Entrepreneur Encounter

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about exiting your business can feel like the end of an era but what if it could be a new beginning instead? In this episode we sit down with Megan Kearney from Exit Factor to unpack what it really means to prepare your business for exit. Whether you're selling, stepping back, or shifting into a strategic role, this episode will open your eyes to exit strategies that...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you list a service you don’t even know how to deliver ... and it takes off? In this episode, Chris M. Walker shares how an experiment turned into a career-defining moment that not only got him out of his 9-to-5 but led to launching Legiit , a growing digital services platform helping entrepreneurs and agencies scale. From facing self-doubt to navigating tech mish...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever looked at your child’s care options and thought, “This isn’t enough,” this episode will hit home. Shavon St. Germain saw a gap in early childhood development and decided to fill it—not just for her daughter, but for her entire community. What started as one mom’s determination to provide better care became a thriving, education-focused daycare that’s supported famil...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt completely safe with someone within minutes? That’s the power of presence—and today’s guest embodies it. A former anesthetist, she shares how the high-stakes skill of creating instant trust now shapes her approach to business, leadership, and connection. We dive into soft skills, energy, and the science behind why your vibe matters, plus how quantum physics and emotional...

Send us Fan Mail Marketing often feels intimidating, overwhelming, and sometimes downright confusing for entrepreneurs but what if it didn’t have to be that way? In this episode, Melody Tholstrup, founder of My Size Marketing and marketing coach with 30+ years of experience, shares a refreshing perspective that will change how you think about marketing your business.  If you've ever felt &quo...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like your creativity gets lost in the hustle of entrepreneurship? Or like the thing you once loved now feels like a burden? You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into what it really means to create not just for business, but for ourselves. Our guest, Mike Brennan, shares his journey through creativity, entrepreneurship, and mental health, and how all is often more c...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when self-doubt collides with purpose? In this heartfelt conversation, we get real about the often-unspoken truths of entrepreneurship. From tackling imposter syndrome to embracing the discomfort of growth, we share how building confidence, discipline, and a strong mindset are essential for not just surviving, but thriving. Whether you're working from home, strug...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt stuck, like you’re pouring effort into something with no visible results? It’s frustrating, right? But what if success works like a bamboo tree, growing beneath the surface for years before being a success overnight? The journey to personal and professional growth isn’t always glamorous, but the work you put in when no one’s watching is what truly sets you apart...

Send us Fan Mail No matter the industry you’re in, you will always interact with people. Customer Service is more than checking off to-do lists or sending a monthly email update, customer service is what drives your business. On your journey as an entrepreneur, you’ll be faced with many decisions and will have to problem solve but if you create the ultimate customer experience for your business, y...

Send us Fan Mail The biggest challenge in entrepreneurship isn’t the strategy, it’s believing in yourself. When you step into the unknown, self-doubt creeps in, imposter syndrome tells you you’re not ready, and the fear of failure will hold you back.  But here’s the truth: success starts with trust, trust in yourself, your vision, and your ability to figure things out. Today, we’re diving into the...

Send us Fan Mail We’ve all heard the term time management —but how well are you actually managing your time? Think about the projects on your plate, the clients you work with, and all the moving pieces that go into planning. Today, we’re sitting down with Heidi Thompson from the wedding industry—an industry where planning is everything. We’re diving into why this soft skill is a total game-changer...

Send us Fan Mail “I think a soft skill is being judgment free too. You know, letting people know we all have our stories….I'm not judging you. I just want you to feel the best.” Tara Williams How often do you look in your wardrobe and overthink? How often do you look at your clothes and have no idea what to wear or how to pair something together? Dressing for success or lounging around in you...

Send us Fan Mail “But systems should generally be done first before you bring in that person to maintain the department.” Arianna Tenine She saw that no matter what you do in your business, you need a foundation. More often than not, entrepreneurs have many ideas and are great at creating in their business, but something is missed.  We dive into why visionary entrepreneurs often struggle with back...

Send us Fan Mail “But if you really take care of them and create a system for where they're very well rewarded, they're part of this, they're part of the growth, you grow, they grow, and you bring other elements into it.” M.C. Laubscher   Inspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad, our guest shares how this book transformed his mindset about money, business, and education—leading him to take act...

Send us Fan Mail “Consider speaking as part of a broader business strategy, not just a standalone service” - Blair Bryant Nichols In this episode, we welcome Blair Bryant Nichols. He shares insights on leveraging speaking engagements to grow a business, discusses the evolution of speaking as a business model, emphasizing the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in client acquisitio...

Send us Fan Mail “Continuous improvement can lead to significant business growth” - Mickie Kennedy In this episode, we welcome Mickie Kennedy. We dive into his journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of self-awareness, effective management, and customer experience. He discusses the challenges he faced in hiring and managing staff, realizing that he was the problem due to his micromanagement sty...

Send us Fan Mail “Generational differences can impact workplace dynamics” - Amy Wartham In this episode, we welcome Amy Wartham. We dive into the critical role of soft skills in both personal and professional contexts. There are a few soft skills that are brought to the table and that is the importance of emotional intelligence, effective communication and active listening. Additionally, there’s d...

Send us Fan Mail “Team dynamics can be challenging, especially in a predominantly female environment” - Terri Paige In this episode, Terri Paige, shares her journey as a healthcare entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, effective communication, and empathy in transforming patient experiences. She discusses her background, the evolution of her medical practice towards a more patie...

Send us Fan Mail “Look for opportunities to shout each other out. It's a lovely, beautiful thing when it starts to happen.” - Cynthia Hayes In this episode, we sit down with Cynthia Hayes, the owner of Liger Marketing, to discuss the power of brand therapy, aligning core values with brand messaging, and why empathy is important in business. We explore how a holistic marketing approach can mak...

Send us Fan Mail "You are a magnet when you are yourself." - Anne-Sophie Reinhardt In this episode we welcome Anne-Sophie Reinhardt, a mind-body coach dedicated to helping women embrace body positivity and self-acceptance. We dive into the challenges of body image, the influence of social media on self-perception, and the transformative power of authenticity in both personal and professi...

Send us Fan Mail “We use the acronym ADE: Automate, Delegate, Eliminate. Of the tasks not in your sweet spot or zone of genius, what can you automate, delegate, or eliminate? That’s how you stay productive and focused on what truly matters” - Robert and Kay Lee Fukui In this episode of, Dana speaks with husband and wife duo Robert and Kay Lee Fukui about navigating the unique dynamics of working t...

Send us Fan Mail “We are worthy of it, and we need it.”- Felicia Baugh In this episode of Entrepreneur Encounter , we dive into two critical aspects of entrepreneurship: prioritizing tasks effectively and embracing self-care. From overcoming decision paralysis to creating a realistic to-do list, we share actionable strategies to harmonize your daily tasks and manage your time more productively. Th...

Send us Fan Mail “Avoiding hard conversations doesn’t solve problems. It’s about approaching them with honesty, respect, and a clear focus on finding solutions.” - Mark Lumpkin  In this episode of Entrepreneur Encounter , we sit down with Mark Lumpkin, a Sales Director at STR Cribs with over a decade of experience in the short-term rental industry. Having successfully overseen more than 500 rental...

Send us Fan Mail “It's about the exchange of possibilities.” - Aleksa Aishpur In this episode, we discuss the essential elements of running a successful business, focusing on productivity, self-honesty, and the importance of building strong relationships. We’re joined by guest Aleksa Aishpur, who shares her insights on identifying misaligned efforts, navigating the entrepreneurial journey, an...

Send us Fan Mail "Everything you do has to be absolutely authentic to you." - Kjrestin Klein In this episode, we have a talk with entrepreneur Kjrestin Klein to uncover powerful insights for anyone navigating the entrepreneurial journey. They dive into why asking for help and finding mentors can be game-changers and stress the importance of staying authentic in business. Kjrestin shares...