This week on Your Next Business Bestie, I’m joined by the incredible Hanna Finissi—life coach, retreat host, breathwork facilitator, and founder of Soul Trust Ignite. Hanna’s story is a powerful reminder that our path doesn’t have to make sense right away to be meaningful in the long run.

We talk about her journey from teaching middle school math with Teach for America to hosting transformational retreats and launching her new membership, The Athletic Soul Collective. Hanna shares how her experience as a Division I athlete helped shape her approach to personal growth, blending structure, self-trust, and embodiment.

We also explore the magic of breathwork—what it is, how it works, and why it’s become a core part of her work. (I share a little about my own breathwork experiences too.) If you’ve ever felt pulled toward deeper self-discovery or wanted a more grounded, guided way to show up for yourself, Hanna’s membership might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Tune in for honest conversation about self-evolution, entrepreneurship, building aligned community, and creating a business that grows with you.

Connect with Jenn:

[email protected]

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

Connect with Hanna:

[email protected]

https://www.soultrustignite.com/

https://www.instagram.com/soultrustignite/

In this week’s episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I sat down with my friend Margie Thirlby DuBois, a confidence coach and leadership consultant. We talked about how we first connected during a really hard time in my life, right after I lost my soul cat Jack — and how Margie showed up with so much grace and kindness.

Margie shared her journey from nonprofit leadership to launching her own business in March 2020. Today, she focuses on coaching, retreat facilitation, and leadership training, helping individuals and teams build confidence, have brave conversations, and create more human-centered workplaces.

We also talked about her recent viral LinkedIn post about workplace bullying, how scary it was to share, and how powerful it’s been to help others feel seen. Margie’s fire as an entrepreneur comes from watching people realize their own potential — and it’s clear she’s making a big impact.

If you want to connect with her, you can find her at ThirlbyCo.com, on Instagram (@coachmargie), or on LinkedIn (Margie Thirlby DuBois).

Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time on Your Next Business Bestie!

Connect with Jenn:

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

[email protected]

Contact Margie:

www.instagram.com/coachmargie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiedubois/

www.thirlbyco.com

This week, I’m doing something totally new—my first episode with two guests at once! I’m joined by longtime friends and brilliant creatives Krystina Fisher (The Messy Cookie) and Lauren Lear (Lauren Lear Photography) to talk about their sweet (literally) collaboration: Sweet Selfie Photo Booth, a unique event experience that prints photo booth pictures directly onto cookies.

We get into the origin of their partnership—from networking, to sharing studio space, to launching a business together. We talk about the highs, the “bucket conversations,” and the behind-the-scenes of building a photo booth-cookie-printing business that’s part art, part entertainment, and all magic. You’ll also hear what it’s really like going into business with your best friend—and how communication, trust, and knowing your strengths make all the difference.

If you’re a creative, an entrepreneur, or just love a story about friendship, food, and badass business-building—you’ll love this one.

This week on Your Next Business Bestie, I’m catching up with someone so special to me—my friend Amanda from The Bold Alchemist Creative Studio. Amanda and I used to see each other weekly when she lived in Colorado, and recording this episode felt like coming home. She’s a branding and web designer who brings a beautiful blend of soulful energy readings and design magic to help holistic, women-led businesses thrive.

In this episode, Amanda shares how she took a leap of faith in 2024 to start her business after leaving the corporate world. We dive deep into what it’s like to combine multiple passions into one cohesive brand, the challenges of showing up authentically, and how things like Human Design, astrology, and numerology influence her work with clients.

We also chat about the importance of community, how our businesses evolve alongside us, and the magic of being truly seen in business—especially as a reflector like me. Amanda even pulls a special tarot card for listeners in honor of the Spring Equinox (spoiler alert: it’s a beautiful one).

If you're a multi-passionate entrepreneur trying to figure out how to bring all of you into your business—or you’re just craving a deep, soul-led convo—you don’t want to miss this one.

Connect with Amanda on Instagram: @theboldalchemist

Connect with Jenn: [email protected] @lifejennsway www.jennsway.com

This week’s episode of Your Next Business Bestie is unlike any other—because something monumental happened in my life. Last week, I officially adopted my daughter, Alayna.

In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I’m joined by my longtime friend David Rider—aka Uncle David—to talk about all things real estate, mortgage systems, AI, and leadership. David is the “grease for the squeak,” the guy who fixes broken systems and makes businesses run smoother. We dive into his unexpected journey in the mortgage industry, the real state of housing in the U.S., and why homeownership is becoming harder than ever.

But that’s not all—David is also deep in the world of AI. We break down how AI is transforming business (and why it’s a tool, not a replacement for humans), plus some game-changing ways to use it in your daily work. If you’ve been wondering how to future-proof your business, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ Real talk about the housing crisis and what’s really happening behind the scenes

✅ How David scaled mortgage funding from 250 loans to 1,000+ in just 90 days

✅ The biggest AI tools he’s using right now—and why they matter for your business

✅ Why embracing technology (instead of fearing it) is key to staying ahead

Hit play and dive into this insightful conversation!

Connect with Jenn:

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

[email protected]

Connect with David:

[email protected]

In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I’m sitting down with my friend Karie, a powerhouse real estate agent in the Colorado Springs and Monument area. We dive into her unexpected journey from mortgage fraud investigations to running a thriving real estate business—and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Karie shares the wild stories from the 2008 crash, what’s changed in the housing market since then, and how she built a business that prioritizes relationships over transactions.

But this episode isn’t just for real estate pros. We also geek out over business systems, time management, and how to actually create a calendar that gives you freedom instead of stress. If you’re an entrepreneur who feels like you’re always “on,” Karie’s insights on boundaries, automation, and designing a business that supports your life (instead of the other way around) will hit home. Plus, we drop some serious truth bombs about what it really takes to succeed in business—whether you’re selling houses or selling your next big idea.

Connect with Jenn:

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

[email protected]

Connect with Karie:

https://www.instagram.com/coloradospringslifestyle/

[email protected]

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Melissa Snow, the founder of Powerful Women Rising. Melissa and I have one of those "we just know each other" connections—probably from an event we both attended years ago, but honestly, time isn't real.

In our conversation, Melissa shared her journey from an unexpected start in entrepreneurship—taking over a fully loaded client list overnight—to realizing that networking is the most underrated, sustainable way to grow a business. She helps entrepreneurs—introverts, extroverts, socially awkward folks, and everyone in between—learn how to network like a human and not like a salesy weirdo.

She built Powerful Women Rising, an online community for female entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses through meaningful connections, support, and referrals. And yes, it’s global! Melissa hosts a virtual speed networking event every month, which draws women from all over the world.

We dug deep into what networking really is (spoiler: it’s not just showing up to events), how introverts like us can make it work, and why trusting your own journey in business is crucial. She also shared her own challenges, like the time she overheard women talking about her at an event and how she reframed that experience into fuel for creating a more inclusive and supportive space.

If you’ve ever felt awkward about networking, thought you needed all the "business stuff" (like a website) before making real connections, or just want to find a way to build your business authentically, this episode is packed with insight.

Melissa’s Powerful Women Rising speed networking events happen on the second Thursday of every month, and first-timers can attend for free using the promo code firsttime. You can connect with her at PowerfulWomenRising.com or follow her on Threads, where she’s been building a vibrant and engaged community.

And of course, you can always find me on Instagram @lifejennsway or at jennsway.com.

In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Kirk Adams, an incredible advocate for disability inclusion and a leader with a seriously inspiring story. From losing his vision at age five to running major nonprofit organizations, Kirk's journey is a masterclass in resilience and determination. He shared how he helps businesses supercharge their bottom line by tapping into the often-overlooked talent pool of people with disabilities.

Kirk took us through his life story, starting with his supportive parents who literally moved states to get him the best education. He also shared the challenges of job hunting with a visible disability and how he turned those struggles into a mission to create opportunities for others. We talked about his consulting practice, Innovative Impact, and how he connects employers with resources like the vocational rehabilitation system to make workplaces more inclusive. From working with tech companies to advanced manufacturing and even cybersecurity, Kirk is out there breaking barriers and building bridges.

This conversation was packed with heartwarming anecdotes and practical advice on how businesses—and individuals—can make a difference. If you’ve ever wondered how to start supporting disability inclusion or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you. And bonus: Kirk has a great sense of humor and so much wisdom to share. I’m so excited for you to listen in and get to know him as your next business bestie!

Connect with Jenn:

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Adams:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkadamsphd/

https://drkirkadams.com/

In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I sit down with Sofia Adler, founder of Sofia Adler Wellness, to explore the intersection of practicality and spirituality. Sofia shares her journey from corporate marketing at SoulCycle to becoming a wellness entrepreneur specializing in energy healing, astrology, and integrative energy mapping. We discuss how life challenges, including her parents' divorce, pushed her to explore spirituality as a way to heal and discover her path.

Sofia opens up about the evolution of her business, from mindset coaching to a holistic energy-focused practice, and the lessons she learned about staying aligned with her values. We dive into the balance between living a human experience and honoring the spiritual side of life, as well as how astrology helps her—and her clients—better understand themselves. Sofia also shares her thoughts on navigating entrepreneurship, breaking free from corporate conditioning, and creating a business that supports her unique rhythm and purpose.

For anyone curious about blending spirituality with practicality, or finding their footing in entrepreneurship, this episode is full of insights and encouragement. Tune in to hear how Sofia uses energy work to guide herself and her clients to live more authentically and energetically aligned lives.

Connect with Jenn:

www.jennsway.com

www.instagram.com/lifejennsway

[email protected]

Connect with Sofia:

https://www.instagram.com/sofiaadler_/

https://sofiaadler.substack.com/

https://www.sofiaadlerwellness.com/