Good Ideas + Bad Decisions

Kat and Ellen kick off season two of ‘ Good Ideas + Bad Decisions’ with PR strategist KJ Blattenbauer, founder of Hearsay PR , who makes a bold case that real PR should cost you nothing because earned media means borrowing audiences, not buying them. KJ breaks down how to spot red flags when vetting PR help (run from anyone promising guaranteed placements) and why a business without clarity or ope...

In this mini-episode of “Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,” Ellen and Kat share business updates, including their Thursday recording rhythm and a shout-out to Cereal Dreams ahead of market season. Ellen also books a library room to catch up after a hectic few weeks. Kat announces a new venture, Benchwork Fabrication , a custom furniture and millwork company she’s co-founding, and walks through early ste...

In this special episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen celebrate their one-year anniversary by reflecting on how they launched the show from opposite coasts, never having met in person, and figured it out as they went. They cover their evolving workflow, hiring an assistant, and why they chose long-form conversation over social media, with a recurring theme of starting before...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat recap their weekends on a tired Monday after the time change, including a trip to see Spamalot,  and they encourage supporting local theater. They discuss recalibrating when Q1 results don't match projections. Kat skips rigid quarterly planning, instead protecting her time (no meetings Mondays/Fridays) and helping clie...

In this episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ hosts Kat and Ellen talk to Carrie Sporer, co-founder of SWAIR , a clean, non-aerosol “showerless shampoo” created to work on very sweaty hair with no residue after she and her co-founder Meredith struggled with constant hair washing during marathon training. Carrie shares her shift from luxury accessories sales and operations into product entrepren...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat reunite after a month apart to recap a hectic February marked by dark winter weather, travel disruptions, and family chaos. Ellen shares launching a Substack, redesigning and relaunching her client offerings with help from her VA, managing sick kids, and getting stranded in Dallas during a blizzard, including a stressful a...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Nadya Pierre, a fractional HR consulting expert and founder of Soleo Strategies. Together they dive into the complexities of running a business, focusing on the crucial aspects of HR for early-stage startups. The discussion covers the importance of setting up people systems, the challenges of hiring the right talent, and...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts discuss their recent activities, including TV show recommendations and an in-depth look at their business strategies. Ellen shares her structured approach to planning with her husband, touching on their detailed annual meetings. The conversation shifts to 'woo woo' elements as both hosts delve into their experiences with tarot reading...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen sit down with Ronniesha Rivera, the owner of Vetted By Design and founder of Alder and Stone. Ronniesha shares her journey from interior designer to business community builder, discussing the challenges of managing multiple enterprises, the importance of trustworthy outsourcing, and the need for authentic connections within the d...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts dive into their daily business experiences while navigating personal and professional challenges. They discuss holiday gifting, sharing ideas and plans for client gifts, family traditions, and the stress of finding thoughtful presents. The conversation then shifts to the importance of delegation in business operations. Ellen a...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Meg Davis, the founder of Explorable Places. They discuss their journeys in entrepreneurship, managing business operations, and the importance of adaptability. Meg shares her experiences of starting a SaaS business that helps teachers book educational field trips, her approach to scaling, and how she balances client relat...

In this "Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat", Ellen and Kat share updates on their holiday experiences and discuss their plans for the new year. They talk about their busy holiday schedules, the challenges of dealing with illness, and the freezing winter weather. The hosts delve into their business goals, including better delegation, sustainable growth, and achieving balance. They also touch...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Renee Lynn Frojo, owner of a storytelling brand and marketing consultancy firm, A Good Reputation. The discussion revolves around the challenges and chaotic beauty of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding. Renee shares her journey from journalism to marketing, illustrating how storytelli...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat discuss the daily challenges of business and home life. Ellen shares a story about a kitchen repair that disrupted meal prep, while Kat deals with a laundry mishap. Ellen then recounts a nightmare Airbnb guest experience over Thanksgiving that involved broken toilets and aggressive demands. They wrap up with a business Q&a...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen dive into the complexities of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Rikki Goldenberg, an executive leadership and career coach. They discuss the fluid dynamics of small business ownership, the unexpected pivot points that can occur, and how Rikki transitioned into coaching. The conversation covers the essential role of co...

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' the hosts share post-Halloween antics ranging from adorable firefighter tots to spooky hideouts from candy-seeking kids. The conversation then shifts to the 'great email signature debate,' as both hosts discuss the elements they believe make up the perfect professional sign-off, including logos, titles, and those ever-important...

In this episode of Good Ideas + Bad Decisions, hosts Ellen and Kat dive into the journey of Brian Lofrumento, the host of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast. Brian shares his inspiring entrepreneurial story, from starting a soccer blog in college that grew rapidly to managing a successful marketing agency and ultimately transitioning to podcasting. They discuss the challenges of running a p...

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' the hosts discuss their weekend activities, including headshot sessions and family photo shoots. They also dive into the topic of networking and community building, sharing their own experiences and tips for finding and creating supportive business communities. Kat plans to explore local small-town networking opportunities, while Ellen...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions', co-hosts Ellen and Kat explore the messy middle of running a business with financial consultant Melissa Mittelstaedt. Melissa discusses the importance of getting 'comfy' with money, shedding light on scarcity vs. abundance mindsets, and the often complex relationship between personal and business finances. They dive into practical advice for solopre...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts start with a light-hearted conversation about the gloomy weather and nostalgic memories of school mornings. They humorously discuss spooky Halloween decorations and the quirks of self-driving cars. The core topic of the episode is a thoughtful discussion on business transitions, focusing on how to determine if your business is...

Hey there, and welcome back to another episode of 'Good Ideas and Bad Decisions'! This week, co-hosts Ellen and Kat dive into the messy middle of entrepreneurship with special guest Amanda Kern, founder of Emerald Creative Content, a boutique digital marketing agency specializing in SEO. Amanda shares the nuances of starting and scaling her business, the importance of SEO and GEO (Generative Engin...

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' the hosts discuss their weekends, the never-ending tasks of entrepreneurship, and the unique challenges faced by business owners. They touch on the differences between the work-life balance of entrepreneurs and nine-to-five employees. The episode wraps up with discussions on year-end reviews, business goals, refreshing services, and the...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas and Bad Decisions,' your hosts Kat and Ellen dive into the unpredictable journey of business ownership, mental health, and the messy middle of entrepreneurship. They welcome Jessica Murray, founder of Empower, who specializes in helping emerging business owners streamline operations and remove bottlenecks. Jessica shares insights into her work with startups, discussi...

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' hosts Ellen and Kat delve into the delightful mix of personal anecdotes and business musings. The chat kicks off with Ellen sharing her enchanting custom necklace story, crafted by a long-time friend and jeweler in Jersey City. Kat and Ellen then trade tales of their weekend escapades: Ellen’s family mountain trip and farmer's marke...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas, Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat are joined by special guest Ari Rodriguez, co-founder of Seekr Wellness. We dive into the complexities of running a business, mental health, and the importance of community. Ari shares her journey from being a dietician to co-founding Seekr Wellness, a tech business aimed at supporting professional women through life transitions....