Good Ideas + Bad Decisions

Kat Oldershaw and Ellen Hockley
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUSINESS

Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions! Let’s be real - it’s the perfect name for a show hosted by two business owners who have absolutely made both. Between us, we’ve started businesses, burned out, bounced back, and helped other entrepreneurs do the same. We’re here to talk about the messy middle of running a business - entrepreneurship, mental health, and the chaos that comes with making your own path. Join your hosts Ellen and Kat as we candidly share our experiences, answer your burning business questions, and welcome other owners into our emotional support business club.

  1. 3D AGO · BONUS

    Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 016

    In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts discuss their recent activities, including TV show recommendations and an in-depth look at their business strategies. Ellen shares her structured approach to planning with her husband, touching on their detailed annual meetings. The conversation shifts to 'woo woo' elements as both hosts delve into their experiences with tarot readings, human design, and astrology, exploring how these tools influence their professional and personal lives. Their discussion highlights the importance of self-awareness and alignment in business and life. Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.

    22 min

  2. FEB 13

    Episode 022: Outsourcing, Community, and Authenticity with Ronniesha Rivera

    In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen sit down with Ronniesha Rivera, the owner of Vetted By Design and founder of Alder and Stone. Ronniesha shares her journey from interior designer to business community builder, discussing the challenges of managing multiple enterprises, the importance of trustworthy outsourcing, and the need for authentic connections within the design industry. The conversation covers the intricacies of running a business while balancing personal life and parenthood. Ronniesha also gives insights into her passion for curating a supportive professional community and talks about the value of day-blocking for productivity. The episode concludes with Ronniesha's words of wisdom for entrepreneurs: keep going and see your vision through, emphasizing persistence and dedication. Ronniesha Rivera is the founder and CEO of Vetted By Design, a centralized platform she created to help interior designers easily connect with vetted industry professionals. She also owns and operates Alder and Stone, a full-service interior design studio specializing in mountain homes for active families, a passion influenced by her upbringing in Washington's Pacific Northwest surrounded by natural beauty.  Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.  00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions01:17 Meet Our Guest: Ronniesha Rivera02:34 Ronniesha's Journey: From Interior Design to Vetted by Design03:56 The Challenges of Running Multiple Businesses06:13 The Birth of Vetted by Design10:42 The Importance of Community and Trust15:31 Navigating Business and Personal Life19:08 The Struggles and Rewards of Entrepreneurship23:54 The Unique Value of Vetted by Design26:19 Embracing Fluidity in Business and Life27:38 Finding Community and Fulfillment28:52 Understanding the Vetted Platform30:53 Balancing Multiple Ventures33:33 The Importance of Outsourcing39:54 Technical vs. Creative Aspects of Design44:35 Words of Wisdom and Final Thoughts

    48 min

  3. FEB 6 · BONUS

    Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 015

    In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts dive into their daily business experiences while navigating personal and professional challenges. They discuss holiday gifting, sharing ideas and plans for client gifts, family traditions, and the stress of finding thoughtful presents. The conversation then shifts to the importance of delegation in business operations. Ellen and Kat explore their own struggles and strategies for effectively delegating tasks to assistants and team members to help scale their businesses. With insights on hiring practices, financial considerations, and the value of networking for finding reliable help, this episode is a frank and relatable discussion for small business owners. Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! Kat is the Owner + Operator of  Kat&Co and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. Join her newsletter The kat&co Download! Ellen is the Owner of Ellen Hockley Consulting and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.

    21 min

  4. JAN 30

    Episode 021: Building a SaaS Business with Meg Davis

    In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Meg Davis, the founder of Explorable Places. They discuss their journeys in entrepreneurship, managing business operations, and the importance of adaptability. Meg shares her experiences of starting a SaaS business that helps teachers book educational field trips, her approach to scaling, and how she balances client relationships. The episode highlights the challenges and rewards of running a small business, mental health in entrepreneurship, and the significance of customer service skills. Tune in for an insightful conversation on making good ideas and bad decisions work in the world of business. Meg Davis is a community leader and entrepreneur who founded Explorable Places in 2015 after years of teaching. She identified a gap in how field trip venues like museums and libraries connect with schools and community organizations. Her platform streamlines the planning process and helps teachers find engaging field-based and virtual learning opportunities that align with their curriculum. She co-founded SAGE with Ellen Hockley.  Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.  00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions01:06 Meet Our Special Guest: Meg Davis02:35 Explorable Places: The Journey Begins04:38 Challenges and Growth in Entrepreneurship10:37 Balancing Life and Business20:05 Teaching Kids About Money and Responsibility24:26 Future Plans and Aspirations25:34 Pandemic Challenges and Adaptations27:01 Sales Strategies and Overcoming Rejection28:27 Client Relationships and Business Growth33:21 Understanding Client Needs39:31 Personal Stories and Business Insights45:19 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

    45 min

  5. JAN 23 · BONUS

    Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 014

    In this "Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat", Ellen and Kat share updates on their holiday experiences and discuss their plans for the new year. They talk about their busy holiday schedules, the challenges of dealing with illness, and the freezing winter weather. The hosts delve into their business goals, including better delegation, sustainable growth, and achieving balance. They also touch on the importance of mindfulness and being present in different aspects of life. Tune in to hear their exciting plans for the year and learn from their candid reflections and insights. Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.

    23 min

  6. JAN 16

    Episode 020: Connecting Through Storytelling in Brand Marketing with Renee Lynn Frojo

    In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Renee Lynn Frojo, owner of a storytelling brand and marketing consultancy firm, A Good Reputation. The discussion revolves around the challenges and chaotic beauty of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding. Renee shares her journey from journalism to marketing, illustrating how storytelling can connect people and build authentic brands. The conversation covers the evolution of business models, the significance of community and retreats, and practical advice for navigating business uncertainties. Insights include the necessity of telling difficult stories, the process of branding, and the value of persistence and experimentation in finding the right business approach. Renee Lynn Frojo is a storytelling strategist with over 20 years of experience in journalism, marketing, and the creator economy. Over the course of her career, she profiled San Francisco's startups, small businesses, and influential leaders while building her own food blog and motherhood magazine. Now, Renee runs A Good Reputation, helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs craft narratives that build loyal communities who don't just want what they offer, but love what they stand for. Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.  00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions00:43 Post-Thanksgiving Catch-Up01:37 Introducing Renee Lynn Frojo03:11 The Power of Storytelling in Branding07:16 From Journalism to Branding12:40 The Journey of Building a Brand16:17 Challenges and Strategies in Business23:49 The Importance of Processes and Systems24:46 Investing in a Business Coach25:14 The Role of a Psychic in Business Decisions26:15 Giving Permission and Building Confidence27:52 The Power of Storytelling in Business31:23 Personal Stories and Business Identity33:10 The Impact of Retreats and Community Building41:28 Customizing Business Goals and Success42:48 Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom

    47 min

  7. JAN 9 · BONUS

    Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 013

    In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat discuss the daily challenges of business and home life. Ellen shares a story about a kitchen repair that disrupted meal prep, while Kat deals with a laundry mishap. Ellen then recounts a nightmare Airbnb guest experience over Thanksgiving that involved broken toilets and aggressive demands. They wrap up with a business Q&A on whether proposals should be aesthetically pleasing or straightforward. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes and valuable business insights. Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.

    22 min

  8. JAN 2

    Episode 019: Advocating for Personal Growth through Executive Coaching with Rikki Goldenberg

    In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen dive into the complexities of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Rikki Goldenberg, an executive leadership and career coach. They discuss the fluid dynamics of small business ownership, the unexpected pivot points that can occur, and how Rikki transitioned into coaching. The conversation covers the essential role of continuous learning, the mix of personal development with professional growth, and the importance of having a supportive network. They also chat about the emotional weight of career changes, the importance of aligning your current self with future goals, and practical advice for integrating personal well-being into daily life. Perfect for anyone balancing the chaos of entrepreneurship while striving for a better work-life balance. Rikki Goldenberg is an ICF-certified executive leadership and career coach specializing in senior professionals navigating career ambition and life changes. She specializes in working with professionals in their 30s and 40s reimagining their relationship with work. Rikki was previously a designer, project manager, design strategist/researcher, and marketing director. Book your Discovery Chat to get started! Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.  00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas and Bad Decisions 01:56 Meet Our Guest: Rikki Goldenberg 03:14 Rikki's Journey to Coaching 09:01 The Coaching Certification Process 17:01 Working with Clients: Rikki's Approach 21:41 The Importance of Continuous Learning 26:35 Balancing Career and Personal Life 27:28 Embracing the Generalist Approach 27:45 Focusing on Selective Opportunities 28:10 The Challenges of Sleep Deprivation 28:36 Corporate Coaching and Career Paths 29:30 Onboarding and Discovery Calls 32:14 Transparency in Pricing 34:33 The Emotional Weight of Professional Development 40:09 Virtual Coaching and Client Demographics 41:08 Reflecting on Business and Retirement 49:40 Parting Words of Wisdom 52:28 How to Connect with Rikki Goldenberg 53:14 Closing Remarks

    54 min
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About

Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions! Let’s be real - it’s the perfect name for a show hosted by two business owners who have absolutely made both. Between us, we’ve started businesses, burned out, bounced back, and helped other entrepreneurs do the same. We’re here to talk about the messy middle of running a business - entrepreneurship, mental health, and the chaos that comes with making your own path. Join your hosts Ellen and Kat as we candidly share our experiences, answer your burning business questions, and welcome other owners into our emotional support business club.

Information

  • Creator
    Kat Oldershaw and Ellen Hockley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kat Oldershaw and Ellen Hockley
  • Show Website
    Good Ideas + Bad Decisions