Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs

Lauren Najar, Business Coach
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to Business Over Cocktails — the podcast where female entrepreneurs, founder stories, and soulful business growth take center stage.  Hosted by business strategist and community builder Lauren Najar, this show dives into the “why” behind the business, the real stories behind entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shape women-led brands. Expect candid interviews with creative entrepreneurs, behind-the-scenes reflections on small business growth, and bite-sized solo episodes inside The Business Chaser — where we explore authentic visibility, organic marketing, and building a business that actually feels good. Whether you're scaling a service-based business, navigating a pivot, or craving real talk for entrepreneurs, this is your spot. Pull up a seat. Pour your favorite drink. Let’s talk business.

  1. Afraid to Start? 3 Steps to Trust, Act & Pivot w/Jessi Dunnagan

    1D AGO

    Afraid to Start? 3 Steps to Trust, Act & Pivot w/Jessi Dunnagan

    When starting feels scary, it’s usually not a lack of talent—it’s a lack of trust. In this quick Business Chaser, Jessie from Big Time Publishing shares three powerful reminders to help you move forward when fear shows up: Trust the desire in your heart—it’s there for a reason.Choose to see it as possible and ask, “What would my next step be?”Trust your instinct to pivot—shifting direction isn’t failure, it’s alignment.If you’ve been stuck, second-guessing yourself, or waiting for certainty, this episode will help you take the first small step—and follow the nudges from there. Episode Highlights: 3 reminders for when you’re afraid to start.Pivoting isn’t quitting. Chapters: 00:03 Trust the desire of your heart 01:10 Choose to see it as possible 03:05 Trust your instinct to pivot Connect with Jessi Dunnagan: Instagram & TikTok: @bigtimepublishing and @especiallyjessi Website - bigtimepublishing.com Resource library: https://app.heartbeat.chat/bigtimepublishing/invitation?code=233E3C Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    6 min
  2. I Turned a Hard Chapter Into a Book w/ Jessi Dunnagan

    5D AGO

    I Turned a Hard Chapter Into a Book w/ Jessi Dunnagan

    In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Jessi Dunnagan—author and founder of Big Time Publishing—for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to follow the nudge, tell the truth, and create before you feel “ready.” Jessi shares how writing her first book started with a title in her head, became an unexpected kind of personal therapy, and ultimately turned into a business helping others stop sitting on the stories they’re carrying. Together, they talk about ditching the fear of being seen, why “failure” isn’t real if you keep going, how to protect your excitement by sharing wins with the right people, and why self-publishing can be one of the most empowering ways to own your story—without waiting for permission. If you’ve been holding a manuscript, a message, or a story you keep pushing off… this is your sign to start with the next sentence. Episode Highlights: Owning your story without waiting for permissionNot being afraid to be “mediocre” in public while you learnFollowing intuitive nudges that lead to the right next stepSelf-publishing as empowering, healing, and creatively freeingSharing wins with the right people and protecting your momentum Chapters: 00:01 — Meet Jessi + wearing many hats 00:48 — Not afraid to be “mediocre” in public 05:06 — When she knew she’d write a book 10:27 — Why people don’t follow the nudge 16:07 — Self-publishing: healing, empowering, no permission 25:43 — Leaving corporate + building Big Time Publishing 40:25 — Rapid fire: Hanson, skating, and owning your story Connect with Jessi Dunnagan: Instagram & TikTok: @bigtimepublishing and @especiallyjessi Website - bigtimepublishing.com Resource library: https://app.heartbeat.chat/bigtimepublishing/invitation?code=233E3C Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    43 min
  3. How to Start Meta Ads Without Wasting Money w/ Lauren Najar

    MAR 13

    How to Start Meta Ads Without Wasting Money w/ Lauren Najar

    In this quick Business Chaser, Lauren breaks down what you actually need to know before running Meta ads—without the overwhelm. She shares why ads don’t magically fix a marketing problem, how they amplify what’s already working (and what isn’t), and what to have in place first: consistent content, cohesive branding, and a clear goal. You’ll hear a real client scenario (luxury, high-ticket services) and why expecting instant ROI—especially on a $5–$7/day budget—usually leads to frustration. Lauren walks you through a smarter approach for beginners: start by running ads to a freebie or email list, test multiple creatives, learn what resonates, and then scale into call-booking or paid offers. She also touches on retargeting, lookalike audiences, and the importance of a nurture sequence so your leads don’t go cold. If you’re ads-curious and want a simple, realistic roadmap to getting started, this episode will help you spend smarter and build momentum. Episode Highlights: Ads amplify what’s already working—so your content and branding need to be solid first Why $5–$7/day can work, but expecting instant ROI (especially for high-ticket offers) is unrealistic A beginner-friendly path: run ads to a freebie/email list, test creatives, then retarget and scale Chapters: 00:00 — Intro + why Meta ads (and why now) 02:10 — Before you run ads: content consistency + cohesive branding 05:05 — The truth about ROI: testing costs + high-ticket expectations 08:35 — Best first campaign: freebie/email list + nurture sequence 12:10 — Next steps: retargeting/lookalikes + how to work together Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    14 min
  4. After Cancer: Grief, Fear, and Learning to Live Again w/ Lauren Najar

    MAR 9

    After Cancer: Grief, Fear, and Learning to Live Again w/ Lauren Najar

    In this solo episode, Lauren shares the part of her cancer story that doesn’t get talked about enough: what happens after remission. Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice, she opens up about the mental weight of survivorship—scanxiety, follow-up tests, and living with a body that no longer feels fully predictable. Lauren reflects on the long-term effects of chemo and radiation, the constant cadence of appointments, and the emotional whiplash of “you’re fine now” when fear and grief still show up. She also speaks candidly about fertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum recovery, and how becoming a mother has intensified both her gratitude and her fear—because now there’s even more at stake. This is an honest, tender conversation about resilience, control, and learning to live in the in-between—when the battle isn’t cancer itself, but everything that lingers after. Episode Highlights: Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twiceWhy survivorship can feel harder than treatmentThe ongoing reality of lifelong screenings and follow-up careFertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional toll of “my body failing me” againMotherhood after cancer and the fear of missing out on your child’s life Chapters: 00:01 — Why I’m sharing this solo update on survivorship 04:42 — The support fades after remission (and what that feels like) 09:24 — The lifelong test list: heart, thyroid, breast, skin, colon 14:06 — Fertility preservation + the fear of trying to start a family 18:42 — Chemical pregnancy + feeling like my body failed me again 26:06 — Mammogram follow-ups, colon polyp, mole removal: the wake-up call 35:34 — Motherhood, the “another baby” question, and honoring my body Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    39 min
  5. Product Market Fit Made Simple (For Founders) w/ Heather Miller

    MAR 6

    Product Market Fit Made Simple (For Founders) w/ Heather Miller

    In this episode, Heather Miller breaks down the core of product thinking—and why you don’t need perfection to launch something successful. If you’re building from scratch or trying to scale a scrappy offer, app, or service, this is a practical guide to making smarter product decisions with less guessing. Heather explains what a “product” really is (hint: it’s the value engine of your business), then walks through the three essentials that lead to product-market fit: problem-market fit, solution-market fit, and business model fit. You’ll also learn why MVP should be treated as a Minimum Valuable Product, how to use iteration and feedback loops to improve faster, and why founders need to fall in love with the problem—not the solution. Plus, she shares three foundational steps any entrepreneur can take right now: define your top customer segment, clarify the core problem you solve and the simplest solution you offer, and track customer feedback before you scale. If you’re sitting on a product idea, this episode ends with a clear action step you can do today to validate demand and build something people actually want. Episode Highlights: The 3 fits you need for product-market fit: problem, solution, and business modelMVP redefined as “Minimum Valuable Product” and how it fuels fast learningA simple founder framework: define your top customer segment, clarify one core pain point, and track feedback before scaling Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome + what “product thinking” really means 00:55 — Product-market fit: the 3 fits you actually need 03:55 — MVP as “Minimum Valuable Product” (not perfection) 05:05 — Feedback loops: talk to customers before/during/after 06:20 — 3 steps for founders + the “call five people” action step Connect with Heather Miller: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pdrmconsulting/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermillerpdrm/ Website - www.pdrmconsulting.com Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    10 min
  6. A Woman’s Quiet Power in a Loud Tech World w/ Heather Miller

    MAR 2

    A Woman’s Quiet Power in a Loud Tech World w/ Heather Miller

    In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Heather Miller, a product management consultant and the CEO of PDRM Consulting—and what starts as a conversation about “products” quickly becomes something deeper. Heather takes us back to the version of her who was convinced she’d become a surgeon… until life rerouted her into software, product leadership, and eventually entrepreneurship. She shares what it really looks like to build a business from experience (not big-name logos), how she learned to trust her voice again after leaving corporate, and why confidence isn’t something you think your way into—it’s something you practice your way into. Together, Lauren and Heather talk about the quiet moments of doubt that every entrepreneur knows, the “God winks” that pull you forward when you’re unsure, and the difference between being customer-centric and saying yes to everything. Heather also opens up about executive presence, why it’s especially complex for women in tech, and the power of finding mentors who help you take up space before you feel ready. If you’ve ever questioned your path, your voice, or your timing—this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a nudge forward. Episode Highlights: Heather’s pivot from aspiring surgeon to product management leader—and why the mission to help people never changedWhat a fractional CPO actually does and how it supports founders and small teams without a full-time hireThe product mindset shift: being customer-centric doesn’t mean saying yes to everythingExecutive presence for women in tech—how to speak up, be heard, and lead in male-dominated roomsConfidence-building habits that work in real life: tracking wins, honoring rest, and using movement to reset and lead well Chapters: 00:01 — Welcome + Meet Heather Miller, Product Management Consultant 01:14 — From Future Surgeon to Product Management 05:34 — What PDRM Consulting Stands For (and Why Risk Matters) 07:12 — Why Fractional CPO Work Lit Her Up 20:01 — What Clients Gain: MVPs, Roadmaps, and Clear Priorities 26:38 — Executive Presence + The Mindset Shift (Stop Saying Yes to Everything) 43:17 — What’s Next: Strategic Communications Course + Where to Connect Connect with Heather Miller: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pdrmconsulting/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermillerpdrm/ Website - www.pdrmconsulting.com Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    41 min
  7. Networking Strategy: Turn Events Into Clients w/ Michelle Thames

    FEB 27

    Networking Strategy: Turn Events Into Clients w/ Michelle Thames

    In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and increase visibility online and in the room. You’ll learn how to choose the right networking events, connect with decision-makers, and make yourself memorable so relationships actually turn into opportunities. Michelle also shares what to do after the event—how to follow up, book coffee chats, connect on Instagram, and stay consistent with content so new connections become clients, collaborators, and community members. If you’ve been relying on social media alone, this episode gives you a practical networking strategy you can plug into your business immediately. Episode Highlights: A practical networking strategy to build community and grow a magnetic personal brandWhat to do before, during, and after events (follow-up + coffee chats that convert)How to leverage Instagram + consistent content to stay top of mind after meeting people Chapters: 00:01 — Why community building + networking are the foundation 02:31 — Post-event strategy: coffee chats, tracking, and follow-up 03:15 — Instagram as the networking connector + staying top of mind 05:00 — Event content strategy + using ChatGPT for stories/reels 06:05 — Finding the right events (Eventbrite/Meetup) + action plan Connect with Michelle Thames: Website - http://www.michellethames.com/ Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    10 min
  8. The Day I Got Fired and Built My Dream Business w/ Michelle Thames

    FEB 23

    The Day I Got Fired and Built My Dream Business w/ Michelle Thames

    Michelle Thames went to work one day in 2016 and walked out fired from her healthcare compliance job. What felt like an ending became the pivot that changed everything. In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Michelle shares how she leaned on the blog she’d been building since 2009, taught herself marketing through real-world reps, and turned a career curveball into a thriving path as a marketing strategist, community builder, and boutique agency owner. We talk about what it really takes to build trust online, why relationship-based marketing still wins, and how intentional community building (especially through in-person events) can accelerate your visibility, confidence, and client growth faster than social media alone. You’ll also hear Michelle’s honest take on early business setbacks, boundaries with social media, and what it means to create a truly “magnetic” brand—one that attracts the right-fit people and opportunities. Plus, she shares details on her book, From Fired to Featured, a practical guide to personal branding with purpose. Episode Highlights: Michelle’s 2016 firing that sparked her entrepreneurial pivotFrom blogger to brand-builder: learning marketing through real experienceBehind the scenes of scaling fast in 2020 and choosing a boutique modelWhat “magnetic” means: attracting the right-fit people and protecting the roomWhy in-person community and intentional invitations sell out events faster Chapters: 00:01 — Meet Michelle Thames + community-building vibe 00:50 — 2016 layoff story: healthcare compliance to pivot 02:55 — Falling back on her blog + landing MyAlle Organics 04:51 — Starting the agency + shifting into community + events 18:23 — Early setbacks: scaling in 2020, hiring, going boutique 23:14 — “Magnetic” branding + curating the right room 39:42 — Her book From Fired to Featured + closing + where to connect Connect with Michelle Thames: Website - http://www.michellethames.com/ Let’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.

    41 min
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About

Welcome to Business Over Cocktails — the podcast where female entrepreneurs, founder stories, and soulful business growth take center stage.  Hosted by business strategist and community builder Lauren Najar, this show dives into the “why” behind the business, the real stories behind entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shape women-led brands. Expect candid interviews with creative entrepreneurs, behind-the-scenes reflections on small business growth, and bite-sized solo episodes inside The Business Chaser — where we explore authentic visibility, organic marketing, and building a business that actually feels good. Whether you're scaling a service-based business, navigating a pivot, or craving real talk for entrepreneurs, this is your spot. Pull up a seat. Pour your favorite drink. Let’s talk business.

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