Piece Of The Pai Nesha Pai CPA, PLLC

Tamara Edwards, Founder and Principal of Tamara Edwards and Co., spent a decade working in public relations for several prominent congressmen in Washington, DC, a fast-paced, highly-choreographed environment that required a great deal of nimbleness and strategic thinking. Once she moved back to her native Chicago, she realized that communication in the rest of the world took on a very different form from the esoteric manner of “the beltway,” yet the same elements for developing political campaigns could also be applied to creating PR packages and personal branding strategies for entrepreneurs.
Now, Tamara offers Personal Brand in a Box, going beyond the usual offerings to provide global business entrepreneurs, industry leaders, philanthropists with the tools, techniques and strategies they need to stay relevant. 
On today’s episode, she’ll discuss what people get wrong about PR. They tend to ask the wrong questions, aren’t willing to put in the groundwork, and want too much too soon. It’s a long game, she explains, and people need to have patience. 
She offers advice on what to look–and look out–for when hiring a PR agent, as well as the limits of PR. 
Quotes:
“It was apparent to me that the language that we spoke in DC and in the DC bubble, the beltway, as they say, was very different than the conversations that were happening outside.” (9:23 | Tamara)
“Business leaders have a lot more autonomy to influence–of course, policymakers make huge decisions on our behalf–but at the same time, we're talking about job creators, industry makers that I get to work with, people who are just starting out their business who have a vision. And so taking all of those skills and ideas of how we wrap our hands around these individuals and get them to where they're going was just very much in my nature.” (11:03 | Tamara)
“Think of why they call it PR campaigns. What is the campaign? What are we campaigning for? So I take a lot of that methodology and apply it. If you're running for office or anything, what are your foundational sort of points of view on X issue? How are you going to deliver that message? And then how are you going to build coalition, community and really get your message out.” (13:06 | Tamara)
“What makes me really happy is when people say they felt like a celebrity, and they felt so comfortable. And they didn't really think that this was available to them.” (19:41 | Tamara)
“It's a building block. It's not an overnight thing. It's a long game. It is a very long game.” (25:07 | Tamara) 
“You have to think like a business person. If you're in a decision-making capacity to make decisions around branding, and maybe it's not something that you've thought about. But all of these things play together, it needs to be comprehensive.” (30:37 | Tamara)



Connect with Tamara Edwards:
Website | https://www.tamaraedwards.co/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itstamaraedwards/



Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

As an entrepreneur, are you struggling to effectively manage your time? Well then, you’re not alone! In today’s episode of Piece of the Pai, host Nesha Pai sits down with Megan Sumrell, owner of The Pink Bee to discuss the importance of weekly planning and how to reimagine the concept of self-care so you can prevent overbooking and feel confident about your commitments.
Prior you commit to chasing your grand aspirations, Megan suggests learning how to first conquer your daily and weekly challenges. By setting yourself up for success on a weekly basis, you are able to take a step back and prioritize both crucial tasks and personal time. In addition, Megan encourages listeners to reconsider their perspective on self-care. Self-care extends beyond the occasional face-mask or trip to the spa, but rather includes tasks that bring genuine happiness and health to our lives. 
Megan's story serves as a poignant reminder that in the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities, it's essential to carve out time for personal interests and self-care to maintain a sense of identity and overall well-being. Join the conversation to feel inspired  to master weekly planning and redefine self-care, because both are integral to achieving balance and fulfillment in our lives.
Quotes:
“I had completely lost myself and I didn't even know I had. I was so busy tackling my daily list, Everything for work, everything for home. And from the outside looking in, I looked like someone that had it all together. But on the inside, I had lost all connection with myself because I was in constant service to others.” (05:44 | Megan) 
 “I've learned to program my phone so it only talks to me when I want it to talk to me.” (10:27 | Megan)
“It's really important for business owners to have clear set boundaries on lines of communication that allow everybody to function in their role and not be interrupted unless it's worthy of interruption.” (12:44 | Megan)
“Rather than starting with, let's set your big goals and dreams, heck no. Let's get you out of overwhelm with your weekly life first, then your monthly life.” (23:16 | Megan)
 
Connect with Megan Sumrell:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/megansumrell/
App | https://www.megansumrell.com/thepinkbeeapp
Website |  https://www.megansumrell.com/
Free Time Management Training | https://www.megansumrell.com/a/2147524017/UVbQFFC4
Annual Plan-A-Palooza | 
https://www.megansumrell.com/a/2147613331/UVbQFFC4
 


Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

In this episode, host Nesha Pai engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ashley Theis, renowned as The Constant Wayfarer. Their conversation dives into Ashley's remarkable journey as a travel concierge and the hurdles she overcame while building her own enterprise. Unveiling the misconceptions surrounding travel agents, Ashley explains the invaluable contributions they make to the happiness of their clientele. 
Ashley's journey testifies to the strength of pursuing passion and embracing risks. After working in various jobs, she courageously pursued her dream of becoming a travel advisor. The genesis of her agency, The Constant Wayfarer, was met with skepticism, yet her unwavering commitment to curating exceptional travel experiences for clients triumphed.  
What elevates Ashley as a travel concierge is her methodology and meticulous attention to detail. Every client’s wants and needs are understood, from travel predilections to bucket-list aspirations. Leveraging an extensive network of travel partners and local liaisons, Ashley ensures each journey is tailored to the individual. From itinerary curation to seamless bookings, she unburdens clients from the hassles of travel logistics, allowing them to enjoy every moment of their well-earned vacations.
Ashley's story only reiterates that success is measured not solely by conventional metrics, but by the impact on others and the gratification of pursuing your dreams. 
Quotes:
“And I'm very thankful that I have parents who are also small business owners. My dad's been a photographer for, gosh, 50 years or whatever. And he was like, the worst thing that could happen is it fails. And if it fails, you'll survive and you'll figure something else out. And you'll do that. But it never hurts to try.” (4:25 | Ashley)
“I'm very thankful that I had the privilege to have a family to fall back on to be in their house for much longer than I intended. And when the middle of 2020 hit, and the full time job decided that they needed to essentially lay people off, I took that as my opportunity to leave and actually, like, basically volunteered myself to do that. So emotionally, it was absolutely the most stressful time I've ever been in. But I'm so so grateful for it. Because if it hadn't happened the way it was,, I don't know if I would have been able to be full time at that point.” (09:28| Ashley)
“And just having that on the ground experience is super important. And then it helps in the sense of once I actually am sending clients, I can be like, this is where I stayed. You will love it for X, Y, Z reasons. Make sure you talk to this concierge. She's the best. Like those kinds of notes are always invaluable for my clients. And I think some of my clients come to me because they don't have the time. Some come to me because it's a destination that they're just maybe intimidated by. And some come to me because they want access to the local partners we use and the hotels that we partner with to give them VIP amenities.”  (23:50 | Ashley) 
“I didn't want to sit and wait around to explore the world until I had a partner to do so. I wanted to capitalize on the time I had in my singlehood to explore and see all the things I could.” (26:29 | Ashley) 

Connect with Ashley Theis:
Website | https://theconstantwayfarer.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theconstantwayfarer/
 
Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos

Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

April Simpkins, Chief Human Resources Officer for Quest Co, is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental wellness in the workplace. Following the passing of her beloved daughter, Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, who battled depression for years, April has since dedicated her life to advocating for mental health. 
With unwavering conviction, she calls for the normalization of conversations about mental health in the workplace, urging employers to create a safe haven for employees to openly express their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. From interviews to onboarding, April advocates for open discussions about mental wellness and the importance of utilizing resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
With each word she shares, April's mission gains momentum. She dreams of a world where kindness and empathy reign, where seeking help for mental health challenges is met with understanding and support. By bravely championing mental wellness, April ignites a spark of hope that together, we can shatter barriers and embrace a brighter, more compassionate future.
Let us join her in this crusade, breaking the silence and forging a path where mental well-being is valued, and empathy becomes a universal language. As April's voice resonates, we are reminded that compassion can heal unseen wounds, and together, we can build a world where seeking help is seen as an act of courage and strength.
Quotes:
"We should be able to talk about our mental health like we talk about other challenges we are facing and not be judged, ridiculed, shamed, or blamed." (04:18 | April Simpkins)
"When someone is battling with bipolar disorder and they say, 'Listen, if I'm having a bad moment, this is what I need from my employer,' you taking space to give them that room as an employer will build loyalty and an environment where people feel safe saying, 'I'm not okay today.'" (08:57 | April Simpkins)
"When someone says, 'How are you doing?' Let it be a trigger for you to go back to your own chart and say, 'I'm a six, that for me means I'm not doing great, but I'm not in a bad place, and I know what to do.'" (19:38 | April Simpkins)
"I want people to feel comfortable seeking help and support for mental health challenges and mental illness." (24:11 | April Simpkins)


Connect with April Simpkins:
https://www.aprilsimpkins.com/mental-health-advocate
https://www.instagram.com/aprils_hr/
https://www.nami.org
https://www.thedeanslist.me/award
 
Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos

Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

“We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable,” shares Tali Kogan, Chicago-based premier fashion stylist, empowerment coach and founder of Tel Aviv Couture. Fifteen years ago, Tali was an overweight accountant wearing dark, baggy clothes to hide her unhappiness. When she began to change her physical appearance, she stepped into her full feminine power and her entire life transformed. Now she empowers other women to shine authentically through her styling process, ‘calling forth the Queen’. 
Women often prioritize taking care of others over themselves. Especially when so many women are stay at home moms or are working remotely, they may think there is no reason to dress up. However, with a small mindset shift, you can begin to see every day as a special occasion and a reason to put your best self forward. Tali explains that there are no real rules in fashion and that it is not even about the specific outfit or the cost. All that matters is how that outfit makes you feel about yourself. Her tips include playing around in your closet for inspiration, topping literally any outfit with a fabulous blazer, building a capsule wardrobe, and taking photos of yourself in each outfit for reference. She also recommends finding your personal crown, whether it be a sparkly necklace, specific shoes, or in her case, glasses, because a Queen should never be without her crown. 
If you are wanting to change your life and embrace the full potential of your feminine power, start with your wardrobe! When you feel beautiful and great about yourself, you can accomplish anything. Visit Tali’s website linked below to take the 3 minute Style Persona Quiz and begin your transformation.
Quotes:
“It's more than styling, it's empowering women through fashion.” (4:40 | Tali)
“That's what I do. I call forth the queen in you. Because we women, we all are queens.” (7:05 | Tali) 
“We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable.” (8:06 | Tali)
“It's way beyond the clothing. It's really not about that outfit, and it doesn't even matter how much it costs. It's about what that outfit does to you.” (9:30 | Tali)
“There are no rules in fashion.” (13:00 | Tali)
“The hottest trend in life is the trend that brings you joy.” (13:06 | Tali)
“Once you know your style persona, your shopping and styling experience become a lot more effortless.” (18:01 | Tali)


Connect with Tali Kogan:
https://www.telavivcouture.com/style-persona-quiz/
https://www.telavivcouture.com/25-capsule-wardrobe-essentials/
https://sweetdomechicago.com/
https://www.instagram.com/talikogan/



Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos

Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

“That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed,” shares Edith de Belleville, native Parisian, official Paris tour guide, University professor, and published author. Edith spent many years as an attorney before deciding at the age of 50 to return to university for her official tour guide license. Now, she shares her love of Paris and its fascinating history with tourists in French, Spanish, and English. Deeply inspired by Parisian women of the past, Edith wrote her first book, in French, entitled The Beautiful Rebels of Paris ("Belles et Rebelle"  Editions du 81). This was followed by her second book, written in English, about her Paris memoir "Parisian Life, Adventures in the City of Light". 
Edith is one of many trailblazing women making a name for herself in the world of entrepreneurship. She did not let her age or any doubts get in the way of her dreams and wholeheartedly believes that people do not necessarily need a degree to succeed - just look at Coco Chanel! As a Parisian woman, Edith loves sharing the history of her city with tourists and watching how Paris changes each person who visits. She explains to Nesha that ‘entrepreneur’ itself is a French word, derived from the name of a brave knight. The modern meaning traces back all the way to the 18th century and denotes a person who takes risks with their money and ideas. Although ‘entrepreneur’ has French origins, the French approach entrepreneurship differently than Americans, making marketing her books a bit more challenging for Edith. She shares that even just telling people about her book could be interpreted as bragging and that for the French subtlety is key.
Many women are visiting France for their “Emily in Paris” moment and Edith is happy to share with them an inside look at what life is like for a native Parisian woman. Paris is a magical city with a rich history. And as Nesha recently discovered, deep ties to entrepreneurship. Take a note from Coco Chanel, believe in your dreams, be yourself, do what you like, and you too can be successful. 
Quotes:
“Lesson number one, do what you like and be authentic.” (8:42-8:46 | Edith)
“You don't need to have a degree… you can succeed, because Chanel did and she had absolutely no degrees, nothing.” (9:30-9:43 | Edith) 
“That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed.” (14:04-14:09 | Edith)
“I will be successful when my book is well known in America. Because for Europeans, the USA is the top of the top in business.” (28:06-28:16 | Edith)
“Believe in your dreams.” (30:13-30:14 | Edith)



Connect with Edith de Belleville: 
Website | https://www.edithdebelleville.com/
Parisian Life, adventures in the City of Light | https://www.amazon.com/Parisian-Life-Adventures-City-Light/dp/1667831984/ref=sr_1_1?



Connect with Nesha: 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos

Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm