She Leads®: The Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs Building to $1 Million and Beyond

Adrienne Garland
  • 5.0 (34)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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The go-to podcast for women entrepreneurs scaling to $1 million and beyond while building lasting wealth — real talk, no fluff. Each week, host Adrienne Garland goes deep with bold women entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders across the globe — stripping away the sugar-coating to get at what actually matters for driven women growing their businesses for profit and impact. Adrienne is a Professor at NYU and Rice University, an entrepreneur and advisor, an MBA grad, and that bold business friend who asks the questions other women in business podcasts shy away from. Topics covered: scaling to seven figures and why it matters for women and the world, funding women-owned businesses, amplifying your voice and visibility, building high-value networks, leadership, designing entrepreneurial ecosystems that benefit humanity, the importance of financial acumen and literacy, and wealth building strategies Less than 2% of women-owned businesses scale beyond seven figures. She Leads® exists to change that. Subscribe now and follow @sheleadsmedia on Instagram for She Leads LIVE events and more. https://www.sheleadsmedia.com

  1. What I've Learned About Women Entrepreneurs and the $1 Million Journey

    4D AGO

    What I've Learned About Women Entrepreneurs and the $1 Million Journey

    After 200 conversations with women entrepreneurs building toward $1 million and beyond, I'm recording live from Santiago, Chile, where I'm leading a global field experience for Rice University MBA students. One pattern has emerged that nobody in this space talks about enough: the journey for women entrepreneurs never ends.  In this solo episode of the She Leads Podcast, I look back at what these conversations have taught me since I first launched the show as Sugarcoated. The women founders who crossed the million dollar mark did not stop there. They started thinking about impact, exits, and how to help other women in business get to where they are. And the women still on the journey have dealt with massive debt, career resets, and loss that would have taken most people out of the game entirely. Fewer than 4% of women-owned businesses ever get past a million dollars, under 2% of venture capital goes to women, and the Fortune 500 numbers are barely moving. I lay out what those statistics actually mean and what I believe needs to change.  I also get into something we do not say out loud enough: not every woman supports other women. I have seen it, and I talk about where that comes from and how to find the people who are genuinely in your corner.  This is what 200 conversations taught me about what it actually takes for women to build past a million dollars. Tune in and let me know who you want to hear from next.   Chapters: 🎧 00:57 Conversations with women entrepreneurs across 200 episodes 💡 02:13 Shifting the focus to women building to $1M and beyond 📊 07:05 What the statistics are pointing to for women in business 🚧 14:37 Reaching $1M and pushing past it 🛤️ 20:34 Backslides, twists and turns, and forks in the road to $1M  🔥 24:12 Where support between women breaks down 🌎 29:13 Bringing more women into these conversations Links: Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com To get in touch with me directly, you can send me an email at adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.Don't forget to let me know who you would like me to interview next and why. Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️  If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (00:57) - 🎧 Conversations with women entrepreneurs across 200 episodes (02:13) - 💡 Shifting the focus to women building to $1M and beyond (07:05) - 📊 What the statistics are pointing to for women in business (14:37) - 🚧 Reaching $1M and pushing past it (20:34) - 🛤️ Backslides, twists and turns, and forks in the road to $1M (24:12) - 🔥 Where support between women breaks down (29:13) - 🌎 Bringing more women into these conversations

    38 min
  2. Why Women Founders Must Protect Their IP from Day One — with IP Attorney Laurie Selkowitz

    MAR 20

    Why Women Founders Must Protect Their IP from Day One — with IP Attorney Laurie Selkowitz

    IP attorney Laurie Selkowitz breaks down why women founders are chronically under-informed when it comes to trademarking and intellectual property - and the moves you need to make before it's too late to protect what you've built. As a partner at Greenberg Glusker, Laurie advises companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises on technology, privacy, and intellectual property. In this conversation, she explains why many women founders unintentionally miss critical opportunities to protect their ideas. In a first-to-file system, waiting until something feels perfect can mean losing the chance to secure patents or trademarks that could become valuable business assets.  Adrienne and Laurie talk through the practical side of legal strategy for entrepreneurs. They explore when founders should bring in legal counsel, how to think about budgeting for legal services, and why contracts and negotiations deserve more attention than most businesses give them early on.  They also discuss the growing use of AI in business and why founders need to understand what they truly own when using AI-generated content.   If you’re building a business, this episode could save you from costly legal mistakes.  Chapters: ⚖️ 02:21 Laurie Selkowitz on advocacy, innovation, and protecting ideas🏁 06:11 Why women wait too long to file patents🛡️ 13:01 Legal strategy early prevents expensive problems later💼 16:42 Planning legal budgets and finding the right attorney🤝 21:18 Asking harder questions builds stronger business deals🤖 36:04 AI tools, ownership risks, and protecting your work  Links: Email: lselkowitz@GreenbergGlusker.comReach out to Laurie Selkowitz to learn more about protecting your intellectual property and building a strong legal foundation for your business.   Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️  If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. As a gesture of support for this podcast and sharing women's voices everywhere - I would greatly appreciate if you would take a moment and give our podcast a 5 Star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  By you taking this simple action, you are making a difference in sharing women's voices, thoughts and opinions.   One last thing - if you haven’t done so already, please hit the plus sign + to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! XOAdrienne  (02:21) - ⚖️ Laurie Selkowitz on advocacy, innovation, and protecting ideas (06:11) - 🏁 Why women wait too long to file patents (13:01) - 🛡️ Legal strategy early prevents expensive problems later (16:42) - 💼 Planning legal budgets and finding the right attorney (21:18) - 🤝 Asking harder questions builds stronger business deals (36:04) - 🤖 AI tools, ownership risks, and protecting your work

    46 min
  3. AI in Business: From Tool to Personal Assistant for Entrepreneurs with Michelle Hamilton

    MAR 13

    AI in Business: From Tool to Personal Assistant for Entrepreneurs with Michelle Hamilton

    From glassblowing studios to AI boardrooms, Michelle Hamilton shares how she turned decades of commercial real estate experience into actionable AI strategies for businesses of all sizes. This episode explores how entrepreneurs can use AI in business as a personal assistant to improve productivity, protect intellectual property, and support business growth.  Michelle, founder and CEO of Spark AI Strategy and AI Class Lab, dives into the intersection of art, creativity, and artificial intelligence. She explains how entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, can use AI tools to scale their businesses, protect their intellectual property, and  amplify their ideas and expertise without losing the human creativity that makes their work unique.  You’ll hear practical examples of how AI can become a true business partner for productivity, strategy, and business growth, from building personalized knowledge libraries with tools like NotebookLM and Gemini to using AI assistants for research, project planning, and everyday decision-making.  Michelle also shares why taking a human-centered approach to AI matters now more than ever. Instead of replacing people, she shows how the right AI strategy can free you from repetitive work so you can focus on relationships, creativity, and the decisions that actually move your business forward.  If you’ve been curious about AI but aren’t sure where to start, or you’re ready to use it more strategically in your business, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using right away to work smarter, protect your expertise, and move closer to that million-dollar milestone.   Chapters: 🚀 02:23 How AI Can Support Women Entrepreneurs on the Path to $1M  🎨 03:43 Why Creative Thinking Makes You Better at Using AI  🤖 08:37 Turn AI Into Your Personal Assistant (Even Without a Team)  🧠 10:21 Run Multiple AI Assistants to Improve Your Results  📚 11:47 Build an AI Knowledge Library That Captures Your Expertise  🔐 14:34 The Truth About AI Privacy and Protecting Your Ideas  👥 20:37 Why the Best AI Strategies Start With People, Not Technology🌍 28:01 AI Is the Great Equalizer: What That Means for Entrepreneurs 💡 34:40 Use AI to Unlock the Hidden Value in Your Content  🛠 41:53 Simple Ways to Start Using AI in Your Business Today  Links: Website: www.sparkaistrategy.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michellehamiltonai Connect with Michelle Hamilton to explore AI strategy, access educational resources through AI Class Lab, and learn how to leverage AI for business growth while keeping creativity and people at the center of innovation.    Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (02:23) - 🚀 How AI Can Support Women Entrepreneurs on the Path to $1M (03:43) - 🎨 Why Creative Thinking Makes You Better at Using AI (08:37) - 🤖 Turn AI Into Your Personal Assistant (Even Without a Team) (10:21) - 🧠 Run Multiple AI Assistants to Improve Your Results (11:47) - 📚 Build an AI Knowledge Library That Captures Your Expertise (14:34) - 🔐 The Truth About AI Privacy and Protecting Your Ideas (20:37) - 👥 Why the Best AI Strategies Start With People, Not Technology (28:01) - 🌍 AI Is the Great Equalizer: What That Means for Entrepreneurs (34:40) - 💡 Use AI to Unlock the Hidden Value in Your Content (41:53) - 🛠 Simple Ways to Start Using AI in Your Business Today

    51 min
  4. How to Get Specialist-Level Menopause Care (Even When You’re Told You’re “Too Young”) with Madge Rumman

    MAR 6

    How to Get Specialist-Level Menopause Care (Even When You’re Told You’re “Too Young”) with Madge Rumman

    If you have ever walked into a doctor’s office with real perimenopause symptoms and been told you are too young, this conversation will feel validating.In this episode, Madge Rumman, co-founder of Blair Health, shares how women can access specialist-level menopause care without waiting months for referrals or feeling dismissed in primary care. We talk about why menopause is diagnosed based on symptoms rather than blood tests, what often gets missed in traditional healthcare, and how to trust what your body is telling you. Madge also explains how Blair Health combines licensed providers with structured digital assessments and responsible AI to deliver personalized menopause treatment plans in a regulated, clinically grounded way. Beyond individual care, we explore how midlife health affects career progression, leadership pipelines, and why employers should be paying attention. This is a conversation about access, validation, and action. Whether you are navigating menopause yourself, supporting women in your workplace, or building in women’s health tech, you will walk away with clarity on what to look for and what to do next. Chapters: 👋 00:56 Meet Madge Rumman & Blair Health’s Mission 💡 02:20 How a Personal Health Gap Sparked a Women’s Health Solution🤝 06:09 Leverage Mentorship and Skills to Break Barriers in Tech⚕️ 08:00 How Blair Health Delivers Faster Specialist Care📊 15:41 Why Midlife Care Access Boosts Workforce Success❌ 21:34 Stop Believing These Menopause Myths🤖 32:42 How to Use AI Responsibly in Healthcare🚀 40:32 How to Try Blair Health and What to Do Next  Links: Website: www.blairhealth.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/madgerummanExplore Blair Health’s platform, connect with Madge on LinkedIn, and discover how you can support women’s health and workplace equity today.   Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if y:ou would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (00:56) - Meet Madge Rumman & Blair Health’s Mission (02:20) - How a Personal Health Gap Sparked a Women’s Health Solution (06:09) - Leverage Mentorship and Skills to Break Barriers in Tech (08:00) - How Blair Health Delivers Faster Specialist Care (15:41) - Why Midlife Care Access Boosts Workforce Success (21:34) - Stop Believing These Menopause Myths (32:42) - How to Use AI Responsibly in Healthcare (40:32) - How to Try Blair Health and What to Do Next

    45 min
  5. How to Turn a Real Customer Pain Point into a High-Value Company with Kelly Parker

    FEB 27

    How to Turn a Real Customer Pain Point into a High-Value Company with Kelly Parker

    Solve a real buyer problem. Build enterprise value. Exit on your terms. In this episode of the She Leads Podcast, Kelly Parker shares how she built Send Ribbon, a bootstrapped corporate gifting company acquired by UrbanStems, by focusing on one overlooked opportunity: solving real pain points for real buyers. With just $5,000 and no outside funding, Kelly launched her business at 27 after years inside high growth companies like Indeed, WeWork, and DoorDash. Instead of chasing luxury products or hype, she spoke directly with office managers, the true gatekeepers of corporate purchasing, and realized they did not need more options. They needed reliability, speed, and zero friction. That insight became her competitive advantage and ultimately positioned the company for acquisition. In this conversation, Kelly breaks down how relationship first thinking helped her win Fortune 500 clients, why visibility matters more than perfection when positioning for acquisition, and how staying close to your buyer builds long term enterprise value. She also challenges the pressure many women founders face to be “all in” at the expense of financial stability. From healthcare realities to diversified income strategies, Kelly shares practical advice for building sustainable companies that align with your life, not just your ambition. Today, through her advisory platform launchgrowexit, Kelly supports female founders who want to launch, grow, and eventually exit their companies with clarity and confidence. If you are building a business, thinking about long term value, or questioning the hustle culture narrative, this episode offers a grounded roadmap for turning customer insight into a high value company. Chapters:  00:56 👋 Meet Kelly Parker: Bootstrapping, Exiting, and Giving Back 03:05 🎓 Break the Rules Early: From Catholic School to Startup Risk and Grit 09:41 🚀 Learn Inside High-Growth Teams: Mentorship, Culture, and Taking the Leap 15:36 🎁 Spot the Buyer Gap: Office Manager Insights and Frictionless Gifting 26:16 🏗️ Build for Sustainability First: Creating a Lifestyle Business That Attracts Opportunity 28:08 💐 Stay Visible to Get Acquired: UrbanStems, COVID Timing, and the Letter of Intent 31:14 🤝 Make Relationships the Asset: Why Trust Drives Enterprise Value 35:51 💡 Think Exit Early: Healthcare, Hustle Culture, and Funding Your Dream Strategically 44:37 🌟 Reinvent After the Exit: Becoming a Co-Founder on Demand and Building Accessible Advisory 53:04 🎁 Book a Free Call with Kelly Parker: https://calendly.com/kellyanneparker/15min?back=1  Links: Instagram: www.instagram.com/launchgrowexit LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/kellyanneparker Book a free call with Kelly and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram to start building a business designed to launch, grow, and exit on your terms.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if y:ou would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (00:56) - 👋 Meet Kelly Parker: Bootstrapping, Exiting, and Giving Back (03:05) - 🎓 Break the Rules Early: From Catholic School to Startup Risk and Grit (09:41) - 🚀 Learn Inside High-Growth Teams: Mentorship, Culture, and Taking the Leap (15:36) - 🎁 Spot the Buyer Gap: Office Manager Insights and Frictionless Gifting (26:16) - 🏗️ Build for Sustainability First: Creating a Lifestyle Business That Attracts Opportunity (28:08) - 💐 Stay Visible to Get Acquired: UrbanStems, COVID Timing, and the Letter of Intent (31:14) - 🤝 Make Relationships the Asset: Why Trust Drives Enterprise Value (35:51) - 💡 Think Exit Early: Healthcare, Hustle Culture, and Funding Your Dream Strategically (44:37) - 🌟 Reinvent After the Exit: Becoming a Co-Founder on Demand and Building Accessible Advisory (53:04) - 🎁 Book a Free Call with Kelly Parker: https://calendly.com/kellyanneparker/15min?back=1

    55 min
  6. Stop Trading Time for Money: How to Build a $100K Consulting Offer with Jessica Fearnley

    FEB 20

    Stop Trading Time for Money: How to Build a $100K Consulting Offer with Jessica Fearnley

    What does it take to create a $100K consulting offer for corporate clients? Let's once and for all move on from trading time for dollars.  In this episode, Jessica Fearnley and I talk about what it truly takes to structure a high-value $100K consulting offer for corporate clients, without overcomplicating your services or building a massive team or charging an hourly rate. But this conversation goes beyond pricing. We talk about what happens after you leave corporate, recover from burnout, and rebuild your confidence. We unpack the emotional and strategic transition many experienced women consultants face when they hit six figures and begin asking what’s next. Jessica shares how she moved from project management into building a multi-six-figure B2B consulting business rooted in high-value advisory retainers. We explore: What a $100K advisory retainer actually includesHow to package your consulting services inside the budgets corporate already invests inWhy trying to “educate” buyers slows down the saleThe recovery phase after corporate trauma, and why many women underprice themselves during itHow to position yourself as a trusted strategic advisor instead of a service providerWhy “the more they pay, the less they get” can be true at premium levelsIf you want to move from hourly work or project-based consulting into high-value B2B advisory retainers, this episode gives you both the strategic framework and the mindset shift required to do it. This is about packaging expertise, reclaiming authority, and building a consulting business that aligns with your life, not just your revenue goals. Chapters: 00:56 👩‍💼 Meet Jessica and Her Consulting Evolution 02:43 🔥 Recover from Burnout Before You Rebuild 04:49 🔄 Reevaluate What Comes After Six Figures 10:22 🤱 Design a Business That Works with Your Energy and Life Stage 15:32 🏢 Recognize Why Venture Funding Isn’t the Only Path to Growth 17:37 🤝 Step Into the Role of Trusted Strategic Advisor 19:44 📦 Package Your Consulting Offer Inside Existing Corporate Budgets 30:26 💼 Understand the $100K Advisory Retainer Model   Links: Website: jessicafearnley.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-fearnley-47173019  Explore Jessica Fearnley’s work, tune into her podcast, and connect with her on LinkedIn to discover how you can build a premium consulting business that reflects your true value and ambition.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (00:56) - 👩‍💼 Meet Jessica and Her Consulting Evolution (02:43) - 🔥 Turn Burnout Into a New Business Direction (04:49) - 🔄 Question What Comes After Six Figures (10:22) - 🤱 Build a Business That Supports Your Energy and Life Stage (15:32) - 🏢 Understand Why Venture Funding Isn’t the Only Path (17:37) - 🤝 Step Into the Role of Trusted Strategic Advisor (19:44) - 📦 Package Your Offer Inside What Corporate Already Buys (30:26) - 💼 Structure a High-Value Advisory Retainer (Including the $100K Model)

    38 min
  7. How to Turn Your Lived Experience into Your Biggest Leadership Asset with Lindsay Greene

    FEB 13

    How to Turn Your Lived Experience into Your Biggest Leadership Asset with Lindsay Greene

    From Washington, D.C. to the Brooklyn waterfront, Lindsay Greene shares how a career in finance evolved into a mission to transform industrial spaces into engines of opportunity for underserved communities. Lindsay Greene is the President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she leads one of New York City’s most ambitious models for inclusive economic development. With more than 550 businesses and 11,000 employees on site, the Navy Yard is not simply a real estate portfolio but a living ecosystem designed to create quality jobs and connect local residents to meaningful careers. Her work blends business strategy, workforce development, and community engagement into a powerful example of how cities can rethink the purpose of former industrial spaces. Her journey began in Washington, D.C., where daily exposure to economic disparities shaped her desire to work at the intersection of business and community impact. After studying economics at Harvard and starting her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, she discovered urban development through the Urban Investment Group under Alicia Glen. Mentorship from leaders like Glen and MIT professor Phil Thompson helped her shift from traditional finance to mission driven economic development. A detour into the food industry after Yale School of Management eventually led her back to this work, culminating in her leadership at the Navy Yard in 2022. Lindsay explains how the Brooklyn Navy Yard goes beyond affordable real estate to support small, women owned, and minority owned businesses with mentorship, capital access, and technical advisory services. She highlights the Brooklyn STEAM Center, a public high school that gives 600 students hands on training with industry grade equipment, as well as new adult reskilling programs that recognize the value of both digital and analog problem solving. Through initiatives like the Micro Business Accelerator Program, she is building pathways for entrepreneurs to start small, grow, and scale within a supportive ecosystem. This conversation explores leadership, economic mobility, and the importance of early exposure to career possibilities. Lindsay’s work demonstrates that revitalizing industrial spaces can do more than preserve history. It can create futures. Tune in to hear how thoughtful economic development can reshape communities and expand opportunity for the next generation. Chapters: 01:01 👩‍💼 Meet Lindsay Greene President and CEO of Brooklyn Navy Yard 03:37 🗺️ Lindsay’s journey from Washington DC to New York City 05:30 🏦 From Goldman Sachs to a career in economic development 13:54 🏗️ Revitalizing the Brooklyn Navy Yard into a thriving hub 16:24 🌱 Community programs driving opportunity and impact 34:21 🚀 What is next for the Brooklyn Navy Yard 41:12 ✨ Closing reflections and final thoughts Links:Website: www.brooklynnavyyard.org  Connect with Lindsay Greene through the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s website to explore how this innovative model is creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurs, and opening new pathways for underserved communities.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (00:00) - 🎙️ Welcome to the She Leads Podcast (01:01) - 👩‍💼 Meet Lindsay Green President and CEO of Brooklyn Navy Yard (03:37) - 🗺️ Lindsay’s journey from Washington DC to New York City (05:30) - 🏦 From Goldman Sachs to a career in economic development (13:54) - 🏗️ Revitalizing the Brooklyn Navy Yard into a thriving hub (16:24) - 🌱 Community programs driving opportunity and impact (34:21) - 🚀 What is next for the Brooklyn Navy Yard (41:12) - ✨ Closing reflections and final thoughts

    43 min
  8. Sales Is the Job: How to Sell Confidently Even If You Hate It with Julia Arpag

    FEB 6

    Sales Is the Job: How to Sell Confidently Even If You Hate It with Julia Arpag

    I’m saying the quiet part out loud: if you don’t build your sales muscle, growth stalls - no matter how talented you are. In this episode, Julia Arpag, CEO and Founder of Aligned Recruitment, shares with me how she went from five weeks postpartum and laid off to building a seven-figure tech recruitment firm by treating selling as service, investing early in mentorship, and using LinkedIn + networking like a real funnel. Julia’s journey began in August 2023 when she was unexpectedly laid off while on maternity leave. What could have been a destabilizing moment became the catalyst for something extraordinary. While briefly accepting a W-2 role, she started selling for a friend’s startup recruitment venture on the side. Within months, she closed three retainer clients. That early traction forced a pivotal decision: continue playing it safe, or step fully into entrepreneurship despite fears around sales, taxes, and “not knowing enough.” She chose the leap.  Rather than trying to figure everything out alone, Julia invested her earliest earnings into mentorship by hiring an executive coach who had sold a recruitment agency for $28 million, a LinkedIn writing coach, and systems experts. Inspired by Carol Dweck’s Mindset and the philosophy of “Who Not How,” she built her sales muscle, reframed selling as service, and adopted a growth mindset that became foundational to Aligned Recruitment’s rapid success. She reminds us that for women entrepreneurs especially, seeking support is often the difference between staying small and scaling meaningfully.  We also explored Julia’s tactical wisdom as a recruiter, including why job seekers should treat their search like a sales funnel, how to optimize LinkedIn to be discovered, and why networking consistently outperforms cold online applications. At a deeper level, Julia challenges the idea that business success must come at the cost of personal well-being. Her philosophy is clear: build a business around your life, not the other way around.  This conversation is a powerful reminder for all of us that profitability, purpose, and peace can coexist. Tune in to hear my conversation with Julia Arpag and how she is redefining what it looks like for women to lead, sell, and scale without losing themselves in the process. Chapters: 01:12 👩‍💼 Meet Julia Arpag Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment 02:34 🚀 From Layoff to Launch Building a Business After Maternity Leave 07:32 📈 Smart Strategies for Scaling a Recruitment Firm Fast 16:12 🤝 Why Sales Skills and Mentorship Change Everything for Women Founders 22:51 🔎 How Recruiters Really Search for Candidates 23:32 💼 Making Your LinkedIn Profile Work for You 24:50 ☕ Networking Tactics That Beat Online Applications 26:59 🌍 How Values Driven Tech Companies Hire Diverse Talent 36:59 ⚖️ Building a Business That Supports Your Life and Family Links: Website: www.alignedrecruitment.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-arpag  Connect with Julia on LinkedIn and explore Aligned Recruitment’s website to learn how values-based leadership and smart hiring strategies can transform the way you build teams and careers.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program. Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com  Learn more at: geniusdiscovery.org  We're always seeking aligned sponsors.⭐️ If you're interested in supporting our podcast - one episode or a season, reach out to Adrienne at Adrienne@sheleadsmedia.com.⭐️ Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com  Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com to learn about upcoming events or to work with me directly and get the clarity you’re seeking. "I love ♥️ listening to The She Leads™ Podcast!” If that thought crossed your mind at any time while listening to our special show, I’d love it if you would take a moment and give our podcast some love too. To do so, simply Rate, Review & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Taking this simple action helps my team and I to spread the word about all the incredible guests featured on The She Leads Podcast and contributes overall to helping women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere! 🗺 Also, if you haven’t done so already, please +follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! — Adrienne  (01:12) - 👩‍💼 Meet Julia Arpag Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment (02:34) - 🚀 From Layoff to Launch Building a Business After Maternity Leave (07:32) - 📈 Smart Strategies for Scaling a Recruitment Firm Fast (16:12) - 🤝 Why Sales Skills and Mentorship Change Everything for Women Founders (22:51) - 🔎 How Recruiters Really Search for Candidates (23:32) - 💼 Making Your LinkedIn Profile Work for You (24:50) - ☕ Networking Tactics That Beat Online Applications (26:59) - 🌍 How Values Driven Tech Companies Hire Diverse Talent (36:59) - ⚖️ Building a Business That Supports Your Life and Family

    44 min
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5
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

The go-to podcast for women entrepreneurs scaling to $1 million and beyond while building lasting wealth — real talk, no fluff. Each week, host Adrienne Garland goes deep with bold women entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders across the globe — stripping away the sugar-coating to get at what actually matters for driven women growing their businesses for profit and impact. Adrienne is a Professor at NYU and Rice University, an entrepreneur and advisor, an MBA grad, and that bold business friend who asks the questions other women in business podcasts shy away from. Topics covered: scaling to seven figures and why it matters for women and the world, funding women-owned businesses, amplifying your voice and visibility, building high-value networks, leadership, designing entrepreneurial ecosystems that benefit humanity, the importance of financial acumen and literacy, and wealth building strategies Less than 2% of women-owned businesses scale beyond seven figures. She Leads® exists to change that. Subscribe now and follow @sheleadsmedia on Instagram for She Leads LIVE events and more. https://www.sheleadsmedia.com

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