Lead Like a Woman

Lisa Druxman is a mom on a mission. She is the Founder and CEO of FIT4MOM, the parent company of FIT4BABY, Stroller Strides, and Body Boost. With nearly 2,000 class locations nationwide, FIT4MOM is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country. Lisa is also the author of The Empowered Mama and the host of The Empowered Mama podcast. Lisa and FIT4MOM have been featured numerous times on NBC's Today Show, CNN, The Montel Williams Show, and Access Hollywood and profiled in magazines, including Entrepreneur, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, and Self. Lisa is a speaker, a writer, and a thought leader with a passion for helping moms get out of an overwhelming life and into a healthy and happy life. In this episode… What makes you feel empowered? Do you enjoy learning from successful leaders or being part of a community? Lisa Druxman loves learning from successful women. She thrives working with other women in a supportive values-based community. According to Lisa, success leaves clues that others can learn from and use to achieve success in their own lives. No one becomes successful by accident — you must work for it and learn to do it without letting it overwhelm your life. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Lisa Druxman, the Founder and CEO of FIT4MOM, about women empowerment and building a franchise business. Lisa shares tips for overcoming being overwhelmed, the value of creating a supportive community, and the benefits of having a franchise.

Bonnie Low-Kramen is the President and CEO of Ultimate Assistant Training and Consulting Inc., and she's an author, workplace expert, and public speaker. In February 2022, Bonnie gave a TEDx talk called "The Real Reasons People Quit." For 25 years, she worked as the Personal Assistant to Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis and her husband, Louis Zorich. Her best-selling book Be the Ultimate Assistant: A Celebrity Assistant's Secrets To Working With Any High-Powered Employer was self-published in 2004, in its fifth edition, with the foreword written by Olympia Dukakis. Bonnie is a Co-founder and Former President of New York Celebrity Assistants, a professional networking association for assistants, started in 1996 by eight celebrity assistants. She teaches the Be the Ultimate Assistant workshop and co-hosts the Be the Ultimate Assistant podcast series with productivity expert Vickie Sokol Evans. In this episode… What does it take to be the ultimate personal assistant? What are the top qualities and skills essential for supporting high performers? When Bonnie Low-Kramen started her career as a celebrity personal assistant more than 20 years ago, she faced many challenges. She didn't have anyone to guide her, offer support, or provide training in her line of work. Using her experience, Bonnie is now on a journey to help other assistants facing similar problems navigate difficult and toxic work environments. Her goal is to offer guidance and training to personal assistants who want to feel appreciated and respected, be well compensated, and work in a safe and healthy environment. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Bonnie Low-Kramen, the President and CEO of Ultimate Assistant Training and Consulting Inc., about being an ultimate personal assistant. Bonnie talks about common challenges personal assistants face, how she supported Olympia Dukakis' success, and the benefits of asking for what you want.

Dr. Amy Morrison is the President of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech). As a first-generation college graduate and passionate supporter of workforce education, she is committed to her career advocating for college students and community and technical colleges. She is extensively involved in local, regional, and statewide initiatives. She is also involved in statewide community and technical college system work, including chairing the President's legislative and strategic visioning committees. Before leading LWTech, Dr. Morrison served for nearly 10 years in Vice Presidential roles at Clover Park Technical College. She began her community and technical college career at Bates Technical College in 1999. Before her current job, Dr. Morrison served as the Deputy Director in the Office of Congressman Norm Dicks, where she focused on higher education and workforce outreach. In this episode… How often do you spare the time to take care of yourself? Do you prioritize your health and well-being? Self-care is essential to being a good leader. You are responsible for showing up healthy every day to be at your best so you can effectively take care of others. Many leaders ignore their health and well-being, which often negatively impacts their work. Dr. Amy Morrison advises leaders to take a break and regularly practice radical self-care. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Dr. Amy Morrison, the President of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, to talk about public service and the importance of self-care. Dr. Morrison shares her background, the skills she learned from running political campaigns, and her upcoming book.

Quinn Rose is the Founder of Story Based Brands, a video production company based in Portland, Oregon, that helps businesses and organizations make a bigger impact through video. Native to Portland, Quinn moved to New York City to pursue her childhood dream of being an investigative reporter. There she co-produced a documentary on the NYPD Stop and Frisk policy, which now has over eight million views and is mentioned in a federal ruling. She also reported courtside at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Her stories and interviews aired in 256 countries, reaching a TV audience of over one billion, and her team's corporate videos continue to break records worldwide. From there, Quinn continued working in international events and writing, producing, and directing videos and teaching workshops to students and adults. Her focus is on one goal: to use her journalistic lens and passion for stories to support mission-driven companies. In this episode… The future is always uncertain. No one can predict the future or know for sure what it holds. Should that stop you from pursuing your passion? To successfully navigate the uncertainty of the future, Quinn Rose chose to trust herself. She believes in following your unique path and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Your life can take a different direction than other people's. Quinn's advice is to spend quality time alone, learn more about yourself, and live on your own terms. You should trust the process and reach for what makes you happy. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Quinn Rose, the Founder of Story Based Brands, about the value of following your own path. Quinn shares her experience as a reporter, working on a documentary about NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy, starting a video production company, and her advice for identifying your passion.

Helena Gibson is a serial entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and the Founder and CEO of The 7-Figure Salon and STRUT Hair Solutions. Her parlay into entrepreneurship began with an auto repair shop, Manhattan Motors, back in 2002. After she saw her mother struggling with hair loss, she completely changed paths. Helena watched her mom look for solutions to her hair loss and realized others were struggling too, and that's when she started STRUT Hair Solutions. Fast forward to almost 20 years of being in the hair loss industry. Helena has done everything from styling celebrities' hair to writing a book about hair to being an educator for top hair replacement manufacturers. She has done it all, including new products, new types of extensions, the latest wig crazes, and DIY hacks. Helena started noticing gaps in the industry, so she created a new product line — Unveil Restorative Hair Care. From the services business to the creation of a product line, Helena is constantly looking for new solutions. In this episode… What drives your entrepreneurial spirit? How can you use empathy to provide better solutions to your customer's needs? Building a successful business takes time. You will face many challenges, so you must develop patience, persistence, and resilience. As a successful entrepreneur, Helena Gibson's advice is to stay ahead of the curve and take control of what you can. Take care of yourself, run your businesses guided by your values, and be willing to help others. These are the strategies Helena uses to scale her businesses. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Helena Gibson, a serial entrepreneur, author, podcaster, educator, and the Founder and CEO of The 7-Figure Salon and STRUT Hair Solutions, to talk about using empathy to solve customers' problems. Helena explains why she started her businesses, her future plans, and the power of perseverance.

Riah Gonzalez is an accidental entrepreneur, a taco enthusiast, and a lover of 90s pop. As a young mom with minimal support, Riah quickly learned that her success would be different from that of her peers. The life lessons she learned through trial and error led her to encourage others through her debut book, Successful as F*ck: A No BS Tale of Screwing Up and Succeeding Anyway. When she's not writing, Riah empowers female entrepreneurs with her virtual assistant matchmaking company Linq Consulting Solutions. She lives happily in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters. In this episode… What does success look like for you? Do you find it difficult to express your true self or emotions when it comes to business? The fear of being ridiculed, judged, or seen as a failure prevents many women from expressing their emotions. However, according to Riah Gonzalez, screwing up does not mean you are unsuccessful. Instead, embrace your failures and learn from your mistakes. Be authentic, express your emotions and true self, and recognize that you are enough. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Riah Gonzalez, an author and entrepreneur, about defining success on your own terms. Riah discusses the value of expressing your emotions, being authentic, and her experience building a virtual assistant matchmaking company.

Kate Hancock is a self-made entrepreneur who has built highly successful businesses in less than 10 years. She started these companies from the ground up with no funding, working in various industries such as e-commerce and beauty. Her first venture was an e-commerce web 2.0 business that began when she had only $20. Within one year, it grew to over a million dollars in revenue and eight figures in total sales online. Kate is a strategist, business advisor, and the award-winning creator of a beauty company that has been nominated as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company twice in a row. Her newest and latest venture is Metaverse XYZ, where she sees the opportunity to create collaboration between entrepreneurs in the web 3.0 metaverse, as well as to elevate talented players from Asia looking for an opportunity like no other. Known as "The Pivot Queen" by those who know her tireless work ethic, Kate is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx and international metaverse speaker, and a mom of two amazing boys. In this episode… Have you ever considered adopting the metaverse in your business? Do you know what it takes to build a business using virtual reality? The growth of the metaverse has brought about numerous changes and new opportunities in how businesses are run. Many consumers are embracing the technology to drive more sales, grow business, and scale. Metaverse expert Kate Hancock sees the benefits of virtual reality in onboarding and training employees, virtual work, e-commerce, and providing services in the health and medical sector. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Kate Hancock, a business strategist and advisor, to talk about the future of the metaverse in business. Kate shares details about her upcoming conference on blockchain, what attracted her to the metaverse, and how she uses her voice to elevate women.

Amy Boone Thompson is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. She has a three-decade career as a fitness professional, wellness advocate, and business owner leader. Amy has held every role from practitioner to presenter to executive, and leads from a place of connection, service, and purposeful impact. Her early experience training women to be the best versions of themselves in body, mind, and spirit set the foundation for an incredible professional trajectory. Amy was named the 2019 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year before she took over as Vice President and later CEO and Owner. She was also a nominee in the San Diego Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business, an award that recognizes dynamic women business leaders who have demonstrated significant contributions to the local economy. She has served on numerous industry committees and currently sits on the California Fitness Alliance Advisory Council. Amy was just appointed as Vice Chair of the World Active Forum to work alongside the World Health Organization in uniting global efforts to promote physical activity. Her husband and children, along with a very supportive extended family, help keep her grounded. In this episode… What does it mean to lead a business with character? How can you gain clarity and create an efficient structure for running your business? For Amy Boone Thompson, leading a business with character means tapping into your curiosity and leading with kindness, respect, and care. Having spent many years as an athlete, she has learned the value of working in a team and showing up with grit. She encourages leaders to be coachable, lead with confidence, and empower others to succeed. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Amy Boone Thompson, the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Amy explains what it means to lead with character, curiosity, and confidence. She also discusses the role athletics play in her life and business and shares her future plans for IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

Vicky Heldreich Durand is the Author of the book Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer, which tells the story of her mother, Betty Pembroke Heldreich. Vicky first fell in love with Hawaii at age 12 when she spent a summer with relatives on the island of Moloka'i. Returning home, she talked her mother Betty into a Hawaiian trip the following summer. By the following winter, the adventurous Betty had moved her two young daughters to Honolulu. Vicky spent her teenage years surfing with her mother. They competed in the annual Makaha International Surfing Championships and were invited to Lima, Peru, to promote women's surfing. Looking back at Vicky and Betty's evolving relationship, Betty always told Vicky that every day was an adventure. Never afraid of the difficult challenges ahead, Betty inspired Vicky to take on new challenges and share her mother's story. In this episode… As poet Betty Pembroke Heldreich wrote, "Life is a journey full of changes and surprises." We all face various challenges in life which we have to take on courageously. These challenges make us stronger, build our character, and help prepare us for future success. After moving to Hawaii and becoming a surfer and entrepreneur, Vicky Heldreich Durand learned that the most important thing towards success is to take the first step. She believes that fear is a choice and it is never too late to start doing something new. You have the power to choose courage and follow your dreams. Vicky Heldreich Durand, an entrepreneur and author, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about courageous exploration and creativity. They discuss Vicky's experience moving from the USA to Hawaii, entrepreneurship, and the lessons Vicky learned from her mother.

Danielle Johnson is an executive coach, leadership consultant, and the Founder of Cannon Leadership Group. Her work is focused on helping entrepreneurs and high-performing leaders define and achieve what's possible for them. Danielle has spent the past two decades coaching high performers and leading global and regional business organizations across high tech, retail, and finance industries. She has built a reputation with clients for being relationship-centric, intuitive, and masterful at knowing when to push outside of their comfort zones. Danielle received her executive coaching certifications from the Hudson Institute of Coaching and the Coaches Training Institute, and she has a systemic team coaching certification from the Global Team Coaching Institute. In addition, she holds a PCC accreditation from the International Coaching Federation, the most rigorous and respected in the industry. As someone who thrives in personal and professional growth, her ideal day typically starts with a great French press and something that challenges her mind. Often asked what led her to coaching, Danielle will tell you that nothing lights her on fire more than witnessing another person showing up with her whole heart, leading with love, passion, excitement, and purpose to do something they have always dreamed of. In this episode… How often do you give your team feedback? Is your feedback driven by your own insecurities or is it for the benefit of the employee? Having worked with many leaders through one-on-one coaching and group training, Danielle Johnson advises leaders to create an authentic company culture that gives employees the room and tools to grow. Constructive feedback is a great starting point. Employees desire to work in an environment where they feel safe and are given the opportunity to explore their leadership potential. She, therefore, advises leaders to build trust with their team and give praise where it is due. Danielle Johnson, the Founder of Cannon Leadership Group, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about strategies for creating an empowered, motivated, and deeply connected workforce. Danielle discusses her process for working with clients, shares the benefits of giving feedback, and explains what a coaching culture means.