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Behind every successful business is a series of strategic decisions no one talks about.

In this conversation, Fractional CMO Mallory Musante and I say those quiet parts out loud. We're giving you a peek behind the curtain at how we decide what tools to keep, swap, and cancel this year - and why.

This is more than an interview. It's an open, honest conversation between business besties about how we evaluate tools based on cost, capacity, simplicity, and actual workflow fit.

We talk through what earned its spot (like Canva, ClickUp, HoneyBook, and ChatGPT), what got cut, and why consolidation often creates more momentum than adding something new.

We also discuss:

• How to tell if a tool is actually driving growth or just keeping you busy
• Using AI as a thought partner without outsourcing your voice
• Reducing meetings and increasing productivity with async tools like Fathom and Loom
• Simplifying your tech stack without slowing your marketing
• When to stay with your "comfort zone" tools and it's time to level up

If you’ve ever wondered whether there's a simpler way to run your business or you're curious how experienced entrepreneurs make real operational decisions, this episode will help you audit your tools with more clarity and confidence.

Links & References:

Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!

Learn more about Mallory Musante and her work here: www.mallorymusante.com

Connect with Mallory on Instagram, Threads or LinkedIn

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Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

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Taxes don’t have to be confusing, scary, or something you only think about in a panic every March.

In this episode of the Powerful Women Rising Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Jesowshek - CPA and founder of TaxElm, to discuss how small business owners can stop reacting to taxes and start making simple, legal moves in advance that lead to more money in their pockets.

We dive into:

• The difference between tax preparation and tax planning (and why it matters)
• When to start tax planning as a new or growing business owner
• Common deductions (like home office, vehicle, phone and internet) made simple
• The money saving power of pre-tax vs. after-tax spending

Mike provides practical examples that apply to most small business owners and shares tools and resources that will help you keep things simple.

Links & References:

• Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!
• Listen to the Small Business Tax Savings Podcast
• Buy the Small Business Tax Savings Handbook
• Follow Mike on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

Leadership that ignores mental and emotional health is expensive -personally and professionally.

In this episode, I’m joined by two 2025 PWR Impact Award winners who are redefining what strength, resilience and sustainable growth look like for women in busness.

Erica Valenzuela, winner of the Resilience Award, is the creator of E-Motion, a space that blends rage, release, movement, and reflection to support emotional health.

LaKisha Mosely, PWR Podcast Guest of the Year, is known as the Soft Simple CEO and helps women build profitable businesses without sacrificing their mental health.

We discuss:

• How emotional healing creates the resilience and clarity required to succeed in business.
• Why mental health is the blueprint for execution, not an afterthought, and rest is a strategy, not a reward.
• Rest as a strategy, not a reward.
• "High-functioning burnout" and the warning signs most women ignore
• Building your network before you need it, taking your own advice, setting boundaries, and more...

Together, we explore the long game of business growth and how capacity, community, and trust create momentum no shortcut ever will.

If you want growth that feels steady instead of exhausting, this conversation offers practical tools and a more sustainable way to lead.

Links and References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Learn more about LaKisha Mosley and connect with her on Instagram
• Protect Your Peace - Why Mental Health is Your Business's Competetive Advantage - LaKisha's award-winning episode on Powerful Women Rising
• Learn more about E-Motion Fitness and connect with Erica on Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

The fastest way to grow your business might be helping someone else win.

So many business owners feel pressure to chase visibility, revenue, and recognition - often at the expense of community, connection, and even themselves.

In this episode, I’m joined by three more of the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who prove that relationships, generosity, and service aren’t just feel-good ideas, they’re powerful growth strategies.

Corina Carrillo, Connector of the Year, Ashley Anderson, winner of the Business for Good Award, and Emily Garcia, Empowerment Award winner, share how they’ve built thriving businesses by putting other people first — and backing that philosophy up with simple, sustainable systems.

We also talk about:

• How connection and belonging drive referrals and long-term growth
• Collaboration over competition as a growth strategy, not just a feel-good phrase
• Using community events to build trust and shared momentum
• Moving past imposter syndrome through relationships and mentorship

Links & References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Learn more about Emily on her website or connect with her on Instagram
• Follow Ashley and Anderson Designs on Instagram
• Connect with Corina on Instagram or check out her website

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

What if the goal isn’t more… but enough?

So many business owners are exhausted - not because they’re failing but because they’re chasing growth that doesn’t actually feel good or sustainable.

In this episode, I’m joined by three 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who approach business growth from very different angles, but land in the same place: calmer momentum beats constant pressure.

Caitlin Durning, Coach of the Year, Teresa Romain, winner of the Active Impact Award, and Meredith Dewald, VA of the Year, share how mindset, systems, and values-first strategy work together to create steady growth you can actually sustain.

We discuss:

• Redefining abundance as "enough" instead of always pushing for more
• Using simple brain-dump systems to calm idea overload
• Letting your niche emerge through consistent action
• The secret to success: Intuition-led coaching, practical strategy and a VA who acts more as a strategic partner than a task-doer

Links & References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Listen to Caitlin's podcast: The End in Mind - Personal Development for Entrepreneurs
• Check out Caitlins website and connect with her on Instagram
• Connect with Teresa on her website, YouTube channel or Facebook
• Follow Meredith on Instagram, watch me tag her a million times on Threads or check out her website

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

You don’t need a bigger audience. You need the right kind of attention.

In this episode (the first in our series of interviews with the PWR 2025 Impact Award winners), I’m joined by two brilliant women who know what it takes to build credibility, visibility, and trust without going viral or chasing vanity metrics.

Emily Aborn, host of Small Business Casual and PWR Podcast Host of the Year, shares how she creates a real human connection - even when recording a podcast episode alone.

KJ Blattenbauer, PWR Speaker of the Year and author of Pitchworthy, shares why depth, intention, and audience advocacy matters more than visibility for visibility’s sake.

Both of my guests agree that podcasting, speaking, and other forms of PR are relationship-driven tools that help the right people find you, trust you, and buy from you.

We also discuss:

• Choosing visibility opportunities based on your actual business goals
• What it really means to read the room — and when to ditch the script
• How to use podcasts, speaking, and PR to borrow trust instead of chasing attention
• Simple, practical tools you can apply immediately, even if visibility scares you a little!

Links & References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Listen to the Small Business Casual podcast
• Follow Emily on Substack
• Get your copy of KJ's new book, Pitchworthy
• Follow KJ on Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

Burnout isn’t a sign you’re failing - it’s a sign that something in your business is either misaligned or mismanaged.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Rogars, a coach and consultant, to break down why burnout is often feedback, not a red flag, and how to figure out what the problem really is, before you try to fix it.

We talk about how burnout shows up in the body, why the loss of joy is often the first clue, and how so many women end up burned out not because they can’t handle business, but because they’ve been carrying too much without the right support, systems, or boundaries.

We also discuss:

• How to tell if burnout is coming from misalignment or mismanagement
• What to change when your business no longer fits your values or season of life
• Simple systems, SOPs, and delegation that immediately reduce mental load
• The 24-hour “process day” Brittany recommends when you’re already at the edge

If your business feels heavier than it used to, this conversation will help you identify the smallest shifts that can create the most relief - without burning everything down, starting over, or pushing harder.

Links & References:

• If you're serious about growing your business in 2025, check out the new Powerful Women Rising Connection Network!
• Episode 77: How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Like a Bitch
• Learn more about Brittany: https://brittanyrogars.com/home
• Connect with Brittany on Instagram or LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

You don’t need to be louder - you need to be clearer.

In this episode, I'm chatting with visibility strategist Ivana Ivanek about what it really takes to stand out in a saturated market without turning yourself into a content machine or sacrificing your integrity.

We also discuss:

• How to build a brand based on your values and story
• Why your message matters more than your expertise
• Where to start if you have no idea what your "personal brand" actually is
• How your personal brand allows you to pivot while maintaining customer loyalty
• How having a supportive community can help you find your voice and get over your fear of being seen

Links & References:

• If you're serious about growing your business in 2025, check out the new Powerful Women Rising Connection Network!
• Learn more about how Ivana helps coaches and educators make money and lasting impact here: https://ivanaivanek.com/
• Connect with Ivana on Instagram
• Listen to the Online Business by Design podcast

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.