Ultra You - Where self-made millionaire women redefine success

A former managing editor/vice president at the Chicago Tribune, Jane Hirt has re-emerged from a prolonged sabbatical. Her first post – interim executive at a real estate investment firm as the replacement of a friend and colleague on maternity leave! In Part 2, Jane discusses how she is managing the stress of her interim position. She shares examples of how former women executives can help women currently holding executive positions and talks about the possibility of accepting interim positions to relieve pregnant executives in the future.

A former managing editor/vice president at the Chicago Tribune, Jane Hirt has re-emerged from a prolonged sabbatical. Her first post – interim executive at a real estate investment firm as the replacement of a friend and colleague on maternity leave! In Part 1 of this interview, Jane and I discuss how she came to be offered the position of interim VP of Marketing, what her orientation period was like, and how things are going thus far.

Vada Kornegay is the owner and operator of JiLTech Architects and Technologists in Chicago. A veteran and pioneer in her industry, she has 20+ years of experience in the field of architecture, architectural technology, and construction. Vada is a mother, wife, and unapologetic Christian who is active in ministry, philanthropy, and mentoring. In the final segment of this three-part interview, Vada shares her thoughts about legacy. She shares how she wants to be remembered by her family and by the world and we talk about why it is important to give voice to the concept in addition to leaving a legacy through actions.

Vada Kornegay is the owner and operator of JiLTech Architects and Technologists in Chicago. A veteran and pioneer in her industry, she has 20+ years of experience in the field of architecture, architectural technology, and construction. Vada is a mother, wife, and unapologetic Christian who is active in ministry, philanthropy, and mentoring. Part 2 of this interview with Vada is all about lifestyle – how family, self-care, art, and ministry come together in her life.  

Vada Kornegay is the owner and operator of JiLTech Architects and Technologists in Chicago. A veteran and pioneer in her industry, she has 20+ years of experience in the field of architecture, architectural technology, and construction. Vada is a mother, wife, and unapologetic Christian who is active in ministry, philanthropy, and mentoring.   In Part 1 of our interview, Vada shares her philosophy about leadership. We discuss the difference between leading by example and consciously setting out to be seen as a leader and she explains what she sees as the potential pitfalls of the latter.

Pat Roque, also known as The Business Boomer, loves teaching (in person and online) to empower others in her role as their executive business coach, mentor, marketing consultant, corporate trainer or university instructor. Her award-winning (yet unorthodox) career reflects her passion for connecting like-minded people who enjoy good health and growing their business together. In this final segment of our three-part interview, Pat talks about how golf transformed her professional and personal life and shares why she considers it to be the perfect tool for advancing your business.

Pat Roque, also known as The Business Boomer, loves teaching (in person and online) to empower others in her role as their executive business coach, mentor, marketing consultant, corporate trainer or university instructor. Her award-winning (yet unorthodox) career reflects her passion for connecting like-minded people who enjoy good health and growing their business together. In Part 2 of our interview, Pat tells how she became a multipreneur and talks about each of her business activities. She also shares about her philanthropic endeavors and sets the scene for Part 3 of our chat.

Pat Roque, also known as The Business Boomer, loves teaching (in person and online) to empower others in her role as their executive business coach, mentor, marketing consultant, corporate trainer or university instructor. Her award-winning (yet unorthodox) career reflects her passion for connecting like-minded people who enjoy good health and growing their business together. In the first segment of our interview, Pat shares her personal journey of midlife rebirth and reveals the story that inspired the title of her blog and e-book, 50 Rocks – Life Lessons for Success.

In today’s Ultra You episode, I share my thoughts and experiences about the importance of clarity and intuition for women running solopreneur and small businesses. I talk about clarity of purpose – your BIG WHY – as well as clarity from a practical perspective. I then share why intuition – “gut feeling” – is the clearest, purest, most on-target source of information that will provide the clarity we seek. This podcast episode is full of gems and it’s less than nine minutes long. Enjoy!

Today, and perhaps for the next few weeks, I’m changing the format of the podcast to bring you some of my thoughts and plans about where Ultra You is going from here. When I launched Ultra You, I had a specific audience in mind – an audience of compassionate, high-achieving women who want to redefine their success. I’ve had a great year on the podcast, with 55 episodes broadcast to date. I’ve brought you experts on topics as varied as the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation, how to manage a merger for your entrepreneurial business, and what “giving back” philanthropically can mean to you in terms of lifestyle, legacy, and leading by example. Now, I need to turn my attention to seeking funding for my non-profit organization, the Wells International Foundation (WIF), with the intent to fully implement projects in all six of our strategic focus areas. One of these areas is an exclusive community for you as a member of the specific audience that I describe above. Tune in to learn more about this group and see whether you want to become a part of it!

Sylvie di Giusto is an image consultant who specializes in remaking the image of those aspiring to attain leadership positions in the corporate world. In this part of her interview, Sylvie delves deeply into how she helps each individual client create or enhance the image she or he desires. She is adamant that there is no “one-size-fits-all” with regard to image building and she shares the challenge that she gives to all of her clients to begin the process.

Sylvie di Giusto is an image consultant who specializes in remaking the image of those aspiring to attain leadership positions in the corporate world. In this part of her Ultra You interview, she discusses the “ABCDs” of image – appearance, behavior, communication, and digital footprint. She makes the case that despite what you may wish to believe, the way others perceive these elements about you will almost immediately determine whether you get the position you desire.

Jane Hirt is a former managing editor and vice president at the Chicago Tribune who left her position to take a 13-month sabbatical. In Part 2 of this interview, Jane talks about the philanthropic activities she engaged in during her break and discusses what she sees for herself as she plans to return to the work force.

Jane Hirt is a former managing editor and vice president at the Chicago Tribune who left her position to take a 13-month sabbatical. In the first segment of this interview, she reveals the enormous amount of planning that she undertook to make her leave a success and gives step-by-step instructions on how you can do the same.

After almost a year of hosting Ultra You, one of my guests, Yolanda Robins, asked if I'd ever shared my story with my listeners.  When I responded that I had not, she asked if she could turn the tables on me and interview me for the show! In the final segment of this three-part interview, Yolanda and I talk about why I created this podcast and why my guests are so willing to share their challenges and passions with Ultra You listeners.

After almost a year of hosting Ultra You, one of my guests, Yolanda Robins, asked if I'd ever shared my story with my listeners.  When I responded that I had not, she asked if she could turn the tables on me and interview me for the show! In this week's episode, Yolanda and I talk about my new U.S. non-profit organization, the Wells International Foundation, and its inaugural event, the Paris art exhibition entitled Beauford Delaney: Resonance of Form and Vibration of Color.

After almost a year of hosting Ultra You, one of my guests, Yolanda Robins, asked if I'd ever shared my story with my listeners.  When I responded that I had not, she asked if she could turn the tables on me and interview me for the show! In this week's episode, Yolanda and I talk about my background, what inspired me to settle in Paris, and the things that I love about the city.

In Part 2 of her interview, Anne talks about how she integrates her commitment to veganism with her daunting schedule as a C-level executive.  She shares how French gastronomic culture and mores are both a help and a hindrance to maintaining a vegan diet.  Finally, she gives specific recommendations for executive level women, entrepreneurial CEOs, and other women with time-intensive work activities who want to start and maintain a vegan diet / lifestyle.

In Part 1 of her interview, Anne talks about the differences between vegetarianism and veganism.  She explains when and why she chose to go vegan, talks about the challenges that "making the switch" poses, and shares the effect that this life choice has had on her health and her family.

Yolanda Robins was a successful global communications executive in Philadelphia prior to making a life changing decision to leave the United States and reinvent herself abroad. Over ten years ago, she relocated to Paris, France, where she now runs her own real estate business. In Part 2 of the Lifestyle segment of her interview, Yolanda shares why she believes it's important to become a citizen in your adopted country and talks more about what she loves about Paris. She gives valuable advice about what you should do to prepare when you decide to move abroad.

Yolanda Robins was a successful global communications executive in Philadelphia prior to making a life changing decision to leave the United States and reinvent herself abroad. Over ten years ago, she relocated to Paris, France, where she now runs her own real estate business. In this segment of the interview, Yolanda talks about how her lifestyle changed when she settled in Paris. She speaks frankly about the cost of living in the City of Light, how her dining habits have changed since moving here, and what the dating scene is like for high-achieving single and divorced women.

Yolanda Robins was a successful global communications executive in Philadelphia prior to making a life changing decision to leave the United States and reinvent herself abroad. Over ten years ago, she relocated to Paris, France, where she now runs her own real estate business.In this segment of this interview, Yolanda talks about why she chose to settle in Paris and what she has observed regarding differences in business culture between the U.S. and France. She shares advice for women who are considering relocating to Paris and opening their own business.

In Part 3 of Divorce for the High-net-worth Woman, Compassionate Divorce Coach Cindy Holbrook talks about how to handle the extra stress brought on by holidays and other special days as you go through divorce. She talks about the value of being a member of meet-up groups at these special times and gives a real-life example of how one of her high-end clients turned her divorce experience around during the end-of-year holiday season.

In Part 2 of Divorce for the High-net-worth Woman, Compassionate Divorce Coach Cindy Holbrook discusses the frequency with which high net worth women leave their husbands as opposed to their husbands leaving them. She draws the distinction between “leaving” versus “filing” and discusses the implications of each. And she talks about the vital importance of self-care and how it improves your ability to make good decisions at this critical time in your life

Cindy Holbrook, the Compassionate Divorce Coach, is my guest for this three part episode on divorce for the High-Net-Worth woman. In Part 1, Cindy explains why she is so passionate about helping women of all economic levels and backgrounds through divorce. She then goes on to explain some of the particular challenges that affluent women face when they go through divorce and highlights some of the patterns she observes in this segment of her clientele.

Six months ago, Bernadette Coleman, founder and CEO of Advice Interactive Group, was leading her company down the fast track to a merger that looked perfect for her company. Yet in the end, she elected not to go forward with it. In Part 2 of this interview, Bernadette provides details about the due diligence process and talks about the numerous opportunities that presented themselves because the merger did not go through.

Six months ago, Bernadette Coleman, founder and CEO of Advice Interactive Group, was leading her company down the fast track to a merger that looked perfect for her company. Yet in the end, she elected not to go forward with it. In Part 1 of this interview, Bernadette talks about why the merger appeared to be such a good thing and how quickly circumstances changed to make it untenable.

This is a continuation of last week’s interview with Sherita J. Herring, founder of Kreative Images Foundation. This week, Sherita busts several myths about non-profits and reveals the nuts and bolts of her “non-profit start-up” service. This episode will be of special interest to you if you’re in what I call the “refine” stage of business: you’ve embraced your role as CEO in your entrepreneurial enterprise and are proud of your accomplishments, you’re pleased with the revenue you’re currently generating, and you now want to devote more time to philanthropic activities.

Sherita J. Herring, founder of Kreative Images Foundation, helps individuals find “profit for their passions” by tapping into the extensive, and often misunderstood, world of non-profit organizations. She's a business idealist and speaker who has established more than 600 businesses, while raising over $30 million in funding. If you’ve ever considered starting a non-profit organization, however briefly, you’ll want to tune into this interview!

If you’ve been wondering about the best way to begin collecting art, whether for personal pleasure, wealth building, or both, you’ll want to tune into this two-part episode! Artist and arts consultant Kathie Foley-Meyer “pulls back the curtain” on this topic, which can be daunting for those who are not artists. This week, we discuss collecting from the vantage point of legacy – creating a collection of significant financial value and determining how others can benefit from it.

If you’ve been wondering about the best way to begin collecting art, whether for personal pleasure, wealth building, or both, you’ll want to tune into this two-part episode! Artist and arts consultant Kathie Foley-Meyer “pulls back the curtain” on this topic, which can be daunting for those who are not artists. In Part 1, Kathie and I discuss collecting from the standpoint of lifestyle – making purchases based on your emotional connection with the pieces you encounter.

Sarah Kaler says that “stepping into one’s potential as a leader is a birthright” and that “At its greatest, leadership is a lifestyle.” Find out how these beliefs have served as a springboard for her support of two extraordinary philanthropic projects in East Africa.

Sarah Kaler was a woman on the fast track to success. She rose quickly through the ranks at Lululemon Athletica and in positions such as Director of Global Retail Training and Area Director of Northern USA Operations, she led the company through a time of rapid growth in North America and international expansion. A serious health challenge forced her to change her attitude about leadership and redesign her life. In Part 2 of this episode, Sarah talks about the watershed moment when she knew she had to change, “or else,” and describes the process and the emotions that she went through to do so.

Sarah Kaler was a woman on the fast track to success. She rose quickly through the ranks at Lululemon Athletica and in positions such as Director of Global Retail Training and Area Director of Northern USA Operations, she led the company through a time of rapid growth in North America and international expansion. A serious health challenge forced her to change her attitude about leadership and redesign her life. Listen to Part 1 of this episode, where Sarah talks about the mindset that was instrumental for setting her up for crisis.

This is Part 2 of my two-part interview with Araceli Walterson, founder of The ParentEntrpreneur.com. Join us as Araceli talks about how you can be the best entrepreneur you can possibly be without sacrificing being the best parent you can be. A devoted and passionate business owner, Araceli is also a devoted wife, mom, and step-mom. She bounced back from burnout from her first business and the guilt surrounding her inability to “be totally there” in her personal life to found The Parent Entrepreneur and build a new family. She now averages working four hours a day and is helping entrepreneurs like you figure out how you can organize your business so you can have all the time you want and need to spend with your family.

This is Part 1 of my two-part interview with Araceli Walterson, founder of The ParentEntrpreneur.com. Join us as Araceli shares how you can be the best entrepreneur you can possibly be without sacrificing being the best parent you can be. A devoted and passionate business owner, Araceli is also a devoted wife, mom, and step-mom. She bounced back from burnout from her first business and the guilt surrounding her inability to “be totally there” in her personal life to found The Parent Entrepreneur and build a new family. She now averages working four hours a day and is helping entrepreneurs like you figure out how you can organize your business so you can have all the time you want and need to spend with your family.

In Part 1 of this episode, personal finance coach Yulin Lee shared some of the reasons that high-net-worth women may not actually be empowered financially and discussed the implications of this during life transition periods such as divorce of the death of a spouse. Today, she gives practical suggestions on how women can avoid these economic implications in their personal lives.

Believe it or not, just because you bring home a multi-six-figure salary and have lots of material things does not mean that you are financially empowered. There is a big difference between being an “income earner” and a “wealth builder.” If you’re surprised by this, or if you’re not sure which category you fit into, tune into Part 1 of this Ultra You episode with personal finance coach Yulin Lee.

An incredibly driven professional, Dr. Venus recognizes that she has to make time to enjoy the lifestyle that her successful business supports. Join us as she shares what she does for self-care and for fun, and tells how she’s faced the challenge of bringing her personal and professional activities into harmony.

Dr. Venus Opal Reese is unabashedly reaching out to black women who want to “defy impossible” – to break through whatever internal and external barriers black women in today’s world face as they reach for that magical, million dollar mark for revenue generation or overall net worth. Find out what drives Dr. Venus and how she advises her followers and her clients during this quest for financial wealth.

Are you one of the too-numerous-to-count high-achieving women executives, licensed professionals, or 7-figure-plus entrepreneurs who sacrifices sleep to get ahead (or just keep up) with your work activities? Award-winning journalist, registered nurse, and health advocate Barbara Ficarra talks with me about the serious effects that sleep deprivation can have on your physical health and your emotional well being, and discusses ways that you can begin to establish new habits that will help you get the sleep you need.

In this two-part episode with Kristen Davis, founder of Not About Kids (NAK), we’re taking a fresh look at the way society treats women who don’t have children. This subject reaches into the very souls of these women and it often reaches into their pocketbooks as well. Join us as Kristen explains her desire to have NAK shift people's perceptions and give women a different story – one in which a woman’s value as an individual and professional remains unchanged whether she has children or doesn’t. Today, part of our discussion focuses on men who don't have kids and the need for NAK to have a local, as well as global, impact.

Just in time for International Childfree Day!In this two-part episode with Kristen Davis, founder of Not About Kids (NAK), we’re taking a fresh look at the way society treats women who don’t have children. This subject reaches into the very souls of these women and it often reaches into their pocketbooks as well. Join us as Kristen explains her desire to have NAK shift people's perceptions and give women a different story – one in which a woman’s value as an individual and professional remains unchanged whether she has children or doesn’t.  Today, part of our discussion focuses on how women without kids like to be referred to and some of the stereotypes that NAK seeks to break down through its activities.

As well as being a partner in a successful financial entrepreneurial enterprise, Winnie Sun is a happily married wife and mother to three children aged 6 and under. She is also actively pursuing two “passion projects” related to her business and personal interests – The Renegade Millionaire podcast and an initiative called Corporate 529 that helps parents save money to put toward their children’s college education. In this episode of Ultra You, she shares how she successfully manages her home life, a thriving business, and these two projects.

Did you know that wealth management services represent much more than “run of the mill” financial planning? If you never understood that there is a difference between the two, or have asked yourself whether you can use the services of a wealth manager, then you should join me for this episode of Ultra You. My guest, Winnie Sun, co-founder and managing director of Sun Group Wealth Partners, has a strong entrepreneurial background and more than 15 years in the finance industry. She provides the answers to these questions and more during this two-part interview.

Did you know that wealth management services represent much more than “run of the mill” financial planning? If you never understood that there is a difference between the two, or have asked yourself whether you can use the services of a wealth manager, then you should join me for this episode of Ultra You. My guest, Winnie Sun, co-founder and managing director of Sun Group Wealth Partners, has a strong entrepreneurial background and more than 15 years in the finance industry. She provides the answers to these questions and more during this two-part interview.

Your business’s philanthropic activities do NOT need to be sacrificed just because you’re negotiating a merger! Join me and Bernadette Coleman in this episode of Ultra You as Bernadette explains how her company, Advice Interactive Group, and UBL (Universal Business Listing), are handling the philanthropic interests of both parties as they negotiate the terms of their merger.

If you’re considering a merger for your entrepreneurial business, or if you’re in the process of merging your business, you’ll want to listen to this interview with Bernadette Coleman, CEO of Advice Interactive Group. Thanks to Bernadette’s leadership, Advice Interactive Group made the Inc. 500 list in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and she’s now taking this local SEO business to new heights with the merger that she is negotiating with UBL (Universal Business Listing).

In this follow-up episode with CNBC personal finance correspondant Sharon Epperson, find out how Sharon is instilling the idea of philanthropy and legacy in her two children. Listen to us discuss what the term "life balance" means and learn what she does to pursue balance in the face of all her personal and professional responsibilities.

In this segment of the Ultra You interview with CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson, you’ll learn why philanthropy is important to Sharon personally and how she supports the particular cause that is near and dear to her heart. You’ll hear her discuss philanthropy in the context of legacy and find out how personal financial planning can be a form of legacy, even for those who are not "super affluent."

In today’s episode, Dr. Pei (pronounced "pay") Kang shares how her husband Joel encouraged her to follow her bliss to uncover the professional activity that would make her happy, how they ended up working together on a successful podcast, and how she feeds her mind, body, and spirit as she co-hosts the show and fills a critical business role behind the scenes as well.