Seats of Power

Seats of Power with Alexia and Riya

Seats of Power asks leaders the defining question across generations, disciplines, and industries: what do you wish you knew at 18? Hosted by 18-year-olds, Alexia Purkanto and Riya Datta, put innovators, executives, and change-makers in the power seat to unpack the decisions, failures, and mindset shifts that shaped their paths. Each episode we ask leaders questions most people never think to ask…until it’s too late then translate their real-world experience into practical playbooks you can use now. This is your shortcut to success. If you’re building your future: take your seat.

Episodes

  1. Apr 13

    Prashina Chopra: She Built Roes Cosmetics. Then Chose to Walk Away

    Today, we welcome Prashina Chopra to the Power Seat. A beauty product developer and founder of ROES Cosmetics, Shina shares what it takes to be a trailblazer and build a brand from the ground up in the South East Asian economy and beyond. From developing 30+ products to selling out at Urban Outfitters 4x, she discusses how passion fuels you even in your darkest moments and "refusing to create without intention." Most importantly, Shina opens up about the difficult decision to walk away from ROES and what that taught her about personal integrity and values, her identity, and long-term mindset. This conversation is about building brands with intention, true passion and purpose, and learning when to keep going and when to let go. Take your seat. Learn more about Shina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashinachopra/ https://roescosmetics.com/ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Prashina Chopra and ROES01:42 Building ROES Cosmetics From Ground Zero02:55 Why things can go wrong quickly in business03:58 Developing the Liquid Love Blush05:33 Using product development as a launchpad06:42 What managing ROES looks like06:55 Scheduling and planning as a founder08:53 ROES’s small team dynamic11:31 Being a pioneer in the Southeast Asian market13:39 Targeting sensitive skin but made for all15:35 Sustainability at the core of ROES17:27 Building a brand for the consumer and the planet20:13 First time selling in Urban Outfitters20:57 Building a brand across borders21:21 Challenges of global marketing and sales22:48 Balancing passion and pressure24:09 The decision to not compromise and step away24:29 Building with purpose, not just another brand26:46 Refusing to create without intention29:05 Lessons learned29:56 Redefining success and effort31:05 Current chapter: returning to product development33:09 The role of global exposure34:00 Why people make or break the experience35:28 Seats of Power closing traditions

    39 min
  2. Mar 3

    Krystal Jugarap (2x Founder): Belonging Is the Business Model

    Today, we welcome Krystal Jugarap to the Power Seat. A 2x founder, speaker, and community builder, Krystal shares how she knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur as early as high school and what she did not know back then. As a mom and founder, she reflects on the lessons that shaped her leadership and the advice she would give her 18 year old self. We dive into why community is non negotiable for growth, how she built a culture of belonging through EM/POWEREDbyWMN, and the one word she refuses to use in her vocabulary. This conversation is about being solution-driven, evolving constantly, and taking action that serves others. Take your seat. Learn more about Krystal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystaljugarap/ https://www.empoweredbywmn.com/ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Krystal Jugarap02:56 Start of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs05:58 The Birth of BOOKofBIJOUX: "see a need, create a solution"08:54 Challenge of Perfectionism Preventing Action10:43 The moment that completely shifted my mindset:11:31 "If you don't ask, the answer is always NO"12:21 "Failure is not in my vocabulary"13:41 Building a Community and Culture, Not Just a Platform17:09 Importance of Creating a Sense of Belonging18:09 Maintaining Magic of Connection through Virtual Events19:59 What's next for EM/POWEREDbyWMN?21:40 What does it mean to rebrand?22:29 Working to Increase Access to Female Mentorship27:17 A Day in the Life of a Female Founder28:28 ".....You always need a mentor"30:23 Reoccurring Leadership Lessons33:02 How does motherhood influence leadership?33:54 Constantly Reinventing: Rebranding Chapter34:58 Seats of Power Tradition: Takeaways and Closing Question

    39 min
  3. Feb 17

    Dean Molly Sauder: What It Takes to Lead Early and Educate Leaders

    Today, we welcome Dr. Molly Hayes Sauder to the Power Seat. As Dean of the Business School at York College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Sauder shares what it was like stepping into the Power Seat early and how her experience as a high school and collegiate athlete with a background in sports business shaped the way she leads, shows up, and gives 110%. We talk about how putting in extra effort sets up your next move, not just for yourself but for the people around you. We gained unexpected insights into the business of sports, including the parts most people never see or talk about. This conversation is about leadership, continuous learning, and building paths for others to succeed. Take your seat. Learn more about Dr. Sauder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyhayessauder/ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dean Molly Sauder 00:42 Entering the Business of Sports 01:22 "Start with what you know about yourself" 04:06 Seeing Sports Through a Business Lens 06:31 Lessons from College Volleyball 08:09 Taking Leadership Lessons from Taylor Swift 08:39 Importance of Building and Utilizing A Social Network 10:23 "This is a leadership skill not many people talk about..." 12:48 Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry 14:53 Reality of the Sports Industry 18:02 Full Transparency of the Abusive Side of the Industry 20:58 Stepping into the Dean Power Seat 21:31 Dr. Sauder's Approach to Tackling New Challenges 22:04 Today’s effort unlocks tomorrow’s role. 23:50 Changing Self-Talk for Success 25:05 Learning From Everyone and Everything 26:23 The Value of Surrounding Yourself With Diverse Perspectives 29:00 "If I wasn't continuing to learn, I would probably not be a leader people want to be around" 30:23 What You Take Away From Uplifting Others 33:15 "Growth is not always a straight line" 36:05 Is there a secret to success? 38:12 The Advantage Gained from Hands-On Experiences 41:29 Champion of Students AND Their Visions 42:36 Seats of Power Tradition: Takeaways and Closing Question

    46 min
  4. Feb 3

    Dr. Gerald Patnode: 9 Companies Later...Here is What Matters

    Today, we welcome Dr. Gerald Patnode to the Power Seat. A serial entrepreneur, speaker, former professor and educator, and lifelong mentor to leaders and entrepreneurs across the nation, his career spans marketing, real estate, education, and now fiction writing. From being the first in his family to attend college to building companies with $100 million in annual revenue, we learn what decades of failure, and going against the grain have taught him. We talk about the drive to prove people wrong, why learning never stops, and what really drives success. This conversation is about entrepreneurial failures outweighing wins, resilience, and keeping the mind curious and active. Take your seat. Learn more about Dr. Patnode: https://grpatnode.com/about-patnode/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldrpatnode/ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Gerald Patnode 00:51 First Company: Initial successes and failures 06:19 Lessons Carried from 1967 until Present Day 08:16 "I used to think asking questions made me look stupid" 09:57 What Drives Success: Passion vs. Person vs. Idea? 12:23 "As an entrepreneur, failure is inevitable." 13:51 Evolving Metrics of Success 14:35 "The largest company I ever had was..." 18:43 Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Banker 19:54 Gut Instinct vs. Data in Decision Making 21:12 Brave Enough to Go Against the Grain 22:48 100th Birthday Party 24:58 What makes a successful entrepreneur? 27:13 The Ongoing Drive to Prove Others Wrong 32:11 Consistent Advice Across Decades of Mentorship 34:30 Current Chapter: Storytelling 38:09 The Story Behind 'The Stirling Defense' 39:52 Favorite Company and Final Thoughts 41:58 Seats of Power Tradition: Our Takeaways and Closing Question

    44 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Seats of Power asks leaders the defining question across generations, disciplines, and industries: what do you wish you knew at 18? Hosted by 18-year-olds, Alexia Purkanto and Riya Datta, put innovators, executives, and change-makers in the power seat to unpack the decisions, failures, and mindset shifts that shaped their paths. Each episode we ask leaders questions most people never think to ask…until it’s too late then translate their real-world experience into practical playbooks you can use now. This is your shortcut to success. If you’re building your future: take your seat.