Employee To Boss: Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, and Business Growth Tips from Experts

You know those conversations where you're like, “Wait—why isn’t  everyone  talking about this?” That’s exactly how I felt talking to Mike Shu. Mike is the founder of a super successful SEO agency, a digital nomad, and someone who’s mastered the art of direct response marketing (aka what actually moves the needle in business). And get this—he doesn’t even think most businesses under $1M/year sh...

What do you do when the corporate ladder leaves you feeling unfulfilled—but you’re still craving structure, stability, and impact? For Carol, that answer was stepping away from a high-level advertising career, starting a jewelry brand born out of personal grief, and ultimately buying a successful subscription box business that now fuels thousands of women every month. In this episode, Carol shares...

What does it take to grow a fitness business that stands the test of time? In this episode we are joined by Laura Mak Quist — a veteran in the wellness and fitness industry with over 30 years of experience coaching women through strength training, yoga, nutrition, and life transitions. From training athletes and TV personalities to launching a fitness clothing line and now running an online studio...

What does it take to turn a niche skill into a thriving local business? In this episode I sit down with Timothy Abadilla, founder of Masterpiece Chess Academy in Los Angeles, to talk about how he went from Uber driver and preschool assistant to running one of the most active chess programs in Southern California. And spoiler alert — it’s not just about loving chess. Tim shares his full journey fro...

When Jessie Gabriel told me that less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to businesses founded by women , my jaw literally dropped . And that’s just the beginning of the equity gap we unpack in this episode. Jessie—founder of the law firm All Places—is on a mission to change that. She works with founders and fund managers to make capital more accessible and equitable, and today she’s pulling...

What does it take to go from making lattes to managing a thriving multi-location coffee brand? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Smith, founder and owner of Armistice Coffee in Seattle, to talk about her inspiring journey from barista to business owner—and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, trust, and growth along the way. We dive into the behind-the-scenes of owning multiple coffe...

What do you get when you blend a successful corporate career, motherhood, and a deep desire to create something meaningful? You get Motette —a modern children's clothing brand that’s elevated, intentional, and built with purpose. In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Gold , the founder of Motette, to talk about how she left her tech and fashion executive roles to launch a bamboo-based clot...

In today's crowded online space, your story is your most powerful marketing tool. But how do you craft a brand video that emotionally connects with your audience and helps you stand out? In this episodeI sit down with Mariana Henninger, founder of Brandmagnetic, to explore the power of emotional marketing and storytelling in business. With a background in documentary filmmaking for major outle...

In the hustle of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to let your health, mindset, and personal growth fall by the wayside. But what if prioritizing those things was actually the key to building a more successful business? In this episode of Employee to Boss , I sit down with Dev Connell , founder of Apex , a transformative community that blends personal development, fitness, and business mentorship for hi...

Have you ever felt like you’re meant for more, but you’re not sure what that “more” is? In this episode of Employee to Boss , I sit down with Sairan Aqrawi , an engineer, leadership expert, and business coach who helps professionals uncover their hidden gems —the talents and passions they may have buried over time. Sairan shares her inspiring journey from a long career in engineering to coaching p...

Ever feel like your emotions, stress, or self-doubt are holding you back in business? In this episode I sit down with Karina Baldwin, a mental performance coach with a master's degree in performance psychology, to discuss how business owners can train their minds for success. Karina shares her journey from athlete to entrepreneur, revealing how mental performance strategies—typically used by e...

Brand Strategy is different that Brand Marketing, and it’s also different than Branding… so what is it? In this episode, Amanda Grover tells us!  Amanda helps entrepreneurs connect with their authentic selves to build brands that are sustainable and aligned with their core values.  Amanda Grover, Founder of Storytellers Grove, is a yoga teacher and brand strategist who helps purpose-driven entrepr...

Blogging can be overwhelming—what to write, when to write, and how to make it work for your business. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode I chat with Eden, founder of Maven Made Copy, who’s on a mission to simplify blogging while maximizing results. Eden specializes in SEO-driven blog strategies that help creative entrepreneurs boost their visibility and attract their dream clients. Whether...

Thinking about stepping into the world of real estate but not sure where to start? In this episode, Garrett shares his inspiring journey from rookie agent to seasoned expert, building a career that blends entrepreneurship, strategy, and relationship-building.  Whether you're considering real estate as a full-time gig, a side hustle, or an investment path, Garrett’s actionable tips and real-wor...

What if cleaning wasn’t just a chore but a path to empowerment, financial independence, and personal growth? In this episode, Holly Oldham shares how she turned life’s moments into a thriving business and a platform to inspire others. Get ready for a conversation about boundaries, resilience, and creating a life that’s unapologetically yours.  Holly Oldham is a two-time published book author, poet...

As a podcast manager and entrepreneur, I’m always looking for ways to grow my business and help my clients scale theirs. That’s why I attended Alex and Leila Hormozi’s Scaling Workshop in Las Vegas, and wow—this event did not disappoint! In this episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from the workshop and how they relate to podcasting, business growth, and creating a scalable strategy.  In this...

In this special bonus episode of the  Employee to Boss  podcast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news—I've launched a brand new podcast called  The Podcast Café ! 🎧☕ While  Employee to Boss  will continue with four episodes a month,  The Podcast Café  is an additional space where I’ll share podcasting tips, strategies, and conversations with inspiring podcasters about their journeys. The Pod...

Authenticity is everything for business owners, and one way to show people who you are is through your photos.  In this episode, I chat with Kristina, a personal branding photographer that specializing in helping business owners show up with authentic confidence on their website, social media and anywhere photos are needed to create connections and build the know, like and trust factors.  Kristina...

Today we are talking all about insurance, but making it fun and interesting! Katherine Phillips is a licensed insurance broker from Florida. She owns her own insurance business,  specializing in health insurance and life insurance, and is Medicare certified. She is also certified on the state and federal marketplaces and is contracted with all major carriers across the country.  Starting out with...

Business can be fun and easy! If you don’t think that is true, this episode is definitely for you!  I am joined by Alisha Kumar, a powerhouse entrepreneur and connector. Alisha is the founder of The Social Project , an ads agency focused on e-commerce paid ads and SEO, as well as Here for a Good Time podcast, and The Founders Table , a unique dining experience for entrepreneurs craving deeper, nex...

Is building an email list overwhelming you? Discover how to simplify and strategize your email marketing while creating an engaged email community with expert Isabelle Sarley. In this episode I speak with email marketing expert Isabelle Sarley. Isabelle is an email marketer and copywriter for ambitious personal brands and creatives (who give a frick) and supports them with her 3-step method and nu...

Struggling to close sales without feeling pushy? In this episode I speak with Rachel Morgan, a Retail Sales Coach and Trainer, is passionate about helping retail businesses thrive and achieve their full potential through effective sales strategies and customer engagement. With +13 years of experience in luxury retail, she works with businesses to hear less "I'm just looking" and feel confident to...

Starting a business can be overwhelming, but having the right partner can make all the difference. In this episode I sit down with Christina, co-founder of Heart & Social Media, a digital marketing agency.  Christina is the Co-Founder of Heart & Social, a digital marketing agency that works with small businesses to strengthen their brand's digital presence through brand design, social medi...

Are you feeling overwhelmed in your business and struggling to balance it all? Wondering if it’s time to bring in more help but unsure where to start? In this episode, we dive deep into how a COO can streamline your business operations—and your life. In this episode I sit down with Rhi, a COO who helps business owners simplify their operations and find harmony between business and personal life. R...

What if you make it to the top of your game but still feel unfulfilled? This is exactly what happened to this week’s guest, Fernanda Bertrand, a Holistic Business Coach and host of The Highest Self Project podcast. She is a guide for entrepreneur women to connect with their highest purpose and craft a vision to scale their business in alignment with who they truly are and who they are meant to ser...