The Make and Create Podcast

I'm your host Jen Veguilla- Lezan and I am back this week with an interview featuring Aditi Shekar – the founder behind finance tech start up – Zeta. Aditi is truly an international woman who has lived all over the world growing up as her mother worked for the UN. While it may come as a surprise – moving to the US for college at NC Chapel Hill it was a culture shock. Her mother left her with one piece of important advice as she left her for her freshman year – she told her Aditi, you can't get a credit card! While it may seem odd, she realized she didn't know much about credit and while her and her mother had discussed money, sheb didn't really have a good concept of things like credit. Living on her own, though, gave her a crash course on the concepts of finance, budgeting and eventually investing and she became obsessed. After spending years working with young professionals, she was surprised at the lack of financial support they had access to. Moreover, she was frustrated by her own experience in trying to merge her finances with her significant other. To solve both these problems, Aditi launched Zeta. throughout the episode we talk about her journey from working at a start up to launching her own. She shares a candid recap of the journey, the realities of funding and building out a company from concept to final product. We get into the details of Zeta, how it helps people manage their finance, the concepts of social entrepreneurship and what her goals are for the coming years. If you are someone interested in tech startups or finance or just want some good insider information on how you can manage your own financials, then this is the episode for you. If you like what I am doing and want to support, take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast. Any pledge amount can help me with the admin side to keep creating the content on this show. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome back to Make + Create – the podcast dedicated to empowerment in the creative and business space. For this last season, I've been focusing on women who are doing things differently and aren't afraid to take risks. Women who are unabashedly themselves, and who are open to sharing the good, bad and ugly parts of running their own business. This episode I speak with Susan Griffin-Black – the CEO of EO Products. If you are someone who cares about what is in your home and bath products, then you've likely used EO. If you like what I am doing and want to support, take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast. Any pledge amount can help me with the admin side to keep creating the content on this show. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

This week is a continuation of exploring careers and journeys that are outside of the norm and that have a spiritual vibe to them. This week, I talk with the conjure queen herself. She's made quite the name for herself on Youtube with her channel dedicated to sharing and teaching the mysteries of the occult and helping her viewers to elevate their minds. Conjure Queen is a Spiritual Adviser, Motivational Speaker, Teacher, Holistic Healer, and Mentor. Viewers tune into her channel to develop their spiritual consciousness, get an eye opening perspective on latest trending news, and to hear the inspirational gems that the queen drops. If you like what I am doing and want to support, take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast. Any pledge amount can help me with the admin side to keep creating the content on this show. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

I'm your host Jen Veguilla- Lezan and I am back this week an interview featuring a local Chicagoan who has truly shown that you can make a career work for you, wherever you are if you have the passion and drive to pursue it. I interview Xochil Herrera Scheer about her journey in the Fashion industry here in Chicago. She provides professional pattern making and fashion design services to businesses and individuals in the Chicago area, and remotely to clients throughout the US. Xochil's journey highlights how small indie manufacturers and production focused companies are helping change industry norms. If you like what I am doing and want to support, take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast. Any pledge amount can help me with the admin side to keep creating the content on this show. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

I am back this week with a fun, interesting and different interview. I had the opportunity to talk with Claire Gallagher – the Body Astrologer. If you haven't heard of Claire, I'm surprised, but you will be in for a treat. As many of you who have followed along – you know I have a penchant for all things mystical, magical and cosmos related – I'm a latina woman who comes from healer ancestors and I am still working to find my own healing path. I am a firm believer in energy work and I think Astrology is an incredibly under rated and under utilized tool and so does Claire! So, it was such a fun opportunity to learn about how she uses it in her business and get a better insight about how she applies it to her daily life. On top of all of that I am inspired by women entrepreneurs who are doing things on their own terms and not letting societal norms get in the way of their success. If you like what I am doing and want to support, visit: patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome back to Make + Create. I'm your host Jen Veguilla- Lezan and I am back this week with another insightful and inspiring interview. I spoke with Tyzza Macias a few months back about her journey launching her indie cosmetics brand: Factory Glam alongside her cofounders Eva and Natasha. Tyzza's career as a beauty professional and entrepreneur began after graduating cosmetology beauty school in 2007. She continued her beauty career as a makeup artist, brand ambassador, product educator and developer for the beauty industry. After years of working with corporate brands, she knew she was meant to do something even bigger. Her experiences provided her with the knowledge to create something on her own with a team and the mission to share the excitement regarding Factory Glam beauty products and her company and brand culture. If you like what I am doing and want to support, take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at http://www.patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

For this recent episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Agathe - the founder of Red Velvet NYC. Red Velvet is a company that creates dessert kits that make baking gourmet desserts foolproof. The brand launched in 2015 delivering kits with everything needed to bake cakes, tarts, cupcakes and more right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Agathe shares her journey on how she bootstrapped the company and grew it to now expand into shelf-stable kits sold at gourmet markets and further develop the online side of the business. She's working to not only make an impact on the business world, but the brand also believes that giving back is an important part of the value they bring to the world through charities such as Bright Pink, a nonprofit, working to save womens lives from breats and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age. If you want to support the podcast - check out: https://www.patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello Listeners! Welcome back to Make + Create. I'm your host Jen Veguilla- Lezan and this week I had the opportunity to talk with the duo behind Store - Revolving Curation. It's the latest indie shop concept in Chicago and the brand showcases how fashion forward vintage and thrift clothing can be and why it's becoming so important in the fight against the world of fast fashion that continues to leave a negative impact on our environment. I hope you are enjoying the show and if you feel so inclined, take some time to subscribe to us on iTunes, AnchorFM via your RSS feed or any podcast listener you utilize. You can find a new episode live every other Friday! If you like what I am doing and would like to support, please take a moment to check out the show's patreon page at patreon.com/makeandcreatepodcast . Any pledge amount can help me with the admin side to keep creating the content on this show and there are some great perks that go with each level. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello Listeners - Welcome back to Make + Create! The podcast that introduces you to individuals pursuing the path less traveled when it comes to creative pursuits, careers and life. This space houses inspiration to keep you motivated and will hopefully empower you while on your own journey! I'm your host Jen Veguilla-Lezan and this week I had the opportunity to talk with the Kritikka – the founder of Soothi – a line of beautifully curated, socially conscious journals for the art of work. At Soothi, journals aren't just where they work, but also why they work. Krittika launched the brand after she found her that journey in the corporate world was unfulfilling and not leading her in the direction she wanted to take her life. While she credits her experience in the traditional 9-5 world with helping her build the skills necessary to run her business, she didn't find her calling in a corporate job. Krittika shares some great insights on her journey of creative entrepreneurship this week. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello listeners! Welcome back to Make + Create. The podcast that introduces you to individuals pursuing the path less traveled when it comes to creative pursuits, careers and life. This space houses inspiration to keep you motivated and will hopefully empower you while on your own journey! I'm your host Jen Lezan and this week I had the opportunity to talk with the founder of Beauty Lynk – Rica Elysee- Beautylynk is the latest in on demand mobile beauty services that cater to a diverse population including people of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities. Rica is legit taking the beauty industry by the horns and shaking things up. I talked with Rica about her journey leading into launching Beauty Lynk and what she is doing to innovate within the industry. She highlights that although adding a tech aspect through her app, her innovations go much deeper – focusing on ways to help the beauty industry offer services for people of all backgrounds, cultures and specifically abilities. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey there Halfstackers! Happy tuesday to all of you - Jen Lezan here, Editor-in-chief of Halfstack and I am so excited to share with you our latest endeavor! Halfstack Highlights is a new edition to the Halfstack repertoire. We will be showcasing some of our best interviews in podcast/blogcast form - you'll also get to put a voice to many of the writers you read every day! First up is my --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! Jenny here – I am really excited to bring this newest episode of Halfstack Highlights to you all. In this most recent interview, I speak with the founders of Driftseed.org and the masterminds behind an amazing documentary called: Little Stones. Meena Singh and Sophia Kruz are seriously two badass and inspiring women creating change and inspiring women worldwide through their story --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Women have had a long and arduous battle for rights and equality. Whether it be the right to have their voices heard in a vote or the ability to make an impact in the workforce, women have made it a point to establish they are a force to be reckoned with. In today's day and age, the idea of a single income household has become a distant memory. In most household's both individuals tend to be in --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome to Halfstack Highlights. This is Jen Lezan Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of the Halfstack Highlights Podcast. This week I speak with Kaben Clauson the founder of the Chicago based startup behind the Anonymous Opinions app – which can be found in the app store under AOP. The AOP app is all about sharing your thoughts and opinions anonymously. The --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello listeners! Jen Lezan here and I am the host of the Make and Create Podcast. You may remember me from the Halfstack Highlights podcast and from my past work at Halfstack Magazine. As you may have heard the team and I retired the brand early this month after 6 amazing years. It can be a daunting thing stopping something that you've put so much of your creative life force into, but I am a --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Like most creatives, Kiirstin Marilyn has had her ups and downs.  It is how the Brooklyn-based songwriter/musician/actress responds to life's obstacles that makes her special.  Kiirstin demonstrates the grit and persistence that a creative needs if she plans to succeed pursuing her dream. Kiirstin was excited to be signed to a small independent record label for the release of her EP, --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone! Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights!! This is Jen Lezan, welcome back to all of you who have subscribed to the series and for those of you who are new here - I am the Editor in Chief of a Chicago based digital magazine called Halfstack Magazine and I am also one of the hosts of our podcast: Halfstack Highlights. I am really excited to share this week's episode --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone! Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights!! This is Jen Lezan, welcome back to all of you who have subscribed to the series and for those of you who are new here - I am the Editor in Chief of a Chicago based digital magazine called Halfstack Magazine and I am also one of the hosts of our podcast: Halfstack Highlights. This weeks episode is a fun one! I had the --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone!  Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights!! This is Jen Lezan, and I am the Editor in Chief of the Chicago based digital magazine Halfstackmag.com and I am also one of the hosts of our podcast: Halfstack Highlights. I am excited to share this week's episode as it features another local Chicago entrepreneur and designer: Phoebe Chen. She spends her time between --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone! Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights!! I am excited to share this week's episode as it features a local Chicago entrepreneur and style Icon: Katie Schuppler of KS Style Consulting. She is a Personal Style Consultant and Fashion Blogger/Writer who loves to help others create their own personal style in this fast paced world of fashion and in daily life. After --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Another edition of Halfstack Highlights is live this week! As we continue to dive into the theme of explore, for this episode I wanted to take you on an exploration of a topic – Art and the Artists behind the work. As an art school student graduate, art has always been a topic that I have been drawn to. I've always found the theory behind art, the history and the artists themselves fascinating. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey readers - I hope all of you are doing well. This episode of Halfstck Highlights was equal parts hard and equal parts inspiring for me. On one hand, I had the opportunity to talk with an amazing woman using her skills, talent and platform to help others. Yet, on the other hand we are talking about war, refugees and people who are facing atrocities that I could never imagine – no matter how --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome to Halfstack Highlights! This is Jen Lezan Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of the Halfstack Highlights Podcast. This week I am sharing an interview with: Georgene Huang founder of Fairygodboss. It's not always easy being a woman in the workplace. The fairgodboss concept was born in 2015 while their now CEO was interviewing while 2 months pregnant (and hiding it --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello Readers! Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights!  This is Jen Lezan Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of the Halfstack Highlights Podcast. This week I am sharing an interview with: Stephanie Benedetto founder of Queen of Raw. Queen of Raw is the premiere online marketplace to sell unused fabrics & buy high end raw materials. They work with retailers, --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello Everyone!! Welcome to Halfstack Highlights. This is Jen Lezan Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of the Halfstack Highlights Podcast. This week is the final episode of the year!! We will be going on a small break and will return with a new episode on January 14th, 2018! It's been a great year filled with many inspiring interviews. I've been so motivated sharing the --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Like most creative endeavors, pursuing a career as an indie filmmaker is not easy.  Lack of financing, time, resources (not to mention that pesky day job) all seem to conspire against you bringing your creative dream to life and sharing it with the world. Liz Manashil is working to try and make the process a little easier.  The Manager of Sundance Institute's Creative Distribution Initiative is --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome to Halfstack Highlights! This week we are talking to Jennifer Eden , the Co-Founder of Tampon Tribe. Yes, you heard that right. We are featuring an AMAZING subscription service that caters to those who are in need of monthly feminine hygiene products. We are going there, we are talking about periods this week. Tampon Tribe is a Southern California based startup that is shaking up the --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome to halfstack highlights. This is Jen Lezan and I am the Editor in chief of the Chicago based digital magazine Halfstack and one of the hosts of the podcast Halfstack highlights. For this weeks episode, I had the opportunity to speak with the founder of Diplomat Books and the Author of the Chidlren's book- Where Is Robin: Robin Barone All Images Courtesy of Robin Barone Robin --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Musicians Sam Brownson, Oliver Horton, and Jake Hawrylack first met as undergrads at Knox College in Galesburg, IL.  The three multi-instrumentalists collaborated on various student and side projects but then went their separate ways upon graduation.  Later they each migrated to Chicago drawn by the City's musical roots.  After jamming together on different projects, the three formed Sedgewick --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome to halfstack highlights. This is Jen Lezan and I am the Editor in chief of the Chicago based digital magazine Halfstack and one of the hosts of our podcast Halfstack highlights. This week I had the opportunity to speak with Kara Mac – the founder of Shoe Candy by Kara Mac. ShoeCandy® by Kara Mac is a line of high quality, designer shoes and hand-crafted, mix and match accessories --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

If you're looking to take control of your financial life this year, Rich Bitch: A 12 Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life in Order...Finally is the book for you. Written by fun and fearless financial expert Nicole Lapin, Rich Bitch is a finance book you'll actually enjoy reading and feel excited and empowered about your future. You can also listen to the full interview on the Halfstack --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Jackie Barretta shares her secrets to creating and maintaining successful relationships in the workplace in her book, "Primal Teams". In her recently published book, the accomplished CIO consultant, speaker, and author, gives us an insight on techniques that can help us to use our emotions in a productive way that can benefit and strengthen any team. Oftentimes, we are discouraged from --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hermitude have quickly become one of Australia's most in-demand touring acts.  With the Platinum-selling HyperParadise, the band won Australia's Music Prize, modeled after Britain's Mercury Music Prize and Canada's Polaris Prize, whose single goal is to identify and reward the most outstanding creative Australian album of the year.  Released via Elefant Traks in Australia Dark Night Sweet --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

In today's Halfstack Highlights, we talk with Paul Caldwell, creative director and conductor of Windy City Performing Arts. In their new concert series, Legacies of Hope, the group honors the lives of the countless LGBTQ youth who are at risk in our communities, and will feature the Midwest premiere of Tyler's Suite. Tyler's Suite honors the memory of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers University --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

If you've  not heard of bottledBrooklyn, then today  is the day you will! I had the amazing opportunity to interview with Rameses Crisi to talk about the brand, and the amazing products that they offer! Being a beauty junkie one of the things that stands out is of course are the handheld mirrors. These mirrors are something anyone can add into their daily routine, with such empowering quotes and --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

5-piece modern-folk Americana act, The Way Down Wanderers, performed on Thursday afternoon at the Block 37 shopping center, located at 108 N State St.  The Stage 37 concert series started up its new season mid June, featuring a variety of folk and indie bands.  Based in Chicago, The Way Down Wanderers have been touring across the country to states like Colorado, Iowa and Michigan. Now back --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! Welcome to the latest episode of Halfstack Highlights. I am Jen Lezan – the Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and host of this podcast where we explore the business of creativity and inspiring individuals who are trying to create magic while following their dreams. In this episode – I had the opportunity to talk with: Dana Donofree - the founder of Ana Ono – a lingerie and --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone!  We are continuing our series focus on female founders this week on the Halfstack Highlights Podcast. In this episode, we talk with  Alex - The founder of the tech and childcare startup: Zibbli. Zibbli provides families in Westchester, NY a flexible childcare solution to meet the demands of busy parents. At Zibbli, they are calling attention to the many types of families --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Dewayne Lucas credits his art for saving his life.  The author, producer, director, songwriter, and film editor was being raised by his single mom on the south side of Chicago in a neighborhood racked with poverty and violence.  After several family members and friends fell victim to violence, Lucas's mother packed him up along with his four brothers and one sister, and moved to Milwaukee. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone! Thanks for listening to Halfstack Highlights. Jen Lezan here, Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of Halfstack Highlights! I am super stoked to share the guest in this latest episode.  She's one of our first guests from our run down of amazing women Entrepreneurs that I had the opportunity to encounter during my time at Rent the Runway Foundation's Project --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Music has the power to change lives.  Each of us has experienced what music can do at some point in our lives.  Remember those tough preteen/teenage years?  Life was challenging. Where and how do I fit in?  You retreated to your room to listen to music and brood when suddenly, THAT song came on.  At last, someone who understands what you are going through.  This artist really gets it. Music's --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Nabiha Niazi of Beeforacause is a local Chicago accessories designer who does more than just make pretty things. Rather, she is trying to make the world a better place to live in. She gives her customers the opportunity to take part in humanitarianism through philanthropic shopping. Yea, you read that right. YOU can help by doing one of your favorite things to do: shop. Simple as that. I had the --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! Thanks for listening to Halfstack Highlights! In this episode I had the chance to talk with comedian, actor and writer: Jena Friedman. We talked about, politics, feminism, being a woman in the TV world, and her journey in her career: Just hit the play button for the full interview PODCAST: Play in new window | Download Listen and subscribe via Archive.org She has worked --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hello everyone! Welcome to Halfstack Highlights! This is the first episode of our 2017 season! I am excited to share a local Chicago singer, song-writer, activist and creative phenom Ashley Lauren Elrod. Ashley Lauren is as a leader and woman of God and this is evident in her story. Her unique sound and raw ability move listeners to feel the message in her music. In this episode Ashley shares --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Welcome back to Halfstack Highlights. I am so excited to kick off 2017. In today's episode I had the opportunity to interview an incredibly talented Miami based Puerto Rican musician: Raquel Sofia. The singer songwriter who is signed to Sony Music's Latin Division is such a bright spot in Latin Pop today. All Images Courtesy of Sony Music Latin Her sound is unique and she has really --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! It's Jen Lezan – editor in chief of Halfstack mag.com – I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the season of Halfstack Highlights so far. In today's episode of Halfstack Highlights – I had the opportunity to speak to the founder of Wurkin Stiffs: Jonathan Boos. Wurkin Stiffs is a menswear accessories brand that launched with the idea of a magnetic collar stay, got a big break --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! It's Jen Lezan here with another episode of Halfstack Highlights! As we continue on with this season's theme of explore, I have been on the search for interesting people with careers, life journeys and experiences that really embody that idea. This episode I was introduced to the Philharmonia Ochestra of New York – not to be confused with the Philharmonic Orchestra of New York – --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! I am excited to share another episode of Halfstack Highlights! The theme for this season has been all about exploration and it fits so well with the blog's April Editorial of Innovation. Innovation truly does arise out of Creative people's abilities to truly explore their craft. In today's episode I am talking with Chicago based Film Director and Writer Brad Bischoff.  We recently --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

Hey everyone! Welcome to the beginning of our 2016 series! Thank you for all who have listened and downloaded Halfstack Highlights over this past year! This season we are hoping to focus on the theme of explore. Whether that means to explore a new career, art, life journey, or anything that sparks your curiosity. Last season it was all about inspiration, but this season we are looking to go --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support

In today's episode of Halfstack Highlights, I talk with the founders of Dream Beard: The husband and wife duo- Ryan and Brittany Lane. Dream Beard is more than a brand, it is a lifestyle. Dream Beard sells high quality hair, beard, and body products to help you embrace that lifestyle. Brittany and Ryan believe their company is something people can connect with. We talk about how the --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/makeandcreate/support