Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs

You don’t randomly wake up and start a business that makes zero logical sense or do you? In this episode, I sit down with Summer Borkowski, founder of Summer Gold, a beauty and wellness club, to talk about what really happens when you follow an idea that doesn’t make sense on paper. From starting a spray tan business with zero experience to building a full beauty and wellness brand, this is the ki...

You’re using AI to create content, write your marketing, maybe even build your strategy, so why isn’t it actually bringing in clients? Everything looks fine on the surface. The content sounds good. The ideas are there. But it’s not landing, it’s not connecting, and it’s definitely not converting the way you expected. In this Business Chaser episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on when AI...

I followed the strategy. Did the work. Checked every box and I still didn’t get the results I expected. I invested thousands into coaching thinking it would give me the answers, help me grow faster, and take my business to the next level. Instead, I ended up overwhelmed, burnt out, and questioning everything. In this episode, I’m breaking down what coaching actually is and why so many people walk...

You’re doing everything “right” so why does making money still feel so hard? You’re showing up. You’re following the strategy. But behind the scenes, it still feels like a cycle of stress, overthinking, burnout, and starting over again. In this episode, nervous system and subconscious pattern expert Cara Barone breaks down what’s actually keeping you stuck at the same income level even when you’re...

You’re doing everything “right”… so why do you still feel stuck? You’ve learned the strategies. You’ve invested in the programs. You’ve seen some success. But no matter what you do, it feels like you keep hitting the same ceiling. In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, I’m sitting down with someone who has played a huge role in my own journey, my first mentor and business coach Cara Barone, t...

In this Business Chaser episode, Lauren breaks down what actually makes an event meaningful, impactful, and worth attending. From networking dinners to retreats, she shares her perspective on why hosting an event is about far more than filling seats or planning something pretty. It’s about intention, connection, and making people feel genuinely seen. Lauren walks through what she believes separate...

Maria Rojas did not set out to become a marketing agency owner. She began her career as an electrical engineer in Venezuela, certain of the path she was building. But when life changed and opportunity disappeared, Maria was forced to make a hard decision: leave everything familiar behind and start over in the United States. In this episode, Maria shares the reality of rebuilding from the ground up...

When starting feels scary, it’s usually not a lack of talent—it’s a lack of trust. In this quick Business Chaser, Jessie from Big Time Publishing shares three powerful reminders to help you move forward when fear shows up: Trust the desire in your heart—it’s there for a reason. Choose to see it as possible and ask, “What would my next step be?” Trust your instinct to pivot—shifting direction isn’t...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Jessi Dunnagan—author and founder of Big Time Publishing—for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to follow the nudge, tell the truth, and create before you feel “ready.” Jessi shares how writing her first book started with a title in her head, became an unexpected kind of personal therapy, and ultimately turned in...

In this quick Business Chaser, Lauren breaks down what you actually need to know before running Meta ads—without the overwhelm. She shares why ads don’t magically fix a marketing problem, how they amplify what’s already working (and what isn’t), and what to have in place first: consistent content, cohesive branding, and a clear goal. You’ll hear a real client scenario (luxury, high-ticket services...

In this solo episode, Lauren shares the part of her cancer story that doesn’t get talked about enough: what happens after remission. Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice, she opens up about the mental weight of survivorship—scanxiety, follow-up tests, and living with a body that no longer feels fully predictable. Lauren reflects on the long-term effects of chemo and...

In this episode, Heather Miller breaks down the core of product thinking—and why you don’t need perfection to launch something successful. If you’re building from scratch or trying to scale a scrappy offer, app, or service, this is a practical guide to making smarter product decisions with less guessing. Heather explains what a “product” really is (hint: it’s the value engine of your business), th...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Heather Miller, a product management consultant and the CEO of PDRM Consulting—and what starts as a conversation about “products” quickly becomes something deeper. Heather takes us back to the version of her who was convinced she’d become a surgeon… until life rerouted her into software, product leadership, and eventually entreprene...

In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and increase visibility online and in the room. You’ll learn how to choose the right networking events, connect with decision-makers, and make yourself memorable...

Michelle Thames went to work one day in 2016 and walked out fired from her healthcare compliance job. What felt like an ending became the pivot that changed everything. In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Michelle shares how she leaned on the blog she’d been building since 2009, taught herself marketing through real-world reps, and turned a career curveball into a thriving path as a market...

Dating doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game or a grind. In this Business Chaser episode, dating coach Lauren Fondriest shares a grounded, empowering framework for high-achieving women who are ready to shift from casual dating to consciously attracting a partner who matches their values, lifestyle, and ambitions. You’ll learn three actionable steps to approach dating with self-worth, clarity,...

What happens when a high-achieving corporate coach realizes the deepest transformation she’s ever had wasn’t in the boardroom—but in her love life? In this soulful conversation, Lauren sits down with Lauren Fondriest, a leadership coach turned women's dating coach, to unpack the personal reckoning that shifted everything. From years of dating struggles and shrinking herself in relationships t...

Think PR is only for celebrities and big brands? Think again. In this quick myth-busting episode, Lilian Sue breaks down the biggest misconception in public relations—and shares what you actually need to start building visibility through interviews and media features. No massive budget, no millions of followers—just clarity on your story, your goals, and your audience. Perfect for entrepreneurs wh...

What if the story you’ve been hiding is the key to everything you’ve been working toward? In this deeply honest conversation, we explore the powerful intersection of creative storytelling, public visibility, and personal healing. Our guest Lilian Sue shares how a simple request—"Do you do PR?"—sparked a complete transformation from freelance copywriter to media authority amplifier. We ta...

In this solo episode, music educator Cassie Williamson shares practical insights and real-life experiences from her work teaching students with disabilities. From adapting lessons for those with cerebral palsy and low motor function to working with blind, deaf, and non-verbal students, Cassie explores how music can be taught to every learner regardless of ability. Learn how she designs her own str...

Cassie Williamson didn’t set out to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a music teacher but life had its own tempo. From teaching piano in her childhood home to launching a thriving music studio of her own, Cassie shares how music, patience, and purpose intertwined to shape a career she never saw coming. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to build a business rooted in impact, the qu...

Feeling overwhelmed by wedding inspiration? In this episode, Nicole Krygsheld of Sweet Pea Designs shares a soulful, step-by-step process to help you cut through the noise and design a wedding that feels like you. From identifying how you want to feel on your day to building a mood board that guides every decision, Nicole offers a grounded and creative framework to bring your vision to life withou...

What happens when motherhood, loss, and a pandemic collide? For Nicole Krygsheld, it sparked a quiet but powerful transformation. In this episode, Lauren sits down with the founder of Sweet Pea Designs to unpack how a childhood spent in a greenhouse planted the seeds for a dream that would bloom years later through postpartum depression, career pivots, and one life-changing backyard baby shower. N...

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Great, I can pay myself,” without knowing what’s actually coming in or going out — this episode is for you. Jessica Wilson, founder of Design Ledgers, breaks down practical, beginner-friendly steps to get your business finances in order. From setting up a simple receipts system to choosing the right time to hire a bookkeeper, this episode gi...

Jessica Wilson grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, where “playing office” as a kid turned into a lifelong love for the numbers behind the scenes. In this episode, she shares how the women in her family taught her the power of bookkeeping, why financial clarity brings peace, and what it really means to hold space for business owners who feel overwhelmed by their finances. Whether you're scali...