SAYge Real Stories

After scaling products to billions of users at Meta and Reddit, Yiqi Wu left the big platform world behind to build something of big value — a tool that helps founders decode the 'data behind the data', helping brands understand what really drives growth. As the founder of Aimerce, a data intelligence tool for Shopify brands, Yiqi shares how talking to customers, advisors, and peers has powered her pivots, reduced her stress, and fueled organic growth. Her story is a powerful reminder to female founders: you don’t have to figure it out alone, and often, the right conversation at the right time can change everything.

SAYge Link's connection platform is launching in May! www.saygelink.com

Our guest Melissa Bernstein shows us that even the most successful individuals have struggles we often don’t see behind the glowing spotlight.  These real, sometimes stigmatizing issues, trials and tribulations are what characterize us. They are also what connect us on a human level, showing us that “we are all the same”, as Melissa states.

Melissa is an entrepreneur, creative, and working mother of six.  In 1988, she and her husband co-founded Melissa & Doug Toys out of their parents' garage, and in the years that followed, built Melissa & Doug into a Billion dollar brand.   She estimates that she has conceived more than 6,000 toys in the last three decades.  As she writes about in her book LifeLines, this creative process was the silver lining in a duality in her being which also struggled through existential depression and despair.  Melissa shares her incredible story of being imprisoned by an inauthentic picture of perfection for most of her life and then finally finding the courage and belonging she needed as her true self.In 2020, after her journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Melissa co-founded Lifelines with Doug.  Through Lifelines, she is using her unique gift of creativity to bring a new category of well-being products into the world.  Products that help adults rediscover wonder and relieve stress through sensory immersion.  In true SAYge fashion, Melissa is dedicated to helping others through the learnings of her own journey.  “If I could solve the puzzle of my own life, perhaps I could help others do the same” and she shares her story to forge a sense of kinship with similar souls, who perhaps in hearing her journey allows them to forge ahead.As with all of our SAYges, Melissa is open to connecting with you.  If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her incredible journey or just have a chat with her, email [email protected]. We will link you!Learn more about Melissa at https://www.melissajourney.com/about-melissaLearn more about Lifelines at https://www.lifelines.com/

In this episode we speak with Dr. Rikki, a remarkable woman who dared to take a leap of faith and completely transform her life after a breast cancer scare. Despite having a seemingly perfect life as a doctor, mother, and wife, Rikki realized that she was utterly unfulfilled.  Driven by a deep desire for authenticity and depth, she embarked on a profound journey where she awakened intimate spiritual and sexual parts of herself hidden away.  Through this journey she not only rediscovered herself but also found the courage to live in her truth.  

Rikki is now living her dream life in alignment and brimming with deep intimacy.   Not only has she remarried to her great love, renowned chef Seamus Mullen, but she boldly pivoted her career to find heartfelt purpose.  Drawing upon her medical background from USC and Cedars-Sinai, as well as her training from the Somatica Institute and Layla Martin, she now uniquely integrates science and spirituality as a Sex, Love, and Relationship Coach.  Through her new career, Dr. Rikki is able to empower individuals and couples to foster deeper intimacy both within themselves and in union, guiding them toward more authentic and fulfilling lives.

As with all of our SAYges, Rikki is open to connecting with you. If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her incredible journey or just chat with her, email [email protected]. We will link you!

Learn more about Dr. Rikki and her journey on her Instagram page or by visiting her website www.gushwithrikki.com

Welcome to a special episode of our podcast, where we had the pleasure of hosting Jennifer K. Hill, a brilliant evolutionary leader, speaker, podcast host, author, and entrepreneur. Jennifer's journey towards personal growth and transformation is truly inspiring.

After exiting her first company in 2018, Jennifer embarked on a new venture, building her software company, OptiMatch. Through OptiMatch, she has managed to crack the code of human connection,  revolutionizing the way we understand and foster interpersonal relationships.  In this episode, we dive deep into Jennifer's personal struggles and how they became catalysts for profound change. She opens up about her battle with bulimia, depression, and a suicide attempt, sharing how these experiences served as wake-up calls, propelling her towards intentional and conscious-minded transformations.

Jennifer also discusses her autism diagnosis and how it has become her superpower in leading a successful life and career. With her unique perspective and approach, she showcases how embracing neurodiversity can enhance personal growth and empower individuals to reach their full potential.  One of the most captivating aspects of our conversation was the beautiful circling back to the importance of human compassion. Jennifer candidly discussed her journey from being a "recovering jerk” in dire need of a compassionate mirror for understanding herself. Through her introspection and personal growth, she came to realize that this understanding and compassion were not only essential for her own well-being but for successful connection with others.  

Join us as we delve into a remarkable journey, discovering the power of intentional change and the transformative potential hidden within our own uniquely diverse qualities.  Jennifer’s story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and find purpose.  Be inspired and empowered as we explore the depths of human connection and the limitless potential within each and everyone one of us.

As with all of our SAYges, Jennifer is open to connecting with you. If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her journey or just chat, email [email protected]. We will link you!

Learn more about Jennifer’s brilliant company OptiMatch at https://www.om.app

Listen to her enlightening podcast Regarding Consciousness

In this SAYge Real Stories episode I sat down with Kathy Mcafee, an accomplished author, renowned speaker, entrepreneur, business leader and coach. Perhaps her greatest defining success however is being an ovarian cancer survivor.  This powerful Real Stories conversation takes us through her emotional journey from diagnosis to acceptance and then to thriving toward survival.  As expected when faced with your mortality, the journey changed Kathy in profound ways.  “Cancer taught me a lot, mostly that I couldn’t control everything that happened to me - but I could shape my experience.  Meeting and spending time with my mortality helped me evolve as a human being.”   She shares the enlightened perspectives she gained and offers new ways of viewing life that can benefit all of us.

Kathy is intent on utilizing her life experiences and lessons learned to help other women and “paying it forward”.  Her professional background is also one that thrives on supporting females.  After a successful 20-year career in corporate marketing/branding with companies such as Levi and Maybelline, Kathy made the brave decision to dive into entrepreneurship.  As CEO of her own company for the last two decades, Kathy has made an incredible impact cultivating leadership diversity by advancing more women and people of color into positions of influence. Her signature work is The Fearless Leader program, a group mentoring experience designed to help female and BIPOC individuals overcome barriers to leadership.  This program recently led her to coauthor her 5th book, Fearless Female Leaders, an imperative guide for women in leadership and those that support them, to be released early 2024.  The book deconstructs antiquated beliefs that have held women back from reaching their leadership potential and creates a roadmap on how to get there.  You can learn more about the incredible work Kathy is doing through the links below. 

As with all of our SAYges, Kathy is open to connecting with you.  If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her journey, learn more about her programs or just chat, email [email protected] and we will link you with her!

Learn more about Kathy at her website www.AmericasMarketingMotivator.com

Learn more about her signature program at www.TheFearlessLeader.com

Melissa Spratt's story is equals parts tumultuous and incredible, right on par with real life. Melissa starts by sharing her journey through mental illness, low self-esteem and anorexia as a girl and young adult. Her story then winds through periods of solid ground and happy days upheaved by new obstacles including a heartbreaking miscarriage and being a new mom in the face of extreme isolation during the height of the pandemic.

Through it all, Melissa found and honed lessons on how to navigate life's bumps without losing your footing. She found peace in self-love and solace in self-care and now shares them with other women in hopes of helping them live as the best version of themselves.

Her experiences with therapeutic journaling inspired her to further channel her emotions into poetry, culminating in her beautiful book "Roots Grow Strong." This heartfelt and vulnerable work detailing her experiences with mental illness, body image disorder, miscarriage and motherhood captures the beauty in life's toughest moments.

As with all of our SAYges, Melissa Spratt is open to connecting with you. If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her journey or just chat, email [email protected]. We will link you!

In this 2 part-recorded live audience SAYge Real Stories we heard from two incredible women who have come through the other side of divorce and are now helping other women be empowered and less stigmatized as they navigate their way through it.

In this Part 2 episode, Audre Rickard shares her contrasting journey to Rachel's (Part 1). Audre had a less peaceful divorce experience that forced her to learn some important lessons, including the great importance of self-compassion. Audre lacked of a much needed type of support during her struggle through her separation, one that comes from women that understand because they have shared that journey. She now has created a community called Saturated Grace based on that support (link here) and is extremely passionate about sharing her story to help other women feel less alone in their journey.

As with all of our SAYges, Audre Rickard is open to connecting with you. If her story resonates and you would like to ask questions about her journey or just chat, email [email protected]. We will link you!

In this SAYge Real Stories Podcast 2 part series, we hear from two incredible women who have come through the other side of divorce and are now helping other women be empowered and less stigmatized as they navigate their way through it. In this part 1 episode, Rachel Lauren shares her bold choice to have a choice in not only her decision not to stay in her marriage, but also in how she and her partner would separate and (co)parent their children through it.

When Kayla Lafi's mental health hit rock bottom, she made a mindful choice to “give life a try”. She obtained a new lease on life and realized a beautiful freedom.  She has now built a community as a mental health advocate, sharing the wisdom she learned through her struggles and tools she continues to use as a certified holistic life coach.Lisa Valdes Romero was an intimidated Cuban child trying to learn english and adapt. She found a way to express herself through dance, which was a turning point.  Though it was difficult, she made a courageous choice to stay steadfast in her passion for dance, and has now created a thriving non-profit dance organization that provides the theraputic value of dance to struggling women and children.

Take a pause in your day to hear two remarkable stories that share a message of looking life in the eyes and boldly making a choice.Want to continue the conversation and connect with Kayla, Lisa or other women on the topics discussed on this episode? Join the community at www.saygelink.com

Mauri Konnell's journey starts as a 13-year old girl, hospitalized for an eating disorder but who had the foresight to know she wanted to one day get through her battles so that she could help other girls thrive. Though the ensuing years brought more trials and tribulations including anxiety/depression, substance abuse and codependancy - that is exactly what she did. She is accomplishing her mission, working tirelessly to help empower girls, giving them skills and tools to “train our confidence muscles like we train our biceps”. Mauri uses the lessons learned from her difficulties to now help and empower girls in amazing ways through the ⁠Girl's Empowerment Experience⁠!! Get ready to be inspired by her incredible story.

If you would like to continue the conversation and connect with other women on some of the topics within this story, join our community at www.saygelink.com To join this event's private group on SAYge Link, send an email to [email protected] with the subject: Mauri's podcast!