Nicole Beach: From Corporate Leader to Jewelry Entrepreneur

In this episode of Women Making Moves, host Amy Pons welcomes Nicole Beach, a seasoned corporate leader turned entrepreneur. Nicole shares her journey from managing large-scale property operations to founding Loop Strand, a luxury permanent jewelry brand in Chicago.

The conversation delves into the concept of 'effortless luxury,' the trend of permanent jewelry, and the challenges and joys of transitioning to entrepreneurship. Nicole also offers insights on trusting your intuition, the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, and how to handle self-doubt and unsolicited advice from others.

This episode is an inspiring testament to betting on yourself and finding passion in unexpected places.

00:00 Introduction to Women Making Moves

00:18 Meet Nicole Beach: From Corporate Leader to Entrepreneur

01:24 The Concept of Effortless Luxury

02:14 The Journey to Permanent Jewelry

05:02 The Rise of Permanent Jewelry

07:51 The Art and Business of Permanent Jewelry

12:19 Embracing New Opportunities and Challenges

14:56 The Path to Entrepreneurship

18:33 Facing Uncertainty in Business

19:08 Balancing Dreams and Reality

19:52 Trusting Yourself and Your Path

20:34 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

21:12 Maintaining Discipline and Creativity

22:08 Reflecting on Career Changes

25:02 Embracing Free Will and Destiny

27:13 Learning from Experiences

31:12 Following Your Intuition

33:37 Encouragement and Support

36:32 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Support Nicole and find the next pop up shop at https://loopstrand.com and follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn @loopstrandjewelry

Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.

Empowering Digital Autonomy and Intersectional Equity in the Age of AI

In this episode of Women Making Moves, host Amy Pons speaks with Yvonne Jackson, a change management talent and AI strategy advisor with a significant background in big corporations like Apple and Whirlpool.

Yvonne discusses her transition from corporate to developing ethical digital engagement frameworks. They delve into the intricacies of Agile versus Kanban methodologies, the importance of addressing technical debt early, and the pivotal role of intersectionality in equity conversations.

Yvonne emphasizes the need for organizations to redesign their processes and systems to support true diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, she introduces her framework 'Eden'—Ethical Digital Engagement Norms—as a pragmatic blueprint for engaging ethically in the digital age.

Throughout the conversation, the critical importance of addressing intersectional identities in AI algorithms is underscored, along with a call to action for everyone to reflect deeply on their engagement practices to foster genuine equity and inclusion.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:50 Yvonne's Career Journey and Agile Methodology

02:52 Challenges in Technology and AI Integration

07:23 Intersectionality and Gender in the Workplace

15:40 Historical Context and Feminism

19:45 Systemic Issues and DEI

22:13 Creating Systems for Equity

22:33 The Power of Petitions

23:02 Target's DEI Dilemma

23:34 Building Our Own Ecosystems

23:59 The Importance of Digital Autonomy

24:13 Challenges in DEI Implementation

25:54 The Cost of Ignoring DEI

28:56 AI and Intersectionality

33:35 Ethical Digital Engagement

42:00 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Visit Yvonne on her business website, personal website, and check out her strategic AI planning project (in beta), and be sure to follow her on LinkedIn.

Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.

Pioneering Women's Health: From International Aid to Hormone Therapy Advocacy

In this episode of Women Making Moves, host Amy Pons converses with Elizabeth Kelly, a seasoned nurse practitioner passionate about holistic healthcare.

Elizabeth shares her journey from working in intensive care units in Chicago to providing international aid and her deep commitment to improving access to mental health care in underserved populations.

She highlights the critical importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women and discusses the recent FDA removal of the black box warning on HRT medications. Elizabeth also addresses the alarming Department of Education decision to downgrade nursing and other female-dominated professions' status, potentially reducing access to federal funding and impacting women's upward mobility in these fields.

The episode offers insights into the systemic challenges women face in healthcare and the importance of interdisciplinary and compassionate approaches to patient care.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:20 Elizabeth's Journey in Healthcare

01:05 Mental Health Challenges and Holistic Care

03:24 Personal Stories and Healthcare Gaps

05:06 The Importance of Holistic Approaches

06:00 Generational Trauma and Mental Health

14:09 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Insights

20:39 Recognizing Women's Health Issues

22:07 Challenges in Prescribing HRT

23:07 Historical Neglect of Women's Health

23:57 Black Box Warnings and Opiate Crisis

25:26 Impact of Education Policy Changes

27:32 Financial Barriers in Female-Dominated Professions

36:54 Encouragement for Aspiring Nurses

39:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Follow and support Elizabeth on Instagram and Facebook @stayinyourcortex and visit her at Ardent Counseling Center Oak Brook https://ardentcenter.com/team-member/elizabeth-kelly/

Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.