Startups in Stilettos

Karen Skinner spent 20 years adhering to the work culture within the legal field before she finally had enough. The crazy hours, minimal sleep, missed events, and ever-looming sense of exhaustion left Karen convinced that there had to be another way to practice law and still lead an enjoyable life successfully.  In today’s episode, Carlyn sits down with Karen Skinner, coach facilitator, co-founder and CEO of Gimbal-Lean Practice Management Advisors, and a Lean Six Sigma blackbelt. She shares with us her vision for new business systems that allow for better delegation, how she is teaching lawyers and other entrepreneurs how to build these systems, her secrets to working more effectively, and much more! “Law School teaches you how to practice law and it creates great lawyers, but it doesn't teach lawyers how to run businesses. And on the other hand, almost all lawyers are running their own businesses.” - Karen Skinner  This week on Startups in Stilettos:   Karen discusses the legal field and the purpose behind their business (2:20)  Karen explains her path to entrepreneurship (6:34)   Karen talks what she didn’t know at the onset of building their business (12:51)  Karen shares her proudest moments along the journey so far (17:31)   What Karen would want you to know by the 8th floor of an elevator ride (21:21)  Karen shares an exercise from her life planning workshop (22:53)   Our Favorite Quotes:   “If you can find ways to do that work better, faster, cheaper than you have time. And that time, you can use for other things that are more valuable to you, or that are at least as valuable to you.” - Karen Skinner  “We didn't know how hard change was going to be. Because essentially, you're right, we're disruptors. And I spend a lot of time going into firms and talking to lawyers about how they can do things differently. But this is a profession that's so anchored in tradition and precedent that getting people to do things differently is really hard.” - Karen Skinner   Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! Connect with Karen:  Website  Facebook Twitter Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Whether a business is a major corporation or a small boutique, its fourth-quarter performance plays a huge role in revenue growth for the year. This was especially true for Carlyn when she found herself in a product-based business, where the holiday season was often the busiest. So the tools and processes she planned on bringing into the second half of the year were particularly important. Being the Entreprenista she is, Carlyn ultimately discovered the key: Plan and prepare for the growth you predict.In today’s episode, Carlyn Bushman provides a preview of what you can expect to learn when you join the Entreprenista League! She shares three of the nine things you can start on today toward optimizing your business processes and how working these into your prep for Q4 can produce success. Carlyn breaks down these three tools, provides questions to consider as you navigate implementing them, shares her own experience with these processes, and so much more! “It takes time. It takes patience, it takes planning, which is why we're talking about this today.” - Carlyn Bushman This week on Startups in Stilettos:  Carlyn talks gift guides as the first tool (3:06)   Carlyn provides questions to help get started on gift guides (4:16) Carlyn talks trunk shows, pop-ups, and trade shows as the second tool (6:41)  Carlyn shares her experience creating a pop-up (9:03)   Carlyn provides questions to consider to get started on pop-ups (9:44)  Carlyn talks photoshoots as the third tool and questions to consider (11:09)  Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Although Katie Platt knows a thing or two about apparel and wardrobe due to her experience working in the bridal industry, she didn't quite realize how many hats she would need to wear on the path to building a booming business. This versatility and inventive creativity within her allowed her to forge a lane of her own within a distinctly competitive market.In today's episode, Carlyn flies solo once more and sits down with Katie Platt, the founder of Bliss On. Bliss On is a bridal swimwear and accessories brand made with the bride in mind. Katie shares her journey with the brand, what she's learned through working with brides, what resources have benefitted her most, and more. “The journey is ever-changing. I think the biggest takeaway for me is just perseverance. You just have to keep going.” - Katie Platt  This week on Startups in Stilettos:  Katie talks about Bliss On as a brand (1:30)  Katie explains how one idea led to an innovative opportunity (4:47)  Katie shares what surprised her on the journey (6:55)  Katie talks about which resources helped her (8:30)  Katie shares what shifts she has noticed amongst brides (13:00) Carlyn talks about the circular vs. linear entrepreneurship journey (15:23)  Katie discusses perseverance in her journey and what's next for Bliss On (18:27)    Resources Mentioned:    Makemine.com   Alibaba.com Canva.com    Our Favorite Quotes:  “There's just so many things to learn. And I think it's easy to get really stressed out. And it's important to remember to kind of give yourself grace, that you're figuring it out as you go.” - Katie Platt “We all have to stay within our superpowers and let some of those around us really help us facilitate the growth of our company.” - Carlyn Bushman  “We have highs and lows and it winds its way and as you grow, you continue to experience the growth phases.” - Carlyn Bushman   Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Katie Platt:  Bliss-on.com  @blissonbridalswim  Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart Radio

For new businesses or even businesses simply looking to expand, understanding the importance and benefits of setting a foundation that supports uninhibited growth is key. Carlyn’s experience in manifesting success in this area comes directly through creating businesses of her own from the ground up. Through this work, she often gets questions like: How do I scale my business to the next level? How do I set the stage for a greater level of growth within my company?  In today’s special solo episode, Carlyn Bushman of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, takes us through her three key strategies for how to successfully scale your business to a level that works for you. After breaking down each secret for us, she goes on to share an essential exercise for implementing these tactics. Carlyn speaks on how these strategies have helped her while inspiring us to continue toward expanding in our evolution and beautifully weaving joy into the process. “Your business is you. People buy from people. We've heard that so many times. So as the leader of your business when you are thinking about scaling, do only what you can do.” - Carlyn BushmanThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Carlyn shares the first key strategy: time blocking (2:15)  Carlyn talks about how owning your calendar leads to the second key: CEO time (3:39)  Carlyn explains the third and final key: delegation (6:41) Carlyn walks us through The Delegation Exercise (9:55) Carlyn speaks on how she personally uses the exercise (13:45)  Carlyn provides a review of her three key strategies for scaling a business (15:12)  Our Favorite Quotes: “So I would begin by designating a time on your calendar where you feel that you are at your absolute best. And don't think that you have to take it all at one time, you can block out CEO time, for 30 minutes, give yourself the luxury of just starting with 30 minutes.” - Carlyn Bushman “There's actually a lot less fun in doing this alone. It is so much more interesting when you can surround yourself with beautiful humans who are excited to contribute to your business. Don't take that away from them.” - Carlyn Bushman  “When I say that there's also shiny object syndrome. And I am saying I can come up with lots of ideas. And I think I need to implement them all right now. Absolutely right now today because if I don't somebody else will, that's not actually the case, we can give them a home. So ‘No One Really Needs To Do It’ could also be a great home for you to asterisk those beautiful ideas and say, ‘You know what, we're going to look at that in Q2 of 2024. We're just gonna give that a little home right now.’ And that's okay, too.” - Carlyn Bushman “Embrace the progress over perfection.” - Carlyn Bushman Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

While Catalina Escallon is an artist, and by definition, a creative person, she realized that a lot of people did not view themselves that way as they got older. So she and her partner decided to start a studio that helps people realize that there are many ways to be creative. In today’s episode, we sit down with Catalina Escallon, the co-founder of Noodo, a studio that empowers creative moments through fun interactive workshops and activities that they offer to individuals, teams, and companies. She shares the mission behind Noodo, where the idea came from, her thoughts on creativity, and so much more. “We believe that everyone is creative. And it's something that we like to empower people to think about themselves that way.” - Catalina EscallonThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Catalina talks about Noodo’s mission (1:48) Catalina shares about a client that had an aha moment with her (4:22) Catalina explains where the idea for Noodo came from (7:45) Catalina gives an example of questions she would ask clients (9:55) Catalina shares her thoughts on creativity (12:56) Carlyn and Jess talk about networking groups (18:45) Resources Mentioned: Google Sheets Google Slides Google Docs Miro QuickBooks Asana Our Favorite Quotes: “We've been doing most of these online. So it's even colder interaction at the beginning. And then you have these two Colombians that are like, our energy comes across in all of this. And that's what helped us along with the activities to kind of break the ice and get people flowing with us.” - Catalina Escallon “When I started to embroider people, and my friends would say, like, ‘Oh, I wish I could do what you do.’ And I was like, ‘you can totally do it.’ It's just like, remember, when we see artists or people doing a lot of powerful and beautiful things, they've been doing this for years. So anything you do, you need to keep doing it.” - Catalina Escallon “I do want people to feel that creative is not a word exclusive to us working in those industries. But it's something that we all have, and we all need to exercise.” - Catalina Escallon Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Catalina Escallon: NoodoStudio.com Noodo on Instagram CatalinaEscallon.com Catalina Escallon on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Like many Entreprenistas, Meg left the corporate world once she had kids and started to work on her own. She had experience with web design, so that’s what she did, before she realized that having the perfect website is meaningless if no one finds it. So she dug in and learned everything there was to know about SEO and now she helps other business owners create websites that convert. In today’s episode, we sit down with Meg Clarke, founder of Clapping Dog Media, a digital media company that provides done-for-you and done-with-you SEO Services. She shares why SEO is important, the most important analytics in SEO, her thoughts on AI, and so much more. “So I dove into analytics and SEO and trying to figure out how in the world people get traffic to their website and traffic that's not spambots and not random people. It's like traffic that really converts. And so I dove into that and really enjoyed it, I also realized there was not a lot of other women doing it.” - Meg ClarkeThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Meg explains why SEO is important (2:03) Meg shares her opinion on press releases for SEO (6:49) Meg talks about the most important analytics for SEO (10:42) Meg shares where the name Clapping Dog came from (14:53) Meg explains the best thing to do for SEO today (20:48) Meg’s thoughts on AI (21:41) Meg explains how Clapping Dog Media operates (27:14) Resources Mentioned:NotionOur Favorite Quotes: “They're [Google] trying to get paid. And so because they're trying to get paid, we know that they are really looking for value, and spam links and pure engagement are all things that they look at.” - Meg Clarke “Organic traffic is the heart and soul of SEO.” - Meg Clarke “Stella, my dog at the time would get up and she would, I taught her to kind of, like, wag her tail and celebrate with me. So she felt like a co worker.” - Meg Clarke Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Meg Clarke: ClappingDogMedia.com Clapping Dog Media on Instagram Clapping Dog Media on LinkedIn Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart Radio

Over the course of her business, Xindi has had to confront herself and get a grasp on who she is, what she stands for, and what she wants. But the ride hasn’t always been what she was expecting. Now she preaches leaning into the hard stuff and believing in yourself, and it seems to be working out well for her. In today’s episode, we sit down with Xindi Soh, founder and CEO of By Xindi, a studio offering a complete brand messaging and marketing transformation. She shares advice on creating a brand message, advice for new CEOs, her thoughts on social media and marketing, and so much more. “I feel like that makes a huge difference when you approach marketing from a place where you truly want to express what you are passionate about, rather than saying something for the sake of selling. - Xindi SohThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Xindi explains what a brand message is and gives advice on how to find your brand message (2:31) Xindi shares what she didn’t know before going into business (7:17) Xindi gives advice to new CEOs (9:08) Xindi talks about her biggest wins (10:51) Xindi weighs in on social media and its impact on marketing (15:46) Jess shares the relatable moment that has her bummed (18:14) Resources Mentioned: Notion Canva Our Favorite Quotes: “I feel like your brand message will evolve with you as a business owner, as well, like as humans, we're constantly growing.” - Xindi Soh “I think you are your biggest asset, for sure.” - Xindi Soh “But when you said the part about not wanting to navigate, that is where I would say to lean into that, navigate that more, discover that more, because whatever you're avoiding is ultimately what's gonna, like, help you hit the next level with what's going to help you break through.” - Xindi Soh Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Xindi Soh: ByXindi.com Xindi Soh on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

When Sally’s friends and family started having children, she looked for gifts that would be meaningful and lasting. As an artist, she decided to create watercolor name paintings. Soon, the commissions started flooding in and she had a proof of concept for a business. In today’s episode, we sit down with Sally King McBride, founder of The Letter Nest, a brand of educational and elevated alphabet art. She shares her biggest wins, how her parents fostered her abilities, the mission behind The Letter Nest, and so much more. “My parents always treated my artwork very seriously. And as an academic course for much of my schooling, and it was never thought of as ‘Oh, that's her side hustle,’ or, ‘Oh, that's her hobby.’ I can't stand that word. This was always my occupation. I treated it that way. And so do they.” - Sally King McBrideThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Sally tells us what she didn’t know before launching her business (3:09) Sally shares her biggest wins (5:11) Sally discusses how she knew to go full-time with the Letter Nest (7:30) Sally shares what her parents did to set her on the Entreprenista path (12:10) Sally goes in-depth about the interpersonal skills she has learned (15:29) Sally discusses the mission behind her business (17:27) Sally shares where she gets her inspiration from (20:11)  Jess talks about how much free content to give away to your audience (23:02) Resources Mentioned: Shopify Klaviyo  Adobe Creative Suite  Planoly Our Favorite Quotes: “I took my first commission for professional painting when I was still in high school.” - Sally King McBride  “My work is as much about the teaching as it is about the joy, and they have to go hand in hand or you will not get the child's engagement.” - Sally King McBride “There is a litmus test for whether there can be a full alphabet around something.” - Sally King McBride Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Sally King McBride: TheLetterNest.com The Letter Nest on Instagram The Letter Nest on Pinterest The Letter Nest on TikTok Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Marilynn realized after the pandemic that the standard American way of working was on the way out. Many people, women in particular, wanted to maintain the flexibility that they had become accustomed to. So she decided to take her decade of commercial real estate experience to create a community that would benefit landlords and workers alike. In today’s episode, we sit down with Marilynn Joyner, founder and CEO of Her Workplace, which is a physical and digital career community for women who are at the beginning or mid level stages of their careers to build relationships, exchange knowledge and share stories. She shares where the idea for Her Workplace came from, how she knew it was time to leave her corporate job, her thoughts on the future of work, and so much more. “I really wanted to be able to meet women and provide them with a platform that is easily accessible, not as expensive. And it's just super easy for them to tap into while having the opportunity to access a co-working space where you can meet and network with other women while getting integrated with all of our trainings, professional development tools, and all of our events.” - Marilynn JoynerThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Marilynn shares where the idea for Her Workplace came from (2:48) Marilynn talks about the real estate aspect of Her Workplace (5:59) Marilynn discusses her biggest wins (9:52) Marilynn shares when she knew it was time to leave her job (12:07) Marilynn talks about the future of work (18:05) Jessica and Carlyn talk about their mishaps (20:25) Carlyn shares exciting news (25:29) Resources Mentioned: Notion Pipedrive Clickup Our Favorite Quotes: “It just got to the point where I was just getting frustrated with being one of the only women and seeing how many women dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic.” - Marilynn Joyner “I think flexibility is key. Employees need flexibility. I think that the nine to five Monday through Friday in the office is gone. I think that we're moving towards a four day work week, similar to what some European countries have been testing and implementing.” - Marilynn Joyner “I'm most proud of my education. I've been in commercial real estate for almost 10 years. I got my masters from Georgetown University in real estate to just up my game and to learn financial modeling and to learn about investments from a landlord's perspective. And then I went on to get my MBA from Columbia Business School.” - Marilynn Joyner Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Marilynn Joyner: HerWorkplace.com Her Workplace on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Afton moved to Italy with her husband and realized how difficult it was to find a job when she didn’t know the language. So she decided to start freelancing to make money. After a few years, she realized her specialty was with design and strategy, so she decided to open her own business. In today’s episode, we sit down with Afton Negrea, digital strategist and designer. She shares when she knew it was time to start her business, what she is most proud of, how to launch a course, and so much more. “I like to think of myself as the Swiss Army knife for your business. It's really I'm looking at it from all different angles. But first and foremost, I'm a digital strategist. So I really like to have a strategic idea in mind for your business and where you are, where you're going and how you're going to get there.” - Afton NegreaThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Afton shares how she combined designing and strategy into one (4:12) Afton discusses what she had to learn in business (5:35) Afton talks about when she knew she was going to step out on her own (9:17) Afton shares what she is proud of (15:54) Afton discusses how to launch a course or services (17:30) Carlyn, Jessica, and Afton talk about pricing your services (22:27) Resources Mentioned: Asana Nifty Project Management Slack Kajabi Descript  Our Favorite Quotes: “I think I've always known that I meant to do my own thing. And I've always been that person who's gone the extra mile in any job that I've done.” - Afton Negrea “What I've tried to encourage my clients to do is take it back to the olden days, let's like, take it back to the 90s, for example, when it was the bomb.com.” - Afton Negrea “I know this is cliche, but I am very proud of my clients when I see them when I really, really am. Because I feel like I'm birthing a baby with them and the baby is growing, you know, and I really love to see it come to life.” - Afton Negrea  Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Connect with Afton Negrea: AftonNegrea.com Afton Negrea on Instagram  Afton Negrea on LinkedIn Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Carlyn Bushman on Instagram Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Learn more about Carlyn Bushman here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!