My Great Pivot

The Female Founders Project
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

My Great Pivot features candid conversations with women who've launched their own businesses, often trading stability for the uncertainty that comes with following a dream. These aren't polished success stories - they're honest accounts of the messy middle: the fears before the leap, the financial realities, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected victories. Each episode, our guests share the practical tools and resources that have helped them build their businesses, from navigating career transitions and securing funding to weathering industry upheavals. Whether you're contemplating your own pivot or building something new, these conversations will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take the next step. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone who's ever wondered, "What if I just... went for it?" My Great Pivot is hosted by Carrie Regan, an MBA and veteran media industry executive. The podcast is a production of The Female Founders Project. Enjoy the podcast? Buy us a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/tffp Find out more at www.thefemalefoundersproject.com and www.mygreatpivot.com

Episodes

  1. 2H AGO

    From Marketing Exec to Friend-Finding Founder: Sabrina Gendler & Friendly (Ep. 110)

    Sabina Gendler, CEO and co-founder of Friendly, traces the idea for her startup to a job relocation. The marketing exec was eager to make new friends locally – especially during her maternity leave – but found no easy way of doing so. Her solution? Friendly, an app that connects women who share common values, are in the same stage of life, and live within a two-mile radius. Sabina realized that just identifying potential new friends didn’t solve the problem: people need help planning meet-ups, or more often than not, they'll never happen. Friendly does all the heavy lifting, recommending a time and local place/event that suits their schedules and common interests. In the interview, Sabina reveals how she and her co-founder decided to partner, how they tested the idea for Friendly in a low-cost, low-tech way, and why they chose to focus on building female friendships first during this early stage. Links: Friendly: www.friendly-app.com My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com Takeaways Finding great startup ideas from real-life experienceRecuiting a business partnerTesting a concept before buildingLaunching an appEvolving a conceptUser safety and trustThe logic behind a subscription-based business model Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Friendly05:50 The Evolution of Friendly's Concept16:42 The Power of a Strong Team22:46 Ensuring Safety and Privacy30:27 User Onboarding and Information37:07 Secret Circles and Safety43:51 Focus on Women's Safety and Trust #startup #femalefounders #womenintech #lonelinessepidemic #femaleentrepreneurship

    51 min

  2. MAY 7

    From Media Executive to Adaptive Hygiene Pioneer: Stephanie Angelides & Clean + Comfort (Ep. 109)

    For Stephanie, a Peabody Award-winning media executive, producer, and writer, the inspiration behind her startup was deeply personal. When she was told that her son — who has profound autism — would never independently manage certain daily tasks like showering, she set out to prove the experts wrong. She spent the pandemic lockdown creating adaptive tools, and today, he’s conquered the shower ritual. Her success at home revealed a gaping market need, and Clean + Comfort was born. Our conversation covers her journey from homemade prototypes to a full product line – one that includes adaptive loofahs, step-by-step illustrated shower curtains, and children’s books where autistic kids can finally see themselves on the page – and how she employs the very community she serves in manufacturing her products. Links: Clean + Comfort: www.cleanpluscomfort.com My Great Pivot: www.mygreatpivot.com Female Founders Wishlist: www.femalefounderswishlist.com The Female Founders Project: www.thefemalefoundersproject.com Like the podcast? buymeacoffee.com/tffp Takeaways The importance of hygiene independence in the disabled communityRepresentation and aesthetics are important in creating products for the special needs communityThe importance of visual storyteling in the autism communityChallenges in navigating the market for low-tech solutions Chapters 00:00 Addressing the Diverse Needs of the Special Needs Community36:17 Visual Learning Aids41:42 Focus on Impact vs. Profit46:51 Navigating Resistance and Rejection53:06 Research and Development Challenges01:00:59 Female Founders Wishlist #femalefounders #startuplife #entrepreneurship #autismawareness #adaptingtools #adaptivelearning

    1h 11m

  3. APR 23

    From Psychologist to Parenting App Founder: Nicole Lipkin & Hey Kiddo (Ep. 108)

    Nicole Lipkin, an organizational and clinical psychologist, shares her journey as the founder of Hey Kiddo, a parenting partner app for caregivers of children from birth through age twelve. She traces the app's inspiration back to her late parents, South Bronx school teachers who made their home a psychologically safe space for every kid in the neighborhood. Nicole discusses why she walked away from private equity offers to sell her practice on her own terms, the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, the NSF grants that funded her R&D, and landing investors at a Shark Tank–style live pitch. Links: Hey Kiddo: www.hey-kiddo.com Nicole Lipkin: https://nicolelipkin.com Nicole's husband, comedian Matt Hyams: https://www.instagram.com/matthyams/ My Great Pivot: www.mygreatpivot.com The Female Founders Project: www.thefemalefoundersproject.com The Female Founders Wishlist: www.femalefounderswishlist.com Takeaways Developing a parenting app through many iterationsBuilding - and selling - a ventureTeam dynamics in a startupThe emotional rollercoaster ride of startup lifeFundraising strategy Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Hey Kiddo06:04 Hey Kiddo's Role as a Parenting Partner18:14 The Decision to Sell the Practice25:29 The Roller Coaster of Startup Emotions31:05 Building the Hey Kiddo Team36:30 Pressure of External Investment43:23 App Features and Functionality51:23 Fundraising Strategy #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #impactinvesting

    1h 1m

  4. APR 9

    From Content Maker to Cake Baker: Breanna Hoepner & Once Upon a Cake Studio (Ep. 107)

    Breanna Hoepner shares how she left a 24-year career in unscripted television to launch her own custom cake business, Once Upon a Cake Studio. She details how an assumption nearly kept her from pursuing this dream, and how a friend’s challenge and simple Google search revealed that it was far more accessible than she’d ever imagined. The conversation covers how her television production background has helped shape her client process and the design of her custom cakes, why her cakes have been a more powerful marketing tool than any paid advertising, her plans to scale, and how motherhood and a family legacy in the bakery business have informed each stage of her entrepreneurial journey. Takeaways: Passion-driven entrepreneurshipLaunching a cottage food businessAI and social media as tools in small businessesBalancing Business and Family Links: Once Upon a Cake Studio homepage: www.onceuponacakestudio.com Once Upon a Cake Studio on Instagram Once Upon a Cake on Facebook My Great Pivot podcast homepage: www.mygreatpivot.com The Female Founders Project Chapters: 00:00 The Birth of Once Upon a Cake Studio31:14 Business #2: Athlete Highlight Reels37:08 Handling Pressure and Risk42:21 Balancing Business and Family48:00 Avoiding Inventory and Storefront53:18 Freedom and Balance #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #cottageindustries #homebaker #smallbusiness #careerpivots

    59 min

  5. MAR 26

    "Live Like You're Dying": From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula (Ep. 106)

    Carrie DeMartini shares her journey from copywriter to end-of-life doula and owner of the Wishing Well Center, a business focused on end-of-life planning and grief support. She discusses the multifaceted nature of her role, the importance of certification, and the challenges of carving out a unique business in a field with limited existing pathways. In sharing the challenges of monetizing a calling, Carrie outlines how a sliding-scale payment structure and options for individual, group, and community offerings make her services accessible to just about anyone who needs them. She also emphasizes the value of local resources and partnerships in building her business, and highlights the need for community-based healing and support for grief. Links: The My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com Wishing Well Center: www.wishingwellcenter.com Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: www.knoxec.com Takeaways End-of-life doula work is a calling that involves emotional, spiritual, and practical support.Monetizing a calling presents challenges, but sliding scale models and group courses can make services more accessible.Intuition and discernment are crucial in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.Local resources and partnerships play a significant role in building a business and creating community-based healing.Grief is a complex and layered experience, and community support is essential for processing and healing from it. Chapters 00:00 The Calling: Becoming an End-of-Life Doula11:51 Certification and Training as an End-of-Life Doula21:49 Pivoting Careers: From Copywriter to End-of-Life Doula32:20 Creating an End-of-Life Plan: Impact and Importance38:39 Carving Out a Unique Business45:20 Challenges of Social Media and Community-Based Healing52:05 The Role of Feminine Energy in Entrepreneurship01:00:29 Grief Retreats and Community Healing01:06:24 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #deathdoula #endoflifeprep #smallbusiness #careerpivots

    1h 15m

  6. MAR 12

    The Startup Disrupting Dinner with Affordable Personal Home Chefs: Erica Tuggle & Livin (Ep. 105)

    In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Erica Tuggle shares her journey from corporate marketing director to founder of Livin, a platform that connects busy families and professionals to affordable home chefs in their area. The discussion highlights the evolution of Erica's idea and the challenges she's faced in the early stages of the business. We cover a range of topics, including evolving your business model, fundraising strategy, VC guidance and support, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Links: The My Great Pivot podcast: www.mygreatpivot.com Livin: www.chooselivin.com Takeaways The entrepreneurial journey: from leaving a job to launchingAcceleratorsEvolving a brand and business planRaising capital Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Livin and Erica's Journey23:00 Partnerships for Health and Nutrition28:19 Fundraising Strategy and Investor Selection33:36 Customer Subscription and Brand Experience39:52 Rebranding and Emotional Connection#femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #appdevelopment #careerpivots #foodstartups

    46 min

  7. FEB 26

    Making Millions from Moss: The Green Wallscapes Story (Ep. 104)

    In this episode of the My Great Pivot podcast, Lindsay Scherr Burgess shares her journey scaling an Etsy side hustle into a successful business, Green Wallscapes, which creates stunning preserved moss walls for clients. Since launching in 2018, Lindsay and the Green Wallscapes team have created over 1,000 moss walls, generating millions in revenue out of their West Palm Beach studio. The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of adaptability, and strategies for building and growing a successful business. We also drive into pricing strategy, staff conflicts, and how motherhood has impacted her business and personal outlook. Links: www.greenwallscapes.com www.mygreatpivot.com Takeaways Finding inspiration for a new businessAdaptability and resilience in entrepreneurshipManaging staff as you scalePricing strategyMaintaining a business through new motherhood Chapters 00:00 From Hobby to Business06:05 Navigating Challenges and Growth11:52 The Journey of Building a Business18:07 Expanding the Product and Market27:47 Aesthetics and Client Preferences35:33 Impact of Motherhood on Business #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #greenwallscapes #careerpivots #homedecor #interiordesign

    57 min

  8. FEB 12

    From Teacher to Travel Guru: Kacie Darden & Blue Pineapple Travel (Ep. 103)

    Kacie Darden shares her inspiring pivot from middle school science teacher to owner of her own thriving travel agency, Blue Pineapple Travel. Less than two years after setting a cycling world record, Kacie landed in the ICU, nearly dead from complications during the birth of her twins. Resulting health issues forced her to leave the teaching job she loved, so she decided it was time for a professional pivot - and found motivation in her love of exotic travel. So just how do you launch a travel agency? Kacie tells all, from kick-starting her new career by getting in with a host agency to acquiring other agencies to fuel Blue Pineapple's growth. She shares how Blue Pineapple's focus on providing exceptional customer service helps her agency stand out in an industry dominated by digital tools. And lest you think the travel agency is all sunshine and rainbows, she recalls the dark days when COVID travel bans nearly bankrupted her agency - and how they made it through. This episode is a testament to Kacie's indomitable spirit and knack for seizing opportunities in the face of adversity. My Great Pivot is a production of The Female Founders Project. Find out more at www.mygreatpivot.com 00:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business 00:40 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:41 Kacie Darden's Early Life and Career 05:34 Transition from Teaching to Travel Agency 09:27 Starting Blue Pineapple Travel 15:30 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges 23:30 The Diverse World of Travel Planning 24:08 Challenges and Misconceptions in the Travel Industry 26:55 The Importance of Support and Partnership 28:34 Lessons Learned and Business Growth 33:20 The Role of Communication and Education 40:37 Future Plans and Industry Insights 45:57 Favorite Travel Destinations 47:43 Conclusion and Contact Information #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #travelindustry #traveladvisor #smallbusiness #careerpivots

    49 min

  9. JAN 29

    From Designer to Eco-Entrepreneur: Naama Nicotra Launches NakedPak (Ep. 102)

    In this episode, Naama Nicotra, the co-founder of NakedPak, shares her inspiring journey developing edible food packaging NakedPak, which aims to reduce plastic waste. Naama discusses the journey from the initial concept, inspired during her studies in Helsinki, to creating a tangible product with significant industry interest. She highlights the importance of finding the right co-founder, bootstrapping, raising funds from friends and family, and the critical role of mentorship and accelerators. She also delves into the challenges and rewards of launching a startup, the strategies for gaining validation, and the B2C trial of this B2B product, which targets the outdoor food market with ready-to-cook meals wrapped in this innovative packaging. Naama's story exemplifies the importance of perseverance, market testing, and impactful innovation in the startup ecosystem. My Great Pivot is a production of The Female Founders Project. 00:00 The Entrepreneur's Advice: Bootstrap and Raise Funds 00:38 Introducing NakedPak: The Future of Food Packaging 03:04 The Inspiration Behind NakedPak 05:16 From Concept to Company: The Birth of NakedPak 06:20 Finding the Perfect Co-Founder 10:08 Turning Ideas into Reality: The Role of Food Lab 16:55 The Power of Friends and Family Funding 21:06 Understanding Fundraising Strategies 22:28 The Challenges of Fundraising 24:41 Innovative Packaging Solutions 27:26 Targeting the Outdoor Market 30:32 Gaining Investor Confidence 35:43 Networking and Mentorship 41:02 Market Testing and Revenue Strategies 42:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #techstartups #foodstartup #esign #milandesignweek #sustainability #sustainablestartup #missiondriven #impactinvesting

    43 min

  10. JAN 15

    From Spreadsheets to Shutter Speeds: An Engineer Pivots to Launch Her Own Photo Studio (Ep. 101)

    In this episode of 'My Great Pivot,' we speak with Alice Park, an inspiring entrepreneur who left a secure engineering job to launch Park Studios, a thriving photography business in Atlanta, Georgia. Alice shares some of the struggles that come with launching and owning a business, and how she drew inspiration from her parents' entrepreneurial spirit. She discusses the continuous need for innovation, especially as the market for photography services has evolved. Tune in to learn from Alice's story of resilience, adaptability, and passion for her craft. 00:00 The Struggles of Small Business Ownership 00:30 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:07 Alice Park's Entrepreneurial Roots 03:55 The Journey Through Engineering 06:15 The Unhappiness in Corporate Life 06:33 Meeting the Catalyst: Kyu 09:25 The Decision to Leave Corporate 10:59 The Birth of Park Studios 15:15 The Importance of Pivoting 20:39 Adapting to Market Changes #femalefounders #entrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #startuplife #startups #womenentrepreneurs #photographybusiness #careerpivots #photographycareers

    54 min

  11. SEASON 1, EPISODE 100 TRAILER

    My Great Pivot Season 1 Sneak Preview

    A sneak preview of the first season of the My Great Pivot podcast, where we interview female founders at all stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Catch a glimpse of some of the founders we speak to this season, including: - a teacher who followed her bliss after a life-threatening childbirth... and launched a business that's taken her around the world -a founder who parlayed an Etsy side-hustle into a bustling business that's generated millions of dollars in revenue -an entrepreneur who found the funds to launch her dream from an unlikely source -a marketing executive who shares how her careful planning led to a million-dollar pre-seed investment round for her startup These are just some of the compelling stories coming this season on My Great Pivot, launching January 15, 2026. Find out more about the podcast at www.thefemalefoundersproject.com

    5 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

My Great Pivot features candid conversations with women who've launched their own businesses, often trading stability for the uncertainty that comes with following a dream. These aren't polished success stories - they're honest accounts of the messy middle: the fears before the leap, the financial realities, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected victories. Each episode, our guests share the practical tools and resources that have helped them build their businesses, from navigating career transitions and securing funding to weathering industry upheavals. Whether you're contemplating your own pivot or building something new, these conversations will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take the next step. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone who's ever wondered, "What if I just... went for it?" My Great Pivot is hosted by Carrie Regan, an MBA and veteran media industry executive. The podcast is a production of The Female Founders Project. Enjoy the podcast? Buy us a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/tffp Find out more at www.thefemalefoundersproject.com and www.mygreatpivot.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Female Founders Project
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Female Founders Project

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