Trailblazers

This week we chat with culinary and business genius, Melissa Ben-Ishay. Melissa Ben-Ishay is the founder of Baked by Melissa, the New York City-based dessert brand famous for its handcrafted, bite-size cupcakes in a wide variety of ever-changing flavors. The company ships nationwide, operates 14 stores and has sold over 150 million cupcakes. Every bite-size treat is still made by hand using only the most delicious ingredients. Melissa has been profiled in People, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, has been featured on The Tamron Hall Show, Today Show, and more.  In October of 2017, she released her first cookbook, Cakes by Melissa, and currently serves as the company’s CEO.In this episode, the pair discuss Melissa’s career in advertising despite her childhood passion for baking, and how through her journey she found a way to combine all her talents and experiences. Capitalizing on the idea that people should be able to taste more flavors without a post-dessert guilt trip, she decided to do what she loved and launched Baked by Melissa in 2008. Bringing together culinary and entrepreneurship, Baked by Melissa embodies everything we love about business and passion. Conversations on childhood passion, corporate struggles, and following your dreams are just the beginning this week…Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour of inspiration where we mix business with guilt-free pleasure this week featuring Melissa Ben-Ishay!Follow Us!Melissa Ben-Ishay: @melissabenishayBaked by Melissa: @bakedbymelissaErica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with the woman on all things "DEI", Mariah Driver. DEI, or "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" is entering the workspace at rapid speed, and thankfully so! Mariah Driver was formerly the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Webflow, where she worked to design systems and experiences that enabled everyone to show up authentically and grow to their full potential.In this explained episode, the pair uncover Mariah's background in training and research in social scientific methods, critical race theory, and organizational psychology. Through all her work and experiences, Mariah seeks to question, reimagine, and redesign the systems and practices that surround us to ensure that all people can access equitable opportunities and build a better world. Conversations on the reality of equity, corporate structure, and a Q&A portion at the end are just the beginning.Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the expert on all things DEI and more with Mariah Driver!Follow Us!Mariah Driver: @mariahkellyyyErica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with the queen of the holistic beauty approach, Carolyn Yachanin. Carolyn is the founder and CEO of Copina Co., a plant-based boost blend line formulated by herbalists supporting the body’s natural collagen production and shifting the beauty industry from the inside out. Years of harsh acne medications left her skin dry and depleted with her gut health in shambles; here was the start of Carolyn’s journey to Copina Co. as she grew to believe that the new focus of beauty needs to be on internal health. Starting off as a wellness blog, Copina Co. has now launched several products both online and in our favorite stores, supporting the ideology that internal health is the key to beauty and therefore transforming the industry itself. In this episode, the pair trace back through Carolyn’s journey to Copina Co. starting at the beginning with her California native upbringing. Carolyn shares her experience healing cystic acne and gut health issues through holistic treatments and introduces us to the passion backing her business. Breaking away from the beauty standards, Carolyn encourages a focus on internal health as a means of achieving external beauty. Conversations on moments of doubt, changing the narrative of beauty standards, and holistic healing are just a peek into this episode…Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour of insight into the world of healing and beauty from the inside out with the inspiring, Carolyn Yachanin. **Use code DEARTWENTYSOMETHING to get 15% off your first order!Follow Us!Carolyn Yachanin: @carolynyachaninCopina Co: @copinaco (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we’re bringing you the episode you’ve all been waiting for with our host, Erica Wenger! The host of our favorite podcast is here to breakdown every element of the networking platform of our generation. Why podcasts? How do I start one? What are your favorites? This week Erica covers it all… In this episode, Erica goes step by step into launching a podcast of your own and offers various inside-scoop tips for a successful venture into this new space. Taking us from an idea to execution, she touches on the questions we all want answers to. Conversations on confidence, connection, and consistency are the key ingredients to this episode and this career…Twentysomethings, if you’ve thought about starting a podcast of your own, look no further! Listen now for the step by step guide to launching a podcast this week with our very own host, Erica Wenger!Follow Us!Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with the businesswoman of all things cannabis, Helene Servillon. Helene Servillon is the Founding Partner of JourneyOne Ventures, a 100% woman and minority owned early stage cannabis fund that invests in founders with prior executive-level management experience in cannabis or tangential industries. She is also a Senior Advisor to Bowen's cannabis practice, a Boston based investment bank.In this episode, the pair reveal how Helene combines her niche for problem-solving with her insatiable curiosity to succeed as an entrepreneur. Breaking away from the psychedelic stigma, Helene offers healing insights into the new market. Highlighting Helene’s career pivots, the pair take us along her journey to cannabis. Conversations on Netflix documentaries, venture capital imposter syndrome, and business-cannabis are just the beginning…Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour of boldness and brilliance with Helene Servillon.Follow Us!Helene Servillon: @HServillonJourneyOne Ventures: @JourneyOneVC (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with the queen of personal branding, Jessica Zweig. Jessica Zweig is the CEO of the Simply Be Agency, an internationally award winning personal branding firm with offices in Chicago and Nashville, serving clients across the globe.  She is the author of #1 best selling book, “Be. - A No B.S. Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by Simply Being Yourself.”Facilitating sold- out workshops and global masterminds, Jessica speaks on the power of personal branding to the world’s biggest corporations. On a mission to debunk the perception that personal branding is an act of vanity, Jessica hustles so that, when done right, personal branding is an act of service, a social responsibility, and a positive investment toward a positive future.In this explained episode, the pair breakdown the transition from chasing acting dreams to pursuing a career in entrepreneurship and branding. Conversations on the chicago blog that changed it all, clarity and depth in branding, and her journey to consulting are truly just a glimpse into this episode. Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the chicago hustler and expert on personal branding, Jessica Zweig!Follow Us!Jessica Zweig: @jessicazweigSimply Be Branding Agency: @simplybeagency (and website here)"Be" #1 Selling Book: (on amazon here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

Justine Palefsky, Co-Founder of Kindred, shares her journey from neuroscience to customer experience, emphasizing data-driven choices and the success of her 'give to get' business model. Topics include observation, anti-cash incentives, and advice for lost twentysomethings.

This week we’re bringing you the first solo episode of September with our host, Erica Wenger! The queen of social entrepreneurship herself is here to tell us all about what exactly this career entails while breaking down the ins and outs of her journey to success in her early twenties.In this episode, Erica offers concrete definitions and dives into the various elements that play into the world of social entrepreneurship. Bringing to light social dilemmas, Erica offers real-world examples of how this form of entrepreneurship tackles these problems with tangible solutions. Conversations on larger world issues and grassroots entrepreneurship are just the start as Erica covers it ALL this week!Twentysomethings, the guessing game ends here. What is social entrepreneurship? Listen now for these answers and more with our host, Erica Wenger!

This week we chat with Irene Forte. Irene is the founder and driving force behind Irene Forte Skincare, and a renowned leader in wellness. In 2018, Irene debuted her eponymous skincare line, which was initially launched into all Rocco Forte Spas and as hotel in-room amenities.In this episode, Irene takes us back to the start of her entrepreneurial journey touching on childhood dreams and ambitions of making money. Side jobs during summers in Tuscany prepared her for her try at their family business of luxury hotels. Having worked all of the departments throughout the hotels, Irene found the hotel spas were lacking enriching products, and then discovered her niche for skincare!Twentysomethings, get ready for an episode of full circle moments and perseverance with Irene Forte!Follow Us!Irene Forte: @ireneforteIrene Forte Skincare: @ireneforteskincare (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ilana Dunn, often referred to as “the face of modern dating.” She hosts Seeing Other People, a Top 100 Apple Relationships podcast and Spotify Top 50 Viral Podcast dedicated to helping people feel less alone and more empowered in their dating lives.Formerly the Face of Hinge and the host of Hinge’s “Dating Sucks” podcast which debuted at #3 on the Apple Podcasts US Relationship charts, Ilana helps individuals all over the world navigate the struggles of modern dating. Ilana also hosts the Snapchat show “Screening for Love”, has been featured in The Washington Post, Bustle, and PopSugar, and is taking on the digital world with her social media content currently reaching 10M+ people each week.In this explained episode, the pair recall the viral breakup video that launched Ilana's career into starting her own podcast. Conversations on selling yourself short, navigating the world of dating, and personal branding are just the beginning.Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the viral sensation and dating expert of our generation, Ilana Dunn!Follow Us!Ilana Dunn: @ilana.dunnSeeing Other People: @seeingotherpeople (Listen on Apple & Spotify)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething