This is such a genuine heartfelt conversation. While I would say Kirstin's business success is vastly different than mine, our hearts and souls saw each other. So let that be a reminder to your safety of who you are. You don't need to prove it "on paper". Kirstin, with all of her business accomplishments, is still very much a real woman, with a gentle heart creating a reality of what she wants - impact, fulfilment, money, fun and growth.

She knows where she has challenges, she trusts her skills, and she feels deeply safe to be all of who she is.

She has written a book, she has restored her body from two auto immune afflictions, she has built multiple businesses online and brick and mortar. She once had a team of 28 employees....Some very real outcomes to discovering what she can do by who she can be.

She learned firsthand that success means nothing if burnout takes over. Now, she guides high achievers to master sales, resilience, and balance. With 30+ years of experience, she knows this with 100% certainty: if selling feels hard, you’re doing it wrong.

You can follow her along at:

www.facebook.com/kirstin.carey

www.linkedin.com/in/kirstincarey/

www.evolveminded.com/

And opt into her freebie here: The 7 Biggest Sales Mistakes Costing You High Ticket Clients - and How to Fix Them

https://evolveminded.com/7mistakes

Leading with Intuition, Integrity, and Impact

In this powherfull episode of Startup Stories, Jensen Savage clearly articulates what it means to "follow your soul." She thought she wanted to grow up to be a corporate lawyer, and while she was pursuing that, she was also working in social media and marketing. Life delivered her a "reverse engineered" example of what the results of her vision could be and she decided NAH that's not for me!! The outfall was years of recalibrating and creating a new vision, one that filled her sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Jensen leaned into curiosity and intuition—and found herself on the path to entrepreneurship.

Founding Savage Growth Partners became more than just starting an agency—it became a mission. Her firm helps service-based businesses grow with clarity, intention, and holistic strategy, blending marketing, operations, sales, and finance to build sustainable and sellable companies.

Throughout this conversation, Jensen opens up about the values that guide her—integrity, service, and deep alignment with her purpose. She reminds us that success isn’t just about numbers; it’s about fulfillment, growth, and building something that reflects who you truly are.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between what looks good on paper and what feels right in your spirit, this episode is your permission slip. Jensen’s story is a beautiful example of what happens when women trust their gut, honour their values, and lead with both wisdom and heart (AND WITH SYSTEMS!!! Ladies get the systems in place!).

🎧 Tune in and be inspired to follow your own inner knowing—because that’s where true growth begins.

Website: savagegrowthpartners.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensensavag%D0%B5/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejensensavage/

This woman is living in the reality she desired. Her entrepreneurial journey started AFTER she quit her job. With savings in the bank Jennifer gave herself freedom to get to know herself through creative pursuits. One thing really did lead to another BUT Jennifer was actively directing her choices, her actions and making her own opportunities. Self advocating, after years in corporate safely and complacently NOT doing that or being that version of herself. (Ahem - anything is possible if you decide and take action!)

Jennifer has that "it" factor - confidence, visionary mindset, creative strategy. Her company, Shoott, took five years to hit profitability, now grossing $10M annually serving in 60 cities with 750+ photographers (at 7 years and counting). Shoott is a photography booking platform connecting clients with vetted photographers for affordable and exceptional shoots.

I love this so much - she scaled, sustainably and structured. This is tangible business building, CEO Mindset level. And she keeps bringing more of herself into the business - heart, sustainable hustle, excellent team members and a whole lot of wisdom. From creative pivots to scaling with integrity, this convo is packed with golden nuggets for anyone navigating entrepreneurship—especially women carving their own path.

✨ We dive into:

The business model behind Shoot and how it actually* works

* What it really takes to go from corporate to creative (hello reinvention!)

* Lessons in hiring, team-building, and leading with self-awareness

* Why self-advocacy, community, and not waiting to be “picked” matters more than ever

How Jennifer became Forbes Next 1000, Brit & Co AAPI 30, and Entreprenista 100—and why you should nominate yourself too*

If you are in the USA you can book with code POWHERFULL for 15% off an order of 10+ photos booked at shoott.com

https://shoott.com

www.facebook.com/shoottphotos

www.instagram.com/shoottphotos

www.instagram.com/jenjentsay

www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tsay-1a65711/

And look at her own the stage on Elevator Pitch, Season 11: https://dai.ly/x940dby

From Corporate Climb to Personal Power with Sasha Elezovski

In this soul-stirring and truth-telling episode, Sasha joins me to share her beautifully messy and powerful journey from corporate powerhouse to purpose-driven entrepreneur. After navigating a tough divorce and awakening to a deeper sense of self, Sasha made the bold leap to entrepreneurship—not just to pay the bills, but to prove (ahem) a certain someone very, very wrong. 😏 (herself mostly - no drama here loves!!).

She doesn't hold back as we talk about the unspoken challenges women face in corporate—negotiating salaries, setting boundaries without guilt, and trying way too hard to be seen as “enough” all while managing a home life and parenthood too!! If you’ve ever felt like you're climbing a ladder that’s leaning on the wrong wall, this convo will meet you right where you are.

We also dive into Sasha’s vision for helping other women glow up in corporate life without burning out. From her upcoming newsletter, “The Corporate Glow Up,” to a possible “Lean In” style circle of real-talk and real support, Sasha’s here for the woman who wants both the corner office and her peace.

Oh, and we couldn’t skip the juggling act—Sasha gets candid about balancing motherhood, business, and boundaries (hint: burnout is not a badge of honour).

This one’s for every woman who's ever whispered to herself, “There’s got to be more than this.” There is. And we’re talking about it.

Subscribe to Sasha's newsletter to Glow Up your life + career at:

https://www.thecorporateglowup.com/

And tag along with her on socials at:

www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-elezovski-coach-consultant-for-women/

www.instagram.com/sashathecareercoach/

https://www.facebook.com/sasha.elezovski

Ready to work with me and see how this everyday woman runs a podcast with incredible guests (some way out my league yet here we are serving through the heart!), building a coaching practice, working full time and momming, among a few other things - yet feeling spacious, peaceful and fulfilled? Because I know you want the things but also want your life. And that is what we figure out together. Just reach out, I am not salesly or pushy. I am here for you, heart to heart.

www.facebook.com/powherfullinc

www.instagram.com/powherfullinc

www.linkedin.com/in/powherfullinc

One of the first small + brave steps Melissa Franks took when she left corporate to start her own business was calling a friend to ask if they needed HER help in their business. THEY DID and that's how she landed her first client.

The truth behind the journey? She was barely making enough at the onset to keep food on the table, as a newly separated woman with three boys. She's now standing loud and proud as a spokeswoman and leader in operations and wholistic business development. A mere 18 months later ha! Amazing right! Her first 7-8 months were tough though, until she gave herself her own "big girl talk" and treated herself like she would a client. Then BAM, momentum!

Now, don't judge yourself against this, it's different for everyone. The point here is to show you what IS possible, obstacles and all.

So tune in, turn it up and get ready for these key takeaways when you are starting out:

• Prioritize the customer journey over vanity metrics to understand and repeat what drives actual purchases. (its not likes comments, but how clients find you and what they search for that leads them to you. then give them a 5 star experience with simple systems - that I can help you set up!)
• Professionalize your business presentation to build trust and attract the right clients. Think of your coaching portfolio, not your B-Roll! You are building a business, not a friends list.
• Balance entrepreneurship and personal life by setting expectations and including your family in the journey. Building a business is WORK. Sometimes you have to choose life over biz and vice versa. Communicate this to your family members, they are your home team!
• Persevere through challenges, seeing them as stepping stones and preparation for what’s next. You are in TRAINING for a marathon, not a sprint!
• Understand that discomfort is part of the process—embrace it. What you build on social media etc is your resume. Do it with intention and attention!

✅ Next Steps

• Grab Melissa’s freebie on key business metrics to track: https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/5metrics
• Keep refining your strategy—consistency, not perfection, leads to growth.
• Look for ways to scale smartly (build a business with systems that can grow with your level of service / client load!) and increase credibility in your niche (who are your people and what do they need to hear from you!)

Where you can find Melissa:

https://www.melissafranks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissafranks/

https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo

PS I recommend watching this video of hers - getting organized NOW saves you later - you know this is a HUGE part of my message, so hear it from someone else too! https://youtu.be/2jcX6MtKsx4

Angie is currently going live for 100 days on substack. Does that feel like a big commitment? How are you reacting to her decision and what would it look like for you to follow through on a decision you chose to make, like that?

See our hesitation holds us back - the desire exist yet the willingness to be uncomfortable in taking action to create the desire tends to be where we fall short. Because it is unknown and doesn't feel safe.

So what if instead you started creating safety first, one day at a time, one small action at a time. This is the meat of my conversation with Angie, a gorgeous and poetic woman who is working full time (yep in a job!) and coaching while taking care of her aging mom (who asks her what's for dinner these days!). PS she also runs a brick + mortar (which is mostly closed while she flirts with "divorcing" it for good.....).

Angie is an expressive arts therapist and eloquently described our lives as an ongoing piece of art, where we continue to add to the canvas, bits of this, scraps of that, all mediums and modalities to create a masterpiece; up until the day we "expire."

She helps midlife women navigate life’s transitions—whether it’s caregiving, burnout, or rediscovering themselves—through journaling and creative expression. In a world that asks us to keep pushing forward, she creates space for slowing down, processing emotions, and reconnecting with what truly matters. Small, intentional shifts can bring you back to yourself—one day, one breath at a time.

How will you lead yourself from your values and deep sense of who you are (not who people want you to be) to create your masterpiece - not perfection, but a very raw and storytelling picture of your life and your dreams.....?

Listen in, maybe take notes or sketches on this one and I would love to hear what came up for you. I am just an everyday woman like you seeking to make the best of everyday! xoxo

You can find + follow Angie at:

www.itsangieclay.com

www.instagram.com/itangieclay

https://itsangieclay.group.app

God is so good..... and I LOOOOOOVE hosting this podcast. The guests are so willing to "reveal" or pull back the curtain. Because we make it safe and want to empower YOU in your journey. Sabrina really "went there" with me today.

She was working as a teacher when God planted the seed of QUIT in her heart. For TWO YEARS she prayed about it. Then as she was hesitating around formalizing her notice, her principal prompted her (God poke!). Then covid! She vulnerably spoke to her husband about God's plans, quit - stay at home, work? from home..... And they executed on it.

Fast forward from circa 2019/2020, Sabrina has built her podcast booking agency, which is how I first met her 1 year + ago (she booked a guest on my show! Paula Tobey!) and while I saw her online, I didn't know her story.

Until she posted in a FB Group we are both in and I knew I had to explore the BTS with her. So here we are. Navigating vulnerable convos with spouses, revamping family lifestyle, venturing into business now knowing what to do or what service to pursue/offer, to landing on something so aligned, right and fulfilling that it's simply become "how did this never NOT exist!". With themes of slowing down, building your leadership and completely surrendering to the "mess" and ongoing growth. The perfect is the journey, not a destination.

Our conversation underscores the importance of taking risks and persevering through uncertainty when pursuing new opportunities. Because its God's plan for you, not your plan for you. Sabrina understands feeling ill-equipped for new challenges, and learning to hand it over and trust God to provide what she needed - because He trusts her and chose her. From this spiritual understanding, you can do so much more.

Take a load of yourself and put the load on God!! Ok - give us a listen, be validated and normalized in your journey!

And connect with Sabrina via:

https://kcpodcastagency.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingdomconnectionspodcastandmediaagency https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.d.hammonds https://www.facebook.com/KingdomConnectionsAgency

The Power of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship with Amanda Johnson

In this episode, Mia sits down with Amanda Johnson, the Story Oracle, to explore the intersection of business, storytelling, and personal transformation. Amanda shares her entrepreneurial journey—how she evolved from editing manuscripts to guiding individuals and organizations in uncovering their deepest narratives.

They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, comparing it to a spiritual journey that requires self-trust, vulnerability, and a willingness to embrace both success and failure. Amanda reveals how the hero’s journey shapes both life and business, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions, rather than seeking definitive answers.

Together, they dive into the natural ebb and flow of personal and professional growth, the importance of pivoting in business, and how storytelling serves as a tool for healing and empowerment. Amanda also shares her vision for a story revolution—scaling her writing quests, retreats, and narrative medicine tools to support a broader audience.

Life and business are about seasons, not shortcuts or instant gratification. Allow space and safety for each piece of the story to weave together to create the greatest masterpiece you can imagine, your WHOLE life story!

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on self-leadership, embracing change, and using storytelling as a vehicle for transformation.

You can follow Amanda at:

www.facebook.com/savedbystory

www.facebook.com/amanda.johnson.7773

www.instagram.com/savedbystory

www.linkedin.com/company/saved-by-story-publishing

And free resources at https://savedbystory.house/foreshadows/