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

Lauren Najar, Business Coach
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Personal Journals

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. 1d ago

    3 Mistakes I Made When Starting My Podcast With Lauren Najar

    What does it really take to start and grow a podcast as a business owner? After one year of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren Najar is sharing the real behind-the-scenes of building a business podcast—from deciding what the show should actually be about to figuring out podcast growth, guest pitches, downloads, monetization, and what it takes to keep showing up. In this episode, Lauren reflects on her first year of podcasting and the biggest lessons she learned along the way. She talks about why she waited so long to start a podcast, how she finally found an idea she loved, what surprised her about podcast downloads and audience engagement, and why some episodes performed better than others—even when the guests had large audiences. She also gets honest about the realities of podcasting for business, including batching episodes too far in advance, managing podcast guests, receiving guest pitches, hiring a podcast manager, using podcasting tools, and deciding when it's time to be more intentional about growth and monetization. Most importantly, Lauren shares the advice that helped her finally press record: don't start a podcast just because you think you should. Start when you love the idea enough to keep going. Whether you're thinking about starting a podcast for your business, you're already a podcast host, or you're looking for ways to use podcasting to grow your personal brand, this episode offers an honest look at what the first year can actually teach you. In year two, Lauren is getting more intentional about podcast strategy, guest selection, audience growth, monetization, and creating the kind of deeper business conversations that Business Over Cocktails was built for. In this episode: Starting a podcast as a business ownerWhat Lauren learned from her first year of podcastingPodcast growth and audience engagementHow to choose podcast guestsGuest pitches and podcast outreachPodcast downloads, streams, and metricsPodcast monetizationBatching podcast episodesHiring a podcast managerCreating a podcast people actually want to listen toBuilding a personal brand through podcastingWhy you should love your podcast idea before you startPull up a seat, pour your favorite drink, and join Lauren for a very honest conversation about what worked, what surprised her, and what's next for Business Over Cocktails. Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

  2. 5d ago

    What I Learned After One Year of Podcasting with Lauren Najar

    What happens when you start a podcast without a five-year plan, a huge audience, or a goal to become the next big show? In this special one-year episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren Najar reflects on her first year of podcasting and what she’s learned about starting a podcast, growing an audience, finding the right guests, creating meaningful conversations, and building a podcast that actually feels aligned with your business. Lauren shares the real behind-the-scenes of launching Business Over Cocktails—from taking months to figure out what she wanted the podcast to be, to batching episodes, managing guest pitches, learning which episodes actually perform, and realizing that a large social media following doesn't always translate into podcast listeners. She also talks about the lessons she learned around podcast consistency, outsourcing, podcast downloads and metrics, monetization, choosing guests, and why you should never start a podcast simply because you think you "should." Most importantly, Lauren shares the advice that stayed with her before she ever hit record: you have to love your idea. Because when you do, you'll have a reason to keep showing up. As Business Over Cocktails heads into year two, Lauren is getting more intentional about the podcast, its guests, its growth, and eventually monetizing the platform—without losing the honest, deeper conversations that made her start it in the first place. If you're thinking about starting a podcast for your business, already have a podcast, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build one, pull up a seat. This is one year of Business Over Cocktails—what worked, what surprised Lauren, what she'd change, and what's coming next. Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

    What I Learned After One Year of Podcasting with Lauren Najar

  3. Aug 14

    The Golden Key to a Soul Aligned Business w/ Stefanie Dingbaum

    The way you build your business matters just as much as the business you build.  After surviving a life changing accident that broke her neck, Stefanie Dingbaum promised herself she would never ignore the warning signs of burnout again. But after changing careers and finding herself right back where she started, she realized the answer wasn't another job. It was building a business that aligned with who she truly was.  In this episode, Stefanie shares how surviving a near-death experience reshaped the way she views work, why self-worth is the foundation of every successful business, and how creating a soul-aligned business has transformed the way she makes decisions, serves clients, and protects her well-being. You'll discover why self-worth is the true foundation of a sustainable business, how making soul-aligned decisions can help prevent burnout, and why building your business with intention may be the golden key to creating work you genuinely love.  Connect with Stefanie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanie.dingbaum/ Email: hello@stefaniedingbaum.com Website: https://www.stefaniedingbaum.com/ Website: https://www.waveshealingtherapy.com/ Chapters: 00:25 The accident that changed everything 01:25 Breaking her neck and surviving 03:25 Burnout in behavioral health 05:25 The spiritual awakening that followed 06:25 Why changing careers wasn't enough 08:25 Leaving a secure career behind 09:25 What a soul aligned business looks like  11:25 Making business decisions differently 12:25 Self worth as your business foundation 13:25 Creating a business you love This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

  4. Aug 10

    Why Success Starts with Owning Your Worth w/ Stefanie Dingbaum

    The life you're meant to build often begins when you finally believe you're worthy of it. Before Stefanie Dingbaum became a hypnotherapist, entrepreneur, and intuitive therapist, she was a burned out social worker quietly questioning whether the life she'd built was the one she was meant to live. Through her own healing journey, she discovered hypnotherapy, found the courage to leave the security of her school social worker career and eventually build a business of her own, and learned that true transformation begins by owning your worth instead of waiting for permission to change. In this episode, Stefanie shares how entrepreneurship challenged her confidence, why healing the wounds beneath the surface changed the way she leads her business, and how embracing every part of who she is, from therapist to entrepreneur to spiritual practitioner, allowed her to build a business that finally felt aligned. She also opens up about burnout, visibility, receiving support, and why taking the leap toward the life you want is often the first step toward becoming the person you're meant to be. If you've been questioning your next step, feeling stuck where you are, or wondering whether you're capable of something more, this conversation will remind you that the life you're meant to build begins with believing you're worthy of it.  Connect with Stefanie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanie.dingbaum/ Email: hello@stefaniedingbaum.com Website: https://www.stefaniedingbaum.com/ Website: https://www.waveshealingtherapy.com/ Chapters: 00:40 Meet Stefanie Dingbaum 02:15 From Burnout to Healing 05:10 Discovering Hypnotherapy 10:20 Why Fast Healing Changed Everything 14:00 Learning to Slow Down 19:00 Taking the Leap into Business 24:00 Finding Alignment as an Entrepreneur 26:30 Blending Therapy and Spirituality 33:10 Learning to Receive 37:10 How Self Worth Shapes Success  41:20 Why Visibility Matters 43:10 The Best Advice for Big Life Changes This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

  5. Aug 7

    Why She Built a Wellness Collective for Women w/ Verginiya Burgess

    Every woman deserves a place where she feels heard, supported, and connected. After more than a decade of serving women through Espa Aesthetics and Wellness, Verginiya Burgess realized she wanted to create something that went beyond traditional services. She envisioned a space where women in Northwest Indiana could come together, ask questions, find encouragement, and build meaningful relationships with others on similar journeys. In this episode, Verginiya shares the inspiration behind the Wellness Collective, a growing community focused on holistic wellness, education, and authentic connection. She explains the vision for free and affordable workshops, menopause support, yoga, breathwork, and other resources designed to help women heal, connect, and support one another.  If you've ever wished for a community where collaboration comes before competition and women genuinely lift each other up, this episode offers a look at what's being built and the heart behind it. Connect with Verginiya: Espa Esthetics & Wellness - https://espa-wellness.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/espa.esthetics.wellness/ Chapters: 00:25 Why the Wellness Collective was created 01:20 Creating a space where women feel heard 02:15 Menopause support, yoga, and breathwork  03:15 Why collaboration beats competition 04:15 An invitation to the Northwest Indiana community This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

    Why She Built a Wellness Collective for Women w/ Verginiya Burgess

  6. Aug 3

    She Left Everything to Chase the American Dream w/ Verginiya Burgess

    Sometimes the life you're meant to build looks nothing like the one you planned. When Verginiya Burgess left Bulgaria shortly after high school, she wasn't chasing entrepreneurship. She came to America after her grandparents sold their home to fund her education, carrying the weight of their sacrifice and the determination to make their investment worthwhile. What followed was a journey through science, medicine, unexpected disappointment, and ultimately discovering a completely different calling. In this episode, Verginiya shares how growing up in communist Eastern Europe shaped her work ethic, why a successful career in medical technology still left her feeling empty, and how her search for light and purpose eventually grew into a wellness business centered on helping others feel seen, supported, and cared for. She also opens up about overcoming her fear of being visible as the face behind her business and what success truly means to her today. This episode will inspire you to embrace the unexpected turns in your own journey and trust that sometimes the biggest detours lead you exactly where you're meant to be. Connect with Verginiya: Espa Esthetics & Wellness - https://espa-wellness.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/espa.esthetics.wellness/ Chapters: 00:40 Leaving Bulgaria to Chase a Bigger Dream 03:40 Why She Hid Behind Her Business  07:40 The Pressure to Succeed 11:40 Growing Up in Eastern Europe 17:20 Discovering a Passion for Medicine 19:40 Why Her Dream Career Wasn't Enough 23:00 Finding Light Through Holistic Wellness 25:30 Building a Business Without a Master Plan 29:20 Redefining Success 32:10 Creating the Wellness Collective This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

    She Left Everything to Chase the American Dream w/ Verginiya Burgess

  7. Jul 31

    How to Build Real Visibility Beyond Social Media w/ Lauren Najar

    Real visibility isn't built on social media alone. Many entrepreneurs spend hours trying to perfect their content, believing that posting consistently is the key to getting noticed, attracting clients, and growing their business.  While social media can be an important part of your marketing strategy, it shouldn't be the only way people discover you. In this episode, I share why expanding your visibility beyond social media can create meaningful opportunities and long-term business growth. Discover how collaborations, podcast guesting, networking, email marketing, and strategic partnerships can help you reach new audiences without relying solely on the algorithm. I also share the mindset shift behind my challenge to collect "100 no's" and explain why pitching yourself consistently can lead to bigger opportunities, stronger relationships, and the kind of visibility that lasts. Chapters: 00:25 Why social media isn't your whole marketing plan 04:27 Perfection is hurting your visibility 05:43 Other ways to become more visible 07:18 The challenge of collecting 100 no's 08:39 What opportunities should you pitch?  09:20 Why people appreciate authentic pitches 11:16 Why pitching yourself gets easier  12:08 Why asking creates more opportunities 13:02 My visibility challenge for listeners This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

    How to Build Real Visibility Beyond Social Media w/ Lauren Najar

  8. Jul 27

    He Saw My Potential Before I Did w/ Lauren & Darrin Najar (Part 1)

    Sometimes the person who changes your life is the one who believes in you before you believe in yourself. Long before I built a successful business, there was uncertainty, career frustration, and a series of business ideas that never quite felt right. In this special episode, recorded in celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary, I sit down with my husband, Darrin, to reflect on the journey that started long before entrepreneurship. Together, we revisit the jobs we shared, the challenges I faced after cancer, and the winding path that helped me discover what I was truly meant to do.  From early side hustles and blogging to discovering coaching, Darrin shares what he saw in me years before I recognized it myself. Our conversation explores the power of having someone who believes in your potential, the confidence that comes from being truly supported, how I spent years waiting for permission to pursue what I was truly capable of, and why the businesses that didn't fit ultimately led me to the one that did.  If you've ever questioned whether you're capable of something bigger, this episode will remind you that sometimes all it takes is one person who sees your potential until you're able to see it for yourself. And make sure you don’t miss part 2 of our conversation that will be out September 7, 2026. Chapters: 00:40 How We Met at the Bank 02:40 Cancer, Dating, and a New Beginning 04:20 The Side Hustles That Shaped My Journey 08:20 Looking for a Career That Felt Right 11:40 When Darrin Knew Coaching Was Different 14:20 Why Starting a Blog Changed Everything 17:20 Realizing Coaching Could Be a Career  20:20 Learning to Believe in My Own Skills 23:00 The Permission to Become Who I Was 26:00 The One-on-One Conversation That Stuck 30:20 Why I Called Darrin My Mindset Coach 33:20 The Shift From Side Hustle to Business Owner 36:20 How I've Changed Over the Years  38:40 The Question That Will Be Answered in Part Two This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & CO Upcoming Events: Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsr Growth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqw Save 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKL 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.

    He Saw My Potential Before I Did w/ Lauren & Darrin Najar (Part 1)
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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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