Empowering Women in Business: Jessica Milanis on Amplifying Voices

In this episode of the #WisdomOfWomen Show, host Coco Sellman, a 5x founder and impact investor, interviews Jessica Milanes, Founder & CEO of Smart Podcast Solutions. Jessica shares her journey from finance to founding a full-service podcasting agency, helping women amplify their voices and establish influential personal brands. Jessica’s unique approach combines her project management expertise with a mission-driven focus Jessica Milanes has transformed her career in finance into a mission of empowerment through podcasting. As a former VP at Luther Burbank Savings, she drove impressive operational efficiencies, including reducing loan processing times by over 50% and boosting productivity by 200%. Now, through Smart Podcast Solutions, Jessica offers end-to-end podcast services for female founders, supporting them in building impactful brands and reaching a global audience. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion for empowering women on storytelling. WHAT YOU’LL GAIN BY LISTENTING IN:Listeners will gain actionable strategies for leveraging podcasts as a tool for business growth, amplifying women's voices in leadership, and creating community-focused content.GUEST SPOTLIGHT – JESSICA MILANES:Jessica Milanes has transformed her career in finance into a mission of empowerment through podcasting. As a former VP at Luther Burbank Savings, she drove impressive operational efficiencies, including reducing loan processing times by over 50% and boosting productivity by 200%. Now, through Smart Podcast Solutions, Jessica offers end-to-end podcast services for female founders, supporting them in building impactful brands and reaching a global audience. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion for empowering women.Chapters00:14 The Wisdom of Women in Business06:18 Finding Joy in Grief09:32 The Journey into Podcasting16:43 Strategies for Effective Podcast Marketing23:46 Empowering Women Through Podcasting29:05 Launching a Podcast: Strategies for Success36:36 Expanding the Audience: A Journey of Self-Discovery42:50 Transitioning to New Beginnings45:00 Transitioning to New OpportunitiesTakeawaysThe Wisdom of Women Show emphasizes the importance of amplifying women's voices in business.Jessica Milanis transitioned from a VP role to founding a podcast agency for women.Effective podcasting requires understanding what value it brings to both hosts and listeners.Women in leadership roles contribute significantly to innovation and business success globally.Collaboration and community are essential for women entrepreneurs to elevate their presence.Podcast listeners are always seeking new content, making promotional swaps highly effective.BURNING QUESTIONS ANSWERED:1.How can your past experiences fuel your success in podcasting?Discover how Jessica applied her project management skills to podcasting, creating a streamlined and impactful approach.Learn why leveraging past achievements can build a powerful brand narrative that resonates with audiences.2.What are the essential strategies for growing your podcast audience?Explore Jessica’s “effort-based” and “organic” podcast marketing methods to attract and retain listeners.Get tips on using keywords, show descriptions, and podcast ads to enhance discoverability.3.How can you amplify women’s voices through podcasting?Jessica explains the significance of women’s perspectives in leadership and how podcasts can become platforms for powerful narratives.Coco and Jessica discuss the importance of community and collaboration in promoting female voices.4.What are the best ways to promote your podcast for maximum reach?Learn about cross-promotion strategies and why podcaster “ad swaps” can be a game-changer for audience growth.Hear how pitching yourself as a podcast guest can expand your reach and build valuable networks.5.Why is storytelling essential in building a high-impact business?Jessica shares insights into crafting a podcast that reflects the human experience, making connections with listeners through authentic storytelling.Understand the balance between sharing personal insights and amplifying guest voices to create a memorable show.FAVORITE QUOTES:“Podcasting can be a top-of-funnel strategy, but it needs to have heart and purpose. That’s what keeps people coming back.” — Jessica Milanes“We, as women, bring wisdom and resilience that needs to be heard in every space. Our voices have the power to change the world.” — Coco Sellman“If you’re stuck, your business is stuck. Growing a company means growing yourself first.” — Coco Sellman“Our experiences—the good and the hard—fuel our purpose in business. It’s all part of the story we bring to the world.” — Jessica MilanesCLOSING THOUGHTS:This episode of #WisdomOfWomen with Jessica Milanes is a powerful reminder of the value of amplifying women’s voices through podcasting. Jessica’s journey from finance to podcasting entrepreneur illustrates the transformative impact of resilience, storytelling, and mission-driven work. Her strategies for podcast growth, personal branding, and community building are invaluable for any founder looking to make a meaningful impact. Don’t miss this episode—it’s a guide to empowering your voice, growing your brand, and connecting deeply with your audience.OFFERS & CONTACT INFORMATION:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-milanes-4947b3186/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessmilanes/ Website: https://www.smartpodcastsolutions.com/ Follow the #WisdomOfWomen show for more inspiring stories and insights from trailblazing women founders, investors, and experts in growth and prosperity.YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yja3w7nhSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/4tak8ajk Amazon Prime: https://tinyurl.com/366syddj Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/bdhananz RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/womengetfunded/ Coco Sellman, the host of #WisdomOfWomen, believes business is a force for good, especially with visionary women at the helm. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has launched five companies and guided over 500 startups. As Founder & CEO of A Force for Good, Coco supports purpose-driven women founders in unlocking exponential growth and prosperity. Her recent venture, Allumé Home Care, reached eight-figure revenues and seven-figure profits in just four years before a successful exit in 2024. A venture investor and board director, Coco’s upcoming book, *A Force for Good*, reveals a roadmap for women to lead high-impact, high-growth companies.Learn more about A Force for Good:Website: https://aforceforgood.biz/ Are Your GROWING or PLATEAUING? https://aforceforgood.biz/quiz/1-Day Growth Plan: https://aforceforgood.biz/free-plan/ FFG Tool of the Week: https://aforceforgood.biz/weekly-tool/ The Book: https://aforceforgood.biz/book/ Growth Accelerator: https://aforceforgood.biz/accelerator/