Penny for your Shots

From yacht kitchens to coaching women around the world, Sara Vezensek has never played by the rules—and in this episode, she shares how courage (not confidence) shaped her journey.

Sara’s story takes us from waitressing in Slovenia to risking it all on a yacht job she technically wasn’t “qualified” for, to building a business that helps women claim true freedom: time, money, and location.

In our conversation, we cover:

• Why chasing freedom is worth more than chasing a paycheck
• How to reframe failure as nothing more than a roadblock
• Why women hold the keys to real change in the world
• The uncomfortable truth about comfort zones
• Courage > confidence: what it really takes to start

Key Topics:

• Travel and early career risks
• Redefining failure
• Courage, visibility, and taking risks
• Building freedom as a business model
• Women, wealth, and empowerment

Connect with Sara, and access her free Resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saravezensek/
Website: https://www.saravezcoach.com
Free Resources: https://sara-vezensek.mykajabi.com/freedownloadshere

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Chicago boudoir photography meets radical self-confidence in this conversation with photographer Liz Hansen. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during a boudoir session—and why so many women call it life-changing—this episode is your backstage pass. “Sexy is a vibe, not a size” sets the tone for a body-positive, age-inclusive approach to portraits that feel like you.

About Liz:
Liz Hansen is the owner and photographer at Chicago Boudoir Photography, a boutique studio that empowers women to feel confident in their bodies, relationships and lives. Liz opened her commercial studio in 2018 and has since photographed more than 2,000 women. She has been featured on the TEDx stage, on National Public Radio and with the Association of International Boudoir Photographers. Liz holds a BA in Art and an MA in Education. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Takeaways:

• How a guided boudoir session rebuilds self-trust and visibility
• What safety, consent, and privacy look like in a real studio
• Wardrobe, hair/makeup, and posing tips for real bodies
• Retouching ethics and why “perfect” is not the point
• Why midlife is the perfect time to step in front of the camera

Index of Key Topics:

• Chicago boudoir | client experience | safety & consent
• Wardrobe planning | hair/makeup | posing micro-coaching
• Body neutrality vs. body positivity | retouching ethics
• Midlife visibility | self-image | legacy portraits

Liz's Website: https://chicago-boudoir.com/

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagoboudoir 

VIP Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VIPChicago 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicago.boudoir/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chicagoboudoir

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-hansen-9aab35173/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoBoudoirPhotography

TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9bkhCXpmIE

Free e-book: https://chicago-boudoir.com/free 

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What do you get when you mix sunshine, sisterhood, a few bottles of rosé, and a whole lot of heart? Wine Camp 2025—and it was pure magic.

This solo episode is part recap, part invitation, and 100% a celebration of what happens when women gather with intention. Whether you were there in Virginia or watching from afar, this peek behind the curtain will give you all the feels—and a little FOMO (don’t worry, 2026 is calling).

Inside this episode:

• What made Wine Camp 2025 a weekend we’ll never forget
• Why caftails, rainstorms, and retro dance parties = core memories
• Real camper stories that had me tearing up (in the best way)
• What’s coming for Wine Camp 2026 in the Finger Lakes
• How to save your spot before the good rooms are gone

Key topics:
• Community and connection for women 40+
• Creating soul-nourishing retreats and experiences
• Behind-the-scenes of hosting a retreat
• Friendship, fun, and wine-fueled joy
• An inside look at Wine Camp 2026

Ready to join the fun? Reserve your spot at pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What happens when a cocktail educator, brand strategist, and former Bacardi ambassador decides to launch her own product line—in the middle of a global crisis? You get Cheeky Cocktails…and one seriously inspiring journey.

April Wachtel didn’t just stumble into entrepreneurship. She tested, pivoted, and reimagined her way into it—learning from failure, navigating trolls, and bottling mixers by hand to meet demand. In this candid conversation, April gets real about what it takes to build a brand from scratch, and why separating your ego from your business is one of the most liberating things you can do.

In this episode, April shares:

• Why her first business wasn’t “it”—and how she knew when to walk away
• How launching during COVID actually worked in her favor
• What it really looks like to bootstrap and scale (she’s still her only full-time employee!)
• The mindset shift that changed everything: market feedback > perfection
• How one 30-second lime-cutting video exploded to 150K views—and why she’s doubling down on digital

Whether you’re pivoting, planning, or just craving a better way to build, this convo will light a fire under you (and maybe your next happy hour).

Key Topics:

• Entrepreneurship during a pandemic
• Pivots, product testing, and growth mindset
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and perfectionism
• Visibility fears, trolls, and social media strategy
• Building brand credibility with limited resources

For 15% off your order from Cheeky Cocktails, use this link: cheekycocktails.co/PENNY15
The discount will apply and show in your cart. Cheers!

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Dr. Terri Levine spent years climbing the corporate ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a national healthcare company with nearly 3,000 employees. But behind the title, she felt exhausted, disconnected, and deeply out of alignment. So she walked away—without a backup plan—and said yes to coaching, authenticity, and a business built around service.

In this episode, Terri shares how she:

• Went from speech pathologist to multi-million dollar entrepreneur
• Quit her CEO job with nothing but 5 weeks’ pay and a ton of faith
• Built a business by helping other women do the same
• Ditched hustle culture and found clarity through action
• Learned to lead with heart—not ego

Whether you’re craving more freedom, stuck in analysis paralysis, or trying to figure out your next chapter, this one’s for you.

Connect with Terri:
🌐 heartrepreneur.com

Topics we cover:

• Reinventing your life in midlife
• The power of collaboration over competition
• Unlearning corporate conditioning
• Creating a business that fits your life
• Why “just start” is better than “get it perfect”

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What if being more visible didn’t mean being more “salesy”?

Rachel Van Dolsen built a thriving PR agency in her twenties, but it wasn’t until she became a mom that she fully stepped into the kind of work that lights her up. Now a sought-after media strategist and soulful storyteller, Rachel helps female founders pitch themselves in a way that’s rooted in purpose—not pressure.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How to pitch yourself without sounding like a walking résumé
• Why visibility is service (and how to make it feel that way)
• Boundaries as a non-negotiable for growth
• The woo-woo side of PR—including Rachel’s past life regression
• What happens when we stop trying to fit in and finally show up

Whether you’re craving more confidence, more clarity, or just a gentler way to grow your reach—this one’s for you.

Key Topics:

• PR and thought leadership for soulful brands
• Energetic alignment and boundaries
• Building visibility with ease and intention
• Personal stories from entrepreneurship and motherhood
• Creative rediscovery + past life regression

Find Rachel on LinkedIn, or via her website: https://www.rachelvandolsen.com/ 

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What happens when you climb the ladder of success—only to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall?

This week, I’m talking with Aoife Roche, a fiercely honest, wildly inspiring entrepreneur who walked away from a high-powered corporate role to become a world champion fitness model and launch a purpose-driven marketing agency. Her story is full of bold pivots, mindset gold, and more than a few truth bombs.

Inside this episode, Aoife shares:

• What made her leave a “dream job” in finance—and what she saw at the top
• How she built confidence through competition (bikini and business!)
• Why she believes most of us aren’t afraid of failure—we’re afraid of success
• The impact of social agreements, and why personal growth often means redefining relationships
• Her best advice for rebuilding after a setback (with zero loss of enthusiasm)

Whether you’re navigating a new season or just craving something more, Aoife’s story will remind you that you’re never too late—and never too far gone—to start again.

Key Moments:

00:03 – Aoife’s corporate-to-entrepreneur story
00:10 – The unexpected power of fitness and discipline
00:17 – Social agreements and relationship shifts
00:25 – Confidence, failure, and identity
00:33 – What success guilt really looks like
00:40 – Showing up, even when it’s hard

To learn more, or connect with Aoife:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoife-roche-80b53a22/ 

https://www.instagram.com/aoifejroche/ 

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

Sustainable haircare that actually works? Yes, please.

In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with Kate Assaraf, founder of Dip—the bar shampoo and conditioner brand that’s winning over luxury lovers and plastic-free skeptics alike. Kate’s not just a beauty founder. She’s a truth-teller, label-reader, and lifelong hair nerd on a mission to make sustainability approachable, affordable, and actually enjoyable.

We talk about:

• Why most bar haircare feels like a downgrade—and how Dip is different
• The real story behind essential oils, “natural” claims, and what clean beauty should mean
• How growing up with very little shaped Kate’s values (and her business)
• What it means to lead with integrity in a world of influencer marketing
• The soft power of small-town living, silly moments, and swims in the sea

Whether you're deep in the plastic-free life or just bar-curious, Kate’s story will inspire you to trust your gut, stay scrappy, and never settle for bad hair.

Timestamps:
00:02 – From bar skeptic to beauty CEO
00:09 – What no one tells you about “clean” ingredients
00:17 – Detangling without drama: Dip’s superpower
00:26 – Starting over after a broken business partnership
00:33 – Reframing success, money, and motherhood
00:45 – Why guilt-free sustainability matters more than ever

Connect with Kate:
Website: https://dipalready.com
Instagram: @dipalready

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

 If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into making a world-class bottle of wine—or even imagined sipping wine in Virginia with the woman who made it—this episode is for you.

Emily Hodson is the powerhouse winemaker behind Veritas, Merrie Mill, and Flying Fox Vineyards. But before she was blending Bordeaux-style reds, she was studying infectious diseases. (Yep. You read that right.)

In this conversation, Emily shares:

• Her unexpected path from epidemiology to enology
• Why winemaking is equal parts farming, food production, and finesse
• The truth about terroir, grape stress, and hot vintage years
• Why Virginia’s Cabernet Franc has winemakers swooning
• How to develop your “wine personality” (yes, you have one)

Key Moments:
 - Emily’s pivot from science to wine
 - What really goes into a great vintage
 - The joy of cellar work (and the logistics behind it)
 - Emily’s thoughts on Cab Franc, Petit Manseng, and Virginia’s future
 - How wine reflects place, people, and personality

This episode is rich, real, and refreshingly honest—just like a great bottle of wine.

For more information about Emily and her wines:

veritaswines.com

https://www.flyingfoxvineyard.com/ 

https://www.merriemillfarm.com/ 

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald

What happens when an art-loving couple trades London for Virginia Wine Country with a baby in tow and a wild idea to start a vineyard? You get Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard—one of the most visually stunning, community-focused, and creative wine experiences in the region.

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Pelly, co-owner of Merrie Mill and one of the women I’m most excited for our Wine Camp crew to meet this summer. She shares the story behind how Merrie Mill came to be, why their soil and wine are so special, and how she’s infused her artistic eye into every inch of their tasting room (yes, even the ceilings!).

We chat about:

• The leap from London to Keswick—and how a wedding changed everything
• Building a vineyard and community from the ground up
• What makes Virginia wine unique (and why it’s finally getting noticed)
• Designing a tasting room that feels more like a home
• Bringing art, ballet, books, and British vintage cars to the vineyard
• The magic of gathering over great wine

Whether you’re a wine lover, a design junkie, or someone dreaming of doing something wildly different with your life, this episode will lift your spirits and spark your imagination.

Connect with Elizabeth and Merrie Mill:

Website: https://www.merriemillfarm.com
Instagram: @merriemillfarmandvineyard

🍷 Want in on next year’s retreat?
 Get on the list for Wine Camp 2025 here: https://pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp2025

Wine Camp is laughter, adventure, girlfriend connection—shared over some very good wine and cocktails.

We're heading to Temecula, CA, July 15–18, 2027, for brand-new experiences centered around women, community, connection, and a whole lot of fun.

Registration is limited to the first 40 women. Learn more and save your spot at https://winecamp.info.

Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/call 

Wine Camp 2027 - Join the list or save your spot:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp

Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider

Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip

Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com

Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald