Show cover of Lead Like a Woman

Lead Like a Woman

The Lead Like a Woman Show, hosted by Andrea Heuston, features top women leaders who share their inspirational stories on life and leadership.

Tracks

Perfect Is Boring!
Laura Barnard is the Founder and Partner at BREAKTHRU Brands, a brand-building agency empowering women leaders to create personal and professional brands that break barriers. With two decades of experience in marketing and branding, she focuses her agency on building brands and guiding over 100 leaders to take action. Laura has led strategy for global brands such as HARIBO, Werther’s, and Skittles and has contributed to advisory boards for emerging startups, including PWRFWD and Fork Food Lab. In this episode… Studies show that women leaders facilitate innovation and drive measurable business results. Yet women are continuously denied leadership roles and struggle to receive equal opportunities, which suppresses confidence and determination. How can you discover your leadership style and enable boundless possibilities for other women? Typically, vulnerability is perceived as a weakness. But Laura Barnard says that women who exhibit this trait foster meaningful connections and confidence by demonstrating that perfection is overvalued and restrictive. Laura has developed the B.O.L.D. leadership approach to inspire emerging leaders to make an impact. The framework involves displaying bravery, being outspoken in your efforts, communicating your message and ideas with intention, and differentiating yourself from the crowd. Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she hosts Laura Barnard, the Founder and Partner at BREAKTHRU Brands, to talk about building influential leaders. Laura explains the importance of female leadership in today’s society, advice for creating a personal brand, and how to establish opportunities in a limiting world.
40:59 3/23/23
[The Men Who Support the Women] Keep Rocking the Boat
Steve Crandall is the CEO of ProMotion Holdings Global, a leading national provider of communications consulting and content technology solutions. As CEO, he has overseen the organization’s growth from its founding to one of the largest LGBTQ-owned businesses in the Pacific Northwest. As a serial entrepreneur, strategic thinker, and community activist, Steve’s award-winning creative work has appeared on local and national news. He serves on numerous nonprofit boards and was named the Greater Seattle Business Association’s “Business Man of the Year” in 2005. In this episode… Although women have gained some authority in the business world, male leaders continue to outrank their female counterparts in every sector. How can you inspire young women to pursue leadership roles while dismantling the barriers to gender equality? As an advocate for workplace diversity, Steve Crandall believes that women play a crucial role in business decisions by bringing unique perspectives and insights to any undertaking. He has built an entirely women-led executive team that makes key decisions on equal pay and leave to facilitate widespread change. Steve encourages women to challenge the status quo and remain assertive and headstrong to obtain a leadership position. CEO of ProMotion Holdings, Steve Crandall, joins Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, to discuss the importance of a women-led team. Steve also talks about the evolution of female leadership, how to recognize women’s skills in the workplace, and advice for breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated workforce.
37:21 3/16/23
Synergy and Opportunity
Allison DeLeone is the President and CEO of The Production Network (TPN) + Evia, a production agency providing messaging strategies and comprehensive solutions for brands wanting to boost engagement with their audience. For over 25 years, Allison has supported events and exhibit productions for the largest brands on high-profile stages. Her current focus is on incorporating TPN in Web3 and the metaverse. Hilary Laney is the Chief Revenue Officer at The Production Network + Evia. As an executive and team leader, Hilary’s passion is to build engaging and inclusive event experiences. Her efforts have helped Evia’s customers target their intended audiences and collect accurate data from its users. In this episode… The event industry is complex and ever-changing. It can be challenging to maintain your influence if you don’t implement the proper strategies. To stay ahead of the competition, it’s critical to construct creative ideas and be vigilant of new opportunities. Upon combining their forces, event industry powerhouses Allison DeLeone and Hilary Laney are raising the standards for creative production agencies. Their individual experiences have shown that they are capable of moving companies forward — even in trying times. Merging their companies has allowed the duo to expand their services for customers and create new opportunities for themselves, their team, and their customers. In this episode of Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Allison DeLeone, the President and CEO of TPN + Evia, and Hilary Laney, TPN + Evia’s Chief Revenue Officer, to discuss the merger between the two companies and how it has introduced new opportunities. Allison and Hilary also talk about how the company has maintained its relevance and how they are innovating through NFTs.
36:16 3/9/23
Becoming a Change-Able Leader
Dianna Anderson, MCC is the Founder and CEO of Cylient, a firm that helps clients create a coaching culture that drives momentum for enterprise-wide change. Through Cylient, she has developed various workshops including Coaching in the Moment®, Feedback in the Moment®, and Untying the Knot®, which have enabled leaders to take a coaching approach to daily interactions. Dianna is the co-author of Coaching that Counts, offering a compelling business case for individual coaching in organizations. She is also a Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coach Federation. In this episode… Traditional leadership approaches often embody an authoritative model in which solutions are definitive and individuals receive criticism. Yet these methods are outdated and don’t align with modern workforces and cultures. So how can you evolve your leadership style to facilitate meaningful change? Master Certified Coach Dianna Anderson has harnessed the change-able leadership concept. This style utilizes coaching as a way of life to help professionals learn, grow, and create connections. If you want to make a lasting impact, Dianna says to create spaces where individuals feel safe, seen, and heard to foster collaboration and solve shared challenges. Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she chats with Dianna Anderson, Founder and CEO of Cylient, about what it means to be a change-able leader. Dianna also talks about coaching as a lifestyle, the power of creating safe and seen spaces, and Cylient’s coaching process.
28:23 3/2/23
You're Worth More Than You Think You Are
Mikelann Valterra is an author, keynote speaker, and money coach who helps women transform their relationship with money to create a life they love. For over 20 years, she has been a thought leader in the field of financial psychology. Her strong background in emotional intelligence paired with her practical money strategies enables her clients to consciously design their life while escaping financial stress and anxiety. When she's not working with clients, you can find Mikelann on the dance floor indulging in her love of Argentine Tango. In this episode… How can you use your money to be happy and create the life you want? You can do anything you put your mind to. Take it from Mikelann Valterra, who had the faith and courage to go after her dreams and start a business in a new niche. She believed that she could — and she did! Now, she helps other leaders manage their money and design the life of their dreams. Today, Mikelann is here to share her advice on money, spending, and finding joy in your life. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Mikelann Valterra, a money coach, about the psychology of money. They also discuss the benefits of money coaching, tips for designing a life you love, and how to create a personalized spending plan.
28:00 2/23/23
Embrace the Unexpected
Karen Hough is the Founder and CEO of ImprovEdge and has been using improvisation as a catalyst for business training and consulting for over 20 years. ImprovEdge won the silver International Stevie Award for “Most Innovative Company of the Year” and is in the top 1% of US women-owned businesses. Karen won the WNBA Inspiring Woman Award and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Karen is a #1 Amazon best-selling author and 800-CEO-Read Top 25 Business Books recipient for The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work. Her second award-winning book, Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes, and Win Them Over, is available in four languages and won the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for video content in an ebook. Her third book, Go With It: Embrace the Unexpected to Drive Change, was published by the Association for Talent Development in 2017. Karen is a national conference keynote speaker on topics such as negotiation, executive presence, presentation skills, leadership, and business development. She is also a graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne in Paris and is deeply committed to philanthropic work. She lives in Ohio with her husband and three children. In this episode… Many things can happen unexpectedly and cause chaos and confusion. In such cases, how can you improvise to emerge stronger and more empowered? To successfully step into the unknown, you have to be willing to embrace change. Do the things that make you uncomfortable, whether at work, in your family, or in relationships. The fear of change can make you uneasy and prevent you from living your best life, but you can take baby steps toward your goals. When things happen unexpectedly, you don't need to have all the answers. Karen Hough's advice is to take a pause to calm down and allow yourself to reflect and think about the next steps. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Karen Hough, the Founder and CEO of ImprovEdge, to talk about the power of improvisation in business and in life. They also discuss breaking presentation rules to connect with an audience better, how to embrace the unexpected to drive change, and how Karen uses improv skills to serve her clients.
31:02 2/16/23
Perception & Promise
Cheryl Farr is the Founder and Chief Strategist for SIGNAL Brand Innovation, a brand consultancy and strategic design agency dedicated to creating and activating brands people love. She founded the firm in 2009 to help organizations and leaders align their brands with their business strategies and take great leaps forward. Her success stories include Fairmont Hotels and Resorts where she helped position the brand for expansive worldwide growth, the Polti Group where she led the creation of an innovative new consumer trending methodology to guide product and marketing innovations for the nation's largest homebuilder, and Cornell Hotel Society where she crafted the ultimate rallying cry for the world's largest and most influential hospitality alumni network. Cheryl has led multiple brand development and repositioning initiatives as part of mergers and acquisitions, most notably in the technology space. She is a former travel writer and editor for recognized guidebooks like “Frommer's,” “for Dummies” and Travel + Leisure. Cheryl holds master's degrees in business and history from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and Columbia University. She is a writer and a public speaker on topics related to branding and creating winning experiences for customers and employees. She is also passionate about mid-century architecture and design and lives in the mid-century modern mecca of Palm Springs, California with her husband, Tony, and their talkative Shih Tzu, Harry Carson, who incidentally has his own Instagram handle, “@HarryCarsonSpeaks.” In this episode… What perceptions does your target audience have about your company? What is the connection between your company's brand and its influence on customers? The type of experiences you create for your customers influence how they perceive your brand. To create a brand that people love, you need to earn their trust and win them over. Cheryl Farr advises leaders to be authentic and build their brands from the inside out in order to be unique and stand out from other companies. Cheryl Farr, the Founder and Chief Strategist for SIGNAL Brand Innovation, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show to talk about creating influence through brands. They also discuss how to build an authentic brand, how Cheryl transitioned from travel writing to brand building, and how her company has evolved over the years.
29:49 2/9/23
Be Well To Do Well
Natalya Berdikyan is the Founder and Chief Energy Officer of Life By Design, where she combines her coaching, yoga, and breath work certifications with her corporate and entrepreneurial experience to help individuals and organizations grow beyond borders and boundaries, increasing their energy and leadership ability. Through coaching, training, and transformational holistic retreats, she helps entrepreneurs become better leaders in business and in life by understanding their energy potential. Natalya is also a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and serves as the President of EO Barcelona. She is a certified EO global speaker and a trained EO and YPO Moderator. In this episode… How can you live a life by design? Can you move from a place of struggle, overwhelm, and stress to a place of peace and satisfaction? To live your best life and achieve maximum potential, it is essential to focus on your whole being — including your mental and physical health. Identify and concentrate on your source of energy and do less of the things that drain your energy. Natalya Berdikyan also advises entrepreneurs to believe in themselves and never allow anyone to bring them down. Natalya Berdikyan, the Founder and CEO of Life by Design, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show to talk about leadership, wellbeing, and energy. They also discuss the connection between leadership and wellbeing, tips for managing energy, and Natalya's experience dealing with life’s challenges.
30:15 2/2/23
Up Your Confidence Game
Nikki Rausch is the Founder and CEO of Sales Maven, an organization dedicated to authentic selling. She is a sales strategist with over 25 years of experience selling to prestigious organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NASA. Nikki's unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of selling has helped her shatter sales records and receive top producer awards along the way. Entrepreneurs and small business owners hire her to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. As an engaging speaker, Nikki shares the secrets of her sales success through keynote speeches and business-changing workshops. Her robust Sales Maven society ignites game-changing outcomes for clients. Nikki is the author of three books and hosts the Sales Maven Podcast. In this episode… How can you create value through your sales process? Can you spot buying signals? Your conversation with potential leads is critical in driving sales. According to Nikki Rausch, it is essential to understand your customer and the sales process. Additionally, you have to up your confidence level and believe in yourself and what you are selling. Nikki encourages women to be authentic, build relationships with clients, and invest in themselves. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Nikki Rausch, the Founder and CEO of Sales Maven, about creating value through sales. They also discuss the benefits of having a sales coach, how to use speaking as a sales tool, and the steps to an effective sales conversation.
30:35 1/26/23
You Cannot Be What You Cannot See
Daniella Menachemson is the President of StyleNations, a custom furniture company. She is one of the industry's leading custom furniture makers and environmental design experts. As an award-winning entrepreneur and leader, Daniella takes pride in her great strides in business and leadership. Her approach to design is now met with a hint of anticipation toward the digital age. She has observed changes in consumer demand over the past two decades, inspiring her to elevate her career and company to a new level. In this episode… What does it take to lead by example? How can you take control of your destiny? To be an exceptional leader, you need to be audacious and empower others to become the best version of themselves. To do this, surround yourself with inspirational mentors to guide you in the right direction. According to Daniella Menachemson, being audacious is having the courage to step into the unknown. You have to be willing to undertake uncomfortable things that will eventually help you achieve your goals. Take bold, courageous steps and support the people around you. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Daniella Menachemson, the President of StyleNations, about her entrepreneurial journey. They also discuss Daniella's passion for the metaverse, why she moved from Australia to Dallas, and how StyleNations impacts local communities.
24:27 1/19/23
Fail Faster
DeLynne Ano is the Founder of Runli, a business workflow automation app that simplifies business back-office workflows by automating the hand-off between employees and departments, thereby improving efficiency and reducing the margin of error. DeLynne has over 25 years of executive experience with Fortune 100 companies. Her mentoring of businesses has resulted in billions of dollars of client revenue growth in dozens of industries, from food, beverage, and packaging to entertainment and media. She started her consulting business, Scape Group, Inc., in 2010 where she helped her first client grow from $750,000 annually to $24 million. The growth came as a result of instituting processes and system design. After more than three decades of working with corporate suppliers and business owners, DeLynne has come to realize that small businesses cultivate creativity and innovation. Today, she owns and leads Playbook Makers and Runli, automated business processes that allow business owners to focus their energy working on the business, rather than in the business. The organization is a result of her passion for leveling the playing field and providing the tools needed for small businesses to play big. In this episode… How can you use processes and automation to deliver your best work? What are the benefits of creating standardized workflows? Systems and processes are essential for a business to run efficiently. They promote consistency, improve time management, and help reduce errors. To start, DeLynne Ano advises business owners to identify the work they do very well and surround themselves with people who are experts in the things they don't do well. It is also important to hire and delegate work to smart people, get your business organized, and work with mentors. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by DeLynne Ano, the Founder of Runli, to discuss the benefits of automation and business processes. They also talk about DeLynne's business workflow app, her experience working with her sons, and tips for running a successful business.
30:05 1/12/23
The Power of Scarcity
Mindy Weinstein, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of Market MindShift, a boutique digital marketing firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a digital marketing expert named one of the top women in the industry globally. Mindy has trained thousands of professionals from organizations of all sizes including Facebook, the Weather Channel, World Fuel Services, and Hampton Products, and she continues to write for various publications. Mindy is also the author of The Power of Scarcity: Leveraging Urgency and Demand to Influence Customer Decisions. She has a PhD in general psychology with an emphasis on technology. She is also a Marketing Instructor at Grand Canyon University and the University of Denver, as well as a Program Leader at the Wharton School and Columbia Business School. In this episode… Do you get overwhelmed by the fear of missing out on something? Do you struggle to make the right decisions when faced with scarcity? Fear often has a big impact on our emotions and the decisions we make. The fear of losing something can be a big driving force when making buying decisions and is a tactic often used by marketers to drive sales. According to Mindy Weinstein, scarcity makes things more attractive and increases competition. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Mindy Weinstein, the Founder and CEO of Market MindShift, about the power of scarcity. They discuss how scarcity marketing affects the brain, the relationship between inflation and scarcity, and the power of uniqueness.
29:27 1/5/23
[Year in Review] Celebrating Courageous Leaders and Their Moving Stories
Andrea Heuston is the CEO and Creative Principal of Artitudes Design, an award-winning creative agency. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry and has won several awards such as the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 under 40, the Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards for Enterprising Women Magazine, Cambridge Who’s Who, and the Key4Women Achieve Award. Andrea holds a degree in communications and design from the University of Washington. She is a speaker, author, and a volunteer who helps plan, purchase, prepare, and serve meals for the members of The Matt Talbot Center. Andrea is also the host of the Lead Like a Woman Show where she features top women leaders in order to share their inspirational stories on life and leadership. In this episode… Having hosted many guests on the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston has learned numerous lessons about leadership, growing a business, and supporting other entrepreneurs. Over the last year, she has talked with inspiring women who have overcome many challenges to build billion-dollar businesses and conquer their fears. Andrea has also interviewed various men who work tirelessly to support women and level the playing field across gender lines. This past year’s lineup includes powerhouse entrepreneurs and thought leaders like Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, Warren Rustand, and Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley, who have been empowering and elevating others to greatness. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, host Andrea Heuston is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz, the Co-founder of Rise25, to talk about some of the most impactful interviews she has hosted over the last year. They discuss tips for building a business, supporting women in leadership, and the power of the mindset. Tune in to hear remarkable stories from incredible go-getters around the world!
27:13 12/29/22
Never Fear Failure
Tim McDiarmid is the Founder and Owner of The Good Kind Hospitality Group. The world traveler who is Canadian by birth and resides in San Antonio provides culinary and artistic creations that fit perfectly with any type of event. As a serial entrepreneur, Tim specializes in running multiple business endeavors. Her first company, Tim the Girl, combines bespoke catering and event planning. She also operates The Good Kind, a modern market and cafe which builds on Tim the Girl's vision of providing her community with food that is clean, nourishing, sustainable, and delicious. Tim also owns an event venue, Ivy Hall, which is a beautiful garden space that hosts weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more. After many years in business, she is sharing her knowledge and providing guidance through the Bravery Strategy, a coaching and consulting business for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode… How much freedom do you want in your life? What strategies can you use to gain more freedom financially, in your business, or in your personal life? According to Tim McDiarmid, everyone is capable of finding freedom. However, you have to be willing to take big risks to achieve this freedom and gain success. Tim, who has gone through similar challenges to find freedom, advises entrepreneurs to embrace failure, be authentic in their professional careers, and learn how to make the right choices. Tim McDiarmid, the Founder and Owner of The Good Kind Hospitality Group, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show to talk about her experience building a business in the hospitality industry. Tim explains how she supports women through her business, her experience on the show Chopped, and her new program for entrepreneurs.
33:20 12/22/22
Show Your Worth
Shelmina Abji is a TEDx speaker, board member, former Vice President at IBM, author, and angel investor. She started her career as a software engineer and then moved into sales and sales leadership, guiding global teams to deliver over $1B in annual revenue and serving as a key decision-maker in hiring and promoting hundreds of professionals. Shelmina received extensive leadership training at IBM, Harvard University, and UCLA. As a global empowerment speaker, she has addressed attendees at companies, conferences, and colleges that include Google, Edward Jones, National Center for Women in Technology, Black women in STEM, and Harvard. In this episode… How do you show up as a leader? How can you be intentional in your leadership to advance in your career (and help others advance too)? Shelmina Abji advises women to focus their attention on eight intentional strategies that will help transform their careers. These intentional methods include being strategic in your leadership journey, learning how to overcome obstacles, being intentional in your personal growth, and creating more value for others. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Shelmina Abji, a TEDx speaker and author, to discuss strategies for intentional leadership. Shelmina shares her career background, explains the concept of “the power of quotient,” and talks about her book, Show Your Worth.
22:58 12/15/22
One Bold Move a Day
Shanna A. Hocking is a leadership consultant, philanthropic advisor, and keynote speaker with 20 years of experience raising hundreds of millions of dollars and leading large teams at organizations such as the Wharton School of Business, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Alabama, and Duke University. She is the Principal of Hocking Leadership, an organizational leadership, fundraising, and philanthropic advisory firm. Shanna's clients include universities, national nonprofit organizations, global businesses, and family foundations. Her articles have been published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Huffington Post, Motherly, and Forbes. Her expertise has been featured in Entrepreneur, Chicago Tribune, Today.com, Insider, The Muse, American Express Business Insights, and Thrive Global, among others. Shanna is also the author of One Bold Move a Day. In this episode… Do you find it difficult to celebrate your wins and accomplishments? How can you ensure that you learn and grow throughout your career? Leadership consultant Shanna A. Hocking's advice is to take small, bold, actionable steps every day. Being a great leader doesn’t happen overnight, but you have to make a conscious choice to move forward. It is therefore essential to be grateful, empower others to achieve success, and find joy in the challenges. Make an intentional choice to celebrate the small wins every day. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Shanna A. Hocking, the Principal of Hocking Leadership, to talk about making bold career moves. Shanna discusses the benefits of celebrating your accomplishments, the four mindsets for making bold moves, and why workplace culture is about connections — not presence.
31:58 12/8/22
Success Leaves Clues
Lisa Druxman is a mom on a mission. She is the Founder and CEO of FIT4MOM, the parent company of FIT4BABY, Stroller Strides, and Body Boost. With nearly 2,000 class locations nationwide, FIT4MOM is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country. Lisa is also the author of The Empowered Mama and the host of The Empowered Mama podcast. Lisa and FIT4MOM have been featured numerous times on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, The Montel Williams Show, and Access Hollywood and profiled in magazines, including Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and Self. Lisa is a speaker, a writer, and a thought leader with a passion for helping moms get out of an overwhelming life and into a healthy and happy life. In this episode… What makes you feel empowered? Do you enjoy learning from successful leaders or being part of a community? Lisa Druxman loves learning from successful women. She thrives working with other women in a supportive values-based community. According to Lisa, success leaves clues that others can learn from and use to achieve success in their own lives. No one becomes successful by accident — you must work for it and learn to do it without letting it overwhelm your life. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Lisa Druxman, the Founder and CEO of FIT4MOM, about women empowerment and building a franchise business. Lisa shares tips for overcoming being overwhelmed, the value of creating a supportive community, and the benefits of having a franchise.
34:49 12/1/22
Fear is Boring
Bonnie Low-Kramen is the President and CEO of Ultimate Assistant Training and Consulting Inc., and she’s an author, workplace expert, and public speaker. In February 2022, Bonnie gave a TEDx talk called “The Real Reasons People Quit.” For 25 years, she worked as the Personal Assistant to Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis and her husband, Louis Zorich. Her best-selling book Be the Ultimate Assistant: A Celebrity Assistant's Secrets To Working With Any High-Powered Employer was self-published in 2004, in its fifth edition, with the foreword written by Olympia Dukakis. Bonnie is a Co-founder and Former President of New York Celebrity Assistants, a professional networking association for assistants, started in 1996 by eight celebrity assistants. She teaches the Be the Ultimate Assistant workshop and co-hosts the Be the Ultimate Assistant podcast series with productivity expert Vickie Sokol Evans. In this episode… What does it take to be the ultimate personal assistant? What are the top qualities and skills essential for supporting high performers? When Bonnie Low-Kramen started her career as a celebrity personal assistant more than 20 years ago, she faced many challenges. She didn't have anyone to guide her, offer support, or provide training in her line of work. Using her experience, Bonnie is now on a journey to help other assistants facing similar problems navigate difficult and toxic work environments. Her goal is to offer guidance and training to personal assistants who want to feel appreciated and respected, be well compensated, and work in a safe and healthy environment. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Bonnie Low-Kramen, the President and CEO of Ultimate Assistant Training and Consulting Inc., about being an ultimate personal assistant. Bonnie talks about common challenges personal assistants face, how she supported Olympia Dukakis' success, and the benefits of asking for what you want.
39:06 11/24/22
Practice Radical Self-Care
Dr. Amy Morrison is the President of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech). As a first-generation college graduate and passionate supporter of workforce education, she is committed to her career advocating for college students and community and technical colleges. She is extensively involved in local, regional, and statewide initiatives. She is also involved in statewide community and technical college system work, including chairing the President's legislative and strategic visioning committees. Before leading LWTech, Dr. Morrison served for nearly 10 years in Vice Presidential roles at Clover Park Technical College. She began her community and technical college career at Bates Technical College in 1999. Before her current job, Dr. Morrison served as the Deputy Director in the Office of Congressman Norm Dicks, where she focused on higher education and workforce outreach. In this episode… How often do you spare the time to take care of yourself? Do you prioritize your health and well-being? Self-care is essential to being a good leader. You are responsible for showing up healthy every day to be at your best so you can effectively take care of others. Many leaders ignore their health and well-being, which often negatively impacts their work. Dr. Amy Morrison advises leaders to take a break and regularly practice radical self-care. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Dr. Amy Morrison, the President of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, to talk about public service and the importance of self-care. Dr. Morrison shares her background, the skills she learned from running political campaigns, and her upcoming book.
32:47 11/17/22
Grace Within Uncertainty
Quinn Rose is the Founder of Story Based Brands, a video production company based in Portland, Oregon, that helps businesses and organizations make a bigger impact through video. Native to Portland, Quinn moved to New York City to pursue her childhood dream of being an investigative reporter. There she co-produced a documentary on the NYPD Stop and Frisk policy, which now has over eight million views and is mentioned in a federal ruling. She also reported courtside at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Her stories and interviews aired in 256 countries, reaching a TV audience of over one billion, and her team's corporate videos continue to break records worldwide. From there, Quinn continued working in international events and writing, producing, and directing videos and teaching workshops to students and adults. Her focus is on one goal: to use her journalistic lens and passion for stories to support mission-driven companies. In this episode… The future is always uncertain. No one can predict the future or know for sure what it holds. Should that stop you from pursuing your passion? To successfully navigate the uncertainty of the future, Quinn Rose chose to trust herself. She believes in following your unique path and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Your life can take a different direction than other people's. Quinn's advice is to spend quality time alone, learn more about yourself, and live on your own terms. You should trust the process and reach for what makes you happy. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Quinn Rose, the Founder of Story Based Brands, about the value of following your own path. Quinn shares her experience as a reporter, working on a documentary about NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy, starting a video production company, and her advice for identifying your passion.
33:56 11/10/22
[Women of EO] Be a Finisher!
Helena Gibson is a serial entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and the Founder and CEO of The 7-Figure Salon and STRUT Hair Solutions. Her parlay into entrepreneurship began with an auto repair shop, Manhattan Motors, back in 2002. After she saw her mother struggling with hair loss, she completely changed paths. Helena watched her mom look for solutions to her hair loss and realized others were struggling too, and that’s when she started STRUT Hair Solutions. Fast forward to almost 20 years of being in the hair loss industry. Helena has done everything from styling celebrities' hair to writing a book about hair to being an educator for top hair replacement manufacturers. She has done it all, including new products, new types of extensions, the latest wig crazes, and DIY hacks. Helena started noticing gaps in the industry, so she created a new product line — Unveil Restorative Hair Care. From the services business to the creation of a product line, Helena is constantly looking for new solutions. In this episode… What drives your entrepreneurial spirit? How can you use empathy to provide better solutions to your customer's needs? Building a successful business takes time. You will face many challenges, so you must develop patience, persistence, and resilience. As a successful entrepreneur, Helena Gibson's advice is to stay ahead of the curve and take control of what you can. Take care of yourself, run your businesses guided by your values, and be willing to help others. These are the strategies Helena uses to scale her businesses. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Helena Gibson, a serial entrepreneur, author, podcaster, educator, and the Founder and CEO of The 7-Figure Salon and STRUT Hair Solutions, to talk about using empathy to solve customers’ problems. Helena explains why she started her businesses, her future plans, and the power of perseverance.
33:12 11/3/22
Successful as F*CK
Riah Gonzalez is an accidental entrepreneur, a taco enthusiast, and a lover of 90s pop. As a young mom with minimal support, Riah quickly learned that her success would be different from that of her peers. The life lessons she learned through trial and error led her to encourage others through her debut book, Successful as F*ck: A No BS Tale of Screwing Up and Succeeding Anyway. When she's not writing, Riah empowers female entrepreneurs with her virtual assistant matchmaking company Linq Consulting Solutions. She lives happily in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters. In this episode… What does success look like for you? Do you find it difficult to express your true self or emotions when it comes to business? The fear of being ridiculed, judged, or seen as a failure prevents many women from expressing their emotions. However, according to Riah Gonzalez, screwing up does not mean you are unsuccessful. Instead, embrace your failures and learn from your mistakes. Be authentic, express your emotions and true self, and recognize that you are enough. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Riah Gonzalez, an author and entrepreneur, about defining success on your own terms. Riah discusses the value of expressing your emotions, being authentic, and her experience building a virtual assistant matchmaking company.
27:56 10/27/22
[Women of EO] Connecting the Dots
Kate Hancock is a self-made entrepreneur who has built highly successful businesses in less than 10 years. She started these companies from the ground up with no funding, working in various industries such as e-commerce and beauty. Her first venture was an e-commerce web 2.0 business that began when she had only $20. Within one year, it grew to over a million dollars in revenue and eight figures in total sales online. Kate is a strategist, business advisor, and the award-winning creator of a beauty company that has been nominated as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company twice in a row. Her newest and latest venture is Metaverse XYZ, where she sees the opportunity to create collaboration between entrepreneurs in the web 3.0 metaverse, as well as to elevate talented players from Asia looking for an opportunity like no other. Known as “The Pivot Queen” by those who know her tireless work ethic, Kate is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx and international metaverse speaker, and a mom of two amazing boys. In this episode… Have you ever considered adopting the metaverse in your business? Do you know what it takes to build a business using virtual reality? The growth of the metaverse has brought about numerous changes and new opportunities in how businesses are run. Many consumers are embracing the technology to drive more sales, grow business, and scale. Metaverse expert Kate Hancock sees the benefits of virtual reality in onboarding and training employees, virtual work, e-commerce, and providing services in the health and medical sector. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Kate Hancock, a business strategist and advisor, to talk about the future of the metaverse in business. Kate shares details about her upcoming conference on blockchain, what attracted her to the metaverse, and how she uses her voice to elevate women.
24:26 10/20/22
[Women of EO] Character, Curiosity, and Confidence
Amy Boone Thompson is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. She has a three-decade career as a fitness professional, wellness advocate, and business owner leader. Amy has held every role from practitioner to presenter to executive, and leads from a place of connection, service, and purposeful impact. Her early experience training women to be the best versions of themselves in body, mind, and spirit set the foundation for an incredible professional trajectory. Amy was named the 2019 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year before she took over as Vice President and later CEO and Owner. She was also a nominee in the San Diego Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business, an award that recognizes dynamic women business leaders who have demonstrated significant contributions to the local economy. She has served on numerous industry committees and currently sits on the California Fitness Alliance Advisory Council. Amy was just appointed as Vice Chair of the World Active Forum to work alongside the World Health Organization in uniting global efforts to promote physical activity. Her husband and children, along with a very supportive extended family, help keep her grounded. In this episode… What does it mean to lead a business with character? How can you gain clarity and create an efficient structure for running your business? For Amy Boone Thompson, leading a business with character means tapping into your curiosity and leading with kindness, respect, and care. Having spent many years as an athlete, she has learned the value of working in a team and showing up with grit. She encourages leaders to be coachable, lead with confidence, and empower others to succeed. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Amy Boone Thompson, the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Amy explains what it means to lead with character, curiosity, and confidence. She also discusses the role athletics play in her life and business and shares her future plans for IDEA Health & Fitness Association.
27:07 10/13/22
When One Door Closes, Open the Next One!
Vicky Heldreich Durand is the Author of the book Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer, which tells the story of her mother, Betty Pembroke Heldreich. Vicky first fell in love with Hawaii at age 12 when she spent a summer with relatives on the island of Moloka’i. Returning home, she talked her mother Betty into a Hawaiian trip the following summer. By the following winter, the adventurous Betty had moved her two young daughters to Honolulu. Vicky spent her teenage years surfing with her mother. They competed in the annual Makaha International Surfing Championships and were invited to Lima, Peru, to promote women's surfing. Looking back at Vicky and Betty's evolving relationship, Betty always told Vicky that every day was an adventure. Never afraid of the difficult challenges ahead, Betty inspired Vicky to take on new challenges and share her mother's story. In this episode… As poet Betty Pembroke Heldreich wrote, "Life is a journey full of changes and surprises." We all face various challenges in life which we have to take on courageously. These challenges make us stronger, build our character, and help prepare us for future success. After moving to Hawaii and becoming a surfer and entrepreneur, Vicky Heldreich Durand learned that the most important thing towards success is to take the first step. She believes that fear is a choice and it is never too late to start doing something new. You have the power to choose courage and follow your dreams. Vicky Heldreich Durand, an entrepreneur and author, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about courageous exploration and creativity. They discuss Vicky's experience moving from the USA to Hawaii, entrepreneurship, and the lessons Vicky learned from her mother.
34:32 10/6/22
It's Never as Scary as You Think
Danielle Johnson is an executive coach, leadership consultant, and the Founder of Cannon Leadership Group. Her work is focused on helping entrepreneurs and high-performing leaders define and achieve what's possible for them. Danielle has spent the past two decades coaching high performers and leading global and regional business organizations across high tech, retail, and finance industries. She has built a reputation with clients for being relationship-centric, intuitive, and masterful at knowing when to push outside of their comfort zones. Danielle received her executive coaching certifications from the Hudson Institute of Coaching and the Coaches Training Institute, and she has a systemic team coaching certification from the Global Team Coaching Institute. In addition, she holds a PCC accreditation from the International Coaching Federation, the most rigorous and respected in the industry. As someone who thrives in personal and professional growth, her ideal day typically starts with a great French press and something that challenges her mind. Often asked what led her to coaching, Danielle will tell you that nothing lights her on fire more than witnessing another person showing up with her whole heart, leading with love, passion, excitement, and purpose to do something they have always dreamed of. In this episode… How often do you give your team feedback? Is your feedback driven by your own insecurities or is it for the benefit of the employee? Having worked with many leaders through one-on-one coaching and group training, Danielle Johnson advises leaders to create an authentic company culture that gives employees the room and tools to grow. Constructive feedback is a great starting point. Employees desire to work in an environment where they feel safe and are given the opportunity to explore their leadership potential. She, therefore, advises leaders to build trust with their team and give praise where it is due. Danielle Johnson, the Founder of Cannon Leadership Group, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about strategies for creating an empowered, motivated, and deeply connected workforce. Danielle discusses her process for working with clients, shares the benefits of giving feedback, and explains what a coaching culture means.
28:09 9/29/22
[The Men Who Support the Women] Talk About the WOW
Rick Gillis is a speaker, author, trainer, and innovator. He has been in the business of employment since 1997 when, as “employee number one,” he was involved with the launch of the first local employment website to serve the greater Houston, Texas market. Due to being first in the field and his sales acumen, Rick accidentally became the go-to local internet job search expert, which led to invitations to speak in the city of Houston and then across the United States while doing media along the way. His book, Leveling the Paying Field, is the sum of his varied and colorful career in sales, as a manager, author, speaker, award-winning media host, and now as an indisputable thought leader and champion of pay parity across gender lines. Rick also created the QTNT process to help workers and their employers identify and assign value to individual performance and accomplishments. In this episode… What is the value of your contribution to a company? How can you measure your achievements? If you have been working at a company for over a year, then you are bringing value to that business. Rick Gillis advises women to talk about their achievements without fear — which is something men do on a regular basis. He also advises people to identify and write down their accomplishments on a daily basis. The same applies if you are in business. Recognize your achievements and price your products based on the value you provide your clients. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Rick Gillis, a speaker, author, trainer, and innovator, to talk about pay parity and how to level the paying field. Rick shares his first encounter with pay parity as a child, the lessons he has learned over the years, and how he has been helping solve pay parity.
33:43 9/22/22
Just Take That Leap!
Ulyanna Chung is the Owner of Chung Insurance Agency Inc. Prior to that, she was a federal law enforcement officer for six years. She worked with the US Customs Service for four years and then as a Federal Air Marshal for two years. During her time in federal law enforcement, she was accepted into the federal leadership program, received two customs commissioners awards, and numerous expert shooter awards. Ulyanna is originally from Southern California and a proud UCLA alumnus. She has been married for over 18 years and is a mother to two teenage boys. She has served on the board of several nonprofit organizations such as the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Las Vegas, and Entrepreneurs' Organization Las Vegas. She has also served as a council member on the Nevada Division of Insurance Commissioners Asian Advisory. Ulyanna has been an insurance agent for over 18 years as a chartered financial consultant. Her agency's mission is to be a difference in the lives of the people and their team, agency, and community. In addition, she's the Author of the book Culture of Agency, which helps insurance agencies achieve success by developing and fostering their unique, dynamic culture. Chung Insurance Agency Inc. continues to provide insurance and financial services in the Las Vegas area. In this episode… Being a leader can be difficult when you have to juggle your professional and personal life. You have to think about your family, business partners, company culture, and mentors. On top of that, you have a lot of responsibility, which could dissuade you from taking risks throughout your career. Ulyanna Chung believes that to be a successful leader, you have to let go of guilt and learn from your failures. Use your past experiences to improve. She also advises women afraid of venturing into the unknown to take the leap, follow their passion, and not get comfortable where they are. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston hosts Ulyanna Chung, the Owner of Chung Insurance Agency, to talk about leadership and culture. Ulyanna shares her experience in federal law enforcement, talks about giving back to the community, and discusses different types of company culture.
26:13 9/15/22
Expect 1,000 No's for Every 1 YES
Lisa Riggs, known as the Sock Queen, is the Founder of Spirit Sox USA, a company focused on making a difference in the world with each pair of customized socks. By collaborating with their customers to design unique socks and incorporating their branding, Lisa has found a niche that allows her to use her background in fundraising, HR, and management. As a mom of two children, she has been involved in fundraisers for a variety of activities and sports. After creating a sock fundraiser for her daughter's school, she realized this success could be replicated in other businesses, and Spirit Sox USA was born. Today, Lisa has helped thousands of businesses with branded socks that can be sold, provided as a corporate gift, or offered as a customer giveaway. While Spirit Sox USA customizes socks, they never lose sight of their mission — to make the world a better place. One way they do this is by donating 5% of all profits towards providing socks for the homeless in America. To date, they've donated thousands of socks to the homeless across the country. Lisa, a lifelong resident of California, has been married for 25 years and has two college-aged children, two dogs, a 30-year-old box turtle, and an active lifestyle. She and her family enjoy spending time at the beach, going hiking, and playing sports. In this episode… Many women working in the corporate world often face challenges that limit their success. To overcome this, some choose to go into business. However, acquiring customers, dealing with competitors, and finding the best strategies to grow a business in the early days can also prove difficult. So what can business owners do to solve these challenges? While starting her own company, Lisa Riggs learned the value of perseverance. She sought advice from other leaders and now advises fellow women not to be afraid of leading like a woman. You have to lead with integrity and authenticity. You also have to set realistic expectations and be ready to embrace rejections. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston hosts Lisa Riggs, the Founder of Spirit Sox USA, to talk about creating value through socks. They also talk about using socks to fundraise and give back to the community, the challenges women working in the corporate world face, and the strategies Lisa used to grow her business.
24:48 9/8/22
Who Can You Serve?
Cathey Kuo is a real estate broker, investor, and entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in commercial real estate leasing and sales, real estate investing, asset management, and 1031 exchanges. As a business owner and investor, she has an innate grasp of the real estate market and entrepreneurship which allows her to be solution-oriented and empathize with all parties in a deal to structure a win-win resolution. Her immense desire to help others fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams and grow their investment portfolios stems from her own family's humble beginnings. As the child of first-generation immigrants, Cathey experienced firsthand the countless goals and opportunities that could be achieved through grit and hard work and strives to empower others to fulfill their dreams. She began her career in real estate working alongside her mother, who has her own successful 30-year track record in the industry as an agent and investor. After high school, Cathey went on to gain her BBA in real estate from Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business in New York City. She began her professional life in New York but moved to Las Vegas in 2014 to expand her career. In this episode… How can you lead with kindness? Is empathy important? What leadership traits do you embody? For Cathey Kuo, leading like a woman means leading with empathy, kindness, and integrity. When you don't know something, admit it — but don't let anyone make you feel inferior. It is also important to be authentic, know who you serve, and provide value to make people’s lives better. Cathey Kuo, a real estate broker, investor, and entrepreneur, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about building a business through grit and determination. Cathey shares her experience in the real estate industry, the limiting beliefs she had to overcome, and how she uses her skills to give back to the community.
27:18 9/1/22