Amber Duncan – Serial Entrepreneur & CEO of Shop Jackie

June 9, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

Both Amber and her husband were mortgage brokers when the bottom dropped out of the real estate market. Overnight, she found herself pregnant with her fifth child and standing in line for WIC government benefits to maintain food and nutrition for her family.

Fast forward to today, Amber Duncan now owns 17 companies including a debt consolidation company, Reduce My Debts, two Gigi’s Cupcakes franchises and Shop Jackie, a high-end personal shopping experience for women, delivered right to your front door.

In this episode, Jackie explains how you can connect with a customer and why it’s the most important aspect of being successful in business. She also reveals some of her best leadership tips and shares why you should never wait for perfection.

Listen in to this episode to find out how to grow a new business, ways to increase your business’s visibility, and how Shop Jackie works.

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

Everything that I’ve done has been born out of failure.” – Amber Duncan

Show Notes:

How Shop Jackie was started out of Amber’s FRUSTRATION
Where the name JACKIE came from – love this story & reminds me of my Mom!
How Amber is DISRUPTING the online personal styling industry making it BOTH scalable & personal
Amber went from college dropout to owning 17 businesses
Simple strategies on how Amber went from “broke, eating Mac n’ Cheese every day” to wildly successful
Her Go-To Action Step that she takes every day to keep her ALIGNED as a wife, mother to five and entrepreneur
Her Superpower
Her ADVICE on what you need to know when you get started – PURE GOLD and it’s just ONE Word.

I don’t get stuck, I turn quickly.” – Amber Duncan

Connect with Amber Duncan:

Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Reduce My Debts| Shop Jackie

Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make.” – Amber Duncan

Charlene Simon – The Art of Juggling Soaps, Cosmetics & Cupcakes

April 14, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

She left school at 15 and had her three children by the time she was 20.

Today Charlene Simon is the real definition of a “serial” entrepreneur. She’s the CEO & Founder of three successful brands: Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium, Fat Bottom Girl’s Cupcakes and Villainess Beauty.

It all started in San Diego in 2000 when Charlene walked into a soap shop that had real, live, breathing goats out back. She was mesmerized. She spent hours in the local library teaching herself the chemistry of soap making.

In 2009 (not a great year for the economy), she remembered her boss saying once, “You have to strike on real estate in a recession.” So she took $700 (all the money she had) and she went for it. She opened her first Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium.

It’s been a wild ride and one that continues to spiral upward for this straight-talking entrepreneur who makes all her decisions on “feelings.”

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

“The fear is fuel.” – Charlene Simon

Show Notes:

Why starting a business in a RECESSION was her BIG Break (it was the perfect time)
Why FEELINGS matter most to her when making decisions (she needs to feel the JOY)
Why CUPCAKE WARS kept calling her to be a contestant on the show – it had to do with a T-Shirt
Her Most DIFFICULT Business Moment – (two blocks down the street)
GENIUS Advice on how to handle COMPETITION
Her “BUFFET” Analogy (what are you hungry for?)
TIPS on Dealing with CRITICISM
And much, much more!

“Competition is nothing; I don’t even look at other people.” – Charlene Simon

Connect with Charlene Simon:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium

“If it doesn’t bring me joy, I know not to touch it.” – Charlene Simon

Linda Rose – Get Acquired for Millions!

March 10, 2021 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

She’s the go-to-gal when it comes to helping companies get acquired and now she’s back with a NEW book to help you simply and easily understand how to get your business ready to be acquired!

Serial entrepreneur Linda Rose joined me on the podcast to talk about her NEW book, Get Acquired for Millions: A Roadmap for Technology Service Providers to Maximize Company Value.

Linda is a big proponent of listening to your clients before anyone else and running a company to sell rather than running a company to grow. She urges other entrepreneurs to think bigger and find mentors that can help them broaden their mindset.

On today’s show, Linda shares how CEOs can get away for up to a month without hearing from their team, two things she wishes she knew before she became an entrepreneur, and the value of organization intellectual property. She explains the Banana Concept, which book has impacted her life, and where she finds her joy.

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

My joy is the bottom line.” – Linda Rose

Show Notes:

Why your clients are more important than anyone else – LISTEN!
Her solo journey on the Pacific Crest Trail and how this experience changed her entrepreneurial journey (she hiked for 500 miles ALONE!)
The different types of revenue and the ones you should be keeping your eye on
The difference between running a company to GROW and running a company to SELL
Details on completing four Big Acquisitions During COVID
The PERFECT Time to Sell your Business
A Step-by-Step plan for you to leave your business for a MONTH without any communication with your Team (not even a single TEXT)
What “single points of FAILURE” are and how to remove this obstacle in your business
The Banana CONCEPT – Brilliant!
The Metric that is more VALUABLE than SALES
The two things Linda Rose wishes she knew before she became an entrepreneur
How Linda Sets Goals – Pure GOLD!
The value of organization intellectual property
Two books that have impacted Linda’s life
Where Linda finds her joy
And much, much more

You have to stop thinking like an owner and start thinking like a buyer.” – Linda Rose

Connect with Linda Rose:

LinkedIn | Twitter | RoseBiz

It can fetch value if you identify it, package it, and give it a name.” – Linda Rose

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

Cindy Eckert – Creator of “The Little Pink Pill” (Female Viagra) and Selling Her Company For 1 Billion Dollars

November 11, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

When she realized that there were 26 medications for men’s pleasure and not one single solution for women, my guest Cindy Eckert, thought “this is Ridiculous!”

Cindy set out to create “the little pink pill” (currently the #1 prescribed treatment for low sexual desire in women).

Cindy is the true definition of what I call “moxie.” Not only is she the creator of the pink pill and the founder of The Pink Ceiling, but she has also built and sold two pharmaceutical companies (including Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which she sold for more than $1 BILLION – yes, that’s a B, Ladies).

Called by Fortune as a “tireless force of nature,” Cindy lets us in on some intimate details of her life and entrepreneurial path. She talks about her unique upbringing, how she worked to overcome the stigma around women’s pleasure while creating the Pink Pill, her tip to taking advantage of life’s opportunities, her thoughts on the pandemic, and more.

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

26 medications for men and not a single one for women is ridiculous.” – Cindy Eckert

Show Notes:

How Cindy went from a Corporate Career to a Block Buster Success as an Entrepreneur
Why it’s essential to do what “Lights up your Soul” (it wasn’t about MONEY for Cindy)
The moment Cindy realized she had an opportunity to develop the first pharmaceutical product for women’s SEXUAL pleasure
How 2020 has RESET the entrepreneurial landscape for women – in a GOOD Way!
Why it’s important to be SPECIFIC in your biz contracts and how that one piece catapulted her to a whole new level in advocating for women
Where Success truly ORIGINATES from
Details on both The Pink Ceiling & The Pinkubator and how they are helping women elevate their entrepreneurial dreams
The most important mindset that Cindy has adopted in order to accelerate her journey as a woman in business

Success does not come from having all of the answers, it comes from having the courage.” – Cindy Eckert

Connect with Cindy Eckert:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | The Pink Ceiling

Relentlessness is just the belief that you can get back up and you can find the way.” – Cindy Eckert

Cathy Alessandra – Serial Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of YES I CAN!

July 15, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

My guest today, Cathy Alessandra, is the real definition of a serial entrepreneur who has started and built several successful businesses to help women and families.

Cathy started her very first business in 1995 out of a need she saw in her community. From there, she caught the entrepreneurial “bug.”

Along the way, Cathy faced some life altering moments which included her son’s struggle with substance abuse, challenges in her marriage, and personal health concerns. She overcame those challenges by using her “YES I CAN” mantra and her daily rituals. Now, she has turned her mantra into a business, and she is currently the Founder & CEO of YES I CAN coaching.

On today’s podcast, Cathy talks all about her experience coaching women, the philosophy behind YES I CAN, her best productivity tips, and much more.

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

It was all built on a need of my own and figuring that other people needed it as well.” – Cathy Alessandra

Show Notes:

Great examples on Pivoting in business
The personal tools she used to move through a health challenge, her son’s substance abuse and an unraveling marriage – all at the same time
Cathy’s SECRET to overcoming challenges
The moment she got the idea to birth YES I CAN
Which daily routines helped her achieve success
Why Strategic YES’s and Abundant No’s have become a guiding light
Cathy’s best productivity tips as an entrepreneur
The Worst advice she hears in the Start-up arena

As my business has grown, I need to think ahead of the curve and outside of the box.” – Cathy Alessandra

Connect with Cathy Alessandra:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Cathy Alessandra

Don’t worry about all the others. Be focused on who you are so that you attract people that are meant to work with you.” – Cathy Alessandra

Stacy Blackman – Serial Entrepreneur and CEO/Founder of Stryke Club Acne-Fighting Skincare

April 1, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

My guest Stacy Blackman, CEO and founder of Stryke Club, is truly a serial entrepreneur.

She’s been at the helm of three different (quite successful) start-up companies in three different industries – wedding, MBA consulting and now skin-care for teenage boys.

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

No one really knows the way, we are all flying a little bit blind.” – Stacy Blackman

Show Notes:

The #1 QUESTION to ask yourself before diving into your next venture
How 9/11 shaped her second start-up and what we can learn in this time of COVID-19
The one “HABIT” she had to break to keep going every day
Why we always need to be ready to PIVOT
How you can make the most of difficult situations
How to build a VIRTUAL team committed to your business vision – there’s one ESSENTIAL Ingredient

I’m very organized and I really do map out most of my day.” – Stacy Blackman

Connect with Stacy Blackman:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Stacy Blackman

Begin before you are ready.” – Stacy Blackman

Charlene Simon – Serial Entrepreneur & Founder/CEO of Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium

February 26, 2020 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

I think that you’re going to absolutely love my guest today, Charlene Simon, who is the Founder & CEO of Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium.

She’s a serial entrepreneur who started her first business very early on in life. She didn’t finish high school taking the traditional path (she eventually got her GED), and became a wife at 15 and a mother of three by the time she was 20 years old.

It was after a visit to a soap shop that left Charlene feeling mesmerized by the whole process. She spent hours in the library teaching herself the science of making soap so she could fulfill a dream of one day owning her own shop. Today, she has expanded her business to five retail locations across the U.S. and is also getting into cosmetics as well!

In 2019, Charlene was crowned Mrs. Arkansas America and went on to compete in the famous Mrs. America competition in Las Vegas, placing Top 15 in the nation and bringing home the coveted trophy for “Mrs. Fabulous Face.”

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

Take your power and own it.” – Charlene Simon

Show Notes:

Her FIRST steps to turn her Passion into a money-making business for her family
What Charlene Trusts most when it comes to DECISION MAKING
Her BEST Action Step to grow Bathhouse Soapery
WHY it’s important to “jump” once in awhile; She credits “taking a leap” to much of her success and why you must never get comfortable
The problem with Competition & Comparison and why it has been a challenge for her
A real, raw, transparent story that personally ROCKED her world (cue the fetal position) and how she overcame this tough time
How her experience as an entrepreneur was a (surprising) boost to her journey in competing for Mrs. Arkansas
The process Charlene uses to access the direct line to her creative genius
How to build CONFIDENCE and feel beautiful
The advice she wishes someone would have shared with her early on – POWERFUL beyond measure

Courage and confidence has come to me over the failures.” – Charlene Simon

Connect with Charlene Simon:

Facebook | Instagram | Charlene Simon | Villainess | Bathhouse

It has been always been following the gut even when other people have said that it is a bad idea.” – Charlene Simon

Kim Kovacs – Founder/CEO of MyJane, Curated Cannabis Products Delivered to Your Front Door

September 11, 2019 | By Joy Chudacoff Leave a Comment

When Kim Kovacs witnessed a close relative looking and acting 10 years younger (and relieved of the pain she had suffered for years from using opioids to combat the effects of cancer), she was intrigued. She found out this positive change and outlook on life was due to the use of cannabis products and at that moment, Kim decided to get serious and learn more about everything cannabis could do to help women.

Kim saw a void in the women’s cannabis space and decided to fill it by starting MyJane – a cannabis wellness community designed to help women feel better. MyJane sends a curated box of cannabis products right to your door delivered by women ambassadors who spend time educating each customer on the products.

On today’s show, Kim has a lot to share with you. She is a serial entrepreneur and investor across multiple sectors and has raised over $100 million in venture capital for companies that she has founded.

Kim talks about how MyJane got started, her best ACTION STEPS in growing MyJane thus far, her advice on fundraising, how the movie “Groundhog Day” gets her through tough times, and much, much more.

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

Let’s ask women what they want. Before we go ahead and do anything, let’s ask.” – Kim Kovacs

Show Notes:

How the name “MyJane” came about – it truly was a Perfect Storm
Why Kim decided to get her product DELIVERED in person by Female Brand Ambassadors
The GENIUS First Step Kim took that catapulted MyJane’s early growth – Simple & Easy
The MyJane model and WHY IT WORKS
The ONE thing MyJane is doing to ensure happy, loyal customers
Where your FOCUS has to be 24/7
Managing CASH FLOW in an extremely regulated industry
Her BIGGEST challenge
Why the movie “Groundhog Day” helps get her through the challenges of entrepreneurship
Her best advice on FUNDRAISING
The advice she hears being given in the entrepreneur arena that she doesn’t agree with
The Inventor versus the Entrepreneur Concept
Her Belief about Partnerships
What she wished someone would have told her BEFORE she entered the world of Entrepreneurship

Do your research as your fundraising. Find the right investors so you don’t spend time talking to people you don’t need to.” – Kim Kovacs

Connect with Kim Kovacs:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | MyJane

Once you crack that conversation about cannabis then the flood gates are open to talk about other things and we’re freely (now) talking about different things that I don’t think women used to talk about.” – Kim Kovacs

Amber Duncan – Serial Entrepreneur & CEO of Shop Jackie

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Amber Duncan:

Charlene Simon – The Art of Juggling Soaps, Cosmetics & Cupcakes

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Charlene Simon:

Linda Rose – Get Acquired for Millions!

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Linda Rose:

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

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Alli Webb & Meredith Quill:

Cindy Eckert – Creator of “The Little Pink Pill” (Female Viagra) and Selling Her Company For 1 Billion Dollars

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Cindy Eckert:

Cathy Alessandra – Serial Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of YES I CAN!

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Cathy Alessandra:

Stacy Blackman – Serial Entrepreneur and CEO/Founder of Stryke Club Acne-Fighting Skincare

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Stacy Blackman:

Charlene Simon – Serial Entrepreneur & Founder/CEO of Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Charlene Simon:

Kim Kovacs – Founder/CEO of MyJane, Curated Cannabis Products Delivered to Your Front Door

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

Show Notes:

Connect with Kim Kovacs:

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