Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs

What if the breakthrough you're waiting for doesn't require a bigger strategy, but a smaller daily commitment?Big business goals are exciting, but they often leave entrepreneurs chasing results instead of building the habits that actually create them. In this solo episode, I share why I committed to running 39 miles during my birthday month and how that personal challenge became a great reminder of what consistency can accomplish.I'm sharing why I believe 30 day sprints are one of the best ways to build confidence, how focusing on daily actions creates momentum, and why simple habits like reaching out to five new people each day can lead to bigger opportunities, stronger relationships, and long term business growth. If you've been setting big goals but struggling to follow through, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:25 Why I committed to 39 miles in 30 days03:00 How keeping promises builds confidence04:15 The habit that changed my business06:15 What I learned from running every day07:45 My next 30 day business challenge09:00 Daily habits over revenue goals 10:20 The power of consistent daily actions11:35 Examples of 30 day business sprints13:20 Focus on habits, not outcomes14:10 Your 30 day challenge starts nowUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

What happens when you reach the age that changed your parent's life forever?As I reflect on my 39th birthday, I found myself thinking about a number that carries deep meaning. Thirty-nine was the age my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer, and reaching that same milestone brought up unexpected emotions about grief, family, identity, and the passage of time.In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing memories of my mother's cancer journey, the challenges of losing both parents at a young age, and the realization that I never got the chance to know my mom as an adult. As I reach the same age she was when she was diagnosed, I reflect on how grief evolves over time and the surprising ways her influence continues to shape my leadership style, work ethic, and approach to building a business today. If you've ever lost someone you love, struggled with unanswered questions, or wondered how the people who shaped you continue to influence your life, this episode will leave you thinking differently about legacy, grief, and the stories we carry with us.Chapters:00:40 Why Turning 39 Feels So Significant03:20 The Story Behind My Mom's Cancer Diagnosis07:40 Losing My Mom at 21 Years Old11:10 How Grief Changes As You Get Older14:00 The Reality of Never Knowing My Mom as an Adult17:00 The Questions I Wish I Could Ask20:20 Why Reaching Certain Ages Feels Different24:10 The Impact My Mom Still Has on My Life 27:30 The Leadership Lessons I Learned From Watching My Mom30:20 How My Mom Influenced My Business Without Knowing ItUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Ever wonder why some brands instantly feel trustworthy, luxurious, and worth paying more for?Most business owners think luxury branding comes from expensive logos, fancy design elements, or following the latest trends. In reality, it's about something much deeper. It's about how your brand makes people feel. In this Business Chaser episode, Erika Maram breaks down the psychology behind luxury branding and why how people feel about your brand matters more than the price tag. She shares the three principles luxury brands consistently use to create trust, authority, and recognition: space, tone, and restraint. You'll learn why cluttered branding creates confusion, how consistency builds authority, and what you can borrow from some of the world's most recognizable luxury brands to elevate your own brand experience.Connect with Erika:Website: https://erikamaram.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika.maram/Chapters:00:25 Why luxury branding isn't about price01:10 What makes a brand feel luxurious02:25 How messy branding hurts authority03:25 Why consistency builds recognition04:25 The real meaning of luxury in design06:15 The power of space, tone, and restraint07:05 Why luxury brands avoid trends Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

What if the business you worked so hard to build became the very thing stealing your freedom? In this episode, Lauren sits down with brand and web designer Erika Maram to explore the journey behind her business, from learning to code as a kid and bartending for seven years to building a thriving design studio that eventually grew into a full-service marketing agency. What started as a dream of creating freedom quickly turned into long nights, constant client demands, and a business that was running her instead of the other way around.Erika shares the difficult decision to walk away from parts of her business, take a significant pay cut, and rebuild a company that aligned with the life she actually wanted. She also opens up about confidence, visibility, direct communication, creating brands that make people feel something, and why so many female entrepreneurs underestimate the value they bring to the table.If you've ever felt trapped by your own success, this conversation will help you rethink growth, reclaim your confidence, and build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.Connect with Erika:Website: https://erikamaram.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika.maram/Chapters:00:40 Meet Erica Maram04:40 From Art School to Entrepreneurship08:20 Building a Business From Scratch10:40 When Growth Stops Feeling Good14:00 Choosing Freedom Over More Revenue18:20 Why Direct Communication Builds Trust21:40 Creating a Brand People Feel25:20 The Story Behind Business Over Cocktails27:10 Branding Through Emotion Instead of Design31:00 The Confidence to Go After Bigger Opportunities37:00 Recognizing Your Own Success40:20 Why Female Entrepreneurs Play Small46:00 Boundaries, Business, and Life Balance Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You've tried the diets, workouts, supplements, and wellness trends, so why don't you feel any better? In this episode, Jasmine Jafferali shares what she learned after more than 30 years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She opens up about chasing external solutions for healing while ignoring the wisdom of her own body. Jasmine shares why women are constantly searching outside themselves for healing instead of reconnecting with their bodies, and how that disconnect may be keeping them stuck in the same cycle. She dives into the powerful connection between breath, nervous system regulation, movement, music, and embodiment. Jasmine breaks down why real healing is not about doing more, but about learning to feel safe, present, and connected within your own body. So, if you’re ready to learn why breathwork may be the most overlooked tool for reducing stress, improving your health, and creating sustainable well-being, then this episode is for you.Connect with Jasmine:Website: https://healthyjasmine.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyjasmine/Chapters:00:25 Why wellness trends aren't solving the real problem01:35 The surprising link between breath and metabolism03:15 Jasmine's wake-up call with breathwork04:20 How breath impacts stress, sleep, and healing05:30 Why nervous system regulation matters06:15 Simple ways to activate the vagus nerve07:15 How music became part of Jasmine's healing09:00 Why movement is medicine10:10 What embodiment really means11:40 Why achievement isn't the same as worthiness 13:00 Learning to trust your body againUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Most women are doing everything right on paper, and still not feeling well.Jasmine Jafferali has been in the health and wellness space her entire career, starting as a fitness instructor at 20 and eventually building her work around functional nutrition, corporate wellness, and perinatal health. With a master's degree in public health focused on maternal infant health education, she brings both the research background and the real-world coaching experience to her work. But the most powerful thing she brings to her clients has nothing to do with supplements or workout plans. It is the understanding that what shows up physically in the body almost always has an emotional root, and that the healing most women are looking for requires going inward before anything else will stick.In this episode, Jasmine and Lauren get into the real stuff. They talk about growing up in diet culture, the core memories that shape how women see their bodies, why gut issues are often tied to control and boundaries, and what it actually means to heal rather than just manage symptoms. Jasmine also shares her own story, including being an overweight child in the eighties, navigating her own health challenges after moving from Chicago, and the moment she realized that what we fear, we draw near.If you have ever felt like you are doing all the things and still not getting better, this episode will give you a completely different lens for understanding what your body might actually be asking for.Connect with Jasmine Jafferali:Website: https://healthyjasmine.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyjasmine/Chapters:01:20 Meet Jasmine and her background in wellness02:20 Growing up overweight in the eighties and being bullied04:20 How generational wounds around weight get passed down06:20 Lauren's experience with body image and her mom09:20 Why the body keeps score11:20 The emotional root of physical symptoms13:20 Lauren's cancer diagnosis and the stress connection16:20 What Jasmine learned from mold illness and Lyme disease18:20 Gut health, control, and leaky boundaries20:20 What women are missing from their healthcare support21:20 The over-functioning mom and under-functioning partner dynamic24:20 Relinquishing control and getting into feminine energy26:20 Why triggers are teachers27:20 Working with women in the perinatal and perimenopause phases29:20 Where to connect with JasmineUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

If selling feels forced, uncomfortable, or just plain yucky, the problem probably is not your pitch.In this episode, Lauren breaks down why so many entrepreneurs feel gross when they try to sell and what to do instead. She shares why the pressure to convert every conversation into a sale is not only unrealistic but actually working against you, and how shifting your focus to genuine relationship building changes everything about how sales happen.Lauren also walks through how she reads cues and clues to know when someone is actually ready for a sales conversation, why releasing the outcome leads to more closed deals, and how her background in banking, retail, and service industry sales shaped the way she approaches business today.When you stop trying to close and start genuinely connecting, the sale becomes the natural next step.Chapters:00:40 Why selling feels yucky in the first place02:05 The pressure to convert every conversation03:25 How Lauren builds relationships that lead to sales05:25 Reading cues and clues from your leads07:25 Why sales calls are not the only way08:25 Building confidence in your sales approach10:05 Releasing the outcome and staying open11:40 Why one relationship can lead to many salesUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You're probably working way harder at relationship building than you need to.In this episode, Lauren breaks down why so many entrepreneurs are getting relationships completely wrong online. From immediately viewing every new follower as a potential client, to sending cold DMs with the pressure to close before any real connection has been made, Lauren explains how tying a specific outcome to every person you meet is the very thing keeping you stuck. She walks through how relationships in real life actually form, and why the same principles apply to your online business.Lauren also gets into what it really looks like to engage with intention, why your content is not the most important thing you're doing on social media, and how she has closed the majority of her business in six years entirely through the DMs by focusing on real connection over closing. If you've been exhausted by your own lead generation strategy, this is going to reframe how you think about the whole thing.So if you've been making every conversation feel like a sales call before it even starts, this episode will show you a completely different way to approach it.Chapters: 00:40 What you're getting wrong with relationship building01:40 Why tying outcomes to connections holds you back03:40 How real relationships actually form05:40 Why tailoring your pitch starts with actually knowing your audience 09:40 Tailoring your approach without overwhelming the ask11:40 Why the wrong client creates friction on both sides13:40 How to validate whether you can actually help someone14:40 How relationship building works on social media platforms17:40 Why engagement matters more than your content18:40 Closing business in the DMs without sales calls19:40 Six years of building relationships entirely online21:40 How to start building relationships in the online space23:40 Why posting alone is not enough25:40 Engagement versus posting and what actually drives growth26:40 How to stop pressuring yourself to close every conversation28:40 What happens when you genuinely build trust first30:40 Consistency in connections and content equals sales32:40 My upcoming events and retreatsUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re doing everything you’ve been told to do to manifest, so why isn’t it working?In this episode, Jen breaks down the part of manifestation most people completely miss. She shares her experience of doing all the “right” things for years with little to show for it, until one shift changed everything. Instead of focusing on more tools or routines, this conversation gets into what’s actually driving your results.This is the part of manifestation most people skip. You can follow every tactic out there and still feel stuck if you don’t believe you’re actually worthy of what you want. Jen walks through how those beliefs form, how they show up in your life and business, and what started to change for her once that shifted, including unexpected income and opportunities showing up quickly.So, if you’ve been putting in the effort but not seeing the results, this will help you understand why and what needs to shift.Connect with Jen:Instagram: @hypnotherapist_jenWebsite: https://pages.hypnotherapistjen.com/linksChapters:00:25 Why manifestation tools are not the real answer01:25 How your current reality reflects your energy02:25 Why worthiness controls what you receive03:25 Jen’s story of doing everything “right”04:25 The belief that changed everything05:25 How worthiness impacts success and money06:25 The cycle of growth and energetic ceilings07:25 How to identify your limiting beliefs08:25 What your inner dialogue is revealing09:25 Where beliefs come from and how they form10:25 Why subconscious work is required11:25 How quickly results can change after shifting beliefs12:25 Why you don’t need a strict mindset routine Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You can build a life that looks perfect on paper and still feel completely miserable.In this episode, Jen Gutfriend shares the moment everything changed for her, from working 50 to 60 hour weeks and pushing through burnout to a wake up call that forced her to walk away after her body completely shut down. What came next was realizing how much of her life had been driven by beliefs she didn’t even know she had, and how discovering hypnotherapy helped her start changing them.This conversation goes way deeper than burnout. We get into why you can be doing everything right and still feel off, how people pleasing shows up in business, and what actually starts to change when you stop building your life around what everyone else expects. We also talk about what manifestation actually looks like and why it is not just thinking positively or waiting for things to happen. Jen shares what it really looked like to walk away from a business that was working on the outside but wasn’t working for her, and how that led her into the work she does now. And the biggest shift is this, when you actually start making decisions based on what you want, things start to fall into place.So, if you’ve ever felt like your life looks right but feels wrong, this will make you rethink what success actually looks like for you.Connect with Jen:Instagram: @hypnotherapist_jenWebsite: https://pages.hypnotherapistjen.com/linksChapters:00:40 Why her burnout became a breaking point01:40 The moment her body forced her to stop03:40 The belief that changed everything05:40 Why manifestation wasn’t working before08:40 What manifestation actually looks like12:40 Why mindset alone is not enough15:40 Her life before entrepreneurship17:40 How success started to fall apart19:40 The cycle of self sabotage in business21:40 Building a life that looked perfect but wasn’t24:40 The pressure of expectations and people pleasing27:40 Navigating identity in your 20s and 30s30:40 How environment shapes your growth33:40 What actually creates long term success37:40 The reality of up levels and growth41:40 Why things get harder before they work Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You can build a business that looks good online and still feel completely disconnected from the life you’re actually living behind it.In this episode, Jacquelynn Pilcher shares what it has looked like to rebuild her life and identity in real time. From growing up in survival mode to navigating divorce, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and major life changes all at once, she opens up about the version of herself she spent years performing and why she finally stopped trying to maintain what only looked good on paper.She talks about why so many people struggle to show up authentically online, how survival mode quietly shapes the way you build your business, and why people connect more deeply to human connection than polished perfection. Jacquelynn also shares the mindset shifts that helped her stop building from pressure and performance and start creating a business that actually fits her real life instead of building a brand around who she thought she needed to be.So, if you’ve been feeling disconnected from your business, exhausted trying to keep up online, or like the version of success you built no longer feels aligned, this episode will probably hit deeper than you expect.Chapters:00:25 Jacquelynn’s life changes since the last episode02:15 Growing up as a “chameleon”04:25 Why authenticity is not a branding trick05:45 How survival mode follows you into business07:25 Why people connect to human over perfect08:55 Trust, emotional connection, and sales10:00 Stop building your business from survival mode11:10 Be magnetic instead of marketable12:00 Why confidence comes from visibility13:00 Building a business your nervous system can sustain14:05 Letting people watch you evolve Connect with Jacquelynn:Instagram: @evolvewithjacquelynnJust Women Talking Shit Podcast: https://justwomentalkingshit.buzzsprout.com/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You can build a brand that looks polished online and still feel completely disconnected from yourself behind the scenes.In this episode, Jacquelynn Pilcher opens up about the years she spent trying to fit into the online business world, constantly reinventing herself, chasing success, and struggling to figure out who she actually was underneath it all. From growing up in survival mode to navigating mental health challenges, chronic illness, comparison, and burnout, she shares how those experiences shaped the way she built her business and why authenticity eventually became non-negotiable.This conversation goes far beyond personal branding. We talk about the pressure to perform online, the exhaustion that comes from trying to keep up with everyone else, and the moment Jacquelynn realized she did not want to build a business around who she thought she needed to be. She also shares how storytelling became one of her greatest strengths and how everything started to shift once she stopped performing for approval and finally built a brand rooted in who she actually is.So, if you have been feeling disconnected from your business, exhausted from trying to keep up online, or unsure how to fully show up as yourself, this conversation will remind you that the strongest brands are built when you stop performing and start owning who you really are. Chapters:00:40 Jacquelynn’s story and personal evolution05:40 Growing up in survival mode09:20 Side hustles and early entrepreneurship12:40 Starting coaching during COVID16:40 Realizing success still did not feel aligned 20:40 Learning to stop comparing herself24:40 Detaching from money and outcomes28:40 Why honesty changed her business32:40 Feeling exhausted by online business culture36:40 The lack of support in coaching spaces40:40 Why personal branding matters now44:40 How storytelling became her biggest strength49:40 Why messaging is really about clarity57:40 The advice she would give herself today Connect with Jacquelynn:Instagram: @evolvewithjacquelynnJust Women Talking Shit Podcast: https://justwomentalkingshit.buzzsprout.com/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You can spend thousands of dollars attending events and still walk away wondering if any of it actually helped your business.In this episode, Lauren breaks down how to actually get ROI from events, whether that’s networking dinners, workshops, conferences, or retreats. She shares how constantly saying yes to events started impacting her time, energy, work schedule, and family life, forcing her to become far more intentional about where she invests her money and attention.Lauren talks about the difference between going to events because of FOMO versus going with a clear reason for being there. She shares why relationships are often the biggest return on investment, why some opportunities take months to pay off, and how meeting people in person completely changes the depth of connection and collaboration. She also opens up about navigating events as an introvert and the questions she now asks herself before saying yes to any room she walks into. So, if you’ve been questioning whether events are really worth the investment, this episode will help you think about ROI in a completely different way.Chapters:00:25 Why events take more than money 02:05 The hidden cost of saying yes too often03:25 What ROI actually looks like from small events04:20 How hosts create meaningful connections05:25 Going to events as an introvert06:35 How to intentionally create ROI at events07:25 The long-term payoff from bigger investments08:25 Choosing events for the people in the room 09:25 Why in-person connections change everything10:05 How to stop making event decisions from FOMO11:10 Questions to ask before investing in an event12:20 Why intentionality creates better ROI13:00 Lauren’s upcoming retreats and events Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Most networking events leave you with a stack of business cards and very little real connection.After years of attending networking groups that felt surface level, transactional, or completely misaligned, I realized the kind of space I was looking for didn’t actually exist. In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind why I created Growth & Connect dinners and retreats after walking away from networking experiences that left me feeling disconnected, frustrated, and craving something more intentional.This conversation goes far beyond hosting events. I’m diving into what felt missing in traditional networking spaces, the pressure to fit into environments that never felt right, and the moment I stopped waiting for someone else to create the kind of community I wanted to be part of. I’m also sharing what people are truly craving right now in business, why intentional connection matters more than surface-level visibility, and how creating the right environment changes the entire experience people walk away with.So, if you’ve been craving deeper connection, more meaningful conversations, or spaces where people genuinely see and support each other, this episode will encourage you to stop waiting for the right room to appear and start creating it yourself. Chapters:00:40 Introduction and upcoming retreats/events03:40 Why I wanted deeper connection05:40 The first networking event that changed everything09:40 Feeling disconnected from traditional expectations15:40 Starting a business in Chicago17:20 Returning to Northwest Indiana after motherhood18:40 Trying local networking groups again21:20 Why some networking events felt empty24:00 The event that made me rethink networking 26:40 Realizing I could create something better29:40 The beginning of Growth & Connect31:40 What makes meaningful events different34:40 The impact of intentional connection35:20 Why there is room for more community leaders37:00 Create the thing you feel is missing Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You don’t need another strategy. You need to pay attention to what actually holds up over time.After building multiple businesses and constantly looking for what connects them, Nicole realized the same patterns kept showing up. Not trends. Not tactics. Real, foundational lessons that impact how your business grows and how it feels to run it.In this episode, she breaks down eight lessons that have shaped the way she approaches business today. From building something you genuinely believe in to understanding why visibility rooted in community and connection matters more than chasing followers or numbers. This is a look at what actually drives growth and where most people hold themselves back without realizing it. She also shares the mistakes most people make like staying quiet about what they are building and expecting people to notice anyway, overproducing instead of documenting what’s actually happening, and losing sight of why they started in the first place.So, if you’ve been stuck in overthinking, second guessing, or focusing on the wrong things, this will bring you back to what actually matters and help you move forward with more clarity.Connect with Nichole:Instagram: @womantowoman.connectInstagram: @momtomon.connectInstagram: @storiedelementsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/momtomommagFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/womantowomanmagWebsite: https://www.sendmediacompanyllc.com/Chapters:00:30 Why these 8 business lessons matter01:30 Build what you actually believe in02:30 Visibility is not about vanity metrics03:30 How to find connection points in your business04:30 Why you need to share what you’re building05:30 Promoting yourself and actually sharing what you’re doing 06:30 Staying human in your messaging07:30 Why documenting beats overproducing08:30 What to systemize and what to personalize09:30 Protecting your values while growing Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

She didn’t set out to build a media company. She just kept saying yes to the right opportunities.Nichole Demario started in journalism during a time when jobs were scarce and stability wasn’t guaranteed. What began as freelancing and pitching herself to publications turned into something much bigger. Over time, she stepped into a growing role inside a local magazine, helped expand it into a second publication, and eventually took ownership of both. What she’s built today didn’t come from a perfect plan. It came from recognizing opportunity and running with it.In this episode, Nichole shares what it really looks like to build a business rooted in storytelling. From the behind-the-scenes reality of publishing to the moments that have stayed with her the most, this conversation goes beyond business strategy. It’s about the power of real stories, why people downplay their own experiences, and what happens when someone is finally ready to share. Because the moment you stop minimizing your story and start owning it, you create connections, impact, and opportunities you never saw coming. So, if you’ve ever questioned whether what you’ve been through is worth sharing, this episode will challenge that completely.Connect with Nichole:Instagram: @womantowoman.connectInstagram: @momtomon.connectInstagram: @storiedelementsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/momtomommagFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/womantowomanmagWebsite: https://www.sendmediacompanyllc.com/Chapters:00:40 Why Nichole chose publishing03:40 Starting in freelancing and early career moves05:40 How Mom to Mom Magazine began06:40 Creating Woman to Woman Magazine07:40 Taking ownership of both magazines08:40 Why storytelling matters so much10:40 The impact of physical magazines13:40 How the business evolved over time16:40 Pivoting during COVID18:40 The power of adapting under pressure20:40 A story that created real change23:40 Why sharing your story is healing25:40 The story that almost didn’t happen31:40 What people don’t see in their own communities34:40 Why people downplay their stories36:40 How Nichole chooses which stories to tell39:40 Why sharing what you want matters44:40 How her real estate journey started49:40 Lessons from house flipping51:40 Balancing multiple passions and businesses52:40 Where to connect with Nichole Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re showing up, creating content, doing the work, so why do you still feel invisible in your industry?In this Business Chaser episode, Lyndsey Akers breaks down what actually gets people featured, booked, and seen. It’s not the most qualified people winning these opportunities. It’s the ones who are positioned clearly, tell better stories, and understand how credibility is built through earned media.She also unpacks what’s changing right now with AI and why visibility is no longer about how often you post. It’s about where you show up and who is validating your expertise. From trust transfer to editorial authority, this episode breaks down what’s actually driving growth and what’s been keeping you stuck instead. So if you’ve been doing everything “right” but still feel like the best kept secret, this will help you see what’s missing and how to start getting in the right rooms.Connect with Lyndsey:Instagram: @lyndseyakersLinkedIn: @lyndseyakersChapters:00:25 Why being good isn’t getting you featured 01:25 What actually gets people chosen for opportunities02:25 The difference between branding and credibility03:25 Why your story matters more than your resume04:25 Why specificity wins in crowded markets05:25 How AI is changing visibility and attention06:25 Why earned media is more valuable than ever07:25 How PR impacts AI search results08:25 Why magazine features still matter09:25 The long-term impact of digital media features10:25 Why podcasts are powerful for visibility11:25 How speaking builds authority quickly12:25 Where to start with PR opportunities13:25 Why awards are an underrated strategy14:25 How editorial calendars can work in your favor15:25 Why most pitches get ignored 16:25 The mindset shift behind getting featured Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

At some point, you realize the life you built doesn’t actually fit you anymore. For Lyndsey Akers, success once meant climbing the corporate ladder, chasing titles, and building a career in high-profile spaces from Capitol Hill to national organizations. But everything shifted when she became a mom and realized she wanted something different. Not just a new career path, but a different way of living and working. In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lyndsey shares how she unexpectedly stepped into entrepreneurship, how her career experiences shaped the business she runs today, and what it really looks like to build a reputation rooted in trust and relationships. This conversation goes beyond business strategy. It challenges the idea that success is something you climb toward, instead of something you redefine as your life evolves. Connect with Lyndsey:Instagram: @lyndseyakersLinkedIn: @lyndseyakersChapters:00:40 How Lyndsey became an accidental entrepreneur02:40 Career shifts after becoming a mom04:40 Redefining success and priorities08:40 Networking, relationships, and human design10:40 How she got into PR and communications13:40 From journalism dreams to Capitol Hill16:40 Lessons from high-level leadership environments19:40 Bridging PR for small business owners22:40 Building trust and reputation in business25:40 The reality of word-of-mouth growth28:40 Why trust is built over time31:40 What holds women back from visibility34:40 Awards, credibility, and being seen37:40 Owning your voice and impact40:40 Where to connect with Lyndsey Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Selling feels icky when you’re trying to rush to the pitch instead of actually getting to know someone.If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking when to pitch, how to transition a conversation, or why selling feels unnatural, this episode breaks down what’s actually going on. I’m sharing why that “icky” feeling shows up and how it usually comes from trying to sell before you’ve taken the time to truly understand the person you’re talking to and whether they’re actually a fit.I walk through what selling actually looks like in real life like recommending something you love, making plans with friends, or sharing a tool you actually use. None of that feels weird because there’s already trust there. That’s the part most people skip in their business. This episode brings it back to that and shows why forcing the sale is usually the problem.So, if selling has been feeling harder than it should, this will help you see what’s actually going wrong and how to make it feel a lot more natural.Chapters:00:30 Why selling feels uncomfortable02:30 The real reason sales feel icky04:30 Why easy sales don’t feel like selling05:30 The friendship example that explains everything06:30 Everyday examples of natural selling07:30 How recommendations turn into sales08:30 Understanding the problem before you sell09:30 Why timing in sales is not fixed10:30 Relationship building vs cold outreach11:30 Why I avoid high-volume sales calls12:30 Letting sales feel effortless13:30 Why forcing sales creates resistance Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You don’t start a business because you have it all figured out. Most of the time, you’re just trying to solve a problem right in front of you.Today, I’m sharing the real story behind how my business started. I didn’t start this with some big purpose or long-term vision. I started it because I needed to make more money and take some pressure off at home. That was it. But it didn’t stay that simple.This is a real look at what happens when your why stops making sense and you have to figure out what actually matters to you now. From chasing income to realizing the impact I was making, I’m walking through the moments that shifted how I see my work, success, and what I actually want out of all of this. I also share how becoming a mom reshaped everything for me, especially how I think about support, confidence, and what I want my daughter to learn from watching me.You might start for one reason, but if you stick with it, it’s probably going to turn into something completely different.Chapters:00:40 I never planned to be an entrepreneur03:10 Early beliefs about business and success05:40 Choosing a “safe” career path07:40 The moment business became interesting09:10 Life events that changed everything10:40 Climbing the corporate ladder12:40 Feeling stuck despite doing everything right14:10 Side hustles and searching for more15:40 What didn’t sit right in MLM culture17:10 Learning social media and sales18:40 The real reason I started my business20:10 Making money as the first motivation21:40 When the why started to shift23:10 Discovering my strength in creating connections24:40 The shift from income to impact26:10 How motherhood reshaped everything27:40 Redefining success and support29:10 Why your why will evolve30:40 What actually drives me now Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re showing up to everything but getting very little out of it.It’s easy to say yes, stay busy, and feel like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing. But without intention, you end up scattered, drained, and wondering why nothing is actually moving forward. In this episode, Alyssa breaks down what it really means to be intentional in your work, your relationships, and how you spend your time.She shares how being clear on your goals, your role, and and why just showing up and saying yes to everything isn’t actually helping you the way you think it is. From professional settings to personal relationships and even nonprofit work, this conversation is a real look at what happens when you’re just going through the motions and how to shift out of it. And she also shares a simple question that can completely change how you show up in conversations: do you want to vent or do you want help solving it?So if you’ve been doing a lot but not seeing the impact you expected, this is where you start shifting how you show up.Chapters:01:00 Why being intentional matters02:00 The difference between busy and intentional03:00 Showing up with purpose at work04:00 How to be intentional in relationships05:00 The question that changes conversations05:45 Being intentional with service work06:30 Choosing what actually matters to you07:15 How intention changes your resultsConnect with Alyssa:Instagram: @alyssag28Instagram: @buildwithalyssaLinkedIn: @alyssa-gawlinskiUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You didn’t plan to become the person others lean on. It usually starts with a moment that changes everything.In this episode, I sit down with Alyssa Gawlinski to talk about how personal loss and experiences with cancer shaped the path she’s on today. What started as unexpected moments led her into deep involvement with organizations like Fighting Pretty, Girls on the Run, and the Boys and Girls Club, supporting women and young girls through moments that require connection, support, and guidance.They also get into the parts people don’t always talk about. The loneliness that can come with grief, what it feels like to walk alongside cancer without fully understanding it, and how relationships can either fall away or show up in ways you never expected. This conversation is a real look at how connection, community, and shared experience can change the way you move through life.It’s not about deciding to be a “serving” person. It’s about what life puts in front of you and how you choose to show up because of it.This episode will challenge you to look at your own experiences and ask what they’re shaping you into.So if you’ve ever wondered how the hardest moments in your life can lead you to something more meaningful, this is the conversation to listen to.Chapters:00:40 Why Alyssa got into nonprofit work02:00 How Fighting Pretty came into her life04:00 Getting involved with Girls on the Run06:40 The impact of showing up for kids08:40 The reality of connection and community11:40 Why being of service matters14:40 The role of support during hard seasons18:40 Navigating cancer, grief, and connection22:40 How relationships shift in hard seasons26:40 Turning pain into purpose30:40 Life changes and finding direction34:40 Processing grief and personal growth39:40 Why therapy changed everything41:40 Core values that guide Alyssa’s life44:40 What impact looks like long term48:40 How to start making a difference50:40 Where to connect with AlyssaConnect with Alyssa:Instagram: @alyssag28Instagram: @buildwithalyssaLinkedIn: @alyssa-gawlinskiUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re sending messages, starting conversations, trying to sell and still not seeing results.In this episode, I break down what actually turns people off in the DMs and why so many common sales tactics feel forced, exhausting, and ineffective. I walk through what I don’t do in the DMs, from cold pitching to over-messaging, and what actually gets people to buy instead. I also share how I’ve built a sustainable business through relationship-driven conversations instead of volume-based outreach. From closing four-figure deals to generating a $20,000 launch entirely through DMs, this is a real look at what it takes to convert without burning out, sounding robotic, or pushing people away. Chapters:00:30 Why DM sales feels off for most people01:30 Sales calls vs DM selling shift03:30 Why scripts don’t work in sales05:30 The problem with launch cycles06:30 What cold DMing actually is08:30 Why volume DMing burns you out09:30 Why conversations drive sales, not likes 10:30 Why scripts fail in real conversations11:30 How selling actually works12:30 Why you struggle to pivot in DMs13:30 How to know if someone is actually a lead14:30 The problem with spam engagement16:30 What natural DM conversations look like17:30 What not to do in the DMs recap18:30 How I close sales in the DMs Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Four years ago, I made the decision to leave my 9 to 5 and build my business full time. And while that decision changed everything, it didn’t happen the way I thought it would.In this episode, I’m reflecting on what it actually took to get there and what these last four years have really looked like. From starting with side hustles and trying to find a way out, to building a business while working full time, this was not a quick or straightforward path. It took years of figuring things out, making decisions without a clear plan, and learning how to trust myself along the way.I’m also sharing what no one really talks about after you leave your job. The freedom, yes, but also the pressure, the identity shifts, and the responsibility that comes with building something on your own. At the same time, this is a milestone I’m incredibly proud of. Four years later, I’m still here, still building, and still choosing this path.So if you’re thinking about leaving your 9 to 5 or wondering if it’s actually worth it, this episode will give you a real look at what that decision requires and what it can create.Chapters:01:00 Why leaving your job feels so far away02:30 Starting with side hustles and MLMs05:30 From blogging to social media work07:00 Hiring a coach and shifting direction09:00 Building a business while working full time11:30 The pressure of having a day job15:00 Getting a new job that changed everything17:30 When the business slowed down19:00 Rebuilding confidence with new offers20:30 COVID and unexpected business growth21:30 Starting an agency and increasing income24:00 Deciding to leave and making a plan26:00 Moving and lowering expenses28:00 The moment everything became real30:00 Why setting a date matters31:00 Life after leaving the 9 to 533:30 The hardest parts of entrepreneurship35:30 Why it is still worth it37:00 The real way to build confidenceUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re not stuck because nothing is working, you're stuck because you’re trying not to fail.If you’ve been overthinking your next move, holding back from launching, or constantly questioning your decisions, today’s guest, Summer Borkowski, founder of Summer Gold, a beauty and wellness club, breaks down what’s actually happening when you fail. Avoiding failure might feel like a smart move, but it’s the exact thing keeping you from getting the clarity and momentum you need.In this Business Chaser episode, Summer walks through what it really means to fail better, how to use failure as feedback instead of proof you’re doing something wrong, and why some of your best business decisions will come from things not working the first time.So if you’ve been waiting to feel more confident before taking action, this will show you why trying is the only way forward.Chapters:00:24 Fear of failure in business01:27 Why failing feels public02:27 Reframing failure and self-worth03:14 What failing better actually means03:54 When a launch gets zero sales04:32 How to get the right feedback05:20 Adjusting pricing and offers05:55 Why testing creates clarity06:23 When to pivot or let go07:20 Trusting your decisions08:05 How failure drives growth08:56 The mindset shift around failure09:35 Overthinking and analysis paralysis10:14 Using feedback from your audienceConnect with Summer:Website: https://www.summergoldco.com/Instagram: @summergoldcoInstagram: @sumshadyUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You don’t randomly wake up and start a business that makes zero logical sense or do you?In this episode, I sit down with Summer Borkowski, founder of Summer Gold, a beauty and wellness club, to talk about what really happens when you follow an idea that doesn’t make sense on paper. From starting a spray tan business with zero experience to building a full beauty and wellness brand, this is the kind of story that challenges what you think entrepreneurship is supposed to look like.We get into the messy middle that most people don’t talk about. Burnout, figuring things out as you go, redefining success, and learning how to lead both yourself and a team. But more importantly, we talk about what shifts when you stop chasing what you think success should look like and start building something that actually feels aligned.So if you’ve been waiting until you feel ready, this episode is going to shift how you think about taking the first step.Chapters:02:55 Where the idea for Summer Gold came from04:40 Starting a business with zero experience06:40 The deeper reason behind Summer’s “why”09:10 How it evolved beyond spray tans11:25 The burnout that forced a shift13:10 From fixing yourself to investing in yourself15:10 Why self-care feels hard to prioritize18:10 Why she thought success had to feel chaotic19:55 Redefining success through client impact22:10 The trap of chasing busy over aligned24:10 Thinking long term vs quick wins25:10 Why you can’t do everything yourself26:40 What leadership actually looks like28:40 Building a team that feels valued30:40 Why micromanaging kills confidence32:40 Learning to trust yourself as a leader35:40 The bigger vision for Summer Gold40:40 How to stand out in a saturated market44:40 Why people keep coming backConnect with Summer:Website: https://www.summergoldco.com/Instagram: @summergoldcoInstagram: @sumshadyUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re using AI to create content, write your marketing, maybe even build your strategy, so why isn’t it actually bringing in clients?Everything looks fine on the surface. The content sounds good. The ideas are there. But it’s not landing, it’s not connecting, and it’s definitely not converting the way you expected.In this Business Chaser episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on when AI “isn’t working” in your business. Because the problem isn’t the tool. It’s how you’re using it. I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes story from my own business that completely changed how I see AI, value, and what I actually get paid for.I also get into the piece most people are missing when it comes to AI, your ability to think, ask better questions, and actually understand what your client needs. Because that’s the part AI can’t replace.If your content feels generic, your messaging isn’t hitting, or you’re wondering why AI isn’t getting you results, this will help you see what’s actually missing and how to start using it in a way that supports your business growth.So, AI isn’t replacing you. But the way you’re using it might be the reason your business isn’t growing the way you expected.Chapters:00:30 What these short episodes are really for01:45 Why everyone is suddenly switching AI tools03:30 Why your AI content sounds like everyone else05:00 The real reason AI isn’t working for you06:00 The client story that changed everything07:30 Why I felt guilty charging for faster work08:30 What AI made me realize about my value09:30 The one thing AI will never replace11:00 Why generic advice keeps failing you12:00 What AI should actually be used for13:00 Why your input changes everything13:30 The shift you need to make with AIUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

I followed the strategy. Did the work. Checked every box and I still didn’t get the results I expected.I invested thousands into coaching thinking it would give me the answers, help me grow faster, and take my business to the next level. Instead, I ended up overwhelmed, burnt out, and questioning everything.In this episode, I’m breaking down what coaching actually is and why so many people walk away from investments feeling frustrated or like they made a mistake.Because hiring a coach isn’t about someone telling you exactly what to do. And when you expect it to be, that’s where things start to fall apart.I’m sharing my experience with a $4,000 investment that didn’t lead to results, what caused me to burn out even while doing everything “right,” and what finally shifted when I stopped looking for someone else to fix my business.If you’ve ever invested in coaching and questioned whether it was worth it or you’re thinking about hiring a coach and want to make sure you do it right, this episode will help you rethink how you approach it.Chapters:00:30 Why investing in your business is necessary02:30 Why “guaranteed results” should be a red flag05:30 Expecting coaches to give you all the answers07:30 The $4,000 investment that didn’t pay off10:00 Following the strategy and still getting no results12:00 Burnout from doing everything “right”13:30 Stepping away and finding my own direction15:00 The mastermind that actually changed everything16:30 What coaching is really supposed to be18:30 Why execution matters more than strategy20:30 The biggest mistake people make when hiring support22:00 How to evaluate an investment properly24:00 Impulse decisions vs aligned investments26:00 When to say no to investing27:30 Lessons from bad hires and failed investments29:00 Why experience matters more than strategy30:30 What to look for before hiring someone32:00 Why you’re still responsible for your results33:30 Final takeaway on making better investmentsUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re doing everything “right” so why does making money still feel so hard?You’re showing up. You’re following the strategy. But behind the scenes, it still feels like a cycle of stress, overthinking, burnout, and starting over again.In this episode, nervous system and subconscious pattern expert Cara Barone breaks down what’s actually keeping you stuck at the same income level even when you’re doing everything right. And it’s not your strategy.It’s how your nervous system has been wired to keep you safe.Cara unpacks the deeper layer most people overlook: the patterns you’ve been practicing your entire life and how they directly impact your ability to make, receive, and hold more money. She also breaks down the neuroscience behind why your state drives your thoughts, decisions, and actions which explains why traditional mindset and strategy alone are not enough to create lasting change.If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in hustle, avoidance, inconsistency, self-doubt, or disappearing when things start to grow, this episode is going to connect a lot of dots.In this episode, you’ll learn why you keep cycling between hustle and burnout, how your nervous system is shaping your decisions and results, and what it actually takes to build the capacity to make, receive, and hold more money.Chapters:00:30 Why you don’t have a strategy problem02:15 Cara’s background and burnout turning point05:15 What your nervous system actually controls07:30 The 3 nervous system states explained10:30 Why your state drives your thoughts and actions12:15 Why high performers stay stuck at the same income level13:45 Visibility blocks (overposting vs disappearing)16:00 Consistency blocks (sprint and crash cycle)17:30 Receiving blocks (undercharging, overdelivering, avoiding sales)19:30 Identifying your default money pattern22:30 How to regulate your nervous system (practical tools)24:45 Building capacity through small, consistent action26:00 How to increase your ability to hold more incomeConnect with Cara Barone:Instagram: @carabaroneTik Tok: @carabaroneWork with Cara: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YGdGQyQaFzLsbYzowHVEqoeNczbYQQpoijjRxx8MH-s/edit?tab=t.0Cara’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cara.barone?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioRelease fear of rejection & step into confident visibility that attracts premium opportunities - https://go.carabaroneaiconsulting.net/fear-of-rejection-release-discounted?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

You’re doing everything “right”… so why do you still feel stuck?You’ve learned the strategies. You’ve invested in the programs. You’ve seen some success. But no matter what you do, it feels like you keep hitting the same ceiling.In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, I’m sitting down with someone who has played a huge role in my own journey, my first mentor and business coach Cara Barone, to talk about what’s actually keeping high performers stuck.And it’s not what you think.We get into the deeper layer of growth that most people avoid: your nervous system, your belief patterns, and the subtle ways you might be holding yourself back without even realizing it.This conversation felt very full circle for me, and honestly… it explains so much about why growth can feel so hard even when you’re doing all the “right” things. Episode Highlights:Why strategy is not your real problemThe low-level stress most high performers live inThe pattern of “I want this… but I am not doing it”How your body can actually block your next levelWhy you might be shrinking yourself without realizing itThe connection between stress, identity, and successWhat it actually takes to expand your capacity for moreChapters:02:45 Cara’s background and multiple reinventions07:15 Why mindset has always been the real driver of growth09:45 The moment everything shifted into nervous system work13:45 Identifying your unique strengths and owning them17:45 Why high performers still feel stuck21:45 Shrinking yourself to stay relatable24:45 The nervous system “baseline” explained27:45 Why success can feel unsafe30:45 The belief that “I’m missing something”33:45 Balancing corporate and business growth38:45 How to step into your next levelConnect with Cara Barone:Instagram: @carabaroneTik Tok: @carabaroneWork with Cara: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YGdGQyQaFzLsbYzowHVEqoeNczbYQQpoijjRxx8MH-s/edit?tab=t.0Cara’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cara.barone?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioRelease fear of rejection & step into confident visibility that attracts premium opportunities - https://go.carabaroneaiconsulting.net/fear-of-rejection-release-discounted?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this Business Chaser episode, Lauren breaks down what actually makes an event meaningful, impactful, and worth attending. From networking dinners to retreats, she shares her perspective on why hosting an event is about far more than filling seats or planning something pretty. It’s about intention, connection, and making people feel genuinely seen.Lauren walks through what she believes separates forgettable events from transformational ones, including guest experience, event etiquette, personalization, community building, and how to create real value for the people in the room. If you’ve ever thought about hosting an event for your business, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of what matters most and how to do it well.Episode Highlights:What makes a business event feel meaningful and memorableHow to make guests feel seen, supported, and connectedThe key difference between hosting a good event and creating real impactChapters:00:00 — Welcome to The Business Chaser01:02 — Why Lauren Started Hosting Events04:03 — Bad Event Experiences and What Was Missing08:02 — How to Make Guests Feel Seen and Supported11:10 — What Makes an Event Truly ImpactfulUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Maria Rojas did not set out to become a marketing agency owner. She began her career as an electrical engineer in Venezuela, certain of the path she was building. But when life changed and opportunity disappeared, Maria was forced to make a hard decision: leave everything familiar behind and start over in the United States.In this episode, Maria shares the reality of rebuilding from the ground up, from navigating life as an immigrant and taking jobs she never imagined doing, to discovering a deeper sense of gratitude, resilience, and purpose along the way. What began as survival eventually became something more: a business rooted in service, empathy, and helping small business owners feel supported as they grow.This is a conversation about identity, sacrifice, faith, and what it really takes to begin again when life does not go according to plan.Episode Highlights:Maria’s journey from electrical engineer to entrepreneurLeaving Venezuela and starting over in the United StatesHow hardship shaped her gratitude, faith, and resilienceBuilding a marketing agency rooted in empathy and serviceWhat it really takes to survive and grow as a business ownerChapters:00:00 — Welcome Maria Rojas02:14 — Maria’s engineering background09:17 — Leaving Venezuela and coming to the U.S.10:50 — The hard first year and starting over19:48 — Gratitude, money, and mindset28:49 — Moving through Florida, Michigan, and Indiana32:33 — Building Trace Marketing and growing the agencyConnect with Maria Rojas:Website - https://tresmarketing.net/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tresmarketingagency/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

When starting feels scary, it’s usually not a lack of talent—it’s a lack of trust.In this quick Business Chaser, Jessie from Big Time Publishing shares three powerful reminders to help you move forward when fear shows up:Trust the desire in your heart—it’s there for a reason.Choose to see it as possible and ask, “What would my next step be?”Trust your instinct to pivot—shifting direction isn’t failure, it’s alignment.If you’ve been stuck, second-guessing yourself, or waiting for certainty, this episode will help you take the first small step—and follow the nudges from there.Episode Highlights:3 reminders for when you’re afraid to start.Pivoting isn’t quitting.Chapters:00:03 Trust the desire of your heart01:10 Choose to see it as possible03:05 Trust your instinct to pivotConnect with Jessi Dunnagan:Instagram & TikTok: @bigtimepublishing and @especiallyjessiWebsite - bigtimepublishing.comResource library: https://app.heartbeat.chat/bigtimepublishing/invitation?code=233E3CUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Jessi Dunnagan—author and founder of Big Time Publishing—for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to follow the nudge, tell the truth, and create before you feel “ready.” Jessi shares how writing her first book started with a title in her head, became an unexpected kind of personal therapy, and ultimately turned into a business helping others stop sitting on the stories they’re carrying.Together, they talk about ditching the fear of being seen, why “failure” isn’t real if you keep going, how to protect your excitement by sharing wins with the right people, and why self-publishing can be one of the most empowering ways to own your story—without waiting for permission.If you’ve been holding a manuscript, a message, or a story you keep pushing off… this is your sign to start with the next sentence.Episode Highlights:Owning your story without waiting for permissionNot being afraid to be “mediocre” in public while you learnFollowing intuitive nudges that lead to the right next stepSelf-publishing as empowering, healing, and creatively freeingSharing wins with the right people and protecting your momentumChapters:00:01 — Meet Jessi + wearing many hats00:48 — Not afraid to be “mediocre” in public05:06 — When she knew she’d write a book10:27 — Why people don’t follow the nudge16:07 — Self-publishing: healing, empowering, no permission25:43 — Leaving corporate + building Big Time Publishing40:25 — Rapid fire: Hanson, skating, and owning your storyConnect with Jessi Dunnagan:Instagram & TikTok: @bigtimepublishing and @especiallyjessiWebsite - bigtimepublishing.comResource library: https://app.heartbeat.chat/bigtimepublishing/invitation?code=233E3CUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this quick Business Chaser, Lauren breaks down what you actually need to know before running Meta ads—without the overwhelm. She shares why ads don’t magically fix a marketing problem, how they amplify what’s already working (and what isn’t), and what to have in place first: consistent content, cohesive branding, and a clear goal.You’ll hear a real client scenario (luxury, high-ticket services) and why expecting instant ROI—especially on a $5–$7/day budget—usually leads to frustration. Lauren walks you through a smarter approach for beginners: start by running ads to a freebie or email list, test multiple creatives, learn what resonates, and then scale into call-booking or paid offers. She also touches on retargeting, lookalike audiences, and the importance of a nurture sequence so your leads don’t go cold.If you’re ads-curious and want a simple, realistic roadmap to getting started, this episode will help you spend smarter and build momentum.Episode Highlights:Ads amplify what’s already working—so your content and branding need to be solid firstWhy $5–$7/day can work, but expecting instant ROI (especially for high-ticket offers) is unrealisticA beginner-friendly path: run ads to a freebie/email list, test creatives, then retarget and scaleChapters:00:00 — Intro + why Meta ads (and why now)02:10 — Before you run ads: content consistency + cohesive branding05:05 — The truth about ROI: testing costs + high-ticket expectations08:35 — Best first campaign: freebie/email list + nurture sequence12:10 — Next steps: retargeting/lookalikes + how to work togetherUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this solo episode, Lauren shares the part of her cancer story that doesn’t get talked about enough: what happens after remission. Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice, she opens up about the mental weight of survivorship—scanxiety, follow-up tests, and living with a body that no longer feels fully predictable.Lauren reflects on the long-term effects of chemo and radiation, the constant cadence of appointments, and the emotional whiplash of “you’re fine now” when fear and grief still show up. She also speaks candidly about fertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum recovery, and how becoming a mother has intensified both her gratitude and her fear—because now there’s even more at stake.This is an honest, tender conversation about resilience, control, and learning to live in the in-between—when the battle isn’t cancer itself, but everything that lingers after.Episode Highlights:Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twiceWhy survivorship can feel harder than treatmentThe ongoing reality of lifelong screenings and follow-up careFertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional toll of “my body failing me” againMotherhood after cancer and the fear of missing out on your child’s lifeChapters:00:01 — Why I’m sharing this solo update on survivorship04:42 — The support fades after remission (and what that feels like)09:24 — The lifelong test list: heart, thyroid, breast, skin, colon14:06 — Fertility preservation + the fear of trying to start a family18:42 — Chemical pregnancy + feeling like my body failed me again26:06 — Mammogram follow-ups, colon polyp, mole removal: the wake-up call35:34 — Motherhood, the “another baby” question, and honoring my bodyUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this episode, Heather Miller breaks down the core of product thinking—and why you don’t need perfection to launch something successful. If you’re building from scratch or trying to scale a scrappy offer, app, or service, this is a practical guide to making smarter product decisions with less guessing.Heather explains what a “product” really is (hint: it’s the value engine of your business), then walks through the three essentials that lead to product-market fit: problem-market fit, solution-market fit, and business model fit. You’ll also learn why MVP should be treated as a Minimum Valuable Product, how to use iteration and feedback loops to improve faster, and why founders need to fall in love with the problem—not the solution.Plus, she shares three foundational steps any entrepreneur can take right now: define your top customer segment, clarify the core problem you solve and the simplest solution you offer, and track customer feedback before you scale.If you’re sitting on a product idea, this episode ends with a clear action step you can do today to validate demand and build something people actually want.Episode Highlights:The 3 fits you need for product-market fit: problem, solution, and business modelMVP redefined as “Minimum Valuable Product” and how it fuels fast learningA simple founder framework: define your top customer segment, clarify one core pain point, and track feedback before scalingChapters:00:00 — Welcome + what “product thinking” really means00:55 — Product-market fit: the 3 fits you actually need03:55 — MVP as “Minimum Valuable Product” (not perfection)05:05 — Feedback loops: talk to customers before/during/after06:20 — 3 steps for founders + the “call five people” action stepConnect with Heather Miller:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pdrmconsulting/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermillerpdrm/Website - www.pdrmconsulting.comUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Heather Miller, a product management consultant and the CEO of PDRM Consulting—and what starts as a conversation about “products” quickly becomes something deeper.Heather takes us back to the version of her who was convinced she’d become a surgeon… until life rerouted her into software, product leadership, and eventually entrepreneurship. She shares what it really looks like to build a business from experience (not big-name logos), how she learned to trust her voice again after leaving corporate, and why confidence isn’t something you think your way into—it’s something you practice your way into.Together, Lauren and Heather talk about the quiet moments of doubt that every entrepreneur knows, the “God winks” that pull you forward when you’re unsure, and the difference between being customer-centric and saying yes to everything. Heather also opens up about executive presence, why it’s especially complex for women in tech, and the power of finding mentors who help you take up space before you feel ready.If you’ve ever questioned your path, your voice, or your timing—this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a nudge forward.Episode Highlights:Heather’s pivot from aspiring surgeon to product management leader—and why the mission to help people never changedWhat a fractional CPO actually does and how it supports founders and small teams without a full-time hireThe product mindset shift: being customer-centric doesn’t mean saying yes to everythingExecutive presence for women in tech—how to speak up, be heard, and lead in male-dominated roomsConfidence-building habits that work in real life: tracking wins, honoring rest, and using movement to reset and lead wellChapters:00:01 — Welcome + Meet Heather Miller, Product Management Consultant01:14 — From Future Surgeon to Product Management05:34 — What PDRM Consulting Stands For (and Why Risk Matters)07:12 — Why Fractional CPO Work Lit Her Up20:01 — What Clients Gain: MVPs, Roadmaps, and Clear Priorities26:38 — Executive Presence + The Mindset Shift (Stop Saying Yes to Everything)43:17 — What’s Next: Strategic Communications Course + Where to ConnectConnect with Heather Miller:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pdrmconsulting/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermillerpdrm/Website - www.pdrmconsulting.comUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and increase visibility online and in the room.You’ll learn how to choose the right networking events, connect with decision-makers, and make yourself memorable so relationships actually turn into opportunities. Michelle also shares what to do after the event—how to follow up, book coffee chats, connect on Instagram, and stay consistent with content so new connections become clients, collaborators, and community members. If you’ve been relying on social media alone, this episode gives you a practical networking strategy you can plug into your business immediately.Episode Highlights:A practical networking strategy to build community and grow a magnetic personal brandWhat to do before, during, and after events (follow-up + coffee chats that convert)How to leverage Instagram + consistent content to stay top of mind after meeting peopleChapters:00:01 — Why community building + networking are the foundation02:31 — Post-event strategy: coffee chats, tracking, and follow-up03:15 — Instagram as the networking connector + staying top of mind05:00 — Event content strategy + using ChatGPT for stories/reels06:05 — Finding the right events (Eventbrite/Meetup) + action planConnect with Michelle Thames:Website - http://www.michellethames.com/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Michelle Thames went to work one day in 2016 and walked out fired from her healthcare compliance job. What felt like an ending became the pivot that changed everything.In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Michelle shares how she leaned on the blog she’d been building since 2009, taught herself marketing through real-world reps, and turned a career curveball into a thriving path as a marketing strategist, community builder, and boutique agency owner. We talk about what it really takes to build trust online, why relationship-based marketing still wins, and how intentional community building (especially through in-person events) can accelerate your visibility, confidence, and client growth faster than social media alone.You’ll also hear Michelle’s honest take on early business setbacks, boundaries with social media, and what it means to create a truly “magnetic” brand—one that attracts the right-fit people and opportunities. Plus, she shares details on her book, From Fired to Featured, a practical guide to personal branding with purpose.Episode Highlights:Michelle’s 2016 firing that sparked her entrepreneurial pivotFrom blogger to brand-builder: learning marketing through real experienceBehind the scenes of scaling fast in 2020 and choosing a boutique modelWhat “magnetic” means: attracting the right-fit people and protecting the roomWhy in-person community and intentional invitations sell out events fasterChapters:00:01 — Meet Michelle Thames + community-building vibe00:50 — 2016 layoff story: healthcare compliance to pivot02:55 — Falling back on her blog + landing MyAlle Organics04:51 — Starting the agency + shifting into community + events18:23 — Early setbacks: scaling in 2020, hiring, going boutique23:14 — “Magnetic” branding + curating the right room39:42 — Her book From Fired to Featured + closing + where to connectConnect with Michelle Thames:Website - http://www.michellethames.com/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Dating doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game or a grind. In this Business Chaser episode, dating coach Lauren Fondriest shares a grounded, empowering framework for high-achieving women who are ready to shift from casual dating to consciously attracting a partner who matches their values, lifestyle, and ambitions.You’ll learn three actionable steps to approach dating with self-worth, clarity, and intention—starting with how you show up in your own life today. If you're done waiting to be chosen and ready to choose with purpose, this episode is your blueprint.Episode Highlights:The mindset shift from waiting to be chosen to choosing with purposeHow to embody relationship values before meeting your partnerBuilding self-worth as the foundation for conscious datingChapters:[00:00] Conscious Dating for Ambitious Women[00:40] Shifting from Casual to Intentional Dating[01:50] Step 1: Build a Rock Solid Sense of Self[03:00] Step 2: Get Clear on How You Want to Feel[04:00] Step 3: Embody Those Feelings DailyConnect with Lauren Fondriest:Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenfondriestLearn about dating coaching: https://laurenfondriest.com/Where do I meet quality, single men? - Get the ultimate guide to meeting quality single men - without collecting pen pals or settling for less than you deserve.Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

What happens when a high-achieving corporate coach realizes the deepest transformation she’s ever had wasn’t in the boardroom—but in her love life?In this soulful conversation, Lauren sits down with Lauren Fondriest, a leadership coach turned women's dating coach, to unpack the personal reckoning that shifted everything. From years of dating struggles and shrinking herself in relationships to building a business rooted in self-worth and conscious love, Lauren shares how peeling back layers of conditioning led her to a life—and career—she finally feels aligned with.They explore the quiet burnout ambitious women face in both love and leadership, the parallels between corporate coaching and romantic connection, and how learning to receive can change everything.If you’ve ever felt like you have to choose between being powerful and being loved, this episode is your reminder that you don’t.Episode Highlights:The journey from corporate leadership coaching to dating coachingWhy ambitious women often struggle in romantic relationshipsHow dating became a mirror for self-worth and healingThe importance of learning to receive love and supportBuilding a values-based, intentional dating frameworkChapters:[00:00] Origin Story: From Networking to Podcasting[00:40] Becoming a Coach: The Corporate to Coaching Path[03:00] Choosing Dating as a Niche[06:50] Leadership and Love: The Surprising Parallels[10:45] Who She Coaches: The High-Achieving Woman[20:45] Mindset Shifts for Dating with Self-Worth[32:15] Transformation Stories and Next-Level ConfidenceUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Think PR is only for celebrities and big brands? Think again.In this quick myth-busting episode, Lilian Sue breaks down the biggest misconception in public relations—and shares what you actually need to start building visibility through interviews and media features. No massive budget, no millions of followers—just clarity on your story, your goals, and your audience.Perfect for entrepreneurs who are ready to be seen, heard, and remembered.Episode Highlights:Why PR doesn’t require a massive audience or budgetThe story–goals–audience framework for visibilityHow interviews build long-term authorityChapters:00:01 – Busting the Celebrity PR Myth00:54 – What You Actually Need for PR Success02:07 – Setting Strategic PR Goals02:58 – Identifying Your True Audience03:57 – Measuring PR Impact Without a Big BudgetConnect with Lilian Sue:Website: www.inretrospectwritingservices.comIG: www.instagram.com/liliansueprcoach LI: www.linkedin.com/in/liliansueFB group: www.facebook.com/groups/bookedfeaturedpaid Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

What if the story you’ve been hiding is the key to everything you’ve been working toward?In this deeply honest conversation, we explore the powerful intersection of creative storytelling, public visibility, and personal healing. Our guest Lilian Sue shares how a simple request—"Do you do PR?"—sparked a complete transformation from freelance copywriter to media authority amplifier.We talk about breaking generational silence, navigating the fear of being seen, and how to move from sanitized soundbites to soulful storytelling. There’s also a whole sidebar about horror movies, true crime, and why good storytelling haunts us—in the best way.This episode is for anyone who’s ever asked, “Why would anyone care about my story?” The answer might just surprise you.Episode Highlights:Why your story is your most powerful PR strategyNavigating entrepreneurship as a woman of colorLetting go of control to embrace visibilityThe unexpected link between horror films and storytellingTurning personal healing into public impactChapters:00:00 – Opening & Guest Introduction01:29 – Starting a Business from Necessity02:58 – Entering the World of PR07:49 – Discovering the Power of Storytelling11:45 – Falling in Love with Horror PR23:27 – Storytelling as Healing46:43 – Building Visibility Without a Big AudienceConnect with Lilian Sue:Website: www.inretrospectwritingservices.comIG: www.instagram.com/liliansueprcoach LI: www.linkedin.com/in/liliansueFB group: www.facebook.com/groups/bookedfeaturedpaid Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

In this solo episode, music educator Cassie Williamson shares practical insights and real-life experiences from her work teaching students with disabilities. From adapting lessons for those with cerebral palsy and low motor function to working with blind, deaf, and non-verbal students, Cassie explores how music can be taught to every learner regardless of ability. Learn how she designs her own strategies, bridges the gap between music and speech therapy, and advocates for accessibility in an industry that often overlooks it. This episode is a powerful resource for educators, parents, and anyone who believes music is for everyone.Episode Highlights:Creative strategies for teaching music to students with disabilitiesHow Cassie blends music education with speech and motor therapy techniquesThe importance of advocacy and inclusive practices in music instructionChapters:00:00 – Why Music Should Be Accessible to Everyone01:40 – Teaching a Student with Cerebral Palsy to Sing03:35 – Music Lessons for Blind and Deaf Students05:50 – Advocating for Students Left Out in Public Schools07:55 – What Music Reveals About Memory, Focus, and AbilityConnect with Cassie Williamson:Website: www.calumet region fine arts studio.com IG: www.instagram.com/calumetregionfineartsstudioFB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCTohMj3F/?mibextid=wwXIfrUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Cassie Williamson didn’t set out to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a music teacher but life had its own tempo. From teaching piano in her childhood home to launching a thriving music studio of her own, Cassie shares how music, patience, and purpose intertwined to shape a career she never saw coming. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to build a business rooted in impact, the quiet power of one-on-one teaching, and how life’s detours (including a spinal injury and temporary blindness) led her exactly where she needed to be. Whether you're a creative, a parent, or a teacher, this episode will remind you that every skill—and every story—has a deeper note to play.Episode Highlights:How Cassie built a waitlisted music studio from scratchWhy she left public education to follow her own pathThe role of patience in both teaching and entrepreneurshipCassie’s story of overcoming blindness during collegeThe impact of teaching music to differently abled studentsChapters:00:00 – The Unfiltered Start: Behind the Podcast Mic05:00 – Growing Up Surrounded by Music10:30 – The Injury That Changed Everything15:45 – Discovering the Power of Teaching and Special Education22:30 – What Makes Her Music Studio Different31:45 – Leaving Public Education to Build Her Own Business46:30 – Purpose, Resilience, and Redefining SuccessConnect with Cassie Williamson:Website: www.calumet region fine arts studio.com IG: www.instagram.com/calumetregionfineartsstudioFB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCTohMj3F/?mibextid=wwXIfrUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Feeling overwhelmed by wedding inspiration? In this episode, Nicole Krygsheld of Sweet Pea Designs shares a soulful, step-by-step process to help you cut through the noise and design a wedding that feels like you. From identifying how you want to feel on your day to building a mood board that guides every decision, Nicole offers a grounded and creative framework to bring your vision to life without the Pinterest chaos.Episode Highlights:How to define your wedding vision by focusing on emotionWhy mood boards are essential for aligned wedding designTips for choosing colors, textures, and inspiration intentionallyChapters:00:00 – Why Inspiration Overwhelm Happens01:20 – How to Emotionally Anchor Your Wedding Vision02:45 – Curating Intentional Inspiration04:40 – Choosing a Color Story That Reflects You07:00 – Building a Wedding Mood Board with PurposeConnect with Nicole Krygsheld:FacebookInstagramFlower WebsiteGift WebsiteWedding InquiryUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

What happens when motherhood, loss, and a pandemic collide? For Nicole Krygsheld, it sparked a quiet but powerful transformation. In this episode, Lauren sits down with the founder of Sweet Pea Designs to unpack how a childhood spent in a greenhouse planted the seeds for a dream that would bloom years later through postpartum depression, career pivots, and one life-changing backyard baby shower. Nicole shares the honest truth about starting a business from her basement while raising babies, how flowers became her form of healing, and why her shop is about more than pretty petals—it’s about presence, purpose, and perseverance.Episode Highlights:Growing up in a greenhouse and developing early work ethicNavigating postpartum depression and rediscovering purposeStarting a floral business from her basement during nap timeTransitioning from at-home business to storefront in Cedar LakeBalancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship with intentionChapters:00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction02:30 – Growing Up in a Greenhouse08:15 – Postpartum, Purpose & Pivoting14:45 – Starting Sweet Pea Designs at Home20:30 – Transition to a Cedar Lake Storefront28:10 – Balancing Business, Family & Identity35:50 – Flourishing Moments & Advice for MompreneursConnect with Nicole Krygsheld:FacebookInstagramFlower WebsiteGift WebsiteWedding InquiryUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Great, I can pay myself,” without knowing what’s actually coming in or going out — this episode is for you. Jessica Wilson, founder of Design Ledgers, breaks down practical, beginner-friendly steps to get your business finances in order. From setting up a simple receipts system to choosing the right time to hire a bookkeeper, this episode gives you the foundational habits, routines, and mindset shifts to stay organized and reduce financial stress.Episode Highlights:Why your bank balance doesn’t reflect your true cash flowSimple bookkeeping routines to stay organized year-roundHow to decide between DIY bookkeeping and hiring helpChapters:[00:00] Why Your Bank Balance Is Misleading[01:30] The Basics of DIY Bookkeeping[03:45] Bookkeeping Support Without Monthly Retainers[06:00] Weekly and Monthly Money Routines That Work[08:30] Reducing Overwhelm and Getting Organized for Tax SeasonConnect with Jessica Wilson:Website: https://designedledgers.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedledgers/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

Jessica Wilson grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, where “playing office” as a kid turned into a lifelong love for the numbers behind the scenes. In this episode, she shares how the women in her family taught her the power of bookkeeping, why financial clarity brings peace, and what it really means to hold space for business owners who feel overwhelmed by their finances. Whether you're scaling or just starting, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, steady, and ready to look at your numbers without fear.Episode Highlights:Jessica’s early exposure to entrepreneurship and how it shaped her love for bookkeepingThe generational wisdom passed down from the women in her familyWhy bookkeeping is more than numbers—it’s about trust, clarity, and peaceCommon misconceptions about bookkeepers (and why Jessica breaks the mold)The mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to build a healthier relationship with moneyChapters:[00:00] Meet Jessica: The Bookkeeper Who’s Anything But Boring[03:00] Childhood in the Office: Where It All Began[07:30] From College to Career: Building a Purpose-Driven Business[13:00] Shame, Money, and Why Numbers Feel So Personal[18:45] Misconceptions About Bookkeepers (And What We Actually Do)[25:00] Client Wins, AI Tools, and the Future of Financial Support[36:00] Building Confidence, Finding Peace, and Empowering OthersConnect with Jessica Wilson:Website: https://designedledgers.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedledgers/Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.