Season 2. Episode 1. Kickoff: The Year of Commitment

Welcome to Season 2 of Tea.Coffee.Water.! It's a brand new year, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be back with you, our amazing listeners. As we dive into 2024, I want to talk about a theme that's close to my heart: Being Committed. In this episode, I'll take you on a journey through the transformative year of 2023. It was the year of saying yes, and it completely reshaped my life. I'll share personal insights and reflections on how embracing opportunities and challenges led to incredible growth. I'll also recount a special New Year's Eve experience where I delved into guided breathwork with JJ Ruescas, and how the word Resilience took on a whole new meaning. It's not just about overcoming obstacles; it's about appreciating the beauty of the journey, the highs, and the lows. But that's not all. I'm excited to introduce you to an incredible guest, Shanaz Hemmati, who will join us in Episode 2 of this season. I first crossed paths with Shanaz at SXSW 2023, a pivotal moment that allowed me to engage with luminaries like Mark Cuban and Administrator Guzman. Shanaz is the Co-Founder and COO of ZenBusiness, a platform dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs start, grow, and manage their businesses. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring. As a woman in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry, a non-native English speaker, and a cultural minority, she had to speak loudly to be heard. Her unique background and a strong support system propelled her to become a sought-after growth strategist and mentor. At ZenBusiness, Shanaz's secret sauce is simple yet powerful: she listens to customers early and often, using their feedback to build products that people truly want. Under her leadership, ZenBusiness has soared to become one of Austin's most successful entrepreneurial stories, raising $205 million in a recent series C round at a $1.7 billion valuation. Shanaz's 30-year career includes impressive stints at Excite.com and HomeAway, where she played a crucial role in their growth and success. She's not just a tech wizard; she's an advocate for diversity and championed a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy at ZenBusiness. So, join me in this episode as we explore the power of commitment, resilience, and the incredible journey of an inspiring leader. Get ready for a season filled with transformative conversations and insights that will empower you in 2024. LinkedIn Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanaz-hemmati/ Keep in touch with your host via:  IG -- @natalie.poindexter  Twitter -- @The_NPoindexter TikTok -- @natalie.poindexter Facebook -- Authentic.Inclusion.Consulting LinkedIn -- Natalie Poindexter, MPH, CHES Watch now:  TikTok: @teacoffeewater YouTube: Tea.Coffee.Water Podcast Check out the Net-Do Virtual Community:  IG -- @netdo.virtual ⁠⁠Join our Meetups ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Register to join the community ⁠⁠