Girl, Why Not You?

What happens when your “random idea” turns into a viral business… before you even graduate?At 25, Elena DiStefano, the founder of Cozy Clip is running a brand that blew up online—but she started it as a junior in college with zero experience in product design.She just knew one thing: claw clips were uncomfortable.So she fixed it.That one decision turned into a viral product, selling out in minutes and launching her into full-blown entrepreneurship almost overnight.But here’s the part no one talks about— what happens after it takes off.In this episode, we get into: Building a product from scratch with zero experience  Going viral—and keeping up with the chaos that follows  Handling copycats, pressure, and rapid growth  Staying grounded while running a business solo Because she didn’t wait to feel ready. She didn’t have a perfect plan.She just started.If you’ve been sitting on an idea, overthinking your next move, or waiting for the “right time”—this is it.Girl, why not you? 💥Connect with her + check out the product: 🌐 Website: www.thecozyclip.com 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozyclip/

What if all it took to start your business… was $100 and the decision to just go for it?In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, I sit down with Nellie Akalp, founder and CEO of CorpNet, who built and sold her first company for $20 million—all while raising a family.We talk about what it really looks like to build a business from scratch—no investors, no shortcuts, just consistency, grit, and solving real problems.Nellie shares: How she and her husband started with just $100 and a one-page website The truth about bootstrapping (and why it still works)  What most people get wrong about starting a business  How she built CorpNet differently—with transparency and long-term trust  The reality of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood  Why waiting for the “perfect time” is the biggest mistake you can make This episode is your reminder that you don’t need everything figured out—you just need to start.Because… why not you?

What if the reason things aren’t working… isn’t because you’re doing it wrong?In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie sits down with master coach and facilitator Ebonie Allard to challenge everything you’ve been taught about success—and why forcing yourself into someone else’s blueprint might be the very thing keeping you stuck.Ebonie shares her journey from early independence to working in the film and TV industry, navigating massive financial loss and even homelessness during the 2008 recession. Those experiences ultimately led her to a deeper understanding of alignment, resilience, and what it really means to build a life that works for you.We dive into human design and how understanding your unique energy, strengths, and tendencies can completely shift the way you approach business, relationships, and life.In this episode, we talk about: Why you’re not failing—you’re just misaligned  What human design is (and how to actually use it)  The problem with forcing yourself into traditional success models  How self-awareness can save you years of frustration  Why it’s never too late to pivot and do things differently This conversation is your permission slip to stop trying to be someone you’re not—and start building a life that actually feels aligned.Because you’re not doing it wrong… you’re just not designed that way.CONTACT EBONIEhttps://www.ebonieallard.com/get-chart

What if the life you’re living… isn’t actually the one you want?In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie sits down with divorce attorney, speaker, and author Renee Bower to unpack the pressure so many women feel to be the “good girl”—polite, agreeable, and always putting others first.But here’s the truth: that conditioning is keeping you stuck.Renee shares her own journey through two divorces and how she moved from shame and self-doubt to reclaiming her voice, her power, and her life. Together, we dive into what it really takes to break free from people-pleasing and start making decisions that actually align with who you are.In this episode, we talk about: Why “good girl” conditioning is exhausting—and how to break it  The power of hard conversations and setting real boundaries  Letting go of fear, guilt, and the need for approval  How to stop avoiding change and start taking action  Renee’s simple framework: Stop. Drop. Roll. This is your reminder that bravery isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build.And the longer you avoid the hard conversations, the longer you stay stuck in a life that doesn’t feel right.So if you’ve been feeling pulled toward something more… this is your sign to stop settling and start choosing yourself.Because the question is—and always will be—girl… why not you?ORDER SHE WHO WINSConnect with Renee at https://msreneebauer.com/

What if your rock bottom… was actually the beginning of everything?In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie sits down with Jamie Maltabes, founder of Infinite Medical Group, to talk about what it really looks like to go from addiction and chaos… to building a 7-figure business and a life you’re proud of.At 25, Jamie hit a breaking point—battling addiction, eating disorders, and living a double life she could no longer sustain. Choosing sobriety became the turning point that changed everything.From there, she didn’t just rebuild… she created something powerful.Starting with a single machine in her basement, Jamie grew Infinite Medical Group into a thriving medical aesthetics business with over 500 recurring members—without a medical background, and without waiting until she felt ready.In this episode, we talk about: Turning your lowest moments into your biggest breakthroughs  Why there is no “perfect” timeline for success  Letting go of perfection and taking messy action  Building a business from nothing (even when you feel unqualified)  What to know about the aesthetics industry and finding providers you can trust This conversation is your reminder that your past does not define you… and you are never too far gone to build something incredible.So if you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’ve wasted time—this is your sign.Because the question is—and always will be—girl… why not you?CONTACT JAMIE:Infinite Medical Group: https://www.instagram.com/infinitemedicalgroup/

You don’t need a perfect plan to start a business.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie Blackwood sits down with Nikki Lindgren, founder of a marketing agency, to talk about building a business without a clear roadmap — and why waiting for the “right time” keeps so many people stuck.Nikki’s journey took her from small-town Minnesota to corporate roles at brands like Pottery Barn and World Market, before pivoting into SEO and digital marketing and eventually launching her own agency.Starting just before the pandemic, she faced early challenges like team turnover and inconsistent revenue — but kept going.Today, she leads a growing team and has built her business by doing what most people won’t:starting before everything is figured out.In this episode, we cover:• Starting a business without a plan • Taking risks and pivoting your career • The MVP (Minimum Viable Product) mindset • Growing from freelancer to agency owner • Why coaching and mentorship matterIf you’ve been waiting to feel “ready,” this is your sign to start anyway.

What happens when the dream you thought would define your life… doesn’t work out?Today’s guest, Jenn, originally moved to Los Angeles with a degree in theater and a dream of becoming an actress. But after several years pursuing that path and realizing it wasn’t going to unfold the way she had hoped, she made the difficult decision to move back home — unsure of what her next chapter would look like.Instead of letting that moment define her, Jenn learned something powerful early in life: how to fail forward.That mindset eventually led her into leadership development, where she now helps professionals build confidence, manage overwhelming workloads, and create high-performing teams. Today Jenn runs her own leadership development company and works with leaders who want to create healthier, more sustainable relationships with work and time.In this episode, we talk about:• Why failure can actually become your greatest teacher • What most people misunderstand about leadership • Why so many professionals feel overwhelmed at work • How confidence is built through behavior — not titles • One simple shift leaders can make today to reduce overwhelmIf your career path hasn’t been perfectly linear, this conversation will remind you that sometimes the detours shape the most meaningful outcomes.Because the question isn’t “Why them?”It’s “Why not you?”Connect With Jenn ReclaJenn helps professionals and organizations build leadership confidence, improve communication, and create high-performing teams.Learn more about Jenn and her leadership development work: 🌐 https://www.jenrecla.com/Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferrecla/

If you’re still chasing the algorithm, hoping the right reel finally takes off… this episode might be the wake-up call you need.Because the women who win in 2026 won’t be the ones posting the most.They’ll be the ones with the strongest personal brands.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie sits down with Kelsey Hogan — corporate PR turned multi-six-figure founder and personal brand strategist — to talk about what it really takes to build authority online.Not the curated Instagram grid.Not the trend-chasing.But the kind of powerful personal brand that actually converts.Kelsey shares how she rebuilt her life and business through infertility, divorce, and a major identity shift — and why going all-in on her personal brand became the most powerful decision she ever made.This conversation is honest, bold, and packed with insights for anyone who knows they’re meant for more but feels stuck playing small online.If you’ve ever wondered how to stop chasing attention… and start building real authority, this episode is for you.Kelsey HoganFounder of Claimed & Co.Website: claimedandco.comMastermind: claimedandco.com/the-legacy-societyInstagram: instagram.com/itskelseyhogan

What happens when rejection forces you to create your own path?At just 27 years old, Amy Summers was fired from her job — a moment that could have ended her career.Instead, it became the catalyst that led her to launch her own PR firm, Pitch Publicity, and ultimately dedicate her career to mentoring the next generation of professionals.Today, Amy is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the leadership book Lift, where she shares practical frameworks for mentorship, communication, and leadership.One of the most unique aspects of her company is her commitment to mentorship. Many of her team members are college interns learning real-world business skills, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for successful careers long before graduation.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Jennie Blackwood and Amy explore:• The moment Amy was fired at 27 and how it changed her life • The leadership lessons learned from working under a “bad boss” • Why mentorship is critical for building confidence and success • How great leaders intentionally develop others • The truth about PR and why relationships matter more than spin • Insights from Amy’s book LiftAmy’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most difficult moments in our careers become the foundation for our greatest impact.Company: Founder of Pitch PublicityWebsite: https://lifttolead.comMentorship Platform: https://inicivox.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amysummersnyc/

Toni Toomey built and sold a startup and operated at the highest levels of business leadership. She was independent, driven, and ambitious.Then she became a mom.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, Toni shares how motherhood humbled her, shifted her identity, and exposed the gaps women face in postpartum support.Frustrated by the lack of elevated nursing options and the reality of pumping at work, she founded Hone — a natural fiber postpartum apparel brand designed for modern, ambitious mothers.We talk about: • Building and exiting a company • Leadership and reinvention • The mental load of motherhood • Pumping at work and postpartum dignity • Ambition after baby • Why you don’t settle when things get hardIf you’re navigating business, babies, or becoming a new version of yourself — this conversation will hit home.Girl, why not you?Connect with Toni Toomey:✨ Shop Hone (Natural Fiber Nursing Apparel): https://wearhone.com🌐 Personal Website: https://tonitoomey.com📲 Follow Toni on Instagram: https://instagram.com/toni.toomey📲 Follow Hone on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wear.hone

Manifestation isn’t hocus pocus—it’s an identity and mindset shift that helps women unlock their highest self and create real, lasting change.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, host Jennie Blackwood sits down with manifestation coach and author Kate Barry, creator of the Mindset of a CEO framework, to break down what manifestation actually is and why it works in real life.Kate explains how subconscious beliefs, identity, and self-concept directly impact confidence, decision-making, income, and personal growth. She shares real success stories from women who stopped self-sabotaging, got out of their own way, and stepped into a higher level of self-leadership—without relying on hustle or surface-level motivation.In this episode, you’ll learn:What manifestation really means and how it worksHow identity and subconscious patterns shape your resultsWhy leveling up starts internally, not externallyHow women create momentum by becoming their next-level selfWhether you’re new to manifestation or skeptical but curious, this episode will show you how mindset work leads to tangible results—in life, business, and personal growth.GET YOUR FREE 1:1 STRATEGY SESSION WITH KATE: https://application.kateecoaching.com/

What if the voice you keep doubting is actually the one trying to guide you?If you’ve been overthinking your next move — asking for the raise, leaving a job that no longer aligns, starting the business idea you keep putting off, or choosing yourself without guilt — this episode is for you.In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, we talk about:Why clarity comes after action, not beforeHow to stop second-guessing yourself and trust your intuitionWhat changes when you stop waiting for permissionWhy that inner nudge keeps showing up — and what happens when you finally listenYou don’t need a perfect plan.You don’t need external validation.You just need to trust yourself this time.If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you reconnect with your inner knowing and move forward with confidence. Listen now and take one step closer to the life you know you’re meant for.

In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Sharpe, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and former COO of an integrative medical clinic, to unpack why so many people—especially high-functioning women—are told everything is “normal” while their bodies tell a very different story.After years of burnout, brain fog, anxiety, and unexplained symptoms, Megan stopped accepting answers that didn’t align with how she felt. By addressing hormones, the nervous system, and root causes, she healed her own body and left a high-pressure executive role to build a virtual functional health practice that helps others finally understand why they feel off.This conversation is for anyone who’s exhausted but still pushing, anxious without a clear reason, or disconnected from their body. If you’ve ever been told nothing is wrong but know something isn’t right—this episode is for you. You’re not broken. The system is.MEGAN SHARPE'S 30-DAY THRIVE MODE CHALLENGEhttps://health.megansharpecoaching.com/thrive-mode

Join me for a sneak behind the curtain at the parts of my story I’ve never said out loud.This episode is raw, honest, a little messy—and very real. I’m pulling back the highlight reel to share the trials, breakdowns, and relentless determination it took to get here. I’m not special. I’m not “lucky.” I’m an overstimulated mom of four who decided a long time ago that my circumstances would never get the final say.My superpower? Belief. Relentless belief that ordinary women can build extraordinary lives. That dreams aren’t delusional—they’re directions. And that refusing to settle changes everything.Yes, there are some juicy details in this one—but there’s also real advice. The mindset shifts that helped me break out of the norms, silence limiting beliefs, and stop letting fear rob me of the life I always knew I was meant for.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, underestimated, or quietly called to more—this episode is for you.