The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations

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On this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Yasmine Robles welcomes Babiya Polk for a conversation about what it takes to grow as a woman business owner, lead with purpose, and build stronger professional communities. Babiya shares lessons from her own evolution from independent sales representative to business owner, along with her perspective on collaboration, technology, workforce challenges, leadership, and the importance of creating access and opportunities for others.

Key Points

Babiya’s message is a reminder that sustainable business growth doesn’t happen in isolation. By staying connected, embracing new resources, asking for help, creating opportunities for others, and remembering why you started, you can build a stronger business while helping others succeed alongside you.

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Connect with Yasmine

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On this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Rhonda Peterson welcomes Krista Guagenti, founder of Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique, to share the remarkable story behind her business and mission-driven approach to wellness. Krista opens up about the 30-year journey from dreaming about a healing retreat for families impacted by cancer to building one of the few luxury spas in the country with a fully oncology-certified staff.

Drawing from her background in healthcare, chemistry, medical device sales, and entrepreneurship, Krista shares the persistence, resilience, and intentional leadership required to turn setbacks into stepping stones. The conversation explores wellness, compassionate leadership, business scalability, and creating a brand rooted in healing and purpose.

KEY POINTS

Krista’s dream of creating a wellness retreat for families facing cancer began when she was a teenager and was inspired by deep empathy and compassion for patients and caregivers.

After being denied funding multiple times, Krista strategically built business experience through franchise ownership before launching Panacea.

Panacea’s oncology-certified staff is trained to safely care for guests with cancer diagnoses and other complex health conditions through customized treatments and compassionate service.

Krista emphasized the importance of building strong leadership teams, systems, and operational processes in order to scale a high-touch luxury wellness business.

The conversation also explored Krista’s personal approach to wellness, including sleep, clean living, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, golf, and creating intentional moments of restoration.

Krista’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful reminder that vision, persistence, and purpose can coexist in business. Her story demonstrates how meaningful impact often comes from staying committed to a mission long before the world can see the final result.

Connect with Krista

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Connect with Rhonda

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Bethany George, VP of Roundtables for NAWBO Columbus and founder of The Sales Mystique, sits down with Amy Lahmers, founder and president of Flourishes Consulting, to explore leadership, team alignment, and the realities of building a business. Amy shares her journey from higher education and nonprofit leadership into entrepreneurship, along with the mindset shifts required to grow a people-centered organization.

The conversation highlights the importance of aligned teams, the value of community for entrepreneurs, and how intentional leadership practices can create sustainable growth and stronger cultures.

Careers aren’t linear, they’re journeys shaped by passion, purpose, and evolving opportunities

Starting a business can feel like jumping off a cliff, but leaning into possibility creates growth

Aligned teams are built by getting everyone moving toward shared goals with clarity and trust

HR audits can serve as a powerful tool for understanding and improving people practices

Entrepreneurs often wait too long to bring in support and try to do too much themselves

Strong culture comes from shared wins, recognition, and involving teams in the mission

Community is essential for business owners to avoid isolation and gain mutual support

Leadership growth accelerates when women collaborate and learn from each other

This episode reinforces that leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about people, clarity, and connection. When leaders invest in alignment and community, growth becomes a natural outcome rather than a constant struggle.

Connect with Bethany

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Connect with Amy

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In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Maritza “Shay” Nelson sits down with Sheila A. Mixon, President and CEO of The SASH Effect, to explore her decades-long journey in business development, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Sheila shares how her early experiences shaped her leadership philosophy and why empowering women entrepreneurs remains her life’s work.

Together, they discuss the importance of advocacy, financial literacy, and community, along with practical insights on navigating growth, leveraging networks, and adapting to rapid changes like AI.

Key Points

Sheila’s journey to launching The SASH Effect was rooted in a lifetime of advocacy and recognizing her impact on others

Early mentorship and advocacy played a critical role in shaping her leadership mindset and career trajectory

Women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges with access to capital and understanding their financial numbers

Being “in the right room” and actively participating in networks like NAWBO is essential for growth and opportunity

Community and collaboration are critical, especially among women business owners who are more likely to support and partner with one another

Many entrepreneurs hold themselves back by overthinking, avoiding asking for help, or trying to do everything alone

Certification programs like WBENC are valuable not just for contracts, but for access to powerful networks and partnerships

Understanding your purpose and aligning it with your business is key to sustainable success

Technology and AI are here to stay, and business owners must stay informed and adaptable

Self-care, delegation, and building the right team are essential to avoid burnout and enable growth

This conversation reinforces that success in business is not just about strategy, but about community, self-awareness, and execution. Sheila’s perspective is a powerful reminder that when women entrepreneurs know their value, build strong networks, and take care of themselves, they are positioned to thrive and create lasting impact.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus

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On this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Dr. Courtney sits down with Monica L. Womack, MPA, founder and CEO of MLW Solutions LLC. Their conversation explores Monica’s journey from public service to entrepreneurship, her work strengthening systems that support women-owned businesses, and how intentional infrastructure, partnerships, and access to capital help entrepreneurs grow sustainably. 

The discussion highlights the importance of community ecosystems, leadership clarity, and building businesses that create long-term economic impact.

Key Points

Monica launched MLW Solutions after years of leading initiatives in Ohio’s Minority Business Development Division, where she focused on building systems that expand access to resources, capital, and contracting opportunities for under-resourced entrepreneurs.

Strong infrastructure and systems are essential for sustainable business growth. Monica emphasizes that communities cannot be effectively supported by under-resourced providers and that both human and financial capital must be aligned to create meaningful outcomes.

Women entrepreneurs often feel pressure to do everything themselves. Monica encourages founders to build systems, delegate effectively, and bring others into their vision in order to scale and grow further.

Partnerships and networks such as NAWBO Columbus play a critical role in connecting entrepreneurs to capital, mentorship, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Looking ahead, Monica sees major opportunities for women entrepreneurs to leverage AI, collaboration, and ecosystem partnerships to expand their businesses and drive broader economic impact.

Monica’s journey illustrates how intentional leadership, strong systems, and collaborative ecosystems can unlock opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Her work through MLW Solutions and NAWBO demonstrates the power of building infrastructure that helps businesses move from vision to sustainable growth.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus

Connect with Monica

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On this episode of The Business of Belonging, Yasmine Robles welcomes Kerri Mollard, founder and CEO of Mollard Consulting, for a conversation about nonprofit leadership, board governance, and the role women entrepreneurs play in strengthening communities. Drawing from more than two decades of consulting experience, Kerri shares how strong boards, intentional leadership, and aligned service create healthier organizations and more resilient communities.

Together, they explore the realities of nonprofit board service, common misconceptions women face when stepping into leadership roles, and how entrepreneurs can choose opportunities that align with both purpose and capacity. The discussion highlights governance as the foundation of sustainable nonprofits and emphasizes courage, clarity, and community engagement as essential leadership traits.

Nonprofit boards succeed when mission clarity and trust between leadership and boards are strong

Women often underestimate the value of their skills and hesitate to pursue board service

Governance challenges frequently sit at the root of fundraising and organizational struggles

Choosing the right board requires alignment across passion, time, resources, skills, and growth goals

Community leadership, including local public service, strengthens both organizations and society

Taking measured risks is essential for leadership growth and personal fulfillment

Leadership begins with service and intention. By aligning purpose with action and stepping into opportunities with confidence, women leaders can shape stronger nonprofits, healthier communities, and more meaningful professional journeys.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus 

Connect with Yasmine

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Connect with Kerri

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Host Maritza “Shay” Nelson welcomes Karen Sullivan, Founder of Sullivan Solutions, to “put marketing on trial” and unpack Karen’s Marketing from the C-Suite™ framework, an approach that treats marketing as a leadership function, not a department. Together, they explore why founders get stuck chasing “what everyone else is doing,” how clarity and culture drive revenue, and why community (especially NAWBO Columbus) is a strategic advantage, not just a nice-to-have.

Key points

Marketing isn’t a task to delegate; it’s how the business makes decisions. It shows up in priorities, people, processes, customer experience, and ultimately revenue.

One-size-fits-all marketing fails. Karen emphasizes custom-fit strategy based on the owner’s real goals (scale/exit vs. “a job I love”).

The biggest barrier to sales is lack of clarity. If the business can’t clearly articulate what it sells and why it matters, customers assume the wrong thing.

Emotion sells. Karen’s “lipstick” example illustrates that buyers aren’t purchasing features, they’re buying the feeling and outcome.

Social media is validation. Be present, then be intentional. Being absent hurts trust; being active without strategy wastes effort.

AI/ChatGPT is a powerful tool, not a fix. Karen compares it to a “jackhammer”: effective with the right input, risky without training and brand clarity.

Operational improvements can be marketing. Examples like fixing phone/POS systems reduce stress, improve service, and build team pride, impacting the customer experience.

The “hats” metaphor: entrepreneurs shift between firefighter, police, sales, and wizard (creative) roles; each requires different behaviors and tools.

NAWBO Columbus as a belonging engine. Karen shares how the chapter’s culture creates support, accountability, and connections you’re “two phone calls away” from. 

Marketing from the C-Suite™ reframes marketing as the glue that aligns vision, culture, operations, and sales, so businesses stop spinning their wheels and start getting measurable results. The takeaway: get clear, measure what matters, and be intentional about whose advice you’re following.

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Together, Bethany and Tonya unpack fear, confidence, and identity in entrepreneurship, Tonya’s unconventional leadership journey within NAWBO, and how women can take small, courageous actions to move forward even when doubt is present.

Key points discussed

Redefining success beyond revenue numbers and titles

Why communication, connection, and “soft skills” are actually the hardest—and most valuable—skills

The role of fear, boldness, and curiosity in leadership growth

How community and belonging empower women entrepreneurs at every level

Tonya’s journey from solopreneur to NAWBO president and what saying “yes” unlocked for her

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t come from fitting a mold—it comes from authenticity, courage, and choosing growth even when it feels uncomfortable. Belonging, connection, and unapologetic boldness are catalysts for both personal and professional transformation.

Connect with Tonya

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Connect with Bethany

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In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Shara Hutchinson sits down with entrepreneur, author, and thought leader Catherine Lang-Cline to explore the realities of navigating “the game of business” as a woman. Catherine shares her path from marketing and creative work to co-founding Portfolio Creative, building a multimillion-dollar brand, earning numerous awards, and ultimately launching her own consultancy and book.

Throughout the conversation, she delivers actionable insights on self-advocacy, confidence, credibility, and how women can position themselves strategically—without compromising authenticity.

Key Points Discussed

Catherine shares how Portfolio Creative began as a simple idea between two freelancers—and grew through timing, collaboration, and operating within their expertise.

The early years required grit and consistency; establishing credibility within the first five years helped them gain trust, awards, and market recognition.

Catherine emphasizes that women must champion themselves: apply for awards, speak to their accomplishments, and proactively build networks instead of waiting to be noticed.

She explains how “the game of business” often follows rules created in male-dominated environments—and how women can navigate meetings, communication dynamics, and visibility with confidence.

Authentic leadership, whole-brained thinking, and creative outlets help women remain energized, grounded, and effective in business.

Catherine encourages women to start businesses boldly, tap into community, and embrace advocates, mentors, and role models.

Her book, The Rules of the Game for Women in Business, shares scripts, strategies, and mindset shifts to accelerate women’s growth and influence.

This episode delivers both inspiration and practical tools for women ready to lead with confidence and strategy. Catherine’s experiences demonstrate that success comes from self-advocacy, visibility, authenticity, and community—and that women have every opportunity to thrive when they understand and embrace the rules of the game.

Connect with Catherine

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Connect with Shara 

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In this episode of Business of Belonging, Christine Kotic sits down with Jill Frey, second-generation CEO of Cummins Facility Services and founder of multiple ventures driving innovation in facility management. Jill shares her journey of unexpectedly taking over the family business, scaling it nationally, and pioneering smart building technologies.

Key Points:

Jill’s story of being handed the family business at age 22 and learning through resilience.

How she grew Cummins Facility Services from a small-town operation into a national, 100% women-owned company.

The role of technology and innovation—sensors, robotics, AI—in shaping the future of facility management.

The importance of community and advocacy through NAWBO Columbus, and how collaboration with women leaders has fueled her growth.

Personal insights on balance, stress management, and staying adaptable as a leader.

Jill’s story is a powerful reminder that adaptability, vision, and courage to embrace innovation can transform industries. From cleaning floors with her father to leading cutting-edge tech adoption, Jill demonstrates how women leaders can reshape business while supporting employees and community.

Connect with Jill

Cummins Facility Services

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Connect with Christine

CK ADHD Coaching and Consulting 

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