<![CDATA[My Great Pivot]]>My Great Pivot features candid conversations with women who've launched their own businesses, often trading stability for the uncertainty that comes with following a dream.

These aren't polished success stories - they're honest accounts of the messy middle: the fears before the leap, the financial realities, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected victories.

Each episode, our guests share the practical tools and resources that have helped them build their businesses, from navigating career transitions and securing funding to weathering industry upheavals.

Whether you're contemplating your own pivot or building something new, these conversations will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take the next step.

Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone who's ever wondered, "What if I just... went for it?"

My Great Pivot is hosted by Carrie Regan, an MBA and veteran media industry executive. The podcast is a production of The Female Founders Project.

Enjoy the podcast? Buy us a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/tffp

Find out more at www.thefemalefoundersproject.com and www.mygreatpivot.com

]]>www.thefemalefoundersproject.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 21 May 2026 16:17:40 GMTFri, 19 Dec 2025 16:13:41 GMT60The Female Founders Project<p>My Great Pivot features candid conversations with women who've launched their own businesses, often trading stability for the uncertainty that comes with following a dream.</p><p></p><p>These aren't polished success stories - they're honest accounts of the messy middle: the fears before the leap, the financial realities, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected victories.</p><p></p><p>Each episode, our guests share the practical tools and resources that have helped them build their businesses, from navigating career transitions and securing funding to weathering industry upheavals.</p><p></p><p>Whether you're contemplating your own pivot or building something new, these conversations will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take the next step.</p><p></p><p>Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone who's ever wondered, "What if I just... went for it?"</p><p></p><p>My Great Pivot is hosted by Carrie Regan, an MBA and veteran media industry executive. The podcast is a production of The Female Founders Project.</p><p></p><p>Enjoy the podcast? Buy us a coffee at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.buymeacoffee.com/tffp" target="_blank">www.buymeacoffee.com/tffp</a></p><p></p><p>Find out more at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">www.thefemalefoundersproject.com</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p>episodicThe Female Founders Projectcarrie@carrieregan.comno<![CDATA[From Marketing Exec to Friend-Finding Founder: Sabrina Gendler & Friendly (Ep. 110) ]]>Sabina Gendler, CEO and co-founder of Friendly, traces the idea for her startup to a job relocation. The marketing exec was eager to make new friends locally – especially during her maternity leave – but found no easy way of doing so. Her solution? Friendly, an app that connects women who share common values, are in the same stage of life, and live within a two-mile radius. Sabina realized that just identifying potential new friends didn’t solve the problem: people need help planning meet-ups, or more often than not, they'll never happen. Friendly does all the heavy lifting, recommending a time and local place/event that suits their schedules and common interests. In the interview, Sabina reveals how she and her co-founder decided to partner, how they tested the idea for Friendly in a low-cost, low-tech way, and why they chose to focus on building female friendships first during this early stage.

Links:

Friendly: www.friendly-app.com

My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com

Takeaways

  • Finding great startup ideas from real-life experience
  • Recuiting a business partner
  • Testing a concept before building
  • Launching an app
  • Evolving a concept
  • User safety and trust
  • The logic behind a subscription-based business model

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Birth of Friendly
  • 05:50 The Evolution of Friendly's Concept
  • 16:42 The Power of a Strong Team
  • 22:46 Ensuring Safety and Privacy
  • 30:27 User Onboarding and Information
  • 37:07 Secret Circles and Safety
  • 43:51 Focus on Women's Safety and Trust

#startup #femalefounders #womenintech #lonelinessepidemic #femaleentrepreneurship

]]>18271576-d9e2-4535-8bc7-d2470064c28cThu, 21 May 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>Sabina Gendler, CEO and co-founder of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://friendly-app.com/" target="_blank">Friendly</a>, traces the idea for her startup to a job relocation. The marketing exec was eager to make new friends locally – especially during her maternity leave – but found no easy way of doing so. Her solution? Friendly, an app that connects women who share common values, are in the same stage of life, and live within a two-mile radius. Sabina realized that just identifying potential new friends didn’t solve the problem: people need help planning meet-ups, or more often than not, they'll never happen. Friendly does all the heavy lifting, recommending a time and local place/event that suits their schedules and common interests. In the interview, Sabina reveals how she and her co-founder decided to partner, how they tested the idea for Friendly in a low-cost, low-tech way, and why they chose to focus on building female friendships first during this early stage.</p><p></p><p>Links: </p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.friendly-app.com" target="_blank">Friendly:</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.friendly-app.com" target="_blank">www.friendly-app.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">My Great Pivot podcast</a>: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Finding great startup ideas from real-life experience</li><li>Recuiting a business partner</li><li>Testing a concept before building</li><li>Launching an app</li><li>Evolving a concept</li><li>User safety and trust</li><li>The logic behind a subscription-based business model</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Birth of Friendly</li><li>05:50 The Evolution of Friendly's Concept</li><li>16:42 The Power of a Strong Team</li><li>22:46 Ensuring Safety and Privacy</li><li>30:27 User Onboarding and Information</li><li>37:07 Secret Circles and Safety</li><li>43:51 Focus on Women's Safety and Trust</li></ul><p></p><p>#startup #femalefounders #womenintech #lonelinessepidemic #femaleentrepreneurship</p>no00:51:241110From Marketing Exec to Friend-Finding Founder: Sabrina Gendler & Friendly (Ep. 110) full<![CDATA[From Media Executive to Adaptive Hygiene Pioneer: Stephanie Angelides & Clean + Comfort (Ep. 109)]]>For Stephanie, a Peabody Award-winning media executive, producer, and writer, the inspiration behind her startup was deeply personal. When she was told that her son — who has profound autism — would never independently manage certain daily tasks like showering, she set out to prove the experts wrong. She spent the pandemic lockdown creating adaptive tools, and today, he’s conquered the shower ritual. Her success at home revealed a gaping market need, and Clean + Comfort was born. Our conversation covers her journey from homemade prototypes to a full product line – one that includes adaptive loofahs, step-by-step illustrated shower curtains, and children’s books where autistic kids can finally see themselves on the page – and how she employs the very community she serves in manufacturing her products.

Links:

Clean + Comfort: www.cleanpluscomfort.com

My Great Pivot: www.mygreatpivot.com

Female Founders Wishlist: www.femalefounderswishlist.com

The Female Founders Project: www.thefemalefoundersproject.com

Like the podcast? buymeacoffee.com/tffp

Takeaways

  • The importance of hygiene independence in the disabled community
  • Representation and aesthetics are important in creating products for the special needs community
  • The importance of visual storyteling in the autism community
  • Challenges in navigating the market for low-tech solutions

Chapters

  • 00:00 Addressing the Diverse Needs of the Special Needs Community
  • 36:17 Visual Learning Aids
  • 41:42 Focus on Impact vs. Profit
  • 46:51 Navigating Resistance and Rejection
  • 53:06 Research and Development Challenges
  • 01:00:59 Female Founders Wishlist

#femalefounders #startuplife #entrepreneurship #autismawareness #adaptingtools #adaptivelearning

]]>7380e977-3677-44ea-b226-1637d080186cThu, 07 May 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>For Stephanie, a Peabody Award-winning <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.scytalemedia.com/" target="_blank">media executive, producer, and writer,</a> the inspiration behind her startup was deeply personal. When she was told that her son — who has profound autism — would never independently manage certain daily tasks like showering, she set out to prove the experts wrong. She spent the pandemic lockdown creating adaptive tools, and today, he’s conquered the shower ritual. Her success at home revealed a gaping market need, and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cleanpluscomfort.com/" target="_blank">Clean + Comfort</a> was born. Our conversation covers her journey from homemade prototypes to a full product line – one that includes adaptive loofahs, step-by-step illustrated shower curtains, and children’s books where autistic kids can finally see themselves on the page – and how she employs the very community she serves in manufacturing her products.</p><p></p><p>Links:</p><p></p><p>Clean + Comfort: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.cleanpluscomfort.com" target="_blank">www.cleanpluscomfort.com</a></p><p>My Great Pivot: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p><p>Female Founders Wishlist: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.femalefounderswishlist.com" target="_blank">www.femalefounderswishlist.com</a></p><p>The Female Founders Project: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">www.thefemalefoundersproject.com</a></p><p></p><p>Like the podcast? <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://buymeacoffee.com/tffp" target="_blank">buymeacoffee.com/tffp</a></p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The importance of hygiene independence in the disabled community</li><li>Representation and aesthetics are important in creating products for the special needs community</li><li>The importance of visual storyteling in the autism community</li><li>Challenges in navigating the market for low-tech solutions</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Addressing the Diverse Needs of the Special Needs Community</li><li>36:17 Visual Learning Aids</li><li>41:42 Focus on Impact vs. Profit</li><li>46:51 Navigating Resistance and Rejection</li><li>53:06 Research and Development Challenges</li><li>01:00:59 Female Founders Wishlist</li></ul><p></p><p>#femalefounders #startuplife #entrepreneurship #autismawareness #adaptingtools #adaptivelearning</p>no01:10:571109From Media Executive to Adaptive Hygiene Pioneer: Stephanie Angelides & Clean + Comfort (Ep. 109)full<![CDATA[From Psychologist to Parenting App Founder: Nicole Lipkin & Hey Kiddo (Ep. 108)]]>Nicole Lipkin, an organizational and clinical psychologist, shares her journey as the founder of Hey Kiddo, a parenting partner app for caregivers of children from birth through age twelve. She traces the app's inspiration back to her late parents, South Bronx school teachers who made their home a psychologically safe space for every kid in the neighborhood. Nicole discusses why she walked away from private equity offers to sell her practice on her own terms, the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, the NSF grants that funded her R&D, and landing investors at a Shark Tank–style live pitch.

Links:

Hey Kiddo: www.hey-kiddo.com

Nicole Lipkin: https://nicolelipkin.com

Nicole's husband, comedian Matt Hyams: https://www.instagram.com/matthyams/

My Great Pivot: www.mygreatpivot.com

The Female Founders Project: www.thefemalefoundersproject.com

The Female Founders Wishlist: www.femalefounderswishlist.com

Takeaways

  • Developing a parenting app through many iterations
  • Building - and selling - a venture
  • Team dynamics in a startup
  • The emotional rollercoaster ride of startup life
  • Fundraising strategy

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Birth of Hey Kiddo
  • 06:04 Hey Kiddo's Role as a Parenting Partner
  • 18:14 The Decision to Sell the Practice
  • 25:29 The Roller Coaster of Startup Emotions
  • 31:05 Building the Hey Kiddo Team
  • 36:30 Pressure of External Investment
  • 43:23 App Features and Functionality
  • 51:23 Fundraising Strategy

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #impactinvesting

]]>e073761c-d833-4e4f-8935-2d814d54f8f4Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>Nicole Lipkin, an organizational and clinical psychologist, shares her journey as the founder of Hey Kiddo, a parenting partner app for caregivers of children from birth through age twelve. She traces the app's inspiration back to her late parents, South Bronx school teachers who made their home a psychologically safe space for every kid in the neighborhood. Nicole discusses why she walked away from private equity offers to sell her practice on her own terms, the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, the NSF grants that funded her R&amp;D, and landing investors at a Shark Tank–style live pitch.</p><p></p><p><b>Links:</b></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.hey-kiddo.com" target="_blank">Hey Kiddo</a>: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.hey-kiddo.com" target="_blank">www.hey-kiddo.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nicolelipkin.com" target="_blank">Nicole Lipkin:</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nicolelipkin.com" target="_blank">https://nicolelipkin.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/matthyams/" target="_blank">Nicole's husband, comedian Matt Hyams:</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/matthyams/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/matthyams/</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">My Great Pivot</a>: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">The Female Founders Project:</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">www.thefemalefoundersproject.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.femalefounderswishlist.com" target="_blank">The Female Founders Wishlist: </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.femalefounderswishlist.com" target="_blank">www.femalefounderswishlist.com</a></p><p></p><p><b>Takeaways</b></p><ul><li>Developing a parenting app through many iterations</li><li>Building - and selling - a venture</li><li>Team dynamics in a startup</li><li>The emotional rollercoaster ride of startup life</li><li>Fundraising strategy</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><ul><li>00:00 The Birth of Hey Kiddo</li><li>06:04 Hey Kiddo's Role as a Parenting Partner</li><li>18:14 The Decision to Sell the Practice</li><li>25:29 The Roller Coaster of Startup Emotions</li><li>31:05 Building the Hey Kiddo Team</li><li>36:30 Pressure of External Investment</li><li>43:23 App Features and Functionality</li><li>51:23 Fundraising Strategy</li></ul><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #impactinvesting</p>no01:01:051108From Psychologist to Parenting App Founder: Nicole Lipkin & Hey Kiddo (Ep. 108)full<![CDATA[From Content Maker to Cake Baker: Breanna Hoepner & Once Upon a Cake Studio (Ep. 107) ]]>Breanna Hoepner shares how she left a 24-year career in unscripted television to launch her own custom cake business, Once Upon a Cake Studio. She details how an assumption nearly kept her from pursuing this dream, and how a friend’s challenge and simple Google search revealed that it was far more accessible than she’d ever imagined. The conversation covers how her television production background has helped shape her client process and the design of her custom cakes, why her cakes have been a more powerful marketing tool than any paid advertising, her plans to scale, and how motherhood and a family legacy in the bakery business have informed each stage of her entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways:

  • Passion-driven entrepreneurship
  • Launching a cottage food business
  • AI and social media as tools in small businesses
  • Balancing Business and Family

Links:

Once Upon a Cake Studio homepage: www.onceuponacakestudio.com

Once Upon a Cake Studio on Instagram


Once Upon a Cake on Facebook

My Great Pivot podcast homepage: www.mygreatpivot.com

The Female Founders Project

Chapters:

  • 00:00 The Birth of Once Upon a Cake Studio
  • 31:14 Business #2: Athlete Highlight Reels
  • 37:08 Handling Pressure and Risk
  • 42:21 Balancing Business and Family
  • 48:00 Avoiding Inventory and Storefront
  • 53:18 Freedom and Balance

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #cottageindustries #homebaker #smallbusiness #careerpivots

]]>db80b8ac-fc21-4bc9-9cd5-cbc6532f5634Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>Breanna Hoepner shares how she left a 24-year career in unscripted television to launch her own custom cake business, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.onceuponacakestudio.com/" target="_blank">Once Upon a Cake Studio</a>. She details how an assumption nearly kept her from pursuing this dream, and how a friend’s challenge and simple Google search revealed that it was far more accessible than she’d ever imagined. The conversation covers how her television production background has helped shape her client process and the design of her custom cakes, why her cakes have been a more powerful marketing tool than any paid advertising, her plans to scale, and how motherhood and a family legacy in the bakery business have informed each stage of her entrepreneurial journey.</p><p></p><p><b>Takeaways:</b></p><ul><li>Passion-driven entrepreneurship</li><li>Launching a cottage food business</li><li>AI and social media as tools in small businesses</li><li>Balancing Business and Family</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Links:</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.onceuponacakestudio.com" target="_blank"><b>Once Upon a Cake Studio homepage: www.onceuponacakestudio.com</b></a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/once.upon.a.cake.studio?igsh=bjU2dWg5ZXJocGxy&amp;utm_source=qr" target="_blank"><b>Once Upon a Cake Studio on Instagram</b></a></p><p><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587487824545" target="_blank"><b>Once Upon a Cake on Facebook</b></a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank"><b>My Great Pivot podcast homepage: www.mygreatpivot.com</b></a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank"><b>The Female Founders Project</b></a></p><p></p><p><b>Chapters:</b></p><ul><li>00:00 The Birth of Once Upon a Cake Studio</li><li>31:14 Business #2: Athlete Highlight Reels</li><li>37:08 Handling Pressure and Risk</li><li>42:21 Balancing Business and Family</li><li>48:00 Avoiding Inventory and Storefront</li><li>53:18 Freedom and Balance</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #cottageindustries #homebaker #smallbusiness #careerpivots</p>no00:59:191107From Content Maker to Cake Baker: Breanna Hoepner & Once Upon a Cake Studio (Ep. 107) full<![CDATA["Live Like You're Dying": From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula (Ep. 106)]]>Carrie DeMartini shares her journey from copywriter to end-of-life doula and owner of the Wishing Well Center, a business focused on end-of-life planning and grief support.

She discusses the multifaceted nature of her role, the importance of certification, and the challenges of carving out a unique business in a field with limited existing pathways.

In sharing the challenges of monetizing a calling, Carrie outlines how a sliding-scale payment structure and options for individual, group, and community offerings make her services accessible to just about anyone who needs them.

She also emphasizes the value of local resources and partnerships in building her business, and highlights the need for community-based healing and support for grief.

Links:
The My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com
Wishing Well Center: www.wishingwellcenter.com
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: www.knoxec.com

Takeaways

  • End-of-life doula work is a calling that involves emotional, spiritual, and practical support.
  • Monetizing a calling presents challenges, but sliding scale models and group courses can make services more accessible.
  • Intuition and discernment are crucial in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
  • Local resources and partnerships play a significant role in building a business and creating community-based healing.
  • Grief is a complex and layered experience, and community support is essential for processing and healing from it.

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Calling: Becoming an End-of-Life Doula
  • 11:51 Certification and Training as an End-of-Life Doula
  • 21:49 Pivoting Careers: From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula
  • 32:20 Creating an End-of-Life Plan: Impact and Importance
  • 38:39 Carving Out a Unique Business
  • 45:20 Challenges of Social Media and Community-Based Healing
  • 52:05 The Role of Feminine Energy in Entrepreneurship
  • 01:00:29 Grief Retreats and Community Healing
  • 01:06:24 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #deathdoula #endoflifeprep #smallbusiness #careerpivots

]]>16278b75-6620-4233-8467-784a17f81325Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>Carrie DeMartini shares her journey from copywriter to end-of-life doula and owner of the Wishing Well Center, a business focused on end-of-life planning and grief support.</p><p></p><p>She discusses the multifaceted nature of her role, the importance of certification, and the challenges of carving out a unique business in a field with limited existing pathways.</p><p></p><p>In sharing the challenges of monetizing a calling, Carrie outlines how a sliding-scale payment structure and options for individual, group, and community offerings make her services accessible to just about anyone who needs them.</p><p></p><p>She also emphasizes the value of local resources and partnerships in building her business, and highlights the need for community-based healing and support for grief.</p><p></p><p><b>Links:<br /></b>The My Great Pivot podcast: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a><br />Wishing Well Center: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.wishingwellcenter.com" target="_blank">www.wishingwellcenter.com</a><br />Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.knoxec.com" target="_blank">www.knoxec.com</a></p><p></p><p><b>Takeaways</b></p><ul><li>End-of-life doula work is a calling that involves emotional, spiritual, and practical support.</li><li>Monetizing a calling presents challenges, but sliding scale models and group courses can make services more accessible.</li><li>Intuition and discernment are crucial in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.</li><li>Local resources and partnerships play a significant role in building a business and creating community-based healing.</li><li>Grief is a complex and layered experience, and community support is essential for processing and healing from it.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><ul><li>00:00 The Calling: Becoming an End-of-Life Doula</li><li>11:51 Certification and Training as an End-of-Life Doula</li><li>21:49 Pivoting Careers: From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula</li><li>32:20 Creating an End-of-Life Plan: Impact and Importance</li><li>38:39 Carving Out a Unique Business</li><li>45:20 Challenges of Social Media and Community-Based Healing</li><li>52:05 The Role of Feminine Energy in Entrepreneurship</li><li>01:00:29 Grief Retreats and Community Healing</li><li>01:06:24 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship</li></ul><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #deathdoula #endoflifeprep #smallbusiness #careerpivots</p>no01:14:431106"Live Like You're Dying": From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula (Ep. 106)full<![CDATA[The Startup Disrupting Dinner with Affordable Personal Home Chefs: Erica Tuggle & Livin (Ep. 105)]]>In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Erica Tuggle shares her journey from corporate marketing director to founder of Livin, a platform that connects busy families and professionals to affordable home chefs in their area.

The discussion highlights the evolution of Erica's idea and the challenges she's faced in the early stages of the business. We cover a range of topics, including evolving your business model, fundraising strategy, VC guidance and support, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Links:

The My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com

Livin: www.chooselivin.com

Takeaways

  • The entrepreneurial journey: from leaving a job to launching
  • Accelerators
  • Evolving a brand and business plan
  • Raising capital

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Livin and Erica's Journey
  • 23:00 Partnerships for Health and Nutrition
  • 28:19 Fundraising Strategy and Investor Selection
  • 33:36 Customer Subscription and Brand Experience
  • 39:52 Rebranding and Emotional Connection

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #appdevelopment #careerpivots #foodstartups

]]>90161b25-f91b-4c8f-b978-525c31bd5735Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:15:00 GMT<p>In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Erica Tuggle shares her journey from corporate marketing director to founder of Livin, a platform that connects busy families and professionals to affordable home chefs in their area.</p><p></p><p>The discussion highlights the evolution of Erica's idea and the challenges she's faced in the early stages of the business. We cover a range of topics, including evolving your business model, fundraising strategy, VC guidance and support, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.</p><p></p><p><b>Links:</b></p><p><b>The My Great Pivot podcast: </b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p><p><b>Livin: </b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.chooselivin.com" target="_blank">www.chooselivin.com</a></p><p></p><p><b>Takeaways</b></p><ul><li>The entrepreneurial journey: from leaving a job to launching</li><li>Accelerators</li><li>Evolving a brand and business plan</li><li>Raising capital</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Livin and Erica's Journey</li><li>23:00 Partnerships for Health and Nutrition</li><li>28:19 Fundraising Strategy and Investor Selection</li><li>33:36 Customer Subscription and Brand Experience</li><li>39:52 Rebranding and Emotional Connection</li></ul><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #appdevelopment #careerpivots #foodstartups</p>no00:45:551105The Startup Disrupting Dinner with Affordable Personal Home Chefs: Erica Tuggle & Livin (Ep. 105)full<![CDATA[Making Millions from Moss: The Green Wallscapes Story (Ep. 104)]]>In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Lindsay Scherr Burgess shares her journey scaling an Etsy side hustle into a successful business, Green Wallscapes, which creates stunning preserved moss walls for clients.

Since launching in 2018, Lindsay and the Green Wallscapes team have created over 1,000 moss walls, generating millions in revenue out of their West Palm Beach studio.

The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of adaptability, and strategies for building and growing a successful business. We also drive into pricing strategy, staff conflicts, and how motherhood has impacted her business and personal outlook.

Links:

www.greenwallscapes.com

www.mygreatpivot.com

Takeaways

  • Finding inspiration for a new business
  • Adaptability and resilience in entrepreneurship
  • Managing staff as you scale
  • Pricing strategy
  • Maintaining a business through new motherhood

Chapters

  • 00:00 From Hobby to Business
  • 06:05 Navigating Challenges and Growth
  • 11:52 The Journey of Building a Business
  • 18:07 Expanding the Product and Market
  • 27:47 Aesthetics and Client Preferences
  • 35:33 Impact of Motherhood on Business

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #greenwallscapes #careerpivots #homedecor #interiordesign

]]>0487ff32-1136-4562-8b80-3cdf95523d62Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:15:00 GMT<p>In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Lindsay Scherr Burgess shares her journey scaling an Etsy side hustle into a successful business, Green Wallscapes, which creates stunning preserved moss walls for clients.</p><p></p><p>Since launching in 2018, Lindsay and the Green Wallscapes team have created over 1,000 moss walls, generating millions in revenue out of their West Palm Beach studio.</p><p></p><p>The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of adaptability, and strategies for building and growing a successful business. We also drive into pricing strategy, staff conflicts, and how motherhood has impacted her business and personal outlook.</p><p></p><p>Links:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.greenwallscapes.com" target="_blank">www.greenwallscapes.com</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a></p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Finding inspiration for a new business</li><li>Adaptability and resilience in entrepreneurship</li><li>Managing staff as you scale</li><li>Pricing strategy</li><li>Maintaining a business through new motherhood</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 From Hobby to Business</li><li>06:05 Navigating Challenges and Growth</li><li>11:52 The Journey of Building a Business</li><li>18:07 Expanding the Product and Market</li><li>27:47 Aesthetics and Client Preferences</li><li>35:33 Impact of Motherhood on Business</li></ul><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #greenwallscapes #careerpivots #homedecor #interiordesign </p>no00:56:541104Making Millions from Moss: The Green Wallscapes Story (Ep. 104)full<![CDATA[From Teacher to Travel Guru: Kacie Darden & Blue Pineapple Travel (Ep. 103) ]]>Kacie Darden shares her inspiring pivot from middle school science teacher to owner of her own thriving travel agency, Blue Pineapple Travel.

Less than two years after setting a cycling world record, Kacie landed in the ICU, nearly dead from complications during the birth of her twins.

Resulting health issues forced her to leave the teaching job she loved, so she decided it was time for a professional pivot - and found motivation in her love of exotic travel.

So just how do you launch a travel agency? Kacie tells all, from kick-starting her new career by getting in with a host agency to acquiring other agencies to fuel Blue Pineapple's growth.

She shares how Blue Pineapple's focus on providing exceptional customer service helps her agency stand out in an industry dominated by digital tools. And lest you think the travel agency is all sunshine and rainbows, she recalls the dark days when COVID travel bans nearly bankrupted her agency - and how they made it through.

This episode is a testament to Kacie's indomitable spirit and knack for seizing opportunities in the face of adversity.

My Great Pivot is a production of The Female Founders Project.

Find out more at www.mygreatpivot.com

00:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business

00:40 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:41 Kacie Darden's Early Life and Career

05:34 Transition from Teaching to Travel Agency

09:27 Starting Blue Pineapple Travel

15:30 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges

23:30 The Diverse World of Travel Planning

24:08 Challenges and Misconceptions in the Travel Industry

26:55 The Importance of Support and Partnership

28:34 Lessons Learned and Business Growth

33:20 The Role of Communication and Education

40:37 Future Plans and Industry Insights

45:57 Favorite Travel Destinations

47:43 Conclusion and Contact Information

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #travelindustry #traveladvisor #smallbusiness #careerpivots

]]>13cdcc07-65c2-4ff8-ad42-d946dd15be3dThu, 12 Feb 2026 05:15:00 GMT<p>Kacie Darden shares her inspiring pivot from middle school science teacher to owner of her own thriving travel agency, Blue Pineapple Travel. <br /><br />Less than two years after setting a cycling world record, Kacie landed in the ICU, nearly dead from complications during the birth of her twins. <br /><br />Resulting health issues forced her to leave the teaching job she loved, so she decided it was time for a professional pivot - and found motivation in her love of exotic travel.<br /><br />So just how do you launch a travel agency? Kacie tells all, from kick-starting her new career by getting in with a host agency to acquiring other agencies to fuel Blue Pineapple's growth. <br /><br />She shares how Blue Pineapple's focus on providing exceptional customer service helps her agency stand out in an industry dominated by digital tools. And lest you think the travel agency is all sunshine and rainbows, she recalls the dark days when COVID travel bans nearly bankrupted her agency - and how they made it through.<br /><br />This episode is a testament to Kacie's indomitable spirit and knack for seizing opportunities in the face of adversity.<br /><br />My Great Pivot is a production of The Female Founders Project. <br /><br />Find out more at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mygreatpivot.com" target="_blank">www.mygreatpivot.com</a><br /><br /></p><p>00:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business</p><p>00:40 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest</p><p>01:41 Kacie Darden's Early Life and Career</p><p>05:34 Transition from Teaching to Travel Agency</p><p>09:27 Starting Blue Pineapple Travel</p><p>15:30 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges</p><p>23:30 The Diverse World of Travel Planning</p><p>24:08 Challenges and Misconceptions in the Travel Industry</p><p>26:55 The Importance of Support and Partnership</p><p>28:34 Lessons Learned and Business Growth</p><p>33:20 The Role of Communication and Education</p><p>40:37 Future Plans and Industry Insights</p><p>45:57 Favorite Travel Destinations</p><p>47:43 Conclusion and Contact Information</p><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #travelindustry #traveladvisor #smallbusiness #careerpivots</p>no00:49:021103From Teacher to Travel Guru: Kacie Darden & Blue Pineapple Travel (Ep. 103) full<![CDATA[From Designer to Eco-Entrepreneur: Naama Nicotra Launches NakedPak (Ep. 102)]]>In this episode, Naama Nicotra, the co-founder of NakedPak, shares her inspiring journey developing edible food packaging NakedPak, which aims to reduce plastic waste.

Naama discusses the journey from the initial concept, inspired during her studies in Helsinki, to creating a tangible product with significant industry interest. She highlights the importance of finding the right co-founder, bootstrapping, raising funds from friends and family, and the critical role of mentorship and accelerators.

She also delves into the challenges and rewards of launching a startup, the strategies for gaining validation, and the B2C trial of this B2B product, which targets the outdoor food market with ready-to-cook meals wrapped in this innovative packaging. Naama's story exemplifies the importance of perseverance, market testing, and impactful innovation in the startup ecosystem.

My Great Pivot is a production of The Female Founders Project.


00:00 The Entrepreneur's Advice: Bootstrap and Raise Funds
00:38 Introducing NakedPak: The Future of Food Packaging
03:04 The Inspiration Behind NakedPak
05:16 From Concept to Company: The Birth of NakedPak
06:20 Finding the Perfect Co-Founder
10:08 Turning Ideas into Reality: The Role of Food Lab
16:55 The Power of Friends and Family Funding
21:06 Understanding Fundraising Strategies
22:28 The Challenges of Fundraising
24:41 Innovative Packaging Solutions
27:26 Targeting the Outdoor Market
30:32 Gaining Investor Confidence
35:43 Networking and Mentorship
41:02 Market Testing and Revenue Strategies
42:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #foodstartup #esign #milandesignweek #sustainability #sustainablestartup #missiondriven #impactinvesting

]]>f716d49c-1637-4575-a4c9-68d5d394d838Thu, 29 Jan 2026 05:15:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Naama Nicotra, the co-founder of NakedPak, shares her inspiring journey developing edible food packaging NakedPak, which aims to reduce plastic waste.</p><p></p><p>Naama discusses the journey from the initial concept, inspired during her studies in Helsinki, to creating a tangible product with significant industry interest. She highlights the importance of finding the right co-founder, bootstrapping, raising funds from friends and family, and the critical role of mentorship and accelerators.</p><p></p><p>She also delves into the challenges and rewards of launching a startup, the strategies for gaining validation, and the B2C trial of this B2B product, which targets the outdoor food market with ready-to-cook meals wrapped in this innovative packaging. Naama's story exemplifies the importance of perseverance, market testing, and impactful innovation in the startup ecosystem.</p><p></p><p>My Great Pivot is a production of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">The Female Founders Project.</a></p><p><br />00:00 The Entrepreneur's Advice: Bootstrap and Raise Funds<br />00:38 Introducing NakedPak: The Future of Food Packaging<br />03:04 The Inspiration Behind NakedPak<br />05:16 From Concept to Company: The Birth of NakedPak<br />06:20 Finding the Perfect Co-Founder<br />10:08 Turning Ideas into Reality: The Role of Food Lab<br />16:55 The Power of Friends and Family Funding<br />21:06 Understanding Fundraising Strategies<br />22:28 The Challenges of Fundraising<br />24:41 Innovative Packaging Solutions<br />27:26 Targeting the Outdoor Market<br />30:32 Gaining Investor Confidence<br />35:43 Networking and Mentorship<br />41:02 Market Testing and Revenue Strategies<br />42:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information</p><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #foodstartup #esign #milandesignweek #sustainability #sustainablestartup #missiondriven #impactinvesting</p>no00:43:081102From Designer to Eco-Entrepreneur: Naama Nicotra Launches NakedPak (Ep. 102)full<![CDATA[From Spreadsheets to Shutter Speeds: An Engineer Pivots to Launch Her Own Photo Studio (Ep. 101)]]>In this episode of 'My Great Pivot,' we speak with Alice Park, an inspiring entrepreneur who left a secure engineering job to launch Park Studios, a thriving photography business in Atlanta, Georgia.

Alice shares some of the struggles that come with launching and owning a business, and how she drew inspiration from her parents' entrepreneurial spirit. She discusses the continuous need for innovation, especially as the market for photography services has evolved.

Tune in to learn from Alice's story of resilience, adaptability, and passion for her craft.

00:00 The Struggles of Small Business Ownership
00:30 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:07 Alice Park's Entrepreneurial Roots
03:55 The Journey Through Engineering
06:15 The Unhappiness in Corporate Life
06:33 Meeting the Catalyst: Kyu
09:25 The Decision to Leave Corporate
10:59 The Birth of Park Studios
15:15 The Importance of Pivoting
20:39 Adapting to Market Changes

#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #photographybusiness #careerpivots #photographycareers

]]>22c3d313-5841-48a3-9f36-cc287c8f747aThu, 15 Jan 2026 05:15:00 GMT<p>In this episode of 'My Great Pivot,' we speak with Alice Park, an inspiring entrepreneur who left a secure engineering job to launch Park Studios, a thriving photography business in Atlanta, Georgia.</p><p></p><p>Alice shares some of the struggles that come with launching and owning a business, and how she drew inspiration from her parents' entrepreneurial spirit. She discusses the continuous need for innovation, especially as the market for photography services has evolved. <br /><br />Tune in to learn from Alice's story of resilience, adaptability, and passion for her craft.<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs">00:00</a> The Struggles of Small Business Ownership<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=30s">00:30</a> Introduction to the Podcast and Guest<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=67s">01:07</a> Alice Park's Entrepreneurial Roots<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=235s">03:55</a> The Journey Through Engineering<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=375s">06:15</a> The Unhappiness in Corporate Life<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=393s">06:33</a> Meeting the Catalyst: Kyu<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=565s">09:25</a> The Decision to Leave Corporate<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=659s">10:59</a> The Birth of Park Studios<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=915s">15:15</a> The Importance of Pivoting<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paz0dyi9Cjs&amp;t=1239s">20:39</a> Adapting to Market Changes</p><p></p><p>#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #photographybusiness #careerpivots #photographycareers</p><h2></h2>no00:53:371101From Spreadsheets to Shutter Speeds: An Engineer Pivots to Launch Her Own Photo Studio (Ep. 101)full<![CDATA[My Great Pivot Season 1 Sneak Preview]]>A sneak preview of the first season of the My Great Pivot podcast, where we interview female founders at all stages of the entrepreneurial journey.

Catch a glimpse of some of the founders we speak to this season, including:

- a teacher who followed her bliss after a life-threatening childbirth... and launched a business that's taken her around the world

-a founder who parlayed an Etsy side-hustle into a bustling business that's generated millions of dollars in revenue

-an entrepreneur who found the funds to launch her dream from an unlikely source

-a marketing executive who shares how her careful planning led to a million-dollar pre-seed investment round for her startup

These are just some of the compelling stories coming this season on My Great Pivot, launching January 15, 2026.

Find out more about the podcast at www.thefemalefoundersproject.com

]]>ddbdba81-9d20-4c20-8e66-119422ead831Sun, 04 Jan 2026 22:56:58 GMT<p>A sneak preview of the first season of the My Great Pivot podcast, where we interview female founders at all stages of the entrepreneurial journey. <br /><br />Catch a glimpse of some of the founders we speak to this season, including:<br /><br />- a teacher who followed her bliss after a life-threatening childbirth... and launched a business that's taken her around the world<br /><br />-a founder who parlayed an Etsy side-hustle into a bustling business that's generated millions of dollars in revenue<br /><br />-an entrepreneur who found the funds to launch her dream from an unlikely source<br /><br />-a marketing executive who shares how her careful planning led to a million-dollar pre-seed investment round for her startup<br /><br />These are just some of the compelling stories coming this season on My Great Pivot, launching January 15, 2026.<br /><br />Find out more about the podcast at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.thefemalefoundersproject.com" target="_blank">www.thefemalefoundersproject.com</a></p>no00:05:031100My Great Pivot Season 1 Sneak Previewtrailer