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. How to Make Music Accessible For All Learners

    1D AGO

    How to Make Music Accessible For All Learners

    In this solo episode, music educator Cassie Williamson shares practical insights and real-life experiences from her work teaching students with disabilities. From adapting lessons for those with cerebral palsy and low motor function to working with blind, deaf, and non-verbal students, Cassie explores how music can be taught to every learner regardless of ability. Learn how she designs her own strategies, bridges the gap between music and speech therapy, and advocates for accessibility in an industry that often overlooks it. This episode is a powerful resource for educators, parents, and anyone who believes music is for everyone. Episode Highlights: Creative strategies for teaching music to students with disabilitiesHow Cassie blends music education with speech and motor therapy techniquesThe importance of advocacy and inclusive practices in music instruction Chapters: 00:00 – Why Music Should Be Accessible to Everyone 01:40 – Teaching a Student with Cerebral Palsy to Sing 03:35 – Music Lessons for Blind and Deaf Students 05:50 – Advocating for Students Left Out in Public Schools 07:55 – What Music Reveals About Memory, Focus, and Ability Connect with Cassie Williamson: Website: www.calumet region fine arts studio.com  IG: www.instagram.com/calumetregionfineartsstudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCTohMj3F/?mibextid=wwXIfr 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.

    9 min
  2. Lessons in Music, Life & Letting Go

    5D AGO

    Lessons in Music, Life & Letting Go

    Cassie Williamson didn’t set out to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a music teacher but life had its own tempo. From teaching piano in her childhood home to launching a thriving music studio of her own, Cassie shares how music, patience, and purpose intertwined to shape a career she never saw coming. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to build a business rooted in impact, the quiet power of one-on-one teaching, and how life’s detours (including a spinal injury and temporary blindness) led her exactly where she needed to be. Whether you're a creative, a parent, or a teacher, this episode will remind you that every skill—and every story—has a deeper note to play. Episode Highlights: How Cassie built a waitlisted music studio from scratchWhy she left public education to follow her own pathThe role of patience in both teaching and entrepreneurshipCassie’s story of overcoming blindness during collegeThe impact of teaching music to differently abled students Chapters: 00:00 – The Unfiltered Start: Behind the Podcast Mic 05:00 – Growing Up Surrounded by Music 10:30 – The Injury That Changed Everything 15:45 – Discovering the Power of Teaching and Special Education 22:30 – What Makes Her Music Studio Different 31:45 – Leaving Public Education to Build Her Own Business 46:30 – Purpose, Resilience, and Redefining Success Connect with Cassie Williamson: Website: www.calumet region fine arts studio.com  IG: www.instagram.com/calumetregionfineartsstudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCTohMj3F/?mibextid=wwXIfr 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.

    45 min
  3. Design Your Wedding Without Pinterest Overwhelm

    JAN 30

    Design Your Wedding Without Pinterest Overwhelm

    Feeling overwhelmed by wedding inspiration? In this episode, Nicole Krygsheld of Sweet Pea Designs shares a soulful, step-by-step process to help you cut through the noise and design a wedding that feels like you. From identifying how you want to feel on your day to building a mood board that guides every decision, Nicole offers a grounded and creative framework to bring your vision to life without the Pinterest chaos. Episode Highlights: How to define your wedding vision by focusing on emotionWhy mood boards are essential for aligned wedding designTips for choosing colors, textures, and inspiration intentionally Chapters: 00:00 – Why Inspiration Overwhelm Happens 01:20 – How to Emotionally Anchor Your Wedding Vision 02:45 – Curating Intentional Inspiration 04:40 – Choosing a Color Story That Reflects You 07:00 – Building a Wedding Mood Board with Purpose Connect with Nicole Krygsheld: Facebook Instagram Flower Website Gift Website Wedding Inquiry 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.

    9 min
  4. Motherhood, Marriage & a Flower Shop

    JAN 26

    Motherhood, Marriage & a Flower Shop

    What happens when motherhood, loss, and a pandemic collide? For Nicole Krygsheld, it sparked a quiet but powerful transformation. In this episode, Lauren sits down with the founder of Sweet Pea Designs to unpack how a childhood spent in a greenhouse planted the seeds for a dream that would bloom years later through postpartum depression, career pivots, and one life-changing backyard baby shower. Nicole shares the honest truth about starting a business from her basement while raising babies, how flowers became her form of healing, and why her shop is about more than pretty petals—it’s about presence, purpose, and perseverance. Episode Highlights: Growing up in a greenhouse and developing early work ethicNavigating postpartum depression and rediscovering purposeStarting a floral business from her basement during nap timeTransitioning from at-home business to storefront in Cedar LakeBalancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship with intention Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction 02:30 – Growing Up in a Greenhouse 08:15 – Postpartum, Purpose & Pivoting 14:45 – Starting Sweet Pea Designs at Home 20:30 – Transition to a Cedar Lake Storefront 28:10 – Balancing Business, Family & Identity 35:50 – Flourishing Moments & Advice for Mompreneurs Connect with Nicole Krygsheld: Facebook Instagram Flower Website Gift Website Wedding Inquiry 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.

    49 min
  5. Bookkeeping Basics Every Business Owner Should Know

    JAN 23

    Bookkeeping Basics Every Business Owner Should Know

    If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Great, I can pay myself,” without knowing what’s actually coming in or going out — this episode is for you. Jessica Wilson, founder of Design Ledgers, breaks down practical, beginner-friendly steps to get your business finances in order. From setting up a simple receipts system to choosing the right time to hire a bookkeeper, this episode gives you the foundational habits, routines, and mindset shifts to stay organized and reduce financial stress. Episode Highlights: Why your bank balance doesn’t reflect your true cash flowSimple bookkeeping routines to stay organized year-roundHow to decide between DIY bookkeeping and hiring help Chapters: [00:00] Why Your Bank Balance Is Misleading [01:30] The Basics of DIY Bookkeeping [03:45] Bookkeeping Support Without Monthly Retainers [06:00] Weekly and Monthly Money Routines That Work [08:30] Reducing Overwhelm and Getting Organized for Tax Season Connect with Jessica Wilson: Website: https://designedledgers.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedledgers/ 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. How a Childhood Around Business Shaped Her Work

    JAN 19

    How a Childhood Around Business Shaped Her Work

    Jessica Wilson grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, where “playing office” as a kid turned into a lifelong love for the numbers behind the scenes. In this episode, she shares how the women in her family taught her the power of bookkeeping, why financial clarity brings peace, and what it really means to hold space for business owners who feel overwhelmed by their finances. Whether you're scaling or just starting, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, steady, and ready to look at your numbers without fear. Episode Highlights: Jessica’s early exposure to entrepreneurship and how it shaped her love for bookkeepingThe generational wisdom passed down from the women in her familyWhy bookkeeping is more than numbers—it’s about trust, clarity, and peaceCommon misconceptions about bookkeepers (and why Jessica breaks the mold)The mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to build a healthier relationship with money Chapters: [00:00] Meet Jessica: The Bookkeeper Who’s Anything But Boring [03:00] Childhood in the Office: Where It All Began [07:30] From College to Career: Building a Purpose-Driven Business [13:00] Shame, Money, and Why Numbers Feel So Personal [18:45] Misconceptions About Bookkeepers (And What We Actually Do) [25:00] Client Wins, AI Tools, and the Future of Financial Support [36:00] Building Confidence, Finding Peace, and Empowering Others Connect with Jessica Wilson: Website: https://designedledgers.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedledgers/ 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.

    38 min
  7. How to Build a Business That Matches Your Vision

    JAN 16

    How to Build a Business That Matches Your Vision

    In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Steph Rubio joins Lauren for a powerful after-hours chaser on what business strategy really means for women entrepreneurs. If you’ve been stuck doing all the things, spinning your wheels, and wondering why your business still feels off—this conversation is your wake-up call. We explore how to find clarity in business strategy, create mental space for big-picture thinking, and carve out daily habits that support growth without burnout. Steph shares how 30 minutes of intentional stillness each day helped her shift from survival mode into visionary mindset—and how you can do the same. From setting boundaries and communicating needs at home to trusting your business intuition, this episode is packed with mindset shifts and time management tips for solopreneur women who are ready to stop surviving and start leading. Episode Highlights: Redefining business strategy by starting with your “why”Creating daily mental space to spark clarity and creativityCommunicating needs and setting boundaries to support growth Chapters: 00:00 – The Missing Piece in Your Strategy: Understanding Your Why 01:50 – From Survival Mode to Visionary Thinking 03:30 – Creating Space: Daily Habits That Change Everything 07:00 – Boundaries, Communication, and Leading Like a Boss Connect with Steph Rubio: IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubioEmail: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect 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.

    11 min
  8. When I Realized Survival Mode Was Holding Me Back

    JAN 12

    When I Realized Survival Mode Was Holding Me Back

    What happens when doing it all still doesn’t feel like enough? In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Steph Rubio shares the pivotal moment she realized her business wasn’t aligned with the life she actually wanted. From starting as a virtual assistant to stepping into her role as a strategic powerhouse, Steph takes us behind the scenes of the mindset shifts, self-belief breakthroughs, and strategic clarity that helped her move from surviving to truly leading. If you've ever felt trapped by your own business or unsure how to get from where you are to where you want to go, this conversation is your compass. Episode Highlights: The shift from survival mode to strategic leadershipWhy your business strategy must start with your “why”The power of auditing every area of your businessLetting go of shoulds and building a business that fits your lifeHow self-belief and clarity create unstoppable momentum Chapters: 00:00 – From VA to Strategy Unicorn: Steph’s Journey 01:45 – Why Strategy Starts With Your “Why” 04:00 – Cutting Through the Noise: Marketing That Makes Sense 06:30 – The Turning Point: Belief, Mentorship, and Growth 10:30 – What Makes a Unicorn: Seeing the Gaps Others Miss 18:30 – Creating a Business That Supports Your Life 25:00 – Planning Realistically: Vision, Strategy, and Action Connect with Steph Rubio: IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubioEmail: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect 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.

    47 min
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Trailer

5
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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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