Trailblazers by Erica Wenger

This week we chat with the businesswoman of all things cannabis, Helene Servillon. 

Helene Servillon is the Founding Partner of JourneyOne Ventures, a 100% woman and minority owned early stage cannabis fund that invests in founders with prior executive-level management experience in cannabis or tangential industries. She is also a Senior Advisor to Bowen's cannabis practice, a Boston based investment bank.

In this episode, the pair reveal how Helene combines her niche for problem-solving with her insatiable curiosity to succeed as an entrepreneur. Breaking away from the psychedelic stigma, Helene offers healing insights into the new market. Highlighting Helene’s career pivots, the pair take us along her journey to cannabis. Conversations on Netflix documentaries, venture capital imposter syndrome, and business-cannabis are just the beginning…

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour of boldness and brilliance with Helene Servillon.

Follow Us!

Helene Servillon: @HServillon

JourneyOne Ventures: @JourneyOneVC (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with the queen of personal branding, Jessica Zweig. 

Jessica Zweig is the CEO of the Simply Be Agency, an internationally award winning personal branding firm with offices in Chicago and Nashville, serving clients across the globe.  She is the author of #1 best selling book, “Be. - A No B.S. Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by Simply Being Yourself.”

Facilitating sold- out workshops and global masterminds, Jessica speaks on the power of personal branding to the world’s biggest corporations. On a mission to debunk the perception that personal branding is an act of vanity, Jessica hustles so that, when done right, personal branding is an act of service, a social responsibility, and a positive investment toward a positive future.

In this explained episode, the pair breakdown the transition from chasing acting dreams to pursuing a career in entrepreneurship and branding. Conversations on the chicago blog that changed it all, clarity and depth in branding, and her journey to consulting are truly just a glimpse into this episode. 

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the chicago hustler and expert on personal branding, Jessica Zweig!

Follow Us!

Jessica Zweig: @jessicazweig

Simply Be Branding Agency: @simplybeagency (and website here)

"Be" #1 Selling Book: (on amazon here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Justine Palefsky.

Justine is the co-founder and CEO of Kindred, where she focuses on customer experience and brand. Before founding Kindred, Justine was part of the early team at Opendoor where she launched several markets, developed the home Trade-Up product, and scaled the company’s unique Self-Tour program. With years of business experience in her back pocket, Justine is here to tell us all about it!

In this episode, the pair recall Justine’s journey from a neuroscience degree to a career centered in customer experience. Reflecting on the enlightening turning-points in her career path, Justine relates her data gathering mindset to her ability to make choices that change the trajectory of her life. Justine explains her journey to Kindred and highlights ideas and events that formed this successful “give to get” business. Conversations on watching the clock tick on, the importance of observation, and “anti-cash incentives” are just the beginning…

Twentysomethings, if you’re feeling lost and can’t determine the next right thing, this is the episode for you, get ready for this one-hour interview that will leave you hopeful for what’s to come with Justine Palefsky!

Follow Us!

Justine Palefsky: @justinepalefsky

Kindred: @livekindred (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we’re bringing you the first solo episode of September with our host, Erica Wenger! 

The queen of social entrepreneurship herself is here to tell us all about what exactly this career entails while breaking down the ins and outs of her journey to success in her early twenties.

In this episode, Erica offers concrete definitions and dives into the various elements that play into the world of social entrepreneurship. Bringing to light social dilemmas, Erica offers real-world examples of how this form of entrepreneurship tackles these problems with tangible solutions. Conversations on larger world issues and grassroots entrepreneurship are just the start as Erica covers it ALL this week!

Twentysomethings, the guessing game ends here. What is social entrepreneurship? Listen now for these answers and more with our host, Erica Wenger!

This week we chat with Irene Forte. 

Irene is the founder and driving force behind Irene Forte Skincare, and a renowned leader in wellness. In 2018, Irene debuted her eponymous skincare line, which was initially launched into all Rocco Forte Spas and as hotel in-room amenities.

In this episode, Irene takes us back to the start of her entrepreneurial journey touching on childhood dreams and ambitions of making money. Side jobs during summers in Tuscany prepared her for her try at their family business of luxury hotels. Having worked all of the departments throughout the hotels, Irene found the hotel spas were lacking enriching products, and then discovered her niche for skincare!

Twentysomethings, get ready for an episode of full circle moments and perseverance with Irene Forte!

Follow Us!

Irene Forte: @ireneforte

Irene Forte Skincare: @ireneforteskincare (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ilana Dunn, often referred to as “the face of modern dating.” She hosts Seeing Other People, a Top 100 Apple Relationships podcast and Spotify Top 50 Viral Podcast dedicated to helping people feel less alone and more empowered in their dating lives.

Formerly the Face of Hinge and the host of Hinge’s “Dating Sucks” podcast which debuted at #3 on the Apple Podcasts US Relationship charts, Ilana helps individuals all over the world navigate the struggles of modern dating. Ilana also hosts the Snapchat show “Screening for Love”, has been featured in The Washington Post, Bustle, and PopSugar, and is taking on the digital world with her social media content currently reaching 10M+ people each week.

In this explained episode, the pair recall the viral breakup video that launched Ilana's career into starting her own podcast. Conversations on selling yourself short, navigating the world of dating, and personal branding are just the beginning.

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the viral sensation and dating expert of our generation, Ilana Dunn!

Follow Us!

Ilana Dunn: @ilana.dunn

Seeing Other People: @seeingotherpeople (Listen on Apple & Spotify)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Karika Patel. 

Karika is the CEO and ReFounder of Seed Phytonutrients, a family-run clean beauty brand on a mission to craft formulas that are trusted and trendy with minimal impact on the planet. From family vacations to the foothills of the Himalayas to source unique new raw materials to attending beauty trade shows as a little girl, Karika was practically raised by beauty-motivating and inspiring her to one day make her own dedicated place in the beauty universe.

In this episode, the pair revisit the challenges and milestones throughout Karika’s twenties. Following Karika’s journey of transforming childhood dreams of medicine to an entrepreneurial career years later, the pair cover it all. Conversations on familial influence, career-changing phone calls, and leveraging networks are just a peek into this episode…

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour full of stories and wisdom featuring Karika Patel!

Follow Us!

Seed Phytonutrients: @seedphytonutrients (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week calls for another solo episode featuring the host herself, Erica Wenger! 

Whether it be desperation or curiosity, job transitions can be confusing and overwhelming. With several jobs beaming on her resume and having recently switched careers from her own startup business to venture capital, Erica is here to offer insight into the world of job transitioning. 

In this episode, Erica reveals her tips, tricks, and experiences when it comes to navigating job transitions. Breaking down this process into three comprehensive stages, Erica dives one at a time into each element of the transition process. Determining how character assets can be applied in the workplace to valuing reputation in the long run, Erica addresses it all this week. 

Twentysomethings, if you feel like a job transition is calling your name, this is most definitely  the episode for you. Listen in for tips on how to navigate the seemingly stressful “new job hunt” with our experienced and wise, Erica Wenger!

Follow Us!

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Erin Sharoni. 

Erin Sharoni is the chief product officer (CPO) of FOXO Technologies Inc., a technology startup using the science of AI and epigenetics to reinvent the life insurance industry. Holding a master’s degree in biology from Harvard and a bachelor’s degree with honors in studio art from Wesleyan University, Erin now has more than 15 years of experience building products and brands in molecular health, media and finance. Prior to joining FOXO, she served at InsideTracker as a creative director and her previous television career as a television host and journalist included roles on NBC Sports Network, CNBC, CBS Sports and Showtime.

In this episode the pair follow Erin’s journey back through the decade of exploration and curiosity that defined Erin’s twenties. Transforming her childhood passion for art and her curiosity for science, Erin’s multidisciplinary approach to problem solving is driven by a lifelong commitment to the intersection of science and art. Conversations on retiring an architecture career post 9/11 in NYC and seeking more challenging academia, her experiences have led her to the present career where she exudes her passion for disruptive technology that improves the human experience.

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the remarkable woman who’s done it all, Erin Sharoni!

Follow Us!

Erin Sharoni: @erinsharoni

FOXO Technologies: @foxolife

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Megan Roup, the queen of movement and fitness. Megan is known for her simplified dance cardio moves (that anyone at any level can feel successful doing), so she launched The Sculpt Society in 2017 by combining her passion for dance and love for fitness.

Her programs include dance cardio and sculpting workouts that are designed to create long, lean, and strong bodies. Megan takes the pressure off of results and "before + afters" as it helps her community focus on finding the joy in movement and creates a healthy balance in their lives. Megan continues to listen to her community and regularly creates new programming including her; pre/post natal TSS Mama program, injury safe programs, quickies and has an ever-expanding library with over 400 on-demand workouts and multiple LIVE classes a week including yoga, meditation, dance cardio and sculpt.

In this explained episode, the pair reflect on Megan's windy path in her twenties from dancing with the Brooklyn Nets to eventually starting her own business. Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the woman you see working up a sweat and crushing it on social media, Megan Roup!

Follow Us!

Megan Roup: @meganroup

The Sculpt Society: @thesculptsociety (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething