The Feminine Founder

Have you ever wondered how to turn an idea into a physical product? I'm here to tell you it is no easy task! Today I have Leslie Danford with me. Leslie is the Founder and CEO of Vita Minis, sharing her journey of starting a functional food and beverage company for families. She discusses the incremental process of developing the idea, finding a co-manufacturer, and launching the product. Leslie also talks about the challenges of competing with big companies in the health food industry and the importance of targeting leading-edge consumers. She emphasizes the need for a clean, easy, and effective product that tastes good. We talk trough the benefits of Vita Minis and how they can be consumed. We also unpack strategy of bringing a product to both retail and direct-to-consumer sales. Takeaways More on Vita Minis HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you someone who is wanting to deepen your connections with other women on this platform and be part of a community? Building community is everything and I decided to create a membership program that would help further connections on here but I wanted to teach everything that I've learned about starting and growing an active LinkedIn account and how I can transform your life professionally. Ladies that Link is launching in June and I'm so excited to go on this journey with you! My mission is to bring together women who are ready to start their LinkedIn journey and connect more with women on a similar path. I'll be teaching exact strategies, trends and ways to grow your personal brand and business on the platform. Link to register for the waitlist HERE. Also, I'll be doing a FREE group coaching call via zoom for those that register from the waitlist. Let's goooo! Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Do you love a skinny marg? Me too!!! And today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mara Smith, Founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila. In today's episode, Mara shares her journey from being a lawyer to starting her own tequila company. She wanted to create a clean alternative to traditional tequila brands and saw an opportunity to speak directly to women consumers. Community is super important to Mara, both in building her brand and supporting other female entrepreneurs. We also talk about the importance of giving back and collaborating with other female founders. Takeaways You can find Inspiro Tequila HERE and connect with Mara further HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Guess what is the MOST underutilized tool on LinkedIn? The DMs!!!There is so much magic that can be created in a direct message it is not something to be overlooked. You can..... 1. Network with other professionals 2. Reach out to a potential new client 3. Open up the conversation about a potential new job 4. Schedule a meeting with someone who can help you move the needle in your professional life. I know I know, sending a DM can feel scary, but the more you do it.... the easier it will come! 😎 So this is your sign to start using the DM tool and see what magic happens! PS: If you receive a DM from me.... it's ME 💥 not a virtual assistant Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever been in a room at work and looked around and no one looked like you? In today's episode, I sit down with corporate trailblazer Angie Breedlove. Angie, co-founder of Xcelerator Group and founder of Women of Warranty, shares her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. She discusses the importance of women in leadership roles and the challenges she faced in starting her own business. Angie also highlights the success of Women in Warranty and the need for more women in the warranty industry. She emphasizes the importance of finding passion in your work and balancing work and life. Highlights Include: As Chief Revenue Officer, Angie leads the company’s sales, corporate development, marketing, pricing, and revenue management. She also oversees the company’s ongoing channel and client expansion efforts into emerging warranty products and technology. In her previous roles as Vice President of Retail Strategy at Assurant, she led the strategic design, product development, and program optimization for nationwide retail companies including Lowe’s Home Improvement, Harbor Freight, American Freight, and Conn’s Home Plus. Angie was responsible for increasing expansion and development efforts into high-growth, emerging retail channels in both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. Prior to Assurant, Angie led the development and expansion of after-sales service from operational design to technology implementation at Lowe’s Home Improvement. By sourcing complete program management and administration of warranty services, their program grew to make Lowe’s the #1 retailer in service contracts for appliances, tools, and outdoor power equipment. She also oversaw the expansion of their in-home sales and installation services for the Do It For Me (DIFM) customers. Angie served on the Board of Directors for Lowe’s Captive Insurance and has participated in multiple corporate advisory board positions. She attended Simpson University for business administration and management while raising two successful daughters. She is passionate about mentoring female leaders and helping them realize their full potential, hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Connect with Angie on LinkedIn HERE and more on Xcelerator Group HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Do you have boundaries in your life? Boundaries must exist in both our personal and professional lives. In today's episode, I unpack the importance of setting boundaries in all sections of your life. I share my own journey of learning to establish boundaries and provide tips on how to create and maintain them. I also touch on the concept of human design and the Enneagram as tools for understanding yourself and how you are making decisions. Highlights Include: Start your podcast today! Interested in starting a podcast, but don't know where to start? Check out Riverside.fm. It's easy! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you in a season of life where you are struggling with confidence either professionally or personally? In today's episode, Dr. Brandy Stamper and I discuss how to cultivate success on your own terms in a way that feels authentic, fun and sustainable so that you can expand your income, influence and impact without compromising who you are or what matters most. Takeaways Brandy is a women's leadership expert and professional coach dedicated to guiding high-achieving women to lead with clarity, connection, and confidence. Through her expertise in Enneagram assessments, identity mastery, and work-life integration, Brandy helps her clients harness their inner wisdom and authentically navigate their careers and personal lives. She empowers women to redefine outdated paradigms of success and womanhood, paving the way for a new generation of empowered leaders. You can find her on LinkedIn HERE and her website HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

How often do we get caught up in our head or talk ourselves out of doing that thing? Whether it's starting a business, or learning a new hobby or learning a new skill or having the courage to reach out to that potential client....making these decisions to do the hard things can be daunting. We've all been there and today's episode is all about focusing on taking small steps over wanting everything to be perfect. So whatever it is you have calling in your mind, this is my encouragement to you to just start. You don't have to have everything lined up or the perfect message crafted or all of your I's dotted and your T's crossed. Start your podcast today! Interested in starting a podcast, but don't know where to start? Check out Riverside.fm. It's easy! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever wondered what is the difference between a good leader and a great leader? In today's episode, Ally Stone and I talk through the strategies and practical insights for effective leadership. Ally shares her journey in hospitality leadership and offers insights on culture, leadership, and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of leading oneself and fostering connection with team members. Allie also discusses the concept of energetic alignment and the significance of listening to one's inner voice. She provides strategies for balancing technology and self-care in a busy world. Highlights Include: Ally Stone has been a partner and leader in the hospitality industry since 2005. During that time, she was integral to developing 15 successful businesses and teams. As Director of Culture and Leadership Development, Ally mastered a deep understanding of what it means to be truly connected as a leader and how that drives the success of any business. She bases her leadership style on what she has come to call “Inspired Leadership.” the approach elevates team thinking beyond everyday problems and obstacles, building instead on quality in group and individual connection for lasting effect. This has created a culture of engaged, emerging leaders in her organization that many admire and emulate to this day. Ally has worked with thousands of leaders from all levels of organizations. In 2022 Ally was awarded the Transformational Leader Award by The Universal Women’s Network and recognized as The Most Inspiring Leadership Development Company by A. I. International. Ally is also a certified Meditation Teacher, a Heart Math Resilience Mentor, and an ICF Certified Coach working towards her Master's Certification. Ally is active and loves yoga, biking, hiking, and spending time with her two dogs. You can find her on LinkedIn HERE and on IG allystone__ Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

One of the best investments you can make is in yourself. That looks different to different people, but we all need to make this a priority in our life. In this episode, I talk about my personal journey with investing in myself both personally and professionally. I talk through the different areas that have been game changers when it comes to growth. I also highlight the value of being in rooms with like-minded individuals and joining mastermind groups to learn from and connect with others. This is my encouragement to you! Highlights Include: Start your podcast today! Interested in starting a podcast, but don't know where to start? Check out Riverside.fm. It's easy! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you active on LinkedIn or a lurker?👀 A lurker is someone who has an account set up, regularly logs on, but never engages with others. LinkedIn is a social media platform, which means you are supposed to engage with each other. Yes, it's the largest professional networking site in the world, but there is also a ton of opportunity to expand your professional network on the platform. In today's episode, Britta Blanski, an employer brand consultant and podcast host, shares her journey from being a teacher to becoming an entrepreneur. We talk about the importance of employee voices in employer branding and the need for companies to showcase their authentic culture. Britta talks through why she chose LinkedIn as her niche and highlights the supportive and collaborative environment on the platform. She also discusses the value of LinkedIn as a platform for professional growth and learning. Highlights Include: Connect with Britta HERE on LinkedIn and her company Britta June & Co HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you ready to explore the power of LinkedIn? I made the decision to be active on LinkedIn exactly one year ago and it literally changed my life. ❤ LinkedIn has evolved from a platform for job seekers looking for jobs and companies hiring to a full-blown professional networking website. With 1B users and 130 million active daily users there is a HUGE opportunity to be SEEN 👀 In today's episode, I share my personal journey of starting, growing, and scaling my LinkedIn presence. There is endless possibilities and professional opportunities on the platform, you just have to start putting yourself out there. And remember, I started from ZERO 🚀 So what what are you waiting for? Let's goooooo! LinkedIn Courses can be found HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you setting and achieving goals in your life? This could be a professional goal or a personal one. We've all been there... new year, new goals. But are you really holding yourself accountable and moving the needle every single day to work towards making it happen? In today's episode, I sit down with goal setting and accountability coach, Jen Laffin. Jen explains that setting goals is essential for personal and professional growth and encourages you to doubt your doubts and overcome your fears. She also shares strategies for dealing with doubt and imposter syndrome, emphasizing the need to recognize and acknowledge these feelings while not letting them control decision-making. Takeaways Include: Jen Laffin is a Success Mentor who has spent the last 15+ years helping goal-setters become goal-getters. She teaches you how to doubt your doubt so that you can move out of your Comfort Cave toward new growth with greater ease and less stress. She specializes in supporting those who struggle with procrastination, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome to develop self-accountability without angst. Jen is the host of The Flight School Podcast and founder of the Goal Getters Club. More on Jen HERE and you can connect with her on LinkedIn HERE Check out her podcast HERE and Goal Getter's Club HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Guilty over here, I definitely have!! In today's short episode I talk through steps that I take to overcome imposter syndrome and get started working towards my goals. Thanks for listening, I'm so happy you are here! Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Do you ever have that inner voice telling you that you were made for more? In today's episode, Audrina Blackburn shares her career journey from professional ballroom dancer to corporate executive to full-time entrepreneur. She discusses the skills she transferred from dancing to her corporate career, the lessons she learned in corporate America, and the importance of listening to feedback as a leader. She also talks about building loyalty in a team, scaling a company, and the decision to start her own business. Audrina offers advice for women considering entrepreneurship and highlights the benefits of starting your own business. Highlights include: Importance of Listening to Feedback as a Leader Scaling a Company and Process Optimization Advice for Women Considering Entrepreneurship Audrina Blackburn's journey from a professional ballroom and Latin American dancer to a dynamic entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Following a career-altering knee injury, she pivoted to the corporate world, rapidly rising from an entry-level role to Director, and then to VP of Business Operations within an award-winning performance marketing company. Over nine years, she honed her skills in leadership, team management, and operations across multiple departments. Today, as the co-founder of Summit Chasers Network, Audrina dedicates her expertise to aiding SME business owners in building sustainable, scalable enterprises. Her story is a compelling narrative of resilience, leadership, and the power of embracing change. You can find her HERE and more on Summit Chasers Network HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Hi Friend! After dropping the question box in my IG stories, I got a lot of feedback from you guys on what you wanted to hear about in solo episodes. So, in this solo episode, I discuss the topic of quitting a job that you're not passionate about anymore. I emphasize the importance of listening to your inner voice and understanding the driving factors behind your desire for change. I also talk through the importance of having open communication with your significant other and encourage you to explore various ways to pursue your passions and make money, such as starting a side hustle or creating an online business. I highlight the value of learning new skills and being okay with starting from scratch. Remember: your employer does not define their entire career trajectory. Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever wondered exactly how to utilize AI to help grow your business? We've all heard the good and the bad about AI and everyone seems to have an opinion on it. In today's episode, I sit down with AI and Automation Expert Alane Boyd to talk through exactly how she's embraced AI to grow and scale multiple companies. We discuss: How to use AI to increase connection The Power of Authenticity Practicing Gratitude for Yourself Alane Boyd is the Co-Founder of BGBO Co., an operations and growth strategy agency utilizing AI and automation to improve efficiency for their clients. In 2022 her company launched Arvo, an AI-powered visual documentation software for creating standard operating procedures, training documents, and company knowledge. Alane has been written and featured in Entrepreneur, HuffPost, South by Southwest (SXSW), PBS, FemFounder, and many more. You can connect with Alane on LinkedIn HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever wondered why some people thrive in their careers while others flounder? Childhood trauma can hold you back professionally and it can rear it's ugly head in your career if you let it. Today Deborah Volkman-Brown, PCC and I discuss what exactly you can do to overcome it and not let it hold you back professionally. We discuss: Reversing Thought Patterns Understanding the Value of the Inner Work Importance of Having Goals and an Action Plan For over two decades, Deborah Brown-Volkman has been on forefront of the coaching industry and is known as the go-to resource for goal achievement. She is a Certified Career & Executive Coach and Career Goals Guru who has helped clients through some of the toughest moments in their careers. As an author of several books, she taps into 20+ years of solid career coaching experience empowering clients to find new jobs, new careers, and new ways of dealing with workplace challenges. She has worked with clients in companies, including: Facebook, Google, Citibank, Nautica, Verizon, and many others. Deborah is regular person who went through a tough beginning, survived it, healed herself, and now is on a mission to help people get unstuck, a mission she takes seriously. You can find more on Deborah HERE Link to her book HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader? Great leaders create irresistible culture that drives results. And great leaders are not just born, they are created though years of experience, their ability to pivot, tough decision making, professional development and coaching. In today's episode, Lyndsay Dowd and I discuss: The benefits of leading with heart The BEST question a leader can ask How trust is your currency Lyndsay Dowd is a Founder, Speaker, Coach, Podcast Host, Author and storyteller. Lyndsay speaks to companies and coaches executives on the importance of building irresistible culture that DRIVES RESULTS! She shares humorous and gut wrenching stories of her experience of surviving both good and toxic culture. With a 25+ year career in sales and management, Lindsay is an accomplished leader, decorated seller and has successfully managed large, cross brand, diverse, high performing sales teams. If you are struggling with attrition, morale or toxic leadership, don't wait to lose more employees. Let Lyndsay help you build the organization your employees are proud of and watch your results improve. Click HERE to learn more! Connect with Lyndsay on LinkedIn HERE Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!

Are you in a season of change professionally? Maybe you are looking for a new job or were recently laid off. We all go through seasons of change and when we are in these seasons, it's helpful to know and learn the skills necessary to navigate to the other side. In today's episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Lisa Stryker. Lisa is a certified coach, trainer and speaker with an extensive background in communications, leadership and personal development. She is a life coach for leaders, helping people who are called to lead to actually enjoy it, and have a life outside work too. Lisa's mantra: Our most important conversations are those we have with ourselves. We cover: How to Rebound Professionally with Confidence Actions and Mindset Shifts to Get Unstuck Why Perfectionism is Boring Everyone goes through professional seasons of change at some point. Learning the skills necessary to work through each scenario is crucial and can sometimes soften the blow. It's hard when you loose your dream job or something changes at your current job that triggers the need for a change. But, change is necessary for growth. You can find Lisa on LinkedIn HERE and more on her coaching business HERE. Support the Show. Ways to connect outside of the podcast: Join 2K+ women receiving my weekly newsletter where I drop helpful tips and tricks on how to grow your personal brand and business on LinkedIn. Register HERE Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE and follow the podcast page HERE so that you don't miss out on upcoming episodes and guests! Connect with me on Instagram @cpennington55 Thanks for listening! I'm so excited you are here!