🏼🌍♻️  www.habitsofwaste.org

Sheila Michail Morovati is the President and Founder of two non-profit organizations: Habits of Waste (H.o.W) and Crayon Collection  👏🏼👏🏼 With a Sociology degree from UCLA, she has been successfully growing her non-profits since 2013. 

Habits of Waste is focused on finding solutions to shift the harmful habits of waste among mass society. In 2018, Sheila spearheaded the ban of plastic straws, utensils, and stirrers in the City of Malibu!  🙏🏼🌍 More recently, through her #CutOutCutlery campaign she convinced UberEats, Postmates, Grubhub, and DoorDash to change the default setting in their applications (globally) so that no one receives plastic cutlery unless requested 🙌🏼♻️

On the other hand, Crayon Collection has successfully collected over 20 million gently used crayons from restaurant chains nationwide and donated them to underserved schools around the world  💪🤞 

Crayon Collection also provides award-winning free art education curriculums to students! In fact, Crayon Collection set a Guinness World Record in August 2018 for the largest crayon donation in history with over 1 million crayons donated to teachers at LAUSD and Head Start Centers in Los Angeles!  ✨ WOW!

Sheila lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children and has been featured in Forbes, LA Times, HuffPost, Bloomberg Radio, and various regional broadcasts 💓 

Shelia, it was such an honor to have you on Opportunity Knocks!! Tune in now to hear more about her incredible journey - you don’t want to miss this one  🌈💓🙌🏼 Don't forget to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify!! 💓💓🎤🎧

“I always think fear is trying to tell us something... I just remind myself what's the worst that can happen? Then, I choose again." 💓

Happy Thursday!! It’s time for Opportunity Knocks!! 🚪✊🏼 This week, I had the amazing OPPORTUNITY to speak with Anne Mahlum 🌟🌟 Her episode is now available for you to listen to via podcast - on both Spotify AND Apple podcasts! 😍⁠ Give her a follow @annemahlum @solidcore @backonmyfeet

Anne is the founder and Executive Chairwoman of Solidcore boutique fitness, a DC-based, national business that offers an immersive 50 minute, full-body workout that utilizes slow and controlled movements to break down the muscle fibers and build them back stronger and leaner 👏🏼👏🏼 

Prior to founding Solidcore, Anne founded Back On My Feet—the national non-profit that uses running as a vehicle to help those who are homeless create more self-sufficiency in their lives 💓🙌🏼

In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Anne is also a powerful female speaker! With authenticity and raw vulnerability, her inspirational keynotes empower audiences to create real change in their own lives, and in the lives of others 💪🤞 No wonder why she’s well-known throughout the U.S. ✨✨

For those who are interested in trying Solidcore, use coupon code “opportunityknocks15”  for 15% off a five-class pack!! Expires 12/31/2021, one use per client.

Anne, it was such an honor to have you on Opportunity Knocks!! Tune in now to hear more about her incredible journey - you don’t want to miss this one 🌈💓🙌🏼  Don't forget to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify!! 💓💓🎤🎧

https://www.annemahlum.com/

“Embrace the challenging times, embrace the failures, know that those are growth moments." 💓

Happy Thursday!! It’s time for Opportunity Knocks!! 🚪✊🏼 This week, I had the amazing OPPORTUNITY to speak with Amy K Stanton 🌟🌟 Her episode is now available for you to listen to via podcast - on both Spotify AND Apple podcasts! 😍⁠ Give her a follow @amykstanton!

With a background in traditional marketing and deep experience in marketing to and building brands for women, Amy founded Stanton & Company (S&Co) with a passion for promoting and building positive female role models and messaging for women @stantoncompany 👏🏼👏🏼 Since 2006, when the company opened its doors, S&Co has built a roster of philosophy-driven brands, including exceptional athletes, lifestyle experts, and brands in the healthy, active living space 💓🙌🏼

Before founding S&Co, Amy served as the first-ever chief marketing officer (CMO) for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and was the head of marketing and communications for NYC2012, New York's Olympic bid, where she developed and executed both the local and international campaigns for this first-ever endeavor 💪🤞 Amy started her career in account management at advertising agencies including BBDO, JWT, and BBH!

Amy also co-authored The Feminine Revolution with Catherine Connors, challenging the idea that femininity is weak, and encouraging women to redefine and embrace their feminine qualities as sources of power 📚💪🤞@femininerevolutionbook

Amy has received accolades and awards from the Sports Business Journal, Women in Sports and Events (WISE) LA, and BlogHer, and Stanton & Company has been recognized as an industry leader. She speaks about femininity, marketing and representation, women in sports, and women's leadership! ✨✨

Lastly, Amy is a Venice-based health and wellness entrepreneur, dancer, and dog mom 👏🏼💓

Amy, it was such an honor to have you on Opportunity Knocks!! Tune in now to hear more about her incredible journey - you don’t want to miss this one 🌈💓🙌🏼  Don't forget to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify!! 💓💓🎤🎧

“I really hate the idea of lost potential. I really love for people to be the highest form of themselves in whatever they are doing.” 💓

Happy Thursday!! It’s time for Opportunity Knocks!! 🚪✊🏼 This week, I had the amazing OPPORTUNITY to speak with Kim Walls 🌟🌟 Her episode is now available for you to listen to via podcast - on both Spotify AND Apple podcasts! 😍⁠ Give her a follow @kimwallsla

Kim Walls is a Beauty Industry Pioneer and Advocate with involvement in many different beauty companies!! 💓 Kim is the cofounder of Furtuna Skin (@furtunaskin), Bambini Furtuna (@bambinifurtuna,) kēlsən (@kelsenproducts) and CEO and Founder of BEBorganic (@beborganic)… One word? DAMN💓👏🏼👏🏼 

Most notably is Furtuna Skin, whose mission is to transform lives through skincare innovations that make everyone look, feel and live better for an enhanced quality of life 👏🏼

Did I mention that all of Furtuna’s products are sourced out of Italy!? 🇮🇹 On the sunny island of Sicily, nestled between the towering mountains of Monte Barraù and Monte Castro, sits a lush land where they wild-forage our ingredients… Can you say DREAMY!? 😍

In addition to being a master formulator and forward-thinking business leader, Kim brings a lifetime of experience to Furtuna Skin. (Did I mention Kim’s father is also a veteran in the beauty industry!? Psst… He started Epicuren!! 🙌🏼)

Born into the beauty industry, she carries on the family legacy of luxury skincare with a track record of bringing unprecedented advances to the world of skincare and wellness 💪🤞 

It was such an honor to have Kim on Opportunity Knocks!! Tune in now to hear more about her incredible journey - you don’t want to miss this one 🌈💓🙌🏼  Don't forget to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify!! 💓💓🎤🎧

“I wanted to avoid SFSN - Sounds, Fabulous, Signifies, Nothing… made some intentional decisions aligning my time with what I believe will create momentum.“ 💓

Happy Thursday!! It’s time for Opportunity Knocks!! 🚪✊🏼 This week, I had the amazing OPPORTUNITY to speak with Jess Weiner 🌟🌟 Her episode is now available for you to listen to via podcast - on both Spotify AND Apple podcasts! 😍⁠ Give her a follow @imjessweiner

Jess Weiner is a Cultural Expert and Creative who has spent 26 years researching and educating on cultural trends in order to help people feel seen, heard, and understood 💓👏🏼👏🏼  

Jess is also a bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker who has connected with audiences from the White House to Wall Street, and studios to schools around the world 🙌🏼

Considered a brand’s secret weapon, Jess is a trusted advisor to companies such as Unilever, Mattel, Warner Brothers, and Nike. She has been a strategic partner in culture-changing moments such as Dove’s campaign for“Real Beauty” and the evolution of Barbie 💪🤞 

Through Jess’s consultancy, Talk to Jess, she and her team help Fortune 500 companies to become more inclusive and culturally fluent. She is also an adjunct professor at USC and was recently named by Fast Company as one of the most creative people in Business in the areas of Diversity and Education! 🙌🏼

Jess is the producer and creator of online courses called The Good Life, a series focused on personal and professional development. What doesn’t she do!?

It was such an honor to have Jess on Opportunity Knocks!! Tune in now to hear more about her incredible journey - you don’t want to miss this one 🌈💓🙌🏼  Don't forget to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify!! 💓💓🎤🎧