Wellness Marketing 101

In this inspiring episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Renee Plyler, co-owner of Elevated Studios, a jiu-jitsu school in Wilmington, Delaware that she runs with her husband. Renee’s journey is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship often starts with passion, pivots, and a willingness to grow beyond your comfort zone. Once an elementary school teacher with no athletic background, R...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Natalie Contrera, Creative Director and co-founder of Mango Marketing Co., to talk about the power of intention, storytelling, and community in branding.   Natalie shares her journey from commercial makeup artist to leading a creative team that helps women-owned businesses grow authentically. We dive into: Why going back to the basics is t...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Alison Wehr, an analytics specialist with experience at QVC and Aramark, to talk about one of the most important parts of building a successful business: knowing your ideal customer. Alison shares how companies like QVC built loyalty by focusing on women over 50, why your customer persona should go beyond basic demographics, and how even s...

In this episode, I sit down with Terence Milstead, Head of User Experience Research @ CODE PA and Lecturer at the Wharton School. Terence is an expert in strategic communication and user experience. Together, we explore how entrepreneurs can improve their communication strategy, use AI responsibly, and build authentic professional connections.   Terence shares insights from his work improving gove...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I talk with Kathryn Ambroze, a behavioral scientist and VP, UX Research Lead - Trust and Security at JPMorgan Chase, about how understanding human behavior can improve customer experiences for your business. Kathryn explains the difference between behavioral science and user research and shares practical tips for entrepreneurs to optimize websites, apps,...

In this episode, I sit down with one of my students, Michael Golkow, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and creator. Michael shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the lessons he’s learned from both successes and challenges, and the marketing strategies that have helped him grow.   We discuss:   Building a business with resilience and adaptability Practical marketing and growth...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Shane Barker, a digital marketing strategist and founder of TraceFuse, a platform dedicated to helping brands detect and remove fake and harmful Amazon reviews. Shane brings over two decades of experience working with e-commerce businesses, influencers, and Fortune 500 companies, and shares practical insights every entrepreneur selling onl...

Adrian’s journey is all about grit, resilience, and the courage to change course. Growing up in an immigrant family in Philadelphia taught him the value of hard work and delayed gratification—skills that carried him through a career in the pharmaceutical industry. But after a personal health scare, he walked away from his pharmaceutical business and straight into functional medicine. His mission i...

In this solo episode, I share a personal story from my early college days that shaped the way I think about growth, mentorship, and resilience in business.   I wasn’t a competitive swimmer when I moved from Bulgaria to attend Saint Peter’s University, but somehow, I ended up on the Division 1 swim team. What followed was a four-year journey of learning, failing, overtraining, adjusting, and ultima...

When you look at a stunning yoga photo, you might think it’s all about the pose. But in this conversation with photographer Wanda, we learn it’s about so much more — the journey, the story, and the emotion behind the shot.   Wanda’s path started far from the yoga studio. Growing up in communist Poland, she and her family escaped to Austria and eventually immigrated to the United States with the sp...

What if you’re unintentionally excluding potential customers, just because of your store layout or how your website is designed or your social media posts aren’t considering people with disabilities?   In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I’m joined by Grace Ambroze, a certified occupational therapist and accessibility specialist, who shares how accessibility goes far beyond ramps and elevat...

Episode 24: From CPA to Empowerment Coach: Building a Business with Heart and Strategy   In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I reconnect with my longtime yoga friend, Francesca Zampaglione, a former CPA who made a bold pivot from the accounting world into entrepreneurship. From crunching numbers at Deloitte and the CPA Association to launching Dressed Smart and becoming a professional speak...

In this solo episode, I share honest reflections on how ego can get in the way of growth—whether in jiu-jitsu, yoga, or business. Drawing from personal stories as a martial artist, mom of three, entrepreneur, and marketing professor, I explore how letting go of pride and embracing feedback can open the door to real progress. This is a vulnerable, practical reminder to slow down, listen to your bod...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Basel Syrawan, a Gracie University–certified instructor and founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Boca Raton, to talk about his journey from Damascus to Philadelphia to South Florida, both as an immigrant and an entrepreneur.   Basel shares how losing his father to deportation at a young age forced him into adulthood early, shaped his mindset, and instilled the wor...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with digital marketing consultant and influencer strategist Rachel Vandernick whose resume includes top brands in beauty, travel, and beverage. From political communication to running her own business, Rachel shares the real behind-the-scenes of growing brand visibility through thoughtful influencer partnerships and performance-driven content....

In this episode, I sit down with Philly-based lifestyle content creator and social media professional Camille Mola. Camille shares her journey from blogging in the early days of social media to becoming a trusted voice in the Philadelphia lifestyle and food scene.   We dive into:   How Camille turned her passion for writing into a personal brand The power of networking and putting yourself out the...

In this episode, I sit down with digital marketing specialist and entrepreneur Sarah DeGeorge, who shares her candid journey from burnout to boundaries and why authenticity is the secret sauce in small business marketing.   We discuss: Why knowing yourself is the foundation for good marketing The hidden marketing power in your personality and story (yes, this includes YOU!)
How Sarah helps clients...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Kevin McCarthy, a former carpenter turned business owner, who shares his journey from side gigs to running Legacy Wardrobes, a full-fledged family-run custom storage solutions company.   We dive into:   Kevin’s transition from tradesman to entrepreneur—and how that shift changed his mindset The mission behind Legacy Wardrobes: solving real...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with social media marketing expert and entrepreneur Caitlin Durning. Caitlin shares her journey of building her own successful agency, Meraki Media Management. She talks candidly about the challenges of starting a business young, the importance of choosing the right clients, and why clarity in your offers is crucial for growth.   Together, we d...

In this inspiring episode,I sit down with Juliette Gamble—an educator, counselor, vibrational healing practitioner, and founder of Heal from the Core. Juliette shares her journey from an Ivy League graduate on an unconventional path to someone who found healing and purpose through breathwork, TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), and Kriya Yoga.   What We Talk About: Healing chronic illnes...

In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Hobert — coach, consultant, and founder of It’s All Connected Coaching and Consulting. Jordan shares his unique career path from working with the Philadelphia 76ers to launching his own coaching business. He talks about how the pandemic disrupted his trajectory, inspired a pivot into real estate, and ultimately led him to discover his passion for mentorship...

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I’m joined by Chalise Saunders— a Bikram yoga teacher, wellness advocate, and an amazing individual altogether. Chalise shares her incredible journey of starting yoga at age 12 to manage scoliosis, and how it ultimately became her path to physical, mental, and emotional healing.   We talk about: How yoga helped her overcome chronic pain and manage mental...

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Niedzela, a neuroscientist turned consumer behavior researcher and founder of Nerdoscientist. With over a decade of experience bridging neuroscience, psychology, and marketing, Michelle shares her fascinating journey from academia to industry and eventually entrepreneurship.   What You'll Learn:   Michelle’s path from a double PhD program to launching her...

In this episode, I tackle an often overlooked but crucial topic: the difference between internal and external branding—and why both are essential for solopreneurs and growing teams alike.   What You’ll Learn: What internal branding actually means and how it influences the customer experience Why training employees in brand values prevents future crises How to build a consistent brand reputation fr...

This episode explores something most business podcasts won’t talk about: the role of luck in entrepreneurship. From securing scholarships to getting into college to chance encounters that shaped my academic and professional careers—I reflect on how “small wins of luck” have opened doors for me (while shutting ones that probably weren’t right), and how you can position yourself to receive more of t...