TrailBlazers Impact

A consistent cash flow is a necessity in a business! But how do you achieve it? Athena Captain explains the importance of understanding your target audience, having a prospecting plan, a follow-up plan, and building a referral network. Athena Captain is a coach, speaker, and author who coaches business owners, entrepreneurs, and high- level sales professionals how to fill their sales pipelines wit...

Did you know that seventy percent of Americans have debt or credit problems? If you have credit or debt issues, know that you’re not alone. Jen Lee talks to us about how to avoid prolonged financial stress by finding the right information. Jen Lee is a debt and credit strategy attorney who helps her clients examine their financial situation and provide long-term solutions for reducing debt and str...

DeShawn Spellman is a Recruiting and Partnerships Manager with Lyft and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program Director with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. He has had extensive experience managing major virtual conferences for some of the largest companies in the country. In this episode, DeShawn shares his insights on creating extraordinary virtual events.  Listen in to learn how to creativ...

Have you ever had a life-altering experience – a moment of clarity – when you realized you needed to take action or felt, “something’s got to give”? Stacey Luces did when she found herself in the hospital fighting for her life. She was one of the millions of women who are burnt out, unhealthy, stressed, and putting everyone and everything else above their needs. She struggled with feelings of not...

Named one of the Top 100 Business People Transforming Businesses, Hannah Kain is passionate about the supply chain industry and the logistics involved in starting and growing a successful business. She explains how over the last 25 years, she has evolved with technology and grown a hugely successful company.        

Do you want to live a high-quality life, living better later in life? Christine Scheffer and Robert Fisher have discovered 12 important keys for anyone to follow if they want to enjoy a high-quality life as they age. Christine Scheffer and Robert Fisher are the co-founders of Living Better in the Later Years. They both had careers in the nuclear industry, with Robert working for foreign government...

Dr. Nyla Khan talks to us about her upbringing in Kashmir and her extensive knowledge of Kashmir’s political, cultural, and religious background. She also compares politics, religion, and culture in places of war and the United States.  Nyla Ali Khan is a native of Kashmir and a native speaker of the Kashmir language. Listen in to learn the importance of self-reflecting as women and start allowing...

Are you craving to create something and show up as your authentic self? Ann Bennett talks to us about being unapologetically yourself and not letting age stop you from creating a successful brand. Ann Bennett is the founder of Renegade Branding, a best-selling author, coach, and Brand Profit Builder. She’s a renegade, creative entrepreneur, curiosity and courage driven, dedicated to helping people...

Have you considered the benefits of remote workers as small business owners? Jessica Miller-Merrell discusses the best practices for a remote work environment and how you can build a beneficial relationship with your remote workers as a small business owner.   Jessica Miller-Merrell is an author, speaker, human resources professional, and workplace expert with a passion for human capital, talent m...

Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath had a devastating effect on New Orleans’ families and businesses and on Sandy Rosenthal. Have you ever wondered what happened in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina? Sandy Rosenthal shares her firsthand experience and why she later became an advocate for her New Orleans community to avoid a repeat of the hurricane. Key Takeaways: How to take it upon y...

This is your episode if you’re looking for effective ways to market your business online without paying for ads. Donna Miller of Purse Power interviews Greg Russell, who discusses the available strategies to help you generate leads through organic marketing. Greg Russell is the founder/CEO of SuccessTeam Marketing Group, LLC., a digital marketing company that helps entrepreneurs succeed online. He...

Anastasia Lipske is a speaker, podcast booking agent, branding consultant for speakers and podcast guests, podcast guest, and co-author. She helps speakers and podcast guests generate influence, awareness, and clients. In this episode, she talks about her career pivot and why she believes in the power of speaking and podcasting. Listen in to learn how to pitch yourself as a speaker or a podcast gu...

Alan Weiss is a consultant, speaker, and author who does over 20 keynotes per year and has published over 60 books and 500 articles. Listen in to learn why consistency, resilience, dealing with high degrees of ambiguity, practicing referent leadership, and having a perspective and a sense of humor are the qualities you need to become a successful leader today.  You will also learn about women’s na...

Cindy Benezra is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, sexual abuse advocate, and author of Under the Orange Blossoms book. She found trauma at a young age in the form of sexual abuse by her own father. This episode is one about overcoming and becoming more than your trauma. Cindy Benezra shares her sexual abuse story from her childhood, healing journey, and her passion for advocating for sexual abuse...

When you hear “Bing Bing!” or “Let’s Take a Breath,”  you know you are at a Caterina Rand event. Women flock to her knowledge, skills, and fun-loving nature. Caterina Rando is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, podcaster, magazine publisher, and philanthropist. She shows women how to thrive in business, how to recognize their leadership abilities, and how to be loud and proud about the v...

Beth Van Zant used her power to recreate her life after retirement. She changed her life in a radical way to make the life she wanted. But what a challenging life! Can you imagine being a human resources director of people from all over the world? Crew ship staff are on contracts with a specific length. As human resources director, Beth has unique challenges when compared to other HR directors! Sh...

Master Captain Carl Smith started his sea-going career in 1989 with Shell oil tankers as a deck cadet. His apprenticeship lasted for three and a half years and consisted of 4 contracts at sea and 2 full college years. he continued to work in various cargo ships until he had sailed several years in the role of the chief officer, which is second in command.  He became a master of Azamara pursuit in...

Robert D’sa is dedicated and diligent, as are most of the staff, working on a cruise ship. For many, this career requires being away from home for nine months at a time. Robert D'sa is a butler on the Azamara Quest cruise ship. He’s been working with Azamara since 2009 and has worked in many positions before getting to his current position as butler. In this episode, Robert shares how he rose thro...

What does it take to navigate a cruise ship through the high seas and ensure the safety of everyone onboard? Captain Jonas Lyddby of the Azamara Quest cruise ship shares his experience and his sea career journey. Jonas Lyddby is the captain of the Azamara Quest cruise ship. He has been working with Azamara since 2008; he had earlier worked with cargo ships before shifting to passenger ships. In th...

What does it look like to shift your life and career without fear again and again? Nada Vujicic, the guest relations manager at the Azamara Quest cruise ship, talks about her life and career shifts and how those experiences have changed her. Nada Vujicic is the guest relations manager at the Azamara Quest cruise ship. She started her career journey at sea in 2009 and worked in many positions befor...

Have you ever wondered how a manager who started at the bottom and worked their way up did it? Oleksandr Brotsman, who is a food and beverage manager at Azamara Quest cruise talks to us about how he worked his way up in his career. He also talks about his experience at sea and why he would do it again and again. Oleksandr Brotsman (Alex) is a food and beverage manager at the Azamara Quest cruise s...

How would you like to be a Cruise Director on a cruise ship going all over the world? I interviewed Amanda Poulson who is on the Azamara Quest cruise ship. I was amazed to find out everything a cruise director is responsible for! I thought maybe it would just be making the announcements each day and yes, she does have a green screen right in her office, but it’s much more! And I found out that mos...

Danijel Spoljar is the assistant manager of the dining room and in charge of the specialty premiere restaurants on board the Azamara Quest cruise line.  He has been with Azamara since 2007. In this episode, Danijel describes his childhood, his inspiration to make a career sailing, and his experience working with Azamara. Listen in to learn about Danijel’s background and his career experience worki...

How many people can enjoy following the same career path they envisioned for themselves as children? Antonio Toledo always dreamed of becoming a captain, and that is exactly what he does now. He talks to us about his journey, his role, and his experience as Azamara Pursuit’s captain. Master Captain Antonio Toledo is the captain of the Azamara Pursuit cruise ship and has sailed all over the world....