powherfull inc startup stories

One of the first small + brave steps Melissa Franks took when she left corporate to start her own business was calling a friend to ask if they needed HER help in their business. THEY DID and that's how she landed her first client.

The truth behind the journey? She was barely making enough at the onset to keep food on the table, as a newly separated woman with three boys. She's now standing loud and proud as a spokeswoman and leader in operations and wholistic business development. A mere 18 months later ha! Amazing right! Her first 7-8 months were tough though, until she gave herself her own "big girl talk" and treated herself like she would a client. Then BAM, momentum!

Now, don't judge yourself against this, it's different for everyone. The point here is to show you what IS possible, obstacles and all.

So tune in, turn it up and get ready for these key takeaways when you are starting out:

• Prioritize the customer journey over vanity metrics to understand and repeat what drives actual purchases. (its not likes comments, but how clients find you and what they search for that leads them to you. then give them a 5 star experience with simple systems - that I can help you set up!)
• Professionalize your business presentation to build trust and attract the right clients. Think of your coaching portfolio, not your B-Roll! You are building a business, not a friends list.
• Balance entrepreneurship and personal life by setting expectations and including your family in the journey. Building a business is WORK. Sometimes you have to choose life over biz and vice versa. Communicate this to your family members, they are your home team!
• Persevere through challenges, seeing them as stepping stones and preparation for what’s next. You are in TRAINING for a marathon, not a sprint!
• Understand that discomfort is part of the process—embrace it. What you build on social media etc is your resume. Do it with intention and attention!

✅ Next Steps

• Grab Melissa’s freebie on key business metrics to track: https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/5metrics
• Keep refining your strategy—consistency, not perfection, leads to growth.
• Look for ways to scale smartly (build a business with systems that can grow with your level of service / client load!) and increase credibility in your niche (who are your people and what do they need to hear from you!)

Where you can find Melissa:

https://www.melissafranks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissafranks/

https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo

PS I recommend watching this video of hers - getting organized NOW saves you later - you know this is a HUGE part of my message, so hear it from someone else too! https://youtu.be/2jcX6MtKsx4

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

Angie is currently going live for 100 days on substack. Does that feel like a big commitment? How are you reacting to her decision and what would it look like for you to follow through on a decision you chose to make, like that?

See our hesitation holds us back - the desire exist yet the willingness to be uncomfortable in taking action to create the desire tends to be where we fall short. Because it is unknown and doesn't feel safe.

So what if instead you started creating safety first, one day at a time, one small action at a time. This is the meat of my conversation with Angie, a gorgeous and poetic woman who is working full time (yep in a job!) and coaching while taking care of her aging mom (who asks her what's for dinner these days!). PS she also runs a brick + mortar (which is mostly closed while she flirts with "divorcing" it for good.....).

Angie is an expressive arts therapist and eloquently described our lives as an ongoing piece of art, where we continue to add to the canvas, bits of this, scraps of that, all mediums and modalities to create a masterpiece; up until the day we "expire."

She helps midlife women navigate life’s transitions—whether it’s caregiving, burnout, or rediscovering themselves—through journaling and creative expression. In a world that asks us to keep pushing forward, she creates space for slowing down, processing emotions, and reconnecting with what truly matters. Small, intentional shifts can bring you back to yourself—one day, one breath at a time.

How will you lead yourself from your values and deep sense of who you are (not who people want you to be) to create your masterpiece - not perfection, but a very raw and storytelling picture of your life and your dreams.....?

Listen in, maybe take notes or sketches on this one and I would love to hear what came up for you. I am just an everyday woman like you seeking to make the best of everyday! xoxo

You can find + follow Angie at:

www.itsangieclay.com

www.instagram.com/itangieclay

https://itsangieclay.group.app

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

God is so good..... and I LOOOOOOVE hosting this podcast. The guests are so willing to "reveal" or pull back the curtain. Because we make it safe and want to empower YOU in your journey. Sabrina really "went there" with me today.

She was working as a teacher when God planted the seed of QUIT in her heart. For TWO YEARS she prayed about it. Then as she was hesitating around formalizing her notice, her principal prompted her (God poke!). Then covid! She vulnerably spoke to her husband about God's plans, quit - stay at home, work? from home..... And they executed on it.

Fast forward from circa 2019/2020, Sabrina has built her podcast booking agency, which is how I first met her 1 year + ago (she booked a guest on my show! Paula Tobey!) and while I saw her online, I didn't know her story.

Until she posted in a FB Group we are both in and I knew I had to explore the BTS with her. So here we are. Navigating vulnerable convos with spouses, revamping family lifestyle, venturing into business now knowing what to do or what service to pursue/offer, to landing on something so aligned, right and fulfilling that it's simply become "how did this never NOT exist!". With themes of slowing down, building your leadership and completely surrendering to the "mess" and ongoing growth. The perfect is the journey, not a destination.

Our conversation underscores the importance of taking risks and persevering through uncertainty when pursuing new opportunities. Because its God's plan for you, not your plan for you. Sabrina understands feeling ill-equipped for new challenges, and learning to hand it over and trust God to provide what she needed - because He trusts her and chose her. From this spiritual understanding, you can do so much more.

Take a load of yourself and put the load on God!! Ok - give us a listen, be validated and normalized in your journey!

And connect with Sabrina via:

https://kcpodcastagency.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingdomconnectionspodcastandmediaagency https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.d.hammonds https://www.facebook.com/KingdomConnectionsAgency

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

The Power of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship with Amanda Johnson

In this episode, Mia sits down with Amanda Johnson, the Story Oracle, to explore the intersection of business, storytelling, and personal transformation. Amanda shares her entrepreneurial journey—how she evolved from editing manuscripts to guiding individuals and organizations in uncovering their deepest narratives.

They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, comparing it to a spiritual journey that requires self-trust, vulnerability, and a willingness to embrace both success and failure. Amanda reveals how the hero’s journey shapes both life and business, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions, rather than seeking definitive answers.

Together, they dive into the natural ebb and flow of personal and professional growth, the importance of pivoting in business, and how storytelling serves as a tool for healing and empowerment. Amanda also shares her vision for a story revolution—scaling her writing quests, retreats, and narrative medicine tools to support a broader audience.

Life and business are about seasons, not shortcuts or instant gratification. Allow space and safety for each piece of the story to weave together to create the greatest masterpiece you can imagine, your WHOLE life story!

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on self-leadership, embracing change, and using storytelling as a vehicle for transformation.

You can follow Amanda at:

www.facebook.com/savedbystory

www.facebook.com/amanda.johnson.7773

www.instagram.com/savedbystory

www.linkedin.com/company/saved-by-story-publishing

And free resources at https://savedbystory.house/foreshadows/

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

Not only is she beautiful on the inside and out, Amanda has healed from Hashimoto's and healed her daughter from upwards of 10 seizures a day..... through the power of Functional Medicine.

Functional medicine is a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare that aims to identify and address the root causes of illness rather than just treating symptoms, often incorporating lifestyle factors and a systems-biology perspective. Listening to Amanda share information and educate on this health modality is fascinating. We talk about menopause, the integrated internal system, cellular composition and blood work. I was absorbed listening to her and visualizing my internal ecosystem, the one I think is healthy, reliable and sturdy. On the surface level.... but as I age into menopause, I want to make sure I support my body internally.

Amanda talks about the importance of mindset and thought awareness as much as she talks about proteins and PFFV eating (protein, fibre, healthy fats + veggies!!)

What I love about this conversation is the behind the scenes of Amanda's journey, from overwhelmed and reactive mom; to peaceful and still LEADER. Leader in herself, with her family and with her clients. And how truly being a leader means facing discomfort, growing and increasing visibility to serve more people.

She is still a mom, a wife and regular woman - she just became very clear and convicted on how to serve others and invested in herself professionally to help her family and use that experience to help others.

I highly recommend going through her hormone assessment and taking a new level of responsibility + stewardship over your divine body!!!

Follow Amanda at:

www.hinmanholistic.com

https://www.instagram.com/hinmanamanda/

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Nutrition

Tired? Sluggish? Burnt out? Fighting Cravings? Mood swings? Meg is here to help!!

She helps busy women gain control of their health and lose the weight they want so they can feel comfortable in their skin, gain the energy they need and have the confidence they desire!

I "picked Meg up" in a FB Group :D (of course I did!) and its been love ever since. A sister in Christ, a Faith Leader in Health + Wellbeing, and especially a woman who went from overweight, overworked, overwhelmed and focused on the priorities that didn't actually align with her real values + self, Meg IS what she "sells".

She IS the transformation and the coaching journey results she offers. I love her heart, her clarity and her certainty in helping women take better care of themselves, in focusing on her family versus her work and living a Christ driven life daily.

Find Meg at: www.anchorednutrition.net

FB & IG: @meganchorednutrition

Freebie: https://anchorednutrition.myflodesk.com/5day?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjSkVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZbXZj-KJSmowkIvMg_GTFgFE-xgmcMm8TGC3_vNHo4TdbKO1r9_KstkGQ_aem_zuOLjsvx1RVSVr50n_h9EQ

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

In 1991 a bushy tailed, eager and passionate Jennifer went to bank after bank with her Business Plan seeking a $50k loan to open a closet business. After more no's than shelves in a closet ;) she finally heard YES BUT "you need to supply your own $15k + this bank will (only) give you $35k".

She made it work. 34 YEARS LATER - older than her young adult children - Jen is still running St. Louis Closet Co. as a holistic, team based, community-connected company. I love Jen's staying power and her ongoing self leadership, mixed with her uncertainty.

THIS IS NORMAL AND REAL. We are all the same - it doesn't matter how big or small your business is, we are just trying to figure it out and make good decisions. And this was such a key point in this conversation - taking action comes from making decisions.

You make an average of 33,000 to 35,000 decisions a day (Harvard Business Review - Jen I Googled it!). They won't all be good (candy for breakfast? a fifth cup of coffee at 3 pm? ha!) but that's OK and it's just math of probabilities. In business + life.

So keep practicing your decision making to guide your actions and see what you create. Jen is just as excited today as she was in 1991 about her business.

I think it's been a good decision for her and I am excited to see how 2025 shapes her even further!

www.stlouisclosetco.com

Instagram - @stlouisclosetco

Facebook - Saint Louis Closet Co

Youtube - Saint Louis Closet Co.

Pinterest - @stlouisclosetco

Linkedin - Saint Louis Closet Co.

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

Anna VanAgtmael is the founder of Wandering Roots. She hosts adventure retreats for women all over the world and helps entrepreneurs plan and host their own profitable retreats. Ummm that's more of what she does..... who she is though.... is what we talk about in this episode!!

Anna is funny, intelligent and down to earth. She started her business in 2018 and worked it as a "side hustle" (I have to have a whole convo about that moniker though....) for two years before taking the leap into full time entrepreneurship..... and then! COVID!

So she pivoted. She leveraged her passion and clarity with hosting women's retreats into HOW to host them (logistics to content to marketing etc). There are so many valuable lessons in this episode on making choices, on conviction, on seeing life higher than the routines of the day to day.

Who Anna is today, to who she was circa 2017/2018 is vastly different, and yet just more of who she has always been. It's far too easy to get comfortable with the "book of life" approach to life (get a job, get married, grow up and be boring) and when we are called for more, it comes to get us. Often in the unfortunate yet break you free, shatter you to pieces way of a life changing event. While we don't wish that to be cause for WHY we evolve, in our conversation we explore whether or not we would evolve if not for such events....

And so, whether or not YOU face such a life changing event, the truth is you are always capable and available to make a change, a new choice, a new way regardless.... So will you ANSWER the call anyway?

Brevity, courage and really, just pure willingness, carefree childlike curiosity of.... what else is possible.... is "all it takes!"

From molecular diagnostics to.... women's retreats. Who would have thought! This is a gorgeous and relatable story of an everyday woman, just like you and me, choosing more!

Go follow her at

www.yourwanderingroots.com

www.instagram.com/yourwanderingroots

www.facebook.com/yourwanderingroots

www.linkedin.com/in/anna-vanagtmael-214973b/

And maybe your "wake up call" is her freebie on how to plan your own retreat!!

Build a profitable retreat in just 1 minute per day. For entrepreneurs who want to earn more money with their existing brand! This 2-week email series will help you create an incredible experience for your clients while making you more $...and it's totally free! https://retreat.yourwanderingroots.com/

Want a taste of what a Wandering Roots retreat is like? Grab a free DIY retreat guide (usually $39!) and enjoy all the adventure with NONE of the stress of planning. https://freebie.yourwanderingroots.com/

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

Time to enter STUDIO 54!!!! hahaha. YOU GUYSSSSSS. Caren Cooper is on the powherfull stage today and she is delivering FIIIIIREEEEEE. Let's boogie on the dance floor for this incredible episode!!! It's pure floooowwwww.

Caren & I met a few years back in a mindset program and her transformation is an incredible testament to the power of saying YES TO YOURSELF. Caren basically lived as a suppressed, un-expressed, stressed woman for the majority of her life. She kept her bold fire dim and damp. but when she said YES to the program, she said yes to letting go of over 40 years of pent up insecurity, lack, and shrinking.

From corporate America to self led entrepreneur, Caren now fully owns who she is, lives out loud and is a true example of how simple your healing & transformation can be. Pick a coach, DO THE WORKKKKKKKK, don't just buy a program but become the program. Which really ladies means slow down, just do the one thing and let it rebuild you to who you always were. No pressure, no judgement, just sit in the discovery of limiting beliefs, of your inner critic and take timmmmeeee to purge and release the junk that weighs you down.

Because once you truly incubate yourself in this part of the journey, you emerge as a massive & magnetic firework ready to really LIVE. And this is what we talk about through this episode. Truly an example of one my fave powherfull tag lines "Overcome yourself to become yourself".

LET'SSSS GOOOOOOO. Buckle up, its such a good episode!!!!

And go follow the amazing Caren Cooper at:

www.instagram.com/carencooper

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carencooper

https://www.facebook.com/caren.s.cooper

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!

I admit I was nervous to meet with Shaté, her portfolio reads like a BIG DEAL. And that warrants credit - she has "accomplished" a LOT in her life already, vision, drive and impact. Full out pursuit of who she is / was.... success and accolades.....

So yeah, I was like "who am I to speak with her about life and business...." But the instant we saw each other on the screens, the energy was there. We shared the lifeness of life and a laugh and it felt like connecting a long time friend I was just thrilled about hanging out with.

My point? Who you are is not what you do. Who you are is your heart, your realness and your ongoing pursuit of that - of that spirit led, peaceful inner self who leads herself with clarity, with vision, with impact and for the sake of the service therein. Not so much attached to the outcome. So voila, welcome to the beautiful, relatable and honest Shaté Hayes.

She is a creative strategist and storyteller on a mission to help professionals everywhere feel a sense of purpose and pride in their careers. She spent over a decade in her first career as a professional dancer/choreographer making stories come to life on live stages. As an edtech leader, she embedded strategy and storytelling into the career content and programs her team delivered. Now, as a consultant and founder of Career Steward, Shaté helps creatives and nonprofits tell the story of their work so they can get more of it.

Go find her at:

• Freebie: www.lightmycareermatch.com
• Website: www.careersteward.co
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sedwards1908

I would love to HEAR from you, what shift did you feel from this episode? Send me a voice note!