Deals with Heels

When Financial Pressure Stops Being About Money with Sue Schuster

Episode Description Most business owners believe financial decisions are based on logic. Look at the numbers. Work harder. Stay disciplined. Push through. But beneath many financial decisions lies something far more powerful: fear. In this episode of Deals with Heels, Debra Bowers sits down with business funding strategist Sue Schuster to explore the emotional relationship founders have with money, risk, growth, and responsibility. Together they discuss why so many entrepreneurs rely on personal credit, wait too long to seek funding, struggle to price their services confidently, and carry financial pressure alone. Sue shares lessons from her own entrepreneurial journey and explains how founders can begin making funding decisions from strategy rather than survival. Whether you're scaling a business, navigating financial uncertainty, or questioning your next growth move, this conversation offers practical insights into the mindset and financial habits that shape long-term success. Key Topics * Fear-driven vs. strategy-driven financial decisions * Why founders often wait too long to seek funding * The emotional relationship entrepreneurs have with money * Personal credit vs. business credit * The hidden risks of bootstrapping everything yourself * How financial pressure impacts decision-making * Understanding business funding options * The dangers of merchant cash advances (MCAs) * Why many business owners underprice their services * Standing confidently in your value and pricing * The role of financial advisors, CFOs, and strategic partners * Breaking financial decisions down into manageable numbers * Building a business that supports sustainable growth Resources Connect with our Guest Sue Schuster Biz-fi.io Business funding and capital strategy resources Website https://biz-fi.io/sue-schuster [https://biz-fi.io/sue-schuster] email sue@biz-fi.io [sue@biz-fi.io] Connect with Debra Bowers Our Amazing Host LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/] Free Resource - 5 Signs Your Growth is Breaking https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/ [https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/] The Human Sales Playbook https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook [https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook] The Growth Vanguard https://thegrowthvanguard.com/ [https://thegrowthvanguard.com/] Hexagon Media https://hexagonmedia.net/ [https://hexagonmedia.net/] Stay Connected with Deals with Heels If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a leader, founder, or colleague who needs to hear it. Deals with Heels is where we explore the human side of leadership, growth, sales, decision-making, and the moments that shape who we become as leaders. Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you're enjoying these conversations, please leave a review. Your reviews help more listeners discover the show and support our ability to bring thoughtful, meaningful conversations to a wider audience. 🎙 Follow Deals with Heels on your favorite podcast platform ⭐ Leave a review and help us grow 📢 Share this episode with someone who could benefit from the conversation Until next time, stand strong in your power—especially when it gets uncomfortable.

How Great Leaders Build Trust Without Sacrificing Results with Kathy Eastwood

Description Leadership isn't a choice between results and people. The strongest leaders know how to build trust, accountability, and performance at the same time. In this conversation, Debra Bowers sits down with leadership strategist Kathy Eastwood, creator of the E3 Leadership Code, to explore why so many organizations struggle with burnout, disengagement, and mistrust—and what leaders can do differently. Drawing from decades of executive leadership experience with organizations including EY, Hewlett Packard, startups, and private equity-backed companies, Kathy shares practical insights on navigating difficult decisions, creating psychological safety, building accountability, and leading through pressure without sacrificing humanity. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or trying to create a healthier culture inside your organization, this episode offers a powerful reminder that trust isn't the opposite of performance—it's the foundation of it. Key Topics & Main Ideas * Human-centered leadership in high-pressure environments * Why leadership is often confused with control * Building trust before difficult decisions arise * The hidden emotional burden leaders carry * How to handle layoffs and organizational change with dignity * The importance of psychological safety at work * Why employees need purpose, belonging, and clarity * Fear-based leadership vs. trust-based leadership * How communication failures create organizational disconnect * Creating alignment during periods of uncertainty * The role of accountability without blame * Why expectations must be clearly defined * The connection between leadership and sales psychology * Understanding what motivates different people * Self-awareness as the foundation of effective leadership * Emotional regulation and leadership under pressure * How curiosity strengthens leadership relationships * Creating sustainable performance without burnout Resources Kathy Eastwood - Guest Website: https://kathyeastwood.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyeastwood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyeastwood/] Instagram: @kathyeastwoodleadership Debra Bowers - host - The Growth Vanguard https://thegrowthvanguard.com [https://thegrowthvanguard.com] Free Resources: The Human Sales Playbook https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook [https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook] Five Signs Your Growth Is Breaking https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/ [https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/] Debra's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/] If today's conversation resonated with you, if it challenged how you think about leadership, growth, or the pressures organizations face beneath the surface, then Deals with Heels is where those conversations continue, and I am happy you are here. Every week, I sit down with leaders, founders, experts, and change-makers to explore what actually drives sustainable growth—from trust and leadership to sales, culture, customer experience, and the human realities behind performance. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you found value here today, I'd be grateful if you'd share the show with someone who could benefit from the conversation. It's one of the most meaningful ways to support the show. Until next week, Stand strong in your power- especially when it gets uncomfortable. Debra

When Growth Starts Breaking Leaders: Trust, Burnout & the Hidden Cost of Carrying Too Much with DeeAnn Palin

Episode Description: Leadership pressure rarely arrives all at once. It builds quietly through growth, responsibility, constant decisions, and the weight of people depending on you. In this deeply honest conversation, Debra Bowers sits down with leadership strategist and business consultant DeeAnn Palin to explore what really happens behind the scenes as organizations scale — and the emotional, operational, and relational costs leaders often carry silently. After leading major teams inside organizations like Target, Motorola, and the Phoenix Suns, DeeAnn now works with founder-led CEOs navigating rapid growth, leadership breakdowns, burnout, trust issues, and decision fatigue. Together, Debra and DeeAnn unpack why what built a company often won’t sustain it, why middle management is one of the hardest roles in business, and how organizations quietly begin breaking when trust, alignment, and communication fall behind growth. This episode goes far beyond traditional leadership advice. It explores emotional exhaustion, organizational pressure, sales culture, customer experience, founder identity, and why many leaders lose themselves while trying to hold everything together. If you’re a founder, executive, manager, entrepreneur, or someone carrying more than people realize, this conversation will hit home. Key Topics & Main Ideas * The emotional cost of leadership and growth * What breaks down when companies scale too quickly * Why CEOs silently carry overwhelming pressure * Trust, alignment, and communication inside organizations * Leadership loneliness and executive burnout * Why middle management is often the hardest role in business * Sales culture vs. enterprise growth culture * Customer experience as part of the growth cycle * Decision fatigue and organizational misalignment * Building loyalty and trust in modern workplaces * The shift away from “clock-in culture” * Why high performers leave organizations * Creating healthy company culture and accountability * Founder identity and leadership evolution * How leaders reconnect with clarity and intuition * Practical strategies for avoiding burnout and overwhelm Resources & Links 🌐 DeeAnn Palin – OnPoint Business Solutions https://www.onpointbiz.com 🌐 Learn more about Debra Bowers & The Growth Vanguard https://thegrowthvanguard.com [https://thegrowthvanguard.com] 📘 Download Resources from The Growth Vanguard The Human Sales Playbook https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook [https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook] Five Signs Your Growth Is Breaking https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/ [https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/] 🎙️ Follow & Subscribe to Deals with Heels so You Don't Miss Out Future Episodes and Conversations Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Breaking the Silence: Women, Money, and Hidden Vulnerabilities with Anna Felix

SUMMARY This episode dives into the often-overlooked emotional and practical aspects of women’s financial health, emphasizing the importance of awareness, communication, and proactive planning. Debra Bowers hosts Anna Felix, a financial strategist, to share insights on how women can step into financial ownership before crises strike.Main topics - key insights: * The hidden vulnerabilities women face regarding finance, often due to conditioning and societal norms * The emotional impact of unexpected life changes like death or divorce on financial stability * How to start and sustain conversations about money with partners, family, and in business settings * Recognizing red flags in financial situations, including hesitancy and misinformation * Practical steps for women to gather and organize their financial documents and information * Overcoming cultural, religious, or personal barriers to financial involvement * The importance of regular financial check-ins and transparency in relationships * Encouragement to view financial planning as a love letter to loved ones and a gift of security Resources & Links: * https://annafelix.com/ [https://annafelix.com/] * https://www.thegrowthvanguard.com [https://www.thegrowthvanguard.com] * The Human Sales Playbook https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook [https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook] * 5 Signs Your Growth is Breaking https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/ [https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/] Anna Felix LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/annafelix-smartmoney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annafelix-smartmoney/] or reach out to Anna here 209 613 9445 anna.felix@strongholdpartners.com Our Host Debra Bowers' LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/]Final notes:This conversation emphasizes that financial awareness and dialogue are vital tools for women to foster security and confidence, and not just for their own benefit, but as a gift to those they love. Starting the conversation can feel daunting, but it’s an investment in a more secure future, and it all begins with just one step—making that list, having that talk, and staying engaged. If you enjoyed this conversation, if it changed how you think about leadership, decision making or how you grow your business, please follow Deals with Heels so you don't miss out of future conversations! Please Like, Share and Subscribe to Help our Show!

The Surprising Power of Community Support in Destigmatizing Women's Health Issues - with Lauren Barker

Summary Join Debra Bowers, host of Deals with Heals, as she uncovers how Lauren Barker, CEO of Uresta, is transforming one of the most taboo health issues into a movement of trust, honesty, and humor. Discover the surprising strategies that break through shame, turning hesitant customers into loyal advocates without costly procedures or prescriptions.In this episode, Debra explores the critical role of community support in destigmatizing bladder leakage, and how genuine stories and social proof accelerate demand for solutions that truly improve lives. Lauren shares the power of humor, education, and real customer experiences in building trust in a private, sensitive space—proving that vulnerability can be your loudest marketing voice. You'll discover the importance of tapping into authentic customer feedback, creating accessible products that fill a market gap, and leveraging social proof to overcome societal conditioning about women’s health. Lauren also emphasizes the unique challenge of communicating complex medical solutions visually and how understanding your audience’s emotional journey leads to more impactful marketing. If you're a business builder working in a sensitive or taboo niche, this episode is your playbook for turning hesitation into action, building community, and transforming perception from shame to empowerment. Perfect for entrepreneurs, health innovators, and marketers ready to challenge societal taboos—this is the episode that will inspire you to lead with honesty, humor, and heart. Lauren Barker is the CEO and co-founder of Uresta, an FDA-cleared bladder support device designed to help women live leak-free. Her journey from finance into Femtech has made her a powerful advocate for women’s health, leveraging community, education, and innovative product solutions to change millions of lives. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind building trust in taboo markets and turning shy customers into outspoken champions. This episode is your guide to making authentic connections that drive demand and create lasting impact. Learn more about Uresta and Lauren's mission at urusta.com and join the conversation through their active social channels. This is more than a product—it's a movement to normalize women's health and turn silence into strength. Main Topics: * Transition from finance to Femtech and the importance of authentic storytelling * Building trust with women on stigmatized health issues using humor, education, and real stories * Creating a supportive community through Facebook groups and social proof * Self-managed, FDA-cleared solutions that fill a critical gap in women’s health * The role of social proof and influencer marketing in taboo topics * Emphasizing customer feedback and continuous product evolution * Addressing emotional and lifestyle impacts of bladder health issues * Demystifying market barriers with accessible, over-the-counter solutions Resources & Links: * The Growth Vanguard https://www.thegrowthvanguard.com [https://www.thegrowthvanguard.com] * Uresta Website: https://urusta.com [https://urusta.com/] * Uresta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myuresta/ [https://www.instagram.com/myuresta/] * Facebook Community - Uresta Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/urestainsider [https://www.facebook.com/groups/urestainsider] * Human Sales Playbook (Free Resource): https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook [https://yourwebsite.com/human-sales-playbook] * Book Suggestion: "Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Donald-Miller/dp/0718033329 [https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Donald-Miller/dp/0718033329] Connect with Lauren Barker: * LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-barker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-barker/] * Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauren_barker [https://twitter.com/lauren_barker] Join us on Deals with Heals as we dive into transformative conversations that challenge the status quo and empower you to lead with authenticity and courage. Subscribe now to never miss an episode and connect with us on social media to join our growing community of change-makers. Your journey to impactful growth starts here! Stand Strong in your Power, Especially When it Gets Uncomfortable Like, Share & Tell Your Friends