Soaring Stories

Lauren Hodgen is a passionate food enthusiast and the creative mind behind Citrus Diaries Studio. Since 2018, she has shared her journey of wellness through food, and she now works with food brands on their packaging design, website design, and recipe development. Lauren’s love for wholesome, nourishing ingredients is at the heart of her work, which is designed to inspire others to embrace a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle.✨ We talk about:The partnerships + parallels between fashion and foodTwo design trends that are most popular for food brands right nowA typical week in Lauren’s life running Citrus Diaries StudioLauren’s process for developing recipes for brandsFinding a community while working for yourselfMeasuring success and progress as a creative✨ Connect:Lauren’s website: citrusdiaries.comLauren on Instagram: @citrusdiaries.studioLauren’s Podcast: Dear Citrus DiariesLauren on Substack: Wholesome GoodsAnna’s website: annamadeblog.comBusiness email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Sara Noel is a Website Copywriter + Marketing Mentor for business owners who want to craft compelling narratives and build better connections with their ideal clients and customers. Through copywriting, marketing strategy, and mentorship, she helps creative brands, founder-first businesses, and freelancers create, tell, and sustain their success stories—and have a whole lot of fun while doing it. In this episode, Sara goes deep into landing an internship, how she runs her six-figure copywriting studio, and her client processes.✨ We talk about:What was Sara like in high school?Cold-emailing + how Sara got her first internshipHow Sara learned to set up the process for her copywriting clientsWhy Sara decided not to build an agency and instead focus on individual clients and coursesWhat a week in the life looks like for SaraSara’s top procrastination tips!✨ Connect:Sara on Instagram: @btlcopySara’s Newsletter: Tattoo Story on Table of ContentsSara on TikTok: @sara__noelSara’s (free) Cold Pitch GuideSara’s Website: betweenthelinescopy.comSara’s Email: sara@betweenthelinescopy.comAnna’s website: annamadeblog.comBusiness email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Jesslyn Rollins is the CEO of BIOLYTE, the IV in a bottle. She started selling BIOLYTE from the back of her Toyota Highlander to high school football teams, but over the course of eight years has transformed a product into a brand now featured in 15,000 retail locations, including QuikTrip and Circle K. Jesslyn embodies an infectious energy, igniting a spark in others to pursue their goals with confidence and relentless dedication.✨ We talk about:Why Jesslyn’s family created BIOLYTETaking action vs planning when running a companyHow Jesslyn sold BIOLYTE to high school football teamsExpanding from high school sports programs to college sports programsSweat, sport, or sick: who BIOLYTE is forThe sports drink industry and new sports drinksHow Jesslyn landed her product in KrogerThe connection between theater, improv, and salesPreparing for a big sales meeting + what goes into thatGetting feedback on her pitch deck✨ Connect:BIOLYTE on Instagram: @drinkbiolyteBIOLYTE’s website: drinkbiolyte.comAnna’s website: annamadeblog.comBusiness email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Maxine Cunningham is a startup founder and creative visionary obsessed with helping people share their knowledge. She quit her job as an economist after seeing Airbnb launch and realizing the power of the knowledge economy. ✨ We talk about: What is the knowledge economy? What Maxine learned from her parents, who were both entrepreneurs Maxine’s mindset around risk Why Maxine decided to pursue economics Validating the idea for Pick My Brain Building her dream “knowledge marketplace” How Maxine decided on her pricing model Living an unconventional life ✨ Connect: Maxine’s company: pickmybrain.world Maxine on Instagram: pickmybrain_ceo Maxine on LinkedIn: @maxinecunningham Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Kelsi and Cassandra are the co-founders of Kelsi’s Kitchen, a raw chocolate brand sold in Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and more! Since 2019, Kelsi’s Kitchen has created raw truffle bites – and when I tried one (the raspberry flavor is AMAZING), I knew I wanted to chat with them to hear how they did it and how Kelsi and Cassandra are now expanding the business. ✨ We talk about: Kelsi and Cassandra as high school students Parallels between being an entrepreneur and an athlete Problem solving, challenges, and why they’re actually helpful How Kelsi and Cassandra met Cassandra’s background working in the beauty industry How Kelsi created the recipe for the chocolates Demoing and retail sales launches Days in the life of Kelsi and Cassandra ✨ Connect: Kelsi’s Kitchen on Instagram: @kelsiskitchensnacks Kelsi’s Kitchen website: kelsiskitchen.com Kelsi’s podcast: Fueled Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Today's episode is super special... I've been working with Ranya on the SIBZ social media accounts for a few months now and I finally get to ask her about her life before starting a snack company, and how SIBZ came to be! We also get into what celebrity fashion styling is and the similarities between that and starting a business. ✨ We talk about: How SIBZ launched nationwide in Sprouts Why Ranya and her brother started a food brand around dates How Ranya got into a fashion styling How Ranya and Tarik settled on the branding and packaging of the date bites Handling rejection in business What it’s like working with a sibling Logistics, operations, and creative aspects of the business Ranya’s go-to snacks ✨ Connect: Ranya on TikTok: @ranyabatal Ranya on Instagram: @ranyabatal SIBZ on Instagram: @getsibz SIBZ website: getsibz.com Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Livi is a twentysomething podcaster, business owner, and mentor on a mission to empower the next generation. From leaving her college and full-ride scholarship to pursue her marketing company to moving to San Diego despite having never even visited, Livi has so much to share about the life of an entrepreneur. ✨ We talk about: What career path Livi was pursuing while in college Why Livi moved to San Diego How to get through the discomfort of moving to a new place where you don’t know anyone Livi’s priorities in entrepreneurship Figuring out when to pivot and try something new Quitting certain high school sports The structure of Livi’s business Monetizing your passions – is it worth it? Livi’s current side projects ✨ Connect: Livi on Instagram: @liviredden Livi on TikTok: @liviredden Livi’s website: liviredden.com Livi’s podcast: Today is the Future Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

From idea to appearing on Shark Tank to now having sold more than 600,000 units, Shirah Benarde is the founder and CEO of Nightcap and a Forbes 30 under 30 alum. Her products are sold in Forever 21 and the brand has worked with over 150 universities to get Nightcap in the hands of students. Shirah is incredibly inspirational to young business owners and I’m so excited to have her on Soaring Stories today!! ✨ We talk about: How Shirah invented Nightcap Looking for opportunities (and finding them!) Going for it and walking up to the CEO of Forever21 at a conference Talking with Paris Hilton and giving her a NightCap Being face-to-face vs sending a cold email to someone One piece of business advice Shirah disagrees with Having patience in business How Shirah measures the sales and marketing outcomes ✨ Connect: Shirah on TikTok: @shiraah Shirah on Instagram: @shirahbenarde NightCap website: nightcapit.com Shirah’s podcast: In Your Dreams Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Lacey Madison is a 4x business owner and marketing consultant on a tenacious mission to build a billion-dollar portfolio by creating, shaping & funding the next generation of female-founded unicorns industry agnostically. In everything she does, Lacey aims to put more money, knowledge, tools and networks into the hands of women to help them join the elite 1%. Today, we talk about how she’s grown from freelancer to CEO and investor in the last decade. ✨ We talk about: How Lacey got her start with content marketing for brands like REVOLVE Building personal brands in 2024 Standing out in a saturated market when job searching or building a business How to uncomplicate creating content Why Lacey closed her marketing agency Steady and gradual growth over the last 10 years Lacey’s broadcast channel on Instagram Prioritizing content creation Balancing school and work Cultivating a mindset of confidence What Lacey looks for when investing in a company The quick + easy explanations for VC and angel investing Who is on Lacey’s team? ✨ Investing when you’re under 18: From Lacey: This is mostly for crowdfunding purposes but you can essentially ask your parents to open a custodial investment account on your behalf. This means they essentially "manage" your investments but you are able to start investing and your investment trust is the owner of the shares you buy in a company! Super exciting stuff. Crowdfunding sites: Venture Crowd Kickstarter Indiegogo Bircher Finding Angel Investment Deal Flow OR Finding Angel Investors Invest with Cherub Angel List Airtree ✨ Connect: Lacey on Instagram: @laceymadison_ SIR. BUSINESS ACADEMY™ for founders looking to develop & grow their startup idea: sirconsulting.co/sir-business-academy SIR. VENTURES™ for founders looking to fund their business idea or need Board Members + Advisors: @sir.ventures Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Maya is an incredible entrepreneur who’s founded not one, but two brands. Today, she joins me to talk about all things building businesses, recovering from failure, and building awareness for a new company. She’s also part of the Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2019 and has been in the CPG space for over 10 years. ✨ We talk about: Maya’s transition from her first company (Koia) to her second (Happypop!) What was Maya like as a teen? Having coworkers try and test her drink How Maya and her co-founder split up the responsibilities for Happypop! How has the CPG industry changed? Maya’s plans and goals for the company ✨ Connect: Maya on Instagram: @mayajfrench Happypop! on Instagram: @drinkhappypop Happypop! website: drinkhappypop.com Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Jen Hartmann is the founder of NEAT, a boutique PR agency located in Louisville, Kentucky. With over 9 years of industry experience, she's worked for a variety of agencies managing influencer collaborations, content strategy, email marketing campaigns, and events for both startups and Fortune 500 brands. Today, I chatted with Jen about what it’s like to be the CEO of an agency with 10+ women on the team! ✨ We talk about: Jen’s background and what led her to start NEAT Why Jen decided to specialize in public relations What Jen looks for in an employee What is newsjacking? The most common mistake Jen sees in pitches Prioritizing a social media presence The skill of sales and selling How Jen is expanding the agency Following up with purpose ✨ Connect: NEAT the agency: neattheagency.com Served NEAT podcast Jen + her team on Instagram: @neat_theagency Jen on LinkedIn Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

After working in marketing for huge brands like Pantone and discovering the pleasure and beauty of dates in her travels to Dubai, Kathryn Shah started Spring & Mulberry with her co-founder Sarah in 2022. Since then, Spring & Mulberry has been featured in numerous press outlets, developed 8 flavors of the chocolate bar and is sold in over 500 retail stores! ✨ We talk about: Creating the right chocolate flavor Designing the packaging and branding for Spring&Mulberry Kathryn’s background in marketing and what led her to starting this business The benefits of working at a large company before starting a business Positioning for luxury brands Benefits of trade shows and community events ✨ Connect: Spring & Mulberry website: springandmulberry.com Spring & Mulberry on Instagram: @spring.mulberry Episode mention: Letter A Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

From her career cheat codes to explaining “cringe mountain” to millions of people, Courtney Johnson is a social media consultant and content creator. Today, she’s on the podcast to share how she did it – and the challenges that come with posting your ideas online for anyone to see. ✨ We talk about: Starting at advertising agencies to creating content now What jobs haven’t been invented yet? How to post on LinkedIn for high school students What is cringe mountain? How to work through cringe mountain Outsourcing + what Courtney delegates in her business Day in the life of a freelancer The difference between working at an agency vs a brand How to start in marketing if you don’t want to talk about yourself ✨ Connect: Courtney on TikTok: @courtney..johnson Courtney on Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson Courtney on LinkedIn: /courtneylynnjohnson Courtney’s podcast: Slay the Gatekeeper Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Over the past 3 years, Ellē has created a brand with her hand-drawn designs, accessories and gifts that’s reached a community of over 60k on Instagram and even a celebrity! At 20 years old, she’s a full-time small business owner with plans to expand into her own store someday. ✨ We talk about: How Ellē learned digital art Going from gap year to full-time with her business at 20 years old Getting her designs ripped off by bigger retailers Planning for product launches Being a brand account vs a business account Seeing her products on celebrities! Ellē’s goals for the next few years ✨ Connect: Ellē’s website: shopellenicole.com Ellē’s Instagram: @shopellenicole Ellē’s podcast: open.spotify.com/show/5IgcJGlyU81e5KyXSDbONO Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Sandie, "The Gen Z Strategist," is a Liberian-born American Brand Strategist who started out in corporate banking and found her passion in brand strategy. She excels in crafting authentic narratives that resonate in today's digital landscape, helping her clients establish themselves as thought leaders and influencers in their fields. ✨ We talk about: Sandie’s pivot from corporate banking to branding strategy What to focus on when trying something new in your career Choosing the story that you want to tell about yourself Staying consistent and authentic in the stories you tell Effects of sharing your story online What traits set GenZ up for success in careers? Can you be fully yourself at work? Being the youngest in a corporate environment Sandie’s experience at DC Startup Week ✨ Connect: Sandie on LinkedIn: sandie-bonwinkor Sandie on Instagram: @thegenzstrategist Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Jessica Hawks is a modern online coach empowering and supporting new entrepreneurs in becoming virtual assistants. Before becoming a VA, she was a chiropractic assistant looking for a change in careers. She’s a VidCon speaker and has been featured on Business Insider, Yahoo! News, TikTok, In The Know and VIP Global Magazine. ✨ We talk about: How Jessica discovered the world of being a virtual assistant Transferable skills from an office job to starting an online business Jessica’s mindset going into buying a $3500 course Figuring out a brand aesthetic that is unique + reflects you as a person What separates the successful virtual assistants from the ones who quit after 2 months? It is not your clients’ job to enforce your own boundaries Working at night and differences in time zones ✨ Connect: Jessica on TikTok: @itsjessicahawks Jessica on Instagram: @itsjessicahawks Jessica’s website: itsjessicahawks.com Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Stephanie Long has an extensive background in marketing and communications and has led countless campaigns for both small and large businesses. After spending over a decade working in marketing for tech startups, Stephanie founded her SEO company, Mrs. SEO. Today, Stephanie shares how she got into this business and why getting laid off was the best thing that happened for her career. We talk about: How Stephanie got into doing SEO Search Engine Optimization — what does it mean? Tips for making your website rank highly on Google Becoming a professor + why Stephanie likes teaching Going full time with Mrs. SEO (+ saving!) Challenges with billing clients (and what to do instead) ✨ Connect: Stephanie’s website: mrsseo.co @mrs_seo_ on Instagram Page speed checker: pagespeed.web.dev Google keyword planner: ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Maureen knew she wanted to start a business + knew she had a passion for creating content. After starting a handmade business selling on Etsy, at 20 years old, she’s built a business helping other small business owners with their own content creation. Today we get into the story behind Maureen’s success and what went into where she is today! We talk about: Maureen’s viral video with over 11M views on Instagram Has she always liked making content? People’s attention as limited resources of today Maybe starting a business isn’t actually that hard… How Maureen found clients for her new coaching business Structuring your day to have time to make 3 new videos daily Maureen’s sticky note strategy What is the long-term goal? How to get out of your comfort zone — getting rejection in business and life ✨ Connect: Maureen on Instagram: @maureensmarketing Maureen on YouTube: @maureensmarketing Maureen’s viral reel: instagram.com/reel/C2GB79upo0Q Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Anna’s website: annamadeblog.com Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

From selling out of the bags she hand-sewed to working with lawyers for her potty training product, Maile McManis is an incredible young entrepreneur. She’s currently a junior in high school and shares her story with us today! We talk about: “Going for it” with your business ideas How Maile got the idea for her potty training tool Working with lawyers – the difference between a trademark and a copyright Designing Potty Fairytales with kids in mind The role of mentors in Maile’s life Maile’s college plans for the future ✨ Connect: Maile’s email: mailemcmanis@gmail.com Episode mention: Young Americans Bank: yacenter.org Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com

Gel is a video editor and consultant, and her work is the opposite of following a quick trend – she sees video marketing as a sort of art, and puts a lot of strategy into the 25 second clips that are posted for her clients. We talk about: Why Gel started her video editing + consulting business Where she learnt how to edit videos in her style Content creation as a form of art How she edits video for clients – the strategy, getting video clips, ideation process Gel’s video ideas for The Career Club Doing an in-person video shoot! Which videos perform best for Gel + her clients A day in the life of Gel Organizing your life… or not ✨ Connect: Peep the site: angelicaraquel.com @gelraquel on Instagram Soaring Stories episode with Lucy: pod.link/1675069273/episode/9795d098c7abda49787972b153ee3401 Join the Soaring Together newsletter: join.soaringtogether.org Business email: hello@annamadeblog.com