Lead Like a Woman

Adi Klevit is the leader and visionary behind Business Success Consulting Group. Her 25 years of knowledge and experience as a trained industrial engineer, management consultant, and business executive gives her a unique understanding of the challenges that businesses face. She utilizes her practical know-how and wisdom to successfully help organizations and companies of any size to dramatically improve their efficiency and performance. By leveraging her ability to understand business processes and people, drawing on her high-caliber skills, and utilizing her knowledge and experience on vital areas of personnel management, finance and operations, Adi can help virtually any business owner to achieve their goals and bring order to their lives. When she isn’t busy running the Business Success Consulting Group or directly working with clients, Adi enjoys spending time with her husband and son, volunteering in the community, traveling, being outdoors and cooking healthy food. In this episode… Adi Klevit is a successful woman who surrounds herself with people who trust and believe in her. She believes in the power of networking and building connections because she recognizes how powerful these can be in different aspects of your life, particularly in business. Adi is also a firm believer of having a support group, especially for female leaders. She explains that it’s important to have a group of people who knows what you’re doing and can offer you support when you need it. This, along with continued learning through books and mentors, can help spell you become the kind of leader that you want to become. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Adi Klevit, the Co-owner of Business Success Consulting Group, joins Andrea Heuston to talk about the benefits of networking and how your network can potentially determine your net worth. Adi also discusses how she helps fellow women leaders in scaling their businesses, why having systems and processes in place is good for any business, and what it takes to become a good leader. Stay tuned.

Stephanie Sims is a capital strategist, startup advisor, and the Founder of Finance-Ability, where she helps founders build economic stories that make dollars and cents. After nearly a decade in investment banking and having worked with the likes of Goldman, Lehman and CSFB on over $5 billion of transactions, Stephanie rode the high tech startup rollercoaster in Europe, complete with angels, venture capitalists, and the coveted exit to a publicly traded company. Stephanie has educated and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs across three continents and has helped her clients raise over $30 million dollars in early stage capital. She is frequently asked to judge startup competitions and to speak about venture capital, angel investment and alternative sources of funding. Stephanie is also the host of the "What's Your Ask Podcast', where she talks to investors and entrepreneurs about the different ways they've asked and been asked for money, references, introductions, and more. In this episode… Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on many people's lives, especially on women in business. They’ve been forced to work from home and juggle business with motherhood. However, these circumstances could provide a good opportunity for women to figure out what their businesses actually need. At this time of limited movements and interactions, it is important for women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the situation, sit down and get clear on what you want. You need to remember what got you excited about your work in the early days of your business and find out what gives you joy right now. This way, it will be easier to figure out what works well for you and use that to improve both your personal and professional life. Stephanie Sims, the Founder of Finance-Ability, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show where she shares her expertise on entrepreneurial finance and venture funding. She also talks about her own entrepreneurial journey that led to the founding of Finance-Ability and her work with organizations that serve startup founders. Stay tuned.

Faith Koen has been in the procurement profession for over 20 years across multiple industries. She is currently the Procurement Manager for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and she is responsible for overseeing the procurement team and supporting the wineries and facilities that are located in Washington, California, and Oregon. Faith joined the Women of Wine (WoW) Employee Resource Group within Ste. Michelle in 2015 and she currently serves as the Chair of the organization. During her tenure with WoW, she has embraced the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other amazing women in the organization, which has allowed her to grow as a leader and more importantly, a supporter.  Christina Starr is a communications and public relations professional with 17 years of experience working with luxury brands from hospitality to tourism and wine. Currently, she's the Senior Communications Manager for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates' luxury and imported wine portfolio. She oversees the communications in the U.S. for Champagne and Villa Maria in New Zealand, along with several other domestic and important wine brands. She is also the Vice Chair of Ste. Michelle's Women of Wine (WoW), which supports events and programming to support professional development, collaboration and knowledge sharing within St. Michelle. Christina holds a level two certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and is currently pursuing her level three certification. In this episode… Unlike men, most women avoid taking some actions because they feel that they do not know enough about certain subjects for them to make a move. They are unable to recognize themselves as leaders or experts in their fields and they often forget that even being a successful business owner is a continuous learning process that everyone goes through. This failure to see their own achievements and skills as enough puts a limit on them and the things that they can do, and these all stem from one thing: fear. Fear is a real thing but instead of embracing it and facing it head on, many women allow it to take over their lives. This reaction to fear prevents them from moving forward and learning from potential experiences that can elevate them and propel them towards success. So what can women do to help cope with their own fears and how can they get over their own limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome in order to unlock opportunities in their career and in their life? Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she interviews Faith Koen and Christina Starr of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to talk about women in the wine industry and how they can assuage their own fears and realize that they are enough. They will also be discussing their company’s sustainability goals, what the Women of Wine Employee Resource Group in Ste. Michelle is all about, and how the wine industry has evolved through the years to be more inclusive of women. Stay tuned.

Jenna Lange is the Founder and CEO of Lange International. She specializes in high stakes communications and is a key partner for executives and their teams on how to make the most out of short but critical communication moments. Jenna has been transforming people into great communicators for over 15 years through her work with executives from the world's leading brands. In addition to working with the C-suite, she also coaches sales teams on how to pitch to win key accounts, and takes the stage for keynotes. Her experience crosses countries, industries, and communication challenges. Jenna is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and has delivered keynote presentations to global teams throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Jenna's book, Please Don't Picture Them Naked, takes readers on a humorous tour of public speaking do’s and don’ts. When she's not working, you can find her running, eating, biking, skiing, or relaxing with her husband and two children. In this episode… Unlike men, most women fail to advance in their careers and leadership roles because they are often afraid to ask for the things they need to move forward in their profession. They fear asking for referrals, asking for that promotion they've been working hard for, and asking for advice from the people who can guide them in their careers. Jenna Lange encourages women to work on their confidence and be ready to ask for things when the opportunity arises. She helps them network and communicate better, and she also encourages them to explore their world, be curious, be open minded, avoid judging themselves or other women, and get better at encouraging and advocating for other women. But why is she so passionate about this and how does she apply this to her own life and business? In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston talks to Jenna Lange, Founder and CEO of Lange International, about entrepreneurship and creating your own success. Jenna explains why women leaders should not always say 'Yes' to everyone and everything, why they should advocate for fellow women, and how she leads like a woman in her business which she started 16 years ago. Stay tuned.

Nancie McDonnell Ruder is the owner of Noetic Consultants, a marketing consulting firm providing consumer research, brand strategy, marketing process and training expertise to BtoB and BtoC firms. Nancie has more than 25 years of marketing experience. She began her career at the Leo Burnett Company before starting Noetic Consultants in 2002. The word 'noetic' is related to one's intellect and thinking. Nancie chose this name for the company because it reflects her team's commitment to helping clients strategically think through their challenges, so that together, they can take the actions necessary to get the best possible outcomes. Noetic Consultants' clients have included Samsung, PepsiCo, Nike, Marriott, Mayo Clinic, and Discovery Inc, amongst others. Nancie also serves as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and is the creator of the Noetic Art and Science Assessment. In this episode… According to Nancie McDonnell Ruder, a woman does not have to talk loudly when working with men in order to be heard or to establish herself as a good leader. A woman can effectively lead in her own unique and feminine way because leading doesn't have to involve dominating a conversation or being masculine. It’s all about attitude and knowing how to inspire people to do what needs to be done. Being a good leader involves collaborating well with other people and not being afraid to express who you are, most especially your feminine side. Although you should be assertive and express your opinions where necessary, what’s most important is you finding your authentic voice which can be and will be heard by those around you. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room for you to be heard–you just have to be the one that makes the most sense and offers the best options for people to choose from. And the only way that you can do this is by defining who you are living by this standard everyday. Nancie McDonnell Ruder, Founder of Noetic Consultants, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show where she explains why women leaders should find their own authentic voice in order to become good and successful leaders. Nancie shares her own experience as a woman leader among men and how she started company. She also talks about her brand building framework, and how her brand health diagnostic tool can help her clients. Stay tuned.

Stacy Lill is the Co-founder and CEO of Cashmere Partners, focusing her efforts on corporate networking, marketing and strategic partnerships. She provides strategic consulting in wine industry education and development for many wineries. In 2007, she founded O Wines, which she sold to Chateau Ste Michelle Winery. After the sale of O Wines, Stacy founded the Opportunity for Success Scholarship Program which funds educational college scholarships for deserving young women. To date, they have awarded 71 full scholarships. Stacy’s career includes 25 years of sales and marketing experience for numerous Fortune 500 companies including Ernst and Young. She has received many honors including the Women's University Club Businesswoman of the Year, Soroptimist Award for Outstanding Community Service, Women for Wine Sense National Rising Star Award, Seattle Magazine’s Community Service Award, and the Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence Award. She is highly regarded for her philanthropic efforts and is known as a community leader in both business and philanthropy. Stacy is a graduate of University of Washington, a member of the International Women's Forum, and most recently became a founding member of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Leadership Trust. Ensuring young women have an opportunity for quality education is a pillar in Stacy's legacy. Recently, Stacy and her husband, Greg, recently co-founded Lill Family Wines as another brand in their wine portfolio. In this episode… Wine is a delicious and wonderful way of bringing people together. It’s capable of connecting people from different walks of life and different industries, and allows them to enjoy something good together. The wine industry is also an incredibly inclusive industry, allowing both men and women to contribute to its growth through their individual knowledge and skill sets. While it is a fun industry to be a part of, it is not for the faint of heart. It takes determination and a lot of collaboration, and it often challenges people to go beyond their known limits. But once you learn the ropes and fully immerse yourself in all the things it has to offer–both the good and the bad–it’s not impossible to find success. Of course, it all really depends on how you handle the cards that you’re dealt with. In this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Stacy Lill, the Co-founder and CEO of Cashmere Partners, about entrepreneurship, marketing, and wine. Tune in as they discuss Stacy's career in the wine industry and the new brands that she has recently launched with her husband, the scholarship program she offers for college kids, and her best tips for success in the wine industry.

Aimee Carpenter is the CEO and Owner of SolTerra Solar, a Seattle-based solar energy contractor. She leads a team of 25 people to bring solar design and installation services to homeowners and business owners across Washington State, and her leadership has helped grow the company to over 2000 installed solar customers. She's been an entrepreneur in the construction industry since 2004 and is passionate about using her entrepreneurial expertise for the greater good. Outside of her work at SolTerra Solar, Aimee serves on the board of the Seattle chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organisation and the Advisory Board of NEDDIE. She is a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and coaches incarcerated entrepreneurs through Defy Ventures. In this episode… When Aimee Carpenter took over a solar company and became its owner and CEO, she struggled with imposter syndrome and felt that she wasn't good enough to run the company. She even avoided making any new changes because she was scared of making bad decisions. But over the years, she has learned to believe in herself and take control and ownership of the business. Many women face the same challenges when they take up leadership positions because of the limiting beliefs they have about themselves. They hinder their own growth and this greatly impacts their work and business. So how do they overcome this so that they can become the best version of themselves? Aimee Carpenter, the CEO and Owner of SolTerra Solar, joins Andrea Heuston in this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show where they talk about Aimee’s struggles with imposter syndrome and how she got over her own limiting beliefs to successfully grow SolTerra Solar into what it is today. Aimee also discusses how she thrives in a male-dominated industry, the lessons she learned about being a better leader, and why she puts such high value on accountability and a no-excuses attitude. Stay tuned.

Cole Banks is the Founder of Sisters Traveling Solo where she helps drive the travel culture for sisters with unmatched global travel experiences. Her passion for traveling, solo experiences, and wanting to help other sisters led to the creation of Sisters Traveling Solo. The idea was sparked after Cole read an online post discouraging black women from traveling solo. As a woman of color, the post disturbed Cole who frequently travels the world solo–and she knew she was not alone. The Sisters Traveling Solo Facebook page is a community of over 70,000 women from all over the world, and there, they get to share experiences, travelling tips, and enjoy diverse thoughts and engagements. In 2018, Cole left her corporate job at the Coca-Cola company to focus on Sisters Travelling Solo full time. Now her office can be anywhere she wants as she continues connecting, empowering, inspiring, and supporting sisters. In this episode… In many life situations, it is common practice to seek advice from others before taking up any activity, whether personal or professional. There are people with more skills, expertise, or experience than you and their advice can help propel you forward and guarantee the success of whatever it is that you want to engage in. But there are certain instances in life where it’s totally okay to go out on your own without seeking other people's opinions. Cole Banks advises fellow women not to wait too long to take the necessary steps when it comes to doing something that they’re truly passionate about. The perfect timing to travel or start a business is never later–it’s right now. Tune in to this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston talks with Sisters Traveling Solo Founder and CEO, Cole Banks, about why women should travel solo and the value of having a support community. Cole explains why she founded Sisters Traveling Solo, what it’s been like to see her company and community grow, how the travel industry has evolved to accommodate women and solo travelers, and how she encourages women to put themselves out there through her brand.

Fran Biderman-Gross is the Founder and CEO of Advantages, an award-winning New York-based end-to-end communications agency. She is also the co-author of the book, How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm: 3 Keys to Unlock Purpose and Profit, which she wrote with Don Scales. She is also the creator of the groundbreaking 3 Keys Workshops. Fran leads her clients on an invaluable journey of brand discovery that reveals their personal and organization’s 3 keys: Purpose, Values, and Story. Since its inception, she has used her proprietary '3 Keys' approach to help propel the enduring success of hundreds of companies–including her own. Her workshops, lectures, and keynotes draw on more than two decades of marketing and branding expertise to inspire audiences and provide leaders actionable lessons that any organization can implement to bring any vision closer to becoming reality. In this episode… At 33 year old, Fran Biderman-Gross found herself a widow with 2 young kids after losing her husband to cancer. And to top that all off, the 9/11 tragedy struck two months later, making her lose about 60% of their business. She fell into depression but realized early on that she had to be strong and fight her way through the biggest storm of her life. She decided to downsize her team and work with what she had and start rebuilding her brand. These tragedies and other life events forced Fran to be resilient and find strength within herself. She turned inwards and held on to her belief in herself and in what she can do, and she learned to make bold decisions that left a positive impact on whoever she touches. She also built on her belief on what others can do and decided to take risks in the process of building things back up from the ground. In this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Fran Biderman-Gross, Founder and CEO of Advantages, about her entrepreneurial journey and rising through the biggest and hardest challenges that she faced in life. Fran also talks about meeting and working with Simon Sinek, writing a book with Don Scales, and her 3 keys to living a purposeful and profitable life.

Cherry Lao is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Citizen Best, an international brand marketing agency with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Bangkok. She draws design inspiration from different cultures, traditions and everyday beauty. Since moving from Bangkok to California, she sees imagery, colors, storytelling, graphics, and symbols as a way to understand cultural differences and bring nuance and clarity to communication. Cherry is a collaborator first and foremost. She creates inspiring solutions and guides clients through every step of the creative process, providing the necessary rationale for all design elements and strategies. Whether she is directing a photo shoot, developing a fresh concept or offering art direction to existing designs, she believes her role as a creative leader is about elevating the team, not the individual. Outside of work, Cherry can be found with a local dance community, immersing herself in another form of self-expression. She is also involved in entrepreneurial organizations and encouraging diversity in business leadership. In this episode… In business, many women tend to fear doing things outside their comfort zones because of their innate fear of making mistakes. They stress over the decisions they need to make and this often limits their opportunities and chances for great success. They fail to see mistakes as a way of learning from them. Challenges are inevitable and leaders have to find the right solutions to tackle them. It would be helpful for them to surround themselves with people who will offer them support, inspire them, and share their expertise; people who will help them uncover great ideas and possibilities for their business. But more importantly, women need to learn to explore their curiosity and find comfort in discomfort because this will lead them to new discoveries about themselves and will open doors that they probably never even thought to consider before. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Cherry Lao, Co-founder and Creative Director of Citizen Best, to talk about the importance of women being curious and believing in themselves. Cherry shares her background in design, explains what she learned from her parents’ business and determination to succeed, the questions she often asks herself and her team, and the role curiosity and diversity has played in her life.