Smart Women Smart Solutions

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

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

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Charlene Simon on She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

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

Wendi Weiner – The journey From a Lucrative Career as a Lawyer to Becoming The Writing Guru

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Wendi Weiner on She's Got Moxie

Wendi Weiner was well established as an attorney earning a significant income but her true passion was writing. Her parents even nick-named her, “The Writing Guru.” She started a side hustle of writing even though she was putting in 50-60 hours a week as a lawyer. It turned out to be a very good decision.

Fast forward to today: Wendi has been featured in over 75 media outlets — from CNBC to CNN and The Huffington Post — as a leading authority in personal branding, social storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process. Her business, The Writing Guru, provides corporate branding services to Fortune 25 companies and she regularly gives talks on topics ranging from personal branding to resume writing, reputation management, and social networking. She believes that if we want to have our own business doing something we love, we have to change our mindset about time. We don’t work nine to five. We work whenever.

In today’s episode, Wendi shares how to balance your full-time job with your side hustle, the secret to getting media coverage, and how to become a household name.

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

The personal fulfillment drives my passion, which is something that people see when they talk to me.” – Wendi Weiner

Show Notes:

  • How it felt to get her “Carrie Bradshaw moment”
  • WHY it’s good to listen to your Mom
  • How attending a conference led to her “LIGHT-BULB” moment
  • What it really takes to go from SIDE HUSTLE to a successful six-figure business
  • How to align your full-time job with your side hustle
  • The secret for getting media coverage (Wendi has been featured over 75 MEDIA Outlets!)
  • The most important action step for new entrepreneurs
  • How to become a household name in your industry
  • Her “Non-Negotiable” Daily Ritual
  • The most difficult part of entrepreneurship
  • How she adjusted having her hubby “come home” to work during the Pandemic (I could relate so much to her story here!)
  • Her best ADVICE on how to move through the really difficult days
  • Where she Finds her JOY

Your business and style are going to evolve over time. Don’t be afraid of it.” – Wendi Weiner

Connect with Wendi Weiner:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | The Writing Guru

The amount of work I generate in a day probably can’t be done by a lot of people.” – Wendi Weiner

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

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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

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

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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

The Problem with the “Never Ending” Harvest

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This is from one of my Instagram LIVES (I’m LIVE every Thursday at 7amPT – grab your coffee and join me!)

There’s a lot being asked of us and even the Wall Street Journal devoted a whole section to it this week. This pandemic is affecting women more than any other sector of the population… and not in a good way.

Click on the video below to listen-in:

This is EXACTLY where we’re headed in my private membership group, ALIGN online. We’re focused on finishing 2020 strong. If you’ve decided not to “cancel” 2020 and unearth the GOLD that will come out of this time for you and your business, head on over to https://smartwomensolutions.com/align-online, fill out an application and join us!

One of the many benefits of ALIGN online is our private forum. I’m in there every day offering support, business advisory and answering questions to help you move forward and finish the year strong.

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

Read all about ALIGN online:

SmartWomenSolutions.com/align-online

The Power of ONE

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This is from one of my Instagram LIVES (I’m LIVE every Thursday at 7amPT – grab your coffee and join me!)

There is power in asking yourself Powerful Clarifying Questions. This video will not only share a question I’ve used in my own business but one that I have shared with all my private clients over the years. Take a listen. You’ll discover:

  • How ONE Powerful Question can help you move instantly into Next Level Vision thinking
  • How SIMPLE this Solution is once you break it down (I help you do that)
  • The slightest SHIFT can sometimes make the Biggest IMPACT
  • Examples of how to use this powerful question in both your business & your personal life

Click on the video below to listen-in:

This is EXACTLY where we’re headed in my private membership group, ALIGN online. We’re focused on finishing 2020 strong. If you’ve decided not to “cancel” 2020 and unearth the GOLD that will come out of this time for you and your business, head on over to https://smartwomensolutions.com/align-online, fill out an application and join us!

One of the many benefits of ALIGN online is our private forum. I’m in there every day offering support, business advisory and answering questions to help you move forward and finish the year strong.

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

Read all about ALIGN online:

SmartWomenSolutions.com/align-online

Bibi Goldstein – CEO and Founder of Buying Time, Virtual Assistant Services for Your Business

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Bibi Goldstein on She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

My guest today, Bibi Goldstein, started her business 13 years ago to do personal errands for time-starved families. Her initial vision was walking your dog, picking up dry-cleaning and other tasks that busy families never seem to get to. Fast forward 13 years, Buying Time LLC has grown and morphed into something much bigger and her ideal clients today are entrepreneurs.

She quickly discovered there was a high demand for virtual support among small business owners so she jumped on board.

On today’s show, Bibi tells us all about how staying open to changes brought great success in her business. She also shares tips to maximize your cash flow, how to best engage with your support system, and much more.

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

We want it to be some place where people want to work. It is not just about the hourly amount that they’re making.” – Bibi Goldstein

Show Notes:

  • The One ACTION Step she took that catapulted her business to another level – this will surprise you
  • Why “shedding some weight” in her business was a tough but smart move
  • How the BEST decision she made for her business was also the HARDEST
  • The importance of STAYING OPEN to changes in your business
  • Why you must make friends with your NUMBERS
  • WHAT keeps her motivated as an entrepreneur after 13 years in business
  • The interesting change she sees coming out of the pandemic in her industry
  • The advice she hears in the start-up arena that makes her stomach turn

A virtual assistant can do anything that an in person assistant can do, except get you coffee.” – Bibi Goldstein

Connect with Bibi Goldstein:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Buying Time

When you hire Buying Time you are hiring eight people with eight different skill sets.” – Bibi Goldstein

The ABC’s of Business (John Wooden would agree)

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She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

“When tumultuous times call, get back to basics.” John Wooden, Pyramid of Success

This episode is from a recent Instagram Live that I did about the ABC’s of Business and how getting back to basics is essential, especially in tumultuous times.

On this show, I give you easy-to-implement tips to support you now.

 

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

You are what you do daily, not what you do from time to time.¨ – Joy Chudacoff

Show Notes:

  • How to show up for your team during turbulent times of uncertainty
  • The ATTITUDE to adopt to stay inspired during this time
  • 3 Tips to help you bounce back faster & stronger
  • The #1 thing to do when you feel stuck or paralyzed
  • The best way to stay consistent and connected during a period of life in white water
  • How to KEEP BUILDING your business in a slower moving economy
  • What to keep your eye on right now

Your attitude is everything.” – Joy Chudacoff

Tovah Haim – How Her Childbirth Experience Led to Birthing Bodily

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Tovah Haim on She's Got Moxie with Joy ChudacoffI’m thrilled to have Tovah Haim, CEO & Founder of Bodily, as my guest on today’s show.

Instead of getting mad, she got busy solving a problem she experienced after giving birth to her first child. She decided to launch Bodily – a website full of important and informative content, stocked with reliable products that support a modern approach to birth recovery and breastfeeding for women.

On today’s show, Tovah talks about the first steps she took to building her business, her best tips for getting through the hardest days as a woman entrepreneur, her experience raising funds for her business, and much more.

 

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

There were just a succession of things that happened to me that I had no idea would happen.” – Tovah Haim

Show Notes:

  • The FIRST step she took BEFORE she decided to move forward – GREAT tip
  • The interesting thing that happened when she approached male investors about a product for women
  • Why it’s vital to focus on your CORE product first
  • How she reacted to a comment that a male investor made to her about blending motherhood & business
  • Tovah’s BEST TIPS for moving through the hardest days as an entrepreneur
  • How she delicately holds people accountable for their gender bias
  • The exciting new life event that is happening for Tovah

Ultimately what we want to do is shine a lot on every one of those dark corners of female physiology so that we don’t have to be ashamed of what is just a normal part of the health and aging process of our bodies.” – Tovah Haim

Connect with Tovah Haim:

Facebook | Instagram | Bodily

I wanted to create a business that really fundamentally changes this experience for women.” – Tovah Haim

How Judgment is Jeopardizing Your Business

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She's Got Moxie with Joy Chudacoff

Today’s episode is from a recent Instagram Live that I did about judgment, specifically, SELF-judgment.

Judgment is a natural by-product of fear and these two culprits are deadly to your business. Together, they can hold you back from moving towards your goals.

On this episode, I give you tips to overcome judging yourself and how to break free from a judgmental mindset. I talk about who to spend time with, how to re-program your brain, and more.

 

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

By judging yourself and being worried about what other people think, you’re actually keeping your idea, your genius, your point of view, from someone who may really need it.” – Joy Chudacoff

Show Notes:

  • How fear unleashes judgement to run wild inside your mind
  • WHY withholding your creative genius could negatively affect other people who need you
  • The importance of having a mission that moves you beyond all fear
  • The #1 thing you may be waiting for BEFORE you move forward – this is a endless cycle and you need to break free – I’ll tell you how

Your mission has to be greater than the self-talk.” – Joy Chudacoff

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