“You could have the best product, book, service, whatever it is, but if you don't talk about it or anything, how will people know to buy it?”

Are you tired of obsessing over LinkedIn impressions and likes? In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Ingrid Zapata Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with Natasha Walstra, founder of NearPoint Strategies and a social selling coach, to discuss why real business growth happens off the platform.

Natasha shares how she transformed LinkedIn from a corporate networking tool into a powerful lead generation engine without resorting to spammy tactics. She breaks down the marketing psychology behind high-converting personal brands and explains why engagement metrics don’t always equal revenue. You’ll learn how to craft a content strategy that attracts ideal clients, nurture genuine relationships, and ultimately convert followers into paying customers, without sounding salesy.

What We Talked About:

How Natasha Found Her Passion [2:55]

How Natasha Finds Her Self-Confidence [10:45]

Why is Personal Branding So Important? [18:51]

Approach LinkedIn Like You Approach Real Life [28:25]

Connect with Natasha:

Natasha Walstra on LinkedIn

nearpointstrategies.com

@nearpoint.strategies on Instagram

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank member, FDIC.

“We have to practice on just a simple daily basis, waking up in the morning, and just starting to tune in. What is the message that my body is giving me today? How do I feel?”

In this episode of Startups and Stilettos, Carlyn and Ingrid sit down with Emily Aarons, business strategist, energy healer, and creator of The Energetic Advantage. Emily shares her unique approach to blending energy work with practical business strategy, helping entrepreneurs align their energy to scale sustainably and soulfully. With 25 years of experience in energy healing, Emily dives into why healing isn’t a "one-and-done" process, it’s a continuous journey of growth.

Emily shares why business growth and spiritual growth go hand-in-hand: you can’t build a thriving brand without doing the deeper soul work. From throat chakra blocks (hello, visibility fears), to heart chakra boundaries (why do we struggle so much with saying no?), Emily unpacks common energetic hurdles for women founders and shares rituals to stay aligned amid the chaos. Plus, don’t miss Emily tapping into Carlyn’s and Ingrid’s energy, revealing intuitive insights about their next paths.

What we talked about:

How Emily Discovered Her Mission [3:40]

Most Common Energetic Blocks [12:00]

Emily’s Advice for Finding Clarity in Chaos [21:05]

Emily Taps into Carlyn and Ingrid’s Energy [34:30]

Connect with Emily:

Emily's Exclusive Entreprenista League Event

emilyaarons.com@emilyaarons on Instagram

Emily Aarons on LinkedIn

Aligned and Unstoppable Podcast

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank member, FDIC.

“I am passionate about helping women make money. I've always worked for great women leaders and female founded companies. So that was when I decided to make the pivot and really focus on women small business service-preneur companies.”

This Week on Startups in Stilettos, Carlyn and Ingrid meet with sales strategist Jac White, founder of Honeybees Group and host of the Girls Make Bank Podcast. Since 2020, 47% of new businesses have been launched by women, many fleeing corporate burnout, layoffs, or inflexible return-to-office mandates. But there’s one critical skill holding us back: charging what we’re worth.

With 20+ years of experience, from VC-backed startups to coaching female founders, Jac reveals the mindset shifts that helped her pivot successfully (and profitably) when corporate refugees began flooding the entrepreneurial space. Get ready for her best advice on pricing with confidence, protecting your time without guilt, and building sales systems that actually work, not just another Instagram course disguised as strategy.

What We Talked About:

How Jac Launched Honeybees Group [3:45]

How to Get Past Being Uncomfortable with Selling Yourself [10:00]

What Metrics Should You Track? [20:45]

How Jac Found Good Mentors [31:10]

Connect with Jac:

@iamjacwhite on Instagram

@honeybeesgroup on Instagram

LinkedIn

Honeybees Group

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank member, FDIC.

“I want each one to feel special while they are traveling with me. Others say to me, 'Oh, you're supposed to do a lot of group tours. That's going to bring you a lot of profits.' I'm saying leave this aside because it's not about profit. This is about people.”

When 2020 brought global travel to a halt, Siham Lahmine saw an unexpected opportunity: to bet on herself. Leaving behind a stable career in education (and a seven-year role at a tourism company), she launched Morocco Travel Organizer, curating immersive, luxury experiences that go beyond the guidebooks. But her journey wasn’t just about pivoting, it was about rewriting her own rules.

Siham’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of patience and intuition. While many rushed to pivot in 2020, she took two years to refine her vision, proving that timing isn’t just about opportunity, but readiness.

What we talked about:

How Siham Discovered Her Passion [2:45]

Blending Local Food with Travel [7:50]

Building a Loyal Customer Base without a Large Marketing Budget [17:00]

How an International Business Can Connect with the US [27:45]

Connect with Siham:

Morocco Travel Organizer

LinkedIn

@sihamlahmine on Instagram

@moroccotravelorganizer on Instagram

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? Sign up here for a free info session.

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“Community forms when people see themselves in your story, your mission, or your message.”

In this episode of Startups and Stilettos, Ingrid shares the cornerstone of her business success, community. From building real relationships to creating a support system that persists through both wins and setbacks, Ingrid shares how authentic connection is the true magic behind growing a thriving business.

You'll learn why community isn’t about follower counts or endless online posting, but about genuine support, belonging, and showing up for others. Ingrid debunks common misconceptions, shares practical tips to start building your own community today, and emphasizes that every business, regardless of industry, can benefit from meaningful relationships.

What we talked about:

The Value of Real Connection [2:45]

Showing Up for Others [7:50]

Building a Unique Community [9:20]

How to Start [11:30]

Connect with Ingrid:

@itsingridsworld on Instagram

Linkedin

Grow With Community

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts|Spotify|iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

“I had to do a lot of mindset work around starting to trust myself, building my confidence, telling myself that I could do this and there was nothing more empowering for me than actually launching and continuing to grow.”

What We Talked About:

Planting the Seeds for Le Lolo [3:25]

How Courtney Fostered Visibility for Le Lolo [10:00]

The Moment Courtney Knew Le Lolo was Working [18:30]

Why Family is Number One [24:25]

Connect with Courtney:

@wearelelolo on Instagram

Le Lolo Postpartum on Facebook

@wearelelolo on TikTok

Le Lolo's Website

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts|Spotify|iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

“Understand your mission. What are you trying to solve? That is the biggest thing. It's not about your idea, it's really about the problem.”

Nomiki Petrolla is the founder of Theanna, a social network focused on action opportunity and collaboration for all women tech founders, from idea to scale. Tune in and hear what Nomiki has to say about having a high tolerance for risk, her six-step framework for clients, and maintaining work-life integration.

What we talk about:

Common challenges for women entrepreneurs (07:58)

Scaling a business with a family (13:50)

Advancing gender equality and diversity in entrepreneurship (17:10)

Connect with Nomiki:

@NomikiPetrolla on IG

Theanna

Nomiki's Linkedin

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

“If you're having a hard time as a business owner, as an entrepreneur, I invite you to maybe, in this moment, placing a hand palm down over your heart space, and maybe the other hand on top of it, maybe you might like to take a breath, and you might like to say to yourself: ‘This is a natural part of running a business, and there's nothing wrong with me. There's nothing wrong with me.’ And that's where I start.”

Today, Shula is the Entrepreneur's Therapist, working with business owners to mitigate the entrepreneurial mental health crisis and transform the entrepreneur ecosystem. Shula is a speaker, teacher, and consultant who works one on one with business owners to support their mental and emotional well being. Tune in to hear what Shula tells us about the most stressful part of entrepreneurship, the trouble with burning the candle at both ends, and the importance of practicing self-compassion for female entrepreneurs.

Internal and external systemic conflict and how to manage it (09:08)

Shifting mindset when things are beyond your control (17:51)

Why 'imposter Syndrome’ doesn’t exist (21:34)

The Entrepreneur's Therapist

@The_Entrepreneurs_Therapist on IG

Shulamit's Linkedin

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts|Spotify|iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

"If you have something to say and something to sell, you're ready for media.”

In this episode, we sit down with Entreprenista League member Beth Nydick, a media powerhouse with experience at NBC, MTV, and even creating a cocktail for Oprah Magazine. Beth is a sought-after speaker, author, and podcast monetization strategist who’s on a mission to help founders see their own boldness, step into visibility, and turn every mic moment into real business growth.

Beth shares her journey from behind-the-scenes media to empowering founders to get visible and get paid. She opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her say “yes” to big, sometimes scary goals, and why she believes every founder has the potential to become a digital personality. Plus, Beth reveals her signature “Mic to Millions” approach for turning podcast guest spots into consistent $10K+ paydays-no fancy PR required.

What we talked about:

The real secret to monetizing visibility and using media appearances strategically [06:36]

How to repurpose your media assets and build lasting relationships with podcast hosts [08:53]

The power of developing a digital personality (not just a brand) [12:55]

Beth’s “one DM, one comment, one reply” daily visibility routine [19:34]

Beth’s next big goal: launching her own late-night talk show for digital entrepreneurs [30:01]

Connect with Beth:

Linkedin

Instagram

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

“When you work for a large organization, everything is planned out, there's a million committees, a million meetings, things take years sometimes to happen. I knew one of the reasons that I really left was I felt like I had become who they wanted me to be and not who I truly am.”

Welcome back to Startups in Stilettos! In this episode, we dive into the powerful story of Kristen Chimack, a business coach, Hotel Whisperer, and author of "The Cost of Staying." Join us as she shares her journey of deliberate networking, discovering her unique skills, and of course, making the big leap.

Learn how she navigated the fears, built confidence through community, and created a new path filled with purpose. If you're contemplating a career pivot or struggling with the fear of change, this episode offers invaluable insights on listening to your intuition, planning your leap, and stepping into a life you truly love.

Kristen is also part of our Entreprenista Expert Council, where she offers expert advice to help women founders grow and scale their businesses. Kristen also shares how she helped Entreprenista secure the perfect location for Founders Weekend 2026!

What we talked about:

The Cost of Staying [3:00]

How Kristen Prepared to Leave Her Corporate Job [10:25]

Her Hotel Whisperer Expertise [20:25]

Advice for Planning an Event [25:00]

Closing Thoughts [32:00]

Connect with Kristen:

Linkedin

Website

Facebook

The Cost of Staying

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.