The Mentor Files

In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Audra Lawlor, the founder of Girl Meets Dirt, a renowned jam company based on Orcas Island. Audra shares her remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of banking in New York City to the serene, community-driven life on Orcas Island. She discusses the pivotal moments that led to her decision to leave her high-powered...

In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Jesse Draper, founding partner of Halogen Ventures, to dive deep into the world of venture capital and the unique challenges and successes of investing in female-founded companies. Jesse shares her journey from actress to venture capitalist, her approach to reshaping the future of family through strategic investments,...

In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with Kara Goldin, the founder of Hint Inc., the company known for its delicious fruit-infused water. Kara shares her remarkable journey from cutting soda out of her diet to creating a multi-million dollar business while balancing the roles of CEO and mother of four. Episode highlights: [03:00] The Birth of Hint Water: Kara discusses her e...

In this powerful episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with Winnie Park, the CEO of Forever 21, to discuss her remarkable journey in the world of fashion and retail, and the personal trials that have shaped her into the leader she is today. Winnie shares insights into her approach to innovation, the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset, and leading with authenticity. She also ope...

In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Michelle Shetty and Suzie Carroll, co-founders of The Fitz, a medical aesthetic and wellness practice based in Chicago. They discuss the journey from nursing in a clinical setting to entrepreneurship, the importance of aligning values, and the challenges and rewards of starting and growing a successful business. They also touch...

In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Danielle Brown, the plant-based living advocate and creator behind Healthy Girl Kitchen. They delve into Danielle's personal journey from a culinary enthusiast to a wellness entrepreneur, her transition to a plant-based diet during college, and how she turned her passion for healthy, easy-to-make food into a thriving social...

Welcome to another episode of The Mentor Files . Today, we are thrilled to have a conversation with an exceptional human and guiding light for many, Irene Ortiz-Glass. In this episode: Discovering Coaching: Irene shares her journey into life coaching, beginning with her early career and moving into an eventual senior partner role. The Impact of Early Experiences: Irene opens up about her personal...

In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Dr. Sonya Bhole, a breast imaging radiologist at Northwestern Medicine. They dive into a candid conversation about finding one's purpose, the importance of embracing every step of the journey, and how inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. Key Takeaways: - Inspiration can come from the most unexpected place...

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of feeding a family. Catherine McCord, the brain behind Weelicious and the author of four game-changing cookbooks, shares her journey from culinary school to becoming a mom, and the  creation of Weelicious, a platform designed to empower parents in the kitchen.  Catherine emphasizes the importance of making mealtime fun, approachable,...

In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with entrepreneur Manuela Zoninsein, founder and CEO of Kadeya.  Manuela delves into the challenges and rewards of motherhood, her experiences living abroad, the importance of building a supportive network as a parent and business owner and her vision to visionary entrepreneur determined to eliminate single-use beverage con...

In this deeply impactful episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Navyn Salem, the founder of Edesia Nutrition, a non-profit organization on a mission to end malnutrition globally. Navyn shares her journey from being a mom of four to spearheading a global initiative that produces life-saving food products for malnourished children. Tune in to hear Navyn's story of resilie...

Join host Monica Royer as she sits down with Brian Bloom, her co-founder of Monica + Andy, to discuss the evolution of their business partnership, the behind-the-scenes of building a brand, and the personal growth they've experienced along the way. From starting as a bachelor with no ties to baby clothes to becoming a father and an integral part of a thriving company, Brian shares his unique...

Andy Dunn co-founded Bonobos, a revolutionary menswear e-commerce brand. But, behind the scenes, he was struggling with bipolar disorder. “Here’s the real story of what was going on, which I think was a heckuva lot more interesting than selling pants on the internet,” he tells host Monica Royer—who also happens to be his sister.   In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with he...

I'm thrilled to announce that The Mentor Files is back for a new season and we're digging deeper than ever before into the story behind the story.  As the founder of Monica and Andy , I'm always eager to connect our community with sources of all kinds of inspiration.  Join me this season as we hear from entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and experts who are all changing the game. Join...

Learn how Nona Lim started her restaurant-quality food brand, what she brought from her fencing career, and why a great team needs full transparency. "I've always had a passion for food, even if I'm not professionally trained." - Nona Lim. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/89

Listen in to learn how to create a powerful partnership with your investors, and what Sarah Woelfel wants to see in successful CEOs and her own clients. "We specifically designed CULT Capital to be differentiated in the VC growth equity space, and we're really set on creating a new and different investor paradigm." - Sarah Woelfel. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files w...

Listen in to learn how Annie Lawless started her lifelong love of health and wellness, and why she doesn't hesitate when opportunity knocks. "I've always just been so fascinated with nutrition, ingredients, and the correlation between what we consume and how we look and feel." - Annie Lawless. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaanda...

Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas. "You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76

Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career. "I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with...

Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team. "There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Roy...

Learn how Gregg Renfrew uniquely combined the philosophies of DTC and retail, how she developed her products, and who has inspired her the most in her life. "I started to draw parallels between things that were detrimental to the Earth and things that were detrimental to our bodies." - Gregg Renfrew. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy...

Listen in to learn how Nicole Gibbons went from medical school to marketing to entrepreneur, and what she wishes she knew before she started her business. "I saw this huge pain point around the homeowner when it comes to choosing color." - Nicole Gibbons. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/85

Listen in to learn what inspired Holly to start Supergoop, why she focused on a slow scaling of her brand, and what she considers when she takes in capital.  "I think the decision making becomes easier when you're always focused on your mission and why you exist as a brand." - Holly Thaggard. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.bl...

Listen in to learn the beginnings of True Botanicals, where Hillary focused her efforts in the beginning, and the importance of finding the best team. "It was really important to us to be able to deliver results without toxins." - Hillary Peterson. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/65

Learn what makes the perfect pitch when raising capital, how to create your best team, and what Jesse has learned from her work in venture capital. "Sometimes you're betting on a founder with a two or three person team, and sometimes you're betting on a sole founder. It's really about the people, so I try to get to know them however I possibly can." - Jesse Draper. Learn m...