Designed for More with Sarah Simmons: Finding Strength in Risk and Reinvention

Thriving in the Messy Middle with Jessica Studholme: Where Growth Actually Happens

This week, Lorie Jones sits down with Jessica Studholme, CRO of Hello Sunshine, for a candid and empowering conversation about embracing obstacles, career pivots, and the power of authenticity. Jessica shares her journey from dreaming of being a Rockette to climbing the corporate ladder in media and entertainment, emphasizing how every challenge became a stepping stone. The discussion pans lessons learned from mentorship, the art of self-advocacy, and the importance of showing up as your true self in male-dominated industries. Whether you're charting your own course, facing the messy middle, or just need a reminder to take a fearless first step, this episode will inspire you to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as the pathway to growth and greatness. Let the journey begin! Show Highlights: * Reframing obstacles as the path rather than what's in its way. [04:25] * The power of mentorship and networking in career transitions. [11:41] * How work–life integration can inform and enrich leadership. [15:23] * Engaging in the "ugly work" of self-discovery with a coach. [17:19] * Should you change who you are for a job or be masculine in business? [24:10] * Listening to your gut and leaving earlier for your next chapter. [28:37] * Pivotal question to ask yourself to negotiate your worth. [32:26] * How to find everyday fearlessness in the messy middle. [39:30] * Facing bias due to gender and motherhood in the workplace. [46:02] * Modeling ambition for kids with lessons from Jessica's mom. [49:53] * Why young women must network and embrace "burnt toast." [54:19] Find Jessica Studholme on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-studholme-7b57b94/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-studholme-7b57b94/]. You can also contact her via email at jessicajstudholme@gmail.com [jessicajstudholme@gmail.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Accidental Entrepreneurship with Stefanie Francis: Building What You Couldn't Find

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Stefanie Francis, founder and CEO of Hootology, to uncover the twists and turns of her inspiring career. From her beginnings as a Division I volleyball player to unexpectedly launching her own tech-enabled market research firm, Stefanie shares how embracing uncertainty and following her intuition led her to build the company she had always hoped to work for. Stefanie offers candid reflections on leaving comfort zones, navigating challenges as a woman leader, and her commitment to inner growth through therapy and self-discovery. Whether you're forging your own path or still figuring out the next step, Stefanie Francis's fearless wisdom will spark your curiosity and encourage you to embrace every possibility along your journey. Show Highlights: * Finding success in the present on an evolving career path. [07:22] * A journey to founding the company you couldn't find to work at. [08:15] * What does modernized market research look like? [12:31] * The role of therapy as a transformative personal investment. [15:49] * Why advice isn't absolute and needs your unique filter. [18:12] * Hollow personal branding vs. "warning" signals of authenticity. [21:14] * The value of understanding your own psychology of money. [29:39] * Is fear a necessary part of growth? [33:32] * Exposure to locker room talk as masculine-presenting women. [35:45] * Embracing the inner voice, fear, and quiet as young women. [39:14] Connect with Stefanie Francis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/]. You can also reach out to Stefanie via email at stephanie@hootology.com [stephanie@hootology.com] . If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Owning Your Value with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell: Starting Before You Feel Ready

In today's conversation, Lori Jones sits down with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, president of Kwedar & Co., who shares her inspiring journey from book-loving child to successful entrepreneur. Listen in as Lauren recounts how being laid off at eight months pregnant became the catalyst for launching her own business—and how embracing lifelong learning and valuing her own worth transformed her professional path. You'll also hear candid advice on negotiating salaries, trusting your intuition, scaling teams with heart, and the importance of taking time to rest and rejuvenate. This episode is packed with real stories, practical lessons, and encouragement for any woman aiming to carve her own fearless trail in the business world. Show Highlights: * Do great PR careers evolve from a childhood love of stories? [08:26] * How being laid off can be an entrepreneurial springboard. [12:13] * The power of coaching to help start and sustain a business. [16:00] * The certification and accelerator that transformed Lauren's path. [17:45] * Are you undercharging without negotiating first offers? [21:44] * Pitfalls of boosting headcount without strategy during rapid growth. [25:58] * The importance of delegating financial administration. [30:44] * Why "hire slow, fire fast" is true—better done with humanity. [35:36] * Fostering rest and adventure beyond work as an employer. [41:38] * AI and entry-level job challenges vs. unlocking unique value. [43:32] Connect with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/] or via email at hello@kwedarco.com [hello@kwedarco.com]. You can also find Lauren's work or contact her at https://www.kwedarco.com/ [https://www.kwedarco.com/]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Rewriting the Playbook with Cary Carbonaro: Designing Finance for Women

This week, Lorie Jones welcomes powerhouse financial advisor Cary Carbonaro, whose remarkable path proves success rarely follows a straight line. From her early days in private banking to weathering professional pivots and personal upheaval, Cary stands out as a relentless force finding opportunity through adversity. She opens up about rewriting the rules in a male-dominated industry and why women don't have to fit neatly into any one box—advisor, author, marketer, or speaker. You will find fresh perspectives in her ironclad commitment to self-belief and her strategic take on building a career where confidence is non-negotiable. Don't miss Cary's practical advice for owning your ambition, championing your credentials, and celebrating milestones along the way. This is a conversation designed to energize growth-minded women ready to shape their own legacy. Show Highlights: * A nonlinear journey in finance to a No.4 national ranking. [04:34] * Betting on your talent over job security at a prestigious firm. [08:34] * Why you should get Cary's book Women and Wealth. [10:47] * Is occupying a single career box important to be successful? [12:23] * The high-return investment of earning CFP certification. [13:37] * Risks of unqualified people vetting your separation agreement. [17:36] * The importance of listening to good parental and CFP advice. [21:47] * Explicit and subtle discrimination against women in finance. [27:59] * Two non-negotiables for women entering male-dominated fields. [31:34] * Practical advice for young women who want to become CFPs. [35:26] To contact Cary Carbonaro, visit her website https://carycarbonaro.com/ [https://carycarbonaro.com/] or find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/]. Click the link to get Cary's book Women and Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Wealth-Playbook-Empower-Clients/dp/1394300271 [https://www.amazon.com/Women-Wealth-Playbook-Empower-Clients/dp/1394300271] If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/]

Designed for More with Sarah Simmons: Finding Strength in Risk and Reinvention

In this inspiring episode, Sara Simmons, founder of Sera Swimwear and a seasoned HR executive, joins Lorie Jones for a candid conversation about blazing your own trail in male-dominated industries. They'll explore the difference between confidence and competence, the power of investing in yourself, and the reality of growing a career—and a business—from the ground up. Sara shares her unconventional journey from childhood fashion dreams to building startups, navigating setbacks, and undertaking unique challenges as a woman leader. Whether you're just getting started or facing your own crossroads, this episode delivers the wisdom, grit, and practical advice you need to take the next fearless step in your career. Get ready to be inspired and empowered on your own path to success! Show Highlights: * Two must-reads for leading organizations with a competitive edge. [03:48] * The opportunity in underserved plus-size apparel with data. [10:58] * The indispensable value of CE and professional certification. [16:06] * How to recognize a stagnant job and cues for a change. [16:37] * Who's in your combined Voltron of key advisors? [19:54] * Why the advice you take must fit your context and realism. [20:33] * The truth about fearlessness and micro steps. [28:52] * Advice to find a 401(k) employer match. [32:24] * Balance vs. work-life integration for multi-hyphenate women. [34:24] * Avoid opportunistic thought leaders as early-career women. [39:47] * Confidence vs. competence in real-life business building. [41:51] Connect with Sara Simmons on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-s-053a1a126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-s-053a1a126/]. Sara can also be reached via email at sara@seraswimwear.com [sara@seraswimwear.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].