Tea with Abbie

Inspired by their heritage, husband and wife team Cecilia and Fede have baked their love of family right into their empanadas at Cocina 54. Their company has grown rapidly in the past 2 years, expanding in grocery stores all over the country. It's in their commitment to quality ingredients and building something from scratch that has made them successful. We talk about how their world blends more than just great flavors, but also family and sharing the joy of a good meal. Tune in for the tea on building a family and a great company!

Sean and Katie are brother and sister, but also co-founders of Habitbetter, and dedicated to helping others find consistent, long term ways to reach their goals. Opposites in routine and habits, these two find synergy in their passion to live their best lives. We talk about what it was like to figure out how to run a business with their big brother/little sister dynamic, training your brain to find joy, finding the message in misfortune, and supporting one another by being vulnerable.

Robert and Will are cousins and the co-founders of 'Bob's Containers', a full-service shipping container company. These two agreed to go into business together before actually having a business idea! But when an opportunity stumbled into their laps, they grabbed it, and never looked back! Pushed by adversity, a stubborn desire to be successful, and a love of working with one another, Bob's Containers is setting the new standard of customer service and integrity in this booming industry. We discuss family history and how it has shaped who they are today as founders, the ways they check in on each other, the ebb and flow of change, and how they resist paralysis to always take the risk!

Sisters-in-law in life and business partners at Posh Palma Styles, these vibrant "Jefa's" are redefining what it means to be a strong, powerful woman. Launching their business right in the middle of the pandemic, Gelsandra and Valerie are fearless when it comes to creating what they want in this life. Their Bobo Caribean fashion boutique out of Miami captures the spirit of their Dominican background and passion for building a community of imperfectly perfect women. We discuss how they dream big together, bring their unique background and expertise to their company to divide and conquer, understand each other's boundaries, and support one another's pursuits of self-expression.

The husband and wife team of Blue Anchor Properties are not the kinds of people to sit and let life pass by. Dalwin and Milena are a dynamic duo who runs a real estate investment company together living by the statement "it's a huge risk if we don't take the leap". Together they have grown their business from a single investment property into a booming business purchasing properties, rehabbing them, flipping, and turning them into rentals. They truly understand the value of turning challenges into growth, allowing each person to bring out the strengths in the other, and the power of a morning routine (especially now they have an almost 1-year-old!) Tune in to learn about investing in real estate, running a business with your spouse, and tips to get started in taking charge of your future!

This kid's first gaming platform is a safer digital destination for kids to watch gaming videos. Gerald wanted his son Jaden to enjoy his love of gaming, but the dangers of Youtube kept him from being able to safely allow him to pursue his passion. Starting a business as a family has brought this vibrant trio closer together and has taught them to appreciate how much knowledge kids have to offer! Gratitude is a big driver in the journey of entrepreneurship for Gerald and Candice who run Tankee together. Tune in to find out how this husband and wife duo navigate running their business, with a special appearance from Jaden "Welzcat" at the end!

Troupe Beauty is not your average beauty brand and marketplace. Their mission goes beyond finding the most incredible indie brands bec ause they believe that in order "to leave a beautiful life" personal wellness and financial wellness are tied together. We sit down with decades-long best friends, beauty enthusiasts, financial champions- Jillian and Chelsea, the Co-Founders of Troupe Beauty to learn about their unique business model, the journey of starting a business with your BFF, and how beauty can mean you get to vote with your dollar!

Blended Sense's Co-Founder + CPO, Georgina Elizondo, and Head of Technology, John Cade Griffin sit down with Abbie to tell the serendipitous story of how they started working as husband + wife duo to build the Blended Sense Creative Intelligence Tech™️ platform.

"We finish up Season 3 of TWA with Michelle Breyer, COO of the CPG Accelerator SKU and Co-Founder of Naturally Curly, a company that paved the way for many of the curly hair products you see on the shelves today! As someone who has walked over two decades of the founder's journey- from an idea at brunch all the way to an acquisition- Michelle knows what it takes to build a successful brand. She has been there as a first-timer navigating fundraising all the way to letting your "baby" go into the hands of new operators. Now at SKU, she witnesses hundreds of brands launch, pivot, rebrand, and try again. Our conversation is insightful into the grit it takes to be successful in CPG, all circling back to the idea that as opportunities come, you must be willing to take the risk. Tune in to hear about the future of CPG in the pandemic and the candid advice Michelle offers up for any entrepreneur to be successful!"

About the Guest: Pronounced like Moana, Paulana is a multimedia journalist and founder of Black People Will Swim ~ a company on a mission to smash the stereotype that Black people don't swim. As a lifeguard and competitive swimmer herself, Paulana started BPWS not just to teach people the lifelong value of knowing how to swim but also about the many pathways the skill can lead to. Paulana is a force of passion and inspiration. At 6 months old, the company is already catching attention from Elle, IFundWomen, and Adidas. About the Episode: We discuss how today's current events are shaping the experience of being an entrepreneur. Tune in to hear about the risks you must be willing to take to "dive into" bringing something to life, the power of paying it forward, and how swimming competitively really teaches you that the real race is with yourself. You can find the Black People Will Swim website here: https://www.blackpeoplewillswim.com/

As the leader of a business that set out to prioritize hiring women of color from the moment of their inception back in 2014, Skill Scout now finds themselves validated and invigorated in a renewed way, as the world shifts its consciousness and Black Lives Matter holds our attention. Skill Scout is a workplace media company to help tell the stories of work on video as a way to attract, hire, or engage talent. The passion Elena brings to her company is nothing short of manifested life purpose- and her intentions to lead with empathy shine through. This episode gets into the ideas of social justice, the importance of empowering and hiring young people, and the advantage of naivete when launching a new product. We discuss the responsibility of taking the weight of a crisis on your shoulders as a leader and making your workforce feel empowered, safe, and confident. All in all, through the challenges, we discuss how being an entrepreneur is a privilege and to creativity is the ultimate gift. Statement Sip: "Growth vs Grace"

This episode featured the multitalented artist and entrepreneur, Robin Beltran, the brains behind The Black Vegan Company. Her business is on a mission to save lives, starting with food. After an intense life event rocked her world (must listen in to hear the catalyst for the lifestyle change that started it all), Robin set out to heal the trauma her family was experiencing through a plant-based diet. After seeing positive results in her family's physical and mental health, she made it her mission to educate the possibility of healing trauma through diet in black and brown communities- a demographic of people hit hard by social and economic traumas. We discuss the power of plants and the need to change the stigma around vegan foods, how to approach the discussion with friends and family, balancing motherhood while running a business, and refusing to have the word "CAN'T" in her vocabulary. Robin is currently serving the Austin community with The Black Vegan Company through a partnership with her not-for-profit, The Morpho Effect, by serving free organic produce every Monday 7am-10am at The Idea School on Palmer. Statement Sip: "If it doesn't feel good, let it go." *queue Elsa played by your host, Abbie*

Last time we sat down with Georgina our CPO and Co-Founder, we had just started the Capital Factory Accelerator and started to build our technology. Now several months later, we come together again to discuss the new beginnings of launching our tech and the process of iteration, pivoting, and validation that it took for us to get here! We go into the challenges and changes as a team from Covid19, the grace of adversity, and coming out the other side stronger. Georgina opens up about her personal journey to find what she is passionate about and how founding a company has been a big journey on what fulfillment vs what is safe and reliable. Statement Sip: "Pivot, Adapt, Iterate"

Passionate about raising bilingual children, Alieen set out to find a way to do it for her own family- and stumbled into a huge area of opportunity! MamaLingua was born from the idea that parents need a better way to engage and learn with their children to teach them Spanish and English during the organic start of language learning. Wanting to reach more parents once their in homegroup sessions started to grow, the founders of MamaLingua set out to create an online business and software that could reach even more families. Beyond the benefits of learning another language- especially Spanish, the third most common language spoken in the world, Aileen and I talk about the value of language breaking down barriers within our own communities, specifically within the U.S. As a first-time founder, we discuss the fears and challenges of launching a new venture and the feeling of not belonging, breaking down small goals to build a business, spending time outside to regroup, the opportunities COVID-19 has brought, and the very exciting launch of MamaLingua's platform in June! Statement Sip: "Raise Bilingual Kids!"

Shifting power dynamics, Bre is on a mission to give women a voice with her online marketplace for women-owned brands called Radicaial Girl Gang. In this episode, Bre and Abigail talk about the journey of the women entrepreneur, going from side hustle to full-time gig, pitching to male dominate audiences, leaning into the data, and never looking back. We get honest about the importance for us as the more privileged demographic of women- to understand our privilege, and how to use it to make sure ALL women have a seat at the table. With the current landscape for business and Covid 19, we discuss the challenges for small business owners and the best ways we can support them: using our dollars to VOTE and build the world around us that we want to live in. Statement Sip: "Bend the Universe"

Eunice is no stranger to risking it all to make it happen! In this episode, we discuss the personal journey of entrepreneurship that led Eunice to the opportunity to join the founding team of Open Teams. She is a powerful force of adaptation, resilience, and utilizing her disadvantages as advantages. As a co-founder, we discuss the journey of raising capital pre and post-pandemic and the validation of that first big check. Eunice highlights the importance of selling the big picture and being as bold as a women entrepreneur, never selling yourself short. Through gratitude and goal setting, Eunice is an inspiring example of taking action to make it happen. Statement Sip: "Live in the now"

Ft. Vi Nguyen CEO and Co-Founder of Homads The first episode recorded from the safety of our homes, Vi and Abigail have a candid conversation as 'business as usual' came to a halt amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Refreshingly optimistic and inclined to see the silver lining, Vi breaks down how her company is adapting to the rapid changes happening around us. Seizing the opportunity to rise to the occasion and be a point of trust, Vi breaks down the power of the pivot in response to a changing consumer. We get into the grit of finding the right people, using your past to fuel your current state and the dynamics of fundraising with vulnerability. Statement Sip: "Know the rules, play the game, then change the rules"

For episode 4 of Tea with Abbie, we invited financial extraordinaire, Kara Perez, to lift the veil on our personal finances. Motivated to share what she learned during her own financial come up, Kara launched 'Bravely Go' to empower women and underserved communities with access to knowledge so they control their lives when it comes to money. Founded in 2017, this founder is determined to educate others on how they can achieve their own financial freedom. In this episode, we go into money myths, how far kind and inclusive honesty can go, turning inward, and making sure Bravely Go is actionable, accessible, and intersectional. A Fierce Financial Feminist, and fellow Massachusetts native, Kara is on a mission with her money bag! Check out her "Financial Feminism Summit" On June 10th and 11th

Daniela DeStefano Pachon is fearless when it comes to running her group travel technology company, Trip Loop. In this episode, we get into what it is like to step out of your comfort zone and into a role that is brand new: an entrepreneur. We share what the experience is like to pitch to a room full of men, communication and problem-solving with your team, and remembering to take a break. Daniela opens up about Imposter Syndrome and how she deals with the little, insecure voice inside her head that says "you can't do it." And find out the truth of what it's like to work with your spouse, as we both have the pleasure of working with ours! Statement sip: "To be Tenacious and Gracious."

When you have a boss babe in your corner, you are winning! This episode features our CEO's bestie and creative visionary, Bex Cleary who owns and operates BEX salon in NY. While visiting her clientele in Austin, she stopped in to sip some tea and dish about how the first year in her brick and mortar is developing! Bex pushes the envelope for what it means to be a stylist, raising the bar on quality, and creating content that supports your dreams. She is a leader in the beauty space for #goinggreen and the convo covers everything from setting boundaries, trial and error, and getting out of your comfort bubble! Statement sip: The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

We kick off season 2 with Rebecca Cole the COO and Co-Founder of HappiFamili! She designed a platform to give parents peace of mind when it comes to figuring out childcare, camps, and programs. It was great to kick off the season with someone who balances motherhood and building a tech startup - one that is facing the politics of working parents head-on. We get into the windy path of entrepreneurship, how to keep going when it gets hard, and to remember that you will end up where you need to be. Statement sip: "Be Where you Are."

Season 1 is ending with a bang! Today we have CEO and Founder of Prowess Project, Ashley Connell! Noticing the lack of female presence in companies, especially after maternal leave, Ashley decided that she would ensure executives had no excuse to not hire women by making a recruiting platform for women so employers can find qualified and impassioned women for their team. In discussing her dreams for her company, she wants to make the hiring space as inclusive as possible by creating more diversity in her own platform. We also discussed the trials of starting a company and the best ways to persevere! Statement Sip: “It's happening.”

In this episode, Jess and I discuss what it is like to create space for women entrepreneurs and how Women at Austin is making sure more women have a seat at a table. We get into what diversity in the workspace looks like, from equal pay, more funding for women businesses, and how a growth mindset and thinking big is essential. Statement Sip: "The Universe cooperates with a made-up mind!"

Episode 10 goes all the way to another time zone! We video chat with Renzo Box founder, Rene Graham, all the way from Shenzen, China (11 pm Rene's time!) We couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to talk to Rene while she was in the thick of founder life, developing her product and raising funding. Coming up on 2 years, Rene shares her trials and tribulations of building a product AND a software, as a woman, in a very man driven industry (surprising right?! The beauty industry is controlled by men!). We chat about what it's like to travel back and forth from Austin to China bringing her concept to life, and what she loves about being a founder. @instagraham.rene www.renzoebox.com Statement Sip: "If they did it. I can do it"

Episode 9 features host Abbie answering questions from our viewers! We cover topics of gender equality, facing investors, and what our 'Ah-haha!' moment was at Blended Sense. "Unanswered questions aren't just threats; they are challenges and catalysts." - Colin Wright

Episode 8 features Founder and CEO of "Established&Co"- Sarah Gardner. Sarah built her collegiate apparel brand and business while still in school, facing the male-dominated space of clothing manufacturing alone. She pioneered her brand through setbacks and rejection, facing the founder's life with grace! We talk about juggling building a business, school, life and everything in between! Statement Sip: "NEVER GIVE UP"

Episode 7 features Blended Sense's very own Georgina Elizondo Griffin! Georgi is Co-Founder and our CPO leading the tech build with our dev team! We talk the tea on what the experience of starting a business together has been like, becoming friends, and facing the many pivots we had to make over the past year! Georgi shares her favorite moments, the challenges she's pushed through, and a few big wins! Statement Sip: "I deserve to be here. I belong. I will not waver"

Episode 6 features Capital Factory's very own Erin Miller @erinthemiller Erin is the Emerging Tech Content Coordinator at CF and a creative herself, running her own company called 'OutThere Productions' Erin and I laugh a lot about the creative journey, finding what brings you joy and keeping it real as a creative professional throughout the challenges. Statement Sip: "You just have to keep building. Level up for you. Level up for someone else" www.otpros.co

Episode 5 features Shayda Torabi of Restart CBD. @restartcbd www.restartcbd.com Restart is a local business started by Shayda and her sister Sydney after years of personally using CBD to treat her injuries from a car accident. The sisters are a powerhouse team both running their own lifestyle brands @spinsyddy and @withshayda and championing a holistic approach to seeking relief from ailments. In this episode, we talk about how Shayda left her 9-5 job to start this company with her family and the many challenges that opening up a store holds! Statement Sip: "See and Be Seen!"

Episode #4 "A Seat at the Table" Featuring Guest, Jill Klinvex This episode features Jill, a Venture Associate at Capital Factory, who we like to refer to as our Fairy Godmother. We tell the story of how we found ourselves in the Accelerator at Capital Factory and Jill flips the mic and fires a few Blended Sense for a little Q&A. Most importantly, we discuss the significance of women rising into leadership roles, getting VC investment, and taking the risks to start the next best companies of tomorrow

"Getting Started" Tea with Abbie Episode 1 ft. Co-Founder Albert Baez We pitched and accepted a spot in the Capital Factory Accelerator this past August, and felt a podcast would be an incredible way to share our journey over this next year accelerating on the 16th floor in downtown ATX. As a first time, women-identifying founder immersed in a new world (Start-ups! Tech! Media! Oh my!), it was important to us that we learn from other founders who are succeeding on the journey too. Sharing all the ups and downs, the good, the rough, and the milestones, we hope Tea with Abbie inspires YOU to set off on your own entrepreneurial venture. Like and subscribe to catch all-new episodes and keep up with ATX startup and local business scenes! Don't forget to follow us on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blendedsense/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blendedsense/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blen...

"What the Heck is a Startup?" We answer questions about certain words and phrases for our audience members (Hi Mom and Dad). In this episode, we dissect the daily in's and out's of the new 'startup' world we three green founders are now in day in and day out. We talk about the idea of happiness as a business model, and what that looks like for us.

"When S*** Hits the Fan are You Still a Fan?" This episode is part Q&A part intimate look at what the process of building Blended Sense is like so far. The overall theme is answering the question- what happens when we try and fail, winding up with results we didn't see?" Like and subscribe to catch all-new episodes and keep up with ATX startup and local business scenes! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blendedsense/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blendedsense/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blen...