Get Sh!t Done podcast

57:47

Meet Yulkendy Valdez (Forefront) and Samantha Pratt (ClickEngage), two powerhouse founders who built edtech companies rooted in impact, raised capital, got the accolades and still chose to shut it all down. Why? Because scaling the wrong thing isn’t success, it’s burnout. And in this radically honest episode, they break down how walking away became the biggest power move of their entrepreneurial journeys. In this episode, Yulkendy and Samantha unpack the hidden truths behind what it really looks like to build a startup as women of color, the traps of raising capital too early, and how they’re now building aligned businesses on their own terms. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Know When to Shut It Down: Why staying misaligned is riskier than pivoting—and the gut checks that helped them decide. Why You Don’t Need to Raise: How they got caught in the funding hamster wheel, and why most businesses shouldn’t chase VC dollars. How to Reclaim Your Vision: The exercises they used to reconnect with purpose after losing themselves in other people’s playbooks. How to Redefine Success: What it looks like to build a business around your values, your energy, and the impact you actually want to have. How to Exit With Integrity: Real talk on navigating shutdowns, honoring your customers, and preserving your peace. Whether you’re pivoting, scaling, or rethinking everything, this episode is your permission slip to define success on your terms—and get sh!t done your way. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠⁠⁠shegetsshitdone.com/join⁠…

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#112 Part 1: When to Persist After Losing 50% Revenues: Leading Through a Crisis (Elena Valentine, SkillScout) (REPLAY) 58:58

11 days ago58:58

58:58

Meet Elena Valentine, founder of Skill Scout, the video storytelling company on a mission to humanize the modern workplace. Elena didn’t just survive one of the biggest economic shocks of our generation—she led through it with clarity, conviction, and zero layoffs, even after losing 50% of her company’s revenue overnight. In this episode, Elena breaks down her growth playbook for how to lead through chaos, scale without compromising your values, and build a people-first company that lasts. This is one of the most honest, real-talk convos we've ever had about what it actually looks like to run a business during a crisis—and why sometimes the best growth comes from standing still. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Lead When Sh*t Hits the Fan: Why Elena chose people over panic—and how it paid off. How to Build a Survival + Impact Scoreboard: Track the metrics that actually matter in uncertain times. How to Stay in Your Profit Zone: Why focus is your most scalable asset—and how to protect it. How to Say No to the Money (and Mean It): The mindset shift that helped Elena return VC checks and reclaim her power. How to Evolve Your Brand During a Crisis: Use disruption as a launchpad for your next chapter. Whether you’re riding high or bracing for the next dip, Elena’s strategies are a masterclass in what it means to lead with courage, integrity, and Big Vag Energy. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠⁠⁠ shegetsshitdone.com/join ⁠…

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#111: From Farmers Market to 100+ Stores: How to Keep 60% Margins, Scale to 7-Figures, & Own Your Supply Chain (Jenna Huntsberger, Whisked by Jenna) 57:54

18 days ago57:54

57:54

Meet Jenna Huntsberger, founder of Whisked , the bootstrapped cookie company that scaled from a $35K farmers market side hustle to a 7-figure, vertically integrated CPG brand—now in over 100+ stores, with 60%+ gross margins and zero outside capital. In this episode, Jenna breaks down her growth playbook for building a profitable food business without investors, distributors, or sacrificing control. From baking in a shared kitchen to owning her own facility and delivery fleet, Jenna shows how scrappy strategies and smart systems can unlock sustainable scale—even in one of the toughest industries around. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Validate Before You Scale : Use local channels and real-time feedback to prove product-market fit before investing big. How to Protect Margins with Vertical Integration : Learn how owning your production and delivery can give you control and cut costs. How to Navigate Ingredient Cost Spikes : Jenna’s shrinkflation strategy kept customer retention high—without raising prices. How to Bootstrap with Intention : Fund your business with cashflow from side gigs and reinvest into growth—Jenna shares her 3-tier budget framework. How to Scale Without a Distributor : Build real relationships with store buyers and close deals through direct outreach. Whether you're a product-based founder, a CPG entrepreneur, or a small biz owner looking to grow without giving away equity—Jenna’s story is a must-listen. It’s the tactical and transparent blueprint we all need for scaling smart, staying profitable, and owning the path forward. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠⁠⁠ shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#110: How a Single Mom Self-Funded 2 Businesses & Scaled to 7-Figures with a Marketing Machine that Prints $$$ (Dahlia Rizk, Buckle Me Baby) 54:23

25 days ago54:23

54:23

Meet Dahlia Rizk , founder of Buckle Me Baby Coats —a brand that went viral (multiple times), secured a deal on Shark Tank , and grew into a 7-figure business without outside capital. Oh, and she did it all while raising 3 kids and running a second business. In this episode, Dahlia breaks down her growth playbook for how she self-funded her dream (with boundaries), built a marketing engine that now drives 20% of her sales on autopilot , and scaled by doing the unscalable first. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow with what you’ve got—this is the blueprint. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Self-Fund Without Burnout : Dahlia’s “No Debt, No Drama” rulebook for funding your business sustainably. How to Go Viral Intentionally : Her framework for creating content that fuels ads, email, and sales. How to Prep + Pitch Big Opportunities : What it took to land a Shark Tank deal on the third try—and how she negotiated better terms after the cameras stopped rolling. How to Build a 20% Marketing Flywheel : Turn organic videos into paid ads and email revenue with her scrappy but strategic system. How to Scale by Doing the Unscalable First : Why DIYing everything at first helped her build a team—and a business—that could scale smart. Whether you're bootstrapping, juggling multiple income streams, or building while parenting—Dahlia’s story proves you don’t need to wait for permission (or funding) to build a brand that scales. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠⁠⁠ shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#109: How She Bootstrapped a $1.2 BILLION Business (Liz Elting, TransPerfect) 1:02:04

5 weeks ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Meet Liz Elting, founder of TransPerfect—the largest language solutions company in the world, built with zero outside funding. Liz didn’t just build a billion-dollar business. She did it without venture capital, scaling her company from a cockroach-filled NYU dorm room to $1.2B+ in annual revenue, 600+ salespeople, and operations in 140+ global markets. In this episode, Liz breaks down the exact playbook that helped her dominate a category most people overlooked. From sales systems to team incentives to the $50M mistake every founder needs to avoid—this episode is a must for any entrepreneur who wants to scale smarter (without selling out). 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Land Your First Big Client Without Funding: Why Liz made 300+ cold calls a day and how one 3-page job turned into a million-dollar client. How to Build a Sales Machine from Scratch: Her exact framework for scaling to 600+ reps and making sales a daily habit—not a hustle. How to Create Commission Plans That Scale: Why Liz paid 10% uncapped, lifetime commissions and how that loyalty helped scale revenue beyond $1B. How to Expand Without Burning Out: The revenue-first approach she used to open in 140+ markets—without chasing hype or raising capital. How to Avoid a $50M Mistake: What happened when she skipped a $5K legal agreement and how to protect yourself from day one with a founder agreement. Whether you're just starting out or scaling globally, Liz’s no-fluff growth playbook is packed with actionable strategies to help you build a revenue-first business that lasts. 📄 Want the full breakdown + step-by-step action plan? Subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, founder-tested frameworks to scale your business without the burnout. 👉 Join here: shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#108: How She Became the Mac & Cheese Millionaire (Erin Wade, Homeroom Restaurant) 54:28

6 weeks ago54:28

54:28

Meet Erin Wade, founder of Homeroom and author of The Mac & Cheese Millionaire . Erin didn’t just create a comfort food hotspot—she built a 7-figure business with top 1% profitability in the restaurant industry (yes, the one where most fail), achieved 10X employee retention, and got acquired—all without spending a dime on ads. In this episode, Erin breaks down her growth playbook for how she bootstrapped a niche concept with a $9K Kickstarter, created systems that scaled culture and operations, and turned customer experience into a competitive edge. Whether you're building a brick-and-mortar or scaling any kind of service-based biz, this is your roadmap to doing more with less—and winning big. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Bootstrap Like a Pro : Why Erin started with $9K, induction burners, and still built a 7-figure brand. How to Retain Talent in High-Turnover Industries : The transparent system she used to create 10X retention in a space known for burnout. How to Get Paid to Market : Erin’s scrappy, profitable approach to marketing that generated buzz without buying ads. How to Create Scalable Customer Experiences : The “Stoke Out Rule” that turned team creativity into viral customer love. How to Build a Business Acquirers Chase Down : Why Erin never planned to sell—but built like she might. Whether you're early-stage or prepping for a future exit, Erin's story will show you how to scale with soul, strategy, and smart systems. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠⁠⁠ shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#107: How to Use Referrals to Drive 75% of Revenues of a Multi-Million Dollar Empire (Michelle Penczak, Squared Away) 1:00:47

8 weeks ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Meet Michelle Penczak , the founder of Squared Away , a virtual assistant powerhouse that scaled from a one-woman operation to a 300+ person team , all while leveraging a referral engine that now drives 75% of the company’s revenue . Michelle didn’t follow the traditional path—after losing her remote job while three months pregnant, she took matters into her own hands. Through smart systems, strategic delegation, and a high-touch client experience, she built a multi-million dollar business that thrives on word-of-mouth growth. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Systemizing Success: How Michelle turned daily chaos into structured workflows that allowed her to scale efficiently. Building a Referral Engine: The exact steps that led to 75% of Squared Away’s revenue coming from word-of-mouth —and how you can implement this in your business. Scaling Through Team Growth: How she went from managing 13 clients solo to leading a 300+ team of executive assistants . Mastering Delegation: The strategies she used to remove herself as the bottleneck so her business could grow without her being in the weeds. Training & Retaining Top Talent: The system she built to hire, train, and retain high-performing team members, reducing turnover and increasing efficiency. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or operator , Michelle’s journey proves that referrals, delegation, and strong systems are the key to sustainable, scalable growth . 📄 Want more actionable strategies to scale your business? Subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, real-world frameworks and tools to help you scale smarter— no fluff, just results . 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#106: How She Turned Driving Lyft & $40,000 Into $2 Million With Big Clients like Marvel (Juleyka Lantigua, LWC Studios) 1:11:18

9 weeks ago1:11:18

1:11:18

Meet Juleyka Lantigua, the founder of a powerhouse media company that transformed a $40K investment from her 401k into a multi-million dollar empire. Juleyka didn’t wait for permission—she created her own lane, securing nearly $2 million in philanthropic grants, building a dream team from scratch, and becoming an authority in the media industry that attracted partnerships with giants like Marvel. In this episode, Juleyka shares her unfiltered growth playbook on how she scaled her business while amplifying underrepresented voices. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Bet on Yourself: Why Juleyka drove Lyft for two years while building her media empire and how that grit paid off. Securing Nearly $2M in Funding: The exact steps she took to write winning grant proposals and build relationships with funders. Building a Dream Team: How 40–50 targeted cold calls helped her find top talent and collaborators. Dominating a Niche Market: How Juleyka tapped into a market of 15 million Afro-Latina listeners and created content that resonated deeply. Attracting Inbound Opportunities: Proven strategies to establish authority in your industry and draw in major clients. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to the next level, Juleyka’s strategies show that you can build a mission-driven business, create large-scale impact, and still get sh!t done. 📄 Want more actionable strategies to scale your business? Subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, real-world frameworks and tools to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#105: How Grassroots Grew a $4 Million Community-Driven Business (Sloane Davidson, Hello Neighbor) 1:04:34

10 weeks ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Meet Sloane, Founder of Hello Neighbor, Who Scaled Community Impact to $4M in Revenue Sloane didn’t just build a nonprofit—she created a movement that took Hello Neighbor from a grassroots initiative with $130K in funding to a $4M powerhouse making a tangible impact in communities across 36 states. Sloane shares the exact strategies and frameworks that helped her secure federal contracts, build a national network of partners, and scale programs that deliver real community impact. In this episode, Sloane breaks down her growth playbook for how she turned unscalable one-on-one mentorship into structured programs, developed data-driven proposals to land federal contracts, and evolved her leadership role six times over seven years to drive growth and stay mission-focused. Get ready for actionable insights that’ll help you scale your business while staying true to your mission. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Scale with Precision: Build structured programs that maintain a human touch. How to Secure Early Funding & Federal Contracts: Learn the exact steps Sloane used to manage over $250K monthly. How to Build a National Network: See how Sloane grew Hello Neighbor’s partnerships from 7 to 86 organizations across 36 states. How to Diversify Programs for Maximum Impact: Learn how to identify community needs and create programs that scale. How to Evolve Your Leadership Role: Discover how Sloane transitioned from a solo founder to leading a 30-person team without losing sight of the mission. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale to the next level, Sloane’s strategies prove that you can build a mission-driven organization, create large-scale impact, and still get sh!t done. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done , subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#104: How She Turned A Service Business Into a Tech Platform & Gained 30,000 Users (Virginia Frischkorn, Partytrick & Bluebird Productions) 1:03:53

11 weeks ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Meet Virginia Frischkorn, founder of PartyTrick, who built a multi-million-dollar luxury event planning business and successfully transitioned it into a scalable SaaS platform—without raising VC funding or spending a dime on ads. Instead of sinking money into software too early, Virginia validated her idea manually, leveraged referrals for 80%+ of her business, and used strategic PR & partnerships to scale organically. Now, PartyTrick is serving thousands of users while giving people a seamless, done-for-you event planning solution. In this episode, Virginia breaks down her growth playbook for turning a high-touch, service-based business into a scalable tech platform—all while balancing life as a mom and CEO. Get ready for real-world insights and step-by-step strategies to help you scale smarter, whether you’re looking to productize your expertise, transition into tech, or grow without paid marketing. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Validate & Monetize Before Building Tech : Avoid the biggest mistake founders make when scaling. The Referral Playbook That Drove 80% of Sales : Build a word-of-mouth engine that keeps customers coming. How to Get PR That Converts Into Paying Customers : Stop chasing features that don’t move the needle. How Virginia Grew PartyTrick to 30,000+ Users Without Ads : The exact growth strategies she used. How She Transitioned from Solo Founder to CEO (Without Losing Her Mind) : Scaling while raising two kids. Whether you're a founder, small business owner, or ecosystem leader, this episode is packed with actionable frameworks to help you scale smarter—without burning out or wasting time on the wrong things. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, step-by-step frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: shegetsshitdone.com/join 🚀…

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#103: How to Grow 50–100% Annually Bootstrapped: Big Clients, Sales Systems & Recurring Revenue (Sharon Nouh, ProSpend) 1:06:38

12 weeks ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Meet Sharon Nouh , founder of ProSpend , who scaled her company 50–100% year-over-year —all without raising VC funding. Instead of chasing investors, she focused on landing major clients like KFC, leveraging ERP integrations & reseller partnerships, and building a sustainable revenue engine. In this episode, Sharon breaks down her growth playbook for how she built a scalable, high-growth business while staying bootstrapped. Get ready for actionable insights that’ll help you grow smarter, win big clients, and create long-term success. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Land Big Clients Early How to Build a Sales Engine (Even If You Hate Selling): Convert conversations into revenue without being “salesy.” Scaling Without Burnout: Lessons from launching too early vs. too late and how to time your growth. How to Use ERP & Reseller Partnerships to Scale Faster: Build warm lead channels instead of cold-selling. Pricing Strategies for Bootstrapped Growth: Why Sharon underpriced her competitors early on—and when she raised prices. Whether you're a founder, small business owner, or ecosystem leader, this episode is packed with strategies to scale smarter—without burning out or giving up equity. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: shegetsshitdone.com/join 🚀…

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#102: From DEI to Dollars: How to Position Your Brand for Impact & ROI (Crystal Foote, Digital Culture Group) 1:00:13

13 weeks ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Meet Crystal Foot , founder of Digital Culture Group , the only Black woman-owned and minority-owned ad tech company in the country. Crystal isn’t just talking about change—she’s building it. With a 96% Fortune 500 client retention rate , she’s proving that investing in diverse audiences (now reframed as “growth audiences”) isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a business advantage . In this episode, Crystal breaks down her growth playbook for winning corporate partnerships, retaining high-value clients, and strategically navigating the DEI backlash to drive revenue. Whether you’re building a DEI-adjacent business or looking to position yourself for long-term success , this episode is packed with actionable insights. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Position DEI for Business Growth: The language shifts companies are making—and how to adjust your messaging without compromising your mission. The Relationship-First Growth Strategy: Why building trust beats selling and how Crystal uses relationships to retain 96% of her clients. The Power of Proof-of-Concept Campaigns: How to bet on yourself and land big clients by offering small trial projects that drive long-term deals. How to Leverage Data & ROI to Win Clients: Why leading with impact metrics (not just values) helps you secure more business. The Consultative Sales Mindset Shift: How to position yourself as an indispensable partner—not just a service provider. Whether you’re scaling a service-based business, a DEI-adjacent company, or looking to build stronger client relationships, Crystal’s insights will help you get sh!t done, secure long-term deals, and drive impact that translates into dollars. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here : ⁠⁠⁠shegetsshitdone.com/join⁠…

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#101: How She Built Scalable Partnerships with Government (Clementine Jacoby, Recidiviz) 58:10

14 weeks ago58:10

58:10

Meet Clementine Jacoby , co-founder of Recidiviz , the GovTech company revolutionizing criminal justice reform. Clementine didn’t just talk about change—she and her team built a scalable platform that’s transforming how states manage incarceration, leading to partnerships across 11 states and impacting 75,000+ lives. In this episode, Clementine breaks down her growth playbook for how she built partnerships with state governments, created scalable solutions for complex problems, and stayed mission-focused without burning out. Get ready for actionable insights that’ll help you scale partnerships and drive impact. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to Find Your Champion: Why you only need one obsessed person inside an organization to unlock massive growth. How to Do Unscalable Things Early: Build trust and customer insights by going deep before scaling wide. How to Create Scalable Solutions: Identify and solve recurring problems that can work across multiple customers or regions. How to Balance Breadth vs. Depth: Scale sustainably without overextending your team or resources. How to Build Relationships with Complex Organizations: Learn how Clementine navigated bureaucracy and built long-term partnerships with government leaders. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to the next level, Clementine’s strategies prove that you can build a mission-driven business, create large-scale impact, and still get sh!t done. 📄 If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠ ⁠shegetsshitdone.com/join⁠…

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#100: How to Raise $50 Million+ & Scale Your Business by Starting Small (Laurel Taylor, Candidly) 1:00:37

15 weeks ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Meet Laurel Taylor , the visionary founder and CEO of Candidly , the fintech company transforming how we tackle student debt while driving financial inclusion and empowerment. Laurel didn’t just raise $50M+ in funding—she’s leveraging policy changes, scrappy beginnings, and a mission-driven approach to scale a business that’s reshaping lives and industries. In this episode, Laurel shares her step-by-step growth playbook on how she built credibility, turned small wins into enterprise deals, and created traction that investors couldn’t ignore. Get ready to take notes because this one is packed with actionable insights. How to Win Early Clients: Use smaller wins as proof points to attract big-name partners. How to Leverage Policy Changes: Align with regulatory shifts to create scalable business models. How to Raise $50+ Million & Why Traction Matters: Learn why early proof points are critical for funding and how to achieve them. How to Pay Yourself as a Founder: Build sustainability for yourself and your business. How to Build a Mission-Driven Business: Stay true to your purpose while driving profits. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to the next level, Laurel’s strategies are designed to help you build a business with impact and sustainability. Her story proves that scrappy beginnings and mission-driven leadership can unlock unimaginable growth. If you’re ready to activate AND get sh!t done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join our Growth Playbooks here: ⁠ shegetsshitdone.com/join…

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#99: How to Build Big Vision Energy & Tap Into A $30 Trillion Opportunity (Kelly Ann Winget, Alternative Wealth Partners) 1:15:42

16 weeks ago1:15:42