Inspiring Women with Betty Collins

You don’t need to change who you are to lead effectively—just bring your whole self to the table. I’m thrilled to bring you an encore presentation where I talk about what truly makes a successful leader —and, more importantly, how you can thrive by using your own unique leadership style. In a world that craves authentic, open, and effective leadership, I believe it’s time to move away from a one-s...

Whether you’re aiming for progress over perfection or learning to say “no,” this episode is packed with relatable insights, inspiration, and encouragement to help you face stress head-on—and come out stronger. This is a topic that touches all of us: stress. As women, we juggle countless demands—from our careers and caregiving roles to the pressure to be everything to everyone. I know firsthand wha...

This episode is packed with inspiring advice for women at every stage of their careers, especially those ready to step into leadership roles and empower the next generation. If you’re looking for a dose of courage and actionable strategies, you won’t want to miss this conversation! I welcome Michelle Madden, CEO of Epic. Michelle’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—from her humble beginnings...

Self-Worth and Leadership: "You will never value you like you. Nobody will value you like you." - Betty Collins I’m so excited to bring you part two of our Visionary Awards series, an episode all about what it means to be a visionary, or to support one, in today’s ever-changing world. I’m joined once again by two incredible guests: Jill Frey and Purba Majumbder, women who are not only visionaries...

The Power of Teamwork in Achieving a Vision: "Both roles are as important as the other, because if the visionary has to do everything herself or himself, they're probably not going to make it happen." - Betty Collins I’m so excited to bring you part one of our special Visionary Awards series, where we honor incredible women who have scaled their businesses and brought their visions to life. Today,...

From Mess to Success: "It's your journey from mess to success. That is a huge leadership tool that you can use to inspire others and also understand your own story." - Judy Carter I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Judy Carter . Judy is not only a trailblazing comedian and author, but she’s also our keynote speaker for the upcoming Brady Ware Women’s Leadership Confer...

Overcoming Obstacles: "You know, that my dysfunctional upbringing and my own insecurities growing up are what made me fearless in the pursuit of my career." - Danielle Roach I welcome Danielle Roach to the podcast, Brady Ware's Recruiting & Engagement Specialist. We talk about our reactions to the previous episode featuring the incredible Pat LaLama , a story that left a significant impact wit...

Pat LaLama, an Emmy Award-winning journalist , investigative reporter, and advocate for empowering women, shared her remarkable journey. Her career, defined by fearless storytelling and a commitment to uncovering the truth, offers valuable lessons for us all. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation. Turning Demons into Drivers: Pat emphasized how she turned personal challenges and insec...

How do YOU approach knowing your worth and establishing boundaries in professional settings? The microphone is in the hands of the Brady Ware's Katie Humphries, who sits down with Jessica Kenimer, Program Manager at The Women's Small Business Accelerator , for a spirited conversation about the incredible journey of our beloved host, Betty Collins. They both talk about tales of mentorship, career e...

What are some surprising achievements in your own life that you never initially aimed for? How did you reach them? In this episode, I reflect on my unexpected journey from a modest beginning as an everyday accountant to becoming a shareholder and managing partner at a regional CPA firm. I share my insights and personal stories that reveal how I overcame self-doubt and embraced opportunities I once...

The value of surrounding oneself with a strong support system. Who are the key people in your support system and how have they helped you achieve your goals?” I discuss the profound lessons I learned from running for city council and what it means to lose an election. My reflections are not just about politics but about the broader themes of personal growth, resilience, and the importance of build...

What are some of the barriers women face when raising capital for their businesses, and how can institutions like Fortuna Bank address these challenges? This episode, featuring Brady Ware’s Eva Horton, sheds light on the transformative journey of Laria Rollins and the game-changing establishment of Fortuna Bank—a bank by women, for women. We have a thoughtful reflection on the rise of women-owned...

“Challenges Faced by Female Entrepreneurs”: “Women-owned businesses are growing at 2 times the national average. Yet on the flip side, women are, female entrepreneurs are denied 3 times more often than men for commercial loans.”— Ilaria Rawlins We have an incredibly insightful episode featuring Ilaria Rawlins, the CEO of Fortuna Bank , a pioneering, women-owned bank in central Ohio. With over 30 y...

Living with purpose and leaving a legacy. What do these concepts mean to you personally, and how do you strive to implement them in your life or career? I continue my conversation with the remarkable Lubna Najjar . In part two of my interview, Lubna talks about the profound impact of her book, which offers in-depth case studies on mass market manufacture, direct-to-consumer retail, marketing, and...

How can consumers make more ethical choices when it comes to their clothing purchases to combat overconsumption? In this two-part interview, I have a special guest, Lubna Najjar , the entrepreneurial powerhouse behind Ilmoda Brands , a boutique agency in Columbus that bridges the gap between fashion concept and market. Lubna brings a wealth of experience as a woman navigating the design and fashio...

How powerful do you think mindset shifts can be in facing life-threatening illnesses or other significant challenges? I continue my conversation with Bess Hagans, the remarkable recipient of the Brady Ware Woman of Excellence Award , and founder of Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer . Bess’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she has turned that challenge into a...

How did Bess' personal experience of dealing with infertility, giving birth, and a cancer diagnosis shape her perspective on the importance of storytelling and advocacy for young women? I begin a profound and emotional two-part series featuring Bess Hagans, a remarkable woman who has navigated the harrowing journey of breast cancer while balancing the joys and challenges of motherhood. She is the...

I reflect through some of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned over my 40-plus-year career, thanks to five remarkable men who shaped my path. From the unwavering core values of Austin Swallow to the employee-centric approach of Randy Nipps, and from the empowering challenges posed by Gary Brown to the innovative insights of Brian Carr and Jim Kiser, each of these men has contributed to my growt...

I continue my conversation with Penny Zenker, The Focusologist , a distinguished author, and keynote speaker. After exploring impactful life lessons and personal strategies in part one , this episode focuses shifts to the concept of “gatekeepers” in our lives, how we can establish personal rules, and filters, and optimize our environment to enhance productivity and well-being. Penny draws from her...

Let's talk about focus and resilience with our distinguished guest, Penny Zenker , The Focusologist, an internationally acclaimed speaker, business strategy coach, and bestselling author. Penny shares her transformative journey from a career in accounting and finance into the realms of technology and entrepreneurship. I talk with her about her pivotal “reset moments,” including a profound life cha...

Welcome back to "Inspiring Women with Betty Collins." This episode will introduce you to the incredible journey of Mari Cruz-Uribe from Brady Ware. She is a true testament to the power of impactful moments and life lessons shaping our paths. As we reflect on the valuable insights from our previous guest, Lisa Gutierrez, Mari sheds light on her experiences and growth. With a candid discussion on gi...

From $1.50 tacos by the roadside to a thriving business empire, Dos Hermanos's journey is about grit, passion, and the right team. I have an incredible guest, Lisa Gutierrez, who turned her and her husband's vision into a reality by launching a humble food truck business that would eventually become a local sensation. Lisa's story isn't just about entrepreneurship—it's about passion, resilience, a...

How can reflecting on our failures and taking small steps toward change be beneficial to our personal and professional growth? I again have the pleasure of hosting the incredible Eileen McDargh, author of "Gifts From The Mountain" and renowned keynote speaker. Eileen returns to share how reflecting on what we've overlooked can lead to small yet impactful positive changes. She takes us her personal...

Challenges of Success: "Downhill is more dangerous than uphill. And when you think about that, if you are climbing the corporate ladder, it's one thing when you get to the top of the mountain, but there's something on the other side, and it's more dangerous because we become cocky. We know it all. We're not as careful as we were, and that's what happened to me." — Eileen McDargh Eileen and I explo...

The power of inspiration, the impact of support systems, and the importance of women in leadership. I speak with Kristin Krabacher, a senior tax accountant manager at Brady Ware, who is on the path to becoming a key leader within the firm. Kristin shares her journey to her current role and discusses the impact of Anita Anand, the Managing Partner of Brady Ware's Executive Committee, and the inspir...