Serious Lady Business

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Soula Chronopoulos, president of Aqua Action, about the critical importance of water security as both an environmental and economic issue. They discuss the impact of AI on water technologies, Soula's journey from neuroscience to water advocacy, and the importance of empowering women in the water tech sector. The conversation also touches on leadership lessons, th...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Nikki Sapiro-Vinckier, a reproductive healthcare activist and OB-GYN physician assistant. They discuss Nikki's journey into advocacy, the gaps in the healthcare system, and the importance of empowering patients to advocate for themselves. The conversation also touches on the historical context of reproductive health, the need for more clinical advocates, and the...

Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Elina Panteleyeva, founder of DoodWoof, a thriving e-commerce brand for doodle dogs. Elina shares her journey from being laid off to launching her business, emphasizing the importance of community building, influencer marketing, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. She discusses the significance of choosing the right audience, the power of being the face of you...

Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Lindsay A. Joseph, co-founder of BedConnect, a healthcare technology startup focused on improving patient transitions through smarter discharge workflows. Lindsay shares her journey from being a CPA and hospital CFO to becoming a tech entrepreneur in Detroit. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities in the Midwest startup ecosystem, the im...

Host Leslie Youngblood welcomes Rebecca Blacker, a leading figure in New York City's residential real estate market and co-founder of Blacker and Team. The conversation dives into Rebecca's journey of building a $60 million real estate brand primarily through video content, despite starting with no listings or budget. She shares her initial struggles with self-promotion and the importance of authe...

Leslie Youngblood speaks with Chloe Barnes-Henderson, founder of Athletech Academy, about her journey in sports and education. They discuss the importance of understanding NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) for student athletes, the unique approach of Athletech Academy in integrating AI into education, and the challenges of fundraising and building a new educational model. Chloe shares her vision for...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Isabella Patrick, a Manhattan-based interior designer and Founder of Isabella Patrick Interiors, about her journey from a non-traditional background to establishing her own successful design studio. Isabella shares insights on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of networking, and the strategies she employed to market her business. They...

In this engaging conversation, Leslie Youngblood interviews Armin Elajian, a CPA and fractional CFO, about the importance of financial literacy for women entrepreneurs. They discuss Armin's transition from corporate accounting to entrepreneurship, the significance of understanding financial numbers, and the challenges of navigating financial conversations. The discussion also covers practical advi...

Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Liz Hansen, a boudoir photographer who empowers women through her art. Liz shares her journey from a wedding photographer to running a successful boudoir studio, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building a niche business. The conversation delves into the importance of self-love, overcoming societal norms, and the impact of mindset on entrepreneurship. Liz...

In this episode of Serious Lady Business, host Leslie Youngblood engages in a heartfelt conversation with Samara Tricarico, co-founder of Endurant Movement. They discuss the profound impact of grief, particularly in the context of losing a child, and how it has fueled Samara's advocacy for mental health and suicide awareness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, normali...

Leslie Youngblood interviews Maiya Holliday about the significance of B Corps and the journey of building a sustainable business. They discuss the challenges and rewards of obtaining B Corp certification, the importance of community among B Corps, and practical steps for aspiring business owners. Maiya shares her experiences with low-hanging fruit options for sustainability, the role of AI in busi...

Host Leslie Youngblood and financial planner Melissa Joy discuss the complexities of money management for women in business. They explore the emotional aspects of finances, the importance of financial literacy, and the cultural influences that affect women's financial decisions. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to take control of their financial futures, whether through personal budg...

Leslie Youngblood and Catherine (Cat) Holt discuss the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership roles. Cat shares her journey from rising to VP at a young age to navigating the complexities of corporate culture, the importance of mentorship, and the need for women to take charge of their careers. They explore the significance of creating supportive work environments, the impact of societal e...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Rachel Honeyman, founder of HoneyBeBold, about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she implemented to turn her business around. Rachel shares her personal struggles with mental health and how they intertwined with her business journey. The conversation emphasizes the importance of support systems, finding the right coaching,...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with sisters Kitty and Coco, co-founders of Endora, a wellness gaming app designed to help millennial mothers combat anxiety and depression through nostalgic reflection. They share their personal journeys, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of community support. The conversation delves into their unique moon mission, which aims to send memories int...

In this episode of Serious Lady Business, host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Maria Haugen, founder of FoXX Health, a health tech app designed to empower women in managing their health. Maria shares her personal health journey that led to the creation of FoXX Health, highlighting the systemic issues women face in healthcare, including the dismissal of their symptoms. The conversation explores the d...

In this episode of Serious Lady Business, host Leslie Youngblood engages in a heartfelt conversation with Minyang (MJ) Jiang, the Chief Strategy Officer at Credibly. MJ shares her inspiring journey from being an immigrant child to a successful executive, emphasizing the importance of resilience, self-inventory, and the power of asking questions in leadership. They discuss the challenges women face...

In this Serious Lady Business conversation, Leslie talks with Kelly Hubbell , founder of Sage Haus , about why “moms need teams too” and how running a household like a business—complete with roles, systems, and support—can reclaim time, reduce burnout, and unlock growth at work and at home. Kelly shares how calculating her own “invisible labor” (about 22 hours/week) led her to hire a house manager...

This episode tracks the fearless, nonlinear creative path of Trinette Faint —from teen model in Chicago and Paris to Hollywood sets, six years at Google, published novelist, and now award-recognized screenwriter and filmmaker. Trinette credits her mother’s early “exposure therapy” to big cities and courageous self-advocacy for giving her the confidence to navigate new rooms, reset when needed (hel...

Leslie Youngblood and Andrea Liebross explore the journey of women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of coaching, community support, and the need for belief and structure in achieving business success. They discuss the challenges of the 'messy middle' in entrepreneurship, the significance of visualizing one's future self, and the necessity of taking massive action to overcome fear and achi...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Alyssa Carrier, founder and CEO of AC Disaster Consulting. They discuss Alyssa's journey into disaster management, the importance of compassion in the industry, and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field. Alyssa shares her insights on building a diverse team, aligning mission with profitability, and the unique strengths women bring to emergency manag...

Host Leslie Youngblood engages in a deep conversation with Margaret Brower, a renowned coach in the catering and venue sales industry. They explore Margaret's journey from being uncertain about her career path to becoming a successful consultant. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing patterns in sales, the unique pressures faced by middle management, and the power of observation...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Jenny Beres, co-founder of Pink Shark PR, about the importance of visibility for women founders. They discuss the challenges women face in promoting themselves and their businesses, the power of storytelling, and the necessity of taking control of one's public narrative. Jenny shares success stories of women who have transitioned from being hidden to highly visib...

Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Mackenzie Siren, co-founder of Chicago Climate Connect, a nonprofit dedicated to building a community around climate change in Chicago. Mackenzie shares her journey from software product management to climate tech, emphasizing the importance of local action and community building. They discuss the challenges of starting a nonprofit without a traditional backgroun...

Episode Summary Host Leslie Youngblood speaks with Natalise Kalea Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Parallel Health. They discuss the unique challenges female founders face in fundraising, the importance of community support, and the evolving landscape of investment in female-led startups. Natalise shares her experiences navigating investor biases, the significance of building a strong co-founder re...