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

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails , Steph Rubio joins Lauren for a powerful after-hours chaser on what business strategy really means for women entrepreneurs. If you’ve been stuck doing all the things, spinning your wheels, and wondering why your business still feels off—this conversation is your wake-up call. We explore how to find clarity in business strategy, create mental space for bi...

What happens when doing it all still doesn’t feel like enough? In this episode of Business Over Cocktails , Steph Rubio shares the pivotal moment she realized her business wasn’t aligned with the life she actually wanted. From starting as a virtual assistant to stepping into her role as a strategic powerhouse, Steph takes us behind the scenes of the mindset shifts, self-belief breakthroughs, and s...

Ever hit that 3PM crash and reach for coffee or sugar? In this solo episode, Jenny Pena, national board-certified health and wellness coach, shares three simple, science-backed strategies to balance your blood sugar, boost energy, and reduce cravings—without extreme diets or burnout. Whether you're managing pre-diabetes or just want to feel better day to day, these tips are for you. Episode H...

What happens when a high-achieving finance executive hears the words “pre-diabetic” before turning 30? In this powerful episode, Lauren sits down with Jenny Pena—now known as the Blood Sugar Bestie—to unpack the wake-up call that changed everything. Jenny shares her deeply personal journey from Wall Street stress to wellness coaching, how losing her grandmother to diabetes pushed her toward change...

In this Business Chaser episode, money and mindset coach Deanna returns to break down why hustle culture is sabotaging your financial success—and how slowing down can actually accelerate your path to wealth. She shares powerful stories from clients who were hitting $12K months yet still felt burned out, and explains why building first-generational wealth requires more than just grinding harder. De...

In this powerful episode, Lauren sits down with money mindset coach and financial mentor Deanna to unpack what it really takes to rewrite your money story. From navigating identity theft and single motherhood to building first-generational wealth, Deanna shares how deep mindset work—not just strategy—transformed her finances and her life. If you’ve ever felt stuck in generational money patterns, s...

What does it really mean to take ownership of your numbers? In this episode, Julie Hankins—a fractional CFO and financial strategist—joins me to break down how to get clear on your finances without losing your values, vision, or energy . We talk about how to overcome fear of your numbers as a small business owner, when it’s time to hire a bookkeeper or financial help, and why outsourcing financial...

What happens when you try to walk away from the thing you’re best at? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Julie Hankins, a financial strategist who once ran from the numbers—only to realize they were her true path to freedom, impact, and alignment. We talk about the evolution from traditional accounting to becoming a fractional CFO, how data can unlock smarter decisions, and why understanding y...

In this solo episode, Lauren Najar takes you behind the scenes of how she curates meaningful, intimate business events and retreats. From selecting a private venue and planning a dinner party with intention to crafting themes that create emotional impact, Lauren shares the real strategy behind hosting in-person events that connect, inspire, and leave your guests feeling seen and supported. Whether...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails , host Lauren Najar pulls back the curtain on the systems, tools, and routines that help her run multiple businesses while managing motherhood. Joined by guest host Logan Montague, Lauren shares how she uses ClickUp for business and life organization, why HoneyBook is essential for client management, and how outsourcing helped her scale sustainably. They...

In this heartfelt episode, Jessica Garcia-Wood—co-founder of Little Hearts Play Cafe—shares her powerful story of navigating postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety during an unplanned pregnancy while serving in the military. She opens up about the emotional toll, intrusive thoughts, and the disconnect she felt as a new mom, and how support from her care team, family, and community helped her...

When Jessica Garcia-Wood moved back to Northwest Indiana after serving as an ER nurse in the Air Force, she didn’t expect motherhood to feel so lonely—even surrounded by family. That quiet ache became the seed for Little Hearts Play Café, a space designed to bring parents and kids together in the earliest, most isolating stages of parenting. In this heart-forward conversation, Jessica shares how p...

In high-pressure careers—whether you're in healthcare, leadership, or running your own business—boundaries are often mistaken for weakness or a lack of commitment. In this episode, Dr. Santina Wheat breaks down why the opposite is true. You'll learn why excellence requires boundaries, how to recognize leaky boundaries in your day-to-day work, and the key shifts that can help you avoid bu...

Dr. Santina Wheat knew how to show up for everyone—her patients, her learners, her family. But somewhere along the way, she stopped showing up for herself. In this episode, we unpack the quiet descent into burnout, the invisible pressure on high performers to always say yes, and the breaking point that changed everything. From working through a miscarriage to ignoring her own capacity in the name...

Think social media is optional? Think again. In this episode, social media strategist Brittany Good joins Business Over Cocktails to bust the most common myths holding small business owners back online. From the power of visual storytelling to why your Instagram is your new storefront, this conversation breaks down what actually drives sales and what doesn’t. You’ll learn how to audit your own pro...

What if one Instagram post could change the course of your life? In this episode of Business Over Cocktails , Lauren sits down with Brittany Good, CEO and founder of Socially Good, to trace the unexpected journey from a personal growth challenge to a thriving social media business. What began as a simple post during a social media challenge evolved into real-life connections, local partnerships, a...

Think your space is too small to hire a designer? Think again. In this solo episode, Melissa Griffin of Indigo Ink Interiors breaks down why the best time to bring in an interior designer is before you’re knee-deep in renovation—and how small projects often deliver the biggest impact. She shares what most people misunderstand about hiring a designer, the hidden costs of waiting too long, and how h...

What happens when a future doctor becomes a bold interior designer instead? In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it really looks like to build a creative business that reflects who you are—color, chaos, courage, and all. Melissa Griffin shares her unexpected journey from medical school aspirations to founding her design studio, Indigo Ink Interiors. We talk about how art, grief, mother...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Payton Moran breaks down the mindset, strategy, and messaging behind successful business pivots. Whether you're shifting your niche, rebranding, or launching a new offer, Payton shares how to move through fear, trust your intuition, and pivot without overthinking. Learn her 6-part messaging framework to clarify your ideal client, articulate your uni...

What happens when the business you built isn't the one you're meant to grow? In this heartfelt episode, Lauren sits down with Payton Moran, a creative branding strategist who walked away from her first business just months in—right after maternity leave, in the middle of a pandemic, with zero backup plan. What followed was a raw, unexpected pivot that led to a deeply aligned personal bra...

In this short but powerful solo episode on this edition of the Business Chaser, Heidi Schmidt breaks down why chasing social media trends, viral moments, or new platforms like TikTok or Substack may be hurting—not helping—your business. Learn how to create an intentional marketing strategy, repurpose content across platforms, and engage your current audience with purpose. If you're feeling ov...

When Heidi Schmidt lost her job in 2020, she didn’t just pivot—she rewrote the script. In this episode, Heidi shares how she went from laid-off marketing director to six-figure agency owner and now, a candidate for state delegate. We unpack the realities behind the title “marketing strategist,” the emotional toll of burnout in the social media world, and why so many businesses fail before they eve...

Ever wondered what a real week looks like for a mompreneur running multiple businesses? In this solo Business Chaser episode, Lauren Najar pulls back the curtain on her weekly routine as an entrepreneur, podcast host, and mom. She walks you through her typical Monday–Thursday work structure, why Fridays are reserved for family, and how she balances client calls, content planning, and CEO tasks. La...

In this solo episode, Lauren Najar breaks down why traditional objection-handling tactics in sales often miss the mark—especially for coaches, creatives, and service providers. With over a decade of experience in banking and entrepreneurship, she shares how to approach objections with integrity, empathy, and strategy. Learn how to build trust, avoid pushy sales tactics, and create a business where...

Learn how to master podcast guest pitching using the STAR framework with visibility strategist Kim Roy. Discover how authentic visibility, lead generation strategy, and relationship-based outreach help female entrepreneurs grow their brands. This episode explores pitching podcasts, building authority, and using soulful strategy to attract aligned clients and podcast opportunities. Episode Highligh...