Fanatical DreamHer

April Kemp

Fanatical DreamHer is the weekly podcast where host April Kemp sits down with inspiring women who dared to dream big and turned those dreams into reality. These incredible DreamHers share their journeys of resilience, determination, and triumph—facing obstacles, overcoming challenges, and achieving success on their own terms. Through raw and real conversations, you'll hear how these women stayed committed to their vision, proving that no dream is too big and no goal is out of reach. Tune in each week for stories that will empower you to chase your dreams with fearless passion and become the next Fanatical DreamHer.

  1. 4d ago

    From Radio DJ to Podcast Entrepreneur: Abbey Graves on Reinvention, Confidence, and Betting on Herself

    Abbey Graves knew early that she loved radio. As a child, she memorized local DJs, their stations, their schedules, and the music they played. By the time she finished high school, she had decided she wanted to become a radio DJ. She went to college for broadcasting, set herself a 10-year goal of working at one of Minnesota's biggest rock stations—and landed the job before she had even graduated. For years, radio was exactly where Abbey believed she belonged. She built a successful career, became a highly rated on-air personality, managed stations, and rose to become one of the top content creators in the Townsquare Media organization. But eventually, continuing to grow in radio would have required uprooting the life and community she loved. So Abbey made a change. A communications role in county government gave her room to launch her own podcast, The Small Town Tourist. What began as a passion project unexpectedly became something more. Guests started asking Abbey for help creating podcasts of their own. One request became another, and within a year and a half, Abbey had built enough business to leave her job and become fully self-employed through Abbey Graves Productions. Her first day as a full-time entrepreneur did not go according to plan. She lost one of her biggest clients. She kept going. Today, Abbey combines podcast production, consulting, education, DJing, event rentals, and music bingo—all while refusing to let herself be confined to one version of success. Her story is for the woman who has already accomplished one dream and wonders whether she is allowed to want another. Abbey's answer is clear: bet on yourself, write the goal down, find the people who can help, tear up the box, and keep moving. Key Discussion Points • 02:06 — Abbey shares how receiving a boom box as a child sparked an obsession with music, radio stations, DJs, and broadcasting. • 03:44 — She explains how she pursued radio broadcasting in college and completed an 18-month program in only nine months. • 04:09 — Abbey recalls setting a 10-year goal of working at Minnesota rock station 93X—and being hired there before graduating. • 05:44 — She reflects on seven years working in radio, becoming a station manager and one of the top content creators within Townsquare Media. • 06:11 — Abbey explains why she eventually left radio rather than uproot her life and move away from Central Minnesota. • 06:46 — A communications position with county government gave her an opportunity to use her storytelling skills in a new environment. • 07:08 — Abbey describes launching The Small Town Tourist podcast to share stories about small-town Minnesota. • 07:34 — Podcast guests begin asking Abbey to help them start their own shows, unexpectedly creating the foundation of a new business. • 08:00 — Abbey shares how those requests grew into Abbey Graves Productions and eventually allowed her to become fully self-employed. • 09:07 — She talks about recognizing that passion can become a business when it also creates value for other people. • 10:03 — Abbey explains how entrepreneurship increased her confidence and taught her what it means to continually bet on herself. • 11:51 — She reflects on repeatedly setting goals and reaching them much earlier than expected. • 13:28 — Abbey shares one of her most important lessons: "find the who, not the how." • 14:13 — She remembers the specific moment in 2023 when another entrepreneur's podcast made her realize she could build her own full-time business too. • 15:51 — Abbey describes losing one of her biggest clients on her very first day of full-time self-employment and how she reframed the setback. • 17:42 — She shares her approach to positive self-talk and why she literally dances through affirmations while making coffee. • 19:45 — Abbey credits her husband and longtime podcast client Liz Fiddler Mergen as two of her strongest supporters. • 21:19 — She offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about hard work, late nights, setbacks, and pursuing work that genuinely matters to them. • 22:53 — Abbey reflects on how the end of her radio career opened a future she never could have imagined. • 24:19 — She encourages listeners to abandon traditional career "boxes" and give themselves permission to create their own rules. • 25:09 — Abbey advises women who have never spoken their dream aloud to tell one trusted person who will encourage and hold them accountable. • 25:58 — She explains the range of services she offers through Abbey Graves Productions and her other businesses. Notable Quotes "When you're self-employed, you have to bet on yourself every time, or you're not gonna win in any goal that you set for yourself." "I am a firm believer in you write those goals down." "You gotta find the who, not the how." "The hard days are few and far between if you truly are passionate about seeing this through." "Hard endings create wonderful beginnings." "Grab your box cutter, tear up the box, and put it in the recycling. You don't need that box." Takeaways • One dream can lead naturally into another. Abbey's skills in radio, storytelling, communications, and podcasting became building blocks rather than separate chapters. • Writing down goals can give a dream direction. Abbey credits written goals with helping her stay focused on what she wanted next. • Mentors and examples matter. Seeing another entrepreneur build a business helped Abbey believe she could do the same. • Setbacks do not automatically mean you made the wrong decision. Losing a major client on day one forced Abbey to problem-solve rather than retreat. • Positive self-talk requires practice. Abbey intentionally speaks encouragement to herself instead of allowing difficult moments to become destructive spirals. • You do not have to remain inside one professional identity. Abbey has built a career around multiple interests rather than forcing herself into a single box. • Saying a dream out loud can be the first step toward making it real. A trusted friend can provide both encouragement and accountability. Connect with Guest Website: https://abbeygravesproductions.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeythepodcastlady/ @abbeythepodcastlady Connect with Us Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    From Radio DJ to Podcast Entrepreneur: Abbey Graves on Reinvention, Confidence, and Betting on Herself

  2. Oct 14

    Building for Staying Power: Duke Lacrosse Coach Kerstin Kimel on Hard Work, Leadership, and a 30-Year Legacy

    Kerstin Kimel did not arrive at Duke with a finished blueprint for greatness. She arrived young, competitive, shaped by an athletic family, and carrying lessons that had been repeated throughout her childhood: work hard, hustle, finish what you start, treat people fairly, and control what you can control. Then she started building. When Duke women's lacrosse played its first season in 1996, Kerstin was creating more than a team. She was establishing the foundation and culture of a program she wanted to last. The early years were not about instant results. They were about steady progress—three wins, then eight, then ten, then an NCAA Tournament appearance, followed by a Final Four. Three decades later, Kerstin is still coaching, still competing, and still convinced there is more to accomplish. Her story reaches far beyond wins and losses. Kerstin talks candidly about becoming a coach at 23, raising a family inside the world of Duke athletics, learning how parenthood changed the way she coaches other people's children, surviving cancer, and recognizing later in life that taking care of herself cannot be treated as a luxury. She also shares what she believes young athletes, parents, and aspiring coaches need to hear: try different things, learn to handle failure, embrace responsibility, work harder than expected, be a great teammate, and understand that meaningful success requires paying your dues. At the center of Kerstin's story is something she told her players during Duke's earliest years: they were not building for a quick moment of success. They were building for staying power. For any woman pursuing a dream that may take years—or decades—to fully reveal itself, Kerstin's life offers a compelling example of what can happen when passion is matched by patience, standards, service, and the willingness to keep showing up. Key Discussion Points • 02:43 — Kerstin talks about growing up in an athletic family with parents who were teachers and coaches and how sports became part of her identity early in life. • 04:07 — She reflects on looking up to older female athletes and gradually realizing she wanted to compete in college. • 06:22 — Kerstin shares how her father encouraged her to try lacrosse in ninth grade and how quickly she fell in love with the sport. • 07:53 — She looks back on her success at the University of Maryland, including being featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd," while admitting she never envisioned becoming what she eventually became. • 09:58 — Kerstin explains how she unexpectedly discovered coaching through working summer camps while she was in college. • 12:13 — She recalls landing her first college coaching job at Davidson, living on $18,000 a year, and learning lessons she believes helped build her character. • 15:07 — Kerstin describes the lessons from her parents that stayed with her: work harder, hustle, finish what you start, be fair, and control what you can control. • 16:21 — She explains that Duke women's lacrosse was intentionally built around a foundation and culture designed to "survive and thrive," rather than produce quick success. • 20:29 — Kerstin talks about how coaching became intertwined with her identity and family life after being hired at just 23 years old. • 22:24 — After 30 years, she reflects on longevity and explains that she remains in coaching because she still loves the players, helping them grow, and the game itself. • 24:20 — Kerstin shares how becoming a parent changed the way she coaches and reinforced the importance of guiding athletes through both success and failure. • 27:28 — She offers advice to parents of young athletes, emphasizing multiple sports, hard work, hustle, responsibility, and being a good teammate. • 29:41 — Kerstin remembers the moment she knew Duke could compete at the highest level: convincing her players they could beat powerhouse Maryland—and then doing it. • 31:57 — She discusses faith, prayer, walking, and other practices that help her manage difficult seasons and maintain perspective. • 37:25 — Kerstin talks about her cancer experience and why support from other women motivated her to pay that same encouragement forward to others facing similar diagnoses. Notable Quotes "We're actually building a foundation and a culture that is going to survive and thrive." "We're building for staying power." "If you aren't the best player, you can always control how hard you work and how much you hustle." "I love helping them grow." "You giving your kids boundaries is the most important way you demonstrate love for them." "I think that hard work never goes out of style." Takeaways • Sustainable success is often built slowly. Kerstin's early Duke teams improved step by step while creating a culture intended to last. • Effort remains within your control. Hard work, hustle, preparation, and being a good teammate became foundational principles in both Kerstin's upbringing and coaching. • Leadership is ultimately about people. Even after three decades, Kerstin says her love for the players, helping them grow, and the game itself keeps her connected to coaching. • Failure can be part of development. Kerstin believes young people sometimes need to experience mistakes and disappointment rather than always being protected from them. • Caring for yourself is not a luxury. Her experiences with parenting, coaching, aging, and cancer changed the way she thinks about rest, faith, health, and personal care. • Support creates an obligation to support others. After receiving guidance from women who had survived breast cancer, Kerstin felt strongly about paying that encouragement forward. • Dreams that become careers still require sacrifice. Kerstin's advice to aspiring coaches is clear: be willing to grind, pay your dues, and put in the work the job requires. Connect with Guest Website: https://goduke.com/sports/womens-lacrosse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukewlax/ @dukewlax Email: kmkimel@duke.edu Connect with Us Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    Building for Staying Power: Duke Lacrosse Coach Kerstin Kimel on Hard Work, Leadership, and a 30-Year Legacy

  3. Sep 29

    From One Crockpot to a Closed-Loop Soap Company: Alyssa Cherry on Starting Small, Staying Scrappy, and Building Fillaree

    Alyssa Cherry did not grow up with one clear dream mapped out in front of her. What she did have was a belief that the world could be better—and that ordinary people could do something to help make it that way. That belief became personal when Alyssa started paying closer attention to her own family's waste. She composted. She carried reusable bottles. She looked for ways to use less and throw away less. Then one question kept bothering her: why couldn't she simply refill the cleaning products she already owned instead of constantly buying another container? A trip to California changed everything. There, Alyssa walked into a refill store and saw the idea she had been imagining brought to life. The next day, she saw another refill setup at a farmers market. She turned to her mom and sister and asked whether she could go back to North Carolina, teach herself how to make liquid soap, and start a refill company. Then she did the work. With a library book, a YouTube video, a thrift-store Crockpot, and a lot of persistence, Alyssa began experimenting. Her first batch failed. So did many after that. It took 85 tries before she made a clear, consistent batch she felt confident selling. More than a decade later, Fillaree has grown from one Crockpot to large production tanks, a small team, dozens of retail partners across the country, a Durham storefront, and a partnership providing amenities to the Inn at the Biltmore Estate. But Alyssa's story is not about overnight success. It is about organic growth, small wins, learning as you go, listening to your intuition, and doing what you can with what you have. For any woman waiting until she has the entire roadmap before beginning, Alyssa offers another way forward: figure out the first few steps, take them, and let the next ones reveal themselves along the way. Key Discussion Points • 01:44 — Alyssa shares that she did not grow up with one specific career dream and describes herself as an idealist who believed the world could be made better. • 02:20 — She explains how that idealism became part of the foundation of Fillaree and her desire to build a cleaner, better business. • 03:12 — Alyssa reflects on how slowly the company grew and how surprising it is to look back at what it has become. • 04:16 — She describes beginning with her own household waste by composting, using reusable bottles, and reducing disposable products. • 05:09 — Alyssa explains the frustration that made her wish there were places where she could simply refill cleaning products instead of replacing containers. • 05:47 — She recalls walking into a refill store in California and seeing the idea she had been imagining exist in real life. • 06:13 — At a farmers market the next day, Alyssa sees another refill business and asks her mom and sister if she could teach herself to make liquid soap and start a company. • 06:52 — Alyssa describes learning how to make soap through a library book and one YouTube video. • 07:12 — On December 31, 2013, she makes her first batch of liquid soap in a thrift-store Crockpot. • 07:26 — Alyssa explains that it took 85 attempts before she created a clear, consistent batch she felt good enough to sell. • 08:04 — She shares how determined she became to make the soap work, regardless of whether it ever became a business. • 09:06 — Alyssa describes Fillaree's growth from home production and Crockpots to a larger facility, a small team, and larger production tanks. • 10:34 — She explains Fillaree's closed-loop refill model and how empty refill packaging is returned, washed, sanitized, and reused. • 12:15 — Alyssa discusses the company's partnership with the Inn at the Biltmore Estate and supplying amenities there. • 13:10 — She reflects on how building Fillaree has fulfilled her personally and taught her many aspects of running a business. • 14:03 — Alyssa talks about the value of small business and the relationships Fillaree has built within its community. • 14:52 — She identifies being able to pay herself for the first time as one of her biggest milestones. • 16:13 — Alyssa explains how intuition has helped guide her decisions in business. • 17:05 — She talks about gaining confidence after surviving the challenges of the pandemic and building a strong team. • 18:12 — Alyssa discusses the difficulty of hiring, managing people, and learning to set stronger boundaries. • 19:09 — She shares the self-talk she uses on hard days: "I can do it all. I can do it all." • 20:13 — Alyssa remembers worrying that nobody would come to the storefront and how she kept showing up even after very slow days. • 21:01 — She credits her husband as one of her biggest sources of support and inspiration. • 21:58 — Alyssa gives practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: understand your market, know how the business will make money, and focus on the first few steps instead of the next 400. • 24:13 — She talks about starting the business while raising two young children and how that reality shaped the way Fillaree operates. • 25:49 — Alyssa shares the phrase "es lo que hay"—"it is what it is"—and how it reflects her approach to solving problems with the resources available. • 27:38 — She explains how laying a little groundwork and accumulating small wins can make fear feel more manageable. • 28:54 — Alyssa explains how customers can purchase Fillaree products, subscribe for refills, visit the Durham storefront, or work with the company as a wholesale partner. Notable Quotes "We can make the world a better place. We can make the world a cleaner place. We can use better products, all of that. We can build a better business." "I will make liquid soap out of this Crockpot." "I needed to have help before I needed to have money." "I can do it all. I can do it all." "You can do what you can do with less, and then that just makes it so much more profound when you end up getting to the next level." "Those little things growing organically and slowly will give you the confidence that you need to have those fears." Takeaways • You do not need to begin with a perfectly defined lifelong dream. Alyssa's path grew from her values, curiosity, and willingness to act on a problem she cared about. • Repeated failure can be part of the beginning. Alyssa made 85 batches before she created a product she felt ready to sell. • Starting small can protect the dream while it grows. Fillaree expanded gradually rather than taking on more risk than Alyssa was comfortable carrying. • Small wins matter. Learning to make the soap, getting into a farmers market, hiring the first employee, and eventually paying herself each became steps toward something larger. • Intuition can become stronger with experience. Alyssa credits listening to her gut with helping her make better decisions over time. • A business can reflect the life of the person building it. Motherhood became woven into Fillaree's culture rather than treated as something that had to be hidden from the work. • Fear can become quieter when you build evidence that you are capable. Preparation, momentum, and small successes gave Alyssa confidence to keep moving. Connect with Guest Website: https://fillaree.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fillaree/ @fillaree Email: alyssa@fillaree.com Connect with Us Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    From One Crockpot to a Closed-Loop Soap Company: Alyssa Cherry on Starting Small, Staying Scrappy, and Building Fillaree

  4. Sep 15

    From Ballet Dreams to Fashion and the Oscars: D'on Lauren Edwards on Reinvention, Confidence, and Finding Her Own Lane

    D'on Lauren Edwards once dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina. She started ballet at three years old, fell in love with the art form, and by 17 was preparing for the possibility of moving to New York City and pursuing a professional career. Then her health changed everything. After becoming seriously ill and later being diagnosed with Behcet's disease, severe arthritis and chronic pain made ballet increasingly difficult. The dream she had worked toward for years could no longer look the same. But creativity had always been part of D'on's life. With encouragement from her father, she began looking toward fashion and eventually attended SCAD, where she immersed herself in evening wear and couture, won multiple awards, and began discovering just how far her design instincts could take her. Her work would later expand into footwear, accessories, and styling—giving her a creative career far broader than the single path she once imagined. Along the way came unforgettable moments: designing for acclaimed costume designer Ruth Carter, spending awards season in Los Angeles styling her, preparing her for the Oscars, and realizing that styling had become another dream she wanted to pursue alongside design. But D'on is equally candid about what sits behind those glamorous moments. Fashion is demanding. Health has required boundaries. Rejection is inevitable. Burnout is real. And sometimes the most important thing is remembering who you are instead of chasing whatever everyone else is doing. For women who have watched one dream change shape—or who worry they must choose only one passion—D'on's story offers another possibility. A dream can evolve. A detour can become a new direction. And success does not require fitting neatly into someone else's lane. Key Discussion Points • 01:42 — D'on shares how ballet became her first major passion and how creativity shaped her childhood through dance, drawing, painting, and other art forms. • 02:23 — She explains her dream of becoming a professional ballerina and moving to New York City to pursue ballet professionally. • 02:37 — D'on talks about becoming seriously ill at 17 and eventually being diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disease Behcet's disease. • 03:34 — A conversation with her father helps D'on begin imagining a creative future in fashion when ballet is no longer physically possible. • 03:59 — She discusses attending SCAD and falling deeply in love with evening wear and couture design. • 04:22 — April and D'on talk about several awards she received while at SCAD, including recognition connected to Gucci and the National Black Arts Festival. • 05:26 — D'on explains how winning awards strengthened her confidence and taught her to trust her instincts. • 06:29 — She describes how footwear and accessories entered her career almost by accident and ultimately broadened her knowledge as a designer. • 07:26 — D'on explains why the realities of unpaid apparel opportunities in New York influenced her decision to move into footwear. • 08:57 — She shares her first experience designing and styling Ruth Carter, including creating a dress for the Costume Designers Guild Awards. • 10:01 — D'on talks about designing for different body types and her belief that every woman should be able to wear something beautiful and comfortable. • 11:50 — She reflects on the moments when she realized she could truly build a career in fashion, first through her college success and later through styling Ruth Carter. • 13:05 — D'on discusses health, stress, anxiety, rejection, and learning how to find another route when someone tells her no. • 14:26 — She shares one of her mother's most important reminders: stay grounded in who you are rather than changing yourself to follow trends. • 15:44 — D'on describes the surreal experience of helping prepare Ruth Carter during Oscars season. • 16:34 — She talks about the support she receives from her fiancé, parents, friends, and especially her father as a mentor. • 17:54 — D'on gives advice to young people entering fashion, including understanding how difficult the industry can be and finding the lane that genuinely works for them. • 20:04 — She encourages young designers and students to reach out to her for advice, feedback, and encouragement. • 20:51 — D'on shares one of her favorite affirmations about trusting God, timing, and believing that what is meant to be will be. • 23:04 — She gives listeners a glimpse into her personal aesthetic through her favorite shoes, dream dress, and accessories. Notable Quotes "I need to stick by this and trust my gut and trust my intuition that this is going to take me far." "Every woman is built differently and every woman should be able to wear something that's beautiful, that they feel comfortable in, regardless of their size." "I want to be able to do both, and I can do both." "Whenever someone tells me no, I always try to find a different way to figure out how I can get what I need to get done." "I have to remember to slow it down, take things one at a time, and just remember, focus on the most important things and just kinda do baby steps." "Trust God, everything will work out in the right way at the right time." Takeaways • A dream can change without creativity disappearing. D'on's transition from ballet to fashion allowed her artistic life to continue in a completely different form. • Confidence can grow through experience. For D'on, awards and recognition helped reinforce that her instincts were worth trusting. • Learning more than one area of an industry can become an advantage. Her experience across apparel, footwear, accessories, and styling expanded both her skills and her future possibilities. • Rejection does not always mean stop. D'on often responds to a "no" by looking for another route forward. • Protecting your health matters when pursuing a demanding career. D'on learned to pay attention to stress and anxiety so she could continue doing the work she loves. • Trying to fit into someone else's version of success can lead to burnout. Finding the lane that genuinely works for you can make the dream more sustainable. • You do not always have to choose between creative passions. D'on's experience taught her that designing and styling can both have a place in her career. Connect with Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donlaurenedwards/ @donlaurenedwards Email: donlaurenedwards@gmail.com Connect with Us Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    From Ballet Dreams to Fashion and the Oscars: D'on Lauren Edwards on Reinvention, Confidence, and Finding Her Own Lane

  5. Sep 1

    From Weekend Markets to Ray Ray's Plants: Rachel Neighbors on Timing, Trust, and Creating a Place Where People Belong

    Rachel Neighbors did not grow up dreaming of owning a plant shop. In fact, her mom used to say Rachel did not like dirt as a child. Now, she spends most of her days with dirt underneath her fingernails. That unexpected turn is part of what makes her story so special. After COVID, Rachel and her husband, Len, moved to Williamsburg and found themselves in a season of reset. A Christmas gift—a Cricut machine—led Rachel into designing stickers and taking them to weekend markets. She brought plants along as table decorations, only to realize people were more interested in buying the plants than the stickers. So Rachel pivoted. What started with thrifted pots, Campbell's soup mugs, blenders, Crock-Pots, porch drilling, and 100-plus plants packed into the car became the foundation for Ray Ray's Plants, a warm and creative plant shop built around more than greenery. Rachel wanted to create a space where people could feel welcome, find something personal, connect with their homes, and maybe even find community. But the timing was anything but simple. Rachel found out she was pregnant with twins, assumed the plant shop dream would have to wait, and then received an opportunity to open a shop in Williamsburg while she was five months pregnant. She said yes, but she also allowed herself time. Instead of rushing the opening, she had her boys, took the summer to prepare, and opened the shop six months later. Rachel's story is about risk, patience, family, community, faith, and the courage to say yes when one piece of the puzzle finally fits. For any woman wondering whether her dream needs to look perfect before she begins, Rachel's journey offers a gentle but powerful truth: sometimes the right dream grows when you give it room, time, and people who believe in it with you. Key Discussion Points • 00:00 — April introduces Rachel Neighbors, owner and founder of Ray Ray's Plants. • 00:42 — Rachel shares that opening a plant store was not an early childhood dream and that she did not like dirt as a child. • 01:45 — April describes the warmth and uniqueness of Rachel's shop, including indoor plants, potting, drilling containers, and care instructions. • 01:52 — Rachel explains how a Cricut machine led to designing stickers and bringing them to weekend markets. • 02:18 — Rachel realizes customers were more interested in the plants she used as decorations than the stickers she was selling. • 02:31 — Rachel and her husband begin thrifting unique containers like Campbell's soup mugs, blenders, and Crock-Pots to use as plant pots. • 03:21 — Rachel shares that after market season, she found out she was pregnant with twins. • 03:36 — While five months pregnant, Rachel receives the opportunity to open a shop in Williamsburg and decides the risk is worth taking. • 05:09 — Rachel talks about saying yes to the shop and choosing not to rush the opening before the full vision was ready. • 05:36 — Rachel explains that she had her boys in April of 2025 and took the summer to prepare the shop between feedings and new-parent life. • 06:21 — Rachel remembers opening day, the support from family and community, and the feeling of realizing the shop was finally open. • 07:48 — Rachel describes how difficult it was to name the shop and how vulnerable it felt when the Ray Ray's sign went up on the building. • 09:24 — Rachel explains the "This Must Be The Place" sign and how it connects to the place where she and her husband got married. • 09:56 — Rachel shares her desire to create a corner of the shop where people in the community could come sit, gather, and feel welcomed. • 11:22 — Rachel talks about balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and reminding herself that she does not have to get everything done in one day. • 13:34 — Rachel explains her belief that "houseplants make homes" and that plants should not be stressful for people. • 14:17 — Rachel credits her husband, Len, friends, and Sherry and Glen Lavender from Silver Hand Meadery with helping support the dream. • 15:33 — Rachel reflects that being a dreamer sometimes means allowing other people to speak into the dream, even though you still have to be the one to say yes. • 16:18 — Rachel advises others to look for opportunity and recognize when one piece of the puzzle fits, even before everything is figured out. • 17:26 — Rachel explains how two-plus years of market experience gave her valuable, lower-risk preparation before opening the brick-and-mortar shop. • 21:34 — Rachel shares that her faith carries her on hard days and that "the joy of the Lord is my strength." • 22:07 — Rachel gives her email address for anyone who wants to reach out. Notable Quotes "Opening the plant store was not on my list of things growing up." "My mom would often say that I did not like dirt as a child. So now I spend the majority of my days with dirt underneath my fingernails." "I had to say, 'Okay, this is worth the risk.'" "I said yes, and we did this thing." "Allowing myself the time to prepare for it to open, for it to be what I wanted, was absolutely worth the time it took to get there." "I tell myself that I don't have to get it all done today." "Houseplants make homes." "Sometimes being a dreamer means allowing other people to speak into that." Takeaways • A dream does not always begin in childhood. Sometimes it appears through curiosity, experimentation, and an unexpected pivot. • Starting small can teach you what people actually respond to before you take a bigger risk. • The right timing matters. Rachel's story shows that saying yes does not always mean rushing. • Community can be part of the dream itself, not just support for the dream. • Balancing motherhood and business ownership requires grace, help, and the reminder that everything does not have to happen today. • A physical space can become more than a store when it is built with welcome, creativity, and connection in mind. • Opportunity may not arrive with the full picture complete. Sometimes one piece of the puzzle is enough to begin. Connect with Guest Website: https://www.rayraysplants.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayraysplantsva @rayraysplantsva Email: grow@rayraysplants.com Connect with Us Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    From Weekend Markets to Ray Ray's Plants: Rachel Neighbors on Timing, Trust, and Creating a Place Where People Belong

  6. Aug 18

    From Fear to Freedom: Amy Oliver on Adventure, Entrepreneurship, and Building E-Bike Alley

    Long before Amy Oliver opened the doors to E-Bike Alley, she learned what could happen when she stepped into the unknown and trusted herself to figure things out. After graduating from college in 1988, Amy worked three jobs, saved $3,000, and set off alone for four months of travel through Europe. When fear nearly sent her home—and an expired emergency credit card left her running out of money—Amy found an unexpected solution: she bought a pair of scissors and started cutting hair across Europe to earn the $10 a day she needed to continue her journey. Years later, that same willingness to face uncertainty would become essential to her life as an entrepreneur. Amy launched what she describes as the first food truck in Hampton Roads in 2012, was diagnosed with breast cancer the following year, spent years working in real estate, and eventually discovered e-bikes during a family trip to California. One unforgettable day riding with her husband and four teenagers sparked an idea: Hampton Roads needed this experience too. Building what eventually became E-Bike Alley was anything but predictable. Amy shares the fear of putting her home on the line, leaving the e-bike brand she originally represented, teaching herself a changing industry, surviving months when customers weren't walking through the door, and finding creative ways to build a community around riding. Today, with locations in Williamsburg and Norfolk, she isn't interested in simply selling someone a bike—she wants people to experience the freedom, adventure, and happiness that made her fall in love with e-bikes in the first place. Amy's story is a reminder of what can happen when fear stops determining the direction you take. As she discovered during that first solo adventure decades ago: "Wow, I can do it. What else can I do?" Key Discussion Points (02:01) Amy shares how she decided to travel Europe alone after graduating from the University of Dayton in 1988. (02:58) Fear almost sends her home from Scotland until advice from her stepfather changes the direction of her trip. (04:33) An expired emergency credit card forces Amy to get creative and start cutting hair across Europe to support herself. (05:15) Learning to rely on herself—and finding her own customers—becomes an early lesson in entrepreneurship. (05:54) Amy discusses her entrepreneurial spirit and launching a food truck in Hampton Roads in 2012. (06:26) A breast cancer diagnosis in 2013 leads to another major change in direction. (06:47) A family e-bike adventure in California becomes the unexpected inspiration for what would eventually become E-Bike Alley. (08:27) Amy explains why building the business hasn't changed who she is—it has given her "room to be more of me." (08:52) Starting as a Pedego dealer, navigating COVID-era demand, and opening a second store. (10:05) The decision to leave Pedego and create E-Bike Alley as her own independent business. (10:17) Putting her home on the line and facing the financial fear of keeping the business alive. (11:02) Why Amy chooses the uncertain path when she reaches a fork in the road. (12:10) Pivoting from one e-bike brand to eventually carrying 15 brands and educating herself on the industry. (14:27) How breast cancer affected Amy's relationship with fear—and her decision not to let fear control her life. (16:10) Opening her first store to "crickets" and using $5 group rides to introduce people to e-bikes and build a community. (18:36) Thinking outside the box during COVID by delivering sanitized bikes to people's homes for week-long rentals. (19:40) Amy shares the simple favorite quote that fits her approach to life: "Just do it." (20:38) How guided test rides help nervous customers become comfortable with e-bikes. (22:01) E-Bike Alley's group rides, destination rides, rentals, and focus on the complete e-bike experience. (24:07) Amy reveals her favorite part of the business: seeing people return from a test ride grinning from ear to ear. Notable Quotes "I had to go find my business, right? I had to go find my customers." "I knew I could do it. I didn't know how, but I was gonna figure it out." "It's hard either way, and I would rather go in the direction of doing something that I don't know what the outcome is, so I can create my own." "Wow, I can do it. What else can I do?" "Just do it." "When you're around people that are happy, like, it's just, it's just a good day." Takeaways Facing fear can build confidence for the next challenge. Amy's solo European trip showed her early in life that she could be afraid, solve problems, and keep moving anyway. Resourcefulness matters when the original plan fails. From cutting hair in Europe to creating group rides when customers weren't coming into the store, Amy repeatedly found another way forward. A business idea can begin with an experience you wish existed closer to home. Amy's first e-bike ride showed her something she believed Hampton Roads was missing. Sometimes entrepreneurship requires a difficult pivot. When Amy determined her existing dealership model was no longer sustainable, she took the risk of creating E-Bike Alley. Learning doesn't stop once the business opens. Amy continues to study industry news, research products, and educate herself and her staff. Community can be part of the product. Group rides, destination rides, rentals, and guided test rides helped E-Bike Alley create an experience around cycling rather than simply selling bikes. Fear doesn't have to disappear before you act. Amy's story repeatedly demonstrates her willingness to move forward without knowing exactly how things will turn out. Connect with Guest • Website: https://www.e-bikealley.com/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebikealley_757/ @ebikealley_757 Connect with Us • Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher • Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ • April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us using #FanaticalDreamHer and share your favorite takeaway from today's conversation. Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. For licensing requests, contact Betsy Hammer: (310) 650-5111 | betsyhammermusic@gmail.com

    From Fear to Freedom: Amy Oliver on Adventure, Entrepreneurship, and Building E-Bike Alley

  7. Aug 4

    Baking with Purpose: How Samantha Ward Turned Food Allergies into a Healthier Way to Gather

    For Samantha Ward, creating allergen-free baked goods was never about asking people to settle for less. After discovering her own gluten sensitivity and navigating food allergies within her family, she began experimenting in the kitchen to create healthier versions of the foods she had always loved—pancakes, muffins, waffles, donuts, cookies, and the comforting recipes that bring families together. That experimentation grew into Orchids Baked Goods and Sammie's All-Purpose Mix, a versatile allergen-free baking mix created to make healthier eating both convenient and genuinely enjoyable. Samantha shares how persistence helped her move from baking at home to supplying coffee shops, entering supermarkets, and partnering with Goldbelly for nationwide shipping. She also reflects on the discipline she developed through bodybuilding, the role faith plays in her decision-making, and the importance of continuing to move forward when stores say no or opportunities do not unfold on her preferred timeline. This conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to build a product-based business while raising a family and pursuing more than one dream. Samantha's story encourages listeners to prepare carefully, take consistent action, and trust that setbacks may be redirecting them toward an opportunity they cannot yet see. Key Discussion Points (with time stamps): (02:24) How Samantha's gluten sensitivity and her son's food allergies led her to begin baking (03:09) Recognizing how food sensitivities can affect inflammation and digestive health (04:27) Recreating the familiar breakfast foods and family traditions she grew up enjoying (05:12) Learning to cook for her siblings and developing an early love of gathering around the table (07:17) Balancing family life while developing products at home (07:42) Creating low-glycemic and allergen-free recipes that still taste indulgent (08:40) Persistently approaching coffee shops, supermarkets, and wholesalers (09:07) How the journey strengthened her faith and persistence (10:31) Milestones including placement in more than ten coffee shops and her first supermarket (10:55) Partnering with Goldbelly to offer Sammie's Mix nationwide (11:38) Lessons from Samantha's earlier career in the fashion industry (12:18) How bodybuilding strengthened her discipline and patience (14:09) Writing down goals and learning that success may take longer than expected (16:21) Responding when retailers discontinue a product (17:15) Prayer, meditation, and remembering the gifts placed within her (18:15) Advice for women: take one step toward the goal every day (20:45) The emotion of making her first store delivery (22:27) Feeling proud that families can create healthy experiences together (24:49) Advice for aspiring bakers on mastering their craft and building a distinctive brand (27:09) Samantha's guiding principles: preparation, faith, and doing it scared Notable Quotes: "It came out of necessity." "I'm not gonna stop. I'm gonna be persistent about it." "Sometimes you have to mold the personality that you need to have in order to accomplish that dream." "The time is passing anyway." "Do it scared." "Preparation is the key to success." Takeaways: A personal or family need can become the foundation for a meaningful business. A healthier product can still preserve the joy, flavor, and traditions connected to food. Product-based businesses require persistence, especially when approaching stores and distributors. Setbacks do not always signal failure; sometimes the timing or audience is not yet right. Discipline developed in one part of life can strengthen another dream. Consistent daily action matters, even when only a few minutes are available. Preparation and faith can help build confidence before the results are visible. Connect with Guest: • Website: https://www.sammiesmixes.com/ • Website: https://www.orchidsbakedgoods.com/ • For Ordering: https://www.goldbelly.com/restaurants/orchids-baked-goods/sammie-s-all-purpose-mix-allergen-free • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delicious_orchidscookies/ @delicious_orchidscookies • Email: sward@orchidsbakedgoods.com Connect with Us: • Follow April Kemp on Instagram: [@fanaticaldreamher] • Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ • April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community: Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us with your favorite takeaways using #FanaticalDreamHer on social media! Featured Music The official Fanatical DreamHer theme song, "Dream Her," is featured as the opening and closing music for this podcast. Performed by: Mandy Rose Wolf Lyrics & Music: Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan, and Larry Treadwell Publishing: Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI) Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved.

    Baking with Purpose: How Samantha Ward Turned Food Allergies into a Healthier Way to Gather

  8. Jul 22

    Dream It. Believe It. Do It. Betsy Hammer's Lifelong Journey of Music, Mentorship, and Making It Happen

    Some dreams begin so early that they become part of who you are. For singer, songwriter, actress, vocal coach, and producer Betsy Hammer, that dream started when she was just three years old. Encouraged by a preschool teacher who recognized her gifts and parents who filled her home with music and unwavering belief, Betsy never questioned whether she belonged in the entertainment world—only how she would get there. Throughout this special 75th episode of Fanatical DreamHer, Betsy reflects on a remarkable career that has spanned Broadway, recording studios, feature films, television, music production, and fifteen years with Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions. Along the way, she shares unforgettable moments—from working alongside Cher and Paul McCartney to mentoring the next generation of performers. Just as openly, she talks about the challenges she faced, including overcoming professional skepticism, recovering from a devastating hip injury, and choosing gratitude even in life's most difficult seasons. At the heart of Betsy's story is a simple philosophy that has guided her entire life: "Dream it. Believe it. Do it." Her journey is filled with encouragement for anyone pursuing a dream, reminding listeners that persistence, kindness, gratitude, and believing in yourself can open doors that once seemed impossible. As a special celebration of Fanatical DreamHer's 75th episode, be sure to stay through the end of the podcast to hear the debut of the new Dream Her theme song in its entirety, co-written by Betsy Hammer especially for the Fanatical DreamHer community. Key Discussion Points (with time stamps): (02:00) Discovering her dream of entertaining at just three years old (03:25) The lifelong influence of her parents' encouragement and positivity (04:27) Early milestones in theater, music, and vocal performance (06:31) Meeting Grammy-winning producer Brooks Arthur and joining Adam Sandler's circle (07:59) Beginning a 15-year career with Happy Madison Productions (08:34) Producing and coaching Cher during the recording of Zookeeper (10:45) Earning respect by letting her work speak for itself (11:43) Recovering from a devastating hip injury and returning to performing (13:20) Her daily mindset of gratitude and the origin of "Dream it. Believe it. Do it." (14:37) The Broadway callback that made her realize she had achieved her dream (15:29) Mentoring students and celebrating their professional successes (17:16) The people who encouraged and supported her throughout her career (20:06) Advice for young performers pursuing multiple creative passions (22:18) Why singing remains her greatest professional love (23:09) Meeting and dancing with Paul McCartney—one of her most treasured memories (24:40) Learning to love herself in order to fully love others and her work Notable Quotes: "Dream it, believe it, do it." "Grab the gratitude." "If you dreamed it, believe it." "Make it happen, make it happen." "You have to love yourself in order to love everything else." "Always be kind, be positive and have fun because people like to work with someone who's fun to work with." Takeaways: Believing in your dream begins with believing in yourself. Gratitude can become a powerful anchor during life's most difficult moments. Persistence and preparation often create opportunities that seem impossible. Mentorship and encouragement can change the trajectory of another person's life. Success is built through both talent and the ability to treat others with kindness and respect. Loving yourself creates the foundation for serving and encouraging others. Dreams don't have to fit into one box—you can pursue multiple passions throughout your life. Connect with Guest: • Website: https://www.betsyhammer.com/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsyhammerofficial/ (@betsyhammerofficial) • Email: betsyhammermusic@gmail.com or betsyhammeractor@gmail.com Connect with Us: • Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher • Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ • April's email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com Join the DreamHer Community: Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us with your favorite takeaways using #FanaticalDreamHer on social media! Dream Her Theme Song Stay tuned after the interview to hear the full debut performance of the new Dream Her theme song, introduced during this special 75th episode of Fanatical DreamHer. Lyrics & Music for Dream Her by Betsy Hammer, Susan Sheridan and Larry Treadwell. Hammertime Music (ASCAP) / Boomers Mothers Music (BMI) / Simple Roger Music (BMI). Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved.

    Dream It. Believe It. Do It. Betsy Hammer's Lifelong Journey of Music, Mentorship, and Making It Happen
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About

Fanatical DreamHer is the weekly podcast where host April Kemp sits down with inspiring women who dared to dream big and turned those dreams into reality. These incredible DreamHers share their journeys of resilience, determination, and triumph—facing obstacles, overcoming challenges, and achieving success on their own terms. Through raw and real conversations, you'll hear how these women stayed committed to their vision, proving that no dream is too big and no goal is out of reach. Tune in each week for stories that will empower you to chase your dreams with fearless passion and become the next Fanatical DreamHer.

Information

  • Creator
    April Kemp
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©2026 April Kemp
  • Show Website
    Fanatical DreamHer

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