Good Ideas + Bad Decisions

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Kat and Ellen talk to Dayna DeStefano , an entrepreneur who has launched and sunset multiple ventures since leaving corporate product leadership in 2019. Dayna shares how that winding path led her to co-own her husband's family commercial cleaning business and now spearhead an acquisition strategy through CleanCo Holdings, buying up comp...

In this mini-episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ Kat and Ellen discuss how small-town dynamics can intensify business relationships and conflicts. Ellen shares a conflict in her business community and she and Kat conclude that Ellen should focus on showing up authentically rather than dwelling on the conflict. Kat also talks about launching her fabrication company Benchwork with two former co...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen talk to Emily Bissen, founder of  Blue Heron Business Partners , whose work sits at the intersection of business opportunity strategy and human design. Emily, a self-described 4/1 manifesting generator, explains how discovering her own human design gave language to skills she'd always had: reading people, spotting opp...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Kat and Ellen discuss a book, "This Story Might Save Your Life," that mirrors their own podcast experience, then debate whether audiobooks count as reading (spoiler: Kat and Ellen agree that they do). They also explore how to make networking feel less awkward through clear purpose, low barriers, casual formats, and community containers where me...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen sit down with Emily Oberman, founder of The Content Atelier , a copywriter and content strategist who built a boutique agency around long-form content, newsletters (including Substack), and podcast support after recognizing a gap in the market for writers who actually understand the nuance of founder-led storytelling. The convers...

In this mini-episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ Kat and Ellen discuss Kat’s first hypnosis session with Kelly Chessen of Hope Rd. Hypnosis that focused on her relationship with money. Kat describes a guided visualization exercise involving inviting past influences on money to a mental table, confronting negative associations, inner-child emotions, and asking money what it needs. Kat feels em...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Vicky Winkler, founder of Wildly Creative Wellness, an art journaling and creative wellness community. Vicky shares how art journaling helped her move from feeling "only okay" to finding real purpose and fulfillment. She describes art journaling as focused on process over outcome with no perfectionism required, and explai...

In this mini-episode of “Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,” Kat and Ellen dive into the topic of discovery calls and networking. Kat walks through her approach of offering a single free 30-minute call for prospective clients, collaborators, and general connections alike. Kat and Ellen address client fit, barters and trades, and keeping up a connection. The episode also explores the value of maintaining...

In this episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ Kat and Ellen talk with Natasha Golinsky, who built a web development agency by hiring a developer despite having no web experience herself. After a stage two breast cancer diagnosis in 2024, she onboarded a trusted former client as project manager, freeing her to focus on business development. Natasha now pursues thought leadership around trauma-in...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Kat and Ellen catch up on Ellen’s recent London trip, where she visited a friend who works at the British Museum, and Kat shares she’s heading to a women’s business retreat in Point Reyes where she’ll lead a workshop on flexible business systems. They then discuss how they handle being out of office: evolving boundaries over time, commu...

In this episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ Kat and Ellen talk with   Lauren Most, founder of  Mirror Mirror  and former Chief People Officer and Fortune 10 Executive, holding HR leadership positions at GE and Walmart. She shares how imposter syndrome and emotional self-abandonment led her to leave corporate leadership and build a coaching practice for high achievers. Lauren explores “invisib...

In this mini-episode of “Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,” Ellen and Kat catch up on personal updates and discuss tips for hosting effective workshops or classes online or in person. They note many service-based businesses feel pressure to create workshops or “evergreen” courses as alternative income, but underestimate the time and energy required and the challenge of filling the room. They emphasize b...

Kat and Ellen kick off season two of ‘ Good Ideas + Bad Decisions’ with PR strategist KJ Blattenbauer, founder of Hearsay PR , who makes a bold case that real PR should cost you nothing because earned media means borrowing audiences, not buying them. KJ breaks down how to spot red flags when vetting PR help (run from anyone promising guaranteed placements) and why a business without clarity or ope...

In this mini-episode of “Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,” Ellen and Kat share business updates, including their Thursday recording rhythm and a shout-out to Cereal Dreams ahead of market season. Ellen also books a library room to catch up after a hectic few weeks. Kat announces a new venture, Benchwork Fabrication , a custom furniture and millwork company she’s co-founding, and walks through early ste...

In this special episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen celebrate their one-year anniversary by reflecting on how they launched the show from opposite coasts, never having met in person, and figured it out as they went. They cover their evolving workflow, hiring an assistant, and why they chose long-form conversation over social media, with a recurring theme of starting before...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat recap their weekends on a tired Monday after the time change, including a trip to see Spamalot,  and they encourage supporting local theater. They discuss recalibrating when Q1 results don't match projections. Kat skips rigid quarterly planning, instead protecting her time (no meetings Mondays/Fridays) and helping clie...

In this episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ hosts Kat and Ellen talk to Carrie Sporer, co-founder of SWAIR , a clean, non-aerosol “showerless shampoo” created to work on very sweaty hair with no residue after she and her co-founder Meredith struggled with constant hair washing during marathon training. Carrie shares her shift from luxury accessories sales and operations into product entrepren...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat reunite after a month apart to recap a hectic February marked by dark winter weather, travel disruptions, and family chaos. Ellen shares launching a Substack, redesigning and relaunching her client offerings with help from her VA, managing sick kids, and getting stranded in Dallas during a blizzard, including a stressful a...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Nadya Pierre, a fractional HR consulting expert and founder of Soleo Strategies. Together they dive into the complexities of running a business, focusing on the crucial aspects of HR for early-stage startups. The discussion covers the importance of setting up people systems, the challenges of hiring the right talent, and...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts discuss their recent activities, including TV show recommendations and an in-depth look at their business strategies. Ellen shares her structured approach to planning with her husband, touching on their detailed annual meetings. The conversation shifts to 'woo woo' elements as both hosts delve into their experiences with tarot reading...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen sit down with Ronniesha Rivera, the owner of Vetted By Design and founder of Alder and Stone. Ronniesha shares her journey from interior designer to business community builder, discussing the challenges of managing multiple enterprises, the importance of trustworthy outsourcing, and the need for authentic connections within the d...

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts dive into their daily business experiences while navigating personal and professional challenges. They discuss holiday gifting, sharing ideas and plans for client gifts, family traditions, and the stress of finding thoughtful presents. The conversation then shifts to the importance of delegation in business operations. Ellen a...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Meg Davis, the founder of Explorable Places. They discuss their journeys in entrepreneurship, managing business operations, and the importance of adaptability. Meg shares her experiences of starting a SaaS business that helps teachers book educational field trips, her approach to scaling, and how she balances client relat...

In this "Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat", Ellen and Kat share updates on their holiday experiences and discuss their plans for the new year. They talk about their busy holiday schedules, the challenges of dealing with illness, and the freezing winter weather. The hosts delve into their business goals, including better delegation, sustainable growth, and achieving balance. They also touch...

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Renee Lynn Frojo, owner of a storytelling brand and marketing consultancy firm, A Good Reputation. The discussion revolves around the challenges and chaotic beauty of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding. Renee shares her journey from journalism to marketing, illustrating how storytelli...