Piece Of The Pai

Tamara Edwards, Founder and Principal of Tamara Edwards and Co., spent a decade working in public relations for several prominent congressmen in Washington, DC, a fast-paced, highly-choreographed environment that required a great deal of nimbleness and strategic thinking. Once she moved back to her native Chicago, she realized that communication in the rest of the world took on a very different form from the esoteric manner of “the beltway,” yet the same elements for developing political campaigns could also be applied to creating PR packages and personal branding strategies for entrepreneurs. Now, Tamara offers Personal Brand in a Box, going beyond the usual offerings to provide global business entrepreneurs, industry leaders, philanthropists with the tools, techniques and strategies they need to stay relevant. On today’s episode, she’ll discuss what people get wrong about PR. They tend to ask the wrong questions, aren’t willing to put in the groundwork, and want too much too soon. It’s a long game, she explains, and people need to have patience. She offers advice on what to look–and look out–for when hiring a PR agent, as well as the limits of PR. Quotes: “It was apparent to me that the language that we spoke in DC and in the DC bubble, the beltway, as they say, was very different than the conversations that were happening outside.” (9:23 | Tamara) “Business leaders have a lot more autonomy to influence–of course, policymakers make huge decisions on our behalf–but at the same time, we're talking about job creators, industry makers that I get to work with, people who are just starting out their business who have a vision. And so taking all of those skills and ideas of how we wrap our hands around these individuals and get them to where they're going was just very much in my nature.” (11:03 | Tamara) “Think of why they call it PR campaigns. What is the campaign? What are we campaigning for? So I take a lot of that methodology and apply it. If you're running for office or anything, what are your foundational sort of points of view on X issue? How are you going to deliver that message? And then how are you going to build coalition, community and really get your message out.” (13:06 | Tamara) “What makes me really happy is when people say they felt like a celebrity, and they felt so comfortable. And they didn't really think that this was available to them.” (19:41 | Tamara) “It's a building block. It's not an overnight thing. It's a long game. It is a very long game.” (25:07 | Tamara) “You have to think like a business person. If you're in a decision-making capacity to make decisions around branding, and maybe it's not something that you've thought about. But all of these things play together, it needs to be comprehensive.” (30:37 | Tamara) Connect with Tamara Edwards: Website | https://www.tamaraedwards.co/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itstamaraedwards/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

As an entrepreneur, are you struggling to effectively manage your time? Well then, you’re not alone! In today’s episode of Piece of the Pai, host Nesha Pai sits down with Megan Sumrell, owner of The Pink Bee to discuss the importance of weekly planning and how to reimagine the concept of self-care so you can prevent overbooking and feel confident about your commitments. Prior you commit to chasing your grand aspirations, Megan suggests learning how to first conquer your daily and weekly challenges. By setting yourself up for success on a weekly basis, you are able to take a step back and prioritize both crucial tasks and personal time. In addition, Megan encourages listeners to reconsider their perspective on self-care. Self-care extends beyond the occasional face-mask or trip to the spa, but rather includes tasks that bring genuine happiness and health to our lives. Megan's story serves as a poignant reminder that in the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities, it's essential to carve out time for personal interests and self-care to maintain a sense of identity and overall well-being. Join the conversation to feel inspired to master weekly planning and redefine self-care, because both are integral to achieving balance and fulfillment in our lives. Quotes: “I had completely lost myself and I didn't even know I had. I was so busy tackling my daily list, Everything for work, everything for home. And from the outside looking in, I looked like someone that had it all together. But on the inside, I had lost all connection with myself because I was in constant service to others.” (05:44 | Megan) “I've learned to program my phone so it only talks to me when I want it to talk to me.” (10:27 | Megan) “It's really important for business owners to have clear set boundaries on lines of communication that allow everybody to function in their role and not be interrupted unless it's worthy of interruption.” (12:44 | Megan) “Rather than starting with, let's set your big goals and dreams, heck no. Let's get you out of overwhelm with your weekly life first, then your monthly life.” (23:16 | Megan) Connect with Megan Sumrell: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/megansumrell/ App | https://www.megansumrell.com/thepinkbeeapp Website | https://www.megansumrell.com/ Free Time Management Training | https://www.megansumrell.com/a/2147524017/UVbQFFC4 Annual Plan-A-Palooza | https://www.megansumrell.com/a/2147613331/UVbQFFC4 Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

In this episode, host Nesha Pai engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ashley Theis, renowned as The Constant Wayfarer. Their conversation dives into Ashley's remarkable journey as a travel concierge and the hurdles she overcame while building her own enterprise. Unveiling the misconceptions surrounding travel agents, Ashley explains the invaluable contributions they make to the happiness of their clientele. Ashley's journey testifies to the strength of pursuing passion and embracing risks. After working in various jobs, she courageously pursued her dream of becoming a travel advisor. The genesis of her agency, The Constant Wayfarer, was met with skepticism, yet her unwavering commitment to curating exceptional travel experiences for clients triumphed. What elevates Ashley as a travel concierge is her methodology and meticulous attention to detail. Every client’s wants and needs are understood, from travel predilections to bucket-list aspirations. Leveraging an extensive network of travel partners and local liaisons, Ashley ensures each journey is tailored to the individual. From itinerary curation to seamless bookings, she unburdens clients from the hassles of travel logistics, allowing them to enjoy every moment of their well-earned vacations. Ashley's story only reiterates that success is measured not solely by conventional metrics, but by the impact on others and the gratification of pursuing your dreams. Quotes: “And I'm very thankful that I have parents who are also small business owners. My dad's been a photographer for, gosh, 50 years or whatever. And he was like, the worst thing that could happen is it fails. And if it fails, you'll survive and you'll figure something else out. And you'll do that. But it never hurts to try.” (4:25 | Ashley) “I'm very thankful that I had the privilege to have a family to fall back on to be in their house for much longer than I intended. And when the middle of 2020 hit, and the full time job decided that they needed to essentially lay people off, I took that as my opportunity to leave and actually, like, basically volunteered myself to do that. So emotionally, it was absolutely the most stressful time I've ever been in. But I'm so so grateful for it. Because if it hadn't happened the way it was,, I don't know if I would have been able to be full time at that point.” (09:28| Ashley) “And just having that on the ground experience is super important. And then it helps in the sense of once I actually am sending clients, I can be like, this is where I stayed. You will love it for X, Y, Z reasons. Make sure you talk to this concierge. She's the best. Like those kinds of notes are always invaluable for my clients. And I think some of my clients come to me because they don't have the time. Some come to me because it's a destination that they're just maybe intimidated by. And some come to me because they want access to the local partners we use and the hotels that we partner with to give them VIP amenities.” (23:50 | Ashley) “I didn't want to sit and wait around to explore the world until I had a partner to do so. I wanted to capitalize on the time I had in my singlehood to explore and see all the things I could.” (26:29 | Ashley) Connect with Ashley Theis: Website | https://theconstantwayfarer.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theconstantwayfarer/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

April Simpkins, Chief Human Resources Officer for Quest Co, is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental wellness in the workplace. Following the passing of her beloved daughter, Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, who battled depression for years, April has since dedicated her life to advocating for mental health. With unwavering conviction, she calls for the normalization of conversations about mental health in the workplace, urging employers to create a safe haven for employees to openly express their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. From interviews to onboarding, April advocates for open discussions about mental wellness and the importance of utilizing resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With each word she shares, April's mission gains momentum. She dreams of a world where kindness and empathy reign, where seeking help for mental health challenges is met with understanding and support. By bravely championing mental wellness, April ignites a spark of hope that together, we can shatter barriers and embrace a brighter, more compassionate future. Let us join her in this crusade, breaking the silence and forging a path where mental well-being is valued, and empathy becomes a universal language. As April's voice resonates, we are reminded that compassion can heal unseen wounds, and together, we can build a world where seeking help is seen as an act of courage and strength. Quotes: "We should be able to talk about our mental health like we talk about other challenges we are facing and not be judged, ridiculed, shamed, or blamed." (04:18 | April Simpkins) "When someone is battling with bipolar disorder and they say, 'Listen, if I'm having a bad moment, this is what I need from my employer,' you taking space to give them that room as an employer will build loyalty and an environment where people feel safe saying, 'I'm not okay today.'" (08:57 | April Simpkins) "When someone says, 'How are you doing?' Let it be a trigger for you to go back to your own chart and say, 'I'm a six, that for me means I'm not doing great, but I'm not in a bad place, and I know what to do.'" (19:38 | April Simpkins) "I want people to feel comfortable seeking help and support for mental health challenges and mental illness." (24:11 | April Simpkins) Connect with April Simpkins: https://www.aprilsimpkins.com/mental-health-advocate https://www.instagram.com/aprils_hr/ https://www.nami.org https://www.thedeanslist.me/award Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable,” shares Tali Kogan, Chicago-based premier fashion stylist, empowerment coach and founder of Tel Aviv Couture. Fifteen years ago, Tali was an overweight accountant wearing dark, baggy clothes to hide her unhappiness. When she began to change her physical appearance, she stepped into her full feminine power and her entire life transformed. Now she empowers other women to shine authentically through her styling process, ‘calling forth the Queen’. Women often prioritize taking care of others over themselves. Especially when so many women are stay at home moms or are working remotely, they may think there is no reason to dress up. However, with a small mindset shift, you can begin to see every day as a special occasion and a reason to put your best self forward. Tali explains that there are no real rules in fashion and that it is not even about the specific outfit or the cost. All that matters is how that outfit makes you feel about yourself. Her tips include playing around in your closet for inspiration, topping literally any outfit with a fabulous blazer, building a capsule wardrobe, and taking photos of yourself in each outfit for reference. She also recommends finding your personal crown, whether it be a sparkly necklace, specific shoes, or in her case, glasses, because a Queen should never be without her crown. If you are wanting to change your life and embrace the full potential of your feminine power, start with your wardrobe! When you feel beautiful and great about yourself, you can accomplish anything. Visit Tali’s website linked below to take the 3 minute Style Persona Quiz and begin your transformation. Quotes: “It's more than styling, it's empowering women through fashion.” (4:40 | Tali) “That's what I do. I call forth the queen in you. Because we women, we all are queens.” (7:05 | Tali) “We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable.” (8:06 | Tali) “It's way beyond the clothing. It's really not about that outfit, and it doesn't even matter how much it costs. It's about what that outfit does to you.” (9:30 | Tali) “There are no rules in fashion.” (13:00 | Tali) “The hottest trend in life is the trend that brings you joy.” (13:06 | Tali) “Once you know your style persona, your shopping and styling experience become a lot more effortless.” (18:01 | Tali) Connect with Tali Kogan: https://www.telavivcouture.com/style-persona-quiz/ https://www.telavivcouture.com/25-capsule-wardrobe-essentials/ https://sweetdomechicago.com/ https://www.instagram.com/talikogan/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed,” shares Edith de Belleville, native Parisian, official Paris tour guide, University professor, and published author. Edith spent many years as an attorney before deciding at the age of 50 to return to university for her official tour guide license. Now, she shares her love of Paris and its fascinating history with tourists in French, Spanish, and English. Deeply inspired by Parisian women of the past, Edith wrote her first book, in French, entitled The Beautiful Rebels of Paris ("Belles et Rebelle" Editions du 81). This was followed by her second book, written in English, about her Paris memoir "Parisian Life, Adventures in the City of Light". Edith is one of many trailblazing women making a name for herself in the world of entrepreneurship. She did not let her age or any doubts get in the way of her dreams and wholeheartedly believes that people do not necessarily need a degree to succeed - just look at Coco Chanel! As a Parisian woman, Edith loves sharing the history of her city with tourists and watching how Paris changes each person who visits. She explains to Nesha that ‘entrepreneur’ itself is a French word, derived from the name of a brave knight. The modern meaning traces back all the way to the 18th century and denotes a person who takes risks with their money and ideas. Although ‘entrepreneur’ has French origins, the French approach entrepreneurship differently than Americans, making marketing her books a bit more challenging for Edith. She shares that even just telling people about her book could be interpreted as bragging and that for the French subtlety is key. Many women are visiting France for their “Emily in Paris” moment and Edith is happy to share with them an inside look at what life is like for a native Parisian woman. Paris is a magical city with a rich history. And as Nesha recently discovered, deep ties to entrepreneurship. Take a note from Coco Chanel, believe in your dreams, be yourself, do what you like, and you too can be successful. Quotes: “Lesson number one, do what you like and be authentic.” (8:42-8:46 | Edith) “You don't need to have a degree… you can succeed, because Chanel did and she had absolutely no degrees, nothing.” (9:30-9:43 | Edith) “That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed.” (14:04-14:09 | Edith) “I will be successful when my book is well known in America. Because for Europeans, the USA is the top of the top in business.” (28:06-28:16 | Edith) “Believe in your dreams.” (30:13-30:14 | Edith) Connect with Edith de Belleville: Website | https://www.edithdebelleville.com/ Parisian Life, adventures in the City of Light | https://www.amazon.com/Parisian-Life-Adventures-City-Light/dp/1667831984/ref=sr_1_1? Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I was trying so hard to be who I thought other people wanted me to be. I spent so much energy wanting to be accepted or wanting to look cool or look successful, but that wasn't authentic,” explains R. Michael Anderson, serial software entrepreneur, author, leadership coach, and speaker with advanced degrees in psychology and neuroscience. Michael went from being a self-proclaimed ‘bad leader’ to quite literally writing the book on leadership mindset. Learning how to be a more effective and authentic leader was life changing for Michael, and now he aims to help other leaders put their egos aside and overcome obstacles. Michael’s first foray into leadership found him with a successful small business and unhappy employees. Although he was successful from a money standpoint, he did not understand at the time what it really meant to be a leader. He became easily frustrated with his employees and was unable to put aside his ego. Things got so intense with his employees that one even assaulted him after an argument. He knew something needed to change, and it all clicked into place when he began studying for his Masters in Spiritual Psychology. Understanding why people behave the way they do opened the door for Michael to learn how to know, like, and trust himself, and become a more impactful leader in the process. Becoming a more effective and authentic leader requires personal growth. If you do not take the time to get to know yourself better and improve your mindset, it will be much harder to manage your employees without ego getting in the way. Quotes: “I was achieving my goals, but it was like I was getting away from happiness.” (7:35-7:38 | R. Michael) “Up until then, I thought leadership was just getting a bunch of to-dos in and passing them out. And if people didn't get them done as fast or as well as I thought, I would just get frustrated and angry.” (7:55-8:03 | R. Michael) “I was trying so hard to be who I thought other people wanted me to be. I spent so much energy wanting to be accepted or wanting to look cool or look successful, but that wasn't authentic.” (9:46-9:58 | R. Michael) “I teach leadership mindset because that's what moved the needle for me. And I see so many other leaders struggling with the same.” (11:36-11:43 | R. Michael) “I'm a big believer in self compassion. I know we can get frustrated and things, but your ego is just doing what you've trained it to do.” (20:30-20:37 | R. Michael) “All poor leadership is when people are in their ego.” (21:40-21:44 | R. Michael) “As you grow as a person, you grow as a leader.” (23:24-23:26 | R. Michael) Connect with R. Michael Anderson: Website | https://rmichaelanderson.com/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Even as a young person, I was in rooms where I never thought I would be. So I said, ‘If I can do this, I bet other students can also do it’,” shares Meredith Dean, founder of The Deans List, a Charlotte-based digital branding and career consulting agency focused on building a strong community of empowered individuals. Meredith started The Dean’s List as a side hustle while working a full-time job with Levine Children’s Hospital and has recently moved to running her business full-time. Now, she empowers entrepreneurs of primarily female and minority owned small businesses to make their dreams come true. Although it was a difficult decision for Meredith to leave her job with the children’s hospital that she truly loved, she found her calling in helping empower other young, female, and minority entrepreneurs. Many people have great business ideas, but fear or lack of business knowledge keep them from pursuing anything. This is where Meredith steps in to help take that fear out of the equation. She helps people get up and running with everything they need to not only create a digital brand, including a professional website and a strong social media presence, but to also be able to run it themselves afterward. There are many obstacles to running a business. And they can keep some people from ever venturing into entrepreneurship in the first place. If these obstacles sound familiar to you, consider bringing on someone like Meredith to help you get started without all the stress. Quotes: “I started getting all these different internships, even as a young person, I was in rooms where I never thought I would be. So I said, ‘If I can do this, I bet other students can also do it’.” (7:16-7:26 | Meredith) “What is your life? Let's put that online and make sure that you shine in that way.” (12:56-13:00 | Meredith) “It’s great that I can get them started, but I want them to feel very competent in holding their own brand and doing things for their own brand going forward.” (13:56-14:04 | Meredith) “If you want to grow, the only way you're going to do it is through Instagram reels.” (14:47-14:53 | Meredith) “Create more than you consume.” (21:11-21:13 | Meredith) Connect with Meredith Dean: https://www.meredithdean.com/ https://www.thedeanslist.me/ https://www.instagram.com/merenator/ https://www.instagram.com/mydeanslist/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“With a PR team, you don't only look at media outlets. You look at other stakeholders that you're trying to reach in other ways that they get their other media or their news, and what are other creative ways that we can reach them that don't call for a paid advertisement,” explains Brittney Bogues, serial entrepreneur and founder of Bogues Group. Brittney decided to open her own consulting firm after noticing a gap in marketing and branding for athletes and falling in love with PR. Now, her firm provides PR, marketing, and branding services for clients from all backgrounds including athletes, CEOs, healthcare professionals, and many others. As a woman of color well versed in entrepreneurship, Brittney is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. Additionally, Brittney had a personal obstacle to face as the daughter of a famous basketball star. She wanted to make sure that her small business was truly her own success and not something that was associated with her father. Brittney has learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to an effective PR strategy; and she shares some of her tips, along with some common mistakes she has noticed other businesses making. Her biggest tip is simply to pay attention to your local news stations and stay up to date on what is current in order to ensure you are always pitching relevant stories. Entrepreneurs face many challenges, and regardless of industry, everyone has their own personal obstacles to overcome. With the right PR strategy, you can take your business to the next level. If you are wanting to improve your business’ branding, be sure to check out the Complete Brand Builder Workbook linked below. Quotes: “The fun thing about having a consulting firm is that we get to work with all types of clients.” (3:34-3:39 | Brittney) “A lot of businesses should really focus and listen first to their current and local news stations.” (9:10-9:18 | Brittney) “With a PR team, you don't only look at media outlets. You look at other stakeholders that you're trying to reach in other ways that they get their other media or their news, and what are other creative ways that we can reach them that don't call for a paid advertisement.” (13:31-13:46 | Brittney) “Things that go national, it all starts from a local perspective. People think that everything starts national, it actually is the opposite.” (15:08-15:16 | Brittney) Connect with Brittney Bogues: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brittbogues Website | https://boguesgroup.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittneybogues/ The Complete Brand Builder Workbook | https://boguesgroup.com/workbook-and-guides/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“This is your one life. And if you're not enjoying what you're doing, your clients are going to feel that, whoever you work with is going to feel that. So let's see how good we can let it get,” shares Amy Pocsik, owner of Bold Moves Coaching and Women’s Business League, a national community for women entrepreneurs. Amy spent a decade working as a CPA, but after going on maternity leave, she knew she did not want to go back to her old position. She felt a calling to do more with her skills and had a large desire to help women small business owners succeed. When Amy realized that there was no network for women in entrepreneurship, she decided to build one herself. Women small business owners face unique challenges. Amy created the Women’s Business League to help other women entrepreneurs with overcoming obstacles such as generating enough income to support their families, implementing healthy boundaries, and designing a business that is fully in alignment with the life they want to live. Success is much more achievable when you are surrounded by a supportive community. As a coach, Amy encourages her clients to build their business alongside a steady income source and to be very intentional about how the business is going to support their desired lifestyle. Life is too short to not enjoy what you are doing. If you are not enjoying your day to day, the people you work with, including your clients, are going to take notice. So, if you feel called to create a business, take a chance and invest in building the life you want. Quotes: “My mission is really to empower women to live a life of impact.” (10:25-10:32 | Amy) “When you're creating a business, it's really important to be intentional that this business is going to support the life you want to live.” (14:05-14:12 | Amy) “The thing I work at continually is aligning and making sure that how I'm spending my moments, my days, my weeks, is in alignment with the life that I want to live.” (15:38-15:50 | Amy) “No one achieves success on their own.” (15:55-15:57 | Amy) “We need to invest in ourselves at the level that we want others to invest in us.” (16:38-16:42 | Amy) “I'm a big fan of building a business alongside a steady stream of income.” (22:30-22:35 | Amy) “This is your one life. And if you're not enjoying what you're doing, your clients are going to feel that, whoever you work with is going to feel that. So let's see how good we can let it get.” (23:31-23:45 | Amy) “If you're still doing what you did pre-pandemic and wondering why it's not working, it's because the entire world of marketing has changed.” (25:46-25:51 | Amy) Connect with Amy Pocsik: Website | https://bold-moves.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/amypocsik/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypocsik/ Connect with Nesha: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The path to finding your place as an entrepreneur rarely looks like a straight line. Kiley Peters started her first small business, Brainchild when she was 30, before making a pivot several years later driven by her evolving vision. The door that was Brainchild closed so that Kiley could open the door wide open on her current business, RAYNE IX. Kiley and RAYNE IX help women small business owners build businesses that are not only successful but in alignment with their personal goals as well. The combining of personal goals to professional goals is what sets Kiley apart Through a monthly membership and also a series of in person workshops, Kiley and her team create a community of hard working women who understand the struggles and the joys of small business ownership. Kiley Peters joins host Nesha Pai to talk about understanding strengths and weaknesses, and building a team that supports those dynamics. Kiley also talks about the importance of creating safe spaces that are exclusively female, and how her group, the 100 Collective, supports women in a genuine and encouraging environment. No mean girls allowed. Find out more about RAYNE IX on Instagram at @rayneix or online at RAYNEIX.com. Connect with Kiley Peters on Instagram at @kileypeters or online at kileypeters.com, and on LinkedIn.

Conventional paths to "success" can often look the same: go to school, get the degree, get the job, and (if you're a woman) get the husband and kids at a certain age. But what if we could let go of society’s expectations of us and its predetermined paths? What if we could break free of the boundaries of “having to be liked?” What if we could… give less fucks? Today’s guest on Piece of the Pai is Gianna Biscontini, the author of “Fuckless: A Guide to Wild, Unencumbered Freedom” and a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst. Gianna joins host Nesha Pai for a fun and refreshing talk about living with joy and fulfillment without feeling guilt or being bound by traditional expectations of women. Gianna speaks passionately about how the unconscious expectations innately placed around us force us to “give fucks” about things we shouldn’t be… giving a fuck about. Connect with Gianna online at giannabiscontini.com. You can buy her book, “Fuckless” here.

At the highest levels of achievement, the payoffs of all your talent and hard work can be incredible. The dangers of the uncompromising drive for perfection, however, can be full of danger and pitfalls. Our guest today on Piece of the Pai is Julian Reeve, the former musical director of the red-hot Broadway musical Hamilton, is also the founder of Perfect Equilibrium, a coaching and methodology service that works with high-achieving creatives and entrepreneurs. After conducting a performance of Hamilton in San Francisco one evening, Julian fell victim to a heart attack. After recovering, it was clear to Julian that this incident was a direct result of his unrelenting pursuit of not only excellence, but also his perfectionism. Fortunately for Julian (and for us), the heart attack helped Julian realign his priorities and his definition of success. Julian joins host Nesha Pai for a discussion about the danger of burnout, particularly for high achieving people. Julian describes the events leading up to his heart attack, and how he’s been able to replace his need for achievement with a desire for equilibrium.

There's very few times where we as entrepreneurs won't face some form of fear. Perhaps it's the fear of stepping into the unknown of small business ownership, maybe it's fear of rejection of proposals, or usually it's the far-too-familiar imposter syndrome that haunts so many. Fortunately for us, today's guest allows us to recognize fear, acknowledge it, and make fear "our homeboy." Judi Holler is the author of Fear is My Homeboy, as well as a motivational speaker and business coach who has worked with clients from Ford to Sprint to Marriott and many more in between. Judi has coached high-level excutives and their teams to bring their best to the table, using her high-energy dynamic approach to her business, her own personality and life. Judi Holler joins host Nesha Pai for a candid discussion about many of the common behaviors and patterns that Judi seems holiding so many back, including the aforementioned imposter syndrome. Judi also discusses her experiences being a keynote speaker presenting for hundreds of people at a time, as well as one of her most formative experiences: dropping out of Chicago's famed Second City improv group. Connect with Judi Holler online at judiholler.com. Purchase Judi's book, Fear is My Homeboy, here.

It's the unique vision that sets any great entrepreneur apart from the crowd. Oftentimes, that vision is born through the individual experiences of that person, and shape them in ways both big and small. For Britnye Shore, founder and CEO of The Bardot, her entrepreneurial vision was molded during her time working in a series of salons and wedding planning companies. Through those first-hand experiences, Britnye discovered her passion for helping support women in creating the most perfect vision for their own big day. Britnye Shore joins host Nesha Pai on today's episode of Piece of the Pai to talk about her path from working small and uncomfortable salons to launching a beauty and experience based mobile salon. Britnye discusses how she founded The Bardot, and the evolution of the business into its "2.0" phase. She also talks with Nesha about slowing down during the pandemic and spending time on the farm which helped her recalibrate her vision for what's next.

Let's face it: the higher you climb towards your personal and professional goals, the more leadership becomes an essential skill. The ability to create a collective will from separate parts and focus it towards a singular goal is not easy, and it must be earned. Today's guests on Piece of the Pai have decades of experience helping coach leaders and visionaries from some of the world's most successful companies. Dan Tocchini and Adrian Koehler are co-founders of Take New Ground, an executive leadership consulting and coaching firm based in Los Angeles and Idaho. In their time together, Dan and Adrian have been bringing a no-BS approach to their coaching for executives at Nike, ESPN, Disney and more. They focus on cutting to the core of issues not just with systems, but the leaders themselves. In their words, they take "leadershit to leadership." Dan and Adrian join host Nesha Pai for a discussion about the philosophy of leadership. The pair also talk about founding Take New Ground after Adrian saw Dan present at a conference, and building a professional relationship that has proven to be a winning formula. Connect with Take New Ground online at takenewground.com. Follow Dan Tocchini on LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow Adrian Kohler on LinkedIn and Instagram. Listen to Dan and Adrian's podcast, The Naked Leadership Podcast, here.

Sometimes entrepreneurship runs in the family. That's certainly the case with Khaleel Loyd, the co-founder, CEO and big brother to the three Loyd brothers that make up Loyd Visuals. Founded in Charlotte in 2016, Loyd Visuals creates boutique video content for promotion, documentary and commercial clients, working with Fortune 100 companies such as Air BnB and Honeywell. Like many entrepreneurs, Khaleel Loyd had to find himself and his passion while working a more traditional 9-5 job, data consulting and healthcare in Khaleel's case. It was during this time that Khaleel and his brothers began to hone their creative skills and identify their passions in visual design. It was soon after that the three founded Loyd Visuals and began making a name for themselves. Khaleel Loyd joins host Nesha Pai for a discussion about his work with Lloyd Visuals, the dynamics of running a business with family, and the power of relationships. Khaleel talks about how the business came together, the unique roles of each of his brothers, and his philosophy of business. Khaleel also gives a poignant and thoughtful answer when asked how he defines success.

It takes years of experience to be able to orchestra a six-course meal at a high level. It takes even longer to be able to do it as a small business owner. Doing it all as a woman in a male-dominated industry requires a special talent. Enter Tillie Kerna of Chef Tillie, a private and boutique chef who travels all over the world to bring her clients the freshest and most innovative meals. Thanks to an upbringing in the rural Pacific northwest, Chef Tillie began hunting, fishing and foraging her own food when she was very little. With no mainstream restaurants down the street, her and her family flourished by trapping game, picking their own huckleberries and cooking with a wood stove. She quickly learned the importance of food, nurtrition and the importance of locally sourced food way before it was trendy. Today, Chef Tillie is a certified nutritionist, as well as one of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Ambassadors, in addition to her chef and business owner duties. Chef Tillie joins host Nesha Pai on today's episode of Piece of the Pai to discuss Chef Tillie's journey from a young woman learning baking from her mom to being a private chef for celebrities around the world. Chef Tillie talks about her youth and what she learned from having such a personal connection to her food. She also discusses some of the challenges she's faced in business, what advice she would give to upcoming chefs, as well as breaking myths about the "celebrity chef." Find Chef Tillie online at cheftillie.com. Follow her on Instagram at @cheftillie, and on Twitter at @cheftilliek. Find her on Facebook here.

One sign of a great entrepreneur is success across multiple industries. That definitely describes Jayme Valo, co-owner of Valoie skincare along with her husband, Nick. Jayme was a leader in the automotive industry when she was based in Idaho. When she moved to Charlotte a few years ago, she switched industries after she discovered that skincare was a shared passion she had with Nick. Using that inspiration, they self-taught themselves a new marketplace and introduced Valoie skincare products. Jayme Valo joins host Nesha Pai to talk about her transition from the automotive industry to the skincare industry, devloping a new product and brand in a competitive marketplace, and what makes Valoie unique (hint: it has to do with honey). Jayme also discusses the inherent stress of beauty standards, the compounding effect of social media, and how they influence her approach to business. She also gives her best advice to new entrepreneurs, shares her vision for the future of her business, and also gives her definition of success. Connect with Valoie online at Valoie.com. Follow them on Instagram at @ValoieSkincare. Follow Jayme personally on Instagram at @JaymeValo.

Operating with a low battery is a space that Desmond Wiggan rarely finds himself in. Desmond knows the power of having a full charge at all times, which is why he founded Battery Xchange, a service that allows you to rent batteries to power your devices on demand and on the go. An entrepreneur through and through, Desmond's education took him to the next level while studying for his Master's degree in Asia. It was his experience there being exposed to high technology that influenced him to start Battery Xchange. Desmond Wiggan sits down with host Nesha Pai in today's episode of Piece of the Pai to talk about Battery Xchange and his role as an entrepreneur. Desmond talks about how his time in Asia gave him a new perspective on technology, his entrepreneurial influences, and what he sees as his vision for Battery Xchange. Imagine a world, where there were mobile "take the charger with you" charging stations everywhere! Connect with Battery Xchange online at batteryxchange.co and on Instagram at @batteryxchange_. Follow Desmond on Instagram at @worldwidewiggs_.