The Hats Podcast

What if the key to building a successful business isn't doing more of the same—but having the courage to grow in new directions?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Diversification Hat and welcome entrepreneur Danielle Spangler for a conversation about expanding your opportunities while staying true to who you are.

From building a boutique fitness studio to co-owning multiple restaurants, Danielle shares how taking calculated risks, embracing change, and leading with authenticity helped her successfully grow businesses across very different industries. Together, they explore what it means to diversify your skills, income, and passions without losing sight of the values that matter most.

Whether you're considering a new business venture, looking to create additional income streams, or simply wondering if it's time to step outside your comfort zone, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement for taking your next step with confidence.

• What personal diversification really means and why it matters for long-term growth.
• How taking calculated risks can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
• Why authenticity and community are powerful business strategies.
• The importance of building relationships before building your business.
• How transferable skills can help you succeed across different industries.
• Balancing multiple businesses, family life, and personal well-being.
• Why collaboration is often more valuable than competition.
• Practical advice for women looking to diversify their income or start a business.
• The role of goal setting, manifestation, and long-term vision in entrepreneurial success.
• How staying grounded in your values creates businesses that people genuinely want to support.

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

Connect with Danielle Spangler

Beach Life Fitness Boutique: @beachlifefitnessboutique

https://www.instagram.com/danispangler72/

What happens to everything you've built when it's time for someone else to take the lead?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie explore The Succession Hat and why succession planning is about far more than replacing a leader. It's about protecting your vision, preserving your values, and preparing the next generation for long-term success.

Drawing from Kerri's experience in a multi-generational family business, the conversation unpacks the emotional, practical, and strategic sides of succession. From knowing when to begin planning to choosing the right successor, they discuss why successful transitions don't happen overnight—they're built through intentional conversations, preparation, and trust.

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, leader, or simply thinking about the legacy you want to leave behind, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a transition that strengthens both people and organizations.

• What succession planning really means—and why it's more than just replacing a leader

• Why succession is an ongoing process, not a one-time event

• The difference between succession planning for employees versus business ownership

• How to identify and prepare future leaders without rushing the process

• Why choosing the right successor is about readiness, not obligation

• The emotional side of succession, including family dynamics, trust, and letting go

• The importance of preserving company culture while welcoming fresh perspectives

• Who should be involved in succession planning, from key decision-makers to legal and financial advisors

• Why future leaders should bring their own strengths instead of trying to become a copy of their predecessor

• How thoughtful succession planning creates lasting legacy for businesses and families alike

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

What makes a great leader? Is it the title, the authority, or something much deeper?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Leadership Hat to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, courage, and humanity. Whether you're managing a team, running a business, leading your family, or simply leading yourself, this conversation offers practical insights on developing the kind of leadership people genuinely want to follow.

Melissa and Kerri share their own leadership journeys, reflecting on the experiences that shaped them, from being first-time leaders to navigating difficult decisions, earning trust, and learning through failure. Together, they discuss why leadership isn't about telling people what to do, but about creating safety, building community, listening well, and leading by example.

They also unpack the qualities that define effective leaders - and, it's not the list you might be thinking. Along the way, they offer encouragement for anyone stepping into a new leadership role, reminding listeners that leadership is built through experience, not perfection.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, therapist, manager, parent, or aspiring leader, this episode will inspire you to embrace your own leadership style while staying grounded in your values.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between being a boss and being a leader.

• Why leadership starts with leading yourself.

• How integrity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence build trust.

• The importance of listening before leading.

• Why confidence doesn't require having all the answers.

• How to navigate difficult leadership decisions with courage.

• Practical advice for first-time leaders and emerging professionals.

• Why great leaders remain coachable and continue learning.

• How to lead with humanity while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

Confidence is often mistaken for being grounded in having it all together from the beginning of time and all of the time. In reality, confidence is developed, built, grown and nurtured through experience, healing, preparation, and doing the work.

In "The Confidence Hat", co-hosts and typically very confident women, Melissa and Kerri, share honest stories about moments when their confidence was shaken, from navigating motherhood and body image to changing careers, imposter syndrome, and stepping into unfamiliar roles.

Together, they unpack why confidence looks different across every area of life and how anyone can strengthen it over time. Whether you're building a business, pursuing a new opportunity, or learning to trust yourself again, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't a personality trait. It's a muscle that's strengthened every time you choose to keep going.

In This Episode:

• What confidence really means beyond appearance
• Why confidence evolves with age, healing, and experience
• The difference between personal and professional confidence
• How motherhood, relationships, and career changes can shake your confidence
• Recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome
• Why keeping "receipts" of your successes matters
• Using evidence instead of self-doubt to build confidence
• The importance of positive self-talk and affirmations
• How therapy and healing contribute to lasting confidence
• Why preparation builds confidence, even when things don't go as planned
• Confidence as a muscle that grows through consistent practice
• Learning to trust yourself through experience
• The role of vulnerability in becoming more confident
• Practical ways to strengthen confidence in everyday life

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

What if failure isn't something to fear but one of the greatest tools for growth?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome entrepreneur, author, and business leader Dee Robinson for a powerful conversation about wearing The Fail Fast Hat.

With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Dee shares why some of her greatest successes were built on the lessons she learned from failure. She opens up about leaving corporate America, launching multiple businesses, navigating financial setbacks, and discovering that holding on too long can sometimes cost more than letting go.

Together, Melissa, Kerri, and Dee explore the mindset shifts that help entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders move through fear instead of being controlled by it. From imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs to intuition, resilience, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, this episode is filled with practical wisdom for anyone pursuing a dream.

Whether you're starting a business, navigating a career change, or wondering if it's time to pivot, this conversation is a reminder that failure doesn't define you. It's often the very thing preparing you for what's next.

• What it really means to "fail fast"

• Why failure is a necessary part of success

• The opportunity cost of holding on too long

• Learning to separate failure from your identity

• Why fear keeps so many people stuck

• The power of reframing limiting beliefs

• How intuition can guide better business decisions

• Building resilience through setbacks

• Why successful people don't avoid failure, they learn from it

• The importance of defining your own success metrics

• Creating an exit strategy before you need one

• How to recognize when it's time to pivot

• The value of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and encourage you

• Why passion alone isn't enough to build a successful business

• Dee Robinson's advice for entrepreneurs, professionals, and aspiring leaders

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Website: www.GoodTroubleBourbon.com

Courage by Design: Ten Commandments +1 for Moving Past Fear to Joy, Fulfillment, and Purpose : Available on Amazon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

What if the life you're dreaming about is waiting on the other side of one courageous decision?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Risk Taking Hat and explore why every meaningful step forward in life, leadership, business, and relationships requires a willingness to take risks.

From launching The Hats Podcast during the uncertainty of the pandemic to leaving successful careers, starting businesses, and embracing major life transitions, Melissa and Kerri share the personal risks that have shaped who they are today. They reflect on the fears that almost held them back, the lessons they learned through failure, and why some of their biggest breakthroughs came from saying "yes" before they had everything figured out.

Together, they unpack the difference between calculated risks, reckless decisions, and leaps of faith, offering practical tools to help listeners navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. They also discuss imposter syndrome, overthinking, fear of failure, and why waiting for certainty can often keep us stuck exactly where we are.

Whether you're considering a career change, launching a business, making a major life decision, or simply wondering if now is the right time to take your next step, this episode is a reminder that growth rarely happens without risk.

• Why risk-taking is essential to becoming a boss

• The story behind launching The Hats Podcast

• Melissa's leap from corporate life to private practice

• Kerri's decision to leave law and join her family business

• Why fear doesn't always mean "don't do it"

• The difference between calculated risks, reckless risks, and leaps of faith

• How to evaluate whether a risk is worth taking

• Managing imposter syndrome and fear of failure

• Why women often overprepare before saying yes

• The role of faith when facing uncertainty

• Practical ways to stop overthinking big decisions

• Questions to ask before taking your next leap

• Learning from failure instead of fearing it

• Why resilience is built through taking risks

• How every boss move begins with one courageous decision

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

What do you do when you simply don't feel like showing up?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie tackle a reality that every ambitious woman, leader, parent, and professional eventually faces: the days when motivation is low, energy is depleted, and yet life still expects you to show up.

As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri explore the difference between pushing through and honoring your capacity. They share honest stories about workouts they didn't want to do, commitments they questioned, parenting responsibilities, professional obligations, and the ongoing tension between rest and responsibility.

Together, they unpack the narratives that make showing up harder, including comparison, fear of missing out, negative self-talk, and the pressure to keep up with everyone else. They also discuss practical ways to determine when it's time to push through and when it's time to cancel with understanding and extend grace to yourself.

From timers and to-do lists to music, rituals, faith, and filling your cup from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, this conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone trying to navigate the many demands of life without losing themselves in the process.

Because being a boss doesn't mean you're motivated all the time. Sometimes it simply means showing up anyway.

In This Episode:

• Why bosses don't always feel motivated
• What it means to wear The Show Up Anyway Hat
• The difference between commitment and motivation
• Melissa's ongoing conversations with herself about working out
• How introversion and social commitments can collide
• Navigating disappointment while honoring commitments
• Showing up for your children, family, and community
• How to distinguish between pushing through and honoring your boundaries
• Why milestone moments may deserve a different level of commitment
• The power of cancelling with understanding
• Common narratives that make showing up harder
• Fear of missing out, comparison, and negative self-talk
• Why availability and capacity are not the same thing
• How faith and service can provide a grounding purpose
• Rituals that help when you don't feel like doing the thing
• Using timers, music, and routines to build momentum
• Why filling your own cup matters before pouring into others
• Creating a personal litmus test for deciding when to push through and when to rest

Connect with The Hats Podcast

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Connect with Melissa Dumaz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

What does it really take to make a boss move?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie sit down with powerhouse leader Monique Earl to explore what it means to make bold decisions, lead with confidence, and create impact without losing yourself in the process.

With more than two decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors, Monique brings a wealth of wisdom on navigating high-level leadership, building meaningful relationships, overcoming fear, and trusting yourself when the next move feels uncertain.

Throughout the conversation, Monique shares lessons from her journey through government leadership, consulting, community service, and personal adversity. She opens up about the pivotal career decision that changed the trajectory of her life, the cancer diagnosis that forced her to reevaluate her priorities, and why betting on yourself is often the biggest boss move of all.

Melissa, Kerri, and Monique also challenge common ideas about leadership, success, and imposter syndrome. Together, they unpack the importance of authenticity, mentorship, capacity, relationship-building, and learning to trust the process even when the path forward isn't completely clear.

Whether you're considering a career change, stepping into a leadership role, navigating a personal transition, or simply wondering what your next move should be, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.

In This Episode:

• What "making boss moves" actually means in leadership and life
• Why taking risks is essential for personal and professional growth
• The influence Monique's parents had on her leadership philosophy
• How community impact shapes true leadership
• Why fear doesn't disappear and how to move forward anyway
• Navigating rooms where you may be the only woman or person of colour
• The importance of knowing and owning your superpowers
• Building relationships outside your comfort zone
• Why mentorship remains one of the most valuable career tools
• Understanding the difference between availability and capacity
• Monique's career-changing decision to leave a role she loved
• Lessons learned from navigating a cancer diagnosis and recovery
• Why betting on yourself is one of the biggest boss moves you can make
• Rethinking imposter syndrome and trusting your abilities
• How mistakes become some of our greatest teachers
• Why not every opportunity, promotion, or paycheck is the right one
• The power of showing up as your authentic self
• Why making boss moves is more like playing chess than checkers

About Monique Earl:

Monique is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, specializing in financial management, policy development, and infrastructure innovation. She currently serves as a Senior Manager at Accenture LLP, where she leads transportation and infrastructure initiatives across Southern California, helping public sector clients drive modernization, efficiency, and equity in mobility solutions.

Previously, Monique held key leadership roles in the City of Los Angeles, including Deputy Mayor of Budget and Financial Policy, Chief Deputy Controller, and Executive Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. In these roles, she shaped financial strategy, improved transparency, and advanced transportation planning to better serve Angelenos. At the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, she led Human Resources and spearheaded diversity initiatives in hiring, contracting, and community engagement.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monique is a proud resident of Leimert Park and remains deeply committed to community engagement. She holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Northridge.

Connect with The Hats Podcast

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Connect with Melissa Dumas:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

Small talk. Argh, right?! Most of us do it. Many of us dislike it. Yet somehow, it remains one of the most important social skills we use in our personal and professional lives. Small talk is a bridge that helps people move from strangers to genuine connection. So, let's talk about small talk: how to make it easier and do it better.

Melissa shares why small talk can create anxiety for her as a therapist who spends her days having deep, emotionally meaningful conversations. Kerri reflects on how her career as an attorney has helped her become skilled at asking questions, building rapport, and navigating conversations in virtually any room.

Together, they explore the purpose of small talk, why it matters, how it can open the door to deeper relationships, and practical ways to make it feel more authentic and less awkward.

Whether you're attending networking events, meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, or simply trying to feel more confident in social settings, this conversation offers practical insights that can help you approach small talk with greater ease and intention.

• Why small talk exists and the important role it plays in building connection

• The difference between small talk and meaningful conversation

• Melissa's experience with small talk anxiety and why surface-level conversations can feel challenging

• How Kerri learned to navigate conversations through her work as an attorney

• The value of finding shared humanity when meeting new people

• Why silence doesn't always need to be filled

• Practical strategies for starting conversations in networking and social settings

• How compliments can become authentic conversation starters

• The importance of asking questions you are genuinely curious about

• Why people often enjoy talking about themselves and how to listen well

• Signature questions that can help create more natural conversations

• How small talk can lead to deeper relationships, opportunities, and community

Connect with The Hats Podcast

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Connect with Melissa Dumaz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie explore the Lifelong Learner Hat and why continuous growth is essential for anyone looking to level up personally and professionally.

As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri discuss how lifelong learning extends far beyond classrooms, certifications, and formal education. It includes learning through life experiences, relationships, challenges, mistakes, therapy, business ventures, and self-reflection. They share personal stories about the lessons they've learned, the beliefs they've had to unlearn, and how staying curious has helped them evolve into stronger leaders, partners, parents, and professionals.

The conversation also dives into the practical realities of making space for growth when life is already busy. From setting boundaries and prioritising learning on your calendar to advocating for professional development and embracing vulnerability, Melissa and Kerri offer actionable insights for anyone who wants to continue growing at any stage of life.

Whether you already consider yourself a lifelong learner or you're just beginning your journey of personal and professional development, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to learn something new or unlearn something that no longer serves you.

In This Episode:

• Why the Lifelong Learner Hat is a key part of the Boss Bitch Season

• What it truly means to be a lifelong learner

• The connection between ambition, growth, and continuous learning

• How Melissa and Kerri intentionally create space for learning

• Why learning doesn't stop after school or professional certifications

• The importance of self-awareness and personal development

• Lessons Melissa learned from building a podcast and growing her therapy practice

• How Kerri prioritises learning through strategic scheduling and boundaries

• The difference between learning and unlearning

• Kerri's powerful realization that love is not transactional

• Melissa's journey of unlearning over-giving and strengthening boundaries

• Why communication is essential when growth changes your relationships

• How to protect your curiosity and commitment to learning

• Free and accessible ways to continue learning at any stage of life

Connect with The Hats Podcast

Send an email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHatsPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheHatsPodcast

Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Connect with Melissa Dumaz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/