Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Elina Panteleyeva, founder of DudeWoof, a thriving e-commerce brand for doodle dogs. Elina shares her journey from being laid off to launching her business, emphasizing the importance of community building, influencer marketing, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. She discusses the significance of choosing the right audience, the power of being the face of your brand, and the lessons learned in her first year of business. Elina also offers valuable advice for those facing layoffs and highlights the future plans for DudeWoof.

About Our Guest

• Elina Panteleyeva, founder of DudeWoof
• DudeWoof website
• Connect with Elina on Instagram
• DudeWoof on TikTok, and Instagram
• 12 Months to $1 Million Book

Key Takeaways

• Elina turned a personal setback into a launch pad for her business.
• Choosing the right audience is crucial for product development.
• Building community and trust is essential for brand growth.
• Being the face of your brand increases customer trust.
• Creating a product from scratch requires research and persistence.
• Launching on Amazon requires a strategic approach and community support.
• Influencer marketing can de-risk your business and expand reach.
• Building an audience takes time and consistency.
• Starting to build an audience while employed can ease the transition to entrepreneurship.
• Calculated risks, like taking on debt, can be beneficial for business growth.

entrepreneurship, community building, influencer marketing, e-commerce, women in business, brand growth, product launch, audience engagement, small business, marketing strategies

Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Lindsay A. Joseph, co-founder of BedConnect, a healthcare technology startup focused on improving patient transitions through smarter discharge workflows. Lindsay shares her journey from being a CPA and hospital CFO to becoming a tech entrepreneur in Detroit. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities in the Midwest startup ecosystem, the importance of community support for women founders, and the vision for BedConnect to revolutionize healthcare. Lindsay emphasizes the need for collaboration and the belief that success is not a zero-sum game, highlighting the importance of uplifting each other in business.

About Our Guest

• Lindsay A. Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO of BedConnect
• Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn
• Follow BedConnect on LinkedIn
• BedConnect website
• Michigan's PitchMI Competition

Lindsay Joseph, BedConnect, healthcare innovation, Detroit, startup ecosystem, women founders, capital raising, community engagement, Midwestern work ethic, tech entrepreneurship

Host Leslie Youngblood welcomes Rebecca Blacker, a leading figure in New York City's residential real estate market and co-founder of Blacker and Team. The conversation dives into Rebecca's journey of building a $60 million real estate brand primarily through video content, despite starting with no listings or budget. She shares her initial struggles with self-promotion and the importance of authenticity in connecting with clients. Rebecca emphasizes that the key to her success was not just the content itself, but the genuine relationships she built with her audience through her unique personality and approach to real estate.

About Our Guest

• Rebecca Blacker, Real Estate Broker and Co-Founder of Blacker and Reed Real Estate
• Follow Rebecca on Instagram
• Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn
• Blacker and Reed website

Key Takeaways

• Doing the thing is the hardest thing.
• People want authenticity.
• There's no right or wrong way to do it.
• It's important for people to get to know who you are and know what you do.
• The key is that you walk into a room and everybody knows what you do.

real estate, video marketing, women in business, authenticity, branding, New York City, content creation, entrepreneurship, personal branding, client relationships