In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to start your own business. From embracing fear to finding your niche, Jensen shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They talk about the entrepreneurial spirit, the power of carving your own path, and why waiting until you're "ready" might hold you back. Jensen’s advice? Do it scared—because clarity often comes from action, not perfection.

As the founder of Savage Growth Partners, Jensen has led marketing campaigns that have driven tens of millions in revenue across industries. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Wired, and Inc., and she’s recognized for her hands-on leadership, strategic insights, and results-driven approach.

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MORE ABOUT JENSEN SAVAGE:
LinkedIn: Jensen Savage
Website: Savage Growth Partners

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Tiffany Watson, Owner of Dr. Tiff’s Fuel. Sweat. Science, about the often-overlooked connection between health, ambition, and sustainable success. Dr. Watson shares practical tips for finding balance in a world that glorifies hustle, and reminds us that if we're not careful, career growth can come at the cost of our well-being. From fueling your body with the right nutrition to making sleep a non-negotiable, this conversation is your reminder that peak performance starts with taking care of yourself - mind, body, and rest.

Dr. Watson is an experienced Performance Coach and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Skilled in prevention, employee wellness, nutrition, training, and exercise physiology. Dr. Watson is a Performance Nutrition Director at MPOWER Performance Institute.

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MORE ABOUT DR. TIFFANY WATSON:
LinkedIn: Dr. Tiffany Watson
Website: Work With Tiff
Limited time Free consultation call
Instagram: Work With Dr. Tiff
Sign up for Dr. Tiff’s Newsletter

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Sara Fay Egan, President and CEO of Beale Street Blues, about the power of pivots, both in life and in career. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, actually, it rarely does. From surprise career twists to family emergencies and all the curveballs in between, it can sometimes feel like happiness is just out of reach. But what if you could find joy, even in the chaos? Mary and Sara explore how to recognize the seasons of life, trust your timing, and know when it’s time to shift direction. This honest conversation is a reminder that change isn’t something to fear. It’s often the key to uncovering what truly fulfills you.

Sara Fay is president and CEO of Beale Street Blues Company, a Hospitality and Restaurant Group and Entertainment Company. Her understanding of all aspects of the hospitality industry has elevated her to a sought-after expert in the field. Her experiences in event planning and starting and owning businesses, combined with her life experiences, inspired her to write her debut book, “The Through Line: Finding Happiness Through the Curveballs of Life, Family, and Business”.

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MORE ABOUT SARA FAY EGAN:
LinkedIn: Sara Fay Egan
Website: Sara Fay Egan
Website: Sara Fay Egan Events
Instagram: Sara Fay Egan Events
BOOK: “The Through Line: Finding Happiness Through the Curveballs of Life, Family, and Business”

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek—AI entrepreneur, author of Your AI Roadmap, and CEO of Clarity AI—joins Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet But Fearless, to talk about how to future-proof yourself after a layoff, build a strong personal brand, and work the long game in your career. Joan shares practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, staying resilient, and using AI as a tool to support your goals—not replace them. She offers insight into how AI can help you create a personalized roadmap and pull all the pieces together with clarity and purpose.

Dr. Bajorek is an American entrepreneur, linguist, and influencer. She founded Women in Voice, a non-profit 501 organization for women in voice technology and is the CEO of Clarity AI, an AI and software company.

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MORE ABOUT DR. JOAN PALMITER BAJOREK:
LinkedIn: Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek
Website: Clarity AI
Podcast: Clarity AI
BOOK: “Your AI Roadmap”

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, chats with Shannon Russell, CEO and Founder of Second Act Success, about how saying "yes" to new opportunities can open exciting new paths for women leaders. Shannon shares her journey from a successful career in entertainment to entrepreneurship, helping women confidently pivot toward more fulfilling careers and lives.

If you're feeling uninspired or unfulfilled in your current career, this conversation could be exactly what you need to spark your next move. When your mind, heart, and dreams no longer fit your current path, it’s time to start your second act.

Shannon’s new book, Starting Your Second Act (out May 7th), is your ultimate guide to pivot with purpose, reinvent your career, and create your best life. Tune in for inspiration and next steps!

Shannon Russell is a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and career/business coach, and understands the fears and challenges of disrupting your carefully planned career and taking the leap into something more. Drawing on her personal experiences and the success stories of other women, she shares her proven three-step Second Act Strategy (reflect, research, realize) to guide you from where you are now to where you want to be.

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MORE ABOUT SHANNON RUSSELL:
LinkedIn: Shannon Russell
LinkedIn: Second Act Success
Website: Second Act Success
Podcast: Second Act Success: Produce Your Best Life

BOOK: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

At a certain point in your leadership journey, success isn’t about doing more—it’s about seeing more. In this episode, Mary Sullivan, a co-founder with Sweet but Fearless talks with Stacey Linderman, CFO Specialist and President of CFO Services, who shares why stepping back is one of the most strategic moves a leader can make.

Stacey explores how letting go of day-to-day tasks opens the door to stronger decision-making, bigger-picture thinking, and better use of your team’s strengths. Stacey discusses her go-to leadership tool—a tailored SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) approach—and how she uses it to gain clarity, bring in outside perspectives, and navigate change with confidence.

As the founder of A6 Financial and Business Optimization, Stacey provides CFO services that go beyond the numbers, offering strategic insights, financial strategies, and operational efficiencies that drive profitability. Her goal is to help businesses achieve financial clarity and sustainable growth.

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MORE ABOUT STACEY LINDERMAN:
Website: A6 Financial and Business Optimization
LinkedIn: Stacey Linderman

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Today, we're unpacking something rarely acknowledged: career grief. Imagine being at the top of your game, feeling unstoppable — then suddenly, it’s all gone. That’s what happened to Laverne McKinnon, Career Strategist and Speaker. Losing her job wasn’t just a professional setback; it felt like losing a part of herself. Her identity had been so deeply intertwined with her career, and when it ended, she was left with a sense of loss. Laverne calls it disenfranchised grief — a silent grief that society often overlooks because "it’s just work." But it’s not just work. It’s purpose, it’s pride, it’s identity. And when it's ripped away, you deserve to grieve it. You’re allowed to feel that loss, process it, and then — when you're ready — pivot toward what’s next. Remember: honoring your grief is the first step to finding your next chapter.

Laverne McKinnon is a certified grief counselor, leadership and personal coach, and former film and television producer. In her role as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, Laverne's course on Persuasion & Pitching has propelled students to excel, fostering a culture of innovation and strategic thinking.

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MORE ABOUT LAVERNE MCKINNON:
Website: Moonshot Mentor
LinkedIn: Laverne McKinnon
Instagram: Laverne McKinnon
YouTube: Laverne McKinnon/Moonshot Mentor

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary and Cooper, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless, dig into what really drives a team - performance, morale, and the connections that hold everything together. The #1 reason employees leave their jobs? It’s not salary—it’s feeling unappreciated or disconnected. We’ll help you recognize when a team is starting to struggle, whether it’s missed deadlines, low energy, or lack of collaboration.

From small shifts in leadership style to everyday check-ins that actually matter, we’re sharing practical tips to create a healthier, more motivated work environment. Whether you’re leading a team or part of one, this episode is packed with insights to help you build stronger relationships, boost morale, and keep people engaged. Because when people feel supported and seen, they stick around—and they do their best work.

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ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless