Ambitious Women Radio

All I can say is WOW! Denise is an amazing woman and force! She has over 20 years of experience in the food industry with some incredible triumphs. She believes that a strong brand strategy plays a key role in a company’s success, and she has the background and successes to prove it.   Previously, Denise was with Udi’s for 5 years. She took them from a $500K company and accomplished their biggest goal, to be acquired – not to mention, when they were acquired they had a $100 million run rate. Way. To. Go. When Udi’s sold to Boulder Brands, she then transitioned to the GM role over the Udi’s vertical and grew it to over a $250 million dollar business.   Her dynamic background in chemistry has definitely given her an edge. She recommends that women not overlook S(cience)T(echnology)E(ngineering)M(athematics) when choosing their careers, as a math and science background will always serve you. We couldn’t agree more!   During this episode we discuss: Her transition from chemistry, to sales, to marketing & strategy - she has an interesting journey. How startups often follow the money instead of the path (not always the best idea). Her leadership style and what works for her. Being politically correct and how it really doesn’t always serve the greater good in companies. Let’s just get to the point already. How and why she enjoys working for startups. How she got over being shy. The difference of working from a women-owned business vs a large corporation.   I love her last pieces of advice, so listen to the end. There’s a lot to take in from this episode.       Coolhaus is a certified woman-owned business. Coolhaus co-founders Natasha Case and Freya Estreller started baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into “cool houses” in 2008. With mutual backgrounds in the design and real estate fields, they began naming their ice cream sandwiches after architects and architectural movements that inspired them – and eventually decided to take their newfound passion (dubbed “Farchitecture,” or Food + Architecture) to their hometown streets in Los Angeles. So after a few days on Craigslist (and some time convincing their families they weren’t crazy), they found and bought a beat-up old postal van, trekked out to the world-famous Coachella Valley Music Festival in April 2009 to make their debut, and, well…the rest is history. Now, Coolhaus distributes in 6,000+ grocery stores ranging from Whole Foods to Safeway to Publix markets with 30 SKU’s including hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, artisan pints and chocolate-dipped bars. Fans can also visit Coolhaus at its two Southern California-based storefronts in Culver City and Pasadena, or swing by one of the 10 mobile ice cream trucks and carts in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas.  

Katie is a go-getter in every sense of the word! She wears a ton of hats. Not only is she the Brand Manager for Coolhaus, but she’s also a legit pastry chef 3 days a week, on top of it all.   Katie’s day-to-day consists of managing all things consumer facing for the Coolhaus brand. So, what does that mean? It means EVERYTHING you see with the Coolhaus brand name on it, she’s had a hand in – the store front, food trucks, packaging, social media, events, all things marketing, etc. Believe me, it’s a lot! In addition, she’s also the bridge between marketing and wholesale. While juggling the brand image, she’s working to create lasting relationships for Coolhaus. Needless to say, Katie is an ambitious woman with a ton of positive energy.   During this episode we touch on: How she went from being a Coolhaus intern to their Brand Manager. How she’s also working at République, a French café and bakery here in LA, as a pastry chef while also excelling at Coolhaus. Why? Because she loves it! How relationships play a key role in both her success and the success of the company. How she went about applying for jobs (take notes ladies, it’s not the traditional route). How to overcome fear and put yourself out there.    Katie has an enormous amount of drive. She takes initiative, learns everything she can about any given subject and excels. We can’t wait to see what’s up her sleeve next!     Coolhaus is a certified woman-owned business. Coolhaus co-founders Natasha Case and Freya Estreller started baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into “cool houses” in 2008. With mutual backgrounds in the design and real estate fields, they began naming their ice cream sandwiches after architects and architectural movements that inspired them – and eventually decided to take their newfound passion (dubbed “Farchitecture,” or Food + Architecture) to their hometown streets in Los Angeles. So after a few days on Craigslist (and some time convincing their families they weren’t crazy), they found and bought a beat-up old postal van, trekked out to the world-famous Coachella Valley Music Festival in April 2009 to make their debut, and, well…the rest is history. Now, Coolhaus distributes in 6,000+ grocery stores ranging from Whole Foods to Safeway to Publix markets with 30 SKU’s including hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, artisan pints and chocolate-dipped bars. Fans can also visit Coolhaus at its two Southern California-based storefronts in Culver City and Pasadena, or swing by one of the 10 mobile ice cream trucks and carts in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas.  

Jackie has a ton of incredible insight to share! She’s done a little bit of everything, comes from a very diverse career background and has mastered the art of managing people. As the Director of Ops at Coolhaus she oversees the management of their trucks, storefronts and on top of that she handles all of their HR. No small feat!      During this episode we discuss her ambitions and how they’ve shifted throughout the years. She went from pre-law to hospitality and is now working for one of our favorite companies, Coolhaus! She’s living proof that you can change careers without sacrificing your success.   Listen as we discuss: The importance of quality of life. How to deal with and manage people (both customers & employees) – FUN FACT: She actually enjoys going through customer complaints! Situational management How to shift careers The importance of communication and listening   I loved this discussion with Jackie. She’s real, down-to-earth and tells it like it is. We had an interesting conversation about some of her worst experiences in the hospitality industry... dealing with blatant gender bias, ageism and harassment. We also talk about her WORST day at work. A somewhat comical (yet not so comical at the time) experience. You’ll be impressed at how she handled these situations.    Listen to the end, there are some important takeaways throughout this entire episode.       Coolhaus is a certified woman-owned business. Coolhaus co-founders Natasha Case and Freya Estreller started baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into “cool houses” in 2008. With mutual backgrounds in the design and real estate fields, they began naming their ice cream sandwiches after architects and architectural movements that inspired them – and eventually decided to take their newfound passion (dubbed “Farchitecture,” or Food + Architecture) to their hometown streets in Los Angeles. So after a few days on Craigslist (and some time convincing their families they weren’t crazy), they found and bought a beat-up old postal van, trekked out to the world-famous Coachella Valley Music Festival in April 2009 to make their debut, and, well…the rest is history. Now, Coolhaus distributes in 6,000+ grocery stores ranging from Whole Foods to Safeway to Publix markets with 30 SKU’s including hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, artisan pints and chocolate-dipped bars. Fans can also visit Coolhaus at its two Southern California-based storefronts in Culver City and Pasadena, or swing by one of the 10 mobile ice cream trucks and carts in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas.  

Bianca is an expert when it comes to event planning, brand activations and execution – and that says a lot! If you’ve never planned an event, let us tell you – IT’S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS!  And if you have planned an event, you know what we’re talking about.   During this episode we talk about the important role events play for a brand and how many companies overlook this aspect in their marketing plans – a big mistake! We also talk about what it takes to create, plan and execute an event/brand activation. Many people think that hosting or creating an event is easy. Well, we’re here to tell you it’s not QUITE as easy as it seems! There are so many intricacies to executing large brand activations and events and it takes a truly talented and ambitious person to pull it off time and time again. Bianca is so incredibly humble about her success in doing just that!     Listen as we discuss: How events create brand loyalty and love. How something as simple as a brand activation can make a big impact on your customers. The difference between creating events for event venues vs. creating events for brands. The importance of having think skin & being highly organized. Never being too good to get your hands dirty. The pain points and the joys that come from events.   Events are a tough business and often look disguisedly glamourous. Why? Thanks to the highly talented people like Bianca who make it look effortless and perfect. We’re proud to stand alongside of this ambitious woman! We can’t wait to see all of the exciting events she’ll be bringing to the Coolhaus brand in 2019!     Coolhaus is a certified woman-owned business. Coolhaus co-founders Natasha Case and Freya Estreller started baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into “cool houses” in 2008. With mutual backgrounds in the design and real estate fields, they began naming their ice cream sandwiches after architects and architectural movements that inspired them – and eventually decided to take their newfound passion (dubbed “Farchitecture,” or Food + Architecture) to their hometown streets in Los Angeles. So after a few days on Craigslist (and some time convincing their families they weren’t crazy), they found and bought a beat-up old postal van, trekked out to the world-famous Coachella Valley Music Festival in April 2009 to make their debut, and, well…the rest is history. Now, Coolhaus distributes in 6,000+ grocery stores ranging from Whole Foods to Safeway to Publix markets with 30 SKU’s including hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, artisan pints and chocolate-dipped bars. Fans can also visit Coolhaus at its two Southern California-based storefronts in Culver City and Pasadena, or swing by one of the 10 mobile ice cream trucks and carts in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas.        

Rebecca is a highly talented full stack developer. She grew up following in the footsteps of her brother - always building and exploring things which were outside the "norm" for young girls. During this episode we discuss everything from: How young girls are often times not afforded the same type of exploratory fields as young boys - which tends to lead them down a different path (outside of tech). How she gained confidence. How it's crucial to receive positive feedback, especially at a young age. What it's like to work with your spouse. What it's like to work for a startup vs. a large corporation as a developer. Rebecca has numerous talents. While working for Heartbeat, she also develops beautiful apps on the side with her husband. She's ambitious, creative and can build anything from end-to-end - A RARE & AMAZING TALENT!  Heartbeat is social marketing technology that helps brands build communities of eager brand loyalists, activating everyday consumers to create trackable influencer-style marketing campaigns, answer survey questions, and engage with brand content.  

Paige is a vibrant, ambitious woman who is getting ready to take this world by storm. While she majored in Nutrition & Dietetics from NYU, she took a sharp left turn into Digital Marketing and isn't looking back. She's only been at Heartbeat for 5 months, but she's already making a major impact!  Listen as we discuss a variety of topics, such as:  What it’s like working for a startup - everything from the camaraderie, fast-paced work environment, to the amazing learning experience. How sharing your voice is vital.  How internships helped her gain confidence and experience. Knowing your worth - how to unapologetically appreciate what you’re good at. How finding the right mentor makes a big difference in you career & how keeping mentors in your life is important.  Paige may be young in years, but she's wise beyond measure. She's such a pleasure to talk with! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. I can't wait to see what Paige's future holds!    Heartbeat is social marketing technology that helps brands build communities of eager brand loyalists, activating everyday consumers to create trackable influencer-style marketing campaigns, answer survey questions, and engage with brand content.        

Kate is the Co-Founder and COO at an early stage startup, Heartbeat. With 24 employees, Heartbeat is changing the way “influence” is viewed and used. Listen as we talk about the everyday influencer and how an endorsement from a friend is SO MUCH more valuable than celebrity endorsements!   Kate is the real deal – ambitious, authentic, intelligent and kind. As the COO she’s working as the functioning CFO, overseeing all marketing and communications, sales and Heartbeat's product roadmap. Needless to say, she’s leading by example and juggling numerous roles.  A true COO!   During this episode we talk not only about her startup, but also about her journey. Her dynamic background is one you’ll want to hear. We dive into everything from:     The difference between working for a startup vs. working for F500/1000s. How choosing a co-founder is just as importance as who you marry. How fundraising changes from year-to-year. What it’s like working in the Boy’s Club. Her journey in the corporate world - how gender bias and sexism was the norm. The importance of empathy and how it makes for an effective leader.   We cover so much ground in this raw discussion. Nothing was off the table so don’t miss this episode!   Heartbeat is social marketing technology that helps brands build communities of eager brand loyalists, activating everyday consumers to create trackable influencer-style marketing campaigns, answer survey questions, and engage with brand content.  

Jackie is a true joy! She’s highly intelligent, ambitious and incredibly affable. During this episode we discuss her journey working for startups and how she’s creating and defining an open, inclusive company culture at Heartbeat. She does everything from internal organization, process implementation, management systems, assisting both the CEO and COO, content management, communication and PR – she’s wearing a ton of different hats and doing it impeccably.   It’s safe to say that Jackie is wise beyond her years. She’s an ambitious woman who’s successfully climbing the ladder in an authentic way. She’s learned the importance of being selfish in her career, while also being kind – a KEY component to anyone’s success!   There’s so much to take away from this discussion. We talk about everything from:   The benefits and struggles of working at a startup. Why it’s important to be selfish when it comes to your career. How to define and create a company culture. How mentors play a key role in your success. How to articulate your worth. Sexism & ageism issues. Knowing when to leave a company in order to accelerate your career.   Don’t miss a beat from this episode – it’s packed with tangible advice that every woman should know!   Heartbeat is social marketing technology that helps brands build communities of eager brand loyalists, activating everyday consumers to create trackable influencer-style marketing campaigns, answer survey questions, and engage with brand content.  

Mary Stuart Deibel is the woman you want to know! She’s a strong, motivated, ambitious woman who’s also incredibly kind and genuine. She’s making enormous strides in her career by building authentic relationships both internally and externally and has found the key to her success lies in cultivating those relationships.   Additionally, Mary Stuart has created a powerhouse team in an extremely competitive industry - and they're making major strides. During this episode we discuss her transition from working in the corporate, media & entertainment industry to life at a startup. We talk about how taking the leap into the startup world has become part of her success story.   There’s so much to learn from this Ambitious Woman. We cover everything from, the importance of building true, authentic relationships to understanding your worth.   Her rise into leadership is one you’ll want to hear. We touch on so many important topics, such as: The importance of passion in the workplace. Setting boundaries in order to maintain a work/life balance. Radical candor and the importance of being open and honest with your team (even when it's uncomfortable). How to value people's time, including your own. How to effectively network. Why staying positive is essential to success.   This is a great episode! You’ll want to listen all the way to the end, as she shares some essential takeaways you need to know!   Heartbeat is social marketing technology that helps brands build communities of eager brand loyalists, activating everyday consumers to create trackable influencer-style marketing campaigns, answer survey questions, and engage with brand content.          

This is a live podcast recording from our "Women Who Lead" panel event on November 15th at City Market Social House in Downtown Los Angeles, in collaboration with Women About Town. During this episode, listen as we talk with our inspiring panel of female leaders Our guests/speakers include:    Hagar Elaziz, Founder of La Fleur Bouquets Maureen Bharoocha, Segment Director for ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live (the only female producer) Sara Sedlecek, Private Investor & Developer at 1334 Partners Lauren Weber, Executive Producer of MTV's The Hills (reboot)  Stacey Bean, Founder of Ambitious Women - moderator   This is an exceptional episode. These women are leading by example and dominating in their industry. Learn what it means to truly be a leader, in every sense of the word. These ladies aren't bossy - they're the boss and they mean business. How they knew when it was time to start their companies   Don't miss a moment of this discussion. Even the final questions from our audience were so informative - you won't want to miss it!       

Dina is a true light in this world! Her openness and drive are an inspiration to us all. She started Feel Good Salsa with a mission – to make this world a better place and to do good – and she’s doing just that!   Dina has such an inspirational story. She was born in Mexico, lived in the slums of Tijuana with no running water and living out of the back of her parent’s pickup truck. She and her family came to America as illegal immigrants with quit literally, nothing. She’s since become a legal citizen, worked hard to earn her Master’s Degree in Professional Development, M.P.S. and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, B.C.B.A. After spending 20 years, and being at the top of her field, working with special needs families (both adults and children) she shifted gears and began trying to make an impact in a different way – with FEEL GOOD SALSA.   While she started cooking at age 12, she didn’t know anything about the salsa business. She’s self-taught and growing at a rapid & impressive pace! One year after starting Feel Good Salsa, she’s now opening her own shared-use kitchen. Not just any kitchen, but a kitchen that acts as an incubator with a core value set on sustainability and community.   During this episode we talk about Dina’s journey and everything from:   The true ups and downs of entrepreneurship and what it looks/feels like on a day-to-day basis. How to push through fear. How we can all change our carbon footprint by making small adjustments to make a big impact. How to force accountability on yourself. The importance of paying it forward. How to be kind to yourself.   Dina pours her heart and soul into her business, and it shows. While failure happens with every entrepreneur, quitting is not an option (and there’s a big difference between failure and quitting). We’re proud to stand alongside of this Ambitious Woman.   Fun Fact: Salsa is outpacing ketchup in the condiment market – who knew?!  

Krystal is one of my favorite people to talk with. She’s kind, down-to-earth and does not hold back! This conversation went deep and we covered so many important topics during this episode.   Krystal manages marketing & PR for one of the largest media and entertainment companies, but it took her a long time to find her stride. She went from being a very prominent attorney and pivoted into digital marketing. She’s now the Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications at Fullscreen, but did MANY things in-between to find her sweet spot. And even still, this may not be where she ends up.   It’s a common theme among so many of us… the big question “What do you want to do? or “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most people struggle with this but often hate to admit it. Very few people truly find their passion, at least not right away. During this episode we discuss Krystal’s journey to find what she loves, plus we dive into so much more:   How to manage a career crisis. How hiring a career coach can help when you're looking for direction. Finding confidence in who you are. Learning to take comfort in the fact that you don’t have to know EXACTLY what you want to do right away. How to pivot in your career path. How women without children struggle with boundaries & taking time off within the workforce. Overcoming ageism compounded with being a woman. Advocating for yourself – “Nobody is going to fight for you like you will for yourself.” How to go about find a mentor. AND LASTLY, but maybe MOST importantly we talk through some extremely important not-so-commonsense life lessons (so listen all the way through).   Fun Fact: Krystal is an award-winning food & travel blogger for 2 consecutive years (2017 & 2018). Check out her blog here: https://tasteofadventure.net/ … and I’m pretty sure she’s slightly obsessed with Oprah.   This is such a fun, informative and very real episode. Don’t miss a moment!

Mahzad is a true pleasure to be around and is the epitome of an Ambitious Woman. Coming from a traditional film and television background, she had to learn all about the digital and brand space when coming into Fullscreen – including all the new mediums which have come into play over the past decade. She’s quickly risen up the ranks, and for good reason. She’s all about working hard and building relationships!  During this episode we talk about so many important topics, such as:   How working hard will always get you where you want to go! How building strong relationships are the backbone to everything and the most important thing you need to do to elevate your career. How to be proactive when no one is teaching you. Dating, while trying to balance a career. How to stop worrying about trying to make everyone else happy.    Mahzad has a dynamic background, starting out in the trenches of media & entertainment. She’s gained an enormous amount of insight and grown leaps and bounds. I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did from this amazing, ambitious woman!  

Malika is true leader in every sense of the word! She’s motivating, inspiring, incredibly knowledgeable and leads with her whole heart. She has a strong handle on what it means to create a high-functioning, cohesive team that empowers and encourages one another in a meaningful way. From starting out in the trenches of Hollywood, to coaching C-Level executives at one of the largest media and entertainment companies, Malika’s a powerhouse of knowledge. She’s gone through numerous acquisitions within large organizations and created successful paths for them to grow and thrive in a healthy way. With each acquisition comes a myriad of challenges: How do you create and/or maintain a healthy company culture when bringing in a new company and new team members? How do you merge those different dynamics? How do you make everyone feel included and part of the team? How do you create simplicity out of chaos? (There’s a way!)   She’s created, from the ground up, mentorship programs, internal women’s communities, coaching and top to bottom programs which bring out the best in everyone! She’s all about inclusion, community, encouragement and communication.. the keys to success.   We cover so many important topics during this episode: The importance of healthy conflict Removing barriers between divisions Honest & open communication Building trust How to find people to invest in you – finding champions! How to effectively find informal mentors    One of my personal favorites from this episode is Malika’s take on soft skills. Soft skills are not soft, there is a power and strength behind emotional intelligence. Listen to the end, there’s so much in this episode you won’t want to miss a moment!  

Ronit has spent the majority of her career in media & entertainment. She's now one of the few executive level women at Fullscreen and she's paving the way for other women to level up.  Ronit holds a wealth of knowledge. She's worked with some of the most influential people in the industry and has so much to share. During this episode we talk about a variety of important topics, such as:  How the media & entertainment climate has changed since the #metoo movement The importance of finding female mentors  Opportunity costs - motherhood vs. career and how you can't always have it all at the same time The importance of being an ambitious female figure to her children Learning how to advocate for herself  Managing Up We also discuss some of her biggest challenges, what she's learned during her media & entertainment tenure and some of her most valuable life lessons. You'll want to listen all the way to the end. Some of the advice she'd give her 20-year-old self will resonate with everyone! 

This is a live podcast recording from our "Founded by Females" panel event on September 13th at Bloomingdale's at Beverly Center in Beverly Hills, CA. During this episode, listen as we talk with our inspiring panel of female founders! Our guests/speakers include:  Natasha Case, Founder of Coolhaus Ice Cream Gigi Goldman, Founder of Kopari Beauty Maile Pacheco, Founder of BeGlammed Kara Weber, Founder of Brilliant Ventures (Female Founded VC Firm)  Stacey Bean, Founder of Ambitious Women - moderator This is a highly informative episode. We dive into all the GOOD STUFF with these Founders, like... How they knew when it was time to start their companies When to go after funding What it's like to be a female going after VC and dealing with gender bias The importance of having a strong network surrounding you The everyday struggles they all face in their successful businesses, even still today How female founders lead differently than male founders How to NOT GIVE UP on your dreams and push through, even when times get tough! Nothing was off limits with these women! This was a fun, raw and informative discussion. Don't miss a single minute - seriously, even the final questions from our audience were so on target!

From the mail room at a talent agency to Industry Manager for Entertainment at Facebook, Alexa Levin is truly an Ambitious Woman, paving her own path. Alexa has worked for some of the world’s largest, most prolific companies – OMD (Omnicom), Microsoft, Google and now Facebook. We dive deep into her life and journey. During this episode we talk about everything from how to avoid becoming stagnant in your career, what it’s like to be laid off, to being a working mother. We don’t hold back! Alexa is a risk taker in the sense that she’s made her way, quite successfully, in the entertainment industry but has never been averse to trying something new. She’s made tough choices (even dabbling as an entrepreneur) while always keeping in mind one common, core question – Will I regret NOT doing this? Listen as we discuss some tough topics: How to overcome losing a job What it’s like working for companies during these interesting times of brand safety issues How to deal with the guilt of being a working mother and balancing your career and family How to manage and set realistic expectations Alexa is such a well-rounded, gracious and ambitious woman! I truly enjoyed every moment of this conversation – she has so much insight to share! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. 

Rachel Payne is one of the most talented, ambitious women I know. I truly admire what she's done not only in her career, but what she's done for women's rights and how she's been a true leader for change.  Her experience is second to none! She's done it all. Rachel's a pioneer and has always been on the forefront of technology throughout her career, never shying away from a challenge. She was on the ground floor of Netscape (stay with me here if you're a bit younger), Hotwire, Google.org (P.S. Sheryl Sandberg was the one who hired her), while also founding, funding and selling her own companies. She's gone through numerous acquisitions, raised funds and gone through every situation you can possibly imagine throughout her tenure as a career woman. During this episode we talk about: Technology in Media and AI, how it’s being used ineffectively and ultimately affecting on our younger generation’s self-esteem and self-worth Her life in politics – systemic problems with monetary involvement and how our rights as women are being eroded What it’s like to be a female founder and create a healthy company culture with a strong core value set How women are held to an unfair disadvantage in their careers – more specifically when raising capital Outside of her corporate tech career, Rachel is truly an advocate with a heart of gold. She ran for Congress in 2017 in order to try to shift our society into a positive direction. She has more insight than I can possibly construct in a single synopsis. Listen to this entire episode – it’s absolutely worth every moment!  

Ever feel like you're not on the right career path? Like something is missing in your life? In this episode we talk with Stacy Parker, the woman behind Stacy's Cookie Lounge - an emerging bakery in Los Angeles. Stacy has literally paved her own path, pushing aside societal norms and comforts to chase after her dreams... and she's done it beautifully!   She's created a brand that's sought after by some of LA's largest corporations and celebrities with clients such as Google, Paramount, Bliss, NBC, Prada and so many more.    Stacy had a highly successful career in construction but never quite felt fulfilled. She was always looking for a creative outlet, exploring multiple paths to fill that void. Listen as we talk about her journey into how she finally found her dream and founded Stacy's Cookie Lounge.    Fun Fact: Stacy wasn't a baker prior to starting her cookie lounge, yet she's created some of the best cookies in LA without doing ANY marketing!   

“The Women of Google” – Part 4 of 4 Ever wonder what it’s like to go through the interview process while pregnant? Even more nerve wracking, what it’s like to go through that process while interviewing with Google?! Find out how it’s done with this fabulous woman, Yelena! During this episode we talk about how we, as women, don’t have to choose between family and career. We discuss the guilt we feel when dealing with the family/career decision and how to overcome it. We dive into what it’s like raising a little girl in today’s environment to be a strong, independent woman by being a strong career-minded mother. Yelena talks about how it’s important to introduce her daughter to not just the stereotypical “girly” things, but to introduce her to tech! Yelena has an interesting background. She came from a corporate finance career but has now made her way into her passion, marrying tech, media & entertainment together. She’s a wonderfully talented young woman with the world ahead of her. We can’t wait to see what’s next. Fun fact, her mother changed Yelena’s name when moving to the US from Russia to Helen. But Yelena wasn’t having it, so she changed it back and stayed true to her roots. We love that, and everything else about this ambitious woman!

"The Women of Google" - Part 3 of 4 Tracey Gebhard is a powerhouse, while also being incredibly down-to-earth – a rare combination. She has a diverse background working in advertising agencies as well as within the entertainment sphere. We go in depth about her shift from agency life to her career at Google. We discuss the struggles of life on the other side of the client and even jump into some of our personal #metoo moments. We touch on what it's like to be a female in the workforce, what it’s like to deal with impossible clients and how to come out in one piece on the other side. Tracey has a wealth of knowledge, shares great advice and is an overall joy to talk with! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!

"The Women of Google Series" - Part 2 of 4  What's it like being a newbie at one of the largest companies in the world? We explore the emotions and excitement with Jeanne, a 2-month Googler, during this episode.  Jeanne has an interesting background in Economic History and International/Global Media Marketing and started her career at Fox Films/TV. We discuss how she's transitioned from feeling like just a small part of a large piece of a team in her previous career, into being an integral part of the team for one of Google's most profitable divisions. We talk about pushing through discomfort in order to break down barriers, open doors and be successful; how she's consistently overcoming imposter syndrome and what it's like to work with a female dominated team.  Jeanne is truly an ambitious woman with so much potential to dominate her space! This is an episode for every woman. While young in her career, she's wise beyond measure.   

 "The Women of Google Series" - Part 1 of 4 This is an episode you don't want to miss!! I cannot say enough amazing things about this woman - Angie Barrick! She's the Head of Industry for Media & Entertainment at Google.  Angie's a true leader in every sense of the word. She's ambitious while also being incredibly thoughtful and kind. During this episode we talk about everything from how she was brought up to be nothing more than a secretary and caretaker, but has risen through the ranks to lead one of the top teams at Google. She's paved her own path, gone through various careers and landed in one of the most sought after roles in the country. All while being a wife, mother and just overall beautiful person!  We talk about the challenges we face as women, gender equality as a whole, how the #metoo movement still has a WAYS to go and SO. MUCH. MORE.  Angie shares valuable insights on how to curate your career, how to be thoughtful in your tactics, and how she continues to pay it forward to other women trying to make their way in the corporate world. She's truly authentic and I'm so grateful to not only call her a friend, but to also share this time with all of you! 

Such a fun and informative conversation with health, wellness & fitness guru, Amanda Meixner! She makes eating healthy and meal prepping look both fun & easy!   You might know her from Instagram as @meowmeix. With over 800K followers, she's quickly become a well-known influencer in the space. Formerly she ran Beachbody's Social Media, appearing in videos with Tony Horton (P90X), Autumn Calabrese (21 Day Fix) and more! She's now the Director of Meal Plan Content & Influencer Success for the Meal Plan App.   Amanda's a true joy to be around, she's ambitious while also being incredibly gracious and humble... and even better, she's refreshingly accepting! She believes in a true NO JUDGEMENT ZONE! Listen as we talk about her journey of battling an eating disorder, working in the digital/tech space and moving into a completely healthy lifestyle. We talk about everything from how she manages social media, my bad (and somewhat unhealthy) obsession with chips & salsa, to how to eat healthy while balancing your work, social & home life. Tune in as she shares quick tips and tricks on how to eat better (and sometimes even eat more) while on the go!  Amanda's Website: http://meowmeix.com/ Amanda's Exciting New eBook "101 Healthy Snacks": http://www.101healthysnacks.com/optin-21636368 Amanda's Instagram: @meowmeix

Maile Pacheco is literally changing the face of the beauty industry as the Founder of beGlammed, the leading on-demand beauty service that delivers professional hairstylists and makeup artists straight to your door. If you haven't tried it - check it out, it's truly amazing! This is such a great episode! We go in depth about her personal story behind the building of her business, what it's like to be a female founder all while battling Crohn's disease!  We talk tech, what's it's like to raise venture capital in a male dominated world and so much more! You don't want to miss this episode!!  beGlammed: https://www.beglammed.com/    

You probably already know her... OLGA KAY, online celebrity, influencer and the Founder of Moosh Walks, a premium clothing brand for girls. Olga is a fun, gracious, outgoing woman with a true entrepreneurial spirit. Listen as we dive deep into her past, learn about her real story and how she's always been one to entertain, create and bring joy into this world.  Prior to launching Moosh Walks, Olga Kay was one of the pioneers on YouTube. With over 1.3M+ followers across her social media networks and over 160M+ view on her content. She's a true creator in every sense of the word.  FUN FACT: She was a circus performer in her teen years. That's right! We talk all about that and SO MUCH MORE in this episode of Ambitious Women.