Accidental CEO Podcast

Aria Leighty is not here to play nice—and that’s exactly why you’ll love her. In this episode, we’re breaking the “visibility means more social posts” myth wide open. Aria, founder of Show The F*ck Up Media, shares what it really takes to build a brand that people actually care about. Spoiler: it starts with showing up as yourself and building real relationships—not collecting business cards or co...

In this episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast, Nata Salvatori sits down with Dana Johnson of Dana’s Desk to unpack the untapped power of Pinterest for creative entrepreneurs. Dana, a former wedding industry pro turned Pinterest strategist and online business manager, shares how she went from running events to running the back end of some of the most well-known creative brands in the wedding space....

Tired of pretending burnout is just part of the job? In this week’s Accidental CEO, Nata Salvatori interviews Hayley Knight, the unapologetically bold co-founder of PR agency Be Yellow. Hayley opens up about leaving a toxic 9-to-5 to build something radically different—an agency rooted in values, boundaries, and big impact. She shares how Be Yellow operates on 4-day workweeks, runs no-interruption...

You’re busy—but are you actually growing? In this episode, Nata Salvatori exposes a trap that’s costing service providers time, money, and sanity: chasing busywork that feels productive but doesn’t move the needle. She walks through a clear, five-step growth path—from clarifying your offer, validating through real sales, delivering sustainably, building repeatable systems, to scaling confidently....

You don’t have to choose between thriving at work and being the mom your kids need. This week, I sat down with Laura Davis—time management strategist and founder of Time Management Academy—to unpack the myth of “having it all.” Laura knows the struggle intimately: after going through IVF, she didn’t want to waste a single second. She built a business that helps women create time frameworks that ac...

In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Paul, a veteran wedding planner and floral designer with over 15 years of experience. Ashley delves into her journey through the wedding industry, highlighting the significant changes she's witnessed and the lessons she's learned along the way. Beyond her hands-on work in weddings, Ashley founded Ashley Paul Co., a virtual assisting company dedica...

In this episode of The Accidental CEO, Nata Salvatori sits down with Celeste Burns, a queer wedding photographer committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all couples. They unpack what most wedding vendors get wrong about working with LGBTQ+ clients—and how to fix it. From the language we use on our forms to the assumptions we carry into photoshoots, this conversation is a must-listen for a...

In this enlightening episode, Chelene Knight, founder of Breathing Space Creative Studios, delves into her transformation from an accidental CEO to a mindful leader. She unpacks the critical importance of conserving energy and the empowering practice of saying no with love. Chelene's insights are a beacon for creatives seeking to navigate the often tumultuous waters of burnout and self-doubt....

What if selling wasn’t sleazy—and money wasn’t the enemy? In this episode, Shaun Gordon of Kiss Books rewrites the rulebook for photographers who want more than just pretty pictures. From his early days of entrepreneurship to becoming a successful wedding photographer and founder, Shaun shares how shifting your mindset and serving with intention can radically transform your business. We cover why...

What if the biggest thing holding you back in business… is invisible? In this episode, Nata Salvatori interviews Max Rosenkranz, a former mechanical engineer whose spiritual awakening in the backseat of an Uber rerouted his life toward coaching. Max helps entrepreneurs rewire subconscious beliefs that sabotage their businesses, using tools like neuroplasticity and the Lefkoe Method. Max shares the...

What happens when you leave the comfort of a steady job to bet entirely on yourself? In this powerful episode, Nata Salvatori sits down with Sam Cordry , founder of Cordry Creative , to talk about the messy, magical process of becoming your own boss—and how to build a brand that actually reflects who you are. Sam shares her journey from employee to entrepreneur, including the mindset hurdles no on...

Ever felt trapped in a job that controls your calendar, your income, and your life? That was Makenna Luban —until she said “enough” and built her business from scratch. In this episode of The Accidental CEO Podcast , Makenna shares how being denied time off for her honeymoon and to meet her nephew became the breaking point that led her to entrepreneurship. Now, she’s an in-demand email copywriter...

If marketing feels like a chore, you're not alone — and today's guest has the solution. On this episode of The Accidental CEO Podcast , Nata Salvatori chats with Chris Burns , marketing expert, coach, and co-founder of Hustle Leaders. Chris has helped businesses double their revenue without doubling their stress — and today he shares exactly how. You'll learn: Why complicated market...

This week on The Accidental CEO Podcast , we sit down with Roy Serafin—wedding photographer turned SEO strategist and CEO of Story and Community . Roy's story is anything but linear, but it’s packed with gold for any creative who wants to stop chasing clients and start attracting them. We talk about: Quitting the 9–5 grind after one emotional moment at a wedding How blogging (yes, blogging!)...

Meghan Ely, owner of OFD Consulting, shares her journey from accidental CEO to wedding publicist and PR expert. She saw a gap in the wedding industry for effective promotion and decided to fill it. Megan emphasizes the importance of PR in getting your work seen and offers various strategies beyond paid advertising, such as event features, company write-ups, quotes, podcast interviews, and product...

From high school dance teacher to entrepreneur empowering educators—Laylee Emadi’s journey wasn’t a straight line, but it’s one full of heart, purpose, and ripple effects. In this episode of The Accidental CEO Podcast, Laylee opens up about how a passion for photography turned into a thriving business, how being “the sassy one” helped her stand out, and why she believes real leadership starts with...

Amy Mahler, co-owner of MyNourishmentForTheSoul, discusses their mission to make mental health help affordable and accessible. They have developed an app called Mind Nourishment for the Soul that provides weekly transformational insights and challenges to help individuals understand and change themselves. The app is priced at $39.99 a year, making it affordable for anyone seeking personal change....

Courtney Nein, a certified coach for the Dinner Table Academy, shares her journey of helping families build financial competency and create a healthy money mindset. She emphasizes the importance of involving children in the family's financial decisions and teaching them the value of earning and spending money responsibly. Courtney discusses the three E's of the Dinner Table Academy'...

Halle Heather, owner of Luli Photo and Film and host of the Take Your Shot Podcast, shares her journey from a corporate job to becoming a full-time wedding photographer and business coach. She discusses the importance of taking risks and following your passion, as well as the challenges and benefits of working with her husband. Halle emphasizes the need for boundaries between personal and business...

Jamie Fisher, a photographer and conference host, shares her journey from wanting to be a maternity nurse to becoming a photographer and educator. She discusses the support she received from her family and friends during this transition and the impact of a personal loss on her career path. Jamie emphasizes the importance of creating a personalized business plan and tailoring it to individual needs...

Inbar Madar, CEO of MI Business Consulting, shares her journey from working in corporate to starting her own consulting firm. She specializes in helping small business owners maximize profits and expand their businesses. Inbar noticed a gap in knowledge and resources for small business owners compared to larger corporations, which inspired her to empower entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importanc...

Cassie Hayes, CEO of PremierOpSpot, shares insights on systems and optimization to help business owners grow and free up time. She discusses her journey from network marketing to becoming a fourth-generation business owner. The biggest challenges heart-centered service providers face in business management include a lack of knowledge about tools and systems and the struggle to balance analysis par...

Akua Konadu, a storytelling strategist, shares her journey from pageantry to entrepreneurship. She discusses the pressure she felt as the daughter of immigrants to pursue a traditional career path and how she ultimately followed her passion for storytelling. Akua emphasizes the importance of community and finding support from like-minded individuals. She also highlights the need to deconstruct soc...

Andrea Frey, a conversion copywriter and launch strategist, shares her journey from being a physician assistant to becoming the CEO of her own business. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with people before selling to them and the need to understand the motivation behind their behaviors. Andrea also discusses her membership program, the Creative Copy Club, which focuses on teaching princi...

In this episode of the Accidento CEO podcast, host Nata Salvatori invites her daughters to share their perspectives on what it means to be a CEO and the lessons they've learned from watching their Mom run a business. The conversation explores themes of confidence, creativity, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams while balancing family life. The girls provide insightful advice for...