Startups in Stilettos

“One big thing that sets us apart from other people in [the fertility] space is that we are a team of medical professionals and it's all within our scope of practice to guide you through these things.”

After a decade at one of New York City’s top fertility clinics, Leyla Bilali was approached by one of her previous patients with a business plan for a company designed to cater holistically to those going through the IVF process. Today, Leyla is the co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Dandi Fertility, a company revolutionizing fertility care through personalized support and education. With a background as a pediatric nurse and extensive experience in fertility treatment, Leyla offers empathetic, hands-on guidance to her patients. As a fertility patient herself, she also brings a unique insight and warmth to her practice. With Dandi, Leyla's mission is to manage expectations and provide comprehensive care, ensuring the best outcomes and happy patients. Tune in and hear our conversation with Leyla about being a 24/7 patient concierge, the challenges the company experienced during the fundraising process, and how her personal experience as a fertility patient continues to influence her work at Dandi.

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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 at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!   

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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

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“Commit yourself to the discipline and the habit of tracking what is going on. If you're doing that, you are already 10,000 steps ahead of any other business owner who does nothing. If you take this all or nothing approach of, ‘I can't afford a CPA, can't afford a bookkeeper, I can't afford to outsource this yet.’ Guess whose job it is? It's yours to figure out how to do a version of it that you can actually incorporate into your habits.”

After a career spent working in Big Four accounting and corporate America, Shannon Weinstein was tired of her deliverables ending up in someone's dumpster. She realized that what she really wanted to do was serve small business owners to make a real impact in people's lives. Today, Shannon is the president and fractional CFO of Keep What You Earn, a company for growth-minded business owners looking to scale or sell their business. Shannon also hosts the Keep What You Earn podcast, where she transforms financial information into a source of inspiration and a whole lot of fun. With 13 years of experience in Big Four and corporate finance, she excels in making financial topics approachable and relatable. Her mission is to empower small business owners by simplifying financial concepts and proving that understanding your numbers can be both fun and transformative. Shannon is also a financial literacy advocate, junior achievement donor, and volunteer, and a sought-after speaker for entrepreneur communities. Tune in and hear our conversation with Shannon about making the leap from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, CPAs vs CFOs, and what the ideal schedule looks like for a new entrepreneur

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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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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.

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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.

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“A lot of people have the misconception that PR is only intended for large brands, and that is so not true. PR is really a formula, right? It is building brand awareness, gaining visibility to earn credibility, which equals profitability.”

Amy Roberson was climbing the corporate ladder when she realized that being gone for 12 hours a day and having a nanny raise her young son just wasn’t the life she wanted for herself… And that’s when she quit her role in medical sales and started her entrepreneurial journey—and she hasn’t looked back since. Today, Amy is the founder of Chatterbox, a public relations and marketing agency. As a seasoned PR professional and juvenile brand expert, Amy shines in building brands and promoting products for families from pregnancy through childhood. With over 25 years of strategic communications experience, she has a profound understanding of how to engage busy parents effectively. Her agency has successfully placed clients in top media outlets, enhancing their visibility and credibility. Amy's passion for her work and her clients is evident in every campaign and strategy she develops. Tune in and hear our conversation with Amy about making the decision to jump into entrepreneurship as a mom, the importance of a good PR strategy, and the power of embracing yourself as an expert in your field. 

What we talk about:  

Connect with Amy:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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.

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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.

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“I became hyper detailed on the processes and how the business should run. Any good business, this should be the baseline. Nothing else, like this is it. How does your business run without you? My team understands that everyone's on board, so they just move through the system systematically. And so if they have any questions, they pop their head up, ‘Hey, I wasn't able to find this,’ someone can redirect them.”

When Leslie Roberson decided to found a new business, she never set out to change the landscape of Black beauty supply stores. However, after mulling the idea over, she realized she might just be the perfect person to help fill that gap. Today, Leslie is the CEO and founder of B.B.C.—formerly the Black Beauty Collective—a premier beauty retail store and online marketplace for inclusive clean beauty. Leslie has leveraged her corporate recruiting experience at organizations like Meta and Wayfair and has championed over 50 diverse beauty brands that cater to the unique needs of women. Her efforts have led to B.B.C.’s expansion and highlighted her commitment to diversity and community support. Leslie's work transcends retail, fostering a movement towards greater inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. Tune in and hear our conversation with Leslie about creating a business based on the lack of representation she saw in the beauty industry, finding employees that align with the company culture, and the criteria she uses when selecting brands for her marketplace.

What we talk about:  

Connect with Leslie:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|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.

“Everybody has an unfair advantage. Use it. It could be an expertise that you have, that could be contacts you have in an industry that's adjacent to the industry of your startup or can help your startup—use that.

When Marina Khidekel started her search for a solution to her nighttime anxiety, she turned to weighted blankets to aid her bedtime routine. After trying multiple options on the market, she failed to find one that fit her needs. That’s when she took matters into her own hands, creating a line of weighted products to help people just like her. Today, Marina is the founder and CEO of Hugimals World, an award-winning line of weighted stuffed animals that have redefined comfort and self-care for adults and kids alike. 

Marina’s journey from health and wellness journalist to entrepreneur began with her search for a non-restrictive solution to nighttime anxiety. With her experience as Deputy Editor at Women's Health and Chief Content Officer at Thrive Global, Marina has infused her expertise into every aspect of Hugimals World, ensuring that her products not only provide comfort but also integrate seamlessly into living spaces, reflecting her commitment to promoting well-being through innovative design. 

Tune in and hear our conversation with Marina about the original inspiration behind Hugimals, her experience with her newfound entrepreneurship, and Hugimals’ recent partnership with Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation. 

What we talk about:  

Connect with Marina:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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.

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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. 

"I really care about people and I really care to see people thrive in communities where they feel welcomed."

Amanda Smith is the Founder & CEO of Dallas Girl Gang, a 50,000 plus global community of engaged women connecting in career, business, and life. Amanda, a former elementary music teacher, has grown Dallas Girl Gang from a simple Facebook group into a thriving platform offering events, mentorship, and support for women worldwide. Her initiative, "You Can Sit With Us ," embodies her commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, fostering collaborations with brands like Athleta and Bumble. Amanda's journey from seeking connection to creating a vast network for women showcases her expertise in community building and authentic marketing.

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“I didn't realize that it was my gift. I know it was something that I enjoyed and it's something that I loved, but I didn't learn that it was my gift until I got into my 30s.”

As a young girl, Joanne Thomas used her Easy-Bake Oven to make the best light-bulb-baked brownies that anyone had ever tasted—but it took her decades to realize that the culinary arts were her true calling. Today, Joanne is a former Marine and an international travel chef and caterer who transformed her passion for hospitality into a thriving culinary business. As the founder of Serenity Catering, Joanne has catered everything from intimate dinners to grand weddings and offers a range of services, including virtual cooking classes and private chef dinners worldwide. Her journey from line cook to corporate chef consultant and now entrepreneur reflects her dedication to culinary excellence, believing in the power of hospitality to open doors and warm hearts. Joanne's mission is to create unforgettable experiences through food, making her purpose not just a job, but a calling. Tune in and hear our conversation with Joanne about the importance of honing hospitality skills, watching and cultivating your children’s gifts, and what it really takes to be an entrepreneur.

What we talk about:  

Connect with Joanne:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|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've tried so many things, I've been in the feast and famine cycle. First you struggle to get clients or customers and then you struggle with your marketing to keep up with that. It's never ending. There's always something to do and it's important to take a pause and step back and look at how far you've come. So, I'm always grateful for how far I've come rather than being so fixated on ‘Why can't I get there.’”

From a young age, Shlesha Pandey loved to write stories and publish them online. After growing a significant audience, she began to realize that she could monetize her skill without taking the traditional route. Today, Shlesha is the CEO and chief strategist of EcomRevolutionX, a copywriting and email marketing agency dedicated to transforming e-commerce brands. She’s leveraged more than seven years of expertise to masterfully blend strategy with creativity, driving significant revenue growth for her clients. Her firm specializes in advanced data driven email campaigns that have consistently delivered over 500% growth for clients by enhancing engagement and conversion rates. Highly skilled in multiple platforms, Shlesha’s leadership is empowering ecommerce businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. Tune in and listen as Shlesha gives us a crash course on email marketing. You’ll also hear Shlesha’s advice about designing email marketing campaigns, tailoring your call-to-action to your audience, and building customer trust.

What we talk about:  

Connect with Shlesha:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|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.

“We learn the financial services, we learn what is in that system. We don't learn about our relationship with money. We don't learn about our relationship with success. We didn't learn anything that has to do with the emotional and mindset side of money. You might know the instruments, you may know the old literacy that you want. But if you're lacking this other part, it's never going to work.”

Alejandra Rojas is an Entreprenista League member and a finance professional who specialized in financial trauma. Alejandra’s interest in finance started at a young age when she would help her parents, who were both accountants, with their work. She then went on to earn a specialized diploma in Bookkeeping in high school before going on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in International Banking and Finance. Her business, The Money Mindset Hub, was created to guide women entrepreneurs towards financial freedom. 

Listen in to our interview with Alejandra to hear how she defines financial trauma, the creation of the M.E.S.S. method, her strategy for guiding clients, and a whole lot more!

What we talk about:  

Connect with Alejandra:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|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.

“Everything started because somebody started it. Somebody felt that need, ‘Okay, this is not there. Let me take care of this and let me contribute the way I can.’ Of course we can't conquer the world—we're not capable. But we can all do our part and contribute in some ways and we have to start because I believe doing is powerful… because not doing is not.”

Growing up in India, Pallavi Pande spent her childhood eating her meals off of banana leaves—a memory she cherished so much that she wanted to share it with her children… and the rest of the world. Today, Pallavi is a BIPOC mompreneur and founder of Dtocs, a company that crafts sustainable single use tableware from fallen palm leaves. Recognizing the environmental impact of traditional disposable tableware, Pallavi drew from her Indian heritage and established Dtocs in 2019 to offer a greener alternative for both households and events. Beyond her innovative products, Pallavi is deeply committed to social causes, leveraging Dtocs to support community upliftment, women's empowerment, and education for underserved children. Dtocs stands in a testament to Pilates dedication, not only to offering a sustainable dining alternative, but also to making a meaningful impact on society, one palm leaf plate at a time. Tune in and hear our conversation with Pallavi about building a seven figure brand, using Amazon to scale her business, and how she makes sure to prioritize flexibility and independence. 

What we talk about:  

Connect with Pallavi:

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 at entreprenista.com/join. 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|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|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.