Success Bully

Question of the day. Are you busy or are you impactful? Season 2 Episode 23 of the Success Bully Podcast once again features the amazing Lydia Frank, VP of Content Strategy at Payscale. We discuss one of my favorite topics -- Goal Setting. Lydia offers insights that made me evaluate my goals for the next quarter. You cannot do it all in the next quarter or the next year. It’s important to “Pick the Right Things that Have the Most Impact.”

Season 2 Episode 22 of the Success Bully Podcast is dedicated to all of my career climbers and corporate dragon slayers. I am especially thrilled to welcome Lydia Frank, VP of Content Strategy at Payscale. There were several moments during this conversation that I wish I had access to a time machine so that I could go back and coach my younger self.  Lydia shares her insights on how to “Craft Your Dream Job,” rather than constantly searching for the perfect role. Additionally, we discuss how authenticity is your best negotiation tool.

Season 2 Episode 21 of the Success Bully Podcast has a retro feel. If you have been following along since the dawn of time, you know that I use to do solo episodes focused on tips.  I am bringing back the most electrifying 8 minutes in podcasting for your enjoyment. We are going into the most challenging part of the year. The Summer Slowdown! It impacts female founders, entrepreneurs and career climbers alike.  I encourage you to use the Summer Slowdown to your advantage! S.Y.S… Save Your Summer. I have 4 quick tips to keep you on track.

On Season 2 Episode 20 of the Success Bully Podcast, we welcome back the incredible Fran Dunaway, CEO of TomboyX. She shares her fundraising key learnings as well as a leadership lesson that will stick with me indefinitely. To foster creativity and diverse thought with our teams, we have to be comfortable with “Just Enough Friction to Make Things Great.” Thoughtfully handling conflict, creates brilliant ideas. 

Episode 19 of Season 2 of the Success Bully Podcast features the spectacular Fran Dunaway, CEO & Founder of TomboyX.  Fran shares with us the TomboyX origin story from a kickstarter to a disruptive underwear juggernaut. She reminds us to embrace those “Rainbow Unicorn Moments” in entrepreneurship and life when the right people and resources magically appear to guide you in achieving your big vision.

Ambika Singh, CEO & Co-founder of Armoire, a woman’s guilt free closet, once again joins us for Season 2 Episode 18 of the Success Bully Podcast. In “Entrepreneurship is Such a Team Sport,” Ambika shares with us the importance of building a team outside of your business to support you on the journey. We also touch on the importance of being present when we are distracted as founders and keeping one day a week to yourself.

Get ready to get in your feels. Ambika Singh, CEO & Co-founder of Armoire, a subscription clothing service so #bossladies can have an endless closet for a fraction of the cost and hassle, joins us for Season 2 Episode 17 of the Success Bully Podcast.  In “The Agony & Ecstasy,” Ambika shares with us the addictive nature of entrepreneurship when it comes to the emotional rollercoaster. She also gives us an insider glimpse into the future of machine learning in the world of fashion. 

To build a influential #powertribe, you have to make it a goal to show up! On Season 2 of Episode 16 of the Success Bully Podcast, we have Diane Najm, CEO and Founder of Photopad for Business on the show. She talks  about what it takes to cultivate community as an entrepreneur, putting an end date to those down moments, the importance of coaching and digging deep to build you own business.

Season 2 Episode 15 of the Success Bully Podcast pays tribute to the “F Word.” Not the one that gets me in trouble, but the other one “Failure.” Diane Najm, CEO and Founder of Photopad for Business, an all inclusive design tool and content marketing platform for businesses to help them easily create multi-channel social media posts with a few simple clicks,  joins me to talk about how she recovered from a perceived failure. A hint, it’s by not internalizing it. You have to listen to your customers and pivoted with both style and grace. She also shares her experiences launching an app during the early Facebook day and the adventures of learning to communicate with developers without a technical background.

Episode 14 of the Success Bully Podcast is the first of its kind.  It’s an “Inception” moment where I am podcasting with the amazing hosts of Microsoft’s WIBT (Women in Tech and Business) podcast Sonia Dara and Colleen O’Brien  and I’m a guest on their podcast this week. Prepare yourself. Colleen boldy shares an amazing productivity hack (one of my personal favorite topics), create “The Follow Up Folder” in your inbox to keep up with your current asks.  We also talk about intra-prenuership, the big vision for the WIBT podcast and coziness.

Amplify, Amplify, Amplify!  Season 2 Episode 13 of the Success Bully podcast is all about the action. I’m thrilled to once again welcome Ruchika Tulshyan, author of “The Diversity Advantage,” who is also an award-winning inclusion strategist and keynote speaker to the show. Ruchika gets to the heart of the matter how can we support each other as women and especially women of color.  The simple to use “Amplification Theory” is one way WE can easily support each other.

Season 2 Episode 12 of the Success Bully podcast comes fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. I’m thrilled to welcome Ruchika Tulshyan, author of “The Diversity Advantage,” who is also an award-winning inclusion strategist and keynote speaker to the show. In addition to talking actionable items to change the workplace for ALL women, we talk about a sure fire way to overcome your own imposter syndrome.  Anchor your platform to a personal value statement, so you can confidently say “I am the expert here…” 

Season 2 Episode 11, “Lean Into What You Do Know,” was a wowza moment for me. So often, we hesitate to get started out of the fear of what we don’t know rather than embracing our breadth and depth of experiences. I’m excited to welcome Shauna Swerland, CEO & Founder of Fuel Talent and nationally recognized recruiting expert to the show. She shares how she made peace with her imposter syndrome by leaning on her 2 decades of experience to launch her own recruiting agency which is now one of the fastest growing companies in the state.

In Episode 10 of Season 2 of the Success Bully podcast, we once again harness the power of the interwebs particularly “The Twitters.” Amber Osborne, the CMO of DogHead Simulation and internationally recognized Social Media Influencer who was voted “#2 Most Social CMO” by Forbes encourages us to do a gut check.  In “Do Not Take Every Freakin Opportunity,” we talk about trusting ourselves, examining every opportunity with discernment and the future of virtual reality.  

In Episode 9 of Season 2 of the Success Bully podcast, we harness the power of the interwebs particularly “The Twitters.” Amber Osborne, the CMO of Doghead Simulations and internationally recognized Social Media Influencer who was voted “#2 Most Social CMO” by Forbes shares her fascinating career arch as well as some useful tips to start, amplify and connect on social media as an individual or brand.  

We’re talking sales and growth again with Cassandra Gholston (CEO & Co-Founder) and Autum Grimm (CRO & Co-Founder) of PartnerTap, the new online platform for sale professionals to make  B2B partnerships,  drive growth and get results. In “Missionary to Mercenary,” they share their big vision to grow in their sales cycle from missionaries that educate and then sell the solution to mercenaries with such brand awareness there are endless leads and effortlessly closed deals. Cassandra and Autum also offer tips on how to choose a co-founder (same criteria as your spouse) and how to keep your new normal all in balance.

In Episode 7 of Season 2 of the Success Bully podcast proudly titled “Sales Cures All,” we welcome a truly dynamic duo to the show. Cassandra Gholston (CEO & Co-Founder) and Autum Grimm (CRO & Co-Founder) of PartnerTap. Cassandra and Autum share how their sales career intersected (in Monte Carlo no less),  the importance of collaborative partnership and the a-ha moment that set them on the path to building a scalable B2B tech #startup. They boldly decided the fundraising rules didn’t apply and they focused on selling their platform. With this proven traction, they were able to attract their first investors.

Season 2 -- Episode 6 of the Success Bully Podcast gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.  Excited would be too small a word to describe how I feel about welcoming  Leslie Pierson Founder & CEO of GoodHangUps back to the show.  In “I’m All in on Things,” Leslie shares how she strategically prepared for The Today Show and then Shark Tank including seeking out a non-traditional coach. She also gives us insights on what it means to fully commit to seeing your idea through and how to feel fear and do it anyway.  

For Episode 5 of Season 2 of the Success Bully Podcast, I am beyond thrilled to welcome Leslie Pierson Founder & CEO of GoodHangUps to the show. In “Everyone is Going to Know It Failed,” she shares her inspiration behind launching the brand.  Leslie wanted to model the possibility of failure for her son.  The combination of a brilliant idea, her willingness to brave the possibility of very public failures, pure determination and a bit of strategic serendipity, Leslie has been able to create a successful suite of products. She shares this journey as well as some helpful tidbits to help launch a well-received  kickstarter campaign.  

We are again talking vaginas, menopause and women’s empowerment with Amy Buckalter, CEO & Founder of Pulse. Pulse is the Nespresso of thoughtfully designed personal lubricant dispensers. Take note.  In “You Need a Suitcase of Titanium Seatbelts,” Amy openly shares her experiences with the entrepreneurial roller coaster, raising $7.5M  from angel investors (70% of whom were women) and the next evolution of Pulse.

2018 is already proving to be a powerful year. I’m thrilled to welcome Amy Buckalter, Founder & CEO of Pulse to the show. She has an amazing background as a corporate leader, strategist and serial entrepreneur. We talk about vaginas, a deeply personal inspiration spark (known as menopause), and the perfect intersection of the right product at the right time.  In “Especially…Right Now,” Amy shares her journey in hardware/product development in the fem-tech space as well as the need for women to take care of themselves and their “lady bits”.

Season 2 Episode 2 of the Success Bully podcast features the amazing Jen Mueller. Jen is a professional broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, an Expert Talker, an acclaimed author and founder of Talk Sporty to Me (which  provides communications skill building programs, resources, and on-site training for individuals and businesses to improve conversational performance). She reminds us to approach every Big Goal in :60 increments. We don’t have to take on the sheer size all at one time. Small consistent steps.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Success Bully Podcast! I’m thrilled to welcome Jen Mueller to the show. Jen is a professional broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, an Expert Talker, acclaimed author and founder of Talk Sporty to Me, which  provides communications skill building programs, resources, and on-site training for individuals and businesses to improve conversational performance. Jen gives us a simple tactic to help supercharge everyday interactions to help create visibility at work, build genuine relationship and spark meaningful conversations by using Success Statements.

We are moving through #RememberDecember with momentum, style, determination and grace. Episode 41 of the Success Bully Podcast, features my special guest and spirit animal,  Britt Provost, Senior Vice President, People & Culture at Apptio. In “We’re All Responsible to Open the Door,” Britt offers her own simple definition of sponsorship -- Opening doors for others. We all can open a door for someone else to help move them closer to their goal. Even as small as making an e-introduction. It’s our responsibility.

It’s #RememberDecember take a moment to reflect on the amazing things that happened in 2017. My special guest and spirit animal, Britt Provost, Senior Vice President, People & Culture at Apptio reminds us to “Don’t Over Sorry.” When you have a setback, spectacular failure, challenge or extra human moment, no need to overly apologize. Pick yourself up and get on with it.  In addition to pushing us to bounce back from our less than stellar moments, Britt shares with us some bargaining and negotiation techniques that are easy to execute whether you are building your corporate career or your personal empire.

It’s #RememberDecember! Now is time to take a moment to reflect and regroup for a strong 2018.  Episode 39 of the Success Bully Podcast features Ruby Love, Co-Founder of Swurveys, who is also a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist, board member, mentor and all around treasure. A single title is simply not enough.  In “Some of Those Stones are for Other People, ” Ruby offers her unique approach to goal setting. After you have broken your goal into small stepping stones, take a moment to think are there steps you may be able to skip, sidestep or jump over to accelerate your progress? Let’s get after it! Special thanks to Larj Media for literally everything.

We are wrapping up #NowNovember! I hope in that you are in a state of readiness for a 2018 that your deserve.  Episode 38 of the Success Bully Podcast features Ruby Love, Co-Founder of Swurveys, who is also a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist, board member, mentor and all around treasure. A singular title is simply not enough. In “Take a Chance and Say Yes,” Ruby encourages us all to say yes to new opportunities when it aligns with your state of readiness.  As we gear up for the start of a New Year,  I encourage you to take a chance and say yes. Special thanks to Tina Nole and my family at Larj Media for taking a chance and saying yes to me.

#NowNovember Now is the time to get started on your goals. Now is the time to move forward.  Just because the holiday season is upon us, doesn’t mean that we let up. Once again, I have April Pride founder & CCO of Van Der Pop  North America's most recognized female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand.  April is perfectly aligned with my theme for November.  In “Timing is the Competitive Edge,” April reminds us all that when time is on your side, you must move with momentum.  That time-sensitive movement, may require you to shift your focus and table other projects so that you can grab opportunities.   Special thanks to Tina Nole and my family at Larj Media for always being on time.

It’s #NowNovember and I want to remind you that NOW is the time. Don’t wait to get started on your goals for 2018.  Episode 36 of the Success Bully Podcast features successful serial entrepreneur and changemaker, April Pride Founder & CCO of Van der Pop.  Van der Pop is North America's most recognized female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand. April shares her refined approach to goal setting, “My goal is to crush it.”  As her brand has grown, she has shifted from designing and selling chic products to building a comprehensive educational space that caters to women.  April has redefined the company goals to better align with consumer needs and crushed each step of that journey.

#NowNovember continues!  Now is the time to get started on your goals for 2018.  Episode 35 of the Success Bully Podcast features the awesome Connie Maynard, President of JAG Jeans. “Nobody is Going to Invite You the Party,” Connie shares her philosophy to be a strong intraprenuer, entrepreneur, and individual.  You simply can’t wait for someone to create every opportunity for you. You have to create them for yourself.  

It’s #NowNovember!  Now is the time to get started on your goals for 2018.  Episode 34 of the Success Bully Podcast features the amazing Connie Maynard, President of JAG Jeans.  Connie shared a gem with me so powerful that it is a new lens to evaluate priorities, goals and next steps.  In “I Live by the 3Cs” -- Connie spells it all out Communication, Commitment, and Consistency.  She shares how this mantra is woven throughout her personal and professional life as well as how she thoughtfully sets herself and her team up to achieve big goals.

#NewYearsInOctober has been a blast and time to refocus. Episode 33 of the Success Bully Podcast, “The Quiet Weights We Bear as Entrepreneurs,” is a mini MBA.  Roz Edison COO and Co-founder of Marination, the home of Hawaiian Korean Cuisine at four locations in the greater Seattle area, shares her very realistic and efficient approach to managing email (trust me I implemented them with the utmost haste), the best productivity hack of trust as well as the invaluable leadership lesson to not define oneself by things that happen in your business.   Special thanks to Tina Nole and my family at Larj Media for pushing me to keep going bigger and better each time.

The #NewYearsInOctober momentum keeps rolling along. I am excited to finish and start strong. Roz Edison, COO and Co-founder of the Seattle-based Marination family of restaurants, joins me for some spirited business and life insights. In Episode 32 of the Success Bully Podcast lovingly titled “The Spreadsheets Started Flowing,” Roz (a self-described numbers/operations person) not only shares her wildly interesting backstory, she explains how Marination has used strategic opportunism (that cross sect of opportunity meets preparedness) to get started and build a local food empire. Special thanks to Tina Nole and my family at Larj Media for pushing me to keep going bigger and better each time.

It’s #NewYearsInOctober and we’re officially in the final quarter of the year and I want to push you to get a jump on your 2018 goals. Episode 31 of the Success Bully Podcast features the incomparable Laura Jennings CEO of Knack. In “I Went Big Right Out of the Gate,” Laura shares experience of pitching a well-known, high visibility VC first and her observation immediately after. If you can get the scary one out the way you can do anything.  Laura offers her personal productivity hacks, her ability to seamlessly change hats and ultimately what she hopes Knack will be in 5 years.

We’re officially in the final quarter of the year and I want to push you to get a jump on your 2018 goals. We’re kicking off a new series called #NewYearsInOctober that will feature inspiring guests to get you started. Episode 30 of the Success Bully Podcast features the incomparable Laura Jennings CEO of Knack. In “You Need to Be Brave,” Laura shares her experiences in Microsoft leadership, transitioning to a VC and now being on the other side of the conference room table as a Startup Founder.  One thing is for sure, you have to be brave to get started, to grow and to enlarge your vision.

In Episode 29 of the Success Bully Podcast, my special guest and nerd cosmetics phenom Jaimie Cordero gives incredible insights on leadership. As the CEO and Glitter Jedi of Espionage Cosmetics, Jaimie has clearly defined the difference between being bossy and being a boss.  Leadership is learned and it takes commitment to be worth following. You have to walk the walk and grow daily in leading to help others achieve their goals, to build an inspired team that will execute on the vision, and most importantly create a culture where people will stay and grow with the company.

Episode 28 is a recalibration moment for us all. My featured guest the amazing and relentless Jaimie Cordero CEO and Glitter Jedi of Espionage Cosmetics nudges us all to up level our thinking. In “I Don’t Have Small Dreams Period”, Jaimie has a measured determination when it comes to her vision and commitment to grow her company from her spare room in her house(an FDA approved room) to a mainstream contender in the beauty space. We talk how she got started, embracing one's inner Nerd, and listening and loving your customers along the way.  

Episode 27 features a main character in my own Success Bully origin story. My guest is my personal butt-kicker, friend, co-conspirator and #powetribe member, Megan McNally.  As the founder of the F Bomb Breakfast Club, Founder & Principal Attorney of Doyenne Legal and now the CEO of Rhea Media, Megan encourage us to take a moment to be introspective. We all have our “Big Why” to guide us, but what are we doing to keep ourselves balanced along the way.  In “Every North Star Needs a Keel,” Megan and I talk her personal hacks to rule her time, the definition of personal balance, our shared love for Mondays and Fridays as well as the need to surround yourself with a like minded power tribe.

Episode 26 is truly an inspiring full-circle moment for me. My guest is my personal butt-kicker, friend, co-conspirator and #powetribe member, Megan McNally.  As the founder of the F Bomb Breakfast Club Founder, Principal Attorney of Doyenne Legal and now the CEO of Rhea Media,  Megan declared that 2017 was “My Year to Not Give a F**k.” Meaning she has stopped concerning herself with detractors, naysayers and anyone who doesn't believe in her ability to achieve her Big Hairy Audacious Goals. Megan shares with us her entrepreneurial journey (spoiler alert she’s been at it since her tweens), the inspiration behind F Bomb Breakfast Club and her latest ambitious adventure.

We are wrapping up #ActionAugust! In Episode 25, my guest Rian Buckley CEO and Co-founder of Fitcode, a fashion data company that enhances the denim shopping experience by focusing on fit, not size brings it again. She encourages us all with great fervor to “Grind When No One Is Looking”   Before she became a powerhouse CEO, Rian was an elite athlete at the University of Washington and a fashion model traveling the globe. Both of those experiences taught her to be disciplined, competitive and a wise ruler of her time. She reminds us there is always going to be someone smarter, prettier, stronger and more talented than you. If you can work harder than everyone else, you’ll get the results.  You have to be disciplined and do the work to win.

In Episode 24 of the Success Bully podcast, we get into it for #AugustAction. My phenomenal guest Rian Buckley CEO and co-founder of Fitcode, a fashion data company that enhances the denim shopping experience by focusing on fit, not size, does not mince her words when it comes to what she wants.  While scaling her fashion tech startup and weighing investment options, Rian stated with such steady determination, “I wanted the power.”  And by power she meant… the power to choose.  We talk about what inspired her to create a solution for a clear problem in the e-commerce space and her goal to remain a cash positive company.

On this week’s episode of the Success Bully Podcast, we revisit bonus content from a series featuring two amazing Boss Ladies.  Amy Nelson, Co-founder & CEO of The Riveter and Tina Nole Founder and Executive Producer of Larj Media. As an entrepreneur, I’m often so focused on that journey that I forget to harken back to my corporate days.  In honor of my corporate trailblazers, we’re revisiting thoughts on active leadership mentorship and taking what you learned or what you want to unlearn when building out your own business. Wherever you are with your journey, don’t forget to “Build, Lead, Mentor… Repeat.”

We are excited to continue to move with momentum for #AugustAction! In this episode, we’re tapping into another type of fear.  We often have well thought-out solutions if we fail. What about the other side of the coin?  What happens if you succeed?   I’m thrilled to have Makenzie Davies and Kelsey Dixon, the founders of Davies + Dixon (a bi-coastal digital marketing and brand communication agency) as guests. Kelsey and Makenzie candidly share their shift from the fear to jump to the new found fear of success, defining their co-founder relationship and developing new confidence along the way. 

In this week’s Success Bully podcast, We’re excited to kick off another series. #AugustAction!  This month is all about putting action towards your Big Hairy Audacious Goal. I’m thrilled to have the founders of Davies + Dixon Makenzie Davies and Kelsey Dixon as guests.  Davies+ Dixon is a bi-coastal digital Marketing and brand communication agency. Kelsey challenged us all to view perfection differently... “Perfection is Procrastination.” Kelsey and Makenzie share their coming of age story, making the leap into entrepreneurship, the changing types of fear and most importantly the need to just go for it.

We’re rounding out our #JulyJumpstart series with the phenomenal Sarah Blankinship CEO & Founder of RightSciences. In this episode, Sarah gives a heaping spoonful of truth, “Hope is not a Strategy.” Hope is simply not enough for entrepreneurs, female founders, goal driven individuals, visionaries and badass alike.  It’s all about daily actions that ladder directly into your Big Hairy Audacious Goal.

We’re more than halfway through the #JulyJumpstart series.  I happen to listen to my own podcasts and I will say I keep coming back to this series for a shot in the arm.  In Episode 19 of the Success Bully Podcast, Sarah Blankinship, CEO of Right Science and Co-Founder of CEO Wattage shares a personal mantra that is near and dear to her heart.  She has “A Strong “No A$$hole Rule” when it comes to building an influential network or courting investors. It has worked out brilliantly as she has successfully navigated pivots, bootstrapping, international expansion and disruptive seed round in a highly regulated industry.

The #JulyJumpstart continues with more mic drops from Sarah Blankinship, CEO of Right Science and Co-Founder of CEO Wattage. In Episode 18 of the Success Bully Podcast, we are challenged yet again.  Sarah shares her experiences pitching investors, preparing and winning pitch competitions and her desire for each of us (small business owners, founders, and individuals alike) to choose your 300 words to define the problem, your solution, your total addressable market, how you are going to ship it, scale it and ultimately win.  

It’s never too late to “#StartTheThing.” We’re kicking off a series called the #JulyJumpstart.  While most people would lean into the lazy days of summer, we here at Success Bully encourage you to start on new goals or recommit to your plans in progress. In Episode 17 #StartTheThing of the Success Bully Podcast, we have a special guest. In this series, the amazing Sarah Blankinship, Founder and CEO of RightSciences and Co-Founder of CEO Wattage shares her journey from technologist to unintentional entrepreneur.   Despite challenges and setbacks with raising VC funding, bootstrapping a business and navigating the tumultuous waters of a highly regulated and misunderstood industry, Sarah candidly shares her recipe to keep winning.  In part 1, Sarah speaks directly to those would be entrepreneurs, scalers as well as accepts her own challenge to “#StartTheThing.”  We’re pleased to report she has already completed her challenge.

In this week’s Success Bully podcast, I give you some tips to pull you back from the edge of illogical despair. I’m going to share snippets of actual conversations with real people that I had in the past week. Their names and storylines have been changed to protect their identities (I have always wanted to say that). I’m fairly certain we have all been there… Spinning out of control based on a completely hypothetical scenario that has less than a 1% chance of it actually happening as you have described it. Grab your bullhorn and step in as your own best hostage negotiator with these simple steps to get back on track. Special thanks to Larj Media (larjmedia.com) for giving me a fancy bullhorn.

In Episode 15 of the Success Bully podcast, I would like to nudge you gently out of your warm cave of comfort. Literally, all of the magic, excitement, change, development, and growth lies in your discomfort. I know that sounds a bit squishy and possibly metaphysical, but it’s true. Whether you’re a founder scaling a kickass business, a junior staffer navigating the next phase of your career, an artist sharing your latest work, you are going to have to put yourself out there.  I give you some simple techniques to get you started.     Special thanks to Larj (www.larjmedia.com) Media for pushing me waaaayyyy out of my comfort zone.  

In this week’s Success Bully podcast, we take an honest inventory of our 2017 goals. Now that we are officially at the midway point, where are you with your New Year’s Resolutions?  If you are kicking ass and taking names, I applaud you and I encourage you to dig a little deeper to see if you can blow things out of the water. If you have fallen off that wagon and are currently being dragged by it, let’s look at those forsaken goals. I challenge you to get clear on one damn thing.