Episodes

  • Closings & Controlled Chaos with Karie McLain

    Closings & Controlled Chaos with Karie McLain
    Feb 18 2025
    In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I’m sitting down with my friend Karie, a powerhouse real estate agent in the Colorado Springs and Monument area. We dive into her unexpected journey from mortgage fraud investigations to running a thriving real estate business—and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Karie shares the wild stories from the 2008 crash, what’s changed in the housing market since then, and how she built a business that prioritizes relationships over transactions. But this episode isn’t just for real estate pros. We also geek out over business systems, time management, and how to actually create a calendar that gives you freedom instead of stress. If you’re an entrepreneur who feels like you’re always “on,” Karie’s insights on boundaries, automation, and designing a business that supports your life (instead of the other way around) will hit home. Plus, we drop some serious truth bombs about what it really takes to succeed in business—whether you’re selling houses or selling your next big idea. Connect with Jenn: www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway jenn@jennsway.com Connect with Karie: https://www.instagram.com/coloradospringslifestyle/ karie@kmclainhomes.com
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    42 mins
  • Don’t Be a Salesy Weirdo with Melissa Snow

    Don’t Be a Salesy Weirdo with Melissa Snow
    Feb 11 2025
    This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Melissa Snow, the founder of Powerful Women Rising. Melissa and I have one of those "we just know each other" connections—probably from an event we both attended years ago, but honestly, time isn't real. In our conversation, Melissa shared her journey from an unexpected start in entrepreneurship—taking over a fully loaded client list overnight—to realizing that networking is the most underrated, sustainable way to grow a business. She helps entrepreneurs—introverts, extroverts, socially awkward folks, and everyone in between—learn how to network like a human and not like a salesy weirdo. She built Powerful Women Rising, an online community for female entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses through meaningful connections, support, and referrals. And yes, it’s global! Melissa hosts a virtual speed networking event every month, which draws women from all over the world. We dug deep into what networking really is (spoiler: it’s not just showing up to events), how introverts like us can make it work, and why trusting your own journey in business is crucial. She also shared her own challenges, like the time she overheard women talking about her at an event and how she reframed that experience into fuel for creating a more inclusive and supportive space. If you’ve ever felt awkward about networking, thought you needed all the "business stuff" (like a website) before making real connections, or just want to find a way to build your business authentically, this episode is packed with insight. Melissa’s Powerful Women Rising speed networking events happen on the second Thursday of every month, and first-timers can attend for free using the promo code firsttime. You can connect with her at PowerfulWomenRising.com or follow her on Threads, where she’s been building a vibrant and engaged community. And of course, you can always find me on Instagram @lifejennsway or at jennsway.com.
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    46 mins
  • The Power of Inclusion with Dr. Kirk Adams

    The Power of Inclusion with Dr. Kirk Adams
    Jan 28 2025
    In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Kirk Adams, an incredible advocate for disability inclusion and a leader with a seriously inspiring story. From losing his vision at age five to running major nonprofit organizations, Kirk's journey is a masterclass in resilience and determination. He shared how he helps businesses supercharge their bottom line by tapping into the often-overlooked talent pool of people with disabilities. Kirk took us through his life story, starting with his supportive parents who literally moved states to get him the best education. He also shared the challenges of job hunting with a visible disability and how he turned those struggles into a mission to create opportunities for others. We talked about his consulting practice, Innovative Impact, and how he connects employers with resources like the vocational rehabilitation system to make workplaces more inclusive. From working with tech companies to advanced manufacturing and even cybersecurity, Kirk is out there breaking barriers and building bridges. This conversation was packed with heartwarming anecdotes and practical advice on how businesses—and individuals—can make a difference. If you’ve ever wondered how to start supporting disability inclusion or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you. And bonus: Kirk has a great sense of humor and so much wisdom to share. I’m so excited for you to listen in and get to know him as your next business bestie! Connect with Jenn: www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway jenn@jennsway.com Connect with Dr. Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkadamsphd/ https://drkirkadams.com/
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    36 mins
  • The Art of Energetic Entrepreneurship with Sofia Adler

    The Art of Energetic Entrepreneurship with Sofia Adler
    Jan 14 2025
    In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I sit down with Sofia Adler, founder of Sofia Adler Wellness, to explore the intersection of practicality and spirituality. Sofia shares her journey from corporate marketing at SoulCycle to becoming a wellness entrepreneur specializing in energy healing, astrology, and integrative energy mapping. We discuss how life challenges, including her parents' divorce, pushed her to explore spirituality as a way to heal and discover her path. Sofia opens up about the evolution of her business, from mindset coaching to a holistic energy-focused practice, and the lessons she learned about staying aligned with her values. We dive into the balance between living a human experience and honoring the spiritual side of life, as well as how astrology helps her—and her clients—better understand themselves. Sofia also shares her thoughts on navigating entrepreneurship, breaking free from corporate conditioning, and creating a business that supports her unique rhythm and purpose. For anyone curious about blending spirituality with practicality, or finding their footing in entrepreneurship, this episode is full of insights and encouragement. Tune in to hear how Sofia uses energy work to guide herself and her clients to live more authentically and energetically aligned lives. Connect with Jenn: www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway jenn@jennsway.com Connect with Sofia: https://www.instagram.com/sofiaadler_/ https://sofiaadler.substack.com/ https://www.sofiaadlerwellness.com/
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    52 mins
  • From Pilgrimage to Partnership with Yvette Bell

    From Pilgrimage to Partnership with Yvette Bell
    Jan 7 2025
    In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I’m joined by my good friend and collaborator, Yvette Bell. Yvette and I dive into our history together—starting with a chance connection at the Extraordinary Women Ignite event, to walking the Camino in Spain, and eventually becoming both friends and professional partners. We reflect on how those shared experiences cemented our friendship and built a foundation of trust for the incredible work we now do together. Yvette shares her journey into entrepreneurship, from walking away from corporate burnout in 2019 to building her business, 20 Mile Creative. Her passion for helping heart-centered clients like coaches, consultants, and advocates shines through as she describes her expertise in branding, web design, and creative services. Yvette’s commitment to creating consistency and clarity in her clients’ brands comes from her belief in the power of impactful design to communicate values and build trust. We also talk about the deeply personal nature of her work—how she guides clients through self-discovery as they articulate their vision and goals. Yvette shares insights into working with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, highlighting her drive to support businesses that create positive change. Together, we reflect on the joy of seeing our clients’ visions come to life and how that fuels our passion for what we do. This episode is a celebration of collaboration, authenticity, and building businesses with purpose. If you’re looking for inspiration to take your creative ideas to the next level—or need some laughs about the trials of the Camino—you won’t want to miss this conversation! Connect with Jenn: www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway jenn@jennsway.com Connect with Yvette: 20milecreative.com https://www.instagram.com/20milecreative
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    56 mins
  • Writing Boldly with Krystal Craiker

    Writing Boldly with Krystal Craiker
    Dec 31 2024
    In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, Jenn reconnects with her longtime friend Krystal Craiker, an indie author, freelance editor, and book mentor, as they reminisce about their 20-year friendship and dive into Krystal’s inspiring journey as a self-published author. Krystal opens up about her decision to take the indie publishing route, driven by a desire for creative control and the freedom to write stories with heavy social commentary, unapologetic romance, and diverse representation. From the world-building magic of her fantasy romance series Scholars of Elandria to the gripping historical adventure of Hell’s Revenge, and now her latest dystopian romance American Harem, Krystal shares the heart, research, and personal growth behind each book. Beyond her creative process, Krystal discusses the supportive community she’s found among indie authors and readers, emphasizing the importance of representation in literature. She encourages aspiring writers to embrace imperfection, focus on finishing their drafts, and connect with others in the writing community. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or a budding writer, this episode is packed with inspiration, honest advice, and a heartfelt reminder of the power of stories to connect, heal, and transform. Don’t miss the chance to dive into Krystal’s books and join her in celebrating bold, diverse storytelling. Connect with Jenn: www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway jenn@jennsway.com Connect with Krystal: https://www.instagram.com/krystalncraikerauthor/ https://www.krystalncraiker.com/welcome
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    49 mins
  • Henchmen, Healing, and Hustle with Lorrie Urbaniak

    Henchmen, Healing, and Hustle with Lorrie Urbaniak
    Dec 24 2024
    In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Lorrie to the podcast! Lorrie and I met through Cambio Yoga, where our Thursday night shifts turned into a beautiful friendship. We dive into her incredible journey—from being a single parent for over 25 years to rediscovering herself in her 60s. Lorrie shares how an unexpected layoff pushed her to leave a draining admin job and embrace her passions as a therapist, writer, and entrepreneur. We talk about her quirky and creative book series, The Henchman Training Academy, and how she turned a wild idea about modern-day henchmen into a humorous crime series. Lorrie also opens up about her experiences with imposter syndrome, the importance of trusting herself, and how she’s found purpose in helping others heal through therapy. Plus, she teases her upcoming projects, including a sweet romance novel and a nonfiction book about people’s dreams. This episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and some real talk about blazing your own path at any stage in life. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a book lover, or someone looking for a little motivation, Lorrie’s story will remind you that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Connect with Jenn: jenn@jennsway.com www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway Connect with Lorrie: https://www.instagram.com/lorrieu15/
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    49 mins
  • The Accidental Entrepreneur with Jessica Millhiser

    The Accidental Entrepreneur with Jessica Millhiser
    Dec 17 2024
    This week, I sat down with my friend Jess Millhiser of JML Consulting, a business strategist helping female entrepreneurs build sustainable, profitable, and joyful businesses. We talked about how we met at Kami Guildner's Extraordinary Women Ignite event and how Jess’s journey—from Vermont to DC to LA—led her to “accidentally” becoming an entrepreneur. She shared her early challenges, like navigating pricing and overcoming imposter syndrome, and how honoring your bandwidth and trusting the process are key to success. Jess gave actionable advice for entrepreneurs: - Revisit your business identity—clarify your mission, vision, and values. - Audit your client experience—streamline the journey from start to finish to better serve your clients. If you’re ready to strengthen the foundation of your business, Jess is your go-to. Connect with her on Instagram @jmills_consulting or visit jmillsconsulting.com. And for my fellow book lovers, don’t forget—my Kismet Reader’s Retreat is coming to Monument, Colorado, in February 2025. Limited to just 7 spots! Reach out to me at @lifejennsway on Instagram for more details. Until next week, remember: honor your bandwidth, trust the process, and keep showing up. Connect with Jenn: jenn@jennsway.com www.jennsway.com www.instagram.com/lifejennsway Find out more about Jenn's readers' retreat!: www.jennswayva.com/kismet-retreat Jenn's referral link for Diana's community, Recess!: https://recess-for-creatives.circle.so/checkout/recess-for-creatives-dollar55?affiliate_code=9c98bf Connect with Jessica: https://www.jmillsconsulting.com/ www.instagram.com/jmills_consulting
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    46 mins