The Hard Launch

In this episode, Natasha sits down with Kathryn Stice, founder of Intrusted Company, to talk about the power of human connection, belonging and creating meaningful experiences.

Kathryn shares her journey from floral design to building networking experiences for wedding professionals, including the difficult decision to close a business she had spent a decade building in order to pursue a new path. She opens up about what she learned from building her first networking company, the intention behind Intrusted Company, and why simply putting people in a room together isn't enough to create real community.

They also discuss the value of in-person connection in an increasingly digital world, building a diverse team, knowing when to make a career pivot, and how Kathryn is navigating the balance between technology and maintaining the human heart of the business.

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In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Becca Wenning, founder of Dressit, to talk about betting on yourself, navigating change and building a business through some incredibly challenging seasons. Becca shares the story of leaving her first career behind, building a bridal business, nearly quitting multiple times, and eventually taking the leap into technology and AI. She also talks about the "pivot people" who can completely change the trajectory of your journey, the importance of having a supportive partner, and why sometimes the hardest moments are the ones that come just before something great.

This episode is great for founders, entrepreneurs and anyone navigating a period of change, uncertainty or reinvention — especially if you're wondering whether to keep going or take a different path.

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This week, Natasha sits down with Maggie Lord, founder and CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic from 2008 - 2020, and co-founder of The Whisper Group, to explore what it really takes to build a business with long-term value. From growing one of the internet's biggest wedding media brands and selling it to David's Bridal, to helping women founders prepare their businesses for successful exits, Maggie shares honest insights on hiring, scaling, founder dependency and why every entrepreneur should build with the future in mind.

They also dive into the realities of building a business while raising young children, the pressure many women founders face to do it all, and why creating systems, trusting others and thinking beyond yourself can unlock the next stage of growth. Whether you're just starting out or dreaming of one day selling your business, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring perspective.

Learn more about The Whisper Group www.wearethewhispergroup.com

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In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Shafonne Myers, founder of Pretty Pear Bride, to explore how she built a media brand dedicated to serving an audience that had long been overlooked. What began as a mission to better support plus-size brides has grown into a trusted platform, with Shafonne sharing the lessons she's learned about entrepreneurship, representation, and building a business with purpose.

Together, they discuss growing a niche brand, the evolution of wedding media, how AI is helping founders work smarter, and why creating content that genuinely serves your audience is the key to building lasting trust and impact.

Work with Shafonne www.shafonnemyers.com

Follow Shafonne on Instagram @shafonnemyers

Find out more about Pretty Pear Bride

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This week Natasha sits down with Amanda Luu, founder of Studio Mondine, to explore the art of designing with intention. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese practice of Ikebana, Amanda shares how slowing down, embracing simplicity, and finding meaning in every detail has shaped both her creative philosophy and her approach to floral design.

Together, they discuss the power of storytelling through flowers, building a creative business rooted in authenticity, and why the most memorable designs aren't always the biggest or most elaborate—they're the ones that make people feel something. This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, purpose, and the beauty of designing with intention.

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In this episode, Natasha sits down with Virginia Frischkorn, founder of Partytrick, to explore the power of human connection and why building a business that brings people together has become her mission. Inspired by growing up in an entrepreneurial family and the lasting impact of her father, Virginia shares how purpose, community, and legacy have shaped both her life and the company she's building.

Together, they discuss creating a mission-driven business, building systems that scale, embracing AI and innovation without losing the human touch, and why the most meaningful companies are the ones that solve real problems while helping people feel like they belong.

Find out more about Partytrick here

Meet Virginia here

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In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Rumaiza, co-founder of Wedy, to explore what it really means to start again. After making the difficult decision to close one business, Rumaiza took a leap of faith and went all in on a new venture—betting on herself, her vision, and a problem she believed was worth solving.

Together, they discuss the realities of early-stage entrepreneurship, why founders should focus on getting their first customer instead of chasing perfection, how AI is shaping the future of the wedding industry, and why sometimes the biggest risk leads to the greatest opportunity.

Follow Rumaiza and Wedy on Instagram @rumaizaali_ and @wedy.ai

Learn more about Wendy here

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This week, Natasha sits down with Julie Novack, founder and CEO of PartySlate, to explore the journey from dreaming up a bold idea to building one of the world's leading event discovery platforms. Julie shares what gave her the confidence to leave a successful corporate career, why founders shouldn't be afraid to dream out loud, and how that leap of faith led to creating a category-defining business.

Together, they discuss how AI is transforming the future of event planning, what it takes to build and scale a trusted marketplace, raising capital, and why execution will always matter more than ideas. Julie also shares practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating rapid technological change, the importance of listening to customers, and how AI can become a powerful tool for creativity rather than simply another search engine.

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Find venues, vendors, and ideas for all event types with PartySlate

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In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Michelle Elaine, luxury wedding planner and founder of Michelle Elaine Events, to explore a career built on resilience, reinvention, and taking chances. From training under industry icons David Tutera and Robert Verdi to navigating the pandemic, joining the startup world, and returning to weddings with a fresh perspective, Michelle shares the lessons that shaped her journey.

Together, they discuss the power of shooting your shot, building genuine relationships, breaking into competitive industries, and why the best opportunities often come from staying curious, adaptable, and willing to reinvent yourself. Whether you're a founder, creative, or entrepreneur navigating your next chapter, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring career lessons.

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In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Hannah Roze to explore the realities of building a startup through life's biggest transitions. After leaving a high-growth unicorn startup, Hannah set out to solve a problem she experienced firsthand while planning her own wedding—transforming a personal frustration into a business opportunity.

Together, they discuss the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, building with conviction when the path isn't clear, navigating motherhood alongside startup life, and why resilience matters more than having all the answers. This is an honest conversation about starting from scratch, trusting the process, and finding the courage to keep going when things get hard.

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