Startups in Stilettos

“If you don't open up and share your story, you're never going to find the people who are meant to find you and that you're meant to find.”

In this special live episode of Startups in Stilettos, host Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with three accomplished Entreprenista members—Emily, founder of Electric Collab; LinkedIn strategist Natasha Walstra; and trademark attorney Lauren—to explore how collaboration, authenticity, and community have transformed their businesses.

From landing first clients and creating powerful referral partnerships to protecting your brand and overcoming imposter syndrome, this conversation is packed with actionable networking advice for founders at every stage. The panel shares practical tips on following up after events, finding complementary business partners, building trust before making a sale, and why collaboration will always outperform competition.

What We Talked About:

Why Community Matters [1:06]

Natasha: LinkedIn Strategy [6:02]

Lauren: Protecting Your Brand [10:55]

Making Meaningful Event Connections [16:59]

Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone [21:13]

Closing: Be Open and Vulnerable [24:21]

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Emily: ⁠⁠

@heyemilypaulsen on Instagram ⁠⁠

Emily Paulsen on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Connect with Natasha: ⁠⁠

@nearpoint.strategies on Instagram ⁠⁠

Natasha Walstra on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Connect with Lauren: ⁠⁠

@storylocklegal on Instagram ⁠⁠

Lauren Bercuson on ⁠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

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.

Resources:

Meta Ads Readiness Checklist

“So I just decided to participate way more in Entreprenista and that changed my damn life last year and like 70% of my leads last year were from women that I met that wanted to talk about ads.”

In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Meta ads strategist and revenue growth expert Jess Gleim to unpack what it really takes to scale a business through paid advertising—without wasting time or money.

Jess shares her inspiring journey of rebuilding her business after becoming a mom of two, navigating postpartum challenges, and redefining success on her own terms. From doubling her revenue through the power of community to finding 70% of her leads through Entreprenista, she reveals how authentic relationships, strategic networking, and resilience transformed both her business and her life.

What We Talked About:

Jess’ Origin Story and Rebuilding [1:37]

How Community Changed Jess’ Business [7:02]

What Meta Ads Actually Work For [18:03]

What to do Before Scaling with Ads [24:23]

The Real Cost and Risk of Ad Spend [31:57]

Connect with Jess:

@jessgleim on Instagram

Jess Gleim on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

Resources: 

Bobo Wears a Bowtie

“So all of these pieces started to come together to become this personal brand. The voice of the families. That's who I am.”

What does it take to pivot careers, build a million-dollar business, and impact the lives of more than 150,000 families? In this inspiring episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Luba Patlakh, founder of Kidology, speech-language pathologist, entrepreneur, author, and podcast host.

Luba shares her unconventional journey from working in broadcast journalism at Good Morning America to launching Kidology, a pediatric therapy practice that has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for two consecutive years. She opens up about navigating burnout, learning the business side of healthcare, finding mentors later in her entrepreneurial journey, and why asking for help sooner can change everything.

What We Talked About:

From Journalism to Speech Pathology [1:43]

Learning the Financial Side of Business [10:25]

The Parent Pathway and Brand Mission [16:11]

Self-Care, Mindset, and Wellness [24:50]

Where to Find Luba Online [31:12]

Connect with Luba:

@lubapatlakh on Instagram

Luba Patlakh on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

“Understanding your audience and creating something specifically for them is the best approach you could take with any of this.”

What does it really take to launch a podcast that drives business growth? This week on Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with Hayleigh Hayhurst, founder of Espresso Podcast Production, to uncover the strategy behind successful podcasts and why there’s still plenty of room for new voices in the industry. 

Hayleigh shares her entrepreneurial journey from studying journalism and launching a podcast for fun to building a thriving podcast production agency that helps business owners grow their brands through intentional content. She breaks down common podcasting myths, explains how entrepreneurs can turn their podcasts into powerful marketing tools, and reveals why having a clear strategy matters more than chasing download numbers. 

What We Talked About:

Is It Too Late to Start a Podcast [6:39]

From Podcast Production to AI Education [21:57]

How AI is Changing Podcasting [26:31]

Growing From Zero to Ten Episodes [30:55]

Where to Find Hayleigh Online [34:53]

Connect with Hayleigh:

@espressopodcastproduction on Instagram

Hayleigh Hayhurst on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

“An inspirational vision is not a pipedream. Give it a chance to mature and reveal its true potential”

In this inspiring episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Dr. Dominique Carson—licensed massage practitioner, journalist, author, and founder of the mobile massage business Mani Benedette. Dr. Dominique shares her remarkable journey from a young writer inspired by family and storytelling to a wellness entrepreneur helping clients heal through bodywork and specialized lymphatic drainage therapy.

From earning historic recognition as the first African American recipient of Brooklyn College’s Wall of Fame Award to building a thriving business rooted in purpose, Dr. Dominique opens up about the power of listening to intuition, honoring the wisdom of mentors, and embracing unexpected opportunities. She also discusses investing in continued education, balancing multiple passions, and why entrepreneurs should never box themselves into a single identity.

What We Talked About:

The Journey to Massage Therapy [1:34]

The Birth of Mani Benedette [7:26]

Certification and Continuous Learning [12:33]

Balancing Business and Education [15:49]

Making History and Reflecting on Achievements [19:13]

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [24:26]

Connect with Dr. Dominique:

@domcarson90 on Instagram

Dr. Dominique Carson on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

Resources mentioned:

Entreprenistas get 35% off Dubsado with code ENTREPRENISTA35 at dubsado.com/entreprenista.

“Once you launch into entrepreneurship and start providing a service, you need to figure out how you are bringing your money in and how you are presenting yourself with your clients from proposals to everything else.”

In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with systems strategist and Dubsado expert Devin Lee to uncover how founders can create businesses that run more efficiently, deliver a better client experience, and free up time for the work they love most. 

Devin shares her unconventional journey from art school and professional organizing to becoming a sought-after systems consultant for creative agencies and service-based businesses. Along the way, she discovered a powerful truth: before you automate anything, you need to understand how your business actually works. 

What We Talked About:

Devin Lee's Unique Career Path [1:14]

Choosing the Right Tools for Business [6:23]

The Role of AI and Automation [9:11]

Building Robust SOPs and Team Culture [15:07]

Personal Touch in Automation [21:44

Personal Insights and Offers [28:55]

Connect with Devin:

Devin Lee on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

“We've got to find a way to keep the good people contributing their talents in the workforce.”

In this thought-provoking episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Annie Graziani, founder of Sovera Strategy Company, doctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, executive coach, and author of the upcoming book Leave Life and Live. Annie shares insights from two decades of leading organizational transformations and her groundbreaking research on work-life integration, personal sovereignty, and the future of leadership. 

Together, they explore why traditional definitions of success may be failing us, how the pandemic accelerated a shift toward freedom and flexibility, and why today’s workforce is prioritizing time abundance over climbing the corporate ladder. Annie also discusses the impact of AI on the workplace, the importance of autonomy and trust in leadership, and how entrepreneurs can design their businesses around what truly matters in each season of life.

What We Talked About:

Annie’s Journey and Insights [2:35]

The Shift in Work Dynamics Post-Pandemic [5:40]

Flexibility and Autonomy in Work [10:51]

Redefining Success and Personal Choices [15:55]

AI’s Impact on Work and Human Capacity [25:30]

Connect with Annie:

@anniegraziani on Instagram

Annie Graziani ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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.

“You can’t outperform your relationship with money.”

In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlin Bushman and Ingrid Zapata Reed sit down with Ruchi Pinniger, founder and CEO of Watch Her Prosper, to explore the powerful connection between money mindset and business success. After spending nearly two decades as a Wall Street executive, Ruchi left corporate finance to help women founders build healthier relationships with money through financial guidance, bookkeeping support, and mindset coaching. Together, they discuss why so many women avoid their numbers, how childhood experiences shape financial behaviors, and why true prosperity goes far beyond revenue and profit.

From overcoming shame around money to implementing practical habits that create financial confidence, Ruchi shares actionable strategies founders can use to build both wealth and wellbeing. She also introduces her RIR Method (Recognize, Interrupt, Reframe), a simple but powerful framework for transforming limiting beliefs into empowering ones.

‍‍

What We Talked About:

Leaving Wall Street to Follow a Greater Purpose [3:00]

Why Women Carry Shame Around Money and How It Impacts Business [7:30]

Redefining Prosperity Beyond Revenue and Profit [11:00]

The Power of the RIR (Recognize, Interrupt, Reframe) Method [15:00]

Practical Steps to Build a Healthier Relationship with Money [24:00]

‍

Connect with Ruchi:

@ruchipinniger on Instagram

Ruchi Pinniger on LinkedIn

Watch Her Prosper

‍

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‍

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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 all this knowledge and way of putting design into work because I had learned from my partners to say, yes, it's a creative entity, but you have to have a process to it…”

In this episode of Startups and Stilettos, host Carlyn Bushman sits down with product development expert Suzy Haber Wakefield, founder of Suzy Wakefield Designs, to unpack what it really takes to build a successful product-based brand in today’s crowded market. 

From lingerie and swimwear to activewear and intimates, Susie shares insider insights from her years leading design at major brands like Victoria’s Secret and explains why great brands are built “product first.” The conversation dives into market research, product pillars, founder involvement, fit testing, innovation in sustainable fabrics, and the costly mistakes founders can avoid before launching.

What We Talked About:

Understanding Your Target Consumer [1:01]

Identifying Market Gaps and Unique Ideas [6:40]

The Importance of Product Pillars [10:02]

The Role of Founders in Product Development [18:52]

The Importance of Feedback and Iteration [26:12]

Actionable Steps for Founders [32:34]

Connect with Suzy:

@suzywakefielddesigns on Instagram

Suzy Haber Wakefield on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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

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When you are in alignment with what you're being called to do, which is quite different than just like Googling your way to purpose, you know, like I don't believe that can happen. You have to go within. Then the community is actually pulling you.”

In this inspiring live episode of Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with Sheri Crawley, founder and CEO of Pretty Brown Girl, to talk about purpose-driven entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a movement that changes lives. From leaving corporate America and navigating personal loss to creating a nationally recognized brand empowering over 100,000 girls and women of color, Sherri shares the deeply personal journey behind her mission.

She opens up about the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Pretty Brown Girl, the importance of listening to your calling instead of overthinking the “how,” and how aligning passion with impact can create both meaningful change and sustainable revenue. Sherri also shares lessons on scaling a mission-driven business, balancing nonprofit and for-profit ventures, trusting your intuition, and why women entrepreneurs need to stop waiting for ‘perfect’ and start moving with purpose.

What We Talked About:

Finding Purpose & Community [1:24]

The Birth of Pretty Brown Girl [10:08]

Just Do the Thing [14:09]

Navigating Entrepreneurship and Non Profit Dynamics [20:11]

Understanding Structure [24:33]

Connect with Sheri:

@shericrawley on Instagram

Sheri Crawley on LinkedIn

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠@itsingridsworld⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠ ⁠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.