Business on the Vine

Your business story can do what another polished pitch cannot: help people see who you are, why your work matters, and why they should trust you. Signature story strategist Molly Gomez joins Lady Jen Du Plessis to unpack the connection between storytelling, vision, authenticity, and the four stages of seeding, casting, anchoring, and stewarding the vision behind your business. They explore why str...

Most businesses talk about what they do, but Graham Kuhn reveals why trust grows when people understand why you do it, what makes you different, and the transformation you create. He and Lady Jen unpack the videos that build credibility, why authentic storytelling beats scripted promotion, and how everyday client questions can become powerful authority-building content. The conversation also explo...

What if the next level of your business isn’t about doing more, but surrounding yourself with the right people, systems, and support to grow beyond you? Lady Jen Du Plessis and guest Joanna Zhang, founder of Operations Genius, dive into fractional VAs, AI, delegation, team leadership, and the shift from Chief Everything Officer to visionary CEO. Their conversation uncovers why sustainable business...

Every decision you make before you even open your eyes in the morning sets off a chain reaction that shapes your business, your relationships, and your legacy. Host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Kelly Featheringham to unpack the ripple effect — how a single choice, reaction, or conversation can transform not just your own path but the trajectory of everyone around you. Pour a glass, lean in,...

What if the secret to building a thriving business was as simple as asking the right questions? In this episode, Mark J. Carter gets real about battling shiny object syndrome, chasing the wrong lanes for years, and finally discovering the power of staying focused on what you do best. Tune in for an honest, energizing conversation about curiosity, relationships, and why gratitude might be your most...

What happens when a PR powerhouse who shapes narratives around global cybersecurity threats also co-founds a toilet replacement company? In this episode, Kari Ritacco shares how packing a car with $500 and driving south taught her the art of persistence, why giving without expecting anything in return is the ultimate business strategy, and how the willingness to pivot on a dime separates thriving...

Most podcasters are working hard, growing their audience, and still barely breaking even — and there's a reason for that. In this episode, Lady Jen and The Podfather pull back the curtain on the real business of podcasting: the platform traps, the sponsorship myths, and the strategies that actually move the needle. If you've ever wondered why your podcast isn't paying off, this is the episode you'...

What does it take to build a business for 30 years, exit on your own terms, and still have something meaningful left to give? Gordon Bernhardt breaks down the four C's of lasting success and the six-word story that guided every decision he ever made. ______________________ Connect with Lady Jen Connect and Schedule a Strategy call at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://supportfromjen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What if your words could make you a millionaire? In this episode of Business on the Vine, Lady Jen sits down with media strategist and bestselling author Aurora Winter to unpack the seven proven ways thought leaders turn their message into a 7-figure business. Plus, Aurora drops a truth bomb every entrepreneur needs to hear: if you're not making enough profit, you're not solving a big enough probl...

What happens when a layoff becomes a launchpad? Marketing strategist Kelly Schuknecht shares how two years of quiet dreaming led to a thriving thought leadership agency — and what it really takes to build a business with vision, not just hustle. If you're ready to stop being busy and start being intentional, this conversation is your sign. ______________________ Connect with Lady Jen Connect and S...

What if you stopped waiting to be discovered and started owning your spotlight? Dr. Barrett Matthews — "The Media Boss" — joins Lady Jen Du Plessis at Bluemont Vineyard to break down how entrepreneurs can build their own media empire, monetize their presence, and use AI to stay ahead of the competition. ______________________ Connect with Lady Jen Connect and Schedule a Strategy call at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What happens when a kid with nothing but grit and a love for reptiles refuses to quit? Jay Brewer — orphaned at a young age, broke for decades, and "all in" on his passion — built a world-renowned zoo, bred snakes never seen before in history, and amassed 80 million followers. His story isn't just about animals; it's a masterclass in resilience, calculated risk, and what it really means to never g...

What if the secret to achieving your biggest goals was hiding in just 12 minutes of your day? Jennifer Takagi, the 12-Minute Success Coach, joins Lady Jen Du Plessis to share how she turned a surprise government layoff into a thriving coaching business — and how breaking your dreams into bite-sized increments can change everything. If you've ever felt too overwhelmed to take that first step, this...

Host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Craig Aycock, a seasoned entrepreneur who has built a thriving construction business entirely on referrals over 15 years — and is now boldly pivoting to pursue his lifelong passion for voiceover work. Craig shares candid insights on managing subcontractors, finding the balance between passion and profit, and what it really means to bet on yourself when start...

Dame Dr. Shatira Wilks joins host Lady Jen Du Plessis at Stone Tower Vineyards for a candid conversation about building a thriving franchise empire from the inside out. As one of the few African American female franchisors in the country, Dame Dr. Shatira shares the mindset principles, hard-won business lessons, and community-first philosophy that have fueled her success with Chicago Chicken Shack...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Brandon Moon, COO and Strategic Partner at TD Pine Advisors, to unpack how founder-led businesses can scale with clarity and structure — without the owner becoming the bottleneck. Brandon shares hard-won lessons from growing a family manufacturing business, making strategic acquisitions, and building operations that c...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Jen Du Plessis sits down with longtime friend and custom home builder Francisca Alonso to trace her remarkable journey from designing a neighbor's backyard deck to running a full-service architecture, construction, and real estate firm. Over a glass of wine at Barrel Oak Winery, Francisca shares the mindset shifts, hiring lessons, and growth strategies...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with bestselling authors and co-founders of the Fun and Bliss Collective, Moneeka Sawyer and Monick Halm, to explore the art of strategic partnerships, the power of shared values, and why fun isn't the reward — it's the way. Together, they unpack how entrepreneurs can shift from hustle and grind to building businesses that...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Ben Albert — founder of Balbert Marketing and host of the Real Business Connections podcast — to explore how entrepreneurs can stop blending in and start becoming producers of unforgettable experiences. From Ben's CAN System for creation-driven networking to turning a single interview into a content goldmine, this con...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with global speaker, author, and humanitarian Greg Bennick to explore why meaningful, purpose-driven work is the key to true business success. Together they dive into the power of human connection, the importance of stepping out of the silo, and how reclaiming the moments that matter can transform both your business and yo...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Anthony Bourke — decorated F-16 fighter pilot, CEO of Mach 2 Consulting, and author of The Art of Debrief — to explore how military precision, contingency planning, and the brief-execute-debrief feedback loop can transform the way business leaders make decisions and build high-performing teams. From flying Homeland De...

Welcome to this episode of Business on the Vine with Lady Jen Du Plessis and her guest, Jim Keyes. From growing up without running water to leading iconic brands like 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, Jim shares how embracing change, discipline, and delayed gratification shaped his extraordinary leadership journey. He also reveals his bold mission today—leveraging technology to transform American educatio...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with CMO and growth operator Kurt Uhlir to explore modern go-to-market systems and the power of servant leadership in scaling companies. Kurt shares his proven strategies for building outcome-driven teams, planning for 2-month, 12-month, and 36-month growth horizons, and why the best leaders admit they're wrong about at least t...

Lady Jen Du Plessis sits down with Mark Struczewski, known as Mister Productivity, to uncover why health and wellness—not just time management—are the true foundations of productivity. Mark shares his game-changing ODAY Method (Outsource, Delegate, Automate, Eliminate) and reveals why saying "no," taking micro breaks, and limiting daily clients transformed his business and can help you cut through...

In this episode of Business on the Vine, host Lady Jen Du Plessis welcomes Renee Hastings, President and CEO of Executive Help Now, to discuss why mastering delegation is a game-changer for entrepreneurs. Renee shares how bringing on her first assistant transformed her business and life, and reveals the mindset shifts needed to overcome fear, let go of control, and finally stop working in your bus...