weVENTURE HerStory Podcast

This story is about stepping into a new role, learning an entirely different industry, and building something bigger by combining strengths.Colleen Arambula spent 15 years as a school teacher before transitioning into entrepreneurship and helping grow DC Roofing and DC Marine Construction into a 50+ person company alongside her husband.While her husband brought expertise in roofing, Colleen brought structure, organization, and leadership, helping shape the business into a scalable operation.Her journey was also driven by something deeply personal. After learning at a young age that she would need IVF and surrogacy to have children, she made the decision to create a life that could support that future. That decision became the catalyst for stepping into the business and helping drive its growth.In this episode, Colleen shares the realities of navigating a career shift, building a business in partnership, and growing into a leadership role while staying grounded in what matters most.Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro01:02 – A Teacher Who Never Planned to Be a Business Owner04:14 – The Diagnosis That Changed Her Path to Motherhood07:22 – Choosing to Leave Stability for a Bigger Future10:03 – Building a Business in an Industry She Didn’t Know12:34 – How Teaching Became Her Greatest Business Advantage17:24 – A Bold Move to Chase Opportunity After a Hurricane22:16 – Growing from Two People to a 50+ Person Team28:03 – When Growth Forced Her to Rethink Everything33:15 – Building a Business That Supports Life and FamilyGet ConnectedColleen Arambuladcroofingbrevard.comFB @DCMetalRoofIG @dcroofingincEpisode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.design

In this powerful episode, Alexis McGuire shares her raw journey from sudden loss to resilient leadership after stepping into the CEO role of Nationwide Medical Licensing at just 20 years old. With minimal experience and immense pressure, she navigated rapid pandemic growth, major client losses, layoffs, leadership missteps, and the very real fear of not making payroll. Along the way, Alexis was forced to rebuild trust, redefine success, and let go of the polished “CEO image” in favor of transparency and authenticity—all while becoming a wife and mother. Now leading a family-run business rooted in legacy and purpose, her story is a compelling reminder that true success isn’t about appearances—it’s about who you become through the challenges.Episode Highlights00:00 Intro01:02 Meet Alexis Maguire | Medical Licensing CEO02:07 Tragedy: Losing Her Mother to Violence08:28 Leading a Business Through Loss at 2015:29 Rapid Growth and COVID Boom17:39 Losing a Major Client and Financial Crisis21:05 Rebuilding Lean and Redefining Success30:40 Cash Flow Breakthrough and Turning Point36:58 Family, Leadership, and Finding Her Sister47:21 Rebuilding Stronger and Winning a Business Grant1:00:09 OutroGet ConnectedAlexis McGuireCEO of Nationwide Medical Licensing®Facebook: @nationwidemedicallicensingInstagram: @nmlicensingYouTube: @nationwidemedicallicensing3361www.NMLicensing.comEpisode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.designLocation: Harbour House Oceanfront Venue

In this episode, we sit down with Pam Guldi, founder of MotherLove Massage, to talk about a pivotal moment in her 35-year journey in the healing arts—and the hard lesson she learned about trusting her instincts. During a period of rapid growth of her practice that specializes in prenatal and perinatal care, Pam entered a business partnership with misaligned values. Caught up in the momentum of expansion, she ignored early warning signs—only to be forced out of the very company she built. In this candid conversation, Pam opens up about the emotional and mental toll of that experience, the danger of “shiny object syndrome,” and how she rebuilt her business with clearer boundaries, stronger alignment, and renewed purpose. For entrepreneurs navigating growth, partnerships, and big decisions, this episode is a powerful reminder: sometimes the most important voice to listen to is your own intuition.Episode Highlights00:00 Intro to HerStory01:00 Meet Pamela Guldi and MotherLove Massage07:17 Birth Work and the Role of a Doula16:15 Building MotherLove Into a Business21:18 A Partnership That Fell Apart27:36 Burnout and a Health Wake-Up Call32:30 The Next Chapter for MotherLove37:12 Lessons for Women Entrepreneurs50:18 Support from weVENTURE Women’s Business CenterPamela GuldiFounder of MotherLove MassageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherlove_massage/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherlovemassageEpisode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.design

Kayla Adamson’s story is one every female small business owner needs to hear. From a childhood shaped by her mother’s addiction, along with homelessness and foster care, to serving as a Deputy Sheriff and becoming a successful realtor, Kayla has intentionally built a life and business rooted in resilience, empathy, and purpose. Today, she is a licensed broker and the founder of The Lime List Group, leading a team, and is now one of the top 0.5% agents in her area, surpassing $100 million in sales. Refusing to let her past define her, she has transformed her experiences into impact—hosting the “No Empty Purses” event to empower women financially, stepping into public speaking after a 2015 mission trip, and authoring two books, including the Amazon #1 bestselling Stay Bossy Agents for Women in Real Estate. This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, you have the ability to lead, give back, and create success on your own terms.Episode Highlights0:00 From Foster Care to Success — Kayla Adamson’s Story1:05 Meet Kayla: Realtor, Speaker & Founder of No Empty Purses4:07 Growing Up: Homelessness, Foster Care & Resilience9:37 Why She Became a Police Officer12:08 The Pivot: Law Enforcement → Real Estate30:00 Finding Her Voice: Speaking, Leadership & Boundaries38:40 Redefining Success: Family, Time & Real Impact51:05 From Foster Care to Amazon BestsellerGet ConnectedKayla AdamsonBroker Associate & Team Lead of The Lime List GroupCo-Founder of Stay Bossy Agentshttps://kaylaadamson.com/Glam: @darcymmcollective | https://linktr.ee/darcymmPodcast Brand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.designPodcast location: @harbourhouseoceanfront | https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/Intro location: @makeupbydarcymm Studio | https://linktr.ee/darcymmVideo + Photography: @imagineakira | https://www.hoku.designEpisode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons). https://linktr.ee/darcymm KyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design

Part Two begins with a founder’s reality check: Meghan Wolfgram has just bought out her business partner, sold out of inventory, and doesn’t have enough cash to fund her next production run. For the first time, she must raise capital. Then comes an unexpected Shark Tank opportunity — and Lori Greiner’s Golden Ticket. But the real test begins after the spotlight fades, when Meghan realizes the product featured on national television isn’t built to scale. Instead of chasing momentum, she rebuilds from the ground up. Fourteen years in, that discipline has led to her first sustained EBITDA-positive stretch and a product line developed with a commitment to building locally. This episode explores how preparation, resilience, and values-driven decisions turn setbacks into defining moments — and why sustainable success is shaped long before the spotlight.Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro + fundraising philosophy: validate before you raise02:05 – Why banks said no and pre-orders became key05:05 – Integrity during Kickstarter delays + offering refunds11:51 – Out of stock for a year, then record growth and $1M+ sales13:33 – Shark Tank outreach + fast-track to filming21:17 – Lori’s Golden Ticket deal26:26 – Post–Shark Tank reality: product not scalable28:49 – Rebuilding from scratch to protect margins and values29:49 – Launch of new flagship products at lower price points30:43 – First EBITDA-positive stretch + building locallyGet ConnectedMeghan WolfgramFounder and CEO of Swift Paws, Inc.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swiftpaws_official/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwiftPaws/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swiftpawsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@SwiftPawsShark Tank Episode 13: https://youtu.be/7yYqEvJnSNc?si=YLyCgZclw1xLJauQEpisode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroup

Before Shark Tank, before investors, before scaling — Meghan Wolfgram was just a recent graduate building a homemade lure coursing machine in her dad’s garage so her dog could run. What started as a simple act of inclusion turned into community events, growing demand, and the early foundation of Swift Paws. In this episode, Meghan shares how years of grassroots validation, customer feedback, and steady iteration led to real product market fit — and a Kickstarter that scaled production from 100 units in seven years to 1,000 almost overnight. She also reflects on stepping into leadership after her business partner exited and what it takes to move from side project to CEO. Tune in to Part Two to hear what happens next — when she sells out, runs out of cash, and faces the opportunity that changes everything.Episode Highlights00:00 – Show intro + mission01:02 – Meet Meghan and Swift Paws01:58 – Origins: pets, economics, and an accidental start08:02 – Lure coursing discovery and building the first machine16:10 – Swift Paws forms and grows through events + testing19:11 – Traveling pet expos reveals massive backyard demand24:38 – 2016 pivot toward a consumer version27:15 – Fast CAT opens the sport to all breeds, momentum builds30:34 – Kickstarter launch, big win, bigger reality check33:08 – Partner exit, weVENTURE support, and CEO growth40:09 – Buyout complete, sold out fast, next step is raising moneyGet ConnectedMeghan WolfgramFounder and CEO of Swift Paws, Inc.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swiftpaws_official/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwiftPaws/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swiftpawsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@SwiftPawsShark Tank Episode 13: https://youtu.be/7yYqEvJnSNc?si=YLyCgZclw1xLJauQweVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.Episode SponsorsValley Bank https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroup

Stacey Clark, RN, co-founder of Virtuous Senior Living and Nested Story Assisted Living, shares her 30-year journey in senior living, starting at age 15 as a volunteer playing piano for residents. From nursing director to executive director, to a national leadership role, Stacey saw firsthand what it takes to create real quality care, and where the system falls short. In this episode, she reveals why she walked away from corporate to lead a new standard: hire for heart, build trust through staff relationships, and create the kind of care every resident deserves.Episode Highlights00:00 Intro01:03 Meet Stacey Clark: Senior Living is in Her Blood01:46 The Happy Hour Spark: From Talk to Action03:17 Virtuous Senior Living: Doing the Right Thing on Purpose05:58 The People First Standard: What Corporate Got Wrong08:31 Hiring for Heart: The Culture Filter That Changes Everything15:17 Nested Story: Building a Boutique Home Where Care Feels Personal16:36 The Property Twist + The Yes: How the Dream Got Funded21:15 Brand, Story, and Meaning: Creating a Place That Feels Like Family36:34 Leadership + Partnership: How Stacey and Jamie Make It Work40:15 The Hard Parts: Staffing, Loss, and Carrying the Weight42:31 Lessons Learned: Systems, Growth, and What She’d Do Differently46:29 weVENTURE + Support: Don’t Build Alone49:57 Final Advice: Don’t Wait, Stay Humble, Make MemoriesGet ConnectedStacey Clark, RN Co-founder of Virtuous Senior Living and Nested Story Boutique Assisted Living Websites: virtuoussl.com nested-story.com Instagram: @virtuousseniorliving @nestedstoryEpisode SponsorsValley Bank Local business banking partner helping you start, grow, and scale with confidence. https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue Florida’s premier private oceanfront destination for weddings and special events. https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/About weVENTURE WBCweVENTURE Women’s Business Center supports entrepreneurs and small business owners through education, mentorship, consulting, and a powerful network of resources. Their mission is to strengthen the local economy by helping businesses launch, grow, and thrive in Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast communities.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.designLocation: Harbour House Oceanfront Venue

Twelve years ago, Sarah Smith left a secure aerospace career while pregnant to become a stay-at-home mom and start a small side hustle. That side hustle became Southern Caramel, now an internationally awarded gourmet caramel brand selling on Amazon. In this episode, Sarah shares the journey of building her dream alongside her father as her business partner, and navigating the bittersweet tension of reaching her biggest wins after losing him to cancer.00:00 Intro01:03 Meet Sarah Smith + The Sweet Story Behind Southern Caramel02:07 The Leap: Leaving Aerospace to Build a Business From Home (2013)04:33 Why Caramel Won (And Why It Was the Smart Niche Move)07:06 From Home Kitchen to “Real Business” Mode (Inspections + Wholesale)08:45 The Family Power Move: Dad Joins and the Vision Gets Bigger (2018)12:51 Grief + Growth: Losing Her Dad and Finding the Next Chapter17:42 Bite-Size Joy: The Brand Values That Built Customer Love (And 10% Give-Back)22:23 The Shelf-Life Disaster That Nearly Ended It All25:46 The Breakthrough Recipe Pivot: No Corn Syrup, All Craft27:41 From Setback to Standout: 6-Month Shelf Life + Award-Winning Caramel30:18 Big League Moment: Amazon Launch + Bigger Space + Bigger Team33:18 The Support System: How WeVenture Helped Her Scale Smarter47:30 Final Words: “If I Can Do It, So Can You.”48:08 OutroSarah SmithSouthern Caramelhttps://southerncaramel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southern.caramel/Episode SponsorsValley Bank Local business banking partner helping you start, grow, and scale with confidence. https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue Florida’s premier private oceanfront destination for weddings and special events. https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/About weVENTURE WBCweVENTURE Women’s Business Center supports entrepreneurs and small business owners through education, mentorship, consulting, and a powerful network of resources. Their mission is to strengthen the local economy by helping businesses launch, grow, and thrive in Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast communities.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.designLocation: Harbour House Oceanfront Venue

“No one has to do this alone—and it shouldn’t cost anything just to ask a question.”In this episode of HerStory, co-hosts Darcy Manning and KyAlea Monma sit down with Dr. Kathryn Rudloff, Executive Director of weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, to unpack what real support looks like for women entrepreneurs. From idea to launch to scaling and exit, Kathryn shares how weVENTURE’s federally funded programs provide little to no-cost coaching, training, mentorship, and strategy for founders at every stage.This conversation is your reminder that asking for help is a power move, and clarity should never come with a price tag.00:00 Intro01:02 Meet Dr. Kathryn Rudloff + What weVENTURE Does03:08 COVID Relief: “Boots on the Ground” Support 04:02 From300 Clients to 1,000 in One Year05:23 1988 Changed Everything for Women Entrepreneurs08:45 The “She-cession” + The Data Behind Solo Entrepreneurship11:02 Seasons of Life: Work, Family, and Business19:03 Client Win: Southern Caramel (Kitchen to Amazon)21:56 “It’s Not a Business Until It Can Run Without You”23:47 Programs Breakdown: Ignite 360, CEO Peer Group + More35:10 Why Google and AI Aren’t Enough (You Still Need Humans)37:20 Why “Free” Coaching Works: Accountability + Honest FeedbackDr. Kathryn Rudloffhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-rudloff/https://weventure.fit.edu | IG: @weventurewbcBecome a Sponsor! Contact Kathryn at [email protected] SponsorsValley Bank Local business banking partner helping you start, grow, and scale with confidence. https://valley.com/businessHarbour House Oceanfront Venue Florida’s premier private oceanfront destination for weddings and special events. https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/About weVENTURE WBCweVENTURE Women’s Business Center supports entrepreneurs and small business owners through education, mentorship, consulting, and a powerful network of resources. Their mission is to strengthen the local economy by helping businesses launch, grow, and thrive in Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast communities.Co-Hosts + Production CreditsDarcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollectiveKyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroupBrand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.designLocation: Harbour House Oceanfront Venue

HerStory is the podcast where we share the real, behind-the-scenes journeys of founders who are shaping Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast communities.Hosted by founders Darcy Manning and KyAlea Monma, each episode feels like a coffee shop conversation, honest, empowering, and deeply relatable. We sit down with founders and small business leaders to talk about where they started, what they’ve overcome, and what it really takes to build something meaningful.This is about the stories you don’t always see on social media—the risks, turning points, lessons learned, and quiet moments that change everything.Produced in partnership with weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, HerStory is here to elevate small businesses, strengthen community, and spotlight the powerful local resources that help turn vision into reality.Whether you’re a business owner, a dreamer in the early stages, or someone who loves supporting local small businesses, this show is for you.Season One launches on January 31, 2026 with new episodes releasing every two weeks. Be sure to Subscribe.