The Empower Her Podcast

I’m thrilled to welcome Sheri Zevenbergen to the podcast today!    Sheri coaches people in her DASH Mindset to help them define and pursue their own version of success. I just love her zeal for life and passion for adventure.   In her 20+ year corporate career she had all of the outside signs of success: A “good” job, happy family (that includes her husband and three sons), a nice home, even the minivan! But she still felt unfulfilled, and guilty that she couldn’t help question: Is this all there is?   (Spoiler alert: NO!) Key takeaways

• Sheri says the dash is all there is between life and death, and she is passionate about helping people make the most of that time. 
• As a college intern Sheri asked her brother if this is all there is: Go to college, take out a ton of loans, work a ton of hours to pay the loans, etc, and he said YUP! Despite being a hard worker and enjoying her job for the most part, she always felt there was something more.
• A near panic attack on a return trip from Europe led Sheri to seek out a life coach. She loved her experience and the change she could see in herself. After she was “luckily laid off due to restructuring, she started her own business “about one minute before the pandemic started.”
• She credits the Empower Her Community for as a great investment in building her business to where it is today!
• Her travel life is soooo interesting! 
• Sheri reminds us that success is a pursuit and is different for everyone.

  Connect with Sheri Zevenbergen Find Sheri online at the DASH Mindset and on LinkedIn Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Listeners, this week we have a treat of an episode for you! My guest is a wife, mother, speaker, author, consultant, entrepreneur, and nonprofit director, who loves small towns and helping them grow. She is truly a woman leaning into her dreams and living up to her potential!   My conversation with Rebecca Undem of Oakes, North Dakota, is full of gold nuggets for listeners of all kinds: women, mothers, entrepreneurs, employers, team leaders, corporate employees, and more. She is full of ideas, and I love the energy she brings to her work as she helps businesses and communities work together better and care for their people.   You will LOVE today’s episode friend, and trust me when I say you are guaranteed to smile and learn in today’s episode of the Empower Her podcast with Rebecca Undem.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Melissa King to the podcast!    Melissa is a member of our Empower Her community and has worked for Dupaco Community Credit Union for twenty-two years. Melissa joined Dupaco right after high school after knowing she did not want to go to college and instead entered the working world right away. Over the years, Melissa took opportunities to advance through the company to find personal and professional fulfillment and help more people.   Melissa is full of the best financial knowledge, whether it’s personal or business. Her goal is to bring confidence to individuals in their finances, and she loves to work closely with her clients to see them grow and reach their financial goals. Enjoy Melissa’s insight and humor in this week’s episode of the Empower Her Podcast. Key Takeaways  

• Melissa credits her first boss at financials for teaching her so much. She shares that she learned quickly, “Small businesses need to be educated and you need to partner with them, not tell them yes or no.” Melissa touches on working with customers and giving them an opportunity without judging a book by a cover. She emphasizes that everyone matters and has their own story, and sometimes people just need tools and support to help them get to the next step with their finances.
• After nine years, Melissa switched departments to work a stent with the Community Outreach and Education team. This team traveled across the state of Iowa and went into workplaces and community gather spaces. They worked with individuals giving presentations about credit and hearing stories of individuals’ downfalls and successes to give them the tools to improve their financial status.
• “You can’t do it all,” Melissa explains she can’t do her job all by herself, she relies on other teams to come in and help and educate her in areas she isn’t an expert in. Melissa says it’s no different with entrepreneurs who need to outsource or bring in support in areas of their business.
• “No business is the same,” Melissa likes to look at the big picture and sit down and address any concerns. It’s really important to have your personal finances in order before you begin pursuing a business loan.
• You have four key partners in business: your financial office, your attorney, your accountant, and your insurance agent. Melissa says to never go a year without talking to these four entities. 
• Melissa wants to be invested in her clients and walk alongside them in their pursuits. When she meets with customers she enjoys getting to know them and be their biggest cheerleader.

Connect with Melissa King Contact Melissa at [email protected] and follow Dupaco at https://www.facebook.com/dupaco. Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Andrea Mausser to the podcast!   Andrea is from New Vienna, Iowa where she raises her family of four alongside her husband Joe of 18 years. Andrea recently left the corporate world and focuses now on being her own boss with her business, Choose Your Journey!    Andrea is full of life, harmony, and advocating for women, I can’t wait for you to take a listen and hear for yourself, enjoy listeners! Key Takeaways  

• Choose Your Journey began in March of 2020. In 2019, Andrea started taking coaching class because she felt stuck. She had been checking boxes for everyone else but felt a void inside herself. She took action with her feelings and got certified as a life and health coach.
• When the pandemic began, Andrea felt a feeling of abundance come over her opposed to what many others were feeling at this time. 
• Since March of 2020, Choose Your Journey has grown in many ways. Andrea started by connecting with working moms. To have balance means things are in proportion and some days they are not. “Balance is an urban legend, but harmony is what can happen.” Andrea touches on living a life of harmony with her job and family. 
• Andrea has had some big wins in the past year. She held a social event in 2021 called, “Momma Needs a Night Out.” Over 230 women attended the event and it really stretched Andrea out of her comfort zone. There are plans to have the event again in 2022!
• Collaborating with other small businesses and being a part of Empower Her has allowed Andrea to grow and understand the “infant stage” of her business.
• Andrea’s goal is to make personal coaching part of their self-care routine. It’s about leveling up and focusing on brain health which is vital to how we feel. 
• “Trust your gut, don’t listen to that voice inside your head.” Andrea’s biggest advice when thinking of yourself!

Connect with Andrea Mausser & Choose Your Journey Follow Andrea on Facebook, Instagram, and visit her Website to see a glimpse of her portfolio of work and updates on new projects and services as she grows!   Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Today I’m so excited to welcome Jill Paisley to the podcast!    Jill is the business owner behind Luckythirteen Design, a design studio committed to growing small business and community through thoughtfully-crafted design.    Jill shares her unique story behind her business name, logo, and how her business serves not only her clients but herself and her family. Enjoy today’s listen, friends! Key Takeaways  

• Nearly all of Jill’s clients are local, and she loves that! She enjoys being able to support local and also have the chance to meet business owners face-to-face. 
• Jill grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, on her parent’s dairy farm, and it wasn’t until late high school where she discovered graphic design was even a “thing.” When she realized it was a career option, she knew it was meant for her. Jill went to the University of Northern Iowa and majored in Studio Art with a Graphic Design emphasis. 
• Jill’s first job out of college was working for a small design shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She shares that it was a great first job where her clients were primarily small business owners. 
• Jill also had her own creative outlet at the time. She designed for friends which led her starting her own Etsy shop. With hardly any thought at all, she shares, she named her shop Luckythirteen Design. 
• After moving to Des Moines, Jill joined an ad agency where she worked with more corporate clients and experienced a faster-paced work environment. 
• Five years later, Jill, her husband, and three month old baby moved back to her hometown of Dubuque, and she took a job at a local university. 
• The job at the university was not fulfilling for Jill. She knew something needed to change, but she didn’t want to be a quitter. She stayed a full year as she explored other options. At this point, Luckythirteen Design had been all but forgotten as she transitioned jobs and started her family. 
• During this time of uncertainty, Jill remembered her work with Luckythirteen Design, she saw the need for a graphic design business in Dubuque, talked with her business friends, and things started to fall into place for Luckythirteen - including a new reason behind the name. 
• Luckythirteen is now seven years old and at a great place, Jill says. This business built on her terms allows Jill to best serve herself, her clients, and her family. 
• “Your story is important, part of you, and builds who you are,” Jill reflects on her business logo. 
• Jill knows starting a new business is daunting, but her advice for anyone considering a foray into entrepreneurship: “Try new things, you’ll always be learning. Trust your gut and be still and know” 

Connect with Jill Paisley & Luckythirteen Design Follow Jill on Facebook, Instagram, and visit her Website to see a glimpse of her portfolio of work and updates on new projects and services as she grows!   Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Candice Luter to the podcast. Candice is founder and and owner of Candice Luter Art & Interior. Ever since I’ve been following Candice on social, I’ve been totally inspired by not only her work, but also her story.   Candice has been featured by West Elm, Midwest Living, and Better Homes and Gardens, to name a few. Take a listen as Candice gets vulnerable with her experience in entrepreneurship! Key Takeaways  

• Candice calls her business a “happy accident.” She took the path to corporate america and after being unhappy for many years she jumped in with both feet into the world of farmers markets. 
• After getting more experience with farmers markets, Candice began to market her products on Etsy, and this is where she began to connect with retailers like West Elm. 
• Candice resisted going full time with her business for so long, she was burning the candle on both ends and was exhausted. 
• It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that Candice lost her job with corporate america and became unemployed. Candice used the down time to go “all in” with her side business. 
• In the first year of the pandemic, Candice tripled her sales on Etsy. 
• “Stop trying to put yourself in a box that God didn’t design you to be in.” Candice speaks about wanting to be a person of organization and managment but just not having that in her and hiring a team to make her business run smoother. 
• “We start a business doing the things we love, but with business comes the financial side, delegating and managing people, and our business can suffer when we’re not willing to let some of that go.” Focus on where you’re gifted and where your stregths lie. 
• “Just start,” Candice says. Learn as you go and figure it out with trial and error. 
• “Just because you’re associated with a name doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to grow bigger.” Candice hits on the importance of knowing what’s best for your business and you don’t need to agree to every collaboration offered. 

Connect with Candice Luter Follow and shop Candice Luter Art & Interior through Instagram, LinkedIn, Etsy and her Website.    Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Hi listener, I wanted to take a few minutes in the final episode of 2021 to reflect and review what we have accomplished this past year both at Empower Her and in the King household.    Thanks for being here and happy holidays to you and yours! May your holiday season be blessed with family, friends, and lots of laughs.   Key Takeaways  

• One of the biggest gifts this year has been welcoming our son Jackson into the world. He has been such a gift that my husband and I are incredibly thankful for. 
• The arrival of Jackson has allowed me to slow down, enjoy time with him, and be grateful for my entrepreneural career. 
• “What can we do with the time that we have? How can we get more comfortable with saying no.”  Are questions I have been repeatedly asking myself throughout this transition into motherhood/entrepreneurship.
• Listen to your gut when you’re setting boundaries and considering new things: Ask yourself, do I feel good about this or do I see this as a red flag? Whatever the answer is, be okay with that. 
• Celebrate! Empower Her Co. launched its second collective this past year, and there are twenty-two members a part of it. I’m so thankful for the community we’ve created in Dubuque county and in the Corridor. These women are inspiring and true cheerleaders for one another as we pursue our goals.
• In March, Empower Her Co. hosted it’s first summit, and it was truly AMAZING! We were able to gather so many phenomenal women in one space and learn best practices for growing our businesses.
• We’re fourteen episodes into this podcast, and I’m so proud this podcast was able to get off the ground 2021! I had been contemplating a podcast for years, and I’m thankful for the women who have graciously been guests as well as our listeners who’ve welcomed us into their ears and homes.
• Lastly, I’m proud of the parternship we have made with The Innovation Lab with locations surrounding Eastern, Iowa in rural communitites. This organization not only has beautiful co-working spaces for businesses to utilize, but coaching and innovation services to guide entrepreneurs through challenges and pursue greatness.
• “The woman are what makes this so special”
• Follow along to hear about our BIG goals for 2022! 

  Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

In this episode we welcome Mariah Palmer to the podcast!    Mariah owns a custom apparel and design business that believes everyone has the power to design the life they want to live through their clothing, health, home and everything in between. She believes magical things happen when women work together, and works with these women to design life on their terms!   In the episode we share startup stories, personal struggles, and best practices for taking care of yourself while growing a business. I am so inspired by Mariah’s story and her gorgeous designs, and I knew she was the perfect guest for this week’s podcast! Key Takeaways  

• Mariah was able to get her name out by working with a local small shop that agreed to sell her products.  Collaborating with other small businesses helped her network and grow, which is a lesson we can all learn in our businesses.
• When life brought a move, Mariah got a website started to really market her business in a broader way.
• After having a fifth back surgery, Mariah shares that she found herself in a dark place. She worked through her mental health struggles by going to counseling, and through working with a therapist, she was able to discover Mariah again along with MPrint. 
• “Know when to say no,” Mariah advises. She is a huge advocate of boundaries in her life and you may even see that messaging cropping up in some of her MPrint designs. Mariah also advocates for connecting with other small business owners along the journey of entrepreneurship. 
• To make self care a priority (boundaries, remember?) Mariah has incorporated many practices and habits into her life including going for walks, regular counseling sessions, and using sage in her home to clean up the energy. 
• “I’ve found my tribe with these other entrepreneurs,” Mariah credits working with other women for helping MPrint grow into the brand and business it is today.
• “I just want to keep inspiring women to be authentically themselves.”

Connect with MPrint Follow and shop MPrint through Instagram, Facebook, and Mariah’s Website. Then be sure to tag @empowerher.co and let us know which design you’re rocking from Mariah’s collection!   Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Susan Stutzel to the podcast.    Susan is a CPA (certified public accountant), and opened her own practice nine years ago. She works specifically with nonprofit organizations, and in the last few years she has expanded her practice to mindset and leadership coaching.    Susan is so inspirational to me and the other women in our Empower Her collective, and I cannot wait for you to listen as we speak about gratitude this very special Thanksgiving week.    Key Takeaways  

• “I’ve found I can really have a life I absolutely love,” Susan shares that she loves helping others find that same joy in life by looking inside and being intentional. 
• “Everything starts with your mindset.” Following a path of gratitude helps Susan start each day, and she credits this daily practice for her business growth as she looks at the relationships she has developed.
• Susan believes that the biggest benefit from practicing gratitude is overall happiness. It comes down to choice and what our thoughts are going to be.
• “We truly do have control over our thoughts,” Susan reveals in the interview. She share that we each have the choice to let negative thoughts drive us throughout the day or not. 
• “Building habits all starts with taking a step,” she shares. Susan breaks habit building down into a three-step process: first decide what you want, second decide why you want it, and then decide on the first step to take. 
• “Every habit is built through repetition.” Susan says that like anything, gratitude is a practice that we have to choose daily until it becomes routine.
• Focus on the goodness. 

Connect with Susan Follow Susan’s work and learn from her by visiting her Website and LinkedIn.   Follow for More Follow Empower Her Co on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for more information if you’re a woman looking to grow your business in a nurturing community.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Susan Stutzel to the podcast. 

Susan is a CPA (certified public accountant), and opened her own practice nine years ago. She works specifically with nonprofit organizations, and in the last few years she has expanded her practice to mindset and leadership coaching. 

Susan is so inspirational to me and the other women in our Empower Her collective, and I cannot wait for you to listen as we speak about gratitude this very special Thanksgiving week.