Founders in Jeans

Emily Jean
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Founders in Jeans is your backstage pass to the real stories behind building a business. Hosted by Emily Jean, this podcast brings you casual, candid conversations with entrepreneurs, visionaries, and startup leaders who are reshaping the future of work and life. Forget the pitch-deck polish—this is where founders kick off their heels (or sneakers) and get real about the messy middle, unexpected pivots, and mindset shifts that actually make things work. Whether you're growing your own venture or just love hearing how great ideas get off the ground, Founders in Jeans delivers all that and more.

  1. 6d ago

    How to Get Into College Debt-Free, with Shellee Howard

    One son applied to 12 schools, got into 11, and walked out with a full ride to Harvard without his family paying a single dollar. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready, breaks down how a business born 18 years ago when her son asked for help getting into college turned into a company that's helped thousands of students get into top schools debt-free. Shellee shares the moment she realized the system was failing students (a graduation-day comment that stuck with her for years), why she built College Ready around the student first and the university second, and the deeply intentional strategy she used to help all four of her kids graduate without debt, including one now-orthopedic surgeon who went to Harvard for free. She also gets real about the messy middle of building her seventh business, the bet with her son that turned into two bestselling books she never wanted to write, and why AI is quietly getting students rejected from the colleges they're applying to. Plus, her take on what she'd change about the entire college admissions and financial aid system if she could start from scratch. If you're a parent navigating college admissions, an entrepreneur turning expertise into a business, or just curious how one family cracked the code on elite education without the debt — this episode delivers. TIME STAMPS: 00:07 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:35 – Meet Shellee Howard, the woman who's gotten thousands of students into college debt-free03:29 – The 8th-grade conversation that started an 18-year mission05:29 – "Dude, I didn't know that kid was smart" — the comment that changed everything07:44 – Is the Ivy League obsession actually hurting students? Her honest take09:58 – What nobody tells you about building a business in education13:52 – The exact playbook that got her son a free ride to Harvard17:50 – Got expertise but no business? Her blunt advice: stop waiting19:34 – Her "messy middle" — the bet with her son that led to 2 bestsellers she swore she'd never write22:53 – Founder, author, consultant, mom of 4 — how she actually does it all24:42 – Why AI is quietly getting students REJECTED from college right now27:38 – If she could rewrite the entire college admissions system, here's what she'd change30:26 – The book that changed how she thinks about scaling (or failing)31:58 – Where to find Shellee Howard and get help with your own student's journey __________  Connect with Shelle Howard: Website: https://collegereadyplan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/shellee.howard1/ Amazon best sellers: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B071H5CQ9X __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  debt-free college admissions, how to get into Harvard, college planning strategy, financial aid tips, AI in college admissions, independent college consultant, scholarship strategy for students, college admissions coaching, student-centered college planning, female founder podcast

    How to Get Into College Debt-Free, with Shellee Howard

  2. Aug 6

    Why Your Logo Isn't Your Brand, with Noemi Ceapa

    In this episode of Founders in Jeans, I sit with Noemi Ceapa, founder of The Consulting Studio and a branding expert who spent years working behind the scenes with brands like Coca-Cola and Colgate before helping women entrepreneurs build brands of their own. Noemi shares the moment that changed how she saw branding forever, watching a three-generation family business transform not by changing their product, but by finally showing up as who they truly were, and breaks down why most small businesses obsess over logos and colors while missing the message that actually makes people buy. She walks through her theory of "identity-level messaging" (with a genuinely brilliant diaper commercial breakdown), why de-corporatizing your language is one of the hardest parts of leaving a 9-to-5 to build your own business, and why AI is about to make the gap between clear and confused founders even bigger. She also shares her honest take on customer loyalty, the "overnight success" myth she wants gone for good, and one branding campaign she can't stand, but respects completely. If you've ever felt like your product is great but your marketing just isn't landing, this episode will change how you think about your brand forever. TIME STAMPS 00:06 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:39 – Meet Noemi Ceapa, founder of The Consulting Studio03:00 – What first drew her to branding and the moment that changed everything06:32 – How The Consulting Studio was born out of a layoff08:10 – What The Consulting Studio actually does (personal vs. business branding)09:34 – The #1 thing most people get wrong about branding11:19 – Why she focuses specifically on women in the early stages of business12:42 – What separates businesses that survive past year five from those that don't14:02 – The most surprising part of building her own business ("de-corporatizing" herself)16:01 – The identity pyramid: what actually makes people buy (with the diaper ad example)20:26 – What really builds customer loyalty in a world full of choices23:43 – The branding trends she thinks will matter most in the next few years (and where AI fits in)26:11 – Rapid fire: a branding move she secretly hates but respects (Liquid Death)26:43 – The online business trend she wants to see gone for good27:21 – Her go-to piece of advice for someone just starting out27:35 – Her dream client or project27:45 – Her podcast/resource recommendation for budding entrepreneurs28:27 – Where to find and follow Noemi Ceapa__________ Connect with Noemi Ceapa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemiceapa/ Website: https://theconsultingstudio.vip/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheConsultingStudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noemi.consulting.studio __________ Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________ personal branding for entrepreneurs, business branding strategy, brand messaging tips, how to build a brand identity, branding for women entrepreneurs, why people buy from you, small business branding mistakes, customer loyalty strategy, AI and branding, female founder podcast

    Why Your Logo Isn't Your Brand, with Noemi Ceapa

  3. Aug 5

    April Palmer on Why You Should Just Ask for Advice

    A hula hoop, a slice of cheesecake, and 100% meeting acceptance rate, that's how one guest landed nearly every meeting she ever wanted, before ever pitching a thing. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, I sit down with April Palmer, founder of Rev Amp, an Agile professor at VCU, and self-proclaimed "Hot Mess Boss," who juggles sales consulting, teaching, mentoring startups, and life with two kids, six cats, and a blind dog. April opens up about the wild, winding road that led her from a 911 dispatcher to nursing school to Fortune 100 sales floors to founding her own consultancy, including the hilariously creative (and highly effective) prospecting tactics she used to get in front of clients no one else could reach. She also gets brutally honest about her first startup's failure in year four, the hiring nightmare that shattered her confidence for months, and why "you don't know what you don't know" might be the most important lesson every first-time founder needs to hear. Plus: why she believes the best growth hack isn't a funnel or a framework, it's simply having the audacity to ask for advice. If you're a founder juggling too many hats, worried about hiring mistakes, or too afraid to ask for help, this episode is your permission slip. TIME STAMPS 00:06 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:36 – Meet April Palmer: sales consultant, VCU professor, and self-proclaimed Hot Mess Boss03:20 – Her winding early career: from 911 dispatcher to nursing school to Fortune 100 sales06:13 – How she discovered her superpower: closing impossible deals and customer discovery07:34 – The wildly creative prospecting tactics that got her a 100% meeting acceptance rate08:39 – Why generic advice like "rise and grind" doesn't actually help founders10:40 – How she balances sales, teaching, consulting, motherhood, and six cats11:34 – Hiring for her weaknesses (including hiring a household manager)13:42 – The biggest problem entrepreneurs face when trying to manage it all14:17 – The costly budgeting mistake she made building her first startup16:38 – Why "you don't know what you don't know" is every first-time founder's reality17:04 – Why she ditched rigid deadlines and milestones for good18:38 – What actually sets a business apart to survive past year five19:34 – Why her first startup, PivotPass, failed in year four22:36 – Why hiring and firing is the #1 factor you can control for success24:00 – The wild story of a hire who faked her entire CRM pipeline27:21 – What an incredible hire actually looks like28:53 – Why she's betting on hungry, ambitious college students31:09 – Her book recommendations: They Ask, You Answer and Rocket Fuel33:45 – Her best advice: be audacious and just ask for advice35:56 – Where to find and follow April Palmer __________  Connect with April Palmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hotmessboss/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotmessboss/ Website: https://www.duckbillhq.com/ __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  first time founder advice, startup hiring mistakes, how to close sales deals, founder burnout, small business coaching, sales consultant tips, entrepreneur mentorship, startup failure lessons, women in business podcast, how to ask for advice as a founder

    April Palmer on Why You Should Just Ask for Advice

  4. Aug 5

    Building a Creator Economy Startup From a Local Facebook Group with Emily Steele

    A group of 50 local creators in Des Moines, Iowa turned into a platform with 40,000 creators across 40 cities, and it all started because one marketer couldn't find an agency doing community-centric marketing the right way. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean talks with Emily Steel, co-founder and CEO of Hummingbirds, a creator matching platform connecting everyday and nano creators with brands looking for localized, authentic content. Emily shares how her own identity as a "local influencer" (she'll be the first to put that in air quotes) shaped the entire foundation of the business, why she built Hummingbirds around people who have influence rather than people chasing fame, and what it actually means to build community at scale without losing the personal touch. She also breaks down what brands consistently get wrong about creator marketing, how early-stage brands can work with local creators without blowing their budget, and where she sees the creator economy heading over the next few years, including AI creators, the rise of newsletters like Substack, and why trust is still the real currency of influence. If you're a founder, marketer, or brand owner trying to figure out where creator marketing is actually headed, this conversation is a masterclass. Why "everyday creators" and nano influencers are an underestimated marketing goldmineHow to build genuine community at scale without it feeling transactionalWhat brands consistently misunderstand about what creators can (and can't) deliverHow early-stage brands can work with local creators without overspendingWhere the creator economy is heading in the next 2–3 years (AI creators, Substack, and beyond)Why trust — not follower count — is the real currency of influencer marketingThe kind of brand campaigns that are actually working right now TIME STAMPS 00:08 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:37 – Meet Emily Steel, co-founder and CEO of Hummingbirds02:35 – What she was doing before Hummingbirds and how the idea started06:06 – Why local and everyday creators are so underestimated08:28 – How she defines "community" (and why it's more than a buzzword)10:58 – Can a community get too big to stay a real community?13:22 – Is community-first marketing worth the investment for brands?15:33 – What brands consistently misunderstand about creator marketing17:44 – Advice for early-stage brands who want to work with local creators without overspending19:49 – Where creator marketing is headed in the next 2–3 years22:07 – Rapid fire: the founder and community builder who inspires her23:19 – A brand campaign strategy that's performing really well right now24:42 – A creator trend she loves — and one she's over26:16 – Her go-to resource for budding entrepreneurs27:09 – Where to find and follow Emily Steel and Hummingbirds __________  Connect with Emily Steele: Website: https://www.hummingbirds.com/ Emily Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysteele12/ HummingBirds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meet-the-hummingbirds/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hummingbirdshq/ __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  creator marketing platform, nano influencer marketing, local influencer strategy, community-centric marketing, creator economy trends, how to work with local creators, influencer marketing for small brands,

    Building a Creator Economy Startup From a Local Facebook Group with Emily Steele

  5. Jul 30

    Why Trying to Appeal to Everyone Is Killing Your Brand with Charity Brown

    From a failed salon at 19, to a decade as a fractional CFO in corporate America, to coaching over 80 CEOs on her own podcast — Charity Brown's biggest lesson through it all? Trying to serve everyone is the fastest way to serve no one. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean sits down with Charity Brown, founder of Create Clarity with Charity, the Four P's Method, and The Happy CEO, to talk about her 15+ years in coaching and consulting, her decade in corporate America that led to a full-blown burnout, and the frameworks she's built to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity instead of chaos. Charity gets real about the flood of "fake guru" coaches online, how to actually vet a good one, why niching down felt like giving up money (until it wasn't), and the hard lesson of firing clients who weren't the right fit — even when it hurt her bank account. She also shares her journey building a five-year-old podcast and her advice for women who want to start one but haven't found the courage yet. If you're an entrepreneur, aspiring coach, or founder wondering whether to niche down or stay broad, this episode will change your mind. TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:37 – Meet Charity Brown: coach, CFO, author, and podcast host02:29 – From a failed salon at 19 to fractional CFO and corporate burnout05:08 – Her honest take on the "coaching guru" trend and how to spot the fakes07:55 – Breaking down her frameworks: the Nine Steps to Inner Freedom and the Four P's Method10:42 – Advice for people who want to become a coach or consultant12:53 – What to actually look for in an effective business coach13:39 – Building a personal brand and her approach to niching down15:18 – Why the fear of "appealing to everyone" holds so many entrepreneurs back16:12 – The early mistake she made chasing every client instead of the right ones18:44 – Why she started her podcast, Create Clarity with Charity19:31 – The reality of being a female podcast host (and advice for women ready to start one)21:29 – Her favorite book, podcast, and resource for budding entrepreneurs22:26 – Where to find and follow Charity Brown __________  Connect with Charity Brown: Website: https://charitybrown.biz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charitybrown2021/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charitybrownbiz/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharityBrownNOW  __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  business coach for entrepreneurs, how to niche down your brand, fractional CFO consulting, corporate burnout to entrepreneurship, personal branding for coaches, female podcast host advice, business coaching frameworks, how to vet a business coach, mindset coaching for entrepreneurs, female founder podcast

    Why Trying to Appeal to Everyone Is Killing Your Brand with Charity Brown

  6. Jul 29

    How Introverts Make Money Online | Megan Spencer

    She made $50 in 10 seconds. No followers, no face, no fame required. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean talks with Meg Spencer (Meg the Creator), founder of The Anti-Influencer Method, about how she left a burnt-out freelance social media career to build a business helping over 2,000 introverts make money online through UGC, Amazon On-Site Commissions, and TikTok Shop, without ever needing to grow a following. Meg breaks down exactly why "grow followers or nothing" is a myth, how introverts are actually better suited to content creation, and the real first steps to start earning within 30 days. She also gets honest about why the online income space feels so untrustworthy to outsiders, the biggest beginner mistakes she sees, and how she's built a loyal 20K-member community without ever chasing virality. If you're introverted, camera-shy, or just tired of being told you need 10K followers to make extra income, this episode is your permission to start differently. TIMESTAMPS 00:08 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:40 – Meet Meg Spencer, founder of The Anti-Influencer Method03:53 – What life looked like before entrepreneurship (broke, burnt out, unfulfilled)04:50 – The leap from local government to working from home05:36 – Why she named it "Anti-Influencer" — and why people are burnt out on influencer culture06:47 – Why making money online still feels untrustworthy to so many people08:02 – The biggest misconception people have about making money online08:47 – One simple thing you can do today to start earning extra income09:50 – Why introverts often make the best content creators10:38 – How she helps people choose the right side hustle for their personality11:54 – The side hustle she thinks people should stop wasting time on12:54 – What makes the Amazon On-Site Commissions model so powerful13:52 – Why these income streams are still so untapped and misunderstood15:18 – The first steps to start earning money this month16:50 – The most common beginner mistakes to avoid17:42 – Building a business while raising two daughters (and the boundaries that make it work)19:29 – How she built a loyal 20K-member community without chasing trends21:24 – Rapid fire: a UGC trend she loves (and secretly wants to cancel)21:49 – One thing most people don't know about her22:07 – Her favorite student success story22:46 – Her book recommendation for budding entrepreneurs23:38 – Where to find and follow Meg __________  Connect with Megan Spencer: Website: https://megthecreator.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megthecreator_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megthecreator__ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569846184095 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@megthecreator __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  make money online without followers, UGC creator for beginners, Amazon influencer program, anti-influencer method, side hustles for introverts, faceless business ideas, TikTok Shop side hustle, work from home mom business, passive income online, how to become a UGC creator

    How Introverts Make Money Online | Megan Spencer

  7. Jul 28

    Why Letting Go Is Harder Than Starting Over With Ralitsa Malcheva

    She spent 10+ years climbing the corporate ladder in management consulting — until motherhood made her stop and ask: who am I, really? In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean talks with Ralitsa Malcheva, a Bulgarian-born, UK-based consultant turned freelance coach, about identity, change, and the fear of letting go of who you used to be. Ralitsa opens up about growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in a small town in Bulgaria, why she stayed in corporate for a decade despite always feeling "off," and how becoming a mom gave her the clarity to finally build something of her own. She also dives into her coaching work helping people navigate major life and identity shifts, the biggest mistakes companies make when managing change, why emotional intelligence is now the #1 leadership skill, and how community — not just habits — is what actually keeps you grounded during uncertainty. If you've ever felt stuck, disconnected, or like you're supposed to want something you don't actually want — this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:08 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:38 – Meet Ralitsa Malcheva: consultant turned coach02:58 – Growing up around entrepreneurship in a small Bulgarian town05:11 – Why she stayed in corporate for 10 years despite feeling "off"06:12 – The turning point: was there one moment she knew it was time to leave?06:38 – How motherhood became the catalyst for going out on her own07:20 – Reframing motherhood as an opportunity, not an excuse08:20 – What clients usually come to her for when they feel lost or disconnected09:28 – The most common challenge: letting go of who you used to be10:34 – The biggest mindset shift that creates real change11:24 – How to stay grounded when everything feels uncertain12:49 – A quick detour into Blue Zones and the power of community13:15 – The biggest mistake companies make when managing change14:18 – How to get people to buy into change when they're scared or resistant15:33 – What makes a company culture truly healthy (beyond the buzzwords)16:43 – The shift in how people think about work and purpose today18:41 – The skills that matter most for leaders right now19:56 – Rapid fire: her childhood business idea and dream career20:33 – The daily ritual that keeps her grounded20:55 – The founder who inspires her (and why)22:25 – Her book recommendation for anyone going through change23:35 – Where to find and connect with Ralitsa __________  Connect with Ralitsa Malcheva: Website: https://soulfulbyrali.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulbyrali/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralitsa-malcheva/ __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeans Website: https://www.livegooddigital.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeans Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe __________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  career change coach, identity and change podcast, leaving corporate for entrepreneurship, motherhood and career, organizational change management, emotional intelligence leadership, female founder podcast, coaching for career transitions, workplace culture podcast, purpose-driven leadership

    Why Letting Go Is Harder Than Starting Over With Ralitsa Malcheva

  8. Jul 28

    She Built a Franchise Empire With No Design Degree with Alisa Sparks

    She flipped ugly houses for fun. Staged them to sell fast. And accidentally built a luxury home staging franchise — with zero design degree and zero tech background. In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean sits down with Alisa Sparks, founder and CEO of Linden Creek, a home staging and interior design franchise that's grown to 20+ locations — plus the Linden Creek Shop (e-commerce) and Arched, a proprietary CRM and inventory management software built for stagers and designers. Alisa opens up about leaving a decade-long military finance career, landing her first (accidental) million-dollar listing, the moment a luxury agent changed her entire business model, and how she's scaling a creative business without losing its warmth. She also gets real about the physical grind behind the pretty Instagram photos, building software with no coding background, and why "work-life balance" is a myth she's stopped chasing. If you're a mompreneur, aspiring franchise owner, interior design lover, or side-hustler wondering when to make the leap — this one's packed with practical, hard-won advice. TIME STAMPS 00:08 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show01:39 – Meet Alisa Sparks: founder of Linden Creek, Linden Creek Shop & Arched02:58 – Growing up around entrepreneurship (and the fear that came with it)03:14 – Discovering Rich Dad Poor Dad and the mindset shift toward true entrepreneurship04:47 – From military finance to flipping "ugly" houses for fun05:50 – The accidental staging business: turning her own furniture into a business07:12 – Using every PTO day to hustle before going full-time07:50 – Landing her first (and second) million-dollar listing by accident08:15 – The luxury agent conversation that changed Linden Creek's entire strategy09:43 – The most surprising part of franchising a creative business10:46 – Keeping a scaling brand warm and personal, not corporate12:28 – What people don't see behind the beautiful Instagram photos14:00 – Why she built Arched, a software platform for stagers & designers15:34 – Building tech with zero technical background16:37 – Balancing founder life, motherhood, and four kids18:44 – Advice for turning your creative side hustle into a real business20:16 – Rapid fire: design trends she loves (and one she's over)20:55 – Her favorite travel destination for design inspiration21:43 – Her dream project (a boutique hotel!)22:11 – Book/podcast recommendation for budding entrepreneurs23:01 – Where to find and connect with Alisa Sparks __________  Connect with Alisa Sparks: Website: https://linden-creek.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisasparkslc/Alisa Sparks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisa_sparks_/Linden Creek Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindencreek_/ __________  Follow Emily Jean: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.jeans/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jeans/ Follow Founders in Jeans: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersinjeansWebsite: https://www.livegooddigital.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersinJeansSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kiqSke5mnlFIlC9t4xLU0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founders-in-jeans/id1802430594Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://foundersinjeans.substack.com/subscribe__________  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this episode? Rate and review Founders in Jeans. It helps more women find us. __________  home staging business, interior design franchise, female founder podcast, entrepreneur podcast, franchise business owner, luxury home staging, women in business, startup founder story, real estate staging tips, building a franchise from scratch, mompreneur, small business podcast

    She Built a Franchise Empire With No Design Degree with Alisa Sparks
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Founders in Jeans is your backstage pass to the real stories behind building a business. Hosted by Emily Jean, this podcast brings you casual, candid conversations with entrepreneurs, visionaries, and startup leaders who are reshaping the future of work and life. Forget the pitch-deck polish—this is where founders kick off their heels (or sneakers) and get real about the messy middle, unexpected pivots, and mindset shifts that actually make things work. Whether you're growing your own venture or just love hearing how great ideas get off the ground, Founders in Jeans delivers all that and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Jean
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Emily Jean
  • Show Website
    Founders in Jeans