Powerful Women Rising - A Business Podcast for Female Entrepreneurs

Melissa Snow - Powerful Women Rising, LLC

Welcome to Powerful Women Rising, a practical, relationship-driven podcast for female entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without following someone else's rulebook.  Hosted by Business Relationship Strategist Melissa Snow, each episode focuses on what it really takes to create sustainable business growth - strategic networking, visibility built on trust, thoughtful marketing and making smarter decisions as your business evolves. You'll hear candid conversations with experienced entrepreneurs and experts, along with real-world insights to help you cut through the one-size-fits-all advice, avoid wasting time and money, and build momentum in a way that feels aligned and effective.If you're ready to stop chasing shiny objects and want to grow your business with integrity, clarity, and intention, this podcast is for you.

  1. Tax Planning for Small Business Owners w/Mike Jesowshek

    FEB 16

    Tax Planning for Small Business Owners w/Mike Jesowshek

    Send a text Taxes don’t have to be confusing, scary, or something you only think about in a panic every March. In this episode of the Powerful Women Rising Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Jesowshek - CPA and founder of TaxElm, to discuss how small business owners can stop reacting to taxes and start making simple, legal moves in advance that lead to more money in their pockets. We dive into: The difference between tax preparation and tax planning (and why it matters)When to start tax planning as a new or growing business ownerCommon deductions (like home office, vehicle, phone and internet) made simpleThe money saving power of pre-tax vs. after-tax spending Mike provides practical examples that apply to most small business owners and shares tools and resources that will help you keep things simple. Links & References: Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!Listen to the Small Business Tax Savings PodcastBuy the Small Business Tax Savings HandbookFollow Mike on YouTube, Instagram or TikTokSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    26 min
  2. Soft Leadership: How Women Lead, Heal and Grow Sustainably w/Erica Valenzuela and LaKisha Mosley

    FEB 6

    Soft Leadership: How Women Lead, Heal and Grow Sustainably w/Erica Valenzuela and LaKisha Mosley

    Send a text Leadership that ignores mental and emotional health is expensive -personally and professionally.  In this episode, I’m joined by two 2025 PWR Impact Award winners who are redefining what strength, resilience and sustainable growth look like for women in busness. Erica Valenzuela, winner of the Resilience Award, is the creator of E-Motion, a space that blends rage, release, movement, and reflection to support emotional health.   LaKisha Mosely, PWR Podcast Guest of the Year, is known as the Soft Simple CEO and helps women build profitable businesses without sacrificing their mental health.  We discuss: How emotional healing creates the resilience and clarity required to succeed in business.Why mental health is the blueprint for execution, not an afterthought, and rest is a strategy, not a reward.Rest as a strategy, not a reward."High-functioning burnout" and the warning signs most women ignoreBuilding your network before you need it, taking your own advice, setting boundaries, and more...Together, we explore the long game of business growth and how capacity, community, and trust create momentum no shortcut ever will. If you want growth that feels steady instead of exhausting, this conversation offers practical tools and a more sustainable way to lead. Links and References: Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection NetworkLearn more about LaKisha Mosley and connect with her on InstagramProtect Your Peace - Why Mental Health is Your Business's Competetive Advantage - LaKisha's award-winning episode on Powerful Women RisingLearn more about E-Motion Fitness and connect with Erica on InstagramSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    28 min
  3. Stronger Together: How Collaboration Creates Sustainable Growth w/Emily Garcia, Corina Carillo and Ashley Anderson

    FEB 4

    Stronger Together: How Collaboration Creates Sustainable Growth w/Emily Garcia, Corina Carillo and Ashley Anderson

    Send a text The fastest way to grow your business might be helping someone else win. So many business owners feel pressure to chase visibility, revenue, and recognition - often at the expense of community, connection, and even themselves. In this episode, I’m joined by three more of the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who prove that relationships, generosity, and service aren’t just feel-good ideas, they’re powerful growth strategies. Corina Carrillo, Connector of the Year, Ashley Anderson, winner of the Business for Good Award, and Emily Garcia, Empowerment Award winner, share how they’ve built thriving businesses by putting other people first — and backing that philosophy up with simple, sustainable systems. We also talk about: How connection and belonging drive referrals and long-term growthCollaboration over competition as a growth strategy, not just a feel-good phraseUsing community events to build trust and shared momentumMoving past imposter syndrome through relationships and mentorshipLinks & References: Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection NetworkLearn more about Emily on her website or connect with her on InstagramFollow Ashley and Anderson Designs on InstagramConnect with Corina on Instagram or check out her website Support the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    38 min
  4. Sustainable Business Growth Without Burnout w/Caitlin Durning, Teresa Romain and Meredith Dewald

    FEB 3

    Sustainable Business Growth Without Burnout w/Caitlin Durning, Teresa Romain and Meredith Dewald

    Send a text What if the goal isn’t more… but enough? So many business owners are exhausted - not because they’re failing but because they’re chasing growth that doesn’t actually feel good or sustainable. In this episode, I’m joined by three 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who approach business growth from very different angles, but land in the same place: calmer momentum beats constant pressure. Caitlin Durning, Coach of the Year, Teresa Romain, winner of the Active Impact Award, and Meredith Dewald, VA of the Year, share how mindset, systems, and values-first strategy work together to create steady growth you can actually sustain. We discuss: Redefining abundance as "enough" instead of always pushing for moreUsing simple brain-dump systems to calm idea overloadLetting your niche emerge through consistent actionThe secret to success:  Intuition-led coaching, practical strategy and a VA who acts more as a strategic partner than a task-doerLinks & References: Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection NetworkListen to Caitlin's podcast: The End in Mind - Personal Development for EntrepreneursCheck out Caitlins website and connect with her on Instagram Connect with Teresa on her website, YouTube channel or FacebookFollow Meredith on Instagram, watch me tag her a million times on Threads or check out her websiteSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    40 min
  5. Borrowed Trust: Using Podcasts, Speaking & PR to Grow Your Business w/Emily Aborn and KJ Blattenbauer

    FEB 3

    Borrowed Trust: Using Podcasts, Speaking & PR to Grow Your Business w/Emily Aborn and KJ Blattenbauer

    Send a text You don’t need a bigger audience. You need the right kind of attention. In this episode (the first in our series of interviews with the PWR 2025 Impact Award winners), I’m joined by two brilliant women who know what it takes to build credibility, visibility, and trust without going viral or chasing vanity metrics. Emily Aborn, host of Small Business Casual and PWR Podcast Host of the Year, shares how she creates a real human connection - even when recording a podcast episode alone. KJ Blattenbauer, PWR Speaker of the Year and author of Pitchworthy, shares why depth, intention, and audience advocacy matters more than visibility for visibility’s sake. Both of my guests agree that podcasting, speaking, and other forms of PR  are relationship-driven tools that help the right people find you, trust you, and buy from you. We also discuss: Choosing visibility opportunities based on your actual business goalsWhat it really means to read the room — and when to ditch the scriptHow to use podcasts, speaking, and PR to borrow trust instead of chasing attentionSimple, practical tools you can apply immediately, even if visibility scares you a little!Links & References: Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection NetworkListen to the Small Business Casual podcastFollow Emily on SubstackGet your copy of KJ's new book, PitchworthyFollow KJ on InstagramSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    39 min
  6. Misaligned or Mismanaged? The Real Reason You’re Burned Out w/Brittany Rogars

    JAN 19

    Misaligned or Mismanaged? The Real Reason You’re Burned Out w/Brittany Rogars

    Send a text Burnout isn’t a sign you’re failing - it’s a sign that something in your business is either misaligned or mismanaged. In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Rogars, a coach and consultant, to break down why burnout is often feedback, not a red flag, and how to figure out what the problem really is, before you try to fix it. We talk about how burnout shows up in the body, why the loss of joy is often the first clue, and how so many women end up burned out not because they can’t handle business, but because they’ve been carrying too much without the right support, systems, or boundaries. We also discuss: How to tell if burnout is coming from misalignment or mismanagementWhat to change when your business no longer fits your values or season of lifeSimple systems, SOPs, and delegation that immediately reduce mental loadThe 24-hour “process day” Brittany recommends when you’re already at the edgeIf your business feels heavier than it used to, this conversation will help you identify the smallest shifts that can create the most relief - without burning everything down, starting over, or pushing harder. Links & References: If you're serious about growing your business in 2025, check out the new Powerful Women Rising Connection Network!Episode 77:  How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Like a BitchLearn more about Brittany:  https://brittanyrogars.com/homeConnect with Brittany on Instagram or LinkedInSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    32 min
  7. How to Build a Personal Brand That Stands Out in a Saturated Market w/Ivana Ivanek

    JAN 5

    How to Build a Personal Brand That Stands Out in a Saturated Market w/Ivana Ivanek

    Send a text You don’t need to be louder - you need to be clearer. In this episode, I'm chatting with visibility strategist Ivana Ivanek about what it really takes to stand out in a saturated market without turning yourself into a content machine or sacrificing your integrity. We also discuss: How to build a brand based on your values and storyWhy your message matters more than your expertiseWhere to start if you have no idea what your "personal brand" actually isHow your personal brand allows you to pivot while maintaining customer loyaltyHow having a supportive community can help you find your voice and get over your fear of being seenLinks & References: If you're serious about growing your business in 2025, check out the new Powerful Women Rising Connection Network!Learn more about how Ivana helps coaches and educators make money and lasting impact here:  https://ivanaivanek.com/Connect with Ivana on InstagramListen to the Online Business by Design podcastSupport the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    30 min
  8. SEO Made Simple: How to Grow Website Traffic (Without the Tech Overwhelm) w/Kelly Kumler

    12/08/2025

    SEO Made Simple: How to Grow Website Traffic (Without the Tech Overwhelm) w/Kelly Kumler

    Send a text SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive to actually work. In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Kumler, a brand and web designer with a serious love for SEO, to demystify what it really takes to get aligned, organic traffic to your site (without keyword stuffing or obsessing over trends). Whether you’ve been guessing at keywords, blogging at random, or hoping your pretty website will magically rank, Kelly breaks down a clear, human-first approach to search engine optimization that supports your business goals and helps the right people find you. We talk about: How to choose keywords that are actually winnable (and what tools to use) and the page structure both Google and humans love Why your site needs dedicated service pages and how they help with search engine optimizationHow AI tools have changed the game for SEOWhat to DIY vs. outsource and when to make the switchThis episode is your invitation to stop relying pretending SEO doens't exist and start building a simple, sustainable strategy that will pay off over time. Links & References: For faster business growth through networking, strategy and accountability, check out the  Powerful Women Rising Business Growth Community!Kelly is offering FREE website evaluations for PWR podcast listeners!  Snag your spot HERE!Learn more about Kelly at www.kellyryann.com or connect with her on Instagram!Support the show Connect with Your Host! Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships. Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking. She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time. Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

    24 min
4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Welcome to Powerful Women Rising, a practical, relationship-driven podcast for female entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without following someone else's rulebook.  Hosted by Business Relationship Strategist Melissa Snow, each episode focuses on what it really takes to create sustainable business growth - strategic networking, visibility built on trust, thoughtful marketing and making smarter decisions as your business evolves. You'll hear candid conversations with experienced entrepreneurs and experts, along with real-world insights to help you cut through the one-size-fits-all advice, avoid wasting time and money, and build momentum in a way that feels aligned and effective.If you're ready to stop chasing shiny objects and want to grow your business with integrity, clarity, and intention, this podcast is for you.