The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast

Holly Knoll

How do I start a business? How do I grow and scale my existing business? And the most essential question, how can I do what truly fulfills me? Welcome to The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast, a relaxed business podcast where you’ll learn the answers to these questions along with best-kept business secrets from straight-talking, humble, yet oh-so-inspiring entrepreneurs. A corporate grind deserter with a passion for teaching and taking action, business coach and host Holly Knoll brings to life relatable stories of business owners that will prepare you to start a business or dive into your existing business with a fresh perspective, new ideas, and actionable tips. You'll be energized to stop wasting your precious time being bored at work in favor of creating a fulfilling career that turns what you love... into what you do! read less
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From $175 to Reshaping Minority Entrepreneurship Globally with Nancy Korsah
2d ago
From $175 to Reshaping Minority Entrepreneurship Globally with Nancy Korsah
Episode SummaryIn this week's episode, I interview Nancy Korsah, founder of Black Business Enterprises and a powerhouse entrepreneur whose life story is a testament to resilience and determination. Nancy walks us through her life's journey, and believe me, the first time I heard it my mouth was agape (and yours probably will be, too!). Nancy's journey begins with her roots in Italy born to Ghanaian parents. As a teenager, Nancy tells us how she arrived in Los Angeles with just $175 and embarked on her entrepreneurial path by cleaning houses, unaware of the fame of some of her clients, including Ozzy Osborne. Her worldview expanded during her time as a flight attendant, where she mastered seven languages before settling in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was there that she observed wage disparities for people of color and took action. This led her to found Black Business Enterprises (BBE) in 2015, dedicated to empowering minority entrepreneurs globally by providing vital resources such as financial literacy, mentorship, and access to capital.With a membership of over 72,000 in 32 countries, Nancy's mission with BBE is to impact a million lives through rigorous financial training and aims to raise $4 million for larger grants. Beyond BBE, Nancy is involved in multiple ventures, including owning a home care agency, conducting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training, mentoring entrepreneurs, and hosting popular podcasts and events like the Black Business Enterprises podcast and the Black Business Ball.Join me as we delve into Nancy's remarkable journey, her unwavering dedication to empowering others, and her vision for a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape. In this episode you’ll learn:4:55 Being the only African family in Nancy's hometown9:19 How food makes culture and Nancy's favorite African dish12:10 Nancy's first impressions of the United States15:44 Homeless in LA: Nancy's first business and $1M23:05 From business owner to international flight attendant23:08 International parties: Nancy's second business32:51 From flight attendant to banking35:39 The catalyst to why Nancy started Black Business Enterprises (BBE)39:27 Nancy's favorite BBE success story44:22 How Black businesses are severely underestimated47:59 What Nancy created that she'd always wish existedChat With Me + Download Business Building Tools:Start Your Business HERECreate a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:Black Business EnterprisesInstagram
How To Build A Community Of Raving Fans with Gaby Dalkin
14-11-2023
How To Build A Community Of Raving Fans with Gaby Dalkin
Episode SummaryThis week I interview Gaby Dalkin, a trained chef, recipe developer, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-seller food/lifestyle writer. I had the pleasure of meeting Gaby in Mexico on one of her food adventures organized just for her community! I've loved getting to know Gaby, her business, and the people she brings together. It was on that Mexico trip that I knew she MUST be on the podcast, so you can get to know her, too.Gaby recently launched her latest venture, Dalkin and Co., and shares her journey on how she's grown her company and created a community of raving fans, including the super simple formula she applies to her business - daily. We also talk about Gaby's favorite pinch-me moments and her plans for the future, including a new book and expanding the Dalkin and Co. product line. Gaby has built her entire empire from the ground up, so if you're looking for a dose of inspiration and to see what's possible when it comes to starting or scaling YOUR own business, you'll love this episode! In this episode you’ll learn:4:53 How Gaby went from PR to culinary school5:53 Working as a private chef8:28 Taking What's Gaby Cooking full-time 11:08 How Gaby built What's Gaby Cooking14:13 The approach that changed EVERYTHING with What's Gaby Cooking17:08 Gaby's method to building a loyal community20:19 Gaby's motto for living life and how she embodies it23:42 Gaby's favorite "pinch me" moments25:54 What fills Gaby's cup28:54 How Gaby launched her new product line, Dalkin & Co.30:29 Advice for starting something new (even when you're scared)34:16 What's on Gaby's Friendsgiving table36:30 The key to in-person event successChat With Me + Download Business Building Tools:Start Your Business HERECreate a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:What's Gaby CookingDalkin & Co. Instagram
How To Use The Power Of Your Mind To Achieve Business Success with Jill Loftis
31-10-2023
How To Use The Power Of Your Mind To Achieve Business Success with Jill Loftis
Episode SummaryIn this episode, I dive into the captivating world of astrology and entrepreneurship with former yoga studio owner and astrologer, Jill Lofits. Jill's journey unfolds as she shares her initial lessons from owning a business, the unique challenges she faced as a woman business owner in the South, and her decision to sell her yoga studio. We learn about Jill's evolving definition of success and why traditional business plans may not always be the answer to launching a successful business.Jill's transition into astrology is a pivotal moment in the episode, as she discusses the unexpected shift in her career and the possibilities it offers as a business model. She takes us deep into the world of astrology, explaining the essence of astrology charts and how astrology can serve as a guiding tool in life's complex decisions. We also explore how to harness the power of the universe and astrology for launching a business or making big decisions. We end the episode discussing why women must build and find a supportive community and the importance this type of solidarity plays in the entrepreneurial journey.In this episode you’ll learn:06:41 - The first thing Jill learned about owning a business.10:58 - Jill reflects on her experiences as a woman business owner in the South and the unique challenges she faced.17:30 - Jill's journey takes an unexpected turn as she sells her yoga studio and her definition of business success evolves.18:57 - The importance of ditching textbook business plans and trying alternative approaches.23:50 - How Jill pivoted from owning a yoga studio to a new venture in astrology.27:42 - Astrology as a viable business model – exploring its potential and unique challenges.34:36 - The essence of an astrology chart and what can reveal.41:23 - How astrology can serve as a guide to navigate life's complexities and decisions.44:01 - Harnessing the power of the universe and astrology to start a business or take a significant leap.49:43 - Discover when the stars align for launching a new business venture according to astrology.53:07 - On building a supportive community of women, highlighting the importance of solidarity in business.Chat With Me + Download Business Building Tools:Start Your Business For Free >>HERECreate a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:www.NuitAstrology.comInstagram
The Visibility Challenge: How To Overcome A Career Plateau with Kimberly Minor
19-09-2023
The Visibility Challenge: How To Overcome A Career Plateau with Kimberly Minor
Episode SummaryIn this episode, I chat with Kimberly Minor, the CEO of Bumbershoot Group, which provides interim C-suite leadership and leadership development, process creation and improvement, and cultural transformation. Together, we explore vital topics such as career plateaus and making yourself visible in the workplace. We dive deeper into the significance of sponsorship and the intersectionality of race and gender, emphasizing why leaders must be conscious of this intersection as they promote and build their teams.Kimberly shares actionable steps on how individuals can make themselves seen in the workplace, why sponsors (not mentors!) are critical for success, and how to land high-visibility leadership roles.Kimberly also provides her insights into the concept of intersectionality, where race and gender overlap, how this impacts individuals' experiences in the workplace, and why leaders must pay attention to intersectionality when building teams and promoting their people.In this episode you’ll learn:3:48 Kimberly's background6:27 Why Kimberly started Women of Color Retail Alliance 12:40 On gender parity and lifting ALL women15:01 Asking for what you want and conquering fear25:27 How to harness your power to get what you want in life30:20 How to make yourself truly seen by others36:28 Why we should stop looking for mentors and look for sponsors40:41 How to attract a sponsor45:35 On being a businesswoman vs. a DEI representative50:37 Why diversity should be a given52:00 The intersection of gender parity and race55:50 What happens when leaders don't consider race and gender when grooming leaders59:17 A call for conscious leadershipChat With Me + Download Business Building Tools:Start Your Business HERECreate a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:kimberly@bumbershoot.netWomen of Color Retail AllianceLinkedIn
Women in Tech: From Tragedy to Triumph - Ramitha Meloor's Path To Leadership
29-08-2023
Women in Tech: From Tragedy to Triumph - Ramitha Meloor's Path To Leadership
Episode SummaryIn this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with a truly remarkable woman, Ramitha Meloor. Ramitha's inspiring journey from a near-fatal bus accident to becoming a top leader in the retail technology space is nothing short of extraordinary.Ramitha opens up about her accident that shook her life to its core. She shares the challenges she faced during her recovery process, both physical and emotional. While this accident could have easily derailed her dreams and ambitions, her journey of survival against all odds is a powerful reminder that the human will can overcome even the darkest of moments.This episode is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the incredible heights that can be reached through determination and perseverance. Ramitha Meloor's story will leave you inspired, motivated, and believing that no matter the odds, you can rise above adversity to achieve greatness!In this episode you’ll learn:4:26 Ramitha's Intro8:36 On being an (almost) solo parent13:04 Ramitha's life-changing moment: the accident23:13 How Ramitha managed her mindset while being on bed rest25:00 How Ramitha learned to walk again32:08 Ramitha's workout routine today35:10 The importance of self-advocating & seizing opportunities44:27 Suggestions for male leaders49:16 Why disappointing people is a good thing52:14 Being a mother and a leaderChat With Me + Business Building Tools:Start Your Business HERECreate a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:Ramitha Meloor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramitham
Mastering Self-Talk: How To Transform Negative Thoughts into Positive Outcomes with Corinne Crabtree
06-06-2023
Mastering Self-Talk: How To Transform Negative Thoughts into Positive Outcomes with Corinne Crabtree
Episode SummaryIn this week's episode, I interview Corinne Crabtree, a master-certified weight and life coach with a mission to help every woman break down generational curses in order to improve their personal health. Corinne herself lost one hundred pounds 15 years ago and has dedicated her life to teaching women how to do the same. With over 50 million downloads of her podcast (Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne), Corinne's one of the leading voices in the weight loss and online business industry. I personally have been part of her weight loss program for the past 2 years and my success (27 pounds down and counting) is a testament to her coaching, she's the REAL DEAL!This episode isn't geared just toward weight loss. In fact, what Corinne teaches can be applied to ALL areas of life, specifically business, and careers. Corinne and I dive deep into the profound impact that our thoughts have on our lives. She emphasizes that our thoughts shape our beliefs, emotions, and actions, ultimately influencing the outcomes we experience. By consciously redirecting our thoughts towards more empowering and positive narratives, we can unlock the doors to a more fulfilling life.Drawing from her own personal experiences, Corinne shares my FAVORITE actionable technique for transforming your mindset to achieve the results you want. She discusses the power of self-awareness and will encourage you to identify and challenge negative thought patterns that may be holding you back. Corinne and I address the role of self-doubt, fear of failure, and the influence of external factors, providing valuable insights on how to navigate these challenges with resilience and determination.You no doubt will be inspired by Corinne's authentic and relatable storytelling as she shares anecdotes of her own transformational journey and the profound impact it had on her life. Her wisdom and expertise will empower you to take control of your thoughts, break free from self-imposed limitations, and embrace a new mindset that paves the way for personal growth and transformation.Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as we uncover how to change your life by changing the way you think, with the remarkable Corinne Crabtree as our guide. In this episode you’ll learn:6:53 Corinne's story10:02 How Corinne started her business13:20 Strategy for building confidence & dealing with rejection21:15 THE tool that will help you change your thoughts32:07 Why being in the "gray" is a healthy place to be33:44 Other people's opinions 38:43 Women in Tech: why it's important to go first & stopping the male-dominated workforce cyclesChat With Me + Free Business Building Tools:FREE: Create a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne PodcastCorinne's Free Weightloss Course & WebsiteNo BS Business Women Membership
Women In Tech: Demystifying Venture Capital - How Women VC Founders are Changing the Game with Morgan Evans
03-05-2023
Women In Tech: Demystifying Venture Capital - How Women VC Founders are Changing the Game with Morgan Evans
Episode Summary In this episode, I interview Morgan Evans, who not only has founded successful tech businesses but also runs her own venture capital fund focused on investing in medical technology startups.Together Morgan and I demystify the world of venture capital - what it is, how it works, and how to pitch a VC firm. And most importantly, we unpack the impact women are making in the VC world and the importance of financially backing women-led businesses.About Morgan: Morgan Evans is a serial med-tech entrepreneur and investor with a passion for helping to catapult new ideas. She has founded or co-founded multiple companies which includes: Agitated Solutions (where she is CEO); a med tech consultancy, Avio MedTech Consulting; an incubator, Moonshot Medical; and a venture investing firm, Engage Venture Partners (where she is a Principal). Morgan has a degree in biomechanical engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and earned her early career experience with two great medical device companies — Autonomic Technologies and Medtronic — before jumping fully into the world of startups.In this episode you’ll learn:1:06 Who is Morgan Evans?5:42 How Morgan started multiple successful businesses15:35 Venture capital: what it is + how it works20:50 What happens when VC deals fail22:59 How Morgan learned how to be a venture capitalist24:48 Things venture capitalists look for in startups32:24 On Silicon Valley Bank36:02 How to get involved with venture capital39:05 Boys club statistics40:54 How to build a pipeline of women in tech48:15 How to invest in women in techChat With Me + Free Business Building Tools:FREE: Create a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with / learn more about my guest:Morgan Evans on LinkedInAgitated SolutionsAvio MedTech ConsultingEngage Venture Partners
Women in Tech: (She Did It!) Two Co-Founding Entrepreneurs From Start to Sale with Bernardine Wu and Cynthia Kounaris
18-04-2023
Women in Tech: (She Did It!) Two Co-Founding Entrepreneurs From Start to Sale with Bernardine Wu and Cynthia Kounaris
Episode SummaryIn this episode, you'll hear the inspiring story of two women in tech who successfully sold their startup. Introducing Bernardine Wu and Cynthia Kounaris, lifelong friends and business partners, who met on Wall Street many years ago and later became co-founders of a retail technology consulting company. Bernardine and Cynthia discuss how they arrived at the idea for their company and how they worked tirelessly to turn their vision into a reality. They also share the challenges they faced in the early days of the business and the process they followed to ultimately sell their company. You'll learn how Bernardine & Cynthia's core leadership values set them apart from their competition, and why race and gender representation matters when it comes to business. Overall, this episode offers an inspiring look at the journey of two women leaders who overcame obstacles despite the odds and achieved their dreams of building and selling a successful company. In this episode you’ll learn:3:56 How Bernardine & Cynthia met working on Wall Street14:07 Bernardine & Cynthia's core leadership styles and values18:02 Why they started a retail consulting company22:35 Going from an idea to an actual business25:07 Mistakes made & lessons learned 27:06 The importance of a business partner32:36 The best part of having a business37:00 On competing with the big consulting companies 42:10 How they decided to sell the company45:27 The process to sell the company47:46 What's changed being part of a larger company53:03 Final entrepreneurial lessons learned54:49 What owning a business has cost Bernardine & Cynthia1:00:02 Why women first entered eCommerce1:04:29 What allyship & representation means in the workplaceChat With Me + Free Business Building Tools:FREE: Create a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guests:Bernardine WuCynthia Kounaris
Women In Tech: How To Intentionally Balance A Career and Parenting with Catherine St. Clair
14-03-2023
Women In Tech: How To Intentionally Balance A Career and Parenting with Catherine St. Clair
Episode SummaryIn this episode, I interview Catherine St. Clair, Head of Product Marketing at Hims & Hers. Catherine shares her career journey from Big 5 consulting to Product Marketing and I think you'll love Catherine's perspective on how she's approached integrating motherhood and her career with serious intention. Catherine Keller is a product marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience in the tech industry. Currently, she leads the Product Marketing team at Hims & Hers, a telehealth platform that provides access to treatment for mental health, sexual health, anti-aging, and more. Previously, she built and led product marketing teams at Afterpay, Yelp, and Trulia. Catherine has deep expertise in marketplace dynamics and is known for building collaborative, high-impact teams. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Emory University and currently lives just outside of San Francisco with her husband, two children, and senior rescue dog.  In this episode you’ll learn:2:40 Catherine's career path5:29 Why Catherine chose Product Marketing9:23 The two pivotal points in Catherine's career13:00 Imposter syndrome and to move through it15:15 How to be your own hype woman18:49 On being a mother and having a family27:43 When to dial up or dial down your career32:24 Why Catherine stays in Tech37:01 The future for women in Tech39:50 Paving the way for women decision makers & leadersChat With Me + Free Business Building Tools:FREE: Create a compelling business idea in 6 steps InstagramConnect with my guest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinekeller/
How To Ask For Anything You Want (and get it!) with Book McCarthy
02-03-2021
How To Ask For Anything You Want (and get it!) with Book McCarthy
This week I'm honored to have Brook McCarthy, Business Coach, and Digital Marketing Trainer, on the show. Brook works with business owners to help them magnify their impact and grow their professional reputations. Join Brook and me as we chat all about the importance of actually asking for what you want - a key step when it comes to making changes in our lives and creating more of what we want. Brook also gives a simple strategy to really go for it and ask for what you want… and get it! There is a lot of misconception surrounding confidence – confidence is a feeling but it is also an action.If you act confident, the feelings you are hoping for will follow those actions. You cannot afford to have a negative thought if you are self-employed. Your brain is so powerful and tells so many stories, which are often untrue!Instead of just trusting your feelings and listening to your thoughts, you have to act.We have to get to a place of pain before we make a brave decision. If you’re too comfortable and everything is too easy, you will be more reluctant to change.It is so important to set your boundaries – move away from the things that are overwhelming you and causing pain. As a consultant, it can be difficult to have a set fee – try to create packages and clearly defined services with clearly defined terms and conditions.If you feel like an imposter and your confidence is lacking, put your price on your website and think thoroughly about your terms and conditions. Have boundaries and a clear process so people know exactly what the path is. If you don’t back yourself, who is going to back you?You cannot accrue experience waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder – you have to pitch and be direct.Don’t wait for the phone to ring – go out there and get it!As business owners, it is up to us to define what we want and we get the freedom to say no.Introducing yourself to strangers is so important, especially as we get older.Women are judged very harshly, so it is no wonder we all feel subconscious sometimes!The only way to get over the fear of pitching is to just DO IT! The worst outcome is that you will be ignored.Keep your pitch short – 1, 2, or 3 sentences.Be genuine, authentic, real, and ask questions about them.Keep practicing your pitch – act confident until you feel it. Think about the one thing you want to ask for today and go and ask!You will never know until you ask.RememberRather than waiting to be confident to show up, keep showing up until you are confident!You Don’t Want to Miss…01:50 – A little bit about Brook05:48 – Brook’s business journey13:52 – Finding the confidence to just go for it18:08 – The reality behind being a business owner23:08 – Reclaiming your time in business26:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome37:30 – The framework for pitching yourselfChat With Me and More Free Resources At…Create your compelling business idea in 6 steps with my Free Business Action GuideWebsite - http://hollyknoll.com/Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hollyknoll/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/consult.hollyknollEmail me – holly@hollyknoll.comFind Brook At…Website –
What The P-Word And Managing Stress Have In Common with Muse Lokajickova
16-02-2021
What The P-Word And Managing Stress Have In Common with Muse Lokajickova
Episode SummaryThis week I’m chatting with Muse Lokajickova, a licensed acupuncturist and a bodyworker who helps women find ease, health, and power in their pelvis cycles so they can live to their full capacity.  You may be wondering, how do pelvis cycles and women’s health fit into a business podcast?  The answer may surprise you! You won’t want to miss this episode - Muse shares her unique business journey and gifts us with 3 simple steps (yes, for you, too, my male listeners!) to calm our precious nervous systems when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Episode Takeaways:What does it mean to be in our body? Free and having full agency. Our life force is present in all of us. It’s difficult to process emotion in the moment, thus all too often we disconnect from it. Step #1 - if you are feeling stressed or emotional is to ground yourself, literally imagining yourself being connected to the ground with your life force. Step #2 - be aware – in order to be aware of your internal states, we need to keep deciding over and again that it is okay to go through things that are hard. We have to be okay with not always feeling awesome.Every person’s body has a distinct way of communicating when something’s not at all right. When you feel that something is not quite right, you’ll notice that something is contracted. Just exhale.Grounding ourselves is a way to connect to our true selves and be in the moment. Instruction lives in our DNA – we can’t access it if we are stress balls and cutting ourselves off. Step #3 - when you are overwhelmed with emotion - get out in nature and plug in your nervous system to the greater network of nature. If we can connect with nature, our body and nervous system can be reminded there is always hope, there is always the seed of hope in every leaf, in every twig, in every seed in the soil, it’s all around us. Bonus Step - celebrate the fact you caught yourself being stressed out. If you caught yourself in that moment once every day, that’s going to add up and make a huge difference. We don’t always have to be living in the start of zen – it’s not possible. Every time we notice our body and decide we are going to let go of our breath, it builds resilience. It is medicine we can make for ourselves that amplifies itself. In closing, it is really important we guard our personal time before we go to sleep and when we wake up in the morning - we need unplugging time – no tech and consuming media. Just be still.  Remember...When you feel overwhelmed with emotion or feel stressed, help is on the way. The first thing to do is calm your nervous system. You can do this by grounding yourself and connecting with your true self, being aware of the emotion you are feeling, and getting out in nature plugging in your nervous system to the greater network of nature.You Don’t Want to Miss…03:01 – A little bit about Muse05:25 – Muse’s journey to entrepreneurship22:20 – Being guided by your heart in business28:31 – How to operate from our true selves47:51 – Work with Muse + summary of the 3 stepsFind Muse At…Website – www.medicineofthefeminine.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medicineofthefeminine/ Chat With Me and More Free Resources At…Create a compelling business idea in 6 steps with my Free Business Action GuideWebsite -