Hustle + Gather, with Courtney and Dana

On last week's episode , Judy Pickett shared her struggles of building a business while being a mom - and eventually joining forces with her daughter Hilaire.  Today, Courtney and Dana unpack that conversation and wonder if it's possible to truly be both supermom and badass entrepreneur.  Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produced by Earfluence .  Courtney and...

In 1979, Judy Pickett started her business with $500, her passion for interior design, and her naïveté.  Throughout the 80's, she built her business while being a mom - and suffered from mom guilt before that was even a common term.  On the show today, Judy and her daughter Hilaire talk about growing up in entrepreneurship, why they joined forces in 2008, and how their differences make them strong...

On last week's episode , Chris J Evans shared how he establishes connection with his luxury clientele, his experience in fine dining, and why he only hires surfers. Today, Courtney and Dana talk about their time in restaurants, who they tend to hire (not surfers), and how connecting with clients is a difficult balance. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produce...

When Chris J Evans was working at a fine dining establishment in Maui, he learned what it takes to create a true luxury experience. Now as a high-end photographer, with every wedding, he works to create a beautiful, authentic, and amazing experience. Today he shares with Courtney and Dana how all of us can take our customer experience to the next level. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopp...

On last week's episode ( Spotify | Apple ), Lindsay Williams gave us the blueprint on how to truly connect with our clients and partners. Today, Courtney and Dana talk about that connection with couples they've worked with, what they've each inherited from their mom and dad, and what happens when they have a mental health check-in. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, a...

According to Lindsay Williams, "People connect with people.  They don't necessarily connect with products. So if people connect with you, if they trust you and they like you, that lead is warm and easier to close."  So with limited time and attention, how do you create those real and meaningful connections? Today, Lindsay gives us the blueprint. Lindsay Williams is the founder of the Wedding Booki...

On last week's episode ( Spotify | Apple ), Billy Warden shared his experiences with pro wrestling, dressing in drag, writing for Joan Rivers, and more. He tries to take in ever moment that comes to him because, "You don't know that you're in a golden age until it's gone. So try to appreciate every moment, cause it might be as good as it gets." Today, Courtney and Dana wonder if they're in a Golde...

Billy Warden has a philosophy on life - "You don't know that you're in a golden age until it's gone. So try to appreciate every moment, cause it might be as good as it gets." He is living life to the fullest, and today tells us about his experiences writing for Joan Rivers, attending a naked party, pro wrestling, hitting the drag scene, and so much more. Billy is the Principal of GBW Strategies ,...

On last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ), Ryann Dowdy talked about overcoming an unhealthy relationship with sales and how her best sales events happened when she could show the messiness of her life. Today, Courtney and Dana unpack that episode and discuss how we're constantly being sold to whether we realize it or not, and the hamster wheel of striving for the unattainable perfect lif...

What's the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the word "sales"?  Is it an awful car-buying experience? Maybe all the times you answer the phone because it could be a client...but it's someone trying to sell you an extended warranty?  Maybe all the MLMs you've been asked to join? So many of us have been sold things we just don't need, so there's no wonder why we have a negative relation...

What happens when a business becomes successful and partners have to choose how to take the next steps? Is it investing back in the business with marketing, upgrades, or more employees?  Or is it time to take care of self and family?  And what happens when the partners disagree on what to do?    Today we continue our conversation (here's part 1 ) with Holly Barton and Amanda Cox, owners of Greenho...

When Holly Barton and Amanda Cox lost their dad, they wanted to start a business where they could simply be together and have fun. But soon enough, clients were calling to ask them for huge orders of rentals they just didn't have. In saying yes to everything and figuring out how to make it work, Greenhouse Picker Sisters grew, as has their sister relationship.  But it hasn't been without disagreem...

Today, Courtney and Dana chat about last week's episode with siter entrepreneurs Marni and Willa Blank from Blank Studio NYC ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ). Being sisters and business partners can come with a lot of baggage, fights from childhood, and hard feelings. But it can also mean a unique understanding of skillsets and dynamic that other business partners just wouldn't understand. Hustle and...

Willa and Marni Blank never intended to go into business together. They were just too different, and they were nervous it would put a strain on their relationship. But while they were working on ideas for separate businesses, they started to realize that their differences were actually complementary - and maybe they had something special together. Marni and Willa Blank are a sister team, owners an...

On last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ), Dr. Endya Perry talked about proving the doubters wrong and giving it your best. But what happens when your best just isn't good enough?  And as you're hustling to try to get to the good enough place, what happens when your work function becomes your sole identity?   Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produce...

When nationally ranked gymnast Endya Perry found out she was pregnant, the fan mail she used to get turned ugly.  But she refused to let detractors stand in her way of chasing her dreams. Now it's Dr. Endya Perry, and she encourages, "You can close that window and you can close every door in this place, but it's not going to stop me because my dreams are too big to be contained in one building. Yo...

Today Dana and Courtney unpack last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ) with 2021 CEO of the Year by Triangle Business Journal Anna Lynch, founder of Lynch Mykins . Among other topics, the sisters talk about a "No A-Holes" Policy, if leaders and employees can truly handle radical transparency, and how to build a human-first culture. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana K...

Lynch Mykins' Anna Lynch was named 2021 CEO of the Year by Triangle Business Journal . Today, she shares her journey from Iowa to Wyoming to Austin to Raleigh, being a woman in a field of almost exclusively men, how she formed Lynch Mykins , her radically honest interview process, and building a human-first culture. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produced b...

On last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ), Ablr CEO John Samuel opened up about the masks he wore while losing his vision. Today, Dana and Courtney discuss the masks they wear and why it's so important to keep failing. Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produced by Earfluence .  Courtney and Dana's hustles include C&D Events , Hustle and Gather ,...

When John Samuel realized he was losing his vision, he started to hide from others and from himself. He knew what was happening, but he didn't want to admit it. His journey from embarrassment and fear to accepting his disability as a superpower took over 20 years. And then...John found an opportunity to see once again.  John Samuel is the CEO of Ablr , TEDx speaker , and host of the All Access vid...

Courtney and Dana unpack last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ) with Abbie Nwaocha from For Her Empire . They talk about lying on their resumes (and who would be willing to lie as a reference), why it sucks to hear criticism, and who would be on their personal Board of Directors (Sara Blakely, are you available??).  Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is...

Abbie Nwaocha's career path started, as she puts it, "because my mom stopped sending me money."  She was a Nigerian in Kenya, a place where she had no relatives and no immediate skills, and she had already failed many times. With no money and no prospects for the future, Abbie was forced to hustle hard and figure it out on her own. Abbie Nwaocha is the founder of For Her Empire , which teaches fem...

In today's episode, we reflect back on 2021 - it was a crazy and in many ways unexpected year. And we set our personal and professional goals for 2022. What are your goals for 2022? Share this episode along with your goals on instagram, and tagging @hustleandgather , and we'll share in our stories. Cheers to an amazing 2021 and an even better 2022! Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper an...

Courtney and Dana unpack last week's episode ( Apple Podcasts | Spotify ) with Inez Ribustello, author of Life After Windows and owner or Tarboro Brewing Company .  They talk about why it's ok for their kids to swear, when they can stop caring about other people's opinions, and what books they would write (and maybe one day will). Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, an...

In September 2001, Inez Ribustello was the Beverage Director for Windows on the World, located on the 106th and 107th floors of the World Trade Center North Tower.  When she flew home for her sister's wedding, she hugged all her friends at work and said she'd see them in a week.  But she would never see them again. Today, Inez opens up about her grief, survivor's guilt, and how she's coped over th...