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Renegade Ventures

Renegade Ventures

Written by: Ellie Puckett
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About this listen

 For decades women have been climbing corporate ladders and asking for a seat at the table when we really should just buy the whole damn company. Welcome to Renegade Ventures Podcast where we uncover a different path to business ownership.Ellie Puckett Economics
Episodes
  • The Splendid Journey of Pamela and Lauren Broadus: Crafting Unforgettable Events

    The Splendid Journey of Pamela and Lauren Broadus: Crafting Unforgettable Events
    Feb 18 2026
    In this episode of the Renegade Ventures podcast, the hosts discuss the shift from hands-on operator to leader and coach—highlighting the importance of clear “don’t do” goals. They’re joined by Lauren and Pamela of Splendid Events, a mother–daughter event planning team who share how they built their business over 16 years and successfully pivoted during COVID to virtual events through studio partnerships and digital event strategist certification. Pamela’s corporate background in healthcare insurance and project management shaped their operational systems, while Lauren brings strengths in tech, registration platforms, and event execution. Together, they divide responsibilities across strategy, client management, and on-site operations. They explore what it takes to run large-scale events—detailed systems, trusted vendors, adaptability, and calm problem-solving—along with the realities of family business, industry shifts like AI-assisted tools, and their move toward corporate and nonprofit clients. They also discuss certifications (WEBC/WBE), challenges including racial bias and vendor risk, and why they avoid bringing services in-house to stay flexible. Looking ahead to strong demand through 2026, they share plans to expand into speaking and education, including their upcoming anthology chapter in She Knows Best (January 2026). The episode closes with insights on how hiring an event planner can elevate both the experience and the bottom line.
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    43 mins
  • From Academia to a $28M Exit — and Why Diane Prince Is Building Again (Differently)

    From Academia to a $28M Exit — and Why Diane Prince Is Building Again (Differently)
    Feb 4 2026
    What happens when you intentionally build a business to sell — and actually do it? In this episode of Renegade Ventures, Ellie sits down with serial entrepreneur Diane Prince, who went from failing out of a PhD program to building and selling a staffing agency for $28 million in just six years — and then doing it all over again. Diane walks us through how she and her co-founder engineered their exit from day one, scaled to $35M in revenue, survived payroll weeks north of $700K, navigated a failed acquisition post-9/11, and ultimately structured a deal that paid out the entire earnout — without staying in the business. Now, she’s building again — this time with offshore talent, a radically different vision, and a focus on leverage, lifestyle, and fun. If you’re an acquisition entrepreneur, operator, or founder thinking about scale, exit, or doing it smarter the second time around, this episode is packed with real-world insight.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • The Death of a Deal: An International Misadventure

    The Death of a Deal: An International Misadventure
    Jan 21 2026
    In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Maggie sits down with Ellie to unpack the deal that didn’t close-one she flew across the world for, fought for, and genuinely believed would reshape her business. The wound is fresh, the emotions are real, and nothing is sugar-coated. Together, they walk through the highs of early hope, the red flags they tried to ignore, and the moment everything unraveled. Ellie shares what it’s like to pour your heart, time, and money into an international acquisition that ultimately slips away-and how she’s navigating the disappointment, self-doubt, and unexpected clarity that followed. This isn’t a victory-lap episode. It’s a candid look at the deals that don’t make the highlight reel-and why the stories we wish we could hide often teach us the most. Whether you’re a founder, leader, or deal junkie, this is a conversation you won’t forget.
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    48 mins
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