Check out resources and events here

In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Dr. Courtney, Vice President of Corporate Partners at NAWBO Columbus and CEO of The Higher Standard Consulting, welcomes Purba Majumder, founder and CEO of Cybervation, Trailblazer Staffing, Bistro UX, and the nonprofit Cool Tech Girls. Together, they explore Purba’s entrepreneurial journey, her passion for innovation, and how she’s empowering women and youth in technology.

Key Highlights:

Entrepreneurial Evolution: From software development to IT and healthcare staffing, Purba’s pivot-driven approach shows how innovation and diversification sustain long-term growth.

Community and NAWBO Impact: Purba credits NAWBO Columbus for helping her transition from corporate to entrepreneurial leadership and for providing authentic peer support.

Industry Insights: AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics are shaping tech staffing, while healthcare staffing remains vital amid ongoing shortages.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Start small, stay curious, and focus on solving real problems, not just creating products.

Core Values for Success: Resilience, purposeful innovation, continuous learning, and empowering others through mentorship and community impact.

Looking Ahead: Cybervation continues expanding its healthcare staffing division, while Cool Tech Girls is growing its STEM programs through partnerships and grants.

In Short:Purba Majumder exemplifies innovation with purpose—blending technology, leadership, and community to build businesses that solve real problems and create lasting impact.

Connect with Purba Majumder

Website

LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Courtney 

Website 

LinkedIn

Host Shara Hutchinson sits down with Casey Brown, TEDx speaker, pricing expert, and author of Fearless Pricing, to unpack how women business owners can stop undercharging and start commanding prices that match their value. They dig into the mindset shifts behind confident pricing, practical frameworks for communicating value, and when (and how) to say yes to discounts without eroding your brand.

Key points

Pricing power is yours: Most entrepreneurs overestimate “the market” and underestimate their own ability to set and secure higher prices based on value delivered.

From fear to confidence: Move from “pricing not to lose” to pricing to win, anchored in your outcomes and differentiation.

Define + Tell = Earn: Clearly define your specific value, then tell it in ways customers feel; price becomes “a bargain” when wrapped in the right context.

Value > cost or time: Don’t tether price to hours or inputs. tie it to results, risk removed, speed, and impact.

Perfection trap (especially for women): Over-indexing on “it must be perfect” suppresses asks; model confidence to raise the bar for others.

Discounts with discipline: If you do pro bono/low-bono, set tight criteria and limits (quantity, audience, purpose) and require some skin in the game” (e.g., a short application).

Test your ceiling: Treat the market like a petri dish, raise, observe, iterate. Five straight yeses? Prices may still be low.

Your most profitable hour: Steal one hour weekly to review where you’re underpriced and plan a concrete increase and comms.

AI as a sales ally: Use AI to role-play tough negotiations, pressure-test objections, and sharpen value messaging.

Ripple effect: When women charge what they’re worth, they hire more, pay better, and invest in communities. Real dollars, real impact.

This conversation reframes pricing as a confident, value-driven choice—not a reactive guess. Start small if you must, but start now: define your value, tell it boldly, and raise your prices with intention.

Connect with Casey 

Website

LinkedIn 

Connect with Shara 

Website 

LinkedIn

Check out resources and events here

In this episode of Business of Belonging, host Tiffany Meyer sits down with Sharon DeLay, founder of GoHR, to talk about the evolving role of HR in small businesses and how NAWBO Columbus has shaped her entrepreneurial journey. 

Sharon shares how she discovered a gap in HR support for small and micro businesses, why investing in managers is essential, and how flexible and creative benefits can transform recruiting and retention.

They discussed: 

Sharon’s path from corporate communications to building GoHR, sparked by NABO connections and a need for small business HR support.

The importance of developing managers and supervisors instead of relying on HR to manage employees.

Why small businesses should build relationships with HR before a crisis—and how GoHR often provides “crisis HR” support.

Recruiting challenges in 2025: the need to articulate an employee value proposition and adopt technology to ease workforce gaps.

Examples of creative, non-traditional employee benefits that boost retention, like flexible schedules, paid volunteer time, Amazon Prime memberships, and telehealth options.

How assessments like DISC can be useful tools for team communication—when applied correctly.

Sharon’s long-term involvement with NABO Columbus, where relationships and visibility directly impacted her business growth.

Insights on balancing introversion with entrepreneurship and the importance of setting boundaries around networking.

Sharon shares how small businesses can thrive by investing in their managers, adopting creative HR practices, and building strong relationships, both inside their teams and through communities like NAWBO Columbus.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus 

Connect with Sharon 

GoHR

 Sharon DeLay LinkedIn

Connect with Tiffany

Heights Insurance Company 

Tiffany Meyer LinkedIn

Check out resources and events here

In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Shay Nelson sits down with Andrea Harless, Senior Director of Government Affairs at G2G Consulting, to talk about the power of advocacy and how policy directly impacts women-owned businesses. Andrea shares her journey into public service, her role in advancing microbusiness legislation, and why women entrepreneurs must get involved in shaping public policy.

Here’s what they discussed: 

Andrea’s personal story of how her grandfather inspired her passion for politics and advocacy.

The role of G2G Consulting in connecting businesses and nonprofits to government resources and opportunities.

Recent advocacy wins, including Ohio’s new definition of “microbusiness” (20 or fewer employees).

Misconceptions about politics and how bipartisan collaboration often goes unseen.

Why women business owners are the “experts in the room” when talking to legislators.

Practical ways for entrepreneurs to get engaged in advocacy, from joining associations to sharing personal stories.

The importance of persistence, even when the political process feels discouraging.

Shay and Andrea highlight how advocacy creates real change for women entrepreneurs and microbusinesses. Andrea encourages business owners to embrace their role as experts, get involved in public policy, and use their voices to influence meaningful progress.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus 

Andrea Harless LinkedIn

G2G Consulting

Check out resources and events here

Bethany George sits down with Betty Collins, CPA and community leader, to discuss the power of leading where you live. Betty shares her journey from joining NAWBO Columbus and the Gahanna Chamber of Commerce to serving as NAWBO president during the challenging 2019–2020 term. Her practical advice on how to choose the right organizations to get involved in, when to step into leadership roles, and when to pass the baton to the next generation is helpful for the new and seasoned business owner. 

Key Points

Start with alignment: Choose one or two organizations that match your values, goals, and energy, and commit deeply instead of spreading yourself too thin.

Leadership mindset: Leadership isn’t always about being the president—it can mean being a strong committee member or behind-the-scenes driver of success.

Know when to step down: Recognize signs of burnout, stagnation, or lack of growth, and create space for new leaders to bring fresh energy.

Seasons of life: Career and leadership involvement will ebb and flow depending on personal and professional seasons—don’t quit too soon during challenging phases.

Community investment: Treat your community like something you own—invest your time, talents, and presence for the greater good.

Networking with purpose: Go beyond selling—build authentic relationships, focus on giving, and the opportunities will follow.

Women in leadership: More women are needed in politics, on boards, and in professional service leadership roles, bringing essential perspectives to decision-making tables.

Betty’s leadership journey is a testament to the long-term impact of showing up, investing in your community, and aligning with organizations that fit your values. Her perspective blends practical networking advice with an inspiring call for more women to step into leadership roles, adapt to life’s seasons, and know when to lead, when to follow, and when to hand over the reins.

Resources: 

NAWBO Columbus

Brady Ware CPA and Advisory Firm

Betty Collins LinkedIn

The Follow Up Boss 

Bethany George LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus

In this energizing episode of The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations, host Yasmine Robles welcomes powerhouse speaker, author, and founder of LBB Edutainment, Lachandra "La" Baker, for a dynamic discussion on leadership, culture, and the power of being your own biggest cheerleader. La shares her journey from corporate burnout to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of radical resilience, people-centered business practices, and building authentic relationships.

LBB Edutainment

Lachandra Baker LinkedIn

Your Own Biggest Cheerleader

Rebel Marketing

Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus

Abundance Leadership Consulting

Jennifer Sconyers on LinkedIn

Rebel Marketing

Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus

In this episode of The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations, host Yasmine Robles sits down with Rhonda Peterson, incoming president of NAWBO Columbus and an accomplished executive coach, speaker, and facilitator. Rhonda shares her leadership journey, her vision for the chapter, and the importance of intentional engagement, partnerships, and storytelling in strengthening the community of women business owners.

RKP Ventures

Rhonda Peterson LinkedIn

Rebel Marketing 

Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

Welcome to the NAWBO Columbus Podcast where women business owners rise together.

This podcast is your front-row seat to the stories, successes, and strategies of the powerhouse women behind the Columbus chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Each episode features dynamic conversations with NAWBO members, entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers who are growing businesses, building community, and driving advocacy for women in business.

Whether you’re a current member, a curious listener, or a woman ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and connection here. Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, real talk about running a business, and the powerful network that helps make it all possible.

Together, we’re not just building businesses, we’re shaping the future for women entrepreneurs.