Her Success Story

Ivy Slater, Slater Success Coaching
  • 4.9 (19)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ivy Slater interviews gutsy business women as they share their success journey.

  1. 4D AGO

    Compassion and Action: Denise Schonwald's Story of Service and Reinvention in Healthcare

    This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Denise Schonwald. The two talk about Denise's journey from a three-decade career as a critical care nurse to becoming a nationally licensed mental health therapist, her innovative approach to connecting with clients by giving away her book, and her mission to bring greater education and honesty to the mental health conversation.  In this episode, we discuss: How Denise went from decades in critical care nursing, night shifts, physical strain, and high-stakes decision-making, to realizing it was time to care for people differently and transition into mental health. What helped her figure out her next chapter was asking, "What am I actually good at?" and translating skills like quick thinking, working with families, and navigating crisis into a thriving private practice. When she realized that building a practice meant becoming a business owner and marketer, not just a clinician, and how writing and giving away her first book (instead of selling it) unexpectedly became her best referral engine, reaching readers as far as South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Why her long-term vision is a national platform for telling the truth about mental health, raising real awareness, and helping a society that she sees getting "sicker and sicker," especially among younger children. How technology can feel like "junk food for the mind," fueling anxiety, depression, and procrastination, and her simple, doable starting point: one hour tech-free in the morning and keeping the cell phone out of the bedroom at night. Denise Schonwald, a registered nurse with over three decades of experience, has seamlessly transitioned from critical care nursing to a distinguished career in mental health counseling. Witnessing families cope with the emotional toll of illness during her time in the healthcare field fueled her passion for holistic healing. Based in Sarasota, Florida, Denise extends her compassionate care nationwide through virtual sessions. As a spiritually grounded mental health counselor and medical intuitive, she leads a comprehensive approach, seamlessly merging mental and physical well-being. A public speaker, spiritual teacher, and certified family mediator, Denise advocates for a harmonious integration of mind and body. Her commitment to nurturing both the body and the mind shines through in her client-centered practice, offering support to individuals, couples, families, and even our youngest thinkers - starting at age 4. Books include: Insightful Self-Therapy: Increasing Your Awareness about Mental Health and How to Live a Happier Life;  When Mom and Dad Divorced: Sam's Story, Elephants Don't Marry Giraffes, and her first children's book, Getting Back to Happy. Website: https://deniseschonwald.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-schonwald/

    17 min

  2. MAR 2

    Success Stories: Women Who Paved the Way and the Lessons They've Given

    This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats about the significance of International Women's Day and the theme "Give to Gain," sharing heartfelt stories about the women and mentors who have shaped her journey. In this episode, we discuss: How the 2026 International Women's Day theme "Give to Gain" shows up in real life through mentorship—why every woman Ivy mentors teaches her just as much in return. What Ivy learned from early role models like her dance teachers, working mothers ahead of her, and icons such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a beloved teacher, Mrs. Durkin, about breaking barriers and modeling what's possible. When Ivy was pregnant with her first child and told she couldn't "have the career you want and be a good mom," and how a conversation with her friend Bonnie, a pediatrician, reframed success as "how you show up," not the title you hold. Why 2026 is an invitation to show up as a dynamic, ambitious, grounded woman who becomes a role model simply by living fully—and how every act of mentoring, support, or encouragement is part of "give to gain." How male allies matter too, including Ivy's husband, who backed her decision to start a "crazy" coaching business in 2007 with a simple, powerful message: "You want to do it, figure it out, I'm with you."  Ivy Slater is a professionally certified business coach, speaker, best-selling author and podcast host. After owning and operating a 7-figure printing business, having been in the industry for 20 years, she started Slater Success which focuses on developing great leaders and facilitating business growth and expansion. Ivy holds masterminds and retreats with her private client base and corporate training on communication and strategic planning. She speaks nationwide on the topics of leadership, sustainable growth, relationships and sales. Best Selling Author of From the Barre to the Boardroom Website: https://slatersuccess.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivyslater/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slatersuccesscoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivyslaterssc/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/slatersuccess/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SlaterSuccessCC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8b1sGnADlpFE2NrqUfToQ?view_as=subscribe

    6 min

  3. FEB 23

    Why Referrals Matter: Stacey Brown Randall's Secrets to Building a Business of Relationships

    This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Stacey Brown Randall. The two talk about navigating business failure and rebuilding with intention; the power of referrals in authentically growing a business; and how documenting processes can be the difference-maker in scaling your company. In this episode, we discuss: How Stacey's second book was born out of a "COVID delay," deep year-end reflection, and the realization that readers who downloaded her secret bonus resources were quietly becoming some of her best clients, and why a second (and even third) book makes smart business sense. What her first failed business taught her about scaling, resilience, and why she was determined not to be a "two-time member of the business failure club" when she launched her productivity and business coaching practice. When she started "throwing spaghetti at the wall" with referrals, refusing to ask, pay, or use gimmicks, and accidentally generated 112 referrals in her first year as a productivity coach, all without asking, which pushed her to reverse engineer the process into teachable strategies. Why most businesses have SOPs for everything except referrals, and how treating referrals like any other core system can make them a fun, aligned, and lower-cost way to generate leads instead of something awkward and "icky." How Stacey intentionally designed her business around her life—prioritizing school pick-ups, baseball games, and her kids' events over chasing a Lamborghini lifestyle—and the ongoing work of stepping out of comparison to honor the business she truly wants.​   Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, author of the forthcoming book, The Referable Client Experience (October 2025), and host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast. Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally... without manipulating, incentivizing, or even asking. She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master's in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.    Website: https://staceybrownrandall.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall/ https://www.instagram.com/staceybrownrandall/

    23 min

  4. FEB 16

    Building Support Systems: Brittany Stevens on Managing Career, Motherhood, and Advocacy

    This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Brittany Stevens. The two talk about Brittany's journey into employment discrimination law, the challenges of balancing a demanding legal career with motherhood, and the importance of workplace policies that support parents and caregivers. In this episode, we discuss: How pregnancy discrimination is still rampant, bosses assuming moms-to-be will slack off, and why Brittany fights to shatter that, drawing from her own return from maternity leave (needing a private fridge, blinds, and pumping space). What drew her to the plaintiff side: a deep drive to help folks facing power imbalances at work, chasing internships and jobs that let her focus on real discrimination cases, fueled by her natural people-person vibe. When caregiving for aging or ill parents hits (like Brittany taking time for her mom's final days and doctor's visits), what protections exist, like leaves for loved ones, state-specific caregiver time off, and why HR chats early can make all the difference. Why, despite progress since the '70s, we're still miles from equity: post-COVID return-to-office mandates are pushing women out again due to childcare chaos, proving conversations about real accommodations and culture are non-negotiable. How to spot supportive workplaces before signing on: check policies on paid maternity/paternity, flexible leaves, and a vibe that won't punish you for using them without retaliation or getting passed over for promotions. Brittany A. Stevens is a Partner at Phillips & Associates, PLLC, one of the nation's premier plaintiff-side employment law firms. She focuses exclusively on representing employees who have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in the workplace. Known for her strategic legal mind and compassionate client advocacy, Brittany empowers clients during some of the most vulnerable moments in their professional lives. She represents women from across industries— especially those in executive support roles—and works tirelessly to hold employers accountable. At the heart of Brittany's practice is a deep belief in justice, respect, and protection for those with less power in the workplace. She's been featured in media, published legal articles, and leads with a communication style that is clear, empathetic, and action-oriented. Whether fighting for a settlement or guiding a client through the legal systems, Brittany ensures every voice is heard—and every violation addressed.  Website:  https://www.newyorkcitydiscriminationlawyer.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-stevens-alper-4895911a/ https://x.com/Phillips_Assoc_ https://www.facebook.com/PhillipsandAssociatesAttorneysatLaw/ https://www.instagram.com/phillips_and_associates https://www.youtube.com/@phillipsassociates9558

    16 min

  5. FEB 9

    Creating Success That Feels Good: Lessons from Lulu Essey's Career Journey

    This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Lulu Essey. The two talk about building a successful global creative career while navigating bipolar disorder, the power of true self-love as a foundation for resilience, and how Lulu helps ambitious professionals achieve meaningful, sustainable success through her coaching and podcast.  In this episode, we discuss: How Lulu built a 30-year global creative career, from theater and television in South Africa to experiential marketing and executive creative director roles across Europe, the U.S., Hong Kong, Greater China, and Southeast Asia, while quietly managing severe bipolar disorder. What it was like to move to New York City in the middle of the pandemic, visa bans and all, and simultaneously build a coaching business after years of doing workshops, speaking, and mentoring on the side of her agency career. When being let go from her senior vice president, executive creative director role during a major bipolar relapse felt "brutal" in the moment, but ultimately became the push she needed to fully step into her own work and redefine success on her terms. Why self-love (not just "liking yourself") is now at the core of her work, defined as refusing to abandon yourself, your needs, and your voice, and how that perspective completely reframed resilience, failure, and bouncing back from hard seasons. How shifting her worth off "quicksand" metrics like titles, awards, and deals, and onto an inner sense of value, helped her stop chasing external validation and start feeling worthy now, even when goals are still in progress.   Lulu Essey is an award-winning Executive Creative Director who has spent three decades working with global brands like Porsche, BMW, Cartier, and Google across four continents. Finding her way through a 30-year journey with severe bipolar disorder while building an impressive career, she discovered that external achievement and awards mean nothing without authentic Self-Love as the foundation - the missing infrastructure most driven women never build. Now a Speaker, certified Life Coach, and host of The Lulu Essey Podcast, Lulu helps ambitious professionals create success that actually feels good. Her message: sustainable success isn't about pushing harder or doing more - it's about building from the inside out. Website: https://www.luluessey.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.luluessey.com/podcast

    25 min

  6. FEB 2

    The Power of Permission Slips: Poonam Sharma on Courageous Life and Career Decisions

    This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Poonam Sharma. The two talk about Poonam's journey from growing up around construction sites as the daughter of Indian immigrants to founding and successfully exiting Stealth Force, a gig economy commercial real estate company. In this episode, we discuss: How Poonam's childhood, tagging along on construction sites with her Indian immigrant dad and watching her parents launch (and sometimes crash) businesses like restaurants and hotels, pulled her into real estate and sparked her entrepreneurial fire. What pushed her from dev/private equity to tech: spotting gaps, channeling family hustle, and building Stealth Force (small exit, big win), then eyeing NYC co-working with onsite childcare—right as lockdown hit at 8 months pregnant. When old family stories, like being "ladylike," fearing the evil eye, or grandma's turkey trick, quietly shape our choices, and how midlife is prime time to unpack them and choose what actually fits now. Why everyone (CEOs to in-laws) is secretly fragile—be gentler, drop the personal grudges—and her leadership hack: "If it won't matter in seven years, it doesn't matter now." What peace looks like post-pivots: Board gigs, family deals, surprise coaching (releasing mental blocks for high-achievers), and savoring kid time—no more compartments, just one integrated, wrinkle-loving self. Poonam Sharma is a board member, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, real estate industry veteran, novelist and recognized PropTech leader with a passion for innovating around the built world. A public and private board member, published author and public speaker, she has sat on the board of Hennessy Capital VII and Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp III to name a few, and previously headed Arden Digital Ventures, a technology-focused investment arm of The Arden Group, a storied real estate investment fund. Previously CEO of Raise (which aimed to revolutionize childcare for the future of work), and Founder of StealthForce (the gig economy of real estate; a resource and project management platform for CRE, which was exited in early 2019), she was an early voice in proptech, bringing years of institutional real estate experience to the innovation movement. Prior to StealthForce, she was Deputy to the Head of Global Real Estate Asset Management at Partners Group AG ($40 bn AUM), VP at a developer of senior housing and hotels, and earlier employee 13 at The Gerson Lehrman Group, which was the world's first institutional expert network. Poonam earned her BA at Harvard and MBA at Wharton, and spent over a decade in real estate development and investment. Twice named a top female CEO in CREtech, she has been featured in The New York Times, Inc. Magazine, Harvard Business Review, NBC News, and more. As an author and experienced public speaker (ULI, ICSC, CRETech, etc.) she has published four books including two novels in five languages which have been printed worldwide. Website: www.poonam.info  https://www.instagram.com/justpoonamnyc/

    28 min

  7. JAN 26

    Creating Your 2026 Success Story with Health, Intention, and Strategy

    In this episode, Ivy Slater chats with us about starting the new year with intention and clarity. Helping you step into 2026 refreshed, focused, and ready to make the most of new opportunities In this episode, we discuss: How Ivy eases into the new year by actually taking a break, recharging over the holidays, and putting her health and energy at the top of the list so she can show up fully for her business. What a real-world SWOT(T) looks like, from naming your strengths and weaknesses to spotting opportunities, threats, and trends in your industry and life. When to break down your business into four core plans: financial, marketing, sales, and people, and audit what's working (and what's not) in each area. Why prioritizing health, joy, and happiness isn't fluffy—it's the fuel that lets you actually grow your business or career in a sustainable way. What kinds of questions to ask yourself at the start of the year, like what you want to be celebrating at the end of 2026, and what would make you genuinely proud?   Ivy Slater is a professionally certified business coach, speaker, best-selling author and podcast host. After owning and operating a 7-figure printing business, having been in the industry for 20 years, she started Slater Success which focuses on developing great leaders and facilitating business growth and expansion. Ivy holds masterminds and retreats with her private client base and corporate training on communication and strategic planning. She speaks nationwide on the topics of leadership, sustainable growth, relationships and sales. Best Selling Author of From the Barre to the Boardroom Website: https://slatersuccess.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivyslater/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slatersuccesscoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivyslaterssc/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/slatersuccess/

    7 min

  8. JAN 19

    Family, Community, and Experiential Learning: The Vision Behind Wonder Village

    This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Jenna Williams. The two talk about the power of community, the journey from STEM professional to nonprofit founder, and how innovative experiential learning is transforming the homeschooling experience in Westchester, New York. In this episode, we discuss: How Jenna Williams went from a chemical engineer at the EPA to educator, yoga teacher, and founder of Wonder Village, following a nudge from her late mother to use her talents to help people more directly. What Jenna has learned about building community: showing up, networking, saying yes to other local moms' ideas, and staying flexible so programs can evolve with what families actually want and need. When she noticed that local homeschool families were scattered in small, separate pockets across Westchester, with few opportunities to come together across geography and beliefs, why that convinced her to create Wonder Village. Why she believes parents deserve to see their children's "lightbulb moments" firsthand, and how Wonder Village is designed to bring families together to learn, play, and grow side by side. How the family scouting program grew into one of Wonder Village's most beloved offerings, with mixed-age, mixed-gender groups choosing their own topics—like anatomy—and turning them into creative, project-based activities and peer-led lessons. Jenna Williams is a chemical engineer turned educator, yoga teacher, and founder of Wonder Village Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing enrichment education, experiential learning, and community support for families in Westchester County. Blending her STEM foundation with a passion for teaching and mindfulness, Jenna creates programs that inspire children to learn through hands-on exploration—whether through science, nature-based experiences, cultural programming, or creative enrichment. With years of experience as a yoga teacher, she brings a grounded, heart-centered approach to leadership and learning. Dedicated to inclusive, community-driven education, Jenna's mission is to build spaces where every family feels seen, supported, and deeply connected. Website: https://wondervillage.org/

    28 min
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4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Ivy Slater interviews gutsy business women as they share their success journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Ivy Slater, Slater Success Coaching
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ivy Slater 2018
  • Show Website
    Her Success Story