Fierce Lab

Everything that can be perceived by our senses, even though they are tangible objects, has a direct impact on our mental health. Through neurodesign, one can vastly improve brain health by imbuing positive elements into their physical spaces. To understand this concept better, Tara Wilson sits down with neurodesigner Marissa Heyl, Founder of Inclusive Wellness Design. She discusses how to create your very own spaces that bring you genuine joy and help maintain sound mental health. Marissa also explains how to turn your habits into rituals to make them more meaningful and impactful.

Are you ready to break free and embrace adventure? Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and inspiration for your solo travel adventure! Join Tara Wilson and Sarah Mason for an insightful discussion on the transformative power of solo travel. Sarah, a seasoned traveler and founder of Publify Relations, shares her personal experiences and practical tips for women considering embarking on their adventures. Learn how to overcome fears, build confidence, and discover new perspectives through the unique journey of solo travel. Tune in to this episode with Sarah Mason today!

JOIN THE CLUB Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can join the club and additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. As a member you'll get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only.  Don't miss out! Sheeba Philip is a woman tremendously motivated by her faith and purpose, and her platform is business. In fact, she has spent the last 25 years across multiple industries and sectors, all with the core objective of building brands that deeply connect with consumers and create positive change in the world. From her vast experience in the private sector working with brands like Oreo and JCPenney, as well as nonprofits and startups, Sheeba launched her own advisory consulting practice to share her wealth of knowledge, including years of wins and lessons, to empower and equip leaders building purpose-driven brands. The keys to Sheeba’s success have been identifying her North Star (what guides her and keeps her going), defining success and failure for herself, knowing when to “move up” versus “move out” in her career, taking inventory of her gifts and joys in the workplace, reflecting on and journaling about her talents and times she’s overcome fear and doubt, taking courageous action toward what she wants, and allowing her community of trusted advisors to speak into her life. Just to name a few… Sheeba and Tara touch on these and more in this insight-filled episode of the Fierce Lab podcast about courageous leadership. Don’t miss this one! FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

JOIN THE CLUB Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can join the club and access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. As a member you'll get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only.  Don't miss out! Tami DeWeese, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Samsung Electronics America, began her work in DEI during a pivotal time in 2020. Tami focuses on culture and belonging to ensure that all — not just some — Samsung employees can thrive. She even helped establish a community that creates deliberate, targeted programs designed by women, for women. Tami has always been brave and willing to take risks, and exercising that skill has built up her confidence over more than 25 years of professional experience. In fact, it’s that coupled with self-awareness that made it easy for Tami to speak to her supervisor when she felt she was being underutilized in her role — which ultimately led her to DEI, where her true passion lies. Confidence isn’t the only thing Tami had built up over time. As a Korean-born adoptee, she experienced bullying and discrimination, and she protected herself by donning a metaphorical suit of armor. Now, Tami works hard to remove that armor and lead by being vulnerable not only in her professional life, but her personal one, too. Tami knows her strengths, and she owns them. Let Tami help you find your own strengths in this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast as she doles out expert advice on mapping out a career plan, writing your own story, capturing your wins and successes, investing in yourself, and more to empower the next generation of women in the workplace. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. “If we really want to lead effectively, we have to be able to connect.” You could say Jen Croneberger is an expert on what makes effective leaders. In fact, Jen has been speaking about vulnerability in the workplace “since before it was cool.” It all began when Jen dug into what makes a culture work and discovered that leaders who can sustain that culture were paramount. So, she dug further, asking what makes that kind of leader. What she found has defined her career. Now, Jen is a leadership and culture speaker, consultant, and human performance leadership professional who advocates for B.R.A.V.E. leadership focused on belonging, resilience, authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy. In this inspiring conversation, Jen and Tara discuss building allyships and support systems, questioning “how it’s always been done,” being curious, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it relates to leadership in the workplace, ditching the “lack” mentality, knowing who you are rather than what you are in relation to others, the concepts of psychological safety and belonging, and much more. Get ready to practice some curious introspection in this stimulating episode of the Fierce Lab podcast where Jen challenges us to be B.R.A.V.E. (and fierce!) leaders in our careers and lives. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. If concepts like investing, wealth building, short-and long-term financial goal-setting, and the like give you anxiety, this is the podcast episode for you. Ramona Ortega, an attorney, tech entrepreneur, and founder of WealthBuild.ai, has made it her mission in life to create economic opportunity and stability. We’d say she’s done a capital job. Not only that, she’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to financial advice. Ramona attributes her rich expertise to her diverse experiences and background. After all, her career spans everything from being a journalist at 60 Minutes and working on Wall Street to practicing law focused on finance and creating tech that’s “essentially a financial advisor in your pocket.” Per Ramona, think of wealth building as a chess board. There are many ways to win the game, and each piece represents a different tool you can use to move around the board — and move closer to your financial endgame. Ramona gives a detailed account of a wide variety of those financial tools and encourages women to, rather than feeling afraid or overwhelmed, get inspired and change their mindset around money. Take it from this financial expert. Women are investors. Women are asset builders. All you need are the right tools. So, what are you waiting for? Get out your pen and paper, because you’ll want to write down every little tidbit Ramona drops in this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Bianca Jackson has been on the cutting edge of technology for years. A self-proclaimed “tech nerd” since she was a child, Bianca is the founder and CEO of BrickRose Exchange, a physical event space in Baltimore, Maryland that evolved into a virtual event space in the Metaverse when the pandemic hit. Bianca’s deep well of expertise stems from her work as a project manager on tech projects with Fortune 500 companies in the Washington, D.C. area. She was even on the Pulitzer Prize winning team at USA Today that created a virtual world to tell the story from the perspective of migrants, border patrol, farmers, and others about funding the U.S./Mexico border wall. Eventually, Bianca wanted to “take her talents to the streets,” as she puts it. BrickRose Exchange continues to thrive as an event space in the Metaverse, “a digital world where commerce will happen, where connection will happen.” According to Bianca, “Any event you can do on Zoom or in person, you can do in the Metaverse.” Tune into this conversation where Bianca and Tara discuss topics ranging from the virtual — hosting events (even concerts!) in the Metaverse, the next iteration of the internet called Web3, monetizing your content and owning your data, and cryptocurrency — to the real-life — practicing mindfulness, risk taking, building front-of-the-line skills, not fearing technology or its terminology, the importance of play and exploration to expose your passion, being open to new opportunities, and more. You won’t want to miss this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast where Bianca breaks down high-tech innovations into terms anyone can understand. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. To Rachel Mallison, fierce means “being brave for 30 seconds at a time.” She should know a little about bravery. Rachel was working at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 — and by 11:30 a.m., she knew it would be one of the worst days of her life. At the time, Rachel was in emergency management and disaster response for the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate. Now, she is the Senior Manager for Risks and Operations at the Aspen Institute, a nonprofit that brings people together to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world to ensure a more free, equitable, and just society. From these and other impactful work and life experiences, Rachel takes on risk despite fear and doesn’t sweat what she can’t control. She’s the type of person who goes for it, even if she doesn’t check off each and every qualification. It’s this calculated risk-taking and scenario-planning — evaluating “What’s the worst that could happen?” — that’s gotten Rachel to where she is today. In this episode, Rachel and Tara touch on everything from facing trauma in the moment and healing afterward to negotiating and openly discussing our salary with friends, socializing an idea up or down, making the most of situations in which we feel out of our depth, and much more. In Rachel’s words, “You might as well take that first step, because who knows where it gets you?” Take that first step with the support of your friends in the Fierce Lab community. Start by immersing yourself in Rachel’s incredible stories of her experiences in this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Charlotte Cowles, freelance writer, journalist, and columnist for The Cut,​​ is no expert on money matters. How, then, did she end up writing a weekly column entitled “My Two Cents” focused on personal finance? She took a risk and said ‘yes’ to an opportunity that scared her. It’s that simple, and it can be for you, too. Charlotte’s career path, like many people’s, was not a straight line. The first job she booked was her dream job as a reporter for a small newspaper in New York in 2008. Sadly, the paper folded when the recession hit. Through connections, Charlotte got her foot in the door doing party reporting at New York Magazine. Her experience taught Charlotte to better trust her instincts, recognize the value she brings to the table, and be curious and open to new experiences. So, when she was asked to create a column giving financial advice, despite the topic not being in her wheelhouse, Charlotte got to work. She didn’t shy away from asking questions, crowdsourcing ideas from people she trusted, and humbly seeking the expertise of professionals. And that’s all she wrote — so to speak, of course. Take a page from Charlotte’s book (er, column) and even get to hear some tidbits from “My Two Cents” in this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Career development is our own responsibility. Luckily for us, there are a multitude of resources (and people!) to help us along the journey. Robin Helfer, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, is one such person. Robin knows a thing or two about career development and championing oneself. With a rich career of more than 25 years, in which she’s been a valued partner responsible for the operational and financial aspects of the businesses she’s impacted, Robin is uniquely positioned to give advice on how to build a fulfilling career. From networking and making authentic connections with people within and outside of your company to pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone, Robin encourages others to always look for opportunities to learn and grow. That includes the more logistical tasks of knowing and staying on top of “the numbers,” professionally and personally, and setting goals that “have teeth” (S.M.A.R.T.) related to the strategy of your company. It also means making courageous moves, like showcasing your mastery over your area of the business, working cross-functionally, or volunteering for opportunities that augment your skillset and make you a better professional. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Take a listen to gain more career advice from Robin and Tara on this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast. *Podcast Note: This episode with Robin was recorded in December 2022* FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Cheryl Mills Knight recognizes the power of showing up and surrendering — of actively participating in creating a life you love and of surrendering one’s ego to allow the universe to conspire in your favor. She describes it as a purposeful practice of letting go of control and allowing goodness to unfold. It’s that practice that’s led Cheryl to her current position as SVP of Brand and Culture at Austin-based jewelry lifestyle brand Kendra Scott. Cheryl’s career path and ascent at Kendra Scott was by no means a linear path. After declining to work with the company before her “gypsy years” (a period in her early twenties where she followed her creative passions and racked up some debt), Cheryl started off as Kendra Scott’s first marketing hire in 2005 and has worked there ever since. With one foot in the world of people (HR) and the other in marketing, Cheryl is a passionate advocate for human connection. She brings this to her work every day, keeping the company’s core pillars (family, fashion, and philanthropy) alive and thriving both internally and externally as the brand continues to grow. This insightful conversation between Tara and Cheryl touches on all manner of topics, including what it means to show up and surrender, the humbling learning experience of getting fired, letting go of the weight of shame, facing fear and changing your perspective around money and debt, and more. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Setting goals and intentions has been a huge part of Tonia Misvaer’s life, especially since she developed her forward-looking “Year in Preview” method of planning for the life she wants. You may be surprised to discover that the self-described “unlikely CEO” of Erin Condren, a lifestyle brand providing organizational products like planners, office essentials, and desk accessories, started her career as a lawyer. Yes, Tonia spent upwards of $150k on law school to become a practicing attorney — and hated it. So, she pivoted. Tonia kept an open mind and “opted in” to new opportunities that aligned with what she wanted, even if she wasn’t fully qualified. Despite being a “perennial people-pleaser,” Tonia still takes the time to manage her schedule (so it doesn’t manage her), build the career that best suits her (while taking calculated risks), and practice her intention-setting method of self-care. You, too, can create the life you want by taking a page from Tonia’s planner — or this one the Erin Condren team developed. Press play to learn more from this rich conversation between Tonia and Tara on this episode of the Fierce Lab podcast. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Become a member ⁠here. In this episode Tara Wilson is joined by Mita Mallick, a podcaster, LinkedIn Top Voice, and soon-to-be author. Mita shares her journey and discusses her role as the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Carta, a fintech late-stage startup. Together, they explore the importance of spreading awareness and creating opportunities for others. Tune in for inspiration, tools, and community as they discuss confidence, career development, and financial intelligence. Mita’s new book, “Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths So We Can Transform Your Workplace” is a resource for self-improvement and education. It’s full of personal stories and experiences and even has introspective exercises at the end of each chapter. Mita describes it as a comprehensive handbook and reference guide for anyone committed to driving change in the workplace, regardless of their position within the organization. In the episode, Mita and Tara delve into the emotional toll and burden that women often experience in the workplace. They share examples illustrating how women feel compelled to downplay their achievements and conceal aspects of their lives to avoid unfair treatment or judgment. Women are under constant pressure and emotional strain while navigating their careers and striving to avoid disadvantages. Mita also discussed how the biases held by decision-makers contribute to the gender pay gap. These biases influence decisions regarding promotions and salary increases, resulting in unequal treatment based on general and personal judgments. Overall, this episode sheds light on the emotional challenges and biases that women face in the workplace, further emphasizing the urgent need for change and inclusion. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Become a member here. In this episode we hear from Cynt Marshall and how she advocates for creating an inclusive space where every voice matters. Her goal is to establish an environment where every voice is not only heard but also respected, allowing women to thrive. Cynt firmly believe that women are natural leaders, regardless of their official titles, and that their contribution is vital to the success of any organization. Encouraging women to support one another, Cynt shares how she promotes the practice of "HASU," meaning "hook a sister up," and emphasizes the importance of solidarity.  In this lively conversation Tara talks with her about how to avoid undermining each other and acknowledge there is ample room for all at the table, rejecting the notion that only one can succeed. Cynt’s vision is to foster an environment where women can flourish and rely on each other. In her book, You’ve Been Chosen, Cynt details how she managed her personal and professional life while facing limited capacity during chemotherapy. Out of her illness came one of her greatest lessons and she shares, both in the book and on this episode, how valuable it is to know the difference between your crystal balls and your rubber balls.  Her circumstance compelled her to prioritize her activities and reevaluate her commitments. Thus, letting small balls drop.  Those are your rubber balls, says Cynt. Those bounce back. Cynt Marshall is one of the most dynamic leaders in America.  She’s a friend to all and has never met a stranger.  She always has a kind word, and many times the last word, for those lucky enough to be in orbit.  This hour-long conversation touches on leadership, family, faith and the future of women in business.  Tune in to the very end for a lighting round of questions with the woman we all want to grow up to be, Cynt Marshall. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. In this episode, Tara speaks with Cata Lara, director of sales for the southern region at E. & J. Gallo Winery, about taking risks, building your career, and the intersection of the two. This episode is about learning and growth, but it’s also about the importance and power of connection — whether through professional mentorships or through a tight-knit group of friends who support each other through each season of life. Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Cata Lara moved to the states at 17 years old when she was recruited by Tulane University to play collegiate golf. Cata not only navigated the college experience, but also how to live, learn, and grow in a new culture and new language. With the support of close friends, family, and excellent mentors in the Tulane athletic department, Cata didn’t let adversity hold her back and boldly pursued each new chapter of her journey. Her mentor suggested Cata apply for a position at E. & J. Gallo Winery, and the rest is history. With a virtually empty resume, Cata took a risk and applied for a full-time job in an industry she didn’t yet know. The leadership at E. & J. Gallo Winery took a chance on her, and that’s been Cata’s philosophy ever since with her own team. Tara and Cata discuss how to approach mentorship, whether it’s a formal or informal mentor/mentee relationship, and the importance of the mentee taking the first step to initiate and nurture the relationship. From the power of mindset, identifying and communicating what you want, and accumulating knowledge slowly over time, to setting boundaries, assessing and taking risks, and handling conflict, this conversation with Cata will inspire you to take action toward the career and life you want. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. Group and individual therapy can provide the support you need to navigate life’s struggles or identify how to level up and become the best version of yourself. In this episode, Tara and Tanya Cole-Lesnick, a psychotherapist and coach, discuss what it looks like to explore your mental health and self-care with the support of individual and group therapy sessions. Tanya shares how to determine which setting is best for you, identify the physical and emotional symptoms that help you understand when to seek out help, and how to find a therapist that is the perfect fit (for both your lifestyle and your bank account). It’s about exploring your internal world. For Tanya, becoming a psychotherapist and coach was not always part of her career plan. She decided to make the switch from graphic design to psychotherapy after experiencing individual and group therapy as a client. Tanya’s experience and transformation were so powerful that she was inspired to dedicate her career to creating a safe space for others to make connections and talk about their internal worlds. Choosing between individual and group therapy The therapy environment you choose can mold the experience you have. Tanya walks through the benefits of working with a professional therapist one-on-one who listens to you and understands your perspective. She also covers how group therapy can make way for really organic conversations that can present unique opportunities for self-discovery. The signs that it’s time to seek therapy Whether you are experiencing a time of crisis or a season of success, therapy can support you in all stages of life. In this episode, Tanya uncovers: - the physical and emotional symptoms that help you identify when seeking therapy could be the best solution for you; - how to sign up for sessions without feeling shame or intimidation; - the areas of life therapy can help you work on--including relationship issues, wanting more out of life, overcoming overwhelm, and navigating life after the pandemic. Tanya even touches on accessible self-care methods that you can start today, such as journaling and breathing techniques, to explore your emotions deeper. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. In this episode, Tara speaks with Elyse Dickerson, Co-founder and CEO of Eosera, a biotech company that addresses underserved healthcare needs. The two touch on everything from career development and risk-taking to mental health and self-care. Elyse shares some of her tips on how she keeps her mindset positive and stays present for her family, as well as in her business; innovation as an entrepreneur and what it can mean to put people ahead of profits; and some solid advice about mentorship and the things she wished she had known when she was just starting in her career. From corporate America to people-centric entrepreneurship When Elyse and her co-founder created Eosera in 2015, they had both just left long stints in the healthcare industry and had seen how corporate America was failing its employees by prioritizing stakeholders. So, they set out to create a company that took care of its people first, believing and trusting that profits would follow. In fact, today, Eosera employees themselves have a hand in the generation of ideas for new products. In their initial research, Elyse and her partner spoke to many doctors and identified a need for a product that would solve the widespread problem of earwax impaction. Thus, after doing the necessary research and preparation — rather than creating the product first and hoping there was consumer demand for it — Eosera was born. Planning for the future Elyse does not consider herself a huge risk-taker. However, she is a planner. At 20 years old, Elyse began planning for her future financial stability by slowly saving up. She advises young professionals looking to create a nest egg to only spend money on the things you really need and to pay yourself first. Making money doesn’t happen all at once; even if it’s $10 per paycheck, putting money aside into savings helps compound that growth. Elyse’s two cents From her rich and varied career and life experience, Elyse gives excellent advice on a variety of topics, including resilience, surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, shifting your mindset from “doom and gloom” to “I’ve got this!”, meditation and quieting the mind, protecting your energy, prioritizing what matters to you, the importance of physical activity to overall health, what mentorship really entails, and seizing the opportunity to ask for what you really want. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. In this episode, Tara of Fierce Lab speaks with Tara Pate, the founder of Daysie, a line of certified organic, not-so-simple syrups for coffee and occasions. Tara talks openly about launching her brand during the pandemic, including all the trials, the tribulations, the ups, the downs, and the joys of being a female business owner. The two discuss mindset, having a PR agency, how to uncover white space for a business idea that you have, giving back to other women entrepreneurs, and all the hurdles that entrepreneurs go through when launching a new business. Finding the space for a business idea The idea for Daysie came to Tara during the height of the pandemic, when her favorite coffee shop had been closed and she was searching for a way to create her own at-home coffee bar. Tara was disappointed by the options of simple syrups available for consumer use, especially those with lots of ingredients, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Tara saw an opportunity, and instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, she took it upon herself. With a background in consumer packaged goods marketing and experience with start-ups in Silicon Valley, Tara embarked on this journey already having the tools and insider knowledge she needed to identify white spaces for a business idea. Tara also discusses how integral it is to take the time and mental space necessary to do the deep thinking and formulate your business idea. She was lucky, in a way, that she had been furloughed from her job, as her long walks with her dog and time away from work to think were integral to making Daysie a reality. Giving back Tara registered Daysie as a public benefit company, with plans to eventually become a B-Corp. Daysie is dedicated to giving back 2.1% post-tax to female entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space. This 2.1% is a symbolic gesture to say we’re moving the needle forward. 2.1% is the beginning, and as Daysie grows, that percentage giveback will, too. The trials and triumphs of entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship requires sacrifice (especially of your time), as well as support and accountability. With those trials also come triumphs. For Tara and Daysie, that was finding the perfect beverage scientist to create flavor profiles for the syrups; conversation around the way the name inspires people and how the flavor profile transports you to a particular place or memory; the deep amount of research that went into each product and aspect of the brand. While the entire process took a year and a half, the feature of Daysie in Southern Living Magazine and her LinkedIn interaction with Sara Blakely of Spanx marked high points on her journey. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHAREFierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. In this episode, Tara speaks with Stephanie Hall, founder of a luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass named after her grandmother, Estelle Colored Glass. Stephanie started her career in South Carolina as an attorney and then pivoted toward her passions as an entrepreneur. Their conversation revolves around risk taking and career development. Shifting gears and switching careers From the time she was in middle school, Stephanie wanted to be a lawyer. So that’s exactly what she did. It wasn’t until she had graduated from law school at University of North Carolina, participated in two clerkships, and worked as an attorney for 10 years that she realized the law was not her passion — nor was it the right environment or lifestyle for her. Facing marginalization in the legal field, exacerbated by the fact that she was a woman of color in a male-dominated field, Stephanie decided to take a risk and make moves toward a new career. Especially once she had added the title of mother to her resume, Stephanie knew this change was the right trajectory for her desired lifestyle. Stephanie advises women who are being marginalized in the workplace to advocate for themselves, find allies, and decide for themselves what’s best for them personally: staying and enduring or leaving and charting a new course. Applying the skills you already possess While Stephanie had a safety net — her job as an attorney, as well as income from a successful event rental business she and her husband had created and owned — she took the risk to create a business she could call her own, bringing along the lessons she’d learned from her previous entrepreneurial ventures to establish Estelle Colored Glass. The same was true of the skills she’d learned in her decade as an attorney, including her penchant for negotiation and strong argumentation skills. She leveraged these in presenting and pitching her new business to local media, potential manufacturers and suppliers, and more. Risk taking in entrepreneurship Stephanie learned that entrepreneurship takes sacrifice and discipline. It’s about putting in the time. Does that mean staying up till 3 a.m. to get things done? It did for Stephanie when it came to establishing Estelle. It also meant giving up TV time and even making financial sacrifices by eschewing certain purchases in order to invest that money in her business. Early on, Stephanie embraced a mindset of looking for opportunities, knowing that starting a business does not mean it will be an overnight success. Stephanie encourages others like her to adopt this go-getter attitude, as well as persevere and resilience when you come up against roadblocks. She speaks about leveraging the contacts you already have to increase reach, leveraging local media and influencers (including Instagram DMs, or direct messages), and the importance of doing the research. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE Fierce Lab with women who are looking for community and tools for leveling up.

SIGN UP FOR THE APP Eager for more tools and resources to help you find your fierce? Now you can access additional content across the four content pillars using the Fierce Lab app. Premium subscribers get access to articles, guides, checklists, video content, and workshops, as well as exclusive events for members only. In this episode, Tara speaks with Emily Bibb, co-founder of Breef, the first agency marketplace whose mission is to bring the world's best brands and agencies together to create better work. The two discuss how to approach and manage risk in a way that's not so scary, all through the lens of Emily's life experiences: from competitive collegiate swimming and her first jobs out of college to seizing an opportunity to create a business that addressed a prevalent need. Emily’s background and journey to Breef Emily’s first jobs out of college were at PopSugar, where she was an editorial assistant, and then VSCO, a photography editing company. She had been a user of both brands and was genuinely invested in each company before joining their internal teams, an example of how following and conveying your passions and interests in the hiring process pays off. An award-winning marketer passionate about entrepreneurship, Emily saw a need for larger companies to have easier access to agencies to outsource work — and vice versa, that small businesses and agencies were struggling with the cumbersome RFP process for new business and lacked access to the bigger brands for the support and tools they needed to grow. Enter Breef, which Emily co-founded as a platform to centralize the process and provide the tools each entity needs to plan and contract projects, as well as connect with each other. Approaching risk-taking and overcoming self-doubts and fear Emily is no stranger to risk. She talks about facing her first risky decision in college as a competitive swimmer, when she decided to switch from UCLA to UC Berkeley, and how the desire to avoid regret and the realization that she had a finite amount of time to take advantage of the opportunity fueled her decision. Emily likens taking risks to exercising a muscle. The practice gets easier over time and impacts how you evaluate things, better trust your gut, and pivot if something goes wrong. In fact, as a leader, being open about following your gut empowers those around you to let go of doubts and fears and creates a better environment. Tara and Emily go on to discuss common misconceptions about taking what are perceived to be big risks, the process of considering all the “what if” scenarios, and the benefits of being open and in touch with your intuition and approaching situations from a place of learning and curiosity. Emily suggests vocalizing, externalizing, and breaking fears down into smaller bits to make the process more tangible. Personifying fear can make it more light-hearted and feel easier to solve. The workforce today and radical transparency 67% of women are moving toward more fulfilling roles and what they’re passionate about, and communicating that passion for a particular role is important. Tara and Emily discuss how to evaluate someone’s passion versus their experience, and Emily conveys that, while experience can get you so far, passion is going to take you to the next level. On the flip side, Emily comments on the importance of the concept of radical transparency: when a business’s communications and expectations are very clearly outlined, not just internally, but also from a brand perspective. Emily believes this transparency (on both sides of the coin) is the way of the future. FOLLOW FIERCE LAB Follow Fierce Lab on Instagram, or LinkedIn for the latest updates.  Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and SHARE!