She's So Bossy

Jaci Russo & Melissa Bowen
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Hosted by branding expert Jaci Russo and licensed therapist Melissa Bowen, She’s So Bossy is a podcast for women who are building, scaling, and betting on themselves. Each episode features honest insights from female founders who’ve broken the million-dollar barrier—and what it really took to get there. If you're tired of vague inspiration and ready for strategy with substance, you're in the right place.

Episodes

  1. 12/18/2025

    Owning the Chair w/ Nancy Marshall: Transforming a Third-Generation Company from the Inside Out

    In this episode of She’s So Bossy, Jaci and Melissa sit down with Nancy Marshall, third-generation owner of Aluminum Supply Company, Marshall Sales, and a West Michigan fastener distributor. Nancy took over the business in 2005, stepped into leadership during a recession, and rebuilt three companies while navigating the realities of legacy, culture, and change. She talks candidly about inheriting a business she didn’t start, learning to lead without her father’s safety net, and confronting the fear and isolation that come with running a family-owned operation. She shares how the recession forced her to diversify, how she dismantled the old way of doing things, and what it took to stop being the lid that held growth back. Nancy explains how vulnerability made her a stronger leader, why hiring for character changed her team, and how peer participation in hiring helped transform the culture. She discusses shifting the three companies from siloed operations to shared strengths, adapting to a male-dominated industry, and preparing her daughter for succession in a healthier, more transparent organization. She also covers the resilience forged in crisis, the long arc of redefining leadership at sixty-two, and the discipline required to build a company people actually want to work in. For women leading multigenerational companies, for founders trying to get out of day-to-day operations, and for anyone wrestling with legacy versus evolution, this conversation delivers clarity, hard-earned lessons, and a precise framework for growth.

    53 min

  2. 11/20/2025

    From Rock Bottom to Reinvention: How Elizabeth Ponce Built a Multi-Million Dollar Construction Empire

    At just 23 years old, with two kids and $5,000 borrowed from her dad, Elizabeth Ponce launched a construction company that would eventually become a multi-million dollar success. But the journey was anything but smooth. In this episode, Elizabeth joins hosts Jaci Russo and Melissa Bowen to share how she rebuilt after losing everything, what resilience really looks like, and why authenticity and people—not marketing budgets—built her brand. Elizabeth opens up about: Starting her business as a young single mom with no college degreeLosing it all after a major project collapse and how she clawed her way backBuilding a loyal team that lines up to work for her every summerDoubling revenue in a single year through better planning and people developmentCreating the Luna Awards, a statewide celebration honoring women in constructionIt’s a story of grit, humility, and the power of showing up—proof that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about refusing to quit. Listen if you’ve ever thought about giving up, wondered how to grow again after a loss, or needed a reminder that resilience isn’t built in comfort—it’s built in the climb.

    52 min

  3. 10/02/2025

    Leading with Grace and Grit: A Conversation with Missy Rogers of Noble Plastics

    In this episode of She’s So Bossy, we sit down with Missy Rogers, co-founder and president of Noble Plastics, to talk about leadership, resilience, and the realities of building a business. From growing up in New Orleans and navigating unexpected adventures abroad to leading a manufacturing company in Louisiana, Missy shares the wisdom she’s gained along the way. She opens up about what it means to celebrate team success while staying grounded, how leaders can give space and grace for people to grow, and why leadership always starts with leading yourself. We also talk about learning through mistakes, building trust with your team, and redefining what it means to “be the boss.” If you’ve ever wondered how to balance confidence with humility or how to nurture talent without micromanaging, this conversation will inspire you. Highlights: Missy’s early journey and unexpected lessons in resilienceHow to recognize and develop talent without pigeonholing peopleWhy leadership begins with leading yourselfThe importance of giving team members grace as they growThe power of redefining success beyond titles and accoladesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/noble-plastics-inc/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/NoblePlastics/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobleplastics/

    1h 3m

  4. 09/18/2025

    From Granola to Greatness: Stacy Sloan’s Journey with Three Little Birds

    In this episode of She’s So Bossy, Jaci Russo and Melissa Bowen sit down with Stacy Sloan, founder of Three Little Birds Granola, to talk about how she turned a passion for healthy food into a multi-million-dollar business that’s feeding kids across the country. Stacy shares her path from working as a chef to becoming an “accidental entrepreneur,” how her granola ended up in school districts nationwide, and why confidence and persistence were her biggest business lessons. The conversation dives into the myths about granola as a health food, the importance of providing kids with nutritious meals, and the challenges Stacy faced in growing her business. She also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to make decisions before she felt ready, and how The Science of Getting Rich shaped her leadership style. And in true She’s So Bossy fashion, Stacy reflects on what it means to be called “bossy” as a woman in business, the power of persistence, and the importance of leaving people with the “experience of increase.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why most mass-produced granola is just “a cookie in a bag” – and how Stacy set out to change that. How she found her niche in K–12 school nutrition programs and why it became her calling The role confidence (or the lack of it) plays in building a business Why making quick decisions – and sometimes spending money before you’re ready – can be game-changing How The Science of Getting Rich influenced Stacy’s leadership and values About Stacy Sloan: Stacy Sloan is the founder of Three Little Birds Granola, a company dedicated to making truly healthy, allergen-free granola that kids (and adults) love. Her products are now served in schools across Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, California, and Colorado, helping thousands of students build healthier eating habits from an early age.

    50 min

  5. 09/04/2025

    From Brooklyn Sidewalks to Bear Country: How Liz Picarazzi Built a National Brand One Bin at a Time

    When Liz Picarazzi started snapping photos of ugly trash enclosures around Brooklyn, she didn’t know she was laying the groundwork for CITIBIN, a premium outdoor storage brand now serving homes, cities, and even bear country. In this episode, Liz shares her journey from a corporate career to building a million-dollar, woman-owned company, securing municipal contracts in New York City, and ultimately achieving the coveted bear-resistance certification after multiple failed attempts. It’s a story of vision, grit, and turning “trash” into treasure. Show Notes  In this episode of She’s So Bossy, Jaci Russo and Melissa Bowen sit down with Liz Reich-Picarazzi, founder and CEO of CITIBIN. What began as a side project to beautify New York sidewalks has grown into a thriving business tackling rat infestations, municipal waste challenges, and even grizzly bears. Liz’s journey offers rare insight into scaling a product company, breaking into government contracts, and navigating the personal dynamics of working with family. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The “aha” moment: How stroller walks through Brooklyn sparked a new product category in waste management.From handyman service to premium product line: Prototyping CITIBIN with paying clients.Breaking into B2G: Winning over New York City and adapting residential products for municipal needs.Manufacturing lessons: Moving production from U.S. factories to China, then diversifying into Vietnam to navigate tariff risks.Family business dynamics: Hiring her husband as COO and bringing her daughter into the company for a summer.Overcoming imposter syndrome: Competing in a space dominated by architects, policymakers, and city planners.Bear country breakthrough: Three tries, two failures, and finally earning Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certification.Leadership truth: Why knowing your strengths—and not managing everything yourself—can accelerate growth. Resources & Links CITIBIN: https://citibin.com/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizarazzi/?hl=enConnect with Liz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-reisch-picarazzi/Pinterest Hall of Shame (Ugly Trash Enclosures):  https://www.pinterest.com/elizarazzi/trash-enclosures/

    44 min

  6. 08/21/2025

    From Red Wagons to Half a Billion: Dianna Kokoszka’s Journey of Grit, Growth, and Mindset Mastery

    What does it take to go from selling magazines at age five to leading a company from losing $1 million to generating nearly $500 million in revenue? Dianna Kokoszka will tell you—and she’s not holding back. Her story is part masterclass in mindset, part unfiltered look at the realities women face in male-dominated industries, and 100% proof that courage, strategy, and heart can change everything. In this episode of She’s So Bossy, Jaci and Melissa sit down with Dianna Kokoszka—real estate legend, author of Becoming More, and creator of the game-changing BOLD program. Dianna shares: How she went from being turned down by 12 real estate offices to selling 104 homes her first year.The pivotal mindset shift that took her from personal financial crisis to building a $485M division at Keller Williams.The four “storytellers” in your head—and how to fire the ones holding you back.Why women must lean in, support each other, and refuse to stay small.How her new Mindset Assessment is transforming teams, leaders, and lives.This conversation is equal parts inspiration and practical wisdom. Whether you’re growing your business, leading a team, or just trying to get out of your own way, Dianna’s insights will challenge you to think bigger, act bolder, and become more. Resources & Links: Becoming More by Dianna Kokoszka – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C72P6WM7?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_966B18M7JT9FARCX27Q9Dianna’s Mindset Assessment – https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEGH4FJ3BConnect with Dianna: https://diannakokoszka.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannakokoszka/

    43 min

  7. 08/07/2025

    From Laundry Loads to Boardrooms: How Laurel Hess Built a Venture-Backed Empire That’s Solving Real Problems

    Laurel Hess didn’t set out to disrupt an industry—she just wanted clean clothes and a little breathing room. What started as a working mom’s pain point turned into Hampr, a fast-growing, venture-backed laundry solution now operating in 20 states. In this episode, Laurel shares how she built one of the rare women-led startups to cross $1 million in annual revenue, without a roadmap, without pretending to know it all, and without letting fear stop her. We dig into what it really takes to scale a business while raising a family, answering to investors, and still centering your team with empathy. From learning what a cap table is to shifting her company from B2C to B2B (and increasing revenue 15x in the process), Laurel’s journey is an unfiltered, deeply human look at what it means to “do it scared.” If you’ve ever wondered how to grow with integrity, lead with heart, and juggle it all without pretending balance is the goal, this one’s for you.

    53 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Scaling Smart with Sarah Segal

    What happens when a broadcast journalist turns PR pro, launches her own firm, gets acquired—and then buys it back? You get Sarah Segal. In this episode, Jaci and Melissa talk with the founder of Segal Communications about building a lifestyle PR agency in the competitive Bay Area, navigating the unexpected twists of entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to break past the $1 million revenue ceiling. Sarah opens up about leading through uncertainty, the realities of hiring and delegation, and why transparency and trust are the cornerstones of her company culture. She shares how she’s preparing her agency for the next level of growth, what she’s learning from her newest hire, and the personal milestones that define her version of success (hint: they involve coffee, cake, and maybe a neck lift). If you’ve ever wondered how to stay bossy without burning out, this one’s for you.

    1h 12m

  9. 06/26/2025

    Resilience, Reinvention, and Revenue: Linda Schlesinger’s Path to the 1.9%

    In this powerful episode of She’s So Bossy, we sit down with Linda Schlesinger, founder of Skinny Tees, who turned a single late-night idea into a multi-million-dollar brand—at the age of 62. As one of the 1.9% of women who’ve scaled their business past $1 million in annual revenue, Linda shares her unfiltered journey through entrepreneurship, reinvention, resilience, and the power of community. From building brands to navigating personal hardship, her story is both a masterclass in leadership and a heartfelt call to action for women ready to scale on their own terms.

    56 min

  10. 06/12/2025

    Introducing the She's So Bossy Podcast

    Welcome to the premiere episode of She’s So Bossy, the podcast created for women who are growing their businesses. Hosted by Jaci Russo, PCM, and Melissa Bowen, LPC-S, CDWF, this series goes beyond the basics—spotlighting the 1.9% of women who have built companies exceeding $1M in revenue. In each episode, you'll gain the insight, strategy, and inspiration you need to join them.

    10 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Hosted by branding expert Jaci Russo and licensed therapist Melissa Bowen, She’s So Bossy is a podcast for women who are building, scaling, and betting on themselves. Each episode features honest insights from female founders who’ve broken the million-dollar barrier—and what it really took to get there. If you're tired of vague inspiration and ready for strategy with substance, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Jaci Russo & Melissa Bowen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 She's So Bossy
  • Show Website
    She's So Bossy