The Soul-Led Sessions

Leandra Sweet
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Real conversations with soul-led business owners diving into what it really took for them to build a life and business they truly love — rooted in purpose, passion, and aligned success.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    5 - Living a Colorful Life Through Art & Entrepreneurship with Vanessa Hajje

    Send us Fan Mail Nestled within the vibrant arts community of St. Augustine, mixed media artist Vanessa Hajje is creating a world where color, texture, and creativity come alive. In this inspiring conversation, Vanessa shares her journey from massage therapist and acupuncturist to full-time artist, revealing how art became both a creative outlet and a path to personal freedom. Through layers of paint, collage, nature, and intuition, she has built a business rooted in courage, self-expression, and the belief that creativity belongs to everyone. This episode explores entrepreneurship, artistic vulnerability, overcoming self-doubt, raising creative children, and the importance of play in both life and business. Vanessa opens up about taking risks, trusting the creative process, building a successful art career later in life, and why she believes every person is inherently creative. A beautiful conversation for artists, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone seeking the courage to create a life that feels truly their own. Connect with Vanessa Hajje: @VanessaHajjeArt 00:00 – Welcome to Vanessa Hajje’s Art Studio 01:15 – Mixed Media Art & Finding Joy Through Creativity 03:32 – Becoming a Professional Artist at 45 05:04 – Why Art Became Therapy and a Lifeline 07:09 – Creating a Vivid Dream World Through Color 08:27 – Courage, Creativity & Taking Artistic Risks 14:19 – Why St. Augustine Feels Like Home 19:03 – Morning Routines, Inspiration & Creative Flow 23:16 – Entrepreneurship, Freedom & Living Creatively 38:16 – Advice for Artists: Courage Over Fear Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

    42 min

  2. May 27

    4 - How Following Her Passion Changed Nichole Clark’s Life

    Send us Fan Mail Nestled in the heart of North Florida, Clean & Curly Salon is more than a hair salon — it’s a calming space where women are encouraged to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their curls. Nichole Clark shares her inspiring journey from social work and therapy to becoming a curly hair specialist and entrepreneur, building a business rooted in authenticity, clean beauty, wellness, and genuine connection. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, motherhood, personal growth, and the courage it takes to leave behind a career that no longer aligns. Nichole opens up about building a purpose-driven business, creating a serene experience for her clients, and why “sometimes pain is necessary for growth.” A heartfelt episode for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone learning to trust themselves and follow what truly lights them up. Connect with Nichole Clark: @SalonCleanCurly This episode's Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media:  IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Clean & Curly Salon 01:05 – From Social Work to the Hair Industry 02:47 – Leaving a Career That No Longer Felt Aligned 04:21 – Discovering a Passion for Curly Hair 09:20 – Becoming a Business Owner Unexpectedly 14:32 – Building a Salon Focused on Comfort & Connection 18:17 – Motherhood, Entrepreneurship & Flexibility 22:43 – Morning Routines, Family Life & Balance 33:28 – Clean Beauty, Non-Toxic Products & Healthy Hair 43:11 – Mantras, Growth & Following Your Purpose Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

    43 min

  3. May 20

    3 - Fuel Your Passion: The Story Behind Maracuya by Llama

    Send us Fan Mail Tucked along West King in the heart of St. Augustine, Maracuya by Llama was created by Staci Cleveland and Marcel Vizcarra as a vibrant extension of their love for flavor, creativity, and community. Inspired by travels through Costa Rica and Marcel’s Peruvian culinary roots, the couple transformed a historic former brothel into a colorful coffee and dessert shop centered around exotic flavors, thoughtful details, and genuine connection. Along the way, they learned how to balance entrepreneurship, creativity, partnership, and community while building a space completely outside the traditional mold. What they created is more than a café — Maracuya has become a welcoming gathering place filled with passion fruit-inspired creations, inventive lattes, intimate dinner experiences, and a sense of freedom that encourages people to slow down, connect, and fully express themselves. Connect with Marcella and Staci: @MaracuyaByLlama This episode's Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media:  IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup Chapters 00:00 – The Story Behind Maracuya by Llama 02:00 – Bringing Exotic Flavors & Passion Fruit to St. Augustine 05:36 – Opening Day Chaos & Building the Team 09:12 – “Fuel Your Passion” & Baking During COVID 11:29 – Leaving the Corporate Grind & Starting a Business 13:39 – The Historic Building & Unique Atmosphere 17:01 – Culinary Inspiration, Travel & Creative Collaboration 18:26 – Intimate Wine Pairing Dinners & Storytelling Through Food 20:31 – Entrepreneurship, Community & Serving the Locals 28:24 – Collaboration, Creativity & Living the Dream Life Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

    40 min

  4. May 20

    2 - The Art & Heart of Entrepreneurship: Inside Anastasia Design Group

    Send us Fan Mail Tucked inside one of St. Augustine’s most respected creative spaces, Anastasia Design Group has become a reflection of artistry, resilience, and decades of entrepreneurial grit. Valerie and Natalie share the realities of building a successful interior design business from the ground up — navigating creativity, construction, cash flow, partnerships, motherhood, and the emotional weight that often comes with entrepreneurship. Their conversation explores the beauty of designing homes that truly reflect the people living in them, the importance of intuition and authenticity in business, and the lessons learned through years of trusting themselves, adapting through uncertainty, and creating a life rooted in both freedom and purpose. Connect with Founding Sponsor Anastasia Design Group:  www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media: IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup Chapters 00:00 – The Story Behind Anastasia Design Group  01:42 – Starting a Design Career Through a Cold Call  05:06 – The Reality of Running a Creative Business  07:55 – Navigating Entrepreneurship, Risk & Uncertainty  10:39 – Authenticity, Integrity & Designing Without Ego  14:23 – Discovering a Client’s True Style  18:04 – Freedom vs. Responsibility as a Business Owner  20:06 – Delegation, Teamwork & Letting Go of Control  25:17 – Inside Furniture Market & Industry Trends  29:31 – Multiple Income Streams & Financial Survival  42:00 – Evolving From Mentor & Assistant to Creative Partners  51:57 – Entrepreneurship, Self-Awareness & Building a Creative Life Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

    1h 7m

  5. May 20

    1 - From Corporate Life to Cookiebird: Building a Sweet Little Dream in St. Augustine

    Send us Fan Mail Tucked into the heart of Uptown St. Augustine, Cookiebird Ice Cream Bar was born from a dream Mike and Kate Alfieri never imagined would fully come to life. With no formal restaurant background and years spent in corporate careers, creative work, and family life, the couple took a leap into entrepreneurship fueled mostly by instinct, passion, and a love for community. Along the way, they learned everything from staffing and customer service to soft serve recipes, machine repairs, and the delicate balance of running a family business together. What they created is more than an ice cream shop — Cookiebird has become a nostalgic gathering place rooted in connection, wellness, creativity, and the simple joy of slowing down for something sweet. Follow Mike and Kate: @Cookiebird_IceCreamBar This episodes Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media: IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup Chapters  00:00 – Behind the Scenes & Starting Over  00:44 – The Dream Behind Cookie Bird Ice Cream  02:51 – From Corporate Careers to Entrepreneurship  05:04 – Learning to Lead, Pivot & Build a Team  07:30 – Why St. Augustine Inspired the Business  09:48 – Creating Clean, Nostalgic Soft Serve for the Community  12:08 – Building a Local Gathering Place & Family Memories  16:09 – Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth & Morning Routines  23:05 – Balancing Marriage, Parenthood & Business Ownership  39:12 – Advice for Young Entrepreneurs & Dreaming Bigger Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

    39 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Real conversations with soul-led business owners diving into what it really took for them to build a life and business they truly love — rooted in purpose, passion, and aligned success.

Information

  • Creator
    Leandra Sweet
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Soul-Led Sessions
  • Show Website
    The Soul-Led Sessions