Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®

In this inspiring episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®, Susan Sly sits down with Tracey Wheeler Noonan, co-founder of Wicked Good Cupcakes, to uncover how a Shark Tank appearance led to a multi-million dollar exit to Hickory Farms. Tracey shares the behind-the-scenes story of landing a deal with Kevin O’Leary, navigating public scrutiny, building a scalable business from a home kitchen, and what life looked like after the acquisition.She opens up about reinventing herself after divorce, manifesting success through journaling, and how she’s now on a mission to help women over 50 step into their next chapter with confidence, clarity, and purpose.Whether you're an aspiring founder, navigating a transition, or dreaming of your own big exit, tune in now to get inspired and empowered—don’t miss this episode packed with grit, wisdom, and hard-won insight.Tracey Wheeler Noonan is a self-made entrepreneur, author, and speaker who turned a home-based cupcake biz into a multimillion-dollar brand. After striking a Shark Tank deal with Kevin O’Leary, her company was acquired by Hickory Farms. Today, she’s a published author and keynote speaker for Inc. Magazine, AT&T, HP, and more—mentoring others through her course, The Cupcake Analogy.Connect with Tracey:LinkedIn: @traceynoonanInstagram:@thecupcakeanalogyInstagram: @dont_call_me_cupcakeWebsite: www.thecupcakeanalogy.comSusan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship® podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

Could watching a game show inspire the creation of a billion-dollar company? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®, host Susan Sly sits down with Shawn Nelson, founder and CEO of Lovesac, who shares how a lightbulb moment during The Price Is Right led to 27 years of building a public company—through bootstrapping, winning $1 million from Richard Branson on reality TV, surviving Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and navigating four years of furniture recession.Shawn reveals the one skill every entrepreneur must master (hint: it's not grit), his morning mantra for managing anxiety, and why his mom's seven-word advice saved his business. From executing immediately to maintaining "top ambition with infinite patience," this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom for anyone building something meaningful.Whether you're bootstrapping, fundraising, or considering your next move, Susan and Shawn's conversation will equip you with practical strategies, actionable insights, and real-world lessons to help you tackle your toughest entrepreneurial challenges.Meet Shawn D. Nelson - best-selling author, product inventor, and founder & CEO of Lovesac, the billion-dollar, publicly traded furniture disruptor built on one simple but wildly ambitious idea: design better, last longer, grow sustainably.Shawn’s not a coach, not a consultant - he’s a real founder who’s still in the arena. His 25-year journey from building a joke-sized beanbag in his parents’ basement to leading a public company is full of grit, near-collapse moments, comeback pivots, and hard-earned growth.Connect with Shawn:LinkedIn: @shawndnelsonInstagram:  @shawnoflovesacSusan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship® podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

What does it take to launch a female-founded brand in 700 Target stores—with no prior CPG experience? In this raw and real conversation, Susan Sly sits down with Amiee LeMaire, founder of ZEYA, the first true innovation in home fragrance since Febreze. Discover how this former Hollywood producer transformed a deeply personal passion for non-toxic, functional fragrance into a fast-growing brand selling out online and thriving in mass retail.From bootstrapping prototypes and pitching with just a deck, to overcoming investor rejection and navigating supply chain shocks, Amiee breaks down the real story behind ZEYA’s rise. Learn her strategies for pricing a brand-new product category, raising $2M in seed funding, landing a national retail partnership before launch—and how she balances it all while parenting two young kids.Whether you’re scaling a product, raising capital, or defining your own entrepreneurial journey, this episode delivers tactical insight, unapologetic truth, and a deep reminder: you can build something that changes how people live—and breathe.Aimee LeMaire is the founder of ZEYA, a clean home fragrance brand now in 700+ Target stores. After a decade in entertainment, she launched ZEYA to offer luxurious, baby-and pet-safe scents that elevate everyday spaces and promote well-being.Connect with Aimee:Website: https://zeyashop.com/LinkedIn: @aimee-blankLinkedIn: @zeyafragranceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeyafragrance/Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

What if the path to business ownership didn’t require a million dollars—or even quitting your job?In this episode, Susan Sly sits down with Alex Smereczniak, founder of Franzy—an AI-powered platform on a mission to create one million entrepreneurs by reimagining franchising. After scaling a laundry startup to a $100M valuation, Alex is now focused on using technology to democratize business ownership for anyone ready to bet on themselves.However, this conversation extends far beyond a company's story.Susan and Alex unpack what it really takes to become an entrepreneur in 2025: how to know if you're ready, how to navigate fear, and why curiosity and resilience matter more than polished credentials. Alex shares candid lessons from raising venture capital, managing self-doubt, and starting small with big ambition. They also explore the reality of AI-driven job displacement and why business ownership might be the most secure path forward.Whether you’re actively searching for your next venture or quietly questioning your 9–5, this episode will challenge you to think differently about risk, readiness, and what’s truly possible.Alex Smereczniak, founder and CEO of Franzy, turned a college laundry hustle into a $100M exit. Now he’s using AI to help 1M people become entrepreneurs through franchising—an industry with double the 5-year success rate of independent startups.Connect with Alex:Franzy: https://franzy.com/LinkedIn: @FranzySusan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

In a time of AI, rapid change, and constant disruption, what does it really take to lead?Susan Sly sits down with physicist, tech executive, and executive leadership coach Dr. Toni Collis for a candid conversation about the realities of leadership in uncertain times. From subtle bias and burnout to walking away from a successful tech career, Toni shares how she rebuilt her path with purpose and now helps others do the same.They explore what healthy ambition looks like, how to lead when you don’t fit the mold, and why clarity, not hustle, is the true currency of modern leadership.If you're leading a company, managing a team, or considering a major pivot, don’t miss this episode. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and take the next step to lead with confidence, even when the future feels unclear.Dr. Toni Collis is a physicist, tech executive, and award-winning executive leadership coach. As CEO of Toni Collis Executive Coaching and founder of the Lit Up Leadership Academy, she helps women in tech step into strategic leadership and build impactful, fulfilling careers. Toni is also the host of Leading Women in Tech, a Forbes-recognized podcast for women in leadership.Connect with Dr. Toni:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonicollis/Website: tonicollis.comSusan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

What if the anxiety, overworking, or self-doubt you feel as an entrepreneur isn’t just about your business, but the patterns you inherited?In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship®, Susan Sly sits down with trauma-informed psychologist Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck to explore how inherited trauma and cultural expectations shape entrepreneurs. From high-achievers who feel like they’re always “doing it guilty” to entrepreneurs who equate success with self-worth, this is a raw look at how unresolved patterns impact leadership, risk, and identity. Dr. Peck offers insights on how entrepreneurs can unlearn the internalized narratives that keep them stuck and start making decisions from clarity, not obligation. If you’ve felt burdened by strength or success, this episode offers the clarity and direction to begin rewriting that story.Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck is a first generation Iranian-Armenian trauma-informed psychologist who specializes in working with the children of immigrants and intercultural couples. She is the founder of the dynamic group practice Noor Therapy and Wellness specializing in providing culturally-informed care to residents of CA and NY. She also provides coaching, speaking, consulting, and community education internationally through her mission-led organization Bridging Gaps, Breaking Cycles. Dr. Pauline has been featured on Good Day LA as well as countless podcasts and articles given her thought leadership around how culture, sociopolitical factors, history, and more intersect with mental health. Connect with Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck: Website: https://www.noortherapyandwellness.com/LinkedIn: @pauline-peck/Kajabi: https://pauline-peck.mykajabi.com/Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠

What does it really look like to build a business while silently drowning in debt? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Daniel Bussius, founder and CEO of Built by Love®, as he shares how he ended up $90,000 in personal debt—and the decision he now calls his biggest mistake. He opens up about scrapping a fully produced course, initiating a software build before the right structure and alignment were in place, and the emotional toll of building outside his calling.Daniel reveals what he’d never do again—not just in business, but in life. Susan and Daniel talk about the tension between growth and ego, how spiritual misalignment derails even the best intentions, and why clarity matters more than momentum. This isn’t about theory—it’s about the real cost of building the wrong thing for the wrong reasons.About Daniel Bussius:Daniel Bussius is an award-winning marketing strategist, best-selling author, and founder of Built by Love®. He’s advised Fortune 100s, celebrities, and high-growth startups, generating $50M+ in client revenue. Creator of the Marketing RAMP® system and author of Marketing Built By Love, Daniel helps brands build trust, scale impact, and market with heart.Connect with Daniel:Website: https://danielbussius.com/LinkedIn: @danielbussius/About Susan Sly:  Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠⁠

What happens when success looks good on paper but feels empty? Clara Capano opens up about why she walked away from a lucrative six-figure opportunity—because it didn’t align with her values,  vision, or role as a mom. In this episode, Clara and Susan unpack what it takes to lead with clarity—and how that decision became the start of greater purpose, profit, and peace. Clara shares the intentional planning system she uses to set goals, stay accountable, and create freedom through structure—an approach that ultimately became the foundation for her trademarked CLARATY™ Success Method. You’ll learn how to use clarity as your checks-and-balances filter to align decisions with your vision and build a business that reflects who you truly are.About Clara Capano:Clara Capano is a speaker, author, and founder of the CLARATY™  Success Method—helping leaders shift from burnout to balance. A business owner and single mom, her journey from overwhelm to clarity fuels her mission to empower others to lead with purpose, focus, and impact. She’s also Executive Director of the You Are My Light Foundation, supporting survivors of human trafficking.Connect with Clara:Website: https://www.claracapano.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners:⁠ ⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠:⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠

Sally Mueller helped shape the modern retail experience—leading iconic designer collaborations and category reinventions during her 25-year career at Target. Now, she’s co-founder and CEO of Womaness, a fast-growing brand breaking the silence around menopause and empowering women in midlife. In this raw conversation, Susan Sly and Sally unpack what it takes to pivot from powerhouse executive to startup co-founder, pitch 40+ VCs in a pandemic, and scale into national retailers like Walmart, GNC and Ulta Beauty. This isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement. If you’re building something bold, this episode is your blueprint.About Sally:Sally Mueller is the Co-founder and CEO of Womaness, a brand changing the conversation around women’s healthy aging with innovative products that offer solutions from head to toe—and everything in between. A consummate business builder, Sally specializes in retail and brand innovation. Her trend-forecasting expertise has benefited companies such as Target, Who What Wear, and VERSED skincare. She spent over two decades at Target Corporation, beginning in Apparel Merchandising and later moving into Marketing. Recognized as an industry leader, Sally is known for her business acumen across the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors.Connect with Sally:Website: www.womaness.comInstagram: @mywomanessInstagram: @thesallymLinkedIn: Sally-MuellerLinkedIn: WomanessAbout Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠⁠Trusted Partners: ⁠https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners⁠LinkedIn⁠:⁠⁠@susansly⁠⁠

After a devastating snowmobile accident at 40 mph that left him with 18 broken bones and punctured lungs, Navy SEAL Commander and CEO Mark Divine knew something had to change—not just in his body, but in his leadership. In this powerful episode, Mark joins Susan Sly to share how the crash became a defining turning point: dismantling outdated business models, releasing toxic partnerships, and rebuilding every aspect of his life with radical alignment. From breathwork and trauma recovery to CEO clarity and spiritual recalibration, this is a masterclass in transforming adversity into authentic, purpose-driven growth.About Mark:Mark Divine, Ph.D., is a retired Navy SEAL Commander, leadership expert, and New York Times bestselling author. With over 30 years of experience in Zen meditation and breathwork, he integrates mental toughness and holistic development in his teachings. His latest book, Uncommon, offers insights into achieving personal excellence through his “warrior monk” philosophy.Connect with Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdivineWebsite: markdivine.comAbout Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website: ⁠⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠https://susansly.com⁠⁠Trusted Partners: https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartnersLinkedIn:⁠⁠@susansly⁠

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with David Young—founder of Federated Computer and the visionary behind Joyent, the cloud infrastructure company that powered Twitter and Tumblr before its $170M acquisition by Samsung.David shares an unfiltered account of building innovative cloud technology, losing his company due to personal struggles, and rebuilding his life through endurance sports and a renewed entrepreneurial mission. Now, with Federated, he is challenging Big Tech’s dominance by helping startups protect their data, cut software costs, and scale with open-source solutions.Susan and David explore the future of open source, cloud innovation, startup resilience, and what it truly takes for founders to recover, rebuild, and lead on their own terms.Whether you are a founder, investor, or navigating your next chapter, this episode will challenge, inspire, and equip you with the mindset and tools to rise stronger than ever.About David Young:David Young is a pioneer in cloud computing and the founder of Joyent, the company behind early infrastructure powering Twitter, LinkedIn, and Tumblr. He helped invent technologies like Node.js and cloud-based virtual machines. Now, as founder of Federated Computer, he’s focused on open-source solutions that help startups scale securely and break free from Big Tech.Connect with David:Website https://www.federated.computer/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpaulyoung/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website ⁠https://susansly.com⁠Website ⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠LinkedIn ⁠@susansly

What happens when visibility doesn’t automatically lead to a business? For Kirpa Sudick — former contestant on The Bachelor Season 23 — the next step was clear: build a brand rooted in purpose and long-term value.In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly speaks with Kirpa about how she transitioned from public figure to business owner, scaling a coaching brand with authenticity, content strategy, and operational discipline. They explore how to build trust in a noisy market, the role of AI in supporting productivity, and why emotional clarity matters for sustainable growth.If you’re building a business around your message, this episode offers clear, tactical insights for creating momentum and staying aligned as you scale.About Kirpa Sudick:Kirpa Sudick is a spiritual content creator, intuitive guide, and manifestation coach helping others break free from limiting beliefs and step into their highest selves. With a background in transformational work and a deep understanding of consciousness, she blends humor, relatability, and profound insights to make spirituality accessible and empowering. Through her content on TikTok and Instagram, she shares wisdom on intuition, manifestation, and breaking free from the matrix, inspiring thousands to rewrite their realities. Her mission is to help others embody their power, trust the unseen, and manifest effortlessly—while keeping it real, fun, and expansive.Connect with Kirpa:Instagram: @kirpasudickTikTok: @kirpa_sudickAbout Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with John Worthington, founder of Sircles —a social recommendation app that raised over $1M in just six days on WeFunder and is on a mission to disrupt the Yelp model.They get candid about the real cost of building a startup, leading through chaos, and the emotional resilience required to scale. John shares his personal ‘why,’ how Sircles is creating a platform rooted in trust—not reviews—and why a community-first ethos is their greatest strategic advantage. If you’re raising capital, facing founder fatigue, or building something from the ground up, this is your strategic pause. About John Worthington:John Worthington is a serial entrepreneur who’s built and scaled multiple businesses from the ground up. He’s the founder and CEO of Sircles, one of the most successful crowdfunded startups in tech without VC backing. His “Riding the Escalator” strategy has redefined how startups grow, turning investors into loyal users and brand advocates.Connect with John:Website: https://sircles.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sircles/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Hikari Senju, Founder of Omneky, to discuss his journey from a creative childhood to scaling innovative startups. Hikari dives into his early entrepreneurial experiences, the rise of generative AI, and how AI is transforming advertising. He also reveals the challenges of raising capital—having pitched to hundreds of investors—the power of networking, and how introverts can thrive in business. Susan and Hikari break down the realities of acquisitions, the importance of finding the right investors, and the vision behind Omneky. This episode is packed with real-world insights on building, funding, and scaling a business in the AI era.About Hikari Senju:Hikari Senju is a computer science graduate from Harvard University with a passion for technology and design. He founded his first startup, QuickHelp, an on-demand tutoring app, which he later sold to Yup.com and became their Head of Growth. During his time at Yup.com, Senju observed inefficiencies in content spending and the potential of AI in advertising, which inspired him to establish Omneky in 2018. Senju’s background in computer science, entrepreneurship, and his experience with AI technologies led him to create Omneky, an AI platform that generates, analyzes, and optimizes personalized ad creatives at scale.Connect with Hikari:Website https://www.omneky.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hikari-senju-63780199/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with Susan Groeneveld, Founder of Sylvester.ai, to discuss the bold pivot that reshaped her AI startup. Initially launched as a B2C pet health platform, Susan made the strategic decision to shift to B2B, securing key contracts to expand into veterinary clinics and successfully raising funding in today’s tough investment climate.Susan G shares practical insights on raising venture capital, the unique challenges female founders face, and how to attract the right investors. She also dives into AI’s impact on pet health, the power of strategic pivots, and why founders must think bigger to scale successfully.If you're an entrepreneur navigating AI, health tech, or pet care, this episode is filled with actionable strategies to help you scale, secure funding, and build a high-growth business.About Susan Groeneveld:Susan Groeneveld is a serial entrepreneur specializing in agriculture, animal health, and AI-driven technology. With 25 years of experience, she has led commercialization for global companies, co-founded an award-winning marketing agency, and launched Sylvester.ai, an AI platform transforming pet health. A 2023 top 5 finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in Women in AI, Susan is a leader in innovation, scaling startups, and tackling global challenges in agriculture and veterinary care.Connect with Susan Groeneveld:Website https://www.sylvester.ai/LinkedIn   @susangroeneveldabInstagram @sylvester_tech/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is shaking up industries, but what does it mean for female founders in today’s challenging funding environment? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with five-time entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock—AI innovator, venture partner, and CEO of Podopolo. They break down the impact of AI disruptors like DeepSeek, the funding freeze on U.S. grants, and why women-led startups deliver higher returns yet still struggle for capital. Melinda shares raw insights on hiring, scaling, and staying scrappy in tough times. If you’re a founder navigating today’s startup landscape, this episode is a must-listen.About Melinda Wittstock:Melinda Wittstock is a 5-time entrepreneur, AI innovator, and Founder and CEO of Podopolo, the AI and blockchain-powered podcast platform revolutionizing discovery, engagement, and monetization. Honored as 2024’s “AI Pioneer of the Year,” she also invests in women-led startups as a venture partner at Zero Limits Capital. A former award-winning journalist for the BBC, Times of London, and CNBC, she created a BBC TV show reaching 20 million viewers and was praised by Steve Jobs for her interviewing skills. Melinda hosts Wings of Inspired Business, empowering female founders to succeed without tradeoffs.Connect with Melinda:Website: https://melindawittstock.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindawittstockAbout Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaylee Lieffers, Co-Founder and CEO of Blanka, shares how she built a top Shopify beauty app that helps entrepreneurs launch private-label brands—without holding inventory.  From bootstrapping and startup struggles to funding, hiring, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Kaylee reveals key lessons in scaling a tech business. A must-listen for founders, startup leaders, and e-commerce entrepreneurs!About Kaylee Lieffers:Kaylee's journey is a compelling narrative of transition and entrepreneurship. Formerly immersed in the world of management consulting, she took a bold leap into the startup realm, venturing into the competitive landscape of e-commerce. Her personal experiences navigating the challenges of launching her own business eventually led her to co-found Blanka. In less than two years, Blanka became one of the top performing apps in the Shopify App Store, won BC Tech’s Startup of the Year, and today has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs start their businesses. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and empowering other entrepreneurs has earned her a number of awards including Top 30 Under 30 and Top Female Founders to Watch in Canada. Kaylee has generously provided a special discount for our listeners!  Use code RAWANDREAL to get 10% off your first sample order with Blanka!Connect with Kaylee:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleelieffers/Website: https://blankabrand.com/  Tiktok: @blanka_brandInstagram: @/blankabrand/About Susan Sly:Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly chats with Jasmine Bhatti, a Registered Nurse and founder of Navi Nurses, about her journey from COVID unit nurse to healthcare innovator. Learn how Jasmine bootstrapped her company, scaled to 200+ nurses, and disrupted the industry with patient-focused care. She shares insights on finding clients, building a team, and managing stress.Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Jasmine’s story will inspire you to take the leap and build your dream business.About Jasmine: Jasmine Bhatti, RN, is the founder and CEO of Navi Nurses, a rapidly growing private-duty nursing company redefining at-home care through client empowerment, engagement, and education. With 12 years of nursing experience at Barrow Neurological Institute and the Mayo Clinic, Jasmine saw critical gaps in care during transitions from hospital to home and launched Navi Nurses in 2021 to bridge those gaps and reduce hospital readmissions.Currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University, Jasmine also holds a master’s in regulatory science and health safety from ASU and a bachelor’s in nursing from Grand Canyon University.Connect With Jasmine:Website: https://navinurses.com/LinkedIn: @jasminecbhatti/Navi Nurses LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navinurses Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Gregory Shepard, founder of BOSS Capital Partners, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Startup Life Cycle. Gregory shares insights from his groundbreaking research, including interviews with 1,200 founders, and highlights the phases where startups are most vulnerable—and how founders can navigate these challenges to achieve the ultimate goal: a successful exit.Susan and Gregory dive into the systemic biases faced by women and marginalized founders, the grit it takes to overcome these obstacles, and how celebrating small wins is crucial for entrepreneurial success. From marathon swimming and shark dives to Gregory’s ticket to space, they also explore what it means to push limits and embrace fearless leadership.Gregory Shepard has built and sold 12 businesses in BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech and MarTech. He is a Forbes book author and contributor, and has been featured or quoted in publications like Fortune, Entrepreneur, The New York Observer, The DEAL, and Thrive Global. A recipient of four private equity awards for transactions between $250M to $1B, Greg has appeared on TV, radio, and popular podcasts, and been featured as a TEDx and keynote speaker at multiple universities and conferences worldwide.Connect with Gregory:Website: www.gregoryshepard.comLinkedIn: @gregshepard/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Lifecycle-Definitive-Guide-Building/dp/1637744323Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.Connect With Susan:Website https://susansly.comWebsite https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, host Susan Sly sits down with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder of Swell AI. Together, they explore the dynamic landscape of startups, highlighting the rising trend of remote work and the power of global talent pools. Cody shares invaluable insights on scaling companies through innovative strategies like podcasting, live courses, and social media, emphasizing the critical role of community building.Explore the transformative impact of AI on media and marketing, as Susan and Cody discuss practical marketing strategies and the significance of leveraging expert knowledge and brand voice. Cody reveals his tried-and-tested methods for achieving page one of Google overnight and provides a glimpse into the evolving content creation process powered by AI. Learn from real-world examples, including success stories of tech startups leveraging AI tools and remote teams to drive exponential growth. Cody discusses the success of AI-powered platforms in content marketing and the potential ban of TikTok.For entrepreneurs seeking to harness the power of AI, create impactful content, and navigate the ever-evolving startup world with confidence and strategic foresight, this episode is an indispensable resource. It offers timely insights and practical strategies that can help entrepreneurs stay ahead in today's dynamic business environment. About Cody: Cody Schneider is a serial entrepreneur and innovator in AI-powered content marketing. As Founder of Draft Horse AI and Swell AI, he has helped numerous companies exponentially grow their businesses by leveraging AI to automate content production workflows. Named one of Business.com's Top 25 Marketers to Watch, Cody gained his experience helping scale startups from the ground up through strategic content strategies.Connect with CodyWebsite: swellai.comLinkedIn: @codyxschneiderAbout Susan: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.Connect With SusanWebsite: https://susansly.comWebsite: https://thepause.ai/LinkedIn: @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices