Join Leslie Youngblood and Nashay Naeve as they discuss engineering confidence, leadership lessons from the factory floor, navigating international business in China, and empowering women in manufacturing and engineering.

About Our Guest

• Nashay Naeve - President | Industrial & Engineered Products | P&L Leadership | Business Growth & Transformation | Chicago Booth MBA | Tsinghua MSE
• Connect with Nashay on LinkedIn
• Nashay's website

Key Topics

• Engineering and manufacturing leadership
• Navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated industries
• Learning Chinese and doing business in China
• The importance of authenticity and confidence
• Building mentorship and community for women in industry

Keywords
Leadership, Women in Industry, Manufacturing, Engineering, China Business, Diversity, Mentorship, Authenticity, Global Business, Women Leaders

What happens when you quit your job, give up your apartment, and follow a spark of inspiration halfway around the world?

In this episode of Serious Lady Business, Leslie Youngblood sits down with Lillian Rafson, Founder and CEO of Pack Up + Go, the surprise travel company she launched at just 23 years old after a chance conversation in a hostel in Latvia. What started as a lightbulb moment became a mission-driven business that has helped thousands of travelers discover overlooked destinations while supporting local communities and small businesses across the United States.

Lillian shares the realities of building a company without outside funding, navigating rapid growth and post-pandemic challenges, learning to separate her identity from her business, and why entrepreneurship is often less about having all the answers and more about being willing to start before you feel ready.

About Our Guest

• Lillian Rafson, Founder and CEO of Pack Up + Go
• Pack Up + Go Website
• Lillian's Coaching Website
• Connect with Lillian on LinkedIn
• Follow Pack Up + Go on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

Key Takeaways

• Your Next Big Idea Can Come From Anywhere
• Bootstrapping Creates Different Priorities
• Growth Isn't Always Linear
• Your Business Is Not Your Identity
• Don't Let Planning Become Procrastination

Join Leslie Youngblood as she interviews Stephanie Stewart, founder of The Aesthetic Method, about her entrepreneurial journey, leadership, community involvement, and building a successful women-led business in Detroit. Discover insights on growth, team culture, balancing motherhood, and the unique grit of Detroit entrepreneurs.

About Our Guest

• Stephanie Stewart, Founder and CEO of The Aesthetic Method
• Follow The Aesthetic Method on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• The Aesthetic Method website

Key Topics

• Entrepreneurial journey of Stephanie Stewart
• Building a strong team and culture
• Community involvement and local causes
• Redefining growth beyond numbers
• Balancing motherhood and business

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Detroit, Leadership, Growth, Team Culture, Aesthetic Industry, Community Impact, Business Strategy, Women Entrepreneurs

In this inspiring interview, Dr. Maheen Mausoof Adamson shares her journey from neuroscientist to med tech innovator, tackling the glass ceiling in science and tech. She discusses her groundbreaking AI-guided gaze tracking app, the challenges faced as a woman in Silicon Valley, and the importance of communication and resilience.

About Our Guest

• Dr. Maheen Mausoof Adamson, CEO & Founder/Clinical Professor
• SOOF Solutions website
• Connect with Maheen on LinkedIn
• Invest in SOOF!

Key Topics

• Breaking the glass ceiling in science and tech
• The development of SOOF's AI-guided gaze tracking app
• Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley
• The importance of communication and resilience in innovation
• The role of mentorship and community support

Keywords
Women in Tech, Neuroscience, Med Tech, Silicon Valley, Glass Ceiling, AI, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership, Innovation

In this inspiring interview, Andrea Trapani, managing partner at Identity, shares her journey from early career challenges to leading a successful PR agency in Detroit. Discover her insights on leadership, building a strong company culture, embracing change, and balancing motherhood with ambition.

About Our Guest

• Andrea Trapani, Managing Partner at Idendity
• Email Andrea: [email protected]
• Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn
• Identity Website

Key Topics

• Leadership and company culture
• Remote work and organizational growth
• Mentorship and opportunity
• Balancing motherhood and professional ambition

Keywords
Leadership, Entrepreneurship, PR, Detroit, Company Culture, Remote Work, Women in Business, Mentorship, Growth, Success Stories

Summary

Join Leslie Youngblood and Christina Sjahli as they explore how women entrepreneurs can build wealth ethically, create purpose-driven businesses, and rethink traditional business models to foster impact and sustainability.

About Our Guest

• Christina Sjahli, CEO and Founder or Profit Reimagined
• Profit Reimagined Website
• Connect with Christina on LinkedIn
• Get Christina's GOODWILL Assessment

Keywords

Women entrepreneurs, wealth building, B Corp, purpose-driven business, ethical business, sustainability, social impact, corporate finance, business exit strategies

Key Topics

• The story behind understanding numbers as tools for freedom and decision-making
• The importance of digging deeper into financial data to understand business impact
• The shift from traditional corporate finance to purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• The role of B Corp standards in creating ethical and sustainable businesses
• Strategies for women founders to build wealth while maintaining social impact
• The importance of building a business that can operate independently of the founder for future exit planning
• The concept of building a business for purpose and positioning to choose
• The significance of trust, empathy, and treating people well in business
• How to avoid greenwashing and build authentic impact-driven brands
• The importance of aligning business operations with core values and purpose

Host Leslie Youngblood shares her inspiring journey from advertising to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, community, and continuous learning for women in business. This episode explores overcoming imposter syndrome, building opportunities, and empowering women to succeed.

Key Takeaways

• Self-belief is crucial for success and can be sparked by small moments.
• Community and mentorship are vital for empowering women.
• Failure is a stepping stone; internalizing it hinders growth.
• Women should advocate for themselves and their worth.
• Sharing honest stories helps break down barriers and inspire others.

women in business, entrepreneurship, self-belief, imposter syndrome, community, leadership, podcast, female founders, motivation, career growth

In this inspiring interview, DJ Nicole Myint shares her journey from passion for music to becoming a successful DJ and producer. She discusses overcoming industry challenges, the importance of authenticity, and her roots in Detroit's rich musical legacy.

About Our Guest

• Nicole Myint, Detroit-based DJ and Producer
• Follow DJ Myint on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• DJ Myint's website
• Listen to Nicole on your favorite music platforms! Search MYINT. 

Key Topics

• DJ Myint's career journey and industry challenges
• The influence of Detroit's musical legacy
• The importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself
• Social media's role in building a music career
• Advice for women entering male-dominated fields

DJ Myint, music industry, women in music, Detroit music scene, DJ career, music production, social media marketing, female entrepreneurs, leadership, creative careers

Leslie Youngblood interviews Heidi Yarger, Founder and Creative Director of Spitfiregirl about the importance of visibility, authentic self-promotion, and building a personal brand for women entrepreneurs. They discuss overcoming the fear of bragging, leveraging AI, and making bold moves to elevate women's voices and opportunities.

About Our Guest

• Heidi Yarger, Founder and Creative Director of Spitfiregirl Design
• Spitfiregirl Design website
• Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn
• Follow on Instagram

Key Takeaways

• The common fear women have about talking about themselves
• The difference between bragging and strategic authority
• How visibility is leverage in business and life
• The role of vulnerability in personal branding
• AI's impact on women's careers and personal branding
• Building a consistent narrative across online and offline presence
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and fear of judgment
• Practical steps to start showing up more authentically

women entrepreneurs, personal branding, visibility, authenticity, AI, self-promotion, women in business, leadership, storytelling, confidence

This episode features Christina Ware, a Detroit-based workforce innovation expert, discussing her journey, the importance of community engagement, and the exciting resurgence of Detroit. Learn how to leverage local opportunities, support underrepresented entrepreneurs, and build a thriving city from within.

About Our Guest

• Christina Ware
• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
• Email Chris at [email protected]

Key Takeaways

• Detroit's economic resurgence and community impact
• The role of women leaders in city development
• Strategies for workforce development and talent pipeline
• Community engagement and support for entrepreneurs

Detroit, workforce development, community engagement, entrepreneurship, women leaders, city revival, talent pipeline, local business, economic growth, leadership