Sarah Bundy is the Co-founder, CEO, and Chair of the Board of Athena Collective, a membership-based platform empowering women in business, leadership, and innovation. She also hosts the For Female Founders podcast, a community dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Additionally, Sarah founded All Inclusive Marketing (AIM), a leading digital marketing agency recognized for delivering innovative, experience-driven results. Her work has earned her accolades, such as being named among Canada's Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs.

Building a successful business is never easy, but the journey is especially steep for many women. Limited access to funding, lack of networks, and the pressures of balancing personal responsibilities can make entrepreneurship feel isolating and overwhelming. How can women build thriving companies without burning out or sacrificing their values?

Sarah Bundy, an award-winning strategist and advisor, shares her path from launching a business with just $7 to achieving a multimillion-dollar exit. Sarah emphasizes the importance of grounding your business in personal values, crafting a clear vision, and fostering a team culture rooted in empathy. She outlines how embracing the DIG (Delight, Innovate, Grow, and Give Back) mindset helped her attract top talent and create organizational resilience — even during crises like the pandemic. By investing in the right systems, such as CRMs and project management tools, prioritizing flexibility, and continuously engaging high performers, leaders can scale sustainably.

In this episode of In Great Company, Sindhu Srivastava and Danielle Thieret interview Sarah Bundy, Co-founder, CEO, and Chair of the Board of Athena Collective, about the value of leading with purpose. Sarah discusses her journey from bootstrapped beginnings to a successful exit and shares insights on values-driven growth, authentic leadership, and why empathy outperforms ego. She also explores parenting while building a company, the power of strategic partnerships, and redefining legacy beyond metrics.

Annie Lifsted is the Marketing Coordinator at We Crush Events, a full-service event planning and production company specializing in bespoke corporate events. A seasoned corporate event planner, Annie brings creativity and meticulous attention to detail to every project. Since joining the company as an event assistant and social media manager in 2023, her commitment to delivering memorable experiences has contributed significantly to the We Crush Events’ reputation for excellence.

Corporate events often risk falling into a predictable pattern — generic venues, uninspired themes, and marketing that lacks personality. But in an increasingly competitive market, standing out isn’t optional; it’s essential. How do you turn traditional, buttoned-up business events into memorable brand-building experiences that actually connect people?

Annie Lifsted, a marketing coordinator with a background in entertainment and social media, shares how she brings energy and authenticity into event marketing. Annie emphasizes the power of short-form video, encourages companies to reflect their internal culture externally, and stresses the importance of personalizing every proposal to align with a client’s brand voice. From stalking LinkedIn profiles for tone to incorporating humor into pitch decks, she offers actionable ways to keep things fresh and client-focused — without sacrificing professionalism.

In this episode of In Great Company, Danielle Thieret interviews Annie Lifsted, Marketing Coordinator at We Crush Events, about how to inject personality and creativity into corporate event marketing. Annie also discusses using video to boost social engagement, crafting standout proposals through brand research, and the power of humor in building connections.

Sindhu (Tatimatla) Srivastava is the CEO of We Crush Events, a full-service event planning and production company specializing in bespoke corporate events. Before We Crush Events, Sindhu founded Meaningful Data in 2022 and serves as its CEO. She also held leadership roles in business analytics and insights at companies like GitLab Inc. and Intuit. Under her leadership, We Crush Events has grown to serve a diverse clientele, offering services such as meetings, conferences, incentive trips, and seasonal parties.

Danielle (Dolen) Thieret is the Co-Founder, Investor, and Head of Sales of We Crush Events. With extensive experience in online media, advertising, and venue management, Danielle has led sales teams and market launches for major companies like Restaurant.com, AOL, and The Hollywood Reporter. Her expertise spans sales, operations, recruiting, and training, with a track record of helping startups grow. Danielle is passionate about sharing her expertise at industry events, including speaking at The Event Planner Expo 2021 in New York City.

Building a thriving workplace goes beyond just having talented employees — it requires fostering strong relationships within teams and with clients. Many organizations struggle to cultivate meaningful connections, leading to disengagement and missed opportunities for growth. How can companies create an environment where relationships drive success rather than being an afterthought?

Sindhu Srivastava, an engineer-turned-CEO and Danielle Thieret, a seasoned sales leader, share how prioritizing authentic connections transformed their business. Sindhu highlights how shifting from a fear-based mindset to a love-driven leadership approach was instrumental in overcoming challenges, while Danielle emphasizes the role of persistence and relationship-building in sales and company culture. Through a strategic focus on human connection and by investing in relationships, business leaders can foster higher engagement, stronger teams, and increased revenue.

In this episode of In Great Company, Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews Sindhu (Tatimatla) Srivastava, CEO of We Crush Events, and Danielle (Dolen) Thieret, Co-Founder of We Crush Events, about overcoming leadership struggles and building a business rooted in relationships. Sindhu shares mindset shifts that transformed her leadership approach, while Danielle discusses the power of resilience in sales. They also explore strategies for team motivation and the impact of authentic business connections.