The Entrepreneur's Blueprint

Today’s episode marks my very first solo conversation with you. I’ll be using these solo episodes as a chance to share the kind of advice I’d give if we were sitting down together over coffee — practical, straightforward, and meant to help you build stronger systems for your business. In this episode, I dive into the concept of sales pacing : What sales pacing actually is a...

In today’s episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Vanessa Jupe , the founder of Leva , a company on a mission to transform the postpartum and parental support landscape in the United States. Vanessa shares the personal experience that became the catalyst for creating Leva, the staggering differences between U.S. parental leave policies and those in other countries, and the long...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Polly Payne, founder and CEO of Horacio Printing and creator of Print School. What started as a side hustle making a Christian-based planner in 2014 has now grown into a thriving business that serves thousands of dreamers. Polly shares how she went from working in ad tech in New York City to building Horacio Printing, a luxury...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Heather Markway, owner of Life Garden Style in Kansas City. Heather shares how her lifelong love of flowers and background in horticulture led her from a steady office job to building a thriving business specializing in seasonal container plantings, landscape design, and bouquet subscriptions. We dive into: How Life Garden Style beg...

Danica Leporte is the visionary behind Under the Stars KC , a luxury glamping and event experience company that brings people together under twinkling lights and thoughtful design. What started as a creative outlet for a stay-at-home mom has grown into a sought-after brand in Kansas City’s event scene, serving everything from 11-year-old birthday parties to faith-based women’s retreats. In this ep...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Shawn Lemon of The Digital Organizer . Shawn helps entrepreneurs and busy professionals simplify their systems, clean up their digital clutter, and finally feel in control of their businesses. We talk about: Why so many people feel stuck when it comes to organizing email and files The free quiz on Shawn’s website that shows you how...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney sits down with Dr. Lani Jones, a clinical psychologist turned leadership coach who’s on a mission to help high-achieving professionals lead with clarity and confidence. After a decade in private practice, Lani made a bold pivot—closing a thriving clinic to pursue a deeper calling. She now works with entrepreneurs and executives navigating...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney sits down with Rhea Lana Riner, the founder and CEO of Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consignment Events—a national franchise with over 120 locations in 26 states. What began as a small gathering of moms in her living room has grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise that empowers women, supports families, and offers a smart solution for buyin...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I’m joined by Sam Vander Wielen—an attorney-turned-entrepreneur who built the go-to legal education brand for online business owners. From leaving law to launching a health coaching business (that flopped), Sam shares how that “mistake” ultimately led her to a brilliant business idea: downloadable legal templates paired with actionable training for...

On this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with the incredibly talented Sara Chiodo, founder of Studio Chiodo , a virtual interior design studio based in Kansas City. Sara shares how she went from a career in physical therapy to designing over 125 spaces nationwide—all while being a mom of two and growing her business one step at a time. We talk about how she found her creative s...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney chats with Chris Ammen, founder of Kaleidoscope — a publishing company transforming how kids engage with the Bible. With over 15 years of experience in children's ministry and a deep passion for discipleship, Chris shares the story behind launching his business in the middle of a global pandemic, the surprising shift from books to Yoto car...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Nick Norman, founder and CEO of Polar Protector , a multimillion-dollar e-commerce business that started with an idea sparked by leaves in a cold plunge. From humble beginnings selling childhood items on eBay to building an Amazon business and eventually launching Polar Protector, Nick shares his unique founder journey—one filled wi...

In this episode, I chat with Heather Harris, the founder of Copper Bottom Design Co., a boutique agency specializing in custom planner design and overseas production. With over 20 years in the print and design industry and a background working with brands like Tiffany & Co. and Barneys, Heather now partners with visionary founders to bring stationery products to life from start to finish. We t...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney sits down with Kim Jones, former Hallmark marketing guru turned entrepreneur. After a 20-year career leading major initiatives at Hallmark, Kim took a courageous leap into small business ownership—opening a Real Deals home décor and fashion boutique in Martin City, Missouri. As if that wasn't enough, she and her husband also run Old Wo...

In this episode, Courtney sits down with Sofia Hudson , founder of Swoon Cookie Crafters , a Kansas City-based bakery known for its beautifully designed sugar cookies. What began as a way to attract visitors to her furniture store's First Friday events has grown into a beloved brand serving customers across the country. Sofia shares how her artistic background, a serendipitous collaboration with h...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Kat Schmoyer, founder of the KS Agency and host of the Think Like an Integrator podcast. Kat shares her 12-year journey from wedding planning and event hosting to building a team of integrators who help visionaries execute digital product launches with precision and heart. We talk about: - How Kat’s entrepreneurial path evolved thro...

In this episode, Courtney sits down with Blake Guichet—aka @‌thegirlnamedblake—for a refreshingly honest conversation about building an online business, staying grounded in faith, and navigating the ups and downs of public life on the internet. Blake shares how she grew from less than 1,000 Instagram followers to launching a wildly successful podcast and community, all while staying true to her ca...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Blueprint , I’m joined by Brian Lofrumento , a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur . Brian shares his journey of building and scaling multiple businesses, starting from a high school venture that grew into a six-figure business. We dive into: - The power of starting simple and solving real problems - Why small, in...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Rachel Hendrick , artist and founder of Mercy Creates . What started as a small Etsy shop with just $25 and a handful of listings has grown into a faith-driven business that creates stunning watercolor artwork inspired by Bible verses. Rachel shares how she turned her creativity into a ministry , using art as a way to spark gospel c...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with the mother-daughter trio behind West Village Realty , a boutique real estate brokerage in Kansas City. Wendy Foil, Sarah Harnett, and Hannah Shireman didn’t just want to sell houses—they wanted to build a business rooted in connection, culture, and community . After years of working at large firms, they took a leap of faith, started...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Jessica Best, founder of Better Ave and an expert in email marketing, data strategy, and customer engagement. After years in the agency world, Jessica made the leap to entrepreneurship, bringing her big-brand expertise to mid-sized and small businesses. We talk about what pushed her to start her own consultancy, how she helps busine...

What does it take to build and scale a business while staying true to your values? In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , I sit down with Mark Richards, President & Founder of Associated Warehouses, Inc. (AWI). With 37 years of experience, Mark shares his journey from starting at a card table with just a phone to leading a national network of logistics partners. 🎙 What You’ll Learn...

What happens when corporate burnout collides with an entrepreneurial itch? For Shaila Ortega, it meant taking a bold leap into business ownership. In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Shaila shares how a layoff became the catalyst for launching Wave, a marketing growth agency helping businesses scale with strategic advising, implementation, and now a mastermind program. What You’ll Le...

How do you start a bank from scratch? In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney sits down with Dave Hill, President & CEO of Mid America Bank, who shares his incredible journey from small-town banker to leading a large financial institution. Dave takes us behind the scenes of how he and his business partners bought a tiny small-town bank, scaled it into a powerhouse, and built...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint , Courtney chats with Liza Saracini, founder of Florabelle Food & Festivities, a business that brings farm-to-table culinary experiences to life. Liza shares her inspiring journey, from her first in-home cooking classes to overcoming health challenges and turning her passion for food into a thriving business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: -...