The Corporate Dropout

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools a brand can have, but according to Roger Phelps, most companies still overlook what actually makes people connect. In this episode of The Corporate Dropout, Rachael sits down with former STIHL Inc. Corporate Communications Manager and current CEO of Roger Phelps Consulting, LLC to talk about brand storytelling, customer connection, and leadership that...

What makes someone stop scrolling and actually connect with a brand on social media? In this episode of The Corporate Dropout, Rachael sits down with Jordan Schoonover to talk about building brand personality in a crowded social media feed. They break down why showing up human matters more than polished perfection, and how brands can stand out by being clear, consistent, and authentic. Rachael sha...

What does it take to build a thriving restaurant group in a small coastal town? In this episode, Rachael sits down with Jon Dempster, the restaurateur behind E&O Pub, The Shanty, Deadrise Italian Kitchen, and Brown Dog Ice Cream in Cape Charles, Virginia. Jon shares how he turned one dockside dream into four community-favorite restaurants, each grounded in hospitality, teamwork, and heart. You'll...

What does it take to turn a family side hustle into an $8 million landscaping company? In this episode, twin brothers Josh and Matt Eldredge, co-owners of Earthscapes in Virginia Beach, share how they grew their father's small lawn service into a thriving landscaping and outdoor living business. With over 20 years in the industry, the brothers break down the systems, leadership strategies, and tea...

Scaling a business is exciting, but doing it the right way takes strategy and intention. In this episode of The Corporate Dropout, Troy McCollum, CEO of Layer 9 IT, shares how he turned an unexpected setback into a thriving IT firm. After getting fired by his own dad, he took a leap of faith and built a company that now operates in multiple states. Troy opens up about the biggest lessons he has le...

This week on The Corporate Dropout, we're catching up with Chef Kip Poole, the brains (and taste buds) behind Yorkies and the CROP Foundation. Kip shares how he's turned his passion for food into a mission to create opportunities for aspiring chefs. We chat about the ups and downs of opening a restaurant, finding inspiration for new flavors, and why purpose is a huge driver in determining success....

Get ready to feel the burn – this week's episode of The Corporate Dropout is habanero hot! Rachael is joined by Chef Maria Covarubbias, the culinary genius behind Cien Chiles. We talk about how Maria accidentally created a hot sauce empire while navigating the choppy waters of the CPG industry during the pandemic. We also learn more about Maria's culinary adventures, pandemic pivots, and her secre...

In this week's episode, Rachael and D'Asia sit down to chat about Rach's wild career journey and what led her to becoming her own boss! The gals are dishing about how to network as a young professional, leaving lasting impressions that matter, and self-advocating in the workplace.  But Rach isn't holding anything back - she's getting real about her personal battles with burnout, struggling to bala...

This week, we're chatting with Mike Abramowitz – a seasoned entrepreneur, author, business coach, and philanthropist. Mike takes us through his business journey, sharing the highs and lows that have defined his path.  Mike dishes about how he picked himself up after the 2008 financial crisis and the comeback that led him to training over 5,000 sales reps and generating a massive 17 million in sale...

In this week's episode, Mix+Shine's D'Asia and Hannah join Rachael to discuss the recent marketing strategies observed in the film industry. Together, they explore the impacts of over branding and over marketing, as well as the underlying motives driving these tactics. The trio talks about success stories of movies with minimal marketing investments, such as Saltburn and Oppenheimer, emphasizing t...

In this week's episode, we catch up with Jen Pressley, the Head of Leesa Sleep. Jen walks us through her unique career path, sharing pivotal moments that shaped her journey to becoming a female leader in business. She discusses how she integrates her creative instincts into her professional endeavors, using the fundamentals of design to craft exceptional customer experiences in e-commerce. We also...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Riggs, CEO and founder of Crunchy Hydration, a functional beverage company with a unique twist. Megan shares her entrepreneurial journey, from leaving the corporate world to starting her own business—emphasizing the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Megan talks about the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the competit...

Today we sit down with Paige Staylor, owner of Pop VB in Virginia Beach, VA. Paige discusses her journey to finding a passion for balloon decor and how she developed it into a successful business venture. She talks about scaling her team of hardworking, trustworthy individuals and how they navigate building an efficient business for themselves and their customers. She shares lessons learned as a n...

We sit down with Jessica Masciangelo, co-owner of Either Ore Jewelers Strawbridge in Virginia Beach, VA. Jessica shares her incredible journey from a 12-year-old occasionally helping her mom at the store to becoming a co-owner of this thriving business. She talks about the importance of building genuine relationships with customers and her passion for creating custom jewelry pieces that carry deep...

Jessica Berger left her corporate job to found Bundle x Joy—a Latina-owned, women-owned pet brand. She discusses fostering an inclusive and representative space in the pet industry by bringing diversity, empowerment, and alignment to leadership roles. They explore the inspiration behind Jess's purpose-driven pet brand and the importance she places on emotional connection, simplified nutrition, and...

Today we're sitting down with Annie Slabotsky and Morgan Lerner, co-founders of GoNanas. The businesswomen share their business journey along with challenges they faced in scaling their operations and maintaining a personal touch with customers. Annie and Morgan also talk about their strategies for gaining media coverage and provide advice for entrepreneurs looking to gain exposure for their busin...

In this episode, we talk to Jordan Englehardt, Founder and CEO of Skinny Mixes. She tells all about her journey from college graduate to accomplished business owner and hardships she overcame to build a strong foundational brand.   To learn more, visit the show notes. Connect with Rachael on Instagram!  

In the face of life's obstacles, Darryll Stinson turned his roadblocks into stepping stones. From conquering opioid abuse to surviving suicide attempts, Stinson's pivotal transformation into a best-selling author and motivational speaker stands as a testament of overcoming adversity.  To learn more, visit the show notes. Connect with Rachael on Instagram!  

Ashlye Fleming worked in the corporate world for years before realizing she was just going through the motions. Craving flexibility, and the opportunity to spend more time with family, Fleming quit her job and opened her first BODYROK exercise studio. Now in Nashville, Fleming runs three BODYROK locations and has never looked back. To learn more, visit the show notes. Connect with Rachael & April...

How do you make huge shifts in your business AND be good stewards of the land? Today's guest, Jennifer Bruehwiler, Director of Sales for Ralston Family Farms, shares exactly how they diversified their business in 2017 and began providing premium rice directly to consumers. Tune in to learn more about sustainable farming and how to navigate working with family. To learn more, visit the show notes....

Can knowing your team members' enneagram type help you work together more effectively? Short answer: YES! In today's episode, April sits down with Shay Bocks, Certified Enneagram Practitioner + Brand Strategist. They chat about the nine main personality types and how you can use them to improve team dynamics AND your brand marketing strategy. Tune in to learn how you can get professionally typed,...

Investing in Google Ads for the first time? Listen up! This episode is for you. Rachael is joined by Stephen Stanczak, founder of Superfood Digital. They chat about the current landscape of Google Ads and how food and beverage brands can leverage the platform's powerful ad capabilities to grow revenue. Tune in to learn what you need to have in place before investing in Google Ads, what your budget...

When Dr. Shelly Bhowmik realized how much stress and burnout were affecting her daily life, she got to work. She dug into what burnout is, discovered the warning signs and the most common causes. Now, Dr. Bhowmik has dedicated her time to helping other women overcome their burnout and lead happy, healthy lives. In today's episode you'll learn: 3 early signs of burnout, behaviors to watch out for,...

Is being intentional with product development and branding really that important? Just ask SweetPea Co-Founder Heather Romens. Romens spent several years developing a chickpea-based, non-dairy ice cream that now holds its own against major CPG brands. Tune in to learn: important questions to ask yourself during product development, how to let go of perfectionism, how to keep pushing forward when f...

Are you ready to finally take the leap and turn your side hustle into a full-time gig? Kristin Shockley will inspire you to make big moves in your business. Today she shares her story about building a portfolio from scratch and what it takes to erase your fears around being your own boss. You'll learn: how to handle your first tough client experience, how she knew it was time to quit her full time...