How do you move forward after getting fired, surviving breast cancer, and completely redefining what success looks like? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Ira Kaganovsky, a former Merrill Lynch and Citigroup advisor, successful financial practice owner, entrepreneur, and breast cancer survivor.

Ira's story is one of resilience, tenacity, sales, and knowing when to let go of the plan you originally created. After three friends were diagnosed with breast cancer, Ira began questioning what she was putting on her body and set out to create a natural deodorant that actually worked. Despite being rejected by 18 spas, she kept going until the Four Seasons saw potential in her product and gave her an opportunity to change her packaging.

This episode is about sustainable high performance, burnout prevention, and the importance of being willing to "kill the baby" when your business needs to evolve.

What You Will Learn:

How getting fired can become the catalyst for entrepreneurship.

Why entrepreneurial thinking does not always fit within traditional corporate structures.

How to replace the dollars-for-hours mindset with an ROI-focused approach.

Why working smarter can create greater results while reducing burnout.

How leveraging one major client can open the door to an entirely new market.

Why sales are essential to turning an idea into a sustainable business.

How to recognize when your business is telling you to change direction.

Why entrepreneurs should avoid becoming emotionally attached to their original product or business model.

How Ira pivoted her company when COVID eliminated her primary spa distribution channel.

Why profitability matters when you want to grow, raise capital, or continue making an impact.

How launching before everything is perfect can create opportunities that waiting may prevent.

Why entrepreneurs need to prioritize marketing rather than simply creating more products.

How resilience, tenacity, and adaptability can help entrepreneurs navigate major disruptions.

The surprising story behind the Freedom brand name and its hummingbird logo.

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Freedom Deodorant

https://freedomdeodorant.com/

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What if the life you thought would make you happy is actually the thing disconnecting you from yourself? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Desislava Dimitrova, a meditation teacher, bestselling author, podcast speaker, and transformational guide.

Desislava shares how her early vision of corporate success quickly began to unravel when the reality of long hours, competition, and an environment that didn't align with her values began affecting her physical and emotional well-being. Her first yoga class became an unexpected doorway into a deeper spiritual awakening and a reconnection with herself.

This episode explores what happens when the version of success you've been pursuing no longer fits, how physical and emotional signals can reveal deeper misalignment, and why creating space to reconnect with yourself can open the door to a completely different way of living and working.

What You Will Learn:

How physical and emotional symptoms can signal that your current environment is no longer aligned with who you are.

Why the definition of success you inherited may not actually create happiness or fulfillment.

How yoga and meditation can become gateways to greater self-awareness and spiritual awakening.

Why reconnecting with your authentic self can change the direction of your career and life.

How motherhood influenced the decision to prioritize flexibility, presence, and purpose.

How a personal health crisis can become a catalyst for deeper healing and transformation.

What a personalized primordial sound mantra is and how it can be incorporated into a meditation practice.

How consistent meditation can help quiet the mind, release emotions, and create greater peace.

Why spiritual practices work differently for each person and each moment.

How creating space for stillness can help you become more present to what you need right now.

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Website

https://www.desi-divine.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What happens when you've achieved financial success by following the traditional playbook, only to realize it has left you burned out, disconnected, and unfulfilled? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Debbie Dobbins, speaker, author, and transformational mentor, helping women and conscious entrepreneurs rewrite their relationship with money, success, and self-worth.

After building successful businesses and earning millions, Debbie's life took an unexpected turn when she faced cancer, financial collapse, and the challenge of rebuilding from scratch. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she discovered a deeper understanding of abundance rooted in self-worth, feminine leadership, intuition, and courage.

This episode explores how women can release outdated beliefs around money, stop living by the masculine hustle model, and create lasting prosperity by becoming fully aligned with who they truly are.

What You Will Learn:

Why your money story influences every financial decision you make.

How burnout often signals a disconnect from your authentic self.

The hidden cost of following the masculine success playbook.

Why feminine energy is essential for sustainable leadership and abundance.

How micro acts of courage build confidence and expand your capacity for success.

The role gratitude and breathwork play in shifting your relationship with money.

Why true wealth begins with believing you are already worthy.

How entrepreneurs can avoid recreating corporate burnout in their own businesses.

Why intuition is becoming one of today's most valuable leadership skills.

How releasing limiting beliefs opens the door to greater abundance and impact.

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Website

https://thedebbiedobbins.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What if the key to growing your business isn't finding more leads but building better relationships? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Sarah Hubbard, founder of The Intentional Network and author of The Intentional Networker.

Today, 85% of her multi-million-dollar business comes from referral partnerships, and she's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs generate millions in referral revenue using her proven MAPP Framework. Sarah shares how listening to your deeper calling, creating intentional relationships, and refining your message can transform both your business and your life.

Whether you're preparing to leave corporate, growing a consultancy, or simply tired of chasing clients, this conversation will show you how connection truly creates capital.

What You Will Learn:

Why authentic relationships outperform traditional networking strategies.

How listening to repeated signs can reveal your next calling.

The importance of building a business that aligns with your strengths and values.

What the MAPP Framework is and how it creates referral-based growth.

Why mindset and intentionality are the foundation of successful networking.

How authentic presence builds trust faster than scripted conversations.

Ways to craft clear, memorable messaging that generates referrals.

Why specificity makes it easier for others to introduce ideal clients.

How purposeful follow-through strengthens long-term business relationships.

The difference between operating as a technician versus a business owner.

How AI can simplify content creation and business preparation.

Why honoring your natural personality leads to more sustainable success.

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Website

https://sarah-hubbard.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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Why do so many successful women thrive in business but struggle to find lasting love? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Chaya Garcia, The Epic Love Expert, a relationship expert and founder of the growing #LoveLighter movement.

Chaya shares how her own journey through toxic relationships, codependency, and self-discovery inspired her mission to help women attract emotionally healthy, lasting partnerships.

Whether you're navigating dating, marriage, or simply learning to trust yourself again, this conversation offers powerful wisdom for choosing yourself first.

What You Will Learn:

Why high-achieving women often struggle with healthy romantic relationships.

The difference between chemistry and emotional safety.

How to recognize relationship red flags from the very beginning.

Why hope can sometimes keep women stuck in unhealthy situations.

The importance of aligning words with actions.

How self-love influences every relationship you create.

Why emotional sobriety matters as much as physical sobriety.

The connection between toxic relationships and unhealthy work environments.

How asking better questions leads to better relationship choices.

Why letting go can create space for the love you truly deserve.

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Website

https://connectwithchaya.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What if your career hiatus wasn't a gap, but the foundation for your most impactful work? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Raina Gandhi, a powerhouse advocate for women in leadership and the founder and CEO of Rising Tide Consulting.

After an 11-year hiatus to raise her daughters, Raina returned to the professional world with a Wharton MBA and an investment banking background, only to find a corporate landscape that often felt misaligned with her values. Her journey through burnout, the challenges of re-entry, and navigating workplace barriers led her to discover her true calling: activating other women to navigate these same hurdles and step confidently into leadership roles.

Through coaching, workshops, and research-backed strategies, Raina now equips women with the tools to tackle self-advocacy, negotiation, and gender equity. This conversation is an inspiring look at how to lead on your own terms and ensure that when women stay in the workforce, they don't just survive—they thrive.

What You Will Learn:

Why an 11-year career hiatus can be a catalyst for professional reinvention and purpose.

How to recognize the symptoms of burnout in high-stakes roles like investment banking.

Why "life deciding for you" can be a powerful redirection toward your true calling.

The critical importance of visibility and representation for women of color in leadership.

How to navigate workplace barriers such as information gatekeeping and bullying.

Why the skills that get you to a director level aren't the same ones needed for the C-suite.

The importance of shifting from male-centric negotiation tactics to authentic self-advocacy.

How to manage the transition from being an individual contributor to leading and scaling a business.

Why having a "blueprint" and a partner is essential for entrepreneurial success.

How to scale your impact by shifting focus toward speaking and group leadership programs.

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Rising Tide Consulting

http://risingtideconsultingllc.com

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What if the biggest obstacle to building the life and business you want isn't your circumstances, but your willingness to take the first step? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Jennifer Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, Florida's largest lifestyle resale store, entrepreneur, business coach, best-selling author, and host of the Confident Entrepreneur podcast.

Jennifer shares the setbacks, betrayals, pivots, and powerful mindset shifts that shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also explains why building a personal brand before exiting your business creates lasting freedom and opportunity.

If you've been wondering whether it's too late to reinvent yourself, this inspiring conversation will encourage you to stop waiting, trust yourself, and begin creating your own destiny.

What You Will Learn:

Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself or pursue a new calling.

How starting a side business can reduce the risk of becoming an entrepreneur.

Why unlimited income potential comes from creating your own opportunities.

How setbacks and betrayal can become catalysts for greater success.

Why hiring based on core values builds stronger, more resilient teams.

The importance of asking for help and working with coaches or consultants.

How shifting from "Why is this happening to me?" to "What is this teaching me?" transforms adversity into growth.

Why every entrepreneur should intentionally build a personal brand before exiting their business.

How stepping out of daily operations empowers both your business and your leadership.

Why lasting success is built one intentional step at a time.

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Website

https://jenniferannjohnson.com/

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What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you've become? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank.

From nearly losing her life after pushing herself beyond her limits to becoming a homeopathic physician and ultimately founding Pinnacle Global Network, Allison's journey is a powerful reminder that every experience prepares you for your next evolution.

If you've been feeling disconnected from the work you've built or wondering if it's time for your next chapter, this conversation will give you both the permission and the practical wisdom to move forward with confidence.

What You Will Learn:

How to recognize the early signs that it's time to pivot before burnout takes over.

Why success without alignment eventually leads to dissatisfaction.

The importance of trusting your intuition alongside business strategy.

How every business experience prepares you for your future purpose.

Why following your passion can become your greatest competitive advantage.

The mindset shift that allows entrepreneurs to let go of old identities.

How scaling requires releasing perfectionism and learning to delegate.

What trapeze has taught Alison about fear, trust, resilience, and leadership.

Why learning how to fail is essential for long-term success.

How to build a legacy business that reflects who you've become.

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Pinnacle Global Network

https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What does it take to leave a successful corporate career, build a thriving business, and create a life that aligns with your values? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Marjie Hadad, Founder of Marjie Hadad Communications, crisis and leadership communications expert, and author of The Confident Kid Playbook.

The conversation explores the importance of visibility, public relations, work-life integration, crisis communication, and how leaders can use their professional skills to empower the next generation.

Whether you're considering leaving corporate, growing a consultancy, or looking to become a more confident communicator, this episode delivers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

What You Will Learn:

Why leaving corporate doesn't have to mean sacrificing financial security.

How focusing on your first client can create long-term business growth.

The mindset required to move forward without looking back.

Why visibility is essential for business growth and revenue generation.

How public relations helps amplify your message and impact.

The importance of honoring commitments through effective calendar management.

How to create a healthy balance between work, family, and personal priorities.

The role communication plays in crisis prevention and leadership.

Why bringing your professional strengths into parenting creates confident and resilient children.

How strategic communication can empower individuals, families, and organizations.

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Website

https://marjiehadad.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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What if getting fired was actually the catalyst for building the life you were meant to live? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Merry Korn, entrepreneur, author, and social enterprise pioneer.

After losing a job she desperately wanted to keep, Merry found herself facing uncertainty, fear, and the responsibility of supporting her family. What followed was an extraordinary journey that led her to build Pearl Interactive Network, a company that grew to employ more than 1,300 people and specialized in hiring individuals often overlooked by traditional employers, including people with disabilities, veterans, military spouses, and those living in economically challenged communities.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that career setbacks can become the doorway to your greatest work and that purpose often reveals itself when you're willing to listen.

What You Will Learn:

How getting fired can become a catalyst for discovering your true purpose.

Why many high-achieving women stay too long in careers that no longer align.

The role informational interviews can play in career transitions and business growth.

How Merry built a social enterprise focused on hiring overlooked talent.

Why vision is essential when creating a business with long-term impact.

How hiring people with disabilities became a competitive advantage and mission.

The importance of recognizing opportunities disguised as setbacks.

Why listening to intuition can be a valuable business strategy.

How government contracts helped scale a purpose-driven organization.

The difference between building a business to operate and building one to sell.

Why your mission and purpose can evolve throughout different stages of life.

How meaning becomes a greater motivator than money for many entrepreneurs.

Connect with Merry Korn

Fired to Inspired

https://firedtoinspired.com/

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[5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds

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