Kara Goldin is on a mission to keep the world healthy and hydrated. She created Hint, Inc., a successful line of water flavored with natural fruit oils and essences. During our conversation, we discussed how Kara defied conventional wisdom in the beverage industry by launching her first product line without many ingredients that are considered indu…

Since dressing up as an artist for her kindergarten career day, Kristen Ley has known what her future profession was meant to be. Even at that early age, she knew what creating art and beautiful things meant. Both her grandmothers were avid seamstresses and craft gurus, so they are a huge part of who she is today and she continues to honor them in …

Chrissa McFarlane is passionate about creating cutting-edge products that lead to global transformation of healthcare delivery. She launched Patientory, an online platform that connects patients with their doctors, caregivers and a community of individuals with similar health concerns. Chrissa saw the need in the marketplace for more personalized c…

Umaimah Mendhro started her company with a strong belief that fashion could be responsible and accessible. She is the founder and CEO of VIDA, a global platform that brings together creatives and manufacturers from around the world to create unique, original, art inspired apparel and accessories. Umaimah grew up with a deep passion for fashion and …

Shunta Grant is a lawyer turned entrepreneur. She created Because of Zoe Designs out of her own need to give her daughter unique hair bows and headbands. Sold both online and in retail stores across the country, Because of Zoe Designs is known for its modern, colorful and well made handmade hair bows for girls. In addition to running a thriving pro…

Loree Sandler was fed up with the utilitarian look of the average birthday candle. So, she decided to do something about it. She launched Let Them Eat Candles, a line of edible chocolate candles. As Loree describes them, candles are wish delivery systems and should compliment birthday cakes. Using on her creativity, enthusiasm and tenacity she was …

Melissa Bamberg spent years researching and developing The Nodpod, a weighted eye pillow designed to promote relaxation through deep pressure touch therapy. To me, the most interesting part of Melissa's journey is that she took time to figure out how to differentiate her product. She also came up with a novel solution based in science and , as a re…

Annie Haven, a southern California rancher, brings her family legacy out of her pastures to specialty growers and home gardeners around the world. Harvested from Haven raised livestock, she processes and eco hand packages her 100% natural soil nutrient teas for the environmentally minded grower and home gardener. As a rancher, author and speaker, A…

Karla the Losen reinvented keepsake storage by launching Savor. Karla and her cofounder, Jennifer McAllister-Nevins, spent over two years researching, prototyping, designing and redesigning their product. During our conversation, we discussed about the importance of talking to the right people in order to develop the best product. For Savor, Karla …

Vanessa Victoria comes from a rich history of educators, scientists, craftsmen, artists and entrepreneurs. She worked with her sister to launch Nuvula, a new and exciting concept in fashion. The company started as an avant-garde experiment aimed at joining all of the arts with positive social and environmental messages coded in poetry. Their mantra…

Denise Stern is a serial entrepreneur who saw a need for quality newborn care after the birth of her twins. She leads an elite team of Baby Nurses (RN’s & LPN’s), Newborn Care Providers and Multiple’s Specialists that provides evidence based education to new parents and they provide nurturing care to newborns. Let Mommy Sleep is built on the idea t…

Leslie Pierson is passionate about solving life's challenges through product design. She created and launched The Good Hangups Reusable Magnetic Hanging System. During our conversation, we discussed manufacturing challenges as well as lessons learned about crowdfunding through Kickstarter.

Molly Gordon is a Master Certified Coach known for her creativity, humor, and commitment to helping clients get off the merry-go-round of serial self-improvement and into the slipstream of infinite possibility. Her current focus is helping men and women who are working on large scale world problems ranging from climate change to hunger to terrorism…

Katie Everds is passionate about the outdoors and created the product she always needed but could never find. She developed and launched The Tillow, a large beach towel combined with a pillow and waterproof storage, to simplify the lives of beach and pool goers. During our conversation, we discussed strategies for working with manufacturers. We als…

Jenny Mae Miller and Kristine Carlton started their business as pioneering spirits, right out of technical design school. Through their company, Sewn Product Services, they operate as product developers and production managers servicing the apparel, soft goods, and wearable technologies industries. Our conversation focuses on service development an…

Maryon Attwood is a studio artist who co-founded Cook On Clay ceramics. She creates specially formulated oven to table platters that withstand thermal shock and can be used safely in the oven, as well as for serving and presentation. During our conversation Maryon emphasized the importance of quality and introduced the idea that excellence cannot b…

Sherrill Mosee set out to create an organizational fashion bag for busy women. As a result, she designed and invented MinkeeBlue totes. Like many women, she often carried two or three bags to work. Sherrill came up with a novel design that facilitates consolidation of everything into one bag. As a result, she has been awarded a patent for her inven…

Michelle Moy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Up Dog Toys. She and her team make functional, cool, modern dog toys for the design savvy pup and owner. Michelle works full time alongside her husband and Co-Founder/CMO, Billy Shih. Her favorite co-worker though is her corgi, Odin, who was the main inspiration for starting Up Dog Toys. Michelle and team s…

Vanessa Chan is an entrepreneur, consultant and angel investor. She is also co-founder of re.design, a company that brings consumer product innovations to market. Vanessa's first product is, tangle-free & stylish headphones, called Loopit. The launch included a very successful Kickstarter campaign. Loopit has been featured in such places as The Tod…

Cyndi Prince is the founder of LooHoo, LLC, a Maine-based company. She created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, which are reusable, energy-saving alternatives to dryer sheets. The product was designed specifically for those who are concerned about protecting both their family’s health and the environment. Cyndi has been awarded a SPANX by Sara Blakely "Leg…

Vanessa Ellingson is a former professional basketball player, turned Chiropractor turned entrepreneur. She is also the CEO and Co-Founder of the company Möbi Games Inc. Mobi is afast paced tile game that helps others learn and apply basic math skills. I wanted to learn more about Vanessa's overall approach to creating her brand. Her Philosophy “Twe…

Anna Marie Stauss supports and organizes a woman's co-op in Calcutta, India. Anna Marie is a true socialpreneur which means that she she designed her business to help the world, both environmentally and financially. I wanted to talk to Anna Marie to find out more about how she was able to bring to launch her product idea based on having a positive …

Ianthe Mauro has high standards in both and quality. She created Objects With Purpose candles to deliver a non-toxic sophisticated and conscientious experience to others. We discussed her approach to candle-making in great detail. Her Philosophy Share light and keep things clean and light. Remove mental blocks by figuring out how to make things wor…

Tippy Tippens is the Founder and Chief Eternal Optimist at Goods that Matter. She is also a social entrepreneur, designer, gandhiwarmer, and she's passionate about building sustainable growth. Tippy does this by making the objects that we live with work for us instead of against us and ultimately wishing to contribute to greater happiness. I wanted…

Dr. Wei-Shin Lai, MD, is a family doctor turned entrepreneur. She has helped 600,000 people live happier, healthier, well-rested lives. When she was in private practice and struggled with her own sleep issues, Wei-Shin and her husband invented SleepPhones®, the world's first headphones designed for sleeping. I was interested in talking to Wei-Shin …

Nancie Weston is the inventor, founder and chief designer at GRAYL Inc., the maker of advanced yet stylish water filters and purifiers that allow you drink water from any source, anywhere in the world. She founded GRAYL due to her concerns about water quality and the impact of plastic from bottled water bottles on our land and oceans. Nancie had wo…

Lisa Fetterman is the founder and CEO of Nomiku, the first home sous vide immersion circulator machine on the market. Lisa has been featured in Wired, MAKE, and Forbes, and was named on both Forbes and Zagat Survey’s 30 Under 30 lists for her pioneering work in the food space. Lisa has worked at some of the top restaurants in the country including …

Dori Ross has used her vast experience in marketing to elevate the status of maple which is a true luxury food. She has teamed up with artisan sugar makers in Vermont's Mad River Valley to create Tonewood, a line of maple based products. The sugar makers supply single-source syrup, some of which Dori sells. The rest gets delivered to a group of loc…

Candice N. Mackel is a graduate of Morgan State University, a full time entrepreneur, owner of Candice Nicole Public Relations (CNPR) and Creator of Women Who Hustle, which is a women's organization that recently celebrated one year. She started CNPR 9 years ago and has worked with some of the top talent in music and film including Spike Lee, TI, M…

Seema Alexander is a business strategy coach who empowers purpose-driven women to make the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship. She does this by helping her clients to maximize their credibility, productivity and profitability in business. Her business philosophy: Do what you love and do it often. Her advice to aspiring female entrep…

Mariquel Waingarten has been an entrepreneur since she was 24 years old. For her first venture she created and managed a boutique hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, her hometown. Most recently, Mariquel is the co-founder of Hickies a new lacing technology that turns any sneaker into a slip on. She is also the co-founder of Sudacas, a company that br…

Emmaly Knecht is the owner and designer of eba totes. Eba totes are eco friendly bags produced in LA and feature two inside compartments and a waterproof lining. Emmaly strives to create a business that promotes a better ethical standard for fashion accessories and empowerment of women in the business world. I believe that the best new product idea…

Cheryl McCants is a bilingual, award-winning, communication and marketing professional with more than 25 years of integrated strategic development and global crisis communication experience. Throughout her career as both strategist and spokesperson, she has worked in the educational, real estate development, retail, footwear, telecommunications, ma…

Kim Ades is the president and founder of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software. Author, speaker, entrepreneur, coach, and mother of five, Kim is recognized as one of North America's foremost experts on performance through thought mastery. By using her unique process of integrating online journaling in her coaching, Kim helps her highly…

�Sarah Kunst is founder and CEO of Proday, the celebrity personal training fitness app. In addition, Kunst an investor and entrepreneur who has worked at Apple, Red Bull, Chanel and Mohr Davidow Ventures. She is also a contributing editor at Marie Claire Magazine. Her philanthropic interests include Venture for America and The US State Department's…

Today's Queen Bee travels the world and spends countless hours in search of beautiful objects that have cultural meaning. Jessie Ricci is a jewelry designer whose hand crafted collections are both provocative and eclectic. As an inventor, it can sometimes be difficult to find your own voice in launching new products. I'm intrigued by Jessie's creat…

Maggie Sinclair is a serial entrepreneur who has numerous patents. She is a designer and inventor of Maggies, a powerful magnet and metal ring that is redefining the way that women wear scarves and shawls. I wanted to talk to Maggie because she has created a wide variety of products and she has a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to be succes…

Amy Olson developed Kuhfs at her dining room table as a way to change the look of her fashion boots. She couldn't find a product to meet her need. So, she created the product herself even though she had no experience in sewing or in launching fashion accessories. I'm finding that many of the women I've talked to so far have started their business b…

Tiffany C. Wright has helped numerous small and medium businesses find funding for a variety of purposes from many sources. She is the founder and president of The Resourceful CEO where she provides packaged solutions and educational products focused for business strategy and finance. Tiffany is also the author of The Funding Is Out There! Access t…

Felena Hanson is a long-time entrepreneur and marketing maven. Her latest venture, Hera Hub, is a spa-inspired shared workspace and community for female entrepreneurs. This as-needed, flexible work and meeting space provides a productive environment for growing businesses. Hera Hub members have access to a professional space to meet with clients an…

Maz Schirmer is recognized as a pioneer in the area of women’s self-development. She is the Director/Founder of the Institute of Women International and the creator of Creatrix, which focuses on the Female Brain/Mind Process. Maz is a respected author and innovator who has dedicated her life to transforming and empowering the lives of other women. …

It takes a great idea plus tenacity and action to make it all happen. Sheila Benjamin is the creator of ZipMyself which is a 2 in 1 dressing tool. Sheila has a great combination of courage, persistence and curiosity and I wanted to learn more about her inspiring journey. Sheila says, "ZipMyself is a 2 in 1 Dressing Tool that can assist you with zip…

Kirstyn Shaw has had a penchant for fashion since she started sewing at the age of six, but it wasn't until she had her "quarter life crisis" that she decided to make a career out of it. With a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a degree in apparel manufacturing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), Kirstyn wasted no time divi…

Sheila Kemper Dietrich created elegant portion control. After years of waging the war against obesity and longing to embrace a healthier lifestyle, she began researching and experimenting with the concept of “right-sizing” the food environment. I wanted to talk to Sheila because she’s a really great example of someone who designs products by listen…

Kelly Weinberger is on a mission to create positive change in the world through the practice of 360° fair trade. She is the founder of WorldFinds, a brand of ethically-sourced, style-driven jewelry and accessories that empowers women in the developing world through fair trade. Often when I travel, I see products that are not sold in the U.S. but co…

Sharon Bolt is a publicity expert and founder of Get Free Publicity Today. She has contributed to more than 40 different local and national newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations and is the co-author of 2 highly acclaimed books. The wonderful thing about Sharon is that she teaches people step by step how to get their businesses featur…

Francesca Kuglen is a serial entrepreneur who started her first company after college and sold it years later to Newell-Rubbermaid. Francesca Kuglen has numerous patents that have been successfully licensed to large corporations. Finding customers is a huge challenge for many small businesses. I wanted to talk to Francesca because she has really gr…

Laura Dotolo has spent many years in the fashion industry designing, developing and manufacturing a variety of handbags and fashion accessories. She is the creator of Clutch Bags New York and she consults with other women to help them to launch products. I wanted to talk to Laura to learn more about the specific steps and knowledge needed to create…

Lisa Owusu has a background in law yet she's created an exquisite line of jewelry. I'm excited about this episode because Lisa goes into some detail about how she found people to help her. During our conversation, she posed a really important question, "How do I excite people to want to help me build a brand?" This is something to really consider. …

Tanya Patxot is a business coach and strategist. She teaches entrepreneurs how to streamline life and simplify business. I wanted to talk to Tanya because the story of her life is very interesting and she has great insight on gaining clarity when venturing into a small business.