NAWBO ON THE GO

Emily Rogers of NAWBO Greater Tampa Lakeland has spent her life refusing to “walk behind.” Growing up in Saudi Arabia, a simple childhood question—why women and children always followed the men—sparked a lifelong passion for women’s development. In this episode, Emily shares how that early spark of independence helped carry her through one of the biggest crises of her life: losing everything she o...

Jodi Segal, founder of Equitable Employee Handbooks and a member of NAWBO’s Columbus Chapter, is on a mission to change the way businesses think about handbooks. Too often, these documents are written to protect the company instead of the people, quickly becoming something employees sign and then forget. But Jodi sees handbooks as so much more: they’re the DNA of a business, telling its story, val...

Bonnie Chavez, CEO of Building Beloved Communities in Roanoke, VA, grew up in a small town in Southern New Mexico where economic opportunity was scarce. Her family often relied on food boxes, and just as often, served on the other side of the line—sorting, packing and distributing food. Those early lessons in service and connection shaped her life’s work and leadership. In this episode, Bonnie sha...

Shawnda Sparks isn’t just a seasoned wealth advisor at Perspective Financial Group—she’s also a certified scuba diver of 13 years. In this episode, she takes a deep dive into smart financial strategies for business owners. From choosing the right retirement plans to maximizing tax deductions and structuring compensation, Shawnda shares expert insights to help you and your employees build lasting w...

After a historic 43-day government shutdown, NAWBO’s Advocacy Director Elle Patout returns with an inside look at a productive week on Capitol Hill. She breaks down what unfolded during the shutdown and what women business owners can expect as Congress heads into late-January negotiations. At the center of it all? The unresolved future of Affordable Care Act subsidies, and the potential impact ris...

For many women entrepreneurs, the world of WBE and MWBE certification can feel confusing—like a box they’re not sure they fit into. Dr. Lena Graham and Molly Gimmel, members of the NAWBO Institute Certification Committee, are here to clear things up. In this episode, they share why certification is always a good thing for business, from establishing credibility to opening doors with corporations a...

Hema Crockett has the kind of résumé most people dream of—international teacher, corporate leader and founder of Recalibrate Coaching in San Diego, CA. But behind the polished surface, she knew something was missing. In this episode, Hema challenges the myth of work/life balance and reframes life as one fluid experience: sometimes work-heavy, sometimes life-heavy and always shifting.  From the gr...

From biking 60 miles a day across Vietnam to raise money for women and girls, to helping people leave a lasting legacy through planned giving—Melissa Northway’s philosophy is simple: Say “yes” and go for it! In this episode, Melissa, a California-based former NAWBO president, shares her powerful approach to creating lasting impact. She dives into how donors can align their charitable giving with t...

After years in sales, business development and even helping roll out electric vehicle infrastructure, Stacy Huston hit a point where she couldn't picture what was next—until she quite literally said "yes" to everything. That openness led her to SixDegrees.org, the nonprofit founded by Kevin Bacon that's reconnecting communities through storytelling and hands-on impact. Now nine yea...

After more than 25 years in corporate America working on mergers and acquisitions, Renita Wolf saw firsthand how many business owners weren’t prepared for what came after selling their companies. That experience—combined with her family’s own small business roots—inspired her to launch Poe Wolf Partners, where she helps small and mid-market business owners prepare to exit on their own terms. In th...

Debra Michals may binge true crime shows and dream of being a private investigator in her next life, but in this one, she’s an associate professor, historian, and author uncovering mysteries of a different kind: the untold stories of women in business. A former journalist who wrote about women entrepreneurs breaking barriers, Debra turned her curiosity into a book after asking: Where did all these...

Paige Mecca, founder of Allegro Power in Buffalo, NY, believes meditation isn’t just personal—it’s a business strategy. By staying calm and centered, she leads with clarity and intuition while building a thriving renewable energy installation company. In this episode, Paige explains why solar energy is one of the smartest moves businesses and families can make today, offering rare predictability i...

Elle Patout, NAWBO HQ’s Director of Advocacy, takes listeners behind the scenes in DC, where she hosted CEO Jen Earle and National Board Chair Megan Patton for a week of meetings with lawmakers. Together, they shared insights from NAWBO’s snap poll, highlighting the challenges members are facing nationwide: over 40% have experienced revenue declines, 60% of whom saw drops of 25% or more, and nearl...

Tiffany Meyer of The Heights Insurance Agency in Columbus, OH, calls herself an “annoying optimist” who believes the universe bends to those who dream big. But when it comes to health insurance, she knows firsthand how complex and costly it can be for small business owners. In this episode, Tiffany breaks down the Affordable Care Act and what it really meant for women, children, young adults and p...

From standing on a milk crate taking drive-through orders at age 10 to owning 10 McDonald’s franchises of her own, Jamie Straza’s journey is one of grit, growth and family legacy. This Austin, TX-based entrepreneur shares how her father opened his first restaurant in 1981, how she and her brother helped grow the family business to 34 locations and what it took to strike out on her own. Along the w...

Jennifer Tamborski has a story that’s as heartwarming as it is inspiring. Based in St. Louis, MO, she’s a wife, mother (who married the neighbor she grew up with across the street) and a savvy digital marketing strategist passionate about helping solopreneurs succeed. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about how she built a six-figure agency, only to walk away when burnout hit. But it wasn’t the e...

Danielle Delaney  Wallace has breaking news: Every entrepreneur should think like a journalist! And she knows what she’s talking about as a former TV news reporter turned storytelling-obsessed copywriter and video marketer in Montgomery, AL. Her advice? Stay curious. Question everything. Dig deeper. The secret to real business growth isn’t a wizard’s wand (if only!), but asking the right questions...

It’s a milestone moment: Our 50th episode in NAWBO’s 50th anniversary year. To celebrate, we’re joined by Megan Patton, NAWBO National Board Chair, and Deanna Novak, NAWBO Institute Board Chair, for a conversation about NAWBO’s past, present and future. Deanna shares her pride in carrying forward the legacy, while Megan reflects on the power of community. Together, they revisit defining moments li...

From one of the few women in oil and gas to a leader driving climate progress, Susan Waller’s career is nothing short of remarkable. The Houston-based executive director of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future has worked on everything from natural gas pipelines to solar facilities to offshore wind projects. In this episode, Susan shares how hard work, collaboration and respect helped her break...

True crime fan. Former Army military police officer. Married to an Army veteran. Trisha Mentzer has a fascinating background—but by day, she’s helping people navigate Social Security. With 87 million people already signed up for my Social Security accounts, those who haven’t yet are leaving money and crucial planning tools on the table. Trisha explains how to use it to track and file for benefits,...

What do dragons and data backups have in common? Power, strength—and maybe even a little magic. Ann Cloyd, NAWBO New York City and Circle program member, brings all of that and more to the table. As CEO of DeepTech, a trusted technology solutions provider supporting both Mac and Windows platforms, Ann shares what every business must have in place when it comes to IT: backups and cybersecurity. Tun...

When she’s not keeping score at her kids’ sports games or getting lost in a good book, Leslie Schultz is helping people safeguard their financial future. As the managing member of Disability Insurance Services, LLC in Kansas City, MO, she knows that life happens —and being prepared is everything. With the average disability lasting four years and Social Security approving just 35 percent of claims...

In this episode, Elle Patout—NAWBO’s Director of Advocacy and Public Relations—shares the extraordinary lengths NAWBO’s CEO and Board Chair go to each month to show up in person on Capitol Hill. From planes to trains to automobiles, they travel coast to coast to ensure the voices of women business owners are heard. Elle offers a behind-the-scenes look at their most recent trip, including what they...

Sunitha Chandy, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Artesian Collaborative in Chicago, IL, challenges the idiom we often hear as women and entrepreneurs. Instead of masking struggles and letting the pressure build, Sunitha explores how to direct your energy toward solving the root issues that stress you out. Tune in to discover a healthier, more empowering approach to life and business....

Ebony Whitson wouldn’t let a little thing like a high-speed car crash with the cake in the back ruin the dream wedding of one of her clients. This founder of a Wisconsin-based full-service event production company talks keeping her cool under pressure and getting seriously creative but also lessons learned in the process. These things (and more) have helped her smash her first five years as a busi...