Startups in Stilettos

What started out as a search for the perfect gift for her secretary led Annabelle DeGrazio to quit her dream job. Annabelle had always been creative, so she decided to blend the creativity that flowed in her with her analytical skills and that led to the start of Taja Collection. In this week's episode, Annabelle DeGrazio, founder of Taja Collection, a Florida candle company, shares why she doesn'...

Picture this: You love art. You're an artist and you work in the art world. Then you leave your job to start an art business. A pandemic comes about, rocks the world, and explodes your business overnight. What would you do?  For this week's guest, that's exactly what happened. This week we hear from Alix Greenberg, founder of Art Sugar, a company that strives to bring art to the everyday person. I...

Ever run into a problem that you just know there has to be a solution for, only to find out there really isn't? If you're like most Entreprenistas, maybe you decide just to create the solution yourself. Most people freeze with analysis paralysis, not Julie Stevens.   This week's guest is Julie Stevens, founder and CEO of the pre-made cocktail company, BeTini. Julie shares how her business was born...

Imagine going to law school and becoming a successful attorney. Now imagine years down the road realizing your purpose is in a completely different industry that you know absolutely nothing about. Would you freeze in fear, or fast-track your ideas because you just knew they would change lives?  In this week's episode, Karen Fultz-Robinson, founder of ObservaMé, an athletic wear company with a pass...

Leigh Burgess is the founder and CEO of Bold Industries Group. But before that, she was a healthcare worker for over 20 years. When 2020 hit, Leigh left healthcare and started her company. She's launched two brands within her company so far, with two more coming soon. In this week's episode, Leigh shares why she left her stable corporate healthcare career to start her own business. She discusses h...

If you’re a new mom you know how stressful it can be when you start breastfeeding. There is a constant worry that your baby may not be latching well or eating enough. You may wonder if your breast milk has enough calories and nutrition for your little one. You may even start to question your own nutrition and how it affects your newborn.  Our guest on today’s episode is Whitney Poma, founder of Mo...

Fashion is something most of us care about. We take pride in how we present ourselves to the world, expressing who we are with the clothes we wear. However, with the busyness of everyday life, it can be difficult to allot time to figuring out what to wear. Most of the time it’s just easier to throw on the nearest pair of sweatpants, couple it with a wrinkly t-shirt and call it a day.  Our guests o...

Brittany Driscoll graduated with a BA in Communications from Loyola Marymount University before starting her career in marketing and advertising. She went on to work for a number of Fortune 500 brands, including Disney and Hilton, before starting as the Director of Marketing at Drybar, and then eventually deciding to start her own massage business, Squeeze. Squeeze is the answer for those looking...

Between working, eating, and sleeping, it can be easy to get stuck in the predictability of our everyday lives. We’re busy, constantly on the go, and many of us aren’t entirely happy with the dynamics of our lives. We want to make changes but don’t know where to start. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Entreprenista League member Crystal Simmons is a certified coach, speaker, and podcaster. Aft...

Ever thought about entering the world of direct sales? Why or why not? Entering this kind of industry can be quite daunting but how would you feel if you heard about all of its success stories? If you learned about the women who are thriving in the world of direct sales? This episode’s guest, Theda Blackwood exemplifies what it means to be successful in the direct sales industry. Fueled by inspira...

Sylvia Kampshoff is the founder and CEO of two businesses: the more established Kanthaka Inc. and the newly-launched PATA Lifestyle. Sylvia obtained her PhD in Law from the University of Heidelberg in 2015 before founding Kanthaka Inc. the following year. She has always had an affinity for business, and it’s this affinity that led to the birth of PATA Lifestyle. In this episode, Sylvia walks us th...

Christina Hawatmeh is the founder and CEO of the world’s largest authentic photo library, Scopio. Scopio - which stands for Scope It Out - aims to distribute images across the world and secure a place for them in our history. Its primary goal is to elevate the stories of individuals who are underrepresented. After completing her masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and startin...

Tracy Nicodemo is a small business owner whose experience of being a new mom helped inspire the birth of her business, Little Creatives. Tracy graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor of applied science in interior architecture before completing an associate’s degree in fashion/apparel design. Tracy’s impressive background in interiors and fashion was what helped her to start Little Creative...

Sam Rudolph is the CEO and Co-Founder of Babyation - a venture-backed startup with a mission of “creating game-changing products and judgment-free conversations to build a community that supports, elevates, and unites women through all the roles they juggle - including being a mom”. Sam graduated from The Wharton School with a Bachelor of Economics before starting her career where virtually “every...

Diana Arango is a law graduate and self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur. She graduated from the University of The Andes with a Bachelor in Law before attending Fordham University School of Law where she completed her Masters of Laws in International Business and Trade Law. Diana then spent some time working in a variety of impressive roles, mostly within the real estate sector, before eventually st...

Brittney Jean Atakpo is a Brand Photographer and Strategist at Brittney Jean Photography & Company. She is an entrepreneurial businesswoman dedicated to the advancement of women. She holds a Bachelor's in Communication from California State University San Marcos and has over 5 years of experience in human resources in the technology industry. After working in the Recruitment and Sales industry's f...

Monica Fullerton is the Founder and CEO of Spouse-ly, a central hub for driving support for entrepreneurs in the military and first responders community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multi-Media Journalism and a Master of Business Administration and Marketing from Lynn University. As an Air Force spouse, twin mom, and entrepreneur, Monica wanted to strive for a greater purpose with her business...

Yobe Qiu is an author, educator, and serial entrepreneur. She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from The New School and a Master of Science (MS) in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. After identifying a need for more multicultural books, Yobe created her own children's books featuring Asian characters and cultures. Yobe helps female entrepreneurs to launch and grow their educational busi...

We love what we do, and we love helping people. Our aim is that this podcast is something that helps you on a daily basis. We want to be that voice telling you, “You can do it!”. So we have come together to give you more information on what we do and how this podcast can help you and your business. Today's episode is all about the inspiration behind Startups in Stilletos and how it differs from th...

Abbe Feder is a Fertility Coach and the Owner of InCircle Fertility LLC. She has a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts. Following her struggles with infertility and pregnancy loss, Abbe wanted to use her experiences to help others. She started InCircle Fertility to s...

Brea Fullerton is the Founder & CEO of Shinery, a luxury jewelry care brand that is good for you and your jewelry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and lives in Georgia Atlanta. After her engagement and being unable to find a jewelry cleaner without harsh chemicals or damaging effects on her skin, Brea launched Shinery. The company has a range of p...

Leeanna Gantt is the inventor and CEO of TookTake, a patented medication reminder system that is revolutionizing the way people take their medications. TookTake offers a variety of medication reminder labels designed to help consumers avoid accidental medication overdose and remember which medications they’ve taken, and when. As a breast cancer survivor, Leeanna knows how difficult it can be to re...

Jamie Banks is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Change of Scenery, a women’s luxury swim and resort wear startup launching in March 2022. Change of Scenery is an accessible luxury women’s apparel brand focused on classic, sophisticated, and effortless styles for the modern 30-55 year old woman. Jamie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design from Cornell University and a Master’s of Fine...

Elisa Molina is the founder and CEO of COVEDOZA, a go-to marketplace for women to feel empowered, validated, and confident through art. Elisa is passionate about helping female artists and people of color bolster their artistic influence while generating passive income. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the State University of New York College at Buffelo, a Bachelor’s de...

Jill Apgar is the founder of Coco Beans, a luxury bedding and sleepwear brand offering luxurious silk crib sheets and pillow cases using the world’s softest, most innovative fabrics that families can trust. The company is best known for their machine-washable, 100% silk crib sheets. Following a forced layoff from her corporate career in 2020, Jill launched her company with a desire to source the b...