HAYVN Hubcast

In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Marilynn Joyner, a former commercial real estate exec turned tech founder, to unpack her journey from corporate intensity to building Her Workplace, an AI-powered career platform designed for ambitious Gen Z and millennial women. Key Highlights: A Career on Her Terms: Marilynn’s early career in commercial real estate exposed her to a male-dominated, competitive culture. Despite early success, she realized she was following rules she didn’t create and sought more autonomy and purpose. The Pivot Point: While attending Columbia Business School, Marilynn’s experiences, coupled with the pandemic slowdown. sparked her entrepreneurial journey. A side project, mentorship from a startup founder, and workplace burnout fueled her desire to create something new. Finding the Gap: Through conversations with friends and peers, she discovered a lack of career resources and support for mid-career women, those not yet in the C-suite but striving for leadership. This white space became the inspiration for Her Workplace. From Idea to Impact: What began with 7 in-person events and a waitlist of 5,000 women turned into a full-fledged membership platform that now includes networking, mentorship, coaching, and AI-powered tools. AI for Human Connection: Her Workplace uses AI to match members with mentors, peers, and career resources, making career growth more personalized—and more human. “The mission of Her Workplace has always been to help women grow into leadership and enact change in their own careers, and now we’re using tech to accelerate that.” Connect with Marilynn Website Company Instagram Marilynn’s Instagram Connect with Nancy LinkedIn  Instagram Website

In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed is joined by Petra Pasquina, a seasoned marketer turned tech entrepreneur and the creator of Groopl, a purpose-built app that makes it easier for small groups to connect, communicate, and stay organized. Petra shares her fascinating journey from corporate roles at Meta and MasterCard to founding a startup aimed at solving one of the most frustrating pain points of modern group life: the chaos of managing logistics across multiple platforms. “I always look for that white space… a place where people aren’t being spoken to in the right way or there’s an opportunity.” After years of helping brands speak more clearly to their customers, including launching MasterCard’s first Latinx marketing strategy, Petra saw a major opportunity to build something of her own. Fueled by pandemic-era isolation and digital overwhelm, Groopl was born to simplify and humanize the act of gathering. “I found myself using five different tools just to get a tennis group together—and even then, half the people didn’t show up.”  Petra breaks down how Groopl combines the best parts of group chats, event invites, calendars, and community feeds all in one place. Designed especially for the unsung heroes who organize everything from volunteer circles to networking meetups, Groopl helps make connecting feel easy again.  Currently available for free on iOS and Android, GROOPL is rolling out new features, including a pro tier for paid event organizers and a future enterprise version for larger organizations. Whether you're organizing a book club, a mastermind, or a neighborhood meetup, Petra and Groopl are making the act of gathering simpler, smoother, and more joyful. Connect with Petra: Groopl  Email: petra@thegroopl.com Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website

In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Kate Stone, founder of Kate Stone Prep, to trace the unconventional and intentional journey that led her from aspiring actress and world traveler to top-tier college admissions strategist. Kate’s story is anything but linear, and that’s what makes it so powerful. What started as a dream of working in film and television evolved into international teaching, private tutoring across the globe, and ultimately building a business that helps students not only get into college but thrive once they're there. Highlights of their conversation:  From NYU to Bali: Kate shares how her time at NYU and a desire to experience the world led her to teach in Thailand and Bali, where she discovered her knack for helping students through tutoring then the college application process. The Acting Years: Commercial acting funded her freedom, and the performance skills she honed translated beautifully into storytelling, communication, and workshop facilitation — all essential in college admissions work. Finding Her Niche: A conversation with a former partner helped her pivot from general tutoring to the college application space, a decision that ultimately led to a thriving business supported by mentors and coaches. Beyond Admissions: It’s not just about getting in, it's about helping students discover who they are, what drives them, and how to communicate that powerfully. Kate emphasizes developing soft skills, self-awareness, and networks of support. Building a Business with Purpose: Kate and her husband, Zach, have grown Kate Stone Prep into a standout service by focusing on authenticity, implementation, and complete dedication to their clients. Giving Back: Kate’s commitment to accessibility shows up in her regular free Family College Night events and application workshops that equip students and families with actionable insights, no payment required. This episode is a must-listen for parents, students, educators, and entrepreneurs as well. Listen to hear how nontraditional paths can lead to exceptional impact. Connect with Kate  Website Instagram Connect with Nancy  LinkedIn  Instagram Website  

In a powerful episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Chandler Stroud, founder of The Healing Heroes to explore a journey that many women will find deeply relatable: the path from corporate success to personal healing and authentic purpose. The Corporate Climb and Its Hidden Costs Chandler's story begins in the corporate world, where she built an impressive career at major companies like Kraft Heinz and American Express. She also led the B2B marketing team at Resy, American Express's dining platform, attending chef dinners and immersing herself in the food and hospitality industry. But beneath the surface of professional achievement, something was stirring. Despite having everything she’d dreamed of she was asking herself: why aren't you happier in this moment? When the Body Says "Enough" The breakthrough moment came during a business trip when she spotted a book at JFK Airport: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. That book became the catalyst for understanding the connection between emotional trauma and physical symptoms.  Chandler learned that trauma isn't just about what happens to you, it's about how you experience what happens to you. She distinguishes between two types of traumas: Big T trauma: Major events like abuse, abandonment, or significant loss Small t trauma: Seemingly minor experiences that create deep-seated beliefs about us like being left out, not being invited, feeling overlooked The Corporate Exit Strategy Recognizing that she couldn't fully commit to both healing and her demanding corporate role, Chandler made a courageous decision and approached her boss with complete honesty about her situation, leading to an FMLA leave that eventually became a permanent departure from American Express. Birth of the Healing Heroes Podcast The vision for The Healing Heroes podcast came in a moment of divine inspiration. Chandler woke up in the middle of the night in early January with a complete concept that flowed onto 12 pages of content. The podcast features a unique format: instead of rotating guests, Chandler works with the same 12 healers and experts she interviews one-on-one each week. This approach creates character development and gives listeners familiar, credible voices they can turn to consistently. Chandler's journey offers several profound insights: Success without fulfillment is a warning sign: Having everything you thought you wanted but still feeling empty is your soul's way of redirecting you. Your body is your ally: Physical symptoms often carry emotional messages that deserve attention and investigation. Healing is ongoing: "I don't think I'll ever say I'm healed... I think it's just something you continue to do every day." Small traumas matter: Don't dismiss seemingly minor experiences that may have shaped limiting beliefs about yourself. Corporate support exists: Companies like American Express can be surprisingly supportive of employees prioritizing mental health and healing. The Ripple Effect What started as personal healing has become a mission to help other women. The Healing Heroes podcast serves as both inspiration and practical resource, proving that career pivots in midlife aren't just possible, they can be transformational. Connect with Chandler:  Instagram Healing Heroes Podcast  Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website  

In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Beth Leas, founder of TribeTLC, to explore how one woman’s healing journey blossomed into a thriving community of over 180 holistic practitioners. From Reiki in a spare bedroom to regional networks across Connecticut and New York, Beth shares the evolution of her work and her mission to support fellow healers with heart-centered business development. Key Highlights: From personal healing to community leadership: Beth’s healing journey began at 15 with meditation, a tool that helped her navigate PTSD. By the 1990s, she discovered Reiki and followed an intuitive calling to become a healer and ultimately a Reiki Master. The birth of TribeTLC: In 1997, she founded TLC Center, a pioneering holistic health center in Norwalk, CT. The idea grew from Beth’s desire to refer clients to trusted peers and create a space for collaboration and healing. Community over commercial space: After 20 years of managing a physical space, Beth chose to focus on building community without walls, turning TribeTLC into a powerful, decentralized network of practitioners. Leading as a reluctant entrepreneur: Beth candidly shares how she transitioned from back-office support in a corporate job to becoming a community leader, despite identifying as an introvert and “reluctant leader.” Business bynecessity: TribeTLC evolved to include a membership model for practitioners, fostering connection, professional growth, and accountability among holistic entrepreneurs. COVID-Era pivot: TribeTLC expanded geographically and virtually adding online networking to support practitioners beyond physical boundaries. This episode is part of the spotlight series featuring co-sponsors of the HAYVN Health Summit so it’s especially fitting that she shared advice for other heart-centered practitioners looking to make their work more sustainable and more impactful. Connect with Beth  Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website

In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sat down with Rachael Mahoney, founder of Kinney Lane, a prepared foods company rooted in wellness, simplicity, and community connection. What started as a personal journey toward health became a mission to nourish others, literally and emotionally, with every meal. Rachael shares how her summers spent on Kinney Lane in upstate New York planted the seeds for her love of fresh food and wholesome living. From working in ad tech to launching her food business out of her home kitchen while pregnant, her story is one of grit, intuition, and deep listening, to her body, her community, and her calling. Key Takeaways: A business born from struggle: Rachael’s own health and fertility challenges led her to radically change her lifestyle and, ultimately, to start Kinney Lane. Trusting the timing: She didn’t have it all figured out when she started. Rachael focused on doing what she could with what she had, even if it meant 4 a.m. kitchen shifts with an infant in tow. Community-centered growth: Listening closely to her customers helped her refine her offerings and expand into meal delivery.  Team building takes time: Finding the right hires was a five-year journey, but now her business can thrive without her being in the kitchen every day. Infertility, resilience, and joy: Rachael vulnerably shares the emotional moment she found out she was pregnant after being told it wasn’t possible. That turning point gave her the push to pursue her business wholeheartedly. If you’ve ever wondered when the right time to start something is—or how to turn your personal experience into purpose—this conversation will inspire you. Connect with Rachael & Kinney Lane Kinney Lane Website Instagram Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website

In this inspiring episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Kim Conti, founder of Orbit Crates, a toy rental company focused on reducing clutter and encouraging intentional play. Fresh off her win at the HAYVN Hatch pitch competition, Kim shares her entrepreneurial journey, from corporate innovation to full-time startup founder. Key Highlights: Entrepreneurial Spirit from the Start: Kim always had a drive for innovation, even though her career path took her through corporate roles in marketing, customer experience, operations, and product management, including a leadership role at an AI tech company. Making the Leap: While "moonlighting" Orbit Crates on the side, Kim balanced her career, family, and startup ambitions. Ultimately, she chose to leave her full-time role and go all-in on her business, motivated by deeply held personal values and a strong internal drive to create something meaningful. Building a Bootstrapped Business: Kim shares the realities of entrepreneurship, from creative bootstrapping and bartering services to tapping into local resources like the CT Women's Business Development Council. The Orbit Crates Mission: The company’s goal is to reduce toy clutter, encourage creativity over consumption, and give parents and kids a better way to manage toys. With around 400 toys in inventory, Orbit Crates is already serving customers and growing. The Power of Co-Creation: "One of the things I bring from my corporate experience is co-creation, working directly with customers to iterate and improve. Our toy selection, for example, is heavily shaped by real feedback from families using our service” Kim explains Pitching and Growth: Preparing for the HAYVN Hatch pitch taught Kim how to succinctly share her passion and business value. She's now looking for investors, partners, and pilot customers to help expand Orbit Crates' impact. Kim’s story is a reminder that even with a non-linear career path, determination, creativity, and a values-driven mindset can lead to fulfilling entrepreneurial success. Connect with Kim and Orbit Crates  Website Social Media: @OrbitCrates Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website  

On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed talks with Megan Palmer Rivera, CEO of Palmer’s Market and Palmer’s Catering & Events. As a fifth-generation leader in her family business, Megan shares her inspiring career of blending tradition with innovation. Megan’s journey shows how leadership and legacy go hand in hand. She shares how her early start, launching a bakery within Palmer’s Market at just 21, taught her not only how to create incredible products but also how to run a business. Over time, her focus shifted from serving customers to leading a growing team, finding deep satisfaction in helping others thrive. When Megan officially stepped into the CEO role, she knew maintaining the family’s values was key. She introduced more structure to the business, fully committing to a set core business values for the first time in its 100-year history to ensure the culture remained strong for future generations. Recently, Megan led the development of a new commissary kitchen to support expansion beyond their original location. She emphasized that growth for Palmer’s isn’t about getting bigger, it's about staying close to the community, maintaining quality, and providing new opportunities for her team. Even as technology drives instant gratification, Megan is clear that Palmer’s will stay rooted in personal connection. From hand-sliced deli meats to packing groceries with care, the experience remains deeply human. Finally, Megan offers thoughtful advice to fellow entrepreneurs. She speaks candidly about the loneliness that often comes with leadership and the power of finding a trusted network, something she found through HAYVN to lean on during both the good and challenging times. Connect with Megan LinkedIn Palmers Market  Connect with Nancy  LinkedIn  Instagram Website

How do you know when it’s time to make a big life change? That’s part of the conversation that Nancy Sheed had with Mary O’Connell. Hear how a long-time corporate executive made the leap after 25 years in a global company. She explains why she knew it was time to embrace a new chapter focused on purpose, people, and personal growth. Mary shares her honest journey from navigating Y2K as a young consultant to leading international teams and ultimately choosing to step away at a meaningful milestone to reclaim time, reflect, and reinvest in what truly matters. Key Highlights:  Why the 25-year mark became her personal pivot point Mary reached a major milestone at her company, a 25-year tenure celebrated annually by alumni, yet found herself craving something more. This became the natural time to reflect, reset, and decide how she wanted to spend the next chapter of her life. How “more precious time” became her guiding principle Inspired by the needs of her aging parents and growing children, Mary began to reframe her priorities. Rather than focusing on productivity alone, she started asking, “Who am I doing this for?” That question led her to realign her life around family and purpose. Reclaiming skills and reimagining them for nonprofit causes Even after stepping away from corporate life, Mary didn’t shelve her executive toolkit. Instead, she’s redirecting her strategic skills and leadership experience into volunteer work, especially in fundraising and board service, where she continues to create meaningful impact. The value of lifelong learning (she’s now taking classes at NYU!) Recognizing that leadership in new sectors requires fresh knowledge, Mary enrolled in NYU’s professional education courses. Her commitment to learning reflects her drive not just to help, but to help well, with insight, humility, and updated expertise. How HAYVN has been a crucial part of her transition Originally a lifeline during the isolating days of the pandemic, HAYVN has now become a grounding force in Mary’s post-corporate life. From walks and coffee chats to community events, it’s given her the social structure and inspiration to keep growing while staying connected.   Connect with Mary:  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjoconnell/ Connect with Nancy:  LinkedIn  Instagram Website  

What does it take to leave behind a stable corporate career and successfully launch a business? Many professionals dream of entrepreneurship but making the leap can feel overwhelming. HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed sat down with Emelie Calbick, co-founder of Stage 2 Startups, to discuss the realities of starting a business later in life. Emelie shared her personal journey from the corporate world to tech startups and how she now helps others navigate this transition. Like many professionals, Emelie found herself wondering if there was something more fulfilling beyond corporate life. Research backs this up. 29% of business owners say their biggest motivation is the desire to be their own boss, while 17% leave corporate careers due to dissatisfaction. For Emelie, the opportunity to join a tech startup was exhilarating, offering a new level of independence, decision-making, and creativity. Making the switch from corporate employee to entrepreneur requires a deep understanding of yourself, your skills, and your tolerance for risk.  Emelie outlined the key questions every aspiring business owner should ask: Do I have a passion for this business? Can I see myself doing this every day? How comfortable am I with uncertainty? Entrepreneurship involves risk and the ability to pivot. Do I work best alone or with a partner? Some thrive independently, while others need collaboration. What are my strengths and weaknesses? Identifying skill gaps early helps you find the right support. She also emphasized the importance of seeking honest feedback from colleagues, friends, and family. Sometimes, others recognize our talents before we do! A common misconception is that startups are for the young. The average startup founder is 45 years old, and this group is twice as likely to succeed compared to younger founders.  That’s due to:  Experience – Years in the workforce build valuable skills in leadership, strategy, and problem-solving. Networks – Established professionals have connections that can open doors. Financial Stability – Many midlife entrepreneurs have resources to sustain early-stage growth. Whether it’s launching a high-tech business, a local service, or a passion-driven nonprofit, midlife entrepreneurs are proving that age is an asset, not a barrier. One of the biggest mistakes aspiring business owners make is skipping the research phase. Emelie shared inspiring examples of entrepreneurs who took the time to validate their ideas before launching. The takeaway? Success isn’t an accident, it’s the result of careful preparation, persistence, and learning from others. Connect with Emelie Stage2Startups.com LinkedIn Connect with Nancy  LinkedIn  Instagram Website