How do you turn a passion for local art and music into a thriving multi-million dollar business? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with Brianne Mees, the co-founder of Tender Loving Empire. Brianne shares the story of how she and her husband grew a small DIY space into an iconic Portland brand that supports hundreds of independent artists and musicians. Brianne reveals the challenges of scaling a retail and record label hybrid and discusses how staying true to the "soul" of her business allowed her to navigate the million-dollar milestone and beyond. If you are a creative entrepreneur or a mission-driven leader, Brianne's insights on community, curation, and "Tender Loving" leadership are a must-watch. In this episode, you'll learn: -The strategic evolution of Tender Loving Empire from one shop to multiple locations. -How Brianne reached the $1M milestone while maintaining a commitment to local makers. -Why Brianne views money as a tool for "amplifying the good" in the creative community. -Tactical advice for balancing the "artist's heart" with a "CEO's mindset". Key Moments: 01:12 – Origin Story: Creating a "Creative Ecosystem" for art, music, and handmade goods. 03:55 – The Value of Money: Using profit to amplify the voices of independent artists. 07:45 – The Scaling Milestone: The jump from one DIY shop to a multi-location retail empire. 11:20 – Curation Strategy: How she manages the complexity of a record label and retail hybrid. 14:35 – Leading with Love: Maintaining an "Indie" heart in a million-dollar business. 17:50 – Advice: "Your brand is a story; make sure it's a true one."

Can a "circuitous" career path lead to ultimate financial freedom? Join Alice Tang as she talks with Lori Love, founder and CEO of TwoPaws Ranch. Lori reveals how she moved from seeking basic security to achieving a life defined by influence and choice. She shares the powerful advice her mother gave her about standing on her own two feet and why a million-dollar net worth is simply a tool to buy more autonomy. Learn why Lori believes "nobody does this on their own" and how her network of candid women helped her break through professional roadblocks.

In this episode, you'll learn: The "Relentless" Brand: Why defining and adhering to a personal brand helps you stay focused on your goals.

Thriving Environments: How to identify the specific conditions and boundaries you need to succeed in business.

The Power of Humility: Why approaching high-stakes conversations with humility prevents arrogance and fosters authentic results.

Independent Access: The importance of generational advice in fostering female financial independence and career risk-taking.

Key Moments 01:21 – TwoPaws Ranch: Lori introduces her focus on strategy, customer experience, and operational excellence. 02:45 – Economic Stability: How a traditional household upbringing shaped Lori's focus on stability over luxury. 03:15 – The Broad Foundation: Staying with one employer while changing roles to learn multiple disciplines. 04:35 – More Money, More Choices: Lori explains that the primary value of wealth is the expansion of options. 05:46 – Evolving Motivations: A breakdown of how security gives way to influence and choice over a career. 07:45 – Working Through Bias: Pushing past gender and economic roadblocks to thrive. 08:35 – The Power of Network: Why candid and authentic women are essential to finding a path forward. 11:15 – Breaking Through Roadblocks: Using shared experiences to change the trajectory of your activities. 12:54 – Humility as a Strategy: Why demonstrating a willingness to be wrong leads to better business outcomes. 13:53 – Courage for Women: Lori's call to the audience to raise their hands and share uncomfortable opinions. 16:31 – Relentlessly Cheerful: Finding your personal brand and using it as a persistent anchor for your goals. 17:35 – The Gift of Independence: Reflecting on her mother's advice to stand on her own two feet. 19:15 – Stewardship and Legacy: Lori discusses giving back through time, money, and mentorship for the next generation.

Are you following the "American story" of waiting until age 65 to retire, or are you building the choice to retire on your own terms? Join Alice Tang as she speaks with Su Embree, an immigrant founder who turned her "halftime" into a launchpad for massive success. Su reveals the difference between the 20 years it took to save her first million and the single day it took to make her next. Learn why she believes money is a "divine energy" and how she overcame the skepticism of being a 25-year-old Asian woman in a field dominated by older men. In this episode, you'll learn: The Choices of Freedom: Why money is a tool for creation and community impact rather than just an ending.

The Pivot to Intentionality: How Su transitioned from "habitual saving" to "intentional wealth building" using her business as a lever.

Survival and Resilience: Tactics for staying focused when revenue drops 50-80% during economic crises.

The "Next Step" Faith: Why you don't need to see the whole staircase to make a quantum leap in your career.

Key Moments 00:23 – Retiring on Your Terms: Su discusses the "untruth" of standard retirement ages. 01:21 – Introducing Saute: Launching an Asian-inspired sauce company in 2025. 02:21 – Overcoming Bias: Navigating life as an immigrant, a woman, and a young professional in a male-dominated field. 03:57 – The 20-Year Squirrel: The long road to saving the first million through disciplined habit. 04:55 – The Mindset Shift: How a financial advisor's "upsetting" news turned into a business growth strategy. 06:55 – Beating the Timeline: Retiring at age 48 instead of her goal of 52. 08:15 – The Crisis Test: Surviving a 50% revenue drop in 2008 and an 80% loss in 2020. 10:45 – Money as Divine Energy: Why Su puts little hearts on her checks and focuses on alignment over bank balances. 11:55 – The All-Cash Deal: Why Su refused to stay in the business after her 25-year tenure. 13:53 – Decision by Journaling: A tactical four-step process for making high-stakes choices. 15:35 – The Average of Five: Why choosing your circle of influence is critical for success. 17:40 – High School Graduation Legacy: Giving the gift of financial literacy to the next generation.

Is your banker just a transaction provider, or are they a strategic partner in your success? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with Lisa Fajardo Faust, Senior Vice President at Pacific West Bank. Lisa shares her passion for commercial banking and explains why the best bankers are those who deeply understand a business owner's vision, challenges, and long-term goals. Lisa reveals why "Relationship Banking" is the key to sustainable growth and discusses how she helps entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of commercial lending to reach the million-dollar mark and beyond. If you want to learn how to leverage your banking relationships to scale your impact, Lisa's insights on advocacy and financial stewardship are essential. In this episode, you'll learn: -The difference between transactional banking and a true strategic partnership. -How Lisa reached the $1M milestone in her career by focusing on community impact. -Why Lisa views money as a tool for creating opportunities and strengthening local economies. -Tactical advice for business owners on how to present their "story" to a lender. Key Moments: 01:05 – Background: Her evolution from a "Banker" to a "Strategic Community Partner." 03:15 – The Value of Money: Creating a ripple effect of wealth in the local economy. 05:50 – The $1M Milestone: Managing high-value commercial portfolios and the responsibility of capital. 08:45 – Relationship Banking: Why your banker should be your first call, not your last. 12:10 – Leading with Integrity: Navigating the ethical complexities of commercial lending. 15:35 – Advice: "Don't just look for a loan; look for an advocate."

Can you build a million-dollar net worth while managing the chaos of a busy family life? Join Alice Tang as she speaks with Laura Stepp, a Chief People Officer who hit the $1M mark by age 40 using a methodical "bucket" system. Laura discusses how she prioritized long-term goals like her kids' college and retirement while still finding money for adventure and stress-free living. If you are looking for a realistic roadmap to security that accounts for mortgages, student loans, and day-to-day living, Laura's story of "slow and steady" progress is essential.

In this episode, you'll learn: The Bucket Strategy: How to save for college, a home, and retirement in parallel rather than in sequence.

Debt Elimination via Stock: A tactical example of using an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) to pay off student loans in five years.

Optionality Advice: Why you should never be in a situation where you only have one choice.

Independence as a Value: The importance of maintaining a personal bank account under your own name, regardless of relationship status. Key Moments 01:20 – Chief People Officer: Laura introduces her 30-year career in organizational development. 02:07 – Money as Adventure: Why wealth represents security for her children and the ability to explore the world. 03:21 – The Age 40 Milestone: Laura identifies when she crossed the million-dollar threshold. 04:11 – Buckets of Money: A breakdown of saving for college, a home, and retirement simultaneously. 05:01 – Methodical Intention: Using long-term goals to stay disciplined through day-to-day chaos. 06:04 – Choosing Priorities: Why having a clear intention helps you skip the luxury car purchase in favor of more important assets. 07:05 – Career Happiness: Why finding work you love leads to greater financial success and motivation. 08:39 – Data vs. Gut: Laura's process for gathering information before making large decisions. 09:55 – The Intel Strategy: Using a stock purchase plan to get rid of all debt in five years. 11:15 – Slow and Steady: Why wealth generation is a marathon and why you should trust the process. 12:40 – Autonomy First: The "adamant" advice from her mother to always have an independent bank account. 13:08 – Creating Optionality: Never allowing yourself to be stuck with only one choice.

How do you jump from a million-dollar business to a $15 million contract in just two weeks? Join Alice Tang as she speaks with Suzie Hall, founder of the Cornerstone Collective. Suzie reveals the "secret" behind her massive international growth: it wasn't just about the hustle, it was about her internal state. Suzie shares how she navigated a major life "halftime" trauma to rebuild a life and business that operates in a flow state. Learn why Suzie believes that when you are in alignment, the "divine" brings you the projects you are ready to lead.

In this episode, you'll learn: The "Next Step" Faith: Why you don't need to see the whole staircase to make progress in business or life.

Intentional Decision-Making: Suzie's four-step process involving journaling what you want, how you can serve, and meditating on the alignment.

Money as Divine Energy: Shifting your perspective from scarcity to viewing money as a "divine energy" that flows from the source.

Halftime Transformation: How to use a mid-life crisis or trauma as a "blessed disruption" to pivot into your most successful era.

Key Moments 00:54 – Cornerstone Collective: Suzie introduces her work designing and furnishing hotels globally. 02:59 – The $1M Milestone: Achieving the revenue mark required to join EO in just three to four years. 04:16 – Flow State Success: How mastering thoughts simplified Suzie's energy to land a $15M project. 05:07 – The Power of Big Stages: Suzie's prayer for "big" results and the email that followed the next morning. 07:15 – Overcoming Anxiety Spirals: Moving from ruining the day over lost clients to believing setbacks clear space for better things. 09:30 – The "Halftime" Shift: Transforming from thriving on "busyness" to thriving on stillness and expansion. 10:48 – Today's Value of Money: Why money now represents freedom, creation, and "divine energy". 12:54 – The MLK Quote: Using "taking the next step in faith" to navigate setbacks and trauma. 13:53 – Suzie's Decision Process: A tactical look at journaling prompts and body-alignment checks. 17:16 – Gratitude Practices: How using apps like HeartMath first thing in the morning fills the day with power. 18:43 – Blessed Disruption: The story behind the book and how trauma leads to unedited growth.

How do you transition from a supportive role to leading a company for over a decade? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with her longtime friend and President of Occuscreen, Pamela Mack, to discuss the reality of building a business over 30 years. Pamela opens up about the "imposter syndrome" that many women face and how she overcame her own internal biases to embrace her role as a leader. From learning to delegate to experts to "befriending" fear, Pamela shares how she built a successful background screening company while staying true to her values of security and experience. In this episode, you'll learn: How to navigate internal and external biases as a woman in leadership. The importance of surrounding yourself with people who fill your skill gaps. Why "stubbornness" and a clear vision are essential when you want to quit. Key Moments: 00:00 - Welcome to Women's Million Dollar Conversations 01:05 - Meet Pamela Mack: 30 years of Occuscreen 03:59 - Navigating age and gender bias in the family and boardroom 05:33 - What keeps you going when things get hard? 07:54 - Pamela's process for making big decisions 09:57 - Befriending fear and asking "Why are you here?" 11:46 - Number one piece of advice: Stop trying to be perfect. 15:10 - Lessons from The Year of Magical Thinking.

How do you build a thriving financial practice that prioritizes people over products? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with Christy Aleckson, the founder of Single Point Financial Advisors. Christy shares her journey of building a million-dollar firm rooted in the belief that financial planning should be accessible, transparent, and aligned with a client's total life goals. Christy discusses the "Single Point" philosophy and reveals how her commitment to being a true advocate for her clients allowed her to reach and maintain the million-dollar milestone. If you are a professional in a service-based industry looking to scale your impact while staying true to your values, Christy's insights on empathy and expertise are essential. In this episode, you'll learn: -The strategic steps Christy took to launch Single Point Financial. -How she reached the $1M revenue mark by building deep, multi-generational client trust. -Why Christy views money as a tool for creating security, options, and peace of mind. -Tactical advice for building a team that shares your mission and values. Key Moments: 01:12 – The Vision: Why she wanted to build a "Single Point" of contact for clients. 04:05 – The Value of Money: It is a tool for peace of mind, not just a balance sheet. 07:45 – The $1M Mark: Proving that empathy-driven financial planning is highly profitable. 11:20 – Multi-Generational Trust: How she keeps families together through wealth transitions. 15:10 – Scaling a Team: Moving from a solo practice to a firm with a shared mission. 18:50 – Advice: "Don't be afraid to be the human in the room."

Can your inner work actually fuel your professional growth? Alice Tang welcomes Ivana Polonijo, founder of Courageous Being, to explore the intersection of conscious leadership and financial independence. Ivana shares a deeply personal look at her 15-year journey to a million-dollar net worth, revealing how she had to "bust" inherited beliefs about what was possible. From her early years as an immigrant to her time in the financial services industry, Ivana explains why money is a living expression of energy that rewards authenticity. Learn why humanizing business is the ultimate strategy for success in the age of AI.

In this episode, you'll learn: The "Living Energy" Philosophy: How to treat money as a being that moves, rests, and fuels life experiences.

Nervous System Decision-Making: A specific blend of body awareness and intuition to ensure a calm, grounded approach to high-stakes choices.

Belief Busting: Why 15 years of disciplined work must be paired with letting go of ancestral narratives about scarcity.

The Freedom of Detachment: How to plan and envision goals while remaining detached from the specific outcome to achieve true psychological freedom.

Key Moments 01:37 – Courageous Being: Ivana introduces her conscious leadership center and the mission to humanize business. 03:20 – Money as Energy: A unique perspective on viewing wealth as a living force that requires movement and rest. 05:30 – The Defining Memory: Watching her grandparents lose their retirement savings overnight during the Croatian Civil War. 07:55 – The 15-Year Path: The specific timeline and discipline required to build seven-figure savings while busting limiting beliefs. 09:50 – Navigating the "Woo" Label: How Ivana handles gender and culture biases in male-dominated financial industries. 11:54 – The Decision Process: A tactical look at blending nervous system awareness with "internal GPS" intuition. 14:34 – Owning Your Story: Ivana's best advice on claiming your past while detaching from the old narrative. 16:06 – The Neuro-Science of Manifestation: Why Ivana recommends The Source by Dr. Tara Swart for leaders. 17:40 – Money Legacy: Experiencing yourself as a holistic being where personal and professional growth are one. 19:15 – Gratitude: A reflection on the new conversation surrounding emotions, money, and psychological safety.

Can a stay-at-home mom reach a million-dollar retirement goal? In this inspiring episode, Alice Tang sits down with Kim Kelleher to discuss the "Team Riley" partnership. Kim reveals how she and her husband focused on accumulating wealth through retirement plans from day one, allowing her to take a 15-year career break while their savings grew. Learn why Kim views money as a tool for safety and choice, and how she unexpectedly turned a side bookkeeping project into a 14-year firm that funded her four children's college education without debt.

In this episode, you'll learn: The "Match" Mandate: Why you must capture your company's retirement match from the first day of your first job.

Delayed Gratification: How to choose long-term security over immediate short-term gains like luxury vacations.

Collaborative Decision Making: Why researching expert opinions and debating choices with a partner leads to better outcomes.

Building to "Enough": How to set intentional business goals based on what you actually want rather than just chasing higher revenue.

Key Moments 02:16 – Team Riley: Kim explains the 30-year partnership that prioritized joint financial growth. 03:20 – Money as Safety: Defining the two-part value of wealth as protection first, then choice. 04:55 – The 401(k) Advantage: How following "boring" advice from her father led to seven-figure success. 06:40 – Compounding Ease: Why the second million is significantly easier to reach than the first. 08:15 – The Corporate Off-Ramp: Reflecting on the inhospitable environment for pregnant women in 1980s consulting. 10:45 – Managing Priorities: Choosing the "cake" of family over corporate partner tracks. 12:20 – Retirement Guardrails: Why Kim viewed her 401(k) as "untouchable" to avoid penalties and taxes. 13:50 – Accidental Entrepreneurship: How doing a friend's husband's books turned into a 14-year career. 15:35 – Collaborative Research: Using books, podcasts, and trusted advisors to make high-stakes choices. 17:40 – Women in Accounting: Why connecting with female firm owners is the "pick me up" of Kim's week. 19:35 – Debt-Free Legacy: Making sure her four children are never burdened with the family's medical or care expenses. 21:45 – Building Ownership: Kim's 10-year plan to exit her firm by letting employees buy into ownership.