TranscendWithM

This week I'm joined by Carey Wallace, founder of Agency Focus and one of the most trusted advisors in the independent insurance agency space. We talked about the part of the business most owners avoid. The valuation. The P&L. The benchmarks. The honest conversation about what your agency is actually worth and what's quietly hurting that number. In this episode: → Why 83% of independent agenci...

What does it actually take to build an agency worth keeping →whether you sell it, pass it down, or hold it forever? This week I sat down with Matt Naimoli, co-founder of GNN Insurance and now M&A advisor at Legacy Advisors, for a conversation that's not about theory. It's about what most agency owners only learn the hard way. Matt and I built together inside GNN years before he walked me throu...

Five years ago, Melissa Gilbo was one of the first guests on Transcend with M. She came back for Season 3 a completely different woman. And so did I. Melissa is the Founder and CEO of Women’s Business League, a national platform for women in business now in its 8th year. She built it from zero. No playbook. No roadmap. Just one honest conversation with a stranger at a local pizza restaurant and th...

Juan Carlos (JC) Morales shares his unique perspective on the world of finance and how he has dedicated his career to strengthening and empowering the Latino community as the founder and CEO of Surfside Capital Advisors. He has led innovative financial strategies for companies in Boston and beyond and has been a key architect of initiatives that positively impact Latinos. From his prominent roles...

The transformative power of taking control of your finances, and the impact it can have on your life. Meet Tess, a determined woman who discovered just that. In this episode, Tess shares her journey of mastering her financial future. Through her inspiring storytelling, she reveals how taking charge of her finances has transformed her life and empowered her to achieve her dreams. Reflect on your ow...

The importance of practicing self-compassion, leaving guilt behind, and taking care of oneself. Dulce Orozco, a standout immigrant therapist who is making an impact in the Latino community today. In this episode, Dulce shares her struggles in balancing her career and her Latina identity. Through her heartfelt storytelling, she reminds us of the importance of seeking help, leaning on others, and em...

Have you ever discovered the beauty in the imperfection of your dreams? Have you found perfection in accepting the imperfect, despite our expectations? Have you experienced greatness within what you considered imperfect? Meet Paulette Piñero, who bravely followed her heart, leaving everything behind to create her own brand called Unstoppable Latina, helping brands reach the top. Her journey is a t...

How many times have we felt lost, unable to find our way? And how many times have we needed someone to accompany us in the process? Sometimes, we think we can do it alone, but is it really necessary to go through this process alone? Do you know what coaching is? Michelle Fermín, a prominent leader recognized for her outstanding leadership at Century 21 and for turning The Fermín Group into a globa...

🌟 Discover the incredible story of Arianny Arias, a mortgage specialist who is making a difference in building generational wealth in the vibrant Latinx community of the United States. 🏡✨ From her beginnings as an immigrant to becoming an expert in mortgages, Arianny guides us through her exciting journey and shares why she believes building a lasting financial legacy is so crucial. 💼💡 "Teach...

🌟 Discover the incredible journey of Miguelina Peralta, a courageous Latina who transformed her life through the power of Networking in the United States! 🌟 🌍 Immerse yourself in the thrilling narrative of Miguelina, who left her homeland to pursue her dreams in the land of opportunities. Miguelina will exclusively share the secrets behind her success: Networking as the key to unlocking doors!...

Latasha Hughes Thomasson is a professional comedian and wellness coach. She was born and raised in Worcester. As a divorced mother of five, she recently became a new grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter. Latasha has worked as a social worker for twenty years, serving as the Family Networks Coordinator at DCF Worcester West and as a Resources Development Specialist for the Worcester office of D...

Margie Breault is a woman on a mission, a mother of three with her hands full and her heart even fuller. She is deeply committed to giving back to her community, with a strong passion for entrepreneurship, DEI&B, LGBTQ+, and women's rights. Margie actively volunteers and serves on the Fund Development Committee for Girls on the Run, Worcester County. She also holds a position on the board of t...

Ceylan is a dedicated social changemaker who has worked for the past 20 years to remove barriers for women, girls, and marginalized communities. In her latest venture, Ceylan founded Fihri - a social enterprise aimed at eliminating period poverty worldwide sustainably with specially customized initiatives. 500 million menstruators across the globe lack access to menstrual products each month and 1...

Ashley Nardello is an empowerment specialist and Boudoir photographer located in Worcester ma! She is passionate about helping women on their healing journey. She teaches women that learning to love yourself in images leads to a more fulfilling life, a more empowered personality, and stronger self-confidence.  Episode Highlights: The power of empowering photography. (1:26) Connecting the image wit...

Adriana also known as Adri Maria, is your everyday Bronx girl with a heart of gold and a slick mouth! As a true New Yorker, it is in her blood to hustle. She has a relentless passion for success, no matter what the task is. She’s innovative, personable, and pertinacious. With a resilient spirit and spunky zeal, she has taken her talents all across the US. Living by the quote Faith > Fear, she b...

Luanne Westerling has 30 years of facilitation, training, leading, and teaching experience, both in higher education and the financial services sector. She returned to the corporate environment at MAPFRE Insurance, Webster, Massachusetts, as a Talent Development Program Manager, where she was responsible for leadership development and training programs, outreach to colleges and universities for ta...

Natalie is the author of The Power of Trust: How Top Companies Build, Manage, and Protect It and President of Success Through Trust. She’s been named one of the world's Top Thought Leaders in Trust for five consecutive years in a row by Trust Across America. Other leaders who have been named include Howard Schultz, founder and CEO of Starbucks, and author Steven Covey. Natalie is recognized as one...

Award-winning author of  ABC Worry Free  and  Are You a Bird Like Me? , Noel is an anxiety coach and neuroeducation consultant specializing in workshops and one-on-one sessions for kids and adults on anxiety and stress, executive function, and growth mindset. Often referred to as "Neuro Noel," she transforms key neuroscience findings into simple applications that appeal to how the brain learns bes...

Racquel T. Knight is a social entrepreneur who aims to help the underserved pursue their dreams and passions. through business development, community engagement, and charity work ventures. Racquel T. Knight is the Central Massachusetts Women Business Center Director at the Center for Women and Enterprise. She is also the founder and board chairperson of a US-based nonprofit that provides comfortab...

A creative leader in communications and marketing with expertise in event management, brand activation, media relations, corporate communications, and audience engagement, Amy Peterson is Chief of Staff to City Manager Eric D. Batista in the City of Worcester, where she concentrates on communications and administration. Amy has held communications, marketing, and project management positions withi...

Heather Leah, As an accomplished and strong businesswoman, Heather wanted to create and attract the most important aspect of her life—an even match when it came to romantic love and partnership. Heather’s journey involves nine marriage proposals and her soul’s continued evolution catalyzed by being in a relationship with each of the men in her book, the recently released "Is He Mr. Right or Mr. Ri...

Shelley Kay is a leading career coach and speaker and an expert in changing the way women work so they can expand their leadership and maximize their impact at work—without burning out. Shelley leverages her 10+ years of work as a top HR leader for Fortune 100 companies like Google, PepsiCo, and GE to help women experience what it means to thrive in their careers. Shelley is committed to helping h...

Suzanne Graham Anderson is the founder and CEO of Positively Suzanne LLC, a lifestyle brand whose tenets are to inspire, motivate, and empower. She has written a book called Detoxifying Leadership, hosts a podcast called Sit Down With Suzanne, and is a life and empowerment coach who focuses on empowering others to be the best versions of themselves. She is a passionate advocate of the "You are eno...

Angel Guerra-Chagolla, MA, is the founder and owner of two small national companies that were created on the foundations of education, advocacy, empowerment, and connection. She holds 15 years of corporate experience, including that as director of an international risk and insurance program for a global company. Her mission is to disrupt negative or hierarchal cultures that exclude women or minori...

Let's meet Ana Roque in this episode. She is a Brazilian Licensed Realtor at Re-Connect, LLC, and she has more than 18 years of expertise in the real estate business. She is married, a stepmother, a journalist, and the Vice President for the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). She is a trilingual woman (Portuguese, English, and...