Smart Women Smart Solutions

With Joy Chudacoff, Leading Expert on Business Success and Lifestyle Design For Women

  • Home
  • Retreats
  • About
  • Services
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Media
  • Rave Results
  • Blog
  • Contact

Alli Webb & Meredith Quill – Hearts Be Still. Meet Becket & Quill Jewelry

March 3, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

She mastered the market when it comes to blowouts & massage! Now she’s back with a new jewelry line and partner in crime!

Serial entrepreneur, Alli Webb (co-founder of Drybar, co-founder of Squeeze) and Meredith Quill joined me on the show to talk about their new venture, Becket + Quill jewelry.

Alli has always looked for “affordable luxury” in business ventures and Becket + Quill fit the bill. Becket + Quill focuses on jewelry that’s “high end, not high spend.”

On today’s show, Alli talks about how she met Meredith and why she decided to get into the jewelry business. Meredith tell us about the moment she fell in love with jewelry for the first time and what it’s like to have a business partner.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

The beauty of this business is that you can be wearing things that look very expensive, but really aren’t.” – Alli Webb

Show Notes:

  • Alli shares Why Jewelry and Why Now?
  • The #1 ingredient you MUST have to gain a sustainable, LOYAL following
  • What Alli looks for when evaluating a business opportunity
  • Details on their partnership and why opposites attract
  • The moment Meredith discovered that Jewelry was her true passion
  • Alli shares how a direct-to-consumer brand is so different from brick & mortar and the lessons she’s learning
  • How they both handle the “crawl into the fetal position, I’m never coming out” moments as a woman entrepreneur
  • Where they both Find Their Joy
  • Alli’s truth-telling on what it really takes to become a successful brand
  • And much, much more

Listening and being open to other ideas is important.” – Meredith Quill

Connect with Alli Webb & Meredith Quill:

Instagram | Becket + Quill

We have very different skillsets and we’re both very aware of that.” – Alli Webb

Jesse Draper Unplugged – Getting Real About What it Takes to Succeed With The CEO & Founder of Halogen Ventures

February 24, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Jesse Draper is back for an encore! She was on the podcast back in 2018 and this time I had the pleasure of sharing her wisdom with the members of my private, online membership community, ALIGN online. It was SO good. I’m calling it, “Jesse Draper Unplugged.” She’s just raised $21M to invest in the next generation of female-founded businesses and on this episode, she takes a deep dive with us!

Jesse started her career in the entertainment industry and along the way discovered she had a “superpower” or maybe it was “x-ray vision” when it comes to knowing what it takes to be a winning idea in business. She started focusing on building an early stage venture capital fund focused on female-founded consumer technologies, which led to the creation of Halogen Ventures.

Jesse talks how she found her footing in the venture capital world, her best tips on pitching ideas to investors, the importance of insane optimism, and why you should always ask for feedback.

If you’re looking for investors or bootstrapping, this episode is for you.

You can be what you can see.” – Jesse Draper

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

For women, we are taught to give away money before we are taught to take risk with our money and that’s a problem.” – Jesse Draper

Show Notes:

  • How Jesse went from the entertainment industry to the venture capital world
  • Everyone suffers from Imposter Syndrome and why you need to just keep going
  • Her Insider “SECRETS” on pitching investors – PURE GOLD!
  • Why Jesse decided to focus on female-founders and her perspective on female-founder disruptors
  • 3 Must-Haves she looks for before giving the Green Light
  • The BIGGEST challenge for female founders (and her expert advice on how to overcome it)
  • Why asking for FEEDBACK is key
  • The Type of LEADER you have to become to succeed – BRILLIANT
  • The Essential ingredient to every business (you may be surprised!)

Bootstrap as long as you can.” – Jesse Draper

Connect with Jesse Draper:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Halogen Ventures

You can’t do anything alone.” – Jesse Draper

Melissa Vitelli – From Fashion Photographer to Co-founder & CEO of Jar Goods

February 17, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Melissa Vitelli on She's Got Moxie with Joy ChudacoffMy guest, Melissa Vitelli, had a successful career in fashion photography but she found her herself being drawn to the food industry through her hobby of vegetable gardening. She joined together with her sister-in-law Lauren and Jar Goods was born. They initially found success at Farmer’s Markets and this led them directly into the arms of Whole Foods.

On today’s show, Melissa talks about how she and her sister-in-law decided to take her father-in-law’s famous tomato sauce recipe and turn it into a thriving business. She shares how she brought her small side business into grocery stores across the country, some of her most pivotal moments as an entrepreneur, how she’s dealt with the challenges of entrepreneurship and more.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

People who need quick foods, should not be relegated to low quality.” – Melissa Vitelli

Show Notes:

  • What it was like to move from Fashion photography to the FOOD industry
  • How their decision to go with mom-and-pop stores first before hitting the Big Guns of Whole Foods and AMAZON paid off
  • Why beginning in FARMERS MARKETS was their Golden Ticket
  • WHEN she realized she was on to something with her business
  • The moment she decided to add more flavors to the mix – she shares it’s the key to creating a BRAND Block
  • She’s learned it’s all about being CONSUMER CENTRIC
  • Her experience at the CHOBANI Food Incubator
  • Why Jar Goods decided to try a subscription model
  • Her perspective on why you shouldn’t listen to other people’s ADVICE
  • Where she Finds her Joy
  • And much, much morel

In order to do it, it doesn’t matter what industry, you have to be very risk tolerant.” – Melissa Vitelli

Connect with Melissa Vitelli:

Facebook | Instagram | Jar Goods

The creative juices are not going to flow if you force them.” – Melissa Vitelli

Emily Groden – How Watching a Netflix Food Show Led This Attorney Away From The Courtroom & Into The Kitchen

January 20, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Emily Groden on She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

My guest today, Emily Groden, Founder & CEO of Evergreen, typically worked late at her law office in Chicago most nights, however, one evening she found herself at home watching a food show on Netflix.

What happened next changed the entire course of her career…and it involved sending a “cold” email to someone.

Fast forward to today, Evergreen, launched in early March 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, and is now in more than 49 Whole Foods locations in the Midwest, as well as many other Midwest stores.

On today’s show, Emily tells us all about her emotional journey of being in a start-up, why she started to distrust processed food, and how the show Chef’s Table changed her life. She talks about the importance of endurance, how her professional swimming background helped her in her life, and much more.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

I feel really lucky to have worked in a start-up environment prior to starting Evergreen myself.” – Emily Groden

Show Notes:

  • The story of how a late night “COLD” email changed her career trajectory
  • Why you should pay attention to CLUES (she had them along the way but ignored them)
  • The QUESTION you need to ask yourself before every business move
  • The story of the LAUNCH moment (a paper bag, paper plates, utensils and her toaster)
  • The QUICK decision she made when ALL Manufacturers said “NO”
  • Simple, NO-COST Tips on gaining Brand Awareness in a Start-up
  • How she gets through the really tough days – she shares the “Emotional Journey U”
  • Her Best ADVICE on just getting started (it involves a homemade jam story)

Building a start-up business is not a sprint, is a marathon.” – Emily Groden

Connect with Emily Groden:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Evergreen

Define your principles on day one and then stick to them.” – Emily Groden

Amy Luftig Viste – A Woman’s Perspective on Co-Owning a Winery in Los Angeles

January 13, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Amy Luftig Viste on She's Got Moxie with Joy ChudacoffAmy Luftig is the co-owner of Angeleno Wine Company in Los Angeles. She began her career in public health, however, after moving west to Los Angeles and volunteering to help a winemaker during a “harvest” she found “love at first sight” (or in this case love at first harvest).

Amy fell head over heels with the day-to-day routine in the vineyard and decided that she should follow her dream. She started with an idea, a passion for vino and along with her partner, turned it into a business.

On today’s episode of She’s Got Moxie, Amy tells us all about her transformative internship experience, the wine history of California, and how she developed her knowledge in wine. She also talks about her journey to co-own the company, her perspective on running a successful Kickstarter campaign and her best action steps to get visibility, and more.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

One of the things that you have to learn as a winemaker is to trust your instincts.” – Amy Luftig Viste

Show Notes:

  • The Clarifying QUESTION that changed everything for Amy (it is a question that EVERYONE should ask themselves)
  • She volunteered to work for free and through the process found her “true calling”
  • A great STORY on how she secured FUNDING for Angeleno Wine (it involves a ghost and pouring a bottle of wine on a grave!)
  • She takes you on her step-by-step grass roots journey – GEMS!
  • How they decided on their LOGO that sits squarely in the center of every bottle
  • The “Secret Sauce” to a Super Successful Kickstarter Campaign
  • What it is like to be one of the few women in a male dominated industry
  • The mentality Amy adopts to show up for her business each day
  • Her perspective on how to make a Business Partnership work
  • And So much more!

We literally started this with no money in our pocket.” – Amy Luftig Viste

Connect with Amy Luftig Viste:

Facebook | Instagram | Angeleno Wine Co.

The most important thing is to trust your business partner with your life.” – Amy Luftig Viste

2021 Will Favor Female Entrepreneurs ALIGNED in Their Power

January 6, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

It’s a fresh, New Year. I’m both eager and enthusiastic about all the possibilities.

Are you looking for the support of other established women entrepreneurs? Women that are positive, forward thinking, resilient & obsessively optimistic? We’ve got you covered in my private online membership community, ALIGN online.

We’re gearing up for an exciting 2021 and we’d love to have you join us for weekly Zoom gatherings, private forum to network & connect, TOP expert industry leader interviews where you can ask your most pressing questions.

https://AlignOnlineWithJoy.com

Listen in to my short 5-minute video below on more good news for women from the Wall Street Journal:

We’re taking applications now so if you’d like to learn more and jump on board, contact Kathy@SmartWomenSolutions.com or call/text 310-266-0416.

Read all about ALIGN online:

https://AlignOnlineWithJoy.com

Katie Chin – From Former Senior VP at Fox to Celebrity Chef, Caterer, and Cookbook Author

December 9, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

It all started with a wok, a roll and a dream…

She’s shared her Asian culinary delights on the Today Show, at the White House, Iron Chef, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and more.

My guest today, Katie Chin, is a celebrity Chef, caterer, cookbook author and food blogger. She is the author of the award-winning bestseller Everyday Thai Cooking and her latest cookbook, Everyday Chinese Cookbook: 101 Delicious Recipes from My Mother’s Kitchen. Katie is an amazing woman, as much as she is an amazing chef.

Katie grew up working in the kitchens of her mother, Leeann Chin’s restaurants in Minneapolis, but she decided to pursue a career in the marketing industry for film and television in Hollywood. With time, she realized her real passion was not in Hollywood, but in her culinary roots.

Katie shares the incredible story of her mother’s road to entrepreneurship as a Chinese immigrant to the United States. Though Katie was her daughter, Leeann Chin was the toughest boss Katie ever had. Katie talks about her own entrepreneurial journey, how she created a mother daughter-cooking brand, her best action steps to grow her business, how she made a name for herself on her own after her mom passed away, and more.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

When a door closes, climb to the window.” – Katie Chin

Show Notes:

  • What it was like to own a business with her Mom
  • The #1 Essential to getting lots of media exposure – LOVE this Gem. Anyone can do it!
  • Her BIGGEST obstacle in business
  • The danger of getting too much advice from others
  • The moment she knew it was time to leave Hollywood to go back to her culinary roots
  • Where she places her Trust
  • How Katie found her own entrepreneurial path after her mother passed away
  • Katie’s best action steps to growing her business
  • Her biggest challenges so far as a woman entrepreneur
  • How Katie has pivoted her business during the pandemic – GENIUS!
  • Her Passion for supporting women entrepreneurs really comes through

You should never dream harder than you work.” – Katie Chin

Connect with Katie Chin:

Facebook | Twitter | Chef Katie Chin

If you work really hard and believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything.” – Katie Chin

It’s a NEW Era for Women – 2021 Will Favor the Female!

December 1, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

OR

 

Mignon Francois – How She Turned $5 into $10 Million as the CEO & Founder of The Cupcake Collection

November 18, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Mignon Francois on She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

My guest today, Mignon Francois, CEO & Founder of The Cupcake Collection, is a very enthusiastic and positive entrepreneur who turned a recipe that she received from her grandmother into a $10 million business.

Mignon was a stay-at-home mom who was tired of her children not being able to go on field trips because she did not have the extra money. At the time, she had no bakery experience, but she took her grandmother’s recipe, spent $5 on ingredients and the rest they say is history. Mignon’s business turned out to be a much bigger success than she could ever imagine.

On today’s show, Mignon shares the story of how The Cupcake Collection began its humble beginnings. She talks about the challenges that she has faced in her company, her “sampling” strategy, her actions steps to success, and more.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

Overnight success takes 10 years.” – Mignon Francois

Show Notes:

  • The moment Mignon decided to turn an old recipe into a NEW idea
  • What MOTIVATED her to keep going every day despite the challenges
  • How she has grown and scaled her business from a start-up to being recognized as one of the TOP cupcake bakeries in the US with multiple locations
  • Why a “sampling” strategy is important for a product-based business
  • The really big gamble Mignon made as she bet on her success
  • What it has been like to maintain business during the pandemic

My action step was to stop waiting and start doing.” – Mignon Francois

Connect with Mignon Francois:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | The Cupcake Collection

Everybody wants to be great, but nobody wants to get up at dawn.” – Mignon Francois

Mikaila Ulmer – CEO & Founder of Me & The Bees Lemonade (She’s Celebrating a Decade in Business and She’s Only 15)

October 14, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Mikaila Ulmer on She's Got Moxie

My guest today, Mikaila Ulmer, is back for interview #2! She was originally on the show back in August 2018. This is a special year for Mikaila because she is not only celebrating a decade in business but she’s also published her first book, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid!

With her very positive “can-do” attitude, Mikaila tells us how getting stung by a bee twice in one week, led her on a journey to understand the importance of bees to the environment. Ultimately, this became the gateway for her to enter her lemonade into a local business fair. (Today, Me & the Bees Lemonade is sold in over 1,500 stores nationwide!)

She also shares her Shark Tank experience, as well as the moment she had to understand the legal side of entrepreneurship and the impact it can have on your brand.

You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave me a Rating and Review!

Create a product that appeals to the most people, you can’t please everyone, so don’t try. Stay true to your mission and focus on helping your mission.” – Mikaila Ulmer

Show Notes:

  • How showcasing her lemonade in a local business fair when she was 4-years-old led to having her lemonade in over 1,500 stores today
  • Her simple, easy, first steps to get the word out about Me & the Bees Lemonade
  • She reminds us to always be minding our ABC’s! (Always Be Curious) This ONE attribute got her into her first restaurant.
  • What it was like to be a contestant on Shark Tank (her parents initially said NO when she was offered a spot) but her persistence paid off!
  • The importance of a hand-written “Thank You” note
  • Her “Face on the Bottle” moment and how that impacted her brand
  • What it’s like to be in online school during the pandemic while running a business
  • Understanding the “legal” side of entrepreneurship came early (she was only 8-years-old) and the important lesson she learned. “Lose the battle. Win the War.”

It’s not just about the products you sell, but the stories you tell.” – Mikaila Ulmer

Connect with Mikaila Ulmer:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Me & the Bees

Don’t be discouraged by life’s little stings, get back up and spread your wings!” – Mikaila Ulmer

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 19
  • Next Page

Categories

  • ALIGN online Group Membership
  • Audio Messages From Joy
  • Big Ideas & Goals
  • Business Luncheon – Local in Los Angeles
  • Business Success
  • Business Tips
  • Business Tools
  • Business Transformation
  • Coaching
  • Coffee With Joy – Thursday Lives IG
  • Creativity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Events
  • Have The Life You Love!
  • Inspirational Messages
  • Interviews
  • Joy's Favorite Reads
  • Joy's News and Updates
  • JoyScopes
  • Membership Program For Women in Business
  • Planner
  • Podcast
  • Possibility Thinking
  • Products
  • Realizing Your Dream
  • Recommended Reading
  • Relationships
  • Smart Women Articles
  • Smart Women Video Articles
  • Spotlight on Success with Smart Women
  • Success Circles
  • Teleseminars & Teleclasses
  • The Honey Chronicles
  • Where is Joy speaking?
  • Workshops and Retreats
  • Your Inner Voice
  • Connect With Joy:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Vimeo

Strategy & Consulting

Imagine… finally discovering someone who truly cares about your success and believes in you. Someone who has the knowledge and a step-by-step approach to help you get clear, confident and focused on your vision and dream as a woman entrepreneur. Learn More

Recent Blog Posts

  • Alli Webb & Meredith Quill – Hearts Be Still. Meet Becket & Quill Jewelry
  • Jesse Draper Unplugged – Getting Real About What it Takes to Succeed With The CEO & Founder of Halogen Ventures
  • Melissa Vitelli – From Fashion Photographer to Co-founder & CEO of Jar Goods
  • Jennifer Saxton – Founder & CEO, Tot Squad, From Cleaning Dirty Car Seats to Partnering With Walmart and Amazon
  • Emily Groden – How Watching a Netflix Food Show Led This Attorney Away From The Courtroom & Into The Kitchen

We’d Love to Connect!

We're here to help you get results and increase profits without burning out! Call us at 310-454-2005 or email us to learn more about how Joy's services can help you in your business.

Smart Women Smart Solutions

Copyright © 2021 Joy Chudacoff, Smart Women Smart Solutions®. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact