Screw the "Startup Playbook." Do This Instead

Screw the "Startup Playbook." Do This Instead

Screw the "Startup Playbook." Do This Instead with Katie Sterns | S2.E15 How do you scale a startup when traditional business strategies fail? In this episode of the (un)conversations podcast, host Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Katie Sterns, Founder and CEO of Blyngz Luxury Technologies. Together, they break down why cookie-cutter startup guides fail and how to build a successful company using an unorthodox growth mindset. If you are an entrepreneur, creator, or female founder tired of the status quo, this raw conversation about business resilience, tech disruption, and using ADHD as an entrepreneurial superpower is for you. 🎧 What You’ll Learn In This Episode: The Myth of the Startup Playbook: Why there is no linear, step-by-step guide to building a massive business. The Pivot Strategy: How Katie turned a massive pandemic threat into a major B2B revenue opportunity. Competing with Tech Giants: How small startups can outmaneuver multi-billion dollar companies using agility and authenticity. Brand Identity vs. Product: Why competitors can copy your product, but no one can steal your brand. ADHD as a Superpower: Embracing a divergent brain to synthesize big data and spot market gap 🕒 Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Podcast Teaser & Intro 02:16 - The Story Behind Blyngz Luxury Technologies 08:45 - Balancing Startup Obsession with Personal Relationships 11:59 - The Power of an Unorthodox Mindset 14:43 - Real-World Pivot: Sourcing During a Crisis 20:18 - Remaining Undeterred Against Global Tech Giants 24:38 - Protecting Your Brand Identity 34:12 - Why Having ADHD is an Entrepreneurial Superpower 41:05 - Managing Investor Relations & Data Room Stress 48:50 - Combining Sociology, Big Data, and Consumer Research 1:09:15 - Common Pitfalls Early-Stage Founders Make with Late-Stage Capital 🎙️ About Our Host & Guest: Dr. Alison Schmidt is an organizational psychologist, Founder & CEO of Unconvention, and strategic advisor to elite global leaders, founders, and CxOs looking to navigate market disruption. Connect with Dr. Alison on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Falison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc%2F] Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus [https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus] Katie Sterns is the founder and CEO of Blyngz Luxury Technologies, pioneering the "Jewelry Tech" category with a modular, AI-integrated audio platform. She is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for women's economic power. * Learn more about Blyngz: blyngz.com [https://blyngz.com/] * Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katiesterns/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fkatiesterns%2F] Support the Show: If you enjoyed this masterclass on leadership, please follow, download, and rate the podcast 5 stars on Spotify! 🎵 Theme Song: Produced by DJ Doug Jackson:   / dougjackson   [https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson] StartupStrategy, Entrepreneurship, WomenInTech, BusinessPivot, Venture Capital, ADHDEntrepreneur, FemaleFounders, LeadershipDisruption, ExecutivePresence ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

Stop Peacocking! How to Build True Executive Presence

Stop Peacocking! How to Build True Executive Presence Are you a female leader who has achieved major career milestones, yet you still feel like you don’t look the part? In this episode of the (un)conversations® podcast, host Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Executive Presence Strategist Melanie Lippman to break down why traditional corporate wardrobe advice is broken—and why trying to command a room with loud, overcompensated "peacock energy" is secretly sabotaging your authority. Too many high-achieving women in male-dominated fields twist themselves into pretzels trying to look professional, only to end up feeling like they are wearing an artificial costume. Discover how fusing fashion psychology with certified neurocoaching can help you align your internal confidence with your outer wardrobe, eliminate decision fatigue, and project effortless, authentic authority that speaks before you do. 💡 INSIDE THIS EPISODE: * The Peacock Trap: Why luxury brands and simply "wearing black" won't fix an internal confidence gap. * The Costume Effect: Shedding the protective armor to unlock real corporate visibility. * The Science of Style: How clothing psychology and neurocoaching impact high-stakes decision-making. ⭐ SUPPORT THE (UN)MOVEMENT:If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating or review wherever you listen to help us bring these (un)conversations to more global leaders! 🎧 LEVEL UP YOUR LOUD: Connect with Host Dr. Alison Schmidt: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/] • Web: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus [https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/ [https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/] • Company IG: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionllc/ [https://www.instagram.com/unconventionllc/] • Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunconversationspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/theunconversationspodcast/] Connect with Guest Melanie Lippman: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imagecoachmelanielippman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/imagecoachmelanielippman/] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanielippman/ [https://www.instagram.com/melanielippman/] • Book a Strategy Session: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8907bff6/?calendarIds=2388240 [https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8907bff6/?calendarIds=2388240] 🎵 Theme Song: Produced by DJ Doug Jackson (https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson [https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson]) ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

The CEO's Leap of Faith: Trina Roffino on Grief, Resilience, and Project Unbroken

The CEO's Leap of Faith: Trina Roffino on Grief, Resilience, and Project Unbroken. What do you do when you reach the top of the corporate ladder, only to have your world shatter? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Trina Roffino, former CEO of The Marketing Arm (TMA) and the Founder of Project Unbroken, to discuss the moment her world changed forever following the tragic loss of her husband to suicide. After 26 years of climbing the corporate ladder, Trina took a "giant leap of faith" away from the C-suite to find her true purpose. This conversation is a masterclass in navigating a high-stakes career pivot, overcoming corporate burnout, and finding a more meaningful path through mental health advocacy. Note: This episode contains a raw and honest discussion about mental health and suicide loss. We share this to break the silence and support those on their own "unbroken" path. In this episode, we dive into: * The Art of Kintsugi: Why we are stronger and more beautiful for our scars. * The "Unword" Journey: A framework for becoming (Un)broken, (Un)tethered, and (Un)wavering. * Freedom Within a Framework: Leading with both business discipline and emotional transparency. * "Non-Casserole" Deaths: How to support employees through complicated grief and trauma in the workplace. * Project Unbroken: Trina’s mission to provide suicide loss support and financial aid for children. "You don’t discard what’s broken; you rebuild it and show the scars. You are stronger and more beautiful for having been broken." — Trina Roffino 🕒 TIMESTAMPS: 00:02:29 – Taking a giant leap of faith in your career pivot00:05:57 – Kintsugi: Finding beauty in being broken00:14:38 – The “Super Bowl Moment”: The turning point for a CEO00:31:51 – Why suicide is not a “casserole death”00:45:55 – The mission and heart behind Project Unbroken00:55:29 – Why leading with vulnerability is a superpower01:02:40 – Ask Dr. Alison: One core belief about the human spirit 01:09:13 – The (Un)wrap Up Connect with your (un)journey: ⭐ Support the Movement: If this conversation moved you, please rate us 5 stars and follow the show. Your support helps us reach more leaders! 🌐 Host: Dr. Alison Schmidt | https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus [https://projectunbroken.org/] 🌐 Guest: Trina Roffino | https://projectunbroken.org/ [https://projectunbroken.org/] Crisis Support: If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741. You are not alone. #Leadership #MentalHealth #CareerPivot #Resilience #ProjectUnbroken #CEO #Podcast #SuicideAwareness #WomenInBusiness #SuperBowlMoment #TMA ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

Forget Everything You Know About Being a CEO: A Conversation with Krystal Zell

Forget Everything You Know About Being a CEO: A Conversation with Krystal Zell [S2.E12] What happens when a Fortune 500 executive walks away from the "all-consuming" pace of corporate leadership to find a different path? In this episode of the (un)conversations podcast, host Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Krystal Zell, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Floor & Decor, for a raw look at what it truly takes to lead. From her rise at The Home Depot to navigating a $130M turnaround as CEO of Tonal, Krystal shares the leadership lessons she had to "un-learn" along the way. In this episode, we explore: * The "One-Way Door" Philosophy: Mastering high-stakes, irreversible decision-making. * Navigating Executive Burnout: Identifying the "dense fog" before you reach a breaking point. * The CEO Sabbatical: Why Krystal took a year off at age 47 to reset for her next 20 years of leadership. * C-Level Transitions: How Krystal Zell Navigated Home Depot, Tonal, and Floor & Decor. Episode Chapters: (00:00) Forget Everything You Know About Being a CEO (01:31) Meet Krystal Zell: From Floor & Decor to Tonal (03:00) The (UN)word Effect: Using AI to find your leadership identity (05:03) (Un)deterred: Lessons from a blue-collar upbringing (19:24) (Un)assuming: Fashion emergencies and C-Suite branding (28:56) Leaving Home Depot: Knowing when it’s time for a new problem (37:59) The Tonal Opportunity: Managing a $130M strategic turnaround (54:30) Identifying the "Dense Fog" of Burnout (01:00:03) Why every leader needs a Career Sabbatical (01:08:52) The (Un)expected joy of teaching AP Economics( 01:11:48) Ask Dr. Alison: Krystal Zell flips the script (01:15:13) The (un)wrap: Showing the human side of business Connect with our Guest:Krystal Zell is the EVP & Chief Customer Officer at Floor & Decor and the former CEO of Tonal. LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalzell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalzell/]⁠ Floor & Decor: https://www.flooranddecor.com/ [https://www.flooranddecor.com/] Connect with Dr. Alison:Dr. Alison Schmidt is the CEO of Unconvention, advising leaders on the unseen dynamics of high-stakes leadership. Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus [https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus] LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/ [https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunconversationspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theunconversationspodcast] ⁠ Support the (UN)movement:If you enjoyed this conversation, please Follow the show and leave a 5-star rating and review on Spotify—it’s the best way to help us reach more unconventional leaders! #Leadership #CEO #KrystalZell #Burnout #ExecutiveCoaching #Sabbatical #Tonal #FloorAndDecor #unconversationspodcast ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

Why Most Leaders Fail: The (Un)Conventional Truth About Reinvention | Erika Hanafin Austria

Why Most Leaders Fail: The (Un)Conventional Truth About Reinvention | Erika Hanafin Austria (S2.E11) What is the reality of being a female founder and startup CEO? In this episode of the (un)conversations podcast, Dr. Alison sits down with Erika Hanafin Austria—the creator of MOMumental Reinvention, Co-Founder of Neon ID, and former CEO of HeyMama. Erika shares the brutal truth of what it actually takes to succeed as a serial entrepreneur in today’s high-pressure business landscape. She reveals why she built her success on "gut intuition" rather than just spreadsheets and how she navigated the (un)conventional journey of leading with empathy, resilience, and a total rejection of the "work-life balance" myth. Inside the Episode: * The Myth of Balance: Why startups are always out of balance and how to survive it. * Leading from the Gut: Why intuition is a founder's greatest tool. * NEON ID & AI: Using the HEXACO framework to map human personality. * MOMumental Moments: Finding "unforgettable bridges" to personal growth. Timestamps:00:00 – Why Most Leaders Fail: The (Un)Conventional Truth About Reinvention (Intro)01:30 – Meet Erika Hanafin Austria: Co-Founder of Neon ID03:45 – The (UN)word Effect: Gut-First Leadership vs. Data04:40 – The "Mental Gymnastics" of Scaling a Startup08:30 – Breaking the Box: Why I Don't Follow the Rule Book11:12 – Stomaching Entrepreneurship & Risk18:48 – Entrepreneurial DNA27:24 – MOMumental Moments: Finding Unforgettable Bridges33:43 – Being (Un)apologetically You: Advice for Female Leaders46:30 – NEON ID: Mapping Human Personality 52:40 – The ROI of Juggling and Awareness in Business01:05:25 – Integrating AI with NEON ID01:25:12 – Ask Dr. Alison - Reinvention: (Un)learning What No Longer Serves You01:29:00 - The (Un)wrap UpMeet Your Host: Dr. Alison SchmidtDr. Alison Schmidt is the CEO of Unconvention and host of the (un)conversations® podcast, where top leaders share the unconventional decisions that shaped their path. She advises senior leaders and founders navigating high-stakes decisions, leadership transitions, and the unseen dynamics of leadership. Known for saying what most leaders are thinking—but won’t say out loud! Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/Meet Erika Hanafin AustriaErika Hanafin Austria is the creator of MOMumental Reinvention, a Substack with 57,000+ subscribers exploring what it actually looks like to rebuild your identity, career, and life after everything changes. She is also the Co-Founder of Neon ID, former CEO of HeyMama, and a 2x Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia honoree.Substack: https://momumentalreinvention.comWebsite: https://www.erikahanafin.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikahanafinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikahanafin/Neon ID: https://neonid.com Support the (UN)movement:If you’re on YouTube, hit that subscribe button and leave a comment. If you’re on Spotify , Apple, iHeart, Amazon Music or Pandora, follow the show and leave a 5-star rating or review. It takes 10 seconds, it’s completely free, and it is the single best way to ensure we can keep bringing you these (un)conversations Thank you for being part of the (un)movement! #WhyMostLeadersFail #Reinvention #ErikaHanafinAustria #FemaleFounders #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CareerReinvention #NeonID #MOMumentalMoments ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved.