Girls Just Wanna Podcast

Celebrating two years in business together, Kelly Mahoney and Stephanie Pratico are the co-owners of River & Stone Yoga! Located on Park Ave in Worcester, their studio welcomes yogis of all levels for a variety of hot, mild, and non-heated yoga classes. In this episode, we talk to Kelly and Stephanie about their respective backgrounds and how they ended up in business together, as well as how...

As someone who's experienced firsthand how life-changing chiropractic care can be, Dr. Brittany Falcone is incredibly passionate about providing safe, evidence-based, individualized treatments within her own practice. That's why she says Worcester Family Chiropractic is about more than aligning spines; it's about changing lives. Located on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Dr. Brittany a...

Aside from offering krav maga, fitness kickboxing, kids martial arts, yoga, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes at their Holden studio, the Force Defense & Fitness team also travels to various locations to offer self defense trainings. Owner and Head Instructor Tonya Peters has over 15 years of self defense and fitness training experience, but what her business really boils down to is a love for m...

Kristen Laquidara is your hype girl behind the lens! Since getting her first real digital camera at age 16, she knew photography wouldn't be just a hobby for long. She quickly turned her passion and skill into a business and has been photographing couples, individuals, and families ever since! Obsessed with capturing timeless memories for her clients, Kristen's wedding photos and portraits...

Green Worcester is all about making the City of Worcester one of the most sustainable and climate-resilient mid-sized cities in America by 2050. And part of that ambitious initiative involves reducing the trash we send to landfills by rethinking how we use and dispose of things every day. Leading the effort on this front is the city's first-ever Zero Waste Coordinator, Miranda Hotham, who's respon...

The team at Well Rested Massage believes that true wellness starts with relaxation. That's why Owner Tiffany Wilson and her staff provide a tranquil and therapeutic experience that helps their clients relieve stress, ease tension, and restore balance to their bodies and minds. From deep tissue massage to reflexology, all of the treatments at Well Rested are customized to a client's needs t...

Sam Paradis believes that flowers possess a unique ability to evoke emotions, connect individuals, and create a harmonious and beautiful atmosphere. In 2023, she founded Sam's Stems, a floral boutique out of her home in Auburn, offering unique floral arrangements for all kinds of occasions. Whether it's bouquets for a wedding or centerpieces for a gala, Sam ensures each piece reflects the...

In Massachusetts alone, more than 250,000 tons of textile goes to waste annually. Mary DiMouro of On the Road Again Bags is on a mission to minimize that waste by upcycling deadstock—materials leftover from companies who overestimated their needs or tossed aside because of blemishes—into durable tote bags and placemats. We talk with Mary about the inspiration behind the business, how she finds the...

Anyone who's ever had a cat knows how much they love the basic cardboard boxes you receive deliveries in. And if you've held onto those boxes for your cat's sake, you'd know how easily they can clutter up your home and detract from decor. Recognizing this problem, Dawn LaFontaine came up with a solution that to appease both cats and their loving owners: stylish, fun, and eco-friend...

After more than 15 years n HR, Adriana Vaccaro realized there was a gap in the way companies were doing business: their values and mission statements weren't aligning with their decision-making processes or the daily activities of their employees. As a result, in 2021 she founded Culture Redesigned, a talent optimization and culture consulting firm to help employers build and retain dream team...

More than just a food pantry, El Buen Samaritano is a comprehensive support center offering food, clothing, and the tools people need to access opportunities and break the cycle of poverty. At its helm is Executive Director Mari Gonzalez, who took the organization over from her parents, the founders of EBS. We talk with Mari about the nonprofit's history, all the ways in which they serve Worce...

Awen & Co is a brand-focused graphic design collective dedicated to awakening a brand’s magic through inspired, hand-crafted design. Founder Stephanie Audette Connor never expected to lead a team, but when the opportunity to grow her business presented itself, Awen & Co naturally evolved into a thriving creative studio. Offering a full suite of graphic design services, Stephanie and her te...

Annie O'Malley is the owner of Central Mass Mom, a hyperlocal digital media company providing a platform for moms to share their experiences without judgment, find support and friendship, and learn about local businesses and resources in Central Massachusetts. In addition to Annie, more than 30 moms serve as contributors, writing about motherhood, useful tips and tricks, and favorite local spo...

Northeast Women's Disc Golf (NEWDG) is on a mission to encourage and inspire New England area women to grow their involvement in disc golf through education, empowerment, recognition, and community. In this episode, we talk with two members of the org's board of directors, Chantal Gipson and Kim Kisil, about their involvement and experience in the sport, as well as their upcoming events. N...

From cupcakes to cakes, cookies to cheesecakes, and everything in between, all the treats at The Queen's Cups are made from scratch and baked fresh daily! Despite having no culinary training or professional experience, Renee King Diaz founded The Queen's Cups in 2012 and has since turned it into one of the most successful bakeries in Massachusetts! In this episode, we chat with Renae about...

Based in Paxton and serving Central Mass and beyond, Nandy's Cleaning Services does residential and commercial cleaning as well as junk removal. Owner Nandy Ganesh has been cleaning for more than 15 years and now has a staff of about 25. In this episode, you'll hear more from Nandy about her unique experiences in the business and the details of how her team can transform your space. Nandy&...

By blending spirit and strategy, Tiana Burnett is on a mission to empower heart-centered hustlers to monetize their magic. Through her coaching and consulting business, The Alignment Auntie, she helps other visionaries align their businesses or projects with their values so that they, too, can turn passion into profit and foster meaningful impact. Tune into this episode to hear from The Alignment...

Since opening in 2021, The O Shop has been committed to celebrating every body—of every shape and size—by helping them find the perfect fit. Carrying bra cup sizes A through O, as well as lingerie, panties, sleepwear, and so much more, The O Shop team is dedicated to helping you feel your most body-confident. Located in Worcester's Tatnuck Square neighborhood, they offer complimentary bra fitt...

Celebrating five years in business, Magic Lamp Consulting works with small to mid-sized Massachusetts nonprofits to amplify their impact and make their funding wishes come true! Magic Lamp's innovative approach to business growth, development, and the grants process allows their clients to drive transformative change in our local communities. We sat down with CEO Debbi Mallinson this week to find...

Tess Waresmith is on a mission to simplify the often-daunting topic of investing by providing digestible, judgement-free, practical financial education to women. Through her business, Wealth with Tess, she's been helping women of all different backgrounds and financial situations learn essential investing knowledge to take control of their money and live the life they want! In this episode, you'll...

For the final week of the year, we have one final bonus episode for you! The two of us are sitting down to talk 2025 goals AND share what we think should be left in 2024. Tune in, and we'll be back with guest interview episodes starting the first full week of 2025!

Seeing as it's the week of Christmas, we wanted to release a fun BONUS episode for you all. Come along to House of Colour - West Side Worcester as Dominique and Catrina get their color analysis done! Dahci-Snow Croci is the owner of this franchise location in Holden and is a past guest of the pod (check out episode 25 to learn more about her business and career path!). We recently visited her home...

When she puts on the nose and bright makeup, Cait Papa becomes Cait the Clown! As an emotional support clown., Cait brings more than balloon twisting and good vibes to the table. She's also available as your go-to pal in difficult, awkward, or even sad situations, helping to lighten the mood and offer support! Cait the Clown on Instagram: Instagram Cait's Website: Cait the Clown | emotional suppor...

Despite having no professional culinary experience or training to speak of, in just a few short years, Bri Azier has built a wildly successful business selling hand-crafted, award-winning, artisan chocolates and treats! Bri's Sweet Treats started as an at-home pandemic hobby and now has an online store and two retail locations in Worcester (inside the Worcester Public Market and the DCU Center). F...

What started as a part-time job nearly a decade ago most recently became a full-time business ownership venture for Nicole Drouin. In 2022, she took over as the owner of Balloons All Over, a balloon artistry and event rentals company. From arches to centerpieces to elaborate displays, Nicole can customize balloon installations for any event in Massachusetts and the bordering states. Listen to lear...